Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Tyres in Mali/Mauritania Tyres in Mali/Mauritania
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Jul 2009
Oz Oz is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Natimuk
Posts: 105
Tyres in Mali/Mauritania
We are planning to travel to Timbuktu this autumn and will be needing an 18 and 17 inch rear tyre in either mali or mauritania. has anyone got any info about tyre suppliers in these countries or will we have to freight replacements to us. any thoughts/ideas appreciated, dont know why but tyres is always an issue that causes me stress when trip planning.
cheers
oz
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Jul 2009
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,932
Assuming it's for your XR and you want to ride the pistes, I'd try and calculate my tyre wear so I did not need a new one in RIM or Mali.

Go down on any tyre while carrying a knobbly spare. At the Mori border stash one for the way back and fit the other. Or get a car to stash for you in advance.

Otherwise a road or trail tyre ought to get you there and back, but will be poor in sand. I suspect the chances of finding decent, right-sized tyres out there, especially a 17 or in Mori, are pretty slim and getting bogged down with freight will cost. North Morocco will have tyres (but then it's nearly Spain).

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 Jul 2009
Oz Oz is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Natimuk
Posts: 105
cheers chris
yeah its for the xr and my partners dr. will try to work it out ourselves. thanks for confirming that we would be out of luck trying to buy local.
ta
oz
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Jul 2009
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
I did UK to Senegal and back again on a 1200GSA shod with TKC80 knobblies. So long as you don't cane the bike on motorways or with fast acceleration you should be able to get equivalent distance. Don't be too concerned that the knobbles on the centre of the tread will get a bit worn, the important part of the tyre for sand is the knobbles at the side.

Even better, do as Chris suggests and take a spare set to change over in southern Spain or Morocco.



The guy on the scooter was in a Nick Sanders group and made it to Timbuctou and back again so you'll be fine.

Tim
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20 Jul 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Gloucester uk
Posts: 17
Tyres, Mali
In February 2008 'Le Marocaine' a mechanic at the Grande Marche in Bamako took me by Taxi to a small engineering complex just off the Segou Road a few miles out of town by the police checkpoint.In a shipping container there was a stash of new bike parts, including tyres.I noticed Michelin Deserts but not sizes or whether there were other choices( I managed to get a new front sprocket for my Tenere).There were also a fair few big bikes in various stages of dismantlement at his place at the market which may have had usable tyres.I wouldn't count on either but, assuming he's still about, he might get you out of trouble.
John
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 542
There used to be a stash of half used Michelin deserts left over from the Dakar rally available in the Atar marketplace.

With a bit of searching, I managed to buy two decent (at least 70% tread) 140-80-18s in Jan 07. Now that the rally no longer ventures into Africa, the chance of these still being available is probably limited, but there might be a few left overs from the Africa race, Heroes / Legends etc that might make their way to the market. Since most of the rallies stop overnight near Atar, this is probably a better option than Nouakchott. Otherwise Tidjani at Garage Sahara in Nouakchott might be able to point you in the right direction. His details are posted in the Africa workshop section.

Ask around and let us know how you get on.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Aug 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
in Bamako (this Jan) there were quite a few off-roaders in various states, in the market. and I was offered 'new' tyres for an 1150 GS. Head into the market, find the bikes and ask around. You might not (probably won't) get something new, but you'll get something.

They also claim a stash of ex-Dakar tyres in Bamako.

cheers,
Doug
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mauritania or Mali danielsan North Africa 1 11 Mar 2008 17:14
Mauritania, Mali pedrofconti North Africa 3 2 Jan 2008 22:44
From Mali to Mauritania roro North Africa 1 29 Jan 2007 22:40
Mali---->Mauritania roro North Africa 3 20 Jun 2006 11:53
mauritania mali senegal at may rafa Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 25 Mar 2004 00:19

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:09.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top