Africa Trip, 2011, 200cc, info plz
 

Hi there all, my first thread.

I'm planning to take a trip around Africa early in 2011 and need some info from everyone who have knowledge of riding Africa. I'll be doing the trip on my trusted 200cc dual-purpose bike. First, doing it on a 200cc, what will I have to take into special consideration maintenance wise for the bike? Second, what is the average cost per day going cheaply (food, sleep, fuel, guessing between R200-R300?). Thirdly, more or less the duration for such a trip. I will go along the coast most of the way, up the east side and down the west side.

I think I read somewhere in a post of someone doing it on a DR200, would like to get in touch with him.

Thank you all in advance.

Safe Riding
Rassie

I’m currently ridding a DR200 up from Cape Town. Now in Germany should be in London in a week time, ill write up more details on the bike when I get home, 23000km so far and nothing serious gone wrong, a worn out clutch cable about it

To me one of the challenges of riding a 200 cc bike around Africa will be packing your gear. A small bike of course isn’t built to carry a heavy load especially over the rough roads of Africa ... and a cracked subframe in Ethiopia would really suck.

And if this is your first big ride (?) and you’re like most people, your tendency will be to overpack …

Deciding on what gear to bring and leave is never easy. First take a hard look at your bike and strip non-essential equipment. Can you get by without passenger footpegs? Is there non-essential weight on the bike for instance a big fat license plate assembly? Strip it and make a replacement with cheap and light aluminum bar. If you have reflectors get rid of those. Reduce the bike’s weight as much as possible.

Tools – pack only what you need. Go over the bike and all its nuts and bolts and fastenings and don’t bring any non-essential tools. I have to add a plug for the Motion Pro tire levers – they are incredibly light and also have 19 mm 24 mm and other size spanners on their ends. You save a couple of pounds right there.

Think about non-cotton shirts and pants. Clothing of higher tech materials adds up to less weight and volume and its dries faster too.

There are a million other decisions you’ll have to make … but definitely keep weight top of mind. Light makes right especially with a 200 cc. :thumbup1:

That's a difficult one, you've got a lot of countries with vastly different prices to factor in. Egypt, you could be talking as little as 100 rand a day, for fuel, accommodation and food, other countries like Mozambique or Kenya, you could be looking at 300-500 rand.

I don't think overloading will be a problem at all. If it is just you, your clothes and your tools, then you will have loads of space. You are taking a small bike too, the likelihood is that wherever you are in Africa, someone will be able to fix it if something does break.

As for clothing, RideFar said to go for non-cotton, but I would definitely disagree. Cotton options are breezier, easier to repair, and most importantly - make you sweat much less and smell much better. Sorry to disagree, but that's just my two pennies.

Birdy

Thanks for info
 

Hi all

This will be my first big trip with a motorcycle, only did small weekend trips here in South Africa so far. This is a big trip to start with, but I just feel I have to do this and it has now become one of my dreams. Haven't been this exited about a trip since I climbed Kilimanjaro.

The bike I'm using is a Skygo 200cc GY6. It's parts are plentiful and it has a strong frame. Max carry weight is 140kg, and I only weight 65kg, so leaves enough space for gear. I am a hiker, so will be going lightweight. For clothing RideFar is right. Cotton is good, but nylon/otherstuff material is better. Cotton keeps moisture in and doesn't dry as quickly.

I'm budgeting for R200- R300 per day for food, shelter and fuel, planning to complete in 12 months, total R90 000. All the other stuff at borders a total of R10 000 for. Total cash for trip R100 000?c?.

Hope I make the trip. Still lots of time, and doing all the necessary mods on bike and getting equiptment.

Thanks for info.
Cheers
Rassie

North Africa
 

I'm planning to go North Africa from east to west. How would you suggest I go Algeria to Morocco(bordors closed). Is it possible to take a ferry from Algeria to Spain and Spain to Morocco. Or will I have to skip Algeria altogether and go Sudan - Tunisia - ferry to Spain/Morocco - and continue down west.

All info are greatly appreciated

Safe riding
Rassie

Wicking gear better
 

Are you referring to clothing on or off the bike?

Technical wicking garments are way to go. A cotton tshirt under a riding jacket will be fully wet and soaked within 30mins when you are in the tropics. Wicking material will stay drier and more comfortable for longer and dry overnight even in muggy conditions.

Even off the bike, nothing beats wicking stuff for hot humid areas.