Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Tyre choice for Africa...? Tyre choice for Africa...?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Dec 2003
jim jim is offline
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Cape Town South Africa
Posts: 222
Tyre choice for Africa...?
Hello all,

Im off on a Cape to Cairo trip in April. Can anyone give me advice on what sort of tyres to go for?
Ideally i would like to be able to do the trip on one set. I guess i will be doing a fair bit of tar road riding until i hit Malawi, but from there I want to hit the dirt and sand as much as possible. Is it a good idea to use my existing rear tyre with a nice new front until Malawi and then change the rear for something more off-road orientated? Im riding a Yamaha Tenere.

Also, ive heard of heavy duty spokes being a good idea, are they worth getting hold of, this will be difficult as theyre not available in SA.

Thanks Again,
Jim
__________________
"If we don't find something good at least we will find something new." Voltaire
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Dec 2003
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wakefield, QC, Canada
Posts: 273
Hi Jim,
On my Capetown-Europe stretch I had a new set of Silverstone Trailwings put on my BMW F650 in Joburg. I was very satisfied with them on and off road. Most of your riding will be on pavement, which rules out knobbies. There is some sand in Sudan, and rough stuff in Kenya and Ethiopia, but O.K. for any enduro tyres like Trailwings, or Pirelli Scorpions, or Continental Escapes. I'm not sure if you have much of a selection in Malawi. Perhaps Nairobi would be a better bet. But don't count on it. The set you put on in Joburg will easily last until you reach Istanbul, where everything is available.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Jan 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: holland
Posts: 79
Hi there,

We just got back from a similar trip on an Africa Twin and a Yamaha XT. We bought a set of tires in Windhoek, which is one of the last places you can buy high quality 17" rear tyres. 21" front tyres are available almost everywhere, but don't expect quality! We bought road-tyres and saved our nobblies for Sudan, but looking back: north Kenia can cost you your tires if you don't have strong tyres (4 or more pliers!): it cost me a fronttyre because one the stones just cut out a piece of side of my tyre!

If I were you I'd take a offroad rear tyre with me untill you want to hit the dirt. Especially the rear one is relevant. A front tyre will last you probably more than 15.000 kms, so you can start of with the same one you start with.

You could also leave SA on a set of almost worn roadtyres and then throw them away if you want to hit the dirt.

We used MEFO-sport tyres (explorer and stonemaster). But I don't think they sell them in SA.

If you want some sand in Tanzania, try the road from Mbeya (just across the Malawi border) to Tabora, going via Itiqi. It was one of the hardest we had on the whole 38.500 kms.

Cheers,
Corne (www.motorbikes2africa.nl)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Jan 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Winchester, Hampshire
Posts: 202
Hi, last stop for tyres going north is Ian Duncan the KTM dealer in nairobi, his tyres arn't cheap but he has a good selection of Michelin and Dunlop knobblies.The roads of North Kenya and Ethiopia can eat tyres, my TKC80 rear got slashed by a rock in Sudan and then split open in Ethiopia, 3 inch diameter hole, my front had seven knobbles ripped off on the Marsabit to Isiolo road but these where the tube type tyres, on the same roads a friends BM with Tubless TKC80s didn't suffer the same fate. There is also a KTM dealer in Lusaka who has tyres but these come from SA anyway so you would be better off carrying them that far as they would be cheaper. Regards Chris
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

 
 

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 12:17.

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