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12 Sep 2020
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Buying Used Bikes in West Africa
Hey everyone,
I'll be doing a bit of traveling around West Africa and would be looking to buy a bike. I am just wondering what is the best country to find high spec, reasonably priced bikes? I would probably be starting off in SL or Liberia so if not those two then any countries in close proximity?
Also a few of my riding buddies have asked me to tell them if I find any cheap bikes that would be worth shipping back. Is there many high spec bikes found for cheap in West Africa or would prices be similar to home (UK) ?
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12 Sep 2020
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Bikes that you can register (and would want to use) in Europe are not the norm in West Africa. In fact, when you run into locally-owned, Europe-worthy bikes they often turn out to have been stolen in Europe and imported illegally. Legal imports are usually ridiculously expensive, at least by my US standards.
I knew a guy who was importing used Japanese bikes and selling for a reasonable price in Accra. I don't know whether he's still in business, but I could dig out a contact for you if you're really serious about this--not if you're "just wondering." Others have recommended the KTM dealer in Lomé.
Hope that's helpful, and wish you good luck.
Mark
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13 Sep 2020
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I saw bikes for sale in the countries listed below in West Africa that were higher spec than the 50-225 cc Indian/Chinese imports that are abundant. I don't know about the prices, and I haven't visited Sierra Leone or Liberia.
In Senegal, there is Fara Moto. Check out their Facebook page. Note, the location on their Facebook page looks different to iOverlander.
In Côte d'Ivoire, there is CACOMIAF. Check out their website.
In Togo, there is KTM. Check out their website.
That's three stores I know of in West Africa, and there's probably more that I don't know. The choice in West Africa will be very slim. If there's flexibility in your plan, South Africa offers more choice.
There are benefits to buying a local (well, Chinese/Indian import) bike that is lower spec and smaller cc. Bikes, parts, and mechanics are everywhere, which is not the same for higher spec bikes. Much cheaper too!
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13 Sep 2020
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On the UKGSER.com website there is a thread detailing the adventures of a couple of gentlemen and follows them from the Congo to South Africa. One of the bikes was a UK registered BMW R1150GS and the other was a locally bought Suzuki EN125.
It is this thread: https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/491947-Gael-warning-in-the-Congo?p=5264642#post5264642
There is a follow up thread for the Suzuki which takes it from South Africa up the east coast of Africa to Tanzania.
It is this thread.
Both threads are good reads and give good descriptions of life on the road together with some bike content. There is also a starter thread called Gael Warning in West Africa But that doesn’t feature the Suzuki.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
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13 Sep 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf
Bikes that you can register (and would want to use) in Europe are not the norm in West Africa. In fact, when you run into locally-owned, Europe-worthy bikes they often turn out to have been stolen in Europe and imported illegally. Legal imports are usually ridiculously expensive, at least by my US standards.
I knew a guy who was importing used Japanese bikes and selling for a reasonable price in Accra. I don't know whether he's still in business, but I could dig out a contact for you if you're really serious about this--not if you're "just wondering." Others have recommended the KTM dealer in Lomé.
Hope that's helpful, and wish you good luck.
Mark
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Hi Mark,
Thank you for taking the time to reply. My friends were hoping there might be some bargains out there but that is obviously not the case if the import duties are so high. No worries.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Matthews
I saw bikes for sale in the countries listed below in West Africa that were higher spec than the 50-225 cc Indian/Chinese imports that are abundant. I don't know about the prices, and I haven't visited Sierra Leone or Liberia.
In Senegal, there is Fara Moto. Check out their Facebook page. Note, the location on their Facebook page looks different to iOverlander.
In Côte d'Ivoire, there is CACOMIAF. Check out their website.
In Togo, there is KTM. Check out their website.
That's three stores I know of in West Africa, and there's probably more that I don't know. The choice in West Africa will be very slim. If there's flexibility in your plan, South Africa offers more choice.
There are benefits to buying a local (well, Chinese/Indian import) bike that is lower spec and smaller cc. Bikes, parts, and mechanics are everywhere, which is not the same for higher spec bikes. Much cheaper too! |
Many thanks for the information. I guess I will buy the bike in Senegal. I like your suggestion about buying local bikes for repairs and parts and will definitely look into it 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Benson
On the UKGSER.com website there is a thread detailing the adventures of a couple of gentlemen and follows them from the Congo to South Africa. One of the bikes was a UK registered BMW R1150GS and the other was a locally bought Suzuki EN125.
It is this thread: https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/491947-Gael-warning-in-the-Congo?p=5264642#post5264642
There is a follow up thread for the Suzuki which takes it from South Africa up the east coast of Africa to Tanzania.
It is this thread.
Both threads are good reads and give good descriptions of life on the road together with some bike content. There is also a starter thread called Gael Warning in West Africa But that doesn’t feature the Suzuki. |
That's an incredible thread. I have spent the last few hours reading it. Much appreciated.
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14 Sep 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADP10
...a few of my riding buddies have asked me to tell them if I find any cheap bikes that would be worth shipping back [to the UK]...
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Hello:
Mark gave you a very good answer in post #2 above.
The biggest problem you will encounter attempting to import a motorcycle to the UK (or to any other first-world country, for that matter) is that a motorcycle sold in one region of the world (e.g. Africa, USA, Asia, South America) will not be labelled as meeting the exhaust emission requirements in any country other than the one it was originally shipped to by the manufacturer.
This is in part due to variations in emission control regulations from one country to another, and in part (a large part, I suspect) a very convenient way for the manufacturers to put an end to grey market imports of vehicles.
There are very few countries that have harmonized their emission control requirements. Canada and the USA have, which means a vehicle sold in one country can (usually) be imported to the other. Even in Europe, despite the great efforts of the EC to harmonize everything, there are a lot of barriers to importing a vehicle from one EC country to another.
Michael
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14 Sep 2020
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Guys, I'm the "Drumacoon Lad" who bought the EN125 Suzuki in Congo Brazzaville and rode it to Tanzania, via South Africa. Buying the bike was simple enough and I had no major issues taking it through the borders. A small bike is fine in that part of Africa, however a road bike is not ideal for gravel roads, but that's what the locals use. My bike was Chinese built and the build quality was excellent and it never let me down in 20,000. Happy to field any questions. Glad you enjoyed our GSER threads.
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14 Sep 2020
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Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Lad
Guys, I'm the "Drumacoon Lad" who bought the EN125 Suzuki in Congo Brazzaville and rode it to Tanzania, via South Africa. Buying the bike was simple enough and I had no major issues taking it through the borders. A small bike is fine in that part of Africa, however a road bike is not ideal for gravel roads, but that's what the locals use. My bike was Chinese built and the build quality was excellent and it never let me down in 20,000. Happy to field any questions. Glad you enjoyed our GSER threads.
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I have to say that the ride reports that Simon and you wrote cemented in my mind the plan that I have been developing for a while - especially the photos of the wildlife, people and landscapes. I have got to go back to Africa.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
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15 Sep 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean
Hello:
Mark gave you a very good answer in post #2 above.
The biggest problem you will encounter attempting to import a motorcycle to the UK (or to any other first-world country, for that matter) is that a motorcycle sold in one region of the world (e.g. Africa, USA, Asia, South America) will not be labelled as meeting the exhaust emission requirements in any country other than the one it was originally shipped to by the manufacturer.
This is in part due to variations in emission control regulations from one country to another, and in part (a large part, I suspect) a very convenient way for the manufacturers to put an end to grey market imports of vehicles.
There are very few countries that have harmonized their emission control requirements. Canada and the USA have, which means a vehicle sold in one country can (usually) be imported to the other. Even in Europe, despite the great efforts of the EC to harmonize everything, there are a lot of barriers to importing a vehicle from one EC country to another.
Michael
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Yeah it seems like a mess and not worth the hassle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Lad
Guys, I'm the "Drumacoon Lad" who bought the EN125 Suzuki in Congo Brazzaville and rode it to Tanzania, via South Africa. Buying the bike was simple enough and I had no major issues taking it through the borders. A small bike is fine in that part of Africa, however a road bike is not ideal for gravel roads, but that's what the locals use. My bike was Chinese built and the build quality was excellent and it never let me down in 20,000. Happy to field any questions. Glad you enjoyed our GSER threads.
Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
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Hey there! Your thread was fantastic and really motivated me. Initially I was just going to drive around Sierra Leone and Liberia but after reading your thread I've decided to do a trip from Senegal-Cameroon.
I think I will be buying a smaller bike locally after doing some research. Hoping to go Senegal-Gambia-Guinea Bissau-Guinea-Sierra Leone and then after a few weeks in SL go Liberia-Ivory Coast-Ghana-Togo-Benin-Nigeria-Cameroon.
I am worried about my mechanical skills which are non existent in the event of a problem. I was thinking about getting some of my friends to educate me in the basics of fixing my bike as I think I would be in trouble otherwise.
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16 Sep 2020
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Mechanical skills
Hiya ADP
If you read my blog (I am the bmw r1150gs rider in Gael earnings) you will see that lack of mechanical skills is not an obstacle to progress. That would be especially the case if you buy a local bike as, as others have said, most roadside mechanics will be able to fix them.
Regards
Simon
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16 Sep 2020
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If thinking of buying a bike in Senegal, it may also be worth considering buying in Gambia as it is an English speaking country and negotiations may be less complicated than Senegal, unless your French is good. As Simon said, buying a bike the locals use makes it easier to get it fixed as you travel around. I'd recommend bringing luggage and tools with you, as it can be hard to find even a top box in the local markets. I used soft waterproof panniers and a Givi top box and a waterproof bag to go behind the rider. Top boxes are useful, as a secure dry place to keep valuables and documents. A small tank bag or handle bar bag is handy for passport, driving licence etc for police checkpoints. Also consider what navigation you will use and make sure you have all the mounting components with you. If unsure about doing mechanical repairs one option is to go to your local repair shop before you leave and ask to watch as they service a bike. This may also assist you in deciding what tools to have with you. Cheers Jim
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17 Sep 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Lad
If thinking of buying a bike in Senegal, it may also be worth considering buying in Gambia as it is an English speaking country and negotiations may be less complicated than Senegal, unless your French is good. As Simon said, buying a bike the locals use makes it easier to get it fixed as you travel around. I'd recommend bringing luggage and tools with you, as it can be hard to find even a top box in the local markets. I used soft waterproof panniers and a Givi top box and a waterproof bag to go behind the rider. Top boxes are useful, as a secure dry place to keep valuables and documents. A small tank bag or handle bar bag is handy for passport, driving licence etc for police checkpoints. Also consider what navigation you will use and make sure you have all the mounting components with you. If unsure about doing mechanical repairs one option is to go to your local repair shop before you leave and ask to watch as they service a bike. This may also assist you in deciding what tools to have with you. Cheers Jim
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That's some great advice, thank you.
Would you know which GPS is best suited to West Africa?
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17 Sep 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simon dippenhall
Hiya ADP
If you read my blog (I am the bmw r1150gs rider in Gael earnings) you will see that lack of mechanical skills is not an obstacle to progress. That would be especially the case if you buy a local bike as, as others have said, most roadside mechanics will be able to fix them.
Regards
Simon
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Hi Simon
How often did you break down? I am worried about getting stuck in the middle of nowhere and getting myself into bother!
What Sat Nav did you guys use? I'm having difficulty finding one that covers West Africa
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17 Sep 2020
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I used a Garmin GPS and loaded maps from Tracks4Africa(T4A). They are not too expensive and they covered all the roads I used. Also includes info on accommodation, petrol stations, bank etc. Also well worth downloading the iOverlander App to your phone. This has lots of information for travellers in a map format, with comments added by previous travellers. When talking about phones, both Simon and I had 2 phones, our our own phone and an additional one into which we inserted a local SIM. We used the extra phone to generate a WiFi hotspot and then connected our main phone to this WiFi, to gain access to the internet. This meant that one of the first tasks on arriving in a country was to buy a SIM. Best not to buy at the border, but wait to get to the first main town and ask the locals which network is best.
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19 Sep 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADP10
Hi Simon
How often did you break down? I am worried about getting stuck in the middle of nowhere and getting myself into bother!
What Sat Nav did you guys use? I'm having difficulty finding one that covers West Africa
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Best read the blog.... 
But to summarise, the ‘middle of nowhere’ is more a concept of our imagination. In reality people live in these places...for example, when the bike stopped dead towards the mid point of a 300 km dirt road in Rep of Congo, I managed to arrange help and spent the night sleeping on the examination table of the infirmary in a village without electricity or running water. Got this mechanic to come on the back of a small Moto from 25 kms away to try to diagnose the electrical problem
But to find out how it all ended, recommend you check out the full blog...
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