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Buying Used Bikes in West Africa Buying Used Bikes in West Africa
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 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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Old 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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Old 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.
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Old 13 Sep 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
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
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 View Post
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 View Post
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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