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Which east/southern African country to buy a motorcycle in as a foreigner Which east/southern African country to buy a motorcycle in as a foreigner
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
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  • 1 Post By mark manley
  • 1 Post By chris.perjalanan

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  #1  
Old 18 Jul 2022
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Which east/southern African country to buy a motorcycle in as a foreigner
Does anyone have first hand experience of buying a bike in east or southern Africa as a foreigner? I am considering a trip there for a few months this winter and would like to buy a new small bike such as a Honda or Indian built 125 and preferably register it in my name which should make border crossings easier.
I have looked at the buying in South Africa thread which is an option but I would prefer to start in Kenya if possible as it is more central to the area I wish to see, any information?
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  #2  
Old 19 Jul 2022
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My friend Jim with my help bought a new Suzuki GN125 in Congo Brazzaville- a very simple and inexpensive process. He also bought a used bike in Namibia. That was slightly more complex but not much. I will alert him to this post and he can share his experience if he wishes.
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  #3  
Old 19 Jul 2022
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Originally Posted by simon dippenhall View Post
My friend Jim with my help bought a new Suzuki GN125 in Congo Brazzaville- a very simple and inexpensive process. He also bought a used bike in Namibia. That was slightly more complex but not much. I will alert him to this post and he can share his experience if he wishes.
Thanks Simon, that would be appreciated.
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Old 20 Jul 2022
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Mark: I would also recommend a good search on this forum and Overlanding africa (Facebook) as quite a lot has been posted in answer to your question, IIRC. Good luck!
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Old 20 Jul 2022
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I have looked here but apart from the South Africa thread did not come up with much, I don't do FB but might ask someone else to check the group you mention for me, a google search mostly sends me back to here so it seems it is not an often discussed matter, thanks again for your reply.
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Old 20 Jul 2022
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Mark, there’s a little bit in here although more W Africa focused. Jim Lad is my travel buddy I referred to.

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...-africa-101265
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Old 20 Jul 2022
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Thanks for that, I did see it but as it is west Africa thought it was not relevant to where I hope to go, although it does re-enforce what I already know that a smaller bike is better for that part of the world.
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Old 29 Nov 2022
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Hi All

Mark I’d be interested to know what you discovered here. Did your trip happen?

Cheers
Andrea
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  #9  
Old 30 Nov 2022
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Hi All

Mark I’d be interested to know what you discovered here. Did your trip happen?

Cheers
Andrea
Not yet but possibly next year, I have asked in a couple of places but still no positive answer either way.
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Old 4 Dec 2022
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I have good experiences in Uganda buying Bajaj bikes used and then transfering ownership to my name. Straight forward process if you have the buying contract and photocopy of the previous owners id-card. If you find yourself in Uganda one day to get this stuff done send me a private message and I could put you in touch with a very skilled and reliable mechanic friend of mine I know for years. Been in Uganda two months ago again for a 1500km round trip to the remote north of the country on a rented Bajaj CT 125 bike ( 5-7$ / day ) with a good friend and my guy took two days to transform my friends Bajaj 100 from horrible almost non road worthy mechanical condition to technically as new inclueding complete engine overhaul for less than 200$ in parts and labour if I remember correctly.



I rode a Bajaj 150 some years ago from Uganda to Malawi which was not in my name but from the previous owner and no problems on any border. Sold the bike in Malawi to a british guy I met here on the HUBB and he continued all the way down to Namibia, also without any issues so don´t be too worried about the "not in your name" bike if you have proof of ownership.



Cheers,
Chris
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  #11  
Old 4 Dec 2022
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris.perjalanan View Post
I have good experiences in Uganda buying Bajaj bikes used and then transfering ownership to my name. Straight forward process if you have the buying contract and photocopy of the previous owners id-card. If you find yourself in Uganda one day to get this stuff done send me a private message and I could put you in touch with a very skilled and reliable mechanic friend of mine I know for years. Been in Uganda two months ago again for a 1500km round trip to the remote north of the country on a rented Bajaj CT 125 bike ( 5-7$ / day ) with a good friend and my guy took two days to transform my friends Bajaj 100 from horrible almost non road worthy mechanical condition to technically as new inclueding complete engine overhaul for less than 200$ in parts and labour if I remember correctly.

3 4

I rode a Bajaj 150 some years ago from Uganda to Malawi which was not in my name but from the previous owner and no problems on any border. Sold the bike in Malawi to a british guy I met here on the HUBB and he continued all the way down to Namibia, also without any issues so don´t be too worried about the "not in your name" bike if you have proof of ownership.



Cheers,
Chris

Thanks Chris, Uganda is pencilled in as a destination and could be a good place to start, I will bear this in mind.
Mark
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