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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 1 May 2006
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Location: Kenya or India
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Looking for a bike in East Africa
I am interested in buying a 300-650cc in Kenya, Tanzania, or Uganda. Does anyone know about new and/or used prices in the region? Or tips on where to look?
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  #2  
Old 2 May 2006
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There are quite a few older 250 / 400 / 600 Japanese dirt bike imports around East Africa. Your best bet would be Nairobi, but there are definately some available in Kampala & Dar es Salaam as well.

There is a KTM dealer in Nairobi who has a small range of KTMs. Search under KTM garages on the KTM forum for the address details. There are also a few expats in town with some 600s, mainly XRs etc, so you might be able to buy second hand from them.

In Kampala, you could ask John at Backpackers Hostel for some info & directions. There is at least one store near Backpackers with a few old 250s you could buy. Prices would be around US$1,500 or so.

In Dar, try Tuk Tuk motorcycles for some contacts. Details have previously been posted in the sub-saharan section.

In all three cases I would suggest that your best bet to find a resaonable second hand bike would be from the ex-pat community.
Last edited by Matt Roach; 2 May 2006 at 21:40.
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  #3  
Old 4 May 2006
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Rental and purchase options in Nairobi
Hi,

If it makes any sense for you, I can rent you my Transalp for use within Kenya.

My contact number is +254-736-725796

Otherwise, here are some bikes currently for sale in the Nairobi area right now -

KTM 310 2 stroke is available from Ian Duncan for 325,000 KS phone number is 0736-999822

2001 or 2002 Honda XR400 with IMS 440 kit installed, new timing chain, valves, and valve springs. 325,000 KS call 0733-333453

Another guy has a few BMW R100GS, R1100GS, and Suzuki DS650 (185,000 KS) His contact is 0722-752865

When calling from outside Kenya you drop the zero and add 254 to the phone number
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  #4  
Old 5 May 2006
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for kampala it is rare to see a +300cc bike, apart from the 20 shining police "XJ900 diversion"s and quite a few japanese harley copies.

but 250cc enduros are everywhere. New prices are unavailable, many new bikes seem korean or chinese 125-200cc products.

steep import taxes explain a lot...
Last edited by uganduro; 12 May 2006 at 21:06.
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  #5  
Old 29 May 2006
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Thanks for the advice-seems prices are generally pretty steep in East Africa.
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  #6  
Old 1 Jun 2006
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Prices are definately steep, but you need to remember that many African countries do not have a significant "employed" labour force upon which they can levy income taxation, so they have to get it in other ways. Hence vehicle taxation is always steep.

The other reason is that if you have to transport a vehicle to central Africa (ie Uganda etc), there is only one way in - ship to Mombasa / Dar etc and then lorry across to Uganda. Once you see the condition of the main road you will see why!
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  #7  
Old 27 Jun 2006
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looking for a bike too :)
Hey guys..

I'm about to go to kenya for development work(as a student - 3 months) and although Ive been to Kenya before I have no idea about the following:

IF I should find a bike for about 80.000,- Ksh. IF....that is....what would it be?

Suzuki TF-125 would do fine for me....But any other light two-stroke is fine.
It just has to be extremely budget, cause I don't have ANY money....

Where does one find these?
And what papers would I need? Licence, how do I get it? And do I need some registration of "me - owning - the - bike ? "

Does there exist something like insurance in Kenya. Just the normal insurance for damage you do to others? Does one HAVE to have this insurance....

I just need it to go around the farmers around machakos, and maybe drive to Homa Bay (lake victoria) to visit a friend...

OKAY
CU !
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  #8  
Old 27 Jun 2006
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Once you get into town, contact me on 0736-725796. I'll try to show you a few places you might buy something in that price range. In the new catagory, your probably looking at a 200CC Chinese, but some of these don't look to bad.

If you here for three months, don't even bother with trying to get a license. It will likely come through once you've already left. Do you have a mc license from your home country. If so, that will work

I have a contact who can easily sort out the ownership. You will have to get a PIN from the Kenya Revenue Authority, but it's no big deal and free.

Insurance will cost you about $75-100 USD for a years 3rd party coverage. You do need it.

Have fun riding to Homa Bay. It's a long way on a 200, but you'll have a good time non the less.
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  #9  
Old 28 Jun 2006
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bike + paperwork
'Thnx for your reaction...

Ive been Kitiu District before, and what I remember we're LOADS of old japenese bikes. (125/175/185/235/250 CC - all two strokes) Most of 'm we're all but dead, but the Kenyans kept 'm running anyways.

Now, these bikes can''t be expensive right? And, since, there so many of 'em, there should be parts available everywhere right? So I was hoping to find such an old veteran. Coz, for me, all the bike should do is get me from A to B. (Cars simply won 't fit on the bush trails south of Mutha, right? )

In Holland I not a licensed rider however. I've got a car license and a moped licence, but not a motorcycle licence......
So, If I get a International Licence from the Dutch autoritie, will it be sufficient enough to pass the 1-million-in-a-row-police-check on the way from Nairobi to Machakos?
On this International Licence will be the remark it is specificly for CARS, not bikes.

And is it possible to get the bike insured with this licence? :confused1: (only the insurance for 'doing-damage-to-others' )

LAST question: What is a PIN?

Ok, Once again THNX to anyone taking the time to provide information!!

Asante!
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  #10  
Old 29 Jun 2006
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You should be able to find a older smaller Japanese bike in your price range.

Seriously, police do not pay much attention to bike riders here. Since you will probably be doing that route fairly often, you'll get to know them all anyway, so a bit of chat will get you far.

A PIN is a Personal Identification Number. Even thou you probably won't be paying taxes or have other dealing with the KRA, you still need this number to register a vehicle

You will be able to buy insurance without showing your license.
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