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Any ideas about helmet and clothing for Africa? Any ideas about helmet and clothing for Africa?
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
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  • 1 Post By jordan325ic
  • 1 Post By ta-rider
  • 1 Post By Vaufi
  • 1 Post By PaulD
  • 1 Post By lorraine
  • 1 Post By Kenny M

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  #1  
Old 7 Dec 2014
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Question Any ideas about helmet and clothing for Africa?
Does anybody has some good info about what to wear on my bike through Africa? What helmet is best( pros and cons) and if an undersuit is a good thing to keep me cool. More info about softbags and sort and a european retailer to buy online?
Many thanks
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  #2  
Old 10 Dec 2014
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Speeds are low, temperatures are very high and stops are very frequent, so when I am travelling in West Africa I am biased towards off-bike comfort rather than riding safety. I wear canvas jeans, altberg "lite" boots and a long sleeve t-shirt. Maybe some light leather gloves if I am doing a longer day. I only very rarely see other foreign travellers on motorcycles, but it seems like many of them have adopted similar attitudes.

Though I have a full face, a 3/4 face or flip-up would be best. I consider it rude to talk to somebody with your helmet covering your face, and you will be stopping to talk to hundreds of people, police checkpoints, directions, etc... It does get tiring to be removing and replacing a full face every 5 minutes. Whatever you choose, I would make sure it has some way to be secured to the bike besides with the chin strap, because it's a hassle to carry it around but that chin strap will be cut in any larger African city.

Whatever you choose, make sure it is either comfortable or quick to remove and store, because Africa is better when you can accept every invitation or frustration without physical discomfort.

In my opinion.
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  #3  
Old 10 Dec 2014
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I would use a helmed that dont make you look like an ATM and wich alows you to use sun glasses. I was wearing hiking boots, jeans and a old army jacked and used alu panniers as they are burgler proof and protect your legs while riding. You allways nee to wear long sleve clothes and light gloves otherwise you will get sun burned very quickly:

http://afrikamotorrad.eu/?report=en_westkueste
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  #4  
Old 11 Dec 2014
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Like Jordan I prefer a flip-up helmet - not only in Africa. It's practical when taking photos, talking to people etc. When riding at low speeds, flip it up. Nice & cool ;o)
A well ventilated riding suit, light grey or kakhi is IMHO the better option, because safer. Additionally I prefer off-road boots, but I have drilled some holes left & right to increase the ventilation. Works quite well.
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  #5  
Old 12 Dec 2014
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Africa
I just used a Nolan n42 not a full face, it just has a visor, I am now getting a Shoei J Cruise (check them out) I like the wind in my face, I can eat & drink as well. In Africa you don't got very fast anyway, but I am probably one of the worst examples of a motorbike traveller you can get as I'm just a Jeans & shirt guy, & thro on a jacket when the misses ups me to often. Hiking boots is what i wear also. As for soft luggage I used hard panniers & had nothing stolen in 12 months of travelling thru Africa & my wife had soft panniers & religiously locked them in a thousand different ways & still had all her cloths stolen:confused1:

Cheers
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  #6  
Old 15 Dec 2014
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Hi Jordan, thank you for the helpfull reply. Im planning to drive through West Africa on my way to SA in about 4 months, at least if that is the right season to go. Anyways, how is the situation with visas, did you use a carnet and is it possible without? Which countries should I really visit because of the nature and which countries were a hassle and dangerous? Im sorry but I have a lot of questions haha.
Cheers
Kenny
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  #7  
Old 20 Dec 2014
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By nature do you mean wildlife or scenic? If wildlife, definitely East Africa. In South Africa there's too many fences and too commercial IMO. Botswana and Namibia (where I haven't been, so what I hear only) is great for political stability. People will say you can't go into the reserves with a bike, and that's basically true, but wildlife doesn't actually stay INSIDE the game parks so try camping right outside. ;-) I'll be heading to East Africa again in six weeks, see you there!
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Old 21 Dec 2014
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Hi Lorraine, thanks for the reply on my message. Bit by bit Im getting my information. By nature I mean wildlife, jungle, scenery in general. You going for a long time? It will take some time till I get there...
Regards Kenny
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Old 22 Dec 2014
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Don't wait too long! Africa, like many places in the world is changing FAST. I lived in Kenya for 5 years, went back a year ago after being away ten years. Yikes... scary.

Just got back from one month in Mozambique and a month in SA. I'm planning on flying into Dar el Salam in less than two months and buying a bike. Plan after that is nice and vague. :-)
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