Hi , I am now in Johannesburg , South Africa in exploration stage for the right motorcycle to ride across Africa.

i'm an enduro rider and racer and would try to ride as much off road as i can during my trip.

My budget is up to 80000 Rand [ 7500$ ]

I am debating between the BMW F800gs which I'm most attracted to but if any thing goes wrong out side of South Africa than i'm screwed.

To the Tenere660 which Considered to be reliable and suitable for Africa.

i'm also considering taking a more simple, carbureted bike like DR, KLR or XR so if some thing goes wrong i can fix it on the way.

my heart goes for the BMW but the brain wants it simple.
what do you think??

can the F800 survive the continent?


thank you.
Rom


motorcycle diaries

Hi,
In January I travelled Kenya on a DRZ400, This was fast enough for the roads there. I was travelling light though. It coped with the rough very well.
It would depend on how much luggage you are carrying, the GS range will obviously carry more. You would be able to ride faster on tar but much slower on the rough. I think the GS suspension would not cope with the rough at speed in the same way a more off road orientated bike would.
I recently tested the full GS range, the F800GS and G650GS, are both great machines in their limits. The 800 a fantastic road and smooth dirt road bike but would be a hand full off road, to firm and not enough suspension travel. Also very heavy, particularly if travelling alone. As picking a loaded GS up can seriously damage your health! The potholes on African roads really catch you out. (I saw the 1200 as a road only bike).
So much electronics would scare me in many parts of Africa too, there a few facilities to diagnose faults and even less parts availability to fix. Having parts shipped is expensive and time consuming, the bureaucracy will make it a nightmare.
The G650 is much less complicated, and more crude with it, but would work as a better compromise in my opinion, especially the Sertao or Dakar.
I would still rather take a Drz 400 or similar, even a small XR250 especially if it rains!
Choose the bike to match the terrain, would be my view, or ride very slowly to nurture the less suited bike. Sometimes less is more.
Bren

Hi Rom,
I agree with bens comments about the GS, having spent 2 years around Africa on a GS 800. Weight is probably the biggest issue for the bike off road.!! but I was as not experienced at the time as I am now .. Pack light , forget the panniers, in west Africa you will wish you had a lighter bike, but for the most part, the power of the 800 is why I still keep it. Started in Morocco, finished in Egypt.. New parts : Rear shock, front shock seals replaced twice, new clutch cable, new wheel bearings ( twice ) Three fuel pumps, new key antenna ring, new stator, new regulator, radiator mounts replaced, ..and so on... . DO NOT start out with at least spare: Fuel pump, antenna ring, bearings, and front fork seals .. all small, light, and not very expensive.. and you will need them ... I feel the bike is more suited for Europe , not the heat of Sudan, or roads of the Congo.. Enjoy Africa its an amazing trip.. !!

These RRs might be of interest to you regarding the F800/F650GS:

F800/650GS Ride Reports - ADVrider

One of the most fascinating RRs is this one: Tour d'Afrique - and then some - ADVrider

Enjoy!

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

i will let you know what i go for...

cheers

Riding to some is a passion and to others it's simply a way to get from A to B.

If riding is a passion, and your heart tells you the 800GS- then go for it and plan for the worst (i.e. known issues with the bike etc.)

You're an experienced rider and I'm sure you wouldn't have chosen the 800 if you didn't feel comfortable in handling it in African conditions (with which you are already familiar).


PS: IMO- the 660 Tenere and F650 bikes are not very punchy or earth-shattering. But they do provide a good platform for the not-so-sure-of-themselves riders.

__________________
Squily

Squily Have you ridden in Africa ? Your comment has left me a little bewildered
about those 2 bikes not being very punchy ? anyway it was your opinion and you may have relative experience in Africa on these bikes.
I have ridden thru Africa on the F650gs twin (15mths) Egypt to SA. and found the bike more than capable in soft sand (deep creek bed sand was very testing tho) Gravel roads of Nth. Kenya did not pose a problem. However the main problem with the bike is ground clearance...the sleeping policemen in Uganda etc are a bit of a pain. But 80% of the time everything is perfect, we seem to lose track of what the majority of our trip will be & focus on the minority of it, i think the F800gs would be a fantastic bike to ride Africa on.

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....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au

Why don´t you combine BMW AND offroad-capabilities?

= BMW R80 G/S !!!

I have a 27 year old BMW R80 G/S. it is simple, easy to repair and weights with 176kg.
For offraoad it is better if you put in new fork suspension, new rear suspension, maybe some welding in the frame.
Look for HPN (they made the paris dakar bike in the 80ies)

I am more than happy with my machine. I dont have all these stuff (except better rear suspension)

Yes, and on various bikes from 350 trail bikes to 1200 Beamers.

I have not ridden the 2-cylinder F650 (actually a detuned 800 I think), just the single cylinder Rotax.

Yes- just my opinion based on my riding style. Both the 650GS and 660Tenere's fuel injection is very 'timid' and the throttle response is poor. You really have to wind these bikes up to get much out of them. I think a lot of people like them because they are so 'unremarkable' and predictive.

I prefer a punchy machine with instant throttle response. The 800GS is a very good performer, well-balanced and you don't have to wring it's neck to get a bit of performance out of it.

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Squily