Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Blackbird - Morocco Blackbird - Morocco
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Jun 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Eastbourne
Posts: 44
Blackbird - Morocco
Oh dear me what have you and Austin done to me. I have only been back from Ripley a day and I am aching to set off on an adventure.

As if that was not bad enough the wife has only just said literally minutes ago well if you want to do it do it, unbelievable. That might be a bit worrying in a way but lets worry about that later.

For now I want to ask whether, I just think of sand when I think of Morocco, whether riding my Blackbird there would present me with any particular problems, Is it tarmac all the way. I know its not up there with travelling along the road of bones but its a start surely.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Jun 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Hi,
Absolutely, you could travel in Morocco on a Blackbird.
I wouldn't recomend exploring Erg Chebbi of off road on mountain pistes, but you could have a great trip on tarmac.
It's a wonderfull country with warm, friendly people and a good road network.
GO FOR IT

Edit: Get yourself a Michelin 742 and start planning

Happy travels
Sam
Last edited by Niva Say Never; 28 Jun 2011 at 19:35. Reason: added detail
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Jun 2011
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,077
Sounds like you didn't get to see my Moroccan talk, otherwise you'd know my first trip to Morocco in 1972 was on a TriBSA cafe racer which makes the Blackbird seem an almost ideal steed.

Most roads in Morocco are fine. Come back if you want some routing advice.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 30 Jun 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Eastbourne
Posts: 44
Thanks Sam and Tim sorry never made your presentation, as you know fiiting it all in can be difficult, but rest assured I will be there next year so if you fancy doing it again I will be there. Regards Ted
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Jul 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 116
Niva say niva is spot on. Morocco is awsome, and you don't need to be offroad to marvel at it's beauty.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Jul 2011
Gold Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Gorey, Ireland
Posts: 14
Love Morocco
Just to give you an idea, we done twice in the last two years with my brother on an R1. He got it to the top of a sand dune (albeit a little one) and got the through the gorge to gorge link from Todra to Dades Gorges
better than us on GSA's and Varaderos, tough going but not a mark on the bike, still like new!
All said i would not recommend too much piste/off-road riding and a Blackbird will be fine for a lot of Morocco IMHO.

Does not matter which bike, just do it!
Attached Thumbnails
Blackbird - Morocco-r1-dune.jpg  

Blackbird - Morocco-r1-piste.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Jul 2011
Titbird's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Back in Europe
Posts: 181
The blackbird is very bad offroad, believe me, I've tried it. I would stay away from the pistes in Morocco, but having said that, there are so many perfect asfalt roads in Morocco through the same stunning scenery, that it would be a shame not to go. Most of the hotels near the sanddunes in Merzouga are perfecty reachable on a blackbird, so go for it!

And Daithi: the" link from Todra to Dades Gorges" on a blackbird?
I really was strugling on my xt660z


10 cm high rock and you're stuck

Not much good in the sand either
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Jul 2011
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,077
Can't say I'd recommend the Gorge Link piste, it's terribly unpredictable.

Lots of absolutely brilliant tarmac sections through the mountains with (normally) great weather, and inexpensive.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Jul 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 53
My wife and I did a 5 week trip to Morocco on our BMW K1200GT. We obviously stuck to tarmac and had a brilliant time. There were a few occasions when we'd have liked to take a more "off road" route but this did not detract at all from the trip.

In researching our trip I sometimes came across those that would make out that you have to go off road in Morocco to have a great time. This simply isn't true.

I have one basic piece of advice - go and have agreat time on your Blackbird
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 6 Jul 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevedo View Post
I have one basic piece of advice - go and have agreat time on your Blackbird
When all's said and done, I reckon that covers it.

Enjoy it......I'm sure you will
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 31 Mar 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Devon, England
Posts: 6
Just to resurrect this thread; did you go to Morocco on the 'bird?

I've got an 08 Blackbird and I'm off to Morocco in about 10 days - wife is coming too, but she's on her GS 1200.

Planning for loads of fun. Been there before on bikes a couple of times. Last time I ended up in Mali, not on the 'bird - took the wifes GS while she stayed at home.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 31 Mar 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ireland
Posts: 5
Love those R1 n blackbird pics! Did it myself years ago on a blackbird, tried offpiste and ended up like those shots, came home and got a trailie! Fun but too much hard work. Stick to tarmac and you'll love it. Oops, just seen this is an ancient thread.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Rotherham
Posts: 47
Hi Mag Man....im off on 12/4 from Plymouth heading for Morocco......when do you sail???
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Morocco customs: moving things through Morocco to Mauri Richard Washington Morocco 4 3 Mar 2011 14:42
Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird swap for tourer seizetheday Bike Swap or Rent 1 16 Oct 2009 16:03
Ripley: bring your Morocco maps for 'Hidden Morocco: Get off the Beaten Track' Tim Cullis HU Travellers Meetings - UK 3 30 Jun 2008 09:26
Blackbird - UK / Europe Wheelspin Bike Swap or Rent 0 7 Aug 2006 14:21

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:44.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top