Western Sahara on a 1200 Bandit
 

I will be going to Morroco and the Western sahara in May to June on a 1200 Bandit two up! Am I mad? I've noticed on the general maps of the region that many roads are described as 'Non-surfaced roads' and/or impracticable in bad weather conditions. Does this mean they would be unsuitable for such a bike (with home made belly pan fitted but with standard road tires)? I have no set route so could run into anything on these roads. In terms of experiance I do 25,000 miles+ on roads but not much experiance on off road - well you wouldn't on a bandit would you! Any advice or info would be recieved with thanks and quite possibly relief!

Chris:

Sorry to show my ignorance, but what is a 1200 Bandit? Perhaps this is a motorcycle that is not sold in North America, therefore I have not heard of it.

Hi,

You can make it as mad as you want. The roads in Morocco are generally very good and you can almost everywhere - even the Mauritanian border - by tarred roads.
The off-roads you talk about are mostly rocky that can be very steep in the mountains, sandy at parts where you cross riverbeds and in the more southern parts.
Depends on what you wanne do in Morocco. If you want to see Morocco: stick to the mainroads (with some decent small sidetrip to e.g. Erg Chebbi) and you can see almost everything.
If you go to Morocco to do off-roading or want Paris-Dakar like riding: take a different (off-road) bike.

Peter

Pan European - A 1200 Bandit is a Suzuki Bandit 1200cc. Pure road bike which is made up from the Suzuki spare parts bin. It should be a bag of nails but it is actually fantastic. Do a general search on the web for more info. Pan's aren'y bad either

Peterkik - Thanks for the info. It's very reasuring. I enjoy adventure but there is a fine line between adventure and stupidity! Do you think a metal belly pan would be needed on the roads you suggest, just incase of the unexpected rock or two or an I being over causiouse?

Chris: Thanks for the info, I was able to find a picture of one. Nice motorcycle.

I have done quite a bit of riding on unimproved roads (sand, gravel, etc.) on my ST1100, and it does the job OK. Obviously not what it was made for, but aside from the weight being a nuisance, the bike gets through OK.

Some suggestions for you, just based on me looking at a photo of a Bandit:

1) Front fender extension, to keep flying debris off you and out of the general area of the engine;

2) Something to protect that lower chain area, to keep dirt, rocks, etc. out of it;

3) Maybe see if you can get an extra long hugger for that rear tire, otherwise you'll need a shovel to clean out under the seat.

On the positive side, you've got lots of power, the bike looks light, ground clearance seems pretty good. Kind of hard to visualize where you would store stuff to keep two people supplied, though. My guess is that you should be OK at least down to Agadir, which gives you lots to see and do in Morocco. Not sure if its the best machine to take to Dakhla, though.

http://pics.tdiclub.com/members/PanE...ndit_lhs_1.jpg

I'm taking my ST1100 through Tunisia and way south into Libya, then may loop through Southern Algeria via Ghadames this summer, so either we're both nuts or we're on to something.

[This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 24 March 2002).]

Pan - Thanks for the info. Seems like sound advice. The picture is the same bike but mine is a very deep red. I did Spain and France last year with this bike for 5 weeks (on surfaced roads)with a carrier for the tent and sleeping bags. A set of soft throw over panniers carries the rest. Have a good time on your travels - we will now. Thanks alot.

First up, Panman, you can't cross at Ghadames into Algeria unless you're an African. Only safe way in to Alg for tourists is Nefta (Tun) toEl Oued, or from Ghat to Djanet down south - a 300km + dirt track that will shack a road bike to bits.

I think a Bandit or any fun road bike on sealed roads in the Sahara is a great idea and I'd love to do it. It's all sealed but sometimes broken up to the Mori border - but it is pretty boring too. On the dirt, esp soft sand, road bikes are dogs of course. A metal bellypan would just catch rocks - a flat bash plate would be better, but you may need neither if you take it easy.

I had what i thought was a great idea to made a video of Banditing fast and loose from Tunis down to Djanet in southeastern Algeria (about 2000km). It took them 12 years to finish the last 400km of this road over the plateau and past the dunes - and I can tell you this ride will blow your mind! If nothing else there are plenty of Bandit owners who'd enjoy the vid.

Chris S

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Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com




[This message has been edited by Chris Scott (edited 07 April 2002).]

Thanks for the advice Chris (Scott). Following the replies I'm sure I'll enjoy my trip - understatement! just thought I'd take the opportunity to really say thanks to you and all the other people who manage this site. Planning a RTW or even a 2 week trip can be a big deal. Only with the help of sites like this and the people who look after it can alot of the info be found, certainly alot easier amd quiker. It gives people confidence, a chance to chat and sometimes bike and travel safer. So thanks - it really really is apreciated

Road south to Dakhla is paved all the way, even as far as the Mauritanian border. Bandit country in more ways than one. Once in Mauritania the fun begins: deep sand. Stay away, especially two up.

Chris Smith - Just posted a similar sort of question at:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000599.html

and been directed to your thread.

The thing is, How did you get on?

[This message has been edited by IanC (edited 29 August 2002).]

PanMan - I'm not sure if you've been to Morocco(?) So as a Pan rider, as far as I can see it's as good a bike as any to take to Morocco (on hard roads) - would you agree?

After hearing of the hassles you can get down there, I just don't want to draw much more than my fair share of attention, although I doubt I'll be able to avoid it!

I'm not planning to do anything different to the bike/luggage from a normal 2-weeker round Europe - is that sensible?

This is more of a reccy. mission before maybe an off-road one next year.

[This message has been edited by IanC (edited 29 August 2002).]