Kenya to South Africa
 

My boyfriend is currently travelling from London to Cape Town on a XT600 Tenere and I am hoping to join him in Nairobi. Has anyone had experience of riding two up on a Tenere for long distances and can offer some advice?
Thank you

[This message has been edited by Laura PB (edited 03 April 2003).]

If you are joining in Kenya I guess you will be in Southern Kenya. The northern half from the Ethiopian border to Isolo is incredably hard to ride without a passenger and there have been some deaths hitting the rocks and corregations. Just in case you were thinking of heading up country to meet up. Haven't had experiance riding two up.

Thanks Toby,
Now not only will Laura be worrying about me dodging bandits, but also turning my brains to noodle soup on rocks.

Thats alright mate, all part of the adventure. The conditions are managable if you take it slowly and allow time. Aim to take about 2 days coming down. If you stop at Masarbit, there is a hotel there and can break the trip overnight. On a bike, you should have no worries with bandits. They aren't interested in bikes, they are interested in lorries. Mainly because the drivers carry their earnings with them from trading goods. We had suspension problems on our Landrover coming through there and crawled through at 10 miles an hour with no problems. I don't think it would be possible or advisable to try riding two up through there. (as an aside, the bandit problem may have gone away since we came through there as the Brits paid the locals several million in October 2002. This was compensation for injuries due to unexploded ordenance left from British Army training exercises in the northern Kenyan area. This means the locals are probably better off that you or I).

Not to worry to much.Just completed the trip 3 months ago and it was fine.It was damn hot but we had no problems with Bandits.From Ethiopia to Masrabit the road is good,30km's before Masrabit it is very rocky and sandy but got through with out falling.From Masrabit to Isolo the first 30km's is tough but then the road is great BUT DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT. It is all tar road from Isolo.You are out for an adventure so a bit of toughness is part of the deal.Just one thing the Yamaha shop in Nirobi dose not keep any spares for a bike bigger that 175.If you need spares go to the upper hill campsite and ask for Ricks Moptorbike shop.
Good luck

Hi Laura

a friend of mine rode his Tenere for approx 4000 miles with his g'friend and had no major problems as long as he took it steady - steadier than normal that is.

Happy travels

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ChrisC