Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Danielle Murdoch, riding to Uganda - Kenya border

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Danielle Murdoch,
riding to Uganda - Kenya border



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 7 Jul 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2
Moving to Malawi. Which bike should I buy?

Hi all,

I will be moving to Malawi in a couple of months with work. Just passed motorbike test, so I'm relatively inexperienced. Want to bike a bit in the region, (Tanzania/ Zambia/Zim) but wondering if it best to wait to I arrive or to bring a bike with me (from UK). If so can anyone recommend a make that can cope with the terrain and is easy to maintain/find parts for.

Help much appreciated

wanderingsoul
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 7 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
WanderingS,

You don't say if you have read into the vast range of opinions that are in the thread "Which bike" - after reading that, your questions would probably be more specific.

From what I have seen of Malawi (not on a bike as it happens), the main roads are tarmac in good condition while there are plenty of dirt tracks that link to the numerous villages - the tracks that I saw were all pretty easy on a road bike, never mind a serious mud-plugger. After all, the locals want to get about their local areas and not engage in recreational off-roading; would/could be a different situation in heavy rains though.

Also, the bikes there are, like any 3rd world country, UJMs (universal jap machines) of small capacity - you may want one of them so that they can be repaired.

Hope this is of some use,

Dave
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
If you buy what the locals use, it probably works, and can be easily and cheaply repaired. On the other hand if you dream about a certain make/model every night, get that and be different and be happy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: In Ireland and loving it !
Posts: 191
just come through malawi.. roads are great which will suit you if you have got small experience..

best to bring a bike with you as there are not a lot of options there.

get a relastively light bike like a BMW 650.. great bike for over here
__________________
Life is for Living - so Live
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Jul 2007
jim jim is offline
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Cape Town South Africa
Posts: 222
The biggest bikes for sale on Malawi are DT 125 and XL125, both have pretty good spares backup. With anyhtiing else you will have to import spares from SA and unless you are in Blantyre and have a good connection you really should do ALL the service work yourself. The ex-pat community there is fairly into biking and they will be good guides.. Of course its Africa so anything is available- beware that many stolen bikes from SA find their way to Malawi.
Its a great country to have a bike!
__________________
"If we don't find something good at least we will find something new." Voltaire
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Posts: 312
If you are considering a BMW 650, note that the police in Lilongwe use them. They hooked me up with an inner tube and have access to spares.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 303
If you want to go bigger than 125 get something that's readily available (sold officially) in SA. Won't be difficult to get stuff sent if you need anything.
I would definitely go DS as a road bike is too limiting and you will regret not having a DS within days.
Going into Mozambique or Zambia the roads can get pretty tough very quickly (requiring 4x4 or DS bike).

Good choice for a smallish bike is the Suzuki DR 200. Stone axe simple, light, rides nicely and performs well. Can cope with hectic stuff. Will get you anywhere unless your riding skills desert you
Next size up would be the DR 650. Same as above just bigger and faster.

Kawasaki KLR650 is an option as well. Both A and C models were sold in SA as is the new updated 2008 KLR 650. KL650A's of recent vintage (2004 to 2007) are readily available second hand. Get issues sorted before taking the bike to Malawi (doohickey, fork springs)

I would not go for the BMW F 650. Too pretty and too easy to break especially for a beginner. Also quite a handful looking at weight (even heavier than a KLR ) No decent knobbles available for the GS (19" front wheel) Very tall (Dakar). IMHO crap suspensions. Less suitable for DIY maintenance than the DR's or KLR.

Other smallish bike options would include agricultural bikes like Honda Bushlander and Yamaha TW 200.

Stay away from chinese crap. They fall apart as soon as you hit the third pothole. (Not sure if in general but in Africa)

Check for import regulations and possibilities to bring a bike with foreign registration and carnet or SA registration (depends on how long you plan to stay). I have heard rumors that import duties for vehicles going into Malawi are astronomic.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2 Aug 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1
Africa is a wonderful place to ride

But can be high risk as well. I had a honda XR250 when I lived in Madagascar which was appropriate for the roads and where I was riding. Find out how much cycles cost there, what's available and which bikes you can get parts for. Reliability is critical. Often models are available in Africa that you can't get in Europe or America. If the roads are bad, or you plan on a lot of off road riding, get a bike with lots of suspension. If you are riding mostly on asphalt you have a lot more options.
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

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
Clearing bike into Buenos Aires by ship nikb Trip Paperwork 0 16 Nov 2005 05:44
Clearing bike at Buenos Aires Airport Fritz Trip Paperwork 2 3 Nov 2005 05:48
UK citizen on Australian bike to NZ & S America ribspare Trip Paperwork 7 11 Mar 2005 14:27
Bike Missionary need help! overseas info needed! TresMon Trip Transport 1 1 Mar 2005 05:19
Bike Week Philippines John Joe Motorcycle Events around the world 0 21 Jul 2002 13:52

 
 

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!

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 09:30.