Planning a trip from paris to dakar along the atlantic route with a friend. We're looking for two motos, hopefully ready to go and equipped! not too picky but would like to have similar makes/models for ease of spares/repairs.
We would like to pick up in early march 2009.
We would prefer pickup in Paris, but are willing to be flexible (UK possibly?)

thanks a ton,
ano

I don't have them, but if you'd like to say a bit more about budget, equipment, and any particular things you feel are a must I'd be happy to have a good look around and see what's on the market, give you prices etc.

@+

Al

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Hi Al;

to be quite honest, i dont know. We will be staying along the west coast and spending most of our time on roads, without too much hardcore overlanding as we are both relatively inexperienced. We're also planning on entering Senegal, and I've been reading that cars must be less than 5 years old. If that rule applies to motos, we'd like to find something 2004+.

some requirements:
- something with a decent fuel capacity (25-ish L) and the ability to easily add additional capacity (maybe jerricans under panniers).
- panniers and extra storage potential.
- something in the <3000 euro range? is that unreasonable? I think we will be planning on shipping back to the US from Senegal, unless we are easily able to find someone to buy them april 09.
- what other things should we be looking at?
thanks,
ano

Generally you have to add panniers yourself to overlanding bikes - only the pricey BMW ones come with them already. Are you sure that soft bags are not for you?

There are loads of old 1990s transalps in France which might do you. They come up on ebay all the time: scruffy but tough. Under 2000Euros - nearer to 1000. Comfortable on the road. What are your thoughts on that? They don't hit your tank capacity target though. Frankly, I can't think of many bikes that do. Maybe other can. Although, if you are planning on shipping the bikes home, then the Transalp is out, as you cannot register it there.

Shipping anything home will cost you, of course. Is it really worth paying half the purchase price to get a bike home? Second, you need two weeks to organise shipping. Then you have to get it from the port of arrival (L.A. probably) to your home, and then go through the paperwork for registration. It is worth having a think about this aspect of your plan.

Have you thought about buying something small - 250ish - and then leaving them in Africa? Perhaps a local will give you a few hundred to take them off your hands. A bit of research will give you an answer on that possibility. That sort of size bike would be perfect for Africa, and give you a big range with a gerry-can strapped on the back. Small bikes are more sellable than big ones. As you are only going for a month, the investment needed for a big machine increases your proportional loss, if you see what I mean. And the shipping home plan increases your admin burden significantly.

For 3000Euros you get a very recent 250 road-trail bike in France in top condition. This went on ebay a few days ago for 2000Euro



"superbe occasion pour cette moto tout terrain, peu utilisée en enduro, utilisation quotidienne domicile-travail, suivi et entretien par concessionnaire, révision complète avant mise en vente: kit chaine, pneus, bougie, filtres air/huile neufs, TRES BON ETAT!!"

That would be my choice - the bike Lois went on.

In my opinion your plan is falling between two stools. Best to either spend a pile and ship home with your shiny new Beemer, or go small leaving a happy local in Africa. I would definitely recommend the latter - more of an adventure.

I am in Nantes, 400km west of Paris, but I may be able to help. Let me know. In my dreams we buy the bikes off you when you are finished and ride them home to France.....

Simon

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Simon Kennedy
Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp

You do have some form of address you can use in France I take it. If not I'm not certain how you're going to immatriculate your bikes in your name - I've always needed a residential address, for them to send you the cartes grises, which is your registration document. Without that you can't get insurance and of course you'll probably be asked for it at border crossings.

Not that I want to pee on your BBQ or anything, just something to think about.

In some ways I wonder if you wouldn't be better buying where you are and shipping this way, that way you can prep everything in advance.

Oh and Simon, I've sent you a PM.

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And then there's carnets....

For a single month of touring, you have a lot on your plate. Keep stoking the BBQ though.

Simon

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Simon Kennedy
Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp

carnets...? from what i understand, we dont need carnets in Morocco, Mauritania, or Senegal....am I missing anything?

Here is a listing of XTE s for sale in France. I hope this can help.

Annonces Motos 600 xte Toute la France - leboncoin.fr

Best motorcycle for your african trip. 5 pages of "ready to go" motorcycles.