Need Hints and Tips

[jcbp]

Hi, all.

Rather than spend ages riding out I'm flying in to Marrakech in the not too distant future and renting. It'll be small bikes this time: xr250 Tornados so that and the baggage allowance means weight and volume are at a premium. Any thoughts on how to transport bike kit (jacket, boots, change of clothes, misc bungies and probably sleeping bag etc) by air? e.g. What type of bag that'll survive the air trip and still be mountable on a small bike? Useful tips wanted - good thanks paid.

Thanks

[farqhuar]

I'd be wearing as much of it as possible (boots, jacket, gloves, riding pants and as many layers of clothes as can reasonably fit under those) and carrying my helmet on board with me.

[Big Yellow Tractor]

Wear or carry in your hand luggage anything you couldn't live without if your bags went missing; Basically, all your riding gear.

The rest (if you really need much else) in a tough holdall / bag that can be lashed to the back of the bike when you get there.

You would manage fine with a quality rucksac like the Kreiga stuff (very tough and comfy to wear) as your hand luggage and an Ortleib (or similar) holdall as check-in luggage / bike bag.

Hope for an empty seat next to you because there isn't a lot of room in a SleazyJet seat for a fully dressed off-road rider.

[jcbp]

I was wondering about wearing as much stuff out as possible.

Anyone had any experience taking motox type boots through security?

[Big Yellow Tractor]

Originally Posted by jcbp

Anyone had any experience taking motox type boots through security?

They might ask you to take them off so they can go through the x-ray scanner. If I remember correctly I had to remove them at Gatwick but not at Marra.

Have fun.

When are you going ??

[jcbp]

Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor

They might ask you to take them off so they can go through the x-ray scanner. If I remember correctly I had to remove them at Gatwick but not at Marra.

Have fun.

When are you going ??

Out on 7 Sept, back on 18th. This is very much a recce trip so we'll see how it goes.

[oothef]

Hello, I went earlier this year and got helmet and panniers with the bike but didn't have much needed goggles. The seat on tornadoes is the most uncomfortable I've sat on, serious discomfort! take or buy a sheepskin. If I do it again I'd take a pair of cheap pattern levers...I stopped to help a Moroccan couple who'd been blown off the road and my bike blew over bending the brake lever, sorting this out with the hire co. left a blot on an otherwise brilliant time.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did

[jcbp]

Originally Posted by oothef

Hello, I went earlier this year and got helmet and panniers with the bike but didn't have much needed goggles. The seat on tornadoes is the most uncomfortable I've sat on, serious discomfort! take or buy a sheepskin. If I do it again I'd take a pair of cheap pattern levers...I stopped to help a Moroccan couple who'd been blown off the road and my bike blew over bending the brake lever, sorting this out with the hire co. left a blot on an otherwise brilliant time.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did

Good stuff. Thanks

Who were you renting from?

I don't really know much about the Tornado so any thoughts would be welcome.
As would any key things to do/see/beware of, routes etc.

I'm definitely taking out a helmet as for 10 days riding comfort's important plus, if it's hot, I'd rather bathe in my own sweat than that of others.

I'll probably take out a couple of pairs of padded cycling shorts to help with the seat - sorely (pun) needed on my usual F800gs so I was banking on a smaller trailie to be even worse.

[oothef]

I hired from Loc2rues (I think). Tank range more than 250km+ before reserve, I had cycle shorts and still felt like I was going to return home with gangrene! It was bad, not helped by the vast horizons and quiet roads in the south.Take a tube/buff, if its blowing(more probable early in the year) keeps the muck out your mouth. The worst hazards I came across were desert tour toyotas being driven too fast, with more faith than skill, idiots!
The tornado looks to me like a brazilian built XR 250 and apart from the kin seat was a great bike for the job.
Enjoy

[jcbp]

Originally Posted by oothef

I hired from Loc2rues (I think). Tank range more than 250km+ before reserve, I had cycle shorts and still felt like I was going to return home with gangrene! It was bad, not helped by the vast horizons and quiet roads in the south.Take a tube/buff, if its blowing(more probable early in the year) keeps the muck out your mouth. The worst hazards I came across were desert tour toyotas being driven too fast, with more faith than skill, idiots!
The tornado looks to me like a brazilian built XR 250 and apart from the kin seat was a great bike for the job.
Enjoy

Right. Thanks for the heads-up on the seat. Good to know that the choice of bike is sensible.

That there are panniers is interesting. We're giving Loc 2 Roues a go. I don't s'pose you know what tools - if any- came with the bike.
I'll get back in contact with the company to get a bit more detail I guess.

[oothef]

Tool kit was basic issue, the panniers were givvi throw-overs which performed remarkably well though I was travelling light, no camping gear apart from a sleeping bag liner, food for the day, small back-pack which I ended up strapping to the bike in the hope of relieving some of the pressure! Tyres were metz saharas which were fine on the stony tracks at a sedate pace but required a bit of levitation over the few muddy patches. Marrakech traffic looked scary from the sidelines but once in it I liked the attitude. Hassle still happens but is light years away from what it was when I was last there over 30 years ago and the roads have improved no end.
I ate the food and drank the water with no problems but was talking to someone at the weekend who struggled through their holiday and brought back a notifiable gut infection! I didn't eat in hotels but in small cafes, some of which would have given hygiene/food standards dicky fits but the food was fresh and well cooked and most tasted good, plenty of fat and bones. The dearest hotel I stayed in was 100dh, I was too nakt to haggle after a long day,average was 80dh but far from luxury, I wasn't there for the sleeping but the riding and wasn't disappointed.

[jcbp]

Fantastic stuff. Thanks for the info.

[Selous]

I just took a full spare set of gear for non riding + 3 prs of undies (icl 1 pair on) & 4 prs socks.

all fitted in to a Dry bag (large) from Touratech secured on by a elasticated cargo net

[jcbp]

Originally Posted by Selous

I just took a full spare set of gear for non riding + 3 prs of undies (icl 1 pair on) & 4 prs socks.

all fitted in to a Dry bag (large) from Touratech secured on by a elasticated cargo net

I, too, am working round to a drybag - I may try one of the Alpkit strapped drybags

DryDock drybag - Alpkit Outdoor Gear Shop

Similar general levels of kit too by the looks of things.

[Selous]

Hi sorry have just I just read your original post, again sorry dyslexic

I am doing exactly the same hopefully Sept now on my own :-(
on a very very limited budget when are you hoping to go?

have been looking at hire sites fyi
loc2roues location motos scooters quads marrakech maroc
Location velo scooter Moto a marrakech au maroc - yamaha XT Honda transalp BMW
PalmRoad

look on the BMW f650 web forum or pm tim cullings on here
welth of info advised me seems a a really nice guy

I will be wearing my riding kit for the flight, riding jacket & lightwaite combats (tescos) long sleeved shirt
boots (danner free fall) simler to 10 hole DM
summer riding gloves (in pocket)

taking light wait wet prof trousers & silk sleeping liner as intending to use b & b
Arabian Steeliest (Jesus sandals or showering)
am buying a cheap helmet as not ken on someone elses, do not intend to bring that back