Dakar? with your help

[roggy]

I'm planning on a trip to Dakar and back in about four weeks/November 2001, the plan is to take it easy see some sights do some dunes drink some .Now this is where I need the help bit.
1)Can I get there and back from the u.k in the time or do I ship Bike there or back?
2)What visas and such like do I need
3)I'm hoping to get a xr600 or xr650 what alterations will I need to do if any
4)Roughly the cost of trip after bike
5)Anybody else interested in coming along?.
6)At the momment I do the trackday/knee slider thing and whant to do something different is this route o.k or should I be looking at something different. Thats it Thanks

[andygray]

Hi
Did the same trip in 96 except kept going to Ghana and then home.It can be done in 4 weeks if you like riding and all the visas and paper work are in order. High points were changing to new tyres, which i took with me, when the sand begins in Mauritania and thrashing my XR in the dunes.The low points are travelling in convoy leaving Marroco, and dealing with the arsehole Mauritanian customs. But maybe returning after Marroco would be wizer( more time for of road in the sand)
Loads of info if you want plus 40l accerbis tank, oil cooler and luggage racks(to strengthen the rear subframe) for XR600
Have a good one
ANDY

[Julio]

Roggy

Not sure if this is your first trip overlanding. I personally think you'll enjoy yourself more going to Morrocco, there are some very good pistes there and dunes in the south. (See Chris Scotts book). You need to check what the climate is going to be when you travel as this makes a big difference.

Also bear in mind the XR's are not the most comfortable bikes for doing the distance you are planning in that timescale.

Julio