Hi, I'm currently travelling through Africa (by public transport - if I never see another bus again it'll be too soon!) and have come across a good bike in Mali that I'm itching to buy. The only thing I'm worried about is getting carnet, insurance and all necessary documents in order here, has anyone any experience of buying a bike in Africa (especially Mali...) and have any advice to offer?
Thanks!

Hmm, insurance seems to be possible but I haven't found anyone who even knows what a carnet is (my French is terrible though...)

EDIT: I've just found this thread http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...rn-route-44089 which says a carnet is NOT required (just handy to have)

Okay, if that's the case I just need to sort out insurance in Mali and then TIP as I pass through the borders is that right?
If I seem a bit unprepared it's because I am! Had intended hitching but although possible most people don't want to take business from taxi drivers or if they do they ask for money anyway!

Oh, and there any official-looking document I can get to show border officials instead of the carnet?

Hmmm, feels like I'm talking to myself here but on the off chance that someone else searches this forum thinking of buying a bike in Mali here's an update on my experience...
First up, even though the capital Bamako is crammed full of scooters and small motorbikes it's very rare that one of them would have an actual license plate or have customs paid on it so if you are buying a bike there you'll have to sort that. If the person selling you the bike says they'll sort it make sure it's sorted before you pay for the bike or you'll be listening to "don't worry, no problem, tomorrow" til you get fed up and go off to try and sort it yourself.
Which entails the problem of African bureaucracy, and how being a foreigner means you must have loads of money (I was told the equivalent of 450 euro to pay customs on an '83 Tenere). Even if you do everything through the proper channels sorting the customs and license plate will take an age and cost a bomb (though more money can usually fix the time problem).
In the end a local I befriended there got me the plate and Carte de Grise in a few days (for a fee of course) but to this day I still don't know if they were the real deal or knocked out in a workshop somewhere!
In summary, it took me over three weeks and a lot of heartache to get it sorted but I'm now in Ghana about to move on to Togo and the bike has made such a huge positve difference to my travels that if i had to do it all again I would (just about!) Hope this helps someone in the future!

I think if you are in Africa, do what africans do. Forget paperwork and be worse than bourecracy. If you find a bike you like and the price is good, get the contract signd by seller and try to cross the closest border and manage to get there a permit of import (even if you have to pay a bribe, it is worth than paying the high fee for legal registration), then with that paper in your hand ride away asap and never go back to the country where the bike is registered. When the cops pull you over in any african country they just ask for the import permit and insurance. If they ask for carte gris, you can show the former one and the contract. Should be enough.

I bought a bike in Kenya and never registered under my name. I rode all the way to Cape Town and left ZA few times and back again.

Back to Africa

From Nairobi to Cape Town. A fantastic trip on a BMW Motorcycle across Africa

I have to say that nowadays, I am selling an Spanish registered bike in Dakar. It is possible to fix the paperwork or just take the bike and ride. It is Africa, everything is possible. Good luck.

viajes de invierno. Barcelona-Dakar

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