Using a VFR 800 in Morocco

[Robbie]

I am presently planning a trip to Morocco and Mauritania with my partner. I have a 1998 Honda VFR 800 with luggage pack. I am not planning to do any desert riding but would like to make sure that the bike is fit for the difficult terrain. I was thinking of changing but as I like the bike I have I was wondering "do I really need to"?

[mika]

bonjour,

keep the VFR and take it down to Marocco and Mauretania. No problems if you stay on the main roads.

Only the road in Mauretania between Nouadibou and Nouakchot can be a bit difficult. You will need to buy a jerry can, because you will need fuel for 450-500km.

We traveled maybe three month ago, and only 80kms of this strech was sand, but not deep sand.

make sure you can clean your airfilter after a sandstorm, we had to do this three times.

enjoy and dont ride too fast

mika

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[Robbie]

HI Mika

Thanks a lot for the good news, particularly the extra bit regarding the filter. Good nws because I really love the VFR. It is always good to have those extra tips when setting out on a journey that you have'nt done before. Sorry to trouble you with more questions but what tyres did you use and did you have to change them at any stage?

Robbie

[mcdarbyfeast]

I agree, the VFR will certainly be fine in Marocco. The roads are generally in a better state than here in the UK.

[Chris IMM]

I can only speak of Morocco but I can say that the VFR would be fine 98% of the time but there can be places where roads are under construction forcing you to ride on gravel. If you're prepared to ride for short stretches on gravel (a few miles) it should be fine.

I think it is better to take a bike that you know and have good experience with than to try to change to exactly the right type of bike for the trip.

Good luck and enjoy the trip.

[simondavis2002]

Hi,
I'd agree with the others about Morocco - your bike should be fine on the roads. I used to think that some roads in Morocco were bad, but as I live in Wiltshire, I'm beginning to think they are actually quite good! :-)

I took a Fazer 600 down to Morocco a while ago and it was fine. As well as being able to clean the airfilter, you may want to wrap black tape (gaffa tape) around your airbox joins and any joins in the pipe to your carb's. I got stuck a big sandstorm and found that the sand had blasted through the gaps in the airbox and into the carb etc... the bike was never quite the same after that, although it still ran etc.

Some roads will have gravel and sand on them - just watch out really, as you do in the UK. If you have any problems, there are lots of Police Officers around in villages and all the guys I spoke to (in French) were very friendly and helpful.

I hope you have a great time,
Regards,
Simon

[Robbie]

Hey!! All you Guys

Thanks for replying. Sorry I did'nt reply sooner but I have been absent from my emails for a while. Sometimes we have to do a little work. I am so encouraged by you all that I have decided that I will can keep the VFR and enjoy the ride from distant Northern Ireland, down through Europe and onto the African continent. I was worried a bit about the roads but having been riding in Turkey I dont mind a "wee" bit of gravel and of course I was pulled in by the men in blue. I think on that occasion the fact that he did'nt speak English and I did'nt speak his language helped. Of course an abject apology gets you a long way.

The advice on the fuel filters etc is a real help. Surprising how small tips can save a lot of pain and time. Thanks!!!!

Have any of you a comment on tyre wear? although I assume because you did'nt mention them then they must have been OK.

Robbie