Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Buying a bike in Nairobi. Is it possible? Buying a bike in Nairobi. Is it possible?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Mar 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 3
Buying a bike in Nairobi. Is it possible?
We are two people from Denmark who are going to Nairobi in june and we want to figure out if it's possible (and wise) to bye bikes there. We want to go to uganda, Tanzania, mocambique and end up in South Africa.

It has been a little difficult to find out what the prices on bikes are in Kenya(Nairobi), if it's possible to take the bike out of the country, if you need a carnet de passage, how it works with all the paperwork( how long it takes?) and if it's possible to sell it in South Africa after?

Maybe somebody has tried it, have some adresses or knows someone who did it?
If someone has some information to share it would be fantastic.

Thanks alot.
Simon.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Mar 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Posts: 312
Thumbs up
You should contact the Nairobi HU Community.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 99
possible in 1999
Hi Simon,
It was possible in 1999 when I flew in and bought 2 new bikes. I had to get a social security number and address in Nairobi ( all a bit ilegal). The paper work and registering of the bikes took 2 weeks in toatal, which was hard work but aparently far quicker than usual.
I carried on through to Namibia eventually, all without a Carnet, no big issues.
I looked into buying second hand bikes but all I could find was junk so I went the new bike route. The new bike prices were very high because of taxes at the time.

It's all possible but it takes a lot of work to get it done. I was fortunate to have 3 months vacation so a couple of weeks wasn't too much out of my time and it paid back with future return visits.

Bit out of date info but it may help.
Andy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 7 Apr 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: In Ireland and loving it !
Posts: 191
HI Simon

the very best guy you can contact in Nairobi is a guy called Chirs who runs a hostel and camp site in Nairobi called Jungle Junction.
He is a German guy who has been living there for a long time and he is a fully qualified bike mechanic with over 25 years experience working for BMW.
He runs a great hostel and is a 100% straight guy.
I rode from cape town to cairo in july last year on a 1200GS and stopped off there. He gave me great help.
While I was talking to him he was talking about buying in a pile of 650 GS's for the purpose of renting them to people like yourself.

Im not sure if he got around to doing it but he is definitley worth a call.
I dont have his email but if you just google jungle junction Nairobi you will find him.

His cell phone number is +254 7227 52865.

best of luck and let me know if there is any more help you need

Gary
__________________
Life is for Living - so Live
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Aug 2009
Gold Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lancashire. UK
Posts: 11
Nairobi, Kenya buy/hire bike
Hi Simon

Did you get sorted out finding a bike in Nairobi? I plan to do something similar next year - either buy and re-sell at the end of the circular trip or hire. But I cannot get info about whether it's possible and if I need a locally-issued carnet to travel through Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania.

Any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Alan
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying a used bike alpiner84 Which Bike? 4 3 Oct 2006 03:03
Buying a bike in the USA mcnamara_mick North America 7 1 Jul 2003 04:02
Flying bike from Europe to Nairobi Story Leavesley Trip Transport 7 10 Apr 2002 12:24
Nairobi Dealership, Buying an XT in UK or France DogTag Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 0 9 Nov 2000 02:36

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:15.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top