Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer 
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the Horizons Unlimited logo on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
ll 5 DVDs with a custom printed slip case. "The series is 'free' because the tips and advice will save much more than you spend on buying the DVD's."
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| 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. |
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#1
2 Nov 2008
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What bike to buy in Dakar for novice planning trip in West Africa
 I'm working in Dakar, Senegal and planning a trip to Mali and possibly beyond early next year. I've ridden bikes while travelling in the past but have never owned one and know nothing about maintenance so want something reliable, easy to ride, easy to fix and cheap to run. Roads here aren't terrible but aren't great and there will probably be a fair amount of off-roading. A friendly mechanic in Dakar has recommended a Yamaha XTE600. Is this a good recommendation? Do I need an engine that big? In terms of getting spare parts is there any one make that would be better in Senegal? Any advice would be gratefully received. Also: I don't have a motorbike license but have been told that if I get a license here it will be valid across the EU (including the UK). Anyone know if that's true? (can figure this one out for myself, bike advice more welcome!) 
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#2
3 Nov 2008
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There is lots of advice already here ..
See the stuff in the left side bar ... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tripplan/bike And more posts on the hubb that should be of intrest? .. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-trip-eu-35946 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...vice-usa-31594 --------------- Talk to your mechnic more - is he willing to give lessons/hints on maintance, how it works, what goes wrong .. ?
__________________
--- Regards Frank Warner motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
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#3
5 Nov 2008
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thanks for your help!
thanks for putting up those links. much appreciated. i'd not seen the ones by the 2 guys as green as me.
i'm thinking that as i'm going to be going slowly on bad african roads when i'm not going off-road I'd probably be ok on something quite small engined. the mechanic's said he'll give me lessons and i've found a guy who organises off-road weekend trips so i figure that's a good way to build my experience and confidence before heading out on my own. then there are things like insurance and licenses and visas to sort out. all complicated but should be good. if you're interested check out Zander's Blog, motorcycle diaries will hopefully be there in the new year. until then ramblings on west africa. cheers, zander
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#4
5 Nov 2008
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thanks for your help!
thanks for putting up those links. much appreciated. i'd not seen the ones by the 2 guys as green as me.
i'm thinking that as i'm going to be going slowly on bad african roads when i'm not going off-road I'd probably be ok on something quite small engined. the mechanic's said he'll give me lessons and i've found a guy who organises off-road weekend trips so i figure that's a good way to build my experience and confidence before heading out on my own. then there are things like insurance and licenses and visas to sort out. all complicated but should be good. if you're interested check out Zander's Blog, motorcycle diaries will hopefully be there in the new year. until then ramblings on west africa. cheers, zander
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