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Which bike for Morocco? Which bike for Morocco?
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 19 Jan 2007
BDG BDG is offline
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Which bike for Morocco?
Any body used the bigger bikes like KTM 950 or BMW 1150GS for pistes out in the desert such as the one from Merzouga to Zagora?

I've done this several times before on an XR400 so know what its like, and that much of the piste isn't sand, but we do enjoy playing about in the dunes for fun.

I'm off again at the end of the year with mates all on XR650, BMW 650, KTM 640 but am thinking of taking my KTM 950 this time rather than WR 450. I've ridden it on lots of rocky off road stuff in UK and the Alps but not sure how the big bikes cope with the sand? I know i won't get to the top of Erg Chebbi on the 950 so will give that a miss, and perfectly happy with the pistes in the Atlas on the 950, its just the sandy stuff.

Any experience on the bigger stuff in sand would be appreciated, especially as we're planning to do as much off road as possible rather than touring around on the road.

Thanks.
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Old 20 Jan 2007
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While they dont make them any lighter, proper knobbly tyres (not TKCs, etc) transform the way bikes like this handle in the sand.

Ch
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Old 20 Jan 2007
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Hi,
I have the same bike and I ve been through the challenging and tricky Tunisian desert! It hasen't been easy and straightforward but was possible at the end of the day.
We were 4 LC8, 1 LC4 and 1 525 and onestly with you the two lighter had to wait for us many time and for sure we forced them to reduced their trip schedule.
I heve been to Morocco by car and the impression was that those kind of dunes are more suitable for the heavy and powerfull LC8 than the Tunisian one. Then if you are planing to follow sandy/rocky pistas mostly you don't have to worry at all! Maybe you'll the best!

Ciao

Nic
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Old 21 Jan 2007
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I have done the desert route on a 950 without any problems.

The bike is incredibly stable and carries its weight low down, I prefer it to my 450exc in the desert.

Its just a bit heavy if you do get bogged!

Like Chris says tyres are a big factor, I used the MT21s and had no problems or punctures.

The bike is made for this struff and will be far better on the none sandy bits than a smaller bike that a bit of sweating in the sand will be worth it!

There are some overheating problems that you need to sort on the 950 before you get out there tho.

Stan
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Old 21 Jan 2007
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[quote=StanH]

Like Chris says tyres are a big factor, I used the MT21s and had no problems or punctures.

I used the Michelin Desert and I had no problems apart few punctures. Good grip on sandy and rocky terrain. I have tried also the MT21 and, despite I belive that Desert are more strong overall, If I may go on a mix trip with some tarmac tracts i would prefer the MT21 because those cope batter with it...expecialy the front one!


There are some overheating problems that you need to sort on the 950 before you get out there tho.

I menaged to change the radiator's grill with a basic wire netting which allowes much more passage of air. Moreover I installed an extra cool fun (the 660's one) on the right side of tha radiator wich is activated together with the main one. Those two tricks together do the job very well! It is unusual to have the 5th lead of the heating on!
Someone else managed to instal even an oil radiator wich apparently is usefull.

www.lc8.org

There is an international section but anyway if you do your question in easy english even in the main Italian sections you'll have plenty of answers!

Ciao

Nic
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Old 22 Jan 2007
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Wise old Guru Chris - you say use proper knobblies, not TKC80s for the sand

My mighty XTZ750 is shod with TKCs at the mo - is the step up to MT21s a big one in terms of off road bias.

I know this is all very subjective (and possibly in the wrong thread as well !) but although I want to take my unloaded XTZ off road as much as possible, I worry that using MT21s might induce a few buttock clenching moments on the tarmac on a big trailie.

All advice received gratefully, cheers

Rich
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Old 22 Jan 2007
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[quote=Dr LC8]
Quote:
Originally Posted by StanH

There are some overheating problems that you need to sort on the 950 before you get out there tho.

I menaged to change the radiator's grill with a basic wire netting which allowes much more passage of air. Moreover I installed an extra cool fun (the 660's one) on the right side of tha radiator wich is activated together with the main one.

Nic
How much work/money was involved in the above mod? I've seen the KTM mesh rad grille in my local dealer for £40 and I can see how it would improve airflow, but it didn't seem that strong. Could you give some more info on fitting a second fan.

How high did the temp go without the mods? Mine seems to run cooler than my previous Honda CBR's which used to get up to 110c sat in traffic in 35c temperatures. So far I've only seen 5 bars on the KTM, which is about 100c. 6 bars is 110c. I think the fan is set to kick in quite early, giving the impresion the engine temp is higher than it actually is.
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