1st time trip - UK to Morocco.
 

I'm planning (using the term loosely..) a trip to Morocco from the UK via France/Spain at the starting around 18th March for a couple of weeks on an Africa Twin.

It's my first trip of this type and I'm a little nervous. I'm planning to travel fairly light with no specific itinery. I think I'm comforatable with the insurance, visa requirements etc. What I do wonder is what people do about break downs? If I have a failure in the middle of Morocco, how do I get the bike back?

Thanks for any replies and apologies for asking such a basic question!

Mark

I guess this is the perennial overlanders worry.

1. Make sure your bike's up to it. Have it checked by a trustworthy mechanic if you're not sure yourself.

2. Carry a few basic spares, ensure they fit and know how to fit them (or fit the new parts and carry the old ones as spares). See AMH or Sahara Overland for lists.

3. If it does break down and you're stuck you can either have the spares shipped in or ship the bike back.

4. Prepare well and you won't have reason to worry. There's usually a way round things.

[This message has been edited by Ian (edited 27 February 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Ian (edited 27 February 2002).]

Dear Mark
We all worry about breakdowns and forget that Moroccans have them regularly too. Trust that something will come along and the breakdown will not be the disaster we might anticipate. Moroccans are good in a crisis and love to help stranded travellers.
Catastrophes are a regular part of north African life. The locals solve problems with patience, something Europeans could learn!
Good luck
Kitmax

I know that the ADAC in Germany (the equivalent of the AA in the UK)issue a European covering letter which includes Morocco and Tunisia. They will arrange for your bike or car to be shipped back free of charge in case of a breakdown or accident. It costs about €40 a year or so. Seeing as they work with the AA in the UK together maybe they offer this service too?

Hi Mark:

One way to put your mind at ease would be to look at it this way: In a worst case situation (the motor falls out in the middle of the road), your out of pocket expense is limited to whatever it costs you to ship the bike back to your home base - which would probably not be too much, since you could ship it by land (truck) with a common carrier.

My experience living and working in Africa is that the people there are much more ingenious about making repairs - inexpensively - than those of us who live in more developed countries. In other words, if you had a choice of where to have it break down, probably best that it be in Morocco - it will probably cost you less to fix it there than it would at home.