Hey Gwi, couple of points.

You'll find accommodation along the way in most sizable towns, most of it inexpensive. Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to carry a tent and sleeping bag in the event something goes south towards the end of the day and you need to bush camp. And of course to tent in real campgrounds among other travelers or just amid nature.

For GPS, if you are going without one, download maps.me to your smartphone and maps of the countries through which you'll be riding. Maps.me is a free app based on open source data that will show you not only routes and routing, but hotels, camping, restaurants, attractions, etc. -- and it's all usable offline, with no data or wifi connnection needed.

I would think about a good smartphone mount for the handlebars, so you can follow turn by turn directions. I disagree with Mark Manley on the value of Michelin maps... I've just ridden South Africa to Egypt and my Michelin maps didn't get a lot of use. Good for overview, but so-so otherwise.

I also have Lonely Planet ebook guides on my smartphone, very handy for selecting accommodation, figuring out sights and destinations, etc.

Hope this helps, I'm sure Lorraine will chime in!

__________________
http://ridefar.typepad.com

Hi Gwi,
as another source of informations I am recommending you Wild Dog Adventure Riding - Index . Local knowledge and seems that there are some very helpful info.
Petre

Really helpful & useful response! So happy to got great reply! Thank you so much

@mark - I will send PM to them and thank you for information of hotel, GPS, Watherkant street!

@Ride Far - Downloaded map.me & lonely planet just today! and yes, good to carry tent just just in case! i decided to buy it in SA. Thanks again!

@Petre - I read many helpful info in wilddog! Thanks for let me know!

Hi guys!

I really need help from someone who lives in South Africa.. I arrived SA to buy a bike few day ago. I planed to travel with bike around Africa. But unfortunately it seems not possible to register a bike in my name with tourist visa.

I read and searched a lot about register a bike in SA on this forum, wilddog forum. Found information that some guys did it in Cape town and Johannesburg. But it seems they had fortune..

Today i went to civic centre in cape town and asked to register a bike for foreigners. They said that it's only allowed with working/student visa. not tourist visa.. So much disappointment..

But i found another best option that register it in residence name. After registering, all i will need is a letter from residence(legal owner of bike) granting me permission to drive a bike. The letter must be signed by the police (Affidavit). That's it. Very easy and fastest way.

* reference: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...le-south-80508

Could someone who lives in South Africa help me to register it in your name, please? If i need to come back to SA with a bike which stays it in residence name, i can change the route to back SA.

I know it is kind of not polite to ask on forum, but this forum is my last hope to keeping travel.. Sorry if someone feel uncomfortable with my thread.

For your reference, i'm still looking for a bike in shops and gumtree.co.za. Didn't buy yet. After solving a registration, will buy a small bike.

I'd appreciate to get any help, advice, comments..

Attached Files

FOREIGNER'S GUIDE TO PURCHASING A MOTORCYCLE IN SOUTH AFRICA (JOHANNESBURG) AND REGISTERING IT I.pdf (649.7 KB, 505 views)

Hi Gwi,

contact the HU community CapeTown, I had great help from them in 2004+2008.

In 2008 I registered a Toyota Landcruiser in my name (on a tourist visa) in Cape Town, so it was possible back than, and very easy ... but as you found out, you can ride the bike with the Afidavit.

Just one advise, dont buy a Chinese bike. (As Mark Manley already said)

Good luck
mika

try Africa Overlanders in Stellenbosch
they may be able to help.

good luck

kp

@mika - Thanks! I got good information from HU community Cape Town!

@kp - Thank you for your inform!!


Last week, I finally bought Honda XR125 from local person in Cape Town. Bike is registered in his name and i got a affidavit granting me permission to ride a bike. He wrote my name and passport number on the affidavit. also his signature and stamp from police station. Anyone have traveled with bike which registered in other people name and affidavit?
He gave me 1) registration paper 2) affidavit 3) copy of his passport - just in case. I hope there is no problem when i cross the border.

I plan to start my journey in 2 weeks and not gonna come back to SA. I know it would be difficult to sell a bike in other country cause it's not registered in my name. But i could avoid lots of paper works and uncertain situation.

Thank you all of you guys to help me! Really appreciated!

Cheers,
Gwi