Afterwards
 

Hi Andrew,

we finished our trip and I blogged most of it in detail. I hope this page helps you:
How to prepare for a motorcycle trip through Southern Africa/South Africa | Zweirad-Kap

Good luck with your adventure!

Without a South African ID you need a traffic registration certificate. You also need a proof of residence in South Africa, like a lights and water account, a bank statement etc in your name with a local address. They wont register a vehicle without this.

I have driven with SA plates all over southern Africa. You just need the original registration certificate (in your name) with you. Ive never paid a bribe.

Don't go to the traffic department yourself. You will queue for ages and get so frustrated with rude stuff you will want to hit someone. There are plenty of private roadworthy test centres that can do it for you, including the road worthy test and certificate, then they get you the papers. The fee is small and saves your time and blood pressure. You can get all the forms at these places for the seller and buyer to fill in and they will have it have done for you in a few days.

Dont visit here often enough- if youre buying and registering yourselve and a bike here and need help send me a mail

Does anyone know if it's possible to get a traffic register without a lease? I'm in the country for a short while but not on an official lease (just on a short term rental).

xtjoe: I'd send you a PM but I don't have enough posts yet...

Buy bikes Cape Town and tour East Africa
 

Looking to tour east Africa. The problems and costs of getting our bikes from the UK are making us think about buying bikes in Africa. Possibly Cape Town or Nairobi.
Wondered if anyone had any recent info on this. We have to consider registering the bikes, taxing, insuring, carnets. And of course any recommendations on where to buy the bikes. Can we resell them?Probably heaps more.
Any advice gratefully received.

This is your lucky day !!!

I bought a bike in Johannesburg 6 months ago and am now travelling on it.

I just posted a guide called : "Foreigner's guide to purchasing a motorcycle in south africa (johannesburg)" . It will give you all the info you need on how to buy a bike, but in Joburg not Cape Town ( Which will probably be the better option for you ).

I have ridden through most of the countries up till Kenya (where i am now) so i have all the info you are looking for regarding border crossings, carnet,insurance etc...

Im heading back to South Africa to sell my bike (Hope to be there by the end of March).
(If anybody is interested its a 2012 BMW F800GS - Fully equipped )

Write down all the questions you have and ill see how i can help you ...

Ido Weiner