Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
I cant believe the prices to ship things to Kenya !! I cant believe the prices to ship things to Kenya !!
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!



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



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Nov 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Samaipata / Bolivia
Posts: 894
Hi Ted
Hi Ted again,

thank you for the fast reply.

Yes, I know tyres are expensive in Nairobi. I did not know that you limped into Kenya with a cheap Chinese tyre, after this I would have maybe also spend the money to buy a Metzeler Enduro 3. If there is nothing else around and you need it badly, you have to pay for it.

Oh I also understand now that you needed the parts you ordered over DHell. But you learned your lesson about DHell now, they charge what ever they can get away with for custom clearance and they never show you what they had to pay to customs. At least you got what you needed.

Dont get me wrong, but sometimes I am sick and tired of people paying what ever price a local throws at them. And this is not good for other travellers or other locals trying to buy the same stuff.

I even remember a Kenyan custom officer telling me, that every motorcycle traveller pays to get his carnet stamped. And he was surprised I did not pay the 10 dollars he asked for, because he refused to give me a proper receipt. And he was fine with it and he stamped our carnets for free.

I should have followed your trip here on the Hubb before assuming you are one of this tourists.

Enjoy your trip and forget about my post.

Mika
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Nov 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Quote:
Originally Posted by dave ede View Post
(quote)I bought a tyre here as the one I had has a 3" gash in it from a blow out.. It would of lasted me much further south where i planned to buy a cheaper one.... I bought a 20 euro crap tyre in Ethiopia just to limp to Niarobi. I searched around extensively.. If you have been to Africa, you should know the score with tyres here.(quote)

Ted, why have you posted the price in € Euros, not everyone lives in the Eurozone



Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba View Post
Where did you get the Sahara 3? Did they something offroad-biased like MT21, T63 etc?

If you use your carnet you can usually get around the tax-situation, let them write down the tyre-details on the backside of the entry-form.

Have a great trip! I know most people says it get easier further south, but if you choose the right route it doesn't have to be easy at all.
Ian Duncan, The KTM dealer. Yes, he has MT21 too. I went for the longest lasting tyre. If I was going to pay that much for it, I want to get my miles worth at least... He ONLY had the 140 section and im meant to run a 120. It looks like a tractor tyre on my bike but I have used these tyres quite a bit and I rate them well.

yeah.. I'm not going to just blast south on the highways like many do. I've got a few off the track routes planned and Malawi should throw u some challenges, especially as theres only black market fuel there ATM...

Quote:
Originally Posted by mika View Post
Hi Ted again,

thank you for the fast reply.

Yes, I know tyres are expensive in Nairobi. I did not know that you limped into Kenya with a cheap Chinese tyre, after this I would have maybe also spend the money to buy a Metzeler Enduro 3. If there is nothing else around and you need it badly, you have to pay for it.

Oh I also understand now that you needed the parts you ordered over DHell. But you learned your lesson about DHell now, they charge what ever they can get away with for custom clearance and they never show you what they had to pay to customs. At least you got what you needed.

Dont get me wrong, but sometimes I am sick and tired of people paying what ever price a local throws at them. And this is not good for other travellers or other locals trying to buy the same stuff.

I even remember a Kenyan custom officer telling me, that every motorcycle traveller pays to get his carnet stamped. And he was surprised I did not pay the 10 dollars he asked for, because he refused to give me a proper receipt. And he was fine with it and he stamped our carnets for free.

I should have followed your trip here on the Hubb before assuming you are one of this tourists.

Enjoy your trip and forget about my post.

Mika
I took absolutely no offense from your post and I meant you none in return !!

I'm guilty of making assumptions on the hubb probably more than many !

Thanks for the well wishes Ted chug
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Dec 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Scotland
Posts: 49
I feel your pain...
Ted, you possibly won't remember my post when you were planning your trip from the little island..

I flew out to Kenya to do a "Supply Drop" a few months before a 7 month Africa trip. I left new tyres, spares, clothing e.t.c with Chris and picked them up half way through my trip (life saver)

Now I think you see the logic, it hurts to have to spend so much money when you're on the road.

I paid around £400 / £415 euro / $608 / 104800 Malawi Kwacha / 670 Rand for the flight...

Hopefully that's the the last of the crazy spending for the rest of your trip.

I'm driving down from Malawi to Cape town in mid January so I'll possibly see you at some point on the road.

Alasdair.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Dec 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mangochi Taxi View Post
Ted, you possibly won't remember my post when you were planning your trip from the little island..

I flew out to Kenya to do a "Supply Drop" a few months before a 7 month Africa trip. I left new tyres, spares, clothing e.t.c with Chris and picked them up half way through my trip (life saver)

Now I think you see the logic, it hurts to have to spend so much money when you're on the road.

I paid around £400 / £415 euro / $608 / 104800 Malawi Kwacha / 670 Rand for the flight...

Hopefully that's the the last of the crazy spending for the rest of your trip.

I'm driving down from Malawi to Cape town in mid January so I'll possibly see you at some point on the road.

Alasdair.
Did you also have to pay duty on your spares when you brought them in ???

The problem I had is that my tyre would of lasted me much further south and the spares I needed could not of been forseen. !!

Well, keep in touch. Our schedules may just cross. chug
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Dec 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Scotland
Posts: 49
You never know..
I was lucky, no duty in Kenya.
I even managed to get a new rear shock sent to Malawi with DHL and no duty to pay.
It's all down to luck and the person dealing with your paperwork on the day..

Although a cold coke, big smile and a lot of respect seems to work wonders!

As you've said, you can't prepare for everything so DHL becomes the only option.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Dec 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: B.C. Canada
Posts: 209
Wink
Hi Ted,
Great to see you are on the road again.
you know the rules though...Buy cheap and buy local.
A crappy plastic tire should not affect YOUR riding skills
You need money for so be more careful...
Oh right, Ted be careful
Two feet of snow here in Canada, skiing is on for tomorrow, But
Wish I was there riding with you
Suerte Amigo, Peter&Carol
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Dec 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Aus. Qld. Mackay
Posts: 474
Roberts Camp
Ted,
Did you enjoy Robert's Camp, Hippos didn't keep you awake
for to long I hope.

Cheers
Paul
__________________
....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
US to Europe: Rent, ship and store, ship and ship back, buy and store? jparke Trip Transport 19 9 Oct 2010 02:34
Do any of you know where I can get these things? yoashman Yamaha Tech 2 9 Aug 2008 20:45
Just Getting into things. hcatania TRAVEL Hints and Tips 3 7 Jul 2007 04:27
those things to get out of it chapati North Africa 6 20 Mar 2007 14:59
Little things Richard Jakobek BMW Tech 2 2 Nov 2005 19:05

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:20.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top