Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB

Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/)
-   sub-Saharan Africa (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/sub-saharan-africa/)
-   -   Vintage Tenere Across Africa – 2025 TRIP REPORT (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/sub-saharan-africa/vintage-tenere-across-africa-2025-a-106146)

coolkarim 21 May 2025 19:20

Vintage Tenere Across Africa – 2025 TRIP REPORT
 
10 Attachment(s)
KARIMS TRANS-AFRICA TRIP REPORT


photos here=
https://www.instagram.com/vintagetenere/?hl=en

(a few photos copied below, cannot fix orientation...)


TRIP AND DATE
Route: UK to South Africa
Timeframe: 2024/2025

DURATION, DISTANCE, COST etc.
• Duration: 6 months
• Distance: 22,100 km
• Cost: €8,000
• Fuel Consumed 1039 liters
• Piston Cycles 56,500,000
• Punctures 2

COUNTRIES TRAVERSED (17)
Spain, Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Cabinda, DRC, Angola, Namibia, South Africa

BIKE DETAILS
Model: Yamaha XT600 Tenere 1984 (34L)

MODIFICATIONS
• New engine build by David Lambeth (faultless throughout the trip)
• Hyperpro rear shock (strong and reliable)
• Luggage racks
• Oil temperature gauge

STRENGTHS
• Simple, reliable, robust design
• No fuel injection, no electronics
• Classic vintage styling and engine sound
• Excellent power delivery off-road

WEAKNESSES
• Side stand mount (strengthened during the trip)
• Kick Start mount (known weak point)
• Casing vulnerable to damage

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
• Chain came off due to rope caught in rear wheel (resulted in casing damage and oil leak)
• Oil cooler and tachometer drive removed
• One broken rear spoke
• Lithium battery replaced
• Kick Start Mount broke

BEST EQUIPMENT
• iPhone 13 Mini
• Quadlock wireless iPhone mount with damper
• Garmin Montana 750 GPS
• USB-powered air compressor
• Motoz Rallz rear tyre (lasted the whole trip)
• Chain and sprockets (lasted the whole trip)
• GPD PocketPC Mini Laptop
• LS2 helmet
• Leatherman Wave multitool
• Heliox Ultralight Camp Chair

POOR EQUIPMENT
• Thermarest sleeping mat (4 punctures)
• Automatic chain oiler (damaged by jet wash)
• Coleman fuel stove (major leaks)
• Bike power accessory module (failed after 6 weeks)
• Multiple small electrical items failed – even “rugged” ones

BIGGEST HEADACHES
• Visa planning and acquisition
• 10-day wait to cross Nigeria–Cameroon border
• Empty fuel stations in Guinea, Angola, and Congo
• Losing a bag with spare parts and shoes from the bike
• Jacket damaged after getting jammed in the rear wheel
• Frequently losing small items despite care

BIGGEST SURPRISES
• New jungle road in Congo
• Positivity of Nigerian people
• Intense heat in Nigeria (41°C)
• Unexpected wildlife in Namibia

FAVOURITE PLACES
• Desert crossing: Algeria/Mauritania
• Angola
• Namibia
• Mountain crossing: Nigeria to Cameroon

LEAST FAVOURITE PLACES
• Conakry (Guinea)
• Yaoundé (Cameroon)
• DRC
• Any place with open roadside sewers

BORDER EXPERIENCES
• Best: Namibia / South Africa
• Worst: Angola / DRC

NEXT TRIP IDEAS
• Southern Algeria
• Trans Morocco Trail

BEST THINGS ABOUT THE TRIP
• A truly authentic motorcycle adventure
• Genuine kindness from strangers
• Camaraderie and support from fellow adventurers (met in-person and online)
• Encouraging messages from home
• No major illness, accidents, or unfixable mechanical issues
• Immense satisfaction from making progress and crossing borders
• Plenty of time for personal reflection while riding

WORST THINGS ABOUT THE TRIP
• The cost, stress, and effort of visa applications
• Getting deeply stuck on the Mauritanian shoreline with rising tides
• Supermarket guards repeatedly asking to move the bike
• Engine casing damage on an Ivorian beach
• Struggling to sleep in hot climates with tents sealed against mosquitos
• Scam fees at the Diama border
• Eviction from a Namibian campsite for no clear reason
• Witnessing severe poverty, human suffering, and animal cruelty
• Being constantly asked for money by police and civilians
• Eating healthily was difficult
• Being seen as an “object” in some places
• High risk of accidents with harsh legal consequences

WHAT I’D DO BETTER NEXT TIME
• Install a small, hidden dashcam for accident documentation
• Invest in hot-weather riding gear
• Spotlights for occasional night driving
• Carry more emergency cash for breakdowns, illness, and remote area needs
• Visit countries bypassed: Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea

Overlander1995 9 Jun 2025 13:26

Thanks Karim--Valuable trip report
 
Hi Karim,
Well done! Inspirational and helpful post!

I am not on Instagram or Facebook and have some questions because I'm planning a similar solo trip (ex-Dublin, via TMT Morocco and then Nouakchott-Choum) this winter 2025-6 on my CRF250L with an ultra-light approach to packing (e.g. possibly no cooking).

- You mentioned delays getting visas: Where did you get each visa for Guinea, Cote Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Angola. Is there a city from where one can secure multiples? Any suggestions?
(I appreciate there are some other posts about West Africa visas but you've excluded Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia and I'd like to understand your thinking.)

- Was 8 months too fast? Or could it be done quicker and still have some quality of life?
- Equatorial West Africa appears to be "not for the feint-hearted". Online I see few stories and youtubes of overlanders actually enjoying Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, etc. Was there much respite from the borders and roads?

Apart from iOverland and HUBB what Facebook groups are useful for overlanders in West Africa?
Regards, Ruairi

coolkarim 9 Jun 2025 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlander1995 (Post 646919)
Hi Karim,
Well done! Inspirational and helpful post!

I am not on Instagram or Facebook and have some questions because I'm planning a similar solo trip (ex-Dublin, via TMT Morocco and then Nouakchott-Choum) this winter 2025-6 on my CRF250L with an ultra-light approach to packing (e.g. possibly no cooking).


why not? this is where people help each other. dont you want help? you need to be on facebook and instagram. especially the West Africa Travellers facebook group. and a couple of others to keep abreast of current border issues etc.

- You mentioned delays getting visas: Where did you get each visa for Guinea, Cote Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Angola. Is there a city from where one can secure multiples? Any suggestions?
(I appreciate there are some other posts about West Africa visas but you've excluded Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia and I'd like to understand your thinking.)

you just need to make a visa plan, use ioverlander and West Africa Travellers facebook group as your resources. but depends on your nationality. you need to work all the time to ensure the whole visa thing goes well. give it your top energy/priority. but its no fun.



I excluded them because I wanted to pass quickly through west africa to be passed Nigeria by end of march (rainy season start)


- Was 8 months too fast? Or could it be done quicker and still have some quality of life?

I did 6 months, and was fine for me. so its personal. I think the seasons affect greatly your time in each area. and how much money you budget

- Equatorial West Africa appears to be "not for the feint-hearted". Online I see few stories and youtubes of overlanders actually enjoying Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, etc. Was there much respite from the borders and roads?

its just hard work , hot and can be expensive. once passed nigeria it became easier. but many people find great places in west africa to spend alot of time.

Apart from iOverland and HUBB what Facebook groups are useful for overlanders in West Africa?
Regards, Ruairi


West Africa Travellers facebook group is the best

to make the trip a success concern your self with=

(1) not having any accidents with people or vehicles. (its damn dangerous out there, some people just walk into the road in front of you due to stupidity)

(2) dont breakdown. machine must be good/tested/reliable/perfect as possible
breakdown in remote areas with no parts available is really shit.

(3) dont get sick. it an end your trip if bad.

cheers
Karim

Overlander1995 24 Jul 2025 22:26

Thanks for your reply
 
Thanks for your kind reply, Karim.
Just to clarify, I already use iOverland, and I will reluctantly be giving up privacy and joining Facebook (and actually I love helping others and still have overlander friends from 30 years ago.) I didn't realise Instagram would be useful, so will go on that too, thanks.

One second-last question from a light-weight obsessed solo guy on a light bike, would I ever need a sleeping bag if I only brought 4kg tent/mattress and fleece and puffa and cap and longjohns? I reckon if I needed to sleep very occasionally in the desert in Mauritania or Morocco it might get cold at night?

One last question, I'm looking for the stretch of old beach road along the atlantic that pre-dates the current paved road somewhere on the way south. Lolo Cochet (@LoloCochetMoto ) rode it on Transalps and also on a Yamaha 100 recently but it is difficult to identify. Maybe it is just north of Dakhla.
I see you got stuck in sand, but I suspect that was the same place in Mauritania that Lolo bogged-down his Yamaha 100. I don't see mentions of the beach road in Morocco Overland, though there might be a stretch of it just below Sidi Ifni. Any advice?
Also I'm leaving in either October or November (Ireland-Bilbao and TET to TMT to Iron Ore Train tracks to Choum.) Your profile says you're looking to to the TMT then give me a shout :) Or if passing Dublin?

Gotta go now and prepare for fitting an oversized tank to my CRF 250L.

coolkarim 24 Jul 2025 23:14

Reply
 
See replies

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlander1995 (Post 647216)
Thanks for your kind reply, Karim.
Just to clarify, I already use iOverland, and I will reluctantly be giving up privacy and joining Facebook

Just make it private


(and actually I love helping others and still have overlander friends from 30 years ago.) I didn't realise Instagram would be useful, so will go on that too, thanks.

One second-last question from a light-weight obsessed solo guy on a light bike, would I ever need a sleeping bag if I only brought 4kg tent/mattress and fleece and puffa and cap and longjohns? I reckon if I needed to sleep very occasionally in the desert in Mauritania or Morocco it might get cold at night?

I was in the desert in dec and it was not too cold I used a summer sleeping
bag. Here is the WhatsApp address of an Africa Pal who rode ultralight weight by motorbike to Cape Town same time as me just now. he will give you perfect answers I think he said the thing he most missed was camping stove.
You can mention I referred you. Jonny Flanders +44 7444 701982

One last question, I'm looking for the stretch of old beach road along the atlantic that pre-dates the current paved road somewhere on the way south. Lolo Cochet (@LoloCochetMoto ) rode it on Transalps and also on a Yamaha 100 recently but it is difficult to identify. Maybe it is just north of Dakhla.
I see you got stuck in sand, but I suspect that was the same place in Mauritania that Lolo bogged-down his Yamaha 100. I don't see mentions of the beach road in Morocco Overland, though there might be a stretch of it just below Sidi Ifni. Any advice?

I don’t know it. But Morocco is well documented,you can find it. The problem with beach riding is it needs to be a good beach otherwise it’s really hard on the bike and heavy on fuel so in general riding on beaches, which promises to be fun, unless it’s a well known driveable beach you quickly end up in trouble. Or can only ride short sections.

I got stuck on the beach run from Nouadhibou to Noukchott. Not worth doing it as heavy sand also expected making it no fun.




Also I'm leaving in either October or November (Ireland-Bilbao and TET to TMT to Iron Ore Train tracks to Choum.) Your profile says you're looking to to the TMT then give me a shout :) Or if passing Dublin?

Nice.if you need more tips, Easier to use WhatsApp/emsil=
Karim.Huss@gmail.com
+44 7879632263

Gotta go now and prepare for fitting an oversized tank to my CRF 250L.

Fun times
K




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:55.


vB.Sponsors