Bike for African Trip
 

Currently in the planning stages of an African adventure in 2016 or 2017. I want to get an idea of what kind of bike I should be looking at. The route I have looked at taking includes all types of roads - paved, gravel, mud and dirt, etc. I would need something capable of everything. I have thought a KLR is probably the best bet. I have not ridden a KLR but have heard the seat height is high. I am 5'10, does anyone with a KLR know if I will be able to flat foot it or if I'll be right on the edge of being too short for it?

Also, anyone know of any common places to buy bikes or rent in South Africa or Ethiopia? Those are my starting and end points. Doesn't really matter which one I start in.

Thanks in advance.

You may find reports about buying a bike in S. Africa, not sure about bikes for sale in Ethiopia? (Rental bikes too in S. Africa).

The KLR is a good tough bike if set up correctly. I'm just 5'6" and had no trouble, but could not get both feet flat (not required). But the KLR would not be my 1st choice. But if well set up and good price? Go for it. :thumbup1:

Other bikes to look at:
Honda XR650L (very tall), XR600 or XR400 Honda, Suzuki DR650 (low seat) ('97 to 2016), Suzuki DRZ400S or Yamaha XT600. Plenty of less expensive imports too I would imagine. (Chinese 250's)

My last KLR was in '98, not great in stock form. But I've ridden modified ones since then that were quite GOOD!
I now ride a Suzuki DR650 ... but never rode one in Africa! Sounds like a fun ride!

At 5'10" you have more than enough leg room ... for nearly ANY bike.

I've heard of bikes for sale in S. Africa but don't have specific info. I would contact local HUBB communities there for help with sourcing bikes for sale or rent. bier

I bought a klr650 in South africa at the start of the year - i leave in June 2016 doing the east route to cairo.

Not sure where you live - i am in the uk and the weak rand made it pretty good value (£3700 new).
Rand even weaker now.

Suspect RSA will be easier to find a suitable bike than Ethiopia.

Cheers
Andy


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Thanks for the info Mollydog. I was leaning towards a KLR just because i have lots of experience with kawasaki bikes. The DR650 does peak my interest though... I'll have to look into it as well.

Hey Andy,

Did you buy from a dealer in RSA or private? If it was a dealer do you mind sharing which one? And what was that process like? Was it difficult to buy it? I've read a lot about transferring it into your name being a hassle with getting a TRN and it can take weeks (which I really wouldn't have to sit around and wait for one when i'm there).

I am from Canada, and our dollar is absolutely awful right now, but I guess it's good news that the rand is as well.

Where do you plan on starting in South Africa? My rough plan is planning to start in the Johannesburg area and ride through Botswana, zimbabwe, mozambique, malawi, tanzania, burundi, rwanda, uganda, kenya, and then ending in ethiopia - hitting all of the national parks and such along the way. I would love to continue as far as you are going all the way into Egypt but I don't think I will have enough time for that.

Would love to hear any knowledge you have gained from your trip planning so far.

Quinn.

Hi Quinn

I bought new from a dealer in Cape Town. They have just stopped importing them into RSA but a popular bike there so plenty around.

I also read up on the TRN bit. For that reason i'd look at a dealer who can help you. I helpfully have a twin brother who lives in CT so he bought my bike and it is registered in his name (as i don't want the hassle). I'll dig out the details of the dealer and post them up.

I am reasonably well into my planning and very happy to share.

The headlines are on my blog page https://temporaryescapee.wordpress.com

I am currently mapping a day by day planner - rough timings, places to stay, gps coordinates for fuel etc. Be good to swap notes.

Cheers
Andy


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Andy,

it would be awesome if you could post up the details/website for that dealer when you come across it again.

I will make sure to keep following your blog and keep up with what you're planning and doing for your trip.

I noticed you may or may not ride back through turkey and across europe back home to the UK. If you don't what were you planning on doing with the bike? Selling in Egypt then?

Quinn.

Here you go Quinn, sorry to be slow:

SALES
MIKE HOPKINS MOTOR CYCLES CC
Triumph , Kawasaki , Sym
79 Roeland Street
CAPE TOWN
TEL : 021 4615167
FAX : 021 4617996 Direct Fax : 0866169143
Skype : triumphdealer

The guy my brother dealt with was Mark Livings.

I have been leaving the 'where from Cairo' question open as the world changes, but it's not getting happier! I have a quote for flying my bike from Cairo back to Europe so that is my default option. I will also research options to ship to Europe by container, or possibly find someone wanting to ride the other way and sell (or rent) it.

Thanks Jmi - as I am working through the itinerary in detail I am making specific plans to get into each park. For Tanzania that means game drives. Uganda are ok with bikes. I have emailed the park authority in Malawi and will modify my plans depending on their reply. I am aware no bikes in the parks in Kenya but i've not got to the detailed planning for Kenya yet.

Another dealer who can help of you want a new bike is the guy below. Two friends have used him already and two more are in the process of doing it. By all accounts he is very helpful at organising all the legal side of things for registering the bikes. As an aside all bike bought have been new Honda CRF250s and he has organised making custom luggage racks as part of the deal. I'm currently riding a KLR and whilst they're wonderful beasts I personally think a small bike like the CRF will be a better choice once of the highways of South Africa. Just remember to pack light!

Albie Eager (sales manager)
Honda Auto Menlyn
Cnr. January Masilela & Garsfontein Rd, Menlyn.
012-470-9200
Mobile 082-698-8589
Email albiee@cmh.co.za

If you decide to buy a secondhand bike someone who probably be able to help with the registration process is Duncan at African Overlanders, Stellenbosch, just outside Cape Town. Google them to find their Web page to get contact details.

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Sounds epic bru.
From USA, living in Zambia, have lived in RSA, and traveled often in Ethiopia (lived in Eritrea). RSA has more (dare I say infinitely more) options and competitive pricing. ET has CRAZY import duties, (vehicles are like 250%), and the local vehicle market is whacked. (e.g. see things like 1980 corrollas selling for $10,000)

Although getting paperwork/stuff done in RSA isn't a cakewalk, it is compared to ET...or at least that was my experience. (and coms in ET with out Amharic can be challenging for more complicated stuff...I had to do major repair work on a cruiser in Addis...was interesting...)

That said, if I had to allocate 2 months time between the two: I'd allocate 80% to ET!

Bike for African Trip
 

Here's a link to a guy who's been touring the African continent for about the last 9 months - Honda CRF250L - seems to have served him well. Light is right in his case ...

I have had a DR650 and a KLX250 - currently on a DRZ400S - DR was a bit too heavy for ugly roads (mud, sand) for my skill level fully loaded for travel/camping (YMMV)- but really good on the tarmac - KLX was under powered for the road and in my area (much of my riding is at altitude) - great off-road - light and easy to handle or pick up - hazard on the tarmac in the western US where speed limit is 75mph to get to the dirt- so settled on the DRZ - safe enough on the road and a reasonable compromise off road with enough power for my riding - tons of after market support, reasonably cheap for lightly used models, known fixes for most any issue and I can pick it up solo when it takes a nap ...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW9...KXFoufw/videos

Best

EDIT - And ... this is a really old post that I replied to ... 2015! - but ... what the heck - Ill leave it up as the link is relevant in any case - cheers!

Yea, long dead thread. Shame how many drift through Hubb, ask for advice ...
and then disappear for good.

Your DRZ400 choice is a good one if you can get it comfortable enough for longer paved road riding. I bought a DRZ400E (off road only version) new in 2001. Good all round bike. Never traveled on mine much, used as "dirt bike" for Desert and Enduro work. Did one Baja ride (trucked it down)

Also spent plenty of time riding the DRZ400S. I was not a fan riding it on fast paved roads. But for 3rd world riding, has to be near perfect if set up right. :thumbup1:

Since I have dirt bike/enduro competition background, I manage my DR650 more of less OK. Even in deep Baja sand and rocky tracks I've done OK. But it IS hard to pick up! (bring help!) A carefully set up DR650 can be pretty good off road ... but still heavier than your DRZ400S.
bier

It has been great to see this guys trip.

I am currently in SA attempting to do the opposite.

Does anyone know of how i can get i touch with him?

Thanks

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Wow yes I am planning to do something similar, from London to Cape Town, so would also be interested if anyone knows how to contact him. Currently trying to settle on the right kind of bike!
Ben