jeremyj
Registered user
Looks a dam site better than lymington today looking forward to the journey best of luck Simon
Gael warning in the Congo
- Thread starter simondippenhall
- Start date
So the breakfast news is an apparent coup next door in Gabon. Glad to be going in the other direction !
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After a filling breakfast we walk over to where my bike has been stored and set to work fitting the new fuel pump
Poaty the mechanic tries to explain the finer points of mechanics to me (friends will know that is a wasted effort
)
And in reality he does all the complicated bits
The bike seems to run well and the fuel pump scream is absent. So after reflection, I decide NOT to fit the replacement Motronic ECU and just carry it as a spare.
So on they tentatively happy note, I leave Poaty to fit the new silentblocs on the sump guard and we head off to shop for Jim’s bike....starting with one in the very garage we are working in!
But Jim will want to tell that tale....as he has a decision ahead.
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Poaty the mechanic tries to explain the finer points of mechanics to me (friends will know that is a wasted effort
)
And in reality he does all the complicated bits
The bike seems to run well and the fuel pump scream is absent. So after reflection, I decide NOT to fit the replacement Motronic ECU and just carry it as a spare.
So on they tentatively happy note, I leave Poaty to fit the new silentblocs on the sump guard and we head off to shop for Jim’s bike....starting with one in the very garage we are working in!
But Jim will want to tell that tale....as he has a decision ahead.
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But I will say that we took an afternoon time out for quiet contemplation of the choice ahead:
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Many of you will know that my involvement in this saga began in October when Simon and I left UK to head to Gambia, with Simon's plan to leave his bike there and me to return to UK.
Well the plan mainly worked, we made it across the Sahara in temperatures of 40+C and Simon reached Gambia. I bailed out one days ride from Nouakchott, when the food poisoning I had been suffering convinced me it had not yet departed. I returned to Nouakchott and rested a few days before returning across the desert, to spend a pleasant time exploring new areas of Morocco. Like many of you, I followed Simon on his travels via this forum, and often comparing notes with him on his return trips to UK.
On route Simon and I have discussed the idea of flying in to a country in Africa and buying a local bike. So when Simon suffered bike problems in Congo I chatted with him about the cost of bikes in Congo. He made a few enquiries and we amused ourselves with the idea. However when Simon returned to UK and we met up and discussed the next leg of his trip, the discussions became more serious. Firstly I had reservations about leaping into Simon's great adventure. While I had started it with him, he had done the most challenging parts alone and perhaps should finish on his own, dipping his toe in the sea at the Cape. So when the idea of flying down and buying a bike and riding with Simon came up, I asked him to consider seriously for a few days whether he really wanted a travelling companion after all the solitary travel. However after this time of reflection Simon assured me he was happy for me to join him and here I am with him in Congo. Our plan is to ride from here south, to Angola, Namibia and onward south, hopefully avoiding the wonderful DRC.
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Well the plan mainly worked, we made it across the Sahara in temperatures of 40+C and Simon reached Gambia. I bailed out one days ride from Nouakchott, when the food poisoning I had been suffering convinced me it had not yet departed. I returned to Nouakchott and rested a few days before returning across the desert, to spend a pleasant time exploring new areas of Morocco. Like many of you, I followed Simon on his travels via this forum, and often comparing notes with him on his return trips to UK.
On route Simon and I have discussed the idea of flying in to a country in Africa and buying a local bike. So when Simon suffered bike problems in Congo I chatted with him about the cost of bikes in Congo. He made a few enquiries and we amused ourselves with the idea. However when Simon returned to UK and we met up and discussed the next leg of his trip, the discussions became more serious. Firstly I had reservations about leaping into Simon's great adventure. While I had started it with him, he had done the most challenging parts alone and perhaps should finish on his own, dipping his toe in the sea at the Cape. So when the idea of flying down and buying a bike and riding with Simon came up, I asked him to consider seriously for a few days whether he really wanted a travelling companion after all the solitary travel. However after this time of reflection Simon assured me he was happy for me to join him and here I am with him in Congo. Our plan is to ride from here south, to Angola, Namibia and onward south, hopefully avoiding the wonderful DRC.
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The map above shows our original route and the pin point show as where I left Simon.
There is a lot more to say but I'll focus on the job in hand, in that Simon now has a working bike, following the fitting of the parts today and I do not have a bike. So today the search for a bike began and I should decide by the morning. Before arriving I had 2 options in mind, a Bajar Boxer x150 4 stroke single and a Suzuki 2 stroke TF125. I came with the expectation the TF would be the best option, it had a good reputation, it is made in Japan has a big carrier rack. Before I saw either if these we went to have the parts fitted to Simon's bike. The dealer there had a Yamaha AG200 and also a 125, both 4 strokes. These got me quite excited till I was told the price which was over €4,000 for the 200 and over €2000 for the 125.
This was the AG200, a fine bike.
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There is a lot more to say but I'll focus on the job in hand, in that Simon now has a working bike, following the fitting of the parts today and I do not have a bike. So today the search for a bike began and I should decide by the morning. Before arriving I had 2 options in mind, a Bajar Boxer x150 4 stroke single and a Suzuki 2 stroke TF125. I came with the expectation the TF would be the best option, it had a good reputation, it is made in Japan has a big carrier rack. Before I saw either if these we went to have the parts fitted to Simon's bike. The dealer there had a Yamaha AG200 and also a 125, both 4 strokes. These got me quite excited till I was told the price which was over €4,000 for the 200 and over €2000 for the 125.
This was the AG200, a fine bike.
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I resolved to go and look at the other options. First stop was the Bajaj 150 which looks a bit agricultural but seems quite rugged. It only had 4 gears, but a rack and pannier frame. The bikes are made in India. The price was nearly a quarter the cost of the Yamaha 125. This was a serious contender, even if it was not worth so much when we finished with it in SA. I had a worry about reliability but locally they seemed to do quite well. At this stage I did not do a test ride.
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Can I just mention to the non biking readers, that we will not normally focus so intently on biking matters in this write up, but more on our experiences in these great and interesting countries we visit. However to get to these interesting places I need a bike, so bare with me.
Next we went to see the Suzuki 2 stroke TF125. The guy was very pleasant and helpful to Simon on his last visit. He showed us the bike and it looked good. I did have reservations about a 2 stroke, they can be temperamental, which in engineering terms means it can be difficult to work out why they are not working as expected. However this was a Japanise manufactured bike, by a major manufacturer which should be fine. I took it initially on a short ride in the yard of the dealership, once I had started with its kick-start, no electric start here. Less to go wrong I thought. This short test was OK. It was when I went on a longer run on the road of a couple of miles its limitations showed themselves. When I was a young rider I used to refer to the small 2 strokes as "Wasps in a bottle", not an original descriptions I'm sure. However as I revved this bike through the 6 gears, that phrase came back to me. I could not live with the sound of that engine for 2 months. The dealer was understanding but disappointed, he mentioned they had another model, more road oriented but that was also a 2 stroke, so we dismissed that one 2.
The TF125.
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Next we went to see the Suzuki 2 stroke TF125. The guy was very pleasant and helpful to Simon on his last visit. He showed us the bike and it looked good. I did have reservations about a 2 stroke, they can be temperamental, which in engineering terms means it can be difficult to work out why they are not working as expected. However this was a Japanise manufactured bike, by a major manufacturer which should be fine. I took it initially on a short ride in the yard of the dealership, once I had started with its kick-start, no electric start here. Less to go wrong I thought. This short test was OK. It was when I went on a longer run on the road of a couple of miles its limitations showed themselves. When I was a young rider I used to refer to the small 2 strokes as "Wasps in a bottle", not an original descriptions I'm sure. However as I revved this bike through the 6 gears, that phrase came back to me. I could not live with the sound of that engine for 2 months. The dealer was understanding but disappointed, he mentioned they had another model, more road oriented but that was also a 2 stroke, so we dismissed that one 2.
The TF125.
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So as we are leaving the dealer pointed out a bike used by one of the employees, and indicated that was the other model and we all noticed it was in fact a 4 stroke(the dealer was not a bike specialist). Five minutes later we are in the rear of the dealers car on the way to meet the motorbike salesman to see the 4 stroke Suzuki EN125. This bike is a Suzuki but made in China, is less rugged than the Bajaj, but has a great carrier and frame, spoked wheels and electric start, so ticked a lot of the requirements. Its biggest plus was the price, which was less than the Bajaj and less than a quarter of the cost of the 125 Yamaha. This was also a serious contender.
I don't often post pictures of myself, but what the hell!
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I don't often post pictures of myself, but what the hell!
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As we headed back to the hotel Simon suggested we have a further look at the Bajaj. This time I even took it for a test ride. The conditions were perfect. I had not ridden for some months, it was 32C, I was well protected with light camping trousers, a tee shirt and no helmet, the dealership was on a roundabout and it was rush hour. The dealer also suggested I take his 6 foot 4 assistants on the rear in case I was tempted to ride off into the distance. We persuaded him the passenger was unnecessary and Simon remained as hostage. I headed off into the roundabout. When I changed gear the bike stopped in the middle of the traffic, perfect. I then worked out that the gears, all 4 of them, are in a strange arrangement I've not encountered in about 40 years. I soon worked this out and headed of into the heavy traffic. I managed to get into 3rd gear once and encountered some sand on the side of the road(a little test of the 17ins cast wheels), but in essence the test was less than perfect. The bike revved well and seemed flexible and I didn't discover anything too negative. Returning the bike to the dealer, I released Simon from his hostage status and we left the dealer, saying we'd make a decision overnight.
So the decision overnight is between these 2 bikes, the 150 Baja and the EN125 Suzuki. Both are good options. I'll make my final decision in the morning, when I take the EN125 Suzuki for a test ride.
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So the decision overnight is between these 2 bikes, the 150 Baja and the EN125 Suzuki. Both are good options. I'll make my final decision in the morning, when I take the EN125 Suzuki for a test ride.
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So last night I got a WhatsApp from Dave an Australian biker who first contactes me a year ago when he was planning a London to Capetown ride on his KTM 990. He has been storming through Africa and told me he had just arrived in Pointe Noire. By sheer coincidence it transpired he was in the restaurant below!
A brief encounter as he was away in the morning to Cabinda and then to DRC
Dave is in the orange shirt (of course!). Only the fourth foreign motorcyclist I met since leaving greater Morocco!
The other guy is Max, a German Landy driver - the two teamed up in Nigeria and apparently it works (must be a fast Landy!)
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A brief encounter as he was away in the morning to Cabinda and then to DRC
Dave is in the orange shirt (of course!). Only the fourth foreign motorcyclist I met since leaving greater Morocco!
The other guy is Max, a German Landy driver - the two teamed up in Nigeria and apparently it works (must be a fast Landy!)
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Then another busy day today as Jim had made his choice of bike overnight and after a very satisfactory road test of it, we went to pay for the bike...the princely sum of £680 including registration ('Carte grise').
Then to the Grand Marche to find a top box
They are harder to find than you might think and it was hard work in the midday sun...as this porter had obviously concluded
The afternoon was a session of fettling... obviously a spectator sport here
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Then to the Grand Marche to find a top box
They are harder to find than you might think and it was hard work in the midday sun...as this porter had obviously concluded
The afternoon was a session of fettling... obviously a spectator sport here
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I think Simon has covered most of the bike news and my decision. I'm pleased with the little 4 stroke Suzuki which rides well and at this price is a steal. I managed to fit a few electrical items today under supervision of the local mechanics, cigarette lighter plug for USB charging, battery charging/battery condition plug and GPS lead. Sadly the GPS mount does not power up at the moment, so need to investigate further tomorrow. Also fitted a locally sourced top box from the market and a tank bag I brought with me, so the bike is taking shape. Look forward to pick-up tomorrow.
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That's brilliant Jim. The adventure has started!
Light weight will be a real bonus on the muddy and sandy sections
Are the tyres ok?
Are the tyres ok?
You mean, like this in DRC?
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That's the stuff! The deep ruts can be a bonus if the track is going along the side of a hill, stop you slipping down it - as I'm sure you know
Which is why we will be doing our best to avoid DRC where very contentious election results are due tomorrow.
Today was a day of technical preparation :
Jim trying to repair his malfunctioning GPS cradle
Me fitting a new Sena headphone set to my helmet as the old one had lost a speaker in Mauritania (despite Jims laudable soldering efforts there)
Then it was time to go to the garage to see if Jim's registration documents had arrived at the dealer's.
Due to my ambitious navigation plans on foot, that involved us passing through a 2 meter corrugated gate to a building site, shinning a wall and climbing down a broken ladder under the suspicious gaze if a previously somnolent security guard.
Here is Jim near the scene of the (of)fence
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Today was a day of technical preparation :
Jim trying to repair his malfunctioning GPS cradle
Me fitting a new Sena headphone set to my helmet as the old one had lost a speaker in Mauritania (despite Jims laudable soldering efforts there)
Then it was time to go to the garage to see if Jim's registration documents had arrived at the dealer's.
Due to my ambitious navigation plans on foot, that involved us passing through a 2 meter corrugated gate to a building site, shinning a wall and climbing down a broken ladder under the suspicious gaze if a previously somnolent security guard.
Here is Jim near the scene of the (of)fence
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