Marrakesh in Sept

[rdj001]

Hi all,

great forum - makes planning a trip so much easier.

A couple of friends and I are planning a ride from Luton to Marrakesh for September in aid of our company support charity. We are planning to use F800 GSs

Last year we did something similar around mainland Europe on GSAs.

A couple of questions (am sure there will be more to follow).

What are the roads like from Tanger to Marrakesh - are they most tarmac or can you venture onto gravel

The Foreign Office website paints it as a bit risky - any real world experience of getting hassle

Any views on the F800GS


Many thanks
Rod

 

[Fanum]

Hi all,

Hiya Rod

A couple of questions (am sure there will be more to follow).

What are the roads like from Tanger to Marrakesh - are they most tarmac or can you venture onto gravel

Totally depends on which way you go.....there is a new toll motorways that goes from Tangiers directly to Marrakech, so apart from the first three miles and the last 8 in and out of the two cities (and a main road section near Rabat), you could be sitting on near perfect motorway tarmac if you so wished.

On the other hand, it's possibe to do up to 90% of the distance on gravel, mud and rock tracks, including some amazing Hamada (hard dry flat rocky desert) and some really nice forest tracks.

Depends on you really

And in answer to your next question (untyped yet ),
It'll take you anything from 5 hours on the motorway to 5 days if you pick 'interesting' routes to do it.

The Foreign Office website paints it as a bit risky - any real world experience of getting hassle

To summarise (you'll find loads of far more in depth info if you type 'ketama' into the search box)
Yes, it's a very safe country in general, no alcohol culture so no pissed up sreet yobs, very very little aggro, but Tangiers is unpleasant, the Rif mountains East of Ketama are unpleasant and Casablanca is a total shyte hole to be avoided (the only romantic thing about it is its name)
Don't worry about the FO advice.....and again, have a read here, it's covered in far more detail.

Any views on the F800GS

You've already got them, so rather irrelevant, but very capable, comfy and tough, they do fine off road and on....you won't have a problem using them in Morocco.

Many thanks
Rod

A pleasure .

 

[sijohnston]

Hi Rod, there's an outside chance i'll be heading to maroc in September too...on an F800. i will will aim to be there once ramidan is finished on the 19th. I'll know in August if it's for definite.

 

[rdj001]

What a top response. Thank you.

Haven't got the F800s yet but they are the current fav (loved the GSAs last year). I guess we could also consider the Tenere or the Tiger.

Rod

 

[Fanum]

What a top response. Thank you.

Haven't got the F800s yet but they are the current fav (loved the GSAs last year). I guess we could also consider the Tenere or the Tiger.

Rod

Tenere yes, Tiger, unless the old one, no, not unless you're going to stay on tarmac or at the very least not go onto anything other than hard compact mud/gravel pistes

TBH, unless money isn't of a major concern to you at all, I'd get a pair of Teneres and spend the savings between that and the 800 on decent riding kit, luggage and a few hardening tweaks that you'd need (and would on both the 800's or a tenere TBH)

BUt then, I shouldn't really say that here

 

[rdj001]

SiJohnston - unbelieveable, I am from Limavady originally, what a small world. Now living in Suffolk. Let me know your dates, would be cool to meet up.

 

[sijohnston]

if i make it, will be sure to get in touch. and don't listen to fanum, get yourself an 800, they are utterly superb to ride

SiJohnston - unbelieveable, I am from Limavady originally, what a small world. Now living in Suffolk. Let me know your dates, would be cool to meet up.

 

[Fanum]

if i make it, will be sure to get in touch. and don't listen to fanum, get yourself an 800, they are utterly superb to ride

Never claimed otherwise

At over £2000 cheaper each though (Google list price, I'm not trawling through to find actual prices and deals ), that's well over £4000 difference in price for a pair of bikes for a trip.......
That's the equivalent of full hard luggage for both bikes, full brand new top of the range kit, helmets and the bulk of the cost of fuel costs on a trip like this.

 

[Tim Cullis]

I had a short go on a Tenere when in Ouarzazate and was quite impressed. The throbbing of the single cylinder engine was more enjoyable than with the F650GS single. Tenere owners reckon it will hold all-day motorway speeds of 80mph which is as much as most people need. Pity it's not a bit shorter for partially heighted riders.

The Tenere owner was riding my bike and marvelled at the smoothness of the F650GS twin's engine and gearbox.

Tim

 

[rdj001]

Hi,

quick update. Have sorted 2 F800 GS bikes from our friends at Bahnstormer. Big recommendation for these guys, especially John Gilbride - they always make you feel that service excellence is more important than profit.

We will be joined by a 3rd rider who already has a TransAlp so everything is shaping up nicely.

If anyone is interested, we have knocked together a little website www.operation-sandstorm.co.uk to allow other folks at our company to follow our progress.

Thanks
Rod