Michelin 742 map of Morocco question

[easyman05]

have just received an envelope with the map from UK and need to be clarified:
Are the roads shown in red and yellow really sealed? I mean asphalted? Esp E and SE of Marrakesh? Marrakesh - Zagora- Mhamid? Ouarzazate - Ar-Rachidia - Azrou?
TIA

 

[Timolgra]

Yes they are sealed.
You will find that some of the 'roads' marked in white are also sealed, either partly or completely but there is no way of telling from your map.

 

[easyman05]

Thanks a lot!
Does it mean they are doable on a street bike with road tyres on? Like K1200GT or F800ST with Metz Z6?

 

[Tim Cullis]

The red and yellow roads are fine for road bikes.

Tim

 

[easyman05]

Thank you, mates!

 

[easyman05]

The red and yellow roads are fine for road bikes.

Tim

Tim,

you promissed to share your impressions on F650GS

or I should think about F800GS?

 

[dodgyken]

As mentioned before they are sealed - although there can be minor diversions on some routes when a section of roads has "moved" - we found this on the Ourzazate-Zagora road.

The sealed roads tend to be relatively quiet (by European standards) and there are a number of sections which are absolutely stunning and great fun to drive/ride.

I am sure Tim and/or other regulars would be able to give ideas of how often you will see radar guns/police. I only remember being stopped a couple of times for a paperwork check.

 

[peter wallis]

forget the michelin map its crap,it looks ok but when u get there its very poor

 

[Fanum]

forget the michelin map its crap,it looks ok but when u get there its very poor

So which paper map would Sir suggest is better or more accurate for country-wide coverage??



There are more accurate maps of some smaller areas, there are better topographical maps in electronic formats and the Michelin 742 does have some inaccuracies and omissions, but it's far from being 'crap'

 

[Tim Cullis]

Not sure I would call it crap, but it's not good and the 2008 update is nothing more than a money extraction operation. Some roads aren't shown, some so-called roads are rough tracks, things on the map are in the wrong places, roads marked with green 'scenic' edges were ribbon-developed ten years ago, and so forth. Above all, what's really needed is a 1:500,000 map.

I've just got out the Michelin 169 map of Morocco from 1972. You would be amazed how few changes there are. Having said all that, I have a whole pile of other maps of Morocco and none are any better.

Tim

 

[Fanum]

Having said all that, I have a whole pile of other maps of Morocco and none are any better.

Tim

spot on.
I must have 8 or 9 different national maps and each has its own particular strengths and weaknesses....and with the rate of development in Morocco at the moment, no map is going to be accurate even three months after its release.

The new motorways in the North are a good example- from the look of some of the flyovers, I'm not sure that even the architects know where the fekk they're supposed to be going

 

[Tim Cullis]

Here you go, Fanum, the latest info on new and planned highways: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1680

Two examples of major errors on the Michelin map.
1. The R307 to the east of Marrakech joining Skoura in the south and Demnate in the north is marked for some of its length as a mule track. Granted it's 'interesting' after bad weather but it's been open as a road for many years and I did it in 2006 and again Oct 08, and it's a great alternative to other passes.
2. The white 'surfaced road' linking Midelt and Imilchil is in reality a 30-mile red piste then 20 miles of road, then another 30 miles of red piste with 60 river crossings.

I mean, how much further wrong can Michelin get it?

Tim

 

[Farmboy]

that track from Imlichil to Midelt sounds a bit tasty with 60 river crossings.

Is it doable on a laden Africa Twin Solo I wonder

Might have to add it to my ever growing list

 

[Timolgra]

that track from Imlichil to Midelt sounds a bit tasty with 60 river crossings.

Is it doable on a laden Africa Twin Solo I wonder

Might have to add it to my ever growing list

Easy peasy on an Africa Twin

 

[Farmboy]

cheers Mr Timolgra,

Seems like the obvious way to wash the bike after 2 weeks in the desert sand before heading back to the ferry

Chris

 

[davidgibson999]

that track from Imlichil to Midelt sounds a bit tasty with 60 river crossings.

Is it doable on a laden Africa Twin Solo I wonder

Might have to add it to my ever growing list

Farmboy - check out my ride report for photos - I did it that route in April on a laden 1200gs solo although I did it from Midelt to Imilchil.