Morocco HUMM May 2015

[GSTraveller]

Cheers for all the advice. I know a lot more now than when I first bought my GS and truth be told, I'd rather be taking a much smaller KTM but I can only work with the gigantic heavy tools I've got. In reality, the GSA is no more than a road warrior and I'm not sure where it actually fits in the market, having said that I fully intend to test that theory. If it has any use whatsoever off the tarmac I intend to find it.

As for the weight, I'm not so stressed about whether I can pick it up or not. It's a bit like Count Pikey above who will be riding 2-up. Clearly if he wants to have a bit more fun, he will need to drop some weight and again if he falls over, he isn't going to be straining to lift the bike with his Mrs still lurched on the rear. But I admit, stripping the bike to lift if it goes horizontal every 5 minutes is going to get boring very quickly but there will be a few of us out there to lend a hand and unfortunately its a hazard of owning a GSA.

A couple of us did try Wales but unfortunately the weather and tires let us down. Salisbury Plain for the best we could do. I think it is important to realise we are not going to be able to do anything like the stuff you guys are doing in your lighter weight machines. You guys have clearly jumped in the deep end and I think that was always your plan. We were reliably informed by the organisers that the HUMM, or at least certain routes, would be entirely suitable for our heavy machinery. For the remainder of the trip, I will be leaping out of my comfort zone, chancing my arm, putting the GSA through it's paces, taking many risks until I break something, die, get bored or run out of time.

And finally getting lost and dust storms don't scare me. Last time I was in a dust storm I was being shot at by Talibob and didn't have the luxery of sitting still for 4 hours.

Wish you all the best boys and hope the rest of your trip goes well and you all make it back safe.

 

[BAKERMAN]

The event is based in the Mid Atlas so not in the desert but we are planning on visiting the sandy bits! How much fun that will be remains to be seen.

Good stuff, as I would hate to think HUMM folks are sending folks off road down here.We came across a Frenchman stranded for two days due to high river and fallen rocks on trail behind him, on the Cira Jaffa a we know camper van and car trail.
Have a great trip I think Austin Vince used to organise that event.

 

[merlings1200]

A GSA is a excellent bike off road all the guy on this trip have riden the same route on a GSA on past trips, as for in at the deep end we have all been riding in Morocco for the past 12 years.
Have a safe trip we are only offering advice

 

[Bazzer66]

Hey merlings & Bakerman, thanks for the advice and updates, we're pretty comfortable that between us we'll manage to keep out of trouble and cater for most eventualities - while breaking out of our comfort zone. For me, i'll be the one watching GSTraveller tackle the dunes (not too far from tarmac), as I'm the one who usually drops the bike through lack of grit! Anyway, I have every intention of getting back to make my first Bakermans Hograost - I've not managed to make it since I got the GS!
Please keep us updated through your thread - we'll need most of the help we can get!
Cheers
Bazzer

 

[GSTraveller]

A GSA is a excellent bike off road all the guy on this trip have riden the same route on a GSA on past trips, as for in at the deep end we have all been riding in Morocco for the past 12 years.
Have a safe trip we are only offering advice

Advice is always welcomed and appreciated and indeed we have been crying out for some. I hope I didn't seem ungrateful but I did feel like there was an element of you guys trying to p*ss on our chips a little. Of course this may have been unintentional or a misinterpretation (I am a qualified misinterpreter so please do not take offence).

The majority of us have never been to Morocco before so there is a huge element of the unknown to our trip but that for me is all part of the excitement. I think the word adventure is relative to the person using it and whether you ride their on a scoot, a trailly or a ridiculously overweight machine such as a GSA, everyone has the capability of exceeding their limitations and finding themselves seriously out of their depth and in worse cases do themselves some serious harm. With every trip, its important to remember its not so much about the capability of the bike your riding, its more about the capability of the person riding it.

My own personal plan is to grapple with the machine, I want to master it and if I can't make it do the things I want it to do then I am on the wrong bike but I accept if I push the envelope too far, I will have to deal with the consequences. Currently I'm think a KTM 690r Enduro would be a more suitable machine. Dealing with the environment/weather/navigation, is an entirely different subject matter but luckily I've had a bit of experience in these areas.

Happy trails.

Pete

 

[Bendy toy]

The GSA could be lightened quite a bit with non OEM carrier frames and junk the crash bars in favour of carbon fibre protection to petrol tank sides and maybe the rocker covers. Centre stand isn't a must-have as a wheel can be chocked or jacked off the ground.
If a large amount of luggage is planned then what about a monowheel trailer. (No not a Goldwing caravan with 2 wheels) mono wheels lean with the bike but take 80% of weight off the bike wheels. .
Example though there are a few

 

[Count Pikey]

What more can I say get your GPS out and learn how to use it !
It may save your life

I never use modern GPS units preferring to navigate using my compass, the sun and the stars. If you are relying on a sat nav for your survival then you may encounter serious problems if it fails.

 

[Count Pikey]

Instead of sitting round in pub gardens you would all do better by going to Mid Wales and riding some rocky mountain trails and getting bike fit you will need it!
If I was not in Morocco I would offer to guide you round Mid Wales so you get some practice in,the mountain trails over here are unforgiving with drop offs that go down and down

I've only just cleaned my bike so I don't want to get it dirty before we depart, also at this time of year there's a good chance of rain occurring so it could be wet and cold. Much more sensible to be sipping a pint in a nice warm pub, plenty of time for practice when we're down there.

 

[merlings1200]

I never use modern GPS units preferring to navigate using my compass, the sun and the stars. If you are relying on a sat nav for your survival then you may encounter serious problems if it fails.

Just for the recorded we all have GPS and some of us have two units on the bike also carry a compass and maps.
We have only tried to give you advice
6000 feet up in the moutans today and had to change a fuel pump on a bike took 4 hours and 2 inertubes could you do this.

 

[GSTraveller]

6000 feet up in the moutans today and had to change a fuel pump on a bike took 4 hours and 2 inertubes could you do this.

What do you want, a Blue Peter badge?

Can't work out if out if you are trying to deter us or not but I know it doesnt count as encouragement and any advice is a little bit thin on the ground. Our bikes are 100Kg heavier minimum, so packing light will only get us so far. In any case, you guys are on a different agenda and a different type of machinery, perhaps another group of riders might find your 'advice' a bit more relevant.

 

[Count Pikey]

Just for the recorded we all have GPS and some of us have two units on the bike also carry a compass and maps.
We have only tried to give you advice
6000 feet up in the moutans today and had to change a fuel pump on a bike took 4 hours and 2 inertubes could you do this.

I only have room to carry a screwdriver and an adjustable spanner so probably not. I like to keep one of my luggage boxes stocked full of beer and pot noodles (only chicken and mushroom flavour mind you) in case of breakdowns so there's not much room for spare parts or maintenance equipment at least then we can be comfortable while we wait for help to arrive.

 

[GSTraveller]

Just seen the weather for Sunday. Think we either need a wet weather program or sack it!

 

[dubster]

I'm gonna get some shit for saying this... But £250 for three days in Morocco, really??? Don't get me wrong it sounds like a laugh but can someone explain to me how this is value?

This is a serious question as, apart from the cost, I'm quite up for it

 

[GSTraveller]

I'm gonna get some shit for saying this... But £250 for three days in Morocco, really??? Don't get me wrong it sounds like a laugh but can someone explain to me how this is value?

This is a serious question as, apart from the cost, I'm quite up for it

I think that about a lot of organised trips and not just the ones in Morocco. It is expensive and thats excluding the cost of accommodation. However, the way I look at it, you have breakdown and medical cover for the event itself, all of the interesting stuff in the area is likely to be pointed out so its an much easier way of sight seeing as well as some decent trail riding and a damn good shin dig at the end. It's also bloody good motivation to finally get Morocco under my belt and at the end of the day, I've got the money so I don't mind spending it.

The reality of these events and all them like it, if they don't charge enough to make it worth their while then no one is going to bother. Aside from the event itself, a lot of time and effort goes into getting these things off the ground. If it's too expensive for you then move along chap, I'm pretty sure there will be enough people there who are prepared to pay.

That's not me giving you shit by the way, I totally agree these events can be expensive but how else can you join in if you don't pay up? Is anyone going to organise one for free or for very little reward?

Having said all that, old Pikey above isn't actually taking part, he is just coming out for the crack. Feel free to join us, the more the merrier!

 

[Bazzer66]

I think that about a lot of organised trips and not just the ones in Morocco. It is expensive and thats excluding the cost of accommodation. However, the way I look at it, you have breakdown and medical cover for the event itself, all of the interesting stuff in the area is likely to be pointed out so its an much easier way of sight seeing as well as some decent trail riding and a damn good shin dig at the end. It's also bloody good motivation to finally get Morocco under my belt and at the end of the day, I've got the money so I don't mind spending it.

The reality of these events and all them like it, if they don't charge enough to make it worth their while then no one is going to bother. Aside from the event itself, a lot of time and effort goes into getting these things off the ground. If it's too expensive for you then move along chap, I'm pretty sure there will be enough people there who are prepared to pay.

That's not me giving you shit by the way, I totally agree these events can be expensive but how else can you join in if you don't pay up? Is anyone going to organise one for free or for very little reward?

Having said all that, old Pikey above isn't actually taking part, he is just coming out for the crack. Feel free to join us, the more the merrier!

I'm with Pete, might seem expensive but the package as a whole is worth it, especially as it's my first time in Morroco so happy to pay for a little extra for the support.
Bazzer

 

[dubster]

I think that about a lot of organised trips and not just the ones in Morocco. It is expensive and thats excluding the cost of accommodation. However, the way I look at it, you have breakdown and medical cover for the event itself, all of the interesting stuff in the area is likely to be pointed out so its an much easier way of sight seeing as well as some decent trail riding and a damn good shin dig at the end. It's also bloody good motivation to finally get Morocco under my belt and at the end of the day, I've got the money so I don't mind spending it.

The reality of these events and all them like it, if they don't charge enough to make it worth their while then no one is going to bother. Aside from the event itself, a lot of time and effort goes into getting these things off the ground. If it's too expensive for you then move along chap, I'm pretty sure there will be enough people there who are prepared to pay.

That's not me giving you shit by the way, I totally agree these events can be expensive but how else can you join in if you don't pay up? Is anyone going to organise one for free or for very little reward?

Having said all that, old Pikey above isn't actually taking part, he is just coming out for the crack. Feel free to join us, the more the merrier!

I'm with Pete, might seem expensive but the package as a whole is worth it, especially as it's my first time in Morroco so happy to pay for a little extra for the support.
Bazzer

Cheers - Very good and sound arguments that will be used for justification with the better half

Have spent a bit of time in Morocco but never on a bike, and not so much in the Atlas, so looking forward to seeing a new side of the country and meeting some good folks

When is everyone shipping out from Algeciras? I'm bimbling over from Italy so could meet on the boat

 

[GSTraveller]

Cheers - Very good and sound arguments that will be used for justification with the better half

Have spent a bit of time in Morocco but never on a bike, and not so much in the Atlas, so looking forward to seeing a new side of the country and meeting some good folks

When is everyone shipping out from Algeciras? I'm bimbling over from Italy so could meet on the boat

Ah, I used to live in Italy, in Varese near Milan. Me personally, I'm travelling down from Calais a week from Saturday. I think the current plan is to depart from Algericas on Tuesday 12th May I believe but I may be wrong. You are more than welcome to join us and we may even have a space on the team yet but for Drews sake I hope not and all goes well for him. We are booked into to a hotel on the Tuesday night already so let us know if you can make it and we'll save you a bed space.

Pete

 

[GSTraveller]

And.... If you have experience of Morocco you will be very welcome and a definite asset to the team so get negotiating with 'the better', I'm sure there is a deal to be struck! What are you riding just out of interest?

Pete

 

[Count Pikey]

Dubster, me the Mrs and Brian are going down to Morocco to meet up with these chaps, we are travelling down by road, through France and Spain because we are big and tough, nothing to do with the fact that we get terrible sea sickness mind you. We will cross from Algeciras on the 15th May I think, we will ride straight to the place where the HUMM thingy is, just past Fez somewhere, we have a Hotel booked for around £24.00 a night. If you want you can meet us down at the port, the more the merrier.

Mark

 

[Count Pikey]

Weather don't look to bad for Sunday. http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2655730 follow the link then click on Sundays weather.