North Africa

[charlie brown]

Merry Christmas,

My brother has convinced me that taking three weeks leave this summer to accompany him on a trip over land to a couple of north African countries is a good idea. I have A 2007 GSA with around 22,000m on the clock. What if any thing do I need to do to it before we set off? Clearly I am aware that petrol is a good idea along with other oils and sundries.......

Also any one who can recommend a good tent and sleeping set up? fed up of carrying around a camp bed that weights slightly more than my girl friends mum.
and lastly I'm guessing on a trip budget of around 3 3.5 g if we sleep in tents.

Any advice will be much appreciated

Cheers now back to the sherry........

 

[rockchunk]

1200 gsa breakdown cover could come in handy

 

[Toad]

I'm guessing on a trip budget of around 3 3.5 g if we sleep in tents.

Any advice will be much appreciated

Cheers now back to the sherry........

3-3.5 grams?

 

[Toad]

BTW - Where in South London are you?

 

[charlie brown]

Eltham

Im in Eltham , it does not deserve its reputation. Good houses for not very much moolah. Best kept secret south of the Thames and inside the M25



£3,000 -£3,500 Sterling. I can do 3 - 3.5 on a good camping trip....... I take it he is next to a white line??

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Where in North Africa are you headed for?

Morocco is great but you can't get into Algeria unless you come back to Europe. Then there's Tunisia but I understand travelling into Libya when you're not on a tour is not that easy. If you go to Egypt the carnet is very expensive. The easiest and most interesting country is probably Morocco. You have everything there, great roads, great scenery and relatively cheap accommodation. Tent not necessary. With your budget you could afford to bring me as well

As for the bike just a service should be enough. There's a great dealer in Casablanca. Tourances are unless you're doing serious offroad then TKC 80s.

Usual spares are helpful. There's lots of information on the site about Morocco and what to take so do a bit of research here.

Good luck.

 

[SpudBoy]

Do a search for Hilleberg Tents. I've got one of these for camping in Australia. Extremely well made and nice and light (4.5Kg/9lb). It fits into a BMW GSA pannier with about 10mm to spare.

Mine is a Keron GT 3 person tent, but is just right for 2 persons. It has a vestibule to store your riding gear and helmet etc out of the weather.

Here's a link: http://estore.websitepros.com/1764795/-strse-46/Hilleberg-Keron-3-GT/Detail.bok

They posted out to me in about 3 or 4 days from the USA. Excellent service.

HTH
David

 

[charlie brown]

Brilliant

Cheers guys ,

Keep it coming and yes I will take breakdown cover. It did let me down for no apparent reason what so ever in the middle of a rather large forest summer before last on a slow ride to Corsica. All those years of sit ups and press ups in mud and snow paid of. Never though I would fight a heavy German in a French forest but there ya go.

I think the plan is France, Spain , Boat , Morocco , Libya , Tunisia , Italy , Alps and then home......

Libya could be difficult???? I will start the research tonight. Cheers


Farmz

 

[Tim Cullis]

Tunisia is supposed to be good but a bit small, Libya is apparently difficult. Check out threads on the HUBB Sahara forum. Morocco is a big enough country to give you a wide breadth of travel experience and there's no way you would see it all in just three weeks.

You won't get breakdown cover for north Africa. So long as the ring antenna and fuel pump controller recalls have been done and the bike's been serviced I'd get the battery checked, then take just basic tools. Sod's Law says whatever fails will be something you've not taken.

There's tons of equipment threads on here, have a look at the gear that Touratech sell, then check out Les at TravelDri. I have an Exped Tent, Exped down mat and Nanok down bag.

But there's a lot to be said for just staying in cheapo auberges. Alternatively take really lightweight gear like a Mongoose tent and wild camp only when conditions are good enough.

Tim