Tim, I just wanted to say thanks for all of the fantastically useful info on this sight. I did my first trip to Morocco in November/December last year and the border paperwork tips were especially useful in avoiding the touts at Cueta. It was all very straight forward as I just printed off your pages and pointed to them at customs.
Coming back via Tangier was more confusing because I was tired and the touts were wearing ID badges. I thought they were genuine port staff for a while but told them to sod off when I realised they were just after money. Even the ferry company staff that were dealing with the loading inside the port kept asking for money. I just pretended I had no idea what they were on about.
I'm not lucky enough to have a GS yet so I did the 4600 mile trip round Spain, Portugal and Morocco on a Piaggio X9 500 scooter over 20 days. It was the first time anyone had rolled up at BikersHome on a scoot! Generally the bike was fine although I came a bit of a cropper in the mountains north of Azrou when it started snowing heavily as night fell. I couldn't see a damn thing with snow all over my visor and glasses.
I ended up being hauled out of the ditch by four truck drivers but eventually made it to Azrou and was able to continue on the next day after applying lots of super glue and gaffer tape to the dangling wing mirror and cracked plastic bodywork.
After Merzouga I headed over to the Todra Gorge for some climbing, and then on to the Bikers Home before heading for the coast. I travelled back through Spain and Portugal and I have to say, it was bloody cold for most of the trip, especially camping at night. I was mightily glad of the heated grips.
The furthest I had ever ridden before was Nottingham to Bristol so I was quite proud that I made it around Morocco alone in one piece and loved it. I have pics on Facebook if anyone wants to see the heavily laden scoot in action. Drop me an email at
[email protected]
I definitely want to do more so have been reading your review of the 650GS with interest. With an inside leg of 30in I think it could be the one for me. The scoot has great weather protection and will do a 100mph on good roads. I got from Bilbao to just north of Malaga on the first day despite snow, crazy cross winds and tumble weed on the motorway. But anything rough or loose is a nightmare, especially with spare tires, fuel and camping equipment weighing down the back end.
Thanks again Tim. Cheers Malcolm
