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Motorbiking from Tanzania to South Africa



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 3rd, 2004, 11:21 AM
Hotdog
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Default Motorbiking from Tanzania to South Africa

Hi travellers,

I am planning to travel from Tanzania to South Africa with a passenger
hanging on the back. The bike we'll be travelling on is a Kawasaki
KLR650 - its green.

I have some questions for anyone who may have tried this.

1. Is motorbiking body-armour a good idea?
2. Any advice on type of helmet - full face or open face?
3. Any advice on maps - Are the michelin 1:4,000,000 maps the ones to
get?
4. Advice on taking malaria tablets (larium) for 6 months.
5. Advice on quantities of spare fuel to take.
6. Any advice on crossing african borders - we were planning to
distribute some FHM magazines to ease our crossing?

Pretty damn exciting stuff.

-Hotdog
  #2  
Old July 3rd, 2004, 08:10 PM
Jean-Marc V. Liotier
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Default Motorbiking from Tanzania to South Africa

On Sat, 03 Jul 2004 03:21:08 -0700, Hotdog wrote:

2. Any advice on type of helmet - full face or open face?


Hot and sometimes wet... I'm not a motorcyclist yet, but I guess you could
be willing to compromise some security for comfort. In addition, an open
face helmet will put no barrier between you and people you will meet, and
that is important.

3. Any advice on maps - Are the michelin 1:4,000,000 maps the ones to
get?


A sound basic choice, but you may want to cross check your information
though other sources : no map is perfect.

4. Advice on taking malaria tablets (larium) for 6 months.


That's a tad longer than the theorical maximal duration of the treatment
as indicated on the notice that comes with the tablets. It has been done,
but I have no idea whether that is a reasonable option or not. Check if
you really need the tablets all the way.

5. Advice on quantities of spare fuel to take.


From Tanzania to SA, fuel is generally easily available apart from
Zimbabwe in times of trouble and some areas deep into Mozambique. Take as
much as will take you to the next major town and you should be fine in
most cases. I can't imagine a case where 600 Km autonomy will no suffice
and leave you with a security reserve.

6. Any advice on crossing african borders - we were planning to
distribute some FHM magazines to ease our crossing?


Don't. Uninvited open bribes really are asking for trouble. That said,
little gifts for friends and to show gratitude are always a good idea -
just make sure you don't drift into the cadeau system : you may give a
gift to a friend, but giving a gift to someone will seldom turn him into a
friend.

  #3  
Old July 4th, 2004, 08:21 AM
Herb
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Posts: n/a
Default Motorbiking from Tanzania to South Africa


"Jean-Marc V. Liotier" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 03 Jul 2004 03:21:08 -0700, Hotdog wrote:

4. Advice on taking malaria tablets (larium) for 6 months.


That's a tad longer than the theorical maximal duration of the treatment
as indicated on the notice that comes with the tablets. It has been done,
but I have no idea whether that is a reasonable option or not. Check if
you really need the tablets all the way.


???

Since some years there's officially no limit any more for taking Lariam
(what you're saying goes for Malarone and Arinate, the newer treatments).
However, every profilaxes has his pros and cons. If this is your once in a
lifetime trip, take it and stop when you're well in SA. No malaria there.


  #4  
Old July 9th, 2004, 11:25 AM
Bobby
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Posts: n/a
Default Motorbiking from Tanzania to South Africa

I can only offer advice on the malaria tables front. I am not a doctor or an
expert in any way, but I spent half a year in Africa with other people
taking malaria tables. Lariam had a VERY bad reputation. One guy started
behaving rather strange. As far as I know Lariam gives you the best
protection against malaria but after seeing what happened to him after 2
months I will never take the drug. I think Lariam is the best option for a
short vacation but not for a long trip.

"Hotdog" wrote in message
om...
Hi travellers,

I am planning to travel from Tanzania to South Africa with a passenger
hanging on the back. The bike we'll be travelling on is a Kawasaki
KLR650 - its green.

I have some questions for anyone who may have tried this.

1. Is motorbiking body-armour a good idea?
2. Any advice on type of helmet - full face or open face?
3. Any advice on maps - Are the michelin 1:4,000,000 maps the ones to
get?
4. Advice on taking malaria tablets (larium) for 6 months.
5. Advice on quantities of spare fuel to take.
6. Any advice on crossing african borders - we were planning to
distribute some FHM magazines to ease our crossing?

Pretty damn exciting stuff.

-Hotdog



  #5  
Old July 9th, 2004, 11:25 AM
Bobby
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Motorbiking from Tanzania to South Africa

I can only offer advice on the malaria tables front. I am not a doctor or an
expert in any way, but I spent half a year in Africa with other people
taking malaria tables. Lariam had a VERY bad reputation. One guy started
behaving rather strange. As far as I know Lariam gives you the best
protection against malaria but after seeing what happened to him after 2
months I will never take the drug. I think Lariam is the best option for a
short vacation but not for a long trip.

"Hotdog" wrote in message
om...
Hi travellers,

I am planning to travel from Tanzania to South Africa with a passenger
hanging on the back. The bike we'll be travelling on is a Kawasaki
KLR650 - its green.

I have some questions for anyone who may have tried this.

1. Is motorbiking body-armour a good idea?
2. Any advice on type of helmet - full face or open face?
3. Any advice on maps - Are the michelin 1:4,000,000 maps the ones to
get?
4. Advice on taking malaria tablets (larium) for 6 months.
5. Advice on quantities of spare fuel to take.
6. Any advice on crossing african borders - we were planning to
distribute some FHM magazines to ease our crossing?

Pretty damn exciting stuff.

-Hotdog



  #6  
Old July 21st, 2004, 02:32 PM
pkgojak
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Motorbiking from Tanzania to South Africa


"Hotdog" wrote in message
om...
Hi travellers,

I am planning to travel from Tanzania to South Africa with a passenger
hanging on the back. The bike we'll be travelling on is a Kawasaki
KLR650 - its green.


Don't go on a green bike.






  #7  
Old July 21st, 2004, 02:32 PM
pkgojak
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Motorbiking from Tanzania to South Africa


"Hotdog" wrote in message
om...
Hi travellers,

I am planning to travel from Tanzania to South Africa with a passenger
hanging on the back. The bike we'll be travelling on is a Kawasaki
KLR650 - its green.


Don't go on a green bike.






 




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