Mali: Bamako - Tombouctou en mobylette

Bonjour à toutes et à tous ✌️

Je me rends compte que je suis inscrit sur VoyageForum depuis le... 28 mars 2012 😅. Pourtant, j'ai très peu participé jusqu'à aujourd'hui.

Le 1er août 2026 marquera une étape un peu particulière : 5 ans sur la route.

Nous sommes partis de Suisse le 1er août 2021 avec une idée simple : laisser le hasard décider de notre direction. Nous avons posé une bouteille de vin sur une carte du monde, l'avons fait tourner... et c'est elle qui a choisi notre premier cap.

Un an plus tard, arrivés au Maroc, nous étions face à un nouveau choix : continuer vers l'Afrique ou partir vers l'Asie. Cette fois, c'est un jeu de tarot qui a tranché. Depuis, nous essayons de continuer ce voyage en laissant une grande place à l'imprévu.

Aujourd'hui, cela représente environ 120'000 km, 46 pays et plus de 1'800 jours sur la route, principalement à moto, mais aussi parfois en voilier, en train, en bus, en stop ou à pied lorsque l'aventure l'impose.

Notre fil rouge n'est pas que la moto, mais les échanges de services. Plutôt que de simplement traverser les pays, nous essayons de nous arrêter régulièrement pour donner un coup de main aux personnes que nous rencontrons. À ce jour, cela représente environ 600 jours de volontariat.

Au fil des années, nous avons notamment :

rénové une maison en Croatie fabriqué des briques en terre dans le désert marocain aidé à convoyer un voilier dans les îles grecques gardé des maisons, des chiens, des chevaux, un dromadaire... et beaucoup d'autres animaux bosser pour festival de street art au Maroc réalisé des vidéos pour des associations et des projets locaux travaillé pendant les vendanges sur le plateau tibétain été accrédité "média" pour les World Nomad Games en Asie centrale

Parmi les moments qui nous ont le plus marqués, je citerais les six mois passés en Chine, une nuit passée sur la Grande Muraille, la Pamir Highway, la Route de la Soie, trois mois à Taïwan ou encore les incroyables rencontres faites dans les montagnes d'Asie centrale.

Nous voyageons sur Falkor, notre dragon de la chance. Une BMW F800GS de 2014 qui nous accompagne depuis le départ et qui commence, elle aussi, à avoir quelques belles histoires à raconter.

Même si nous partageons notre aventure sur Instagram, Polarsteps et YouTube, ce n'est pas la raison de notre présence ici. Les règles du forum sont très claires concernant la promotion et je les comprends parfaitement. Si je prends enfin le temps d'écrire, c'est surtout parce qu'après cinq années de route, je me suis dit que notre expérience pouvait peut-être être utile à d'autres voyageurs.

Avec plaisir pour échanger sur :

la préparation d'un long voyage à moto les visas et les frontières la Route de la Soie et l'Asie centrale la Chine à moto (ou sans moto) le volontariat et les échanges de services en voyage le matériel, la vie quotidienne sur la route... ou simplement les imprévus qui font le sel d'un voyage au long cours

Au plaisir de discuter avec vous et de partager nos expériences, mais aussi de profiter des vôtres 🙂 Salutations de Thaïlande et au plaisir de discuter avec vous ✌️

Vincent, Nathalia & Falkor

Hi there! My daughter and I are heading to Malta and I’d love to rent a scooter. Does anyone know any good places to rent from and what the budget would be for a week?

Hello, I’m retired and planning a roughly 3-week motorcycle trip (1200gs). The dates aren’t set in stone yet, and everything’s open to discussion—I’m pretty flexible with the planning.

Hi, I'm looking for a motorcycle route for a 15-day trip starting June 20, 2026, in Mallorca. Thanks!

Hi there,

I’d like to ride from Mahajanga to Morondava, sticking as close to the coast as possible—using roads and tracks—in September 2026. If you’ve got any suggestions, let me know! 😉

Paul

hi planning to ride through Rajasthan on a motorcycle in January 2027 and I’d love to hear about the road conditions. I’ll be riding with a buddy on a Royal Enfield that I’ll rent in Delhi. Thanks for your tips!

hi there I’m planning a 3-week motorcycle road trip in Rajasthan, renting a Royal Enfield in Delhi in January 2027. I’d love to get some tips on a fun itinerary and hear your thoughts on the roads up north. I’ve ridden a motorcycle in southern India—Kochi to Madurai—about 10 years ago. Thanks for sharing your experience, and I’m all ears for any great tips you’ve got! Best regards

hi there I’d like to ride the RN 12 by motorcycle in September. I’d love to know the main challenges—I ride a 300cc and do enduro in France. Thanks for your tips!

Paul Courtois

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a motorcycle road trip to Armenia and Georgia in September 2026 or May 2027. I’m looking for one or more riders (male or female) who’d like to explore these countries with me.

Along the way, we’ll visit Cappadocia, the capitals Yerevan, Tbilisi, Sofia, Skopje, and other cities—we can finalize the route and roadbook later.

This trip requires experience with long motorcycle journeys, as we’ll cover around 7,000 km over 5 or 6 weeks (or more, depending on sightseeing and time spent).

I don’t expect dozens of applicants, since motorcycle riders are few and far between on this forum, but I’m putting this out there anyway.

See you soon

Hi everyone,

I’m starting to think about a trip that’s really close to my heart: Algeria by motorcycle, specifically the southern part of the country. It’d be for January 2025, and I’ve got two main questions:

Is it possible for an individual on a motorcycle to travel freely, outside of any organized tour, or does the regulation require some kind of supervision in the Algerian Sahara region?

Is the Hoggar massif accessible by road or by (rideable) tracks?

Beyond the official recommendations, I’m really looking for your firsthand experiences. Thanks so much for your answers, and sorry if my questions are a bit newbie!

Ride safe! ✌️ Didier

Hi, I’d like to take a 15-day "break" to get away from the surrounding hustle and bustle. Why not explore the Peloponnese! I’m not particularly drawn to museums, ruins, or monuments. I want to experience local life—small villages, seaside spots, beaches, and the interior if the landscapes are extraordinary. Ideally, coming from Athens, I’d take a bus or train to get as close as possible to a starting point, then rent a scooter (125cc) to explore by taking secondary roads or even coastal paths. I’d stay in 2-3 places for a few days each to discover their surroundings. Do a loop. What do you think would be the ideal itinerary? From Athens, the best option would be to take either a flight or a bus to Kalamata. Rent a scooter and head either west or east. Is there a tertiary road (very lightly trafficked) or a path where I can ride slowly, take it easy, and enjoy the scenery without being bothered by traffic? I’d like to go all the way to Monemvasia, still hugging the coast. I need to find a way to avoid returning to Kalamata to drop off the scooter and catch a flight—maybe a small town where the train stops so I can head back to Athens. Thanks in advance for your tips.

Hi!

I want to rent an off-road style motorcycle to get around the coast during my trip to Ecuador. I’m only finding options in Quito. Do you have any suggestions for me?

Thanks!

Hi there, I’m planning a sidecar trip to South America for 4 or 5 months at the end of this year. I’m looking for info on shipping my vehicle by sea—possibly to Uruguay or another destination, as I haven’t finalized anything yet. How do you get visas for the countries I’ll be crossing: Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile? Are they e-Visas, obtained at the border, or through embassies? Where can I get vehicle insurance? Lastly, if any bikers want to join us (my partner and me), we’re open to that possibility too. Patrick

Hi, I’m planning to head to Morocco in early May on my 1200 RT. I’ll be leaving from Dax to Kenitra—happy to ride together if anyone’s up for it!

Hey everyone,

I’ve got 15 days off in June and I’m pretty undecided about where to go for a motorcycle road trip. Two strong desires are pulling me in different directions: Corsica or Norway.

Corsica has been a dream of mine for a long time: legendary roads, stunning landscapes, a unique vibe, and the perfect mix of sea and mountains. At the same time, I’m wondering if 2 weeks might be *too much* for Corsica—risking feeling like I’ve seen it all too quickly, especially on a bike. Since I also have an extra week free in May, I could use that specifically for Corsica. Maybe splitting it into two trips would make more sense? If so, which routes or regions would be the most interesting to plan for a 7-day trip?

On the other hand, Norway is *super* appealing. The landscapes look incredible, totally different from anything I’ve experienced, and it’d be a real “wow” trip. I know 15 days is still short for such a vast country. Getting all the way to the North Cape seems pretty much impossible in that time, but I’m curious about what realistic routes could be planned.

So I’m wondering: Is it better to save Norway for next year, take 3 weeks off, and do it *properly*? Or are 15 days enough for a first amazing taste of the country?

I’d love to hear about your experiences—whether it’s Corsica (ideal duration, routes) or Norway (what’s realistic in 2 weeks on a bike). Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Hello, I'm thinking of buying a used small motorcycle to travel around the country for a month and a half. I've done this in other countries without putting the registration in my name—is that possible in Guinea given the apparently frequent checks, or do I have to go through the paperwork? Thanks.

Hello, My dream is to ride Route 66 by motorcycle. I have a disability—while I’m not in a wheelchair, my walking mobility is reduced. The ideal scenario would be to have a motorcycle driver and ride as their passenger on an organized trip. Are there any guides or services like this offered by travel agencies? Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Hello, I’ve got a plan with a friend to go on a motorcycle road trip in 2028 or 2029, starting in Santiago de Chile and ending in Ushuaia, for about a month. Has anyone done a trip like this before, and what’s the best time of year? I’ve heard there can be quite a bit of wind depending on the season. Thanks for any tips! Cheers, PA

I'm seriously considering heading to Nepal to do some nice motorcycle loops... my goal is also to do the Kailash Yatra round trip from Kathmandu, in a small group with a guide, in May '26... but here's the thing—I'm solo! So if you're up for sharing a similar adventure, hit me up... Cheers, Frankoys

It's all in the title: I'm heading to Krabi soon and want to rent a scooter for a few weeks, but after reading comments about all kinds of scams, I'm reaching out to ask where and how (read: *the right way*) to rent one. Thanks for your tips and advice.

Hello everyone! Like every year, a winter migration is on the horizon (revised plan): this time, it’ll be Dakar, or even Abidjan, via Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. Looking for an experienced motorcyclist or pillion rider—small build preferred—on a GSA 1250 with a comfy seat and luggage setup, available from early November to late December 2025. I’d like to plan the trip together (important to me) to make sure we’re on the same wavelength. Don’t hesitate to get in touch! Didier

Hi everyone...

Looking for travel companions to ride from France to Senegal by motorcycle.

I’m Paul, 37, and I’ve already done a bit of riding in Morocco.

For now, I’m solo, riding a 1998 SUZUKI DR 650 with some basic gear to keep things smooth. I’ll have a tent so we can do a few nights under the stars. We’ll need to coordinate departure dates—"ideally in November."

I’m currently checking out routes to take. Any tips would be welcome! :)

Have a great day, everyone!!!!!

Hi there!

I’m heading to Vietnam and Laos with a buddy next week for a month. We’re thinking of renting motorbikes, especially to do the Ha Giang Loop. We don’t have an international license, just our Belgian one. Is that enough? If not, is it risky?

Thanks for the info! !

Hi there,

In January 2026, I’m planning a motorbike trip through northern Vietnam for 3–4 weeks.

Must-dos: Hanoi, RC4, Dien Bien Phu, and of course the must-see landscapes.

I’m looking for any great tips, ideas… and maybe even a riding partner.

Cheers

Hi everyone,

In November, we’re planning to do the Ha Giang loop and the RC4 by motorbike without a guide. 😎 We’re looking for a decent place to stay/rent in Ha Giang.

If anyone has any info, we’d be really interested.

Thanks in advance! 😉 Ladava

Hello! We’re planning a motorcycle trip that will include a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in June 2026. We’re unsure (still debating) whether we should stay at a hotel on-site and get to the memorial with an Uber (leaving our bikes at the hotel) and book a guided tour, or base ourselves in Kraków and take a tour that includes transport. One thing’s for sure—we’d prefer a guide in French since we don’t speak English 😅.

Could you share your experiences or advice? I understand we need to book online rather than on-site. Thanks in advance for your replies!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a road trip in Cuba and was wondering if there are any bike rental places (125/500cc) with reasonable rates—not the Harley rental places!

Thanks for your help. Wave of headlights! !

Hello, Next October we’re planning to ride the Ruta de la Plata by motorcycle—a historic Spanish route that runs from Gijón to Seville, also known as the N630. Has anyone here already ridden it? Unfortunately, I’m worried that parts of the N630 may have disappeared or merged with the A66 motorway, forcing us to ride long stretches of highway, which we’d rather avoid. Thanks in advance for any tips or details about this route!

Hi there! I’m currently planning a 9-day route starting from Marrakech with my husband. We land on the morning of June 13th—so soon! 😊 And we’re flying back to France on June 21st at 9 PM! We’ve rented two Royal Enfield 450s. This is our first motorcycle trip in Morocco. I got my license two years ago with the dream of taking this kind of trip, and here we are! ✌️😍

In France, we usually ride between 300 to 400 km per day on roadsters. We’re not used to off-road tracks, so we’re looking for easy ones 😅—especially for me 😅.

For Morocco, I’ve planned stages of 200 to 300 km per day. Here’s the idea: Day 1 (departure at noon): Marrakech - Tizi n Test - Tafingoult (165 km - 4h15) Day 2: Tafingoult - Amzarkou - Telouet (200 km - 4h34) Day 3: Telouet - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Boumalne (200 km - 3h30) (+ Vallée des Roses maybe) Day 4: Boumalne - Dades Gorges - Agoudal - Todra Gorges - Tinghir - Goulmima (291 km - 6h) Day 5: Goulmima - Midelt - Cirque Jaffar - Agoudim (280 km - 4h45) Day 6: Agoudim - Imilchil - Aghbala - El Ksiba (280 km - 4h45) Day 7: El Ksiba - La Cathédrale - Zaouiat Ahansal (212 km - 4h20) Day 8: Ahansal - Ouzoud Waterfalls via R 302 (188 km - 4h22) Day 9: Ouzoud - Marrakech (160 km - 2h43) End of the trip 😮.

What do you think?

We haven’t booked any hotels—is that a problem? We were thinking of deciding day by day based on our progress.

Can we take our helmets with us in the cabin, or should we pack them in the checked luggage surrounded by clothes to avoid damage?

I’d love any tips! 😊 Thanks!

Hey there, fellow riders, I’m really keen on a motorcycle trip to Morocco, specifically the Middle Atlas. Does anyone have any info or tips on this idea? Planning to go in September or October... Looking forward to hearing from you! Christine