Morocco 2008: a F800GS test ride

Here is a long overdue RR.
Winter is the perfect time to write RR as you spend less time riding
Special note for GadgetBoy: thread title

This little trip to Morocco was our 3rd attempt to discover the country.
This time, the vtrom rider changed it for a brand new F800GS.
So it was a test ride for him.
Anton (Africa Twin) and I (1200GS) rode our bikes already here.
I'm gathering and uploading the pictures so right now, just a teaser:


Anton was a virgin on sand so he wanted to try it a little in Erfoud. His first attempt was not the success he thought he would be


Christian, playing with the little one, descending the Col de Belcacem.


The stupid 1200GS rider thought he cold pass throught the herbs.... and he got stuck.


Christian playing in the Sand.


Jorguen's gang, a nice chaps we encountered at the bottom of Col de Belkacem.

Story will follow.

Note for Aurel: you can skip this RR. we did the same trip with Anton we did with you. And more, you wont see a lot of orange bikes here. sorry about that.... but it may be different for the next trip

Note for the Mad German: that's what you missed !

/thierry

so first things first, all started in March, a Saturday end of March, when Christian took his brand new 800GS.
Christian and I were officially going to Morocco in May.
We went to visit Anton who was not "allowed" to come...
Wife, children, work... u know the deal.
But....bastards as we are, we decided to pay him a visit to play around his house and to tease him about Morocco.
he was smiling but also thinking that we make such fine bastards !
Because Anton was 40 this year... and guess what.... Morocco's trip was his birthday present.... but he didnt know it yet

little test ride around Anton's house


what ? a scratch already ?

And the day came !
Meeting point was near Narbonne, where Anton lives.
On a quite early sunday morning.

Encounter of very mature bikers :huh

after a quick ride, we were in Barcelona harbour



"you see, we are on the bigger boat".. ah boys....


Happy birthday, man !


"One day, I'll have my own boat"..... and he has one now !


What to do on a boat ?.... there's nothing to do.....


except sleeping for the oldest


yes, sleeping and ...


..eating of course.... last pork till we're back.

Nice report! I'm surprised they let you through the security checkpoints with that nasty pig-sticker knife/corkscrew! :huh The Somali pirates hi-jacked an oil tanker with less-wicked weaponry!

I love my 1150GS but the F800GS appeals greatly for it's lighter weight and thus better agility for dirt and off-road applications.

Doug

we quickly got out of the boat and ride to Fez.


Mandatory pause for tea

the next day we had to cross the Atlas mountain towards Missour.


the little beast





some twistie roads in the almighty Atlas.

getting cold around here....


doh... the old buddy seems sick....
1st sign of tourista already !!


let's ride, baby !

Missour ! And guess why Anton seems so happy ?


Fooooood ! and meat, good one !


and the mandatory coke to avoid troubles


the beasts, resting.

coz tomorrow, we'll do some "trek", "pistes", off road.
Quite easy. only technical part is le Col de Belkacem.

So beautiful trip!

Yo mate, finally your RR bout missing each other

Keep it coming!

Dirk

The trip was his birthday present.
Meaning that his wife "allowed" him to go and also pay for the trip.
Of course, we knew it all along so we kept teasing him about our trip
yeah, I know, sheer evil.

As we arrived quite early in Missour, we decided to take a little ride to find the beginning of the "piste".

found something ?


cool, it's the "piste"


Guess who's taking the shot ? the boy was in love :huh

Next morning, we took our way to Boudnib going east of Gourrama and crossing the Col de Belkacem. South of Rekkam region (plateau).
Kind of stoney

Am I alone or what ?

Ah. one of the multiple forks there is on this "piste". Last year, with Aurel instead of Anton, we took many times the wrong way.

Now, I know the way, guys !

I 'm so jealous! Keep it coming!

Lefteris

At some point, I were leading the way and I realised that I had lost the guys....
So I stopped.
and waited....

First, Anton



then a moment later, Christian





Me: What took u so long ?
Christian: I lost my topcase !

ok......
that's a known issue with the GS


so we fixed it

Let's move, boys.

and they were gone !
Christian and Anton are friends since teenage.... so sometimes... they played like teenager....
"I'm the better one"
"no, I've more than you"
etc....
So here, I think they were trying to see who was the fastest
We're a pack of very mature boys, as I said previously.


Ah, they stopped ! Yes, good idea coz the landscape is FANTASTIC !!

Christian is the one doing Enduro races. he keeps telling me to ride standing up.
just watch him....:huh


Me. I'm a good boy listening to the teacher.



Ah, now he behave.


I'm mister cool

Salut

Finally your report.

Descending le col de Belkhacem with a GS, you had fun isn't it

Unfortunately I didn't take any pics on this side of the col.

I though we traveled light but compare with you, the top case and that's it

merci et la suite STP

okay, I'm feeling a tad better riding off road but that's still a little demanding for me. hence my joy to drink coz I need it a lot.


ready boys ?


let's ride !

yo !

so, where's the Col ?