Which shocks for African expedition

[Arierep]

Hi all,

I'm getting my 90 ready for and upcoming Africa expedition by the end of the year. It's basically following the course of the old Lisbon-Dakar.

My 90 currently sits on OEM shocks, but I'd like improved durability for the constant loaded beating.
Trying to chose between Bilsteins B6 and OME Nitrocharger Sports.
The whole Bilstein set would be €200,00 cheaper for me...
Any opinions?

Thanks in advance

[BigBlueOne]

I can't comment on the OME shocks as I've never used them but I'm currently running Bilstein shocks with King springs and the ride is great both on and off road.

[Arierep]

B6s?
How do you like them on long washboard roads?

[steveG]

Can't help with choosing shocks, but all the best for an awesome expedition

Steve

[justinc]

DeCarbon. I have had a set for 10 years on my rangie saw some hard use too. Still in good nick have them on my 110 now. The same set!

Jc

[Sirocco]

Having driven a lot of bad roads I would recommend OME.

Interested in your route. The old Dakar route after Morocco will pass through some currently very hostile regions of Western Sahara and Mauritania. I would suggest getting some current info from the HUBB forum. Once in Senegal you should be safe.

I was in northern Mali in 2011 and felt like the only westerner in the country.

Some good fish restaurants in Dakar and be sure to drop by the Zebrabar and say hi to Martin in St Louis.

G

[Arierep]

I wont go alone, I'll be with the Sahara Desert Challenge event.
The event is mostly self supported (except for the motorcycle guys) but includes military escort in some sections, event if I believe that will be more related to bribery.... ups, voluntary contributions than anything else

[karlz]

Standard shocks will do it, Billsteins I have had better experience with.

Its a great route (done it myself), I love the transition from Saharan to sub-saharan.

The Sahara crossing is awesome, just when you think your alone and no-one lives here, all of a sudden someone will appear - thats Africa.

The sand is most of the time medium packed, but at times its damm soft.
I met an ex-Raf bloke with a Series 2, he had some minor problems on all but a standard setup - you will be right. Just take heaps of fuel, the sand chews it up.

Two warnings.
1. Once you end up on the beach ~200kms before Dakar, be careful, those little humps on the beach can cause rollovers.
2. Believe the warning you get about landmines at then Mauritania border.

ps. Agree with Sirocco. St Loius is awesome. Stay longer
Cheers

[Arierep]

Thanks for all the great advice guys.

Wouldn't mind to spend some time in Senegal, but I'm on a tight schedule.

So you think the genuine shocks will do it? Most people I spoke to told me they tend to overheat a lot.
But it would be great to spare the purchase of the shocks, the budget is not growing, lots of stuff to buy yet (south europe salary not helping either)

[Arierep]

Just take heaps of fuel, the sand chews it up.

By the way, I was planning to take two 20L jerry cans (plus the stock 55L tank), which is the minimum on the event regulation. Should this be enough?