Mombasa

[Slowalk]

What are they for -- brush, dogs, what?

I should've posted in General but I'm well off topic for this forum:

Your ideal helmet and boots are not easy to come by in Africa and both take some time to break in. That's primarily why I recommend these two gear. My boots are broken in but my new helmet I brought from US was not. Most motorcycle injuries occur to riders' boot region. Look at the MSF sites and they can explain better why boot protection is important. Here in Africa, I would say brush, road debris and setting your feet down while riding are the biggest causes of lower leg injury but I've taken some stones off tires to my shins (and face shield) too. They pave roads with tar and chip so stones hurled off tires can be dangerous. These roads are nothing like NA and EU roads. Because of peg location, many bikes' engines will burn unprotected legs and pants.

Today I rode Busia - Malaba - Bungoma - Kitale - Kakamega. In Malaba, I was pressed between a matatu loading riders on the shoulder while the oncoming car used my lane and pressed me into the matatu. My handlebar ripped the mirror off his car. The car honked as if it was my fault. Neither me nor my bike were damaged so I kept going. No way could the car turn around and give pursuit. I had to slow several times for goats and cattle in the road during the entire trip. I had to emergency hard brake in Bungoma. Livestock is herded by dragging ropes tied around their necks. In this case, the loose end snagged on a bridge while the bull crossed the road. The rope tightened across the road neck high. There were countless times I had to move to the shoulder because oncoming passing vehicles expect motorcycles to give way. I had to pick a strategic road exit twice because there were three oncoming vehicles side by side by side filling both lanes of the two lane road as well as the shoulder. I had to slow the bike and jump a ditch the first time. The second time I saw a bridge off the road and made it to it in time. Count on dodging livestock and moving into the shoulder every time you ride.

Not today but, once I had to outrun what I suspected was a rabid dog in an alley in Kumasi on a 125 CC boda boda. In Okundo, I hit a monkey on a borrowed 200 CC Hawk.

[Gafa Pilot]

What are they for -- brush, dogs, what?

Fractures of the fibula and tibia (the two bones in the lower leg) account for nearly 95% of motorcycle leg injuries combined. These bones are much smaller and weaker than the femur and are subjected to more torque in crashes.

Here's an interesting article on injuries: https://www.sallymorinlaw.com/motorc...s/leg-injuries.

As an avid & longstanding motorcyclist myself, when riding motorcycles (anywhere) it should always be a case of 'ATGATT' (All The Gear All The Time). I. e. A helmet (preferably a full face version), motorcycle boots, riding jacket and riding gloves.

And of course (for Africa) the golden rule is "Do NOT drive (or ride) in Africa at night!

[John Clayton]

...and calve-high boots as a minimum...

What are they for -- brush, dogs, what?

[Slowalk]

This brings me to this subject:

I live in Western Kenya and ride motorcycles on both dirt and paved roads from town to town, within the city and to and around the villages. I'm a novice rider and not all that young. This is what I learned: If you want to ride, apply the same safety rules as you would everywhere. Even if you disregard safety in your own country, take it seriously and be extra vigilant in Africa. I recommend you bring a well broken-in helmet and calve-high boots as a minimum.

Forget all the rules you ever learned of legal right of way. The biggest vehicle has the right of way. African drivers don't see motorcycles as traffic. Motorcycles are seen obstacles and not as human beings on two wheels. African drivers often just stop their vehicles with lights off in intersections and the middle of the road to check their phone, talk to another vehicle or yell to a vendor on the other side of the ditch both day and night.

I learned the hard way that riding at night should be strongly discouraged. Instead of road signs, there are unmarked non standard size and shape speed bumps everywhere. Some are small but some will bottom out and ruin the suspension of any vehicle that doesn't creep slowly over them. Also, shop owners may create an unmarked private dirt and rock speed bump in a matter of hours on either side of their shops. There is no paint or warning signs for these bumps. Off the main highways, there are no shoulders but there can be 4 ft deep stone wall ditches on either side of the narrow road. Flash floods are common and they leave deeply rutted or washed out bridges and roads.

Still their are numerous advantages of owning motorcycles. Cruise along and see an interesting lady then maneuver to creep along and chat or give them a lift. Linger while parked and you will draw attention the ladies attention. This is the number one way I score. You have the freedom to explore and not depend on boda boda, tuk tuk, taxis, etc. Mechanics and parts are available everywhere.

I do not recommend you buy a boda boda style bike. Even if you are a novice rider, you will outgrow it in a couple weeks. IMO; the best type of bike is a 200-250 CC dual sport / enduro or go as high as 450 CC if you plan on using highways and adventure riding across borders. I believe 500 CC and above is unnecessary. You will appreciate the suspension and lightweight agility of dual sport bikes. There is no loss of pride riding Chinese and Indian dual sport bikes in Africa. They do not cost much more than boda boda bikes.

[Zimzam]

Not only people drive without helmets but they drink and smoke and then drive motobikes and cars. That is biggest reason for these accidents for foreigners, also for locals I guess. I don't know how it was in this case.

On top of that most drivers, for boda boda and cars alike, are talking on the phone while driving, even Uber & Bolt drivers.

[Leblon]

Yes, his name was R. And he was from Milan. A very good boy but crazy for motorcycles, he ran as if he had the devil behind him. Crazy to have a motorbike in Mombasa and ride without a helmet like everyone else does. RIP.

Not only people drive without helmets but they drink and smoke and then drive motobikes and cars. That is biggest reason for these accidents for foreigners, also for locals I guess. I don't know how it was in this case.

Those other cases that I have known during the years, drivers have been drunk. I am often drunk but I don't drive any vehicle. But motobike taxi guys are sometimes high or drunk at night.

[Wrx2005]

You have a lot of posts. I assume you think you're an experienced traveler. I haven't read anything you wrote before this do I can't say. However, how could you possibly think you get your passport stamped for a foreign at the US embassy?

You ask how could you possibly think you get your passport stamped for a "foreign" at the US Embassy. Your handle fits you. You copied and quoted a response to the reason why, and then ask a question where the answer was already provided. I'm in the Twlilight Zone, I know. But I will provide the reason again for the Slow people.

Immigration officials at the airport told me and my buddy (both 1st timers to Kenya) the same information. We both arrived the same day, but on separate flights. That was how it was possible to think that. I can see one person getting the wrong information, but two people getting the same misinformation on the same day? For all we knew, Kenyan immigration may have had offices within or near the embassy grounds / complex. So after that blunder, I went and sought the correct information.

[Wrx2005]

It seems you don't really know what you're doing. Can this be? It is then of course fatal to give other tips.

Hmmm, interesting. You just described Fauci, Walensky, and Biden. The ones that gave us tips on what was supposed to be safe and effective.

[SceticoBlu]

Was this the guy who played billards frequently?

Some weeks before an Italian woman had died in a fire at Watamu.

[Oiste]

Seems to be true. He had accident with motobike, other rumour tells that he hit the truck near Mwtapa bridge, other rumour that he hit other motobike near Shanzu.
He said to the friends that he is fine and did not go to hospital, instead went home. Next morning he was dead. This is current rumour.

I never talked with him but I saw him everyday in Big Tree with other Italians. Handsome, youngish guy, name starting with letter R.
That is enough rumours from me, Rest in Peace

Yes, his name was R. And he was from Milan. A very good boy but crazy for motorcycles, he ran as if he had the devil behind him. Crazy to have a motorbike in Mombasa and ride without a helmet like everyone else does. RIP.

[Leblon]

Does anyone have news about the veracity of an italian man who died on a motorbike in Mtwapa?

Seems to be true. He had accident with motobike, other rumour tells that he hit the truck near Mwtapa bridge, other rumour that he hit other motobike near Shanzu.
He said to the friends that he is fine and did not go to hospital, instead went home. Next morning he was dead. This is current rumour.

I never talked with him but I saw him everyday in Big Tree with other Italians. Handsome, youngish guy, name starting with letter R.
That is enough rumours from me, Rest in Peace

[Radical Guy]

Does anyone have news about the veracity of an italian man who died on a motorbike in Mtwapa?

I haven't heard anything about any Italian guy, but I came extremely close to getting killed by a motorcycle racing around the corner while I was crossing the street to Nyali Centre. Scariest moment of my life!

[Oiste]

Does anyone have news about the veracity of an italian man who died on a motorbike in Mtwapa?

[Leblon]

More club news. Legend club opens again, on coming Friday. Legend is in Postal street in Mwtapa, very near Eagle Nest.

New owners and new management. On Friday there is at least twerking competition. I have visited inside, looks quite same, also men toilet is still worst in the town.

Lets hope that it gets some success. Eagle Nest is quite full during weekdays, maybe Legend will be full in weekends.

Many places try to get customers with twerking competition, and then give up when there don't come enough customers. Casourina Sunday competition is best in my opinion, Hypnotica has them on Thursday and Sunday. When you see enough of them it starts to get boring, also in Hypnotica many of them are big mamas, locals like big matakos. Also it is same girls usually going on all places.

There is also group dancing competition called "Piano dancing", that is nice to watch especially if there are girls in the group. Hypnotica on Wednesdays is most interesting in my opinion, somehow that place is good that kind of disco dance competition. Same groups and same people you can see on Sunday in Big Tree, that is good Sunday show.

Also same groups are on Thursday in Moonshine club, I went there once. Six big dance groups, and six customers. Also Moonshine has Friday twerking competition, I went there once. More dancers than customers. But that hotel has lot of money I think.

Pool parties, girls dancing in pools. Big Tree has good one on Friday, nice party, worth of visit. And twerking contest of course. Hypnotica has pool party every Tuesday, very boring.

Places that have tried twerking competition but given up: Roof Top, Standard Grill, Bistro, Country Club.

Dancing girls, some of them are available, mostly not. You can find some of them from Casourina. These Piano dancing girls, they are difficult to get but some of them are possible.

Legend twerking shows were very good in Curfew time, lets see how it goes now.

[Leblon]

There is a new club, called ZERO ONE, on top of the roof of the City Mall in Nyali, , this is the mall where the Carrefour shop is.

It is on the place where the Sheba Club used to be.

I was told it is for the same owner of the Yacht Lounge in Mtwapa, so it has the same high standards and also shisha pipes can be smoked there.

I have tried to go to Zero Zero One couple of times, in weekend. I don't know how early you need to go there to get place to sit. Both time I was walking around the place, everywhere very crowded, I did not even try to buy a beer. Customers are like in Yacts or Volume, local people in groups. I could drink one beer there but buying one looked too difficult. So go early if you go there.

Volume is quite quiet nowadays, not so many people anymore.