Fabrice’s Initiatory Motorcycle Roadtrip Across West Africa
Three months. One small bike. And a line on the map that becomes a life marker.
In this interview, Fabrice Dubusset—author of the travel blog Instinct Voyageur—looks back on a motorcycle roadtrip that still stands above the rest: around 7,000 km ridden solo on a 125cc, from Lagos (Nigeria) to Dakar (Senegal). He talks about what a “small” machine teaches you on “big” roads, why West Africa rewards patience, and how a roadtrip can reconnect you with the fundamentals of travel—time, distance, and the people between Point A and Point B.
The best memory of my life
Fabrice: “My last roadtrip was a few weeks ago in Australia: 10 days on the road across Queensland. For the rest of that trip, I used public transport. But here I want to talk about a ride I did a few years ago—one of the best memories of my life.”
Fabrice: “For three months, I rode solo on a 125cc across West Africa, from Lagos to Dakar. About 7,000 kilometers through incredible landscapes. For me it was an initiatory journey—a trip that changes the way you move through the world.”
A West Africa motorcycle roadtrip with “whatever works” logistics
Fabrice: “I organized it by myself, on the ground. At the time, I was working for the French Cultural Center in Lagos. Toward the end, every day, I took mechanics lessons with an employee from the center. In the yard, we would strip the bike down and rebuild it, piece by piece.”
Fabrice: “I gathered what I needed as I went: basic gear, spare parts, even an old leather jacket bought at a market. For the route, it was simple: I knew the main line I wanted to follow, and then I left space for the unexpected. In West Africa, the unexpected isn’t a problem—it’s part of the rhythm.”
Planet Ride pro tip: on long-haul days, don’t plan your schedule on “kilometers”. Plan it on real riding time. On mixed surfaces and in busy towns, a “short” distance can take hours. Keep a buffer so you’re not forced to ride tired at dusk.
My first motorcycle trip was on a 125cc
Fabrice: “I got into motorcycling in Africa. I used the bike to commute every day, so it felt natural to use it for the trip.”
Fabrice: “Sure, it was only a 125cc, and once fully loaded, it wasn’t possible to go fast. But African roads don’t ask you to go fast anyway. A small engine pushes you toward the right pace: smoother inputs, earlier braking, more attention, and more stops.”
Fabrice: “As for the destination, I wanted to know that part of Africa better. This route also brought me closer to France, because I had a return flight waiting in Dakar. And my itinerary took me through Mali and its wonders: Dogon Country and Timbuktu.”
On a motorcycle in Africa, you live unique encounters
Fabrice: “One of my best memories was a total solar eclipse that I watched on a beach in Ghana, with a kid I lent my eclipse glasses to. A simple moment—unforgettable.”
Fabrice: “The worst? Hard to say, because the trip was amazing. I had some small mechanical issues, but nothing serious.”
Fabrice: “Once, I even crossed a border without realizing it. Yes, it can happen in Africa. A customs officer caught up with me on a scooter. Luckily, he was in a good mood!”
A roadtrip is a return to the basics of travel
Fabrice: “I’m a slow travel person. A roadtrip can seem like the opposite. In a way, it is. And yet, doing a roadtrip is a return to the basics of travel.”
Fabrice: “Travel is the path from point A to point B. For centuries, travel was the road itself. Air travel changed that—today you can be dropped in a completely different world in a few hours. A roadtrip brings back what’s been lost: distance you can feel.”
Taking your time—sometimes the “road” is a train
Fabrice: “When you think roadtrip, you think roads. But a train can also be a roadtrip in the sense that it’s a slow way of moving.”
Fabrice: “The Trans-Siberian is the perfect illustration: several days on rails toward Mongolia, a pace that lets you truly sense the journey—especially because you can get off and get back on along the way. If it interests you, I invite you to read this interview about traveling on the Trans-Siberian.”
Motorcycle travel: the rush of freedom
Fabrice: “The point is freedom. That’s the primary goal of a roadtrip: that exhilarating sense of freedom.”
Fabrice: “Some destinations fit roadtrips better than others. Sometimes it’s even cheaper to rent a car than to rely on buses or trains, especially if you’re more than one person—Australia is a good example.”
Fabrice: “And in very large countries, public transport networks can be limited. Driving makes sense, especially when wide-open spaces give you huge panoramas.”
Fabrice: “The USA is the perfect example. Cars are part of the American way of life. In 2013, I crossed California for two weeks, riding some of the most beautiful roads on the continent. I wrote a practical piece on Instinct Voyageur for anyone who wants to do a road-trip in the USA.”
The perfect roadtrip?
Fabrice: “The perfect roadtrip is simply the one that makes you want to do another one.”
À savoir aujourd’hui
This is a personal account from a trip done “a few years ago”: the spirit of the journey—pace, encounters, self-reliance—still holds true. What must be checked before leaving: border formalities, security situation by region, and current entry/insurance requirements along the Lagos–Dakar corridor.
Mini-FAQ (2026): West Africa motorcycle roadtrip
Is a 125cc enough for a long motorcycle roadtrip?
Yes—Fabrice’s story proves it. The key is accepting a slower pace, avoiding overload, and keeping maintenance simple and frequent.
Yes—Fabrice’s story proves it. The key is accepting a slower pace, avoiding overload, and keeping maintenance simple and frequent.
How many days do you need for a West Africa crossing?
Fabrice did it in three months. The right duration depends on borders, rest days, and how much time you want for detours and encounters—rushing is usually what breaks a trip.
Fabrice did it in three months. The right duration depends on borders, rest days, and how much time you want for detours and encounters—rushing is usually what breaks a trip.
What’s the most common mistake on long-distance roadtrips?
Overplanning daily distances and underestimating fatigue. Build slack into the day so you’re not forced to ride late, in traffic, or when visibility drops.
Overplanning daily distances and underestimating fatigue. Build slack into the day so you’re not forced to ride late, in traffic, or when visibility drops.
