Madrid to Dakar on a Vespino: the adventure that defies mechanical logic
YouTuber Aitor Montana completed Madrid-Dakar on a 50cc Vespino. 45°C temperatures, a modified moped and improvised repairs. How did he pull it off?
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Madrid-Dakar on a Vespino: when audacity beats reliability
A YouTuber, Aitor Montana, decided to travel from Madrid to Dakar (Senegal) on a Vespino, a 50cc moped from the 1980s. The vehicle, which under normal conditions barely reaches 60 km/h and has limited range, was subjected to extreme wear: temperatures above 45 degrees, Sahara dust and African roads. What might have seemed a joke became a video series documenting every stage, from the departure in Madrid to the arrival in Africa.
Can you cross the Sahara on a modified Vespino?
The debate about the Vespino's capabilities is an old one. Originally, these two-stroke engines required a 2% oil mix, but to avoid seizure, enthusiasts raised the dose to 5%. Some, like a forum user who shared his experience, bored the engine out to 65cc and reached speeds of up to 85 km/h, sheer recklessness on wheels. However, for a journey of thousands of kilometres, reliability is key. An expert noted that air-cooled engines, like the Deutz engines used in the Sahara, are more reliable than water-cooled ones, but a Vespino in poor condition is another story.
The YouTuber did not start with a new vehicle; according to the first comments, the Vespino was "wrecked" and would not even make it to Cádiz. Yet over the episodes you can see him making improvised repairs, swapping parts and pressing on. There is even a joke that he would have to ask his father in Madrid for spare parts.
Lessons from an impossible journey
Despite the general scepticism, the project was completed. The final video, titled "Last chapter and the end of the African adventure", confirms that Aitor Montana reached his destination. How did he do it? The key lies in the ability to repair things and the lightness of the vehicle. As one comment pointed out, the beauty of these old clunkers is that you can carry spare parts in your backpack and change them in minutes. The adventure leaves a reflection: sometimes, willpower and mechanical skill can beat raw power.
That said, this is not a route for everyone. The extreme conditions, the lack of support and the risk of serious breakdowns make this antiestéticat an exception. Anyone daring to imitate it should prepare the vehicle well and, above all, have infinite patience. The Vespino is not a rally bike, but with a skilled pair of hands on the handlebars, it can go far.
Related discussions on the forum
A YouTuber, Aitor Montana, decided to travel from Madrid to Dakar (Senegal) on a Vespino, a 50cc moped from the 1980s. The vehicle, which under normal conditions barely reaches 60 km/h and has limited range, was subjected to extreme wear: temperatures above 45 degrees, Sahara dust and African roads. What might have seemed a joke became a video series documenting every stage, from the departure in Madrid to the arrival in Africa.
Can you cross the Sahara on a modified Vespino?
The debate about the Vespino's capabilities is an old one. Originally, these two-stroke engines required a 2% oil mix, but to avoid seizure, enthusiasts raised the dose to 5%. Some, like a forum user who shared his experience, bored the engine out to 65cc and reached speeds of up to 85 km/h, sheer recklessness on wheels. However, for a journey of thousands of kilometres, reliability is key. An expert noted that air-cooled engines, like the Deutz engines used in the Sahara, are more reliable than water-cooled ones, but a Vespino in poor condition is another story.
The YouTuber did not start with a new vehicle; according to the first comments, the Vespino was "wrecked" and would not even make it to Cádiz. Yet over the episodes you can see him making improvised repairs, swapping parts and pressing on. There is even a joke that he would have to ask his father in Madrid for spare parts.
Lessons from an impossible journey
Despite the general scepticism, the project was completed. The final video, titled "Last chapter and the end of the African adventure", confirms that Aitor Montana reached his destination. How did he do it? The key lies in the ability to repair things and the lightness of the vehicle. As one comment pointed out, the beauty of these old clunkers is that you can carry spare parts in your backpack and change them in minutes. The adventure leaves a reflection: sometimes, willpower and mechanical skill can beat raw power.
That said, this is not a route for everyone. The extreme conditions, the lack of support and the risk of serious breakdowns make this antiestéticat an exception. Anyone daring to imitate it should prepare the vehicle well and, above all, have infinite patience. The Vespino is not a rally bike, but with a skilled pair of hands on the handlebars, it can go far.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (72 replies).
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