http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb Topics specific to Latin America - South and Central America and Mexico only. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:27:18 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/urgent-help-needed-in-peru-46618 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:21:52 GMT We are two up on 1150GS - rear crown bearing has failed.
We had parts flwon from the US last Saturday arrived Tuesday, to Lima Peru - and no further.

The games they are playing with paperwork and now passports that are invalid, after now 7 days we are no further on. Their system is so out of date and not updated that we do not register in their database. So FINAL scenario - they dont care. A US$100 package worth so little to them and we are spending US$100 a day waiting on a time limited trip to Ushuaia.

Can ANYONE help that is heading South thru Ecuador or North thru Chile with obtaining a crown bearing and seal for us (that we would obviously pay for) so we can actually leave this town Trujillo that we are in, in North Peru and this country.

Please get in touch if you can... emails juliebunny@xtra.co.nz

Cheers Julie & Oliver
:(:confused1: ]]> South and Central America and Mexico JulieBuny http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/urgent-help-needed-in-peru-46618 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/locations-distances-fuel-bariloche-ushuaia-46611 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:50:31 GMT I took the route from Bariloche South on Ruta's 40/20/26/3 and made a note of gas stations on route. All stations listed below were big YPF or Esso stations unless otherwise stated.

Gas is available at El Bolsen and Esquel after that here are your choices after that with distances between each:

Esquel
180km
Gobernador Costa
250km
Sarmienta
72km
On Ruta 26 to Comodoro Rivadavia
68km
Comodoro Rivadavia
68km
Caleta Olivia
78km
Fitz Roy
132km
Tres Cerros
137km
San Juan
120km
Comandante Luis Piedrabuena
There is a small gas station 102km from CLP but I wouldn't rely on it for gas, so...
233km
Rio Gallegos
286km
San Sebastian
72km
Rio Grande
There's another small gas station at Lago Escondido, 163km from Rio Grande, again I wouldn't rely on it, so...
209km
Ushuaia

If taking Ruta 5 from Rio Gallegos to Calafate there is a gas station 140km from Rio Gallegos at Esperanza, Calafate is a further 162km away. There is a small gas station that I wouldn't rely on for fuel 80km from Rio Gallegos on the way to Esperanza.

Riding into the wind from Rio Gallegos to Calafate I consumed 25% more fuel than riding the other direction so factor this into your calculations because you never know how windy it'll be down here.

Oh, and if you're riding from Rio Gallegos to Ushuaia it's easily possible in one day. My advice is to leave before 8am to get ahead of the busses that might slow you up at border corssings. I think the busses leave Rio Gallegos at 8:30am.

Good luck. ]]> South and Central America and Mexico easyg http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/locations-distances-fuel-bariloche-ushuaia-46611 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/shipping-from-oz-to-chile-46558 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:31:26 GMT I have shipped my KLR from Perth to Valparaiso-Chile recently,and the guy from the shipping company has just informed me that to clear my bike from customs there i need to obtain a fiscal identification number or "CNJP" and also something called a "NCM".He says i need to contact customs in Santiago or Valparaiso to get these things.
I've shipped and flown bikes around a bit in the past but never to Chile so i've never come across this one before!From what i have read it seems a piece of cake to ship to Chile but this has thrown me a little as my bike has already left port.

If there is anyone out there who has come across this or just knows about these things...your input would be greatly welcomed!Cheers. ]]> South and Central America and Mexico liam79 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/shipping-from-oz-to-chile-46558 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/arequipa-juliaca-any-information-road-46551 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:25:20 GMT Hi there We are two up on 1150GS and are thinking of offloading luggage in Arequipa to head up via Juliaca to Machu Picchu light as possible since the weather is not great we have been told. THen head back down the same way. Is this a paved road or can anyone shed light on what sort of road this is. Cheers Bunny Hi there

We are two up on 1150GS and are thinking of offloading luggage in Arequipa to head up via Juliaca to Machu Picchu light as possible since the weather is not great we have been told.

THen head back down the same way.

Is this a paved road or can anyone shed light on what sort of road this is.

Cheers
Bunny ]]> South and Central America and Mexico JulieBuny http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/arequipa-juliaca-any-information-road-46551 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/don-t-let-buy-tires-46526 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:19:38 GMT Because many tires are made here, some bikers riding through South America let to buy the tires in Brazil, but the same tires are cheaper in Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, etc. For example: Last week (14th - november -2009) I bought 02 Michellin Sirac size: 90/90 - 21 : R$219.00 (reais) = US$127.00 130/80 - 17 : R$279.00 (reais) = US$162.00 Even the parts, oil, etc are more expensive here, because our heavy taxes. it´s just an advice. Reginaldo. Because many tires are made here, some bikers riding through South America let to buy the tires in Brazil, but the same tires are cheaper in Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, etc.

For example:
Last week (14th - november -2009) I bought 02 Michellin Sirac size:
90/90 - 21 : R$219.00 (reais) = US$127.00
130/80 - 17 : R$279.00 (reais) = US$162.00

Even the parts, oil, etc are more expensive here, because our heavy taxes.
it´s just an advice.

Reginaldo. ]]> South and Central America and Mexico Rohden http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/don-t-let-buy-tires-46526 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/bolivia-routing-on-paved-roads-46485 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:05:46 GMT Does anyone have any advice on a routing through Bolivia that doesnt include La Paz..... Is Potosi easy to get to, also the Salar de Uyuni. Cheers Bunny Does anyone have any advice on a routing through Bolivia that doesnt include La Paz.....

Is Potosi easy to get to, also the Salar de Uyuni.

Cheers
Bunny ]]> South and Central America and Mexico JulieBuny http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/bolivia-routing-on-paved-roads-46485 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/travel-tips-for-brazil-46481 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:30:46 GMT I'm currently touring South America by bike (XT600), and will be hitting to Brazil in the New Year, and I'm looking for travel tips or any information.
I'm not a general worrier, I've travelled quite a bit, and have done a fair bit by bike too, but Brazil I have to say is one country that has me thinking about bike security. It's a country famous for car and bike jackings at traffic lights, and it's favellas are right on top of 'nice' parts of the city, so anyone travelling without GPS like me knows that you get lost in pretty much every city you come across, but in Brazil one wrong turn could mean you're in the middle of a favella, not where you want to be on your lovely expensive bike loaded with everything you own.:thumbdown: Obviously serious study of maps must be undertaken before entering any city there. Does anyone that has toured Brazil have any tips for me, for safety and including any routes not to be missed, would be much appreciated!
Also I'm heading north through Brazil, but I want to include a trip on the Amazon into my itinerary, from Belém up to Manaus, then north on BR174 to Venezuela (for some good cheap petrol after Brazil), has anyone done this route, any recommendations??
Cheers in advance for any help! ]]> South and Central America and Mexico Jagermini http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/travel-tips-for-brazil-46481 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/where-is-everyone-46450 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:05:17 GMT Its funny you know - we have been travelling 12 weeks now and have seen hardly a soul with regards to touring bikes. Two American guys on our sailing from Panama, two guys thru Colombia but otherwise nothing in central America and no-one through Ecuador or Peru so far.... we really miss the biker catchups and gassing...... Would love to hear from anyone.

Cheers
Jules & Olie two up on :scooter:1150GS ]]> South and Central America and Mexico JulieBuny http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/where-is-everyone-46450 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/places-to-stay-mendoza-argentina-46443 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:31:30 GMT Hi , I will be travelling over to Mendoza, and need a inexpensive place in Mendoza ? and possible storage of my bike for 3 weeks while I climb Aconcagua over christmas 09. Does anyone have some idea's for me please post .. Thanks ]]> South and Central America and Mexico Glenndog http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/places-to-stay-mendoza-argentina-46443 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/riding-in-colombia-any-tips-46411 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:02:59 GMT Heading out in next couple of days to ride Colombia sola. Would love to hear from those of you who've spent some time there. What's a 'must ride' or 'must see' and what's an 'avoid at all costs'.
cheers! ]]> South and Central America and Mexico dirtgirl http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/riding-in-colombia-any-tips-46411 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/honduras-border-report-and-question-46410 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:39:14 GMT For all the angst expressed about crossing into Honduras (I read, for example, one report from a guy who spent almost $400 including paying his various "helpers," and others reporting crossing times of up to 5 hours), I paid a total of US$33 in local currency and took 45 minutes to import myself and the bike. This was pretty comparable to entering Mexico or Guatemala. No one tried to scam me, no one even so much as offered to "help" me, and the aduana and migracion officials on both sides of the border were totally on my side, including the ones who worked through lunch and others who scooted up the road somewhere to find a working photocopier....at no charge.

I'm still stunned. May I recommend to one and all: the El Florido/Copan Ruinas crossing from Guatemala. All pavement, relaxed riding, and 2000 feet of altitude to keep the heat tolerable.

FWIW, it took about the same amount of time, plus 10 quetzales, to depart Guatemala. The moneychangers offered a reasonable rate, but allowed themselves to be bargained up to a pretty good rate changing my quetzales for lempiras. And my Spanish is as atrocious as any you'll hear.

But I do have a question: I was told that I cannot exit with my bike to El Salvador, then re-enter Honduras on the way to Nicaragua. Once I exit, I cannot re-enter. They said that in order to do this, I have to first go to Mexico, Costa Rica or Belize after leaving Honduras; only then will they allow the bike back in. For me, they said, it would be no problem; it's the bike that would create a problem--and no, I can't just buy another temporary import permit. I asked three times and got the same answer.

If true, this means skipping El Salvador and exiting directly to Nicaragua, which was not what I planned at all. This, in turn, means riding through the capital city, and I'm allergic to capital cities. Can anyone shed any light?

Thanks in advance!

Mark ]]> South and Central America and Mexico markharf http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/honduras-border-report-and-question-46410 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/vstrom-650-chain-sprocket-kit-46399 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:40:15 GMT HI I have sent an email over a week ago to the following store Suzuki Super Servicio (http://www.suzukisuperservicios.com/) I have had no response as yet and need some help if anyone can, in fact not even a read receipt, I probably got sent to the SPAM box :( I am leaving Panama to Cartegena on the 19th November and will be somewhere near Medellin around the 23rd Nov. I am in need of a stock chain, and both stock sprockets for my 2007 DL650 Vstrom. If there is anyone in Columbia who could do me a favour, and initiate contact with a shop who has, or who can order the above I would appreciate it vey much. If need be I may have to do it here in Costa Rica, or even Panama, so I will look for parts there as well. I have still some miles available on the current set, but I would like to buy the parts ASAP, so I have them available. Cheers TravellingStrom HI

I have sent an email over a week ago to the following store

Suzuki Super Servicio

I have had no response as yet and need some help if anyone can, in fact not even a read receipt, I probably got sent to the SPAM box :(

I am leaving Panama to Cartegena on the 19th November and will be somewhere near Medellin around the 23rd Nov.

I am in need of a stock chain, and both stock sprockets for my 2007 DL650 Vstrom.

If there is anyone in Columbia who could do me a favour, and initiate contact with a shop who has, or who can order the above I would appreciate it vey much. If need be I may have to do it here in Costa Rica, or even Panama, so I will look for parts there as well. I have still some miles available on the current set, but I would like to buy the parts ASAP, so I have them available.

Cheers
TravellingStrom ]]> South and Central America and Mexico TravellingStrom http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/vstrom-650-chain-sprocket-kit-46399 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/insurance-central-and-south-america-46390 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:06:09 GMT Hi,
we didn't find anything about this topic in here.
So our question is:
does somebody know a bike insurance not only for Mexico but also the rest of central and south america? Or do we have to get a insurance for each country ? Is it even necessary in every country?
Thanks, Axel ]]> South and Central America and Mexico BMdriver http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/insurance-central-and-south-america-46390 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/wilburs-rear-shock-issue-s-46377 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:02:39 GMT Hi all,

Bit of an odd one - my Wilbers rear shock has gone really soft yet there is no sign of any leakage. The preload is adjusted all the way up (2 up R1200gs with luggage). Turning the rebound adj all the way in to max just about makes the rear harden up enough but even a click or 2 less and it's super soft.

Any thoughts on whether it has genuinely failed or what else might be going on with it ?

Also any thoughts on somewhere in Argentina I can get it overhauled / looked at ? Currently near Esquel, S of Bariloche.

Cheers,

Ian ]]> South and Central America and Mexico flyerblade http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/wilburs-rear-shock-issue-s-46377 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/clarity-of-costa-rica-customs-46365 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:46:24 GMT My partners and I have stored our 4 bikes in the CR customs bike warehouse since Feb 2008. We are going back to start south again in Dec. The warehouse says we have to immedialty get to the Panama border. Several of us want to take 10 days to see the rest of the country before heading south. We also have some repairs to make. Anyone know the real rules for time frames from getting the bikes out and to getting to the border? Can we get another visa for the bike and us to give us more time? I have tried the Consulate here in LA and the CR Customs office in San Jose, but can't get answers as of yet. Still waiting for the customs office in CR to return calls. ]]> South and Central America and Mexico Punta Bufeo http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/south-and-central-america-mexico/clarity-of-costa-rica-customs-46365