Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Like Tree4Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Jan 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 36
Canada to Argentina advice

We are planning to take a year to travel on 2 motorcycles in 2017. We are still not decided on a route however are considering Canada to Argentina (otherwise UK to Russia and Mongolia and back to Europe). We went to a really inspiring, motivating and informative talk by Lois Pryce and Austin Vince yesterday at the adventure travel show and now want to get planning!

Would I be right in saying that there are no Carne requirements in the Americas still?

Also better to buy the bikes there or ship to Alaska? Thinking of smaller bikes such as CRF230's so we can also go off-road. As we have a year we won't be trying to rush through everywhere. Any opinions or advice welcome.

Also anyone going to HUBBUK 2016 who has done this trip, it would be great to have a chat or any other trips people have done!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Jan 2016
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Hi.

You are correct. There are no carnet requirements in any of the Americas.

Visas are usually very simple too. It's one of the reasons that it's such a popular travel destination.

Asia is a different story. Lot's of visas, lots of expensive, lots of planning.


If you're off-road enthusiasts and plan to do a lot of off-road, the small CRF might suit you well. If you do the Americas trip, I'd suggest something bigger though. Those small enduro bikes are SLOW, vibey and generally uncomfortable. You can go all the way from Alaska to Ushuaia without ever going off road if you want to.

If you settle on the Central Asia trip, then off-road capability will be necessary. Some places there are no roads.

Both would be spectacular trips. The Americas one would be more fun though and a lot simpler than Asia.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Jan 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 36
Thanks for your helpful tips Ted. Will have a good think about route before decide on a bike.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Jan 2016
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suzie_32 View Post
Thanks for your helpful tips Ted. Will have a good think about route before decide on a bike.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Spot on !!


Work out your route and pick the tool for the job accordingly.

If I were you, I'd do the Americas trip. And learn some Spanish as a priority. It will make such a big difference to how much you can enjoy the south.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 24 Jan 2016
Banned
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 65
I'm asuming you are english? and because of your name...female..the 250 is fine if you are not a large person, ..sheepskin on the seat,
If not, as per Ted, a 650 bought in the USA, say Florida may be the cheapest. KLRs or DR 650, have an idea that KLRs are more comon in SA, eg Bolivian police use them...
Brits only need visas for Suriname?? (check that please)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 24 Jan 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 36
Thanks Churchill.
Yes English woman but going with my English male partner. We want 2 bikes the same and with ability to go off-road.

Also deliberating (once bike and route decided on) about buying bikes there or shipping over to Alaska area. I do have family in Michigan but don't know if that helps with buying bikes.

My issue is if I have a bigger bike I would be more anxious about going off road and don't want to restrict myself to road only riding....lots to mull over!

Any advice on buying in USA/shipping would be great!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 24 Jan 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 36
From what I have read a visa is needed for Suriname and prices vary dependent upon length and if multiple entry. Only thing I can't quite work out is if it needs to be purchased in advance (which I am inclined to think it is) or if it can be sorted at the border.

Thanks for the advice so far and I think for our trip we will go with the Americas option rather than Russia/Mongolia/Europe option, although will do that at some point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Jan 2016
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Most people go down the west coast. It's quite a diversion going to Suriname. Brazil is fantastic though. It was a highlight for me. Bit I missed out peru and Ecuador which I'm eager to see
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 Jan 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 36
Yeah I've seen a few routes people have previously plotted on the Internet and all seem to be straight down through west side. As we have time i would be keen to see as much as possible and really make the most of it, but not sure if there's anywhere that's not advisable to go?

Think I need to buy some nice big maps I can stare at and squiggle on. Can't wait!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 24 Jan 2016
Banned
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 65
"I do have family in Michigan but don't know if that helps with buying bikes. "

this helps as you have an address for registration purposes...

Venezuela is the big question mark.

apparently Brasil's devaluation makes it a bargain, and the people r great!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 25 Jan 2016
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Hi Suzie,

Welcome to the HUBB

If its your first big trip then as Ted says, the Americas are fairly easy, stick with the ethos that Lois and Austin just gave you and buy the smaller bikes, then plan to ride them on secondary roads and do as much off road trails as you can. Its actually the CRF250L and its a great little bike, very reliable and fuel efficient, not the lightest 250, but it has a fairly low seat height and can be lowered further if needed:

2016 CRF250L Overview - Honda Powersports

Here's a Dutch couple riding CRF250L's RTW:

Amsterdam to anywhere – Wereldreis op de motor – Motorcycle trip around the world

Andy and Ellen took their time in South America, a good reference for routes and great places to see, keeping off the tourist trail:

Two Moto Kiwis

Ed and Rachel prove you don't need a big expensive bike to do a big trip:

TAT Day 56-77 | Wander On A Honda

https://www.facebook.com/pages/C90-A...79000328897692

As you only have a year, I would recommend spending as much time in Central/ South America as possible - there is so much to see and do, North America can be done any time. You could also fly your bikes to Colombia and ride a big loop either way round South America.


Having an address in the USA is a huge help to register the bikes, also having a place to stay and tinker with the bikes before the trip and do all of the paperwork is handy
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 25 Jan 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 36
Thanks Gripper, will have a good read.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 9 Feb 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 36
Another question….

I know you are allowed a 90 day VISA without having to apply for one, however what if you enter USA, stay 3 months then spend 6 months in South America and then come back into USA for 2-3 months? Are you able to get another 90 day tourist VISA? Also can you arrive from Canada (i.e. fly to Toronto and enter via Michigan?)

Also, we would have to come back through Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico...will they allow transit through the country if you have already had a visa earlier in the year?


Thanks,

Suzie
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 9 Feb 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ARGENTINA
Posts: 114
Welcome to South América

Can I help you? My English is very poor. Do you want learn Spanish?? well, we can combine us.
To buy a bike in Florida is very easy and cheap. In 2012, I bought a Goldwing 1100 for 1400 dollar, all the paperwork took me 2 hours, and rode 12500 millas without one problem.
For South America, on my Honda Nighthawk 250 cc I hited every country except Uruguay and was nice. It´s best a medium bike for this zone, not very speedy ours routes. Ask me your questions...Greetings
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11 Feb 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 36
Hi Rauleloy,

Yes I plan to learn Spanish over the next year.

Thanks, we are deciding between flying our CRF230's over as I would love to be able to go off road confidently, or getting something like a DR650 each.

At the moment I am a little in the dark about VISA's for USA and Canada as lots of information and a lot of different opinions. We are considering a circular route from Toronto to Alaska, down west coast USA and south coast S America and back up east coast S America and up east coast USA back to Toronto over the course of a year. Therefor we need to be able to get into Canada at the beginning and end of the year and also access to USA and S America per the year. It's all still very much in planning stage with nothing booked as yet.

Where are you from?

Thanks,

Suzie


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 18:55
Leaving Edmonton, Canada for Ushuaia, Argentina in October SilentNoise Route Planning 7 30 Nov 2015 00:52
Advice on Argentina border crossing for license plate swap! howlatthemoon SOUTH AMERICA 33 11 May 2015 05:24
WARNING: Argentina New Entry Fee for US, Canada, & Australia motomon Route Planning 3 20 Jan 2013 12:15
WANTED: Uruguay/Southern Brazil/Northwest Argentina Route Advice guest123 SOUTH AMERICA 5 14 Jan 2013 21:40

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:58.