How long to plan?
 

How long should it take to palan a trip from the US to Tierra Del Fuego? Can it be done in six months? I would think it will take about 2-3 months to ride it.

I haven't done my trip yet, so take this with a big pitcher of salt, but...

If you have a bike and can speak a little Spanish, point the wheel south. When you get to panama, look up Girag and ship the bike to Colombia. Then ride the rest of the way.

No Carnet, almost all spanish speaking countries, and only one bit of jungle you have to fly over. Also I believe that you dont need any visas in advance if you have a US passport.


I have some info that Merrill Glos gave me for Central America border crossings (which sound like the worst) I'd be happy to share that with you if you want.


When are you leaving?

Yeah - there is really not much to plan. Sort out your bike beforehand. How long does that take?

The paperwork is straightforwards and done en route. There are no big hassles ahead.

The delay is sorting out your domestic affairs.

That said, sometimes it is nice to take time over savouring the prospect of travel.

Simon

the plan
 

I'd like to leave here in early January. Depending on how my schedule works out, I may just go as far as Costa Rica and back, not sure. I would think the trip would take between 2-3 months to get down there. I would just fly back. I still need to aquire all the gear I'll need for a trip like this, but that's just shopping.

I'm also trying to work out what bike to take. I've got a 1997 Triumph Speed Triple. I'm thinking about a KTM, but wonder if I NEED another bike for the trip, or just want another bike. Any thoughts? I know it's not the ideal bike, but may get me there just the same.

Learn Some Spanish
 

I'm also planning a trip south and i'm shooting to leave in january or sooner.
I have been pouring over any info I get my hands on and think that between now and jan. should be enough time to prepare.
As of now I plan to ride till I run out of road in TDF. then back To buenos aires and decide to either ride or ship back from there.
I think knowing some spanish is the best planning you can do. Definately Something I need to improve before departing.
Paper work at borders sounds navigable if a bit frustrating and the routes unfold themselves between a few maps and a six pack.

Get bike, (klr for me)
Farkle bike.
Make stacks of copies of all important documents,
Point south
GO!

About your bike. You can pretty much take anything.
Emilio Scotto went around the world for ten years on a goldwing.
Somebody did it on an R1 (but it was real heavily modded)
and a Japanese guy did South - North America on a 50cc scooter.

That being said, I like your idea of the KTM, probably more suited for a trip like this than the speed triple.

And about learning spanish, at the last horizons unlimited meeting, somebody told me about spanish schools in Antigua, Guatemala. Looks like they run about $60 per week with a homestay room and board at another $60 a week, so if you've got time on your hands, that seems like a good cheap way to learn spanish.

hey midmod.

I will be doing US - TDF, leaving in september (but playing around in the US first)

maybe we will run into each other.

Best month to ride south and keep going?
 

Sounds like the advice here is "plan less and ride more". Can't disagree!

Anyway, I am a bit surprised about departing the northern areas of the US in January (weather may interfere a tad!).

Is this for personal reasons (or whatever) or is there something I am not understanding? In other words, is there a "best month" to go south?

The R1 was actually quite standard :)
Check out Sjaak Lucassen | travelling the world by motorcycle | Yamaha YZF R1 for the detail's.

responses...
 

Walkabout - The reason for leaving NYC in Jan is that the weather in South America seems to be best from Jan-March, though some say even Nov-March is OK. Either way, the weather in the north east isn't great at that point, but a day or two of ridimng south and you can clear the cold and snow, if there is any.

funklab - I'm sure the Triumph would make it, but I'm sure the KTM would be better suited for the job.

Midmod - If you're interested in company let me know. My situation is a bit up in the air at the momnent, but I still may be able to make the trip. It's at least encouraging to hear that I shouldn't worry too much about planning. KTM should have some new bikes out this year, a 690 Adventure being the one I'm waiting on, should be the perfect bike for this. Let me know what you have planned...

Planning
 

If you leave NYC in Jan. it will, of course, be cold. Here in South Carolina the nights in Jan. often are in the low 20's. You would be cutting acroos the country and every state, including parts of Texas hold the possibility of snow, even blizzards. I left SC 4 days before Christmas and drove to Arizona to cross at Nogales (a good crossing). I bought a big old Ford Station wagon and old trailer and towed my bike to Arizona. $350 for the car, $150 for the trailer. Saved money by sleeping in rest areas. Camped in the closest state park to Nogales and nearly froze to death sleeping in the car. My point being, it can be cold anywhere but southern Florida and California. Sold the car and trailer for cash and 1 night free in a motel.
Bike choice. If I did it again I would get a low mileage, old aircooled Jap bike about 450cc. and dump it in a country I would not probably ever return to visit anyway. Light weight is your friend , as is simplicity. Dual purpose or adventure tourer may look the part, but is not needed.

Hey Bmast. Some company would sure be nice for at least some of the trip. I'm sure I'll want to do some solo too.
If I depart in jan. I will be heading down through baja with several other bikes. We will ferry to mazatlan where they will head back north (copper canyon) and I'll continue south to Gautemala where I plan to do some spanish immersion (super cheap) for a week then on the road again.
If I head out before jan. I will likely omit baja and go through copper canyon instead.

Bike choice.
 

Oh and as for bike choice for americas trip, after reading pretty much EVERY post on the subject here on the hubb and advrider.com, the clear choice for myself is the KLR650.

The suzuki dr650, bmw 650gs or r100gs being the runners up. Now this subject has been discussed/argued over ad nauseam. Just do some reading on both sites for info on that debate.

However I would like to throw my 2 cents in on the KTM.
From what I understand these are incredible machines for adventure riding. BUT, I'm not so confident in the reliablty of such a high strung beast nor the availability of parts/service on a trip south of the equater. The KTM is quickly building a reputation around the world, but for now it's still a specialty bike for niche riders with a big bank account.

The aftermarket is slim and pricey compared to other more time tested bikes.

You could buy yourself a low mi. KLR already set up with panniers, grip warmers bash gaurds tkc80s etc. etc. and still have enough left over to pay for gas all the way down for what a brand new KTM will cost. Plus you'll have the confidence of riding a proven mule that the developing world is more familier with if anything does go wrong.