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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 30 Nov 2011
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Many Questions on S. America trip
I am going to search for the forum for these answers but appreciate all that reply. I am going to Ecuador with a friend this winter for surfing/diving and am considering adding a riding trip to the trip. I have ridden since I was 6, dirt bikes and sport bikes. So has he.

Looking at buying a dirt bike (in ecuador) and riding to either Brazil or just Peru. The riding trip will be to some peoples standards "ghetto", we are both in our early 20's and taking our riding trips with no more than a backpack and sleep in ditches, woods or under car ports rather than hotels. Here's my list of Q's

- How much can I expect to pay for a bike, just want reliable, don't care if its cosmetically hideous.
- Best dirt bike for the job? What cc?
- How distant are petrol/fuel stations? Carry emergency can?
- Do I need motorcycle insurance there, like how its required in USA?
- How difficult is it crossing borders? Bribes expensive?

Feel free to ad tips and advice
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  #2  
Old 30 Nov 2011
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Originally Posted by Steve McQueen View Post
I am going to search for the forum for these answers but appreciate all that reply. I am going to Ecuador with a friend this winter for surfing/diving and am considering adding a riding trip to the trip. I have ridden since I was 6, dirt bikes and sport bikes. So has he.

Looking at buying a dirt bike (in ecuador) and riding to either Brazil or just Peru. The riding trip will be to some peoples standards "ghetto", we are both in our early 20's and taking our riding trips with no more than a backpack and sleep in ditches, woods or under car ports rather than hotels. Here's my list of Q's

- How much can I expect to pay for a bike, just want reliable, don't care if its cosmetically hideous.
- Best dirt bike for the job? What cc?
- How distant are petrol/fuel stations? Carry emergency can?
- Do I need motorcycle insurance there, like how its required in USA?
- How difficult is it crossing borders? Bribes expensive?

Feel free to ad tips and advice
That first question is a bit like 'How long is a piece of string' My mate bought her bike in Equador for about $2000-$3000 USD. A Honda 250 dirt bike. Took a while with paperwork though and she spoke fluent Spanish.

I think $1000 US will get you something that will 'DO' but obviously, the more you pay the newer, more reliable, better equipped it will be. Look at buying a bike of some US travellers in South America. Look on this forum in the the bikes for sale section.

Petrol/fuel is pretty much everywhere these days. You want to have 200 mile range as a guide. You can always stash a jerry can on the back if you have a long stretch.

Insurance is usually acquired on the borders. You will only really get 3rd party cover for your bike as anything better will cost a fortune and not worth it. You MUST MUST MUST get personal health insurance and make sure it covers you for the size of your bike (most limit you to 125cc).

Borders are an adventure and an experience but WAY WAY easier than you may think while sitting back at home. Just be patient and maybe pay a FEW dollars to ease the process by users 'fixers'. They are pretty simple if you keep your calm and don't expect it to be organised and smooth.

Have fun, Ted
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  #3  
Old 30 Nov 2011
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Oh to be young again, don´t you just hate them. However, one very important point that Ted missed and of which I unfortunatly have personal experience. You must get 3rd party/liability insurance with legal support. Latin America works the old Spanish system with regard to what actions are taking if you are involved in a mishap with another rider/driver/pedestrian and basically it is this, if who did what to whom cannot be resolved by all parties on the spot then all vehicles are impounded and the riders/drivers/pedestrians taken into custody, however, if you have legal assistance and 3rd party ins. the lawyer should be able to get you out before you get in if you see what I mean so you can await trial in the comfort of your own bivi/ditch. Older HU members will almost certainly remember having to get a "Bail Bond" for Spain, well this is just the same but the food is not so good. Additionally, being a young(b@st@rd) and a gringo to boot on a tiddler could make you a bit of a target for hard up coppers. Anyway, I hope that you really enjoy the trip, just remember, Ride safe.
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  #4  
Old 30 Nov 2011
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Oh to be young again, don´t you just hate them.......Additionally, being a young(b@st@rd)
Sensing hostility? Maybe I'm mis-reading you though, so I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume your just saying it just sucks to be young because you don't have the experience of a veteran.

Thank you Maja, for the Liability tips. And many thanks to Ted for answering all my questions!
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  #5  
Old 30 Nov 2011
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Originally Posted by Steve McQueen View Post
Sensing hostility? Maybe I'm mis-reading you though, so I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume your just saying it just sucks to be young because you don't have the experience of a veteran.

Thank you Maja, for the Liability tips. And many thanks to Ted for answering all my questions!
I doubt he's being hostile... Just a bit of sarcastic humour.

I think he just wishes he was in his early twenties again... Like all of us
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  #6  
Old 30 Nov 2011
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Can´t remember that far back Ted, thirty would do as for me it´s mostly a blur before that. As to being young sucking, not after you´re weaned. Another tip, if you end up in a bar with Brits, Antipodians and even the occasional fellow citizen, hi Mark, look up "satire", "sarcasm" and "irony" before reacting. But still, ride safe.
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Last edited by maja; 30 Nov 2011 at 22:44. Reason: missed a bit
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  #7  
Old 1 Dec 2011
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I appreciate sarcasm, irony and dry humor, the majority of my humor falls into that category. Thanks for clarifying ride safe.
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  #8  
Old 1 Dec 2011
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I, on the other hand, neither use nor recognize satire, sarcasm or irony. I speak as a fellow citizen, though not from Iowa.

My advice would be: if you find yourself in a bar with Mister Maja, hang tight to your wallet and disabuse yourself of any notion you might harbor about heading home early.

Or should that be "harbour?"

Mark
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  #9  
Old 1 Dec 2011
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Vicious south americans
Over the past years, and in my 70s, I have ridden from Mexico to Ushuaia and back north to New York on a Honda 125. I encountered neither corrupt police nor corrupt border officials. To the contrary, all were kind and helpful. I never felt even remotely threatened.
Ride within the law, show respect and courtesy and you will encounter wonderful; people and receive great hospitality.
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  #10  
Old 1 Dec 2011
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Originally Posted by simongandolfi View Post
Ride within the law, show respect and courtesy and you will encounter wonderful; people and receive great hospitality.
That's it in a nutshell!

If you follow the above advice, you'll do fine.

I would recommend medical evacuation insurance. It's kinda like carrying a condom, I'd much rather have it and not need it ....than need it and not have it.

daryl
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  #11  
Old 8 Dec 2011
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Simon's the Man!
Myself, I totally agree with Simon. I have lived and ridden in South America for 30 years and only the Argentinian Border Police are ornery, and only after they lose a match in the Copa America or World Cup championship!

Aside from that one instance, I have NEVER had a problem. It helps to be fluent in Spanish and passable in Portuguese, and to be friendly and patient! Attitude and trouble always finds attitude and trouble!

Cheers, Toby
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  #12  
Old 9 Dec 2011
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Originally Posted by dlh62c View Post
I would recommend medical evacuation insurance. It's kinda like carrying a condom, I'd much rather have it and not need it ....than need it and not have it.
there's no way having a condom and not needing it can be better then needing a condom and not having one...

when you think of it...



p.s : sorry for the disgression
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