Two of us are planning on leaving NY and heading down to Brazil. We are trying to get down there in time for the New Years festival, a long shot, I know.

I'm trying to figure out a rough estimate on cost and a rough estimate on time. We are on big bikes and can eat up miles if need be, which is the plan getting there. We will take our time coming back.

Our plan from NYC is to Iron Butt ourselves down to the border, meaning 2-3 days. Same for most of Mexico.

My current estimates are as follows.

Here to Panama is 5.5k miles, roughly. At 10 cents a mile that's $550

Boat in Panama is roughly $500

From West to East in S. America that's roughly another 5k miles, or another $550 depending on fuel prices down there. (anyone have an estimate on fuel costs in that region)?

30 days, estimate @$25 for food\lodging is $750

Tolls, I'll estimate at 10% of the fuel cost $110

Border crossing costs, let's say $25-$50 with insurance, per border. That can be $500. Are these estimates realistic?

I'm at $3000 ONE WAY

There is a ride report here whose subject is South America on $3,000, however clicking on said link gives me a 404 error, meaning it's been taken down or the link is not correct.

I would love to see a detailed report of this trip if possible. I'll dig up the gentlemen s name shortly.

YOU BETTER LEAVE TOMORROW.

Riding big bikes does not equate to the ability to eat miles. It just means you can go faster on good/straight roads.

Mexican Toll roads are not cheap and cost more than 10cents a mile if I remember correctly.

My current estimates are as follows.

What about your oil change? I assume at least ONE at the 5k mark. I personally road 10k miles from Seattle to Panama City.

USA = $4+/gl
Gas in Mexico is $3.60/gl
Belize = $6.00/gl
Guatemala = $5.xx/gl
Honduras = $5.25/gl
Nicaragua =$5/gl
Costa Rica = $6.00/gl
Panama =$4.00/gl
Colombia = $5.40/gl
Ecaudor = $1.48/gl
Peru = $5.25/gl
Bolivia = $2.00/gl
Argentina = $6.00/gl
Brazil = $6+/gl

After you do your math on how many miles in each country you´ll be riding, and your expected fuel mileage (about 80% of your standard non loaded highway miles in the USA, by my experience on a DR650) you´ll have a closer estimate.

I´d add 10-15% to your mileage estimates as well. Routes Change.


I took the Stahleratte, and it was $820 for me and my bike. Fritz the Cat is also near $800 I think as well.

See above.

If you make it there in 30, you´ll impress me. I doubt it will only take 30 days.

I estimate:
3 for the US, so you can cross at day time. (32hours via google maps)
4 for Mexico (24 hours)
1 more for Guatemala (5 hours)
1 more for El Salvador (4 hours)
1 for Honduras (5 hours)
1 for Nicargua (8 hours)
1 for Costa Rica (7 hours)
1 for Panama (7 hours)
4 for boat crossing to COlombia, 1 for flight. +1-2 days shipping recieving.
4 for Colombia (29 hours)
2 for Ecuador (11 hours)
4 for Peru (38 hours)
4 more to Border with Brazil (37 hours)
(2 more days to Rio, 18 hours)

Thats 31 days of riding STRAIGHT the whole entire way without stopping. No rest days, no break downs, no accidents, no flat tires, no irreparable damage, And those are 8-10 hour days, crossing mountains, often averaging less then 30-40mpg. I hope you don´t ride at night, because that is just plain dangerous.


That doesn´t include the 12 border crossing. 1-5+ hours for each. Or about 2 days. Or the 3 days we waited in Colombia when arriving on a weekend. Could only import bikes on Monday.

You won´t be camping it seems, so $25/day for food and lodging won´t cut it in Mexico, or Costa Rica, or Colombia, Chile, or Argentina. And you´ll only make $25/day happen if you ONLY stay at the cheapest places.

The faster you go, the more you spend. You won´t have time to find the deals.

Guatemala-Honduras was the most expensive border crossing at about $50, all the others were cheaper if I recall correctly.

If you spend only $3000, I´ll be blown away. I´m not mocking you either, by any means. I made the same folleys for my planning before my current trip that I am on now. You can hardly plan distances, mileage etc.


--Alex

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NJ, NR, NBTTN

Alex is correct on all counts. You can read as much as you can stomach about all of this by using the search function. Wishful thinking doesn't change much.

Another piece I think you're missing is that by traveling under so much pressure you're going to render your trip very dangerous. Flying along Iron Butt style on an American interstate is one thing: trying to do the same in Colombia (or Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina or Brazil) is likely to get you dead or injured in a hurry.

Plus of course you'll be missing the trip of a lifetime along the way.

On the other hand, what do I know? Let us know how it went when you're done.

Mark

Hey Eddie,

Just ship the bikes from FL to northern Brasil and ride down the coast to Florianopolis and then to Punta Del Este Uruguay, you won't regret it!!!

Good luck buddy!! Wish I could go with you guys.

John (TengaiJohn)

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John C.

For Markharf to back me up.

I think shipping it sounds like a great idea. Cheaper, easier, and you´re not missing anything either. Not if you´re going to haul ass anyway.

If you do ride, take lots of pictures, and update us at night!

--Alex

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NJ, NR, NBTTN