South America Summer 2007-08

[jleighton]

A bunch of buddy's and I are planning a 2 week cross country trip.

We want to start in lima, travel south to santiago, then cross to buenos aires, then travel back to lima.

Few questions for those who have traveled before.

Rentals? Any companies you guys recommend that rent street bikes/dualsport in lima?

Time-frame? Two weeks is all we have, despite any mechanical problems that can be avoided with popular bikes and a good rental company, whats the chances of pushing 6-7hr riding days and making it back in time?

We are stoked about riding but we work too much, how do we do things right and kick-it in SA.

Thanks.

[ssa2]

I have spent 4 weeks in South America riding last Jan. and I think you are going to be short on time. Just my 2 cents. I went from Santiago to Mendoza and then south to TDF and back to Santiago on a rental bike. I put on 6000 miles and 3000 of it was gravel. I took 4 weeks so that gives you some idea of time. I rode hard pretty much every day.

[gpothoven]

Originally Posted by jleighton

Time-frame? Two weeks is all we have, despite any mechanical problems that can be avoided with popular bikes and a good rental company, whats the chances of pushing 6-7hr riding days and making it back in time?

Slim to none. Just took 8 days to ride one way Buenos Aires to Quito, at good speed, on a R12GSA. Averaged 800 km. days. Not enjoyable and I wouldn´t do it again, unless I had to, as was the case.

[xfiltrate]

Of course, do whatever you want, but after 4 months doing 12,000 K (7,000 miles approx) and five South American countries here is a suggestion...It will take you a full day air travel with delays/recovery time to fly into Buenos Aires, you can rent motos from Mariano at MOTOCARE, I believe he is the only agency that rents to indivduals, without having to go on a group tour with a guide. Absolutely make reservations in advance, so motos will be waiting with paperwork/insurance etc. Crossing borders, country to country is possible with rental bikes, but requires special paperwork, not always recognized by all officials, and could cause extended delays at borders. Don't foget to plan a full day for return travel to USA. That leaves you 12 days. I suggest two nights in Buenos Aires and ten days riding Argentina.

Take it easy in Argentina, plan on 150-200 kilometers a day (check a good SA map and don't forget distances may be in kilometers, not miles)especially if you are doing gravel, dirt, mountains etc. Camp or allocate time to find inexpensive hotels that have secure parking for motos. Sometimes finding a place to sleep with motos parking takes a couple hours. Keep in mind summer here is December/January/February. It is cold now in southern Argentina, and Buenos Aires is in for some rain (Las Santa Rosas) "storms" soon. Otherwise northern Argentina is good.

Check your weather, and plan your ride within Argentina. You can find everything here that you would find crossing borders, with a lot less hassel.
Let me know if you want more details about moto renting and I will give you Mariano's phone number, he speaks excellent English.

I am an expat living in Buenos Aires, and will help all I can. xfiltrate.

[jleighton]

From the sounds of things it seems like riding from buenos aires to santiago and back might be within the time frame.

If I have more questions I'll let you guys know.

I'm going to check with Motocare about that kind of trip.

Thanks.

[xfiltrate]

Go to http://www.motocare.com.ar/rental/

for information re: renting motos in Argentina. Sounds good. see you in buenos Aires. xfiltrate

[jleighton]

Anyone recommend a local bike rental in Lima Peru? Our trip has changed, we are looking forward to PERU -> BOLIVIA -> CHILE and back.


Thanks guys.

[razmataz]

Hey J,
you might want to check out the Chilean KTM importer, Roland Spaarwater. KTM Chile - Sport MotorCycles , ::: South Pacific Cross ::: and for further infos KTM Travel - KTM Sportmotorcycle AG He rents very good, reliable bikes from Santiago for trips around the South. And has all the correct papers so you can do your trip to Bolivia and Argentina. I travelled there in 05 on my Panamericana trip and can recommend the guy, not cheap, but reliable. And thats key down there, especially when your time is limited. I am in Peru regularly (so next week) and do not know of a similar offer there... I have my own bike, so no problem.
Cheers. Rasmus