Experiences Chinese Bikes in Peru

[KoenVisscher]

Hello everybody,

Im going to travel for 5 months in South America together with my girlfriend, and I would like to do a small part of the trip (maybe 2 or 3 weeks) by motorcycle. Since my girlfriend doesn't have a license (and I don't want her to drive without one) we will be sharing a bike on which we have to carry our bag pack as well. We are planning to drive from lima to at least the Ecuadorian border. I was searching for some cheap bikes and found this one

Is this bike strong enough to hold us for at least 1500 km? We definitely are not going to do any off road or whatever, it's just the trip on the coastline we want to do. It doesn't even matter if it's completely broken after the trip, i just want to make sure we can finish our trip with this bike..

Are there any experiences with the brand RTM? There is no information at all on the internet. Or maybe any other suggestions from you guys for a bike which we can ride together for maximum 700 euros?

Thanks for helping me!

Koen

[ridetheworld]

Nearly impossible to say for sure from just a picture but well should work for 1500k unless it's a total wreck. Many travelers I've met seem to do okay with China bikes, using them pretty much as disposable bikes. So long as that's been kept in decent condition and had regular maintenance it should do. My biggest concern would be how it's going to handle two up with all your luggage. Remember if it's a giveaway there's probably a good reason for that. Maybe for such a short distance you could just buy some sort of Universal Japanese Moto, or a China clone like a Sumo, for such a short distance it wouldn't matter too much comfort wise and those things were designed to be completely overloaded and abused.

[Walkabout]

As per the previous post, no one can tell from a picture and you don't give much info about the particular bike anyway.

A point, or two.
The chinese bikes are made pretty tough so far as the frame, engine, and those crash bars are concerned but you need to assess it yourself - all the usual caveats about buying second owner machines apply.

Beware of chinese tyres (tires if you prefer): they really are rubbish.

The RTM badge means nothing; the bike will have come out of some large factory or other, possibly made by Shineray for example, and badged to suit the local market.

[KoenVisscher]

Thanks for the advice! It's not especially this bike we want to buy, but it was just an example of the type we are looking for. I don't care about the speed (probably with 200cc, 2 persons and 2 backpacks it won't be quicker as 50km/h, but we have plenty time). Although I'm not that technically schooled, I think i know enough of motorcycles to see whether some parts are rubbish or not, so i'll start looking for a nice one. thanks!

[Wauschi]

My wife and I went from Lima (actually Patagonia) to Ecuador (actually Bogota) on 200cc Chinese motorcycles some months ago.
The Chinese bikes were fine for the Peruvian part of the ride.
We even choose a more challenging route in the Andes (Canyon del Pato).

If you want to get a feeling of how riding Chinese motorcycles in the Andes is, see our short video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01-R2Wlm2dE

Cheers,
Wauschi

[s445203]

It sounds like you will stay low along the coast, so this won't be an issue, and I can't see whether this is a carburetted or FI bike. But do bear in mind that carburetted bikes do very poorly at high altitudes, which is a fair bit of Peru.

[ridetheworld]

Carb'd bikes do just fine so long as you rejet them. But obviously EFI is more practice (though expensive).

[anaconda moto]

Bike will be fine !
Just tight the bolts.
Have a look around and see what the locale ride.

[VicMitch]

Here in Mexico those are called Ventos. I see them moving. Usually very slowly. They look nice. They are faster than bicycles and you don't have to pedal.

[Peter Bodtke]

KoenVisscher,

Ask the seller how well the bike runs. Nothing will be worst then showing up and finding out the bike won't start or runs like a dog. Leave time to get the paperwork started. I understand that getting the insurance paid up is quick and you'll be good to ride. But it takes about 10 days to finalize the transfer of ownership, when done by someone who knows what they are doing. Get insurance, fairly cheap ~$35 (for a month in 2013), its required in Peru and the fine stings (a friend of mine got stopped and paid a fine that hurt his wallet.)

Have you figured out what you are going to do with the bike at the end of your trip? Could you buy/rent the bike? If you want to give it away at the end of the trip, I know a guy who does missionary work up in the Andes that might be interested. Send a private message for details.

Brace yourself, north of Lima there are some very long stretches of flat, straight highway that are famously boring. Strong wind whips sand off the desert floor...and mixed with turbulence of oncoming trucks, it is not always the most memorable ride. There are harder roads in the world. My advice, get off the Pan American Highway at every opportunity.

If you enjoy archaeological history, then stop ~10 miles north of Chiclayo, to visit the Museu Nacional Sican. Another good archaeological museum is the Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán in Lambayeque. Stop at one of many shops that sell Kong Cake, a local specialty.

Even if you aren't you aren't into museums, your girlfriend will like the jewelry and ornamentation on display at these museums. =)