hello,

looking to hear from those who have done the trip from north america down to ushuaia.

hoping to get the three: the bike, equpitment (rider), and mods (bike). interested in creative suggestions, but doesnt cost major $$$. not looking to cut any major corners on quality (thinking about clothe protection). i am hoping to keep the three, cost no more then US$10grand. (total)

for time, this isnt really an issue, could take 6 months, maybe 8, doesnt really matter, but money does.

planning on camping (i actually enjoy this way of life) as much as possible to help keep the cost down.

am hoping to live on a us$1000/month (thats food, petrol, odds and ends) too little? not enough? unrealistic?

what other costly things have i forgotten about? shipping around the gap? was kinda thinking about driving down and back again, ya i know that its a long way (a really long way), but have always wanted to. so i am interested to hear from those who have, and can/will offer some insight on what i am thinking about.

havent bought anything as of yet, still checking prices to see if i can swing it this year.

for the bike:
was thinking about a second hand ktm 640 adventure, low klicks/ milage, (between 2003-07).

mods:
- would have to get the suspension set up (im rather a tall/big guy, something like $8-$900),
- a decent seat.
- maybe ali panniers (but i travel pretty light)
- heated grips

equiptment:
-would have to get new stuff, me old stuff, is, um... old.
-boots (moto cross or others?)
-body armor (if the jacket and pants doesnt already come with)
-new textile jacket
-new textile pants (but as i am tall will be interesting if i can find something that will fit that doesnt cost a small fortune)
-helmet, thinking of arai xd3.

what do you think?

*where would be good places in canada to look for second hand adventures?*

thanks for your time

I am in the planning stages for a trip like this. From Arizona, to Alaska then to Ushuaia and back. I am also assuming 6-8 months. I copied my spreadsheet from someone else on here. I wish i remember who so I could give proper credit. But, here is my finance breakdown.

Disclaimer: I've never done this before, so I don't have much first hand experience to back this up.

The Americas Trip 2010 - Google Docs

Anyone have anything to add to this?

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AtlasRider.com
Sport Touring Blog

If you are coming in through Vancouver I would suggest that you give these folks a try.

New Page 1

If you are coming in else where then this might not be the best idea.

Riq

On the ADVrider site in Latin American forum,you,ll find a sticky with the best reports recently done by other riders.You,ll find rundowns of costs,bikes etc there.
Al thebarkingspider

I'm also getting ready for a similar trip. Atlas Rider, I'm interested in your assumption that you'll be camping more than three days out of four, as well as your allowance for only routine maintenance (tires, chain, sprockets....but nothing extraordinary in almost 30k miles). Plus you don't seem to be allowing for any side trips.

Is this all carefully considered, or is the spreadsheet you posted just a first effort, subject to extensive revisions? Would you be willing to elaborate on the above? Is there a plan B?

Thanks much.

Mark

thanks for the replies,

i will be starting off from calgary, depending on whether its to late in the summer or not, will head up to inuvik or dead horse. about 7yrs back i did calgary, dead horse, la paz (mexico) and home again, 5 weeks, 21,000km (klr 650). on other trips have driven all over mexico, belize, guatemala, and el slavador (trip '95 in a '73 land rover); back home again.

last summer travelled all over spain, 4 months, slept in my hammock every night. and i have been backpacking it for the last 12yrs, working along the way. saving and stretching money are skills that i am excellent at.

then comes this trip... have been dreaming about this ever since i was a kid. marrage got in the way and cost me nearly 10yrs. now that that is over and done with, time to get back to the things that i love.

i was thinking some where around 100,000km. from calgary, up to inuvik, maybe deadhorse, then south all the way. there are a few places along the way that i would like to stop and see, but mainly i am interested in the drive and the back roads. would like to drive through all of the countries and take the road through the amazon, but other then that, plan very little on a route.

interested to hear, if us$1000/month is a realistic number to aim for each month travelling with a moto in south america; petrol, food, and what not....

as for bike, equiptment, and mods. i have travelled extensivly on my klr650 (120,000+kms), know that this would make a perfect bike for the trip, very cheap to buy, will cost mininal on mods and spares, engine is very good, but suspension and brakes are horrible, but i have gone more then 525km before going into reserve (stock fuel tank) so very good on fuel.

hmmm, so many questions.......


thanks to everyone..

Latin America Forum

Hi. Also doing a similar trip with LC vehicle. Leaving hopefully by June-July. Spending summer in Montreal with family and driving down south all the way.
I am finding that buying equipment in the UK is better than getting it there for the most part as there are more interesting and good quality products available here.
A good forum to use is the US-based Expedition Portal forum for up-to-date info on South America and local advice and products.

Would be great to meet up on the way.