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Engine size or reliability on a budget!? Engine size or reliability on a budget!?
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
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 18 Nov 2013
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Engine size or reliability on a budget!?
Okay, so my first post here on the HUBB.

I am travelling South America on a budget and I am not one who can sit on a bus for hours on end or wait in airports for delayed flights. I am a photographer and am looking for a adventure.

Now my conundrum: I have a budget of minimum 1,300,000 Chilean pesos and absolute maximum of 2,000,000 and I would prefer to stay away from the maximum. Now, the bikes.

New Euromot DSF200 enduro 1,040,000 pesos
New Honda XR 125 enduro 1,290,000 pesos
New yamaha XTZ 125 enduro 1,290,000 pesos

Used 2010 honda XR 250 tornado 2,000,000 pesos possibly talk them down in price

Now my reall problem is obviously I have quoted three different engines sizes and makes, I am looking for reliability ie: honda/yamaha vs power and budget ie: euromot. I can find used bikes but I would prefer not to inherit other peoples problems!! I'm looking at racking up about 25,000km and dealing with snow, high altitude and obviously highway speeds.

Opinions pls!!
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  #2  
Old 18 Nov 2013
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How hard are you going to work the motor?

This will depend on;
how much weight you will carry (luggage... etc)?
what average speed will you want to travel at?
rate of climb and altitude ..

The less you work a motor will probably increase its reliability.

How frequently will you service the motor? Frequent servicing (particularly oil changes and filter cleaning) will increase engine life and may increase reliability.

=====================
The less power per cc engine capacity means a less stressed motor , and probably increases its reliability ..

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  #3  
Old 18 Nov 2013
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Thanks warin
I'm definitely not going to be flogging it.. I'm going to try and take it as easy as possible when it comes to acceleration and stopping. All up the bike will be carrying me (85kg) my back pack (22kg) and my camera bag (8kg) all up around 115kg. It's hard to say how high I will go as I don't quiet know the route but it's the Andes so I'd say any where from 4,000-6,000.

As far as servicing goes I was thinking around every 1,500 possibly 1,200 if it's been ridden hard.

I'm looking at it like this: I need a bike to go at least 100km on a highway (can a 125 do that with that much weight, easily?) and be reliable enough I don't have to worry about forking out money every other day to fix something. (Euromot reliable enough?) I know I'm going to come across problems here and there but not every second day break downs.
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Old 18 Nov 2013
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Hi well have you ever read Old Bloke on a Bike by Siom Gandolphi a 75/80 (for get which) old man,from america down to terria de fegago he brought the bike a 125 (wekk knkwn brand) did the speed ok carried his kit ok.

I would suggest the Yam or Honda 125 as parts would prob be easier to get hold of (are they common bikes there?)


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  #5  
Old 19 Nov 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelMcQueen View Post
I'm definitely not going to be flogging it.. I'm going to try and take it as easy as possible when it comes to acceleration and stopping. All up the bike will be carrying me (85kg) my back pack (22kg) and my camera bag (8kg) all up around 115kg. It's hard to say how high I will go as I don't quiet know the route but it's the Andes so I'd say any where from 4,000-6,000.

I'm looking at it like this: I need a bike to go at least 100km on a highway (can a 125 do that with that much weight, easily?) and be reliable enough
The weight (including you) won't be a problem - it's about the same as I take on my 125, but your other requirements (100km/hr and / or 4000+m) will be tough for a 125. Loaded up, in practice 100km /hr is about as much as you'll get out of it at near sea level and the altitude will reduce that considerably. You will be flogging it on most of the climbs (or you won't be getting anywhere) and down to around 30km/hr on the steeper sections, but just about every 125 I've ever ridden has thrived on revs so as long as you change the oil often enough it'll be happy.

In reality the XR250 would be the best choice but ... being secondhand who knows what problems are built in, and it's much bigger physically so the riding experience will be different. If it was in good condition and you could get the price down a bit it's what I'd suggest you go with, but it's all in the condition.
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Old 19 Nov 2013
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Thanks back of beyond!

Yeah I understand 100km is not Possible at high altitudes, From my understanding you lose about 50% power. So it will be slow going.. I have seen a few blogs where single riders have done it on a 125 and it seems really doable! I have found a 150 honda enduro and a 200 honda enduro both 2010 and reasonably priced so I think I will look down that avenue..
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  #7  
Old 26 Nov 2013
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I have bought a New Honda XR125L !! Im very happy with my choice and ready to take on what ever south america has installed for me!! i paid $2900 with a helmet, jacket and gloves. ( none were cheap chinese )
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