DAKAR RALLY Argentina Chile who's going ?
 

:scooter:We have a few riders here in Costa Rica who are planning to ride, boat, fly their bikes down for the rally - various ideas and programs being talked about - where to meet up, best vantage points for the race and to be able to cut-across to catch 2 or 3 drive-by spots, renting a 4x4 ?, ect.
Myself I'm planning to leave late November from San Jose to Panama, fly over to Colombia, and drive to BA for the start, cut across land to catch a few drive-bys and finish up in BA again.:thumbup1:
The Dakar site now has the rough route published. Does anyone have any links to a more exact route yet ?:welcome:

I am riding to Panama from San Diego solo starting in late October. Plan on being in Panama in mid December. I want to catch a flight from Panama City to Buenos Aries leaving the bike in Panama at a friend's house.

I would like to be in BA for New Years and hang out for the duration of the rally. Renting a bike or 4x4 would be ideal. I don't think the exact route has been finalized yet. Should come out closer to Nov. - Dec.

Should be epic!

:funmeteryes:

http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html

This is the best site for now.

Here's a link to the large PDF of the main course overview. At least it shows which major towns it runs through.

http://www.dakar.com/2009/DAK/presen...2008_05_13.pdf

check it on google earth map looks cool
 

I've been "guessing" at the exact passes etc the run will go through - looks like it will be a gas. Funny how the Argentinians won't or don't allow the google map thing to show their highway network at least I couldn't get it to work - only for Chile.
I may try to drive the route "pre" race (in Dec.) and see how it feels, if I get down there in time, or at least the back leg from Valparaiso to BA for the start.
:D

I'm heading out in the beginning to mid September from Panama (where I live), heading for Argentina. I wasn't aware of the rally, but now I'm excited. Thanks. Looks like the timing might work out. Keep me posted on your plans and hopefully we can meet up along the way. Steve

Once I heard the Dakar was going to be in SA, my decision was made as to an arrival date in BA for the beginning of my RTW trip. Hopefully all flights and freight will match up, but I am planning to arrive early new year, the 2nd Jan. Whichever way it pans out I personally want to be ther for the start, I may have to wait for my bike, maybe not. A friend is probably coming out for a few weeks holiday with me, he wants to buy a bike while there.

Can anyone advise on cost to live in BA?

Cheers
TS

Insane!!!
 

Just a warning! Customs and shipping is going to be INSANE in the days coming up on the Dakar. I know what it was like in Peru for the "Incas Rally" years ago AND THAT WAS JUST MOTORCYCLES!

Don't mean to rain on you parade, but you might want to consider Santiago or Sao Pablo.....:(:(:(

Not much choice flying in from Australia, that is it afaik. If I have to wait, I have to wait, I will live with it.

TS

Question!
 

How can you have a DAKAR rally in South America???

Shouldn't they change the name?

I live in Chile and I will love to do the dakar. I'm thinking 3 options... 1º ride from Santiago to BA ( i must celebrate the new year in santiago, so I only will have 2 days to arrive to BA..., 2º ride slowly to another point of argentina to join the group, 3º wait for you in valparaiso and start my trip in that spot


what motorcycles are you riding?

I will be riding a Vstrom 650, see ya there I hope.

Cheers
TS

suzuki gn 250 modified for dirt (sort of)
 

I may be chasing you guys , but I'll get there.:thumbup1:

Zig,

I admire you for "doin' it" on a little GN250. What made you decide on that bike? I am agreed that "bigger is NOT better :oops2:(in bikes for long trips), but as you are in Central America have you looked at the Honda XR250 Tornado? They are everywhere in CA and SA and the price is right. Did 10,000 km+ last summer on one, alot of it on pavement too and was quite impressed. Almost 0 problems and lots of fun (see my website).

Just wanted you to know that there are other "practical" (read: "broke") riders out there that don't things like $$ stop us...... :mchappy:

poking along
 

Suzuki GN250....well I looked at the TORNADO for 2X the price, and rode the next one up, the 400 Honda, liked them both but settled for a 2600US price. It has a pretty good reputation for the last 15 years even tho mostly made in China now. I put 460 Tourance on back, and 350 Gummi Bear ? (Korean) on front, handles well tho I may have to change out the rear shocks. Big Alu crash plate, converted exhaust 2 into 1 and small custom cast iron and depleted uranium muffler (feels like it anyway). Had a front rack and motocross handlebars put on it, and with new wider rear and side racks total is still under 2900USD....PLUS it's way lower sitting which for me is what sold the package....after reading Simon Gandolphis rag I downsized from BMW R90/6.....and mileage...man it just sips gas...
what do you know about shipping Colon to Chile ???
der "Zig":D