End of the World (South America) at the End of the Year?
 

Greetings folks,

I'm thinking that this year (my 56th) may be MY year to visit the Americas. Hoping to leave the Pacific Northwest (WA) aboard a 2005 DR-650 in the Nov-Dec time frame, heading south (probably thru Baja). Ideally I'll make it to Buenos Aires by March, but I've got great latitude with respect to timing, route, and ultimate destination.

Thought I'd check-in to see if anybody else might be suffering similar delusions (and might even be seeking full/part-time accompaniment as they wandered).

I'd also be interested in hearing from those of you who have some experience/recommendations for the care and feeding of a DR while in foreign lands. I believe I learned a lot about the bike on an Arctic Circle run I made in 2009 (to Inuvik and Deadhorse), but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little concerned about the logistic (and linguistic) challenges of this trip.

Interest and/or Insight would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff Beecher
Lacey, WA
2001 Concours (272K)
2002 VFR (24K)
2005 DR 650 (9K)
2008 XCF-W (1K)

Hey Jeff,

Welcome to HU. One quick comment is that the peak season to be far south is December/January so if you it works out that you can't leave until late in the year, you many want to consider shipping your bike down to BA or Valapariso and then riding back home. If you can leave earlier than the time you indicated, then there is a good chance that others will be on the road south at roughly the same time. Happy riding.

Hey Jeff,
I'm working on a plan to ride down from Ohio beginning in mid or late October (later than originally planned, but seemingly unavoidable). Since it IS a late start for parts south, I'm thinking of just boat freighting the GS down to Cartagena and skipping Centr. Amer. until the return north. However, I'm pretty flexible on all of this.

Hmmm...same age, similar approach to this trip, similar linguistics...drop a line here and we'll see what's what.

John Blatz
Dublin, OH
'00 1150GS...tried and true
'07 1200GSA...adios!
'95 1100GS...what? They made an 1150 one?! Gone!
'92 GSPD...what was I thinking?? Waaaa...

Riding south
 

Hello--Since I don't have the required 5 posts I couldn't PM you. Anyhow, I'm located in Berea,OH, a suburb of Cleveland and planning to depart south about mid Sept. Will probably ride my '92GSPD unless a '99 R1100GS pops up. Just thought I'd throw it out there. Regards. John O'Leary

Do you have any information on shipping yet? Costs, loading ports etc?

Thanks Growler

Hey, BereaHorn- We should exchange info. I don't have the necessary number of post yet in order to PM you, so this will do until then. I'll keep my eye out for an 1100GS for you in the meantime (though I would kill to have my old PD back...). Keep posting to this thread and we'll talk.
Cheers,
John B.

Hey Growler,
I'm short on the PM requirement, too. The scant shipping info I obtained was cursory at best. I'd been thinking to ship from Miami into Carta.. Let me get my notes in order here. Are you contemplating a similar thing? I'd go the land route (excepting the Gap, of course) with proper encouragement, but again: I'm flexible. Let me know what you're thinking.
Cheers,
John B.

John O',
I'm zipping down to Mississippi for the weekend, leaving Thurs. morn, taking the long way down, expediting back. Camping at Dogwood Trail Rally. Go?
John B.

John, I sent an answer to your email. Am, also considering a DR650 as a possible bike instead of the '92PD but haven't made a firm decision. Have been spending time preparing the PD for the trip. When the weather breaks I'll be able to get out to the garage and get serious. As I mentioned I'll probably be leaving the Cleveland area mid-Sept. but don't know date certain when I'll cross the border. Let me know your plans as they firm up. Regards. John

"End of the World (South America) at the End of the Year?" ??

Doesn't the Mayan calendar run out this year? Ending the world!
While your down there mate would you mind tying another knot in that rope calendar they used to record time ?
I still have some rides planned and need a few more yearsbier

Absolutely, twobob! Consider MANY knots tied into that thing.
Cheers,
John B.

I'm not heading out until September 2012 but looking at shipping into South America from say Miami to driving all the way down and then shipping home from BA. Have some time yet, just trying to consider all options.
Growler

Heading South
 

Jeff and John,

I'm thinking of taking 30 days off of work to head south this winter. Leaving from San Diego in November or December. We may be able to hook up for the first part of your adventure. I would hope to get to Panama and ship the bike home. Another idea would be to get several bikes in one container to ship from the west coast to SA. I ride a gs1200 and have made several trips to baja and northern mexico. I'm pretty flexible just need to plan ahead for the work thing.

David

Hello

My name is Diego , I just got back, actually waitng on the boat withmy bike coming from Cartagena Colombia. If you have any questions feel free to call me.
Diego Arango
darangofla@gmail.com

Hi all,

By the time Fall 2011 rolls around I'll be in my 55th year with the idea (a plan would be a misnomer) of riding South to Argentina on my yet to be acquired 2011 KLR650. The old '08 is getting a little tired.

My hopeful departure date from Ottawa Ontario would be sometime in October(ish) following an 8 week ride to Eastern Canada this summer. Plan to try and pick up some Spanish before then to enhance the SA experience.

So, I've subscribed to the thread and I'm just throwing my name out there in case something comes together and a few of us possibly end up sharing some riding time etc. I'm open to the idea of shipping, totally flexible as to route, timeline etc. I don't have a return date in mind. Might ship from SA to Africa and continue on my merry way.

I'm in Vietnam/Thailand at the moment and if anyone ever has the opportunity to ride this part of the world I highly recommend it.

Cheers ... Greg