South America in spring 2008 anyone?
 

Hi, I am planning to do a tour in South America next year, hopefully starting in April. I want to go to Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile for at least 4 or 5 months, duration depending on start date and return for a new job. Ideally I'd start from Cologne, Germany, but could also do UK where I am currently living. Doesn't really matter from where the plane departs I suppose...
None of my friends can come (no time, no money, no desire for adventure etc), so I am looking for a travel companion for however long we get on.
I'm 29, biologist, speak some Spanish and have traveled quite a bit, including Argentina. Anyone interested?
Peer

Just a thought
 

Is there any particular reason to do this trip during the southern hemisphere winter? (I guess you are staying well north of the usual ambition to visit TDF).

Time. I know it's not ideal, but I can't start earlier and I don't want to wait longer. Buenos Aires is still nice in April, I want to head north from there towards higher temperatures and then come back south later. TDF is only an option if I can afford being really slow and going there in October/November. Does that sound feasible? I was hoping that's doable, but I'm not a meteorologist...

I guess the other option would be coming down from Canada or the US and arrive in TDF in the summer there, but I am keener on South America, don't want to spend months touring through North America. Also this would require more time (which I might have or not, not sure yet).

Hey there,

I'm planning on doing Central/South America starting Nov 2008 with a buddy from home (who may or may not bail on me as the time gets closer...), but before that I'm looking to head from Europe towards Oz from spring 2008, and ship the bike to wherever it is we'll begin in S America. Would you be interested in joining for one or both sections of that trip?

I'm 28, living in Munich, working for BMW as a clay modeller. Used to be a motorcycle designer, but the pay's better doing just modelling. Go figure. And yes, when birds ask me what I do for a living, I do say "modelling" :clap:

Nick

Actually I wanted to focus on SA, I am really keen on going there. Maybe if I'm still there in November we can arrange something. Your plan would turn my SA trip into a RTW trip...I am intrigued now...
Have you thought about a route and a rough time frame (what countries when)? I'm not sure how much time I'll have and my budget is limited. Do you want to camp or stay in hotels? Any idea how much this will cost? What bike do you want to ride? Working for BMW, you could get a discounted F800GS, right?
Peer

Planning to take a Yamaha XT660R, and camping gear. Though who knows what I'll feel like at the end of a long ride in Asia... where a room can be had for pennies. I'm sure that'll often win over pitching the tent at least some of the time! I'm hoping to be away for between a year and 2 years, but I really want to set up my own company, so had better get on with that at some point. Who knows what the future holds or what opportunities may be presented along the course of the trip. That's partly what I'm looking forward to.

Anyway, another guy off the forum and I are lanning to join the other lot in Warringtom on 24th Nov, just to meet and chat etc etc. Why don't you come along. I know it's a long way from home, but I'm coming in from Munich! (Albeit primarily to buy new gear at the NEC show...) My mother lives near High ycombe, so that's where I call home in the UK.

Hey Peer and Nick,
I plan on riding my KLR650 from San Diego to Argentina sometime next summer, hope to work my way south pretty slow, enough time to check out all the cool places along the way. I would be interested in meeting up or riding with either of you. I can't go until after June...obligations...you know. I have a place to stay in San Diego to prep the bike and sort logistics. Got some friends along the way. I'm up for hotels or camping and can party with the best of them. Either of you interested.

Hey Nick, I have read the UK to Asia thread, it sounds like it's going to be a great trip. However, it is not really what I want to do now, South America is where I have to go.

Mikester, this could well work out. My favourite plan at the moment is to go north from Argentina in April (more or less, it is very difficult to predict when I'll finish my work here in the UK). I guess we could both end up in Ecuador at about the same time, then I would turn south again towards Tierra del Fuego. The other option would be the trans-America trip from Alaska, I reckon I could be in California at the time you are leaving from there. I favour option 1 because North America will be relatively expensive and requires more insurances, also the Darien Gap and all the Central American countries are giving me a bit of a headache. With another person though I'd be much happier to do it.
You'd be up for reaching TDF around November, going mainly through Chile and then back through Argentina?

I'm interested, but have to figure out what it is I want to do precisely... I really want to do S America the most, but was planning on doing that with a good mate from home. He may however be interested in moving the day forward somewhat to accomodate everyone. I'm definitely interested to do Eastern Europe, and thru that way towrads Oz, but my plans are really fluid. All I know is I want to get going around May/June.

I think a big group riding together is not great, though 3 or 4 tops could work, giving everyone a little relief from being with just one guy 24/7. I mean to say adding another person or two, to my friend and I could be a good idea.

Just curious, how old are you Mikester. I only ask, since people's definition of "I can party with the best of them" varies. Even my father feels he fits comfortably into this category!! I assure you he does not.

Just about to buy a lightly crash damaged XR660 for prepping. Can't wait to get started.

Nick,
I'll be 40 next month. This trip is a present to myself. I had a little buzz last night, probably why I mentioned that I liked to party with the best of them. Not an everday occurance. Get your plans sorted out, maybe we can meet somewhere in C.A. or S.A.

Peer,
Glad to hear that this may work for you. Let me know what you decide. If you want to leave from San Diego, you'll have a place to stay. I haven't really settled on any departure date yet, I have to stay in Vermont until June. Trying to save for this trip.

Talk to you lads later.

Mike

Makes sense to me - if you have a moment, your contribution to this thread would be of interest (you have expressed a strong wish to go to one particular location):-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...tion-1-a-30342

Mike,

Yeah, 40's not too old a all. I had 2 friends who were 40 when I lived in Bangalore and they were... how can I put it... "lively"

I was tempted to start in CA as I have US citizenship thru my mother too (as well as UK), so I thought I could work for a few months there and prep the bike, but actually I realised that continuing to earn in Europe for a few more months is far more financially rewarding given the exchange rates. Anyway, like I say the plan is very indefined right now...

Thanks for the offer Mike, that's very kind. I have actually considered buying a bike in the US and riding it down to Argentina, but I'm not sure what to do with it when I get there. Selling may not be so easy with a foreign registration. I thought I could get a cheap crappy bike, but then staying in one place for a while to get it registered and prepared would sort of defeat the plan of getting a cheap bike. Is it difficult to get a bike registered in Cal as a foreigner? I wouldn't mind dumping such a bike somewhere or selling is for small money. The thing is, I'm not a mechanic and I don't want to have too many problems with the bike.
So the other option would be getting a shiny new bike to take advantage of lower prices in the US. Which bikes are good and cheap in the US? I suppose the KLR650? I would then ship it to Europe after the trip, but I assume I'd have to pay import duty. Do you know anything about this?
Anyway, the current plan is to buy a KTM in Germany in January, prepare it there and fly/ship it over to wherever I'll start.

Hi Peer,
I'm not to sure about foreign registraions in the US, I will look into this and post some info for you. I just got rid of my old CB750Custom for a shiny new '08 KLR560. I payed $5200 US for a new bike. I'm sure you could find an '05 or '06 for somewhere around $3000 to $3500 US that won't require much work. California is a hotbed for moto entusiasts, I will keep my eye out for some info on that also. I too am not a mechanic, I can keep one running, but if I had to rebuild the motor, I'm sure I would end up beating my head against the wall. I'll try to get some info for you, try Motorcycle Trader for some info about sales in the US. I'm sure you could even find something pretty cheap that is not in the KLR class, but will still be sufficient to make the trip. I'll be in touch with you and Nick to see what your plans become. Looking forward to meeting up with you guys and possibly doing some S.A. riding.

Nick,
As I mentioned to Peer, if you want to start in the US, you will also have a place to stay and prep the bike. I live in Vermont right now, but I have some great amigos in San Diego that will put us up, I visit them at least three times a year, they're my bro's. Stay in Europe to make your money now, the US dollar sucks now and it won't be getting anytime soon. (maybe after the 2008 presidential elections..haha). If you decide to ship the bike to the US, we could either start from Vermont and go west or in San Diego. I haven't decided if I'm going to ride across country as I have already made that trip twice. I'm glad to be in communication with like minded people. I'll talk to you lads soon.

Mike

Me Too
 

I am also planning the Trans American highway from Alaska to Argentina in 2008. My current plan is to start sometime between July and Sept (depending on when I finish work) and then if I finish in July ride from Newfoundland or just start in Calgary up to Alaska and then down. I didn't want to get to Mexico much before October so to miss the summer heat and hopefully the rainy season in Central America.

I only wanted to be away about six months but don't want to come back to the UK until about March of 2009 so might be a bit longer if I can't convince work to keep me until the end of August.

I wouldn't mind finding someone to start the mexico down bit with.

Annette

ps. I was suppose to go last year but ended up working another year instead. This time though I am definitely going.