never been south of oaxaca...............
 

i have been learning from this site every time i visit, but i have never actually heard the negatives from riding a full decker harley through south america. my girlfriend and i have been on several 2 month journies, but only as far as oaxaca and chipas. we had no problems with the actual physical manuverability of the ultra, but then again, i suspect SA to be a little move third world and road conditions not as desirable. we are planning to go with 6 others, all riding dual purpose bikes. i am buying sally a 650 klr. the others have been riding for years, but nothing more than a couple of 2 week canadian highway trips. we are very fit and in our early 60's. i cannot seem to think of parting with my 9th ultra classic for this trip, but i will listen to your voices of reason, as to the pros and cons of taking big blue. thanks, kevin

Read about Peter and Kay Forward
 

If you have any doubts about where you cab take a dresser Harley, read this blob:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/forwood/mytrip.shtml

Getting up to around 450,000km on their bike now, and the places they have been! You will need a few days to get through it all, but it's so worth starting at the start and just reading the whole thing.
Having the right bike for the job only makes it easier, not possible.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

CA on a dresser
 

Go for it. Just make sure your pals on the dual sport bikes dont try to pull a fast one on you as a joke to get you into some gnarly and dirt country lanes. There is plenty of asphalt, and excellently laid out too , to let somebody on a heavy low slung bike have a great time and see virtually everything between Mexico and the end of pavement at Rio Bayon in the Darien of Panama. The wealthy locals too like to own some of these luxo land yachts and they can ride them enough outside the cities. You should already know your technique for speed bumps (slow !) from your Oaxaca trips.

there are 167 topes from huatulco and acapulco. yes, with riding two up, full on, timing them without bottoming is an art. thanks for the link.