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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 11 Feb 2008
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Shortish trip for novices!

Hey great forum everybody!

Im planning on biking around central america, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama for 5 weeks this summer (august september) and wanted some advice on which bike is for me!

I have never properly ridden a motorbike before, and would like something manageable that is cheap but reasonably reliable, i know lots of you talk about XT660s and KLR650s or DR650s for round the world trips but this is not too long a trip and preferably i'd like a not too heavy/powerfull bike. However there will be 2 of us and im pretty sure she is not going to want to ride her own bike so we need one that will take us both, although we are both pretty light (around 8-9 stone). Cost is a major issue and something cheap is definatly important, we also need something we can buy in Costa Rica, and hopefully sell after the trip too. Would renting make more sense for a trip like this or not?

thanks alot for reading and any advice would be appreciated!
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Old 11 Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by harry1153 View Post
Hey great forum everybody!

Im planning on biking around central america, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama for 5 weeks this summer (august september) and wanted some advice on which bike is for me!

I have never properly ridden a motorbike before, and would like something manageable that is cheap but reasonably reliable, i know lots of you talk about XT660s and KLR650s or DR650s for round the world trips but this is not too long a trip and preferably i'd like a not too heavy/powerfull bike. However there will be 2 of us and im pretty sure she is not going to want to ride her own bike so we need one that will take us both, although we are both pretty light (around 8-9 stone). Cost is a major issue and something cheap is definatly important, we also need something we can buy in Costa Rica, and hopefully sell after the trip too. Would renting make more sense for a trip like this or not?

thanks alot for reading and any advice would be appreciated!
Ummm.... Be very careful. Drive slow!!! You can get killed on a Bike and I don't know that I would start out with a 650??? I started out 30+ yrs. ago with a Honda 70. Renting would probably be your better bet also if you insist on going on your trip.
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Old 11 Feb 2008
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Salcar rents out bikes and I believe he is in Nicaragua .
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