Thanks so much for all the replies. Internet is scarce where we are currently working at the moment. But will be much more onto it in a couple of weeks.

I really am starting to lean towards the road bike option as eira has not done a bunch of offroad riding so will most likely be sticking to the fairly decent roads. And like Robbert said take public transport if we can't make it on the bike/s.

Now I think the biggest question is finding appropriate bikes. Hopefully two cheap bikes pop up over the next few months.

Any ideas on going about this. Besides the obvious craigslist? Possibly trading some manual labour for cheaper prices on some bikes would be the ultimate.

But that sounds very unlikely, even to me

And thanks VicMitch. I think a person's will power and understanding of their abilities is the best tool you can use to help yourself!

I know we can do it. I just want to make sure it's as cheaply as safely possible to maximize the travel time

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Sounds like you two will end up back on 4 Wheels. No worries. We've seen this many times before here on HUBB. Bikes are not for all.

"Fairly decent roads? Mark, you have A LOT of research to do. The really only fairly decent road is the Pan Am highway. Once you go off it ... it gets interesting. Brazil and parts of Argentina have decent roads in places, but the Andean countries, less so.

So lets get this straight ... you want to cheap out on bikes ... and will then park them an get on a bus when you encounter a dirt road? As in post above, dirt roads are EVERYWHERE throughout S. America.

Trading manual labor for a bike? Do you have any idea what a "laborer" is paid? It's more realistic to trade high tech skills or specific trade talents (man, they really need Plumbers and Electricians down there!!!)

Buying a bike sort of ties you to it. Know this. Leaving it is not always smart or practical. I was confronted with this in Mexico with my Honda 50 step through, in Guatemala with my Jawa 350 and again in Peru' with a friends Vespa I had promised to deliver to Cusco. (I eventually did it).

Be VERY sure and confident with whom you leave your bike ... or you will never see it again. A "free bee" may not always be the best choice. My Jawa was stolen in Guatemala, we paid Policia to get it back. We were lucky.
S. America is not Oz.

Pretty confident on the 2 wheels idea hence the reason posting here. Not sure why you automatically assume it's not possible and that I'll be on 4 wheels.

The Simpson desert and birdsville track are for 4wd but we managed it. More about the perseverance and determination of a person than the capabilities of the machine. Isn't that the motto of this site: ride what you have?

Also, the original plan does not involve riding in SA so don't need to worry abiut road conditions there?

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