Hi markharf.

Thanks for relevant suggestions. Since I am a pensioner, there is no reson for me to be in too much off a hurry. You are right to mention that time may be short. Buy I try to skick to my pace, so I drive a lot if I want to or if it´s necessary at the moment.

I agree 100% with the tent recommendation. You never know when you might need it. And I hope that this 2-3 kg extra weight is not very dramatic. The mosquito net also makes being there much more comfortable.

Language skills allways come in habdy when traveling. Question, how did you manage to practice Russian in SA ?

I have just registered here, I think that is why there is little information about me. But everything comes step by step. Correct me if I said it wrong.

Your suggestions on planning and budgeting are very welcome and corect. Since I still have time, I am working intensively on acquiring knowledge.


All the best.

The tent I carried weighs 1.5kg at most, and there are lots like it available in Europe and North America. I'd suggest getting a good one, however, not an off-brand or department store model.

The boat I took to South Georgia, Islas Malvinas, and Antarctica was owned and crewed by Russians, leased to the tour company. There are also enclaves where you'll hear mainly German, or Welsh, or other languages.

Some of my experiences and thoughts.
They are my own opinions. Take what you want an leave the rest

I bought a Royal Enfield Himalayan in Colombia.
I added a luggage system from Koju Motos.
So I could carry my camping equipment.
It was the perfect travel bike for me.
I like camping, so it was not an emergency equipment. It was my preferred way of sleeping.
So I used a comfortable setup that I used very much in Chile and Argentina.
Trangia stove to prepare my own breakfast and coffee. And emergency meals. But no advanced cooking. That was my level.

The RE is heavier than your wish. But the center if gravity is low...so you do not feel it. Low seat. RE has an assembly plant in Colombia => low price and a lot of value for the money.
And as long as you avoid the highway, there is no issue with power and speed. And why use highway ?? when there are so may good alternatives

I did not see many "big bikes" outside of the route to Ushuaia.
Almost only 160-200 (250) cc bikes
I spent quite some time in eastern Bolivia whiteout seeing another tourist for weeks.

My decent Spanish was very good to have. I could interact a lot with the local people. I could also ask and get information. Migration and customs goes so much easier if you talk Spanish. I used more or less only Spanish for the whole trip (To Carretera Austral and back to Colombia). Very few times I talked to someone in English. It would not have been even close to that interesting without knowledge in Spanish.


Just do it. Whatever bike you choose and routes you take, you will have a wonderful time.

Dangers ?
1) Traffic
2) Dogs

People: NO. I only met wonderful and helpful people.
I was a guest in their countries. That wanted to see and learn.
And I acted like that.
And again, talking Spanish helped a lot.

Vaya con Dios

Pictures:

My bike with equipment
WC final football with Argentineans
Colombian girl

Attached Thumbnails