Touring on a 125cc from Colombia to Argentina - Possible?

[martinholstberg]

Hello everbody,

I'm new to this website and relativly new to motorcycles. My friend and I are currently living in Cartagena and have decided to embark on a trip from Cartagena to Buenos Aires. We've got from the 10th of January - 29th of May. We've are mostly planing on driving on paved roads but would love some simple gravel/dirt roads as well.

My question is what bikes we should go for and if anybody has any experience buying used motorbikes here in Colombia. We have been looking at AKT NKD 125CC, Bajaj Boxer 150CC or..? Now I know it's theoretically possible to tour on anything, but practically is a 125cc enough? Also we're are looking at these bikes because of our budgets.

One last question, what bikes are easiest to get spareparts for in these countries?

We cherish all thoughts, tips and recommendations warmly - thanks

[jordan325ic]

I'm not familiar with Argentina, but from my experience I would choose something that is either a CG125 clone (like that AKT 125) or a GN125 clone. The Boxer is an Indian company, while excellent, is not yet copied by the Chinese so spare parts may be a little more difficult to find. The Chinese have been copying the Honda CG125 forever, so parts (though not of good quality) are plentiful.

[mark manley]

Hi martinholstberg and welcome,

I cannot comment on the exact bikes you mention but a 125cc bike should be perfectly capable of making the journey and be great fun.

[MrTynKyn]

I did the whole SA trip. I know a lot of bikers friends that made the trip you want to make.

I think you cant buy Honda 150 cause is so expensive in Colombia.
AKT is not a good idea , there is no parts in every country. Only in Colombia exist.I have two friends who traveled in AKT ,they asked for parts to Colombia too many times.
So try to get a chinese clone , and in the last options Pulsar (Bajaj in Argentina) . They have parts in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Argentina (not Brasil neither Venezuela)

125 is fine to travel, mi next trip would be in one of them.

Anyway , feel free to contact me for any help . Off course I live in Mar del Plata , you have room and food here.

[maria41]

Last year we did 12,000 miles from the UK to Mongolia (and back!) on two Hondas XR125cc. In most countries it is fast enough.

Simon Gandolfi (see books “Old Man on a Bike” and “old Men Can’t Wait” ) did New York to Ushuaia and back on a Honda CG125.

A small bike will allow to get through anything.

Honda has a massive factory in Brazil so spares may be easier to get in South America?

Whatever your choice, I am sure you will have lots of fun.

[anaconda moto]

If have had the suzuki gn 125,
Honda xr125, and now the bajaj boxer 150.

First choice bajaj boxer:, very strong for a 150cc ,build to last.pulls great.big confy seat,42km per liter.Big rack.Spares all oversourh america.not the fastest.

Second choice suzuki:fast and nippy for a 125 , smaller then the boxerbut still OK,spares everywhere 33km per liter.Pulls OK uphill.rack ok.

Third choice:honda xr125,slower than any 125 i drove,very weak uphill, seat OK.
Price high, 30 km per liter.rack OK.spares also everywhere.

Good luck with your choice!

[anaconda moto]

Bajaj is the biggest selling bike brand in Latin america.
If that help you anything.