Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > SOUTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Stephan Hahnel, Kradwanderer, in Northern Argentina

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


Photo by Stephan Hahnel,
www.krad-wanderer.de,
in Northern Argentina



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 113
Question re flying bike from UK to South America

Dear Friends,

I'm planning a trip to South America and wondering which place is simplest to fly the bike into. I assume flying is preferable to ship, since it's both quicker and, in the end, generally cheaper.

Given the seasons, I had thought to start of the bottom of the continent.
And judging by earlier threads re the expense of Argentina (shipping, not flying), perhaps flying the bike to Santiago, Chile, is the best option.

Having said all that, starting in Colombia is also appealing, as is Brazil. It's going to be a long trip (insh'allah!)

Any thoughts?

All the best,

Bob
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 111
Bob,

I flew my bike with James Cargo near Slough to Buenos Aires and paid Sandra from Dakar Motos to help me clear customs. Couldn't have been easier. I dropped my bike, panniers, helmet and boots off at James Cargo, flew to BA a week later and picked up my bike the day after I arrived - took me (or rather Sandra) 2 hours at the airport before I was riding bike into town. No front wheels to put on, re-filling engine oil, nada. So easy, both in UK and BA.

(If Slough is too far or you're feeling rich and lazy, James will pick up your moto from your house for an extra fee.)

Then I hung out in the bunkhouse at Dakar Motos for a couple of weeks getting ready and enjoying BA, before donning iPod and doing the 3500km to Ushuaia in 8 days. (I have another, more interesting option for heading south from BA, which I've posted somewhere - I'll dig it out if you are interested.)

This was early November last year - good time to get to Patagonia as the weather is improving but the hords of tourists haven't yet arrived.

If you can afford it, fly the moto.

Good luck,

Paul
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 113
Cheers!

Thanks, Paul, that's great. I'll get in touch with them.

When you have a moment to dig it out, I'd love to see thread of the more interesting route south from BA.

Anon and bon voyage!

Bob
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 111
Hi Bob,

I forgot to mention that the guys at James (I can't remember the chap who did my bke, Giles comes to mind, very helpful) know Sandra at Dakar Motos, which made things even simpler. They faxed the airway bill straight to her when they received it.

In a nutshell, the idea I had for getting south whilst avoiding the VERY boring Route 3 down the east coast was the following:

- head from BA to Mendoza
- go south to approx Bariloche or San Martin de Los Andes
- cut into Chile to Puerto Montt
- take the Navimag ferry south to Puerto Natales
- ride north along Route 40 / Careterra Austal
- continue north to Santiago on the Chilean side.
- thereafter, take your pick - Arg or Chile or zigzagging through both

The advantage of this route is you get to ride more of Route 40, you don't retrace your steps at any point (effectively doing a figure of 8), you save a couple of thousand km riding, and if the weather is good on the ferry I'm told it is an amazing experience, navigating through hundreds of islands in Patagonia. I met a group in Torres Del Paine who had befriended each other on the ferry and were now thick as thieves, travelling together.

The obvious disadvantage is the cost - it'll set you back several hundred more dollars.

Also, I remember seeing a post recently about the Navimag ferry, saying one of the passenger services had been changed into a freight service, so you'd need to check what is going on on that front to be sure the ferry is still running.

I didn't know about the ferry when I road south - had I done, I would have ridden the route I describe. It's 3500km from BA to Ushuaia on Route 3. Perfectly doable in a short period of time if you set your mind to it and see Ushuaia as your actual start point, but it really is just riding for the sake of it.

Happy to share more thoughts on the route north from Ushuaia. I've so far made it to Peru, though am back in Santiago for a bit (distracted by a beautiful Chilena!!). So by the time I get back to Peru I'll have driven all of the Chilean and Arg/Bol sides of the Andes.

All the best,

Paul
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 113
Top man

Top man, Paul! On all accounts. Will get the map out and check the suggested route. Sounds marvellous, especially since I'm not one to ride for the sake of it.

Anon!

Bob
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 111
Feel free to PM any time Bob with questions. If you pick this route, I know some great little side roads over the passes.

I was lucky enough to have someone who had done the trip before me (with the same bike) who answered endless questions before I set off - made a real difference to my planning and getting going for the first few weeks. Border crossings, kit you can / can't find in S Am, road conditions, that sort of stuff. So I'm more than happy to give some assistance back to other riders in the same situation that I was.

Paul
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: On a RTW ride - currently Asia
Posts: 99
Very helpful post Paul, thanks for taking the time to share your experiences!


Do you recall how much the shipping from London cost, and how much the clearance in B.A.?

Cheers,
Lukas
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by LukasM View Post
Very helpful post Paul, thanks for taking the time to share your experiences!


Do you recall how much the shipping from London cost, and how much the clearance in B.A.?

Cheers,
Lukas
Hey Lukas,

The flight (one way) and all costs for James in UK was £1645.

In BA airport, there are 2 charges. You pay an admin charge to the airline, which will vary dependent on the airline. My bike went with Emirates (James sort that out and will pick the cheapest) and the fee was approx £125.

Then you also pay the customs and storage. This of course depends on how long you leave the bike at the airport, and also the weight of the bike. My bike is a Tenere 660 and I included my panniers (full of kit). The fee was approx £160.

And I choose to pay Sandra at Dakar Motos to do all the clearance for me, which cost USD250.

These costs was as at October 2012.

So let's call it a cool £2100!!!!

Paul
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying Bike Brazil - Traveling South America davers4548 SOUTH AMERICA 12 28 Jul 2024 00:04
My Chinese bike to cross South America..too late now! russellbowden Which Bike? 16 7 Oct 2012 13:02
Transfering Title In Buenos Aires kwelfl SOUTH AMERICA 7 28 Dec 2008 15:06

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025:

  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • France: September 19-21 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:30.