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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 21 Dec 2017
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We all love to document the impossible mud pits, landslides and washed-out bridges, because that's what makes us feel like wild adventurers. What use are photos of smooth asphalt highways, which could just as well be experienced back home?

In fact, the PanAm is basically simple and smooth, just like I-5 or US 97. Every so often a bridge goes down or a stream bed flash-floods, but for the most part you just cruise along wondering what all the fuss is about. You do want to be prepared for those occasional rough patches, and your FJR is going to feel somewhat squirrelly when the time comes, but seldom will conditions be even as bad as rainy-season in C.R. If you're sticking to the main route (as you certainly will, given your mileage goals), you'll be fine.

I'll offer that if you do in fact turn left in Santiago, you'll miss some of the premier sights further south. On the other hand, if you have any intention of taking in the sights, you'll want longer than 75 days in which to do it. That's worth thinking about.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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  #2  
Old 21 Dec 2017
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thanks mark. that is what i thought. i have the pan american running north south about 40 miles from here and it is not the best road all the time, but i have seen much worse.

thanks for the advise on the southern part of the road below santiago as well. i will weight out options, and 75 days was my first thought time line. got a kid in high school and do not want to leave her for too long. i could always ship my wife home and continue solo for a while!!!

come to think of it........that just might work out great!!
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  #3  
Old 20 Jan 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
We all love to document the impossible mud pits, landslides and washed-out bridges, because that's what makes us feel like wild adventurers. What use are photos of smooth asphalt highways, which could just as well be experienced back home?

In fact, the PanAm is basically simple and smooth, just like I-5 or US 97. Every so often a bridge goes down or a stream bed flash-floods, but for the most part you just cruise along wondering what all the fuss is about. You do want to be prepared for those occasional rough patches, and your FJR is going to feel somewhat squirrelly when the time comes, but seldom will conditions be even as bad as rainy-season in C.R. If you're sticking to the main route (as you certainly will, given your mileage goals), you'll be fine.

I'll offer that if you do in fact turn left in Santiago, you'll miss some of the premier sights further south. On the other hand, if you have any intention of taking in the sights, you'll want longer than 75 days in which to do it. That's worth thinking about.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
Without repeating what Mark has said I agree with all of it !

I am currently on the Ushuaia to Dead Horse general direction and doing it over 3 years in 15 day stints every 6 months ( job wife and kids to return to) now in Quito - all of the region is passable with a pillion up behind I am riding solo but met others who are 2 up and the whole experience is just awesome !
I crossed over the Andes 7 times Chile / Argentina just because i could and what an experience, especially the people you will meet all along the way - as we say in Ireland "a stranger is a friend who you haven't met yet"
the only delay I had along the way was when I was badly detained- delayed by two police men in a southern Argentina remote checkpoint - they made me show them in detail the entire route, drink tea, take selfies have a laugh and then they called ahead to a to a forward town to secure a room for me for the night !! just brilliant !
one advice is to stay in Hostels you will get recommendations here on HU and along the route - they are mostly clean and much more friendly than hotels .....
safe riding and enjoy
Jonno
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Old 21 Jan 2018
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I dunno - 20,000 KM in just 10 weeks. That's a lot of riding and not a lot of sight seeing. Lots of folks will take months to do that same trip.
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Old 21 Jan 2018
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You can take your FJR and you don't need to stay on the Pan Am. I took a Victory Cruiser on that trip and only took the Pan Am when I had no choice or it was the more interesting ride. The trickiest part was the crossing from Ecuador to Peru at La Balsa, but if an old guy on a big fat bike can do it, so can you. A slightly aggressive front tire is a good idea, but I just rode with what was on the bike and bought whatever was available on my route. I was actually hoping to create a presentation on street bike overland travel at an HU meeting because I think some would be interested in that.
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Old 28 Jan 2018
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It's not the Panamericana that generates all of those dramatic images; it's the intentional detours some folks make. I don't recall any place that would have been much of a challenge on a street bike. You might, on some occasion, find a muddy detour around a construction but for the most part, you'll find typical two-lane conditions with potholes. The Tico/ Panamanian portion is pretty typical of the rest. When you get to the desert in Peru and Chile you'll have just the right bike. Have fun!
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