Us to South America anytime soon?
 

hi I was wondering if any of you were planning on going from United States to South America anytime soon by motorcycle. I would like to do this journey but wouldn't mind riding with some other people.

Hey mate,
I'm heading back to San Diego in late October and then I'll be flying me and the bike to Chile. From there the rough plan is to head down the west coast and then to Ushuaia and up to BA and then Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru......however far I get in three months.

What's your time frame for your trip?

Matt

Flying to Chile
 

Matt,
Where are you flying your bike from? I and some others are also considering shipping bikes by air about the same time on Air Canada out of Vancouver.
Kelly

I am here in the mid west. Looking to sell some stuff of mine and then going on the trip down south. I would like to go through western part of SA but then go into Brazil. My family is from there. No real time frame for when I'd have to be back.

I'll be heading out of Brooklyn, NY in October, planning on going to the HU meet in NC and then heading south.

Mitch

I would like to go to that meeting as well. I live in Grand Rapids, MI. October is a good time to leave because it is just before it gets really cold out. Trade the cold for the warm weather is always best.

travelers seeking travelers
 

If you haven't already, double down and post a note on this forum to connect with riders seeking riders:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ng-travellers/

Mid-October is a brilliant time of year to head through Central America. The fall rainy season is just about finished when you get there.

Mitch, if I am free I'lll ride down to the meeting with you. Stay in touch.

Peter, so you have already have ridden down to TDF?

I don't know how to put the travelers seeking travelers in the note.

Chris

new thread
 

Chris,

Click on the link provided to get to the travelers seeking travelers forum, search around a bit to see if there is any current posts that fit your plans, then click on the New Thread button to start a new post.

Truth be told I rode to northern Argentina where I was met by my wife. Her schedule was fixed in stone and I was running late having spent more time in Brazil than expected (imagine that.) So, we connected in B.A., I stored my bike and we flew to Patagonia for three weeks, including visiting TdF. Our tour was focused on hiking around Monte Fitz Roy and del Paine, a visit to Perito Moreno Glacier and a 4 night cruse around TdF, to Cape Horn and disembarking in Ushuaia. We took a jeep tour around a park... I didn't ride 1500 miles from BA to TdF and 1500 miles back. In some ways I feel like a poser for not going the distance, and again, most riders report that trip is fairly dull. I am currently planning to 10,000 mile trip thru central South America, slated roughly May August 2016 (somewhat flexible start end, but riding the Amazon grasslands in June-July, the dry season.) The trip AFTER that one will explore southern South America, when I WILL ride all the way to TdF and not just visit it by plane as part of a bigger motorcycle adventure.

Yeah, I still feel like a poser, no matter what my friends say about the rest of the trip...

Yeah TDF seems alright but if I didn't go there its not a big deal. I want to go to South America to get away for the cold weather not try to look for it there.
I just bought an 08 Vstrom yesterday. Came with some nice extras, miles was low and good price.

Chris,
There is a small group of us (4) heading south in October if you want to join us. Right now we are trying to decide on what to do about the Darien Gap issue. Looking into shipping options since the Darien Gap obstacle is dicey. IM me if you want to chat more and I can give you my phone # and email.

Kelly

I would like to do that trip.
I heard darrien gap issue you either put the bike on a plane and fly them to Ecuador or Colombia. I think it's at least $500.
I talked to someone that has done the journey and they said they hired a boat in panama to bring them to cartagena. I think it does take a few days by boat but I heard you have fun.

Contact me if any of you come through Mexico City. We can put you up and show you around.
We just got back fron an 18 month trip to Argentina so may be able to help with any questions.

Kelly where are you starting your ride? I'm here in Michigan.

Subscribing here. Been busy bike prepping and scheming a couple plans for a mid summer start 'somewhere'. One of those plans has me traveling north to CA, then following the sun south to SA in the fall.

Ex Michigander transplanted to CO. I've been to Mex on a bike before and SA on non moto trips (Ecuador, Patagonia ) and this journey is on my short list.:thumbup1:

darrien gap solutions
 

Options for crossing the Darrien:

Air lift
Fast, but not cheap. I have read many posts of people using Girag Air Cargo. Prices fluctuate, but expect to part with between $1200 and $1300 for you and your bike. Don't quote me, contact Girag for exact prices. Add cost of taxis to and from the airports and customs offices...

Sea container
Cheaper, not as fast. If you are riding with a group it could be your best option. Talk to a shipping agent prices for a 20 foot dry container. Alternately taking to a freight forwarder about loose cargo.

Open cargo boat
A French guy who rides with a side car got his rig on a (tug?) boat... I can't find the post, but its here somewhere on the HUBB. It is possible. Talk to harbor masters about boats going to Turbo or Cartagena.
Another guy spent many days and several hand offs working his way up the coast from Colombia to Panama on local cargo boats (not recommended unless you are up for an extended low budget adventure.) I recall it took him 13 days.
Another guy took multiple local boats down the Pacific Ocean side. The reports were not pretty. Multiple captains, multiple negotiations, gun to the head prices were encountered.

The "new ferry"
Ferry Express stopped service and a new one started recently, but its not cheap. Search around, you'll find it.

RORO (roll on-roll off)
I am not aware of this service between Panama and Colombia.

Sailboat
I took the Stalhratte and loved it. The price was ~$950 in 2012 for me and bike. Had a blast and consider it one of the highlights of the trip. Captain Ludwig runs a safe and well oiled service. Recent post claim that all of the other sail boats that service backpackers are currently barred from transporting motorcycles. The Stalhratte is much larger and sails without these restrictions. Check their schedule and make a reservation. Leave enough time to get to Panama comfortably.

Planning to do the trip.. still undecided about if will go to Alaska but if I can get my bike ready sometime this week or early next week then I'll probably ride up to Alaska first week of August.. if I can't get my bike ready by end of next week then I'll leave south from NC toward Central/South America with Ushuaia as final destination before heading north through Brazil crossing into Peru or Ecuador to Colombia and most likely living in Medellin after the trip with my bike with me there. Would really like to do Alaska, though!

Wouldn't mind riding partner in Central America to help with safety and split some costs (hotel). Planning on crossing the gap on Stahlratte. Once in Cartagena, I plan on riding solo because I have few friends in Cartagena and Barranquilla I'd like to visit before heading south to Medellin and see other friends then head south to Ushuaia.

I currently have one riding partner from FL who would like to ride with me in Central America and think he has few friends that can host during the trip. I'm sure he won't mind extra one riding partner. 2 beside myself would be enough for me. I don't like to ride with more than 2 riders.. unless it is for few hours then I will be ok with that.. not all day or few days.

I'm in Taos, New Mexico. My riding partners, who I met in the Hubb are in BC and Alberta, Canada and El Paso, TX.

Mtncrawler, my brother-in-law and I are doing a trip from C. Springs to Telluride on all dirt roads except about 50 miles of pavement starting July 26th to about the 30th camping along the way if you are interested. Perhaps you are interested in going to S. America this fall too?

Kelly