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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 16 Oct 2021
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Originally Posted by gatogato View Post
Crossing the Latin American borders is something you will have no desire to do again in your life. Definitely don't take your own bike and then have to cross all those same borders again. You will want to shoot yourself on the way back if you do.
Funny. I took my own bike, then brought it back 8 months later. I did not shoot myself, or even indulge in orgies of self-blame or pity. Latin American borders are annoying, plus annoyingly frequent, but it’s not the end of the world. Basically, we have it remarkably easy, and usually only need wait around for an hour or two. Is that really so hard to take?

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Originally Posted by gatogato View Post
You are going to hit a bunch of "topes" speed bumps at 50-60 mph when you are in Latin America. They are unmarked in many places and it is unavoidable not to hit them at high speeds sometimes. Better to have an inexpensive bike that you hit with them with than your garage queen.
Even funnier. I never hit any topes at 50-60 mph. This is not unavoidable at all; it’s an optional activity in which you may choose to engage…or not.

I found them least annoying at around 30mph; at this speed, with most of my weight on the pegs, my (stock KLR) suspension would soak up the hit and stay firmly attached to the ground. This would allow me to shoot past all sorts of slow-moving traffic, consisting of almost everyone else on the road. That being the case, I found myself looking forward to the topes, not dreading them.

There were exceptions, of course. I learned to slow way down for the topes with steep approach and departure slopes combined with a long, flat top.

Mileage varies.

Mark
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Old 16 Oct 2021
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I think I read that land borders between the US are currently open for US and non US citizens.

What about land borders between Mexico and Panama? Anyone actually been that way in the past few weeks?
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Old 16 Oct 2021
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Originally Posted by markharf View Post
Funny. I took my own bike, then brought it back 8 months later. I did not shoot myself, or even indulge in orgies of self-blame or pity. Latin American borders are annoying, plus annoyingly frequent, but it’s not the end of the world. Basically, we have it remarkably easy, and usually only need wait around for an hour or two. Is that really so hard to take?



Even funnier. I never hit any topes at 50-60 mph. This is not unavoidable at all; it’s an optional activity in which you may choose to engage…or not.

I found them least annoying at around 30mph; at this speed, with most of my weight on the pegs, my (stock KLR) suspension would soak up the hit and stay firmly attached to the ground. This would allow me to shoot past all sorts of slow-moving traffic, consisting of almost everyone else on the road. That being the case, I found myself looking forward to the topes, not dreading them.

There were exceptions, of course. I learned to slow way down for the topes with steep approach and departure slopes combined with a long, flat top.

Mileage varies.

Mark
I agree with all of Mark's sentiments. Successfully dealing with border bureaucracy in Central America and elsewhere, as well as humans generally is often down to your own attitude. As is getting banned off internet forums or "robbed" in South America by the persons you choose to spend time with.

PS. A repeat of my question above: Are during these current C19 times land borders open in Central America?
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