I haven't read through all this thread, but why not a small cc moto? I have a 250cc Honda Tornado in SA, and it's absolutely perfect for there. So many good adventures would not have happened if I had a 650cc moto, because I would not have gone there. Most of SA, you don't need a big moto, unless you're only riding the PanAm highway and maybe a couple solid surface dirt roads. With that, you miss the best scenery and the best experiences.
Most riders, me included, are not hard ass riders on big motos, and they are too big for the really rough stuff; cross a stream with a muddy entry/exit for example. Very doable on a small moto.
In the States, with fast roads, the bigger moto becomes a good choice, but then that eliminates the slimy road surfaces. Choices then are: where are you going to ride? I have big moto for the blacktop type riding, and smaller for more gnarly.
When the road was all dirt, I've watched liter sized GS riders going down the switchbacks to Batopilis in Mexico, really slow and apprehensive. Small moto, you get to rip and have fun.
Last edited by LD Hack; 27 Aug 2016 at 22:17.
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