Guess i need to get my arse in gear then! On account of me having done bugger all prep thus far. Nick, can i ask why asre you p/exing the bike so soon? I was thinking of waiting till march time.

Steve

i would have thought because march is cutting it quite fine. If you need it to get a new bike then that has to be done, any prepping of the bike and a few miles to see how you get on with it and expose any problems. Plus if shipping/flying then that has to be booked quite in advance including the reg no.

Plus its one less thing to worry about maybe what with the market problems and getting other things ready.

Gents

I agree. Am part exing as to just get one job out of the way! Plus I've had my R6 for a few yrs now and fancy a change anyway so was gonna change it regardless. I'm not really a speed freak and have never really felt suited to this bike

I'd love an Aprilia Pegasso! Have always adored these bikes but am thinking a Honda or Suzuki may be a wiser choice as these spares will be easier to get hold off in the remote parts of the Americas I've got in my mind!

Just been chatting to a mate who has done all of the americas! She recommends to follow the rockies to Arizona and then head west to pick up the Panam highway south towards Argentina! Idaho, Montana etc all seem perfect biker, traveller country!

chat soon! Will post a date for possible meet on here tomorrow

Nick

Right thank you Graham, i'll get on the case then.

Steve

Nick,
What are you thinking of taking? Have you any ideas regarding modifications to the bike?

Steve

Hey Steve

No idea mate lol This is the biggest part of my research! I've not done anything abroad except Europe and that was france and the nurburg ring.

Was planning on looking at this site and checking out some of the guys that do the custom prep for u. Just taking their advice! Was planning on sticking to mainly roads so really can't see how much there is to do except making sure it's had a good service and taking the essential spares

Nick

Afternoon All!

Thinking of arranging a meet on the 7th Feb in the Leicester area.

I've got a spare room and floor space for anyone who wants to kip over

Please let me know your thoughts! Or another location if you prefer!

This is obviously for everyone who has (or may) expressed an interest in the Canada to Argentina trip

Hope to see and hear from you all

Nick

I'll be there, I have an old flame who lives down that way so kill tow birds with one stone.
Nick have you considered buying a bike when over there? I've been looking in the for sale section and there seem to be alot of bikes for sale in either S.America or Canada.
As for the bike im looking for a lightish 650 type thing, like a BMW 650 Dakar or similar, light enough to be fun on the rough bits but still good for long days in comfort.

Steve

Cool! Like ya style mate! lol

Yeah I've given a lot of thought to buying once i get over there and am thinking along similar lines to you in terms of bike choice!

I guess just a case of doing the maths and see what makes sense. Main advantage with buying and shipping I guess is that i'd know for sure about the amount of luggage that I can get on the bike and chance to give it a test run over here

Is defo a thought though

Nick

I've been looking at it and i could save at least £400 by buying in country, however it seems all the bikes are at the wrong end of my trip, so that idea will only work by going south to north which im not especially keen on but i'm speaking to my sister who lives in Chile to try and work out the feasability of this with regard to weather. On the subject of her if anyone is passing through Santiago i shall pass on her details incase of any problems.

Steve

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the message, not quite trusted enough yet to send a reply! Need some more posts under my belt.

7th Feb sounds good, although there is an overland bike meet at the Ace Cafe down here in the smoke on the 8th. Guess I/We could blast down in the morning.

Thanks for the kind offer of all of us meeting at yours. No old flames for me in Leicester, but have some family in Nottingham, not quite as exciting but hey.

You missed a nice looking Pegaso on ebay over the weekend. Seemed a steal. But even with a Rotax engine, the rest might not be as 'Heath Robinson' friendly as a Jap or German version.

I have just sold a 1200GS as it was to heavy for off road antics. Stuck between a rock and a hard place now... Light nimble single that buzzes slowly-ish down the motorway, or a slightly heftier and more comfortable twin, that takes more effort on the dirt.

Anything is going to feel different to the BM, that was an awesome bit of kit!! Very sad to see it go.

I need to get my guide books and red marker pen out... and a big map. Your preliminary route sounds good. I wonder if we could find a Dakar road book after the rally is finished down there!!

Lets speak more for sure. mail@rosssharp.com is better for me though as I dont get much chance to log on here on a day to day basis.

Thanks again

Ross

as said in my email to you nick i'm travelling up from london for this on the 7th so thats fine, i'll bring my dr650 to show you all what i've done if anybody fancies a go. Quite rare in this country but i ound one and done a full stripdown and rebuild to check it all over and know every nut and bolt and mod i've done to it.

Rough outline of my route across the states would be,

toronto (canada)
new york
tennesse
transa am trail across to utah for a weeks serious trail riding in the desert.
up to colorado
san francisco
pacific coast higfhway to l.a

Baja then mainland mexico and down trying to stay off the pan am to go on the lesser travelled routes, better culture

I've just been looking at an Aprillia Pegaso on ebay, dirt cheap needing a new shock. Any body got any experience or opinions on these bikes?

Steve

Hey Steve

Sorry mate no thoughts other than that I love em! :-)

Was thinking the same myself...the only thing that puts me off is the ease of sourcing spares in the more remote parts of the Americas! So will probable go Honda, Yamaha etc

May be it's not such an issue? May be we could get Aprilia parts?

if its one of the older pegaso's i.e not a 2005 onward model then spares will be fine. The rotax engine is pretty reliable and parts can be sourced and replacement bearings will be hardware shop sizes available.

If you buy one before your trips just check the basic wiring loom and suspension parts that once sorted should prove no further hassle