Riding the Americas starting this winter?
 

I am just starting the search for a riding partner that would like to initially like to ride south of the US border. I only speak a little bit of Spanish but could get by...it would be great if someone knew more than me. I think riding with someone gives another dimension to the adventure and I would like to be able to share that.

Regardless I am thinking that when it starts to get cold here we should head south, maybe through Baja as I have always wanted to ride there. From there who knows...I have no reason to be in the USA and would love to ride all the way to Tierra del Fuego. Heck after that, who knows?

I would like to find a new life on the road and travel slowly while soaking up as much culture as possible. Trying new things, meeting new people and enjoying life aboard my bike. I am a pretty good wrench but shouldn't need to be because I am riding my trusty 40 year old airhead on this ride. Anyway, thanks for reading and if this sounds like a good or bad idea please let me know, I am open to any and all suggestions!
Thanks
Tim (woodly)
:scooter:

Good plan Tim,
Getting on the road late October is a good plan, Baja will still be a bit warm but by November things cool and your ride through the rest of Mexico and through Cent. America should have best weather of the year. Rainy season over, cooler temps. Once onto Colombia seasons sort of reverse, harder to predict weather.

If you don't hook up with any co-riders before departure I would go anyway. You'll run into lots of riders along the road. All through Baja, parts of Mexico and Cent. America. Oct. to March is popular time to ride so quite a few riders will be on the roads during those months. Research Research Research! :thumbup1:

There is some support and knowledge down South for old Air Heads, especially in Guatemala in the XPat community there. Seems like the elec. and charging systems on those old bikes are suspect, so pack spares as needed and start with a NEW battery and ALL GOOD components.

Same with final drive. Perhaps do a total rebuild of driveline before departure? or pack a few key bearings and such. Take care the fuel system too, fuel filters good, keep carbs clean! Many BMW riders break luggage racks if going off road. But good welders abound ... so no real worries there.

Make certain you shock is fresh, hard to find suspension guys ... but there ARE some around. Best refresh shock, fork seals.

All the best with the planning!
bier

Thanks for the vote of encouragement Mollydog! I am in the process of trying to finalize the bike prep so I will be confident in the machine for lots and lots of miles. I may head that way solo but would definitely feel better about southern travel with a friend...

Time frame?
 

Hello,
Do you have a closer time frame as to when you will start this trip?
Do you have any idea how long you would take to get to Tierra del Fuego?
Would you ride back or ship the bike?
Believe it or not I have been looking for an older air head to ride. Five years ago I rode across Russia and Europe (Vladivostok to Amsterdam 10,000miles) on a KLR650. It was too small. It was great for the really rough roads in Siberia but overall I think I would have been better off on a bigger bike. I met a guy in Russia from Slovenia on a 20year old air head. I was surprised someone would ride an old bike in the middle of nowhere but he said it was fine. My KLR was new and it lost a suspension bolt in Siberia but luckily my riding buddy(also on a KLR) had a few spares. Otherwise the KLR was flawless.
Lance

Hey Lance, nice to hear from you! Quick answer is no, I am just now beginning the process of trying to figure out what I am going to do. If you would like to PM me I would be happy to share what little I do know at this point. I would really like to make a full round trip but I am not sure it is economically possible. The airhead is definitely the bike I am going with so if you are on the same page let me know!
Tim (woodly)

Hi Tim,
I'm heading to South America probably in November on my G/S.
I'd be keen to exchange PM's and find out a bit more about your "schedule".

Matt

Hello Matt, I will PM you

Tim, Lance & Matt,

I am headed to South America sometime around October with 3-4 other riders I have hooked up with so far. Some of us are retired and plan to be on the road for 6 months. TDF is in the plans.

Kelly

Very interesting Kelly, I will have to keep that in mind. Although in my opinion travel can tend to get troublesome with too many participants in a group...
Thanks for the heads up!

South America
 

Tim - I don't have enough posts to qualify for PM.. I would be interested in your plans for South America winter of 2016.

John

Hey John nice to hear from you man. Honestly I was posting up because I don't have plans and was hoping some ma be firmed up by posting. Maybe that sounds stupid but I suppose I need some motivation. I want to ride and I do not care where or how far. Mexico would be great...all the way to Argentina would be as well. What about you? I didn't know PMs were linked to the amount of posts but hey its all good. If you would like to talk about it directly off line here email me at woodly1069@gmail.com
thanks
Tim

Tim i'm still heading up the East Coast of the US, keep me in mind for early 2016 to head South
Glen

I sure will buddy. I am working on my bike right now

Hey Tim, looks like I'll be heading down the Blue Ridge Parkway sometime late Sept or early October, fancy riding out and meeting me, ride along for a few days if you like??
Distance from your place looks to be about 450 miles one way


Just a thought


Glen

Yeah Glen, I am not sure what my time tables are but that may work out fine. Give me a shout closer to time to firm up some plans. You will love that ride my friend!!!

Will do .... really looking forward to the Parkway, have you got any tips of special places to see?

There is not much out that way Glen, the parkway is isolated from the surrounding towns so it's just tress and mountains. Don't get me wrong, if you are travelling and need to stop for fuel or food it is never too far away. I just did it south to north a few years back by myself so it was just about the ride for me. I didn't stop for a hike or anything but I am sure there are all kinds of things to do off the bike as well if you enjoy nature bier

Mexico in Nov
 

I live in San Francisco area and am planning on heading to Mexico towards Guadalajara on Nov thanksgiving week. I have around 8-9 days vacation. I will be riding to Guadalajara and store my bike there, fly back to California and rejoin my office work.

I will resume my trip to South America over the next few years. Due to my brief window I am not sure if we will be able to co-ordinate.

Open question to all - is violence in Mexico an issue as I drive down from the north border towards Guadalajara and Mexico City?

Woodly1069,
I am planning a trip from Montana to Colombia this fall. I have no date set yet, so maybe we can connect somewhere and ride together. Do you have a plan yet for getting from Panama to Colombia? It appears the ferry may ?? be running.

might be a little late for you but i am riding southbound 2 up in Jan it'll be my third time in 4 years, going to Cuba in March with the bike and then very slowly south from there...may see you on the road, any questions fire away

suggestion for your spanish skills stop in Guatemala for a few weeks and go to school, they are very good and the price is right, it will benefit you for the rest of your travels in SA...language will be you most valuable tool you carry to help you enjoy the trip

Hey Ron I keep looking for a way to get the bike south and keep coming up with the same old answers. I am more worried about trying to get the bike out of Colombia headed north. That seems to be the current issue I see. I have made no solid plans as of now but would like to see some progess in this department before departure some time this winter. For me it's really still up in the air at this point.

Maybe people can simply swap motorcycles: people traveling south of Darien Gap can simply swap their motorcycles with people traveling north of the Darien Gap? Instead of hauling two bikes you then have to haul none :)bier

Hey guys! Hope your ride is going well!!! I left Oklahoma City 2 months ago and made it to the middle of Mexico before some family business took me away from my ride. Im flying back to Chihuahua City later this week to pick up my Vstrom 650 I left with some friends down there. I'm super flexible with my schedule and I'm looking to hit some beaches as well as doing some scuba.

My name is Nate and you can email me at gnarlynathan@hotmail.com or text/call me @ 405-410-2359. Let me know whats going on your way and lets ride