First Time Adventurer - The Americas 2016
 

Hi There!

I'm really new to all this so please bare with me!

I'm planning my first bike adventure for next year, having been inspired to actually get out there by reading 'Lois on the Loose.' I've been riding just over a year (currently Yamaha XJ6N) and have got the two wheeled bug big time!

I don't have a solid plan yet but the basic (but flexible) idea at the moment is this -
Depart mid/june 2016, currently thinking Calgary as it's not too far to the US but also get to ride the Rocky Mountains towards Vancouver. Cross the border to Seattle and meander south towards San Diego (LA/San Fran etc. on route). I want to then follow the Pan Am highway all the way down to Panama, through Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile as far as about Santiago, then heading east across Argentina towards Buenos Aires.

My choice of bike is a 1996 Suzuki DR650 SE, which has arrived this week from Germany. Once I have it registered I'll start thinking about modifying it for the trip. I'm currently looking at a Dirtracks rear pannier rack set, Wolfman Expedition soft panniers and Acerbis long range tank as the major purchases, along with heavy duty tubes and new service parts prior to setting off.

My budget for everything, apart from buying the DR650, is somewhere around the £10k mark (with strict saving!) I have a tent to save on sleeping costs and hope to vastly increase my mechanics knowledge to hopefully maintain the bike as much as I can myself.

Apologies if I've rambled on a bit,I've never posted on a forum before! I would really appreciate any advice/tips/recommendations/thoughts on my rough plan. i.e. does this all sound feasible?

If you've read all this, thank you ! I look forward to hearing what you think!

All the best,
Sam

Bath UK

Goodluck...Bath is a lovely place..

aditya

What does your budget really include? Upgrades to the bike, including luggage? Shipping plus your own airfare to North America? Shipping across the Darien? Food, lodging, gas, tires, parts.....? Protective gear? Airfare home? If it includes all of the above on an 8 month trip, I'd double my budget for starters, then scrimp and save in hopes of making it work.

You don't say how long a trip you're planning, but that'll help determine how much money you spend. In any case, I'd sure continue south of Santiago along some combination of the Caraterra Austral and Ruta 40. You'll see.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Hi Mark

Thanks for reading my post. So yeah the £10k (so roughly $15k USD) would be for upgrades, flights/shipping and all the other costs along the route. As I said, I intend to camp as much as possible so save money on route. I'd like to go for as long as my money can take me, 8-10 months would be ideal. I could maybe try and increase my budget slightly, but won't be able to double it!

Have you ridden down that way before?

Cheers
Sam

Down and back about 5 years ago. I'm not nearly as budget-oriented as I used to be, so take with a grain of salt: US$2000 for upgrades, luggage and riding/protective gear. $2000 shipping n/i shipping the bike home afterward. $1500 for flights and/or boats for yourself, including homeward journey. $1000 for consumable parts like tires, cables, brake pads, seals, oil and filters. That's almost half your budget.

Camping isn't practical along much of your route, although it's certainly possible for the truly dedicated. And some costs depend on the specific route you choose--Brazil, the Guyanas, and Chile are expensive in general, but Chile's got an established camping culture while the others don't.

Another approach: 8 months is about 240 days. Leave home with US$10,000 and you've got $40 per day to play with. In some countries that won't pay for your fuel if you're moving along. Maybe you'll try to avoid those countries, or maybe you'll be staying in place more than I. But staying put tends to cost money in its own ways.

On a positive note, glad you're allowing enough time for the trip. Many don't.

All of this has been discussed a lot on this site. Do a search and settle in for some entertaining reading...but remember that grain of salt.

Mark

Just stumbled across this outstanding analysis of actual expenses for a yearlong trip through the Americas. These are two people traveling together on separate bikes, therefore some expenses are doubled but others are not--e.g., shipping is twice as much as for a single traveler, but hotel rooms would generally be the same price.

They spent roughly US$40k. The analysis is very good, and the presentation very clear. For example, they note costs which wouldn't apply to you (US resident border fees are high in some SA countries), correctly identify themselves as middle-range travelers, describe ways they could have saved money and reasons they plan to in the future but did not during the past year.

See: Annual Expense Report: Year 1 | S&M Boiler Works

Brazil's devaluations have made the country roughly 30% cheaper than 18 months ago...that may positively alter your plans.

Don't spend (much) money on bike upgrades....you don't need a bigger tank..they are expensive! unless you find one cheaply don't bother.

I would suggest "slime", in your tires before a puncture...there is a Brit. equivalent but I can't remember the name.

Sheepskin on seat ..stole the wifes bedside carpet!

Thanks guys, really appreciate your input, I'm finding it quite overwhelming at times trying to get my head around everything so I appreciate the pointers!

Thats a really fantastic budget breakdown, very helpful!

Why would you not bother with much bike prep? I've read most people saying it's an area definitely not to cut corners in (within reason).

Thanks again.

Some prep is good but don't go crazy. Basic mechanical checks are good. Hang on DR forums to learn ALL DR relevant stuff.
DR650 needs a few things done correctly before departure.
Don't perseverate on it, the thing is ... is TO GO! :D

Budget wise you're eating a big $$chunk$$ shipping your bike to USA. A 20 year old machine? :innocent: DR's are good, tough bikes but make sure engine is good, carb not worn out, NSU bolts Loc tit'd, new chain/sprockets, new cush rubbers, spare Pick-up coil, Spare front sprockets (2), check wheel and hubb bearings, new battery, HID headlight.

You could buy a DR650 is USA cheaper, newer and possibly more extras already installed. Up to you. Shipping is money wasted, IMHO.

Go light if you can. If you have extra money, upgrade suspension ... stock is not horrible but light duty, so pack light.
SEAT! A must do item! (not just my opinion :rolleyes2:)

Don't make the mistake your inspiration Lois made: traveling on a worn out bike. She spent more time in workshops than on the road! doh Her Yamaha 225 Serow was a nightmare! (I saw it in person in San Fran when she was there) Enjoy the planning ... and prep. :thumbup1:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7..._sBjx9-L-1.jpg
Lois in San Francisco, 2003.

hi Sharpesworth: "over prepping" is what a german bike outside the pub in chelsea would look like:innocent: extra spotlights , super duper petrol containers, aluminium saddlebags big enough to carry a flatscreen tv in, all covered in stickers of brands they hope will impress the punters; protectors for everything , large area supplements for the side stand!! (a bashed beer can is good enough) all overpriced stuff also made by a german company called..


the end result is a major investment that makes you poorer, forces your trip to be shorter and most importantly makes you panic every time you have to leave it alone for a couple of minutes, as MD mentions spend the money on preventive maintenance and beer, fuel and women (oops not politically correct)
And as MD mentions you can get all this stuff in the USA at about 2/3 of the UK prices.

PS there is a boat to Montevideo which will carry you and the bike, you could then travel from south to north...

Hi Sam, welcome from another newbie :thumbup1:

Any details on that boat please Mr. Churchill ?

Cheers, Ard

Hi Ard:


http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ntevideo-80469

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-instead-65064

GRIMALDI lines

pls note that I have NEVER used it, so do search the site for info from people who have, seem to recall that there is a poster that has used it repeatedly

Best

Cheers for that ! :thumbup1:

Use the HU Communities and Advrider Tent Space to find places to stay. This will work well in the USA and Canada.
If we are in Mexico City you can stay with us but we will be riding from April to around October.
Buying a Bike in the States will be a lot cheaper.
I have several contacts in South America.
Learning as much Spanish as possible will save you a lot of money and will allow you to communicate in all of Latin America except Brazil.
Good luck.