Motorcycle journey from Chile to Alaska - got some questions

[drewhuntersullivan]

QUE PASA AMIGOS!

So I'm Drew, and I'm a 19 year old journalism student from Sydney, Australia. Next year, with a photographer friend from uni by my side, I’ll be riding a motorcycle from the Southern tip of Chile (Punta Arenas), to the northern tip of Alaska (Deadhorse), documenting the whole journey on our website.

From what I can gather, most motorbike adventurers ride big, expensive, western bikes (e.g. Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on their fully kitted out BMW’s). Though again from what I can gather, there seems to be a re-occurring problem caused by such bikes - that when they brake down no one in the non-western-world has any clue how to fix them let alone where to find spare parts. It seems far more logical to ride a common, local motorcycle (though obviously a good one), where spare parts are easy to find and every kid on the side of the street knows hows to fix them. So my first question is:


1) Is there a particular motorcycle that is commonly found throughout most of South America, and if so what is it?


My next few questions are more straight forward and specific:


2) Is the price of fuel more or less consistent throughout South America? And if so, what roughly is it?


3) What is the situation with camping in a tent throughout South America? Is it common, dangerous, etc?


4) Obviously Spanish is the most common language throughout South America, but is that the case throughout the more rural areas? Do villagers still speak their native tongue or will we be ok just with Spanish?


Anyway, I have a lot more questions but I won’t bombard you with them all at once.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and get us a step closer to the ride of our lives!

Nos vemos,

Drew

[mtbrkiwi]

Hi Drew,

That sounds like an awesome trip. I'm in Bolivia so can only provide limited info but here goes:

1. There are lots of Chinese knock off brands here which are crap quality, as well as some genuine Honda and Suzuki trail bikes. I believe most of the Chinese bikes are based on old Honda engines so you should be able to get spares that will work in a Hona. Maybe an older Transalp or similar would be a good option? Something with-out ABS, linked brakes and preferably not fuel injected, that makes a nice simple bike that most people can work on.

2. No, the price varies from country to country but I believe is genreally cheaper than in the west. It's around 4Bs per Litre here at the moment.

3. Camping with a tent in remote areas is much the same as anywhere else in the world. You need to be careful, and keep an eye on the news where you are going to see if there are any protests / road blocks / other problems. It will also be VERY cold in a tent on the Altiplano, I would recommend staying in hostels whilst at higher altitude.

4. To the best of my knowledge yes, Spanish is fine in rural areas. Sincs Bolivia is the least developed of the countries in South America I'm sure this stands true in the other countries too. Most remore areas will speak Spanish AND their native tongue.

Hope that helps a little. Have fun, the scenery is just stunning over here. If you come through La Paz I highly recommend taking a day off to mountain bike the Worlds Most Dangerous Road with Gravity Assisted Mountain Biking (who I work for), it's a awicked day out. I'll be back in NZ in a couple of months but a couple of our local guides have trail bikes (both Hondas) so may be able to help if you have problems or need parts.

[Paul79UF]

That's an amazing trip you're planning.

Did you buy your domain name yet?

I'm jealous. I'd love to go on a extended motorcycle trip like that.

What was your inspiration? Did you see "The Motorcycle Diaries".

Good luck with the trip and please keep us updated.
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[Sendas Travel]

Hi

I am in Argentina, but would agree with most of what mtbrkiwi has said above.

In Argentina, BMWs are not uncommon so I doubt that you'd have trouble finding places to get repairs done. However, I agree that something like a Transalp/Africa Twin might be better. It's perhaps not great for long distances, but with an XR600 you'd find familiar mechanics everywhere and a tough, reliable bike.

Fuel is cheap here in S.America, but varies between countries. Here in Argentina, petrol is currently about $3 pesos (a bit under 1USD) per litre, although this has been rising over the last couple of years.

We have a group of 3 bikers passing through in January, doing the same route you describe. The Sierras de Cordoba area where I am based (central Argentina) offers some great varied riding. I don't want to sound like an advert here, so please look at my link and email/post back if you have any questions specific to my our business.

You'd be fine with Spanish in most countries, but remember that certain countries in S.America, such as Brazil, speak Portuguese.

If you have any further questions, please ask!

Cheers,
Tristan
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Outdoor Experiences in Argentina
www.sendastravel.com

[Paul Gardner]

I agree with the simple bike ideas and would advise against the knock-off copies from China.

Are you going to be on two bikes or 1?

I have done about 10K miles in Chile and Argentina over the last 3 years and have had great success with KTM 640 or 625cc machines.

There is an excellent dealer in Chile( 2 or 3 locations, Rolland spearwater KTM chile) that has shipped bikes down to Punta Arenas for us to ride up to Santiago B4.

There are KTM dealers in Argentina also.

Once you are into Mexico and USA, Canada no problems with dealer support should you need it.

No I'm not invested in KTM sotck.

Only reason I prefer the KTM's are there suspension is top notch and the reliability. We ride very hard and have had any major mechanical failures in the 10000 miles except for clutch cable (easy fix) and flats. But look forward to the mishaps as they are the spice on the adventure.

The 640's can do 140 KM all day on the highway and still do tight trail work. With the available 18 liter tank you will be able to cover about 400 KM between fills. Gas is a little infrequent at bottom of the continent but just reduce the throttle setting and the 18 liter tanks will do it. Fill up where-ever you see gas.

Never had an uneasy experience with locals or law speeding seems ok but not in school zones and towns. We stay out of the urban big city areas. Stay at 0 star to 5 star accommodations.Yyes learn some Spanish to get you along but English in Argentina is good.

I personally ride more dirt/gravel roads so that why I appreciate the KTM's

Argentina is cheaper than Chile but see both Countries.

If you are two up on the bike with the gear you would need to film etc. then you will need a bigger platform. A BMW GS ADV. would be my choice as I have one here and anywhere we wnet it would go but remeber it wieghs more.

Keep smaller if possible and use 2 bikes. KLR 650 Kawasaki is another good choice and cheaper than the KTM.

Have fun

[Boom215]

I 100% agree with you...keep it up

[Ewey]

Hey guys,

Love the banter. me and a friend are planning a possible trip starting in Buenos Aires and driving all the way up to Panama.

Questions: I like all the back and forth about bikes. However, im looking for a bike for around 400USD. Dont need fancy just badass. To put this in perspective. I recently bought a honda win in Saigon and drove to Hanoi. Was a little trooper and every local had one. Thats exactly the type bike i want again. Cheap and fun.

Ideas? Recommendations?

Also where to buy such bikes, any good classified in BA?

Cheers guys