Wanted: Motorcycle for Trip to S America

[Savona]

I'm looking for a cheap bike on behalf of a friend who is planning a trip to South America on 2 wheels.
Any type of bike will be considered; He would prefer some sort of off-road but it should be street legal.
NOT concerned with aesthetical condition, color, modifications, mileage, salvaged title, etc.
What matters is that the bike will make it to South America and around parts of South America. Looking to spend under $2K.

[Q]

http://www.socalsvriders.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11690

:D

[Rocko]

lindsay,

tell that fool not to go to columbia.

[Savona]

Oh, bad experience to share, Ryan?

Anyway I think they're skipping Colombia. I heard Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, Belize and some other places but I don't know the order. They're still in the planning phase.

[cyclox]

get a used KLR650. Reasonably cheap, easy to find and plenty of power. I'd get one if they weren't so tall...

hmm, maybe some lowering links and seat mods might work...

[Aeteocles]

While traveling....make sure you put canada or australia patches on your bags and stuff...they don't take kindly to americans in some places..

[Savona]

Originally posted by Aeteocles
While traveling....make sure you put canada or australia patches on your bags and stuff...they don't take kindly to americans in some places..

Thanks for the tip-- I think they'll be ok though...they're all Italians and won't be speaking any english. I doubt they'd pass as Canadians or Australians, let alone Americans....I've been invited to come along with the SV but somehow don't think that would be a good idea. ??

[Aeteocles]

hehe, I wanted to live in italy or spain this summer for 2 or 3 months....Hemmingway style.

Like, just rent a room/flat in someone's home....take my meals with the family...and just wander around writing, taking pictures, and drinking lots of wine. Just bum around for a couple months.

Then I thought it would be really cool to buy a bike over there and bum around on a bike...but then I realized that drivers there are crazy and I'd die.

Yeah, I wasn't going anywhere with this story.

[Savona]

I was just in Italy & Spain this summer, and lived in Italy for some time a few years ago.
The Hemmingway idea sounds good, doesn't it? I think you should do it-- get an SV over there and have some fun. The drivers are crazy, yes, but with so many 2-wheeled vehicles on the road (it must be like 60%/40% now), they're used to anticipating bikes and mopeds. I only saw a couple traffic incidents when I was there ;) ...nothing to worry about.

[Padu]

Originally posted by Savona
Oh, bad experience to share, Ryan?

Anyway I think they're skipping Colombia. I heard Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, Belize and some other places but I don't know the order. They're still in the planning phase.

Hey, that's cheating... from this list, only Equador is really south america... go to Patagonia desert, preferentially through the amazon, but only after crossing the Farc dominated venezuela.... that's what I call adventure (or suicidal instincts, if there is any difference :) )

[Aeteocles]

Originally posted by Savona
I was just in Italy & Spain this summer, and lived in Italy for some time a few years ago.
The Hemmingway idea sounds good, doesn't it? I think you should do it-- get an SV over there and have some fun. The drivers are crazy, yes, but with so many 2-wheeled vehicles on the road (it must be like 60%/40% now), they're used to anticipating bikes and mopeds. I only saw a couple traffic incidents when I was there ;) ...nothing to worry about.

LOL. Alright. I've decided I'm gonna go. Yer all the encouragement I needed.


Now...to find a way to pay those pesky student loans.

[jen]

Originally posted by Rocko
lindsay,

tell that fool not to go to columbia.

My brother did some travelling in Central and South America earlier this year - he fell in love with Columbia...so don't listen to that Rocko guy...

[Savona]

Originally posted by Aeteocles



Now...to find a way to pay those pesky student loans.

Forbearance!

[harbiho]

I'd suggest that they do a little research on what the more popular bikes are out there. They should consider the availability of parts whether it be an oil filter or chains or so. They'll blend in with the crowd as well.

I suspect that a 250 dual purpose trail bike will be the most practical choice for them.

[Ikazuchi]

Originally posted by Aeteocles
...but then I realized that drivers there are crazy and I'd die.

Haha...like they're any better over here.... at least in SoCal.