South America - advice requested

cp1

cp1

Well-known member
Hi guys,
For years, the idea of riding down to Tierra del fuego from the Bay area has been on the list of things to do before I "go".

I've been doing a lot of reading on blogs and stories and experiences from people who have already accomplished such a journey... but I would like to get some feedback from some of you as of the ideal bike to make it a reality.

1200GS, 990 adv, Vstrom 650/1000
There are a lot of pro's and con's and vast experience differences for all these bikes.
I'm 6'4 and 180lbs .... any input would be more than welcome

Thank you much

Cheers,
 
SuperMike

SuperMike

unsexy
Damn. I have nothing of value to offer. Sounds like a great trip, though. Maybe the Vstrom 1000? I'm thinking the reliability (and parts availability, should something go wrong) might be better than the Euro bikes... :dunno
 
mosquito

mosquito

Above all I like to play.
on parts i'd suggest making lists of dealers in each country you'll go through to compare and take with.
 
ScorpioVI

ScorpioVI

كافر ლ(ಠ&
From reading the RRs on ADV from people making the trek down and back, seems to be the BMW, KLR, and KTM that are the most used. Seems to me the KTM gets the most complaints though with regards to reliability, particularly the 990s. They're always bitching about some breakdown or another. Some guy on a VStrom broke his frame somewhere in Peru I think coming back from TDF, had to get it welded by a local mechanic.

This is definitely one of the things on my bucket list also. But damn getting the cash and time together is gonna take some work.
 
GhostRider

GhostRider

Well-known member
BMW 1200 Adventure

/thread

in fact, you are MORE likely to find BMW parts in south america than Suzuki.
if nothing else, BMW will air-lift them in for you.
(i didnt say it was cheap.... but it is the BEST bike you can get for that job!)

talk to the folks in BMW Mountainview, and/or look at: http://www.2ridetheworld.com/
 
Xenos

Xenos

No! Not the Crack Slam!
I suggest go test ride them. Just because a bike looks good on paper dosen't mean it will be comfortable. It took me over a year to decide on a 1200GS but I know it was the right bike to buy.
 
HiggyB

HiggyB

Now flyin' solo...
ScorpioVI said:
Seems to me the KTM gets the most complaints though with regards to reliability, particularly the 990s.
Click to expand...
There are a few known weaknesses with the 950s/990s, but with some appropriate prep work you can be ready for the common issues (mostly). I'd take a KTM, but that's cause it's what's in my garage. :)
 
cp1

cp1

Well-known member
thanks everyone. trying to read as much as I can. please keep it coming. much appreciated

regarding the ktm, what are the known issues to fix before taking off?
Thanks!
 
cp1

cp1

Well-known member
of course, i've watched "long way around" ...and some others
I've noticed that a recurring element is the weight of the GS1200. What are your thoughts of going with a "lighter" bike for a trip of such distance

Thanks!
 
rean1mator

rean1mator

Well-known member
and the issues are usually worked out in the 2nd and 3rd iterations of the bike. all issues are well documented on advrider and can be dealt with before your trip.

Biggest thing would be learning how to do a valve adjustment on your own and general maintenance.

now if they can just fix the damn FI Map on it...

i want to do this ride on the 990 within 2 years.


HiggyB said:
There are a few known weaknesses with the 950s/990s, but with some appropriate prep work you can be ready for the common issues (mostly). I'd take a KTM, but that's cause it's what's in my garage. :)
Click to expand...
 
mosquito

mosquito

Above all I like to play.
Just had another thought that I'm going to implement myself:

If you can get a copy, put a PDF of your shop manual on a USB flash drive to take with you.
 
machete

machete

black out
cp1 said:
awesome website. Thank you!

now, is there one like that for GS1200 and Vstrom? :teeth :ride
Click to expand...

vstrom site: http://vstrom.info/

I think you would do fine with the 650 vstrom. depends on your cash flow, how much you want to spend on bike and prep, and then budget all your expenses for the trip, entering, exiting countries, and shipping across the dariens gap (or flying it) prepare for some bribes, or greasing the wheel as well, and be sure you check on safety in such countries as Colombia.

epic trip. I've only been as far as the Panama Canal, but still want to make it all the way down to Tierra del Fuego.

good luck.
 
bicyclekid

bicyclekid

is so jaded
i could shoot you to another website or give you 1st hand experience ..
well iv traveled alot on vstroms which i sold asap ..klrs .... and ...ktms ..for this trip i perfer a klr ... with an 18in rear ...instead of the 17in due to 3rd world tire selection
remember you may have to abandon ship and buy a scooter, moped, bicycle , bus pass if you are a tru adventurer like me ...so if ditching a 14k bike is too much forget about the midlife crisis you are having and stay home and look at advrider ...

take extra brake pads front and rear ... remember you can always get the plates relined if you need to ... third world style ... bring extra sprockets cause they are bike specific ... if your on a bmw you better hope the rear shock dosent fail ... with all that crap people bring with them ... cause your tranny will go next ...:rofl oh if your on the bmdub extra clutch paltes too .. you gonna burn some up trying to get that monster over stuff .... tires is the problem .. youll be hard pressed to find tires for the vstrom or bmdub ... its 3rd world which means a lot of 18in knobi rears ... 21 fronts all day long ...19 fronts good luk .... :nerd and peopple treat you alot different depending the bike your on ...like oh thats to big and heavy lets not help .... :twofinger
 
SurfAwave69

SurfAwave69

Well-known member
bicyclekid said:
i could shoot you to another website or give you 1st hand experience ..
well iv traveled alot on vstroms which i sold asap ..klrs .... and ...ktms ..for this trip i perfer a klr ... with an 18in rear ...instead of the 17in due to 3rd world tire selection
remember you may have to abandon ship and buy a scooter, moped, bicycle , bus pass if you are a tru adventurer like me ...so if ditching a 14k bike is too much forget about the midlife crisis you are having and stay home and look at advrider ...

take extra brake pads front and rear ... remember you can always get the plates relined if you need to ... third world style ... bring extra sprockets cause they are bike specific ... if your on a bmw you better hope the rear shock dosent fail ... with all that crap people bring with them ... cause your tranny will go next ...:rofl oh if your on the bmdub extra clutch paltes too .. you gonna burn some up trying to get that monster over stuff .... tires is the problem .. youll be hard pressed to find tires for the vstrom or bmdub ... its 3rd world which means a lot of 18in knobi rears ... 21 fronts all day long ...19 fronts good luk .... :nerd and peopple treat you alot different depending the bike your on ...like oh thats to big and heavy lets not help .... :twofinger
Click to expand...

:laughing

I like this post...
 
Lupin

Lupin

Well-known member
This is also on my list of things to do. I've almost got the money for it. :)

I have a 2006 GSA, but I'm going to leave it at home and take a KLR instead. I heard some advice once from someone, (Striking Viking?) not to ride anything that you aren't willing to leave behind if you have to. A bige GSA also tends to broadcast "I have lots of money!" to people you might not want to. A dirty KLR will blend in much better.
 
HiggyB

HiggyB

Now flyin' solo...
Lupin said:
I heard some advice once from someone, (Striking Viking?)
Click to expand...
Dude, it was the "real adventurer" bicyclekid just a few posts above! :twofinger

And FYI, Two Wheels Through Terror, by Glen Hegstad, is an awesome book (all about his storied, and interrupted ride to Tierra del Fuego).
 
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