Hey everyone,
I just discovered this site a few days ago and have spent hours trawling through the amazing amount of knowledge and advice you guys have here, such a great site!

Ok basically, Im a 19 years old student, who was planning on doing a backpacking/bus trip holiday this summer, but after watching films like motorcycle diaries etc i have become hooked on the idea of a motorbike trip. It seems like the ultimate experience that i will remember for ever, however i have very little experience or know how about motorbikes.

But i wanted to get your advice, i'd like to spend about 5 weeks around mid-august to mid/end september flying into costa rica, travelling up through nicauragua, back through costa rica and just over the border to panama to see Bocas, then back to costa rica to fly out.

I've never motorbiked much before, (I have scootered around thailand but im sure thats nothing like a real bike at all) and i wondered a) is this achievable/sensible idea and would the roads/conditions be ok for biking at this time of year (wet season) b) how easy would it be to buy a cheapish bike in costa rica and would i be able to sell it for at least something at the end of the trip? or should i rent instead? d) are the border crossings ok to do by bike? are there big fees or bribes you need to pay to cross over? e) do you have any general words of wisdom for me?

thanks alot guys! i can't wait to hear from you all!