Advice for South America Trip
 

Hi All,

This is my first post so a brief intro - I have been living in Sao Paulo for several years and I am planning a 12-14 week trip around South America with my girlfriend on a K1200RS - obviously given the limitations of the bike (weight, limited/no off road capability) I will have to take the well trodden route. My current thoughts regarding a possible route are as follows:

(BRAZIL) Sao Paulo > Curitiba > Florianopolis > Porto Alegre > (URUGUAY) Punta de Leste > Montevideo > (ARGENTINA) Buenas Aires > Rosario > Cordoba > Mendoza > (CHILE) > Santiago > Valparaiso > Antofagasta > (BOLIVIA) > Arica > La Paz > (Explore Macchu Pichu) > Arica > (CHILE) San Pedro de Atacama > (ARGENTINA) Susques > Jujuy > Salta > Foz de Iguazu

I have the following questions:

1. As I will start the journey in July, I am concerned with crossing the Andes from Mendoza, and on the return trip, through Pedro de Atacama - I guess I can try and hire a truck just to get me through the Andes and then carry on from there. Is there a better alternative? Will it be possible to cross in July/August on the bike?

2. Will the roads be good enought to get me to La Paz on the K1200RS?

3. Any thoughts/recommendations on the proposed route would be hugely appreciated, including any recommended places to visit during the trip.

Many thanks

James

maybe posting in the South America section will get you more hits !!

thanks! I realised this just after posting so have posted it again in South America forum.

You should not miss the Mendoza crossing. It's not that difficult and well worth the trip. Good luck on your journey.

Mendoza
 

Mendoza is a lovely city with a great atmosphere - not to be missed. Principle dirt roads in Argentina should be easy for a big bike which irons out the ripples and keeps up speed. My Honda 125 slithered and rattled. The biggest danger on a big bike is hitting a deep pothole. I thought this quiet often on my trip down from Mexico to Ushuaia. You can weave a light bike. Also I hit places where sand had collected on the tarmac at sharp corners where, again, I thought that a bigger bike would be in danger of slidding. Also patches of road where the tar has been ripped up for a few hundred metres (both Bolivia and Peru). Be watchful is the best advice. Don't speed! However, I am in my 70s, had a wonderful time (depite the cold), and head back north from Ushuaia this year to NY.
If cost interests you, most prices are included on my blog at home. Message me if you believe I can be of assistance in any way. I am sure that you will have a great time...

No Problem
 

On the Whole, you should have no problem. Made a similiar trip with my wife on our Harley Davidson Touring Bike. Xmas in Ushuaia and then rode to Winnipeg Canada. Might be a bit of a problem when I get older, but at 60 years of age we had no problems.

The Andes from Mendoza to Chile is all paved. The road from Chile to La Paz and then to Cusco is all paved. Was a great ride.

For more details, send me an email.

thanks again everyone - very helpful.