Solo female rider-in-training - Americas, or Europe&Africa?

[nicola_a]

Hi everybody,

I have been milling around the HUBB and I love the information and the kindness of everyone here!

A year ago I had a boyfriend who was into motorcycles, and as something to do together I suggested we go to Europe, get bikes and use them to slowly explore the continent. We have since split up and afterwards I thought the idea would leave me... but it has stuck, and I still want to do it (but solo).

I'm 25, female, from Melbourne, Australia. I have both Australian and EU (Irish) citizenship.

I got my motorcycle learners 6 weeks ago and YESTERDAY I bought my first bike! (a yellow 2002 Honda VTR250 for those interested).

I have a few non-bike related travel plans... let me relate.
August 2013: Go to Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival (I work in the Arts)
September/October 2013: Chill out in the UK/Europe with my mum, who loves it there.
November 2013 - March 2014: Work the snow season in the Canadian Rockies.
April 2014 onwards: Motorcycle funtimes..... read on!

So, the "motorcycle fun times" is clearly what I'm wanting advice on right now. I'm still interested in Europe, but I will have that time there in Sept/Oct already, and I've recently become more interested in Africa in particular (It's also my home continent, I was born in Durban) and South America (so keen, but also kind of terrified). I kind of have two options that make the most sense:

A) Get a bike in BC, Canada when I finish up in the snow. Ride south through the USA seeing the parts of interest, through central America and South America.

B) Head back to Europe, get a bike (perhaps easier as an EU citizen?), head east to see Eastern Europe and then south through Africa.

There are a few questions here, answers to any of all of them would be so much appreciated!

1) Is this a really stupid idea for a 25/f who will only have a year of riding experience? (NB I'm not planning on hardcore long distances all day every day... the bike is just going to be a wonderful way to get around)

2) Which of A or B would be most suitable? I'm essentially equally interested in both - the things that will affect the decision will be things like safety, ease of obtaining a bike, chance of theft of the bike, overall expense...

3) Where does one stay when doing something like this, particularly in Africa and South America? Camping? Lodges? I'd prefer to not be totally insular, perhaps a combination of both....

4) Would it be better to look at buying a bike and selling at the end? Or renting (v expensive!)? Or borrowing from someone and paying for insurance/wear and tear?

Some more information...
Timeline.. April 2014 until the end of 2014 or before (I might be going back to uni in 2015, hows that for planning ahead...)
Budget... $15-20k for the motorcycle part of the trip all inclusive (bike, flights, food, accomm)

I hope I don't sound laughably naive. If I do, maybe just tell me gently, and don't laugh.

Kind regards,

Nicola