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19 Mar 2012
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Advice on which make to buy
Hi all, new to this site and so far found it very helpful.
Myself and the Girlfriend are heading to South America at the end of the year so we have just started planning. We are looking to travel around for 6 to 12 months and need some advice on which make of bike to buy and maybe the easiest country to purchase them.
Which bikes are the most reliable and which bikes are the easiest to get spare parts for?
Any Help would be appreciated
Thanks Chris
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20 Mar 2012
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If I understand correctly, you're planning to buy the motorcycles after you arrive in South America? The consensus here seems to be that Chile is the easiest country in SA to get the bikes properly registered as a foreigner. Do a search; there are several threads on this that offer plenty of details.
As for what make and model, a lot of that comes down to personal preferences. I personally would want whatever is very popular with locals, as that will likely be the easiest to get service and parts for. Honda and Yamaha seem to be the most popular, but you'll also see other brands in lesser numbers.
What size of bike? What type: street, dual, etc.?
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20 Mar 2012
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If your timing is flexible, consider waiting a bit. If you look, at this time of year there are many good options for used travel bikes now in Bs Aires. For owners faced with spending $2000 to ship their bikes back, it is often a better option to sell it to another traveler. Plus they come with luggage, skid plates, and sometimes tools and more.
Any bike is good, but my opinion is that its nice to have at least 500cc's to keep up with traffic on highways. You won't find that on most local bikes--unless you're willing to spend about 2x what you'd spend back home.
-Dave
When the Pavement Ends
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20 Mar 2012
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If you go on buying foreign registered bikes KLR 650 is the answer.Also DR 650 the newer model.
Now if you buy local registered and budget is a concern XR 250 Tornado is ok.But there will be limitations on riding those bikes out of the country.
Best advice,bring your own bike with!
Karl
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20 Mar 2012
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There is obviously no concensus, each poster will share his own experience. From what i witnessed after 5 years travelling this continent, the easiest and cheapest option was to buy a new chinese 200 cc bike in Paraguay. No borders problems, enough power to climb the Andes, easy maintainance, bureaucratic hassles free. For less than the price to ship a bike from Europe to South America, you get two brand new shining kangoroo skipping trail bikes.
For example : Kenton Dakar - YouTube
http://clasipar.paraguay.com/buscar?...kar&category=0
http://clasipar.paraguay.com/motos_t...o_1743189.html
Now if you want to impress locals and show you are a "gringo platudo", you can ride a foreigner japanese bike with all the bling bling equipment. Inconveniences will be : the price of spare parts, the difficulty to find them, interesting theft target (much value in low volume and weight). The advantages? You might catch attention of some local motorclub members, because showing off is part of the latin culture. The choice is a question of money and personality : indepth or superficial, observing or being watched.
Last edited by Vorteks; 20 Mar 2012 at 18:52.
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21 Mar 2012
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Phillipe
Maybe you didn´t noticed allmost all travellers here are then superficial and rich "platudos" showing off riders?????
Ahhhh yes that is why you showed off in BA with a nice XT 600 
Any way I choose to ride my old trusty bike and not a cheap chinese ride.
Ces´t la vie mon amie.
Karl
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21 Mar 2012
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This is precisely because i did the experience that i know what i m talking about, gauchito. Being asked at every traffic light what s the cylender of the motorcycle is kind of bothersome, even tho for european standards, some would clasify a 93 XT as a rotten moped. And actually, that bike is rotting somewhere in Santa Elena de Uairen right now (far far away from the porteno center of the world  ).
I met both kind of riders and must confess the human experience with those who chose to ride by south american standards was usually much more interesting. Much less miles burners, much more into mixing with local population.
Anyways, this is kind of offtopic, the question is : which make is the most suited for travelling in South America and easiest paper and costwise. My answer without any doubt is a new chinese bike bought in Paraguay.
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21 Mar 2012
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Its good to know my continent and our people has changed you......
A humble french men now.....
Are you bikeless now?
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21 Mar 2012
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Once again, off topic. The best means of communication for personal informations is private message.
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21 Mar 2012
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Thanks guys for the help so far.
It seems that if we have the time and money to get Japanese bikes they will be a more reliable option.
Vorteks have you actually bought and travelled on these 200cc Chinese bikes? I am a bit wary of these due to a friend buying one in Australia and it completely falling apart on the first ride.
Also can the be fitted easily with luggage racks?
If anyone else has experience on the Chinese bikes i would love to hear it.
Thanks again
Pricey
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21 Mar 2012
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Bajaj Pulsar
Hi Chris,
Take a look at the Bajaj Pulsar. I've had some encouraging opinions on it over on the "Which bike..?" forum. The 220 model should be capable of carrying two people, albeit not very quickly, and it appears to be widely available.
Good luck with the search..!
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22 Mar 2012
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Old KLR
An old KLR is going to be your best bet if you care about your girlfriend. The smaller the bike, the more you (and even more so your passenger) get beat up by the road. Forget the Chinese bike (and that is said by someone who owns one) for over the road travel. Can you do it? Sure. But you can say goodbye to love...
Toby 
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22 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vorteks
Once again, off topic. The best means of communication for personal informations is private message.
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 ???  relax..... on a jap bike 
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America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!
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22 Mar 2012
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Cheers but just so you dont have the wrong idea my girlfriend will be buying her own bike. she is only about 5 foot 5 hense mt interest in the smaller bike if not for both of us least for her.
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22 Mar 2012
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The which bike question has been asked a thousand times with a million answers. In general keep in mind where you want to go and how long you will need to wait for part if something breaks. I rode a XB12X Buell through South America, it did all I had planned but once I got there I wished I had something a little more adaptable to dirt. Most important buy what you like.
As to where to buy, I would suggest you buy in USA and start from there. Cheapest place in the world to buy a motorcycle of any kind you might want, used or new.
Have a great trip
Bob 
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