I am currently living in Cochabamba, Bolivia and would like to buy a bike to go south on Route 40 and Camino Austral in Argentina and Chile. My budget is about $1500 ($2000 at very max). I don't have any time constraints (I plan to go very slowly) and would like to avoid pavement as much as possible. I also don't have a ton of riding experience so I am looking for a smallest, most maneagable bike possible that will still get me where I want to go.

From what I have seen here I have two options for my budget: new Chinese or Korean bikes or pretty old and/or small Japanese bikes (mostly Honda). Would a 250 cc Chinese bike (Kyngo, Montero, Supermoto) be viable? Does this type of bike exist in Argentina and would there be replacements/ people that know how to fix them? Can you bring a cheap Chinese bike into Argentina?

For the Japanese bikes, would a bike as small as a Honda CGL 125 work if I went slowly? I'm having trouble finding a Honda Baja 250 for anything less than around $3000 here... are prices more reasonable in Argentina, say, in Salta?

In sum, what would be the best bike given my route and budget? Advice or opinions on any of my questions would be great!

The CGL 125 stands a better chance of getting you there than a Chinese bike which seem to be pretty unreliable. The Honda is tough as old boots and there are accounts of them going just about everywhere on this site, the only problem I see is going into the strong headwinds you will encounter in Pategonia, the going might be a bit slow there.

Quite a few people have done all of S.A on the CGL and Suzuki GN 125.
Have not read about anybody who regretted buying those bikes and many said all they did was change the oil.

The Euromot GXT 200 (sold in Chile but under different names in many S.A countries) is often talked about as the best of the Chinese knock-offs.
There are a few detailed threads if you search.

I just saw a Euromot with 10,000km on the clock for $1750 US and the Euromot Motard model with 1,400 on the clock for $2,040 U.S on Chile autos

I had one in Chile/Argentina....it was pretty good for cheap bike.
It is sold under various names in South America.
You should put Japanese chain on it, and always check the spoke tension.

It is a knock off of Suzuki DR200 made by Qiinqi...who make Suzuki and Peugeot parts and assemblies

there were quite a few used ones in Santiago for sale under 1000 USD, in Bolivia, quien sabe ?

A Honda Tornado 250 is a fantastic bike but over 4000 USD.


Zig


Honda 125 is ok but underpowered in mountains and not steady in high winds

Thanks Mark. I would have been hesitant about buying something with such a small motor but after reading your comments and dozens of stories about the Honda CGL going just about anywhere I think I'm going try and find one. I don't know a whole lot about motorcycle maintenance (yet) so better I buy something that doesn't require a lot. I found a CGL from 2005 here for $1300, going to check it out today.

Thanks Zigeuner and Realm. Unless it is sold by a different name here in Bolivia I haven't seen a single Euromot here... however there is a huge array of Chinese bikes so it may be one of them re-branded. I'm leaning towards going for a smaller but more reliable Japanese bike. The tornado would be great but is not going to happen with my budget.

Why not contact this guy?

Need to ditch/SELL my 1998 F650 $$$ LIMA PERU - ADVrider

There is a previous thread in the last 12 months which lists all the names the euromot is sold under in C.A and S.A, hope that helps

Hi Colin,

I bought a 2008 Euromot GXT 200 in Santiago in Chile and rode it through the altiplano and 4700m passes, around Salar de Uyuni down to Laguna Colorada, into the lowlands in Bolivia (Santa Cruz, Trinidad etc), through mud, sand, lots of ripio and asphalt too.

It´s a 200cc bike, so not going to give you 100km/hr at 4000m, but it´s strong, has been very reliable, nice and light for off road terrain, cheap to fix, doesn´t stump local mechanics, is very cheap to run (10L of fuel gives over 220kms) and is not attractive for local theives (but locals love it because for them seeing a gringo riding a bike they ride makes you more approachable and interesting!)

Euromot is a Chilean brand name; it is NOT in Bolivia, but having spent 3.5 months there I was easily able to find equivalent parts. (in that time I needed to change sprockets and chain, a relay switch, change oil, replace spokes and I also changed the front forks with seals from Chile, and bought extra throttle/clutch cables as backup in Argentina) There were no other issues in that time! I have enduro tires, and in the last 6 months have not had 1 puncture also.

This bike is in Argentina under the name Beta, in Brazil as Sundowner and other countries use different names. As mentioned above, the engine is pretty much the suzuki and plastics, yamaha.

I bought the bike in April this year, and the person i brought it from did a fantastic write up of the good and bad bits. (check Tenebra posts) http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-reviews-52842

In terms of selling it...
The bike is in Arequipa Peru. to sell it I would like to transfer ownership in Chile. It is a 2008 Euromot GXT, with 36000kms. It has panniers with 2 hard cases, full set of tools, some spare parts. It´s not brand new, it has seen lots of road, but it is good lil bike that will yet you where you want. I purchased it in April, and then had the panniers built (about $150) and have since bought some extra parts. I´m happy to sell it as a complete travelling bike (panniers, tools etc) for $1500, but want to transfer ownership in Chile so would need to travel to the North of Chile together with the buyer.

I´ve been blogging at chasing serendipity which has lots of travel stories and links to pics of the bike as well.

Here´s the bike though after a nice clean wash!

https://picasaweb.google.com/FatMeer...42429052992994

If you want more information, please contact me... I´m in Cusco at the moment about to hike Ausangate, but can answer any queries and will be heading back to Arequipa on 14th Nov.

Ciao
Susan