Buy or transport bike for ride through bolivia and argentina
 

I'm embarking on my first motorcycle trip through South America in Jan. 2014. I fly into La Paz, Bolivia and travel throughout Bolivia, into Argentina then onto Brazil and should return to Bolivia to fly back.

I am trying to decide whether to ship a bike from Los Angeles to La Paz, buy one in Bolivia, or just rent. Considering costs and the headache involved in each, what is recommended?

This is my first post so any response is much appreciated

Hard to give useful answers when no one but you knows how long you're going to be there, what sort of riding (and bike) you prefer, etc. etc. etc.

Renting is expensive for longer than a few weeks. Shipping pays off if you have standards (i.e., you want a First World bike to ride) and are going to be there for a while--not for a short journey. Don't forget the need to ship the bike home or sell it at the end of your trip. Buying locally can work out well if you don't mind riding a small Chinese bike.

If shipping, I'd suggest Argentina, Colombia or Chile--definitely not La Paz unless you hear from someone who's actually done it.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

thank you for the information
 

Markharf and Vortek,

Thank you for the responses to my question. I realize there were facts I should have included to get a more direct response. Vortek, thank you for the post as I do recall reading it previously. There is so much information available on HU that I get information overload.

Again, thank you both for your assistance.

Have you already ridden in Central America ? If not, then consider riding all the way down to South America.