HI Moppeds,
back on the route? You remember we met in alaska. We are on Tierra del Fuego now, did most of the stuff u wanna do.
The 40 is currently under constuction at lots of places. Therefore, there are some stretches with some loose gravel. But normally u can ride the bike in the cartracks. This is packed gravel then. 90 km from Chaiten u have pavement again to Fitz Roy. From there south u have about 230 km more dirt (but very good condition), much better than the Denali Highway, if you can remember. From Calafate most of the road is paved.
Carretera austral is pretty much the same, esp. in the south. Some construction parts are little soft, in the north u hit lots of rain, but its packed dirt, so no mud. crossing over Futaelefu (Esquel to Carretera Austral) to El Chaiten (not Chalten) is very good gravel (u can ride 80 km/h).
temuco to the border where you can take the Ferry to San Martin is half paved half gravel. Perfect condition. If u take the paso, its bit more rough, but easy going for your lightweight hondas.
Esquel (Arg) - Chaiten (Chile) - Carretera Austral south - Chiloe - Puerto Montt - Temuco - San Martin de los Andes(Arg)
salar de Atacama to Salta if you take Paso Jama (from San pedro de atacama) is entirely paved. very good road, but quite high, I think it was 4200 meters.
any more, just drop an email
Martin and Katja
Africa Twins
www.twintraveller.com