Hi,

I'm a 27 years old guy from the Netherlands.
I've been travelling/living on and off in various countries in Central and South America since about 5-6 years, currently I'm in Brazil.

After reading a lot of blogs and thinking about it, I have decided I really want to do this.
My plan is to go to Chile early next year (January-February) buy a small motorcycle there and travel north to Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and possibly farther.
The problem is, apart from some 50cc automatic scooters, I have never driven a motorcycle in my life. On the way to CHile I'm going to pick up my driver's license in Paraguay where I have a residency visa there (long story) so that won't be a problem. Since you don't have to take a practical exam and motoescuelas are practically non-exist I will take lessons in Chile.

The next part will be buying a bike, this is where I could really need some advice. I don't want to spend too much money and like I said I'm a totally newbie when it comes to this I think it's a good idea to get a <200cc. I will be mostly doing tarmac but also would like to do a fair bit of dirt and gravel tracks (maybe 60-40 tarmac/other), but I won't be going really offroad. Ideally the bike would be <$2000 but definately has to be <$3000.
So far just from going on information of the internet I've come with following selection:

-Honda CGL 125 Pro for about $1900 (that's the list price, from what I've read the real price is a bit lower than that after negotiating)
It's the classic CGL with a bigger luggage rack and cute knobby tires.

Pros:
-Very reliable.
-Parts everywhere
available.
-Luggage racks.
-Long guarantee period and free technical check ups in Chile.

Cons:
-Ugly as hell (not that important but still)
-Not really suitable for non-tarmac use but not as bad as the "normal CGL".
-Uncomfortable

-Suzuki GN-125H, ~$1800 list price.

Pros:
-Seems to have very low fuel consumption.
-From what I've read is also quite reliable.
-Not that ugly.
-Tiny bit more HP than the CGL (9,7 vs 10,3)

Cons:
-Not very suitable for non-tarmac, altough I saw on the blog of those Belgium guys that they did the Carretera Austral and besides the front fender (or whatever you call those things) coming of they did fine.
-Seems a bit smaller than the other ones.
-Parts might be a bit harder to find than for the CGL but this houldn't be a problem.
-Smaller tank (10l vs 13,2l CGL), but it has supposed to have better fuel consumption.



-Euromot 200 GTX, ~$2100 list price. Hubb topic on this bike.

Pros:
-"Best Chinese bike out there"
-Can handle dirt/gravel/sand better than the previous ones.
-Has more CC's than the other ones, HP not listed on website though.

Cons:
-It is still Chinese and is notorious for having low quality spokes.
-10l tank (not sure about consumption)
-Over $2000, but just by a little.



Honda 125XR, is listed with a discount on the website, now ~$2500:

Pros:
-Can also handle non-tarmac better.
-A little bit more HP (11,4) than the other 125cc

Cons:
-Price

The Yamaha YBR (G) might also be a good option, list price normal version ~$1900 and list price G, wich is the "enduro version" of this bike altough the suspention is exactely the same ~$2300.


I'm about 1.78m so I guess I should be decently comfortable on most small bikes. My criteria from most important to less important are:
1. Price.
2. Reliability.
3. Consumption (MPG)
4. Riding on other surfaces than tarmac.
5. Looks.

Thanks for reading hope you guys can help me!

Hello,

Here is another bike to add to your list. I met a French fellow yesterday on the road in Ecuador. He had crossed from Peru in the morning and was riding a Honda Tornado, which he had bought there. It is a 250 and looked perfect for a beginner. In France he rode a much larger bike but he said the 250 was perfect for travelling South America. It did not attract attention and it was light. Also, he was quite tall, but this was not a problem. All in all he was very happy with his purchase. Decisions, decisions!

Regards, Mike.

It's a nice bike but unfortunately the >150cc bikes from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki are all all >$4000 new, I don't want to spend that much.

Hi,

I would get a normal CGL 125 for around 1000 Dollars and spend the rest of your money on the trip it selfe:

Adventure Motorbike trip around Southamerica: Chile and Argentina part 1

Have fun, Tobi

A normal CGL would be even more uncomfortable on dirt/gravel roads right?

Some Argentinian dude took his "normal" Brazilian build YBR around the world for 5 years without mayor problems. According to his photos he did some offroadSo that might be a good option.

hola
i just bought a new ybr 125g for 2000$ in nicaragua and can tell you that this bike goes everywhere,if you don't go dirt racing.
and the fuel consumption is less than 3 liters on 100k's
very good bike and you can sell it easily without loosing too much money everybody loves the ybr here in nicaragua
all the best geri

Hey Pman1,

I was in the same position as you 6 months ago and after much research I bought the Euromot. I had my doubts too, but it is the best Chinese bike out there, actually made in the same factory as the Suzuki equivalent. Its been great, I have covered 15,000kms on all surfaces and conditions. As documented the only weakneses are with the spokes and the chain. I changed these for japanses parts and have had no problems since. I also changed the sprockets - reducing the size of the rear one so the bike cruises at 90km/h at 6000 revs. Really have been impressed as I get over 250km to a tank and can go anywhere.

Right now I am in Rio Gallegos, heading to Ushuaia tomorrow but I will be back in Chile in 2-4 weeks and will be selling the bike and everything else, bike, Garmin GPS, Boots, Helmet, gloves, waterproofs, tools, new rear tyre, fuel can, maps, plus other things I can't remember right now. Everything is 6 months old or less. Let me know if you are interested. I will be advertising on the HUBB when I next have time and have worked out the price, but it should be pretty cheap. All the best.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t-200gxt-67914.