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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 31 Oct 2008
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Straight answer

I rode an Ultra Classic down Baja, across the Sea of Cortez by ferry, across the Devils Backbone and out at McAllen, Tex. Took a Softail all over the Yucatan and had a ball. No prob, just be careful of your kickstand on the topes(speedbumps).

Not on a Harley, but on my ride to Panama, I did not run across anything I would be afraid of with a Harley ---- careful of the potholes and sugar cane.

SA dunno - yet.

All the normal south of the border precautions apply.

Take the Harley.
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Old 31 Oct 2008
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A Harley is the wrong bike for the job. There are many unmarked speedbumps that you will hit at high speed. It is likely that you will come upon washed out roads that you can not do on a Harley. Buy a lighter dual sport and you will have a lot more fun on the trip, trust me.
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  #3  
Old 31 Oct 2008
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Take your Harley. It's your bike, you know its quirks and you like it (Keep in mind it may look totally different when you return... bye bye to smooth chrome if that matters to you.)

In any case ,I agree with the first response. Knowing your bike is important on the road and adds a layer of confidence. Just keep your speed down (even perhaps painfully slow at times) on dirt / gravel roads and look out for oil on the roads.

Another aspect is that there is something great in my opinion about having a high mileage bike that has been places with you... like a great pair of boots or any equipment you have had for a long time. It's an odd but wonderfull bond.

Have a great trip.
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Old 31 Oct 2008
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Hi,

Water melon or banana? Which one has more vitamin?

A Guatalaman man will choose banana, a middle eastern will water melon...

Go for the one you know and use well.... IMHO.



Enjoy your ride...
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Old 31 Oct 2008
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Having done trips on a Triumph Bonneville that "people" tell me are only possible on an dual purpose type bike I'd say take the Harley. Only thing I'd suggest is look for tyres that won't block up with anything loose, so a block/catspaw tread rather than semi-slicks. Far better to have a bike you are comfortable with mechanically and on 90% of surfaces than start planning for the what if's.

Enjoy your trip,

Andy
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Old 31 Oct 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
Having done trips on a Triumph Bonneville that "people" tell me are only possible on an dual purpose type bike I'd say take the
... Bonneville.

Lovely bike.

--Mike
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Old 31 Oct 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gatogato View Post
A Harley is the wrong bike for the job. There are many unmarked speedbumps that you will hit at high speed. It is likely that you will come upon washed out roads that you can not do on a Harley. Buy a lighter dual sport and you will have a lot more fun on the trip, trust me.
A harley is not the WRONG bike for the job
I rode with a dutch guy on a HD pulling a trailer down to The Gambia in 2006 and he had no problems, he had also 'done' Mongolia on the same machine, I now ride R80gs but would have no worries on riding a HD or any other bike for that matter on a trip,ride what you know,I can't understand why you either have to be a Charley Ewan or David Knight clone to do a trip.
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Old 3 Nov 2008
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Talking
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Originally Posted by dave ede View Post
A harley is not the WRONG bike for the job
I now ride R80gs but would have no worries on riding a HD or any other bike for that matter on a trip.
You must have been force yourself to compare these two bikes imho

A R80 GS and a HD ! . . . Quite similar by many ways, at least both are two wheeled ;-)

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