All bikes need service on a long trip. In my opinion, buy the best engineered motorcycle that you can afford and you may reduce the number of visits for service. I am happy with my choice and was spared the need for major work at any point. Not sure if you can find an impartial source of mechanical failure rates for these motorcycles.

I rode Central and South America with a relatively new F800GS. Left New Jersey with 3200 miles on the odometer, came home 32,500 miles later. Around the 20,0000 mile mark the front chain sprocket sprocket chipped a tooth (replaced both sprockets in Sao Paulo, with a new chain.) The oil heat exchange box caught a rock and needed to be replaced due to slow drip (replaced in Buenos Aires.) In southern Bolivia the chain separated, perhaps due to poor attention on my part (fixed with the most basic tools imaginable.) A Honda dealer in Cusco, Peru, replaced the rear wheel bearings with a generic set.

I purchased a lamp bulb, sprockets, chain and oil heat exchange at BMW, and yes they were expensive in South America. If I was more experienced I could have purchased and gotten the sprocket work done anywhere. The oil heat exchange box was replaced by a private mechanic. Any imported parts get hit with high import duties, and I bought them in perhaps the two countries with the highest tariffs. I'll carry my own replacements sprockets and chain on future adventures. Think about buying a sprocket set, chain (plus a chain tool) and extra inter tubes. I took several oil filters with me and was resupplied several times, and bought one in Bra$il. Generic brake pads and two rear tires were not purchased from BMW.

A guy I rode with in Venezuela had a hard time getting a replacement vender for his Kawasaki as we went from shop to shop in Caracas. Another guy I know needed to had parts flown in from Japan to Cusco for his Suzuki. I think you will see more Honda dealers. Does the Trans Alp automatically adjust for high altitude? The two rider I mentioned had ls of issues with their carburetor needles...something I didn't have to worry about.

There are one or more BMW dealer in every country in South America, except the Guyanas. That said, the dealer in Caracas didn't have the oil filter I needed, but there are a lot of problems with inventory in Venezuela...and a lot of other countries in South America (I'm talking about more than just moto parts.)

You might want to look at this comparison: BMW F 650 GS vs. Honda Transalp vs. Kawasaki Versys vs. Suzuki V-Strom DL 650 It looks like the BMW gets significantly better mileage, is more powerful, has higher clearance...and takes slightly longer to stop.

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Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride