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How bad are the roads really? How bad are the roads really?
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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  • 1 Post By mossproof
  • 1 Post By markharf
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  • 5 Post By markharf
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  #1  
Old 4 Jan 2020
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How bad are the roads really?
We're planning a trip from Buenos Aires down to the bottom and then up the western side through to Central America and then into Northern America. That means Argentina's SH40, Bolivian & Mexican roads, and the Atacama desert.

We're looking at riding Honda CBX500 and tossing up the model to get. The latest with the 19" wheel for all the dirt roads? or the older models with the 17" wheel?

We'll be riding 1-up but with luggage, we won't be "carving gravel" but we won't let a couple of days on a dirt road stop us from seeing the sights.

We've seen the YouTube videos but it's hard to tell if the rocky single-lane roads with perilous drop-offs are being used because it makes for great content or if they're actually unavoidable.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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  #2  
Old 4 Jan 2020
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I think you will find generally that even the dirt roads are still roads - that is routes that local people use to get around, in/on vehicles often far less capable than you are proposing. Unless you are actively seeking out gnarly single track, the commonly used phrase is "any bike will get you there"!

Even Bolivia has an extensive tarmac road network, but the lagunas route to/from Chile has some sandy stretches where more off-road biased setup would be favourable. Ruta 40 has some gravelly stretches, often avoidable, and in the mountains it is more usually hardpack and slippery when wet (not necessarily deep) mud.



I believe of more importance than rim size is tyre pattern in this instance, and keep your weight carried low in your panniers. Lower gearing might help to keep things controllable when the going gets technical.



You will have a blast whatever. Maybe the cash saved by getting an older model will keep you rolling for longer/further/in more comfort...


Ride safe.
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  #3  
Old 4 Jan 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sarahk View Post
We've seen the YouTube videos but it's hard to tell if the rocky single-lane roads with perilous drop-offs are being used because it makes for great content or if they're actually unavoidable.
Those roads are 100% optional. If you don't want perilous drop-offs, you don't need to go to those places. Here and there you're bound to run into bits of unavoidable gravel, but for the most part you can easily stick to pavement, if that's what you want.

On the other hand, the roads you see on Youtube are typically far more scary in video form than when you're actually riding. There are exceptions, of course, but you can verify this with a video camera (of any sort) on your favorite motorcycling, mountain biking, or hiking trail.

Plus: I can call them optional, but in the end you're going to want to go to at least some of the places accessed via mountain roads with no railings. A 30,000 km trip on straight, paved highways would be pretty unappealing.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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  #4  
Old 4 Jan 2020
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Smile Gravel road
Gravel is not something to be afraid of in general.

Gravel roads can be used with any bike.
Gravel roads are not off road.

Off road in mud or sand can be hard.

But normal gravel road can be used with any bike. With proper tires.

=

What roads do you think my old Harley WLC 750 saw?

Side Valve, Rigid frame, Springer front end, Hand SHift, Foot clutch.
=> Gravel roads.
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How bad are the roads really?-wla.jpg  

How bad are the roads really?-100_5404.jpg  

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  #5  
Old 4 Jan 2020
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Thanks for the replies!
Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
A 30,000 km trip on straight, paved highways would be pretty unappealing.
I'm in a fb group where the members occasionally post pictures of "dream roads". Compared to what we ride in NZ they look like (mind-numbing) straight lines! We won't go looking for trouble but we won't be shying away from it!
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  #6  
Old 4 Jan 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sarahk View Post
....... we won't be "carving gravel" but we won't let a couple of days on a dirt road stop us from seeing the sights.

We've seen the YouTube videos but it's hard to tell if the rocky single-lane roads with perilous drop-offs are being used because it makes for great content or if they're actually unavoidable.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I usually seek out lots of dirt roads, rather than avoid them. Slower pace and a connection to the scenery you often miss when on the speedy paved roads.


Ecuador.....



It does limit the distances you can go, but that is made up for by the depth of your experiences.


........................shu
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  #7  
Old 5 Jan 2020
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In my experience, when the buzzards start gathering like that you're probably moving too slowly...
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  #8  
Old 5 Jan 2020
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They saw me coming and knew this guy was waiting for me in the middle of the road.



That one was big enough to fill your (not mine) outstretched hand.


..............shu
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  #9  
Old 5 Jan 2020
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Whoa.

Although, in Cambodia they eat those things.
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  #10  
Old 5 Jan 2020
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Hi
Check out Itchy Boots on you tube, she is travelling Patagonia-Alaska on a Royal Enfield Himalayan. She seeks out the gravel roads as much as possible and rides them, a lot of the time, with one hand holding a selfie stick.
So far they all look fine - she has only turned back once on a track, but she is on her own, in very remote areas so sensibly took the safety first approach.

She is still in Chile/Argentina - it will be interesting to see the roads further north.
When are you going? My wife and I are planning to ride in South America next winter (UK)
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  #11  
Old 6 Jan 2020
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Originally Posted by Flipflop View Post
When are you going? My wife and I are planning to ride in South America next winter (UK)
We're planning to land in BA in August and have a bit of time there and head south in September. I'm guessing we'd be a bit behind you but would love to follow your progress!
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  #12  
Old 6 Jan 2020
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I rode down to Ushuaia from Yukon Northern Canada on a Laverda 1200 in 1980/1981 which is not a bike one would choose for this type of adventure. I did minimum 15k km of all kind of gravel road. I avoided only the roads known to be sandy and required skills I didn't have.

Your biggest challenge would be the dirt roads in Alaska and Yukon if it rains because the mud get very slippery and worst than winter condition. 95% wait till the road dries up because it makes no sense and lack of skill is not an issue.

cheers
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  #13  
Old 7 Jan 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sarahk View Post
We're planning to land in BA in August and have a bit of time there and head south in September. I'm guessing we'd be a bit behind you but would love to follow your progress!
We plan to be there next December for the eclipse so will be following your progress
Keep us updated and good luck
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  #14  
Old 24 Mar 2020
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We got this far. Have been enjoying some gravel riding but NZs lockdown starts tomorrow and we're going nowhere. I'm glad we're at home with our kids & dog but hoping that 2021 will be a better year for everyone.

For those of you out on the road I hope you have somewhere nice to hang out and loads of WiFi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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