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14 Apr 2008
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northumberland UK
Posts: 22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Irishkev
how are you dude.
I guess you are English from your post. I am Irish and am just back from South America .. well almost, (kicking around spain at the moment). As a citizen of the EU you dont have to pay for any visas in south america, that includes (bolivia) the 100 is just for Americans. Same goes for the bike, no payment required there either.
I personally flew the Darien Gap with Girag aircargo and it was fine, slightly more than the boat but not much.
Central America is a pain you have to pay a fee for practically everything at all the borders. Fumigation, visa, and import. there is a good document here in the archive somewhere on crossing borders done by an american guy, i will see if i can find it. Worst crossing is El Salvador to Honduras.. so avoid that one if you can , its on the main pan am. After that just have fun!! All the info i came across is on my site somewhere, so have a look, the link is below.
kev
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Hi Kev,
Thank you for the information, it's very much appreciated.
The website looks really good - very professional! I can tell you have the travel-bug!
Yes, I'm English, living in Northumberland.
Just a couple of extra questions - how did you find Colombia, I didn't know if I should visit or not?
Who did you organise your bike insurance through for Central and South America, I've been in touch with one company but they exclude some countries, including Argentina.
I'll have a good look at your site, once I've caught up on my emails.
Regards,
Mike
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14 Apr 2008
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Hi Mike,
Pleased you got the visa OK.
Have you got the bike insurance sorted yet? It's a number of years since I have been in the USA and on previous trips I have just brought it after arrival. Insurance in Canada appears to be harder to obtain without a state Licence and or state registered bike.
After a lot of phone calls and emails with copies of documents I found this company in Florida, best cover (3 levels to choose from), best rates. You have to buy 12 months but if you cancel they will credit you without penalty. Quite easy to deal with compared to others I have tried.
Virna Figueroa
The Sunrise Group
816 Executive Drive
Oviedo, FL 32765
PH: 800-478-7648
FX: 407-977-7004
E-mail: sunrisegroup@cfl.rr.com
Web: The Sunrise Group
You are on a tight schedual so you may want to sort it out before you go.
I hope the weather improves in canada before we get there, winter seams to be hanging on for ever this year.
Steve
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14 Apr 2008
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Pan American Trip
Quote:
Originally Posted by daveg
Yes. I'm starting in Texas the 2nd week of July. Although I'm planning a much more relaxed pace (6 months, with atleast one month staying put somewhere learning spanish early in the trip).
I'm looking for people to meetup/ride with as I'm currently solo for the bulk of the trip.
If you're going to be in Mexico before July, you're welcome to stay at my house in Houston. While on the road I'm pretty free-spirited, I'm plan obsessed leading up to a big trip. Anticipation/planning is half of the experience for me 
dg |
Hi Dave,
Nice to hear from you. I don't think I'll be in Mexico by then but I'll forward my BlackBerry email (not set up yet) so we can keep in contact but thank you very much for the offer, I'm sure we can meet up somewhere.
It's surprising just how much there is to get organised before the trip, it's taking up most of my time just now but I know it will be worth it. I can't wait for the trip to begin.
Regards,
Mike
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14 Apr 2008
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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Pan American Trip
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveAttwood
Hi Mike,
Pleased you got the visa OK.
Have you got the bike insurance sorted yet? It's a number of years since I have been in the USA and on previous trips I have just brought it after arrival. Insurance in Canada appears to be harder to obtain without a state Licence and or state registered bike.
After a lot of phone calls and emails with copies of documents I found this company in Florida, best cover (3 levels to choose from), best rates. You have to buy 12 months but if you cancel they will credit you without penalty. Quite easy to deal with compared to others I have tried.
Virna Figueroa
The Sunrise Group
816 Executive Drive
Oviedo, FL 32765
PH: 800-478-7648
FX: 407-977-7004
E-mail: sunrisegroup@cfl.rr.com
Web: The Sunrise Group
You are on a tight schedual so you may want to sort it out before you go.
I hope the weather improves in canada before we get there, winter seams to be hanging on for ever this year.
Steve |
Hi Steve,
Thanks for that, I'm just looking into insurance at the minute, I'll contact Sunrise for a quote. I've been in touch with one company which was very expensive.
Are you heading to Central and South America?
I'll let you know how the insurance goes.
I'd like the weather to improve in the UK too!!
Regards,
Mike
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14 Apr 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Greeve
Hi Steve,
Thanks for that, I'm just looking into insurance at the minute, I'll contact Sunrise for a quote. I've been in touch with one company which was very expensive.
Are you heading to Central and South America?
I'll let you know how the insurance goes.
I'd like the weather to improve in the UK too!!
Regards,
Mike
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Mike,
The cheapest Quote from Sunrise is $281. This is Liability only and includes Canada. For Canada the minimum liability for interstate cover has to be CAN$200,000.
The US$281 is for 12 months and we are planing around 4 to 5 months, they will refund any time we don't use, so if we only use 4 months we should get $186 back.
The next best was $208 for 4 months. but the quote took 3 weeks to arrive.
Thankfully I have a scanner otherwise it would have been much harder to organise.
We will ride central and southern America, should get to Mexico around September.
Steve
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14 Apr 2008
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Shropshire, Blighty
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Colombia Content
Mike,
Mr Ron is right. Unless you are into setting yourself distance/speed challenges, you don't have enough time, and as he says too, you can never have enough time in Colombia. I was planning on getting to Panama from Venezuela as fast as possible. I now live here! And I hear travellers repeatedly saying how they wished they had spent more time here.
Security won't really be an issue, (well, always an issue!), for someone travelling the main drag by motorbike. In fact, you are probably a lot more secure here than in most Latin American countries. I'm not exaggerating!
I've never had insurance that has not been obligatory in crossing a border in any one of the LaAm countries I have motorcycled in, but I'm not a good example. I was once asked in VEN, and I gave them my medical insurance. I have been asked once or twice in COL, and just shrugged my shoulders. You can buy SOAT in the supermarket.
Hope this helps. If you come through Colombia, give me a shout.
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
Last edited by Stretcher Monkey; 15 Apr 2008 at 01:41.
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16 Apr 2008
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Colombia
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stretcher Monkey
Mike,
Mr Ron is right. Unless you are into setting yourself distance/speed challenges, you don't have enough time, and as he says too, you can never have enough time in Colombia. I was planning on getting to Panama from Venezuela as fast as possible. I now live here! And I hear travellers repeatedly saying how they wished they had spent more time here.
Security won't really be an issue, (well, always an issue!), for someone travelling the main drag by motorbike. In fact, you are probably a lot more secure here than in most Latin American countries. I'm not exaggerating!
I've never had insurance that has not been obligatory in crossing a border in any one of the LaAm countries I have motorcycled in, but I'm not a good example. I was once asked in VEN, and I gave them my medical insurance. I have been asked once or twice in COL, and just shrugged my shoulders. You can buy SOAT in the supermarket.
Hope this helps. If you come through Colombia, give me a shout.
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Hi Stretcher Monkey,
Thank uou very much for the advice, I would like to see Colombia if at all possible. I'll certainly get in touch if/when I get there.
I know it will be tight to try and make the trip without it feeling like a race - I should have a good idea of the reality after a couple of weeks on the bike.
I don't want to sound thick but what is SOAT??
Regards,
Mike
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16 Apr 2008
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Join Date: Aug 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Greeve
I know it will be tight to try and make the trip without it feeling like a race - I should have a good idea of the reality after a couple of weeks on the bike.
I don't want to sound thick but what is SOAT??
Regards,
Mike
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No Problems,
I have never been to North America, where logistically, I suppose you would have an experience equivalent to your OZ trip. I was just thinking of all those Central American border crossings, bad weather days and arse ache. What happens when you meet some lovely engaging people and they ask you to stay until the weekend, so that they can take you to their favourite beach/restaurant? Oops, there goes the schedule!
Shipping the bike may cost you some time, as you can't get these details nailed down until you get to Panama City/Colon. You may have to wait up to 2 weeks for a boat, although the last time I did it, I found one immediately.
How's the spanish?
Anyway, good luck and I think the "suck it and see" approach is a good one.
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
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16 Apr 2008
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Shropshire, Blighty
Posts: 346
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Soat
Sorry, that's your insurance for Colombia - "Seguro Obligitario". As far as I know, you are not able to buy a policy in advance that provides cover for any LaAm countries. In Central America it tends to be available, (and unavoidable), at the border.
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
Last edited by Stretcher Monkey; 16 Apr 2008 at 19:10.
Reason: elaboration!
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21 Apr 2008
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I'll be in Central America about the time you get down this way. Email me at terraxpeditions at gmail dot com and give me some updates.
Scott
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