Been there, done that -- just last week! Left Manaus on Dec 25, and crossed the border to Ven on 26th. It is about 1,000km, and 99.9% paved. There are roughly 10 sections of no more than 100 meters of hard packed dirt-rock. No problem on any bike.
The problem is the very well hidden potholes -- sometimes we had to knock it down from 4th gear to 1st very quickly, just to manuever around the Huge Holes.
30km from the border, I was not watching close enough, and hit a long/deep hole. The result, no more dampening oil in the Ohlins shock, and I had to pogo-stick it all the way to Caracas.
Border crossing was fast and efficient; gas stations every 100-125km; and the first 150km of road in Venezuela is filled with spectacular mountains (Gran Sebana).
Gas in Venezuela is US$1 for 13 liters of unleaded 95, or 20 liters if leaded 91 octane.
Have a blast. If you want to see photos of our trip up river from Belem to Manaus, see
www.UltimateJourney.com/Amazonas.html
Happy Holidays!
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Ride safe, ride far, ride often,
Email: bmw @ ultimate journey .com (no spaces)
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