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Salar de Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama Salar de Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama
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  #1  
Old 25 Jun 2007
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The franglais-riders
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Salar de Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama
hello,
Anyone who has done this trail, can you tell me what tyres did you use precisely?
Pirellis? which one? Would be helpful, I will order tyres in Cuenca to carry them until the trail. I know the trail is really bad and sandy so any advice guys pls let me know what tyres you had and if it was the good choice.

Cheers,
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  #2  
Old 26 Jun 2007
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hi maria,

i did this ride 3 weeks ago and although its very beautiful, make no mistake - it is one of the toughest routes in south america! I did it on a 1989 BMW R100GS and used a Maxxis dual purpose 17/130/80 on the rear and a Michellin Sirag 21/90/90 on the front. The Sirag is more of a road tyre while the maxxis is more off road. I made it alive but it was hard hard work and twice I ate sand trying to keep up with the jeep I was following! I would recommend getting the widest tyres possible for your bike. My problem was the front was way too thin for a big heavy loaded bike and it was sinking and making the ride almost impossible in some places. Anyway the scenery is out of this world and as long as you know its not easy I highly recommend it!

Ilya
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  #3  
Old 26 Jun 2007
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Ylia thanks!
I saw the Maxxis yesterday in a big bike shop in Quito. I should get to Uyuni in 2 or 3 months (taking my time!) . I think the choice of tyres will be essential for that part of the trip.
I know it is the toughest road in SA (seen plenty of photos from various bikers blogs!) , but if I don´t try to do it I will regret all my life! So I´m up for it! I surely will be cursing all the way, but hey if it was easy, it would be pointless!
Maybe see you in Ushuaia for Xmas?

Cheers,
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  #4  
Old 27 Jun 2007
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Use any off road tires you can get and use only 18psi of air!
Than you will be fine, it is not the easyest ride, but if you keep all the air in you tires you will have a very hard ride to get through!
If you pass Sucre change your tires there, because from on Potosi there will be only a dirt road left.
We camped on isla Pescado and drove than in one day to Laguna Colorado (250km) there we met a German couple, tooked them 3 days!
If you ride a lot of off road and you are used to high altitude you will not have big troubles going trough there!

The ride is fantastic!!! Enjoy it!
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  #5  
Old 6 Jul 2007
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You dont need any ridiculously knobby tires. I did it on the standard Pirelli MT 60's and was fine. those tires are 50 /50 for pavement / dirt, and i didnt lay down once. maybe I was just used to ridiculous riding cause i had done a loop around all of bolivia and seen the worst of the worst, but these roads (uyuni to s.p de atacame) are very do-able. If you need very specific info, you can PM or email me, I did this exact route like 2.5 months ago, and you are right, you will regret it for the rest of your life if you dont do it. Honestly, its only one day of real long real tough riding, sandwiched in between two pretty tough days. ENJOY!!!!
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  #6  
Old 17 Jul 2007
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Hi
I did the ride 10 days ago on Conti TKC 80. I think MT 60 is a good choice for this tour. Enjoy it - the scenery is just great!
Marcello
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  #7  
Old 4 Oct 2007
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Support vehicle
Hi,

My girlfriend and I are two up on an r1200gsa and I`m keen to cross Uyuni to San Pedro.

I have read nearly every post on the subject and a friend on an r1200 recently made the trip but wrecked his front and rear suspension, had his bike sand blasted etc.

His suggestion was to put my girlfriend in a 4wd along with the luggage (she likes this idea) and I get to do it on the unloaded bike. I´ve read it`s hard to keep up with a tour and they can`t help too much if you get in the shit.

I was wondering if anyone has done similar and where to start with the 4wd companies. I don`t expect it to be cheap but I would love to do the ride and have a decent chance of making it.

Anyone with a nice gps route, info that may help or who may want to join us around the 10th of Oct (soon) let me know.

We are currently in Cusco and head south tomorrow.

Thanks

Paul
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  #8  
Old 4 Oct 2007
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Just go for it
We rode with another couple who 2 up on a Africa Twin. Yes, the route gets a bit slow going with the deep gravel etc and the bikes might go down now and then, but hey, this is what they call Adventure Motorcycling.... Stunning scenery though, some of the best we saw.
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  #9  
Old 4 Oct 2007
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Thanks Mike,

I´m all up for the adventure and believe me my bike has been layed over quite a bit in the last 10 months.

When my friend Marcin emailed he seriously recomended not doing it two up and I´ve been debating it ever since.

Do you have gps coords of your route?

Paul
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  #10  
Old 4 Oct 2007
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Paul just realised its you from Dakar Motos, how`s it all holding together?

I think the bunt the girlfriend in the jeep is a good idea so you can enjoy the riding more, it`s not seriously technical. One up will be fine, two up difficult but not impossible as prev said.

Maybe get the company to haul 10litres of gas for you. You may find it hard to stay with their schedule but if you agree on where to meet up at night there shouldn`t be a problem. No english spoken by the drivers so make sure you understand.
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  #11  
Old 6 Oct 2007
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Hey J,

Trips going well thanks. I like the idea of a solo fang so looks like that will be the go.
You still down BsAs way?
We`re in a little joint called Espinar on the way to Arequipa from Cusco, beautiful countryside.

Thanks again for the advice fella`s-

Paul
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  #12  
Old 7 Oct 2007
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Looks like I will be leaving Uyuni to Atacama around the 15th if anyone is keen.
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  #13  
Old 8 Oct 2007
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tyres andGPS
My husband and I did this route last year....fantastic...and not too difficult.
the altitude and cold is the worst.

have a look at 2ridetheworld.com as our GPS route for our entire trip is available for download. go to the bottom of our index page.

if you want to get any further information we have our journal/diary up for view - the Bolivian section is here. 2ridetheworld.com : diary

We used conti TCK80s- as we have throughout our trip. we found them ideal.

try to get to the Arbol de Piedra (rock tree) GPS co-ords in our log.

have fun- ride safe
Lisa
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  #14  
Old 9 Oct 2007
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Lisa,

Thanks for the info and I will check out the links.

I´ve kept with the TKC´s and thought they would do the trick.

Thanks again.

Paul
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  #15  
Old 14 Oct 2007
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We are in La Paz and heading to Oruro tomorrow then Uyuni the next day so probably set of on the 16th or 17th.
Tonito tours have quoted $90US pp as they will be carrying fuel and gear of mine and providing me with food and accomodation.
They will send a 4wd to take Bec, the gear and go at my pace for the 3 days for $450US which is understandable as no other passengers. Will probably take the cheaper option but thought it may be of interest to others.
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