1. Visa wise it seems as a norwegian can get into most countries without visa or or visa on arrival. US and Canada have Visa Waiver programs. However - I havent checked rules for each and every country yet.


**Both US and Canada now require on-line application before you get there.

2. Can a european plated bike be used and or temporary imported most througout countries in America? Will I need to get a translation of the bike registration papers to spanish or english? I have for the moment only the norwegian papers...

** There are hundreds of European, British, Australian vehicles getting around the Americas. Your vehicle documentation and your documentation need to be in the same names.

3. I understand that bordercrossings sometimes can be a PITA in Americas and take both time and sometimes bribes? Have I understood this right?

**Central America - yes, you are probably right. South America all follow a fairly standard pattern, there are no helpers to rip you off and rarely any charges unless you need a visa. Just make sure you know if any visa needs to be obtained at an Embassy rather than at the border. Most of us have never had to pay a bribe so if you could make it your goal too it will help everyone.

see here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_r...egian_citizens which I've found to be pretty accurate for other nationalities


4. Insurance? Can it be bought for several countries at a time or only one country at a time? Can it be purchased at border crossings?

**yes, yes and yes but not always. Ecuador is I think the only countryt that does not require insurance because as long as you have a valid TIP you are covered by the national system. Rarely will anyone check that you have it, but it is required and having an accident is the best way to find out.

5. Cost of living - this will of course vary in each and every country but can anyone tell something about this? Compared to Europe or SouthEast Asia?

A Scandinavian asking about the cost of living?? Chuckle. Cost of using one ferry in Norway for a 6.5 metre motorhome would feed you for a month in some SA countries. Ecuador and Chile can be reasonably expensive if you want to shop in the big supermarkets. Couple of CA countries too.

6. Climate and route - I have got a quote for sea freight from Australia and it means the bike will arrive in Valparaiso in late september. Is this a sensible time to start to travel in south America? Where should I start? Is it still possible to travel a month or two in the Andes area of Peru and Bolivia? South Chile and south Argentina should be best in the months from december to february I have understood.
And after that I will travel north - but which way to ride? West side or east side of south America?

**The East side of S America is currently a dead end for two reasons - Venezuela is a total basket case and you need to read up on current conditions eg What has gone wrong in Venezuela? - BBC News and see if you can do without toilet paper, soap and most food items for the duration of your stay. Other reason is that border with Colombia is still closed and has been since September last year

7. Darien Gap - theres no ferry running for the moment I think?
What other options are there? The Stahlratte? Other sailing vessels? Air freight?

8. My bike will have a lot of kms in the end of such a trip and it will hardly be worth shipping it back to Europe. Is there any chance to sell it legally in northern America, Canada or USA - maybe Mexico?

**Pretty hard to sell a vehicle legally in any country. Illegal work-arounds exist though

8. Anything else I should know as basic knowledge for the Americas?

**Thousands of blogs through HUBB and elsewhere. Just take a month off work and start reading. THEN come back and ask about what you are missing or don't understand

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Tony
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Thanks so much Tony and Memo - much appriciated.

Yes there are a lot of info "out there" - just a PITA to search it up.

Memo - yes I know that other norwegian guy as our paths has crossed on the www earlier on but great to get a reminder and a chance to read his blog. I havd been in touch with him and got much information already.

Tony - so the furthest north to cross back from the east side of SA (Brazil) is Bolivia? Because on Google maps there doesnt seem to be a connection from Brazil to Peru or Colombia...? Have briefly read about the current situation in Venezuela and if its not changing drastically to the better its no point going there.
Ha-ha you might joke about scandinavians asking about costs etc - but the norwegian currency has dropped 40 % to USD and more than 30 % to Euro - so it hasnt been a great time for our economy the last two years. And the last two years I have been on the road so havent been lucky with my timing.

What about camping options in SA - should I bring my camping gear?

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....