Traveling on $4,000
 

I am looking to travel in South America next year during the month of June or July for a month if possible. I can almost pay for my ticket entirely with frequent flier miles I've earned. I was thinking about purchasing a bike in SA and selling it there again. A loss on a bike wouldn't be a big deal to me.

In any case, I was wondering what the feasibility of purchasing and selling a bike in SA would be? Are there restrictions I should be aware of (such as a carnet for crossing borders if I so choose)? I am mainly interested in Argentina and/or Chile as destinations. Recommendations for places to see and where to go are welcome. The lingering question I have is, will $4,000.00 USD be enough in either Argentina or Chile to purchase a bike and ride around for a month? I don't mind camping, but security comes to mind. I could also shorten the duration of my trip. If one knows of a link that might direct me to a motorcycle classifieds listing (if that exists) for these two destinations I would be grateful.

Right now, it is a bit tricky for me to sit down and plan this trip, but I figure I might as well get the ball rolling. I'm gone for a week at a time for a month so, if I don't get back to you immediately don't worry, I'll be able to reply at weeks end. Just so people don't think I'm lazy and trying to avoid doing research myself, I have read through Adventure Motorcycling Handbook by Chris Scott a few times. I have also visited this site on occasion (please link relevant info within HUBB if it is a must read). Otherwise, I'll be reading through the regional forums when I get back. All help is greatly appreciated!:mchappy: Happy trails and feel free to include anything that I should know that I haven't mentioned.

Best, Kai

Have you tried a search on the HUBB? The information for which you're asking is available at exhaustive length. Use Google, including search terms "HUBB" or similar.

Hope that helps.

Mark

Hello Kai,

Checking the weather forecast for Santiago, Chile tomorrow I see rain, High 48F, low 32F. BRRRRR! It is currently 45F and drizzling in Buenos Aires with a low tonight of 35F. Snowing in the Andes. Cold and windy on the Pampas. Snowing in Tierra del Fuego. The middle of winter in June/July is not a great time of year to be touring Chile/Argentina on a motorcycle.

I plan to fly down there in January and buy a bike in Chile to ride around for a couple months during their summer. I'll report back. Currently checking out bikes on chileautos.cl

It takes a minimum of 7-10 days to register a bike in Chile and get a Padron so you can leave the country. The detailed info is on this website if you search. Plenty of people have done it.


South America is a vast continent though. If I was limited to the June/July timeframe, I would choose the rainy season in the north over the cold season in the south. Maybe ride around Colombia, Peru, Equador.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

Chile is the easiest to buy in. For aprox $2000 you could get a Chinese 200cc new, leaving you $2000 to travel. You will have a hard time finding all but the oldest and smallest of Japanese bikes for less than $3500.

Chile N of La Serena and AR N of Mendosa should be fine for riding if you stay out of the high mountains.
:(:(:(

The north of chile is not very interesting, but N AR has some nice areas.

As others have said, for jn & jl, Peru/Bolivia is a much beetr choice. These countries will also be much easier on the budget. You could buy a Chinese 250cc for about $2000 in Bolivia and spend about $1000/month riding about. When you finished you could sell the bike in a day or two for $1200 aqnd return with cash in your wallet.

Good Luck