Hi,

I'm starting my B/list soon and will be shipping my KLR650 via air to Quito!
Since I live in Connecticut and the bike is new (2013), my intent is to drive it
down to MIA to break it in and get a feel for its handling. Then I can tinker
with it to my liking and finish the set-up after I get the luggage rack and gross travel weight figured out.

I've been to most of S.A. previously and want to concentrate on the western
faces of the mountains in Peru & Chile… down to Coyaihqui and then cut East
thru them and South down to Punta Arenas. I would then like to get into the S/W bottom area of Chile and do some serious exploration of that neck of the woods if possible!

My Spanish is limited and plan to engage a Spanish teacher while in Quito
to hopefully develop a basic conversational skill capability before I go out into the hinterlands. Hopefully, 3 months in school will cut it.

For ya'll who have made this, or a similar trip to this region……I'd appreciate
receiving ANY or ALL info or tidbits that will make this trip slick, lean and mean! IF, all goes well, I intend to take the bike on a boat to New Zealand,
cruise that country…...AND if I'm still kicking, go bite a kangaroo in the ass
while I do Australia!

ANY & All suggestions are appreciated and hopefully your inputs will help enable me to make my long ride safely, so I can get back to chasin women
and LIVIN MY LIFE instead of just existing and waitin for the door to close !!

Thanks in advance for any tidbits ya send my way!

Forest (FRIP) Cague
69 years young

Hello I have a friend who lives in Quito and motorcycle travels to South America soon.
regards
molfre@uio.satnet.net

Nice plan,
Quito has some good schools to learn spanish,
If you like to stay in a smaller town there are also schools in
Banos de aqua santa or on the coast there are also schools.
(Just a tought)
Enjoy


Saludos

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Anaconda,

I live in Peru (American expat here for 30 years now) and run an Adventure Moto Tours gig here. I know most every road and trail here in Peru and would be glad to give you any route info you may be looking for.

The west side of the Andes in Peru (staying off the Panam as much as possible) have little interconnecting roads and support without going inland and then back... but some BEAUTIFUL areas!

I also live in the middle of Peru in the Andes, and have two KLRs in my fleet and small stock of parts if you need anything!

Cheers! Toby

PS: I was also part owner of a 22 ft anaconda when I was a kid! Nat Geo October 1972....

Forrest,

I've finally pulled my finger out and am developing my blog to include info that may be of use to other motoqueros in S Am. I'm currently working on a few posts that list the routes and places I'd recommend from Ushuaia upwards (posted under "A Bikers' Guide." It may be useful.

www.horcamoto.com

More than happy to answer questions, but if it's Peru related, stick with Toby - he knows way more than me!!

Pau

__________________
Blogging @ www.horcamoto.com

Below is an edited post I wrote from a recent thread about going to S. America.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IMO, not many guide books or DVD's are as good as current ride reports. These offer timely info from folks out on the road NOW or recently returned. Most of the links below started in N. America and moved South into S. America. But all good info and inspiration. Take your time, read the ones that interest you. Leave the rest behind!

South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure - ADVrider
JDowns (one of the best reports)

Jammin thru the Global South - ADVrider
Jammin Jay (Starts in USA, then Latin America and beyond) Great stuff on S.
Chile.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...50+Baja&page=3
Jedi Master S. America (best photos going!)

South for a while… maybe longer - ADVrider
Air Borne Andy (lots of good info)[/QUOTE]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My .02 cents.

It's beginning Winter now in the far South, so Punta Arenas & Ushuaia may be too wet/cold to ride in June/July/August. By mid-late Sept. weather may get better. By Oct./ November, should be good.

In the meantime you can study Spanish in Quito, explore Ecuador (worth at least a month) then mozy into Peru', visit Toby for the World Class routes and KLR knowledge. Honestly, I would skip Macha Pichu. IMHO, over-rated. I liked Cuzco (was there a month) but not thrilled with the MP experience.

Don't skip Bolivia. ($130 for a visa for US citizens ) Lots of good riding, do research to find best options. (Death Road a must)

Winter (May to Oct.) is best time to visit Northern Argentina (IMO), way too hot in Summer months. Lots to explore and discover there ... and Argentina has the best food in S. America, IMO. If you like Italian food and coffee and the best steaks in the world, you'll love Argentina ...but there is so much more.

When you get your bike crated up I'd love to know the cost of air fare to Quito. Can you post back here when you find out?

Hi,
I am an Ecuadorian born US citizen also ready to embark (start in August) a very similar trip.

I plan to ship to Colombia from North Carolina, but interested to see what you were able to secure shipping wise to Ecuador.

Best,
i