Hi all, I have 2 questions please:

1. How much would a trip from the USA (Texas/Mexico border) to Ushuaia cost in USD?

How much money should I have on hand for a trip based on riding solo from Texas to Ushuaia on a KLR650, camping whenever allowable.

My question about cost is based on shipping the bike from Panama to bypass the Darian Gap and Columbia. I am thinking that I will ship (boat or plane) the bike back from Argentina to Texas after the trip.

About how much money can I expect to spend for a trip from Texas to Ushuaia, including shipping over the Darien Gap and Columbia, then shipping the bike back to the US at the end of the trip?

2. About how long can I expect for it to take in travel time on average to ride from the Texas/Mexico border to Ushuaia? How many months on average will this trip take?

Lastly, what are the best months for such a trip? I am learning that at some times of the year the last leg of the road leading to Ushuaia is impassable due to high winds, what time of the year is the road impassable?
I assume that the best months for a trip from Texas to Ushuaia are the summer months in the USA, which are the winter months in SA? Or is that not correct?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I especially hope to hear from those of you who have made this trip.


Anyone who has made this trip and who is willing to communicate with me by answering quesitons, and provide guidence in planning, would be GREAT!

EddieM (KLR650 "la poderosa")

I would budget 2-3 thousand (all inclusive) USD per month and estimate 6 months to reach Tierra del Fuego from Texas.

These numbers assume fairly comfortable accomodation and a somewhat leisurely pace. There are people out there who could do it in half the time for half the price and others who would need years at twice the price.

Quoting prices in dollars is becoming problematic when it comes to a trip heavily dependent on oil. This is especially true when it comes to flying the bike.

The US dollar has pretty much lost 75% of its purchasing power in terms of hard assets in the last 7 years.

You might find it useful to store your "trip money" in something other than dollars during your travels. I would not be surprised if the greenback loses another 50% of its purchasing power in the next year or two.

I usually held my trip money in things like oil, copper, or financial short positions and converted it to currency only when needed.

My 2 cents, highly inflated.

ayes

Yes 50 to 100 a day is looks safe. The bike may not be worth shipping back something to think about.

The US dollar has fallen on hard times and with oil prices on the rise (daily) looks like now or never.

I departed in late October from Colorado and ended up in Southern Argentina in April.

This wasn't a bad time to go as it avoided the heat in the deserts of Northern Mexico and missed the rainy season in Central America (although the Caribbean coast was invariably wet). I didn't get rained on once until Honduras.

By the time I crossed the Equator in Feb. the northern hemisphere was in the middle of winter while the Southern Hemisphere was in the summer.

Reached Southern Argentina in April which is the Austral fall moving into winter. I got snowed on once or twice. Yes, its damn windy down there. Watch out for the Guanaco and Nandu !!

A highly agitated Argentinian rider after nailing a Ñandu at 60 mph. photo - rtwrider photos at pbase.com

If I had it to do over again, I would depart in Sept. and look to arrive in Southern Argentina in March/May.