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First lengthy motorcycle trip (SA?) - and I don't even have a license yet! First lengthy motorcycle trip (SA?) - and I don't even have a license yet!
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Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Ulrike Hahnel, Rock Formations on the Lagune Route, Bolivia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ulrike Hahnel,
Rock Formations on the
Lagune Route, Bolivia



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  • 1 Post By fritzography
  • 4 Post By g6snl

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  #1  
Old 31 Jan 2015
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Red face First lengthy motorcycle trip (SA?) - and I don't even have a license yet!
Hey peeps,

First post, been reading for hours, loving the vibe.

I feel relatively experienced with backpacking (went to Iran, Burma, SA, etc), but always have had the dream of riding a motorcycle across the continents. I am about to get my full motorcycle license in the UK, and then plan a trip.

The dream - ride from Colombia to Argentina this Summer. Now my question is ... - considering I have no riding experience whatsoever, no equipment, nothing - ... is this a really stupid thing to do, or am I allowed to continue dreaming and planning?

Is SA too challenging for a complete riding newbie like me? As alternative, are other routes more "easy going"? I feel completely flexible.. SE Asia, Europe, ...

Maybe a silly question, but I'd greatly appreciate your advice from the more seasoned riders..

THANK YOU!

Alex
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  #2  
Old 31 Jan 2015
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mad?
Are you mad for planning this?

NO

There are many stories around on the internet of people who have done just what you say. If you are a happy traveller already then I don't see any problems what so ever with your planned trip. You will soon pick up your bike skills, over time while riding, there is no better way. The only extra issues you will encounter is the various red tape involved in moving a vehicle across borders etc... None of it is difficult really. Just do you research before hand. All the info is available on this forum, make good use of the "search" function ( top right)

Some advice:

Don't worry about stuff that probably won't happen.
Take what you need (not what you want)
Travel light ( you have probably done that)
Don't try riding a huge bike over rough terrain, smaller is better.
Tyres matter. on road or off road.
Tank range matters.

Read some trip reports on here and other forums for the areas you plan to visit. Have a look at Paul Pitchfork's blog he covered some of your route. link here > HORCA MOTO | MOTORCYCLES – ADVENTURE – LIFE

Good luck with the test. Enjoy your trip
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Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway
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  #3  
Old 31 Jan 2015
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Tim, you have no idea how happy your reply makes me. Not only encouraging my plans, but also being very helpful. This dream shall remain on my list ... I give myself around 4 months to plan, buy some equipment, check with my job, etc ... but will keep you up to date Genuinely - just your single post was a big influence on whether this is bound to happen or not. Thank you!
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  #4  
Old 1 Feb 2015
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Tim,
You will do fine. One thing I'd consider is learning some Spanish. Can't count the number of Brits and Aussies I've bailed out of dicey situations due to them not having any Spanish. My Spanish sucks ... but I can talk to Police and Border people well enough to survive. (not much else )

If you're riding and learning to ride in the UK now, you'll do fine. S. America is not as dangerous (IMHO) as Asia. It's crazy ... but not insane like India or parts of Asia. You'll get the hang of it: BIG buses and trucks rule.

If you can, get a bike big enough to get round the moving Chickens safely and quickly. (moving Chicane! ) Lots of travelers bikes come up for sale in Colombia. Make a deal and buy it. Read all the ins and outs on this here on
HUBB.

Cities and suburbs are a bit crazy but once truly in the country ... quite nice and mellow. Not much traffic way out there on little roads in the Andes. Learn from how locals drive, but have your defensive driving skills well honed ... and learn to run into the ditch and survive.
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Old 1 Feb 2015
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Alex
This chap set off east from Europe with not much more biking experience than you: Tajikistan Or Bust! Solo trip from England to the Afghanistan border via Chechnya - ADVrider

I hate to use straplines of sports goods manufacturers, but can't think of anything better: "Just Do It". You'll do just fine.

Make sure you start a ride report here (and on the other site) to share your experiences.

Good luck!
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Old 1 Feb 2015
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Yes maybe you are mad, but don't let that stop you. Do a search for Tiffany Coates both on this forum and the web in general. She did the same thing many years ago and is still embarrassing the lot of us with her exploits.
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  #7  
Old 1 Feb 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fritzography View Post
I feel completely flexible.. SE Asia, Europe, ...
Hi,

As you have been in Asia before this would be the easyest to start with. 125cc bikes can be rented for 5 Dollars per Day in Thailand, Laso and Cambodia and drivers licences are sold beside the road averywere:

http://schoene-motorradreisen.de/?re...ailand_bangkok

In South America its easy to buy a 125ccm bike and visa are easy to get on arrival (with Europe passport). Infrastructure mostly available:

http://motorradtouren-suedamerika.de...en_suedamerika

Africa is the hardest. Road conditiones are ruff, Visa sometimes very hard to get and no infrastructure available:

http://afrikamotorrad.de/?report=en_transafrika

What ever you do: Enjoy it!!!
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Old 1 Feb 2015
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You guys are just fantastic, loving the enthusiasm and support, and really appreciate it. This is going ahead, and I will update accordingly.

@mollydog: Luckily speak a few words of Spanish here and there already. Regards the bike, my plan is to indeed buy in Colombia. I have done a LOT of reading the last days, and it seems to be that a small bike is probably best for me (i.e. a 250 Chinese bike over a BMW 1200 GS.. ) in terms of riding style, taking it easy, being on my own, and budget.

Thanks again ... I keep doing my research, reading reading reading.. just bought Chris Scott's Adventure book.. and will follow more posts on HUBB. More questions are surely to follow

Best
Alex
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  #9  
Old 2 Feb 2015
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Fritzography

You could consider starting at a different point in S Am this guy is in Peru, I have been in touch with him myself via email and it seems ok
He also offers to buy the bike back, less hassle for you when you finish your trip

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...get-ride-76478

Wayne
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  #10  
Old 22 Feb 2015
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hey fritzography,

if you have any plans for next year please let me know. sorry, cant do private messages yet as im a newbie...
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  #11  
Old 3 Aug 2015
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It's not no bother at all dreaming of a big trip without having the riding skills first. I had to re-think a failed rtw cycling trip due to an ongoing knee injury. Bought my first ever motorcycle 6 months before, and passed my test just 2 months before I left for Africa. I didn't really have any idea what was coming; I crashed a lot, I laughed a lot, I feared a lot, I loved a lot. I had the time of my life really.

Just take it easy when you're out there, an get into the groove naturally.

I'm assuming that you're just about ready to leave or may have already left by now?

Liam.

The Routes of Earth
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  #12  
Old 8 Aug 2015
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Dreaming is fine, but reality is different. I noticed the story from ADV was posted up of a man riding his dream from England to Afganistan, that's fine, but ey omitted the story of the guy on the same forum who was riding to SA, was inexperienced made a bad decision and ended up not not only paralized but a bad ending beyond that

Motorcycling is inherently more dangerous than driving a car. You have two wheels not four, you have less room for error in everything you do. To top it off in developing countries You contend with all manner of obstacles in the road that require skill and good decision making, something you will lack as a noob.

To make it happen get a bicycle and ride like mad at home, cycling transfers directly over To motorcycling. Take motorcycling classes and pick up a dirt bike to practice with as well. Dirt riders make better motorcyclists as they are used to limited traction and avoiding obstacles. With practice you can make it happen and increase your odds of a fun, successful trip.
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