Hey all.

11 years later, I'm heading back to South America. Flight booked and bike transport arranged. I'll probably be on a 650 Transalp or similar.

I'm flying into BsAs on the 1st December.

No solid time frame but the general plan is to spend a couple of weeks in Argentina and then head west and then through Bolivia, Peru , Ecuador and finish up in Bogota. Or maybe carry on to Central America. Who knows !!

If anyone else is on the road at the time time, let yourself be known.

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Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
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Hi Ted, roughly how long are you intending to take to reach Bogata?

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As long as it takes... 2-3 months at a guess.

I've only booked a one way flight.

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Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
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Nice, I like your style. Have a great trip.

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Hi Ted

We are a couple on 2 bikes hoping to travel around SA - We’re aiming to start around October/November 19 and head south initially.
I see you decided to ship rather than buy and looking at other threads we are leaning the same way. I gather from your previous posts that you’re a bike mechanic so I guess this had a lot to do with your decision.

Do you mind me asking what your shipping arrangements are?

Many thanks

Hi there.

I'm going to use MotoFeight in the U.K and ship to Buenos Aires. Air Freight.

I think it's £1495.00
Charges in Argentina are about $700
I will use Javier and Sandra of Dakar Motos as customs agents. I used them last time and their service is fantastic. Contact them directly for a quote.

Shipping/Flying your bike is expensive. No way around it. It's double what it cost 10 years ago too.

However, I was looking to buy a bike in South America and although it IS possible and many do it, for me I think I'd pay the extra to have MY bike the way I want it.

As a bike mechanic, I'm super fussy and finicky. Little things irritate me. I want things just so !! lol

Also, buying in Argentina where I want to start my trip is impossible. I'd have to buy another travellers bike and do a border run and paper swap. And I might not find what I want or what I like.

I looked at buying bikes in other countries too. They're REALLY expensive due to import taxes. You can buy cheap Chinese bikes in Colombia or small trail bikes in other countries which are affordable but I want go near Chinese crap and I don't want to buzz around on a 250.

As for used bikes, you will pay almost double for the same bike in South America than in the U.K and it's condition will be a lottery.

In a nut shell, I'm paying more for an easy life, piece of mind and hopefully avoiding my own OCD with bikes that aren't right

Ted

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Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
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Thanks Ted

You’ve pretty much summed up my thinking. I need a bike with good leg room so always adapt my seat and pegs.
Motofrieght have a good reputation so will get a quote, but we’re looking at shipping into Montevideo.

We have a lot of organising to do, as well as renovating a house but hopefully we’ll be ready by October/November so maybe see you over there

Good luck and thanks again

Absolutely. Stay in touch

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
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Hi Ted,

My plans are similar to yours. I will ship my motorcycle to Buenos Aires in Oct and ride south to Patagonia. Then north via Chile and Argentina. My plan was to go all around SA but Venezuela is a "no-go area" anymore.
I may use the same company for shipping the bike eventhough I have a better offer from a company in Hamburg.
We could share a part of the trip. My bike is Honda XLV 1000A (Varadero).

Kind regards,
Mike

Great... Stay in touch

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Hi! Hi have been there some months ago, if you need something fell free to send me a message!
here is my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voltaamericademoto/?hl=pt

You could buy a US registered bike from a traveler finishing in AR. For the amount you are paying fro shipping and customs fees, you can get a decent 650 cc bike. US bikes can be registered in your name through Overland Vehicle Services without your presence. Much more economical and you help a fellow traveler out.

I've weighed it up in detail. Where I agree that can be a great strategy for some. For me, for this trip, this way make sense.

I may be leaving it in South America. So I want a good bike just the way I like it...

I don't like other peoples bikes. I'm too fussy.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.