Hi. Presently in Sanitiago and heading down to TDF on tuesday march 6th. If your heading south, let me know. Me 28, laid back, riding honda falcon, fluent in spanish. email me at robd19@hotmail.com if you want to ride down together.

Take care,
Rob

Hi *Sojourner1979... just saw your post in the HUBB... where are you staying in Santiago.... will be glad to help you on your trip south... e-mail me to stay in touch
Regards,
Roberto
www.thomraids.cl

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Hi Rob... since you haven't get in touch probably everything is on schedule and ready to go... just to remind that some other travellers are on there way such as this friend from Ireland and maybe you could hook up... here are some pieces of information we have been emailing each other...
This message is FROM:
name: feargal ward
email: fearward@gmail.com
city: dublin
state: country: Ireland
feargal said:
hey all,
I am travelling first time to Chile and South America in 5 weeks time
and hope to buy a bike in Santiago, anything from a DR350 up to the usual
xt/DR/Klr 600/650. I thought I'd contact you just in case any of u stumbled
upon a nice one of these over the next few weeks! Anyway if anybody was up for a when I'm there that would be super - I will have great stories
of Irish winter rain . . . .
cheers feargal
Hi Irishman: I don't know if you got my reply but in case you haven't,
please refer to my site (Chile Raids en Moto) where you can find more
information.... buying a bike in Chile you will have to get the RUT
number... this time of the year (summer) everybody is on vacations and
prices of used motorbikes are quite expensive (winter times are cheaper)
and luckily you'll find something acceptable... have searched together
with other british couple last year... they bought 2 XT600 and another
couple bought a Transalp ('89) which later they sold in Iquique for half
the price... I do not rent... my 'hobby-job' is lending one of my three
XTZ750 and I take care of myself and yourself with the bike travelling
together to anywhere you wish for the time needed.... the price is
US$120 per day and fuel, food and lodging is not included on the
price... possibility of camping but not cooking... let me know how long
are you planning to travel...
Cheers and welcome,
Roberto 'Thomraider'
Chile Raids en Moto

hi Roberto - cheers for getting in touch - I am over for 3 - 5 months
starting March 14 - no plan but to travel wherever the road takes me -
will try to buy a Chilean reg bike as soon as I get my RUT,was
wondering did that couple buy those XTs off a shop or a private
seller?
There was another rider finishing up in Santiago about now but just
got a posting saying he sold his bike so boo for me at the moment
Any tips or advice on where to go looking for the bike in Santiago
would be greatly appreciated
cheers
fw

Hi FW... you can look at the ads in the newspaper... this link will be helpful... Automóviles.elmercurio.com : El sitio automotriz más completo. Autos, Jeeps y camionetas. ... in shops is difficult to buy used bikes.... also in internet you may find something ... this is another link ... Chileautos.cl: miles de vehículos nuevos y usados ... the newspaper ad is frequently the better choice.
What year of bike are you looking to buy and how much money you wish to spend?... which extras for your long trip?... XT/DR/KLR/600-650 may not be in good shape...
Take a look at the links.
Cheers,
Roberto

hey Roberto,
thanks for the help - I have been looking at the chileautos
site for the last few weeks - it seems to have the widest choice - but
boy it seems very difficult to get 600cc dualsports. I am in two minds
. . . I am thinking maybe get a Honda XR400/500 or Suzuki DR350 like
the ad below and get the subframe strenghtened, put saddlebags and
tankbag on, new chain/sprockets if needed, bashplate and carry a
jerrycan for petrol . This is hopefully about 2000 - 3000 US dollars -
i will travel light, should be good for off road.
The other option is spend 4000/5000 US dollars plus for a 10 year old
DR650 or other such big enduro . . .if I can find one! ( this one is
in Talca) not great for an old bike like this ......
mmmm .. I think maybe the first option could be best - I don't plan
doing 400 km days on highways and would prefer the 'off the beaten
track' low mileage way. If i bought something like the dr350 for that
money that would leave me money to really prepare it (if of course the
engine is sound to start with) Also if all went belly up somewhere in
Peru - its $2000 less pain!
Any advice would be hugely appreciated - i dropped those ads in below
to see what u think of it all - Am I right that the XR600 has no
paperwork for that price?
thanks again Roberto
Feargal;

Hi Feargal... as you can see there are not many options to buy used bikes and uncertainty of their working condition is another worry... sometimes you can be lucky and have minor problems, but I can assure you that no one has had it free of some troubles in the road.... the XR600 is only for off road... no rear view mirrors, turn signals, horn and permit for circulating on cities and normal roads.... less than 650cc would be very demanding on you for such a long trip.... of all the japanese bikes, the only ones that have some spares stocked are Honda and Yamaha, better the last one... (I was owner of 2 Honda NX650...) and sold them because the 'thumpering' of the single cylinder is too tiredsome for long journeys... I'll be looking this weekend to the ads in El Mercurio and will let you know...
You have not considered my option.... that is a bullet proof bike (Yamaha XTZ750) with all the necessary gear (top case, tank bag and panniers, rear side panniers, tall windshield and crash bars, plus other extras, leased to you for 3 months with me riding any of my other two bikes acting as your assistant for mechanical problems (I carry the spares and tools) and also speaking for yourself in Spanish.... no need to obtain the RUT or any other paperwork... just ride and pay your gas and lodging (I carry the camping gear) you carry your sleeping bag and other belongings.... feeding is the 'english way'... each one pays for what he eats... you set the riding pace and I follow behind with my movie camera and taking snapshots... just relax and enjoy your trip...
Any questions, just drop me a line.
Cheers,
Roberto 'Thomraider'
Chile Raids en Moto
'Let's go adventuring...'

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Ride with nature