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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



 
 
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Old 3 Aug 2008
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
Welcome.

What bike, eh? The eternal question.

Depends on what riding you'll be doing and how much/many (stuff/people) you intend to carry.

However, I would aim for something 400cc or over: for a sinlge passenger a 600-650 single/twin should have all the umph you need, whilst still being relatively light and relatively economical to run. Its by no means written in stone, but I think a bike with at least some off-road aspiratiosn will make handling better on the crappier roads you will inevitably encounter whether or not you actively seek them out, especially in Central/South America.

We travelled two up in Argenita and CHile with a BMW R1150GS. Coped with the load and was far more forgiving off-road than I would have thought and more so than I deserved as a dirt newbie! It got mashed back in the UK, so now I have a XR400 that I amy use for short local trips alone given that the seat was initially designed by the Spanish Inquisition to abuse heretics. I have now moved to a Ural sidecar outfit as it is easier to carrya girlfriend and dog with one of those than on a XTZ660!

So you see the world is your oyster. Narrow it down to a style and functionality that you like and then test ride any models that take you fancy!! The best way forward, IMHO.
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