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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  • 1 Post By LD Hack

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  #1  
Old 2 Feb 2018
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Planninig SA trip
Not sure what to take to South America but has anybody got some serious comments on the Royal Enfield Himalayan .
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Old 10 Feb 2018
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Buy a moto that is common in South America. Many Chinese motos, along with specific Honda models are seen in SA. Parts availability, mechanic familiarity with the moto - all important to getting back on the road if something unique to the moto goes wrong (clutch, ignition, shocks, etc). It's a bummer to be stuck for many weeks, waiting for parts.
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Old 1 Sep 2018
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Actually, you would be surprised - I seen several RE Himalayans' on the road in South America: when I was out there.
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Old 1 Sep 2018
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I'd rather sit here at my computer than ride a 150ccc Chinese bike around South America. Don't know enough about the Himalayan, but it it's pretty standard technology, and I think it is, any bike shop can fix most things. It's been out for a while so it should be known what goes wrong. If there are things that cannot be replaced with generic parts, and they are unlikely to last 15,000 miles, bring them with.

I did South America on a bike that doesn't exist outside of North America and brought a fuel pump and drive belt with me. I used the belt.

I think it's cool to do a trip on something that is not a clone of everyone else's bike, but that's just me. BTW, If I were taking an RE on that trip, , it would be the 500 Classic.
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Old 1 Sep 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MountBelisarius View Post
Actually, you would be surprised - I seen several RE Himalayans' on the road in South America: when I was out there.
Totally right! There are Royal Enfield dealers in almost every country of south America. I was at a RE dealer in Quito yesterday and have seen several of the Himalayan out on the roads i SA.

The «new» BS4 model or whatever its called, the one with EFI seem to get relatively good reviews. Im tempted myself...
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Old 1 Sep 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LD Hack View Post
Buy a moto that is common in South America. Many Chinese motos, along with specific Honda models are seen in SA. Parts availability, mechanic familiarity with the moto

Agreed ^


Alot will depend on your mindset/skills and what you are looking for in your trip. Is the trip primarily about riding the bike or is the bike a means to travel?


For alot of folks who have good mechanical skills or just enjoy fettling I think alot of the fun is in sorting things out yourself and being fairly self-sufficient. My last trip in SA started like this primarily with the bike trip and the riding coming first, did some nice routes, and for me, some hard off-roading and it was great, as i learned more Spanish on the way things slightly shifted to more traveling using the bike...


I'm now planning to go back to SA next year and I think while I will always have a bike wherever I am, the focus will be more on the people and places rather than the bike and the routes hence why I'm considering a Japanese/Chinese 150/190 this time round (although might go for another 250).


At the end of the day you can do the trip on any bike and there is no best bike you just have to decide what you are looking for from the trip.


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Old 4 Sep 2018
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Originally Posted by Gertie View Post
Not sure what to take to South America but has anybody got some serious comments on the Royal Enfield Himalayan .
Hey Gertie - I cant comment on the Himalayan, or South America; however, I did buy and ride a new RE bullet 500 (standard) in Delhi, India for 2 years (2014 model). Loved the bike, the thump and the feel; however, I can't say it screams quality.

I've since road many REs in India, and what most people tend to say (esp those that organize long distance trips) is avoid the EFI. I met a couple okes that run tours with the RE, and they would rip off the EFI. On one trip north of Rishikesh, we rented REs, one crapped out, and the second one they brought us crapped out...so we ended up leaving the bike for the tour agent to pick up...not the best scenario...

That said...still thinking of going back for the Manali-Leh run in Kashmir...on REs!
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