QuiQue - because our GoldWing had spoked wheels and not a comstar which I assume yours has, I spoked a Volkswagon rim for the rear wheel knowing I could pick up these anywhere in SA. My suggestion is stick with the tyres you have – our front tyre never gave us any trouble whatsoever. We had an onboard compressor that I fitted S&W rear air shocks to and also had air caps on the front forks, but this was in the early eighties and I’m sure there’s better gear available these days.
In response to the poster whose suggestion against taking an expensive bike & trailer because it leaves you vulnerable to thieves, is that in my experience of three years on the road was only a pair of sunglasses left on the bike seat one time disappeared. And yes people ask questions, “what’s the bike worth, how old are you, where are you from, where are you going, do you like our country” – that’s called curiosity.
I have to confess that as well as the kitchen sink (quite literally), we had a tank carrying 30 litres of water fitted under the trailer, along with a 12 volt refrigerator, and on top an EM500 Honda generator, 2 jerry cans with 40 litres of spare fuel, spare front & rear tyres, an awning that made our camper trailer into a 12ft x 9ft 2 roomed tent. The camper had a double bed always set up. I suspect many of you will think I was totally daft hauling bike and equipment that weighed all up ¾ ton, but we were planning on being on the road for years, rather than weeks, so comfort above all else was our criteria.
My point is, there is no right or wrong way to travel. I’m now on a much lighter bike, have a fraction of the gear, but it’s a totally different experience. It’s not half as comfortable for a start. I have fabulous memories of my GoldWing & trailer adventure all those years ago, including that we were the first motorcyclists to travel the newly opened Carraterra Austral in Chile. QuiQue, you sound like a guy who is well prepared and open to the challenge of whatever South America has to offer. Buena suerte amigo!

Muchas gracias amigo! I love what you did on that trip. Sounds like you had one heck of a comfortable trip. I don't think I will go to that extent, but I'm feeling much better about the idea of taking the trailer now.

You mentioned you set up air shocks for your Goldwing. Mine have them built in stock, but I was under the impression that air shocks are not as good as having a manual adjuster. I've noticed that I must have a very slow air leak on my rear shocks because I have to add air every couple of weeks. It's not a real problem, but I was thinking that it may get worse as I travel on rough roads on a daily basis. I did buy a 12v portable air compressor that plugs into the lighter thinking it would be a valuable tool to have to keep the tires and shocks properly inflated. Do you have any recommendations on shocks? Maybe I'm okay with the ones I currently have?

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QuiQue

My compressor was one that fitted into the cigarette lighter also and it worked really well. Though given the fact your shocks are leaking, albeit slowly, I'd be inclined to change them now for the manually adjusted ones, especially as these may be difficult to locate once you leave the US.

Ron

Old Bloke on a Bike | Travels of an old guy on an old bike, from one side of the world to the other