Heya everybody!

For my first long-distance trip I have two options, but haven't decided yet which one, so I thought I'd get opinions on both.

Here are the factors that apply to both options:

-I'll be a newish rider (1.5yrs) by departure
-I'm female and pretty small, and would want a bike I can lift on my own (170kgs including gear if possible)
-Happy with a 250-400cc, don't really want anything bigger than that. I have a VTR250 right now and would love something similar.
-Budget AUD$2000-2500
-Want a reliable Japanese bike. Naked. I want to get an older bike so it's less conspicuous so i'll be depending on good quality second hand.
-Something that I can attach lockable panniers and strap a backpack to.
-Something that isn't particularly desirable to steal (I plan on being in smaller and more rural places, not big cities)


OPTION A
Start in Canadian Rockies (or nearby, wherever bikes can be obtained cheaper) and head south through the USA West Coast, Central and South America.
Will be predominantly on tarmac though I don't know the road conditions in South America, however I DON'T plan on taking the Pan American and I also want to stay out of big cities.


OPTION B
Start in Europe (wherever bikes can be optioned cheapest, I have an EU passport as well).
Obtain bike, tour around Europe using HelpX and WOOFF-type things, spending a few weeks here and there in more remote parts of Europe, especially interested in Eastern Europe (Croatia, Czech Rep, Turkey).


So, questions.

-Is there any reason I should be considering a dirt bike instead?

-Recommended bike makes & models that are obtainable in Northern America (OPTION 1) or Europe (OPTION 2)?

-Tried Googling but am not sure where to start, this is possibly because I am too vague on the location still, but eg. Used Motorcycle For Sale - Buy and Sell Motorcycles Australia - bikesales.com.au is the biggest Aus-wide for private sellers to get a good idea of prices.

-I hear bikes under 500cc are pretty hard to come by in the USA. I don't want to buy in British Columbia because they have some pretty hardcore vehicle regulations there and it's hell expensive. Not sure what my options are for buying if I choose OPTION 1?

-I will need some address to register the bike no matter which continent I'm buying in. Are any countries more or less painful to register bikes in if you aren't a resident and plan to take it out of the country of registration? To narrow it down a tad lets say comparison between USA, Canada, UK, Germany or France as they are the places I would most likely go to to buy. Unless there is some country in Europe where good bikes come cheaper...

Okay that's a tonne of questions for now, please forgive my naivety, I'm learning!

If you need me to narrow things down a bit then just ask, don't have a go for being vague, I'll do what I can to be more specific!

Cheers in advance
Nicola

Hi Nicola,

Wow you have great plans. For Europa, North America and Southamerica you dont need a offroad bike if you dont plan to specialy look for gravel roads etc. In fact i traveled around Southamerica with a local Honda CG 125 for 800 Dollars. This biks is very comon down there so you dont look like a tourist and all the parts are available if needet.

Motorbike trip around Southamerica: Chile and Argentina part 1

I decidet to split my USA trip and the Southamerica trip into two different ons because crossing the Gap between Panama and Columbia is very expensive so i will rather fly to the USA one day to get another bike there.

If you are looking for a bike in Germany check out this webpage: mobile.de – Gebrauchtwagen und neue Autos – Deutschlands größter Fahrzeugmarkt. To register it you will also need to have a adress in Germany. Here the Honda NTV 650 or Yamaha Virago 535 would be my choice for a small person. Suzuki GS 500, Kawasaki GPZ 500 and Honda CB 500 are also low bikes.

Travel save, Tobi








-Tried Googling but am not sure where to start, this is possibly because I am too vague on the location still, but eg. Used Motorcycle For Sale - Buy and Sell Motorcycles Australia - bikesales.com.au is the biggest Aus-wide for private sellers to get a good idea of prices.

-I hear bikes under 500cc are pretty hard to come by in the USA. I don't want to buy in British Columbia because they have some pretty hardcore vehicle regulations there and it's hell expensive. Not sure what my options are for buying if I choose OPTION 1?

-I will need some address to register the bike no matter which continent I'm buying in. Are any countries more or less painful to register bikes in if you aren't a resident and plan to take it out of the country of registration? To narrow it down a tad lets say comparison between USA, Canada, UK, Germany or France as they are the places I would most likely go to to buy. Unless there is some country in Europe where good bikes come cheaper...

Okay that's a tonne of questions for now, please forgive my naivety, I'm learning!

If you need me to narrow things down a bit then just ask, don't have a go for being vague, I'll do what I can to be more specific!

Cheers in advance
Nicola[/QUOTE]

This is an awesome tip, Tobi, thank you. Because I hadn't decided specifically on my continent I hadn't looked into it enough to find this out. I want to see South America very much but a large part of why I would go there was because it was supposedly easily accessible from Canada. But now I see that it might be worth splitting it into two trips anyway.

Thankyou also for the bike type recommendations, great to know that a small Honda is easily available in South America, that sounds like exactly what I need. Thankyou!

This may be worth a little read -
Starting Small

It is a little old now but you are looking for older bikes so may give you a few ideas.

And enjoy the trip.

Thanks Hustler! Good little read!