[wfowade]

I had a college professor at NCSU that did this very thing-rode down the Pan American Highway. He obviously lived to tell the tale but it was about 15 years ago. He was tenured in the History Department at NCSU if you want more info check there. I expect he is still around.

 

[12er]

somewhere on the net there is a nice write up on a group of friends that went all the way to the tip of argentina on KLR's. It was a good read but wont help you with current highway robbery reports. Colombia sounds like a fun place to bypass, well unless being kidnapped sounds like fun...

 

[056]

MR. ALLCAPS TAKES A TRIP

IT'S FUNNY SOME GUY WANTS TO TAKE A TRIP TO CENTRAL AMERICA ON HIS MOTORCYCLE (ALTHOUGH I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU'D WANT TO DO THAT, WHEELIES SUCK ON BAD PAVEMENT AND NONE OF YOUR FRIENDS CAN SEE YOU WHEN YOU'RE ALL THE WAY DOWN IN SOME SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRY LIKE PORTUGAL OR SOMETHING) BECAUSE THE OTHER DAY THE TANK THEY KEEP MY BRAIN IN AT THE MAYO CLINIC WAS BEING CLEANED BECAUSE THEY HAD LEFT IT IN THE SUNLIGHT AND THERE WAS ALGAE IN IT AND IT MADE ME FEEL WOOZY SO THEY PUT ME INTO THE BIG COFFEE URN THEY USE FOR CONFERENCES BUT ONE OF THE JANITOR GUYS WAS PISSED OFF AT HIS SUPERVISOR I GUESS BECAUSE HE PUT THE URN INTO A BOX (I THINK) AND SENT ME TO THE SHIPPING DEPARTMENT.

I HEARD THE GUY SAYING MY UPS TRACKING NUMBER OUT LOUD, BECAUSE I PUT IT INTO THE UPS WEBSITE AND I GOT THIS AFTER ABOUT A WEEK:

4/15 8:12- LOADING DOCK, HUB FACILITY, ROCHESTER, MI

4/17 12:45 PM- TRANSIT TO WEHAUKEN, NJ

4/17 4:14 PM- PACKAGE REJECTED BY RECIPIENT

4/18 8:17 AM- LOADING DOCK, HUB FACILITY, WEHAUKEN NJ

4/20 3:22 PM- TRANSIT TO ROCHESTER, MI

4/21 9:07 AM- PACKAGE ACCEPTED, ROCHESTER, MI

SO ANYWAY, HERE I AM SAFE AND SOUND. IT WAS GOOD TO HAVE A LITTLE CHANGE OF SCENERY.

 

[gceaves]

Touring overseas is easy. Make sure beforehand, though, that you will still have a job when you get back.



Latin America could put you in some tight spots. Street urchins tend to steal things. Korea and Japan are civilised, so I've never had any problems here. But China is still a real "wild west". Big cities are worse than small villages. Lock everything. Chain everything.



I use two small duffel bags strapped to either side of the rear wheel on an aluminium frame, and a daypack on the back seat. My tank bag is magnetic; good for maps, liquor, and my Walkman.



Don't waste your time on anything fancy and don't waste your money on anything over ~400cc. You can't get those fixed.



Get a soft seat pad. Bring a phrasebook. Consider a fairing and big mud flaps.



I brought an extra chain with me to China last year. Didn't need it. Tyres can always be fixed along the way. (You might have to push your bike for a couple of hours, though.) Oil is easy to find, at least in populated parts. I kept a spare litre with me at all times. Gas can be scarce. Bring along a syphon tube so you can steal some if you need to. Tighten your suspension if you can.



Paperwork isn't much of a bother, but be mature about it. No one cares about a driver's license. But passports, visas and "passage carnets" are critical. Photocopy three sets. Keep them clean.



Finally, bring a good book.





Gregory C Eaves

Hyosung GV250

Seoul, Korea

 

[obandoj]

Tough task, having spent time in Colombia I can tell you this, stay away from there, the political, criminal and social climate there is conductive to getting killed, kidnaped or worse, some of the other countries are somewhat better but you still take your chances, good luck anyway.

 

[Kokopelli]

As someone who's lived in South America for quite a while and ridden motorcycles most of the time, I can tell you that you can find lots of adventure with virtually zero danger if you ride to Panama, ship your bike from there to Guayaquil, Ecuador, then just keep going south through Peru and Chile (with a possible side trip to Bolivia), 'til you get to Tierra del Fuego. Then turn around and do Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. Roads are mostly paved and people are friendly. Chile, Brazil, and Argentina offer all the comforts of home. You won't miss anything worthwhile, and you may save yourself a lot of grief, if you don't go to Colombia, Paraguay or Venezuela. Enjoy your trip!

 

[tapieromateo]

Tough task, having spent time in Colombia I can tell you this, stay away from there, the political, criminal and social climate there is conductive to getting killed, kidnaped or worse, some of the other countries are somewhat better but you still take your chances, good luck anyway.

rez sickness thread. but you suck for saying that

 

[pplassm]

IT'S FUNNY SOME GUY WANTS TO TAKE A TRIP TO CENTRAL AMERICA ON HIS MOTORCYCLE (ALTHOUGH I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU'D WANT TO DO THAT, WHEELIES SUCK ON BAD PAVEMENT AND NONE OF YOUR FRIENDS CAN SEE YOU WHEN YOU'RE ALL THE WAY DOWN IN SOME SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRY LIKE PORTUGAL OR SOMETHING) BECAUSE THE OTHER DAY THE TANK THEY KEEP MY BRAIN IN AT THE MAYO CLINIC WAS BEING CLEANED...........

Gabe, weren't you supposed to post this under your alias?