Advise please - fixes/Spares/tolls/etc for my South America Trip

[Brian Dublin]

Hi All

I am taking my GSA (05) on a mega trip through South America next month. I will be on the road for about 6 weeks, doing Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela. No extreme off road but a lot of track riding
I am not much of a mechanic!!
I would love to hear any experienced advise on
- most likely mechanical failures
- spare parts worth taking
- tools worth taking
- best manuals (pref CD versions) and source

Thanks in advance

Brian

 

[Country Bumpkin]

Cool

I cant help you with your query, but good luck with the trip....you lucky bugger.

CB

 

[how much for a service!]

did a trip in 09 from Alaska down to Equador really only took stuff we were capable of doing (which wasnt much!) spare plugs, filters, inner tubes, electric pump, gaffer tape, cable ties, and some JB cold weld.
Tyres were a bit of a problem south of mexico but if you are going near Medillin Columbia these guys are great!
http://www.ruta40.com.co/

Cheers

 

[Ugly Cow]

Advise please - fixes/Spares/tolls/etc for my South America Trip

just take things that will stop the bike, you do not need to be able to fit them as local mechanics can usually fix most things, if you have the spares so: fuel filter, puncture repair kit if the bike has over 30,000 miles take a rear drive unit bearing and oil seal.
tools: just take things that willl get you out of the shit in an emergency: a few tie wraps, mole grips and adjustable wrench, a small electrical screwdriver and philips a heavy duty ratchet strap (can be used for towing or holding a pannier onto the frame).A small amount of plastic metal.A small amount of self amalgamating tape. I was over there a couple of years ago there are no tolls but TOPES watch out for these bastards they are speed bumps but real vicious. 2 up and the bike would bottom out on the center stand. Columbia, if you are shipping your bikes direct to Bogata do NOT stay anywhere that is in the Lonely Plant, baddies read the book also, DAMHIK.We were advised to purchase vests with your reg number on as all motorcyclist wear them, it is the law. The rest is fine with lovely people
BMW Service Manual
BMW Electrical Manual both CDs

Have great trip.

Brian

 

[John RTW]

Hi Brian,

Ten months on and all I've got through on my S E Asia trip is a clutch slave cylinder, 1 coil and my rear shock went, that was being fully loaded 2 up on some very dodgy roads (if you can call them that). And my battery terminal actually corroded and parted at the surface, a screw and a metal strip helped me out for a short while. Thats on a 2005 1150GSA.

Good luck on your travels.

 

[luke scott]

Bump............

Come on guys...... where are all the adventurers off this site ? There must be more ideas for Brian.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Come on guys...... where are all the adventurers off this site ? There must be more ideas for Brian.

What are you expecting? A long list of spares that will take up a pannier? There is very little to take really and most has been covered but here is my list when I go anywhere remote:

Good and comprehensive tool kit
Puncture repair kit
Small compressor
Spare FPC
Cable ties and Duct tape
HT lead
A few spare bulbs
Oil filter and correct filter removal tool
Brake pads

The GS will take a massive amount of punishment and you can ride around a lot of issues. The best advice I can give is to get the bike throughly checked over by a grown up before you go and have new brake pads, all fluids changed, new plugs, new tyres (you'd be amazed at how many don't) and all the nuts and bolts checked for correct tightness etc.

 

[luke scott]

Thanks Bilks.... he has had the bike completely checked from top to bottom. He even haad the FD replaced (due to a little play) so here is hoping all goes well for him.

 

[davegs]

South America

Keep money in a safe money belt and a few us dollars ( accepted all over SA) in various pockets and if you can take a few old or just out of date credit cards so if the worst happens and you do get mugged as, long as you give them something they'll go. Probably (I hope never happens but it does so be for warned when I went that's what I was advised to do. Also whatch out for the cops they will try to do you for speeding (joke) and take cash off you or as we would call it a bribe so just pull out your couple of dollars and tell them that's all youve got. Many of the bastards are crooks just trying to make a few bob so argue like hell and plead poverty, usually works. Tell them you a geat Shea Sharaver (the geezer on T shirts with a beri with a star in it) he is a great hero in SA and I aint kidding. Try and wear a T shirt with him on as it can help. This might sound like rubbish but SA is NOT england I've done it so I do know whats what. But don't worry about anything just be a bit careful and ENJOY IT!!! take lots of piccies and keep us all informed, there are lots of internet cafe's in SA and an hour costs about 50p, also best place to phone home also cheaper than a mobile at home!!. Main thing, ENJOY IT.
Dave GS

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Oh, something else:

Keep a spare key hidden on the bike so if you lose your set, you have another one to hand. I always duct tape mine to the frame using black tape so it isn't obvious

 

[wilbjr21]

When are you going? I may see you there. I'm leaving for Buenos Aires on 27th November and heading for the Horizons Unlimited meeting in Argentina on 8th December.
I had the dilemma of which bike/spares to take. I decided to leave my 1200GSA at home and take my KTM 990 Adv - it will be easier to pick up from the gravel of Ruta 40 and the Carretara Austral in Chile.
I've just retired so my wife and I are away for about nine months.

I can loan you a GS911 as I won't be using it while I'm away. These can help in diagnosing a number of faults as they read any fault codes (past or present) on the bike.

 

[Brian Dublin]

Thanks to all

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information (and to Luke for the prompt)
All your advise taken and followed. Bike went through a full service and a few new parts and new tyres. BMW Dublin (Joe Duffy) have actually been very decent (apart from charging me a small fortune for service), in that they gave me a few key spare (fuel pump exchanger/ring key etc) on a use or return basis

Delivered our bikes to James Cargo in Manchester last Friday and the next time we will see them will be 2nd November in Buenos Aires. From there the next 6 weeks or so will take us through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia. Peru, Columbia and Venezuela

Ill let you know how it goes and thanks again all

Brian

 

[davegs]

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information (and to Luke for the prompt)
All your advise taken and followed. Bike went through a full service and a few new parts and new tyres. BMW Dublin (Joe Duffy) have actually been very decent (apart from charging me a small fortune for service), in that they gave me a few key spare (fuel pump exchanger/ring key etc) on a use or return basis

Delivered our bikes to James Cargo in Manchester last Friday and the next time we will see them will be 2nd November in Buenos Aires. From there the next 6 weeks or so will take us through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia. Peru, Columbia and Venezuela

Ill let you know how it goes and thanks again all

Brian

You made a good choice with James Cargo, they looked after our bikes every thing went smoothly, Roddy is a brilliant bloke, good luck and ENJOY YOURSELF!!. (don't mention the Falklands! or Malvenus as they call it!).

 

[Elle]

Brian, what a great trip. It's not packing related, but if you don't already, I recommend that you rapidly learn some Spanish or take some important phrases (especially to get bike or medical help).
Six weeks seems an awfully short period of time for all those countries so I hope you're on a flexible itinerary.
Another fantastic source of information is the Horizon's Unlimited web site.

 

[davegs]

Argentina

What ever you do go in a few steak houses, I guarantee you've never had steaks that good! in fact thinking about it it's almost woth flyimng over for a good steak!!, just melt in your mouth!.
dave GS yes, and Ellie suggests learn a bit of spaninish, most speak english but a bit of local does go down well.
Dave GS.