We want to GS Patagonia. Does anyone know how?

[Warthog]

Hello all,

My girlfriend and I want to ship an , as yet, unpurchased GS to Argentina then do Patagonia and Chile over about 3 months.
So far I 've bought a map and that's it. Has anyone done a similar thing? If so, where the heck do I start organising this?! I could do with any shipping pointers, travel tips for S America and also the small question of what bike do I buy.

I'm tempted by the GS1150, but by getting a good condition 1100, I could afford some spares too for the same price as the 1150 to start with. Is the 1150 really that much better?

What about insurance. What about questions I haven't thought about yet!! I am calm about all this, honest...

In all seriousness, any advise, big or small would be welcome to get this big ball rolling (the trip, not the rider...)

Cheers, Dark Horse 73 (Nick)

 

[Iain Hogg]

Nick,

There are people who frequent this place who have done such a thing. By getting involved you may well meet them and be able to chat over a beer etc.

For an excellent factual source of information, try Horizons Unlimited for all the nitty gritty.

That said, don't ignore us here, get the GS and join the fun.

Iain

 

[YosemitePaul]

You lucky sod!!!!!!!
Though I'd vote for the use of a GS I know nothing of the complexities of how you get one out there.
I travelled through Patagonian Chile and Argentina earlier in the year. (using four wheels not two) It was truly awesome, the best trip I've ever had. You'll certainly need a tough bike, as some of the roads are a bit like our forrest fire trails. Tarmac is a rare commodity!!!! Having said that, they're good and well maintained trails.
Where abouts are you thinking of going? We found the Lonely Planet Guides useful, but make sure you do as much research as possible on the web.

 

[Warthog]

Thanks to you both for answering so soon!

As for where, the plan is Buenos Aires then south in a round-about way down the coast to Ushuaia, then North into Chile up to Santiago, across the Andes back into Argentinawith a trip up towards Paraguain/Brzilian border before heading back down to B. Aires. We hope to head off around Autumn of next year, so Springtime over there.

I have seen Horizons Unlimited and that has some really inspirational stuff...and the photos!! Out of this world.

The goal is ther, but we don't really know where to start and without set tasks or objectives its hard to put time aside!

As far as bikes are concerned, the GS is a cert, its only a case of deciding between the newer 1150 and an older 1100 (low mileage ones are getting harder to find!)

Nick

 

[Fanum]

Why not get your kit together then fly over and buy a bike in Buenos Aires or similar?

Shipping's gonna cost you a grand- that's a lot of fuel

 

[Norrie]

Sponsorship

Hi DH73

Just a suggestion if you were to become a forum sponsor you would be able to send/recieve private messages click on the sponsor bar at the top of the page it'll explain it all to you,it'll also allow you access to the forsale/wanted articles which may be of interest to you for your forth coming trip cost of sponsorship is £10.00

Regd's K

 

[YosemitePaul]

Nick,

My experience would tell me that Argentina is more tourist (visitor) friendly than Chile, who don't appear to be geared up for individuals (rather than large groups). I would suggest that you would have no problems on the route you suggest. Remember these countries are extremely advanced and should not be considered 'third world'. Accommodation and fuel are plentful (though situated a long way apart). The people are extremely friendly and very 'pro' visitor.
The only difficulties we had were in Torres Del Paine, where lodging is too expensive ($200+) per night. We camped on an official site, but because we were not part of a a large group, were not charged!!!!
I'm VERY envious of you plan, keep us updated on planning progress

 

[charlie b]

Hi Nick

Argentina you WILL enjoy...!

People, food, sense of space, it is a treat! I have a place out in Mendoza and manage to get over there a couple of times a year.

On buying a bike, BM's are sold out there but are luxury bikes, expensive imports, and not so many for sale used if you are thinking 1100/1150. More choice in UK.

But, in Mendoza back in April, I saw two good R100GS's, a 92 and 94'ish in a car/bike dealers for sale at around $US6-7,000. Both would get you round the continent happily I think, very straight, good running bikes. This guy always has BM's and I got mine from him 4 years ago. Can contact him to see what he has, if you'd be interested.

The local mechanics all over the country know the airheads, the police used to run them (now the municipal plod use 650's). For oilheads though, you are in the hands of the BM dealers who can be very variable in their workshop skills, but they all know how to whack you with the robbery tax! One of the reasons I got an R80 out there rather than an oilhead!!

As has already been mentioned, see Horizons Unlimited, there are pages of good info, recommended shippers, check lists, etc on that site. Spend some time trawling through there...

I'm in W. London, if you fancy a meet, (maybe at the Ace?) put a contact number on this thread?

Cheers
Charlie

 

[Mick O'Malley]

Hi Nick

The road down the east of Argentina, Ruta Tres, is all tarmac apart from a couple of stretches on Tierra del Fuego, so the southbound leg won't take very long. If you arrive in Bs As in late Nov. you'll be able to attend the Argentine HU meeting and get to Ushuaia for the Xmas/New Year moto traveller celebrations.

Coming back up the west side of Patagonia's a bit trickier but you'll manage OK. IMHO you'd be better off with an 1100 and spending the change on some essential bits.

If you're at Beaulieu/Ripley I could give you loads more info. and inspire you with my photo's.

Regards, Mick

p.s. I'm riding to SE London on Thursday so could maybe meet at a services or whatever if you're free?

 

[Warthog]

Thanks for all the input..

So it can be done!

I'm afraid, I don't know as much about GSs as I'd like, but to Charlie, I assume an airhead is the older boxer engine and an oil head is the newer one on the 1100s and 1150s (Guess that makes me an old boxer engine!). As I'm no expert and the GS would be replacing my CBR 1000 (unless I can convice the youg lady the have 4 bikes in the garage), I think I'd like to go for a newer model as that would also be a tourer and week-end toy, so I think I'd prefer a newer chassis and engine and power. Also there's the question of mechanics. I would imagine, by virtue of the added age, an older R100 may be a bit more of a gamble in terms of reliability? (although I may be wrong on that count: I won't judge the book by the cover).

If Charlie or Mike are in the Berkshire W.London area, drop me a line (07711624637), but I need plenty of warining as I travel a fair bit. Mike: sorry, Thursday is no good for me, but thanks for the offer.

Nick

 

[Hambo]

South America

Nick,

My girlfriend and I are also planning a trip to South America, towards the latter part of next year. The rough plan at present is to leave our present home in Malaysia early next year, ride our '94 1100 GS down through Indonesia to Bali, freight the bike to Darwin, ride down towards Perth through the Kimberley, etc., across to the East Coast of Australia, before freighting the bike to potentially Santiago around September / October time. Hopefully this then is a good time weatherwise.

We then plan to ride South to Ushuaia, before turning round and working our way North, with the eventual goal of visiting some friends in Alaska. Fortunately, we have no time limitations (other than my girlfriends biological clock!) and no hard and fast plans, as plans do have a habit of changing.

I don't want to steal your thread, however I'd also appreicate any information with regard to travel in this region. I've spent the last year or so gleaning information from both this useful site and others, most notably Horizons Unlimited and Adventure Rider and as a result, am in the process of making the modifications / additions to the bike I feel to be useful. Of course, everyone has there own ideas and preferences, however if I can offer any assistance in this area, I'd be happy to help.

Good luck with sourcing a GS, whatever the model you decide to go for.

Cheers, Hamish

 

[(RIP) Yosi]

I know the place very well, having lived and travelled there extensivelly.
I hope to be at the \HU meeting at Ripley in July. If not we can always meet somewere for a drink and a chat...

Yosi

 

[GlobeBusters]

We have just got back (March 06) from a Vancouver to Ushuaia trip, then riding back up to BA to fly home. Happy for you to pick our brains - see www.globebusters.com. We organise big trips out there, but are more than happy to supply tips to independent travellers.

We travelled by R1150GS Adventure and F650GS Dakar. Chile and Argentina are fantastic countries to ride in, infrastructure is good, but you can get very remote, some out of this world gravel roads (try not to spend too much time on Ruta 3 - Ruta 40 / Carretera Austral is a zillion times better) and the camping is excellent - either rough or in a campsite. We probably prefer Argentina (at least you don't have to put up with Nescafe and they are much more Latino that the Chileans), although their police force is no where near as clean as Chile, and there are more checkpoints.

Kevin and I are both at Beaulieu, so if you want to chat, then come over to the BMW tent.

Jules

 

[simon thomas]

Hi dark horse 73,

My wife andI have just arrived in Buenos Aires and are waiting to get our hands on our bikes from the docks, once they're done with all the paperwork.

We shipped from Cape Town using Kuehne & Nagel, although I'msure they've got offices in the UK. They seemed pretty competative and have offices in BA, so you don't have to deal with 3-4 different organisations. Well thats the idea anyway.

We'll post more info onour website when we get on the road so if you get a chance to check out www.2ridetheworld.com then do. If it's of use to you,you can down load our waypoints for camping, fuel, etc, etc, we upload them as often as we can as both Mapsource GPS files and Excel.

As far as the bike concerned...sorry I'm biased, I'd go for the 1100GS and spend the extra cash on spares or mod's that you may want to make. Prepping your bike is part of the fun.

If you want any specific info drop us an email to [email protected] and we'll do what ever we can to help.

Have a great trip. Who know maybe we'll meet up. Lisa and I hoping to be in Ushuaia for the Xmas/New Year moto traveller celebrations.

Cheers
Simon T