Being from the home state of Harley Davidson, more sympathetic I could not be. I hate it lol. They have giant rallies here all the time, back some years ago there was some big anniversary and the whole city was literally filled with them. It was kinda cool but loud as hell. I had a lot of thoughts about how the thought of freedom became intertwined with the freedom of mobility and for a while the motorcycle was sold as the ultimate symbol of freedom in stuff like Easy Rider, it went from hippies into bikers and addicted a generation to leather and gasoline. They did a hell of a job with it.
The thing is, motorbikes do give the ultimate in freedom … check out C90Adventures or Itchyboots on youtube, they’ve travelled the world in a free manner that wouldn’t be possible by other means.
I have several motorbikes, the ones I use outside of competition are very quiet. They give me freedom.
I am thinking of getting a bike and exploring the south american continent but I know nothing about bikes. Where do I begin looking? Recommend me shows, yt channels, books and bike models please!!
FIRST, go take a safety/training course. Get your license and PRACTICE, probably for several years. become proficient in every situation you might face.
Then worry about exploring S.A. or other places in the world.
FortNine is the best motorcycle Youtuber, and it’s not even close.
For exploring South America, there are 2 options:
A BMW R1200GS if you want to do it like a German tourist, or a Honda Supercup if you want to ride like the locals.
Look at those two channels I mentioned in my comment above. They both went to South America.
If you know nothing about bikes, learn how to ride properly before you go (and if you’re in the US, get more lessons than the minimum needed for your license). For South America you only need a small bike, like a 150cc. They’re easier to handle, cheaper to buy and run, and a good second hand one will attract less attention.
I never owned a bike. I have the license to drive them but never used it. Been thinking of crossing south america for a long time so I will first get the motorcycle and get used to it for about a year or so and then the road it is. Was researching motorcycle models, brands and prices on my country this afternoon (don’t wanna doxx myself, hope you understand). Came up with what I think would be required characteristics for the bike:
It should have enough power to accelerate comfortably from about 50 to 75 mph, 56 to 81 mph, and ideally even 62 to 87 mph when needed. I’m not talking about cruising at those speeds all the time, but having enough reserve power for safe overtaking on highways. In my untrained view, safety would come from being able to pass slower vehicles quickly and spend less time in the opposite lane, rather than just having a high top speed. I need the bike to be popular around my area so I can get parts when it breaks and it should be comfortable for my body (test driving it will be then).
I’m sorry to say it again, but GET LESSONS. More than the minimum.
In South America you’re not going to want to do those speeds unless you just want to go on a main paved highway, blast from one side to the other without seeing anything, and then call it a day.
A 150 is plenty, and used by locals.
Seriously, go watch those channels I mentioned. If you prefer to read, then try “Lois on the Loose”, she did the tip of Alaska to the bottom of South America on a 225cc trail bike.
Having a big fast bike does nothing to help safety. I’ve had bikes from a 70cc step-through up to a 175hp liter bike. Right now the bike I use most for touring in Spain and Morocco is a 125cc trail bike with 10hp (though I have a 400cc bike for commuting / motorway / pillion use).
If you’re willing to learn, you can craft yourself an amazing adventure that you’ll remember for the rest of your life … I try and give good advice, because that sort of motorbike touring is something I love and I wish I could share it with more people :-)
Yeah, there are cool bikes of all sorts for sure, I would like to try sometimes. I was just saying the particular bike (harleys, choppers, big loud things) and lifestyle that was sold as freedom was anything but, those bikes cost as much as a car now.
Being from the home state of Harley Davidson, more sympathetic I could not be. I hate it lol. They have giant rallies here all the time, back some years ago there was some big anniversary and the whole city was literally filled with them. It was kinda cool but loud as hell. I had a lot of thoughts about how the thought of freedom became intertwined with the freedom of mobility and for a while the motorcycle was sold as the ultimate symbol of freedom in stuff like Easy Rider, it went from hippies into bikers and addicted a generation to leather and gasoline. They did a hell of a job with it.
The thing is, motorbikes do give the ultimate in freedom … check out C90Adventures or Itchyboots on youtube, they’ve travelled the world in a free manner that wouldn’t be possible by other means.
I have several motorbikes, the ones I use outside of competition are very quiet. They give me freedom.
I’ve been riding over 40 years. I never understood this freedom bullshit. In a car, I can drive any time, in rain and snow, year around.
And how many unpaved tracks do you take your car down?
Do you lift it over rocks and past wash-outs?
Do you wheel it into hotel rooms for the night when you’re in a remote Peruvian village?
Do you drive it down back alleys that are a meter wide?
Do local kids smile and wave when they see your car?
I am thinking of getting a bike and exploring the south american continent but I know nothing about bikes. Where do I begin looking? Recommend me shows, yt channels, books and bike models please!!
FIRST, go take a safety/training course. Get your license and PRACTICE, probably for several years. become proficient in every situation you might face.
Then worry about exploring S.A. or other places in the world.
FortNine is the best motorcycle Youtuber, and it’s not even close.
For exploring South America, there are 2 options:
A BMW R1200GS if you want to do it like a German tourist, or a Honda Supercup if you want to ride like the locals.
Look at those two channels I mentioned in my comment above. They both went to South America.
If you know nothing about bikes, learn how to ride properly before you go (and if you’re in the US, get more lessons than the minimum needed for your license). For South America you only need a small bike, like a 150cc. They’re easier to handle, cheaper to buy and run, and a good second hand one will attract less attention.
How’s your Spanish?
I never owned a bike. I have the license to drive them but never used it. Been thinking of crossing south america for a long time so I will first get the motorcycle and get used to it for about a year or so and then the road it is. Was researching motorcycle models, brands and prices on my country this afternoon (don’t wanna doxx myself, hope you understand). Came up with what I think would be required characteristics for the bike: It should have enough power to accelerate comfortably from about 50 to 75 mph, 56 to 81 mph, and ideally even 62 to 87 mph when needed. I’m not talking about cruising at those speeds all the time, but having enough reserve power for safe overtaking on highways. In my untrained view, safety would come from being able to pass slower vehicles quickly and spend less time in the opposite lane, rather than just having a high top speed. I need the bike to be popular around my area so I can get parts when it breaks and it should be comfortable for my body (test driving it will be then).
Amazing, everything you just said was wrong.
I’m sorry to say it again, but GET LESSONS. More than the minimum.
In South America you’re not going to want to do those speeds unless you just want to go on a main paved highway, blast from one side to the other without seeing anything, and then call it a day.
A 150 is plenty, and used by locals.
Seriously, go watch those channels I mentioned. If you prefer to read, then try “Lois on the Loose”, she did the tip of Alaska to the bottom of South America on a 225cc trail bike.
Having a big fast bike does nothing to help safety. I’ve had bikes from a 70cc step-through up to a 175hp liter bike. Right now the bike I use most for touring in Spain and Morocco is a 125cc trail bike with 10hp (though I have a 400cc bike for commuting / motorway / pillion use).
Thanks for the recommendations and for sticking up on me xD. Yeah as you can still I have a lot to learn
If you’re willing to learn, you can craft yourself an amazing adventure that you’ll remember for the rest of your life … I try and give good advice, because that sort of motorbike touring is something I love and I wish I could share it with more people :-)
Yeah, there are cool bikes of all sorts for sure, I would like to try sometimes. I was just saying the particular bike (harleys, choppers, big loud things) and lifestyle that was sold as freedom was anything but, those bikes cost as much as a car now.
Yes, and Harleys are big and heavy which severely limits their freedom to paved roads and only maybe the most gentle of unpaved tracks.
So, freedom was available all along, but not from those trying to market it as a capitalist lifestyle
Harley makes an adventure bike to go anywhere, but I would not trust it to not break and it’s overpriced.
That tank can’t make it to any remote places, you can’t even lift it in your own if you’re a woman.
My trailie weighs 105kg, and I can lift one end at a time - essential for putting it in the back of a pickup truck when it breaks down