What is The Best Size Motorcycle to Travel around South America?

[@ioar5481]

I live in Argentina. I had many motorcycles in my life, from 150 to 1200 cc and traveled with them all around my country which, as you know, is a huge one and can tell you, without any doubt, that a 300 cc bike with 25-30 hp and about the same Nm of torq is enough to travel even on unpaved gravel mountain roads (ie: the northwest part of the famous 40 route) at more than 4000 meters over the sea level. Of course this is true providing you ride alone and as light as possible. Another very important issue is the mechanic one: the more simple, the best. Ride safe, enjoy your travel and I expect to meet you in Argentina. Cheers

[@enduromotorradtouren]

The right size? Depends on you - if you're a tall and heavy guy or a featherweight. If you ride alone or two-up with lots of lugagge. It depends on the roads or trails you choose. It also depends on the dealer network, available spare parts. And sometimes sheer luck, as you have a gift horse now. I'm pretty sure you will like it although the XRE 300 might be a bit too small for you. But it'll get you there. Happy rides, Günter/Nürnberg

[@svani1313]

I have been looking forward to your next adventure, Pavlin! glad you decided on South America. Safe travels sir and enjoy that nature the beautiful continent has to offer 🤘🏼🤘🏼🙏👍👍

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks! Will do!

[@bobg416tor]

Have a fantastic and safe Journey Pavlin! I look forward to seeing all your updates! 😎

[@ekkehardbrueggemann1297]

Hey Pavlin! I agree with you completely. I made it like you for my East-West Canadatrip in Summer. I bought a Suzuki V-Strom 650 in Halifax and did my over 9600km Summertrip to Vancouver-Island. To by a Bike in Canada was for me also the best deal. Yes the Suzi has a litttle more power, but I used it not so often. The Suzi it is so reliable and in Kanada one of the most sold Adventure-Bikes. So there are dealers in every bigger Cty. But I needed no one. The smaller Bikes on the market are mostly not in so good conditions and and in comparison expensiv. My Bike is now waiting for me in Vancouer (at freinds) for my next trip. I will go North in the Yukon and to Tuktoyaktuk. I wish you the best Trip through South Amarica!

[@righttobloodydissent]

I hired a 500cc nx Honda atv in Thailand and it was really good for the twisting roads up north in the mountainous regions we were riding though. Your average speed being 70/80klm the bike was ok and not over powered. I would of preferred my Tenere 700 that I own in NZ but the Honda did the job just fine.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@pawelwolski1316]

I live and ride in Indonesia. Here my modified Honda Rally 250 (we are limited at 250cc due to taxes) is all and more that you need. It actually opens up and provides more joy (at 155 kgs) than the big stuff would. For Europe, my Rally would not work because of the required highway speeds. For that I got the MT450. Have fun.

[@sandrider1406]

Satu Hati 🇮🇩

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Itchybite]

Please do a video on how a foreign national buys a motorcycle in South America.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Will do?

[@bombadil_moto]

​@@motorcycleadventuresyes i am very interesting!

[@fintonmainz7845]

Good idea.

[@cgRui34]

There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding for a bike to tour with, but I find that the bare minimum sweet spot for touring is around 250 to 350cc. The size is usually a good balance of weight, power, fuel consumption, and sometimes simplicity/reliability.

[@paulodelunafreire5013]

Hi there! Man, you are making me change about the "perfect" bike to travel. Thank's for start wondering my road bike trip at Europe!

[@georgikukov5129]

This is what i love the most about your chanel Pavlin, you are practical! You chose a practical way to do this trip, and i cant wait for more videos :) Safe travels!

[@motorcycleadventures]

Happy to hear that!

[@georgew1751]

Sounds like a good choice. Best of luck and many happy adventures in S. America!

[@CanadianPhil506]

I couldn’t agree more. I had a Kawasaki KLX250 with the same HP and it had it’s positives even with it’s lack of power.

[@KrisS8528]

Hey man, best of luck on you new adventure! Looking forward to watching your videos.

[@brianm5753]

150cc 5spd. I get 60km/L for city riding and 1 tank (10L) lasts me over 600km. Just avoid highways LOL

[@guzziman]

Great one Pavlin, I see it is so windy, does this bike hold the line in the winds? or blown all over the place ?

[@motorcycleadventures]

It is okay

[@sebasincognito4838]

I used to own a xre300 here in colombia. great bike, super reliable and it got me everywhere, but in the end i sold if because it was underpowered. now im waiting for the new suzuki 400, that should be the perfect bike for this part of the world

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ricardosacub]

Hi Pavlin! I have watched a lot of your videos. Glad you are in South America! I think you have decided for the right motorcycle (not because of the roads, which I enjoy much more with a medium o big bike, I also have a T7 and a 1200 gs and have travel around Peru, Bolivia and Argentina and definitely enjoyed ir more with the 1200), but because finding spare parts for bigger bikes if pretty dificult here, even simple things like air or oil filters. With the XR300 you won´t have any troubles. If you pass trought Perú let me know!

[@alexandersupertramp3904]

I bought my Honda Falcon 400cc in Guatemala and this was the best solution, cause I sold it to nearly the same price in Peru. I think a 650 would be great, but I even liked my 400cc engine. Drive save ✌️

[@selcukcilek555]

Looks fine. Wonder if you will need a different shock for the rear with your luggage or this will do it. All the best.

[@motorcycleadventures]

So far it is fine

[@cebularz364]

Amazing, long planned adventure came into reality. Cannot wait for your updates!

[@motorcycleadventures]

More to come

[@Freewheeling6060]

Good information, greetings from Australia 🇦🇺👍

[@murat_ozer]

Sounds like a very reasonable choice.. Good luck and safe trips..

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks 👍?

[@kkfoto]

People travel a lot around South America on 300 to 500 cc bikes. Honda and Yamaha are good choices because maintenance shops and spare parts are readily available.

[@motorcycleadventures]

I totally agree!

[@GreggBennett-j3p]

I think you may be surprised at how easily you get used to a smaller displacement bike. I know I was. For me, I initially thought a WR 250 would be a buzzy, underpowered bike I hade to endure. After a 1000+ mile road trip, my mindset totally changed. For anything other than multi lane expressways, it was fine. For little back roads and unpaved anything, it was a smile producing machine. And I never worried about speeding tickets. Here in the US, the penalties for excessive speed are getting more and more severe. (I know you aren’t a speed demon, but just sayin’).

[@markfishersolosailing7033]

Have a great trip, the road South from Rio de Janeiro along the Green coast is really beautiful, stay safe, look forward to watching your videos . 😎

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thank you! Will do!

[@manueljulianobando]

Hello pavlin, welcome to my country, i have been looking your videos for years and now you are in my country and very close to my town, I ride to the lago calima very often cause is a nice place to relax, hope you have a great ride through Colombia and south America.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks! 😃

[@ontherebel11]

Fantastic Pavlin!!!!

[@timroberts1179]

I rented a Tenere 700 in Santiago. I asked if I could bring my own soft bags. I was told “no problem we have panniers “. When I got there they only had the hard tech panniers. Plus I’m only 5’7” and even though they lowered the bike two centimetres the T7 was so top heavy with the panniers and top box. This made the 8000km a real slog as the constant high wind in Argentina and the fact I had to do all I could to find the best parking spots as the panniers in the wind worked like sale. I would use a smaller bike next time. Though I like to think I can do everything I did at 21, at 61 my body is not as forgiving when having to fight with the bike and kit.

[@nicolaspwr4ppl]

When in Rome, act as the Romans …

[@georgbusse6340]

In South America we have a lot of big bike.

[@corujariousa]

Thanks for the video! Please, be extra careful in Colombia, especially in Medellin. This is an interesting topic. All depends on the skills the rider has and the challenges he/she is willing to face. There are people who have done world trips with scooters and even bicycles. 🙂

[@floydbrown2142]

No smaller than a 500; realizing some travel places “offer” less expensive accommodations and foods prepared. This is the biggest asset no matter what. It otherwise can be very near 100 lbs more gear weight to carry on the bike in other land locations, so many times a slightly bigger bike is allowing more weight. Good day & Best regards

[@floydbrown2142]

No smaller than a 500; also realizing some travel places “offer” less expensive accommodations and foods prepared. This is the biggest asset no matter what. It otherwise can be very near 100 lbs more gear weight to carry on the bike in other land locations. Good day & Best regards

[@cachorro123ful]

I buy it off of you when you done with the bike!

[@tonyjourneyman1944]

Sounds like you made sensible decisions. Never let perfection be the enemy of good.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Exactly!

[@roger5455]

Thanks for the information you provided.

[@motorcycleadventures]

My pleasure

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

Great advice!

[@bombadil_moto]

Also my thaughts! Starting in Oktober 2025 in Chile. Greetings from black forest, Germany!

[@abdulazizsaleh8650]

South America what a great idea 💡 👏🏻 I hope you are doing well.. New subscriber im ready to enjoy Episode's 😊 Greetings 🇸🇦 🌴

[@KennethDuPlooy]

I use a 150cc dual sport. I've taken on highways. Definitely have to be alert as it's slower. The best fuel consumption I got was 45km/L. I am thinking of upgrading to a 250cc entry level ADV.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@johna6968]

I quite like that model Honda

[@cptntwang]

Happy Trails Compañero.

[@bigjim44]

I love my 150cc driving around Nicaragua

[@teneretraveller8980]

2nd class riding beats 1st class walking. A ride safe 👍

[@motorcycleadventures]

Yes for sure!

[@LucianStroie-kl4hi]

Have fun

[@MrGabrielgn]

It depends on the size of the rider, the amount of offroad and highway riding and the budget.

[@richardahola692]

I don't see the XRE300 in Argentina. Just looked and many dealers have new 2021 models for U$S 10,000. Price here is crazy

[@georgbusse6340]

T7 we have a lot. So isn’t a problem, service u can have anywhere, tires also, isn’t a special bike, just a simple T7. I have xre in Brasil long time ago, its ok, not the best option, but can do it.

[@gpr2264]

Great choise, it will work excelent for your trip. Your trip is just South America?. How about North America?

[@go2adventure]

When will you come to Greece

[@sandrider1406]

A 400 to 500cc bike would perfect, still good off road and enough power on highways.

[@allenlloyd2662]

hi pavlin , love the channel i agree 100% I've been saying exactly that too a friend about riding Vietnam but NO he wants to do it only if he can have a KTM its ridiculous , this attitude puts a trip down Vietnam way out of his budget and he will now never do it

[@joseraiseddante7521]

Thats should be the best bike to travel around the world. Lightweight and enough horses. Xre 300, sadly we dont have that model in Philippines but 90cc to 125 cc is good enough.

[@TaekwondoDragonClub]

Which countries are you going to cross?

[@paulcoverdale8312]

Allo Pav, hope the trip is goin great mate. So your avin a fling with a hottie Honda! And you left the T7 wife for dis?😂😂😂 If it were me! A one night stand is ok but I’d not want a little thing like that for a journey your on.😂😂😂 Seriously, as normal your bang on, unless people got the money to ship the ol girl with them. Why not a 500cc? It’s goin to be fun but very under power for you mate. Ave fun, stay safe an remember she may be little hotly, Always wear protection!😮😮😮😂😂😂😂 🏍️🏍️🙏🙏👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧💎💎

[@thodoris3790]

An xt600 2002 can go everywhere

[@DrWho007]

Not to even mention the security threat of using a foreign bike in a place like Brazil or Columbia... you become an instant target... say safe out there.. ride safe..

[@motorcycleadventures]

Exactly!

[@enjoy-the-road]

I am planning to take a trip to Europe in the summer of 2025. The problem is that if you don't live in Europe and therefore don't have a residential address in Europe, you can't purchase a motorcycle in Europe.

[@spencer2458]

The smaller capacity bikes are ok in the north (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) but the enormous distances & THE RELENTLESS WIND in Chile & Argentina means that you will have a miserable time on anything smaller than 650cc

[@motorcycleadventures]

We will see.

[@spencerfieldhouse5677]

Very best of luck - I look forward to your videos as always - stay safe

[@bombadil_moto]

True? You rode a small motorcycle there?

[@spencer2458]

@ I was on a DR650 & even that struggled at times in Chile - the Patagonia winds are fierce & can gust at 50kmh……fuel consumption increased by 25% just fighting the wind…..a smaller bike will feel underpowered & will be pushed around

[@brestman1]

I think that's similar to the CRF 300 RALLY that only comes out in South america

[@coconuciferanuts339]

The Honda looks like it will do the job. Is it the CRF 300.

[@johna6968]

Its very similar in many ways

[@motorcycleadventures]

Absolutely!

[@juanmanuelvenegasceballos2811]

welcome to colombia

[@SKgeostrat]

Hello Pavlin, good sound advice, like always! Travel safely and enjoy South America. I look very much forward to following your trip!

[@Petrosbiker]

500cc it's ok you don't need max speed you need Rpm

[@carmelolongo2988]

GS 1250 or 1300

[@vlaho1967]

150 kg max!

[@happyswissjoe]

Very good advice!!! Can I ask you to stop shaking your video and head during filming? It is getting me dizzy 😂. Put camera on the bike and talk.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Sorry about that

[@superwag634]

25hp is more than plenty. A guy I know rode a bicycle all over South America, so your assertion is a fallacy 🤷‍♂️

[@billyarsenault1970]

Truly capable thieves would probably just go buy a $5,000 dual sports rather than risk going to jail over it. At least thats what i keep telling myself 😂.

[@SpiritFreeRider]

❤🎉

[@migue018]

No royal Enfield Himalayan?

[@thomasstaudigel7264]

The RE would be more than 40kg heavier and 5 hp less…

[@thomasstaudigel7264]

The new 450 is only available with 3 months waiting time.

[@bombadil_moto]

​@@thomasstaudigel7264the RE Himalayan 411 has 24,5 HP!😊 But a weight of 199kg+ The 452 CC HH has 40 HP AND is líquid cooled.

[@clivedarwell5732]

Are Europeans allowed to buy motorcycles in Colombia with documents in own name? I now live in Thailand, it's not allowed unless you have a work permit - my bike documents have my wife's name.

[@thomasstaudigel7264]

Yes, it‘s no problem in Colombia.

[@spencer2458]

Agreed - in Colombia the process is straightforward and more importantly legal

[@rideon6916]

Enough with the lessons.... show the trip.

[@666dualsport]

a silly statement, there is NO best size