South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by what car??

I'm already down here in Guatemala. Was planning on leaving last year, kind of like you mentioned; one thing led to another and a year later I finally left. I'm on a KTM990, and after having to pick it up out of the mud and a few other times, makes me think about when I had my KLR, though that's still a heavy bike. I'm not loaded up like some people either, though I did bring more than I needed. First trip like this though. Felt like I was leaving quite a bit behind compared to what I have seen, but still more than I need perhaps.

It's funny how the preparation gets you bogged down. Finalizing all those last minute details. Finally I said F~it man, I gotta go or I'm not getting out of here. I'm your neighbor the west, Colorado. I'll keep an eye out for you so we can share a beer or two . I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to make it to SA this time or not. There are some time slots that already have been filled in December for Nicaragua and possibly back in Guate for the first of the year, she is a wonderful gal though!

I love my bike and do take it places I wonder about sometimes. I guess when picking it up more than 6 times in a day might convince me that a mini bike would be better .... Keep in touch and let's have a beer!

what car??
aka Juan

Hola Juanito,

A 990 is a fine bike for Latin America. Especially out on the long lonely road. I would get in trouble with that much throttle. I stick to riding slow bikes fast. It's almost as much fun. Well okay, until a 990 flies by and I twist my right wrist like Pavlov's dog and there's nothing there.

I know what you mean about getting bogged down in details before you leave. I'm there now. Thankfully I started this report early and have Crashmaster around to remind me to get out of Dodge NOW!

Thanks Vince by the way.

Anyway I look forward to seeing you down the road. I'm sure we'll run into each other coming and going somewhere.

Best,
John Downs

[JDowns]

One of the few benefits of being a bachelor is that you can bring your compressor and tires in from the butt freezing garage and warm them up by the wood stove:



It's going to get down in the teens tonight. I get a feeling I'm going to freeze my nads off for the first few hundred miles. Might have to adjust my route and head straight south through Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

I always forget how winter hits like a hammer up here.

Cheers,
John Downs

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by VooDooDaddy

You Sir, have my respect. I know quite a bit about the Ranger course, and I have intense admiration for anyone who can complete that training! Ranger school is a real kick-in-the-nuts!

Serving in an infantry company, you learn really quick that ounces turn into pounds, and pounds = pain! And I know this translates to motorcycle travel as well. I know I mentioned it already, but I am literally gob-smacked at the amount of crap some people take on their moto-trips; simply unbelievable, i.e. huge panniers, topboxes, tank bags stuffed to the brim on a huge 700lbs. Beemer GS for one person going across the USA? I just don't get it.

I have Long Way Round and Long Way Down saved and I watch them with much pleasure. However, there is no facking way I would go around the world with such a huge/heavy machine with all the damn crap dear ole Charlie and Ewan carried; and I'm not even counting the huge SUV's full of $hit.

One more cheer for the Sherpa traveling philosophy!

Yup,you watch Charlie and Ewan pick those monsters up over and over and over again,gotta wonder how many less times they woulda been on the ground if the bikes didnt weigh 700 lbs or more all loaded up. And most of their trip wasnt a hiway cruising sorta trip,a 650 single would have done fine. But wouldnt have had the panache of riding a giganto euro bike.
As a long time trail rider,since I was about 13 back in 1971 or so,the lighter,the better. Simpler is just as important when things go all wonky.

Kinda funny when the Long Way Round video guy gets on the 1000.00 russian POS bike and rides circles around Charlie and Ewan,light bike,no problem.

[jimmex]

JD,
Take more socks man. Buen Viaje y mucho suerte.
Saludos, Jim

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by JDowns

One of the few benefits of being a bachelor is that you can bring your compressor and tires in from the butt freezing garage and warm them up by the wood stove:



It's going to get down in the teens tonight. I get a feeling I'm going to freeze my nads off for the first few hundred miles. Might have to adjust my route and head straight south through Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

I always forget how winter hits like a hammer up here.

Cheers,
John Downs

Same deal here,,just me and the dog and a 80 year old house,Ive got a 1968 Greeves 360 in the front room,its comfortable there. Back room is a shipping room for my online bike parts biz. I can punch 2 buttons and shut the whole thing down to go riding.Simple IS good.

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by jimmex

JD,
Take more socks man. Buen Viaje y mucho suerte.
Saludos, Jim

I take about 4 pair,wash em in the occasional sink,then dry em hanging off the bike the next day.

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by jimmex

JD,
Take more socks man. Buen Viaje y mucho suerte.
Saludos, Jim

Hola Jim,

Wear one pair, wash the other pair. Two pairs the limit. You have to draw the line when you're riding a pequeña motocicleta.

Great to have you along for the ride!

Best,
John Downs

[poolman]

JD,

Absolutely awesome you are taking your 250 Sherpa on a two-continent adventure, and even more so starting from home! You are blessed to have the time and health to do the trip, as well as the sensibility to realize that you don't need a 1200cc adventure bike to have a real adventure.

During my rides in the Peruvian Andes last year and Costa Rica this year I did the Fly & Ride approach. I had a blast, no regrets, but I sure missed my little XT225 when the big rented bikes got into some of the heavy stuff (especially when they were horizontal).

Have a fantastic trip; I will certainly be following from home.


All the Best,

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by poolman

JD,


During my rides in the Peruvian Andes last year and Costa Rica this year I did the Fly & Ride approach. I had a blast, no regrets, but I sure missed my little XT225 when the big rented bikes got into some of the heavy stuff (especially when they were horizontal).

Have a fantastic trip; I will certainly be following from home.

All the Best,

Hi Poolman,

Nice to have you along! You are lucky to have hit the Andes and CR on a fly and ride. It's a great way to go if you have limited time.

It's my job to entertain you this winter while you plan your next ride. Just as you and a host of other folks have entertained me with your ride reports.

I'm having a blast already and I haven't even got out of the freakin' driveway.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

[Kedgi]

John

I really enjoyed your last Ride Report. Outstanding!

It was one of the great ones that have motivated me to plan my own trip to South America. I'll send you a PM with more detail but I am just about ready to hit the road from Shediac NB, Canada on my trusty KLR 650

RTW Paul was kind enough to give me some tips based on his experience. I plan to be on the December 8 Steel Rat

I'm a 55 year old retired Air Traffic Controller that's not getting any younger and I decided if I'm ever going to ride to SA this is the time to do it.

Last year I did the Trans Labrador, twice, once in each direction and earlier this year I shipped my bike to Miami and then did a Key West to Shediac, avoiding the slab (both ride reports can be found on this forum)

Looking forward to following along on this ride and hope I may even meet you on the road.

Kedgi (Dwight)

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by Kedgi

John

I really enjoyed your last Ride Report. Outstanding!

It was one of the great ones that have motivated me to plan my own trip to South America. I'll send you a PM with more detail but I am just about ready to hit the road from Shediac NB, Canada on my trusty KLR 650

RTW Paul was kind enough to give me some tips based on his experience. I plan to be on the December 8 Steel Rat

I'm a 55 year old retired Air Traffic Controller that's not getting any younger and I decided if I'm ever going to ride to SA this is the time to do it.

Last year I did the Trans Labrador, twice, once in each direction and earlier this year I shipped my bike to Miami and then did a Key West to Shediac, avoiding the slab (both ride reports can be found on this forum)

Looking forward to following along on this ride and hope I may even meet you on the road.

Kedgi (Dwight)

Hi Dwight,

You must be my younger brother from a different mother. Glad to have you along!

Just missed Shediac when I cut over on 1 to PEI a few years ago on a tour of the maritimes. Beautiful country in the coastal Maritimes up there. Friendly people. Its a beautiful place you live in. Well, it was in August. But hey, it's starting to get down towards 10C daytime I imagine now that the leaves are falling. Better head south before too long!

All your Canuk geese are flying over the Sandhills here in Nebraska. I think they know something we don't. Those Vees of geese were pointing the way when I looked up from work outside yesterday afternoon. Their faint cries from way up seemed to be saying" "Go now!, Go now!"

Hope to see you down the road!

Best,
John Downs

[VooDooDaddy]

Originally Posted by Foot dragger

Kinda funny when the Long Way Round video guy gets on the 1000.00 russian POS bike and rides circles around Charlie and Ewan,light bike,no problem.

I was thinking the exact same thing while I was reading your post above. They buy that Chinese two-stroke bike for like $1200, and their camera-man gets on it, and you can see the look on his face; he's probably thinking "phuck this big-bike bull$hit, this little bike is where its at".

But while watching the LONG WAY Down/Round videos, I get to thinking that their trips were meant to be commercial ventures (making $$$) as much or more than about the ride. Good for them. They found a way to get all of or most of their stuff for free, i.e. bikes/tools/clothes/gear; then telecast and sold the experience on DVD's and whatnot and made a lot of money.

But as you can see, there are plenty of peeps like us who want to know about how the 'little guy' can do an adventure ride on an extremely limited budget. Hell, JD hasn't even left home yet and there are 5 pages of responses. Everyone is watching this ride report like a bunch of hungry dogs and JD isn't even close to Mexico yet. Why you ask? Because he is doing what all of us 'watchers' are wishing we could do, especially ME!

What is crazy for me is, I am self-employed; which means I can come and go as I please, and I have more than enough $$$ to make a trip like this happen. What is keeping me at home is my kids. I have a 12 and 10 year-old boys that would be just fine with Mom for 3-4 months without me, but I also have an 18 month-old son who needs constant attention. It would be really $hitty of me to leave the wife.com at home with three kids to look after for 4 months while I'm on some adventure.

Until then, for the next 5-6 years, I'll have to just sit and read these damned ride reports and live vicariously through peeps like J.D.

Go JD, go JD, go JD...............

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by VooDooDaddy

What is crazy for me is, I am self-employed; which means I can come and go as I please, and I have more than enough $$$ to make a trip like this happen. What is keeping me at home is my kids. I have a 12 and 10 year-old boys that would be just fine with Mom for 3-4 months without me, but I also have an 18 month-old son who needs constant attention. It would be really $hitty of me to leave the wife.com at home with three kids to look after for 4 months while I'm on some adventure.

Until then, for the next 5-6 years, I'll have to just sit and read these damned ride reports and live vicariously through peeps like J.D.

Go JD, go JD, go JD...............

You're an honorble man Voodoo. You have my utmost respect. Your kids will be grown before you know it and your time will come. And in the meantime you can tear it up on the backroads with your buddies. Maybe take in the Colorado Rockies high passes and Utah backcountry on shorter adventures near home. I can see your DR up on top of Tincup Pass taking in the views in the sunshine next summer.

There are plenty of great places to ride in this beautiful wide country. ADVriding is a state of mind. Heck, I enjoy riding out in the middle of the Sandhills far from civilization and stopping to listen to the wind blowing across the rolling prairie grass with dark thunderstorms off on the horizon.

Best,
John Downs

[gasandasphalt]

Best wishes and 'Happy Trails' Will follow along as many others... Be safe

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by gasandasphalt

Best wishes and 'Happy Trails' Will follow along as many others... Be safe

Thanks g&a! Nice to have you along. I'm having fun already. Waiting for it to get above freezing so I can go to work. As Mick Jagger would say, "I gotta get outa this place". Look forward to sending back postcards from the edge to all my fellow ADVriders.

Cheers,
John Downs