Riding from the TX, USA border to San Jose, Costa Rica or beyond

[Rudemouthsky]

Yes, something like that F650 would be very cool but if I start down that road even a little bit I will have 5 digits of $$$$$ sunk into a new bike before I know it. Maybe on a subsequent intercontinental ride I will approach it differently, but I'm going to be so nervous and intense once I enter Matamoros that I'll have no desire to leave the Pan Am till I get to my final destination.

I thought San Jose CR had/has a Ducati dealership? 

I'm mainly wondering...during a 3000 mile journey on questionably maintained roads...what parts of a 13 year old air cooled Italian twin are guaranteed to give me trouble at the worst possible time....

[zooom]

I'm mainly wondering...during a 3000 mile journey on questionably maintained roads...what parts of a 13 year old air cooled Italian twin are guaranteed to give me trouble at the worst possible time....

wheels bearings, seals, R&R, fork seals, oil cooler ( from debris if it is left unprotected)

[zooom]

and BTW, for the record, I am jst making the suggestion as I would if you asked me which tool to use for a "fill in the blank".....you suggest using the right tool best capable of handling the job most successfully...not to say it can't be done with other things, but at what cost and how easily?

[Skybarney]

Just when you think the roads are in bad in Costa Rica don't forget you have to go through Nicaragua to get to them.  The roads in Nic make the roads in CR look like super highways.  Were it me I would load the piss out of a Honda 650 Dual Sport and head out!  Pick that bike up for 2k and it will go far more places than the Duc will.  Not to mention everyone has Honda parts down there.  It's part of why you don;t park your bike out of sight lol.

No Duc Buck and you will have a better trip.

[Rudemouthsky]

No Duc Buck

I would cry if I were ever a No Duc Buck.

I can't fault your logic Barney but I guess if I had to explain it, I'd say that achieving this journey on my Monster is just as important to me as the journey itself. I need to see the bike I built in Cleveland OH sitting against the backdrop of a Central American jungle. I can't love a $2000 Craigslist Honda CRF they way I adore my Duc. And the Duc is what I wanna be kickin' it around San Jose all winter on. I wanna be the tatuajed gringo on the crazy Frankenmonster.

The trip itself is a weird masochistic need to test myself. I doubt I'll enjoy it the way I ought to, because being there is what I'm really looking forward to, and I'm gonna be scared shitless the whole way. Yet I'm sort of looking forward to that sensation of fear at the same time. I wonder if that's similar to the logic people who cut themselves employ, lol

[Skybarney]

   I want to see the blog!

[SpikeC]

 People didn't think that a Pani could go coast to coast either.....................

[DanTheMan]

I would cry if I were ever a No Duc Buck.

I can't fault your logic Barney but I guess if I had to explain it, I'd say that achieving this journey on my Monster is just as important to me as the journey itself. I need to see the bike I built in Cleveland OH sitting against the backdrop of a Central American jungle. I can't love a $2000 Craigslist Honda CRF they way I adore my Duc. And the Duc is what I wanna be kickin' it around San Jose all winter on. I wanna be the tatuajed gringo on the crazy Frankenmonster.

The trip itself is a weird masochistic need to test myself. I doubt I'll enjoy it the way I ought to, because being there is what I'm really looking forward to, and I'm gonna be scared shitless the whole way. Yet I'm sort of looking forward to that sensation of fear at the same time. I wonder if that's similar to the logic people who cut themselves employ, lol

DO IT ON THE DUC!

You probably find the roads aren't that bad, especially if you don't go too far off track. There is a good crew of ducati riders in Mexico City, so that may be your last chance for ducati parts. What i would do, if your on good terms with one of your local dealers tell them your plan and ask to put you priority 1 when you call for parts shipped, and ask to change the label to avoid customs taxes. If not call Jeff at monster parts and ask him.

If you have an open mind and are not on a strict deadline, when you break down that's when the adventure begins! Roll with it, trust your instincts and enjoy your stay when your awaiting parts. Might be just one of the most memorable parts of your trip when a complete stranger helps you out in a foreign country when you don't speak the language. Happened to me when i broke down in Vietnam, kid stopped to help me and was able to get me going again.

One thing about third world countries, they are resourceful. if they don't have your part, they'll make it, and it will cost you less than what you paid for dinner and a beer tonight.

[ungeheuer]

There's some sound advice around here about doing this trip on an appropriate DS bike (I'd take a DR650).....

But... I do totally get this...

I'd say that achieving this journey on my Monster is just as important to me as the journey itself.

You'll be fine on whatever you ride and if it means something to you to do it on your Duc.... then...   

Some good advice there from DTM.

Good luck.

[Borderlands]

There is a good ride report  by a guy called CaveBiker on AdvRider on just such a trip...he and his girlfriend on a Harley Sportster....lots of info and pictures.

[Skybarney]

I will do a trip similar someday.  Just have to get past the next couple of years.  I just got approval to begin building an aircraft carrier so I am a bit busy for a few.

[cmejia1978]

well at least you can stay on my couch here in Guatemala! welcome! I have tools and everything you need for a maintenance so come and stop by!  

make sure you bring bearings, ceramic pads and good new tires, central america is A SHIT for roads, and please be careful, delinquency it's pretty F_cked up nowadays! DON'T ride at night in MX, or here, Honduras, Nicaragua, if you enter the border MX-GUA call me 502-54478800 and I´ll do the trip and escort you around, until you leave the country again... and PLEASE if you sea a Cop car, here they have pickups NEVER EVER EEEEEEVEEEER STOP at their will, just make it full gas, they will never catch you, they haven't catch me jaajajjaj a and if you have to stop  call me! i´ll deal with them jajajjaja good luck and hope to see you here soon! if you have iphone let's iMessage! bring wet gear, here it´s winter season and it's raining hard!

[Rudemouthsky]

well at least you can stay on my couch here in Guatemala! welcome! I have tools and everything you need for a maintenance so come and stop by!  

make sure you bring bearings, ceramic pads and good new tires, central america is A SHIT for roads, and please be careful, delinquency it's pretty F_cked up nowadays! DON'T ride at night in MX, or here, Honduras, Nicaragua, if you enter the border MX-GUA call me 502-54478800 and I´ll do the trip and escort you around, until you leave the country again... and PLEASE if you sea a Cop car, here they have pickups NEVER EVER EEEEEEVEEEER STOP at their will, just make it full gas, they will never catch you, they haven't catch me jaajajjaj a and if you have to stop  call me! i´ll deal with them jajajjaja good luck and hope to see you here soon! if you have iphone let's iMessage! bring wet gear, here it´s winter season and it's raining hard!

Thanks CM!! I very well may be taking you up on border crossing assistance!

I'm not sure how I feel about your advice to run from the cops though, lol...

[Pedro-bot]

Dude, I totally envy your ability to do this.
Sounds like a great adventure is waiting for you. 
Though I can't seem to get the "Two Wheels Through Terror" thoughts out of my head. 

North Mexico is still dangerous. Highway car jackings and assaults at gun point are not too uncommon. I recommend you do a little research on when to travel through this region. Some recommend very early morning hours, 0500-0800.
I have no first hand experience so take that for what it's worth.

Also recommend you decide your route through this region early. The toll roads are known for being somewhat safer than the public highway. It can get a bit pricey travelling down these toll roads but if safety is your #1 concern then that's the way to go.

The PanAmerican Highway starts in San Antonio. If you travel through these parts let me know.  I'll treat you to some good TexMex and a cold  .

Safe travels. 

[DarkMonster620]

Buck, what CM ment was cops use pick up trucks not cars and that's why you must "outrun" them, in Panama, they use, chinese made 250cc and 650cc made bikes, some have Suzuki GS500, some have newer Suzuki VStrom 650 others have KTM 990[usually VIP escorts], some drive Nissan Sentras[old B13], Ford Fusion, Ford F150, Nissan Frontier Diesel pick ups, Suzuki DR650 2up with submachine guns[passenger], bikes and cars are white and the other ones are yellow, both CAN stop and fine you . . . looking at your time table, I am still looking for a way to at least be able to greet you at our border, new dealership is gonna be in full swing by then and you're gonna arrive in the best season, 'summer'[no rain for us] and if you do arrive by carnival, lots of   and I would not recommend too much traveling since lots of drunken assholes on the roads . . .