Riding to Patagonia

[1.21GW]

My only suggestion if you're riding down to Buenos Aires, stick to the west coast and then cross over to Argentina. The easiest border crossing down there is via Paso Los Libertadores (scenic highway), but other crossings might be more "fun". Ecuador, Peru and Chile are very "gringo friendly".

Good advice.  I have a buddy who owns lives on the coast of Ecuador and expect to hang there for a few weeks, so I imagine I will stick to the coast for a good portion of the trip.  That said, the inland parts are pretty awesome too, so maybe I go down the coast and back up the middle.  That's the best part of operating with no strict plan...

[1.21GW]

Ok, opinions sought.  I am deciding whether or not to sell the duc.

Sell
Once winter hits, the duc will be put away for the season.  In spring, I will likely ride the DR most of the time prepping for the trip.  Then I will embark on the trip for 6-12 months, maybe more  I really have no idea after that, but likely I'll end up back in the US in a new city---no more NYC.

By the time I am resettled, all in all, the duc will probably be hibernating for 2 years.  Even then, I am eager to try a new breed: streetfighter, hypermotard, any one of various drool-worthy KTMs, appealing non-Duc italian bikes, and so on.

Keep
...buuuuuttttt, the duc is such a fun little girl.  And that styling is timeless.  And it's a duc.  And it's MY duc.  And though not technically my first bike, it is de facto my first bike.  But to be fair, I've always been one of those people that doesn't keep much and isn't very sentimental---I'd rather make new memories then dwell on old ones.  90% of my possession will be sold.  The rest will be with me on my bike, or in a bag or two stored in my sister's basement.

I guess the best sell option is to return it to stock a bit and then sell the bits, but that is a PITA.  So I'd either part the thing out or sell it whole.  Whole, what am I getting, $3000?  $3500?  $4000?  Parted: no idea.  It is worth selling to pocket $3500?  That's maybe an extra month of living down south, or a down payment on a new bike when I get back, but not much else.  So maybe the economic guidance is to keep it.

In the end, it's a personal choice.  But some thoughts would be appreciated from the wiser fools in the audience.

[ungeheuer]

Park it a howie's place and I'll ride it to my next DIMBY 

[Monsterlover]

[1.21GW]

Park it a howie's place and I'll ride it to my next DIMBY 

I said the wiser fools in the audience. 



Ok, if it's stored lonely in some garage while I'm abroad and you are back at DIMBY, you are welcome to it.

[Howie]

You can store it in my garage.  My bike and lawnmower will keep it company.  Ung can take it for a spin.

[1.21GW]

Storage is not an issue---my dad has kindly offered space in his cavernous garage.  But the question is whether I would use it whenever it is I return.  Might be worth selling and not worrying about it, then just buying a new bike whenever I get back and settled.

[Howie]

For the money you will get for the bike, IMO, worth keeping.  Worry and hassle?  Obviously your decision.

[Needle99]

I said the wiser fools in the audience. 

Half right there 

[ducpainter]

Store it and when you return if you aren't interested deal with it then.

It isn't worth much as a bike, but you could get some decent money as parts if you're willing to part it.

[1.21GW]

Update:

Ok, with today's payday I hit my savings target for this trip, so it is on.    The plan now is to quit working in May, go to Peru for 2 months of mountain climbing (my other obsession) return to the USA and leave for Mexico in Aug or Sept, which would put me in Panama roughly Nov before continuing on into S. America in the new year.

Bike is 95% set.  Just need to: 1) fix the NSU switch when I change the oil (a minor DR650 quirk with potential for disaster if left unattended); 2) get the suspension adjusted; 3) switch out the can and mid-pipe.  Minor things that I can do over the winter/spring.  I need to school myself on carbs, since my bike experience has so far been FI and I will need to adjust on the fly as I ride through various altitudes in the Andes.

Got a great set of panniers from here: http://www.moskomoto.com/ .  Used them already on a small camping trip and they were great.  Highly recommended to anyone looking for a set for their dirt bike or dual sport.

Finally, if anyone has any suggested spots to visit anywhere from here to Tierra del Fuego, let me know.  I'm compiling a list.

[1.21GW]

Footnote: Oh, and the decision (based on the board's campaigning above) I came to re: the duc is to keep the it stored and deal with it when I get back in 2017.  Will probably need some advice on how to prep for long term storage at some point.

[ducpainter]

Footnote: Oh, and the decision (based on the board's campaigning above) I came to re: the duc is to keep the it stored and deal with it when I get back in 2017.  Will probably need some advice on how to prep for long term storage at some point.

I know exactly how not to do it ...so I can advise how to do it.

[1.21GW]

I know exactly how not to do it ...so I can advise how to do it.

Ha!  Step 1: Don't store it in DP's barn.  In fact, keep it a minimum of 200 miles from that graveyard of steel and iron.

[ducpainter]

Gives the term 'Barn Fresh' an entirely new meaning...eh?