Overland Bike Choice - South America - CRF250L

[TheDonUK]

I'm Flying out to Santiago, Chile in 5 weeks to start a trip around South America, with the aim of making it down to Tierra Del Fuego and up to the United States (California), I finish work in 3 weeks and am allowing anywhere between 6 months and a year for this trip.

I have been umming and arring about the bike choice, I had done another long ish trip to Mongolia a couple of years back on an XT600E and the lessons learned would be that lightness is key.

On that note I had settled on a fairly low capacity bike, Had even considered going the C90/125 Route, but as I have been saving for well over a year I can afford a bit better and would like to have a bit of fun over and above utilitarian transport.

The plan is to buy a bike in Chile, I did not fancy shipping a bike over there, and I would prefer to ride on a Chilian plated bike anyway. I'll see what my options are when I get over there (i.e any good second hand offerings) There are a few options new, The XR250 Tornado, or the newer XRE300. But what has caught my eye is the new-ish Honda CRF250L, It's fuel injected which should help with the altitude work, it does not weigh that much an looks to be decent, the downsides being the small fuel tank.

I had a sit on one at Chiswick Honda and they look the part, Theres a Welsh lady currently doing a RTW trip on one of these, anyone got experience of this bike or care to weigh in on the Carb/EFI choice.

Quite Smitten with the idea of this bike as the one
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[doggone]

It's not particularly good off-road, but is happy enough on gravelly tracks and unmade surfaces if not too rutted.
The fuel economy is good but the range is still poor.
You will need to fill up before 100miles so a secondary can is going to be essential I suspect.
The seat is rather bench-like though you'd probably get used to it.
Prolonged periods standing on the pegs will have you wishing the bars had risers as you are kept in a slight stoop.

There's a dedicated forum here, but it's a bit slow.
No serious issues revealed yet.
https://www.crf250l.org/forums/

[TheDonUK]

Thanks for the info, I'm not particularly good off-road either and do not have illusions of Dakar like riding (although I will try and see a bit of one of the stages if I am in the area around January), that 100-mile tank range though (did not realize the range would be that low), that was annoying on an old Mk1 Hornet, would be problematic in some southern areas of Chile/Argentina

Acerbis and another company in america make aftermarket tanks that add a little more, but the logistics of getting them sent to Chile...

It's a pity there are no readily available collapsible fuel bladders, something that could hold 3-7 litres when needed then roll down or pack away flat when not. Theres mention of them on ADVrider from an australian company but they are very pricey. Worse case scenario the old plastic bottles and decant as you go for the sketchy parts, or look into a regular plastic jerry can.
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[pepperami]

[G]

It weighs about the same as a DRZ400e, but hasn't got as flexible engine.

I'd go for the DRZ personally, despite it being carbed.

If you're not doing anything that requires the ground clearance or going fast off-road, you may well find a lower 'normal' styled bike a better bet.

[c-m]

[TheDonUK]

Yeah c-m, I have been following your HUBB thread with interest, I guess i fly out the day after you (15th Sept). It seems we are starting at different ends.

The plan up until a few days ago had been a Tornado as they seem ubiquitous, But I am kind of excited about this CRF250L, I too would rather opt for EFI as I know i will be spending quite a while in the Altiplano region and at altitude generally, I would rather not bugger around with rejetting or running an open airbox etc.

As far as the paperwork and delay I have the luxury of time, I finish work in 3 weeks, and have around a year for this trip, so I had planned on spending 3 weeks or more in Santiago, maybe even taking formal spanish classes to brush up on mi espanol before I even hit the road properly. I also got slightly more than expected from the sale of my GSXR and a few other items so given my budget I might be able to stretch to a brand spanking new CRF250L (Around 3.6K in Chile, compared with a brand new Tornado at around 2.8k. Both would be the most expensive bikes I have ever bought at those prices

I am in contact with a Honda Dealer over there who might be able to help me out with the paperwork, and I have time on my side. That said if I get out there and something else more suitable presents I am flexible, I was thinking even a second hand Baja 250 or like you say G a DRZ400 or something. I'll see whats what when I get there though.

I have decided on small cc, not going down the KLR600 or larger type bikes again. While the XT600E was good for Mongolia I just want to go with a smaller, slower ethos for this trip. I like the way Nath did his trip, and given than my current ride is a C90 I can probably live with slow and crap.

The tank range of the CRF250L is a concern. I have gotten a quote from IMS in the USA, they can send a slightly larger tank within 6-10 days to Chile, The other option would be to buy that and perhaps some engine case guards/luggage rack here and fly out with them, I don't like this idea though as then I would be tied to getting that one bike.

I had read of those 300-400k stretches in the south (Tres Lagos area?) without fuel, I guess if it comes to it a totally unsuitable 5lt can with auxiliary bottles (Fingers crossed for the sturdy non meltable type) set-up bungeed ontop of my Giant Loop - Great Basin might have to do, decanting as I go. Again, I'll probably make a decision on this while in Santiago.

But yes this is where the downsides to buying in-country show, but you make your choices and takes your chances, fingers crossed eh.

Keep in touch maybe we can meet up somewhere along the way for a beer

Might try watch a portion of the dakar between Lima and Rosario (arg), that would be cool if I could time it to be around for that (First couple of weeks of Jan)
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Rtwo]

If you're staying in Santiago for a few weeks, why not buy whatever takes your fancy and then kit it out whilst staying there instead of contemplating taking parts with you?
You should have plenty of time to import the kit if required, you're not in a rush so just go with the flow and see how it works out.

enjoy

[G]

I got a couple of slim 5l plastic jerry cans that nicely fitted on my KTM to give it a good bit of extra range. Ok, you do have to stop to top up the main tank, but you probably want a rest by the time you've got through that much fuel anyway.
These aren't the ones I have, but may actually be better as they a mid bit to hold them...

https://g01.s.alicdn.com/kf/HT1h_xkFTFcXXagOFbXt/220590146/HT1h_xkFTFcXXagOFbXt.jpg

[TheDonUK]

Those coloured ones look similar to the rotopax ones.

Either way i'll probably just buy something suitable out there.

My other issue was flying out with my giant loop - great basin and ortlieb bag. I will have to check in the giant loop bag but it is a weird shape, I was going to buy a cheap throwaway suitcase / luggage / bag to put it and everything in and discard on the other end but am wondering if I should go crazy and wrap it in a bunch of cling film or something...
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[c-m]

You can buy standard 5l jerry cans from any Copec in Chile. Two of those should do. There's no problem with fuel in Chile so if riding Ruta 7 down south, best to buy in the last town before crossing in to Argentina.

If I were you I would just fill the giant loop with my stuff and pack it was a suitcase and check it in. It doesn't need to go in a separate bag.

Then just use your tank bag for carry-on.

You're going to want a tool kit and spares but since you don't know what bike you'll end up with it's probably best to buy most things once in Chile.

[TheDonUK]

I have a Giant Loop and an Ortlieb bag. So the plan was to fill the giant loop with the stuff, check it and carry on the Ortlieb/Helmet, I'll check with the airlline about what you can and can't carry on.

As far as the fuel I got my eye on something like this:

https://liquidcontainment.com.au/cartpage/viewproduct/18/5-5-Litre-Touring-Bladder

Or this:

https://www.bikegear.co.za/89bbf405-b3ee-402e-a417-f447edc638b3-9.html

Although at over 50 quid for a 5.5 litre bladder its a bit pricey, but that way it could be my permanent reserve and I could buy a cheapo/disposable 5 lt plastic jerry / bottles for the far south to be discarded or given away as and when.
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]