INFO: Planning & Preparation Tools for a South American Motorcycle Adventure
General Biking Information:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ (The HUBB biker forum, with a wealth of information)
http://advrider.com/ (Another major biker forum)
http://www.motociclistas.cl (Chilean biker forum)
http://www.motonet.cl/ (Another Chilean biker forum)
http://www.foromotos.com/ (Forum for all South America)
Route Planning and Road Conditions:
http://www.ruta0.com/ (Excellent route map calculator for South America including road conditions. Doesn’t cover all roads.)
http://maps.google.com (Google route planner. Surely not news to you.)
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/jog/latin_america/ (The University of Austin Texas has published some old but useful maps)
http://www.boliviabella.com/roads.html (Bolivia roads information)
Cost Budgeting Tools:
http://www.mytravelcost.com/ (World prices for fuel, food, alcohol and more)
2fortheroad Motorbike Trip Cost Planning Tool (I created an Excel cost planner for my trip and am user-friendly-ing this up so others may use it if they like. Uploading soon!)
Weather Conditions:
http://www.meteochile.gob.cl/pronostico.html (Chile meteorological website)
http://www.windguru.cz/int/ (Detailed weather conditions including wind, precipitation etc)
2fortheroad Climate Chart (will be included in the Motorbike Trip Cost Planning Tool)
Border Passes:
http://www.pasosfronterizos.gov.cl/ (Chile’s official border management page)
http://www.gendarmeria.gov.ar/pasos/estado.html (Argentina police border info page)
http://greenash.net.au/thoughts/2011/04/highway-border-crossings-between-chile-and-argentina/ (Independent info on various Chilean land borders)
Buying Spares and Kit:
http://imoto.cl/ (Major parts & accessories seller, most mechanics seem to buy from them so inquire/buy from them first hand)
Finding Motorcycle Mechanics:
http://www.motonet.cl/motos_mecanicos/mecanicos.php (Chilean mechanic ratings, good & bad)
Traveller Safety:
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/ (UK World Travel Health Advice Site)
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/ (UK Foreign Office Travel Advice)
http://safety.worldnomads.com/ (Worldnomads Travel Safetly Information)
Driving on the Santiago Autopistas (NOT FREE) Info Links:
Autopista Central: http://www.autopistacentral.cl/contacto/formulario
Costanera Norte: http://www.costaneranorte.cl/contacto.html
Vespucio Sur: http://www.vespuciosur.cl/03_Centros_De_Atencion
Vespucio Norte: http://www.vespucionorte.cl/category/contactanos
