Ecuador

KTM breaks sales records… again!

Yes, KTM breaks sales records! Once again, the Austrian Orange faced defeat in the 2020 Dakar Rally, a challenging feat, but 2019 sales were impressive. In 2019, the group sold 234,449 units, marking a 7% increase over 2018 results, despite challenges in American and Indian markets. Pierer’s business strategy with Bajaj paid off, opening the Indian market, with reports indicating global sales, not just small-displacement machines. Big engine sizes (over 1200cc) have decreased their sales globally by 6.3%, but KTM went up by a staggering 14.5%, bringing this non-Asian manufacturer to the top of the list. This marks the 9th time KTM has surpassed its own sales records. Last year, Ecuador Bike Rental added two top KTM models to its fleet: the SuperAdventure 1290 R and the 790 Adventure. Sales record! “I came from a five-week tour with the 1290 R from Quito to Mendoza in Argentina, passing by Bolivia’s Uyuni. Renowned for conquering deserts and altitudes up to 4900 meters, I loaded it fully for my Aconcagua climb. This motorcycle is beyond specifications” says Ecuador Bike Rental’s owner David “Gambito” Garces. “We really wanted to try this bike to get to know what we were getting ourselves into. Famous worldwide for its off-road capabilities, we never had the chance to prove one until now, with an 18,000 km test ride.” Our team encourage you to come and try these two models here in Ecuador, the country of the four worlds. To thoroughly test a motorcycle, nothing beats trying it in various terrains. Our service and 24/7 support ensure your satisfaction. Our 2019 units are available with the booking directly, or via our contact. Fitted with crash bars, thick vinyl, handguards, skid plates, and GIVI ballistic nylon 35 lt saddlebags, they’re ready for adventure. | Visit Us | www.ecuadorbikerental.com | KTM breaks sales records

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7 summits on 2 wheels feat

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Ecuador Bike Rental by Sleipner is a proud sponsor of a feat presented to us. The 7 summits on 2 wheels feat is a well-known project worldwide but not an easy one. To climb the highest summit in every continent: According to www.7summits.com, their official list sums up to 416 people who have successfully finished the program until 2016. Due to the mountains’ geographical position, riding a motorcycle towards them involves logistics akin to a global journey. To plan the logistics for this feat, we’ve divided the project into separate legs, starting with Mount Aconcagua and Mount Vinson in December. This will test the feasibility of the project for the longest legs later. Despite that these two summits are the closest ones, it still demands 700+ km ridden every day to be able to accomplish it in the required timeframe and budget. Safety Our participation in the project not only extends to providing a brand new KTM Super Adventure 1290 R from our fleet. Also the 24/7 tracking via our Syrus 3G GPS equipment and our support team in Quito should medical emergencies arises. The selection of the motorcycle also was based on the partnership of KTM del Ecuador for the project and its involvement. Both in the technical and mechanical instruction of the motorcycle to the rider as he will be on his own during the adventure. The physical training for the project has been one of the cornerstones. Our athlete had to prepare himself by climbing nearby mountains in Quito over 5000 mts high. And run half marathons 3 times a week, among other specific training. Regarding the route, we decided to ride down the Panamerican highway to Santiago de Chile with all the gear on the motorcycle. Return Excluding the rider, it’s a load of 59 kg comprising climbing gear, camping gear, tools, spare parts, and some electronics. Once crossing to Mendoza, and doing the needed paperwork, the idea is to return to the RUTA NACIONAL 7 to Penitentes. Leave the bike at the highest possible point and start the climb. Once finished the climb which is estimated in 11 days, the ride will continue via Pampas Argentinas towards Ushuaia. Up this point, the motorcycle will be left in Punta Arenas to fly to Antarctica and start the trekking to Mount Vinson. Once achieved the first two summits, the idea is to return to Quito via Carretera Austral through the Chilean Andes. Doing off road as much as possible via Torres del Paine, el Chalten and Uyuni, and via Huascaran National Park to Quito. Since the budget is limited, we haven’t booked any hotels, so we’ll mainly be camping for accommodation. As for Ecuador Bike Rental, we’re thrilled to join this adventure, and regular blogs will chronicle the journey. We wish him the best of lucks!. | Visit Us | www.ecuadorbikerental.com | 7 summits on 2 wheels feat

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What to take in a motorcycle tour abroad

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You decided to take a step out of your comfort zone and ride abroad in. Let’s say Ecuador, and based on the reviews you decided to go for Ecuador Bike Rental. So you booked your desired motorcycle or your at www.ecuadorbikerental.com, and now you are keen to see in a very short distance a fantastic panorama of colors, cultures, landscapes, and flavors. The question remains in the back of your head: What could I possibly bring along with me? What is a must and what is just nonsense to take along? What to take in a motorcycle tour abroad? And you are right to ask yourself these valid questions when you know you are heading to a country that changes the weather at the same pace as the road type. Riding on sunny, dry days at 2800 meters above sea level (~9200 ft) in Los Andes cordillera towards the humid and warm Amazon basin. Then off to the dry and hot pacific coast, demands some logistics. We can break down the list in different fields as this is the easiest way to have a better picture: Motorcycle clothes: Often, we encourage our fellow riders to bring their gear, especially helmet and boots. Let’s face it, there is nothing more comfortable than riding with the stuff you already know. However, if this is not a matter of concern to you, we offer you the latest Scorpio EXO900 models in all sizes for you. These have been scored high in most popular riding magazines around the world due to its versatility. Their visor has the same size as most pro dual helmets with the advantage of allowing you to open the face shield. Also, ventilation is essential, especially in the Amazon. They properly house our Scala PackTalk intercoms for you and your party to be in contact at all times with a signal range up to 1.6 miles. The use of helmets is mandatory in Ecuador; therefore, we decide to give you the best option. Then, we also encourage to wear a protective jacket and pants with you at all times. You’ll never know on a motorcycles when an element can be out of control and cause an accident. Should you decide to leave it on us, we offer you Joe Rocket gear in all sizes for men and women riders. Besides the standard Joe Rocket protection they have, they also are pretty breathable as they are constructed in layers and with massive airflow conducts. Once again, up in the mountains you’ll feel its warmth side too. We also include you rain proof tops and bottoms for occasional rain. Tools: Our fleet are no less than 2 years old and we are constantly renovating it to newer models, so don’t worry about mechanical damages. However, a flat tire can happen to anyone, and so we provide you with what’s needed for you to solve the problem yourself. That is: Also in case the issue is bigger, all of our units have a GPS tracking device monitored 24/7 with a dedicated “Panic Button” to fire an SOS to our system and we’ll be in contact with you shortly. Our system also allows you to send a link to your relatives and share your adventure with us on real-time. Pretty sweet stuff, isn’t? All of our units are equipped with 25 or 35 lt waterproof, tear and wear-resistant GIVI saddlebags, which has proven to be the best bet on carrying your belongings around. Tours Our team can assist you with the packing but if you would like to do it yourself, make sure to split the weight into even parts between the saddlebags. This will help you for a better motorcycle control. Also, try to place the heavy stuff at the bottom of the saddle to lower the center of gravity. On the right saddle bag, place the stuff you think you’ll need for quick stops on the road: water bottles, a sweater, snacks, etc. This way you’ll be safer once parked on the side of the road taking your stuff out. Also, place the tool sets in this side too, in case of a flat tire. A 40 lt duffel also included on top of your motorcycle for easy access of items or to put away your jacket on a stop. Whether you choose to rent the motorcycle, participate on our guided tours. Or take off on your own on a self guided tour with a preprogrammed route in our GPS and hotels of your choice pre-booked, all of the above are included. Personal stuff. Depending where you would like to go, the basics for the longest tours are these: Bare in mind also that most of our selected hotels have laundry service. With these few tips, you’ll have everything packed in no time and ready for a great adventure. We’ll see you soon! | Visit Us | What to take in a motorcycle tour abroad

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The whales came to Ecuador

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Between June and October, Ecuador receives the visit of the Yubartas whales (Humpbacks) in their coasts. These beautiful cetaceans that reach a size between 12 to 16 meters long. More than 30,000 kilos travel 7,000 km from the cold waters of the Antarctic to reach the warm waters of the coast of Manabi. Our tours This tour is carried out every year since, thanks to the union of the Humboldt and El Niño currents. The ideal conditions are created for the mating and birth of their offspring. Puerto Lopez is the ideal place to enjoy this natural spectacle in which we can see and be part of the ritual of the mating of these giants. This ritual includes jumps, dances, and songs that we can easily distinguish from a boat dedicated exclusively to this attraction. An ideal place to enjoy our adventure motorcycle because to get to our destination we can use both asphalt and offroad roads. This roads will take us through cloudy forests, stop and forests on the coast. This is why Ecuador motorcycle tours are a great option to know in-depth about this beautiful country. To enjoy this fantastic spectacle of whales jumping out of the water. We offer you three options. You will not only be able to admire these magnificent animals but also to know one of the most megadiverse countries of the world. You will also verify for yourself why to travel in a motorcycle in Ecuador is an unforgettable destination. Take Over Ecuador Take Over Ecuador. In this option, you will have the chance to know a large part of Ecuador. A 13-day tour that will take you from the mountains to the coast through magical places. Prepare for enchanted lagoons, unforgettable sunsets, whale sightings, vibrant nightlife, culture, active volcanoes, Inca ruins, and breathtaking landscapes. You will visit places like the Quilotoa Lagoon, Manta, Puerto Lopez, Montañita, Guayaquil, Machala, Loja, Cuenca, Ingapirca, Baños, Otavalo and the Mitad del Mundo. Ecuador has many climatic zones, from tropical along the coast to colder and drier areas in the higher and tropical elevations in the lowlands of the Amazon rainforest. Ecuador is unusual because you can choose any climate you want according to the place in the country where you travel. Adding the excitement of riding a motorcycle makes it even more fun. Ecuador has no summer or winter; However, there are typically more humid and dry seasons. The “wettest” season is usually between December and June, while the driest season lasts from July to November. Enjoy this Ecuador motorcycle tour, thanks to our motorcycles and your driving experience using the best hotels and ecological accommodations to make this an enjoyable experience. Spondylus In this tour we will focus on the beautiful beaches of Ecuador. We will have enough time to get to know the culture of the Ecuadorian coast. Share the friendliness of its people and the show that the whales offer us. The freedom that motorcycles allows us to explore new places on the coast that you won’t believe is true. You can savor surf lessons, admire beach nature, explore vibrant nightlife, and relish the warm waters you won’t want to depart. In our passage from the mountains to the coast, we will know a little about the culture of Guaranda. Known as the city of the 7seven hills and the eternal carnivals. The latter to carry out the most extensive and best-known carnival party in the country. Before bidding farewell to the mountains, we have the opportunity to indulge in their delightful cheeses and sweets. Transitioning to the coast, we explore Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest port city, continuing our journey. Three worlds We’ll cross through villages with amicable people from the province of Manabi. Finally, we’ll get to see the green region of Esmeraldas, which with its significant vegetation by the sea will fill us with beautiful landscapes. Three Worlds, designed so you can get to know Ecuador in all its splendor, you can go from the mountains to many places. For example, go through the Amazon and reach the coast, three completely different worlds within a single country, from 4000 msnm to 0 meters. The high contrast of vegetation, climate, culture, and in all places, the kindness that distinguishes the people of Ecuador. Rafting, surfing, whale watching, among other activities that will captivate you. This activities will fill your soul and make you fall in love with this beautiful country. In all of our tours, you can find the freedom to hire them with or without a guide. It depends on you. Certainly, we can accommodate your preferences, skills, and schedule by crafting a personalized tour. Whether it’s a specially tailored itinerary or one you design yourself, Ecuador Bike Rental ensures your comfort and enjoyment. We prioritize your satisfaction by arranging accommodations at the finest hotels and eco-lodges across Ecuador.

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Quick tips to plan a successful motorcycle trip

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We’ve all heard the words: ‘having no plan, is the best plan’… Well, to some extent, the feeling of freedom of this eternal phrase might appeal to many. But then, as you step out the door, you have no decided destination, nor a defined route, or a time frame. Yes, of course, you have unlimited resources at your disposal. You have no timeframe to adhere to, and you have been accustomed to a frugal lifestyle for the last couple of years. If this is your case, then read no further. But if not, I would like to point out a few key aspects for a successful, stress-free motorcycle ride, considering just a couple of planning basics. So here are some quick tips to plan a successful motorcycle trip: Route. One of the best quick tip to plan a successful motorcycle trip, must be the route. This can be divided into various factors to consider, like territory, weather, emergency response and riding seasons. Some of the most beautiful landscapes are hidden with only backroad access to them. Third-order roads can seriously reduce your daily riding length. They’re so worth it when you consider the things you’ll be able to see that not many outsiders can. That being said, it’s a common mistake. Especially in the Andes, to think that you should be able to cover just a couple of hundred kilometers before sunset. The rugged terrain and unpredictable conditions often make travel times longer than anticipated. Specialized blogs like https://www.pikipikioverland.com/ are open with vast information about the route you are planning to ride along with tips. You can find about what motorcycle worked out the best, type of tires, fuel stop agenda, etc. If you wish to cover lots of kilometers quickly, Ecuador’s Panamerican highway is ideal. It takes you from North to South in a relatively short timeframe. The roads to West and East are always in mint condition as one of the main country incomes is tourism, hence the paramount of road maintenance. Needless to say that some phone GPS apps are the perfect company especially in remote places where no roaming is accessible nor mobile data. So make sure that you have downloaded the maps needed for your next leg for this offline helpers whilst you have good WiFi connectivity. In short, plan ahead. Season Another factor to consider that is countries like Ecuador for instance, do not have a fixed season a year. Therefore, make sure you do the respective analysis before purchasing your flight ticket. Ecuador is a great place to ride as you have all three worlds (Amazonas, Pacific Coast, and the Andes) reachable in a small time frame. But by being on the Equator, its sudden changes in weather can happen at any time of the day. These are not drastic changes but is not strange to find yourself riding in light rain and then in a beautiful sunny clear sky just around the corner. Being in a different country intel different environment and supply chain. IIf you have decided to spend up to a month on the road, then you can minimize the considerations.However, if the plan is to go away for a very long time, proper research is needed. This research should focus on supplies for both you and your motorcycle. Sometimes, what we consider cheap universal spares are not as common globally. These items, which can be fitted in a scooter or a war tank, may not be readily available everywhere. In such situations, you find yourself needing to adapt in the best-case scenario. Worse, you may have to import that spare and spend days or weeks waiting for it. Resources. Yes, in summary: money. Your lifestyle dictates a lot your adventure standard as well. Are you planning for cheap hotels along the way, is it ok with you to ride long hours. Park your motorcycle and make up your sleeping tent having no roof but clear skies filled with stars? Planning your budget will give you a better insight into the adventure quality you are about to have. If the idea is to simply ride without the need of work to fill up your pockets again, make sure to plan ahead financially. Ensure that the money you leave with will be enough to cover a possible contingency on the way. This foresight can prevent unexpected financial stress during your journey. Food is also a matter of importance. On short rides, I encourage you to try the local cuisine. On a motorcycle road trip, you have the obvious advantage of being able to pull over to the side of the road to try new flavors. In crowded cities, it’s also easy to find a parking spot. You might discover the restaurant you’ve read so much about. Then again, don’t risk your stomach health as this is one of the things that can make your ride very uncomfortable. We design our tours to ensure food stops offer authentic local flavors without risking your health. Are you riding by yourself? if not, is it one motorcycle or more? Consider splitting some expenses to prolong your joy. Motorcycle and accessories. A great truth is that the perfect motorcycle for your adventure is the one you have already. I rode once from Ecuador to Ushuaia in my Ducati Diavel as this was what I had then and I wasn’t planning to sell it to find “the ideal bike”. If you don’t have one yet, then you have the chance to rent different models for the time you need to test it. You can ride around the terrain you think you’ll be riding the most to see if it’s your fit. This will also save you the whole waiting time and paperwork to send your motorcycle from one point to another and to bring it back. Is not the same feeling to ride a small engine bike on the dirt than a big adventure model like the Honda Africa Twin. Other mid-size models could be a great option

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2 days adventure in Ecuador by George

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I went on vacation to Ecuador with my wife as it has so many beautiful things to offer, including the Galapagos Islands and was going I could squeeze in a day or 2 of motorcycle riding as I ride everyday back home in NYC. I inquired about renting a motorcycle for a 2 days adventure in Ecuador solo tour via the Ecuador Bike Rental website after I searched Google. 2 days adventure beginning Brian contacted me within 5 minutes with details on the bikes that were available and the corresponding prices. I decided to visit their shop to get a better understanding of what they had to offer for solo touring. Brian was very helpful with info regarding different one day tours that are popular and scenic. He told me that they would program my tours into a Garmin GPS unit. I really like the routes that Brian showed me and decided to go ahead with the 2 day rental. As it was a Saturday, Brian offered me a very special deal that I couldn’t refuse, and boy, am I glad I booked the 2-day adventure. I chose the BMW 700 GS. Quilotoa On the first day, I rode from Quito to the Cotopaxi section of Ecuador, which features a huge active volcano covered in snow! It was amazing to see up close. I continued my journey up a mountain road with amazing curves and views to the sleepy town of Sangolqui. On the way back I stopped at restaurant to eat and as I was about to leave, Francisco, a tour guide with Ecuador Bike Rentals, spotted my parked bike and came inside to see me. It was a pleasant surprise. He asked me if I rather take the backroads to Quito instead of the famous Pan Americano Highway. I happily agreed. Cotopaxi Cotopaxi Volcano The backroads were all stone paved and rugged. I had to stand on my BMW 700 GS half the time and it was so much fun! I had never been off road before and it made me smile the whole 3 hours back to Quito. Thank you so much Francisco, I’ll never forget this day. The next day I took a solo tour from Quito to Mindo using the GPS. More curves, more waterfalls and wildlife. Mindo I visited the Butterfly sanctuary in Mindo where you will experience the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies right before your very eyes. It was so magical. After that I took a ride down the backroads to a huge waterfall. In that spot where I ate my packed lunch and took in the serenity of nature while hummingbirds were flying all around me. There were so many different types of exotic birds I couldn’t leave town for the next 2 hour! On the way back I zipped through the curves of Los Bancos and made it back to Quito in time for dinner with my wife. Butterfliyes Mindo Overall this was one of the best adventures I have ever had on a motorcycle. I highly recommend Ecuador Bike Rentals. When I returned my motorcycle Monday morning, I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Davo Garces, who was fascinated by my adventures. He took me to the garage and showed me his prized Ducati Panigale (the only one in Ecuador!). What an incredible machine! We talked for the next hour about motorcycles and future adventures to come when I return. I love Ecuador Bike Rentals and you will too! | Visit Us | 2 days adventure in Ecuador by George

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Motorcycle tour packing list

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Of course it has happened to you that as soon as you are traveling to your holiday destination to take a tour, you remember on the plane all the stuff you left at home that it was meant to come along. So, specially if you are a motorcycle rider things like specialized gear can be crucial on your trip. Moreover, it doesn’t matter if you are on a guided tour with Ecuador Bike Rental or riding on your own, here are few tips that can help you out as a check list. The list You can print it out to keep it handy if need be: Remember, pack light and prioritize essentials for a smooth and enjoyable ride! So, in the case you forget any of these vital items, Ecuador Bike Rental has them for rental or purchase. Of course, our gear is the latest Joe Rocket material which provides both: comfort and protection. We hope to see you soon to enjoy Ecuador together. | Visit Us | Motorcycle tour packing list | Our website

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Spondylus guided tour December 2017

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Awesome experiences were lived by our friends in the Spondylus Guided Tour that took place this month. They had the chance to ride across the volcano avenue. Then, they crossed between two environmental worlds. They enjoyed the gastronomic arts from the coast and had experiences they never had before. Join us on what it was our tour… The beginning First of all, after a short briefing in our Ecuador Bike Rental offices in Quito on house rules and safety riding, we took off for our Spondylus guided tour towards the south on our motorcycles, which was shortened to allow more people to enjoy the adventure. Weather accompanied us in a good mood, allowing us to see all the major volcanoes on our way: Cayambe, Antisana, Cotopaxi, Illinizas sisters, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, and Carihuairazo. We had to stop at several spots to take the best photos. Volcano Avenue Leaving the capital, we entered the Cotopaxi national park area through the Panamerican Highway. At that point, we reached an altitude of 3200 meters above mean sea level. Consequently, we could feel the change in temperature, dropping to 12 degrees Celsius. Moreover, we delighted ourselves with the view of the huge Pine tree forest below the Cotopaxi volcano. On our way south, we leave Cotopaxi to enter the second phase of the volcano avenue. Here, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, and Carihuairazo can be spotted before reaching our lunching spot in Riobamba. After a great meal and refueling our Motorcycle rentals, we were about to head over the Colta lake towards Guayaquil. Here, the main change in weather was felt. Near the end of the ride, we had the privilege to witness a beautiful sunset. We were navigating our motorcycle rentals through the middle of a rice plantation. Hotel at Spondylus guided tour Our hotel Rooms were ready to welcome us, we left our things and off to a well deserved dinner as this was one of the heaviest days on the tour. After a delightful breakfast, it was time to hit the road towards the start of our Spondylus guided tour. We had the start at the Chocolatera, a beautiful reef in Salinas, southwest from Guayaquil, and from there, it was all routing towards the north to Montañita. This iconic town has it all, but is mainly proud of the diversity of people that lives there. Expats from all nationalities have come to live here giving this small town the colors it needs to attract people from a far distance. After leaving our belongings at the hotel, which is 20 meters from the beach, we went for lunch. We enjoyed a different flavor in the gastronomic art from these parts. Having a proper rest by the beach was important indeed, so we could take the best of our surf lessons. We went to get our boards and hit the waves in Montañita as one of the best instructors in town taught us how to ride the waves. At night, we could enjoy what Montañita is proud of: an amazing party at the beach with lots of interesting people to meet. Third Day The third day of our trip was approaching. So, we took breakfast and took our motorcycle rentals towards the different beach points along the coast. First, we made a stop at Los Frailes beach to check out one of the most beautiful beaches in Ecuador and begin our Spondylus guided tour. Additionally, in the center of the Machalilla national park, a hidden beach awaits, tucked away from the main road. To reach this paradise, you need to take a bit of a back road. We stood here for a couple enjoying the sand and sun. Additionally, the place also offers showers so we can ride up without the feeling of salt on our skins. Then, we had lunch served in Manta. It was at la Playa Murcielago (the bat’s beach), where seafood takes on another flavor once again. Additionally, this metropolitan city is rich in nightlife and is also one of the main ports for Ecuador’s marine commerce. Just 45 minutes later, riding through cotton trees, we arrived at our final destination: Crucita. A small town by the beach with lots of paragliding to offer. Its main cliff is about 2 km long. The winds that climb it are the closest to laminar wings as you could desire. This makes it the perfect spot for either flying tandem with an instructor or choosing to have your own lessons and soar the winds on your own. End of the trip At night, we felt like having a night out again. So, we rode to Portoviejo, a town known for its friendly people and beautiful women. After having a good sense of the city, we went back to our hostel in Crucita. Following a good breakfast, we commenced our ride back to Quito, this time through the northern part of it. Riding via Chone, we reached Santo Domingo de los Colorados, a city that defines the middle of the Pacific Coast and the Andes. Following a satisfying lunch, we continued our journey through La Concordia towards Mitad Del Mundo (middle of the world in the north of Quito). Along the way, we made sure to take a moment to enjoy a good cup of coffee to warm ourselves up and savor the view. Thanks to our guide for the Spondylus guided tour, everyone arrived home with many stories to tell and a happy spirit in hand! Additionally, we encourage you to come and visit Ecuador, a country that has it all. Rich in culture and delightful, it will be an adventure you will never forget. Ecuador Bike Rental can help you with everything you need to sort out logistics, suggestions, and route planning. Anything you need, just let us know. Come and visit us, tailor your adventure, and enjoy yourself! | Visit Us| www.ecuadorbikerental.com

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Off-roads

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I’m sure more than once you have been in a situation where you can barely manage to deal with your mid weight motorcycle off-roads somewhere, and suddenly you see this rider over taking you as if you were parked with his/her 450+ lbs ADV machine. First thing after cleaning your googles is to think: How the hell….? Keep reading if you wish to read and learn the tips that are behind the eyes of these skillful riders… Wes Siler, on his article: how to ride a big, heavy motorcycle off-road, explained few things that, for some it might seem obvious, for others, a holy grial of wisdom displaying just in front of you. Wherever you are on the scale, here are some of his advices. Bare in mind, that is kinda taken for granted you know how to ride a motorcycle on comfy roads. Tip #1 – Optimize Ergonomics Optimize Ergonomics: “Before riding one off-roads, you’ll need to make it so you can stand comfortably and securely for hours at a time, while having complete control. First, put the motorcycle on its center stand or have a friend hold it upright for you. Then, while standing upright on the pegs, examine your reach to the bars. Can you reach them and move them lock-to-lock without bending your back, slumping your shoulders or otherwise contorting your body? If not, you can try and find more height by rotating the bars forwards; if that’s not enough, you’ll need to start buying new bars until you find ones that fit you. You also need to be able to operate the clutch, brakes and shift lever while standing, adjust them so that you can do so. Also consider the foot pegs. During an experimental ride close to home, try and stand on them for 15 or 20 minutes straight in your usual riding boots. How does that make your feet feel? Are there pressure points or is anything uncomfortable? Most ADV bikes have foot pegs that are too small for long term standing comfort and will need to be replaced with larger, “bear trap” items from the aftermarket. Standing effectively lowers the motorcycle’s center of gravity by putting your weight through its pegs rather than the higher seat. It also turns you into the world’s least elegant cheetah tail. Yes, by awkwardly hovering over the bike as it jumps around and slides, your beer belly will actually help it stay upright and in motion. Always keep your knees somewhat bent, your legs are your shock absorbers. Once you have a bike you can comfortably control over longer periods of time while standing, you can move on to the rest of these skills.” Tip #2 – Drop your pressures and fit good tires Drop Your Pressures And Fit Good Tires: “Typical road tire pressures are 36psi (front) and 42psi (rear). Off-road, you’ll want to go much lower. 20psi is a good compromise pressure at both ends if you need to hit both tarmac and dirt in the same day, but for off-road use only, I’ll go as low as 12psi. Consider what type of wheels you have before doing this. Cast aluminum wheels as found on the cheaper, more road-oriented bikes are weaker, meaning you need to protect them from impacts and keep the tires at 20psi. Spoked wheels are stronger and better resist deformation and allow you to “true” them back into shape. If you do ding them, so they facilitate those lower pressures. A lower pressure tire will be less able to cushion the wheel from impacts, such as hitting a large rock.” Look closely at any ADV bike you see in an ad, magazine or video where it’s jumping, sliding or doing anything ambitious on dirt. See those large tread blocks? Those are the Continental TKC80s, by far the most capable ADV tire for off-roads. Similar tires offers a trade always between grip and durability, to that, add a quite differential price tag. Tip #3 – Stay Off the clutch Stay Off The Clutch: “The advantage of carrying such large, 800 or 1,200cc motors is that these bikes have massive torque delivered low down in the rev range. Basically form idle. That means you can walk them over or around walking speed obstacles without using the clutch. Doing so gives you better control of the motorcycle and is less fatiguing. But, you’ll need to practice to achieve smoothness, do that.” Tip #4 – Except for the wheelies Except For Wheelies: “To clear normal off-roads obstacles like large rocks, logs, the lips of desert washes and the climbs out of streams, you’ll need to be able to hoist the front wheel on-demand. With your pink and ring finger wrapped around the bar, use your middle and pointer finger to quickly whip in the clutch lever. Roll on the throttle with the other hand and quickly, with control, release the clutch. That should get your front end up on one of these beasts without a problem.” Tip #5 – Steer with your feet Steer With Your Feet: “Find a long, straight, wide, empty stretch of dirt road and ride down it at moderate speed while standing. Practice putting your weight on alternate pegs, achieving the ability to steer the motorcycle while doing so. This is how you steer a dirt bike. You should steer an ADV bike this way while off-road too. Doing so puts less of a requirement on front wheel traction, which is fishy at the best of times. Got a slide about to go way wrong? Stomp on the peg on the side the bike is sliding towards to bring it back into line. Stomp hard. It’s the same principal as counter-steering and it works.” Tip #6 – Master the front brake Master The Front Brake: “While standing, bend at the hip like you’re doing a squat, forcing your but as far rearwards and as low as possible. If it feels like you’re about to sit on the luggage rack

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Riding big ADV bikes off-roads

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I’m sure more than once you’ve been in a situation where you can barely deal with your middleweight motorcycle on a back road somewhere. All of a sudden you see this rider taking you like you’re parked with his 450+ pound machine. By Riding big ADV bikes the first thing after cleaning your googles is to think: How the hell….? Read on if you want to read and learn the advice behind the eyes of these skilled riders… Wes Siler, in his article: How to Ride a Big, Heavy Motorcycle Off-Road, explained a few things that, to some, may seem obvious, to others, a holy grail of wisdom displayed right in front of you. Wherever you are on the scale, here are some of his tips. Please note that it is assumed that you know how to ride a motorcycle on comfortable roads. So here are some tips for riding big ADV bikes: Optimize ergonomics Optimize ergonomics: “Before you ride one off-road, you’ll need to make it so you can stand comfortably and safely for hours at a time, while in full control. First, place the motorcycle on its center stand or have a friend hold it upright for you. Then, while standing on the pegs, examine your reach for the bars. Can you reach up and move them from lock to lock without rounding your back, sinking your shoulders, or contorting someone else’s body? If not you can try and find more height by turning the bars forward, if that’s not enough you’ll need to start buying new bars until you find the ones that fit you. do it. Also, consider the footrests. During an experimental ride close to home, try standing on them for 15-20 minutes at a time in your regular riding boots. How do your feet feel? Are there pressure points or is there anything uncomfortable? Most ADV bikes have footpegs that are too small for long-term foot comfort and to be replaced with larger, aftermarket “bear trap” items. Standing effectively lowers the motorcycle’s center of gravity by putting your weight through its pegs rather than the higher seat. It also makes you the least elegant cheetah tail in the world. Yes, by clumsily going over the bike while jumping and sliding, your beer belly will really help it stabilize upright and on the move. Always keep your knees slightly bent, your legs are your shock absorbers. Once you have a bike that you can comfortably control for longer periods of time while standing, you can move on to the rest of these skills.” Lower the pressure and put on good tires Lower the pressure and put on good tires: “Typical road tire pressure is 36 psi (front) and 42 psi (rear). Off-road you’ll want to go much lower. 20 psi is a good compromise pressure on both ends if you need to Hit both tarmac and dirt on the same day but for off-road use only I’ll go down to 12 psi Consider what type of wheels you have before doing this Cast aluminum wheels like the ones shown found on cheaper and more road-oriented bikes are weaker which means you need to protect them from impacts and keep the tires at 20 psi pressures A lower pressure tire will be less able to cushion the wheel from impacts, like hitting a big rock.” Take a good look at any ADV bike you see in an ad, magazine, or video where it’s jumping, sliding, or doing anything ambitious on dirt. See those big tread blocks? Those are the Continental TKC80s, by far the most capable ADV tire. Similar tires always offer a deal between grip and durability, to which is added a quite differential price. Stay away from the couch Stay away from the clutch: “The advantage of running such large engines, 800 or 1200cc, is that these bikes have massive torque delivered low in the rev range. Basically from idle using the clutch. If you do, it gives you better control of the bike and is less fatiguing. But, you’ll have to practice to get smooth, go for it.” Except for Wheelies Except for Wheelies: “To clear obstacles like large rocks, logs, the edges of desert washes, and creek climbs, you’ll need to be able to lift the front wheel on demand. With your pinky and ring fingers wrapped around the bar, use your middle finger and index finger to quickly push in the clutch lever, twist the throttle with the other hand and quickly, with control, release the clutch.” Steer with your feet Steer with your feet: “Find a long, straight, wide, empty stretch of dirt road and ride it at a moderate speed while standing. Practice putting your weight on alternate pegs, gaining the ability to steer the motorcycle as you do so. How to ride a dirt bike and how you should ride an ADV bike while off-road as well, doing so puts less of a requirement on front-wheel drive, which is suspect at best. Got a slide about to go wrong? Step on the peg on the side the bike is sliding toward to bring it back into alignment. Stomp hard. It’s the same principle as the reverse direction and it works.” Master the front brake Master the front brake: “While standing, bend at the hips as if you were doing a squat, forcing your but as far back and as low as possible. If you feel like you’re about to sit on the rack behind the passenger seat, you’re doing fine. This should allow you to transfer your weight through your arms, onto the bars, and down to the front tire to give you the best possible chance of finding traction while braking hard. Just like on the road, Squeeze gently initially to load your contact patch, before gradually building up to full braking power.” Leave the electronics on Leave the electronics on: These are some big, heavy bikes. Ready to go, but before packing, that SuperTenere I

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