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katanarama
05-19-2008, 08:23 PM
I am in Costa Rica for business about 3 times a year, usually only for a week so not much time for fun. Last time I was down there I reserved an XR650 from http://wild-rider.com. Problem was they could not supply, and I ended up with a 250. I was disappointed; surely I needed a big thumper to have fun on? The 250 was a blessing in disguise – light, with good brakes and suspension made it perfect on the local gravel and dirt roads. The 2 days I had it for were awesome and the day I got back to Van. I booked some vacation time and called my dirt bike lovin' brother.

3 weeks ago we met up in San Jose where we rented some 2008 XR20s for a week. We covered a diverse range of countryside. From dirt roads to highways, beaches to inner city paved alleys, around lakes & along the pacific coast, volcanoes and thru’ jungles, Costa Rica has an amazing amount of scenery in a small country.

I highly recommend Wild Rider, they are all hard core riders and great guys. Morten, Thorsten and Tomas will recommend the best off road trails and rides. In their words “We prep our bikes for off road fun!” You can rent KTMs from another store, but beware that these bikes have road tires – the owner does not want you to take them off road.

Costa Ricans are friendly people, the country is relatively cheap and the scenery and riding is simply awesome. Oh, the chikas are pretty good looking also ;-) If you want a riding experience very different from North America, pack your mesh jacket and head to CR.

“Pura Vida!”

katanarama
05-19-2008, 08:26 PM
One of many river crossings on the west coast

katanarama
05-19-2008, 08:28 PM
Arenal volcano is active & spews out car sized cinders every 15 mins. It is trippy watching it at night.

katanarama
05-19-2008, 08:29 PM
Wild horses on west coast are all on a strict diet.

katanarama
05-19-2008, 08:31 PM
Take your rain gear, when it rains it is the hardest rain in Vancouver times 10. It gets misty and often whole sections of road are washed out. Very Jurassic Park.

katanarama
05-19-2008, 08:35 PM
It can get sleepy on the road during those hot afternoons.

Madman
05-19-2008, 08:37 PM
Arenal volcano is active & spews out car sized cinders every 15 mins. It is trippy watching it at night.

you lucky bum ... i've never been able to catch it without clouds during the day!

Cool trip by the way!

katanarama
05-19-2008, 08:39 PM
Waiting to board the ferry for the 90 minute ride from Puntarenas to Paquera. That was a hot afternoon...

katanarama
05-19-2008, 08:43 PM
This is how they sell gas in some of the really small villages.

"5 cups of 98 octane, por favor"

katanarama
05-19-2008, 08:46 PM
Couple of the guys from Wild Rider and my bro at right.

They rent cars and KLR650s also if you want something other than a motorcycle :laughing (just kidding KLR owners)

katanarama
05-20-2008, 07:38 PM
you lucky bum ... i've never been able to catch it without clouds during the day!

Cool trip by the way!

I have been there twice now, both times the clouds lifted within an hour of arriving.

Several people I have spoken to were not so lucky.

J_Scott
05-20-2008, 08:07 PM
Beautiful trip! More pics!

slipknot
06-09-2008, 06:31 PM
My wife and I did Costa Rica about 5 years back on Pegaso 650's. Was a real hoot.

selecus
06-09-2008, 10:07 PM
It can get sleepy on the road during those hot afternoons.

That's a lot of mud! I never saw this pic..

MB

katanarama
06-10-2008, 05:07 PM
That's a lot of mud! I never saw this pic..

MB


It would rain like crazy for 2 hours, then the sun would come out and the roads would trun into steamy mud patches. Poor little XR250s found it tough going sometimes, but the riders found it tougher. :surrender

Overall the bikes were great, real work horses.

rudedog
06-28-2008, 12:10 PM
ahhh definitely some bonita chicas in san jose, unbelievable

good memories

Sweetjubbee
04-02-2009, 07:40 PM
Awesome pics... backpacked around alot of where you were.... been twice now... next time it will be on wheels... sooon..