TICO TIME ON TWO WHEELS
Adventure Motorcycle Touring With Silversteed Adventures
TEXT AND IMAGES BY BRYON DORR WITH ASSISTANCE BY NICK SCHOEPS
When you imagine Costa Rica, you’ll likely picture white sand beaches, fun surf waves and exotic rainforest.
My last experience there fifteen years ago encompassed all of that, as well as lots of whitewater kayaking. What you probably didn’t imagine is how jaw-dropping and perfect the Costa Rican backroads are for adventure motorcycling.
In late May, my friend Nick Schoeps and I landed in San Jose for seven days of guided adventure motorcycle touring with Silversteed Adventures. We’d planned to slide in just before monsoon season, but mother nature had other plans.
Silversteed Adventures
Silversteed Adventures is a two-man operation with about seven motorcycles. The company started in 2014, offering motorcycle rentals and guided tours throughout Costa Rica and Panama.
Muddy bikes and cloudy skies let you know that good times were had!
Not a bad idea to test out questionable terrain on foot before attempting on moto.
“AFTER DESCENDING THE MOUNTAIN, WE HOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY AND MUSCLED OUR WAY THROUGH THE URBAN SPRAWL AND CONGESTION OF SAN JOSE. LANE SPLITTING AND RIDING ON THE SHOULDER IN TRAFFIC ARE JUST PART OF MOTORCYCLING IN COSTA RICA.”
Silversteed has some awesome itineraries to choose from and can tailor trips to your group’s needs, skills and desires. Nick and I opted for the “Pura Vida Tour”, with some small modifications due to our skill levels, the weather and our desire to find surf. Our tour started and finished with travel days, while packing in five full days of two-wheeled adventure.
Silversteed is a full-service guide company that takes care of airport transfers, hotels, breakfasts, lunches and fuel. You’re responsible for air travel, dinners and any extra excursions you might want to indulge in.
The Motorcycles
The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is Silversteed’s moto of choice. Under my 6’3” frame, it is tiny, especially compared to my personal steed, a KTM 950 Adventure. Nick’s about 5’10” and rides a Yamaha 250 at home, so the “Wee-Strom”, as it’s known, was a big step up for him.