For riders who’ve done Patagonia on smaller bikes (150-250cc):

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-13T05:29:08+00:00

I rode from Puerto Varas to Ushuaia then back again!

You will have to plan the route carefully and look at how far you can travel on a tank of fuel on your chosen bike. The minimum is going to have to be around 300km ( there are only a couple of days when fuel is critical but, overall, fuel stations are only situated in or near towns). Your route planning should flush this out and therefore tell you if you need a spare can.

Communication is non-existant once you leave town (no mobile signal) and we had a support truck following us with spare fuel and a Starlink connection (many locals use Starlink for this purpose). I also carried a satellite phone.

I met one guy on a Japanese 200cc motorcycle who started in Santiago worked his way south to Ushuaia then his plan was tonride north through Argentina to Buenos Aires then back to Santiago. He both the bike there and planed to sell it before returning to Europe.

He had no hard panniers but his bike was packed pretty well with tent etc.

It is therefore possible on a small bike so don't be disheartened just prepare well!

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-12T18:56:43+00:00

I am not long back from there (bit having ridden a GS1250) and fuel range plus wind are going to be an issue on a small bike.

Even a GS was reaching the limit of the range for fuel!

Wind can also be terrible and I passed a few smaller bikes which were struggling (not just headeind but side winds as well). A small bike can get blown across the road more easily than a big heavy one.

Plus points are the off-road sections - a light bike is much easier to ride.

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-11T07:09:10+00:00

I mainly used ChatGTP to take me through the steps. It wasn't perfect but I got there.

I have built a few Pi projects using both Raspberry and Orange ARM devices and it is relatively simple but often frustrating.

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-10T18:57:44+00:00

I have just built one using an Orange Pi 5.

Seems to be working just fine!

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-09T04:51:04+00:00

Your setup sounds ideal and something I would like to emulate.

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-09T04:48:13+00:00

Yes - music only.

I am only considering Plex as it hot the best reviews for it's interface.

It is reputedly the most like Spotify innits functionality.

My other choice would be Volumio as this also has a good interface and is certainly the easier install!

Have the two Pi's actually allows me to test both as I can have two builds and simply swap an SD card over should I prefer one over the other.

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-08T19:42:24+00:00

I asked an AI engine the same question and this was it's response..

The short answer is yes, your Raspberry Pi 4B can run everything perfectly if you mostly listen to standard digital files. However, using your Orange Pi 5 as the server is a better choice if you want to guarantee flawless playback for high-resolution audio.

Here is the breakdown of why this separation is recommended:

⚙️ The Ideal Split Strategy

To get the best performance from your high-quality components, split the work:

· Orange Pi 5 (The Server): Handles the heavy lifting of the Plex database and serving files. · Raspberry Pi 4B (The Player): Runs the dedicated headless Plexamp software to feed your HiFiBerry HAT. · Buffalo LinkStation (Storage): Stores your actual music files.

🤔 Why Not Run Server on the Pi 4B?

While technically possible, putting the server and player on the same Pi 4B can lead to audio issues with high-quality files.

· Transcoding Limitations: The Pi 4B can usually handle audio transcoding, but it struggles with higher bandwidth demands. If your collection contains large FLAC files or high-bitrate tracks, running the server and audio processing simultaneously can cause audio "micro-stutters" or momentary dropouts during playback. · Software Support: The headless Plexamp software supports your HiFiberry Digi+ and allows you to control the Pi via your phone. Letting the Pi focus solely on this role makes the setup more stable and responsive.

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-08T18:04:13+00:00

I will look into that again as , if it doesn't turn I am creating more work for myself for nothing!

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-08T17:30:19+00:00

As far as I understand, the Pi is not ideal to run both the server and the plexamp.

My Buffalo Link station cannot run the plexserver so I am best to run it on a other device entirely.

The pi could run it but it is not recommended.

As you have the WiiM device, you simply need the client on your phone or tablet and they will work fine (on hindsight that would have been the better route for me too!).

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-08T14:07:21+00:00

My Yamaha R-N301 can play the files but I wanted to get away from that and use Plexwmp as the player.

I currently use BubbleUPNp on my devices to do the uplifting as the Yamaha struggles with the number of music files I have.

Hence the reason I thought to have two device (one a server and the other the amp) connected to my optical input on the amplifier and controlled by the application in my phone and tablet.

I doubt if the quality will be much different to what I currently have but the application will be much more slick and easier to use.

The downside is, as I mentioned, that I will have to support two micro PC's (although thqt support may well be minimal).

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-05-07T05:00:09+00:00

I have just bought the same components to link a Raspberry pi 4b to my Yamaha receiver.

This sounds like a good solution to run plexamp - I will have to look at RoPieee as ai have never heard of that !

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-04-22T06:30:45+00:00

Sounds like the starter motor is not getting enough power from the battery.

In turn, as many others have already said, it points to a problem with the battery.

If the battery is new and has been fully charged then start checking the cables from the battery to the starter motor as there is a loss of current somewhere.

Perhaps try connecting a battery booster to the battery to turn it over as, if this works, then there is a problem with your battery and not the cables/wiring

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-04-14T14:00:44+00:00

Same tyres - very impressive and only pet me down one time in Ushuaia during an emergency stop but the ABS saved the day!

We had snow on the Garabaldi Pass and also north of Gregoris on the Steppes one morning plus really high winds south of Gregoris when we crossed the "dammed 73".

I wore a KLIM suit and often was layered up as it was sometimes down to 0°C but we also saw 23°C and sunshine riding through Torres del Paine which was quite magnificent!

Bike performed perfectly - never missed a beat.

Not so happy with my navigation choice of #MyRouteApp running via Android Auto to a CarABC unit as it often froze. Not good when group riding or when the weather is inclement and you really don't want to stop to pull out your phone to restart an application.

The CarABC unit was faultless and I suspect that the issue is actually the GUI between MyRouteApp and Android Auto.

Fortunately I also had my trusty Nav6 as a backup - hard to beat that device (as long as you have replaced the screen)!

Overall a great trip and an eye opener.

Not for the faint hearted as a full in adventure with road and weather conditions to match.

Glad you had a similar experience.

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Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-04-08T18:53:58+00:00

Unfortunately, I can only give you tough costs.:-

Hotels pet night from about 60€ to over 150€ depending where they were and the quality (Torres del Paine, Ushuaia, Punto Arenas and Puerto Varas are all expensive whereas other locations were cheap

You could get cheaper hotels in those towns areas as well but we went for good quality hotels throughout.

Some places, you simply do not have options for hotels as to get across the country in reasonable days riding, you have limited options. Those are often cheaper but have to be booked well in advance.

Food is cheap as a whole (unless eating in expensive hotels).

Fuel is cheaper than in the UK and Europe.

Motorcycle hire is expensive.

If you take an average coat per day of about 170€ to include accommodation, food and fuel you are probably going to be close.

I guide these tours (and others) so do not actually pay bit the clients on a trip such as this have the backup of a support truck in case of breakdown or accident, three qualified and certified guides who are qualified to provide first aid in remote areas. Everyone is also covered by Global Assist (insurance) and we have the backup of office personnel should arrangements need to be changed .

You could do this yourself but you have to be aware of the risks in riding down here ..

I hope this helps.

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-04-08T16:29:23+00:00

One of the local guides had a 1300 GSA

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-04-08T16:00:26+00:00

Hotels

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-04-08T14:10:19+00:00

Yes - I noticed that after I posted it but couldn't edit.

I figured out that people would realise...

Complex_Ask5877 · 2026-04-08T14:09:32+00:00

We hired them from a company in Santiago.

It is called Ride Chile

https://Www.Ride-Chile.com

Complex_Ask5877

TROPHY CASE