Motorbike and Teach from Venezuela to Argentina. Or the other way around.

Right... I've started learning the Spanish. I'm working on saving the money. But now I need to start thinking about a plan and how feasible this sort of thing could be. I don't want to spend the next 15 months saving for it in Asia and then not do it..


The trip. Ideally, I'd be driving through these countries.. Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. And I'd like to stop off and teach for 3/6 months at a time in some places. I think 2 years or so would be a good amount of time between driving and teaching.. Maybe longer, probably not less.

So my big question... Would it be better to start in Argentina or in Venezuela? At the moment, I like the idea of finishing in Caracas because it's close to Central America and I could keep going north without the bike. I also like the idea of finishing in Buenos Aries because I could work there, save a little and then head to Brazil. What month would be good to start weather-
wise?

Route... My knowledge of South America is fairly limited. What areas are a must see.? I don't mean places like Machu Pichu as I'll be able to get to them easily using a Lonely Planet.. I mean general areas of countries for scenic beauty or beautiful roads? Eg. "North-Western Chile between city A and city B".

Budget... How do these countries compare to South East Asia? I'll be staying and eating in the cheapest I can find. I will have to buy a bike, maintain it, pay for petrol but at least I wont have to fly or take buses.
I don't consider budget a big issue because once I work out a number, I'll just stay here and save it before I fly.. But as a ballpark number, how far would $12k USD take me? I'll be working for most of it but probably earning just enough to live. I think it would be maybe 6/7 months of driving without work where I would have to support myself.

Camping... Realistic/Unrealistic? I like the idea of a mix between hostel and tent. My fairytale imagination is to drive, setup tent, cook meat I bought in the last town, goto sleep, start driving again, stay in town, drink, speak Spanish, get laid, start driving again. Rinse repeat.
But what countries would this be acceptable in? Or would some snakes/spiders/large cats/bandits just kill me wherever I go? I know it's been done.. But could I do it?

Teaching... Any cities or areas in particular that people would recommend for an extended period of time? I'll have plenty of ESL experience by then, plus the degree and a 4 week TESOL so getting a job should be easy.. Just a matter of where. And for what money.

Motorbike.. I'm hoping it'd be relatively inexpensive for an old 250cc or something. People who do this usually have a way bigger budget than I do so it's a bit worrying.. There will be breakdowns, crashes and possible thefts so I need to be smart about it. I think an old reliable type of normal bike might be ok? Or would I need a proper off-road style bike?
I'll be using saddle bags for camping equipment, tools, maps etc. and then a rucksack strapped sideways across the back the same way I did my two months of driving in Vietnam..


Anyways, long post but someone might reply to it... The sooner I get a plan and know it will happen, the easier it will be to work more and spend less.
Any advice appreciated.. And why do I want to do it? It's nice bein in middle of nowhere on a bike.