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Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
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  #1  
Old 8 Sep 2008
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Border Crossing for Central and South America
Just curious if anyone had an information on border crossings through the Americas. I am wondering if the border guards try and charge to much. What should i be aware of? Taking documents, bribes all the scams they they try and pull, any information would be helpful.
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Old 9 Sep 2008
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Hey Cruthas,
There is a good guide here: Central America Ride Planning and Road Wisdom - ADVrider (and you can download the guide in pdf from the link in the first post.)

It covers most of the stuff but doesn't provide exact amounts although I guess they change often anyway.
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Old 9 Sep 2008
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Thanks Pockethead,
Have you figured your plans for your trip yet? or are you just going to wing it and try to buy your bike when you get there? any luck on finding information on buying a bike down there?
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Old 9 Sep 2008
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Originally Posted by cruthas View Post
Thanks Pockethead,
Have you figured your plans for your trip yet? or are you just going to wing it and try to buy your bike when you get there? any luck on finding information on buying a bike down there?
Hmm I'm tossing up a few different ideas at the moment, even considering freighting my mini-bike over but I'm unsure on how legal it is over there. Chile bikes are expensive and thats OK if you're doing a round trip because you can sell it back in Chile but if you just plan to ride north then you lose lots of money.

Alexmc on this site is selling a KLR650 for $5500 with california plates, this is probably a bit too much for me especially with the current conversion rates though I'm definitely waiting to see what happens with it.

Here's my mini, what do you think? does about 100km per 5lt when city commuting (77.5miles per 1.3gallon, I think thats right? ), the subframe is very strong so I might make a steel frame to hold saddle bags or ammo boxes and 2x 5lt army jerries strapped in on the back giving 300km minimum range and 2 x 12" dirt tires hanging on somewhere.... I can pack this into a very small crate too by removing the front wheel, handlebars and releasing the rear shock and it has full registration. Cruise speed is about 65km/h (max speed 87km/h) but with altered gearing it could cruise at 80km/h no problems.

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Old 10 Sep 2008
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I was in the same position you are about 6 months ago. I had another bike, but it wasnt the right one to do the job. So I worked two jobs to save up for a better one. I bought my bike for $3500 and outfitted it myself did all my own work and I feel ten times better about it now that I am fitting the road in 1 1/2 months. The $5500 doesnt seem to be to bad of an Idea. The miles worry me a little but it is an 07. Anyway good luck and I will follow along and see what you choose to do, maybe I can give some advice on the road. That article on advrider about boarder crossing is a great reference. A little out dated but i imagine not much will have changed.
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Old 1 Oct 2008
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Originally Posted by cruthas View Post
Just curious if anyone had an information on border crossings through the Americas. I am wondering if the border guards try and charge to much. What should i be aware of? Taking documents, bribes all the scams they they try and pull, any information would be helpful.
Hey Mate,

Just crossed all the borders in the last 5 months with no hassle at all. There is no need to bribe anywhere, if you want a bit of help from a few locals then that is fine. The max we paid was $5 to a great kid to do all the paperwork for 3 bikes. It wasnt a bribe just a tip for a local kid.

Every border will ask you for the basics, ie, the title, registeration, driving liscence & passport. We had photocopies of all of them which really helped.

Happy travels, cheers Mojo.
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