I am planning to fly from Holland to Buenos Aires next week, buy a motorbike there and follow the tracks of Che Guevara : Eastwards to Bariloche (depending on road and border conditions maybe down the route 40) into Chile, and then up through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Columbia to Venezuela.

Although I do have some travel experience, a (international) motorbike driving licence, a motorbike maintenance book, and a Spanish self-study course; I do not speak Spanish (yet) and don't know much about motorbikes.

As I am sure I am not the first one to do this, I hope someone here can give me some advice on the following issues. I have tried to find the answers in this forum, but some are still unclear. At first I wanted to just get there and see as I go, but it seems there are some difficulties :

- What models are popular across SA (easy maintenance) and suitable for this trip
I am planning to take a large backpack and maybe an extra small one, a tent and a guitar. I would prefer a small cruiser over a off-road. Is that smart ?

- Buying a motorbike in Buenos Aires
On this forum I read it is quite hard and expensive to buy a motorbike in Argentina. Does anyone know any reliable dealers in BA ? And what would it cost to buy a simple (250-500cc) bike in Argentina ? Or would it be necessary to do the first part to Santiago by bus and buy a bike there ?

- Registering it (in my name?) in order to get it over the border
I also read on the forum that it is difficult to register a bike on my name (as a foreigner) and take it out of the country (need to wait for a year?). Is it doable to ask a dealer to register in his name and get his permission to take ´his´ bike over the border ? And could I then still sell it in another country ?

- Reselling it in Venezuela
If I could get my hands on a bike in Argentina (or Chile), would I be able to sell it without too much loss in Venezuela ?

- Getting a motorbike insurance in Argentina
On this forum ATM has often been recommended, but sometimes noted that it is difficult for a foreigner to get the insurance, specially for the other countries.

I know there have been many people before asking similar questions, but it would be great if someone could help me out ! Thanks in advance......

Oant sjen,

Rienk

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Motor Gringo - Through the Tire Tracks of Che : www.motorgringo.com

Hi Rienk
I am from Argentine. I did trips to Bolivia and Peru in 2004 and Ushuaia in 2006 over a Honda Nighthawk 250cc model 1994 without problem. The bike is very popular in Buenos Aires. About 2500 dollar is your cost. I don´t know how is it the title for forein people. Ask me for other matter

Hi Rienk

Do a search or have a good browse through the relevant forums; this question's been asked many times and there's lots of info.

Regards, Mick

hola Rienk,

you are right, this has been done before, so please read other threads/posts first and than ask again.

as I have done something similar with my girlfriend in 2002, I can give you some advise.

Paperwork will be your biggest problem if you buy in BsAs and sell in Venezuela. If you want to do everything according the way you would do it Europe, buy the bike and register it, this is possible in BsAs, but than you cant leave Argentina with the bike, because an Argentinan law says that you as a tourist cant take a bike that is registered in Argentina out of the country. This paper game will go on ...

... so my advise, find a traveller who sells his bike, many do in BsAs, and buy his bike, than he will explain what you will do about the paperwork.

enjoy riding on this fantastic continent

greetings

mika

Thanks for your feedback !

I arrived in Buenos Aires today, and based on the information above and in the forum I understand the best option is to buy a bike from another foreigner here.

If there is anyone in Buenos Aires that whats to sell a bike, knows someone who wants to sell his bike or has any advice as to how to find someone who wants to sell his bike, please contact me (R_W_Kentie@hotmail.com)!

Thanks for your help.

Oant sjen,

Rienk

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Motor Gringo - Through the Tire Tracks of Che : www.motorgringo.com

I'd suggest contacting javier and sandra at Dakar Motors in BA. They are kind of a hub of activity for travelers coming and going and Sandra is becoming every more familiar with the paperwork associated with bikes. There cool people and you are likely to meet a bunch of fellow travelers there.

That, and I have a buddy, Nickdude that is finish his trip on a KLR650. Not sure if he is going to ship it back or not...i'll pass your info along.

Mark
www.roundtheworldorbust.com

I´ve visited Javier & Sandra at Dakar Motos yesterday and they have given me some useful information (though not what I was hoping for...). As I understand there are not many options to buy a bike here :

- Buying a local bike
Buying an Argentinian registered bike is possible, and I would able to register it in my name. However I would not be able to take the bike out of the country within a year.

- Buying a foreign registered bike, while the owner is not here
It would be possible to get the registration in my name, but the Temporary Import Licence would not be in my name. Therefore, if I would try to take the bike over the border it would be confiscated. If I would ´lose´ the original import licence I could (1) either hope to meet a ´nice person´ at the border or (2) explain the police my situation and try to convince them to allow me to take the bike out of the country.

- Buying a foreign registered bike, while the owner is here
This would be the only sure option. I would need to change the registration, go out of the country together and come back in on a new Temporary Import Licence on my name. However, this procedure may not be easy.

Another way is to just buy a motorbike in another country. I will try to find out if it is possible to buy a bike in Uruguay (does anyone have information on the regulations in the country?), and otherwise I have to change the starting point to Chile....

Thanks to the people at Dakar Motos for their help !

Kind regards,

Rienk

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Motor Gringo - Through the Tire Tracks of Che : www.motorgringo.com

Everyday people cross the border over bike wihch dont are property. Only a certificate from owner. The owner sell the bike to you without the title, with the permission for ride in Argentine and cross the border. He know you never turn back it. The bike are cheap in Argentine
LuCK FOR YOU
Raul

The communities there will almost certainly know, or be able to find out.

Regards, Mick

I am going to Lima with my wife to ride two-up in Oct. of 2007. We plan on going to Ushuaia and then shipping our bike back. It may make sense to buy a bike when we get there. Anyone going to have a bike for sale in that area around Oct. 2007?

mtbh2o

Is this possible? does anyone know about doing this?