Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > SOUTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Nov 2009
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
Colombia: ID vest and helmet needed?

Hi Folks,

This question gets asked and answered periodically, but a search didn't reveal anything recent. I came through Guatemala recently, and the regulation about reflective numbers on rider clothing seemed to be honored only near and within Guatemala City....so I ignored it. Here in Bogota, everyone looks far more serious about following the rules: riders and passengers have numbered vests and helmets absolutely without exception, and people wearing backpacks seem to go to great length to drape their vests over the backpacks so that the numbers can be read. I take this as an indication that the rules are widely enforced, at least here in the capital.

On the other hand, I heard from a northbound rider I met a couple of weeks ago that he was never bothered in Colombia, and that he thought the absence of a numbered vest actually helped him out with police by identifying him as a foreigner, therefore not to be trifled with.

Anyone who's ridden through Colombia recently have any input? I just picked up my bike today, so if I'm going to do anything I ought to move on it tomorrow morning. Otherwise, I'll just trust my dumb luck, as always.

For anyone interested: Copa has resumed flying bikes from Panama to Colombia. Their schedule is scant, but the price is about US$600 plus another $50 on arrival in Bogota. That's a lot cheaper than Girag, although not as cheap as a boat. It took about two hours arranging on each end. No need to drain fluids, disconnect anything (even mirrors), search baggage or anything else. The high point for me was watching the guys on this end try to work up their nerve to drive the loaded bike (266 kilos) down a flight of metal warehouse stairs. For better or worse, they finally came to their collective senses and paddled it around to the obvious ramp.

Copa claimed they're not allowed to sell one-way tickets from Panama to Bogota, so I flew myself on Avianca---$370 ticket purchased right before the flight. Since Copa is cheaper, this might be worth arguing a bit. They attributed the policy to Colombia's unwillingness to admit people without proof of onward travel; Avianca never mentioned it, and neither did the immigration or aduana offices in Bogota.

Onwards!

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Nov 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
Well, for what it is worth, Manfred, the chap who arranged our bike import via boat says it is for locals only, because I aksed him to clarify that specific point.

So, you should be good to go. It is only to stop drive by shootings and it is also quite obvious here in Cartegenea. I am off to Medillin in the morning so I will soon find out at the first checkpoint, of which I have heard there will be many.

Make sure you have SOAT or they will impound your bike. I had to buy minimum 3 months for $40, in Bogota you can buy 1 month minimum.

Cheers
TS
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Nov 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 57
Vest Issue

Hi mark,
We (Sue and I)flew into Bogota last week using Girag to freight the bike and Copa for ourselves ($370) when we got to Bogota we asked about the vests and we were told if you are obviously loaded down on a Gringo machine it's fairly clear that you're a tourist and shouldn't get any hassle. If you feel the need to buy one they can be picked up in the Moto Barrio Carrera 2 and Calle 17 app.) an area of Bogota about 4 blocks square completely occupied by bike shops they cost anywhere between 10 and 20 dollars depending upon style On our way out of Bogota we were stopped by the police for a routine check and never had any problems (we also don't have third party insurance, another contenscious issue!) I lined the guys up and took their photo and if we get stopped and questioned further down the road I'm gonna show them their photo and say "these guys in Bogota didn't have a problem with us" Check out the insurance thread by Judgejoe posted on here recently We're in Cali at the moment stopping at the Casablanca Hostel, Mike the owner is very friendly and helpful, secure parking and biker friendly. Heading South to Pasto tomorrow

Ride Safe - Stay Upright
Graham and Sue
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Dec 2009
kaiserkyhl's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Medellin, Colombia
Posts: 212
To clear things up:

Tourists do NOT need a west nor numbers on their helmet!
- That said there has been a couple of incidences where tourists have had some trouble with police unaware of the actual law. Including me, but they let me go after I explained that tourists are not required to where a west and that I'd be happy to clear this issue with their commander. So if you don't want the hassle the west and helmet stickers can be bought for as low a 5 dollars

The 3rd party liability insurance on the other hand is obligatory for all bikes in the country!
- A new law requires that Colombians minimum buy 1 year at a time. This is not the case for tourists. Normally the insurance agents will sell you 3 month as the minimum (price for this should be approx 35 dollars).
__________________
Keep On Ridin' In The Free World

- Mike
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Dec 2009
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
Thanks to Mike and others for corroborating what I'd heard about the vests and numbered helmets.

For anyone who doesn't know, Mike has a hostel in Cali, easy to find even without a GPS or adequate maps (now how would I know that?). It's a good place, and Mike is ridiculously helpful in all matters, whether bike-related or not, and he's got an even more ridiculously cute daughter, age one. I came for a day and stayed three, so best plan conservatively.

Safe journeys!

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Dec 2009
BlackBeast's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 313
Mark,
You gotta share some pics with us whilst you on the road.
Travel safe.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Dec 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: london
Posts: 57
vests etc colombia

tourists don't need to worry bout vests etc , same as Gaut City, do go see Mike at CasaBlance hOSTEL IN CALI, AND ALSO JORGE, WHO OWNS MOTO ASTURIAS JUST ROUND THE CORNER ....
He will introduce you to Alain, a crazy french BMWist who lives there and just loves taking bikers on rides around Cali, all great guys, day Harley Dan from London says HI!!
enjoy
Dan
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19 Dec 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 22
From personal experience just two weeks ago: I had no problems driving through Colombia with all gear loaded, as I was obviously a tourist gringo. But when I started driving around without gear and with a chica riding pillion, I did get stopped by police and had to smooth talk my way out of the situation twice. Ended up buying reflective vests with plate (my Dutch plate looks like a Colombian plate, unfortunate coincidence) for the both of us at 35k COP/17 USD total, just to make life a little easier.
__________________
www.vincentkemp.nl 2009-2010 Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia on a red '00 Honda Transalp
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 21 Dec 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 11
Hi guys,

I'm in Bogota at the moment staying at the Cranky Croc (such a great hostel) and has bike parking the owner is a legend!

In regards to vests I got asked about it by police I think the officer didn't know the rules.

Just have your passport, SOAT, Importation paperwork and all is fine.

Pics are here on my photography blog zoominwitheden.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 26 Dec 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: in the saddle
Posts: 297
chaleco and helmet

While it is technically not required to have chaleco and moto numbers on your helmet....we were pulled over at gunpoint by at least 10 cops a year and a half ago for not having chalecos...they don't cost that much so why not just buy a souvenier ???
Do get insurance...seguros del estado offices (some of them) will sell you by the day(the validity of your visa) or less if you insist....but you must INSIST as I did and they capitulate.
I have a post somewhere here with addresses and phone numbers..........
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 29 Dec 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Poland
Posts: 35
Buy the vest. Even if this is not required, you will be kept stopped and asked for it. The same with the helmet. The fine is USD 200 so Police can insist on bribe.
I have it.

Cheers
Michal
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 29 Dec 2009
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
¨Will be¨ is a bit strong. In a couple of weeks in Colombia I was asked for papers a few times at roadblocks but never asked for insurance and never asked about the absence of numbered vest or helmet. Local riders in Bogota did try to warn me about the need, however. Note that my experience represents just a single datapoint of many. In other words, YMMV.

On the other hand, just the other day here in Bolivia on a tour with four other bikes (the so-called Most Dangerous Road in the World, which was not particularly dangerous but does make a remarkable tour out of La Paz), I was the only one stopped and asked for my passport. This might have related to the fact that I was the only one in the group who had stripped all sticker-covered panniers off my bike in preparation for the expected ¨danger¨, therefore looked less like a tourist and more like a local. Or not; I didn´t hang around to ask.

Hope that helps.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 30 Dec 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
I have to agree with Mark, in the two weeks in Colombia I was stopped quite a few times for SOAT and passport checks and only once did a youngun ask me about the vest.

I just told him tourists do not need it and he let me go.

btw, the Road of Death is a doddle, the road to Batopisal in Copper Canyon is way more dangerous

Cheers
TravellingStrom
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 30 Dec 2009
cruthas's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Boulder, co
Posts: 107
Colombian Police

Just wanted to add some input here. I bought insurance and a vest. The vest wasn't needed but insurance was. I wouldn't try to play the gringo card on not having the insurance. Plus all the police stops I went through in Colombia were great, the police loved the bike and just wanted to chat. The best police to deal with on the trip. I even had a police chief on my motorcycle for a couple hours. He was trying to help get my papers on a Saturday.
__________________
keep your front wheel ahead of your rear wheel
www.mototheworld.com
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 7 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Panama
Posts: 187
So where are you now (assuming I've got the right guy)? Our being pulled over and frisked by the cops was one of the highlights (?) of Colombia! Of course, it didn't help that you were wearing a bicycle helmet and riding pillion. Anyway, it paid to get the vests.
Steve

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zigeuner53 View Post
While it is technically not required to have chaleco and moto numbers on your helmet....we were pulled over at gunpoint by at least 10 cops a year and a half ago for not having chalecos...they don't cost that much so why not just buy a souvenier ???
Do get insurance...seguros del estado offices (some of them) will sell you by the day(the validity of your visa) or less if you insist....but you must INSIST as I did and they capitulate.
I have a post somewhere here with addresses and phone numbers..........
__________________
Steve Barnett
Panama City, Panama

Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Schberth C3 helmet - the good chioce for a traveling helmet burnout1 Equipment Reviews 5 11 Mar 2010 19:13
Heated vest for Morocco in Jan men8ifr North Africa 6 24 Nov 2009 12:51
Wear your vest in Colombia stbarnett SOUTH AMERICA 17 25 Nov 2008 17:14
Road from pto Ayacucho, Venezuela to Villavicencio to Bogota, Colombia advise needed cruisingmale Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 0 28 Apr 2007 04:40
Fox Creek Distressed Nickel Vest Right Turn Clyde Equipment Reviews 14 2 Apr 2007 21:36

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:44.