Rookie Q&A - Seattle to Ushuaia
 

If you are a new rider, or soon to be new rider and thinking about doing a big trip, and you have some questions, please, ask away. My wife and I are both fairly new riders, she got her lisence a month before we left and are right in the middle of our trip so all the memories are fresh.

DISCLAIMERS:
1. We are biased, and while we will do our best to answer honestly, if you are thinking of going, we will probably try and talk you into it.
2. Our experiences with countries and motorcycles and other things are only our experiences, not meant to be a judgement on the entirety of said subject.
3. We are not the experts, far more people out there with far more experience. This offer is meant for folks who are where we were just a year ago, wondering if you can, if you should.

The short answer is yes, but if you've got specifics, fire away.

Mark and Erin
www.roundtheworldorbust.com

rookie q & a
 

Hey Guys,

I am heading down to Panama on my KLR 650 in a week from Vancouver, Canada for my first moto trip(snow permitting). Very excited! I have been on the 'Hubb' checking out mostly paperwork issues. Do you know if I need to buy the insurance for mexico before I head through the border? Also, is my registration all I need as far as paper work goes for the bike not including international dr. licence and canadaian licence?

Thanks,

Geoff

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Grant

paperwork
 

we purchased our mexico insurance on line a day or two before we hit the border. can´t remember the companies name, they are out of arizona. we´ve been asked for both title and registration at various border crosssings - most of the time showing a copy works, especially when it is a high quality color copy. border crossing were some of our most dreadful days early on, but after you get a few under your belt, they are really no big deal.


good luck,

mark and erin

Paperwork
 

you need the Title for your bike - or, a high quality facimile of same. If you don't have the title (its financed) you need some sort of authorization from note holder. Search Paperwork section for more specific info.

At the Guat border, they asked for registration, in addition to title. Only time I think I've been asked for registration.

Seattle to Ushuaia
 

I completed my trip by moto -- California - Ushuaia - Texas (30420 miles) in 2005, and never had insurance(except Costa Rica, which mandated insurance purchase at border), nor any need for it. Just another risk you take in this type of travel(in my opinion!) -- Porter