Buying a bike in Colombia as non resident

[Erik_G]

There is a thread that started with the topic of a dealer in Peru. And ended up to discuss Buying a bike in Colombia. As non resident.

So to get things under a better handing. I start a new thread.

We can talk about process and regulations.
Bike availability
Dealers
......

I will start to try to copy my own old post here.

And if I get to Colombia to buy a bike. I will write a story about that.

[Erik_G]

Buying in Colombia
Colombia is actually one the few countries where you can buy a bike and exit. Without being a resident.

They have created more requirement to get registered in RUNT

Before
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RNT - Get registered with the Colombian national transit registry. This is a simple process and only requires your passport and fingerprint.
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Updated
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o único que necesitamos para realizar los trámites y que la moto quede a tu nombre es que tengas cédula de extranjería y que estés registrado en el RUNT
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So the "cédula de extranjería" have been added.
How to get that, I have to learn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjqrxPcsh0Q

Visa seems to be a prerequisite.
What kind of VISA. When I come from Europe, I do not have to apply for a VISA.
When entering Colombia a get a "VISA" = Permission stamped in the passport that I can stay a certain period (90) days.
Is that what we mean with VISA ?
Or is there anything other type of Visa ?

With that in place, I can register in RUNT + buy and register a bike in my own name.
I have not found any restrictions to exit Colombia.
Or any border crossings in SA

I need to return to Colombia to sell it. (Change ownership)

I might give it a try in September.

Here is a story from a guy that did that in 2019.

https://www.amazon.ca/TWENTY-THOUSAN.../dp/1693606275

If anyone has done this in recent years. Information would be much appreciated.

And: "tohellnback", since you live there, I am sure that you have a lot of knowledge.

We can use this thread. Or I can send you a personal message.

[Erik_G]

Before Covid, I prepare a Suzuki DL 650 XT. And had pre booked a shipping of it to Chile. But we know what happened.
During this time I have spent time to create an alternative to shipping: Buying.
I have also moved to Portugal. I use a Honda NX4 as daily bike and travel bike. Old one from 2003. Made in Brazil. Father to XRE 300. And I have really learned to appreciate smaller bikes.

My travelling plan is to tour South America during the European winter

My plan is to buy a new bike from a dealer. With the condition that he help/fix with all paperwork. Since I plan to sell it in Colombia later. The buying price is not that important. The cost is the difference between buying and selling price. (As you see that I bought a 2003 Honda in Portugal. I have no problems buying used bikes. But that is when I am "home" and can give them a real overhaul, fixing and testing before taking of on along trip.
I do not want to buy a used bike private in Colombia. Due to that I do not know enough about the process. And all checks that has to be done.
I would also want to have and "agreement" with a dealer, before I arrive. So I do not have to search the market (for used bikes)

I have learned that Colombia has a tax system that makes everything over 200 cc expensive. Is that correct ?

Since I will tour SA, I want a bike for which I can get spare parts all over SA.
The other requirement is that I can mount panniers. Yes I know of rack less type Moto Mosko. But it is not my taste. I plan to bring camping and cooking equipment. I want hard panniers.

If we start to discuss bikes, it usually opens and endless discussion.
But I contacted several dealers, And looked at the SA market.

Honda was my first choice. Common bike all over SA: And since I don't mind small bikes. XR 190 is the candidate. But I did not found any good luggage system for that.

Royal Enfield dealer is the one that has given me the best information and support. About buying process. Reference to supplier of extra equipment. And more...

So for now. RE Himalaya is my main choice.
Equipped with luggage system, crash bars and.... from Kujo Motos

https://kojumotos.com/product-catego...v=f003c44deab6

OK. Himalayan is heavier. But low and easy to handle (I have use one in Nepal) Good price, since it is assembled in Colombia. And has a network over SA.

I have also been looking into ATK and TVS bikes.
The mail answer from ATK, was enough to stop there.

End of this chapter.

Any experiences from this in reality is welcome.

[tohellnback]

The Himalayan is a excellent choice aluminum panniers and racks are all available in Colombia, you can Farkle the the machine to your liking all available at low prices none of it imported all Made in Colombia{ Mastech}
My personal preference I buy Used because I have all the tools to tackle any job and I have the know how. For a moto for traveling purposes it would be a 98-99 Susuki dr350 they have a 6 speed, every once in a while they show up in mercado libra but they are sold quickly There are tons of parts in Colombia the cops used these machines for about ten years.
There is a Yamaha xt 350 6 speed in mercado libre right now, low km one owner for less than 2000 us I would consider this a contender but it has drum brakes rear
I have seen the honda 400 falcon come up once in a while I think its a good contender in the light bike category but only a 5 speed and its not for me
Senor G for your No BS way of doing SA on a moto New is definitely the way to go but pricey I on the other hand can buy cheap and rebuild Hell my F700 is iching to get out of Colombia she has done 60000 here its a 2016 built in November but with the fuel prices now for premium is making it a tough decision to go on a 20000- 30000 trip the price of extra went up 50% this year and its all over SA . A 300 - 400 cc would be the way to go in my opinion
As far as Camping dont do it in northern SA, Chile and Argentina yes
Colombia Equador and Peru Camping is not a thing that is like Canada or the states, people do it in groups like family outings and they camp usually on farms that have areas for your tents ,vehicles and have showers Camping is like a Novelty experience

[Mugsey]

Just before Covid I bought a new Suzuki DR 650 in Medellin. The price was about 26 million pesos which at the time equated to approximately US$7000. I spent an additional $2000 to prepare the bike. I was able to source almost all parts in Medellin & at reasonable prices.

The paperwork was very simple and the Suzuki dealership did nearly all of the work on my behalf.

My plan, now that most borders have opened, is to leave Medellin in July and ride to Tierra del Fuego and back over the course of a year. I will return to Medellin sometime in 2023 to sell the bike.

The reasons I bought new are that price depreciation in Colombia is very low (used bikes are not much cheaper than new), I wanted help with paperwork & I wanted the peace of mind that comes with a new vehicle.

I chose the Suzuki because it is ubiquitous in South America - its what many police forces use, so parts and servicing are not a problem. Personally I would not go with a Himalayan. I rode one in India for two months and it was terrible - under powered, horrible brakes and a cracked subframe. The Suzuki is more expensive but it is a better, more durable bike which will retain its value when it comes time to sell it.

If I can sell the bike for $6000 then is has effectively cost me less than $60/week….compared to crazy, sky high rental prices (we are talking $50-60 A DAY)…..& it’s a new bike, not some shagged out rental with 50,000km on the clock

[tohellnback]

Feria de Dos Ruedas Medellin Colombia may 12-15, 2022
This is the largest motorcycle exhibition in Latin America
If anyone is in this neck of the woods mid may I would check it out
I went to it in 2019 and I was amazed 470 displays
it should be bigger this year after a 2 year break

[Erik_G]

Originally Posted by Mugsey

Just before Covid I bought a new Suzuki DR 650 in Medellin.
The paperwork was very simple and the Suzuki dealership did nearly all of the work on my behalf.

Could you please describe the paper work in detail ?
(This is the main topic of this thread)
Cédula ? Process for getting that ?
RUNT: Process for registering

Thanks

[tohellnback]

To get a cedula you need a visa
V, is for visitors
M, is for migrant
R, is for resident
all types have sub catigories
Visitor: is 180 day accumulation in one year in other words TOURIST

Migrant: is 3 years you must have a spouse for at least two years prior to the application with proof,
student, real-estate investment or investor, pensioner retirement , and permanent employment

Resident: if you have a kid that's a Colombian National, or being a investor that has 650 times the the monthly minimum wage to throw away
I you receive a M visa you can apply for a R after 2 years

It is not easy to get a cedula but the easiest way is to gain employment with a foreign company that is in Colombia and getting a work visa is strait forward
then you get your cedula that's how I did it, the company paid for everything
the fine print on having a M visa is that you cannot be out of the Country more than 6 months at a time if you are your visa will be revoked
getting a cedula and keeping it is a serious step in your life
a cedula has a expiry date if you have a m visa
no expiry if you have a R
hell you can apply for a Colombian passport if you are a resident but why would you want to do that stick to your original unless you are Russian or Chinese North Korean or Cuban
My two pesos

[Erik_G]

So there is no way to get a cedula as visitor ?
And if cedula is needed to register a bike.
Than you can't by a bike in Colombia ??

I thought it was rather simple.
Mugsey "The paperwork was very simple"

[tohellnback]

any body can buy a bike in Colombia you can use your passport as a ID you dont need a cedula
you need a address ,it can be friends, airbnb, hostel, hotel or dealers address , a local cell number would be good also
You need a address for the carnet de propedad to be delivered, it is you property Card for the registration of the moto it usually takes a week to ten days to receive it by mail courier the SOAT insurance is purchased at the dealer

[Erik_G]

Originally Posted by tohellnback

any body can buy a bike in Colombia you can use your passport as a ID you dont need a cedula
you need a address ,it can be friends, airbnb, hostel, hotel or dealers address , a local cell number would be good also
You need a address for the carnet de propedad to be delivered, it is you property Card for the registration of the moto it usually takes a week to ten days to receive it by mail courier the SOAT insurance is purchased at the dealer

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As I stated in my second post in this thread. I have contradictory information.
This is from the dealer that has promised to help me :

Hola Erik, muchas gracias por comunicarte con nosotros, lo único que necesitamos para realizar los trámites y que la moto quede a tu nombre es que tengas cédula de extranjería y que estés registrado en el RUNT.

La cédula de extranjería es el documento que cumple los fines de identificación de los extranjeros en el territorio nacional. Inicialmente se podia iniciar el tramite solo con el pasaporte pero en estos momentos por orden de las entidades de transito ya no se permite solo con pasaporte.

This is an answer from another company. But he "has heard". No real source.

From what I recently found out, the Colombian transit authority is not allowing people with a tourist visa to register motorcycles/vehicles at this time. I have heard that this is temporary but I don't know when it will change back to normal.

Is your information old ? When is the last time you know that someone did this ?
Or are the dealers wrong ?

Has anybody done this lately. And can confirm the process ?
I get confused.

It would no be good to travel to Colombia from Europe. And than find out that I can't buy a bike.
And have to return home.
Difficult bureaucracy. I can handle. But if it is not permitted ....

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I also tried the official way. I sent the question to Ministerio de transporte
I only received a link to their web.
To search myself.

Lo invitamos a ingresar a nuestro portal de internet
https://mintransporte.powerappsportals.com

[tohellnback]

well G it is news to me and I am not suprised the rules change all the time here
and it sucks, I have met a few foreigners that have purchased motos here pre covid.
if the dealer you were corresponding with says you can't then I would try another dealer google, Sergio Sierra Motos Medellin he is a dealer that deals with used and consignment of large bikes if anyone would know he would Sergio has a degree in Law he's a lawyer , email and tell them you are interested in purchasing a moto and state you are a foreigner

[GenXrider]

I would side with tohellnback on this and go to another dealer.

Para extranjeros mayores de edad: cédula de extranjería o contraseña certificada (provisionalmente) o pasaporte vigente.

https://bogota.gov.co/servicios/guia...nsito-runt-vus

https://www.semana.com/finanzas/ahor...a-paso/202123/

I have never heard of a tourist not being able to buy a moto here.

[tohellnback]

First you need RUNT. In Colombia it is the registry You get that from the government transportation department. You need to show them your passport, pay about $15, have your picture taken, give them a fingerprint, allow them to photograph you and sign the slip.and walk out and go buy your moto
this is current info I am not too sure read the link GEN X pasted

[Erik_G]

You are both correct.

Thanks a lot for the link to the official instructions.
That is what I needed. I hope that it will be useful also for others.
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This link did not work at all
http://www.runt.com.co
El RUNT es una plataforma que interactúa con multiples actores. Para acceder a la información más relevante para usted, haga clic en la opción que se ajuste a su perfil: Ciudadanos. Organismos de tránsito. Direcciones territoriales. Otros actores. Ministerio de transporte. Empresas de transporte.
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The official page clearly states "or" passport. Not "and" passport.
So passport is enough.
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Cédula de extranjería o contraseña certificada (provisionalmente) o, pasaporte vigente.
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In addition to this. I had another chat with the dealer. He contacted a friend that works as an agent in an office that handles RUNT. And that friend promised to fix my paperwork.
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Hemos conseguido un tramitador que puede ayudarnos con el proceso solo con el pasaporte. Voy a hablar con el y te confirmó.
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I have a Whatsapp message from that person that says "Claro que si"

Let's do it. I will update with how it goes.
My plan is to go to Colombia in September.

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But plans seldom seem to turn into reality for me.
Health problems, Covid19, other persons, bureaucracy, ... + a lot of things.
Soon the sky might fall down.
But until than, I keep struggling.

To avoid disappointments. My philosophy has turned into something like this:
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It's just as good to stop dreaming
It's going to hell anyway
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Take one day at a time. And do the best I can of today.