ok... so i´ll do my best to explain my situation...

A friend and myself hve recently completed 5 excellent months travelling through Central America. We are currently in Colombia, headed to Ecuador Soon where we will do some surfing. Once we`re happy we`ve surfed ecuador, we want to ride through ecuador, peru, bolivia, chile, and (possibly) argentina.

So, we`re looking for two (potentially 3 if a friend joins) bikes in Ecuador. Not overly fussy, but they need to fit the ènduro`category, 650 (ish) cc, ie, KLR650, KTM 640 Adv, etc.

I have looked through recent posts, and dont see many bikes for sale. I have looked on latin america websites (ie mercado libre) for bikes, and seen some (not many) bikes that would fit the bill.

Leading to the next two problems,
1. They are expensive
2. I`m not sure that a tourist can buy and register a bike from a resident - from posts read, it doesn`t seem possible, is this true?

From what I can gather, the best way to obtain a bike in South America is to buy from another tourist, and transfer registration (held in another country ie: USA) into you`re name.

Given that bikes are expensive, and assuming that registration is difficult/impossible, I am considering buying bikes in the USA, registering them, and having them shipped down immediately. Given the savings obtained in USA, this could be a cheaper option than buying down here. Has anyone done this??

I have time on my side, and am willing to travel to obtain the bike.

any ideas/help??

Zak

Bienvenidos a MercadoLibre Patiodemotos.com --Directo al punto, donde los ecuatorianos compran y venden sus motos.-- the two best places for bikes in Ecuador
Al theturtleshead

I´ve been told that forgieners can register bikes in ecuador. i met a guy from the states travelling in a car he bought here. he had no problems.

Quito isn´t too cheap. but last month i was in cuenca and top motos had a 2002 KTM 640 adv for about $6000. 80,000km but had just recieved an engine rebuild.

also a 2004 Yamaha XT 600. bit scruffy but only $3800. with SOAT insurance as well

neither had luggage or accesories. butthere is a shop in Quito run by some interesting russiona guys and you can pick up travel gear there. prices are ok aswell.

so they are not too bad for prices . there are always KLRs kicking about here as well, if you really want to ride one of those!

cheers
mike

finding a KLR it's not difficult! KTM's & BMW's are expensive ($7000 a 12000 expense)
Try
www.patiotuerca.com

well, i know you said you`re in quito but if you decide to change plans and go down to argentina and then reverse the rest of your trip then there are some klr`s here for sale, like mine.

those bikes are already fit for the trip with all luggage and other accesories and they are a lot cheaper then what you saw in equador, circling around the 3000$, come and take.

about the registration, since these bikes are non argentinian, have a look at the south/central america and mexico forum for a tread about how to ¨register¨ them.

if you`re intrested,
send me a mail to
asafsommer@gmail.com