Do I need a Title for the americas?
 

US guy riding Alaska to Tierra on a KTM 950 I just bought. But it is financed, not owned, so I will have a Registration etc... but no Title.

Will that be ok?

Thanks

No. You need the title (or a decent fake, if that's the path you choose). Just the registration card might work at some border crossings, but for all of them you'd have to be lucky.

Good luck,
James

Mexico REQUIRES the title or a notarized letter from the bank/finance company that says you have their permission to take the bike into Mexico. I don't know about any of the other countries on your route.

I went USA to Panama with a guy who left his title at home, but had photocopies. It was a big PITA, he had to beg, plead, and sometimes bribe, at every border. He did make it, so it can be done, but I wouldn't do it again. Do whatever you have to, to get the title.

Thanks for the response. I just have a hard time thinking that every single person who has cycled south has owned their bikes, or that they all carried it's title. Carrying the title seems silly because if someone steals the bike and manages also to steal teh title they can sign it over to whoever>

You should have a title but it will indicate a lienholder. You should at least carry a copy of the title together with other vital docs in a place not left on the bike while unattended for long periods of time. Also, the customs official should require a letter from the lien holder consenting to taking the bike across the border. And, the finance company will likely not provide a letter for anything more than Canada and Northern Mexico.

OT- as Grant would say it is a good idea to scan all your documents and store them on a secure website.


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Brooklyn Dakar
http://motorcycleramblings.blogspot.com/

Let me correct my last response, because I realized the answer depends on the state. Most states the lien holder does hold the title (I live in the minority state of NY). They are not going to permit you to travel to TDF.

They don't but a letter from the lein holder and the registration is required if you don't have the title or the title indicates a leinholder is involved.

The lender can make it difficult if you don't have a minimum of payments with them - it's really up to them.