The Honda XR250 Tornado is a relatively common bike in Chile, but not a cheap one.

Both the XR150 and Suzuki are good little bikes, surely up to a long trip if you arent pushing it. You need to try to stay off the four lane highways though, for me it is downright scary on a little bike like this with traffic at 125 kph normal.

They would both badly outclass a TUF I think, I would spring the extra 599,000 CP, you should get most or all of the difference back in resale.

Some of the TUFs i have seen with one piece wheels look a bit fragile.

Hello Carry Dries and girlfriend,

Welcome. Your plan of buying two motorcycles in Chile is doable.

As foreign tourists you can buy new or used motorcycles in Chile. If you buy new, the dealer will register the bikes in Chile in your names - meaning the bikes will have title, plates and registration from the country of Chile. If you buy a used bike already registered in Chile, the title, registration and plates must be be transferred to your name - best accomplished by a professional who transfers titles as a business.

You should research on the HUBB how to legally exit Chile, as a foreign tourists, on motorcycles legally purchased and titled in your names in Chile. And, you will be able to legally sell the motorcycles in Chile. There are many experts posting on the HUBB on this subject. I would gain an understanding of what you will have to do to be able to legally exit Chile with your motorcycles purchased legally in Chile.

I can speak for Argentina as I am a permanent foreign resident of Argentina for more than ten years and know the law. While a foreign tourists can legally purchase motorcycles in Argentina it is illegal for the foreign tourists to exit the motorcycles from Argentina, unless they become permanent foreign residents of Argentina - a process that takes about 3 years.

The sale of motorcycles purchased in one South American country and entered into another South American country on a temporary vehicle import permits - generally granted for three months up to one year (depending on the country) is generally illegal without first nationalizing the motorcycle - a right usually reserved under certain circumstances to citizens of that country or permanent foreign residents who may or may not be allowed to import a vehicle by paying prescribed import taxes.

There are some who post here that declare it is possible to purchase motorcycles registered in foreign countries like some States of the United States , UK, or any South American countries and having been entered into a South American country on a temporary vehicle import permit.

I cannot speak to the legality of this, other than saying "carnets" were once mandatory for many South American countries - the purpose of a "carnet" was to assure that once a vehicle/motorcycle was entered with a temporary permit that the vehicle would exit the country under the same ownership before the expiration of the permit. Today "carnets' are not required - Ecuador was the last South American country to abandon the necessity of a "carnet" for tourists to temporarily import vehicles. But, the temporary vehicle import permit - for each South American country clearly states the sale any vehicle/motorcycle entered into a country on a TVIP is illegal - thus in a court of law - would be judged null and void. It is a matter of trust extended to tourists that they will obey the regulations of a TVIP.

On another thread I have suggested a plan of buying and selling motorcycles in each country visited as provided by law and touring South American in this fashion that might well enable you to leave South aMerican with much more than the original amount expended on the first motorcycles you purchased in Chile. Just trade up - sell for more than your purchase price each time.

One apparent expert in buying and selling motorcycles entered into South American countries on TVIPs - legal or not- is HUBB's own esteemed super moderator markharf - I will suggest you contact him personally if planning on purchasing motorcycles with foreign plates from fellow travelers and keep in mind that any and all legalities that might interrupt insurance coverage for any potential payment of damages or bail on your behalf. It is best to have valid vehicle/motorcycle insurance while you ride South America.

Here is why.

Having worked for as a U S Peace Corps volunteer and for the International Red Cross for years and having visiting in foreign - mostly Mexican jails many foreigners who - having purchased insurance for their foreign registered vehicles entered into a foreign country on TVIPs and purchased in that country from other travelers was valid - discovered after being involved in an accident with substantial personal injury and/or property damage that their insurance company was released from liability because of the illegal title transfer to their name. Some of these folks remained in jail for months while waiting trial even though the accident was eventually determined to not have been their fault.

It is no different in South America, without valid insurance you might remain in jail until a judge determines fault in the accident. The dockets are full, nothing happens quickly in most South American courts and without a valid insurance company to represent you and provide bail you are at the mercy of the courts - generally speaking the most your embassy will do is notify your family and maybe check on you every month - maybe!

As I say be sure and check with the HUBB's super moderator markharf regarding the purchase and sale of foreign registered vehicles having entered a foreign country on a TVIP.

xfiltrate

Thank you for your advice. Do you have any experience in avoiding the four lane highways in South America? Is it easy to do so or do you have to take the highways for the larger part of the journey?