From Chile/Argentina to Mexico/USA by Motorbike

[Memhave]

I dont usually frequent forums but I need some advice.

Me and 3 friends are finishing university in a year and a bit and want to a a large trip from Chile (as south as possible) to USA (as north as possible) by motorbike. None of us have done this before, (A Dane (with UK Cit), a German (With US Cit) & A Brazilian (with Ita Cit), and I would like some information.

The most dire information is motorbikes. How hard is it to buy a motorbike from either mexico or chile/argentina and drive it from north to south or south to north.

Our route isnt planned and I think we will start where we can find good bikes with paper work for the least hassle.

Ive read the post on Chile and it seems rather complicated, as we dont want to speed a week or 2 in santiago.

I dont believe Language will be much of a problem as my Brazilian friend speaks Portuguese and some Spanish.

tl;dr need bikes in SA not right now but later, which country has easiest and fastest paperwork?

[Memhave]

Ive read:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...santiago-45637

How long does it normally take to register and road ready a bikes papers in Chile?

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by Memhave

I dont usually frequent forums but I need some advice.

Me and 3 friends are finishing university in a year and a bit and want to a a large trip from Chile (as south as possible) to USA (as north as possible) by motorbike. None of us have done this before, (A Dane (with UK Cit), a German (With US Cit) & A Brazilian (with Ita Cit), and I would like some information.

The most dire information is motorbikes. How hard is it to buy a motorbike from either mexico or chile/argentina and drive it from north to south or south to north.

Our route isnt planned and I think we will start where we can find good bikes with paper work for the least hassle.

Ive read the post on Chile and it seems rather complicated, as we dont want to speed a week or 2 in santiago.

I dont believe Language will be much of a problem as my Brazilian friend speaks Portuguese and some Spanish.

tl;dr need bikes in SA not right now but later, which country has easiest and fastest paperwork?

Chile is a good place to buy, with the paper work you will be able to then cross all the borders. A good site to start with is

Guide to Buying a new motorcycle (or a car) in Chile for foreigners | Ondrej Jurik

Downside of Chile is the price, it is an expensive place to buy a vehicle. As it is a long trip you may want to look at buying something in your home countries and shipping them. If you send by sea this is more economical, but slower. Lookup Villa Kuntabunt in Chile, they help to ship bikes there.

[Memhave]

Ive been looking at prices in Chile, and they dont seem so bad, compared to Denmark (we have up to 170% markup registration tax on some vehicles, I dont know if it applies to motorcyles).

I dont know whether I need to register and insure the bike(s) in Denmark and then ship/air them to an SA country. We will also look into germany as its just a hop across the border.

But regarding Chile, the problem seems to be time, we dont want to spend 1-2 weeks unless we have to (I dont know how long it will take to ride the length of chile, as I noticed you can get the printout at any civil registry office for international travel).

Also I noticed currency wise, would we be able to JUST use USD from chile all the way to USA? It seems odd (from a european standpoint).

At this point price is 2nd on your priorities, time being the first.

I was told in Brazil it will take 3-5 max to buy and register a motorcycle there for around 100 euro (compared to 60-70euro +- 1.5% of motorcycle price in chile), although the motorcycle might be more expensive.

On another note, what sort of motorbike should we look for to ride? I see KLRs are propped up a lot but those are too expensive I think.
Are there any brands or models, or makes that are cheap, reliable and easy to fix? Or should I look for something between 150 - 300 cc?

Unfortunately I am very new to traveling in SA, and Ive never owned a motorcycle (I have to learn to drive before I go too). So I might have my priorities the wrong way around, or missing stuff.

[ridetheworld]

Really I'd advise reading up around here, a lot of the info you ask for has been discussed in detail here. Try the 'how to buy in Chile thread' by lachy, I think it's sticky. Remember if you buy in Chile you are supposed to return with said vehicle after 6 months. You don't really have to but may have problems if you returned to Chile at later date. Also just generally good to respect local laws and not give the Chileans a reason to prevent foreigners from registering vehicles. Good bike choice would be something like Honda XR 125, 250 or 400, Suzuki DR200, or one of the Japanese 125 standards (cg125, gs125 or ybr125). The other day I saw a Yammy YRB 250 with fuel injection and 20lt stock tank on the tidy side of 2.5m peso, that'd make a solid option if you don't want to do much off-road stuff. Bigger bikes are incredibly expensive. Any specific questions get in touch. I was in your position two years ago, seeks really overwhelming but take your time reading up and then get your license and book a flight! Most things can be sorted out here. Good luck!

Rtw

[Rundumadum]

The registration for my new bike took 3 Days in Santiago de Chile. Everything was done by the dealer. I just had to get the RUT.

Greetings
Martin

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by Memhave

Ive been looking at prices in Chile, and they dont seem so bad, compared to Denmark (we have up to 170% markup registration tax on some vehicles, I dont know if it applies to motorcyles).

I dont know whether I need to register and insure the bike(s) in Denmark and then ship/air them to an SA country. We will also look into germany as its just a hop across the border.

If you buy the bike in Denmark, you register it in Denmark.
If you ride it on the road in Europe, you insure it in Europe.
When you get to SA you insure in that country (depening on if it is required and if you can find some where to buy it, this changes from country to country ( a bit of searching will find the answers ))

Originally Posted by Memhave

But regarding Chile, the problem seems to be time, we dont want to spend 1-2 weeks unless we have to (I dont know how long it will take to ride the length of chile, as I noticed you can get the printout at any civil registry office for international travel).

Chile is approx 5000kms end to end. How long it takes is up to you and you alone.

Yes you can register the bike in cities other than Santiago, it takes approx 10-12 working days for the "permisio de circulation" which you cannot (in theory) leave without.

If time is an issue, fly your own bike there.

Originally Posted by Memhave

Also I noticed currency wise, would we be able to JUST use USD from chile all the way to USA? It seems odd (from a european standpoint).

At this point price is 2nd on your priorities, time being the first.

Where did you get that from ? Yes the Chileans like to quote stuff in USD, they understand the value of a dollar and know everyone else does. But they mainly like payment in CHP. Yes, take dollars with you as they are easy to change at borders, then use ATMs to withdraw cash as they are every where.

However, there are issues currently with Argentina, we could not get money from ATMs in the southern Chubut region (vias/amex/matercard) and neither could a lot of bikers we met, it appears Ok around Barioloche and above. Again, take dollars and use the black market there.

Originally Posted by Memhave

I was told in Brazil it will take 3-5 max to buy and register a motorcycle there for around 100 euro (compared to 60-70euro +- 1.5% of motorcycle price in chile), although the motorcycle might be more expensive.

On another note, what sort of motorbike should we look for to ride? I see KLRs are propped up a lot but those are too expensive I think.
Are there any brands or models, or makes that are cheap, reliable and easy to fix? Or should I look for something between 150 - 300 cc?

KLRs are ok, I just used one in Patagonia. However they are not good at altitude (unless you want to work on the carb). I would suggest a bike with fuel injection like the Yam Tenere or the Aprilia Pegaso (same motor).

Try the Honda Falcon NX400 for a small bike, but it can come down to what you are used to riding and how good you are with mechanics. The cheap Chinese bikes often have poor metal and bearings so will not last as long.

A small bike is probably more uncomfortable to pack and ride. YMMV.

Originally Posted by Memhave

Unfortunately I am very new to traveling in SA, and Ive never owned a motorcycle (I have to learn to drive before I go too). So I might have my priorities the wrong way around, or missing stuff.

Oh what fun you are going to have :-)

I did just meet a young Norwegian couple in Arica (north Chile). Neither had ridden motorbikes before but bought 2 chinese (Takasaki) 150cc models in Santiago.

She has no bike licence.

When I met them they had ridden 2500kms and asked me about the "loud metal noise from the rear". This was the chains rubbing against the guards, they had not adjusted them at all and they were bone dry.

I showed them how to adjust the chains (it took 40 "1 face" turns on 1 bike). I had to explain about lubing the chains and thought it would be a good idea if they went and bought some tools (the bikes had not come with any).

Neither did they have any registration plates, it turned out they had not done *any* paper work which meant officially they did not own the bikes. None of the borders in this region would have allowed them out.

Their next stop was La Paz, I really must check to see if they have made it :-)

This goes to show how far you can get with no planning.

[VicMitch]

At any given time, there are several bikes that travelers are selling at the end of their trips south. These bikes have the gear for traveling already on them, they can be had for less then they could be built for. They are usually registered in the US. the details of changing ownership has been discussed in many threads here. This gives you the option of selling the bike in the US at the end of your trip with no problem. It also helps fellow HU members get rid of their bikes.

[ridetheworld]

Good post Bruce! My XR 250 is very fussy at altitude and carb is hard to irritatingly awkward on but I assumed with a 650 you'd just have brute force to push on through - do they surge and sneeze past 3000m too? As for those Norwegians; I've been asked several times in Chile for not only my license but all my paperwork too, can't believe they made it that far!

Edit; I too had real headache taking money out, actually ended up running out 100k from La Rioja and this gasoline and had to borrow 100 peso to get to the city to find an ATM that worked (tried 8 with three different cards and in the end managed to get some out)

[Memhave]

Originally Posted by Rundumadum

The registration for my new bike took 3 Days in Santiago de Chile. Everything was done by the dealer. I just had to get the RUT.

Greetings
Martin

How do you find the dealers? Are they all knew bikes or do you find used bikes too? It is more expensive than buying from a private person? I read that yes it faster, and it seems much more simple, just get rut + buy wait little time.

Regarding other replies:

I do plan to get a motorcycle license before I leave, and get crash courses in bike mechanics, buy the tools etc.

The ""permisio de circulation" will it be checked at the border, and in other countries? I know that it is supposidly checked on the Argentine-Chile border, but I am not sure.

Regarding shipping a bike, how much does it cost? Ive been unable to find an estimation (if its cheaper I think I can drive it through europe to a different port if needed). I do not know how much it costs to fly a bike there either.

The "cheap chinese bikes", can you not just replace the bearings et al? Or is it hard to do?
What sort of bikes are available in the price range of less than 1k euro (if possible I will sell the bike or scrap it and fly home).

if I dont get a motorcycle license, will it not be checked by police at their respective countries?

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by Memhave

How do you find the dealers? Are they all knew bikes or do you find used bikes too? It is more expensive than buying from a private person? I read that yes it faster, and it seems much more simple, just get rut + buy wait little time.

Regarding other replies:

I do plan to get a motorcycle license before I leave, and get crash courses in bike mechanics, buy the tools etc.

The ""permisio de circulation" will it be checked at the border, and in other countries? I know that it is supposidly checked on the Argentine-Chile border, but I am not sure.

Regarding shipping a bike, how much does it cost? Ive been unable to find an estimation (if its cheaper I think I can drive it through europe to a different port if needed). I do not know how much it costs to fly a bike there either.

The "cheap chinese bikes", can you not just replace the bearings et al? Or is it hard to do?
What sort of bikes are available in the price range of less than 1k euro (if possible I will sell the bike or scrap it and fly home).

if I dont get a motorcycle license, will it not be checked by police at their respective countries?

You are asking all the right questions, and the answers are here if you search on the forum.

For freight prices, ask the shippers. (Grimaldi Lines and WWWW (links are here somewhere)), also check out airfreight (James Cargo).

Bearing replacement don't know, I always pay some one :-).

Bike dealers, in Santiago.... er google it :-) I think they are listed in the 1st link I gave you. Around Victurana Street and the cross of Lima/10 De Julio.

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by ridetheworld

Good post Bruce! My XR 250 is very fussy at altitude and carb is hard to irritatingly awkward on but I assumed with a 650 you'd just have brute force to push on through - do they surge and sneeze past 3000m too? As for those Norwegians; I've been asked several times in Chile for not only my license but all my paperwork too, can't believe they made it that far!

Edit; I too had real headache taking money out, actually ended up running out 100k from La Rioja and this gasoline and had to borrow 100 peso to get to the city to find an ATM that worked (tried 8 with three different cards and in the end managed to get some out)

The KLR can really struggle at altitude with so little power (we met a German who had to put his girlfriend and luggage in a taxi to get out of La Paz :-) )

We have ridden a Funduro on the Altiplano (BMW 650 Rotax engine) and that would only run at 4000-4500 revs. As long as you can settle down to a speed it is fine. Riding through El Alto at peak traffic jam time (twice) was no fun.

Fuel Injection is the way forward (having also ridden an Aprilia Pegaso 660 with FI down the length of the Andes :-).

[Rundumadum]

Originally Posted by Memhave

How do you find the dealers? Are they all knew bikes or do you find used bikes too? It is more expensive than buying from a private person? I read that yes it faster, and it seems much more simple, just get rut + buy wait little time.

Regarding other replies:

I do plan to get a motorcycle license before I leave, and get crash courses in bike mechanics, buy the tools etc.

The ""permisio de circulation" will it be checked at the border, and in other countries? I know that it is supposidly checked on the Argentine-Chile border, but I am not sure.

Regarding shipping a bike, how much does it cost? Ive been unable to find an estimation (if its cheaper I think I can drive it through europe to a different port if needed). I do not know how much it costs to fly a bike there either.

The "cheap chinese bikes", can you not just replace the bearings et al? Or is it hard to do?
What sort of bikes are available in the price range of less than 1k euro (if possible I will sell the bike or scrap it and fly home).

if I dont get a motorcycle license, will it not be checked by police at their respective countries?

The dealer is "Masterbikes" in Santiago and is an official Kawasaki dealer.
They also have used bikes ther (Jurek still sell his bike there: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...go-chile-80544)
Even for a used bike it will take you 3-4 days max for register on your name and you sav some money.