Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Buying bikes in Central/South America.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grug (Post 459408)

My father and I are planning a trip in June - July 2014 leaving Australia we will fly to the USA. From there we plan to ride through Mexico, Central America and South America we have no time limit on out trip, we plan to take it as it comes.
We are fairly well experienced in long bike rides having spent ten months on the road in Europe, North Africa, Middle East and the Balkans
We are after a bit of help from anyone who has had experience in these countries and could assist us with the following questions.
• If we purchase bikes in USA can we sell them in South America and what are the implications if any.
• Can we purchase bikes in South America for such a trip? I have heard Chile is the best/easiest country to buy bikes in???
• How does Insurance for bikes operate in South and Central America?
• Where are some of the NO GO zones in Mexico, Central and South America
Thanks in advance for your help and advice
Matt and Doug

If you are doing that much of a trip, why not take your own bike(s) with you ?

All your questions are answered in the HUBB in the relevant areas. And the scenario changes from who answers, when and the phase of the moon :-)

These questions cover many areas, so there may well be a lot of replies

Bit here is a stab.

1) The answer appears to be yes, and it depends on which country you do it in. It may be a border crossing option, it may be easier to sell to an American and it may depend on the state the bike is registered in. Some states are easier than others to buy bikes in for foreigners. Someone will be along to give more detail.

2) Yes. IMO Chile is the easiest. Bit expensive. There are lots of links in the HUBB if you search. The guide I used is this Guide to Buying a new motorcycle (or a car) in Chile for foreigners | Ondrej Jurik

I hear Peru is not too hard, there is a Lima based HUBBer who will help.

Paraguay/Uraguay also possible but bike choice limited (IMO)

3) You buy insurance at the border, if it is mandatory. Except Peru and Ecuador where it seems to be a silly chase. In both cases there are psost about how and where to buy.

Argentina you need it before you cross into there, it can be bought in Chile.

4) There are no No Go zones, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Look at your own government's web site that deals with unrest. The UK foreign office has a site that gives a decent guide to places you should take extra care in. With the proviso that if you go somewhere it says to definitely not go then your travel insurance will be null and void.

Have fun :-)