Buying or renting a bike to travel in Chile for 3 weeks
 

Hello world,

Can anyone give me some advice on whether I should buy or rent a bike when I visit Chile at the end of 2023 for 3 weeks? I was thinking about buying one because it would be cost efficient if I can sell it at the end of my trip and get most of the money back. However, I'm not sure how fast the purchasing and registration processes are in Chile and if it is really worth the wait.

Any advice would help!

Thank you

Buying or renting a bike to travel in Chile for 3 weeks
 

Hi maomao,

Three weeks is the perfect time to get a rental. The best rental place in Chile I know is
motoaventura.cl
While buying a motorcycle might be cheaper the extra paperwork and the time loss make it rather inconvenient.
The recommended minimum stay I’d say is two or three months. The longer the more sense it makes.

Happy travels! Hope you enjoy Chile as much as I do!

Martin

Hi man ..maybe for 3 weeks should be better to rent.. in Santiago is pretty easy to buy a new bike on 2 days is done ..you need to have the RUT maybe by the help of casa mate hostel Santiago or by a friend.. starting in the morning you can get the RUT and the Moto out office whiteout plate and ridable for 5 days..the next day go to register and getting the temporary papers the plate and insurance better Mercosur and you are ready to go.. getting the original papers later on your trip from a notary in any city ..but to go out of Chile you needs to have the original one and other papers to ask to be able to cross the border at the same notary..I did mine in Puerto Natales before crossing to Argentina...you welcome

Hey Laurent, nice to hear that you had a good experience buying a motorcycle in Chile. Indeed the process is very simple and convenient. I´d like to make one little correction or clarification, though.
The law in Chile changed very recently, since the 13th of February 2023 it is no longer possible to drive off without a numberplate. Ley Patente Cero (Ley Nº 21.539). Considering this and asuming that you already know who to ask for a RUT and which motorcycle you wanna buy, a time frame of about 5 days is more realistic. It also possible to do the entire process remotely and reduce the wait time even more.
Ride safe!
Martin

thank you both for the information. Any other rental options? I'll be flying from the US. Santiago might be the cheapest option to fly into.