Do you need to carry your original title?
 

One reliable source said to never carry your title but than I've heard from others I should carry it. Yes or no?

I'm be traveling Mexico, centeral/South America.

Usually you could need the Title or Registration, something that probes that what you ride is your property. For some border crossing officer this could be mandatory for other maybe not so much. If you carry all then there is, if not and you needs??

Totally necessary one of those if at the end of the trip you would like to send bike home, and better will be that one that clearly consignee the bike and owners detail.

I would expect it is a legal requirement when taking any vehicle into another country, I have been asked for mine twice today, when leaving Turkey and entering Greece, I would not have got very far without it.

Take your original and keep it burried in your luggage.

I make expert quality copies of mine and offer those to whoever asks for one unless I'm at a super strict border or customs office and then I generally show my original.

I tend not to give original copies of important documents to anyone unless I really have to.

They can withhold it for a bribe, just because they feel like ****ing with you or they could even loose or damage it.

I've got coffee stains all over my old passport from a border official spilling his drink in Sudan.

Lucky it didn't damage any visas or stamps that I needed.

It is a "must" thing rather than "should" - Title and passport AND, if your title doesn't have all the vehicle details on it - eg license plate number, or if your title has a registration expiry date on it, then offer your registration papers instead of the title.

As already stated, quality colour double-sided copies of title and reg papers will do for day to day stuff, and laminated drivers license copies will also do 90% of the time. Also worth getting another copy of your license if the local DMR doesn't charge too much.
Theoretically also need an International Drivers Permit to compliment your normal license but many don't bother and few have ever had to show it. Probably only a few dollars at your local AAA or equivalent.

when I cross the border from Bolivia, they insist on the original RUAT card which proves ownership (my bikes are titled in Bolivia). These cards are printed in such a way that you can tell if they've been photocopied.

Im pretty sure that when I shipped a bike down here, I had to provide the original title to ship with the bike.

I'd be surprised if you didn't wind up needing your original title at some point. That's a guess though. I haven't ridden an American titled bike down here.

Ok, looks like I'll take it! I'll make quality copies also. Now, where to hide my original?

I'm glad I asked because I normally leave my titles locked in a safe at home.