Renting a bike in Argentina or Chile
 

This may be a long shot but my wife and I are planning a trip to Argentina and Chile in Feb. or March of 2010 and rather than rent a bike from an agency when we get there, I wanted to know if anyone is going to be finishing a trip and wants to rent out their bike for 2-3 weeks. I don't want to buy one because we won't be there that long and don't want the pain of trying to get paperwork done. Would like to be able to go into Chile from Argentina but if that is to much trouble on a borrowed bike we will just stay in Argentina. Current plans are to start in Mendoza but could start in Salta, Bariloche, El Calafate etc. Would want at least a 650 as we will be 2-up.

Recommendations would be much appreciated.

mtbh2o

Hi!

Can't help with the bike, because back already in South Africa. Went there 3 years ago and was told that you can't buy a bike in Argentina unless you're a resident. Local rental agencies (Arg & Chile) allow you to cross between the two countries so anyone who can helpneed not worry about the actual countries posing a risk. The rental becomes hideously expensive though as soon as you want to cross into Bolivia or Peru.

The 560GS Dakar is ideal because of fuel injection's advantages at altitude. in Bolivia I got 38km to a litre between La Paz & Salar de Uyuni!

We had a Carnet for the bike and crossing borders were abosolutely painless. If you decide to ship/fly your own bike in, arrange your flight tickets out (assuming that's how you'll leave) so that you don't leave until AFTER the bike is out. Service in S-Am is slow and if you're not there to 'motivate' it gets a lot slower. Took three months trying from home after returning to get a final quote for shipping it back.

We found Arg, Chile, Peru & Bolivia ansolutely safe, the people friendly and helpful and the environment awe inspiring. If you can, visit Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia - most incredible place I've been to! Two-up may be tricky as the Bolivian roads are mostly gravel and severely corrugated - take a kidney belt...

All the best - I hope you can a bike from someone!

Kobus

renting in South America
 

Hi
I have been to South America 4 times so far. I rented in Santiago a KTM 640 and put on 6,000 miles in 30 days doing just Chile and Argentina. The rental company took care of the paperwork to cross the border and after crossing back and forth about 5 times it was easy. I also did the same trip on my own BMW Gs adventure and it went just as smooth. Then I did Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru as well as Argentina and Chile. Not to many companies will rent for the Northern countries so you want to check it out first if you plan on going that way. Great countries and a lot of fun to see. Enjoy

Ssa2
 

Great info.. Larry, can you tell me who you rented from in Santiago. I may contact them and see what they want to charge for a 2 week rental.

Thanks again

mtbh2o

We had very good experience renting from Motocare in Buenos Aires when riding from BA to Ushuaia and back in November 2008.

Cheers

Info
 

You should have a great time, Argentina is beautiful as well as chile. Just a few things. If you do ship I would recommend going through Chile, the port in BA is notorios for crooked customs officials and you will pay bribes to get things done. You can buy a bike here but will not be able to take it out of argentina for sometime after purchase unless you're a citizen. I found that out the hard way before I got my residency, but was able to gift the customs guy into allowing me passage into uruguay with my car. Roads in AR are good, but better in chile. Infrastrcture is better in chile as well. The drivers in general, are terrible in AR, so be extra careful. Drivers in Chile are much more respectful of traffic law. Stop signs and double yellow lines are optional to your average AR driver. BA is a beautiful city but can be dangerous at night. Just don't let your guard down. Drivers are the craziest there. I live near mendoza so if I can be any help shoot me an email. Bill

Thanks Baxterday
 

We are probably going to try to rent a bike somewhere in Argentina or Chile. I would like to start in Mendoza in late Feb. or early March and probably stay for 3-4 weeks. I see that Motocare in Nequen rents bikes at what seems like a reasonable rate. Do you know of anyplace in Mendoza that rents bikes for 2-3 weeks. My current plan is to head north to Salta, across the paso de Jama to San Pedro de Atacama and then head south and back over the pass to Mendoza. Don't know if 2 1/2 - 3 weeks is long enough for that trip.

mtbh2o

I might consider renting you my Honda Falcon nx4. It's setup for touring. PM me if you like.

About your just few things…. What an inexact ant useless recommendation you have for been living in Argentina….
You ever temporary imported a bike/car into here??? From where got you this ideas???
Residency and Tourism has completely different rules and laws, and you only get crooked customs officials and pay bribes when you want to broke that rules and laws, making yourself crooked as well.
Craziest drivers and dangerous nights in BA I don’t know if that disserve a comment, I saw many craziest drivers (and riders) from everywhere thinking than because they aren’t in his own country they can do whatever…. And I had similar “Dangerous City” filling in many outside Argentina big cities. Always is about to be in the wrong place in the wrong moment…

Considerations for GOTORIDE
 

Hello GOTORIDE, you are making and passing on to others incorrect data.

Whoever told you that a foreign tourist visiting Argentina on a 3 month tourist visa or card could not purchase a new or used motorvehicle/motorcycle in Argentina was absolutely wrong.

It is legal for a foreign tourist to purchase new or used in Argentina. For more information please refer to my thread this region entitled

"Buy new or used in Argentina and legally tour all of South America"

Although we are now foreign residents of Argentina, we purchased 2 new motorcycles legally when we first arrived in Buenos Aires, the transaction was perfectly legal and simple. Many, many other foreign tourists have legally purchased motorvehicles in Argentina.

I am 100% opposed to paying bribes to officials, please remember this reality:

"CRIME THAT PAYS IS CRIME THAT STAYS" We will never be free from corruption as long as we continue to pay illegal bribes.

Right now, I am in communication with Argentine officials and an Argentine politician regarding a clarification of the law(s) regulating a foreign tourist exporting "riding out of Argentina," on his or her legally purchased Argentine registered Argentine motorcycle. (see my thread)

Please contact whoever told you a foreign tourist could not purchase an Argentine registered motorcycle in Argentina and have them check the facts.

It is true that legally selling or buying a FOREIGN registered motorcycle in Argentina is a long, very complicated and almost impossible process. But, it can be done... Perhaps this is what you are talking about?

xfiltrate

You might want to contact MotoAventura in Osorno, Chile. I haven't rented from them, but have dealt with them to buy tires and they were good to deal with. They do rent bikes, mostly BMW 650s.

Web site is Chile Motorcycles Rent,Motorcycle Rental Agencies|Ciudad Chile

Osorno is a pretty convenient location at the "entrance" to southern Chile. From there it's an hour ride to Puerto Montt (you can fly into Puerto Montt from Santiago), and from there you can easily ride to Chiloe or take the ferry south to the Carretera Austral. It's also where you take the road into Argentina and to Barliloche.

Have fun.

rental in South America
 

Sorry I did not see you had asked where I rented from. I rented from KTM of Chile in Santiago. They also have office in Osorno I believe and they recomemended renting from there rather than Santiago. I rented from Santiago and would recommend them as easy to deal with and fair.