Santiago June 2018
 

Hello all, I'm finally getting to start my trip next month. I'll be buying a bike in Santiago (if anyone is selling I would be interested +61422814389 whatsapp). And I'm planning to ride north until "summer" then down to Ushuaia. If there's anyone going to be in Santiago or wherever along the trip send me a message, maybe we can meet up or ride some parts together?

Also I'll be using the services of Suzisantiago to help buy the bike and get all the paperwork, can anyone recommend a decent (read cheapish!) hotel or hostel in or around where they're based (las candes). Thanks, hope to see someone reading this out there! Dan

Hostel Casa Matte is good. Christian will help you as well!

Don't stay to long in Santiago, around this time of the year the pollution is terrible!

Be careful as the rules have changed in Chile and you may not be able to take a Chilean bike into Argentina at all!

I'm in Peru and we do bikes. PM me if you want.

Thanks guys, I've checked out casa matte and it could be the spot I'm after as I want to turn my suitcase into a pannier when I get the bike, a little pricey though so I might wait until I have the bike to go and stay.

I've been reading about the trouble of leaving Chile with a bike, Suzisantiago have assured me that I'll get across the borders. It seems all to do with having this "promise to return" document. But you'll hear back from me on here it I end up stranded in Chile! If that happens I'll be coming to Peru and buying another bike, to be honest I'm too early in the season (it's cold most places as far as I can see) so I could do to waste a little time!

Thanks, Dan

I am staying in Casa Matte just now and finished my trip through Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. I have a Kawasaki KLR with Chilenean Plates (you only need a tax ID called RUT to buy a motorcycle as a foreigner).
Regarding to the change law: I had no problems to buy a motorcycle or cross the borders to Argentina or Bolivia (i made border crossings several times with no issues)

Thanks for the info, good to know that people are making it currently. Your klr is a very nice bike (I've seen the advert already) but unfortunately a bit out of my price range. I'd love to have bought from a traveller. Good luck with it, have you had any interest? Many bikers staying at matt's at the moment? I was wandering about booking a week there and hoping for someone to be selling a cheap bike at the same time. Thanks, Dan

Actually since yesterday I am the only person who stays in Casa Matte. The session for the South is over and not many people are around.

I can recommend you the website yapo.cl. I bought my KLR there from a private person. I put also an ad for selling there. I have some people who are interested in but not sold until now.

Hi I am in Chile now and waiting for my bike to come from New Zealand. I have looked at buying a bike from the Honda dealers Colvin but bikes are expensive here. As for the reported problems getting over borders they said there are none. I can’t see how a promise that return document works. What is going to happen if you don’t return. Call me +56 9 7380 9050. David

Thanks ixibixi, yeah I'm all over yapo and chileautos. I did a bike trip in Vietnam last year and I thought it would be the same in SA, cheap bikes everywhere. But the bikes (especially in Chile) are actually quite expensive, even compared to aus. Where are you heading next?

Hey Dlyttle, I don't think you need to worry about getting the promise to leave as you'll be on an NZ plated bike. It seems to be that they want to stop people exporting stuff from Chile without paying tax on it. Not that people would as it's not the cheapest country in south America! I'm looking at buying a Honda Cb1 tuf from colvin. Brand new its $2200aud. Or if they have a low k second handy even better. I'm not taking a lot if gear and I only ride a 225 here anyway.