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To Buy or to ship to South America??
Hi all,
I am currently planning a trip for late next year around South America for 12 months and was originally planning on buying a bike when I got there to avoid the shipping costs and hassle pre-trip. From reading posts on here it seems most people ship their bikes either by air or ship rather then purchase one at the location. So can anybody shed some light on this topic? Has anybody bought a bike in South America and maybe give some advice on costs or even the cheapest (safest!) country to buy? Or alternatively can someone give me an argument to suggest that buying a bike in the UK and flying it over is the best option overall? I am not fussed which country I fly into and I am quite open to suggestion. Finally as a sub point if anybody has advice on the make of bike to buy i.e. availability of parts in South America/ maintenance etc that would be great. Many thanks |
Tough choice, and depends a lot on the bike you want and what you have already at home.
You do not say where you are located. In 2007 we flew our 2 BMW from London to Bogota (Colombia) at a cost of £2,500. Return was a bit cheaper, from Buenos Aires, but still over 2,000 dollars… I would guess that it is even more expensive now! You can buy motorbikes in South America. You must be careful where. In Chile and Ecuador, from what I have investigated, it is not complicated to buy them, register them at your name and you can cross borders with them. The choice of bike would be different than in Europe (or US/OZ). Anything bigger than a 250, would be fairly expensive I would guess. But there are plenty of small 125 to 250s that are totally adequate for the sort of terrain you may find, if you enjoy going off the beaten track. It might be a bit boring on long stretches of paved roads in Argentina. The falcon (Honda NX400) is a good choice, and not expensive, as it was built in Brazil. However, Honda stopped doing them a couple of years ago, but you could be lucky to get a second hand one in good condition. In Ecuador (if my memory is correct) the police uses the DR650 so it should be fairly easy to find one there. If you want a KTM / BMW / big Yamaha etc.. they may be much more expensive than in Europe. Try to get bikes made locally (in Brazil usually). When we go back to South America, we will definitely consider buying them locally, as it is way too much money to ship 2 bikes back and forth! |
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I have just been looking into shipping bikes to South America vs renting. It's a 6 week trip.
2 x Yam XT660R Heathrow to Buenos Aries is £2550. Return by air for two is £4500; by boat it's £3800. Total round trip £6350 to £7050. Renting was around £4000 for 2 x KLR650 for 6 weeks but we couldn't find a rental company anywhere that would allow a multi country trip including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru. I am bit nervous about buying for just 6 weeks on case I can't sell quickly at the end. With a bit more time that's what I would do though. We are shipping one bigger bike to USA instead now. Sent from my iPhone with a smile :) |
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Options ... 12-19 - 21:22
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Another option may be to buy an already set up bike from another traveller. Prearrange this and work out details. (do research) Several bikes for sale now on HUBB and they come up every week or so. Cheap and most already prepped and tested for RTW travel. Kawasaki KLR650's are popular, some Suzuki DR650's, Honda Falcon 400's, some locally sold Chinese bikes, some BMW F650's. All kinds really. But getting those bikes legally registered in YOUR NAME seems to be the trick. There is a "free trade" zone in Punta Arenas, Chile but it's not clear if a sale from one foreign national to another foreign national is legal. And of a bike that is (typically) on a TVIP and did not originate in Chile. So, some questions there ... that NO ONE seems to really know the answer to. Use extreme caution if you go this route. Lots of experts waiting to separate you from your hard earned ... $$$$ :helpsmilie: Many are buying NEW "No Name" Chinese bikes ... and they seem to be for sale in several countries there. Mostly JUNK BIKES ... but improving every year. I've read stories of riders buying them in: Chile, Peru', Bolivia and Colombia ... some broke down, some made it OK. As reported earlier, Ecuador also seems a good place to buy with minimal paper work and "moderate" fees for the foreigner. The selling dealer does it all for you! The DR650 is rumored to be for sale in both Colombia and Ecuador ... but with 100% Import tax ... which is weird since it is "assembled" in Colombia. Price is something like $10,000 or $12K USD. I know of NO ONE who has bought a DR650 new in Ecuador but you DO see them around. (but mostly Police or Paramilitary, as mentioned) Buying local in country may limit bike choices ... but still ... I can't figure out why anyone would spend 2500 to 3500 UKP to ship a bike over to S. America ... and then back again? Crazy. That's double what my bike cost. doh Those on very short time schedules may be forced into renting or buying and re-selling local bikes. Not a bad thing if only a month or two available. Since you are planning 12 months ... another option is to buy a USED (or new) bike in the USA and ride it down. Re-sell or ship home at trips end. Many have done this successfully. Selling is technical illegal in most S. America countries but many manage it ...(sell to well off locals, expert in fiddling the system :cool4:) California is one of least expensive places in the world to buy a motorbike. Start scanning Craig's list ads for Los Angeles (ALL of Southern California) and San Francisco Bay Area to get a feel for this. Pick a few models and start searching. Remember, we don't get certain bikes the UK do ... and we DO get bikes you lot don't ... (like the KLR650 and DR650SE). The only down side doing this is the cost of getting the bike (and yourself) across the Darien Gap. Some make the best of it and book a tourist party boat across and hang out with the Kuna Indians for a week, others fly the bike over. It's now around $800 to $1200 USD either way. Buying a bike in California and getting it registered in your name with a legal title (log book) in YOUR NAME is easy and quite inexpensive if you shop around a bit. bier |
I am a US citizen who is also interested in purchasing or selling a US registered bike in Chile or southern South America in the near future.
Colorado title transfers occur by a simple signature on the back of the title; this process varies by state. After the bike is transferred however, the old license plates/ registration are for the old owner. Does anyone know 1) How one can leave Chile on their newly acquired bike and traverse back to North America without new registration (or how to get new US registration while abroad)? 2) How to get out with old TVIP (or how to get new)? 3)How to get insurance if you can't get new US registration abroad? 4)Basically, How can you ride a bike one way, to or from South America, without shipping the bike? If anyone can shed light on these questions or has link to thread/ website that can I would be very grateful. I am planning a trip from Colorado to South America (or the reverse) this spring/summer (2014). If anyone is interested in participating or working together, lets talk. As bigger bikes seem to be more expensive in South America relative to the U.S., it may make sense to begin converstion between people like me who want to drive one way, then sell or otherwise exchange the bike to people who want to do the return trip. Would be win-win. |
Massive thanks everyone, you have all given me some food for thought and a load of different options.
Its a great start and will update when I have made a decision. One final question (which I probably already know the answer to...anyway!) if I import a bike from the UK to South America I am guessing that I will not be able to sell the bike legally before I leave avoiding the cost of shipping the bike home? Or am i able to sell a UK bought/registered bike in the US? Thanks once again, hope everyone had a great Christmas! |
Hey Alex,
It's illegal to sell your UK bike in nearly every S. American country. In some states you can go through the system, pay the tax, do the massive paperwork and make the sale, a bit complex but doable if the buyer is willing to pay the tax and jump the hurdles. But this boosts the price tag up pretty high for the buyer ... but, nonetheless, many have managed it. Certain well off local "movers & shakers" sometimes have "ways" to fiddle the system and make it legal. :innocent: So, anything is possible, with money and influence. However ... in some states corruption is being dealt with harshly, so an ever changing landscape ... and when there is a way round a road block, few ever mention it ... it's "Who you Know". USA No way to legally sell your UK based bike. (or any NON US DOT approved bike). USA DMV computer's instantly recognize your VIN and know it's a UK originated vehicle, not a USA DOT approved vehicle: NO GO. :thumbdown: (NOTE: there may be ONE STATE where you can register a foreign bike, I think it's Vermont, not sure) It's very difficult if not impossible to pull this off in most states. Endless paperwork, massive fees. NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE. Years ago it was possible, but no longer. Best to sell bike somewhere in Latin America. In some countries your bike may be attached to your passport. Not sure which countries. Most countries DO NOT do this ... so you are free to come and go with or without your bike. Once sold ... it's on the buyer to figure out how to make the bike legal. Take your money and go. :D As said before, if it's about money, then best to SELL your bike at home NOW, fly to California, buy a bike CHEAP (compare prices) .... do your big S. America loop, return to USA, re-sell the bike (probably close to what you paid) Kind of a No Brainer to me. (but I'm broke and a cheapskate!) Years ago I bought a used bike in the UK. Before going I looked at every option: shipping my bike over, Renting, Buy Back, or buying outright. It was obvious buying outright was the best option. In between tours I stored my bike in France (friend), did several major EU tours. Finally re-sold it in the UK for about £900 less than I paid. So, in all, (total of 16 weeks of travel over 3 years) worked out to be quite inexpensive. All the best, good planning! |
In the response to the post above. It's not a problem to sell your UK registered bike when in another country. All the transfer of paper work happens in the UK and bike is still UK registered. e.g I ship my bike to south america for a tour. I meet an Australian in Chile who wants to buy it. He fills out the V5 and gives a UK address. I sign it, and then post it off to the DVLA in Wales.
A few weeks later a new V5 gets posted out to his UK address. I think what you're talking about is importing the bike and selling it to be registered in the foreign country. Then of course there would be import duties and taxation and laws to contend with. |
C-M,
you are of course correct. Same can be done with a USA based bike. Problem is the local TVIP issued you from the country you are in. It will still show you (original owner) on it. So even if the new buyer has a new log book in his name ... it won't match up with the local TVIP. This is where Photo Shop comes into play. :D PS: I believe S. American countries could stimulate tourism by allowing foreigners to transfer vehicles back and forth to each other. Maybe charge a FEE for a "new" TVIP? I believe hundreds more would visit there, spend money there, and travel further ... knowing they can sell off their bike at trip's end. Just my .02 cents. |
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