Colombia, Peru, Bolivia Jun-Jul 2025
 

Hi, I'm arriving in Bogota May 29 2025 and plan to buy a motorbike to explore Colombia, Peru, Bolivia During June and July. I'm keen on some company if anyone is nearby.

James 54 year old kiwi with plenty of adventure riding experience.

Hey, I'm living near Medellin with my wife and son. We are only hear for another 6 months until we move to Canada.

My recommendation on a bike to buy is the Suzuki V-strom 250 sx. They sell for 20 million COP which is roughly $3800 USD. You want to buy a new motorcycle in Colombia, because it is a real crap shoot trying to buy a used bike in Colombia and not get screwed. There are too many dishonest Colombians selling used bikes. The other problem with buying a used motorcycle in Colombia is that the used motorcycles have incredible resale value in Colombia. The foreign motorcycle and car brands have 50% tariffs so the prices for vehicles in Colombia suck.

If you need bigger than a 250cc than I recommend getting CF Moto 450 MT. I'm pretty sure it will be available here when you get here and that it will be your best bang for the buck. Another option is an AKT Voge 300 for 20 million COP. I have a AKT 200 TT Rally and like the bike, but it only has 13 hp and is carbeurated. Think the Voge 300 has 27 hp, is fuel injected, and water cooled.

The Honda XRE 300 is also a good bike, but it is hard to buy new right now because the police are ordering them all. You will pay way over market for it here new or used because it has huge cult following. Again, don't buy used from a Colombian here. Literally every guy that buys a used bike here, ends up having a horror story where they have to rebuild the engine.

Have you been to Colombia before? If you have, than starting in Bogota probably isn't a big deal. If you haven't been to Colombia before than I recommend flying into Medellin to buy the bike, because Medellin is a way safer and easier city to navigate than Bogota. Bogota has 20 to 30 million people and half of the city is kind of sketchy. Medellin has 4 million people and is way safer in general than Bogota.

Thanks heaps for the detailed advice. I was thinking of a Honda XRE 300 but probably not if I was to buy it brand new. I'm planning to ride through Peru and Bolivia and possibly Ecuador and the top of Chile. Which of the bikes you've suggested would be easiest to get repaired/parts in those other countries?
Cheers,
James

I've just got to Bogota. I contacted quite a few Suzuki dealers yesterday and they all said no-one has new Vstrom 250s in stock. One dealer said Suzuki are only making them to order at the moment so there's a 1-2 month waiting list.

Damn, thanks for posting that JBuckland. Sounds like the Vstrom 250's are as popular as the Honda XRE 300s.

I ended up with a Hero Xpulse 200 4V Rally edition. It comes with taller adjustable suspension front and resr and bar risers. It cost 14,250,000 cop new. Very happy with it so far. Main disadvantages: 1. Seat is not the most comfortable, but not too bad. I bought a wheelbarrow inner tube today which will hopefully address that issue. 2. Max longterm cruising speed 100km/hr. That's not a biggie either as that's about as fast as I want to go.

Nice, I was debating between Xpulse and AKT 200 TT when I bought mine.

The Xpulse owners seem to be pretty happy with them.

Let me know if you want to do some riding together when you make it closer to Medellin.

Guess it is maybe a good thing you didn't get the V-strom 250 SX because I just found out those suckers weigh 167 kilos. I imagine the Xpulse will be better for the dirt roads than the V-strom.

Might be able to join in July
 

Hello. I have been thinking about doing something similar also and may be able to join you. How long will you be in Columbia? I am an American but maintain a home and also live in Cancun Mexico part of the year when I am not traveling. I speak and understand basic spanish and have some free time till Aug 1st to travel. I am an experience rider, both on and off road. Currently I ride a Honda Goldwing, but that is because it is the right touring bike for paved American roads. I have done the Himalayas on a 411 cc Royal Enfield Himalayan and Rajasthan (India) on a BMW3120GS. Also very familiar with the XPulse 200 ( I believe it is also made in India).

Should I buy a bike or are there options to rent one for a month?

You can reach me at +1 202 802 4545 (Same for WhatsApp)

I recomend buying instead of renting if you're planning to cross boarders. If you buy from a shop they may be interested in buying it back which would be easier and quicker than selling privately usually.

I'm currently near Cuenca in Ecuador and planning to cross into Per u in about a weeks time to meet a friend who is also riding. You'd be welcome to join us if you're down this way. My WhatsApp is +64 21526378.
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Thanks for the info James. I will reach out to you on WhatsApp.

Hello GatoGato. Are you still in Medellin? I should be arriving there next week and if you are still there, maybe we can grab a coffee or ride along somewhere...

My cell phone is +1 202 802 4545 ( Same number on whatsapp)