Buying bike in Cartagena, Colombia
 

BUYING USED CARTAGENA/MEDELLIN

We bought a bike in Cartagena, for travel down to La Paz, Bolivia. If you want a used bike, I'd recommend looking at the websites mercado libre and olx before you make plans, as I wish I'd gone to Medellin to buy one instead of Cartagena for the infinitely better choice. (28 bikes on mercado libre in Cartagena for 2803 bikes in Medellin). Carta was terrible for used bike dealers also. Barely anything.

We lumped for an AKT TTR 180, I would have preferred a bigger jap bike, but it's quite new, so hopefully that will compensate for quality.

Buying second hand theoretically can be done in a day. Though there's lots more paperwork than the UK.

I went to the DATT office in Manga, Cartagena with my passport to get on the RUNT system (it's on google maps on calle 29 at the top of Manga, called Departmento Administrativo de Trancito y Transporte DATT Cartagena), and then the seller and I went to a different office to get our contract of sale counter signed, he went to various offices to pay loads of taxes on the transfer (a few hundred thousand COP, which we split), then we went back to the DATT office to transfer the ownership and get the owner card in my name.

guias de compra venta | Carroya Noticias gave info on the docs needed. Use google translate page.

It states that the docs you need to get on buying second hand are:

-Original ownership vehicle card in buyers name
-Current SOAT (obligatory minimal level of insurance). It covers the bike, you have a month to change it to your name.
-certificate of technical-mechanical & emissions revision in force (not needed if bike fairly new). Equiv of a UK MOT.
-up to date with payment, taxes/traffic violations
-submit payment receipt of 'derechos del trámite'
-original or copy of contract of sale, a one pager including:
•Name and ID no. of both parties
•vehicle features
•price of sale
•signature of both parties incl place and date
•Receipt of payment of retention rights (1% of the vehicle value)

-Signed receipt for the payment for the bike.
-service history booklet and user booklet for bike

I have a UK bike licence so just needed an International Driving Permit to go with it (cost £8.50 in UK). You need to get this before you leave the UK. I wouldn't want to learn to ride in Colombia, it's hectic in the cities.

Get laminated colour photocopies of your driving licence, and colour copies of your passport for day to day use, you don't want to get pick pocketed and lose your driving licence out there.

Also see the www.RUNT.com.co page.


PAPERWORK PROBLEMS/CARTAGENA

The muppets in one of the many offices the seller paid taxes at didn't upload it properly onto the online system. Despite him having the receipt, the DATT office needed to see it on the online system. Trying to resolve it took several weeks, and they eventually 'allowed' him to pay the 100k tax again, which did go through ok. The seller said that this is typical of Cartagena, not a place for efficiency, and you'd get better service in Medellin. Having now been to both cities I can see where he's coming from.

TRAVEL IN COLOMBIA

I'm sure there are posts on this elsewhere, but we rode from Cartagena - Tolu - Mompos -- Medellin, and the general advice was never travel at night, the locals don't. A rider we met saw armed robberies ahead of him at only 5pm in the evening on two occasions, I'm pretty sure in Colombia, but possibly South America!


SPARES/TOOLS

We bought a some punctured-tyre inflating foam, spare spark plug, brake pads, chain oil, and changed the oil and air filter. Not that comprehensive, but we haven't got much space. There's a spare fuse on the bike. The bike came with a basic toolset for keeping nuts and bolts tightened, and adjusting the chain.

BIKE FOR SALE!

Our bike is for sale in La Paz, Bolivia from about the 20th July to 2nd Aug 2017. About 12,000km on the clock then, 2016 model. Has a 42 litre box on back with USB charger, rack on sides, tools, straps, spares and services up to date. Not sure if the ownership change would work there though. I'm going to consider trying to sell to a Colombian and get it sent back up to Colombia if necc.

Cheers, H

RESTRICTIONS ON RIDING BIKES IN CARTAGENA

-No riding on first and last friday of the month
-'Pico y Placa' (peak and plate) - If the last number of your numberplate is even, you can only ride on even numbers of the month weekdays. Or odd if odd. Don't know if this applies to foreign registered bikes.
-No bikes at all in the walled centre of the city and Getsemani (barring certain professions, electric bikes etc).
-No passengers allowed (regardless of sex) in the following areas (the wealthier ones): Crespo, Manga, Pie de la Popa, Peninsula Bocogrande, Castillogrande, El Laguito.
-I think no riding between 11pm and 5pm, but this may be passengers.

The guy I bought the bike off fell foul of the passenger one in Crespo and had the bike seized and nailed with hefty fine.

I believe you have a few hours grace on pico y placa if you've arrived from outside, but get a receipt from a paeage as evidence (bikes are free for road tolls so you'll have to ask).

There is similar in other cities but Cartagena seems worse. Google restricciones para motos city, or prohibiciones.

The passenger restriction is due to the popularity of motorbikes for performing assassinations. The passenger does the shooting.