Does anyone have experience selling a US bike to a fellow traveler in S. America?
 

Our trip is coming to an end and we are selling our V-Strom. I have read several posts about selling a bike to a fellow traveler but I am having a hard time finding first hand info. Any one done this?

I have read about meeting at the border and doing the exchange there. That makes sense. Do I sign the title over and that is it? Is it better to get something like a notarized authorization to travel or power of attorney?

A potential buyer who is Polish is interested in meeting in Santiago and doing the transaction there. They are looking for a bike to travel for a couple of months here in S. America.

I want to do everything possible to make sure they will have as trouble free border crossings as possible.

If you sign the title over and just give it to the purchaser at the border it doesn't necessarily help matters and in fact it may even result in more problems because it is definite proof that the transfer of the bike took place in South America and in most countries that is straight out illegal.

Not to say that it can't be done - albeit still technically illegally - but it often involves a PODER, plus the ability for the purchaser to have in his hand genuine title and registration plates in his name at the time it crosses into the next country. Then there is insurance which is required in most countries (liability insurance) and that may not be obtainable.

*Usually* photoshop is involved at some point. There are exceptions, including when the buyer can legally re-register the bike because they happen to be on the ground in its country (and sometimes state) of origin. But those are exceptions.

You might not find specific instructions here, since offering them would arouse the righteous wrath of those sworn to uphold the rules. But if you do a site search and settle in for a couple of hours of reading you'll gather all you need to know.

Good luck.

Mark

Very well said Mark :thumbup1::thumbup1: