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buying a bike in central america - help buying a bike in central america - help
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  #1  
Old 12 Sep 2010
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buying a bike in central america - help
We are two canadians arriving in CA on october 21st or 22nd

I need some help please

-can I buy a motocycle and insure it?
-I have found bikes to rent but don't want to be on the hook for a $5000 bike
-where is the best place to buy one? that's where I'll fly to. Maybe panama because that's the end of the line for alot or folks?

can somebody tell me the process of doing this?

thankyou very much in advance and ride safe

Dan
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  #2  
Old 12 Sep 2010
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First a question or two!

What are you planning to with the bike after you get it?
Where you going?
The answers to those will make a huge difference in the possibilities!

'On the hook' is relative - you CAN sell it at some point for somewhere near what you paid for it!

you need to tell us more...
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  #3  
Old 13 Sep 2010
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Location: mexico
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I will be interested to buy a good running bike in chile by January 2010.
Something dual sport between 400 and 650cc.
Consider me if you need to sell by this time and place...

I'll keeped posted, any info about how to get a bike at your name in South America interests me
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  #4  
Old 13 Sep 2010
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Location: El Salvador
Posts: 47
Prices
Prices in El Salvador: you can buy a low milleage 08 KLR's for around $4,500
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  #5  
Old 13 Sep 2010
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Buying In El Salvador
Im looking at options for buying either in SA, Central America or California.

That price in El Salvador seems good. Is that a locally registered bike or foreigned owned and registered?
What are the laws regarding transfer of title, etc. Is it simpler than in Chile?

Would Panama have a wider selection of bikes and better prices given its the end of the line for some trips?

Cheers
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  #6  
Old 13 Sep 2010
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I'd like to spend around a grand on the bike. I know it's cheap but it makes it so that if it gets stolen or I give it away at the end of the trip that's fine with me. I have a 2008 KLR in the garage at home. Hoping for a 150cc dualsport or something like that.

I would maybe try to get a few hundred for it at the end of the trip or maybe just trade it for a few nights stay with some locals? who knows

what I'm most worried about is

1. arriving and finding a bike in my price range
2. purchasing and insuring it with no address in that country
3. crossing borders with all the appropriate paperwork
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  #7  
Old 14 Sep 2010
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Location: El Salvador
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Yes that price is for a locally registred bike. When youre a local it takes around $70 and a week to have the bike registred on your name, not sure how its done for non salvadoreans. I could go and ask if youre seriously considering buying it here.
A $1,000 japan dual sport bike will be hard to find unless you settle for a china bike. I have never insured any bike so dont know about that.
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  #8  
Old 22 Apr 2011
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Hi Mario

I am part of a small group of 3 Australians (all experienced motorcyclists) who are heading over to El Salvador for three weeks on October 5, 2011.

We are raising money and supporting a local orphanage in San Salvador as part of our trip, but would also like to find three cheap'ish bikes and tour through Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua over a 10-day period.

Can you recommend any reputable bike shops in San Salvador where we can pick up three bikes in the $1,000-$1,500 range? 125cc-250cc is fine, and we are not fussy about brand (as long as they are reliable). Ideally, the shop might be prepared to agree to a buy-back price that will allow us to just hand it back when we return...

We have enjoyed your posts, and would also appreciate the chance to meet for a coffee or while we are in town.

Regards
Anthony
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  #9  
Old 22 Apr 2011
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Location: San Jose, Costa Rica, CA
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In Costa Rica
try this in Costa Rica, Motos y Cuadraciclos en Costa Rica. Nuevos y Usados. but I think we have the higest prices in CA, cause the taxes in CR are very higer, for any vehicule.

If you decide for CR, I work for the goverment insurance company, the prices for libililty are around $40 per 6 months of insurance.

Other thing, in the web page, prices are in colones, for the conversion 1 dolar= 505 colones

Try Nicaragua, everything is cheaper than CR
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  #10  
Old 23 Apr 2011
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Location: Panama City, Panama
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Quote:
Originally Posted by realmc26 View Post

Would Panama have a wider selection of bikes and better prices given its the end of the line for some trips?

Cheers
I don't think so - I haven't seen lots of big bikes here. I have seen 3 1200s, a handful of KLRs and a whole bunch of cheap chinese 125s....

Well that's not true - Ive seen loads of badass bikes - but they are usually parked in my driveway and are going home with their owners!
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  #11  
Old 24 Apr 2011
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: El Salvador
Posts: 47
Hola
Hola Antonio:
I dont think you can find a bike shop that would agree on buying your bikes back. I could help you find the bikes, take you to a place were to do the legal stuff and a good (cheap) mechanic to check on the bikes before you ride off. When you come back if the price is bit lower than average it should be easy to sell the bikes quite fast. specially if there in the low cc range youre looking for.
Send me a message a month or two before youre arriving to start sending you info about bikes for sale.
Looking forward on meeting you, share stories, routes, coffee and pilseners !
Saludos de El Salvador
Mario

Quote:
Originally Posted by frian03 View Post
Hi Mario

I am part of a small group of 3 Australians (all experienced motorcyclists) who are heading over to El Salvador for three weeks on October 5, 2011.

We are raising money and supporting a local orphanage in San Salvador as part of our trip, but would also like to find three cheap'ish bikes and tour through Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua over a 10-day period.

Can you recommend any reputable bike shops in San Salvador where we can pick up three bikes in the $1,000-$1,500 range? 125cc-250cc is fine, and we are not fussy about brand (as long as they are reliable). Ideally, the shop might be prepared to agree to a buy-back price that will allow us to just hand it back when we return...

We have enjoyed your posts, and would also appreciate the chance to meet for a coffee or while we are in town.

Regards
Anthony
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