Buying a motorcycle or scooter in Guatemala late Jan 2018

[Projectfresh]

I'm looking to buy a motorcycle (or event scooter) in Guatemala at the end of this month, ideally for under $1,000. I'd like to ride it down to El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Do you have any recommendations of where I could find a reliable person to buy one from? I'm going to be in Flores next week and then heading down to Antigua before I go into El Salvador. Please let me know if you have any insight!

[AndyT]

As far as bikes on a budget, I would look at Italika and Bajaj. Italika is Mexican and Bajaj, Indian, and both have decent reputations and are sold in the countries you are traveling to, so should be easy to get repaired if necessary.

As far as where to buy, there are lots of moto shops in Antigua. Antigua Moto Group is an Italika dealer, and the owner has helped me get my bike repaired in the past, and I would recommend them. For not much more than your $1000 you could get a new 100-150cc bike. I am told it takes longer to get papers and license plate for new bikes so depends on your schedule.

Motodo is another dealer with a good reputation, although I have no personal experience with them.

The Chinese bikes have got a lot better, but I don't know enough to recommend anything.

The guys at Moto Tours Guatemala may have or know of something used.

I have a dentist appointment in Antigua on February 7, but don't have time to ride down this trip, so will be flying. Plan to go to Peten shortly after that.

[Projectfresh]

Thanks so much for the reply Andy. Sounds like one of the benefits of a used bike is that it's quicker to get up and running from a legal standpoint. Is that correct? That might be my best option since I'm on somewhat limited time frame. If I do go with the used option I'll try to start with one of the adventure companies as I imagine they might have some connections and are more reliable. thanks again!

[AndyT]

Originally Posted by Projectfresh

Thanks so much for the reply Andy. Sounds like one of the benefits of a used bike is that it's quicker to get up and running from a legal standpoint. Is that correct? That might be my best option since I'm on somewhat limited time frame.

That is my understanding, although I have not bought a bike there myself.

Originally Posted by Projectfresh

If I do go with the used option I'll try to start with one of the adventure companies as I imagine they might have some connections and are more reliable. thanks again!

That is where I would start.

[guaterider]

Getting a used bike registered in your name can be done in 1 day , a new one might take 2 weeks .
$1000 or under might be tough ; the best place to look for one is GC .
Look at this site , so you can get an idea what's out there .
https://www.olx.com.gt/motos-cat-379

Pay at least 30% less of what they originally ask for and make sure all the papers are in order :
1) tarjeta de circulación (registration)
2) Titulo (title)

Suerte !

[Projectfresh]

Thanks Guaterider. Really appreciate the great info. Because of my limited time this trip, and since I've already done most of Guatemala by bus and have a desire to spend my last month exploring Nicaragua, I decided to fly down to Managua and just rent a bike for a few weeks. Next time if I give myself a few months of love to but a bike in Guatemala and make the drive from Flores to Panama.

[nomadicnik]

[QUOTE=guaterider;577360]Getting a used bike registered in your name can be done in 1 day , a new one might take 2 weeks .
$1000 or under might be tough ; the best place to look for one is GC .

Guaterider. I will be in Guatemala sometime in early 2019 and I would like to ride to Costa Rica. Would you say that the Italika's are decent enough to ride to Costa Rica, or even Panama? Im a 5 foot 3 girl, therefore I want a smaller bike. Maybe a 125 or 150. I would spend a little more for a Honda 125 if it was under $1500.

(AND YES, Ive already read that thats not the best bike for the Pan-American. Or that it is even a death wish. But I have never gone the conventional or "safe" route. I learned how to ride a scooter in Vietnam. Then got comfortable with it in Thailand and Myanmar. And then learned how to ride and got comfortable with a semi-auto in a big portion of India and Bangladesh.

...So, go right ahead trolls and tell me how its not feasible. But I have planned little and have had far less issues than what most people have warned in "sketchy" countries. ((although I'm sure you all have good intent )).)

Sorry for the side rant Guaterider. I have appreciated your information provided on this thread so far. Theres little info on the internet pertaining to this. So, Thanks!

[aesullivan]

Late to the game here, but just thought I’d chime in as I am on a tourist visa and have bought and registered a new Honda in my name in Guatemala. I also imported and registered the bike I rode down from the US. Yes, it can be done. Yes, it is legal.


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[guaterider]

Hola Nomadicnik,
sorry for the late reply .
Yes , I think you can do it on an Italika . Very common bike here around , so you can get spare parts and service everywhere . And they are cheap (-:
150 is probably a better choice as a 125 , but both will do the job as long as you travel light .

I see them being used everywhere here in Guatemala, even in very remote unpaved areas .

Love your approach to your trip , go for it and have fun

[Atsatsos]

Hello everyone .
Resurrecting the topic.
I'm flying to Guatemala on the 9th of February.
I was thinking of renting a bike to travel the country but then some locals on CS suggested to buy one.
My budget is limited so an old and/or small one is ok.
Then I thought since I'll buy one I could ride it to Mexico.
Any information (if you know someone selling, if I do need to leave money as guarantee at the border-which I won't do by the way, if I can just dump the bike in Mexico if not able to sell it, routes to take, places to visit/stay, etc) would be very welcome.
I will need to fly back to Europe around late April.
Thanks in advance.

[aesullivan]

Originally Posted by Atsatsos

Hello everyone .

Resurrecting the topic.

I'm flying to Guatemala on the 9th of February.

I was thinking of renting a bike to travel the country but then some locals on CS suggested to buy one.

My budget is limited so an old and/or small one is ok.

Then I thought since I'll buy one I could ride it to Mexico.

Any information (if you know someone selling, if I do need to leave money as guarantee at the border-which I won't do by the way, if I can just dump the bike in Mexico if not able to sell it, routes to take, places to visit/stay, etc) would be very welcome.

I will need to fly back to Europe around late April.

Thanks in advance.

I am selling my 2018 Honda Tornado XR250 in Antigua Guatemala (I’m moving away in a few months). Perfect bike for Guatemala dual sport.

It has about 5,500 km on it now. Comes with some small Wolfman saddlebags, Doubletake mirrors, and a charging mount for Garmin Montana GPS.

Bought new in Guatemala and is registered with tag. 2019 calcomanía just paid this week.

Feel free to shoot me a message if interested.

UPDATE MARCH 12, 2019: the motorcycle mentioned here has been sold.


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[alleycat]

Originally Posted by aesullivan

I am selling my 2018 Honda Tornado XR250 in Antigua Guatemala (I’m moving away in a few months). Perfect bike for Guatemala dual sport.

It has about 5,500 km on it now. Comes with some small Wolfman saddlebags, Doubletake mirrors, and a charging mount for Garmin Montana GPS.

Bought new in Guatemala and is registered with tag. 2019 calcomanía just paid this week.

Feel free to shoot me a message if interested.


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Email sent. New to the board, so forgive me if I'm not following correct protocol. Interested in getting some more info and possibly buying the bike. I live on Atitlan and can move fast for the right bike/price. Cheers!