Guatemalan motorcycle purchase options
 

Hi all, just crossed the threshold from creeper to participant.

I'm currently in Antigua, Guatemala and am looking to purchase a cheap bike on which to cruise around Central America. I have until May to travel, at which point I might resell it down here, or ride back home to Colorado if I'm feeling particularly ambitious. I'm hoping to get some input on some options I'm considering, as I'm not very familiar with any of the options.

For about the same price ($1,300 give or take a couple hundred) I could get:

-New Honda CGL 125
-New Honda CB1 125 (might be known as the tuf?)
-New Avatar FR200 GY (Chinese enduro)
-New AHM RX 150 (Chinese enduro)
-Used 2005 Suzuki 200 DR (20,000 miles, bought from a motorcycle guide)
OR, for about $600 I could get a used Chinese 125 with 15k miles.

So, it's basically a choice between a tiny new Honda that's not great for rougher terrain, a new Chinese enduro, or a heavily used but well-maintained and proven enduro. Or a throw-away bike. I know some people will say 125cc is just too small, but the small engine wouldn't be a problem for me. I'll only be packing a backpack, and sticking to backroads when possible. I got all around Korea on a 50cc scooter and went from AZ to AK on an old Ninja 250, so going on an undersized bike is almost a hobby of mine.

Anyone have experience going long-distance on any of these little guys? Or with Guatemalan paperwork? Any input is greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Steve

don't even think about a chinese bike, you are playing with your life.
the dr 200 from David is a pretty good deal.
or i have a ctx 200 here , only 2 moths old for Q28.000, its 38.000 new, so come and have a look.
also have a suzuki AX 100, very cheap, they are very reliable.

Taz

I have experience with that.
I travel on a XR125 all over the place. 125 is more than enough for going places. For your aplication, AND BUDGET, I can tell you that what I encounter often in good running shape is the Jialing 135 enduro. Tough little bikes and you will find parts for them all over Central America, from what I was told talking to riders.

The CGL TP as well as the YBR125 G are CONVERTED delivery bikes to D/P they are also in my opinion good bang for the buck. If you want to know more about people doing long trips on them look up www.desafioybr.com.ar (ybr), www.talesfromthe saddle.com (xr125) and Hondavstheworld. (CGL125). Not sure about the .com part etc, but the name are correct and you could google them.

The CTX that Motomundo sells is also a VERY good option. Being 200cc.
The Avatar is a NEW bike in the market and people that have bought them are relatively happy with them, but I dont know anyone traveling long distances on them.

Frenchie's DR200 is a good option if you end up riding back to the US, as you can find all kinds of parts and options for it in the states, where the 125cc's will just be novelties w/o service or parts available.

Anything you buy, for the kind of traveling you are doing will do perfectly fine. After all, 125 is the main mode of transport around this part of the world.

Thank you both for the input. I'd probably already have gone for a new Honda 125, but the 3 week wait to get the plates is a long time to wait...
I don't suppose there's anyway to grease that process with a few hundred Q's? :mchappy:

In one word NO. You could have negotiated it before paying...but now it's too late. Keep bugging your sales person...as they Honda process a bunch of plates at a time and yours may come back sooner, but sits at their office. It is not HONDA its SAT that takes its time.

you are wrong rich, its honda. Sat can be done in 1,5 hour, honda is the slow one.know people waiting for 2-3 months on their plates. No excuse, other companies take a month do do the new bikes, honda takes 2-3 months. they are by far the worse.

Taz

Sorry, but no. SAT takes a few hours for processing a used bike. Brand new bikes that have not been registered take longer, much longer. BTW, I got my plates from HONDA in three weeks. They quoted me 2 to 4. But all new bikes take that much.

Steve

My guess is that you may not be able to import and registar the Guatemalan bike back in Colorado, just thinking out loud here.

actually, you can take guatemalan bikes to the USA and register them, no problem. As long as you have the original title in your name.
Cheers

Taz

Wrong !
If they don't comply with US environmental regulations , you will not be able to import them permanently .

well, as long as they are not chinese then.

Not even if they are European, made for the European (or Latin American) market

it depends on the state. In Texas you can license just about anything, if it has the equipment to pass state inspection, lights, horn, etc. There are a lot of two stroke dirt bikes here with plates on them.

In Wisconsin, they run your VIN through a database, if your model is not on the approved list, you don't get a plate. Can't speak for other states.

Wondering if Steve ever did buy a bike...? I´m on the méxican guatemalan border in Chiapas right now trying to choose a bike for travel as well. As of now I´´m looking at the 125cc´s...the Honda XR 125 L, CG 125 tool, CG 150 cargo. Not sure which bike....and maybe it´d be best for me to actually cross over to guatemala and buy a bike, because there´s other options there (look at the mexican and guatemalan honda pages to see what I mean). Not sure what the prices are there as they don´t list them on the internet though...but I imagine some are cheaper being as the XR 125 L is cheaper in just about every other country I´ve seen thus far.

Anyways, any recomendations in regards to a 125cc for central-south america?

Pasting my reply to another thread here:

I did some looking at new bikes when I was recently in Guatemala, and here is what I found.

The Honda dealer in Antigua has the CTX 200 for Q38,000 and the 125 Bros for Q20,000. For some reason they couldn't give me a price on a 250 Tornado, nor did they have one in stock.

I think the best value is the Bajaj (Indian) Pulsar, which is available in a 135, 180, and 220. A dealer in Guate is advertising the 220 for Q18,500. Those bikes are everywhere in Mexico, and Guatemala, can't speak for further south. The people I've talked to with them are happy. Not a dual sport type bike, though.

UM, a chinese brand I am not familiar with, has a 200cc dual sport that looks very good for Q12,500 at several dealers. This would be going out on a limb a little more, as I don't have any info on servicability or reliability.

Also, I´ve been thinking about the CGL 125 TOOL because it´s around $1,000usd cheaper than the XR 125 L and the bros....just don´t think it´ll handle very well on ¨off road¨ settings....which is a big downside, but I´ve heard it can handle somewhat well on dirt roads etc..? Anybody have any experience with this bike and travelling?

This guy bought a CGL125 in Chile and rode it all around South America and then up through Central America to Texas:

From Chile to Texas on a Small Motorcycle | Ondrej Jurik

Honda rx125l in Mexico
 

Hey guys! Thought I'd throw in a reply here..... Completely new to motorbikes and just bought a brand new rx125 here in Cozumel, Mexico.... Costed me 28000 pesos or approximately 2500. I'm in the process of breaking in the motor before I head to costa Rica on it.... And like the guy above, If ambitious enough, back to Canada.... So far I have to say its a great little bike (compared to nothing though because I have no prior experiences) and seems to handle well. Just wondering how it will handle the trip :s.

The 125 Honda should be easliy able to handle the trip. But you say you might ride it "back to Canada" implying that you might expect to keep riding it there beyond just a visit?
You can come into Canada and ride it around as a tourist.... but....
Take note that you will not be able to get it registered and licensed in Canada because it is a model not certified by Transport Canada. If you lived here you could keep it as a track bike,a toy and lawn ornament though.Better sell it while still in Mexico where it is at home with its paperwork.

Thanks for the info! I didn't know that,..... I will probably sell it then! Cheers :)

I do know if they still sell the Yammie YBR125G there, but it's a great bike for dirt roads and general travel.
Strong frame and subframe (based off a commercial platform so has a high carrying capacity), comfortable, 12l tank gives 400km range. The ones here come with 18" 50/50 knobby tires, and a rack that's surpringly useful.
Mine has done 15k fairly rough miles mostly 2-up and with a load, survived 3 crashes with minimal damage, and been very reliable.

Nothing wrong with many of the Chinese bikes either, as long as you know what you are getting. The bad ones I wouldn't touch with a barge pole, but the better ones are excellent value for money.

if you want to spend 25.000Q, i have a nice honda xr 650r for you. model 2000

you can have it in your name in a day

Hey guys... enjoying reading this thread and finding it really helpful as i'm looking to do a similar trip. Is there a list of bikes that can be re registered back in Canada after being bought in Guatamala? Something like an xr or dr type bike i'm thinking. Also how does it work with insurance when buying a bike in Guatamala?

Thanks so much
Nick

No such list . see your other post.
Might try checking here and on ADV for possible offers from Canadian riders wanting to sell a CANADIAN certified and REGISTERED model of bike in Central America,

hey guys reading some info here.seems in Guatemala is possible to register a moto in your name?
or at least easier then Mexico(?) I ll be looking to buy a used/almost new bike ,to speed up the registration process in the spring.Any suggestions/reccomandations appreciated
cheers bier

Yes, a foreigner can register a moto in their name here. I'm going through the process now of importing my moto I drove down from the US - hopefully done in the next few days. It can take a little while, so patience is needed (especially in holiday season), and unless you're excellent at Spanish and know the system well, it might be best to use an agent for the process. My agent came recommended by a guy who has used her family several times. If you send me a PM, I can give you her info (I'm too new on here to send you a PM).

If you buy a moto in Guatemala, I'm sure the process is much easier than importing one like I'm doing. Might be as easy as visiting the local SAT (tax) office.

sounds good thanks.yes good if you leave any info here public ,rather then PM, so other can benefit as well.
:thumbup1::thumbup1:

Not sure if she’d appreciate me leaving her phone number on a public forum.


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Hi All,
New to the board, but this looked like a good place to jump on and say hello and ask for thoughts.
I've been living in Guate for over three years and, after doing a decent amount of staking some ground (I bought a lake house on Atitlan), I'm ready to really get out and explore this magnificent country - and CA (and beyond)! I ultimately chose to buy a place here because I fell in love with my long hikes through the countryside, but I'm being called to go further afield.
I'm essentially a new rider. I'm 5-11 200#, and am looking for something that is going to be a decent starter, not get too small too fast, but capable of getting me up the mountains. I have a group of friends that ride 200-250 bikes (I really like the Suzuki DR200 of a friend), so that seems like a good range to start. I'm tempted to buy new just to not inherit past problems, but given that I only have about 1 week of total riding under my belt (ever), it seems like a used bike is probably wiser.
So if you have any thoughts on what I should be looking at, or better yet leads on specific bikes for sale, please let me know. The local offerings are slim so I assume I'll have to travel to buy the bike.
And speaking of travel, if any of you are ever out this way, give me a shout and I'll buy you some beers to pick your brain.
Cheers!
Chris

Oh yeah, I'm a Yankee with a NIT and residency in progress, but not yet obtained (no DPI). I COULD buy a US plated bike but getting a Guatemalan bike is probably easiest?