Help needed: Buying a moto in Nica and crossing borders
 

Hey!

In 3 weeks time, I am going to travel around CA-4. Right now I am in Granada, Nicaragua, and I wanted to know if any of you have any experience with buying a moto in Nica and crossing the borders to Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala?

I have been reading around the internet, and as far as I have been able to figure out, it is illegal for a nonresident to buy a moto, so I have to get it fixed with a lawyer somehow. It doesn't seem to be that troubling, but still if any of you know the process, I would be greatful to know! :-) ... What could be a big trouble though is the fact that I do not have a driver's license for a moto (only for car). Will that be a problem? (There seem a lot of contradicting info on this)

Any potentially useful advice is appreciated! Cheers!

Im looking for the same thing but for the whole CA. I live in Argentina want to travel whole CA. Getting my bike there (with my wife) driving cost about 2000 usd (gas, food, tend , cross darien, etc)

I have travel whole SA so Argentina-Colombia would be as fast/cheap I can.

So I need to buy/sell a bike in any country in CA and cross borders.

Any help ?

forget nica. buy in guat. and dont expect that the local cops don't know you dont have a moto license.

sounds like you just want trouble...

The best place is of course Guatemala. The others countries won't work out. You can buy a bike in Nicaragua and ride it if you have a license. But you can't leave the country with the bike.

I'm a Canadian citizen and I bought a new bike in Costa Rica last year - no problem.

So things to know...

They'll ask you for a local address and phone number - I just gave them the address of my villa - no problem.

It'll take about a month to get your license plate and stickers. In Costa Rica you need a valid Marchamo (taxes and insurance) and RTV (inspection), which come with the new bike. If you buy a used bike, make sure it comes with current Marchamo and RTV papers/stickers. The upside to buying a new bike is the RTV is usually good for 3 years.

If/when you sell the bike in Costa Rica, you go to a lawyer and sign the bike over. The lawyer's free is paid by the purchaser and is based on the cost of the bike (the fee is set by the government).

I didn't take the bike into Nicaragua, preferring to rent a car instead and leaving it at the border. From what I hear, all you need is a letter from a lawyer certifying that it's your bike and you'll be bringing it back.

js.

Ah, and one more thing to note -- I don't have a moto license either. In Costa Rica and most countries, you can ride up to 125cc on a regular driver's license. I bought a Honda CB1 Tuf 125cc brand new for about $2100 USD. No problem selling it for about $1600 a few month later. Had I known, I would have bought a true dirt-bike -- way better for those CR dirt roads. ;-)

js.