Looking to fly into Mexico, buy a bike and continue south through to Chile.

The reason for the post is can I pick up a decent 250cc dirt bike and then ride free through all these countries on an Australian passport? Is it simple to insure etc at each border crossing for the next country?
Also depending on whatever country the bike was bought in, how does one register it as a foreigner?
Then following such a trip, can I just sell it in whatever counttry I am in without hassle and depart on my merry way?
Perhaps Mexico s not the best place to begin from, but if you follow a north to south line, it makes sense on a map...

Thanks!

Hi JD_303,

The only traveler I can remember buying a bike in Mexico and riding to South America was Simon Gandalfi some years ago. He purchased a Honda Cargo for the equivalent of 1500 AUD in Veracruz. Buying the bike new, the dealer helped him with the paperwork. You may want to search for that thread for more particulars. Mexico sell the Honda 250 Tornado dirt bike. I have rented one in Costa Rica and it was quite a nice minimalist tourer. Electric start, easy to find tires and parts for, tough little motor, but rather expensive to buy new by U.S. standards. Over 5000 AUD I believe. For that money you could buy a nice Yamaha WR250R in the U.S. A far more fun and capable dirt bike.

Most foreigners buy travel bikes in the U.S. where they are considerably less expensive than Latin America.

I'm not from Oz, but many of your fellow countrymen fly in, buy a bike and travel to South America.

Best to do a search here and over on ADVrider.com for ride reports and contact them for details if they don't chime in on this thread.

Cheers,
John Downs

__________________
South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

Very hard to buy and register a bike as a foreigner in Mexico. Not easy to sell in most countries along the way. However, easy to cross borders and temporarily import bikes at each, and easy to insure when necessary at borders.

These subjects are written about here and on ADVrider--frequently and at length. Searching will yield lots of information.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

I am from México, and I am about to start my RTW on a 220cc Bajaj Pulsar (indian made Motorcycle very popular in Mexico, CA and SA).

At the bottom of this message is a link for the most famous site in Mexico where you can get a glimpse of the prices of bikes here

I opted for a Pulsar 220cc for the cheap maintenance (cheaper than honda, and yamahas 125cc) Fuel economy and dealer suport along the route.

About the paperwork for a Foreigner, I do not think is a big deal... HERE EVERYThing is possible... believe me! (just do not ask me HOW I know that!

Regards!!

Ed AKA: Dudû


http://motos.mercadolibre.com.mx

repited post, carry on

You'll find much more to choose from in the US, the prices will be rock bottom. Make sure you get a bike that has at least some measure of parts support throughout the region where you are traveling. That is going to be the hard part. You will find everything easier to do in the US rather than in Mexico or any other country the farther south you go. Don't expect a Mexican dealer to help you with registration, it is not always the case and it can get expensive if you are new to this and stumbling through the registration process here. It is fairly easy for Mexicans, but not so much for foreigners without an FM document other than the normal tourist document.
Most people I know who have gone this route have bought a good used KLR 650 in one of the southern or central US states, checked it out, and have had no problems. A 250cc dirt oriented bike is not easy to find in Mexico, you will either pay through the nose for a Kawi or Yamaha modern enduro bike, or pay twice what it is worth for a decade old Honda XR. The Indian made Kawis or whatever they are called are ok, but again, you can get a much better used bike in the US closer to what you will need for the trip for that kind of money.
Think very carefully about what you'll be riding and how you'll be fixing it.
Your paperwork for the ownership will have to be properly done or you could find yourself paying a lot of bribes at border crossings.

Yeah right...good advice.
On another note then, if I was to pick up a better bike, more reasonably priced in the US, ride it through to Chile, would it be simple enough process to sell there after?

Alternately, can the same be said for Colombia? Simple enough to buy and register a bike there then ride through to Chile over a few months and flog it there also?

This stuff about proof of registration / ownership is confusing not actually being a resident...In case of an accident for instance I wouldnt want to get refused by the insurance company for not having correct paperwork etc...