Hello guys! This is my very first post after months of using the site as a resource. I now have a question that I'm hoping can be answered, or at least to shed a little bit of light onto my situation!

Last year I rode an old Royal Enfield around India for 3 months and had one of the best experiences of my life! I'm now in Mexico and plan to purchase a motorcycle, and subsequently ride it through the country, eventually arriving into Panama. From there I will turn around, and ride it all the way back to Mexico, selling it before I return home. I plan to take this trip slow, stopping to volunteer and take Spanish classes along the way.

I'm from England, and do not have an FM3 visa, therefore registering the bike in my name is a no-go. I have read a plethora of conflicting information regarding this, but so far nothing definitive. I have been in Cancun for the last ten days and during this time have befriended the owner of the fantastic hostel in which I am currently staying at. I decided to head down to Honda, and purchase a brand new 2017 bike for the aforementioned trip. I haven't purchased it yet, but have put down a deposit on it in order to receive the placas. The sales guy informed me that the new bike could not go in my name (as expected) as I'm not a Mexican resident. (For the placas you need facturas/bills of an address) So in order to order the bike, I had to have the placas/plates put in the name of the hostel owner, Jamie, who kindly offered to do this for me.

When the bike comes into stock, I will return and pay the remainder of the balance. I also asked if the deposit was refundable, should there be any problems, in which the sales guy informed me that it could be. The sales guy was genuine, and didn't strike me as someone who would lie. He also told me that this is a common thing with foreigners. Also, the hostel owner, who also works as a tax lawyer, is trustworthy and therefore I have no issues with trust/friendship.

I have been told that when the bike comes into stock, I will need to pay the balance in order to receive the factura. (I have the deposit factura) Then, I will need a compra de venda, which is a form that is effectively an agreement between myself and the hostal owner in which he agrees to sell the bike, and all responsibilities over to me. Then, with both of our signatures on the compra de venda, I can then take it to a local lawyer who specialises in this and he will stamp his approval on it for $30 or so.

Apparently this process absolves all responsibility from Jamie (the hostel owner) and allows me to legally sell the bike back in Mexico, after my journey.

Does this process sound legitimate? Will I have problems crossing borders with the copy of the compra venda, and original factura of sale plus my license etc? Or would you stay away from the deal? To me it sounds legitimate and there are a few stories in which I have heard that back this up, but obviously I want to check first before paying the rest of the balance. Finally, is there any way at all to get this in my name, as ultimately that's what I would like!

Sorry it's a long one! I hope you've managed to get this far!

Your advice would be most welcome!

I don't know whether you'll be able to do what you are hoping, but I'll be interested in hearing more about how it goes. Post again about your progress here!

What I do know is that no matter where you are in the world, it's naive to commit money on the basis of the verbal promises of a "genuine" sales guy who "didn't strike me as someone who would lie." This is true whether or not the hostel owner "works as a tax lawyer" and "is trustworthy." Get it in writing, and in all respects do your best to make decisions based on good business practices, not "trust and friendship." It's tough enough to make those sorts of judgements when you share history, language and culture with someone--none of which you and your new friends have in common.

Hope that's helpful, and best of luck with your plans.

Mark

From what I have read so far, it's okay to drive a motorcycle as a foreigner so long as it has placas - it can be in someone else's name, as long as I hold all of the relevant documents. Original factura of sale, tarjeta de vehículo etc. As well as this, I will have the compra de venda signed by both parties, and stamped by a third party lawyer that will verify whether the signatures are matched. I will have this stamped on the reverse of the sales receipt (factura) along with a copy of my passport, and the owner of the hostal's driving license.

I can't see this proving to be a problem in Mexico, as apparently it's quite normal to not have paperwork in your name, just so long as you hold all of the relevant documents for the vehicle. It also worked like this in India too. The bike I rode, along with others, had the original documents but in the original buyers name. As long as you had the card, you were legal and ready to go. The issue lies with crossing borders etc. That's the part I'm most unfamiliar with.

Take a look at this - http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...e-mexico-78521

Same situation, but without issues. What I really need is a few locals that are in the know to verify whether this is standard practise or not. I mean, how else would foreigners ride motorbikes in Mexico? For example, the Europeans that haven't purchased their bikes in the States?

Thanks for your reply. Really appreciate it.

Chris, get the deposit back immediately. Then, go yourself into the state hacienda office and speak personally with the person in charge of the office. Not a clerk, but the jefe or jefa. Ask for clear instructions as to how to register the vehicle in your namr. The comprobante de domocilio will be nothing but a receipt for light, water, phone, any one. Registration varies from state to state. If they cannot register it, find a state where the dealer will assist you. Simon Gandolfini did it here in Veracruz. Once you find out exactly what you need, go and buy whatever bike you want. Buy used. Honda are a pain nationally for warranty work and expensive. Also, see if you can qualify for an FM-3 if you have suffecient funds in a bank account. Missionaries working here do it all the time. Think it through before getting in too deep and losing time and money. There will be a way to get this done.

The FM3 is now known as a Residente Temporal. Odds are that the paperwork with the factura in someone´s name will be a red flag at the border. They are always looking for something in the paperwork that does not look normal.

Thanks for your reply MikeMike. I don't pick the bike up for another 10-12 days or so so I still have time to retrieve the deposit back should I decide that I don't want to go down that route. I don't think I'll lose money. At worse, what would happen? I would have to sell the bike? Or my friend would have to sell it for me?

A brand new, Honda XR 2017, from a reputable dealership with all of the papers for a little over $1700 US represents excellent value for money. Plus, I continuously read conflicting information. There are stories and blogs regarding people that have bought cars and bikes & haven't had them changed into their name. They simply hold all of the paperwork, and the right to sell. This is how it works in India too! If I had an FM3, it wouldn't be a problem to change it over. An FM3 is just an extended visa/work and residencey. If I wanted, I could go down that route in the future as I can work here as an English teacher.

What I need to know really is quite simple. Can I legally ride a motorcycle in Mexico, that is fully registered and taxed, in a Mexicans name? Basically, although I'm paying for the bike, will I be able to legally ride it in my friends name in Mexico? As well as this, I will also have a sales agreement between me and the aforementioned friend, that gives me permission to use and sell it. This will also be signed by someone in authority. If I can, I'll take the chance and perhaps look at ways to get it in my name a little later.

Would you happen to know this information?

Thanks for the reply!

As long as you have a valid motorcycle license you can ride the bike. Do you have a Mexican motorcycle license? The difficulty might arise as you pass from country to country. A "compra/venta" (not "venda") is merely a buy sell agreement but has no real purpose in another country. The Mexican motorcycle license can help you if ýou are stopped in Mexico. Step back for a moment and objectively look at what you are asking authorities to believe and the narrative they will need to follow. First and foremost, go to the state hacienda office and ask first if you can legally register it in your name. If you are missing a document, can you qualify for that document? Listening to salesmen and lawyers is all well and good, but try to get the legitimate info first directly from those who do the licensing (plating) of the vehicle. You can trust anyone you want but I've been living here a long time and I only trust notarized documents reviewed by my personal notary as a rule of thumb.

If you have a valid bike license you can legally operate the vehicle.

However, you will have to check if the insurance will be valid for you.

I really urge you to get straight info from the state hacienda office and don't leave that deposit too late. For the record, I have never had to leave a deposit on any bike I have bought here at any dealer. I don't know why Honda asked you to do that.

Also the "signed by someone in authority" who are you thinking of? Be sure you can read and understand whatever it is you are signing, especially if it is notarized.