Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Central America and Mexico
selling a bike in mexico or the states selling a bike in mexico or the states
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Jan 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2
selling a bike in mexico or the states
Hello all. im from Australia and bought a 2006 Honda XR 250cc in Panama City around a month and a half ago for $2300. I am looking to sell the bike in either mexico or the United States in a month or so's time...im not sure where would be best and easiest to sell the bike in relation to getting a decent return on the bike $$$ and paper work wise....

Any info or knowledge on the matter would be greatly appreacited.


Cheers,
Mitch
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 21 Jan 2010
Mickey D's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
It's probably worth more in Latin America than the USA. Also, depending on where the bike was originally imported to, it could be impossible to register it in the USA. If it's off road only, than that is not so important.

While selling directly in most of Cent. America and Mex, is illegal unless lots of paperwork nightmares are waded through, that does not mean it's impossible. Locals always seem to have "creative" ways to get this done.
So ask around at dealers, see what they offer. (Ask double over what you actually expect to get)

Maybe try in Mexico City? Or to a Bike Rental business somewhere?

A good used XR250R in the US is worth about what you paid, or a bit less.
Is your version the Euro version? Street legal with all the lights, signals and such? Some US states you may be allow you to register it, but maybe not. Certain US states are more lenient but lately US Federal EPA regs trump state laws. It's all in flux, making it harder to bring in "foreign" bikes or cars of any kind. They use the VIN to determine if it was legally imported to the USA. A foreign VIN may trigger a red flag.

No problem riding it around of course, just selling it on and registering it legally.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: in the saddle
Posts: 297
selling
If you are a foreigner you can ride a foreign bike into USA but can't sell it unless you can prove it meets all stringent USA emissions etc requirements. If you are Us citizen you can't (supposedly).
You can sell legally in Peru if bike isn't from neighboring countries ie Chile, AR, Ecuador,Colombia and maybe Bolivia but not sure on Bolivia.
In CR you can sell but buyer or seller must pay high import duties probably not worthwhile.

Zig
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: antigua,guatemala
Posts: 216
You can sell your bike in Guatemala ; the buyer pays the import duties and the paperwork is pretty easy and should not take more then a couple of days
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston, USA
Posts: 164
I'm not sure about registration, but if you are willing to take a loss on it, you'll be able to sell it as an offroad only bike in the US easily. As the used bike market is kinda in the toilet, you'll probably only be able to get USD$1500ish for it.

I recommend selling it in the southern USA like California or here in Texas as Feb is still cold up north. Unfortunately Feb isn't really the best time of year to be selling bikes in Texas either. If you're in a hurry, you'll really have to move the price around. Plus people will be freaked out by the thousands of miles on a 250cc bike as your average gringo looks at a 250 as a small trail bike. Check out craigslist: houston classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events for bikes in Houston. If you want to look at prices in other cities, check out the links on the right.

If you want to sell it in Houston, Texas, let me know, and I'll help you out where I can.
__________________
http://davegtravels.com - RTW on a DRZ
All the way south - Texas to Tierra del Fuego in '08-'09
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Jan 2010
Mickey D's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zigeuner53 View Post
If you are a foreigner you can ride a foreign bike into USA but can't sell it unless you can prove it meets all stringent USA emissions etc requirements. If you are Us citizen you can't (supposedly).
Zig
Point of information:
Even a brand new, Euro 4 approved bike cannot be sold in the USA by anyone, citizen or not. There is nothing to prove regards emissions, if the VIN shows other than US origin, it cannot be registered, period.

BTW, no state in the US at this time emissions tests (Smog Test) any motorcycle. But that is coming in the future. The VIN says it all.

Mc D
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 Jan 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2
panama moto
Thanks heaps for that everyone..it seems like the consenses would be to look at my option of selling the bike in mexico first as it sounds a little eaiser.. if all else fails head to texas or somewhere in the deep south and try and sell it around there to someone with a bit of land as an off road bike.

I beleive the bike was built in brazil by the way..not positive though..

THe bike is street legal with all the lights, signals and stuff, ill drop you a line if i need some help in texas...thanks mate

Many thanks all

any other input is of course welcome

Cheers,
Mitch
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston, USA
Posts: 164
Quote:
Originally Posted by mitchoz View Post
if all else fails head to texas or somewhere in the deep south and try and sell it around there to someone with a bit of land as an off road bike.
Just to be clear here.. Offroad dirtbikes are pretty common here. People can ride them in offroad parks and various types of trail systems of which there are many in the USA.
__________________
http://davegtravels.com - RTW on a DRZ
All the way south - Texas to Tierra del Fuego in '08-'09
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 22 Jan 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southampton,NY USA
Posts: 65
When entering Mx. through Belize at Chetumal 2 years ago I did not have to register the moto. Customs/iduana told me that Quintana Roo is a "free state". If I wanted to register I could do so at Punta Sam just north of Cancun. In order to travel into different states of Mx. one would need to register the bike.
I do not see why you could not sell the bike in Q. Roo. Naturally, who ever buys it might have some explaining to do to the "Hacienda" which is the customs dept. if they try to register it without paying tax.
There are many many bike shops in Playa Del Carmen and Cancun.
brian
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
selling bike in mexico info needed nirgilat Central America and Mexico 8 21 Jul 2011 00:49
selling a bike in mexico - how? nirgilat Trip Paperwork 4 20 Jul 2011 17:44
Selling a bike in mexico nirgilat TRAVEL Hints and Tips 1 7 Feb 2011 08:38
selling a bike in mexico - how? nirgilat Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 0 5 Aug 2008 19:58
requirements for entering the states from mexico gabriella North America 1 30 Apr 2005 06:16

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:51.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top