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QUESTION: Buying a bike in LA?! QUESTION: Buying a bike in LA?!
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  #1  
Old 29 Aug 2016
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QUESTION: Buying a bike in LA?!
So in January 2017, my plan is to fly in to Los Angeles and pick up a KLR or a DR on craigslist, and ride it south to Argentina.

Due to a tight budget I don't plan on hanging round California for too long, however I have read that obtaining registration for the bike can take up to 6 weeks.

I only plan to be in the states for a maximum of two/three weeks. Do I need to wait for registration? Is it too risky to leave for Mexico as soon as I have found a bike or will they want to see full documentation at the border?

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 5 Sep 2016
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I bought a ex-rental GS from Dubbleu Rentals in S.F. We gave the address as our friends in LA (with our friend's approval).

The DOT then sent the new registration to our friends address. They then told us and sent the Papers to a Holiday Inn on our route.

You just need a US address and nice people to forward your papers as you travel.

When we arrived at the H.I. all was well ans I sold the bike 2 weeks later. Much cheaper than hiring or shipping from Europe. Over 12 weeks we lost about USD 1,000
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  #3  
Old 9 Sep 2016
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Thanks a lot for the info Nigel.

That sounds great. Think I will stick to that plan.
I was simply worried about hanging around for ages, waiting to receive the vehicle's title, but will now try find a good samaritan who can help send the documents onto me.

Cheers!

James
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  #4  
Old 9 Sep 2016
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At every border you will have to produce documentation for yourself and documentation for the vehicle and either the names on all documentation must match or you need official documents to explain the discrepancy. Acceptable documents for the vehicle are the title or the registration certificate, but whichever document you use should have all vehicle details including the license number

You will get into Baja and one mainland Mexico state without vehicle documentation, but that is all. To get a TVIP - Temporary Vehicle Import Permit - you need vehicle papers and your passport

Some states offer expedited title and or rego papers at extra cost
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  #5  
Old 28 Mar 2017
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Hey xheese2805, just wondering how you faired with getting your bike in LA and across to Mexico?
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  #6  
Old 30 Mar 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony LEE View Post

Some states offer expedited title and or rego papers at extra cost
The state of Arizona gives title and registration and license plate on the spot; not for any extra cost.
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  #7  
Old 5 Apr 2017
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Smile
sorry a bit late to this party.
but if you go to a small town dmv office things just go better, faster, sad same cost.
can get it all done in one visit.


.
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  #8  
Old 18 Apr 2017
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Hey Cheese,

How have your travels been so far?

I'm flying out of Mexico in to the USA somewhere in June this year, hoping to do the same thing. Still have to figure out which state to fly to though.


Cheers
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