Stuck in a rut in Santiago!

[eddiep]

Hey people,

I have to say im not really after any advice just felt i needed to vent my frustration and maybe get a bit of a pick me up from fellow bikers.

Flew to santiago and with the help of some Santiago Hubb members i brought a suzuki 125 to tour south america on. Got all my gear and was just waiting on the papers. Then their was an issue as when suzuki said we sort all your papers and insurance for you they didnt understand that for a foreigner my RUT needed to be legalised by a notaria. SO one week wasted and finally i got it legalised.

Unfortunately they now inform me that the Wonderful registro de civil have gone on strike over pay dispute. this means that until they come back to work i can not go anywhere. Im also being delayed on some frames.

Im finding Latin America to be more laid back than asia - and i never thought i would ever say that. Just feel like no one understands my urgency to leave and that i had NO intention of staying one whole month in santiago. Its a month i have lost off my trip

Its getting to the point where i feel like givin up...

[IronArse]

Feel your pain man, I got stuck in Seattle for 5 weeks when the bike shop gave me the wrong bank account number. The bike was sitting there waiting for me and I couldn't touch it, although the money was long gone from my account. Fact of the matter is though that it happens, and it seems things never go according to plan. But when you finally do get on the road it will be all the sweeter now that you've waited for it, trust me. If that's any consolation. Hope all's good man!

[hoeky]

Were in the same boat mate…
I'm visiting friends in Curitiba Brasil and my plan was to hit South America after two weeks. At first i pushed my motorbike plans aside as I thought it was going to be nicer and easier to travel by bus. Regretting my decision after the first week, or actually after I had seen the first motorbike that drove by!! (not so smart, as now all my handy bike stuff is in Holland)

I decided to buy a bike in Brasil. According to all the available information, this was possible on a tourist visa. At first i needed a only a cpf, then a cpf and a prove of address. And when I finally got all of that sorted out (1.5 weeks). The guy at the transport office decided that it would be impossible for my visa to buy a motorbike. Grrrrr…….The reason; they tightened the regulations in the province since the beginning of this year, to stop tax evasion from the nearby provinces.
So now I’m trying to put the bike in my friend’s name. Witch is probably going to get me in trouble on all the borders. But they already assured me, I could get a document to cross the border in to Argentina.

So, almost four weeks and counting now.
Tomorrow I’m paying for the bike and the procedure to change the ownership may start (three days when quick, 10 working days when not so Quick)
I’m starting the Getting very very restless, I’m focusing on the fact that at the end it hopefully will work out and I will ride the Suzuki Yes 125 around at least part of South America…
Good to read that I’m not going to be the only one on a Suzuki 125!!!
It’s a hassle now, but I know it’s going to be worth it in the end.
The best things never come easy!!!
Good luck, hope to see you on the road…

[ChadNZ]

I just bought a bike in Lima but went to Cusco, went hiking and did the whole Macchu Picchu thing for 2 weeks while we waited for the dealer to email when all the paperwork was ready. I can't handle cities for long, especially when all you hear is horns.. Getting out for a bit is good if you can

[eddiep]

Thanks for the encouragement and whilst its good to know that its not just me it sucks that there are a few others out there in this same possition.

Id love to have been riding around the north for two weeks but the problem is that the legal doc issued by suzuki is only valid for 5 days and being caught by the fuzz can get you in real trouble. One local told me that his friends bike got impounded for it!! Yikes.

But ALAS i have great news. The Registro De Civil has seen the light, they have heard my prayers and decided to call off the strike. They restart work on monday and suzuki assure me that i will have my plates, papers and insurance all sorted.

Keep your ears out and if you hear a squeeling engine approaching it could be me on my 125! ha ha.

Good luck to you all with your issues and i hope you can get on the road soon.
Eddie