Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree3Likes
  • 2 Post By xfiltrate
  • 1 Post By Peter Bodtke

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Sep 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Basel
Posts: 2
Buy a motorbike in which country?

Hi everybody

I am writing the first time here and planning a 5 months trip on a Kawasaki KLR650 (if possible) through Chile, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Bolivia. Start time will be the middle of December 2017.

I read a lot of posts but still not sure where to start. For me does not matter in which city i should start. Important is how smooth and quick I can buy and register a motorbike (and cross borders without any issues).

Thanks in advance.

Cheers
Ingo
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Sep 2017
charapashanperu's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Huanuco, Peru, SA
Posts: 671
Peru is the best place to get your KLR. PM me.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 Sep 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Neiva Colombia
Posts: 235
for sale 2014 g650 gs

i have 9000 kms full motorrad luggage
26 million pesos Co
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Oct 2017
HUBB Advertiser
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 957
Buying/Selling in South America

Buy, tour and sell in each country you visit, make sure the bike you buy is legally registered in the country, use a "gestor" (one who transfers titles as a business) , buy insurance - carry your soft luggage/gear with you.

Buy low and do some fix up and sell high. When you are ready to leave South America, sell the last bike you have purchased and walk with much more money than it cost you to buy your first bike.

I know several over landers who toured South America and the bikes did not cost them one cent!

Here is a Sportster I (registered in Argentina) that I bought and sold for a $4,000.00 USD profit - after fix up costs!

This is not an endorsement of Harley Davidsons... I could not wait to rid myself of the loudest, most useless, unreliable - most uncomfortable bike I have ever ridden. One saving grace...it sure attracts young and attractive Argentine women -

The only thing it was good for, - and some of the attention attracted was worth the all the pain in the a.....- Just circle the Obelisk (downtown Buenos Aires) a couple times on a Harley and get ready - those viagra tours have nothing on a Harley.


Eat, Drink and Buy Low and Sell High

xfiltrate
Attached Thumbnails
Buy a motorbike in which country?-dsc00372.jpg  

__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Oct 2017
Peter Bodtke's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maplewood NJ USA
Posts: 588
think in a circle

If you are thinking of making a loop, starting in one place and finishing where you started, it makes selling a bike on the backend easier.

think in a circle...



The thing is, it can be hard to sell a bike that is not registered in the same country. I'm not saying it can't be done, it's just that there is less paperwork and nobody has to pay the importation taxes to nationalise a bike.

So, start in one country that has easy purchase and paperwork steps, buy a bike, get it in your name and double check that the paperwork is buttoned up, head to as many borders as you wish. If the bike is in your name, you'll have no problems crossing borders and less difficulties selling it when you return to the country where you started.

I bought a 250cc chinese bike from charapashanperu and it has served me well. He had a custom frame made for it that has worked very well. I brought the Pelican cases / panniers with me, but you could have a frame made for soft luggage just as easy. Hoping to get down before the year is over to ride the Andes. Think small. You'll rarely need the speed or power of a 650, 800, and up. The chinese bikes are so incredibly affordable and easily to maintain (all the locals ride them, so parts and mechanics are everywhere.)

__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Oct 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Neiva Colombia
Posts: 235
Buy low sell high

Fnn A xfitrate
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Oct 2017
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Quote:
Originally Posted by xfiltrate View Post
Buy, tour and sell in each country you visit, make sure the bike you buy is legally registered in the country, use a "gestor" (one who transfers titles as a business) , buy insurance - carry your soft luggage/gear with you.
Not going to work out for anyone on any sort of schedule of any kind. Buying ...
and especially selling ... takes TIME. How much you got? So, if your on the road a year and visit 8 countries you'll be spending a HELL OF A LOT of time screwing around ... and what are your odds the one or two are lemons and you get stuck with them?

By far the better idea is to do the loop that Peter did above. Buy and Sell in same country and avoid the hassles. You may even work out a buy back deal with a dealer or with Toby in Peru'.

Most travelers don't have that much time so need to get a bike quickly and get going on their tour.

Buying and selling a different bike every month or so for a year .... is Fookin'
madness! (selling bikes is hard work! if you want to come out OK on the deal ... I know, I've sold about 50)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Oct 2017
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Quote:
Originally Posted by tohellnback View Post
i have 9000 kms full motorrad luggage
26 million pesos Co
Should be easy for you to sell as a native Colombian. You know language and govt. system. I'm sure your family can help you out?

Getting 25 mil pesos ($8300 usd) may be possible. But way over budget for 90% of average Colombians. You are lucky to come from such a well off family. I'm sure you've got connections.

Didn't you JUST GET THIS BIKE? ... like just a few months back?

What happened? I'm sure there is a story here ....
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 8 Oct 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Neiva Colombia
Posts: 235
Family nooo!

Molly Perro i consider this a insult I am Canadian
family money no i am just a god dam good worker that represents a Canadian company in Colombia and i ensure that my company makes millions of dollars every time we do a contract I run the maintenance department for a airborne geophysical survey outfit
I make Canadian wages here
1 month wages bought me my 650
In 2014 Canada signed a a free trade agreement with the Colombian government to ensure easier negotiations in business and we also donated 35 million to help the trade agreement
guess what the monetary fund to help Colombia is showing up in my bank account
we Canadians have a smooth way of doing Business What goes around comes around with out totally destroying a place with arms of mass destruction , this is a hint of presidents with no brains in your Country and being a civilized country
you people in the states are ****ed up! Haeil Hitler NRA thinkers Kill people
Rich Parents GGF get off your ass and make a difference i do it every day spending money in Colombia

Last edited by tohellnback; 8 Oct 2017 at 05:19. Reason: typing
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 8 Oct 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Neiva Colombia
Posts: 235
Colombian ANDES

oh bye way molly dog we pay Colombian pilots the same wages as Canadian pilots that being said
the Colombian aircrews can afford nice bikes too, good things happen to good people
my 2 pesos
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 8 Oct 2017
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Quote:
Originally Posted by tohellnback View Post
Molly Perro i consider this a insult I am Canadian
family money no i am just a god dam good worker that represents a Canadian company in Colombia and i ensure that my company makes millions of dollars every time we do a contract I run the maintenance department for a airborne geophysical survey outfit
I make Canadian wages here
1 month wages bought me my 650
In 2014 Canada signed a a free trade agreement with the Colombian government to ensure easier negotiations in business and we also donated 35 million to help the trade agreement
guess what the monetary fund to help Colombia is showing up in my bank account
we Canadians have a smooth way of doing Business What goes around comes around with out totally destroying a place with arms of mass destruction , this is a hint of presidents with no brains in your Country and being a civilized country
you people in the states are ****ed up! Haeil Hitler NRA thinkers Kill people
Rich Parents GGF get off your ass and make a difference i do it every day spending money in Colombia
You were born in Canada?

(BTW, most Americans (and most EURO UK folk too) here on HUBB are not behind our Clown in the Whitehouse and not all support NRA ... I sure as Hell don't.

In fact, few yeas back I called ATF on a guy who was stock piling illegal AK 47's. They got him. He pissed me off as every new years he fired them off right near our house. He did jail time and they took all his guns ... **** the NRA!

Govt. probably sold them off to anti FLN groups in Colombia. Did you know USA has 5 military bases in Colombia? (how many have you landed at?)
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 9 Oct 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Neiva Colombia
Posts: 235
Us military base in colombia

No MD Civies are prohibited to land in airforce bases but there are big battalions in every department in this Colombia 32 departments and many soldiers every where
it depends on the Zone , i live in a red zone where the FARC started, Department HUILA and i have seen many N registered aircraft come and go, the passengers are always dressed in civilian attire but they are officials representing US state Departments and war departments, they keep a low profile they travel to civilian airports to talk with the generals of the Battalions
I always greet the aircrews and passengers with cheers and joy like all airmen do
and joke with them about about Narcos and the shit this place has seen in the past they all get a good laughs wonder what the hell are Canadian aircraft doing here i say surveillance of the ground and whats in it
America has spent countless billions of dollars to supply Colombia with the best technology in the world to try and stop the pipeline of coke to Americas
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10 Oct 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Basel
Posts: 2
Alright, thank you for the comments @xfiltrate, @Peter Podtke and @mollydog.

So I think I will follow your suggestion and try to do a circle. Starting in Santiago/Chile head down to Punta Arenas on the Carretera Austral then up to Buenos Aires and back to Santiago.

What do you think about my planned trip and how long will it takes down to Punta Arenas if i travel very slow?

Cheers
Ingo
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
buy bike


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
Buy and register new motorbike in Bolivia Rabhauke South America 26 17 Apr 2023 15:42
Best place to buy a motorbike to travel around India/Nepal/Burma/Bangladesh/Bhutan? leighd West and South Asia 3 13 Feb 2018 08:48
Can you buy a swag in Germany for a motorbike? kujo4pm Camping Equipment and all Clothing 12 18 Nov 2012 22:57
Is this bike worth the price? Walace Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 5 26 Apr 2012 18:06
Looking for some help in getting started TotalTomination South America 20 30 Oct 2009 18:02

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

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!

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 14:57.