Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
Buy a local or foreign bike in Chile? Help Buy a local or foreign bike in Chile? Help
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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 Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By NewbRider

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17 Jan 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: France
Posts: 11
Buy a local or foreign bike in Chile? Help
Hi to all riders!

After reading a lot of different sources, I have mixed feedback, I need your help…

Some info: I am French, going to Santiago in April this year with a friend and want to buy 2 bikes and tour South America for a year. (So, if you know of people selling XT600, KLR650, DR650… could also help).

Wanted at first to buy two bikes registered in Chile with correct paperwork (RUT…).
After reading a few forums, saw that some are saying that it is now illegal to cross borders on a Chilean bike for a foreigner. Others say it’s possible…

Then, other option, buying a bike from a foreigner with foreign registration (UK, AUS, German...). Some said it’s illegal to buy a foreign bike for a foreigner, others told me it’s easier for paperwork and border-crossing

What about ownership? Border-crossing? Any thoughts?
Sorry if the question has already been asked.

I’m confused, and any help would be appreciated…

Cheers!

Dylan.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Jan 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Nelson NZ
Posts: 92
Read these posts.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...santiago-45637

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...santiago-96943
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18 Jan 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: France
Posts: 11
Thanks for the links, good information provided!
Have a safe ride.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Jan 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 22
Dylan,

I had the same plan until I arrived in Santiago a week ago. I thought i would buy a used bike, and if I couldn’t find what I was looking for I would just buy new. I quickly changed my mind after running into 2 people at the hostal (one Belgian, one US) who had a lot of problems with their Chilean plated bikes.

The American had the poder/ ownership papers in his name, and he has still been denied exit at 7 border crossings (but he did get through some...not sure which, but I have heard the company Suzi Santiago has pretty up to date info on that)

The Belgian bought a new bike in Puerto Montt, filed his ownership paperwork, it was lost, he filed again, it is lost again. He cannot leave Chile and he cannot sell the bike. Even if he were to have received the paperwork its not certain he can use every border crossing and it also can take 30-some days...assuming it is not lost.

I cannot speak to buying a used bike with another country’s plates while in Chile.

Jess
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29 Jan 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: France
Posts: 11
Quote:
Originally Posted by JSey29 View Post
Dylan,

I had the same plan until I arrived in Santiago a week ago. I thought i would buy a used bike, and if I couldn’t find what I was looking for I would just buy new. I quickly changed my mind after running into 2 people at the hostal (one Belgian, one US) who had a lot of problems with their Chilean plated bikes.

The American had the poder/ ownership papers in his name, and he has still been denied exit at 7 border crossings (but he did get through some...not sure which, but I have heard the company Suzi Santiago has pretty up to date info on that)

The Belgian bought a new bike in Puerto Montt, filed his ownership paperwork, it was lost, he filed again, it is lost again. He cannot leave Chile and he cannot sell the bike. Even if he were to have received the paperwork its not certain he can use every border crossing and it also can take 30-some days...assuming it is not lost.

I cannot speak to buying a used bike with another country’s plates while in Chile.

Jess
Hi Jess,

Thanks for the info.

Indeed, after doing quite a bit of research, it seems it is easier for a foreigner to buy a used foreign bike in terms of crossing borders and legal ownership of the bike.
Looks like regulation is tougher now in Chile, impossible to cross to Peru, difficult to Bolivia, possible to Argentina for a foreigner on a Chilean bike.
I also suppose it helps to speak good Spanish, which we don't.

Timing is also a key thing here, we don't want to spend several weeks/months in Santiago just to get paperwork in order, the more we ride the happier.

So plan is to buy a used bike from a foreigner. Also, I suppose they are well maintained as well as adventure-ready.

What's your plan now? Did you find any foreign bike?

Dylan.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 30 Jan 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Nelson NZ
Posts: 92
Did you read this thread?
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...feb-ride-96990

It does seem that the easiest way is to buy a foreign bike. To be legal the foreign bike has to be currently registered in its home country. A lot are not and probably no one will check unless you get in an accident etc
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Feb 2019
charapashanperu's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Huanuco, Peru, SA
Posts: 671
See other post: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...buy-sell-97380
__________________
http://www.aroundtheblockmotoadventures.com/
'We build the bike (in Peru) for your Epic Ride of South America.'
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20 Feb 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: France
Posts: 11
Legal to cross borders with a poder?
Thanks a lot for the info.

As I understand, as a foreigner you have two choices:
-Buy a local bike (In my case, Chilean one): You can legally own the bike, but administrative work can be a pain. Also, it is tricky to cross borders (Specially to Peru).
-Buy a bike from a foreigner: Less administrative hassle, easier to cross borders.

So, our choice now is to buy a bike from a foreigner in Santiago when we arrive (26th of April, if you see something coming up...)
I saw that you can legally transfer ownership of the bike when it is registered in the USA for example. You can also use a poder...

My question is, how reliable is the fact of buying a foreign bike and using a poder to cross borders? I mean if you can manage to ride without the hassle of transferring ownership that would be great.
Wondering how it works for insurance in case of accidents and also in the situation of selling the bikes after the trip.

Cheers!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20 Feb 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 139
This used to be the right place to ask this question but at the moment there's conflicting.... Truths.

Many many people simply buy and ride on a poder, and even sell on a second PODER. It's legit, I've done it, so do hundreds of others every year. It's a legalised document stating that you have full authority over the vehicle.

If you buy a Peruvian bike in Perú at the moment you need a poder to leave the country with your supposedly 100% legal bike in your name anyway...

Many are having troubles leaving Chile with a Chilean bike in their name at the moment aswel.

Transferring a North American bike into your name is very easy, even without going there! For help contact Alex Smith at Overland Title Services (Google him). I highly recommend him and have used him in the past.

I have not found any evidence to the contrary that using a Poder is even frowned upon (and I would welcome some evidence, if it exists). At borders I was welcomed, all formalities were easy. I never once had a problem with police in any country, even if it was a different country to my poder.

I met several bikers with bikes on poders, some on multiple poders (one was on poder number 4). Again no problems.
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
Question about buying a bike in Chile with foreign plates. Gringoon2Wheels The HUBB PUB 0 7 Jul 2016 15:36
Registering a foreign bike in Zona Franca Chile andrewmillen South America 0 2 Feb 2016 01:46
A Gringo in Colombia Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 13 20 Apr 2012 03:15

 
 

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
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

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 06:29.

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