Hi all,

I have read as much as I could find on this topic but no one seems to have addressed my specific question.

I want to purchase a small <250cc motorcycle in Colombia then use it to ride between multiple South American Countries over the course of 3-6 months.

As I understand as a foreigner you can legally buy and sell a bike in the same country - no problem.
I will be traveling with my Colombian girlfriend, is there any advantage to having the bike titled to her rather than me? I'm guessing maybe tax advantage in Colombia but not a customs advantages in between countries.

I can't find good info but I assume you can ride a bike you own in between countries no problem - sounds like there may be paperwork attached to your import document so you can't leave the country without the bike you came in with; without explanation I assume. If it is stolen I imagine they will eventually let you out.

1) So here comes my first question, lets say I'm in Argentina and need to fly home for a few weeks or even a month or two. Could I put the bike in storage and fly home? Then return later to retrieve it?

2) What if I get to Argentinia and decide I don't want to ride back up to Colombia what are my options for selling, and being allowed to fly out of the country permenatly? I assume that is a bit different than leaving with the intention of returning for my property (bike) that remains in the country in question #1

3) Some friends of mine are considering joining for parts of the trip. Let's say one joined in Ecuador bought a bike and rode to Bolivia. Then another friend flew to Bolivia and the original friend flew home. Can one tourist transfer ownership of the bike to another tourist in a different country than where the bike was purchased? Does it matter can the new tourist take over the "in-country" paperwork while the original tourist remains the legal owner of the bike? When the last friend uses the bike then we result in the same - need to sell it in a country not where it was originally sold, now possibly by a new owner - But is this at all possible? Or would friends need to keep their travel time to one country and buy/sell within than country.

4) Alternatively to selling I assume as a last resort you could always ship the bike home from say Argentina even though you purchased it in Colombia, Yes?

Thanks for any input from someone who has experience with this. Be great to have some of these logistics figured out before landing on the ground and there seems to be a lot of different opinions and experiences.

gregrr ,

Thank you for your literate and crystal clear questions. While I am answering, please review the following threads.

Not just my posts, but posts of others.
I might take the rest of the day to provide you with answers, but I will. I am a foreign permanent resident of Argentina currently snow bound at my ranch in Flagstaff, AZ. Having a Colombian mate will facilitate much for you.

start here:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...a-buenos-47117

and go here:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-ushuaia-90113

back soon, xfiltrate

My pleasure. xfiltrate

xfiltrate is right and has answered all your questions. I can help it be a reality. PM me.

Excellent post, xfiltrate. I'm always pleasantly surprised by how much work some folks here will go to just to help others have a great ride!

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250