Buying a bike in Santiago - 600cc +
 

Hi Everyone,

My husband and I are planning a 6 month trip around SA in 2016.

We were wondering how likely it would be to find a bike to buy in Santiago? We would really like 600cc or more and most of the info available seems to be from people buying smaller - 250cc - bikes.

With 2 up (one BIG guy) we would really like the space/room and power of a bigger bike. We currently have a BMW R1100GS which is great size wise - but a bit old to be taking to SA for 6 months!

Are there many bigger bikes available at Santiago dealers? Used would be preferable due to money constraints!

Any help would be much appreciated! We haven't done a big trip on a bike before (only a few weeks in Asia) and it all seems a bit overwhelming - but exciting too!

Thanks

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

you will find a 650cc bike without a problem in Santiago.

For example a 2012 KLR 650 for CLP 3.700.000
Chileautos: Kawasaki klr650 klr 650 2012 $ 3.700.000
just to give you an idea.

Groschi

PS: I don't know the seller,
I just had a look online and thats what I found.

Hi Sarah and welcome.

You don't say where you are, but I would imagine for a 6 month trip the cost of air freighting your own bike there and home is competitive. I did the same for a 4 month trip from London and it ended up being around £2,500 for the return trip for the bike. It's a lot compared to buying a 250cc bike, but the benefit is you're taking a machine that you know and you have a chance to equip it just the way you like, and you don't have the hassle of selling your bike on at the end of the trip.

The other point is that on the road time and money are interchangeable. Yes, you might "save" money by buying a bike, but the process for doing so in Chile will take time and you will need to pay hotel, food etc. during it. You should figure that in the cost when making the decision.

I personally shipped with James Cargo from the UK and used Dakar Motos in Buenos Aires to help extract the bike from customs - it's definitely not the cheapest way, but it was the least hassle which is what I was solving for. Swings and roundabouts for different people.....

Good luck with your trip.

Take a look at my ad for two Husqvarna TR650's - the perfect bikes for you both.
Can arrange to meet somewhere mutually convenient.

Please see my post, 2009 KLR 650 For Sale. Currently in Puerto Natales, heading North after riding to Ushuaia.
Loaded upgrades, great shape. Mutually convenient meeting locale suggested.
Email if interested: bob@maraupeninsula.com

Thanks.

Try the guys at Ride Chile (in Santiago) Ride-Chile.com | Home , we just rented off them for 1 month and they mentioned they are happy to a "sell and buy back" deal. You buy the bike off them, ride it, return it and they buy it back (at a discount for use).

All their bikes are well serviced and maintained.

Just an idea, we are going to consider it for a future trip.