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Buying a bike in Santiago, Chile, by a non-Spanish speaker
Hey folks,
As a non (well, minimal, almost none) Spanish speaker about to attempt to buy a motorbike in Santiago I thought it might be beneficial to others to write about my step-by-step path to this goal in a series of posts. I figure if I can do it then anybody should be able to! ;) Big thanks to lachy for this thread - http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...santiago-45637 - which is the main guide I'm using for buying the bike, backed up by this post: http://www.ojurik.com/2011/05/guide-...or-foreigners/ My thread will not be so comprehensive, but will give specific details of my actual experience doing it with no Spanish to speak of. Hope it's helpful! Cheers. __________________ Small business website design | BA Expat Hub | Naked Chronicles |
Step 1: Getting a RUT
So, following Lachy's advice, I went down to the local Servicio de Impuestos Internos for my RUT, taking my passport and the address of my hostel. When first entering, there is an information desk. Go here, and ask for a RUT form. The guy who gave it to me went through and placed an "x" next to all the fields I had to fill out, which was very helpful. Indeed without this I may have filled in far more than the form than required. I'll try to upload a scan/photo of my form showing the x's, but in the meantime this was the info I was required to fill out, grouped as they're grouped on the form: - name (paternal, first names) - passport number, nationality, date of birth - local Santiago address (my hostel's address was fine) - signature at bottom of form That was it. You will see a whole lot of other fields, but half the form you do not fill out. Once the form is filled out, you then need to get a service ticket number from one of the touch screen machines near the entrance. This is the same kind of system you might see anywhere in the world. - The first screen has two options. Can't recall them, but select the bottom (second) option. - Next screen, select the "RUT" option. - Next screen, enter in "1" and then "9". - Press accept or issue, take your ticket, and sit down and wait for your number to appear on the overhead number screen. When you number's called, go to the relevant service desk number and hand them your form, along with your passport. And so long as your form is filled out correctly, after around 5-10 minutes, they will hand you a piece of white paper which is your temporary RUT, plus a copy of the form you filled in. At some stage during this stage they will also ask if you want your RUT card (issues in 2 months) to be posted to you, or picked up from that same office. And that's it! I just got back with my temporary RUT in hand, so tomorrow I will start looking for motorbikes. And I will add my next post once that stage has been completed. :) |
Thank you so much for posting this useful information. I look forward to following your progress.
Best luck! John Downs |
No worries, hopefully it can help someone sometime! ;)
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Good thread - this is exactly the sort of info other people (like me) are looking for!
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Step 2: Buying the bike
Well, in the end this was the easy part. Decided to go to Pro Circuit on Vitacura Avenue, which was mentioned in this post. I had checked out a couple of other sellers and the model I went for (the Honda CGL125) was the same price everywhere, with similar discounts for cash. I ended up getting the bike (retail 699,000 pesos) for cash for 650,000 pesos, including a free helmet worth 50,000 pesos. And I checked around for helmets, it was worth 50,000 pesos, and a decent helmet. Other places offered the 50,000 discount for cash, but that was all. Oh, but worth mentioning: The son at Pro Circuit only offered the 50,000, the father also offered the helmet. So don't be afraid to haggle a little. ;) And the bonus from buying from these guys: 1) They spoke English 2) They offer an additional service for 10,000 pesos (around US$20) to do all the paperwork and registration as described in the above mentioned blog post for me. So basically in a day or so I will have everything done for me, and just have to wait for the "Padron" or "permanent certificate of inscription" (people refer to it in different ways) - which the Pro Circuit were happy enough to put down their address to be delivered to, they will email me when it arrives. Otherwise I just go into any Registro Civil office in any Chilean city after a few weeks and ask fro a copy. The compulsory government costs (registration, compulsory third party ...etc) add up to around 110,000 pesos. Pro Circuit are charging nothing apart from the 10,000 pesos for their time. And since I have work to do next couple of days (zavadesign.com) it's worth my time to pay them for that service! ---- In addition to the bike itself, I had gone to an area known as "Lira" - which is actually Lira Street, near downtown - where there is a strip of bike and accessory stores. A friend who did similar 6 months ago told me to get some soft side bags for carrying tools, oil, spare spokes, couple of spare spark plugs, puncture repair gel, chain oil, maybe even a small petrol can. Much easier to throw this stuff into soft side bags than your backpack obviously. Plus probably room for some food and so forth when bush camping. I found some decent bags for 22,000 pesos on Lira, the rest of the stuff you can see what you like (bag straps ...etc). Oh, security: Lots of cheap Chinese chains/locks on Lira, but I wasn't feeling very confident of trusting the security of my bike to something that cost $20. So in a store across from Pro Circuit I found Xena locks, including one that came with a custom high quality chain. I paid 50,000 (US$100) all up, but believe that's worth it for security in some places I'll be. But personal choice on security for your bike. ;) ---- Now to find third party insurance... anyone have any tips?? |
Found the insurance I need: Seguro de RCI
Did a sample online calculation, works out to around US$130 for 6 months coverage in the southern South American coverage. Am dropping into the office today (just up the road from where I bought the bike), would expect to walk out with the insurance. Will update. |
So... so far about a week into it, and it sounds like you are close.
Good news! |
Insurance done and done, took all of 10 minutes.
1. Go to office of Magallanes (Alonso de Córdova 5151, Oficina 1801, Santiago). 2. You're after "Seguro Internacional". Say it to a couple of people at reception, they'll point you to the right person. 3. Tell her how long you want it for, make sure it covers all the country options (Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, Chile). 4. Get the quote. 6 months was US$130. 5. Pay by cash or credit card. 6. Walk out with insurance for your trip! I'm still waiting for my final registration paperwork to be done (Honda slow on sending the "certificado de homologación") but was still able to get the insurance, and I'm driving legally for a week with the purchase receipt before I "must" have that final paperwork. |
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Nice one Deeve, so what's the plan? Where are you heading? A CG125 is a grand bike for travel, they're light, economical and can be fixed anywhere. So long as you're not carrying too much weight she'll do you fine on the whole continent.
Dunc (waiting on bike repairs as usual). |
Thanks so much for sharing such a useful info. Y enhorabuena! (and congrats).
I remembered a post about Mexican Registration... If you want extra peace of mind, you may legalize photocopies of all the documents before a notary in Chile, so you could keep on travelling (more easily) in case you loose the bike papers. Ask for a "Fotocopia Compulsada" or "Fotocopia Legalizada". Bring original and photocopies of all documents (passport, RUT, whatever) and the originals, the notary will stamp and sign them to confirm they were made from the originals. May be of help. Enjoy the trip! Esteban |
And a final quick note: On the same street as the Honda dealer I bought from are Suzuki and Yamaha dealers too, if you want to compare bikes/deals ...etc. I only found this out after purchasing. Oh well. ;)
And heading north for the warm weather now, will be back to Chile in the summer, after circling the continent! :) |
Just found mine, Honda NXR Bros paid one million though but i think i'll be happy with the little bit better suspension the 25cc more and the chuncky tyers. Now just going to go make a rack and one side panier for a jerrycan and I hope to be out on thuersday.
Thuersday that is becausse I have to go back to the notaria then for the final papers. Oh and that is one note I would like to make to the excelent list made by Lachy that was my bible in this whole procces. If your notaria is an offical one from the gouverment (there are a few, not many) you don't have to go separatly to the registro civil to finalize the Contato de Compra-Venta. Not that is makes a big differnce but it saved me one more que I had to wait in. |
hey thanks a lot for this post!
just one question left - how long did it take until you could ride the bike out and through the country with all your documents see you around! |
About 3 weeks for the final paperwork allowing you to exit the country. So spend 3 weeks touring around Chile and you're set.
And you can have that posted somewhere, or can even pick it up from the relevant government office in - say - the far north before leaving Chile ...etc. |
Thanks for posting, good information :thumbup1:
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Do I need to get an extra insurance to leave Chile? Ive been hearing different storrys depending on who is telling it. Im still in chile now but will be crossing into Bolivia in about a week. Somebody was telling soething about a fake one they made or something. If someone can help me with this. it would be greatly appriciated. i have to take a day out anyway to go get my print of the padron so I could do it all in one go.
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Read the first page of this thread.
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Did it didnt get any wiser :) im just not sure wether they will check if you have an international insurance or not. If not ill just leave it. The blogg mentioned says that it was never checked, ive heard people say it was. Just checking what the expirience of people was.
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:nono: |
Actually, proper insurance WILL help you in many of those supposed "third world" countries. As someone who's lived in a few, just because things aren't as "shiny shiny" as back home, or go quite as fast or efficiently perhaps, when it boils down to basic laws - of which motor insurance is one - for a serious accident it will cover major costs, and it may keep you out of jail.
I know why you/some write "nudge nudge, wink wink, it'll be fine", I've travelled extensively and have often pushed the legal boundaries, but it is a little dangerous to advise others on a public forum to engage in illegal activities. |
So in short for me, yes they check it and yes you need one. Just hope it wount be over a 150euro. Check it tomorow, and its just a 150cc bike so fingers crossed
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Wow this thread is great - makes it sound easy. Thanks a million you've made my day!
Just two things deeve007: Are you a UK citizen? Did you need a visa to enter Chile? I heard some problems regarding people without VISAS being unable to obtain RUT. I checked the website you bought the bike from and they are selling the Honda for 799.000 - could this just be a website price or something? Anyone confirm you can still get these Honda's for 650.000? Thanks and safe riding :) |
Am UK and Aus citizen, and just had the normal tourist visa stamp in my passport when getting RUT.
And bike price, you're probably looking at different model. Plus the price as ALWAYS negotiable in South America. ;) |
Is that just what you get stamped in your PP when you arrive by air/land? Same thing right? I was just a bit concerned because I heard a couple of people got rejected for the RUT because they didn't have a 'VISA' - maybe they just got a confused clerk?
PS - where you at now? how's the bike going? are you happy with your choice? |
Yep, just the standard on arrival visa stamp.
And I actually ended up selling the bike after 3,000km through Santiago. Nothing to do with the bike, just a personal change in plans ...etc. Spending more time "living" in various places in South America (I work online) rather than on the road. Am in Cusco now for 3 or 4 months. But the bike was great, and am missing it and likely to buy a similar one in the future sometime, though maybe a little bigger perhaps, now I have some more riding experience. |
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Cheers |
Third party.
Don't have an accident. |
2014 update.
Just writing an update regarding the fantastic guides provided here on HU.
We, along with two other groups, have bought bikes in Chile copying the instructions provided in the various posts on HU. Also, there was a guide here (The ´how to´ guide | Argentina 2 Alaska) we also found useful, along with the various guides listed. A few notes regarding crossing (so far we've only crossed into Argentina): Did not check Seguro (insurance) at Bariloche. We got into Argentina without our official 'Perdon' (temporary one was fine). We also didn't have our temporary RUT paperwork, and were still allowed through. I stupidly assumed it wasn't needed as it was a requirement to buy the bike. Cost - $0. Happy to field any other questions, and will update post as required. In all, Chile was a simple place to buy a bike, and leave the country. bier Rob. http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/z...psbcd43b8d.jpg |
Motorbike licence
Hello, I was just wondering if anyone could tell me how strict the authorities are on asking for/checking motorbike licences?
I am a UK citizen, where I have been riding a 125cc for a while under my car driving licence, but do not have a motorbike licence. Do you think I would be able to get away driving around Chile/Argentina/Bolivia with my car licence (that actually says 'Category A' on it, which means car in UK but bikes in SA I think), or are they quite strict on it? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks |
myself and 2 other friends just purchased, registered and insured 3 bikes in Santiago. Never once did we show a license, we only showed passports during the process. I dont think it is an issue, although it would depend on who you dealt with at each stage of the process.
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Thank you
mate thanks for that. im busy loading my notepadup with useful spanish phrases to use when going to get the RUT.. the little steps are what ive been looking for! Claire
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The bike
Hey just outta curiousity, how you getting on wiht the125 ? i was gonna go for an xr250 for the dirt/ flexibilty but they are pretty crappy on the highway (and expensive at 5.500AUDfor a new one).. the CG is cheap as!
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Clare,
Don't write off the XR250 yet - it's a solid performer and extremely tough off-road. It's not the best on big roads but I did stretches of the R5 with it and lots of highway in Argentina, it pulls fine at sea level but I'd recommend a windscreen! You'll be pushing that 125 up in Bolivia and the CGL, whilst a great little bike, it's not going to cut it for proper off-road stuff. It was pricey but overall I've been really happy with it and the only issue I've had with it was an eroded relay from the salt from salar Uyuni. Just keep the airfilter spotless and rejet over 3k and she'll go anywhere! |
uncertainties
RTW
aye i think all up the XR would be better however im concerned about having so much money wrapped up in something that could be stolen pretty easily, then where would i be? still weighing up hey - the xl200 is n option weighing in at 3600AUD, thats 2000 AUD cheaper than the XR250..... i kinda wanna buy one new so ive got the dealer warranty/ general back up OR buy from another travellor who i can actually converse with (in english!) :innocent::innocent: Quote:
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The XL200 is the farmer bike right? I thought it was called the AG200 or something or maybe that's the Yamaha version. That looks like it could be a good option, plus it already comes with luggage rack and bark busters. It's much lower too - the Suzuki DR200 would be a good option - have you considered that?
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Yes mate its a consideration. Il check one out this week now I have my RUT.. do you have any thoughts on it??
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Deeve... a big thank you in order for the step by step idiots guide. RUT obtained super easy. It took 25m. Id prepped for a long day but I got there just as the doors oped mid week and lucky for me there was a specific RUT desk and the fella spoke better english than I did!
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