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.

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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

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

No worries, hopefully it can help someone sometime!

Good thread - this is exactly the sort of info other people (like me) are looking for!

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

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!

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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.

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Now to find third party insurance... anyone have any tips??

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

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.

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

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!

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!

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!)