Buying a bike in Santiago and planning route
 

Hi everyone,

Massive thank you to all of those who have already posted on here, so much priceless information that has really made me feel this trip is possible.

I just want to clarify a few things i'm still unclear on, and put a call out incase anyone is selling a bike/kit. (budget $3000USD)

If i have read the threads right - the new law change at the beginning of this year means i need a Chilean resident to also sign when getting the RUT. Does that mean if i choose to leave the bike in Colombia that that person will be liable for any charges/fines for not returning the bike to Chile? What exactly are they liable for? Could it effect their next RUT?

I was hoping to ride North to Colombia and then sell/leave the bike there rather than having to do a loop route - but will change if necessary.

I'm loosely thinking of buying it in November and riding it until June next year. I plan to sit still in one place along the route (poss Colombia at the end) to write for three months so would have 5 months for the actual road trip. It would be great to hear of any suggestions for the routes that would avoid the Route 5 type roads, i'm ok to ride them where i need, but i'm much more excited about the slower roads that allow me to take it all in, enjoy inspirational views and not have trucks right on my behind the whole way. I rode a motorbike across Cambodia in 2000 and the whole dirt track thing was heaven for me.

Does anyone know a great cheap beach spot to write for three months that would not be a massive detour off the route north? Away from the crowds and commercialism.

And what's the latest thinking of timeframes for sorting the paperwork - am i right to think i can just take the paper RUT and get on the road rather than waiting for the plastic one, as that is only needed for selling in Chile and i can either collect on my return (if within 6 months) or not need at all if i am not returning.

And if there have been any updates on border crossing issues it would be good to hear. From what i can gather from the great Latchy thread those issues have improved over the years and a purchased bike from Chile should get me across most borders (guard dependent).

Many thanks for any help
M

None of that needing a local to sign stuff is necessary in Peru. And if you buy it in Peru you won't be worried about having only 90 days when coming through Peru to stop and write.

Plus, if you get it thru me, bring it back to Peru (not NEARLY as far as heading all the way back to Chile!), I will buy it back from you!

Email me: aroundtheblock07 at gmail dot com

Toby

Hi Toby,

Thank you for the reply. If I do a loop route then that could definitely be a good option, I will email you for more details.

At the moment my preference would be for separate beginning and end as with only 5 months I think I would get to explore more countries/have more time to enjoy if not having to return in a loop.

So if anyone out there still has info on Santiago I'd really appreciate it. Or perhaps even Uruguay?? I haven't seen any mention of Uruguay anywhere as a place to buy/start, is that perhaps because of Argentinian border issues? I hear things are more difficult there but I don't know if that is just with regards to purchasing and then exiting?

Many thanks for any help