First off let me say that I have already spent hours searching both the "Trip Transport" forum and the "South and Central America and Mexico" forum for information so my questions will be specific.

I am planning to ride a motorcycle around South America as from December 2010 through February 2011. I have no set Itinerary other than I want to see Chile and Argentina the most. I have never been to SA before but I have ridden extensively in Mexico and Central America (as well Europe, SEA, Russia, Australia). My only real concern is access to a motorcycle, either one that I ship down, purchase, or rent. The type of motorcycle is not much of a concern to me, I just want something that will get me from place to place (I spent a week and 500 hundred miles traveling Northern Vietnam on a 125 honda and had a blast).

From what I have read, if i want to ride through multiple countries and due it legally I either have to bring my own bike down, or buy a bike in Chile using a RUT card and then sell it when my trip is over. Is that correct?

If I ship my own bike down, are there any limitations of what countries i can go to?

If I buy a bike in Chile using an RUT, what are the limitations of where I can go?

If I rent a bike(s) is it better to go through a dealer or make arrangements with members on this site (I have 4 bikes hear in Northern California, two are dual sports and would be willing to work out something with somebody down there, for a reciprocal trade/borrow in the future)

Recent experiences would be helpful, like the guy Hubb member "Lachay", who discovered that he could not get into Peru on a Chilean bike, as Peru had just altered/or began enforcing the law.

Cheers

Matt