Im a uk resident and Im planing a trip starting in california where I will buy a motorbike and travel south through central and south america. I plan to sell the bike in south america and from my resurch it seems the only countries to sell legaly are peru or paraguay (please correct me if Im wrong).
My question is once I have the title in my name and the california registration document am I responsible for notifying the california DMV that the bike has been eported and sold (I dont wont a big fine if I ever return to california).
Also as I plan to buy the bike and then imidiatly head south into mexico do I have to get bike insurance for the usa or can I obtain all nesicary bike documentation without it?
Do I get mexican bike insurance at the boarder?
thanks for your time.
david

Selling in S. America.
Others here know more on this subject. It can be a bit tricky to sell
and not always strickly legal but can usually be done somehow. Every
country a bit different. Continue your research.

Once you buy a bike in California it will take about a month to receive
the new original title in your name. You will need a local address. In the meantime you get a temporary title which I believe is OK in Mexico but not sure beyond there. To sell and cross other border having the new permanent
title is desireable. You could have it forwarded to you from California once
DMV send it out.

The DMV need not be notified of export or sale. Not an issue.

You have 30 days to buy insurance from the day you register the bike.
But there is no enforcement of this unless you have an accident or get
pulled. Being English you could just say you've just bought the bike.

I would SKIP insurance for the USA. Risk? Yes, there is a risk but being a
foriegner you should be fine. Just be careful till you get to Mexico.
Most US policies are minimum Six months and expensive for foriegners.

Mexican insurance can be bought at the border, but its cheaper online.
They can mail you the policy. Several good companies on line that are US
based. A good thing.

Good luck,
Patrick

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Thanks for the info patrick! you have cleared up a couple of points for me. Ill be sure to have a shifty at thoes internet insurance sites, I dont supose you can remember the names of any of them?

Ive not booked my flight yet so is there any perticular place in california thats best to buy used motorcycles, san francisco, Los angeles, etc or will I find an abundance throughout the state?

Any kind soul out there willing to let me use there california address to send title papers?

david

David, you might want to try these guys. http://www.mexpro.com/
I have used them 3 times now and never had any problems, of course I have not had to file a claim either.

They are US based and will give you as many free instant online quotes as you need.

Have fun.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/mcy/

any craigslist site will have bikes for sale, this happens to be the san francisco bay area link. any sizeable city in california will have a bunch of bikes for sale. as for an address these ups stores (link below) will provide you with a postal box that uses a real street address instead of a PO box #123 type of address that will not work for your registration papers. it's easy to have your mail fowarded to wherever you happen to be, even mexico.

http://www.theupsstore.com/products/maiandpos.html

Invaluable information haggeo, thank you!
This web site is fantastic.

dave.

Dave,

I belong to a Chinese bike forum that has members from around the world. There is one member who goes by the name 'Perata' who lives in Peru. I am sure he could help you out if you happen to visit there. Go to and join www.chinariders.net He has a recent thread under the dual sport section. http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...iewtopic&t=419

Simon

So thats bike insurance for mexico sorted ! How about the rest of central america, do I get insurance at each boarder or arrange prior to arival from the internet. Do I need a different policy for each country or is possible to get one that covers them all (including mexico)?
thanks for your help
david.

it could take days to get insured in some central american countries and god forbid you have to make a claim. i would guess travel insurance from some international insurer like http://www.aigtravel.com/ i've never used this company it's just the first thing that popped up. i can tell you that you will probably never be asked for insurance at a traffic stop or border crossing.

Hi People, the last time I came into Guatamala, 2 years ago, you had to buy insurance as part of the border crossing procedure and it was US$11 andlasted for thirty days, however with this new 1 entry stamp fits all or whatever for Central America things may have changed. I have just this day purchased insurance in Buenas Aires (ATM) for my moto, 35 pesos a month, and they say that the Mercusor blanket cover bike insurance is only available to residents and nationals of the countries concerned. So bite the bullet and pay the piper amigos, its got to be better than a latino slammer. Ride safe.

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Mike
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Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky

You'll be hard pressed to sell the bike in Peru...trust me, I've been here for two years.

Customs duties here are high, something like 40%, the paperwork/burocracy would be a nightmare. It'll be tough to find a buyer and take ages to get it all sorted out.

Selling it & doing a runner might not be wise as the borders are a lot more organised. I was surprised to find that Immigration in Arequipa that had a computer record of every border I'd been across & that information included my bike details....even the little borders in the middle of nowhere.

I'm told its easier in Paraguay (as are most things!), so that'll be your best bet.

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Missing, presumed fed.
https://youtube.com/@ChileBob