Decent equipment avaiable in Santiago de Chile?
 

Hi all,

Just wondering what you guys think: is it best to buy before (in the UK) or wait until I get to Santiago? The problem is I have to transit to Dubai for a few days, then to Buenos Aires, then get the bus to Santiago, and travel a bit after that as well, hence I'm enthusiastic to keep my luggage weight/bulk down.

I'm a budget rider, just looking for cost effective and decent protection, no expensive BMW riding suits, etc. Can decent, basic mesh armoured jackets be found in Santiago, and are they relatively priced? On a side-note, is camping gas available in Santiago? I have most of my main equipment already bought from the UK, as it is quite cheap here, but I'd prefer to pick up the bulky things like Helmet, gloves, etc, in Chile when I buy the bike.

I know understand that Chile is a developed and modern country, but I've really no idea if supplies are easily/cheaply found there (got a shock in Australia as everything is so bloody expensive compared to the UK). So if any Chilean or experienced HUBB'ers could give some advice, that would be great!

rtw,

:scooter:

You can get *anything* in Santiago. But it is not cheap (IMO), you may be better buying in BA and carrying stuff.

The place to head for in Santiago is Calle Carmen/10 De Julio. If you need help sourcing a bike I know a mechanic who will be willing to help out.

You don't say when you will be in/around Santiago. I will be there (well 178km north) from 20th Jan -> 20th Feb. Shout if you need any help/info.

I was looking for a couple of things in Santiago a few weeks back. Difficult to say on prices - some things are more expensive, some cheaper. For example, a pair of Klim Dakar pants are £165 in UK, $200 in Santiago. Revit gear seemed reasonably priced.

Down town, Calle Lira is the motobike street. Further out to the east, Ave Vitacura has a lot of moto places, and a few on Ave Las Condes.

Wear your gear
 

This fall a friend was visiting my place in New Jersey, US, and wanted to buy some riding gear that she couldn't find in Brazil. We got her suited up with jacket and pants, gloves and a helmet. There was no way it was all going fit in her luggage, so she wore the jacket and carried the helmet on board. Oddly enough Brazilian customs didn't charge her for importing a new gear, luck of the draw.

If you have riding gear that works for you, then why not take it with you? What were you going to do with the (new) riding gear when its time to go home? If you can re-purpose what you've got, you'll save the cost of buying new in Chile and the time spent shopping. Unless you like that kind of activity...

PS: I never had a problem carrying a helmet onto a plane. I even used the inside to carry stuff.

I bought all my equipment here in Santiago on / around the street Lira, close to Diez de Julio. I found that there is plenty of room to negotiate a lower price. I wrote a post on the topic on my blog:
A motorbike-tour of South America: On the topic of buying a bike in Chile

For most things bikes head to a street called 'Lira' in Santiago and have a hunt around. Same area Smaack mentioned. Things like panniers (hard or soft) I'd bring with you, anything special I'd bring with you and any standard riding equipment you can get here. Check out some of the dealers as they might have sales on, picked up good value Acerbis jacket and trousers at the KTM dealer here last year.

Yep you can get camping gas here in places like Sodimac or Easy (you'll think you're back wandering around B&Q!), it's coming into the winter but they should still carry stock.

I tend to buy outside of Chile and carry in, never had any trouble at customs. They stop you, just smile a lot, speak little Spanish and act confused...

I totally messed up the lot really, bought a jacket that was (with retrospect), overpriced, bought helmet too large, and the "A-pro" pants I bought are just total rubbish, with all the fastenings breaking within the first few hours, and are about as breathable as two plastic bin liners. The helmet is great, just too big, heading back tomorrow to try and at least trade the jacket in for a new helmet, and see what they'll do about the pants. Wow I really miss the no nonsense refunds of my native country! Now I regret not bringing my own stuff but there you go, a lesson learnt the hardway!


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