I’m a recent college graduate who is looking to do a motorcycle trip in and around Peru with my friend.

The Plan: Go to Peru in early May, go around Lima and other cities for 1-2 weeks, then 2-3 weeks going from Peru to Ecuador and finally Colombia, so overall a month in SA.

To preface this, I was born in Peru and still hold citizenship and updated DNE. My friend was born in the US but his parents are from Colombia and he has been there plenty of times.

I was wondering what the process and price would be for us to buy and then resell bikes while in Peru.

I had a couple more specific questions:

1. We’re looking to do this as cheaply as possible, meaning we don’t care what the bike looks like as long as it runs and won’t break down.
What’s a decent cost estimate for the initial buy of the bike?
Also, how much do most people get in return after reselling it?
What about the cost of the paperwork for buying the bike?

2. How does crossing the border work? Sorry I’m not very familiar on this subject. What kind of papers/money would we need to cross the border of Peru and Ecuador/Colombia?

3. How safe do you gather would this kind of trip be?
I haven’t been back to Peru since I was 7. My family keeps saying how there’s a high risk of being mugged/assaulted unless you’re lead by a guide/local. So would it be extremely risky for just me and my friend to bike from city to city?
We’re both Latino and plainly look it. I speak natively although not with a thick Peruvian accent, and my other friend can speak/understand it but is very rusty. Would appearing and acting like the locals sort of make it more safe since we won’t appear like rich white Americans?

Thank for any and all help!

Cannot answer all your questions, MajortTom, but I bought a bike there last year and am returning again next month to tour some more!!
I bought a Ronco Demolition - Chinese made - 250cc and it took me 9000 kms round Northern Peru with no problems. My only gripe was that it comes with knobbly tyres and they are noisy on tarmac, and plenty of vibration too. The bike will go all day at 100kph, which is around 6000rpm, with redline at 10000!
The Ronco cost 4500 soles, which is around US$1500 brand new!! Paperwork was a cinch - supposedly you need a permit to sign contracts from Migraciones, but I just went to a notary, they "authenticated" my signature from my passport and that was it. 4 weeks later I had all the documentation in order and new plates on the bike! That gave me time to run it in, and get used to it. You will need to get the compulsory SOAT insurance which varies from place to place - although cover is the same and country-wide I believe that where you buy it makes a huge difference! I paid around US$200 for a year's cover. Some people say you cannot ride without the number plates and/or the tarjeta (credit card sized registration document for the bike) but I carried the bill of sale as proof of purchase and had no problems - and if you look at other new vehicles loads have a sticker saying "plates in post" attached!!
As far as safety round Peru? I, too, had heard horror stories, mainly about police wanting "prata" and finding all sorts of faults with paperwork/bike/etc. but found they were always polite and helpful. Wearing a crash helmet, gloves and a jacket (not leather, but gave me some protection) I didn't look like a rich gringo, and riding a Ronco as well did not bring attention. I had no problems at all, even riding alone, and in remote areas - went as far as Tarapoto in Amazonas. I would be careful in Lima, though (I never went near it as I was based in Trujillo in the North) but again as long as you don't obviously look like a gringo should be reasonably OK.
Can't help with any of the other questions, I'm afraid. I am hoping to tour some more this year - spending another 6 months in Peru - and may even venture South this time!
Have fun and stay safe!

My advice, double the time. The biggest expenses you are facing are air fare and purchasing motorcycles. Once you have those out of the way the costs are incremental, so stay longer and enjoy the countries you plan to visit. Traveling slow is the way to go. You will never regret spending more time on the road. I mean really, it takes two months to begin to relax and enjoy...

__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride

Hey Tom.
Don't forget to buy a SOAT(seguro) for Peru. It will be 90 sol per month and is done in 10 minutes. All you need is a copy of your passport and the registration.
Insurance companies are: La Positiva and Pacifico.
Just google the nearest office.

Greetings from Peru
Martin

That's it. What is it?

* The SOAT is a compulsory insurance established by law with a purely social purpose. Its aim is to ensure attention, immediately and unconditionally, victims of traffic accidents who suffer personal injury and death.

*(translated from SOAT Peru website) Unlike other countries where compulsory Third Party insurance just covers other things you might hit (drivers/vehicles/buildings etc) SOAT also covers you, the driver and occupants of your vehicle.

I advise to shop around for SOAT - just looked and annual cover in La Libertad (where I will be ) is 380 soles with La Positiva, but 645 soles with Pacifico!

ALL TRUE!!
Plus One on extending your stay. Figuring in costs + work, it seems counterproductive to do a one month trip after so much time/money/effort has been made to set things up.

OR ... if you have family/friends there (???) ... why not do your month trip then store the bikes in Peru' for future trips? Once bikes are legal you just show up and take off with them next time around?

Maybe do just Peru' on first trip? Then on next trip head to Ecuador and Colombia which both need at least a two month stay EACH to really see anything. Lots of ground to cover, take your time. Break up the region with several month or more trips to each country.

Thanks mate.

Tom,
Amigo, I think there is a major flaw in your plan: it will take you 4-5 weeks from the time you buy the bike and the time it's all registered (with number plates and all). Only then you can buy a SOAT and then can 'legally' ride in Peru. I would NOT recommend riding without SOAT as you will get harassed by la policia every time!

Unless you have someone in Peru that can buy the bikes for you.. but for that you need a notary letter that allows this person to buy vehicles on your behalf.

I am almost certain that if you want to take the bikes out of Peru, they MUST be registered under your name.

I bought 2 chinese bikes and rode around Peru in 2014. I didn't leave the country. Traveled for 5 weeks and only rode in the northern mountains the whole time. Can't imagine riding up to Ecuador and Colombia and not be in a super rush to get moving every day.

I'm also Peruvian but live in Canada.
Cheers,
Alberto.

Last year I bought a new bike in Trujillo, Peru - I went from the shop to a Notario and got my details authorised, then I went back to the shop and collected the bike. They gave me a bill of sale which had all the necessary information for SOAT (chassis number, etc.) and I went to a Positiva kiosk in the nearest Mall and got a temporary SOAT - they informed me that as soon as I got the tarjeta (bike id card) I would have to go to the main Positiva branch and get the SOAT changed. I got the plates in three weeks and the tarjeta in 5 and rode during that time (within Peru) legally (look at all the new mototaxis with "number plate in transit" if you don't believe me!).
The bike is registered in my name and now I have all the correct documentation - and travelled almost 9000 kms round Northern Peru last year, and am about to start again this year.

Not arguing what you did actually happened. I lived in Peru for 23 years and know a thing or two Anything goes in Peru, like mototaxis never getting their license plates, people driving without driver's licenses, and a thousand other things that while are reality, they should not be happening.

if someone else want to take those chances, then good luck. But if you get to Peru and have to wait 5 weeks to be able to legally ride your bike, then don't be surprised, that's all.

Peru has enough with Peruvians cheating the system, now we need to deal with gringos doing it?

Cheers,
Alberto.

As a tourist (aka visiting Peru with a Visitors Visa) you need -not supposedly- a document from Migraciones to sign any contracts (like buying a bike, buying insurance SOAT, getting license plates, etc).

Doing it any other way is cheating the system.

From the Peruvian government: https://www.migraciones.gob.pe/index...-y-estudiante/

Not trying to play policia here, I'm just providing the proper and legit info to fellow travelers and riders.

MajortTom,

I am like and opposite to you! I an an American that came to Peru at age 3 and have spent most of my life here! I live in Peru and can buy the bikes for you guys, prep, paper and plate them for you and all it takes is 3 hours to transfer it to your name and you can take off!

I will even buy them back from you at the end of your trip as I have a fleet of them and do Adventure Tours....

Write me at aroundtheblock07@gamail.com

Cheers! Toby

Toby is the man