Dear all,

I am a recent college graduate taking a year to travel. I am starting Aug 30th in Lima, Peru, going to spend time in the mountains near Ollantaytambo, and ultimately plan to travel to Argentina where I will play rugby and woof. After research I found a good deal on a bike in Peru (~$1700 for a 250cc Sumo TORQUE nearly new with saddlebags included). This company would also take care of the paperwork before I got there to streamline the process.

I was very excited about the deal, until I realized the difficulty I would encounter in selling the bike in Argentina or Chile. Once I travel south I do not plan to go back north.

After doing more research I think it may make sense to travel via bus and plane in Peru and then fly to Santiago and purchase a bike in Chile where I can ride over the Andes. I thought this plan made sense until I was informed today that Chilean bikes and Argentine bikes are unable to cross borders. I am confused because there seems to be many posts describing the border crossing over the Andes.

Any advice and info about this situation would be extremely helpful!

TLDR; 1. Should I buy a bike in Peru or Chile? 2. If buying a bike in Chile, would I be able to travel to other countries, or would there be problems? 3. If I buy a 250 cc in Peru, will I be able to sell it in another country?

Thank you!

Duncan

Hi Duncan,

Congratulations on completing your studies.

The easiest plan is to buy a bike in county A, ride around, visit other countries and go back to country A, then sell the bike.

Whatever country you pick, a it's the same drill, find a bike and getting through the paperwork and buy insurance, in Spanish. There are lots of details in the forum on how to navigate the system in Chile. Some breeze through, others struggle.

It sounds like you are in touch with Toby. I have ridden with him and trust him 100%. He'll take good care of you, set-up the bike (new or used) and get you squared away with paperwork in ~10 days. Research this forum and you'll find names of people that will do the same in Chile. YMMV. I'm buying a bike from Toby this fall and will store the bike with him in between trips. I have a multi year plan...

A few things I have read in this forum over the years or heard from riders that I have met:

• its hard or impossible to buy a bike in Argentina and ride it out of the country (at least for a set amount of time after purchase, perhaps one year?)
• you can always buy a bike in one country and sell it in another country, but there will be important duties owed by the purchaser when registering the bike in the new country
• for some reason you need special paper work when buying a bike in Peru, then entering Bolivia from Peru

There are stories of people selling a bike bought in country A to someone in country B, and the new owner is never going to register the bike. The bike will live out its years within the property lines of a farm...

There are stories of people people selling there bike to another traveler. The paperwork gets confusing, I have no advice on details, but it is done.

Its not uncommon for riders from North America to travel to southern South America and want to unload their bike. These are usually exotic/luxury bikes by South American standards and easier to sell. A $1,700 Sumo could be considered a 'disposable' bike when compared to a $20,000+ BMW 1200GSA. I think you will have a grand time on the Sumo! But chances are you aren't going to too terribly much for it when you sell it.

There are many ways to plan and then there is the reality that rules are sometimes flexible in South America. You'll see. In the end, I recommend a round trip starting in Peru. Know that there is a LOT to see in Peru! You could easily spend your year off riding Peru, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, then back to Peru...and have an amazing trip!

PS: Assuming you are a US or Canadian citizen (and a few other countries) you'll have to pay a 'reciprocal' fee to enter Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil (visa must be secured BEFORE getting to the border) and Chile(?) Amounts vary, but expect to pay around $130 (USD.)

__________________
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

I think Peter gave you some good advice.
The only additional comment I can add is to search this site for advice on each individual country. The general consensus seems to be that Santiago, Chile is the best city in South America for a foreigner to get a motorcycle, especially if you want to take it out of the country you purchased it in.

__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

Hey Duncan,

Congrats on your graduation and how exciting about your year of travel! We may have the perfect solution for you! We are a travel company located on the coast of Ecuador and we have two bikes for sale. Both bikes were purchased in Chile and are under Chilean papers. The first is a 400cc HONDA Falcon NX4 year 2000 in great condition and the second is a TAKASAKI XY400Y-2 year 2014. We're asking for $2,500 for each. They were originally purchased in Chile and rode all the way up to Ecuador with no problems at any borders. We would also help map out your trip if you would like discuss the best routes. Let me know if you are interested! You can email us at MontanitoursEcuador@gmail.com if you have any further questions.

pm.

The information in this thread is somewhat relevant to my situation and thanks for putting it out there.
Does anyone have an idea where is the cheapest (or best for one reason or other) to buy a motorcycle, I am thinking of tax free zones, off the beaten track locations.....

Peter in the thread mentioned the best place to buy a bike for foreigners is Santiago, Chile. Anyone agrees? Why?
Thanks for the help
Gyorgy

Gyorgy,

I am the "Toby" in Peru that Peter is talking about. PM me.

In case anyone is interested I heard a sad story today of a rider who got married here and had his ride through life cut short by cancer. His wife still has the bike and wants to get rid of it, apparently customs told her she can sell it to a foreigner but would have to import it to sell to a local. It's a KLR living on a farm, I got her contact and offered to pass on the information, if anyone is interested let me know and I'll send the number. No idea what she wants for it, apparently there is a sick kid in the picture and she just wants to turn it into cash.

__________________
Lost on the way to the End of the World - Adventures of a vagabond photographer and his tRusty steed

If you buy a foreign - I.e. Non South American Bike - you will most likely have no problemo crossmotor the borders.

I am selling my Bike in Equador or Lima beginning of September (Kawasaki KLR 650). The price is significantly higher than the price you mention, but you will most likely have much less depreciation during your trip as it’s a popular travel bike. Add is in this forum.