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Round South America. Starting Colombia. Hundreds of Questions Round South America. Starting Colombia. Hundreds of Questions
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 29 Apr 2016
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Round South America. Starting Colombia. Hundreds of Questions
I've just got back from riding down the west coast of Africa and I've decided that now its time to start planning the next trip.

My sister lives in Bogota in Colombia so I'm keen to start there. However this is my first problem/question!

I'm hoping to buy a Honda CGL 125. I've looked online at Motos en Mercado Libre Colombia and they seem much more expensive than the bikes in Chile (http://www.procircuit.cl/)

Where would be the best place to buy one of these bikes? Will I have complications crossing borders as a foreigner on a Colombian or Chilean bike? Whilst I'm keen to start in Bogota if it doesn't make sense I can start anywhere else. I understand that Carnets are not needed in South America.

Also on a completely different topic how do the prices compare to West Africa? Daily food, average campsite cost and cheap hotel cost?
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Old 30 Apr 2016
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No Carnet required in the whole of the Americas.

Been a few reports lately of people having problems getting over the border with local bikes from one country because the country only issues a little credt-card-sized registration paper with just the vehicle details on it and no reference to who the owner is. Aduana elsewhere (and there is only one or two countries that have objected) say that is no proof of ownership, and are refusing entry.

There is a sticky thread here about getting ownership of a Chilean bike - but only tposts within the last 6 months will be relevant. The process to do it legally and leave with all the right papers is not quick though, although you can start riding around Chile before all the papers are processed. Fines apply if you are out of Chile for more than 6 months but you can get an extension via email. Difficult to sell the bike outside of Chile too

I see if I can find the posts.
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Old 30 Apr 2016
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Originally Posted by jimmyha View Post
I've just got back from riding down the west coast of Africa and I've decided that now its time to start planning the next trip.

My sister lives in Bogota in Colombia so I'm keen to start there. However this is my first problem/question!

I'm hoping to buy a Honda CGL 125. I've looked online at Motos en Mercado Libre Colombia and they seem much more expensive than the bikes in Chile (http://www.procircuit.cl/)

Where would be the best place to buy one of these bikes? Will I have complications crossing borders as a foreigner on a Colombian or Chilean bike? Whilst I'm keen to start in Bogota if it doesn't make sense I can start anywhere else. I understand that Carnets are not needed in South America.

Also on a completely different topic how do the prices compare to West Africa? Daily food, average campsite cost and cheap hotel cost?
If your Sister lives there you may have an "IN". Is she a citizen? Or married to a citizen? If yes, they may be able to help you.

They buy the bike (you pay of course), put their name on title but add your name on title as co-owner. (commonly done in most states/countries) So now you have a bike and a legal Colombian title in your name which will allow travel to any country.

And later, you can leave the bike there with her or sell it ... all perfectly legal.

I'm surprised you found bikes cheaper in Chile than Colombia. Wider variety of used bike for sale in Colombia from what I've seen and Colombia generally less expensive than Chile as well.

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Old 30 Apr 2016
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If you do put the registration in multiple peoples names, make sure the co owners write a letter of permission stating that they give you permission to leave Colombia with the bike and that they sign and date it.


A Japanese guy we met on our trip had a Honda 150 on Chilean plates and he was having major issues bringing his bike into the country, I believe his bike was registered for a specific zone and he could not ride outside it - so maybe a Colombian registered bike would be easier to cross borders on.


Price wise South America is mostly more expensive than West Africa, but Bolivia is the cheapest country (we travelled through). Accommodation and fuel prices are higher in Chile than the other countries with some camp sites costing nearly as much as a room, but don't let this put you off, we had a great time in Chile, its a very diverse country with a lot of geographical variation from North to South and very friendly people.


Have a great trip
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Old 3 May 2016
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Round South America. Starting Colombia. Hundreds of Questions
I bought new in Chile and had zero problems with boarders. Just ensure your name is on the title of the bike and it's not some sort of power of attorney document as this doesn't go down well with Aduana officials. Remember if you don't sell where you bought it you won't be able to sell it for a reasonable price. Chilean authorities issue 6 month permits for domestic played vehicles which you are supposed to abide by. I officially 'abandoned' my bike (bought in chile) in Colombia. It was the saddest day of my life maybe accepting when my dog died. Still I have a neat paper trail now and hopefully enough to appease the Chilean Aduana should I wish to return one day with another vehicle. If you can plan to sell where you bought it this is a far better plan but it's workable if you don't. Lastly bikes aren't too expensive in Colombia. The price of a XR 150 was pretty comparable to Chile or Mexico (the two other counties where I have lived). If you look for the user RageAgainstTheFence on ADVrider that's me and as part of my recent trip report I concluded with a fairly in-depth brakedown of my costs. Maybe that would help you.
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