Thinking of riding from South America up to Alaska later this year (Oct-Nov)then across to my relatives in Ottawa, Canada. (Have a year to do this). Leave bike in Ottawa for 6-9 months whilst return to UK to earn more dosh. Ship bike to somewhere in Asia (or buy another bike in Asia) and ride back to UK.
Have 3 options - have stated what may be pro's and cons as I see it.

1) Own a very low mileage (5000mile) 2003 Suzuki XF650 which would be up to job. UK registered. Would need to air freight/sea freight out to BA. Pro's. Bike I know. Less hassle bike being out of UK? Cons: Cost of freighting to BA. Suzuki not common in SA. Leaving in Canada for 6-9 months?
2) Buy new bike/low mileage bike in Chile. Probably Honda TornadoXR250/ Falcon400. Pros. New low mileage bike for same price as XF650 + shipping. Honda support in SA Cons: Buying bike? Taking bike permanantly out of Chile. Leaving in Canada for 6-9months. ?If wanted to use it elsewhere in world later and return to UK?
3) Buy used Canadian/US registered bike in SA i.e. KLR650 or smilar. Pros. Easier to sell in USA/Canada if need be? Possible transfer title to relative in Canada? Cons: Legality of buying/transfering bike in SA? Bike probably have high mileage -less reliability. ?If wanted to use it elsewhere in world later and return to UK?

Would be grateful for advice on what maybe best option/course of action.

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I don't have to travel fast but I do need to travel cheap

Someone please correct me if im wrong but you can't enter into Canada with the Latin Hondas as far as I know due to emissions. You are also not supposed take vehicles outside of Chile permantly though obviously no one would come after you but you might have problems returning to Chile and conducting further business under the name you used to register the bike. Not sure how that would play out getting Carnets in Eurasia later on. Why not start in USA and buy a new KLR, and sell it after. Buying bikes new in Chile is expensive. A new Falcon costs nearly four grand sterling on the road, great bike for touring Latin America though.

Thanks for the suggestions, to clarify:
Will not go through any country in Asia requiring Carnet. Simply refuse to pay for one-it's a rip off scheme that should be got rid off in this day and age. Very unlikely I would return to Chile, this a once in a lifetime ride.

Also starting in USA would be almost doubling the length of the journey, with associated increase in costs and probably wrong time of year to start there as well- would prefer to start in south and ride north slowly seeing the sites.

Hmm thought I might of heard something similar re: the Hondas and Canada -am I correct in thinking this only applies to newer motorcycles? i.e. my old Suzuki would be OK, or an older Honda would be OK?

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I don't have to travel fast but I do need to travel cheap

As far as I know they would have to be older than 25 years, or whatever is considered vintage under Canadian law. Your Suzuki would likely be fine as EU and Canadian regulations are probably similar. Not certain in that but never heard of people having problems. I think buying Tornado or Falcon only makes sense if you keep it local, as maybe they would also fail EU emission tests and not sure how trying to import a technically illegally owned motorcycle into EU/UK would play out, given you would be in violation of the temporary exit permit by that point (Chile). I think given your plan, I would buy a US registered bike, or a Canadian one, and seek advice on the ins and outs of transferring titles in north America, ie is it possible without original owner, remember each US state will likely have it's own laws, so worth researching. Doing it this way will likely give you far less problems later on.

If you're set on doing RTW (well, almost), I would start with the bike and work backwards rather than the shipping cost. The latter will be a small part of the overall budget while the former will play a big role in your trip.

Buying in Chile can be done but it's a pain in the ass and what you will save in upfront shipping £ you will spend in hotels and food waiting to sort out the paperwork.

I personally would not want to prep a RTW bike abroad - especially in Chile, prices are high for everything and choice while not limited is definitely less than the UK.

Good luck with your trip!

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http://sginsa.wordpress.com

Did you reach a decision Paul?

Hope it works out!

Rtw

Any update Paul?

I've been thinking along the same lines as option 2.
I've read up on the latest information about buying (new) in Chile and it seems relatively straight forward with a bit of local assistance. I was looking at the DR200 or Falcon 400. But then I'd want to ride to an old friend in Vancouver and had thought I could sell the bike there.

You could go for option 3 & have the bike shipped to Chile to start your south-north trip but my guess is that it would be cheaper to ship your own bike from the UK directly to SA.

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

3 years ago I bought a Honda Falcon from Santiago in the main Honda dealer.
was a second hand one, cost about £3000 and I sold it back in Chile after a 3 months trip around a few countries. I sold it cheap but had only 12 hours to make the sell so I lost £1500. but still good deal.
I am returning in SA in Nov 2014 and would love to fly my Transalp there this time. Not sure if it is interesting financialy. so expensive no?

My friend in Chile tells me the Gov is making it a little harder for foreigners to get the RUT (necessary piece of paper to buy a bike) these days.
The other option is to get a local to "buy" the bike and "lend it" to you.
Only works if you know someone there.

I like your option #3. So many good bikes pop up here on HUBB. Just be clear how to transfer TVIP to your name. It can be done. Also, seller needs to transfer title to you or ADD you to title (but that can happen later)

You will most likely have to do a "no man's land" transfer. Search it.

Easy and legal to sell bike off once back in Canada or USA once title is in your name or your name is on title as co-owner.

Shipping your Suzuki from UK to BA will run $1200 to $1500 usd ... perhaps more. Also a PITA to get it out of customs $$$.

Get a TRUE and complete condition report on the bike from seller, bring required spares with you on flight. (chain, sprockets, misc. parts and whatever else it needs that is hard or expensive to get there ... like a quality aftermarket seat if needed)

You would for sure sell it off once in USA or Canada.

Buy (or rent) another bike for Asia. Cheap and possible everywhere. Big bikes make ZERO sense there. (I've made several trips ...all rented bikes)
Suppose you could ride it to UK ... but I don't think you would be able to legally sell it anywhere in EU or UK. Not sure how long you could get away riding it on road in UK but pretty sure you can pass through most any country along the way as long as you have clear title. (log book)