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Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 18 Sep 2008
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Wear your vest in Colombia

Motorcyclists are required to wear a bright orange or yellow vest with reflective numbers of their license plate, and to have the plate number on the back of their helmet. DO IT!

While coming from the airport in Bogota after flying the bike from Panama we were actually on the way to get vests made. They are cheap, and available from about $8. Without the vests, we were suddenly surrounded by eight police with drawn weapons, and patted down. A bit disconcerting, to say the least!

Evidently there is a history of assassins and robbers on motorcycles, which is why the identification is required. If they see people on bikes without the vest or numbers on the helmet they assume the worst. After an explanation that we were just coming from clearing the bikes from customs they were friendly enough and let us go (showing my old police identification didn´t hurt either), but it´s not something you want to take a chance on.

As the ad said ´´Don´t leave home without it¨¨ !
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  #2  
Old 19 Sep 2008
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Location: colombia-ecuador
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Indeed

I just got mine!!!
When are you coming to Medellin,I,ll tell you it,s worth the visit.Just got my apartment today,feel free to drop by.
Al theturtleshead
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  #3  
Old 20 Sep 2008
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Colombian police must be cracking down.
We rode all through Colombia last year without vests or helmet numbers...
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  #4  
Old 24 Sep 2008
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Tourist

As a tourist you don,t have to,but as I,m going to have the bike here for six months,it just stops drawing as much attention to myself,as here in Medellin the cops are quite sharp!
Al theturtleshead
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  #5  
Old 27 Sep 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by albert crutcher View Post
As a tourist you don,t have to,but as I,m going to have the bike here for six months,it just stops drawing as much attention to myself,as here in Medellin the cops are quite sharp!
Al theturtleshead
The police have definitely tightened their patrolling, since a car bomb went of here in Cali and destroyed the Justice Building some weeks ago. I too have just bought west and number for my helmet (but mostly because I just nationalized my bike and now have Colombian license plates) but like Albert, I recommend all tourists buy this west and numbers for their helmet when driving in Colombia to avoid problems, even though its not mandatory. I paid 6 dollars!
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  #6  
Old 28 Sep 2008
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Low profile

Your advice about wearing the vest make sense. Maintaining a LOW PROFILE in Colombia helps to drag less attention from everybody: authorities, thieves and other no-recommendable guys, a situation much better for a quiet an peaceable trip. Don't use shinny-diamond jewellry, Rolex and high-cost items, they will drag attention from somebody trying to make the day. Low profile again, is the best behaviour to avoid problems. If your bike is dirty, let it as it is, less shiny items. I'm Colombian and know about that. We have a saying: No dar papaya, means, DON'T GIVE THE CHANCE.

Santiago
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  #7  
Old 25 Nov 2008
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Two up in Colombia

Hi Mike, you mentioned that it is illegal to ride two up (men) in Colombia.
Does this apply for tourists too?
My wife and I are two up on a GS and plan to ride through Colombia by March next year.

Johan
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  #8  
Old 25 Nov 2008
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Originally Posted by jc View Post
Hi Mike, you mentioned that it is illegal to ride two up (men) in Colombia.
Does this apply for tourists too?
My wife and I are two up on a GS and plan to ride through Colombia by March next year.

Johan
Hey Johan

Yes, its illegal to ride two men on a bike in Colombia due to the amount of drive by shootings and car hold-ups by bike in the past. But unless your wife is a man you don't have any problems. Two girls are OK too!

See you in Colombia the nicest country in South and Central America ;-)
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