ARGENTINA OR CHILE - which country should I buy bike to travel all around SA?
 

Hi all,

There is a lot of posts on this topics and I have studied most of them but as I found laws are changing fast and honestly I am still not sure about current situation. So I would really appreciate any help or information.

Basically I will arrive to SA on the end of October. I still haven't bought flight ticket because first I want to know where I can buy bike. So I am considering ARGENTINA or CHILE. Because I would like to go to very south(Ushuaia) and then travel up North. The thing is that I would like to visit many countries and I plan that my trip will be at least 10-12 months. So the most important questions are:

1. Which country is better to buy motorcycle, Argentina or Chile? Or none of them?

2. Having Argentinean or Chilean motorcycle, would I be able to cross borders to Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia?

3. Is it possible to buy in Argentina or Chile and then sell in for example in Columbia or Ecuador?


I have read some posts that it is completely impossible to cross out of Chile on any bike being foreigner but it seems very strange. Could you please give any advice what to do? I have dream about travelling all around SA on motorcycle and I will do it, even if I need to buy and sell bike in every country I am going to visit. But it seems a bit crazy like for European standards.

Thank You in advance!!

South America by motorcycle
 

Hola naklik,

welcome to the HUBB.

As I like your statement, I will try to answer your questions. But as you could see on the multitude of threads about buying a bike in South America, there are a lot of ways to do it ... but also a few things you have to consider.

Please read the other threads again about buying in Chile and Argentina and ask more specific questions if you have any after reading my answers (that I try to keep short and simple for you).

1. Chile/Argentina for buying a bike.

If you buy a bike in Argentina (on local plates) and you register it in your name on your tourist visa, you can not leave Argentina with the bike for the first year. If you buy a bike in Chile (on local plates) and you register it on your name, I have been told that at some borders you can not leave Chile with it and if you can, you have a time limit to return to Chile with the bike.

I live in Bolivia and I have met a lot of foreigners riding bikes with Chilean plates, but very few with Argentinean plates.

2. Crossing international borders.

No problem to cross other borders in South America with your bike (registered in Chile or Argentina on your name), if you manage to leave Chile/Argentina with it.

3. Selling outside the country you have bought the bike.

Yes, it is possible. But maybe not legal (depends on where and how you do it) and you will not get a lot of money for it if you sell it to a local.

Riding South America. Most expensive way (and maybe easiest way) is to bring your bike from home to Chile and take it with you again back home after you are done. Cheapest ways are 1. to buy of a traveler and sell to a traveler or 2. buy a new Chinese bike and sell it again in the country you bought it in or what you can get elsewhere.

Here is a short advise for you:

1. Never overstay your temporary import permit for the bike.
2. Never ride at night.
3. Learn as much Spanish as you can.

Suerte
mika :scooter:

I think it's a good question. It used to be that most folks agreed that if you were flying in and buying a bike to tour around S.A., Santiago was the place to go. From some of the newer postings that I've read here, that seems to perhaps not be true anymore.

Hola Mika!

Thank You very much for all your answers! It helps me a lot:)

Well, I already learned that Argentina is probably much worse idea than Chile. While Chile is still not really fully satisfying solution.


Do you have any info how long are this time limits? Is there a chance to leave Chile without any limit like that? Is there anyone who has updated info about this law?



I have HD Roadster in Poland so not really good one for SA :D and I don't really feel this solution is best for me.




Exactly brclarke - I have the same impression after reading latest posts that's why I trying to figure out how it looks like now.


Cheers!

P.S.

Just to inform other guys looking for the same information. I already figured out that Chile is way better than Argentina and with a little help of locals you can quite smoothly buy and register bike. Only thing is that it seems very unpredictable which border will let you out of the country, but if you have a lot of time(like me) you can just try your luck :)

Hey Naklik, have you considered Peru? Seems there are a few posts about buying in Peru with the possibility of people helping out before you arrive.

We will be arriving in Santiago late Oct and heading south on our KTM's, maybe we will cross paths at some point. :)

Hopefully we are making the right choice by bringing our own bikes.

Please check your PM inbox Dazz:)

Chile
 

Sorry mate, dont know. Just read other threads here and I am sure you will find this info.

Yeah, better you get a bike down here. Enjoy your time and if you come thru Samaipata just give me a shout.

:mchappy:
mika

If you can, buy a US bike from a traveler who has completed his trip. This will save you lots of money, lots of headache.You help out a fellow traveler and usually have a bike that is well sorted, but may need a good service.

Check here and on the HU facebook page for the bikes being sold and grab one.

Check out this new thread:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...colombia-95891