Hi

We are novices to this game & have just arrived from the UK to start on a journey across Mexico, central america & further by bike. We have put a deposit a used 650 vstrom from a Houston dealer (thx for recommendations on the HUBB

Before picking up the bike we have an option to register the bike, and so pay the sales tax and wait 3 weeks for the registration documents, thus delaying our start date and costing us valuable cash!

Alternatively, we could not register, save the sales tax and only have the title documents to prove ownership - this would mean no registration and a paper plate.

We're confused over the paperwork we need, even after reading the threads.

We'll be riding in Texas for a few days to get to Mexico, then crossing the Mexico & subsequent central & souther american borders.

Can we travel on paper plates ? In the US ? In Latin America ?
Do we need the registration documents for riding in Texas, even though we will be riding directly out of the country to Mexico ?
Do we need the registration docs to get into Mexico, or would proof of ownership suffice? ? into any other latin american countries ?
If we need to ship/fly the bike (eg around the Darien gap or to any other latin country), will a lack of registration docs cause problems or stop us doing this ?

Is there a definitive position, or can anyone offer advice ? any of you experienced HUBBers encountered this ?
(in the UK it seems much simpler with one document !)

Any swift response would be most appreciated and earn a ! as Houston, we might have a problem !

thanks
Scouse & Sara

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when it twists & turns, I make the best I can - Lao Tsu