Leaving bikes in the Americas?
 

Hi a very broad question...but it goes along like this... I have a NZ bike which I want to ride around south america and hopefully up to North America, then leave for 6 months then come back and pick it up again and keep going.

Anyone know if this is possible?

Thank you

George

I don't know anything specific about NZ bikes, but I do know of someone who regularly leaves his UK-registered bike with a mate for a few months between trips.

I think you're ok as long as the vehicle leaves the US within 12 months.

Recent posts suggest that 12-month period is not just 12 months in the US, but total time in US + Canada+ Mexico

You might be able to leave it in Mexico for 180 days (but no longer) or Canada for 6 months

Thanks guys, thats great help!

Leaving bikes in the Americas
 

Hi George
, I have a similar question regarding leaving a NZ registered bike in the US. We have done some riding in the states but the bike has to be back in NZ inside 12 months which begs the question how do the guys riding RTW get on. If these guys have been on the road for some years how do they get on with their own countries requirements. Any information would be greatly appreciated .

Regards Andrew

Andrew, what usually happens once the original country pulls the plug on legal registration for whatever reason, is the people continue to use the last available paperwork and hope that the customs officials and insurance providers don't look too closely at any expiry dates. For instance, not all US titles include expiry dates of registrations, but some do include the license plate number, so they just offer the title and don't offer the separate annual registration certificate and no-one is the wiser.

Of course if there is an accident, the insurer might start digging and that might be big trouble.

I understand photoshop or similar get a big workout too, but that could result in criminal charges as well so not recommended.

In the case of NZ where I presume if the bike is out for more than 12 months they wipe it off the record and then you have to import it and pay fees and duty - hmmmmm! Maybe a case of just riding it into the ground and not bothering to take it back home.

Parking in the Americas
 

Yes it's possible in any number of countries in the Americas, mines currently parked in Santiago, Chile.

Argentina - usually get TIP for 8 months and leaving isn't a problem (provided you don't ask, don't tell). Coming back you just get another 90 day personal visa when you enter.

Uruguay - TIP for 12 months.

Peru - can apply for a suspension of the TIP on personal or medical grounds. We got 8-month suspension.

Most other countries you can leave but must return within the validity period of the original TIP without any problems, or you can get a suspension of the TIP by leaving the vehicle in a bonded storage are.

Ecuador - reported by FincaSummerwind campground that you can extend the personal visa to 6 months and then get a corresponding increase in the validity of the TIP

Brazil - doesn't issue paper TIPs so the assumption was you could leave a vehicle indefinitely and then return and leave - but I'm yet to be convinced and hard examples haven't been forthcoming.

The information about Brazil is correct from recent personal experience, no tip, left the bike there for over 1 year, 2 months ago collected it and carried on.