Hi Im planning to move to Colombia in two months and want to bring a bike.
I have a few questions on how to make this happen. Im an American and I currently live in Honduras. My plan would be to fly up to Houston the first week of June and buy the bike, break it in and head South. I have a month to get to Colombia. Im trying to understand the issues a I have-

1. If I just go up and buy a bike can I cross borders without plates and just the registration.

2. Im a California resident. Do I register the bike in California, Texas, or do i have to reregister in Colombia.

3. Im sure Ill get bombed on the import tax as Im on a work visa and dont think i can get around it, any thoughts on this.

4. Is my California motorcycle good enough or do I need something else.

5. Do i need to buy stateside insurance or just go country to country and buy at the border. Ive had a bike in Honduras for a year and have never had insurance(knock on wood). Dont need insurance here but you need 5 bucks on hand for the usual bribe.

6. What documents do I exactly need for this trip. I see great info on this site but Im having trouble pinpointing exactly what I need.

7. My work is paying for the shipment from Panama to Colombia, but what is the estimated cost by air.

I really want to do this trip, have the bike for Colombia and for SA trips at xmas and the following summer. BUT would it be easier just to fly to Colombia and buy a taxed up bike. My heart says no, as I think a CA trip would kick butt. I really want a new bike ,but this option is there.

Im thinking of a Suzuki 650DL SE. Im sitting in Costa Rica right now waiting for my plane back to Honduras. I rented one for a week and I tooled around CR. AMAZING!!! best vacation ever. I had my heart on a KLR but sitting on that bike for a week changed my mind. Costa Rica was heaven to ride around.

Thanks for any info

question #4 is supposed tobe California motorcycle license