Selling the bike dilemma - BA or Paraguay, and how??

[Ruthrad]

Ok, this is all very confusing, I think I read anything the search turns out on this subject both here and on the HUBB, and it's still confusing.

I'm trying to sell a great XR650L in Buenos.. but from what I read it's very difficult, people either don't succeed, or get bad prices etc etc. From what I gather so far I see three options:

1. sell to tourist/foreign passport by POA (local notary) and get new aduana papers by exiting and re-entering. Problem - finding tourist. Solutions?: HUBB,ADV ads? what else?

2.selling to a local for cash - empirically impossible, as no one wants a great bike with no legal papers. I find this VERY strange, there are XR's from 1994 going for 7000$ USD on local boards and no one would buy a 2008 one and solve the problem later? (as locals always can, in many ways, and doubt it would cost more than 100$US). So problem: finding a willing and able local. Solution: local sim-card and local sites? mercadolibre?? Problem number 2 : would I have problems flying out??

3. riding to Paraguay (Asuncion) and sell it there to local shops? Problem: how long would it take once there? is it worth it pricewise? good idea?

4. sell for parts, little money, lot's of heart-ache for the loyal and noble companion.

PLEASE, people who faced this situation and resolved it somehow - share your experience. I have two and half more weeks here and do not want to sell it for parts.

[GastonUSAChile]

I am impressed on how the rate of bikers trying to sell the bikes in L.America has triplicated in the last couple of years. Many think that is practical and easy way toy sell it. Well unless you are doing arrangements way before your trip ends, fine but, while you are there and pressured to sell before you come back is even worst.
Selling in Argentina is not easy today. Bikes must be new and if a local is willing to buy, it would be under the table. (unlawful deal) , exposing you to be banned for life for not closing your Temporary admission.
Selling the bike to a tourist is ok but then USCustoms will notice it at the time of reentry and penalties and duties willl be imposed .

Chile is impossible unless the bike is sold at 'duty free areas' . Bikes should be new for import. Also, Chileans don't have the money to afford big bucks and a complicated negotation, unless you lower a lot the sellling price. Yuo should also close your Temporary admission as the law mandate.

Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay are the only one still allowing used bikes but, then again is the selling price what interest buyers. Forget $7000 for your bike, nobody is going to spent that sum unless is a high end bike over 1000 cc.

I 've just offered a BMW 1200 for $8k bucks in Bolivia and no one was excited. So figure out.

If you have 2 weeks time frame, unless you sell the bike for $3k, probably it would work. Don't waste your time traveling all the way up to Paraguay or Bolivia looking for a buyer, then it will be be even more expensive shipping and flying you out of those countries.

As a final comment , don't play the Cassidi and Sundance way to get rid of things. Assume your export and live with it.
Every time a tourist sell a bike under the table and go away, it is one negative point on that particular country for all other foreign riders, why? because these countries start getting tougher on the law about temporary admission and imports; eventually they could ask even for a bond in the future, and no one want that.

I have seen how lately , some riders wants to sell in Punta Arenas (Free duty in Chile). it is becoming the paradise for many in Patagonia. Nobody knows how the deal is managed but, I think, somehow over the time the law would change and everybody will be affected.

[Acampao]

Originally Posted by GastonUSAChile

I have seen how lately , some riders wants to sell in Punta Arenas (Free duty in Chile). it is becoming the paradise for many in Patagonia. Nobody knows how the deal is managed but, I think, somehow over the time the law would change and everybody will be affected.

Completely legal selling a used bike in Punta Arenas, and not much paperwork involved providing all papers are in order. Have in mind though that it's a relatively small town (150k) and there is not a huge market for used bikes. About a month ago a fellow Advrider sold his 1150GS with 75k miles in some USD7,500.00.-

[snohobo]

Originally Posted by Acampao

Completely legal selling a used bike in Punta Arenas, and not much paperwork involved providing all papers are in order. Have in mind though that it's a relatively small town (150k) and there is not a huge market for used bikes. About a month ago a fellow Advrider sold his 1150GS with 75k miles in some USD7,500.00.-

Heading there in a few days to see if I can drum up some interest for my KTM 690.

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by GastonUSAChile

Selling the bike to a tourist is ok but then USCustoms will notice it at the time of reentry and penalties and duties willl be imposed.

Good comments! But this one bit above is incorrect.
US Immigrations/Customs at land borders don't care about the vehicle your riding or it's origin or any thing like that. Ride through.

They DO run the plate in the computer ... but only to see if the bike is stolen or owner wanted. If bike has been reported stolen ... then you have a problem. The fact the owner listed does not match you is not a problem for them ... long as YOU are not wanted and as long as the BIKE is not stolen. ALL OK.

So, no problem at all to ride in on your bike that is NOT in your name and is showing foreign license plates. ALL OK.

HOWEVER ... meeting local law enforcement down the road may be more interesting. As a tourist (NON US National) you should be OK. As long as YOU have a visa for yourself ... your vehicle is of little importance to the cops.

BUT ...
If you are a US citizen ... you may get a ticket and be required to register the bike ... and that could be a problem.

Problem is ... you can never register it in most US states. Some states it is still possible but unlikely. This is due to EPA and DOT regulations that are there to protect home markets and official importers. That said, I know several friends who've ridden Euro plated bikes for YEARS in the USA as tourists! (using foreign ID) Local cops don't check Visa's (yet).

[Acampao]

Originally Posted by Adv Grifter

Good comments! But this one bit above is incorrect.

Problem is ... you can never register it in most US states. Some states it is still possible but unlikely. This is due to EPA and DOT regulations that are there to protect home markets and official importers. That said, I know several friends who've ridden Euro plated bikes for YEARS in the USA as tourists! (using foreign ID) Local cops don't check Visa's (yet).

Double check. While in Texas on a non-immigrant visa, I imported a used Harley from Chile and registered it without any problem. Thing is it was a US made bike, but still had a metric speedometer and stuff.

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by Acampao

Double check. While in Texas on a non-immigrant visa, I imported a used Harley from Chile and registered it without any problem. Thing is it was a US made bike, but still had a metric speedometer and stuff.

Well ... there you go! Since it originated in the USA ... it's A OK to register it in any US state. The VIN number (I guess) is not flagged in that situation.

My main point is all the NON us riders who think the guy at the border is going to hassle them about their foreign bike. Border/Homeland security don't deal with vehicles. They deal with people. If your visa is OK then you are in. How you deal with the bike later is another matter.

They WILL note the license number on their computer when you pass through and they will scan your passport. So you are in the data base. But bike registration legalities are left to the states to sort out.

[Ruthrad]

Well, everyone is trying to sell because its a popular trip and because everybody says that "it's not a problem to sell it there" when you prepare for your trip. Of course the reality gets more and more complicated with time. So I guess the right advice would be "It's complicated, and should be arranged ahead of time". But it's all too late for me now.

Also, there is no option of exporting it for me, because my country also accepts only new bikes :)

Thanks for the input, and could you please elaborate on what might be the implication of flying out without solving the customs issue? Banning, seriously? What did you hear about Paraguay, wouldn't it be simpler there? (it looks like a 3 days ride..)

[JDowns]

Hi Ruthrad,

If you scroll down towards the bottom of the page on this ride report link you will see how one person dealt with your dilemma recently:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...es-no-56396-17

The reason nobody talks about how they got rid of their foreign bike in Argentina is because it is illegal. Just like nobody talks about where they stash drugs and money on their bike. Google is not your friend for this kind of information. And no, I don't stash drugs on my bike. I'm not saying where the money is.

I sympathize with your frustration, but rest assured that you will figure things out and it will all work out one way or another. You sound like a bright adventurous sort who is capable of thinking outside the box. Whether you get a police report declaring your bike totalled to get your TVIP cancelled and sell the bike privately to an Argentinian. Or sell it to a foreign traveller with a little help from photoshop. Or ride to Paraguay and sell it cheap. Selling to a foreign tourist will net you the most money. It has to be worth their while so forget about getting top dollar. Believe me, these things all work out in the end. In the mean time I suggest worrying about it obsessively. Just kidding.

Best luck!

Kindest regards,
John Downs

[Apocalipsis FZR]

Originally Posted by JDowns

Hi Ruthrad,

. Whether you get a police report declaring your bike totalled to get your TVIP cancelled and sell the bike privately to an Argentinian. Or sell it to a foreign traveller with a little help from photoshop.
Best luck!

Kindest regards,
John Downs

Those are actually the 2 options that you have.
The fisrt one I already done it, twice. But consider that the bike will end up as spares, no way I can ride it legally.
So the selling price is low, or in the best option, far away from what you expect.

The second one I've helped with the contact (the tourist can be from another South American Country).

The only foreigner bikes we can actually ride legally are the one built BEFORE 1989, and its very hard to legalize them....

Sorry...

[gpothoven]

Cant a bike be sold between borders? Couldnt you board the ferry to Uruguay exporting the bike from argentina with the buyer, and have the buyer enter Uruguay as the owner, with your registration and sales contract?

[Ruthrad]

OK, thanks. After all this advice, the situation seems somewhat clearer.

[Airhead Wrangler]

You could try leaving it with Dakar motos in BA. I think they sell foreign bikes on consignment. I remember when I was there they had a number of foreign bikes for sale.

[Misery Goat]

Originally Posted by Airhead Wrangler

You could try leaving it with Dakar motos in BA. I think they sell foreign bikes on consignment. I remember when I was there they had a number of foreign bikes for sale.

No. I can tell you with 100% certainty that Javier and Sandra are not selling bikes on consignment. In fact, storing bikes has become a hassle for them b/c many folks don't return to collect their bikes which leaves them with a bike they can do fuck all with.


And fwiw, I shipped my KTM 950 back to the states from BA to PHX for less than my own plane ticket cost.

[markharf]

Dakar Motos has indicated many times in strong terms that they do not and have not been involved in any way in selling bikes, which would be illegal. They do not want people posting to this effect here or elsewhere.

Mark