Taking a dirt bike to Mexico...

Amauri

Explorer
Well I am currently in Mexico and decided I want to stay for a while. I left my dirt bike back home and would like to bring it down here. I'd probably have it shipped over here. Are there any issues doing so as far as any extra paperwork? I assume I just need my registration and I'd be set??? I'm not sure how long I'll be staying, would I have to register it here?? I have a dual citizenship if take makes any difference.
 
Last edited:

goodtimes

Expedition Poseur
I'm not sure if the dual citizenship thing will change this, but . . .

If you ride the bike into the hassle free zone (Sonora & baja) - no importation is required. But, if you are towing (including hitch carriers), you have to import each 'vehicle' (one permit listing each VIN). I've never done it, but I have heard that if you ship a vehicle down, you will have to do the temp. vehicle import on it (so that last bit is 2nd hand info - take it as such).

If you're going outside of the hassle free zone (Sonora & Baja), you need the temp import permit regardless.
 

Amauri

Explorer
Yeah I am in the state of Jalisco right now. I think the best thing to do will probably be to contact a shipping company and see what they have to say about it.
 

Rallyroo

Expedition Leader
My buddy and I went to Baja back in Feb. He took his motorcycle on a hitch mount on his truck and all he needed was to show registration papers.

As for shipping your bike, I'm guessing that it will add extra steps and paperwork.
 

goodtimes

Expedition Poseur
My buddy and I went to Baja back in Feb. He took his motorcycle on a hitch mount on his truck and all he needed was to show registration papers.

As for shipping your bike, I'm guessing that it will add extra steps and paperwork.

Really?

They turned me around at immigration and made me go back and do the temp importation for the truck and both bikes (again, one permit covered all three). I was told (by immigration) that the import wasn't needed if the bikes are ridden it (and stay in the hassle free zone) - but any vehicle that does not come in under it's own power (including trailer, boat, jet-ski, motorcycle, quad, side-by-side, etc) has to have the temp permit covering both the tow vehicle, and every towed vehicle.
 

dcabcody

New member
My buddy and I went to Baja back in Feb. He took his motorcycle on a hitch mount on his truck and all he needed was to show registration papers.

As for shipping your bike, I'm guessing that it will add extra steps and paperwork.

Same here. No issue with the bike on my hitch hauler going into baja.. But were talking Baja vs. mainland. I agree the shipper should be able to fill you in on the details.
 

goodtimes

Expedition Poseur
Same here. No issue with the bike on my hitch hauler going into baja.. But were talking Baja vs. mainland. I agree the shipper should be able to fill you in on the details.

Where are you guys crossing the border?

I usually cross at Nogalas & drive down to pick up the ferry (import permit still required), or at Lukeville and head west on the south side of the fence. If I could get in/out without the hassle of permits, it would make the drive across I-8 worth it.
 

Rallyroo

Expedition Leader
Where are you guys crossing the border?

I usually cross at Nogalas & drive down to pick up the ferry (import permit still required), or at Lukeville and head west on the south side of the fence. If I could get in/out without the hassle of permits, it would make the drive across I-8 worth it.

We went through the San Ysidro crossing. The Mexican border official didn't care about our passports, or car registration, and only wanted to check the motorcycle registration and we were on our way.
 

Drumboy

New member
What kind of dirtbike?

If it's a smaller non-plated bike you should be able to just carry it in the back of a truck. Even if it's like a plated DRZ400 you could just remove the plate and say it's off-road only.

For something like a 650 street legal bike you'll have to import it just like any other vehicle.
 

Amauri

Explorer
It's a kx250.

I spoke with the company that is going to bring it over for me and they want me to register it here in Mexico, it's only 200 bucks so if I decide to go that route I am going to do it just to be on the safe side. If I go pick it up I'll just throw it on the back of the truck and see what they say when I cross...
 

motopv

New member
Interesting Can you tell me who the import company was and how this went?

It's a kx250.

I spoke with the company that is going to bring it over for me and they want me to register it here in Mexico, it's only 200 bucks so if I decide to go that route I am going to do it just to be on the safe side. If I go pick it up I'll just throw it on the back of the truck and see what they say when I cross...

I would like to bring in a bike
WOuld you mind giving me the info on company you used.
I hope it went well!!
Jonas
 

Amauri

Explorer
Actually that all fell through. The company I was dealing with seemed way to sketchy.. I actually ended up selling that bike and a couple more I had and bought one here witch is actually for sale. I'm going home and want something a little better suited for longer trips on pavement. That new KTM 500 exc is looking pretty good...


If you need someone to bring you a bike from the states, I may have a contact for you. He picks up in TJ and comes to Guadalajara. PM me if you are interested.
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
190,287
Messages
2,925,974
Members
233,643
Latest member
4xCoffee
Top