Buying a Motorcycle - How to?

[martes_dr]

Hey,

what is the best way to buy a motorcycle (like 125cc, i don't mean big bikes)?
Buying a used one (from private), is it okay to just take the paper and that's it (keeping the old owners name in there)? He could then go to the police and say I stole his motorcycle... So one should better go to a lawyer and do everything official? Is this a lot of work and then selling it again would be again the same thing, right?
Buying a new one, can I as a tourist just buy one in a shop and then my name is in the papers?
Are there shops for used motorcycles? How does the buying process look like there?

Thanks

 

[Doncamilo]

good question. I would like to know too. I am intersted in buying a secondhand KTM (2 or 4 stroke)...whatever is available. anyone know where to go?
thanks

 

[Tom F.]

When you purchase a motorcycle a matricula or title needs to come with it. If used you can go down to rentas internas or the city offices in the city near where you purchase it and transfer the title without a lawyer. Getting insurance is under RD$800 a year and if new, the agency is supposed to get you the license plate. You may have to mess with a government office about getting a plate if the old plate doesn't not transfer with the purchase of the bike. Maybe someone knows.

If you purchase the bike new, the agency provides the title and plates (maybe not at the same time).

 

[yapask1]

When you buy new the paper and plate follow in 2-3 months. with additional fee. Get insurance based on chassis number. Better to buy new as it is only 800-1000 dollars and you can pay attention to oil changes etc.

yapask1

 

[Chip]

I bought my new Yamaha 125 for RD61000 at Pancho motores in Moca. They sell a lot cheaper than the North coast. They have new and used bikes. I expect they can deliver the matricula and a contract for used bikes at the time of purchase. This is all one needs to have a bike or a car here. With regard to new bikes it can take months to get the matricula and placa but that's no problem as a receipt of the purchase will be sufficient for any AMET.

If you go to Pancho's ask for Ramon "Nene" and tell him "Chi" sent you.

 

[yapask1]

Chinese bikes are the best buy - about 30,000 to 40,000 for 150 cc. Choose one for tropical climates with extensive cooling on cylinder.

Japan manufacturers have lost the way except for superbikes.

yapask1

 

[Chip]

The Yamaha 125 I bought is better than the Chinese bikes according to mechanics that work on them for a living. Still, for RD30,000 it can be a good deal if one takes care of them and make sure the oil is changed frequently and not left in the rain.

 

[Softail]

Chinese bikes are the best buy - about 30,000 to 40,000 for 150 cc. Choose one for tropical climates with extensive cooling on cylinder.

Any brand recommendations, Yap? In Philippines, Chinese bikes have horrible reputation for reliability and quality. What is your experience?

 

[yapask1]

Any brand recommendations, Yap? In Philippines, Chinese bikes have horrible reputation for reliability and quality. What is your experience?

I have had two chinese bikes. Currently a Kawa ; very good quality and performance - 150 cc.

yapask1

 

[drstock]

If you're buying second hand, for God's sake don't pay until you have the matricula. If it's not there, walk away. I bought a bike from a guy who owed money to the finance co. I paid him his share and the rest to the finance co. who assured me the matricula would be provided within a week and provided me with a letter saying so, which re-assured me. It turns out that they didn't have the matricula, but the agency that sold the bike new did. Months later, after countless visits to the agency and having had to play Sherlock Holmes to find previous owners, I still don't have the matricula. My Dominican lawyer is now on the case.

 

[martes_dr]

Thanks for the replies.

Maybe if one needs information on which bike to BUY, please open a new thread. Here it should be about the procedure to buy one.

I didn't know that transferring the title is free in the city offices. And beeing a foreigner is not a problem? I know that getting an insurance is not a problem and not expensive.
The last time I was in the DR I bought a motorcycle from a dominican and he just gave me the papers, a copy of his cedula and helped me getting an insurance. Never had problems with the police and selling the bike wasn't a problem neither.
Soon I'll come back and want to buy a motorcycle again and thought that buying a used one and not having my name in the paper might not be as trouble-less as the last time...
Selling the bike then with my name in the papers doesnt bother anyone? And I wont get in trouble if then some day this motorcycle has an accident and its officially mine? Or something like that?

And then: Yeah, I already heard that in Moca it's a good place to buy motorcycles. Unfortunately I'll arrive in Punta Cana, where - I guess - the motorcycles will be kind of overpriced. What's the best and nearest place to go for buying a used (or new) motorcycle? I guess the next citys like Higuey, San Pedro or La Romana, right?