BajaNomad - dirt bike crossing border

dirt bike crossing border

Retireded - 10-16-2012 at 12:53 PM

I have been offered a motocross bike and am thinking of taking it to Baja when I go at the end of this month. Anyone know what documentation is required at the border?

DanO - 10-16-2012 at 12:58 PM

Current registration is required.

Sweetwater - 10-16-2012 at 01:35 PM

I've run 3 moto trips to La Paz over the past 2 years. I've never been asked for any documentation on my moto but have been asked for my FMM/FMT multiple times.

That said, all bikes have been street legal in my home state, registration, plated and then insurance through Baja Bound.

Not much serious checking when heading south at the military posts except for Guerrero Negro. Coming north has always been a different story, they're much more interested.....

[Edited on 10-16-2012 by Sweetwater]

Retireded - 10-16-2012 at 01:48 PM

Thanks for the replies. The bike I'm considering is strictly off road, no lights, etc. and would be carried on a rack on the back of my travel trailer. I'm guessing I'll need to get off-road registration before the trip.

Sweetwater - 10-16-2012 at 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Retireded
Thanks for the replies. The bike I'm considering is strictly off road, no lights, etc. and would be carried on a rack on the back of my travel trailer. I'm guessing I'll need to get off-road registration before the trip.

I think that's a different category then.....get your ORV sticker in your home state and look into the insurance factor....IMHO....

DanO - 10-16-2012 at 02:26 PM

Quote:

Correct. Having bikes in the back of my pickup has always resulted in a trip to Mexican secondary when crossing the border (regardless of whether I've gotten a green or a red light), and they have always asked to see the registration. Most of the time they have actually compared the VINs on the bikes to the registration. It might just be me, but better safe than sorry.

motoged - 10-16-2012 at 02:59 PM

You need proof of ownership at least. Not all dirt bikes are "registered" w/ motor vehicles or w/ green stickers, or insurance....

Just have paper that proves it is your bike. :light:

bajaguy - 10-16-2012 at 04:20 PM

"Most" states will issue a title or "pink slip" on an ORV without a registration or sticker.

rts551 - 10-16-2012 at 04:34 PM

You need proof of ownership which is what the registration does. For our race bike we show the title. Factory teams show a notarized letter from the factory/agency.

bajaguy - 10-16-2012 at 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
You need proof of ownership which is what the registration does. For our race bike we show the title. Factory teams show a notarized letter from the factory/agency.

To the best of my knowledge, registration does not show "proof of owership". In DMV/law eforcement circles, a title is the ownership document.

willardguy - 10-16-2012 at 10:40 PM

registration will suffice, otherwise you couldn't take your financed bike, car or boat across the border, right???

motoged - 10-16-2012 at 10:50 PM

As there seems to be various "opinions" here, why not ask the border officials ? :light:

Registration vs Title

bajaguy - 10-17-2012 at 07:41 AM

I believe the instant question is proof of ownership..........Registration allows the operation of a (motor) vehicle, Title prooves ownership.

Tbone - 10-17-2012 at 07:55 AM

Must have registration

A couple of years ago I tried to cross at San Ysidro with 2 dirt bikes in the bed of my truck. Got sent through secendary where I had pink slips but not registrations, the bikes had never been registered. They wanted registrations only the pinks were worthless as far as they were concerened. They opened the fence to the outgoing traffic and gave us the boot.

[Edited on 10-17-2012 by Tbone]

rts551 - 10-17-2012 at 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
You need proof of ownership which is what the registration does. For our race bike we show the title. Factory teams show a notarized letter from the factory/agency.

To the best of my knowledge, registration does not show "proof of owership". In DMV/law eforcement circles, a title is the ownership document.

Yes, But I believe we are talking about proff of ownership to bring the item into Mexico, not DMV/US law enforcement.

rts551 - 10-17-2012 at 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tbone
Must have registration

A couple of years ago I tried to cross at San Ysidro with 2 dirt bikes in the bed of my truck. Got sent through secendary where I had pink slips but not registrations, the bikes had never been registered. They wanted registrations only the pinks were worthless as far as they were concerened. They opened the fence to the outgoing traffic and gave us the boot.

[Edited on 10-17-2012 by Tbone]

Interesting, since a title has always worked for us. Our ATV's do not have a registration since we have what is called "title only" for the race bikes.

dtbushpilot - 10-17-2012 at 10:36 AM

I brought a Kawasaki UTV across at TJ a couple of weeks ago, I had the MSO (manufactures statement of origin) and a bill of sale from the dealer. The guy looked it over and waved me on. We bring dirt bikes over all the time without registration but always have a title or something proving ownership and have never had a problem. That said, be aware that the rules in MX are always a moving target and subject to interpretation...

Tbone - 10-17-2012 at 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551

Quote:

Interesting, since a title has always worked for us. Our ATV's do not have a registration since we have what is called "title only" for the race bikes.

Same thing with 1 of our bikes, title only since it was raced on motocross tracks. I explained all of this and they wern't having any of it. We had about everyone who worked in secondary involved and still got the boot. I would not attempt crossing again without a regestration. In California you can register a race bike, you do not have to, but you can and I would just to bring them to Mexico.

BajaRun - 10-17-2012 at 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tbone

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551

Quote:

Interesting, since a title has always worked for us. Our ATV's do not have a registration since we have what is called "title only" for the race bikes.

Yuuup!! Take your Registration !!!

motoged - 10-17-2012 at 12:13 PM

My dirtbike is not registered , has no plates, and never has !

I have only carried proof of ownership (title) and have had no hassles. Tecate and Mexicali crossings....I stay way from the Tijuana mess.

Most of us don't race, are not factory sponsored, and only have proof of ownership for dirtbikes.

This is not really a complicated issue.

And as DT sez....he got through....but who is going to argue with a guy who looks like this guy???

:biggrin:

Okay....maybe Shari will smack him around a bit :biggrin:

TMW - 10-17-2012 at 12:23 PM

That's one bad dude, stay away from him.

David K - 10-17-2012 at 02:56 PM

:lol:

Shari is one tough mama , too!

dtbushpilot - 10-17-2012 at 06:22 PM

That guy is a big sissy, you should hear him whine when Jill slaps him around....

motoged - 10-18-2012 at 12:14 AM

Like a little girl.... :biggrin:

dtbushpilot - 10-18-2012 at 04:37 PM

Wearing a skirt...

JZ - 10-18-2012 at 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DanO

Quote:

I went through in July with two bikes. They compared registration to numbers on the bikes.

If you go to the mainland you have to get an import permit for the truck + bikes.

Fortmac - 4-22-2013 at 12:47 PM

Hey everybody.... quick question.
I am driving down from Canada to my condo in San Jose del Cabo with my truck and two dirtbikes. All will have registration in my name, the truck and both dirtbikes.

I have heard from people that to cross the border into Mexico you need to have two people in the truck if you have two bikes in the back? Any comments on that?

Also, any help or info would surely help, this will be my first drive down there.

motoged - 4-22-2013 at 01:51 PM

Fort Mac,
I would think you are okay with what you have. They are both yours !

i would suggest crossing at Tecate as it tends to be a more relaxed entry to Baja. I have had some issues at the Calexico-Mexicali crossing when bringing in extra gas in containers....the guy said "NO", but my clever friend asked what the "import tax" was and the agent indicated $20....which we paid for 10 gals of premium.

So, Mex gas is good, so you don't need to bring your own. Pemex premium is available at most Pemex (gov't-owned gas stations).

Have a fun trip and watch out for the silt beds

[Edited on 4-22-2013 by motoged]

Fortmac - 4-26-2013 at 08:48 AM

Thanks... I think I will still take another person just so I can share the driving... gonna be a long one!!! Cant wait to get the bikes down there though.

cheers

juanroberts - 11-4-2013 at 11:18 PM

I am hearing that over the past three months the Tecate border crossing, which is usually very relaxed, has a new sheriff in town and is not allowing bikes to get through unless they have proof of ownership.

Here is more info:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=70188&pag...

[Edited on 11-5-2013 by juanroberts]

jimgrms - 11-5-2013 at 04:59 PM

Seems like sometimes you need papers sometimes you don't , so check with the powers that be and carry the papers you need just in case .

David K - 11-5-2013 at 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dtbushpilot
Wearing a skirt...

No skirt... but he has accesories... :light:

liknbaja127 - 11-5-2013 at 08:23 PM

We always are asked for papers on the prerunner, and trailer! Have your
registration with you, Went down in May to pick up the Thing, from nomad
Bernice, Did not have the reg. got a fast pass back to the states.
made for a long day!

Bajagypsy - 11-6-2013 at 02:50 PM

We were asked for registration on our last trip for our dirt bike and Quad, here in Saskatchewan, you can not get registration for these vehicles, as they are not allowed to be used on the road. We did have the bill of sale, but they still were not happy with that. finally, they let us through. I would say bring your registration with you if you can, so that there are no hassles.

motoged - 11-6-2013 at 03:54 PM

Cacahuete is NOT an accessory....but a dear family member. :saint:

Or, are you referring to the stalker in the ballcap.... :biggrin:

[Edited on 11-6-2013 by motoged]