BajaNomad

3 Wheelers/Quads into Mex

briantroy - 10-6-2014 at 11:16 AM

I have a Honda 3 wheeler (1983) that I bought for $200. It is a 185 and kicks some butt! I was gonna throw this is the back of my van and head south, but I am hearing it needs to be registered and such. I just use it on the ranch and never take it anywhere. I bought it without a title. Any suggestions? It has a green sticker from 1992.

[Edited on 10-6-2014 by briantroy]

woody with a view - 10-6-2014 at 11:44 AM

cross your fingers and go to the DMV and tell them your story. hope it was never reported stolen and they'll issue you a new title.

bkbend - 10-6-2014 at 11:53 AM

Yes, Mexican customs will want to match the frame serial number with some type of ownership papers. Having it inside the van there is the possibility you can get a green light and bypass the inspection but if they see it they'll check it.

[Edited on 10-6-2014 by bkbend]

DawnPatrol - 10-6-2014 at 01:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bkbend
Yes, Mexican customs will want to match the frame serial number with some type of ownership papers. Having it inside the van there is the possibility you can get a green light and bypass the inspection but if they see it they'll check it.

[Edited on 10-6-2014 by bkbend]


Yes what he said
you will definitely need ownership/registration paperwork

bledito - 10-6-2014 at 02:37 PM

hear they are dangereous front wheel digs in and they flip. probabally terrible in the sand.

desertcpl - 10-6-2014 at 03:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
cross your fingers and go to the DMV and tell them your story. hope it was never reported stolen and they'll issue you a new title.



and if it isn't stolen, you will need to get it inspected by DMV and then bond it

dtbushpilot - 10-6-2014 at 03:16 PM

Get rid of it, too old to get parts for, too dangerous etc. They quit making 3 wheelers a long time ago for good reason. There are plenty of inexpensive 4 wheelers for sale with paperwork (you will need it) available.

woody with a view - 10-6-2014 at 03:28 PM

back in the mid 80's I used to take my YZ125 down to the dunes at Cantamar during the summer when the surf was flat and have a blast! of course there was never any problems. hang out and drink some beers, ride into town and eat some tacos..... them's were the daze!

rts551 - 10-6-2014 at 03:32 PM

They do way better than 4-wheelers when it comes to muddy salt flats.

dtbushpilot - 10-6-2014 at 03:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
They do way better than 4-wheelers when it comes to muddy salt flats.


Why is that?

rts551 - 10-6-2014 at 04:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtbushpilot
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
They do way better than 4-wheelers when it comes to muddy salt flats.


Why is that?


Light with wide balloon type tires. Out behind Estero Coyote, on the way to the sand dune, 4- wheelers were fighting their way through, motorcycle was stuck in the mud, and the 3-wheeler doing circles around us. After the ride we were all very muddy except the 3-wheeler. He just floated on top never breaking through the light crust.

Tioloco - 10-6-2014 at 07:11 PM

The old 185 will give you lots of great times. I wish I still had mine. Living is dangerous, be careful! :)

David K - 10-6-2014 at 07:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bledito
hear they are dangereous front wheel digs in and they flip. probabally terrible in the sand.


I had a Honda ATC 110 and took it to Baja a lot the few years I had it. It was great in the sand (what it was made for)...

That said, they were unstable at higher speed and could flip you off if you were doing crazy off road stuff (I was in my 20's)! It fit in back of my Subaru wagon if I deflated the front tire, and spun the handle bar down... very easy and it freaked out people when they saw it in there!

chuckie - 10-7-2014 at 07:54 AM

Three wheelers are great..I had a 185 fun fun....Its still around someplace, one of the grandkids has it....Yes you will likely need some paperwork....I have used a handcrafted bill of sale with MY signature notarized on it...seal is important...

N2Baja - 10-7-2014 at 09:23 PM

Briantroy, get a new title for it from the DMV and take the bike!! You'll have a blast! I still have my 250sx that I bought new in 1985 and its perfect for Baja.

Just remember...All The Gear All The Time:yes:

briantroy - 10-8-2014 at 01:06 AM

I don't have any paperwork on it at all. Should I just make a bill of sale and show up at the DMV?

Doug/Vamonos - 10-9-2014 at 06:31 AM

Just get creative with a computer and edit an existing registration. Been there, done that. The mexicans at the border can't tell when it's a copy of a copy of a copy. Gets you across the border, right?

[Edited on 10-9-2014 by Doug/Vamonos]

Alm - 10-9-2014 at 12:25 PM

From my experience - not with 3-wheelers - aduaneros are thorough, but still kinda "estillo Mexicano" :)... More a bureaucratic thoroughness than common-sense. They do want to see the owner papers on anything with wheels, and they compare it with VIN number, and then compare it against their database from the tablet (which I assume is a database of stolen vehicles).

They don't know where to look for VIN on vehicles that don't have a dash, or on trailers etc. They don't examine those papers too close - and can't, having very limited Ingles. Even young guys in the customs yard speak very little. They do know the look of most common registration papers from Ca, though.

So, I guess, a creativity with computer should do. Though if you're going to fake a title itself, it's difficult. I myself would not do this. It's better to do things properly, even in Mexico. Get a real document from DMV if you can.

[Edited on 10-9-2014 by Alm]

dtbushpilot - 10-9-2014 at 12:45 PM

I wouldn't recommend that you break the law in Mexico any more than you should do it in the US. Cross the border with it and tell the truth to the border guard, you never know, if he/she likes you and your story they may let you pass. Otherwise, get rid of it and get something with a title and/or registration.

Alm - 10-9-2014 at 02:16 PM

One thing I would not do at the border, is telling the "whole truth", especially when it comes to customs, dues, fees etc ;) ...

Title/registration is a different legal matter though. This is a document that gives you the right to be on the road and in this vehicle. So, it's not just about not paying something - $200 item is not even taxable - but about removing you from the road - of from the "off-road Mexico", and/or removing your vehicle, i.e. impounding, and who knows what other pain.

Funny thing is that after you've crossed, this all doesn't matter, because it's just an ATV. Take it apart and bring as "partes" maybe? Unas cosas viejas :)...

Alm - 10-9-2014 at 04:25 PM

PS: not to scare the heck out of you with that "impounding" - they won't do this if you just don't have title or registration. OTH, with fake papers - if you get caught - I'm not looking forward to find out what's gonna happen.

hdn2mx - 10-9-2014 at 09:38 PM

just did this last year. Go to DMV website, they have "Bill of Sale" forms avail.
Pull it up and fill it out online, including VIN #, put the date of sale within a couple days. It worked fine for us. We had an older Honda 250 quad, no reg, only bill of sale.
Worked perfect.

briantroy - 10-10-2014 at 01:57 AM

Thanks, hdn2mx. I just sent you a U2U. Anyone else do this? Any help is appreciated. I prefer legal; but sometimes that isn't possible for a $200 ATC that is 30 years old.





[Edited on 10-10-2014 by briantroy]

[Edited on 10-12-2014 by briantroy]

briantroy - 10-15-2014 at 10:59 AM

DMV says a bill of sale will not work because the name on the BOS is different than the last registered owner. I have to take the 3 wheeler to the DMV for inspection, file the BOS and send a registered letter to the last owner on file. From there I might have to place a bond. But, I doubt it since the bike is so old and not worth anything.