Got all excited when I saw another BMW 1200GS being ridden by what was obviously a local man dressed in a business suit. Tried to follow but I lost him. Thought he had to get his bike serviced somewhere and my bike needed servicing badly.
Went back to the hostel and in conversation I mentioned that I saw another bike like mine. The english speaking hostel manager overheard and approached me. It turns out that he knows the man, Jorge, on the bike. Jorge employs mechanics who are authorised and qualified to work on BMW bikes. His mechanical services had been used before by German bike owners who had ventured through town.
Sought out Jorge and sure enough he had the man to service my bike. An appointment was made.
When I arrived I was met by a portly man, business man type, who spoke english. He was very friendly and invited me into his office. It turns out that he had recently given up his business of buying and selling military arms. His main client was the Chilean army. He had moved into transport logistics for the Chilean Armed Forces - the business was obviously doing very well.
Jorge´s primary interest was motorcycles because his work shop was littered with bikes. He had several BMW 1200GS. He had visited BMW in Germany and they invited him to be a dealer in Chile but he refused because he did not want to have the commitment. Paid for training of his staff though to service his bikes.
Talk about a mover and shaker. He asked how I intended to get the bike back to Australia. Immediately rang a German-Chilean who was shipping agent and told him to send a quote to my email address. Then contacted another contact who was another German-Chilean who provides crates for bikes and paves the way with customs and prepares export documents.
Had my bike serviced for a very reasonable price. Thank you Jorge.
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