Shipping dirt bike to Costa Rica

Hi guys,

I'm looking for some tips and advice from anybody who has experience with this. Google is only giving me results for moto tours, rental places, and generic shipping results from various companies. My wife and I are moving from southern California to Costa Rica (specifically Santa Ana, near San Jose) in late March for work. We'll be there for about 2-3 years, so I really want to bring my dirt bike down. I ride a 2008 Honda CRF450R and am interested in trails and track. I come from a racing background in my teenage years, but now keep it mostly to desert and sand dune trips (I'm 27 now). It sounds like there is a lot of riding opportunity down there, and 2-3 years is too long to go without riding!!!

Before I just blindly pick a random shipping company, I'm trying to figure out what I am getting myself into as far as import taxes, rough shipping cost, things to look out for, tips, advice, required paperwork, etc. I already have a Honda MX crate lined up from a buddy in the industry. I'm hoping that having it pre-crated will help reduce the shipping cost. I talked with a guy at a local MX shop last time I was down there, and he made it sound like since it's an MX bike and wouldn't be used on the streets, I wouldn't have to register it for street use which in turn would not trigger the huge fees. He said just to make sure I have the papers to prove I own it (I have the title). I'm not sure how accurate this information is, though. I guess another thing to consider - looking into the future - is any major obstacle bringing it BACK to the US (costs, issues, etc.)

I'm not really interested in purchasing there because for what I'd get for my money, I imagine I'll be on some roached-out jalopy.

I'm gonna look through and sign up for some MX forums to see if I can get any response there as well.

Thanks,
Danny