A Friendly Rider in Quito, Ecuador Can't be Trusted

I have some disturbing news about Ricardo Rocco of Ecuador; well-known all over the Americas as an adventure rider, motel and dual sport rental/touring business owner (Andes Moto Tours in Quito, Ecuador) with the reputation of being friendly, helpful and respectable.

When I first got in touch with Ricardo in 2002 he was a great help to me, we met several times, became friends, and everything was great. When finishing up my Latin-American motorcycle trip, I met Ricardo again in Asuncion, Paraguay, and sold my bike, including all the travel gear, to him. When I purchased the bike and gear in the US a year before, it cost me approximately US$5500, and I sold it to Ricardo for only US$1700. He didn´t have money at the time, but promised to pay me within half a year. I accepted this because he was a friend and I trusted him. We signed all necessary papers, including a sales contract and owner change registration forms. Lew Waterman witnessed the transaction. Ricardo was driving another bike at the time, so he stored the bike he bought from me in a motorcycle garage in Asuncion. Then I went back home to Norway, and we´ve been emailing since then.

After 3,5 years, he suddenly refuses to pay, and tells me to "fuck off". I am sure he has the money to pay, as he owns businesses (hotels, motorcycle touring), and he also comes from a well to do family.

For details, please continue to the Email Evidence.

Ricardo's former partner in Andes Moto Tours, Jim Stanley, is another victim. Go to Contributions to read about his experiences with Ricardo.

So be warned; even if Ricardo can be helpful, he must not be trusted when it comes to business and money.

It has also recently come to my attention that Ricardo rents out bikes which have been illegally registered and licensed in Ecuador without paying the customs tariff, with possible problems for rental clients.