Ricardo Rocco of Quito, Ecuador: untrustworthy

[punkynlew]

Hi everyone: Many riders have to make a decision whether to pay the high cost of shipping a bike back home or selling it at the end of a S. American tour. My Norwegian friend, Erling Steen, has a new Website warning other riders not to do what he did. He sold his bike to Ricardo Rocco of Quito, Ecuador and didn't get paid for it. Erling violated the universal rule "Don't do business with friends." I was witness to the transaction in Asuncion, Paraguay Jan. 2003, when Ricardo gave his word and signed a contract to pay $1,700 within 5 months for Erling's Honda XR650L.

A second disturbing report from American, Jim Stanley, Ricardo's now ex-business partner in Andes Moto Tours, is on the Website as well. Both riders are extremely sorry they got involved with Ricardo. These stories are testament to, and perfect examples of, why one should not do business with a friend, especially one in a third world country far from home.

Ricardo was a very good friend to me and was the best man at my wedding in Lima, Peru, which Erling attended as well. But, I can't stay loyal to a man who after 3.5 years of empty promises to pay and outright lies, finally, told my friend Erling to "Fuck Off."

I am waiting for a written report (already have a verbal report) from another rider in Peru, who bought a Yamaha Tenere from Ricardo a couple years ago. Ricardo failed to tell the buyer that the papers for the bike were not legal. He has had legal problems for it ever since he had the misfortune to trust Ricardo.

I know many are loyal friends of Ricardo's and will not believe he could stoop so low. See the facts on the Website listed below. You may have a fine experience with Ricardo but be warned not to do business with him. Where money is involved, his allegiance is to himself first. As Jim Stanley puts it, "Why trust or do business with a man who is known to have lied to and stole from friends and colleagues?"

http://www1.webng.com/erst/

Later, amigos. Lew

[Neil E.]

Hi Lew,
I remember your mentioning Ricardo many times in your web writings about the trip around South America. I got the impression he was a good friend. It's unfortunate the situation has changed.
Can you enlighten us as to how things are going for you? The last I read was when you got back and started living in Florida. That was 2003, where have the years gone? I hope the three of you are doing well. Congratulations on an amazing ride.

[Gustavo]

It's always sad to read this type of threads.

I would have hoped that motorcyclists would be a little nicer to each other than the average Joe (or Jose ). Most of the time, I think that it's actually how it works. I have "met" many a motorcyclist online (and some later in person), people I am proud to call my friends. Lets try keep it that way.

This thread really belongs in Outer Darkness, not in Ride Reports, I think.

Gustavo

[Lone Rider]

A great big world can quickly skrink.

[Lone Rider]

Punky,
It would also be good to post this at www.horizonsunlimted.com.

[Srbenda]

[EMrider]

Gee, a guy from Ecuador who refuses to honor a debt. No surprise there. It must be a part of the national character. Sorry your friend had to learn the hard way.
R

[Lobby]

Originally Posted by Gustavo

This thread really belongs in Outer Darkness, not in Ride Reports, I think.

Gustavo

Yep! Done.

[punkynlew]

Originally Posted by Lone Rider

Punky,
It would also be good to post this at www.horizonsunlimted.com.

Grant Johnson has all the info and has given Ricardo an opportunity to tell his side of the story. I have seen his reply and it is pure denial and total BS in an attempt to do damage control. Grant is sitting on the info in hopes that the air will clear and the matter will be settled privately. Ricardo has a sterling reputation that is perpetuated on HorizonsUnlimited. I know him better than most.

The author of Rider Reports seems to think this matter is inappropriate for that area of this forum. I would appreciate it if anyone knows of more appropriate places to post a link (on advrider or elsewhere) to Erling's Warning Website. Riders should have the opportunity to be informed and make their own decisions about what or who is right and what or who is wrong in this matter, before riding to South America. The intention is to inform and help other riders avoid being fleeced as were Erling and Jim.

Some may believe this is an attempt at character assassination. Any problems that may develop from this matter will have been brought on one man by his own treachery. And, to those who think it is understandable that a poor guy in the third world fleeces "rich and foolish" gringos in order to survive, Ricardo is a lot better off financially than I am. He is from a family of elite in Ecuador and owns a by-the-hour motel.

In order to reduce the stress on some readers of this forum, I suggest sending any replies on this matter to me personally at punkynlew@hotmail.com.

I rode two 6k miles tours on my DL650K4 V-Strom "Critter II" (best bike I ever owned and the only one with dual Two Bros.) in 2006, one through Mexico w/my lovely Peruvian wife and the other w/my Yorkie dog, Punky (the moto-riding-est dog in the world), across the U.S. Punky has left his marks all over the western hemisphere from Florida to Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia to Rio de Janeiro. I'll be turning 70 later this year and still ain't done riding yet.

www.angelfire.com/mo/motormark/Punky_n_Lew.html
Punky_n_Lew_n_Achi_2@yahoogroups.com

Later, amigo. Lew

[pharaoss]

Hi all bikers,

at the beginning, I must say that Ricardo Rocco Paz is the biggest asshole in the world. Thief of large dimensions. He stole my bike BMW R 1150 GS Adventure, black color. Serial number: WB10441A14ZH61009
Put it all very careful ...
Mills of God grind honestly Ricardo!

[theturtleshead]

Are you from the Czech republic by any chance?
Al

[Adv Grifter]

I haven't heard a word about Ricardo in years. No idea where he slunk off to.
I did speak to Jim Stanley ... IN PERSON ... in around 2008. His story matches Lew's story exactly ... and I heard LOTS more very sad details from Jim.

Grant Johnson ended up burying the issue ... and it's stayed buried.
ADV travelers have short memories (much to their peril )

But IMHO, Lew's story is 100% true.

And what does the Colombian Publican think? And where is Ricardo now? and doing?

Ciao!

[miguelitro]

Originally Posted by pharaoss

Hi all bikers,

at the beginning, I must say that Ricardo Rocco Paz is the biggest asshole in the world. Thief of large dimensions. He stole my bike BMW R 1150 GS Adventure, black color. Serial number: WB10441A14ZH61009
Put it all very careful ...
Mills of God grind honestly Ricardo!

any more info on this? I would like to keep an eye out for your bike while protecting my group of riding buddies down here.
Thanks and sorry for your misfortune,
Mike

[bananaman]

So I was scrolling through Linkedin's connection suggestions, and who pops up?

Yep, RR of Ecuador!

Should I connect with him?

-Na. No. Nope. No fucking way.

[Lone Rider]

Originally Posted by bananaman

So I was scrolling through Linkedin's connection suggestions, and who pops up?

.......

Probably just a bad seed. Parenting, peers... a really wrong turn...?

I can easily get caught up in the many how-to youtube and other videos available. Self-edjumacation is a good thing.
Then...there's also a bit of decent porn...too...

How great is it to have a free card to the World's library, eh?