Heading through Mexico… what do I need to know?

[tmoto]

I’m planning a ride this winter through Mexico to Guatemala. I’ve driven through several years ago with my family (4 kids and wife in a full sized van) so I’m not totally clueless as to Mexican roads, etc. but haven’t done anything of the sort solo on two wheels. I have an R1150RT. I have pretty marginal Spanish, but have traveled completely illiterate in many countries, so can get by. I’ve traveled all over the world over the last decade and some, so international travel is not a new thing… I don’t need the kind of advice about keeping valuables hidden, etc.

My thought is to cross over at Presidio/Ojinaga and get toward Monterey to get in the State Department’s yellow zone and keep pretty much to the cuota toll roads to avoid issues and work my way south. Probably spend a little time in San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca, skirt around Mexico City, and eventually end up at our home away from home on Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala over about six weeks.

So, I’m looking for advice on what kind of things I really need to carry for MC-specific travel, whether there are known areas to avoid beyond the state department map, and resources on how to know those in the planning process as opposed to questioning people along the way. I know no driving at night and no drinking/drugs/partying.

Also, are there any groups doing a similar ride to tag along with? My work schedule (I work remotely and plan to do 3-4 days working and 3-4 days moving) will make this more difficult, but it sure seems like it’d be nice to be with a group for safety sake.

Thanks,
T

[Visian]

Buy your insurance before you go. I haven't been to Mexico for a while, but when I went there were no sellers of MC insurance at the border.

Also, Guia Roja is a good source for maps. Garmin may have gotten way better these days, but when I went, my GPS was nearly useless.

Don't ride at night. And you're not going to get any more space on the road than you need, people in cars and trucks will drive right up next to you.

Ride with balls!

I didn't particularly enjoy the east coast (Tampico, etc.) but had a blast in the mountains surrounding Mexico City. Avoid Mexico City, the traffic is pure hell.

Here is my ride report from many moons ago. There are a number of how-to tips that may or may not be current any more. I was invited as a guest of the people who ran the Mexican National Rally, as an MOA Ambassador. If you can get to this rally, it's not like any rally you've been to in the USA.

Sorry for the weird text in the ride report, it's the result of the technical evolution of our forum. Also sorry for the small pics... this was posted back in the day when bandwidth was at a premium.

Ian

[Omega Man]

I suggest bringing a Ranger or a SEAL.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...es/Mexico.html

Good luck.

OM

[bigjohnsd]

There is a lot of information that can be gleaned from these three ride reports - first two quite current, the third is a year and a half old:

Jamie Z spent last winter and Spring all over Mexico https://advrider.com/f/threads/rtw-t...#post-42783801

The "EdVenture" https://advrider.com/f/threads/hasta...#post-42785211

A Retired Couple takes on Mexico https://advrider.com/f/threads/retir...ucson.1424901/

[mntngrown]

I suggest bringing a Ranger or a SEAL.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...es/Mexico.html

Good luck.

OM

As a Californian I started going there in the early 70's and travelled the Baja before the highway was complete. Ripped off from border jerks so we could proceed with our gear minus some money. approached by a thug with a club on foot as we were getting ready to go snorkel and got out of Dodge in the nick of time. Took another trip via sail boat where an official wanted a bribe so some of us could leave via air travel that was not on our itinerary. Mexico is suing US gun manufacturers for supplying drug cartels with weapons that the police can't match. Beheaded people in groups in lots. You have bigger cajones than me if you want to ride a motor there. Good luck.

[Omega Man]

Mexico is suing US gun manufacturers for supplying drug cartels with weapons that the police can't match.

Interesting, I read that as well. Must be part of the Superman Bizzaro World we have become.

I still remember this- (not to derail the thread but it emphasizes the danger flows in two directions) and how weird crazy plans can effect events.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATF_gunwalking_scandal

“A basic principle of self defense is distance. The further one can stay from known bad experiences, the safer one can be”.

OM

[akbeemer]

Sounds like it might be as dangerous as entering some of our major metropolitan areas.

[bigjohnsd]

My experience - Baja - leads me to believe that if you are looking for trouble it will find you.

Drugs, Drunkenness, Pay for Play women, riding at night all lead to bad outcomes.

Habla Espanol un poco es mucho gusto.

[ebell]

Here’s a recent trip report.
https://www.cb500x.com/index.php/topic,10626.0.html

I think you should go.

[dravnx]

Do some research on Advrider. As much information as you'll ever need.
https://advrider.com/

[nickrides]

Don't bring anything you can't bear to lose.
The average US middle class citizen look super wealthy to the average Mexican.
Nick