Mexico Bound

[rufio2289]

Alright everybody i'm one day away from my departure. I don't plan on passing into mexico until November. However i thought i would begin a thread now to get some good ideas of camping/ hostels/ fun roads along the Baja peninsula. I must admit that i am getting the pre-trip anxious jitters and it is really great to have a website like this that is full of support rather than the odd looks and off comments i have been getting about my choice of travel south on a bike. If anyone has any tips or thoughts on must see sites i would love to hear them and do my best to accommodate them into my schedule. Cheers!

[lazeyjack]

Look Forwards to your ride tales, what is the bike?
met some guys on my ride riding bicycles from BC to S America, they made it, will find the blog, it may assist you
http://twodudesonbikes.com/
gotta admire

[MikeMike]

If you make it to southeastern Mexico, stop by.
Meanwhile, try to get yourself, ASAP, copies of Sjoerd Bakkers self published guides to inexpensive accommodations in Mexico and Central America.
You'll find his information topical, accessible, and will save you a lot of money.
You can try locating him on the "Is Mexico Safe" thread on the ADV riders forum.
I've been living and riding in Mexico permanently for 20 years and have met Sjoerd. Between him and Garry Dymond, they've likely forgotten more about Mexico than some people will ever know.
I first came here in 1978, and can give you this advice...enjoy Mexico, don't rush it and subject yourself to the infamous "green blur". Try to stay off the cuota roads and enjoy the pace of the secondary roads. Pace is the key, there is a certain rhythm to life here and it can change a little from time to time, try to catch it every day, lock into it and you'll really feel it. Be realistic about any off roading you might try. I've seen riders come through on knobbies with spare gas cans and jungle warfare sht all over the bike, and I've seen riders on Harley V-Rods. Don't overthink things. I've seen some very low profile bikes with extremely good packing sense on the part of the riders and they leave a very small footprint behind.
Baja and the mainland are as different as any two areas in the same nation can be. Contrast is what makes Mexico so unique, you will find it everywhere you go and everywhere you look. Every state is different and has different customs and foods etc...but all are held together with a certain magic that has forged a collective identity.
I guarantee you that you will find it totally different from what passes for modern media might have led you to believe.
I have put together a free illustrated ride guide in PDF format for people coming through the Veracruz area, PM me if you would like a copy.

[rufio2289]

Thanks to the both of you. I am currently in Montana about to head into Glacier park today. I will make sure to check out your information put forth. I am riding a 2006 Triumph Bonneville. She has been great so far. The riding has been pretty long and rough so i am going to dial it back a bit to give myself more time off the bike to camp, read, write, hike, and do whatever else may come my way. Again, thank you for your responses and i will be in touch!

[Ride2it]

What is the story on motorcycle/auto insurance in Mexico now. I read that as of 2012 Mexico requires insurance for motorized vehicles. I have done some insurance premium quotes and they are not cheap, $350 for six months or about $12 to $15 a day. Am I looking at this wrong or is there a cheaper way to go? HELP!?

[fujian]

I probably won't be able to help but what bike are you hoping to get insurance on?

Are you buying in Mexico? Best of Luck

[Sjoerd Bakker]

As has been mentioned here Mexico will be making it mandatory to
have liability insurance beginning in 2014 . Also it has been said that they
will require higher limits and payouts , so it means rates will increase.
I have not yet renewed my insurance so I have no personal input yet,but the
higher quotes you have found may be a reflection on the new regime.
I suspect, and hope, that there will still be the lower cost drivers license
policy for liability as before, but do not know.
At $350 for six months it is still less than in Ontario
for my annual liability policy
Do a bit of a search here on HU and on ADV for more details

[Ride2it]

Fujian--I have a F659 GS 2011.
Thanks Sjoerd for the input. I will for sure be researching further.

[Uselessbaba]

Hi guys, sorry to hijack your thread, but it seemed like a good place to ask a few questions. I'm a Brit looking to tour Mex+C.A., My original idea was to ship/airfrieght my V-strom 650 into Mexico, but after reading other posts, it seems like it might be a cheaper option to fly into Texas, buy a bike and ride into Mex from there, returning the bike to USA when finished. Is it really that simple ?
Or am I missing something, I believe there is no requirement for A Carnet de Passage for USA bikes in Mex+C.A, I am assuming there will be plenty of bikes for sale stateside, so what, if any, are my potential problems ?
TIA...............UB.

[MikeMike]

Yes, it is that simple. Make sure you have a clear registration/title to the bike and that it is in your name exactly as it appears in your passport. Insurance is obligatory for bikes, now, in Mexico from a provider with rights to operate in Mexico. You will find a big difference in prices of bikes in the US compared to Mexico. Skip the Wee-Strom idea and buy a good KLR or a DR650 unless you are only running cuota roads. Be realistic about your off road abilities if you have never ridden Mexico before. Same goes for camping.

[Uselessbaba]

Hi Mike, thanks for the responce, I shall start looking at bike prices and availability stateside.
UB.

[MikeMike]

I've met quite a few UK riders making their way south through Mexico, they have used the usual sources like Craigslist and Ebay and such and scored some very good deals. If you are buying prior to Christmas, a lot of sellers need cash and you can bargain for a deal that will let you spend the difference on used accessories on Ebay and such and then re-sell the bike when you head back to the USA when the market is warming up for bike sales in the spring time.
HUBB is a good resource for exactly what you are planning on doing.

[Uselessbaba]

Once you have the bike and cross into Mex, are there any restrictions/requirements for carrying on through neighbouring countries ?
UB.

[panavalk]

Originally Posted by Uselessbaba

Once you have the bike and cross into Mex, are there any restrictions/requirements for carrying on through neighbouring countries ?
UB.

just join the lines & keep going, patience is required from time to time!!!
Do read up on the most recent posts regarding how much you have to pay at borders & know exchange rates if you are using the money changers on the borders.
If you plan to come to Panama pm me. I am a Brit who has lived in CA for 12 years.