First Post/ First time Motorbike trip

[GazMc]

Hey everyone, I'm a new here so just a quick hi and a few questions about riding in Mexico, My initial plan was to buy a bike here in Ireland and ship it over but I was thinking would it be easier to buy over there? Also my planned trip is for 3 months I really want to see Monterrey so I plan to start there and make my way down to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itsa anyone have any recommendations of where to stop/visit/see on the way? Any other general advice you can think of
Cheers

[Bucket1960]

Originally Posted by GazMc

Any other general advice you can think of

GazMc

advice..............drink lots
Have a great trip.
Check out local advertisements from other travellers returning home.
Lots of bikes out there for sale

[GazMc]

Cool Bucket thanks a million cant wait for it

Lol don't worry i'm irish ill be struggling with a lot of hangovers

[mollydog]

Hey Gaz!
Yes, you can indeed buy a bike here in UsA. Cheaper than Ire, UK or EU and you save the shipping as well.
(reams of info here on doing that)

I'd begin by reading LOTS of ride reports on Mexico here and over on ADV Rider. Get a basic guide book or read up online. In terms of routes and sites, lots depends what you like.

I've been doing Mex trips since age 14, now 66 and just returned from a 4000 mile ride through Baja and Mexico. I like the beaches (but only in November thru March) and the historic central highlands.

The highlands run from Real de Catorce (near Matehuala) all the way South to San Miguel de Allende. 5 or 6 great towns to visit. It's up high so COOL'er in Summer (May to Oct) but a bit cold from Nov. to April.

Monterey is a HUGE, sprawling industrial center these days. The "Old Town" area is nice, but a very busy place. But these days, everyone in Mexico has a car and you have traffic pretty much 24/7 in most urban areas.

Try to come to L.A. or San Francisco in October. Set up a buy on line before you arrive ... if you can manage it. Try to find a free place to stay while you sort the bike/gear. (gear is cheap here). Then, head South.

I'm a Baja fan ... as it's the last true paradise in Mexico. Copper Canyon is worth visiting too. Look it up. Ruins? Chichen itza is pretty good but nearby Tikal is the BEST in all of Latin America. It's just a quick hop over in Guatemala ... and is the Jackpot if you like ruins. In Mexico, also go to Palenque and visit the Cenotes in the area. (Under water caves)

3 months is good for Mexico.
What will you do with your bike once trip is over? Perhaps try to find a place to leave it? ... keep it for your next trip? Or ... have a friend sell it for you and wire you cash ... or try to sell it in Mex. and forfeit your $400 deposit.

Have fun!

[Kayjay]

Mollydog am an Indian, can I buy a bike in USA or Canada and register in my name ? Depending where I can buy would like to make a two months trip in July this year. Welcome GazMc

[mollydog]

Kayjay,
You should be able to buy a bike in USA. Nothing special required.

You should contact someone in the HUGE Indian community that live in just about every USA City.

Here in California, in Berkeley, San Francisco and San Jose, there are THOUSANDS of Indians living/working! REACH OUT!

You should contact Jammin Jay (Jay Kannaiyan)
Jammin Global Adventures | Motorcycle Tours in Kenya, Peru, Mongolia and India | Explore the world through motorcycle adventures
Jay rode a DR650 around the world and now leads tours in India.

Jay is on the road now but has a good Indian friend here in San Francisco.
Perhaps Jay's friend can help you? He is a biker too! Contact Jay and ask.
Jay is Indian too ...

[GazMc]

Thanks a million Mollydog there is some great advice there, id had a feeling there would be some better mayan sites then chichen itsa, I will probaly sell the bike Mexico save the shipping hassle going to pick up a older klr 650 so it wont be that expensive.

Cheers kayjay

[Tony LEE]

Originally Posted by Kayjay

Mollydog am an Indian, can I buy a bike in USA or Canada and register in my name ? Depending where I can buy would like to make a two months trip in July this year. Welcome GazMc

Perhaps it is different for motorbikes, but as far as I know, we aliens can't just walk in and buy a vehicle just like that. Perhaps in some states, but not in others.
States have different requirements and you might have to be able to give them a residential address to tie the registration to. Papers might have to be posted out and there might be delays in getting the title. Insurance also isn't a given and that may be mandatory depending on the state and they will have their own requirements for non-citizens..

Selling it in Mexico. May be OK, but you would lose the refund on the TIP if they do charge one for bikes.

[Sjoerd Bakker]

There are hundreds, thousands probably , of Mayan sites to visit, take your pick of the biggies , but some of the rarely visited ones are nice too, less tourbus crowds to clutter the scenery.
Don't forget non Mayan sites like El Tajin,,Zempoala,Teotihuacan, Monte Alban, Tula. And that is only in Mexico.
After a while you will feel overloaded on ruins so don't overdo it , alternate with some other scenery

[GazMc]

Thanks man I am going to get one of the travel guide in coming weeks, trips is still in early stage of planning so i appreciate all these suggestions, has anyone here ever ran into problem with the criminal element or federalies?

[GazMc]

Originally Posted by Tony LEE

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Selling it in Mexico. May be OK, but you would lose the refund on the TIP if they do charge one for bikes.

Ok this may be a stupid question and dont want to be annoying you all with them but can what is TIP? Is it something similar to the deposit Mollydog mentioned?

[Sjoerd Bakker]

The document you refer to is here usually referred to as the TVIP , Temporary Vehicle Import Permit , in English.
Mexico , as do lots of other countries have rules for people from other countries who bring in their vehicles as tourists with the intent to take them out again at end of visit.
When entering Mexico you need to make a visit to the border facility and get a TVIP for the bike. You must pay around $40 for that . And then you will need to pay a REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT equivalent to $200 $300 or $400 depending on the age of the bike. Pay by CREDIT CARD at the BANJERCITO at the border facility, but you may also pay it at any bank in interior Mexico, depends on what point you cross into Mexico . If you insist you may pay in cash US DOLLARS.It is valid 180 days.

When you are ending your visit to Mexico you MUST seek out the BANJERCITO
office at any of the border crossings and get the TVIP cancelled , BEFORE ITS 180 days are used up. Cancelling will get the deposit amount returned to your credit card account.If you paid cash you will get the refund in cash.
You get only the TVIP deposit back.
If you are late , beyond 180 days you get NOTHING back. You must have the very bike present at time of cancellation , do not expect to do it at a Mexican Consulate in an other country .
If you sell the bike on Mexico you lose your deposit .

[GazMc]

Thanks Sjoerd that cleared that up for me this been my first trip i have a lot to learn

[GazMc]

Cool thanks for clearing that up for me sjoerd Ive a lot to learn but this trip will teach me loads