Mexico is actually dangerous !!!!
 

Well, I have to say that I nearly had few fatal crashes in various places in the last 3 weeks in Mexico, but it is not from the wonderful Mexican people that I met who have been extremely generous and kind, but from the wind which has been blowing really hard in some places, the month of March is known for that, I guess I should have done more research on weather conditions.
It all started going through Baja where I got a wind constantly trying to push me off the road unless I would find a "appropriate" speed (95 km/hr) to cut through this NORTH wind because any slower than that, I would be blown off the road as I tried to slow my pace, not a good idea.
It lasted for 3 days going down from Tijuana to Todos Santos, 24 hrs a day bowing dust on the road, spreading wild fire bushes, and No, there is no where to hide in order to escape this crazy wind, if you have done Baja, you know what I'm talking about, long wide open space, I had never experienced wind like that before.
I'm in a more calm area now for the last 3 days in Oaxaca which is absolutely stunning, rich in art and culture, but I ventured myself south yesterday towards Santo Domingo Tehuatepec (270km), where a west wind in the last 40 km was again pushing me sideways, and to top it up, I realized at the toll booth that I forgot my prescription glasses on my bed in Oaxaca and I lost my front break twice riding down the mountain, so guess what !!!! I had to turn around to get my glasses and I knew that the last bmw dealer is in Oaxaca before I cross the border of Guatemala.
In the end, at the hostel, the amazing people had my glasses waiting for my return, and I went to the dealer, and they could't find anything wrong with my front break, and I had a new front and rear bleed done in Guadalajara, which was done properly, so they concluded that the ABS is going banana when I break under certain circumstances like very rough road, which is in Mexico quite often....

I did share my experience with the tech manager at BMW and he knows the area very well and suggested to change my route south after Santo Domingo Tehuatepec again and going back north to avoid what he calls a very dangerous wind which is exploited by 100's of wind mills after Salina Cruz where the wind is known to go up to 160km/hr and apparently a town carries the name of "Las Ventanas".

The government has build a HWY 185 further North
to bypass this area which has claimed lots of lives unfortunately.

Anyway, I'm alive, all is well, but maybe my lack of research is no further than the answer, and maybe it explains to me why I have been on the road for 3 weeks in over 6,000km and met only ONE rider at the ferry in La Paz.

I thought that I would share my experience in order to prevent anyone to find themselves in the same situation which turned out find so far for me.

safe riding to all , and keep the rubber down more than ever:scooter:

Not headed for Patagonia by any chance, are you?

no not this time
 

That is a loose plan for travelling with my wife eventually but for this one as I'm alone for central america and back to Canada.
Patagonia, Oh my god let's talk about wind !!!!

There is no way you can avoid the windy area around La Ventosa (not las Ventanas) if you are headed from Tehuantepec towards San Cristobal or Tapachula . The wind usually picks up at noon, so the earlier you can go through this stretch, the better .
The good part is , there is not much traffic on that road, so you can stay pretty much on the centerline all the time :mchappy:

BMW in guatemala city has no Heidenau tires, they are shitty as usual, will try to find thru other ways.

I don't want to get into an argument about BMW or not, I couldn't care less.

But they do have the Heidenau tires and so does fellow ADV rider marior97 in San Salvador (he has the better price) :thumbup1:
Motorider, S. A. de C. V. | Facebook

Julio , they DONT have the tires now, i called them, neither does your friend in el salvador. i called him too.

but the continental TC80 is available, i even think that is a better tire.

Taz, I don't know what tires you are looking for .
Mario does have the ones for the GS 800 in stock , I just reconfirmed with him .

AAAHHH !!!! those bloody Heidenau again
 

Hi guaterider and motomundo

Thank you for correcting me regarding La ventosa it is, as Las Ventanas is a spectacular private resort in Cabo where the common mortal can't afford.

I did leave Oaxaca at 7am this morning and made without to much wind through la Ventosa around noon and I have to say that it is impressive all those wind mills everywhere .
I made it to Tapachula for the night, before entering Guate, any suggestion gents as to which crossing to take?
what time is best, early I guess ?
what to do and not to do ?
I will probably head straight to Lago Atitlan for few days for spanish lessons unless you guys are suggesting otherwise.

Regarding the tires, we still have few days as those Heidenau are getting pretty close to be done 17,000km Not bad for knobbies, as for the TKC 80, I have no use for those and they are only good for 5-6 K anyway.
I would rather try the kenda or kendo tires.
I have contacted 10 days ago on your suggestion Mario on ADV but he did not respond to me yet, nor did BMW in Guate and El salvador !!!!!!!

I will hook up with motomundo very soon even tomorrow depending on my border crossing.

thanks to all again for your help, much appreciated .
Guaterider are up for bier if you are in the area ?

If you have the time , I would suggest riding up all the way to the border crossing at La Mesilla, beautiful backroads through green hills, coffee farms.
At La Mesilla the border crossing is very easy and fast and the scenery is very impressive, because you are up in our western highlands.

If you decide to cross down in Tapachula, I would get off CA2 soon after the border(Pajapita), get on the road that takes you up to El Rodeo-San Marcos-Quetzaltenango and on to CA1 . At KM 150 (aprox) you will find a small but very scenic road taking you down to Lake Atitlan.
As far as Spanish lessons, it depends what you are looking for . There is much more party but less quality in San Pedro (Atitlan) as in Antigua . In one place you have the incredibly beautiful lake, in the other one the world famous Easter procession, flower carpets etc.

Don't worry about tires , lots of options in Guate City , just keep in mind that for Semana Santa almost all the businesses will be closed . What bike are you on anyway ?

And yes, I'll be around for bier and :mchappy:

crossing this morning
 

hey Guaterider,

I will cross in tapachula as I'm here already, I will head straight to Lago Atitlan to settle and get my bearings and use it as a base.
I will look for a family stay there .
where r u staying anyway?
I ride a gs 800 yellow and black.

I'm located in Antigua and Mario in Salvador does have Heidenau for your bike in stock , I talked to him yesterday .

update
 

I have just made my way into Panajachel and staying here for the next few days as It is incredibly beautiful although I haven't seen much yet as it as cloudy as i rolled in.
I will let you know the day or 2 before leaving Panajachel to make my way to Antigua, can u let me know what your schedule is as I'm flexible for availability to meet with you bier
The Border crossing was rather uneventful in La Carmen but 2hrs and had a beautiful ride through stunning scenery.

talk soon

update
 

I have just made my way into Panajachel and staying here for the next few days as It is incredibly beautiful although I haven't seen much yet as it as cloudy as i rolled in.
I will let you know the day or 2 before leaving Panajachel to make my way to Antigua, can u let me know what your schedule is as I'm flexible for availability to meet with you bier
The Border crossing was rather uneventful in La Carmen but 2hrs and had a beautiful ride through stunning scenery.

talk soon