Buy a Chinese motorcycle for Mexico to USA trip

[optimismprimarily]

Hey all, I am hoping to take a trip from Oaxaca, Mexico up to the US and back down to Oaxaca.

I am on a limited budget and am looking for a bike that I can get the trip done on. Here in Mexico there are not many Japanese bikes larger than 190cc or 150cc, and any that there are are quite expensive for what they are.

So I am considering buying a Chinese Vento Crossmax 250cc, I think this amount of power will be enough to comfortably haul myself (I'm 6'1") and my luggage, but I am not sure if this is a good decision, or if I'd be better buying a used Honda XR 190cc or XR 150cc.

The reasons the Honda might be a better choice, is of course reliability wise they are going to be superior and likely will have less issues, and even in the US I should be able to get any repairs or parts easily enough.

On the other hand, I would like to have a little extra power for any highway riding that I might have to do, it is safer and more comfortable to have that extra bit of power, so maybe the Chinese 250cc bike will be better.

Two reasons that the Chinese bike might not be a good choice though, is crossing into the US on one of these, I'm not sure how strict the border will be on temporarily importing a bike, and if so, maybe these Chinese bikes won't be allowed in due to emissions standards etc. And secondly, how easy or even possible will it be to have any repairs done once in the US, I'm not sure these brands exist up there so getting parts could be impossible.

Lastly, I'm not planning on being in the US for too long, maybe one month, and will ideally be driving from San Diego, through New Mexico and into Texas and then back in to Mexico.

I'm not too precious about getting money back from the bike after the trip, I would be happy to offload it for a low price once back in Mexico, but not sure if going the Chinese bike route is a good option for safety, and stress of having issues.

If anybody has any advice I would be thrilled to hear it and to help me make the choice here.

Thank you!

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Whatever make or size of bike you ride into the USA it will not be a problem . The USA does not have the border formality of "temporary importation " of the motor vehicle .
The "import " aspect would only come up as a problem if you were to sell the bike to somebody in the USA. Then the buyer would have that problem .
People ride all sorts of motorcycles and cars across the border without a problem or questions raised .
At the border , if you are asked about the bike , make it clear that you will be riding the thing back to Mexico and that it will not be left in the USA

What you must be concerned about is your personal documentation. You must have a valid drivers license .
You must have a current and valid ownership and registration and accompanying license plate for the bike .
You must have liability insurance for the case you are in an accident injuring others . You ought to have health insurance which will cover you in the USA .
Also your passport should be in order . I don't know the rules specifically for Mexicans but you may need to get the US entry visa application process started over internet if you are not a Mexican citizen or not a US citizen but living in Mexico.

[pancho]

Vento is in the USA. Although most sales are in Mexico and Latin America. There are dealers in the US. If you buy one I suggest that you change the motor oil before you ride it. Chinese are notorious for using mop water in lieu of quality engine oil.

[turtleway]

You know that the vento crosssmax 250 has a little more power that would have a second hand honda but don't expect much more.

I have a MB250 Tekken 250, a KTM 250 chinese clown, is way more expensive, has a little more HP and a little better suspension and other little bits slightly better than the crossmax, so on dirt the honda is a much better option.

On the highway, if the pavement is in good condition and depending of the trafic, the crossmax can have a 10km/h edge over the honda.

[turtleway]

Hola optimismprimarily, I may have the right motorcycle that you are looking for. Yes the MB Tekken 250. I think it's the second best 250 chinese motorcycle after la Italika adventure 250 which new retails 75,000 pesos.

I'm the second owner, I have all the papers in order.

The motorcycle has around 10,000 km. I have it insured with qualitas which estimates it's value at 52,000 pesos. I had a great deal and I bought it for less than that. The motorcycle is equiped with 31 and 38 l Lone Rider saddle bags and a 48l top bag. It's a great set up to travel, and it is very popular in South America among long haul travelers.

You can ride to Texas and back with no issue and the motorcycle will still be in good shape for many many more trips. I have an eye on a smaller motorcycle, so I'm willing to let it go at a very crazy affordable price.

I live in Puerto Escondido and I enjoy a lot riding it in the back country mountains. We can meet somehere so you can have a look at it. You have nothing to loose.

There is a guy on youtube from Oaxaca, ''xhatis'' who has done tons of increible Oaxacan backcountry off road adventure videos. He had his Tekken stolen, he didn't hesitated to buy a new tekken.

I bought it to ride down to South America, but I will have to do it with a
smaller motorcycle and lighter motorcycle. I'm senior and I enjoy riding solo but at 68 I find it very heavy to pick up when it's fully loaded.