TVIP Question.
 

We were riding across the Yucatan when a small rock got past the radiator guard and pierced the radiator, so now we're down for repairs in Pisté,Yucatan. The replacement should be here in 15 days and if it fits all should be well. If not, we are looking at 50 days from England (Triumph Tiger 800). Our TVIPs are up late August. Is it possible to extend a TVIP? Is it possible to truck a bike from Chetumal to the border to Belize, ride it across, renew everything and ride it back the same day? Thanks for any or advice, Val

If your radiator is leaking it should be possible to have it repaired in Valladolid or Cancun . I m sure you can find a Taller de radiadores who should be able to do it. Mexican mechanics are resourceful but if you have the tools you could remove the rad yourself at a hotel, that way they aren't mucking up your bike unintentionally .

As to the TVIP renewal , yes you can truck ( or ride)the bike down to the Belize border BEFORE the TVIP expires and cancel the TVIP and collect your security deposit . It is okay to turn right around and go back to get a new TVIP.
Extending an existing TVIP is not known to me.

As for trucking the bike to the border, if you ask around for " fleteros" ( a Guatemalan term) you should easily find one of these for- hire small trucks with a driver willing to do the job. it will be a long haul for him so the price will include an overnight stay for the driver probably . The costs will be compensated for by not losing the security deposit and the problems that come with that , that pays for the trucker . Better yet is to ride it.

TVIP, leaking radiator
 

Thank you Sjoerd, We will take your advice and post how it all works out. We're removing the radiator now. val

Check with the Triumph dealer in Guate City , they might have in stock what you need .
It's only 2 hours by direct flight from Cancun or 22 hours by bus .
Both options are probably cheaper then taking the bike to the border with a fletero .

Zayn

Enviado desde mi HIGHWAY mediante Tapatalk

They keep the deposit if you agree to this arrangement . The TVIP will have expired while you are in Mexico , ergo NO refund.
MikeLeinweber posted about this last year after he had the same situation in the Yucatan . It was a way of avoiding an additional fine.

BEFORE the TVIP EXPIRES GETyour bike to the border at the Chactumal crossing , the new terminal for the one formerly called Subte Lopez 15 km west of Chetumal and cancel it and you will get the refund.
The refund will be returned to the credit card account which you used to pay. If you paid in CASH US dollars ( pesos not accepted for this) then your refund will be given to you right there in US dollars
Then turn around and get the new TVIP , and pay the deposit anew.

We took the radiator to a Moto shop in Meridá and they had it repaired. It seems to be working fine, no leaks and temperatures are running normal. So we're off to Tulum and then Chetumal and Belize. Thanks to you all for your help. So how are the roads through Belize? Val&Diana

The main highways are all paved Northern Higway, from Mexico to Belize city Western Highway to the Guate border , Hummingbird and Southern Highways get you down to Punta Gorda
and the new border crossing at Jalacte( not open yet???)

The Old Northern Hiway to Altun Ha ruins is okay from the south end but to north junction with Howsy near Orange walk it is garbage
There are also more secondary paved roads into the Spanish Lookout Menno colony
From near Cayo the road south to Caracol Ruins site is good gravel which then turns to great pavement deep into the hills
Menno colony of Shipyard is unpaved rural roads , mucky if it rains but interesting side trip
There is a good paved shortcut around BZ CITY , but that town is okay to visit , has pretty good hotel choice