Riding in Mexico
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,058
Likes: 8
From: MEXICO
RE: Riding in Mexico
NOTHING to be affraid of. You'd be amazed of how friendly we mexicans are with foreingers. You probably have heared scary stories about people being mugged, but that happens everywhere in the world. Yes policeman (the Federal Justice Department) carry long fire arms, but believe me you are the safest citizens in mexico, we live of tourism and you US citizens are more than welcome here in any city of Mexico. Those who have been to TJ, Rosarito and all other cities nearthe border have not bee in the real Mexico. I extend the most warm invitation for you to saddle up and drive all the way down to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Real de Catorce, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende... Guadalajara specially why not? Here you will find a friendly HOG which gathers every thursday.
Here when I get stopped by traffic officers they don't even highlight the fact that I'm not wearing a helmet (it is mandatory) but they stop me from time to time to talk about the bikes since most of them have Sportsters as patrols.
It is just the fact of being some place far away from home, believe me I have not yet but my friends in the Chapter have crossed Mexico entirely going up to Milwakee or Vegas and down to Guatemala and they have never had a security problem.
Rose, you won't regret taking this trip, my word counts on it.
Best Regards.
Ps: If you want tips or information on any particular place feel free to contact me for details. I'll be more than happy to provide you with everything you need.
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Riding in Mexico
ORIGINAL: Tman
Here ya go Blue! Everything you need to know, enjoy.
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisian...c2fd0b8&t=1120
Here ya go Blue! Everything you need to know, enjoy.
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisian...c2fd0b8&t=1120
Great thread....
ORIGINAL: jmbear328
There has been alot of problems around the borders and the Mexican police have been in the news alot
There has been alot of problems around the borders and the Mexican police have been in the news alot
ORIGINAL: mimo
Those who have been to TJ, Rosarito and all other cities nearthe border have not bee in the real Mexico. I extend the most warm invitation for you to saddle up and drive all the way down to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Real de Catorce, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende... Guadalajara specially why not?
Those who have been to TJ, Rosarito and all other cities nearthe border have not bee in the real Mexico. I extend the most warm invitation for you to saddle up and drive all the way down to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Real de Catorce, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende... Guadalajara specially why not?
The real bummer is though I live in California my Spanish is sparse at best.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Riding in Mexico
You can ride into Mexico and have a great time if you follow a few simple guidelines.
1) Have a separate Mexican insurance policy to cover the bike, you will get a sticker with it to put on your machine. You can usually get this insurance at the border. If you get into an accident without Mexican insurance they will confiscate your machine and hold it until all claims are settled.
2) Carry some $1 and $5 bills as "lubricant" when you run into a hassle. In Mexico this lubricant is not a bribe, it is "la mordida", the bite. It is normal. Mexican civil servants are very poorly paid and you should just view this as helping them. At the customs stations where they check your luggage, it is amazing how quickly the inspection goes when a few $1 bills accompany the luggage. Similarly, if you get stopped for speeding or running a red light or something, ask the officer if you may pay your fine to him. Chances are it can be arranged on the spot.
3) You will find red and green arrows on buildings at intersection corners in the towns. If you are looking at a green arrow, you have "la preferencia". the right of way. A red arrow means the other direction has the right of way. These arrows are often ignored, so be careful!
4) Before you check into a motel, ask to see the room.
5) Learn some Spanish before you go and try to use it. The obnoxious Americans who think everyone should speak English and who think they will be better understood if they speak louder are far too common.
6) Try to see things from their point of view. They do not have as much as we do, the living conditions are not as good, but they are still people with pride. If you are looking down your nose, they will know it (just as you would if the situation were reversed) and will treat you accordingly.
7) Buy the highest grade of gasoline.
8) Expect a lot of interest in your machine. These are very large and expensive motorcycles by Mexican standards, and much admired. Answer questions, be polite, don't brag.
9) I have never had any intestinal distress and I have eaten from pushcarts and heaven only know where else in Mexico, but why take a chance? If in doubt, don't eat it or drink it.
10) Don't get in a hurry. Relax, enjoy yourself and enjoy these wonderful people and their country. Eat their food, try to speak their language, try to understand them. You will have a great trip!
1) Have a separate Mexican insurance policy to cover the bike, you will get a sticker with it to put on your machine. You can usually get this insurance at the border. If you get into an accident without Mexican insurance they will confiscate your machine and hold it until all claims are settled.
2) Carry some $1 and $5 bills as "lubricant" when you run into a hassle. In Mexico this lubricant is not a bribe, it is "la mordida", the bite. It is normal. Mexican civil servants are very poorly paid and you should just view this as helping them. At the customs stations where they check your luggage, it is amazing how quickly the inspection goes when a few $1 bills accompany the luggage. Similarly, if you get stopped for speeding or running a red light or something, ask the officer if you may pay your fine to him. Chances are it can be arranged on the spot.
3) You will find red and green arrows on buildings at intersection corners in the towns. If you are looking at a green arrow, you have "la preferencia". the right of way. A red arrow means the other direction has the right of way. These arrows are often ignored, so be careful!
4) Before you check into a motel, ask to see the room.
5) Learn some Spanish before you go and try to use it. The obnoxious Americans who think everyone should speak English and who think they will be better understood if they speak louder are far too common.
6) Try to see things from their point of view. They do not have as much as we do, the living conditions are not as good, but they are still people with pride. If you are looking down your nose, they will know it (just as you would if the situation were reversed) and will treat you accordingly.
7) Buy the highest grade of gasoline.
8) Expect a lot of interest in your machine. These are very large and expensive motorcycles by Mexican standards, and much admired. Answer questions, be polite, don't brag.
9) I have never had any intestinal distress and I have eaten from pushcarts and heaven only know where else in Mexico, but why take a chance? If in doubt, don't eat it or drink it.
10) Don't get in a hurry. Relax, enjoy yourself and enjoy these wonderful people and their country. Eat their food, try to speak their language, try to understand them. You will have a great trip!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,058
Likes: 8
From: MEXICO
RE: Riding in Mexico
ORIGINAL: Tommy Meisel
You can ride into Mexico and have a great time if you follow a few simple guidelines.
1) Have a separate Mexican insurance policy to cover the bike, you will get a sticker with it to put on your machine. You can usually get this insurance at the border. If you get into an accident without Mexican insurance they will confiscate your machine and hold it until all claims are settled.
2) Carry some $1 and $5 bills as "lubricant" when you run into a hassle. In Mexico this lubricant is not a bribe, it is "la mordida", the bite. It is normal. Mexican civil servants are very poorly paid and you should just view this as helping them. At the customs stations where they check your luggage, it is amazing how quickly the inspection goes when a few $1 bills accompany the luggage. Similarly, if you get stopped for speeding or running a red light or something, ask the officer if you may pay your fine to him. Chances are it can be arranged on the spot.
3) You will find red and green arrows on buildings at intersection corners in the towns. If you are looking at a green arrow, you have "la preferencia". the right of way. A red arrow means the other direction has the right of way. These arrows are often ignored, so be careful!
4) Before you check into a motel, ask to see the room.
5) Learn some Spanish before you go and try to use it. The obnoxious Americans who think everyone should speak English and who think they will be better understood if they speak louder are far too common.
6) Try to see things from their point of view. They do not have as much as we do, the living conditions are not as good, but they are still people with pride. If you are looking down your nose, they will know it (just as you would if the situation were reversed) and will treat you accordingly.
7) Buy the highest grade of gasoline.
8) Expect a lot of interest in your machine. These are very large and expensive motorcycles by Mexican standards, and much admired. Answer questions, be polite, don't brag.
9) I have never had any intestinal distress and I have eaten from pushcarts and heaven only know where else in Mexico, but why take a chance? If in doubt, don't eat it or drink it.
10) Don't get in a hurry. Relax, enjoy yourself and enjoy these wonderful people and their country. Eat their food, try to speak their language, try to understand them. You will have a great trip!
You can ride into Mexico and have a great time if you follow a few simple guidelines.
1) Have a separate Mexican insurance policy to cover the bike, you will get a sticker with it to put on your machine. You can usually get this insurance at the border. If you get into an accident without Mexican insurance they will confiscate your machine and hold it until all claims are settled.
2) Carry some $1 and $5 bills as "lubricant" when you run into a hassle. In Mexico this lubricant is not a bribe, it is "la mordida", the bite. It is normal. Mexican civil servants are very poorly paid and you should just view this as helping them. At the customs stations where they check your luggage, it is amazing how quickly the inspection goes when a few $1 bills accompany the luggage. Similarly, if you get stopped for speeding or running a red light or something, ask the officer if you may pay your fine to him. Chances are it can be arranged on the spot.
3) You will find red and green arrows on buildings at intersection corners in the towns. If you are looking at a green arrow, you have "la preferencia". the right of way. A red arrow means the other direction has the right of way. These arrows are often ignored, so be careful!
4) Before you check into a motel, ask to see the room.
5) Learn some Spanish before you go and try to use it. The obnoxious Americans who think everyone should speak English and who think they will be better understood if they speak louder are far too common.
6) Try to see things from their point of view. They do not have as much as we do, the living conditions are not as good, but they are still people with pride. If you are looking down your nose, they will know it (just as you would if the situation were reversed) and will treat you accordingly.
7) Buy the highest grade of gasoline.
8) Expect a lot of interest in your machine. These are very large and expensive motorcycles by Mexican standards, and much admired. Answer questions, be polite, don't brag.
9) I have never had any intestinal distress and I have eaten from pushcarts and heaven only know where else in Mexico, but why take a chance? If in doubt, don't eat it or drink it.
10) Don't get in a hurry. Relax, enjoy yourself and enjoy these wonderful people and their country. Eat their food, try to speak their language, try to understand them. You will have a great trip!
This guy knows what he is talking about. Is funny how many times you hear stories from my mexican fellows (not the ones who go to the US looking for a job) complaining
Welcome to Mexico!
The president.
Mimo.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 8
RE: Riding in Mexico
Oh, I forgot to mention, earlier....I gotta tell ya this story. Like I said, hubby and his 2 buddies went down last winter. Had a great time tooling the coastal hwy. On the way home, one of his buddies had an accident. Got into a high speed wobble and lost it. Wrote off the bike and got scraped up pretty good. Could have been a lot worse. Of course, when all this happened, the few cars that were passing by stopped to help. Although, the fellow who had the accident, Brian, was up and walking around, he had a pretty bad case of road rash. ... and at that point, who knew what else? He was kind of 'out of it'.
An ambulance was called and the policia came. They loaded him into the ambulance. Hubby and the other friend, were busy making arrangements to get the bike picked up. They had a pretty difficult time trying to explain what had happened to the police. The police spoke very little English and of course these guys spoke very little Mexican.
Shortly afterwards, they made their way to the hospital. They were relieved to see that Brian was ok and cleaned up. The hospital staff was trying to get the story about what had happened. Again, pretty limited with English. If any time it would be important to speak the language, this would surely be the time. Quite frustrating and nerve wracking.
Anyways, after all the kaflufflal simmered down a bit, and the guys got to talk to Brian. They got a bit of a chuckle. Brian told them about the ambulance ride. Apparently, the ambulance was running a little low on gas, and he was still a bit spaced out so the attendants helped themselves to his wallet for money to buy gas. Can you believe that? Thank goodness, he wasn't carrying a whole heck of a lot of cash, they would have cleaning him out.... They wheeled the ambulance into a gas station, got gas, and speed out again. Whatchagonnado?
Only in Mexico!
An ambulance was called and the policia came. They loaded him into the ambulance. Hubby and the other friend, were busy making arrangements to get the bike picked up. They had a pretty difficult time trying to explain what had happened to the police. The police spoke very little English and of course these guys spoke very little Mexican.
Shortly afterwards, they made their way to the hospital. They were relieved to see that Brian was ok and cleaned up. The hospital staff was trying to get the story about what had happened. Again, pretty limited with English. If any time it would be important to speak the language, this would surely be the time. Quite frustrating and nerve wracking.
Anyways, after all the kaflufflal simmered down a bit, and the guys got to talk to Brian. They got a bit of a chuckle. Brian told them about the ambulance ride. Apparently, the ambulance was running a little low on gas, and he was still a bit spaced out so the attendants helped themselves to his wallet for money to buy gas. Can you believe that? Thank goodness, he wasn't carrying a whole heck of a lot of cash, they would have cleaning him out.... They wheeled the ambulance into a gas station, got gas, and speed out again. Whatchagonnado?
Only in Mexico!
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Riding in Mexico
hehehehe...that's actually a good one!
Note to self: Do NOT be carrying alot of money if in an accident.
Note to self: Do NOT be carrying alot of money if in an accident.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
