Riding in Mexico a good or bad idea?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 6
From: Livingston, Texas
Times are not like the 70s.
Come to the border towns of Texas & you will find out.
The Mexicans don't like people from the U.S. going down there
Costa Rica is.
Border towns yea may not want to hang out their. I have been to visit a friend of mine twice in the last two years in the Yucatan and have traveled quite a bit. Very nice people and I alway,s felt safe. On the way south to Tulum from Cancun their is a guy that rent's Harleys. When you go enjoy the trip .
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 359
Likes: 23
From: Pennsylvania
I only vacationed outside the US once (Bahamas) and found I'd rather keep my *** on American soil. Don't get me wrong, it was a great trip, but, there's plenty of great vacation destinations right here.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,967
Likes: 7,069
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
My wife and I will be spending a week in Mexico this summer, specifically in the Playa del Carmen area on the Yucatan Peninsula. I am toying with the idea of renting a Harley (there are several places in Playa) for a day or two and exploring on the bike. Have any of you had experience doing that in that area? I've heard the Yucatan is safer for Americans than some other parts of Mexico. Is that true? I also just read something that says that US motorcycle insurance is not good down there and you need Mexican insurance?
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!
PS--My wife and I only speak a few words of Spanish.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!
PS--My wife and I only speak a few words of Spanish.
I'd say beware of your road conditions in MX, but you need to do that in the USA now as our infrastructure is crumbling too.
Don't pay any attn to the people that are afraid of MX. They are afraid to live. Enjoy MX, it's a beautiful place. But don't be stupid either.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 230
From: CT
I've ridden in Mexico, many times. I've attended Tijuana Toyruns. There are different "customs" in MX as compared to USA. One of the biggest changes is....lane splitting. Lane splitting is actively promoted in MX. If you "sit" in traffic, the Federales will yell at you to lane split now. You'll want to comply with their requests, believe me!
I'd say beware of your road conditions in MX, but you need to do that in the USA now as our infrastructure is crumbling too.
Don't pay any attn to the people that are afraid of MX. They are afraid to live. Enjoy MX, it's a beautiful place. But don't be stupid either.
I'd say beware of your road conditions in MX, but you need to do that in the USA now as our infrastructure is crumbling too.
Don't pay any attn to the people that are afraid of MX. They are afraid to live. Enjoy MX, it's a beautiful place. But don't be stupid either.
If you look for drugs and frequent strip bars etc. that is where you are likely to run in to trouble. Be smart.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 472
From: CC TX
I've ridden in Mexico, many times. I've attended Tijuana Toyruns. There are different "customs" in MX as compared to USA. One of the biggest changes is....lane splitting. Lane splitting is actively promoted in MX. If you "sit" in traffic, the Federales will yell at you to lane split now. You'll want to comply with their requests, believe me!
I'd say beware of your road conditions in MX, but you need to do that in the USA now as our infrastructure is crumbling too.
Don't pay any attn to the people that are afraid of MX. They are afraid to live. Enjoy MX, it's a beautiful place. But don't be stupid either.
I'd say beware of your road conditions in MX, but you need to do that in the USA now as our infrastructure is crumbling too.
Don't pay any attn to the people that are afraid of MX. They are afraid to live. Enjoy MX, it's a beautiful place. But don't be stupid either.
Nueva Laredo is not one of them. I am not afraid but I am aware of my surroundings and the possibilities that lurk.
PS, you have to traverse the bad to get to the good unless you fly or go by ship.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 510
Likes: 83
From: SW Virginia
I spent a month there last year on my way to Central America.
Mexico absolutely rocks! It is so beautiful and amazing to ride in. High deserts, rainforest, Box canyons is all in a day. Super friendly locals who all treat you well. Amazing pyramids and ancient cities. Mind blowing.
There are a few rules however...First there are several areas you avoid, Michoacán, and the border primarily. Second...never ride at night. You will see, on the road, horses, pigs, cows, people, flocks of turkeys, donkeys, road runners, and any other animal you can think of. Night riding is dangerous because the hazards are still there. There is also the occasional piece of road missing and the only thing marking it may be a small tree branch.
Outside of the cities I have found the traffic to be very easy and in many ways makes more sense than here in the US. I never witnessed any road rage, everyone understands that traffic travels at different speeds.
I can not imagine the headache a Harley would bring however. Specifically I am referring to speed bumps called topes. You will learn to hate these. every town has these things coming into and throughout the town. Some are steep and would definitely hit a frame on a low slung bike. But even these could be negotiated in the right manner.
If this is something that a person is considering I am sad to say, this is the wrong forum to ask as evidenced by the very many folks who know all about it but have never ridden there. I don't know if we are allowed to reference other forums here but there is one that is dedicated to adventure riding and it has some amazing trip reports on Mexico and beyond.
Mexico absolutely rocks! It is so beautiful and amazing to ride in. High deserts, rainforest, Box canyons is all in a day. Super friendly locals who all treat you well. Amazing pyramids and ancient cities. Mind blowing.
There are a few rules however...First there are several areas you avoid, Michoacán, and the border primarily. Second...never ride at night. You will see, on the road, horses, pigs, cows, people, flocks of turkeys, donkeys, road runners, and any other animal you can think of. Night riding is dangerous because the hazards are still there. There is also the occasional piece of road missing and the only thing marking it may be a small tree branch.
Outside of the cities I have found the traffic to be very easy and in many ways makes more sense than here in the US. I never witnessed any road rage, everyone understands that traffic travels at different speeds.
I can not imagine the headache a Harley would bring however. Specifically I am referring to speed bumps called topes. You will learn to hate these. every town has these things coming into and throughout the town. Some are steep and would definitely hit a frame on a low slung bike. But even these could be negotiated in the right manner.
If this is something that a person is considering I am sad to say, this is the wrong forum to ask as evidenced by the very many folks who know all about it but have never ridden there. I don't know if we are allowed to reference other forums here but there is one that is dedicated to adventure riding and it has some amazing trip reports on Mexico and beyond.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 119
From: Penna.
I lived in Mexicali for 4 years and had a motorcycle with me the entire time. I would suggest the following;
You MUST have insurance valid in Mexico. Your usual insurance from an American company is NOT valid in Mexico. If you are in an accident w/o the proper insurance, you'll go to jail.
Be extremely careful. The drivers in Mexico can be very aggressive, run red lights, etc. Mexicans deal with accidents by taking off so it's doubly important to be fully insured.
When you park your bike at night, make sure it's at a hotel where they have security in the parking lot. If not, you could wake up to no motorcycle. A friend of mine had his Ducati stolen from his gated yard.
I enjoyed my stay there and rode all over the place. I followed the suggestions I gave above and didn't have any problems.
You MUST have insurance valid in Mexico. Your usual insurance from an American company is NOT valid in Mexico. If you are in an accident w/o the proper insurance, you'll go to jail.
Be extremely careful. The drivers in Mexico can be very aggressive, run red lights, etc. Mexicans deal with accidents by taking off so it's doubly important to be fully insured.
When you park your bike at night, make sure it's at a hotel where they have security in the parking lot. If not, you could wake up to no motorcycle. A friend of mine had his Ducati stolen from his gated yard.
I enjoyed my stay there and rode all over the place. I followed the suggestions I gave above and didn't have any problems.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,514
Likes: 1,992
From: Vancouver BC
The number one rule you MUST understand is that Mexico has an 'Inquisitional' legal system while The US and Canada has an 'Adversarial' legal system. The difference being that here the government must prove your guilt, in Mexico you must PROVE your innocence. In Mexico anyone can make a charge against you for any reason and off to jail you go until you can prove otherwise. There is no due process there, it's judicial system was formed from the Spanish Inquisition, hence the name 'Inquisitional.' Something to remember when traveling there.
