Hubby and I toured the Baja a few years back. It was a trip of a lifetime. I really learned a lot on that trip...It was a true 'eye opener' that's for sure. We travelled each with our own bike and were accompanied by another couple on one other bike.

Our trip although eventful, was quite successful. We came home with some great stories to tell. There are a number of things to prepare yourself with before you go. As explained in this thread previously, mostly has to do with your identification and proof own ownership of your bike and INSURANCE! There are no insurance companies that will cover you from either Canada or the USA. For good reason. Anything of value, tends to disappear down there.

We were warned about the northern part of the country and booted like heck through it. The border towns are not a good place to be. There is a terrible problem with drug trafficking and all that is associated to it in the Northern part of the country.

The further down the hwy we got, the easier we felt. We found the people in general (even with the language barrier) to be friendly and very courteous. In heavy traffic, other motorists would often allow for us all to stay together and would courteously open up a space so we could pass and remain as a group. Now THAT was refreshing! It happened repeatedly. Many times, we got a thumbs up from passersby. The Hwy's have improved greatly. They have much construction going on so that is definitely an ongoing thing. We were also warned about travelling at night. We originally thought it had to do with personal safety and banditos but, eventually discovered it's not JUST that .. But .. wild roaming cattle fancy to lay on the warm hwy at night. Soooo, when you come boot'n around a corner there they are ... BIG as life laying in your path. Much different that the deer and moose we are accustomed to ... At least with deer and moose .. you have a chance that they will move .. with a resting cow ... THEY DON'T BUDGE!

As of a few years back, gas stations were taken over by the government and are not privately owned anymore. We found them to be quite modern and offered a variety of necessities other than just gas. We found a few that we just didn't like to loiter around or take a rest because of the characters hanging around them asking for money. Felt VERY uncomfortable there.

As we got closer to the south end of the Baja, we met a few people who explained how corrupt the policia is when you get down into the southern tip. And wouldn't you know it, hubby and our friend sat on the balcony of our hotel in Cabo San Lucas and actually witnessed a 'sting' by the policia. THAT in itself is pretty long story so I won't go into it here. After THAT experience, we couldn't wait to get out of that God Forsaken country. It finally hit home, just what we were dealing with. WE had been pretty fortunate up to that point, and now it was time to head home!... PRONTO!

The one and only Harley Davidson 'dealership' in the Baja (in Cabo) was a joke. All we wanted was to get an oil change before we left, and opted to give it a try. They have a little store offering t-shirts and a little of your everyday Harley logo stuff, but their 'shop' is a 20 X 20 boarded up 'room' in the corner of a nearby underground hotel parkade. The mechanic didn't even know how do it. Thank goodness we didn't just drop the bikes off and leave em. Hubby was there and watch him try to find how to drain the oil .... Freeked him right out! He had to tell the guy where the plug was. Then on second thought, he asked the guy to back up ... and he'd do it himself. Costed us over $200 to do both our bikes... AND HUBBY DID IT HIMSELF. All he did was use their tools and oil. Pffffttt!

On the way back we took the ferry across to Topo La Bompo (I think that's how it's spelled). It takes you from the east coast of the Baja over to the west coast of the mainland. THAT was quite the experience. I'm glad someone had suggested for us bring our own tie downs, because the ferry only offered a single tattered nylon rope to tie each bike down. Pfffftttt !!!! As if!!!!

Travelling into Mexico was a great experience, I'm glad we went. Would I do it again ... NOT ON YOUR LIFE! It's dirty (garbage everywhere and there is no vehicular pollution controls, so air quality is the worst I have ever seen) and increasingly unsafe. If something happens to you there, you have to remember, you are no man's land. The police won't help you. They just want your money.

 

I used to go to Mexico several times a year. There are some some beautiful rural areas. I have done some jeep tours and a 4-wheeler tour through the bottom of Copper canyon. You can't get to any of them on an Ultra. I still scuba dive in Cozumel yearly. I think you are generally ok if you fly into the main tourist areas. I think it would be very unwise to tour on your bike. There is just too much instability and the general infrastructure is very poor. The highways aren't really that terrific for touring. A nice Harley would just be too enticing to resist for the criminal element. Its just too easy to kill you and take it.

 

I've surfed, fished, and ridden dirt bikes in Mexico since the eary seventies. Probably spent a year of my life there. It used to be awesome, today it's simply unsafe. A guy on here said a Canadian on an Ultra would be a prime target. I couldn't agree more. I haven't been since 2005 and can't imagine going back in the forseeable future.

Edit: I hadn't fisnished the thread or seen your response to those who mostly only had your best interests at heart before I wrote this. You have a strange way of saying thanks Munch. I do hope you enjoy a safe and uneventful trip to Mexico. If the problem's only in Northeastern Mexico then maybe you should go through TJ. Go through at night...less traffic.

 

Maybe these Moronic statements will save your life...Don't be to quick to judge...IE:Never left the country Bla Bla bla...These morons would be the first ones to help your broken down *** if you were in need...Just saying...Don't be so uptight about what people say...Hey if you want to go to Mexico on your bike , knock yourself out but it is your "Moronic" choice to do it. Is what the folks here are saying. In General , Just Saying...

 

Less traffic maybe ... but that in itself with be to your detriment. Do NOT ... I repeat Do NOT travel in Mexico after dark! It's unsafe during the day ... at night it's worse... MUCH WORSE!

Have you ever noticed .. even in the touristy areas ... the bigger hotels and such have their own security ... (ususally armed). Just think how much more of an advantage a would be thief (or worse) would have to attack you and escape under the cover of darkness. Not the smart thing to do .. NOT by a 'longshot'!

 

I guess I will have to differ with most of the posters on this one. I have ridden in Mexico on numerous ocasions. In 07 I rode from Brownsville to Tapachula, via the Panamerican Highway, along the Pacific Coast while I was headed to Ushuaia, Argentina. On the way back I rode the Gulf Coast, and again crossed at Brownsville. I enjoyed the country and people enough, that I wanted to go back and explore, instead of just going thru. I did that last May, and spent the whole month in Mexico exploring.

The naysayers were there for me, explaining how the Narcos and Federalies were going to get me in the crossfire. If they didn't get me, the Swine Flu would. Naturally, the people warning me had never been there themselves, but a friend said.......

I was told Central America was a lawless wasteland with no redeeming value. South America would be worse. Surely if I made it that far, I would be kidnapped and held for ransom in Colombia.

Of course, none of this was my experience. All I found were smiling children, and adults that were interested in my trip and wanted to do what they could to help me, in any way I needed.

Make a good plan, obey the laws, stay out of situations that could turn dangerous, and you will be fine. If you listen to everybody telling you how stupid you are for even considering the trip, you will miss seeing a beautiful country with great riding, and some of the friendliest people on earth.

I rode from Key West to Ushuaia, turned around and rode to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and then back to Key West. Never once was I threatened, or did I feel I was in any danger. I am more affraid riding around Miami, Chicago, Detroit, L.A. New York, I think you get the idea.

I would be happy to help you plan your trip if you decide to go.

 

I would have to say you were VERY fortunate. Again, I have not been but close enough.

 

Things have changed, you do need to be aware of the problems and problem areas. I don't know the latest areas to avoid but I have made two trips on a bike recently, if you consider the last 4 years or so recent - I believe one in 2006 and the other in 2008.
First trip was with a buddy, we rode the length of Baja. Stayed in La Paz rather than Cabo San Lucas. Great trip, we both hope to do it again.
I would recommend crossing the border at Tecate rather than San Diego/Tijuana.
Second trip was to the Copper Canyon area, stayed in Creel. This time my wife was with me and we travelled with another couple (in a Ford F250).
Again another great trip, I have since went back to one of the towns we visited in my truck. I would cross in either New Mexico or Arizona.
As mentioned earlier you need insurance, ownership paperwork, a vehicle permit which MUST be closed out when you exit the country and also your visa. None of this is expensive or difficult.
Links for information:
http://www.bajabound.com/ source of insurance and general information
http://www.amigos3.com/index.php?go=basic-info&et=tours local information, rental vehicles etc for Creel / Copper Canyon area. I contacted these folks by email and got information on where to stay etc. Once there we went to the office and were given maps and more information on where to go what to see - they never asked me for anything. I asked how I could repay them and they asked to to just spread the word.
http://www.coppercanyoninsider.com/
forums
http://www.advrider.com/
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/
Search around and you will find trip reports and information on border crossings, paperwork etc

 

Here are a couple of photos.
Lunch spot just outside of Cuidad Insurgentes, on our way back north.
Next is a hotel in Mulege where we stayed that night, most place let you bring your bike into the courtyard if it is possible.
Last photo is the courtyard in the morning.

 

I was wrong, we went to Creel in May 2007 - so coming up on three years ago.
We spent one night in Mata Ortiz.
-Photo of the bike parked outside our room, inside the courtyard.
-A photo of outside the hotel, where our friends stayed in their camper.
-Photo of one of the courtyards.
While in Creel we based camped at Hotel Villa Mexicana Lodging Resort & Rv Park, we rented one of the cabins and our friends stayed at an RV site.
There was a pretty good frost the morning we left to head back north.