Call me crazy if you will.... but travelling is what I do for a living. I've been to Mexico twice, but never on a bike, and never "deep" into Mexico past the disgusting hookers and drugs that infest the border towns. From what I hear/read... once you get past the border towns, you're actually safer than in the US (in many cities)

So.... planning on a road trip to Mexico City. 3 days down (riding easy), maybe 3 or 4 days in the city, and then a few days to get back.

Questions/advice:

Mexican Insurance - How much? Coverage? Questions to ask? What to look for?

Border crossing? Brownsville? Reynosa? Nuevo Laredo? Which is best? Why?

GPS - Did you have one? Did it work? If so, which model/software update?

Thanks.... you can try to talk me out of it, but it's a trip I've been planning for quite some time. I'd much rather hear some advice from those that have done it before. Thanks!

 

you should stay out of mexico..i have heard there isnt any safe places there..the police are even crookeder then the criminals.and drugs rule the whole country..i bet there are some nice things to see down there.. good luck..

i always thought the hookers and partying was the the only reason to visit mexico..

 

You have to buy the chip for your GPS, you can get a new one or a used one on ebay. I have one and it works great. Both in the DF as well as the whole country. As far as riding here, Lewis and lewis is the insurance to go with. They have deals from a month to a whole year and for certain regions. they are a little pricy. You can ride in on your bike with out it but you will pay a 500 dollar fine. If you have the insurance you will not.
Note that there is alot of crime in the border cities and no matter where you go on both sides it can get pretty hairy. Be smart and choose a small town to cross in. Once your in there is plenty of great riding but be careful with your bike at night. Try not to ride at night. Not a good time. Most of the time in the day and most places you,ll go you will find the poeple friendly, si puedo habla espanol, if you dont speak spanish it is not that big of a deal, most people will not come outright and speak english but if you ask in english you will more than likely get somebody that can. I have lived here since august and I am not dead, I live in Torreon which has a bad rep. Every place that has trouble is not always as bad as it sounds. THat being said be smart, be respectful and follow the law and you should be fine. In the end you do what you want and that is that. GO and have a great time.. the country gets a bad wrap if you ask me. There are just as many murders and drug killngs in the US as there are here, WE just give the violence different names.

 

Well, If you do go
make sure you stop at all the HD factories....

I wouldn't ride my bicycle in mexico

 

Thanks Timmy... thats exactly what I needed to hear.

I plan on crossing through a bordertown, simply because of the available amenities, like purchasing insurance.... I do not plan on staying the night until I get well into Mexico.

Honestly, I've stayed the night in both Nuevo Laredo in 2006, and Tijuana in 2010..... BOTH times I think it was safer in Mexico than it was right across the border in the US. You're right, Mexico gets a bad rap from the media. What's most ironic, is that it is the Americans that provide the demand for the drug trafficking and prostitution. If it weren't for us, there would be no crime. With all that said, the folks that get in trouble down there, are generally doing something they shouldn't be anyway.

So this insurance (Lewis and Lewis)...... How much is it? Is it by the day or only by the month? Can I purchase 10 or 12 days of insurance to cover myself?

Why shouldn't I ride at night? Roads? Animals? I hadn't planned on it, but now you have me curious.

 

A friend of the Family lost her Brother down there. He was found beheaded. This was after they paid 30k in ransom. This happened about three years ago. I haven't set foot in Mexico in over twenty years and I live in San Diego.

 

I've been to mexico several times in the pass years. Been as far a Mexico City. Also to Tampico, Monterry, saltillo, Zacatecas. mostly for MC ralleys. If you do a search on my user name you will fine a copy of an article that I wrote for Thunderpress on that trip. Mexico is or use to be a great place to travel, that was before the narcos, put a stop to my trips. It getting pass the boarder states that you will run the greats risk. Don't cross at Laredo or Matamoros. Another city to avoid at all cost is San Feranando which is south of matamoros on Hwy 101.

Here my advice on going to Mexico City. Spend night at Mcallen, Tx. Go to NVo Progreso, with Ins card, Tile to Bike, credit Card(this is importan) and passport. Go over the bridge, at end of bridge before entry, turn right and Park, go in side, They will issue you a visa and permit for your bike. You can turn these back in,where ever you desided to return thru. Then go back across bridge and re turn to mcallen and spend night. get an early start the next morning and every morning after that, until you are well south of the boarder. The narco don't do good in day light.

I would cross at the Anzalduas International Bridge, just south of Mission, Tx. From McAllen, take Expressway 83 west to Bryant RD. Turn south it will take you to bridge. once across it will take you to Hwy 40 to monterrey, You can then take the expressway Toll road to San Luis Potosi, then to Mexico City.

Now if you are set for a ride of a different kind. I would From Monterrey, Head west to Saltillo, then take hwy 54 to Zacatecas, then hwy 45/71 south to Aguascalientes, Leon, to Queretaro, then to Mexico City.

I would spend aleast one day in Zacatecas, it an old silver town, Stay in the town center if you can. There are alway hotel around the plazas. Ask the Hotle for secure parking. They know where they are and some have them on site. There a trolly that will take you on a tour of Zac, besure to take it and the lift car to the top of the mountain.

If you go on the toll roads, you will find plenty of gas station and save your toll receipts. If you have a accident on a toll road, they act as insurance for you. Also buy travel insurance, before you start. it not that expensive.

Do not at any time Travel at night, There are cattle, other animals, cars without lights, unmarked construction and the narcos.
Here some information.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...to-mexico.html

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/membe...to-mexico.html


If I can be of any further help PM me. I live in Mission, Tx.

Robert

 

Thanks Robert,

I like the idea of the "secondary" trip. I mapped out your advice all the way to Mexico City.

Then, the quickest way back to the border at the tail end of the trip.

One problem: From US/MX border to Saltillo is only 3+ hours
From Saltillo to Zacatecas is another 5 hours.

3 hours is too little to ride. 9 hours is a bit much once you factor in stops.

There is NOTHING between Saltillo and Zacatecas... and I would have to stay the night somewhere. Are there places to stay?

Your thoughts?

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=mi...mra=ls&t=m&z=6

 

I live a couple of hours north of the border and will not travel to Mexico for any reason. Good luck to you, I hope you have a nice, safe trip.

 

I would go to Mexico with a group of riders only. Would like to go someday but no one else I know does.