Who has ridden in Mexico?

[tonybluegoat]

As I look into places to go I'm considering Urique, Chihuahua Mexico.  It's about 1000 miles away. They host the Copper Canyon Untra Marathon where locals run (wearing sandals made from car tires) for 50 miles. I'm no runner, but it's a beautiful event. Everyone who finishes wins 500 lbs of corn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UkMzj89F9E

So, who has ridden deep into our Southern neighbor? Care to share your experience?

Thanks,
Tony

[The emperor has no clothes]

Furthest I’ve been is Ensanada and Matamoros. But that was in the late 70’s. No way I’d do it now.

[Jess from VA]

I drove to Ensanada in the 80s (and drank mescal and ate the worm).

You must have a death wish to go now.  (maybe in a large group)

[LTD]

Scooter Tramp Scotty  whos lived off his motorcycle and a tent since 1995 goes every year into Mexico for the winter and says he never has a problem with violence You can follow him on youtube

[..]

https://www.scootertrampscotty.com/

[tonybluegoat]

I was literally on Mexican TV during the worst of the drug murders and kidbappings. Just across the border of El Paso getting dental work done $4000 worth of work for $900. My wife and I were sitting on a restaurant patio having lunch. Mexican TV reporter interviews me because we are literally the only Americans in the square.

What did I say?  People take themselves way too seriously. I wouldn’t think twice about going now. Life’s an adventure. I’ve ridden my bike in the middle of a herd of stampeding bison. I could reach out and touch them. Much more dangerous than some drug cartel that couldn’t care less about me.

So I guess I’ll be the only Valk south of the border. I’ll send a postcard.

[Jess from VA]

You've also got to notify your insurance company (and add coverage), to actually have coverage, and to satisfy the Federalies.

[tonybluegoat]

When you plan that trip, check the availability of gasoline between Juarez and Chihuahua.  It is 250 miles and few stations.   Carry some local cash in case you can't use plastic.

Thanks. I’ll do that.

[tonybluegoat]

You've also got to notify your insurance company (and add coverage), to actually have coverage, and to satisfy the Federalies.

Thanks

[Bighead]

Rode to the border and looked across but a fella told me and my buddy we should go north as two guys with alabama tags and riding newer Harleys would be prime kidnapping victims. We took his advice. Although I would love to see the area you said. Copper canyon looks way cool.

[Forge]

Kidnappings is big business there now. They hope to get ransom from rich Americans. Everyone knows Harleys are expensive and I can’t tell you how many people have thought both my Suzuki Intruder and Valkyrie are Harleys. I wouldn’t expect any different down there, especially if they’ve never seen a Valk.

[Bighead]

Well when that Hombre was told us to go north we did not question him at all and after filling the tank rode north and staye in Victoria TX. We rode all back roads and was in a small break in the road ,and had stopped for water when this guy came over and talked with us. If we had been kidnapped we would be dead and kidnappers would be pissed

[tonybluegoat]

Rode to the border and looked across but a fella told me and my buddy we should go north as two guys with alabama tags and riding newer Harleys would be prime kidnapping victims. We took his advice. Although I would love to see the area you said. Copper canyon looks way cool.

Fun with Numbers...

75 Americans were murdered in Mexico in 2019. That seems like a lot. Then you consider there were 31 million American tourists. But still that seems like a lot ... except that 275 Americans were killed in Detroit in 2019 which has a population of only 500,000.

(9 times more Americans were killed in North Carolina than Mexico...  Inzane?  You betcha!  You're taking your life in your hands.)

There were 20 Times more Americans killed in TEXAS than in Mexico this year. 23 times more Americans were killed in California. The global homicide rate per 100,000 is 6.2. The homicide rate in America per 100,000 is 5.3.  The homicide rate per 100,000 American tourists is 4.1.

Technically it's safer to be a tourist in Mexico than a resident in any state in the U.S.  I say technically because 33,000 Mexicans were murdered in 2018 but only 16,000 of your neighbors were murdered around you in the U.S. in 2018.

Americans aren't kidnapped for ransom in the U.S. but over 700,000 ADULT people go missing each year and are considered "in danger" by law enforcement. There were about 1,100 people kidnapped in Mexico last year. Not an exact comparison.

But I would say never drive through or visit Louisiana because that state has a higher murder rate than Mexico. I was across the border in Louisiana 3 times last year.  I feel lucky I made it out alive.

Technically the term "Grandiose Narcissism" doesn't mean what I'm about to describe, but it's the closes term I can conjure. The idea that everything one reads about is going to happen TO THEM. The idea that the hurricane came just to ruin YOUR WEDDING. The reason people in the 1980's brought their children to the local mall to have their DNA swabs taken in case they were "kidnapped."

Just to be safe I'll pretend I'm Canadian. I didn't see any Canadian murders in Mexico last year.  I did see 4 Canadians killed in Chicago, though... (Just kidding, but if I didn't say JK no one would have doubted that statistic for a second.)  The Louisiana thing is 100% real, however... a murder rate over 11 per 100,000. It's literally more dangerous than Mexico.

P.S. You are 23 times more likely to die on a motorcycle than in a car per million miles. 24 for Motorcycle vs 1.07 for car. So, it's 20 times more dangerous to drive a motorcycle in my city than it is to drive a car in Mexico. The increased danger of death for me in Mexico is a rounding error.  Plus I'm 50, so you know.. at least I'll save on health insurance costs.  Fun with math!

Peace. (that was fun.)

 
Occupant Fatality Rates By Vehicle Type, 2007 And 2016

Fatality rate   Motorcycles   Light trucks   Passenger cars
2007           
     Per 100,000 registered vehicles   72.48   12.36   12.05
     Per 100 million vehicle miles traveled   24.18   1.10   1.07
2016           
     Per 100,000 registered vehicles   60.90   7.80   9.94
     Per 100 million vehicle miles traveled   25.85   0.73   0.93
Percent change, 2007-2016           
     Per 100,000 registered vehicles   -16.0%   -36.9%   -17.5%
     Per 100 million vehicle miles traveled   6.9   -33.6   -13.1

[Bighead]

Well Tony bluegoat I appreciate hour input but you have a fellow Texan just two
Posts up saying kidnapping is big business. Somif you do venture south goood luck and have fun. Not
Worth it to me

[tonybluegoat]

Well Tony bluegoat I appreciate hour input but you have a fellow Texan just two
Posts up saying kidnapping is big business. Somif you do venture south goood luck and have fun. Not
Worth it to me

Well, I'm still looking for advice from people who have traveled on something other than a cruise ship to somewhere other than a resort hotel.

I have no doubt that many people fear many things and lots of them are happy to tell me how dangerous everything is.  Let me tell you about how I used to work with explosives in the Army.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well Tony bluegoat I appreciate hour input but you have a fellow Texan just two
Posts up saying kidnapping is big business. Somif you do venture south goood luck and have fun. Not
Worth it to me

Well, I'm still looking for advice from people who have traveled on something other than a cruise ship to somewhere other than a resort hotel.

I have no doubt that many people fear many things and lots of them are happy to tell me how dangerous everything is.

being that my rides into Mexico were limited to a hundred miles or so, and about 40 years ago, I figured my advice was pretty much worthless.   (you seem to have strong opinions of what and where is safe, for only having ridden to 3 neighboring states)

[Bighead]

Well Tony bluegoat I appreciate hour input but you have a fellow Texan just two
Posts up saying kidnapping is big business. Somif you do venture south goood luck and have fun. Not
Worth it to me

Well, I'm still looking for advice from people who have traveled on something other than a cruise ship to somewhere other than a resort hotel.

I have no doubt that many people fear many things and lots of them are happy to tell me how dangerous everything is.  Let me tell you about how I used to work with explosives in the Army.

I am in no way trying to persuade you on either direction. Go for
It if you want.
BTW i have never been on A boat over 52 ft   And we caught the hell out of amber jack and snapper that day

[Bighead]

Well Tony bluegoat I appreciate hour input but you have a fellow Texan just two
Posts up saying kidnapping is big business. Somif you do venture south goood luck and have fun. Not
Worth it to me

Well, I'm still looking for advice from people who have traveled on something other than a cruise ship to somewhere other than a resort hotel.

I have no doubt that many people fear many things and lots of them are happy to tell me how dangerous everything is.

being that my rides into Mexico were limited to a hundred miles or so, and about 40 years ago, I figured my advice was pretty much worthless.   (you seem to have strong opinions of what and where is safe, for only having ridden to 3 neighboring states)

Damn Rob i will not admit this but you are genius   never looked at his map.  
But evidently he has done the math and all the equations. So what could go wrong?  
Maybe needs to ride in the US more? I have ridden in about 45 of the 50 and canada

[tonybluegoat]

Well Tony bluegoat I appreciate hour input but you have a fellow Texan just two
Posts up saying kidnapping is big business. Somif you do venture south goood luck and have fun. Not
Worth it to me

Well, I'm still looking for advice from people who have traveled on something other than a cruise ship to somewhere other than a resort hotel.

I have no doubt that many people fear many things and lots of them are happy to tell me how dangerous everything is.

being that my rides into Mexico were limited to a hundred miles or so, and about 40 years ago, I figured my advice was pretty much worthless.   (you seem to have strong opinions of what and where is safe, for only having ridden to 3 neighboring states)

Damn Rob i will not admit this but you are genius   never looked at his map.  
But evidently he has done the math and all the equations. So what could go wrong?  

Well, considering I've only had the bike for 6 weeks in the middle of Winter... But your response is understood.  I just hate when people run almost all of their their life on fear while they are doing one of the most dangerous activities possible (motorcycle riding). I also find it interesting that it's impossible to post anything fun without lots of worrywarts feeling the need to crap all over it. I would understand if the post title was "Tell me why it's horribly dangerous to ride a motorcycle in Mexico." But regardless of what one is looking for there are always those who are generous enough with their time to poop on it.

   (hey the forum changes crap to poop... crap crap crap.) that's fun

[Bighead]

Well Tony bluegoat I appreciate hour input but you have a fellow Texan just two
Posts up saying kidnapping is big business. Somif you do venture south goood luck and have fun. Not
Worth it to me

Well, I'm still looking for advice from people who have traveled on something other than a cruise ship to somewhere other than a resort hotel.

I have no doubt that many people fear many things and lots of them are happy to tell me how dangerous everything is.

being that my rides into Mexico were limited to a hundred miles or so, and about 40 years ago, I figured my advice was pretty much worthless.   (you seem to have strong opinions of what and where is safe, for only having ridden to 3 neighboring states)

Damn Rob i will not admit this but you are genius   never looked at his map.  
But evidently he has done the math and all the equations. So what could go wrong?  

Well, considering I've only had the bike for 6 weeks in the middle of Winter... But your response is understood.  I just hate when people run almost all of their their life on fear while they are doing one of the most dangerous activities possible (motorcycle riding). I also find it interesting that it's impossible to post anything fun without lots of worrywarts feeling the need to crap all over it. I would understand if the post title was "Tell me why it's horribly dangerous to ride a motorcycle in Mexico." But regardless of what one is looking for there are always those who are generous enough with their time to poop on it.

   (hey the forum changes poop to poop... poop poop poop.) that's fun

You have only been riding for. 6 weeks? And this valk is your first bike ?

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Well Tony bluegoat I appreciate hour input but you have a fellow Texan just two
Posts up saying kidnapping is big business. Somif you do venture south goood luck and have fun. Not
Worth it to me

Well, I'm still looking for advice from people who have traveled on something other than a cruise ship to somewhere other than a resort hotel.

I have no doubt that many people fear many things and lots of them are happy to tell me how dangerous everything is.

being that my rides into Mexico were limited to a hundred miles or so, and about 40 years ago, I figured my advice was pretty much worthless.   (you seem to have strong opinions of what and where is safe, for only having ridden to 3 neighboring states)

Damn Rob i will not admit this but you are genius   never looked at his map.  
But evidently he has done the math and all the equations. So what could go wrong?  

Well, considering I've only had the bike for 6 weeks in the middle of Winter... But your response is understood.  I just hate when people run almost all of their their life on fear while they are doing one of the most dangerous activities possible (motorcycle riding). I also find it interesting that it's impossible to post anything fun without lots of worrywarts feeling the need to crap all over it. I would understand if the post title was "Tell me why it's horribly dangerous to ride a motorcycle in Mexico." But regardless of what one is looking for there are always those who are generous enough with their time to poop on it.

   (hey the forum changes poop to poop... poop poop poop.) that's fun

Head on down there take and post plenty of pictures. When and if you get back let everyone know how badass you are.

[tonybluegoat]

Well Tony bluegoat I appreciate hour input but you have a fellow Texan just two
Posts up saying kidnapping is big business. Somif you do venture south goood luck and have fun. Not
Worth it to me

Well, I'm still looking for advice from people who have traveled on something other than a cruise ship to somewhere other than a resort hotel.

I have no doubt that many people fear many things and lots of them are happy to tell me how dangerous everything is.

being that my rides into Mexico were limited to a hundred miles or so, and about 40 years ago, I figured my advice was pretty much worthless.   (you seem to have strong opinions of what and where is safe, for only having ridden to 3 neighboring states)

Damn Rob i will not admit this but you are genius   never looked at his map.  
But evidently he has done the math and all the equations. So what could go wrong?  

Well, considering I've only had the bike for 6 weeks in the middle of Winter... But your response is understood.  I just hate when people run almost all of their their life on fear while they are doing one of the most dangerous activities possible (motorcycle riding). I also find it interesting that it's impossible to post anything fun without lots of worrywarts feeling the need to crap all over it. I would understand if the post title was "Tell me why it's horribly dangerous to ride a motorcycle in Mexico." But regardless of what one is looking for there are always those who are generous enough with their time to poop on it.

   (hey the forum changes poop to poop... poop poop poop.) that's fun

You have only been riding for. 6 weeks? And this valk is your first bike ?

My other bikes were small. This is the first bike I ever wanted to ride any distance because it's a great bike. I want to ride it everywhere.  

[Bighead]

Understood but your scrotum may not house enough Nuts to do what you want. I hope you have a successful trip. Have fun.

[tonybluegoat]

That was a mostly pointless exercise. I was looking for actual advice. Thanks to the two guys who had some.

[Jess from VA]

Habla Espaniol?   

(having spent time in many countries, I've always found speaking some of the language makes the people like you more, and you have a nicer time.) 

[tonybluegoat]

It is decided.  I will ride my Valk down to the Copper Canyon and sell it to a drug kingpin for $10,000 then take a bus home.

That sounds like fun.

[bscrive]

I know of a 70 year old couple that drives down to Guadalajara from here in Ottawa every year for the last 30 years.  They leave in November, stay for the winter and drive back in the spring.  They say that they have never had any issues.  You just need to be aware of your surroundings.  They say that the people are super nice and helpful.  They did mention that some of the roads are pretty barren and not much around. 

So, since you are driving an older bike.  You may want to check out what towing services are available on your route.  The Valks are pretty reliable, but not unbreakable.

Have fun.

[Bighead]

Driving? Bike? You ride a bike.

[Rams]

I consider every ride as another adventure.   One must weigh the risks and make a decision, do I want to go there (where ever) badly enough to risk what ever dangers may be present.   Make your decision and do what makes you happy.

I have no desire to travel to or through Mexico but then, I don't have a desire to ride to or through anywhere in California, Detroit, Atlanta, Dallas/FW, Miami, NYC, Chicago, Memphis or any other big city.   Canada and New Zealand do intrigue me though, both are on my bucket list.   Enjoy the road where ever you travel.

Rams

[Fazer]

We have been to Puerta Vallarta the last two years, and no problems there.  Even ventured a few hours out into the country--and it doesn't take many miles until you are really in the boonies.  I have a retired friend that made the drive a couple of times from Cincinnati to PV and the only issue they had was something to do with insurance when they were stopped by some local gendarme.  As I recall, the problem was solved with a donation of 500 pesos (about $25).  Been hearing some places, Jaurez included, are not safe for Americans, but if merely traveling thru, don't think I would be that worried.  As others have noted, speaking a bit of Spanish is helpful, even if you just show that you are trying.  I think getting fuel in some the rural areas may be more of a worry.  And cash is king.  Dollars can be used anywhere.

Good luck.  Sounds like a great adventure.  Looking forward to stories and pictures when you get back.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Anyone who thinks Lafayette or Baton Rogue is worse murder wise than Ciudad Juarez should NOT travel to Mexico. Do you even ride bro? Take your Prius your first trip.

I can't wait to see your pictures of Copper Canyon.
(Drink only bottled water, don't use ice in your drinks and specify Beef Chicken or Pork meat for your burrito's.)

Edit: forgot to post my ride map pic.

[Jess from VA]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8WbLU958Lg

[Wizzard]

I  have been to  Mexico probably 20 times over the years to various resorts. Always flew there and rented a car. I have driven many miles out of Guadalajara through the countryside and spent nights in Zamora, Ixtlan, and Chapala, Puerto Vallarta as well as Acapulco and never had a problem. I would never do it on my bike but that's just my opinion.

[Pluggy]

Anyone who thinks Lafayette or Baton Rogue is worse murder wise than Ciudad Juarez should NOT travel to Mexico. Do you even ride bro? Take your Prius your first trip.

I can't wait to see your pictures of Copper Canyon.
(Drink only bottled water, don't use ice in your drinks and specify Beef Chicken or Pork meat for your burrito's.)

Edit: forgot to post my ride map pic.

Some people forget that when you leave the United States, the Bill of Rights doesn't go along with you.   Keeping on your good behavior is important.

[Avanti]

I hike and climb 14ers. I have a saying, "go anywhere you want, as long as you can come back". 
I have had to stop my accent many times over the years to bring one or more down from a location they had no business being; due to their lack of experience and the ability to use the expensive equipment that they seemed to have no working knowledge of.

Go on an adventure, come back for the next one.

[XVWDVW]

TonyBluegoat, I too would like to ride South of the boarder.  I have hemmed and hawed about it because of the increased violence. But I always go back to one of the first motorcycle travel books I read, One Man Caravan by Robert Edison Fulton where he repeatedly talks about being welcomed into peoples homes, fed warmed and assisted with repairs.  Every time though, the people would tell him that he was lucky to have made it there safely, as the people in the towns where he had just come from were bloodthirsty thieves and the people in the towns ahead were murderers and it would be prudent to just stay where he was.  (I am paraphrasing here a little, it has been 20 years since I read the book)
I work in a Casino/Hotel in NV and have had multiple conversations over the years with people from other countries who were terrified to leave the hotel because they saw on the news every day at home how dangerous the USA was.
Your approach of applying facts to the question is eye opening and useful!
Thanks!
Max

[bassman]

Driving through any smaller towns should be done with caution......traffic signs are more of a casual suggestion; same with highway lines; use extra caution at all intersections regardless of signs or color of traffic light (if there is one).....be able to navigate in small, confined areas at slow speeds with confidence and skill.....

An interesting and valuable link for driving in Mexico......

https://wikitravel.org/en/Driving_in_Mexico

Good luck and be safe.

[JimC]

have a good trip

jim

[Oss]

Buy this

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=sawyer+mini

You can drink any water anywhere with zero worry about bacteria in the water. It wont help with virus but that is not issue in Mexico to the best of my knowledge  Also look into Ride-on and get a compressor and plug kit.  If not get the co2 cartridges kit to inflate tires  Think you need 4 co2's to inflate one rear tire,

I have ridden my valk in all of the lower 48  Never felt unsafe until I hit Jersey on the way home, go figure

Situational awareness is a must.  Do not be arrogant. Know where the next gas is. Maybe a 2 gallon plastic gas can on the back seat or saddlebag.

Most people are nice, some are a$$holes, some will kill you as look at you.  

Those statistics on murder are bullcrap because if you take out Chicago, Memphis, Washington DC and other "blue" cities the numbers are reversed.  

If someone perceives you could be worth $ or your bike you must be prepared to defend it or not.  Your call

I just spent a week in Cancun with family....felt safe, but then again a cabbie was held up and killed on the entrance to the place we stayed.

Good luck to you and has been said post pics everyday so we can follow your adventure

[Disco]

An early/former VRCCer friend of mine used to ride a lot in Mexico.  He lives a good part of the year on the Caribbean coast down there now.  His MO was to leave DFW on day one and ride to Eagle Pass, top off the tank, crash, then get up before dawn to be in line at the crossing well before it opened.  He said it was a much less traveled border crossing and moved quickly.  The early start allowed him and his buddies to be 100 miles past the border before the bad guys woke up.  He never had any problems other than the often violent and unannounced speed bumps.