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Tentative Ride 2011 Route
- Thread starter lonesoldier84
- Start date
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Nick J
Member
Are you crazy? Why would anyone want to go to Mexico right now? I've heard too many bad things about the Mexican drug cartel. I even had a friend that drove to Baja and got shot at and robbed. This was many years ago, but it doesn't look like things have gotten any better. Not me, thanks.
I read this and think of the long and empty spans of road with my name on them.
Awesome.
Good info!
P.S. I once knew someone who got gonoreah. Doesn't mean I stopped going south of THAT border too.......
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Man! The first chicken you run over will be a real education. I mean my neighbor's brother was fishing off the coast in Mexico. His motor failed and he washed up against some rocks. What a story! I won't even start.... I believe the US Marines are told by their superiors they can't go there. It's a beautiful country and people and culture but.....
Let's put the bikes on a boat and head to Europe or maybe we can just rent Vespas and see Europe for a buck a day! :rof:
Man! I'm sorry I didn't get to spend more time with you all at John's house when you were here but if you do the Mexico think you have to crash at my place here in San Diego
Man! The first chicken you run over will be a real education. I mean my neighbor's brother was fishing off the coast in Mexico. His motor failed and he washed up against some rocks. What a story! I won't even start.... I believe the US Marines are told by their superiors they can't go there. It's a beautiful country and people and culture but.....
Let's put the bikes on a boat and head to Europe or maybe we can just rent Vespas and see Europe for a buck a day! :rof:
Man! I'm sorry I didn't get to spend more time with you all at John's house when you were here but if you do the Mexico thing you have to crash at my place here in San Diego
Ya it would have been brilliant to have you come up with us. Great times were had.
I have every expectation this trip will happen. I've been starting to focus my year around these trips. 8-10 months of ridiculous hours spent at work/school, couple months spent relaxing and working, then a big riding trip.
Next year I plan on making a LOT more small trips though, the 3 day variety.
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That Sprint looks like a great bike!
Nick J
Member
Sorry Lone Soldier, I didn't mean to put a damper on your trip. To each his own, I guess. If you do make a go of it, I wish you and all that participate, good luck. Oh, and by the way, that Sprint does look like an awesome bike.
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No worries.
And why yes it does look awesome. Can't wait. Come hell or high water I will own that machine before next season.
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jrevans
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Interesting choice of route and bike as a combination.
Personally, with the current state of things in Mexico, I have no desire at all to go there. It looks like a pretty place to visit, but not worth it to me. Plus, I doubt I'd consider a non-tourist resort trip there unless I spoke Spanish, which I do not.
I think that a dual-sport type BMW or similar bike would be a better choice for a trip like that, but I know that you could make that big triumph work.
Did you read Lucky Devil's Blog?
The Lucky Devil’s Blog » No Hablo Tour
She had an interesting time in Mexico.
Personally, with the current state of things in Mexico, I have no desire at all to go there. It looks like a pretty place to visit, but not worth it to me. Plus, I doubt I'd consider a non-tourist resort trip there unless I spoke Spanish, which I do not.
I think that a dual-sport type BMW or similar bike would be a better choice for a trip like that, but I know that you could make that big triumph work.
Did you read Lucky Devil's Blog?
The Lucky Devil’s Blog » No Hablo Tour
She had an interesting time in Mexico.
Not knowing much about Mexico, other than the picture painted in my head, from travel shows, etc...i would want to take a more dual purpose type of bike on a tour like that...as awesome as the Triumph is, i reckon some of the roads would be pretty awful...something with longer travel suspension, and a little bit of off road ability would be my pick for a steed...
Sounds like a crazy, but amazing ride though!
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Sounds like a crazy, but amazing ride though!
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Tailgate
Senior Member
Mexico is no longer the bottom 3rd world country it used to be. I love the country and regulary vacation there. A road bike will do just fine. Nice, nice expensive-looking bike. Some parts of the route---I dunno. You end up on a lonely, risky road on that bike with foreign plate and look too tempting and you're in big trouble. Here's a excerpt (go to link for the whole story) from US State Dep't
(Mexico) Mexico
"...DTOs have erected unauthorized checkpoints, and killed motorists who have not stopped at them. In confrontations with the Mexican army and police, DTOs (drug trafficking organizations) have employed automatic weapons and grenades. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles. According to published reports, 22,700 people have been killed in narcotics-related violence since 2006. The great majority of those killed have been members of DTOs. However, innocent bystanders have been killed in shootouts between DTOs and Mexican law enforcement or between rival DTOs.
Recent violent attacks and persistent security concerns have prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to defer unnecessary travel to Michoacán and Tamaulipas, to parts of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, and Coahuila, (see details below) and to advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution.
(Mexico) Mexico
"...DTOs have erected unauthorized checkpoints, and killed motorists who have not stopped at them. In confrontations with the Mexican army and police, DTOs (drug trafficking organizations) have employed automatic weapons and grenades. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles. According to published reports, 22,700 people have been killed in narcotics-related violence since 2006. The great majority of those killed have been members of DTOs. However, innocent bystanders have been killed in shootouts between DTOs and Mexican law enforcement or between rival DTOs.
Recent violent attacks and persistent security concerns have prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to defer unnecessary travel to Michoacán and Tamaulipas, to parts of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, and Coahuila, (see details below) and to advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution.
Lucky_Devil
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I'm going to give you some of my thoughts and advice... even though you didn't ask for either.
Please just take what I'm about to say as just food for thought, and not me discouraging you from fulfilling your dream of riding in Mexico. When I decided to ride in Mexico not a single person encouraged me, so please don't take this as discouragement. That being said...
If I had to do over, I would NOT have ridden a sportbike into Mexico. This is not to say that it can't be done... it most certain can, and HAS been done (myself included), BUT... it will not be as enjoyable as it would be on a dual-sport or dirtbike.
1) If you're not comfortable with just popping off the bags and walking away from the bike and leaving it if necessary, don't take it... or at the very least invest in MedJet Assist.
2) You will be riding around on the nicest, most valuable motorcycle, if not vehicle, around. You will scream GRINGO with MONEY. This is not the kind of attention you want. I rode my FZ6, the least valuable bike in Yamaha's sportbike lineup, yet the overwhelming amount of attention the bike garnered EVERYWHERE I went was NOT nice. I will also mention that a few times while riding around I experienced people intentionally trying to hit me... I was a rolling dollar sign.
3) I only saw one other sportbike in Mexico the entire time I was there (about a month... very similar to your proposed route, but not exact), and that was in the tourist town of Cabo San Lucas and was not ridden by a local... there's a reason for this. It's a bitch riding a sportbike in Mexico. I know you're envisioning long lonely highways and relaxing rides, but riding in Mexico is the least relaxing, most stressful time I've ever spent on a motorcycle. Outside of the extremely poor road conditions that will beat you and your bike up all day, every day (when there is a "paved" road)... there are literally giant, gaping holes in the road that you have to watch out for. Sometimes you're lucky and a previous passer-by has rolled a boulder out in the road to warn others of the hole... sometimes not. Then there's the never ending menagerie of wildlife and livestock that wander across and stand in the road.
There's are no shoulders, or soft shoulders in Mexico... so if you ever need to pull off of the road for some reason, you're pretty much screwed. You're looking at about a 8" to 12" drop off of the asphalt to the side of the road... which is either gravel or sand, and usually sloped steeply downward. So even if you survive the drop without ripping off your lower fairing or puncturing your oil pan, you still need to try and come to a safe stop in deep soft gravel/sand without dumping the bike. And then there's the getting back out and onto the road to deal with.
There are toll roads throughout Mexico which are maintained and much more pleasant to ride, but they are VERY expensive and it adds up fast. I spent one day riding the toll roads and spent over $30 in tolls (that is $30 in USD, not Pesos). The other danger I was warned of (by locals) is that bandits sit and wait for gringos on toll roads because they are deserted and only tourists with money use them. The day I spent on toll roads I saw maybe one or two other vehicles. Not comforting. If you exit a toll road briefly to get gas, you have to pay the ENTIRE toll again to re-enter the highway... ask me how I know this.
Toll roads also bypass all of the small towns, so you lose out on riding through quaint towns and don't really "see" Mexico.
4) The speed limit is slow in Mexico, so having a sportbike is merely frustrating and not enjoyable. You could speed if you wanted to... but between all of the military checkpoints and police about, I wouldn't recommend it... especially riding a shiny, fancy sportbike that screams GRINGO with MONEY.
5) If you have bike problems, you better know how to fix everything yourself, because you wont find anyone qualified to work on your bike. They will tell you they can fix it (they'll never turn away money, and people are always eager to help), but they will more than likely make whatever problem you're having worse. Then there's the joy of trying to get a part shipped. Take as many spare parts with you as possible. I don't know what the final drive is on that Triumph, but I blew through a set of chain and sprockets in 3,000 miles... and tires will be hard to find. I ended up having to end my trip early and head back to the states due to bike problems. Not to mention trying to communicate bike problems in a non-native tongue (I don't know if you speak Spanish, but I learned a little pre-trip and along the way, but for whatever reason I never looked up or brought with me some Spanish phrases covering bike problems).
I don't want to ramble on here, so I'll just let it go at these few points.
I will add that after I returned from Mexico I purchased a 2004 Kawasaki KLR650 for $2,000. After riding that bike to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska and back, I wish, wish, WISH that I had taken a KLR to Mexico.
I wish you all the best with whatever decision you make :thumbup: and feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Please just take what I'm about to say as just food for thought, and not me discouraging you from fulfilling your dream of riding in Mexico. When I decided to ride in Mexico not a single person encouraged me, so please don't take this as discouragement. That being said...
If I had to do over, I would NOT have ridden a sportbike into Mexico. This is not to say that it can't be done... it most certain can, and HAS been done (myself included), BUT... it will not be as enjoyable as it would be on a dual-sport or dirtbike.
1) If you're not comfortable with just popping off the bags and walking away from the bike and leaving it if necessary, don't take it... or at the very least invest in MedJet Assist.
2) You will be riding around on the nicest, most valuable motorcycle, if not vehicle, around. You will scream GRINGO with MONEY. This is not the kind of attention you want. I rode my FZ6, the least valuable bike in Yamaha's sportbike lineup, yet the overwhelming amount of attention the bike garnered EVERYWHERE I went was NOT nice. I will also mention that a few times while riding around I experienced people intentionally trying to hit me... I was a rolling dollar sign.
3) I only saw one other sportbike in Mexico the entire time I was there (about a month... very similar to your proposed route, but not exact), and that was in the tourist town of Cabo San Lucas and was not ridden by a local... there's a reason for this. It's a bitch riding a sportbike in Mexico. I know you're envisioning long lonely highways and relaxing rides, but riding in Mexico is the least relaxing, most stressful time I've ever spent on a motorcycle. Outside of the extremely poor road conditions that will beat you and your bike up all day, every day (when there is a "paved" road)... there are literally giant, gaping holes in the road that you have to watch out for. Sometimes you're lucky and a previous passer-by has rolled a boulder out in the road to warn others of the hole... sometimes not. Then there's the never ending menagerie of wildlife and livestock that wander across and stand in the road.
There's are no shoulders, or soft shoulders in Mexico... so if you ever need to pull off of the road for some reason, you're pretty much screwed. You're looking at about a 8" to 12" drop off of the asphalt to the side of the road... which is either gravel or sand, and usually sloped steeply downward. So even if you survive the drop without ripping off your lower fairing or puncturing your oil pan, you still need to try and come to a safe stop in deep soft gravel/sand without dumping the bike. And then there's the getting back out and onto the road to deal with.
There are toll roads throughout Mexico which are maintained and much more pleasant to ride, but they are VERY expensive and it adds up fast. I spent one day riding the toll roads and spent over $30 in tolls (that is $30 in USD, not Pesos). The other danger I was warned of (by locals) is that bandits sit and wait for gringos on toll roads because they are deserted and only tourists with money use them. The day I spent on toll roads I saw maybe one or two other vehicles. Not comforting. If you exit a toll road briefly to get gas, you have to pay the ENTIRE toll again to re-enter the highway... ask me how I know this.
Toll roads also bypass all of the small towns, so you lose out on riding through quaint towns and don't really "see" Mexico.
4) The speed limit is slow in Mexico, so having a sportbike is merely frustrating and not enjoyable. You could speed if you wanted to... but between all of the military checkpoints and police about, I wouldn't recommend it... especially riding a shiny, fancy sportbike that screams GRINGO with MONEY.
5) If you have bike problems, you better know how to fix everything yourself, because you wont find anyone qualified to work on your bike. They will tell you they can fix it (they'll never turn away money, and people are always eager to help), but they will more than likely make whatever problem you're having worse. Then there's the joy of trying to get a part shipped. Take as many spare parts with you as possible. I don't know what the final drive is on that Triumph, but I blew through a set of chain and sprockets in 3,000 miles... and tires will be hard to find. I ended up having to end my trip early and head back to the states due to bike problems. Not to mention trying to communicate bike problems in a non-native tongue (I don't know if you speak Spanish, but I learned a little pre-trip and along the way, but for whatever reason I never looked up or brought with me some Spanish phrases covering bike problems).
I don't want to ramble on here, so I'll just let it go at these few points.
I will add that after I returned from Mexico I purchased a 2004 Kawasaki KLR650 for $2,000. After riding that bike to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska and back, I wish, wish, WISH that I had taken a KLR to Mexico.
I wish you all the best with whatever decision you make :thumbup: and feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Lone,
Not sure if you had the opportunity to read this thread on the AVR Forum, but it's probably the most emotional gut wrenching thread you will ever read. Even though that I didn't know the rider, he kind of reminds me of you. The things he posted on his thread is something I can see you do.
I recommend everyone read it all the way through, beginning to end.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136505
http://www.600riders.com/forum/fallen-riders-memory/29033-so-long-our-klr650-friend.html
Never mind, I saw you had posted in my thread. But it's here as a reminder.
Not sure if you had the opportunity to read this thread on the AVR Forum, but it's probably the most emotional gut wrenching thread you will ever read. Even though that I didn't know the rider, he kind of reminds me of you. The things he posted on his thread is something I can see you do.
I recommend everyone read it all the way through, beginning to end.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136505
http://www.600riders.com/forum/fallen-riders-memory/29033-so-long-our-klr650-friend.html
Never mind, I saw you had posted in my thread. But it's here as a reminder.
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AngelFZ
Junior Member
Awesome motorcycle!!!!!!!!
As a country, Mexico most be awesome to ride/ travel to. Unfortunately, the situation there is very bad and a US license plate on am awesome bike will be asking for trouble.
If this is your dream ride, plan it well and take all the thinkable and unthinkable precautions
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As a country, Mexico most be awesome to ride/ travel to. Unfortunately, the situation there is very bad and a US license plate on am awesome bike will be asking for trouble.
If this is your dream ride, plan it well and take all the thinkable and unthinkable precautions
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Canadian. Our money is worthless. I'll be fine.
--------------
@ Lucky Devil:
That is a very accurate post I believe based on the reading I've done of other people's trips. Obviously the stuff you are saying must be spot on, though, since you've done the very same trip on a similar machine. I have been having doubts thinking that there is probably a better time in life to do the Mexico/Latin America/South America thing. Having more money to buy an additional bike is the problem. I know my next bike is going to be a big sport tourer. I know I want to go on random and epic adventures. I would need a big dual-sport/adventure bike but can't afford a third bike for at least 5 or so years. So I must try to get as random as I can, while on road tires/machine.
I really, REALLY want a big ole R1200GS and to do an epic South America trip on one. But before I get into that sort of thing, I want to build up an experience base, much as you have done. Lessons learned in Mexico would allow for immensely better preparation for a longer South American trip. And many of those lessons would be the countless little ones that everyone forgets about until they are actually on the road.
I'm actually trying to set up my career so that I can transfer to India for 3-5 years around the time I'm 32-36. I plan on using that time to ride that corner of the earth. India and out to the north west, then on other years out to the north east. I really want to see that part of the world and do my best to leave a mark on the people there and show them the same love they will undoubtedly show me. It is a good thing to be able to give, and it is an amazing thing to be able to give and enjoy an epic adventure at the same time. That's where I see myself being happy on an unprecedented scale (for me). So, for now, I am trying to work my way towards that dream. Building up an experience base in the adventure riding realm is essential to that.
But thing is, after having an adventure phase on my latest North America jaunt, I am very keenly aware of the shortcomings of a road bike taken off road. It is just not as enjoyable as it could be.
So, that's why this trip route is tentative. I know I want to do it for the very same reasons you mention in your blog for when you were planning your trip, but at the same time I also get to do only one of these trips a year so want to maximize enjoyment.
The one thing that is certain is that I will have about a month, and the west coast is on the route. I have a year to mull it over. Your advice is keenly read and I will indeed keep in touch.
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Nice motorcycle! Very Crazy to tour Mexico. I'll Pass Thanks.
How's your spanish? What about decent gasoline on a trip like that?
How's your spanish? What about decent gasoline on a trip like that?
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That is why I was as affected by his posts as I was. It has had an immense impact on my riding, and even though I have yet to improve to the point of very safe rider, I am VERY close (in my mind) due in no small part to Clayton's story.
A quote from him which I can never read without getting a very intense feeling in my stomache:
His words and emotion bleed through the text and it hits home exceptionally hard. I can see and feel how he must have felt in his hospital bed, sweaty and hot but unable to turn over. I can imagine the look in my mother's eyes as her only child lies there, broken and destroyed. Too tough to think about almost. Too tough.
Ride, but ride safe.
RIP Clayton you amazing son of a gun. God damn. Kudos brother.
AngelFZ
Junior Member
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