Spring is coming... Mexico, anyone?

[Lee Davis]

I live in Belen, New Mexico, just south of Albuquerque. Spring is coming, and my thoughts turn to Mexico. Anyone care to join me for a trip down south? I have 2 Moto Guzzis, among others to offer if you don't have a bike. I speak the language. Had some experience. Care to join the group?   Lee Davis  505-948-0571   copy@radarcarve.com

[severely]

Very generous offer, enjoy your ride, Buena suerte.

[Jim Rich]

Where do you want to go Lee?  I have traveled across the Sierras to Vallarta (in a Crown Vic), and was amazed by the beauty.  It is a real shame that many of us do not feel safe traveling there. 

[Huzo]

Come on guys... ...
Do it before either he or you dies 

[LowRyter]

wow

[HDGoose]

Nope. A 6'7" gringo is just a target...

[JJ]

This is very sad...and tragic...and getting worse...

https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/22/americas/mexico-murders-2017/index.html

[PJPR01]

This is very sad...and tragic...and getting worse...

https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/22/americas/mexico-murders-2017/index.html

About 20K murders per year in the U.S.  Better run from here as well! 

[EldoMike]

About 20K murders per year in the U.S.  Better run from here as well!

I get your point but the US has 3 times the population....

[Lannis]

I get your point but the US has 3 times the population....

Most of it is "Perceived Risk" anyway, like someone driving down the Interstate at 90 MPH texting and eating a bagel (an action that has 1 chance in 1000 of killing them or someone else) to protest the operation of a nuclear plant (an action that has 1 chance in 100,000,000 of killing them or someone else).

They don't see the risk in something that's thousands of times more likely to kill them, but will get all passionate (no logic or reason) about something that's a vanishingly small risk to them.

Question is, do I (or anyone else) FEEL as safe riding down a dirt road to Jalisco as I do riding down a dirt road to Grafton, Vermont?   That's what'll determine who goes and who doesn't.

Hope the riders have a good time!

Lannis

[Bisbonian]

Nobody denies that Mexico has some issues.
However most of the time a gringo is not the target. The cartels know that killing of Americans is more likely to bring far greater attention than they want.
I do a bit of traveling in Mexico, I've owned a house down there, and I have friends who have moved there from the US and become permanent residents. My buddy Tom owns a hotel in the small town of Banamichi in Sonora; www.losarcossonora. com
Most of our travel is away from resort areas.
Last year we rode through Sonora, into Chihuahua, and down to the bottom of Copper Canyon. Our trip was around 8 days and probably cost each of us less than $500 all in. We slept in local hotels each night and ate at the local restaurants. Other than one expensive hotel in Creel I think our average night of lodging was around $30, I shared a room with a friend so cut that in half.
I have ridden through Mexico as part of a group and I've ridden all over by myself. My wife has traveled down on her own as well.

My belief is that I am in much more danger from myself while traveling in Mexico than I am from anyone else. Since we travel mostly outside of large cities or overly populated areas there is very little traffic on the roads. The lack of traffic, and a police presence, tends to make me ride a touch faster than is likely prudent. The roads will go from perfect and wonderful to an utter shit show with no warning and I've been caught out at times because I got too comfortable. If I were to crash then it is likely that, if I were injured badly enough, I would remain undiscovered for an extended amount of time due to the lack of traffic.

I've been doing this since around 2010, so far I have not had a problem.

There is a very long thread on ADVRider regarding Mexico, if you have a couple of weeks then feel free: http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/is-mexico-safe.546927/page-1844#post-34145205
Many of the posters are ex-pats who have moved to Mexico or another country further south.

I have toyed with the idea of moving to Mexico. I could afford to retire right now in Mexico, not so much in the US.

If you are interested in travel to Mexico via motorcycle but have reservations, having someone take you down is very helpful to allay some of your fears. When I lived in Bisbee we were right on the border. I served as a "guide" for a number of people who were Mexico first timers, helping out with permits at the border and giving some suggestions. I direct a lot of people to Hotel Los Arcos because it is within about 3 hours south of the border (unless you do a lot of stopping for pictures) and is owned by gringos. For some people getting past that first day, arriving at a nice hotel, and being with people who speak English is enough to get rid of the biggest jitters and let them continue on with their journey.

I barely speak any Spanish, yet I'm still able to function South of the border. Don't ever count on anyone knowing English, except at resort areas. Even many people who work at the border know very little English.