I see a lot of posts about...

[Clay]

riding thru out the U.S. , Canada, and Alaska..but very few about riding in Mexico..why is that..?

[David13]

It's because you didn't read mine.
And if you want to see them by the ton, go to advrider.
dc

[rjzinc]

They are out riding.

[HONDARIDER]

Poor WiFi coverage in Mexico.

[71243]

I've been just over the border maybe ,1/2 mile?....years ago,before all the drug cartels, smuggling,etc.

I've always heard it's just not safe there?

[marchyman]

I've always heard it's just not safe there?

Mexico is a big country. It depends upon which "there" you are talking about. In Baja once you get away from the border the concern is gas availability, not safety.

[71243]

Mexico is a big country. It depends upon which "there" you are talking about. In Baja once you get away from the border the concern is gas availability, not safety.

That's why I added the ? because I'm not familiar.

I thought about joining a tour group for winter trip into Mexico. Safety in numbers and I'm told they know the lay of the land. Gas,motels,food etc.

Do you have knowledge / advise about that?

[kantuckid]

Gas= Pemex-end of story. No different than USA except the brand & the attendents speak Spanish-and some are pretty too!

Motels/hotels(have you ever heard of Rough Guide,Frommers & several others?) there is a list on ADVrider too. Then there's always the web for tourist areas. You can also ask one of us that goes there for routes & lodging info. Not hard to find a hotel there anymore than the USA other than some of the non tourist areas(just like USA)

Food= You walk in & eat-if it's street food you look for the longer lines and what appeals to you-if you don't like Mexican food(it's not Taco Bell down there either) then make sure you only eat in larger cities where you can get the stuff we(some of "we") often eat here, also know as fast or junk food.

Expect to pay less for all of the above

Tour groups serve a purpose for certain people & I've never found myself to be one of those people. Ask around, it's hard enough to find one other person to ride with for many & I'm certainly not anti-social. It's a common fact that a ride partner is hard to make work & as the group gets larger it is even more difficult. That said, to each his own. I have tried to find a ride partner here on MOA forum & never has happened. Usually zero responses, so I just ride off alone, not by choice necessarily but it works out OK so far. I have had a few ride partners that were OK from ADVrider but not going to comment openly about the result. PM me for e.g. of how it doesn't always work out like planned.
The recent ON article from a Mexico tour operator was as well written as any article I've read on Mexico travel. If it makes one feel good & you have the money it takes to go tour grouping, then that's what one should do. Bike tours are obviously different than the bus tours I see what with the name tag around the neck & so on but I'll travel my way, thank you.
71243-I'm going again this winter-are you game for the trip?

[71243]

Gas= Pemex-end of story. No different than USA except the brand & the attendents speak Spanish-and some are pretty too!

Motels/hotels(have you ever heard of Rough Guide,Frommers & several others?) there is a list on ADVrider too. Then there's always the web for tourist areas. You can also ask one of us that goes there for routes & lodging info. Not hard to find a hotel there anymore than the USA other than some of the non tourist areas(just like USA)

Food= You walk in & eat-if it's street food you look for the longer lines and what appeals to you-if you don't like Mexican food(it's not Taco Bell down there either) then make sure you only eat in larger cities where you can get the stuff we(some of "we") often eat here, also know as fast or junk food.

Expect to pay less for all of the above

Tour groups serve a purpose for certain people & I've never found myself to be one of those people. Ask around, it's hard enough to find one other person to ride with for many & I'm certainly not anti-social. It's a common fact that a ride partner is hard to make work & as the group gets larger it is even more difficult. That said, to each his own. I have tried to find a ride partner here on MOA forum & never has happened. Usually zero responses, so I just ride off alone, not by choice necessarily but it works out OK so far. I have had a few ride partners that were OK from ADVrider but not going to comment openly about the result. PM me for e.g. of how it doesn't always work out like planned.
The recent ON article from a Mexico tour operator was as well written as any article I've read on Mexico travel. If it makes one feel good & you have the money it takes to go tour grouping, then that's what one should do. Bike tours are obviously different than the bus tours I see what with the name tag around the neck & so on but I'll travel my way, thank you.
71243-I'm going again this winter-are you game for the trip?

Well now ya got me thinking. Like you I travel allot alone, for reasons you touched on.

What month ? ride all the way, or ? How far into Mexico are you going, and for how long? How many miles p/day ?

BTW I'm 63 retired just a blue collar guy. Not fussy, don't require fancy,...but will look for clean. Being honest with you, I have some arthritis and 10 hour days are a thing of the past for me. BTW my name is Ron

[marchyman]

Gas= Pemex-end of story. No different than USA except the brand & the attendents speak Spanish-and some are pretty too!

You haven't spent much time in Baja, I take it. Sometimes there is no official gas for 250 miles or more. Sometimes the only gas available is purchased out of jerry cans from some guy on the side of the road. The choice is to take that gas or wait until the next official delivery to the closed Pemex station across the way.

Friends once purchased gas that was siphoned out of a school bus. They weren't quite sure if the person selling the gas had a right to do so... as that was the only gas available they didn't ask too many questions.

[PittsDriver]

riding thru out the U.S. , Canada, and Alaska..but very few about riding in Mexico..why is that..?

It's stinkin' hot, it's straight and flat, it's stinkin' hot, tequila and scooters don't mix, and it's stinkin' hot. Seriously, why would anyone ride there that isn't on their way to Costa Rica and points south - sort of a Long Way Down ride.

[NI5L]

riding thru out the U.S. , Canada, and Alaska..but very few about riding in Mexico..why is that..?

I would say that it's probably because Mexico is a 3rd world crap hole where it is VERY easy to get killed, robbed or kidnapped.

You couldn't shoot me out of a cannon into that cesspool.

[drsogr]

Check out the ADVRider website. There are a lot of people who find riding through Mexico Enjoyable. Hopefully someday I can make it, reading the ride reports make me want to experience a different culture.

[rjzinc]

I'll be riding in Mexico Jan 2013. I have 13 weeks to travel through Central America. Mexico is more hospitable away from the border....

[kantuckid]

[QUOTE=marchyman;808379]You haven't spent much time in Baja, I take it. Sometimes there is no official gas for 250 miles or more. Sometimes the only gas available is purchased out of jerry cans from some guy on the side of the road. The choice is to take that gas or wait until the next official delivery to the closed Pemex station across the way.

Friends once purchased gas that was siphoned out of a school bus. They weren't quite sure if the person selling the gas had a right to do so... as that was the only gas available they didn't ask too many questions.[/QUOTE

I have been to Baja 4 times. I know about jug gas there & the mainland but my reaction was to the suggestion of a group travel situation as relates to gas,food & lodging,nothing more.

Seems to be that several here are anxious to start a "is Mexico safe" or "is Mexico hot" or "is Mexico a cesspool" thread here. I'll not take the bait but will say that it is a beautiful country full of friendly people. Riding can be hot, esp. in the buzzard country of the northern states, while many of the great rides are at altitude and actually its been chilly on every trip I've ever taken to Mexico at some point-except Baja, & except Baja in the mtns/national park area. Safety is a large topic, which I'll avoid entirely herein. Cesspool? sounds provocative? Great place to ride in the winter-for me.