MexTrek, Oct 22-25, 2008

[jinbody]

Originally Posted by Dirtrideroader

You say 1-3 people, does that mean you can carry 4 bikes?

I just have a long bed truck extended cab truck, so it would be my bike plus one. Renting a trailer would be an option if we got 4-6 people. A 1 week rate would probably be equal to a 5 day rate plus give us time to rig it up and get the bikes loaded up on it the weekend before. Others might just want to bring their own pickup down there as well, so the 1-3 person quote ( I guess with a trailer we could do up to 6) was just opening up possibilities about going together, or just meeting up at the border and going across as a group.

Richard- does your info packet talk about getting the bikes across? I believe technically you are supposed to have your lien holders permission if the bike is financed. I’m not sure if Mexico enforces this or how they can if you just need registration papers but not the title since the title is the only place this is recorded (that I know of). My bike is financed, through a credit union, and they said they’d write me up a letter giving permission but other lien holders might not be so willing if others bikes are also financed. Also do you have any recommendations for who to get a short term Mexican insurance policy through (also required I believe)?

[Trail Boss]

jinbody,

The ride guide covers the requirements for getting a vehicle (or vehicles) into Mexico.

Technically, you are supposed to have permission in the form of a notarized letter from the lien holder to take a vehicle into Mexico. I've not tried to take a car/truck into Mexico so I don't know firsthand if you will be asked for the letter when bringing in a car/truck. I've never even had the subject come up when bringing in a motorcycle. Perhaps the Mexicans are assuming a bike wouldn't be financed? Or maybe they aren't checking any vehicles? I just don't know. As a "better safe than sorry" measure if I had a lien against a vehicle I would get the letter and bring it with me.

I've used Adventure Mexico Insurance every time I've gone into Mexico and have been satisfied with them.

[bikeforever]

All signed up and made hotel reservations. Road down to the Creel event last year and had a blast. Road back with a couple of guys I meet down there one will be my roommate on this ride. Boring ride to the boarder but may ride the big duel sport don’t know if she will load on a trailer. Get away from the boarder towns and Mexico is a ride of a life time. Road though one little dirt road mountain town where the kids run in the street to give you a high five.
See Yal there, Ronnie
-
Thanks Richard for giving me another place to ride.

[Trail Boss]

You're welcome, Ronnie. And I have to thank Milton Otto for clueing me in on that area.

I mailed your ride guide and maps yesterday so you should have them by the middle of next week, I think.

[skup]

I would like to go and would like some recommendations on bikes. I have a 1200GS but I am thinking of getting a KLR. I am a little concerned of riding a heavy bike on such a trip. Any one riding the larger BMW's?

[Trail Boss]

skup,

I don't know if anyone attending this year will be on larger BMWs or not. Last year two of us were on Wee-Stroms and one was on a V-Strom. There are several routes (class 1 and 2) that are completely suitable for larger adventure bikes like the GS, Strom, Tiger, etc assuming the rider has reasonable non-paved road riding experience/expertise.

The advantage smaller bikes like the KLR have over the bigger bikes is the smaller bikes can do any of the 12 recommended routes while the big bikes are best advised to skip the class 3 routes.

It all comes down to what you want to ride when you get there, how much you want to be challenged. If you want to ride the knarly, 30 river crossings, jeep/horse tracks through the mountains, the KLR is a better choice than the 1200GS. If you prefer milder, but still adventurous class 1/2 routes, either bike will get the job done just fine so pick the bike you like to ride the most.

[Chango]

Sure is quiet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TerraXpeditions]

My ride report is complete My Mexican non-adventure adventure.. or something like that... - TWT Forums

I didnt make it to the mountains Richard. I already have permission from the wife to go on this trip though.

[Chango]

Thinking about a trip South of the border? Never been? Curious?

Watch : Treasure of The Sierra Madre !!!!!!!

No,No,NO, (well you can)

Gary rode all the way:http://www.burrohas3wheels.com

My Romanian - Gypsy fortune teller/palm reader agrees its good for my cabin fever.

[skup]

Originally Posted by Richard_

skup,

I don't know if anyone attending this year will be on larger BMWs or not. Last year two of us were on Wee-Stroms and one was on a V-Strom. There are several routes (class 1 and 2) that are completely suitable for larger adventure bikes like the GS, Strom, Tiger, etc assuming the rider has reasonable non-paved road riding experience/expertise.

The advantage smaller bikes like the KLR have over the bigger bikes is the smaller bikes can do any of the 12 recommended routes while the big bikes are best advised to skip the class 3 routes.

It all comes down to what you want to ride when you get there, how much you want to be challenged. If you want to ride the knarly, 30 river crossings, jeep/horse tracks through the mountains, the KLR is a better choice than the 1200GS. If you prefer milder, but still adventurous class 1/2 routes, either bike will get the job done just fine so pick the bike you like to ride the most.

Are the routes picked? If I took the GS would I have to seperate from the group when folks are going on the class 3 routes?

[Trail Boss]

Originally Posted by skup

Are the routes picked? If I took the GS would I have to seperate from the group when folks are going on the class 3 routes?

You pick the route you want to ride. All the routes are published in the ride guide so you know distance, difficulty, etc. in advance.

There will be a brief riders meeting each morning so riders that want to ride a particular route can team up and ride together. Let's say you want to do route 1. At the riders meeting everyone that wants to ride route 1 would get together and organize themselves. Same goes for route 2, route 3, etc.

[Trail Boss]

Originally Posted by TerraXpeditions

I didnt make it to the mountains Richard. I already have permission from the wife to go on this trip though.

Excellent!

[Hood Ornament]

w00t! Just mailed in my registration.

[tricepilot]

I've just thrown my hat into the ring to add MexTrek to the tail-end of my trip (3rd) to the Copper Canyon region the week before (the Chabochis rally).

I'll be staying Wednesday through Sunday, and riding the R1200GSA. Taking lots and lots of photographs and writing a ride report.

FYI in January I'll be heading down the east coast via Veracruz, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Palenque and then over to the Mayan Riviera to Mahahual. That time of year for that area is much more comfortable in terms of heat and humidity. I've got two Compassion International kids that my wife and I sponsor, one just south of Veracruz, and one just north of Tuxtla G. The purpose of the trip is to spend a day each visiting those kids and their families where they live (Compassion always sends a rep along per policy) and then spend the rest of the time hitting a part of Mexico by bike (Chiapas and the Yucatan) that I haven't been to yet. Will rent some scuba gear in Mahahual and dive an afternoon or two.

Bob

[Rick M]

Richard ,
I mailed off a check for 70.00 and two forms today . Rick M and Big A are in and ready to go to Mexico .
thanks Rick .

[Trail Boss]

Originally Posted by RICK M

Richard ,
I mailed off a check for 70.00 and two forms today . Rick M and Big A are in and ready to go to Mexico .
thanks Rick .

Rick,

Good call. You guys are going to have a blast. Gonna ride the TransAlp?

[WoodButcher]

Originally Posted by Richard_

Rick,

Good call. You guys are going to have a blast. Gonna ride the TransAlp?

Yeah, that was my question too.

[Rick M]

Sure ,
I plan on riding the Transalp , I just sold my 2003 KLR because I like the Transalp better . I have money down on the new BMW 800 gs but if the Transalp keeps me happy ,I am 12,000 dollars better off .
Rick
Do you think its a bad idea to take to Mexico ? I will check it over with a fine tooth comb before I leave . Even have an extra cdi unit on the bike .

[Trail Boss]

Originally Posted by RICK M

Sure ,
I plan on riding the Transalp...Do you think its a bad idea to take to Mexico ?

I think it will be fine, but to be fair I've never ridden one. Just to be sure, let me borrow yours for a few weeks. I'll personally ride it all over the hill country to test out its capabilities.

Seriously though, I think it will be fine.

[WoodButcher]

Originally Posted by RICK M

Sure ,
I plan on riding the Transalp , I just sold my 2003 KLR because I like the Transalp better . I have money down on the new BMW 800 gs but if the Transalp keeps me happy ,I am 12,000 dollars better off .
Rick
Do you think its a bad idea to take to Mexico ? I will check it over with a fine tooth comb before I leave . Even have an extra cdi unit on the bike .

I keep trying to convince my wife (and to a certain extent, myself) to let me go. If I do, I'll be on the transalp. I have a spare cdi that I would carry too. Other than that I would just have normal spare type items, tubes, levers, some oil. Make sure your battery is topped off with water. I discovered mine was extremely low last week. The TA's have a tendency to overcharge (old connections get dirty). I'm going to check over all the electical connections soon when I check the valves. And hopefully borrow a carb sync tool and do that too.