Thank you everyone for the help with a motorcycle for DF. This weekend, went out for a ride on the FZ16, perfect bike for me, lightweight, small and fast enough. A bit of an adjustment coming from a BMW K bike, but really enjoy the FZ16, we rode two up to Plaza de Santo Domingo, was so happy to be on a small motorcycle, bike was great in traffic! Thanks!
@ what museum you are working? I ask because, I know some of the public/privets museums managers. My wife is currently the Minister of Museums & Galleries here in Aguascalientes. Actually I have a dinner with Teresa Vicencio & Consuelo Sáizar tonight
Specific information needed on whether I can buy a bike new directly from a dealer if I fly into Mexico with whatever visa I get on arrival. One I am Canadian, two I have my full motorcycle license. I've read many different things about the registration and one thing I hope that I'll be able to register whatever I buy under my name as my plan is to ride from Mexico City to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and onto the ferry to Columbia. Hope I can get some information possibly from people who have done something similar. Although I'm sure more people chose the more sane route of bringing a KLR or DR650. CHeers Ian
Leaning towards this bike. Want to buy new or used one. Or anything that's a good deal once I arrive in the FD next week. I don't know anyone in Mexico and should look pretty funny walking around in my motorcycle gear. Boots, jacket, and pants.
I am a Canadian, have bought vsrious bikes here, but I also live here. If you want specific info, ask specific questions. A word of advice, dont buy anything until you are sure you can register it. DRs and KLRs are far more expensive here than in the USA and Canada, do some research yourself and you will verify this. By a good used bike in the USA and register it there and then ride it into Mexico. Make sure you know what you are doing. The little Honda will give you about 12hp tops at the rear wheel and less in higher elevations like Mex DF. It will take you a long time to get anywhere in the country. For the same price, you can title a very clean and well outfitted much better bike in the US and simply ride it in. Do you speak Spanish?
That would have been better to do, but I've booked my flight leaving next Tuesday. Don't mind buying a little bike with 10 HP @ 8500 rmp. Ideally I can find something in the range of 250cc. I have no idea what I'm doing really. Should be a real adventure ride if I can get a Mexican bike in my name all the way down to South America. If you know of anyone selling a decent 250cc XR or similar that would be great. How was your experience buying your first bike here in mexico? One of my concerns is that my visa that I get on arrival will not permit me to register a motorbike. Is this a real concern? THANKS for any advice or information you may have. I'll try and give back to the community once I learn something myself.
There is nowhere near the used bike or even new bike selection here as in other countries. I swear even Guatemala has a better selection. Here is some quick and dirty advice. If you buy used, be sure the bike has all the yearly registrations paid, if not, you will be paying them. Make sure an imported or grey market bike was imported correctly. If buying new, negotiate the cost of the dealer registering and plating the bike for you in your name. They have ways and means to do this. Get insurance. Dont even think of riding it much in Mexico City unless you have a guide like Garry or have ridden a bike there before. Dont leave any deposit on anything until you are sure. XR250s have not been sold in Mexico for about 15 years, now. There are KL Kawasaki 250s but will cost you the same as a KLR650 in the USA, for example. If you dont speak Spanish, make sure you understand exactly what you are paying for. You have no idea what Mexico City DF is like, the learning curve is steep and you will be winding that thing out at the higher elevation of Mexico City. Did I mention most bike thefts are bikes under 200cc? Your shiney new Honda will be a choice target anywhere you park it.
Ian, take the bus to Guadalajara. No break in required, should be easy to plate and 400cc will be much better for upper elevations. That bike is sold everywhere in Latin America. These are the kinds of deals you are looking for. Unless you want to buy my BMW F650.
I don't know If I can afford a nice big Honda Falcon NX400 And the F650 is a little to big for what I want to do with it. I think I'm pretty settled on the good looking Carabela Shark Motard new they are asking 29,990 MX Pesos MOTOR Single cylinder 4 stroke Air Cooled Displacement 232.5cc Power 16.5 HP @ 7000 RPM Bore and Stroke 69 x 62.2mm Transmission 5-speed Multi-plate clutch in oil bath Electric starter and kick Lubricating oil SAE 20W50 Oil Capacity 900ml.L 120 kgs Light weight! Carga máxima 145 kgsg. Combustible Premium sin plomo (92 Octanos) Rendimiento de combustible 25 Km/litro Capacidad de combustible 7 litros small tank size Reserva de combustible de 1.5 litros Think this is a pretty good deal for around $2380 CAD.. I've found them on the online classified ads for around 23000 with only couple thousand kms.
Carabela was a motorcycle made in Mexico back in the 60s and 70s. They were not too bad in the early days of MX here, but were quickly overrun by the Japanese and Euro bikes when they could be brought in legally or illegally. Carabela also had some oddball sizes of motors and gearing. The name has been reborn with re-badged Chinese bikes, that is what you are getting. You'll find that it offers little more than the Honda XL125 would, especially in build quality if you plan on loading any weight on it. You'll have no trouble selling it, but you'd better find a very big lock and chain and use it because they are stolen all the time. Shop around, they can be bought almost anywhere from furniture stores to Wal-Mart to discount grocery stores etc... Too bad the Falcon is out of your price range, make an offer anyways, it can't hurt, you might be surprised and you'll get a much better bike for touring around on in Mexico. Remember, if you are heading to Guatemala, sell the Mexican bike in Mexico and then take the bus to Guate City, you'll be amazed at the selection there, and how easy it is to register the bike and plate it and then keep rolling from country to country. Listen to Guaterider if you need advice for that part of the world. A few observations: Keep that tank filled if you need premium here. Premium is being sold less and less at the Pemex retailers that are off the beaten path. It gets the same gas mileage as my F650 for comparison. Don't wind it out to get that 16 hp too often. It only takes less than a liter of 20/50, buy the Castrol bike oil for around $90 pesos a liter and change it a lot. Bring some tools with you! You will find any bike assembled at any dealership to be usually very poorly assembled. Go over it before you take a long serious ride. If you can buy an Airhawk, small cruiser size seat cushion, cheap before leaving, buy it, you'll be doing about 4 hours max on the stock seat. Distance and realistic mileage here will surprise you, it is lower than you think, especially on secondary roads. Don't ride outside of urban areas at night if you can help it. Have insurance and have medical insurance of some sort. You will not like Mexican public hospitals. Have theft insurance. Enjoy. If you make it over to Veracruz, let me know, if you want a PDF ride guide, send me a PM.
From Wikipedia http://www.honda.mx/motos/tornado/ Thanks for the great information, like making sure that If I buy used to check that the yearly taxes and registration has been paid for.
The Tornado is an upgraded and different bike from an XR250cc. Suspension and motor are different. The old XR's were tougher, I put a lot of miles on them. Remember to look for hidden costs in the price of the bike and factor in your fees for registration for a new bike. And tip the Pemex workers, they don't earn much.
Fujian, try to connect with John Downs who did a very long trip on a Kawi Super Sherpa. Pretty cool guy, say hi for me, if you can ride a 250cc like John did through here, you're on your way! John had a thread going at one point. He'll likely have some good advice about smaller cc travel, for you and some tips on what to see and do. Also, Garry Dymond on the HUBB forum is an important connect for you in the Mex DF. Heavy rains coming on Tuesday for central Mex. On secondary roads watch for damage from rains.:eek1
I'd disagree. The tornados are a step down from the old XR250 dirt bikes sold in the US. They have cheaper suspension, drum rear brake, just shoddier build quality and components all the way around.
@ Mike: Sorry I figured the Tornado was just an upgraded version of the old XR250. @Mike: Will do, Thanks again for the help here, I hope It can also help someone else in the future. Mainly just to buy a bike in the US and ride it down. Haha. To anyone who has never been to Mexico a Pemex Worker is someone who works here.