Is Mexico Safe?

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by going south

Anger is a symbol of thought and evaluation and reaction.

Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.

- Aristotle

[George 99]

Originally Posted by MikeMike

Flip up helmet
Extra sunglasses or use flip down sun shade but not both because you are not arc welding or viewing an eclipse
Jacket either totally mesh vented with removable liner or a well vented waterproof jacket and layer your clothing
Solid comfortable boots
Vented gloves and spare pair of regular non vented glove
Sunblock for when you are stopped, cooling vests and bandanas dont work worth a damn
Done

Just like any other ride, pretty much any where in the world. Lots of folks don't take into account the altitude variations in Mexico. I carried my Gerbing jacket liner and used it a few times during a month below the border in May 2010.

[Turkeycreek]

When it is dry and clear during the winter you can expect up to 40F temp swings even at mid altitudes

[Craneguy]

Saw 45F in the mountains the other day, with a wet fog and 100 yard visibility. Had my Tourmaster mesh on with a fleece underneath. Not nearly warm enough.

Rode with MIkeMike on Monday up to 9,500 feet elevation. Low temp around 60F and my new Teiz Lombard suit with all the vents open was perfect.

Riding home at 85-90 mph, suit was perfect with the vents closed.

Bring mesh if you're at low elevations or by the coast, but definitely keep the liners handy. Mesh gloves are fine if you have hand guards,if not keep a pair of glove liners or non-mesh ones with you.

You'll probably survive without heated gear, although temps below freezing are possible, layers Should work fine.

Sunscreen or a bandana to prevent sunburn on the back of your neck.

Roll of toilet paper and you're set.

[TRAVELGUY]

+1 Have used my Gerbing heated jacket liner many times in Central America.

TravelGuy

Originally Posted by George 99

Just like any other ride, pretty much any where in the world. Lots of folks don't take into account the altitude variations in Mexico. I carried my Gerbing jacket liner and used it a few times during a month below the border in May 2010.

[MikeMike]

Originally Posted by Craneguy

Roll of toilet paper and you're set.

That's what your CFE bill is for!

60f was the low temp, Craneguy? That's because you were still sleeping in a nice warm bed in Xalapa while the chicken truck driver was trying to take me out at 48f

That new suit you have is the dog's bollocks as they say. Don't worry about the saggy crotch, when you sell the Suzuki and man up and get a BMW, you will easily fill out that portion of the suit.

Don't laugh! It's true!
But it is really an illusion. The normally fat wallet you have in your rear pocket, shrinks considerably and thus the frontal area appears larger. You then end up doing the "BMW owner walk" where you look like a porn star from the front, but like you crapped yourself from the rear. You will notice this effect when people walk away from a BMW parts counter or after a UPS delivery.

[kantuckid]

I always haul the toilet paper down(in a ziplock bag) & have to say I've never used mine yet! I did loan it out to a lady one time so it's my goodwill take along item for now.
On riding pants: I was riding the "Snake" in Sept (WV/VA-one hell of a road too!) and at the well known store/bologna stop this guy on a crotch rocket tells me my riding pants are "clownish". I told him he ought to see "me" underneath as I was wearing hiking shorts inside & what with legs that are long worn out too! I wear over sized Olympia's with suspenders to accommodate insulated stuff/jeans/ball room/etc. & protect my hide. He had on a T-shirt,jeans & helmet & had told us he was a newbie rider-hope he keeps it going on...

[MikeMike]

Originally Posted by kantuckid

... this guy on a crotch rocket tells me my riding pants are "clownish".

Fashionistas on sport bikes are so Clinton era.

[Turkeycreek]

So kantuckid, this isn't you?

[Craneguy]

Originally Posted by rockymountainoyster

Great shots Craneguy... no need to make apologies for cell phone. Very good quality. Which phone?

Samsung Galaxy S3

[rockymountainoyster]

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I guess that we can be thankful that our southern friends call us gringos instead of pavos. If Ben Franklin had had his way in choosing the national bird I guess they could have rightly called us pavos.

Eat, drihk, and be merry for tomorrow we will ride.

BTW: last time I went out earholing on a Virginia country rode in T-shirt, jeans and helmet I ended up with hamburger arms and the front wheel print of a 650 BSA on the top of my helmet where he managed to stop before rolling over me in the ditch where I landed after practicing asphalt dermabrasion. A beautiful August afternoon around the time of my 21st birthday. I am thankful that I am here to laugh about it and to ride on.

[Turkeycreek]

Originally Posted by rockymountainoyster

Happy Thanksgiving to all. ...
Eat, drihk, and be merry for tomorrow we will ride.

Igualmente!

[kantuckid]

Originally Posted by Turkeycreek

So kantuckid, this isn't you?

No, but honestly the gal favors my wife!

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by operaflute

How seriously should one heed the "don't drink the water" admonishments? If so, do you buy bottled to refill your on-board supply?

Drink bottled water - it's readily available. But in most larger cities the water is fine.

[Snownut]

Originally Posted by Turkeycreek

Bottled water is a good idea. You can bring a Katadyn filter or an ultra violet sterilizer like the Steripen if you want. Bottled water is available at all the small stores and gas stations but it can be a bit pricey for the brand names that are shipped in. We don't provide plastic bottles anymore because there is no viable plastic recycling plan here. Instead, we use 5 gal. bottles from the local water purification plant. We provide guests with carafes of water. I brush my teeth with tap water and drink it sometimes without problems. My advice is to start eating yogurt daily and your intestinal flora and fauna will be up to the task of protecting you form any bad effects. If you eat salad, it will have been washed in tap water.

Oh, and throw some immodium in your tank bag just in case

I've been trying to figure out how one could guarantee a 5 gal bottle is filtered water.. Not saying I have a general distrust (or that I don't), , but I could see some places refilling 5 gallon bottles from the tap and charging bottled water prices to help with profit.. I would be much more comfortable with small bottles that have tamper proof lids but understand the trash factor. I have water bottles with purifier straws, sounds like I may be taking them along.. Not the easiest for filling a hydration pack though.