Is Mexico Safe?

[SR]

Originally Posted by subcomm

SR,
Do you know if it is possible to rent a moto for this ride in Durango? I have a Honda CRF450 but the logistics of getting it there would be difficult.

There is no place in Dgo that rents dirt bikes. In El Salto, which is about an hour west of town there is a place that has some 4 wheelers for rent. A guy PMd me about that. Sounds like he might try that.

I think there is somewhere in Mazatlan that rents XR-250s. Maybe you could ride up from Mazatlan on the highway then off road back to Mazatlan?

[SR]

Originally Posted by mark883

Soooo.... if I had a KLX250 with a plate, removed that plate, TVIP'ed the van containing the KLX, I'd be good to go, to various dirt locations?

If anyone ever asks, you just say dirt bike? no necesito placas? Or does this get into one of those grey areas, where 'money talks'

The KLX is everybit a dirt bike with lights....

Don't know that I'd really want to drive my big fat van across and back. I'm just afraid I'd get the blue glove treatment somewhere along the way. Not too keen on that, really.

I know this has been discussed in detail elswhere and I have never done it myself but I know others have. From the Banjercito website it looks like there is a provision for towing down a recreational vehicle like a boat, jetski or dirtbike. It says it is for towed vehicles but wonder if it matters if you tow it or have in the back of a van/truck? It shouldn't matter as long as it is documented along with the primary vehicle?

http://www.banjercito.com.mx/site/si.../con_iitv.html

Money always talks. I trailered my DRZ down with nothing but a pocket full of dead Mexican Presidents and some lame excuses, and no permit at all. I did pay some cash roadside import taxes along the way but I made it. I am not proud, but that's the way it goes sometimes! But money shouldn't have to talk in this case, I seems fairly straight forward to take care if this at the border.

Mark, with enough cash you could probably even get them to take you into a grey area and give you the double blue glove treatment. But seriously, I hope you can make it. It will be a good time!

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by mark883

Gonna come up with some custom locking device? I imagine that you wouldn't want anyone getting their fingers stuck to it. Sounds like a great idea for when you don't want to be wrestling a GS around the back streets.

A neat idea for non-moto uses too- could you PM me the $$, if you're divulging that? I've got a car where a bike rack just won't work.

For locking it to the pillion all I'm going to use is a cable lock.

This is a fast folding bike...perfect for when you want to fold it and jump into a taxi, for example. Once it gets here I'll post a photo of it on the GS, its really much smaller than even the photo would have you think.

This isn't just for Mexico, for for trips here to the Gulf Coast or places like Fredericksburg in the Hill Country where you want to go via motorcycle but you also want a pedal bike to cover a lot of ground for beach riding and city exploration.

Just about to send you the cost via PM....

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by mark883

Soooo.... if I had a KLX250 with a plate, removed that plate, TVIP'ed the van containing the KLX, I'd be good to go, to various dirt locations?

If anyone ever asks, you just say dirt bike? no necesito placas? Or does this get into one of those grey areas, where 'money talks'

Once again, the rub lies in the technical reading of the law as explained by a representative of Banjercito to an email Skinny sent asking this very question.

We can sit here all day and surmise whether or not one would actually get caught or if even all of the officials out in the field know their own laws that well but that's not the point. Even the Banjercito rep said he doubts all field officials really know the law.

So yes, I'd bet that one wouldn't have that much trouble not getting into trouble.

To answer your question, Mark, yes, I think we have seen many examples of gringos adding plated bikes to a truck or van's TVIP but this is not the intent of the Mexican law. The intent of the Mexican law is for only 1 plated vehicle per TVIP. Soooooooooo, if you don't ride with your plate on the bike you're probably riding through a perfectly good loop hole. Just have your truck's TVIP with you, it shows the full VIN for the truck and the last 4 for the bike.

Where all this comes to a head is what happens if you ignore the law and keep the plate on the bike and ride it on the road. Will you get caught? Well, maybe the answer is techniically you are in violation but you'll probably not have a problem. Here again I shape my advice like this: It always pays to know what the Mexican laws say. After that, since we're all big boys and girls here, each individual rider can decide if they want to roll the dice and take the chance.

I know riders who NEVER buy Mexico insurance too, and still others who even don't get TVIPs for their main bikes. Whatever floats their boat......welcome to the big leagues! One takes their chances and lives with the result.

[LaOutbackTrail]

Originally Posted by mark883

If anyone ever asks, you just say dirt bike? no necesito placas? Or does this get into one of those grey areas, where 'money talks'

My thought is that, its cheap enough to just get the tag for the bike and avoid the anxiety....

[mark883]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

Once again, the rub lies in the technical reading of the law as explained by a representative of Banjercito to an email Skinny sent asking this very question.

To answer your question, Mark, yes, I think we have seen many examples of gringos adding plated bikes to a truck or van's TVIP but this is not the intent of the Mexican law. The intent of the Mexican law is for only 1 plated vehicle per TVIP. Soooooooooo, if you don't ride with your plate on the bike you're probably riding through a perfectly good loop hole. Just have your truck's TVIP with you, it shows the full VIN for the truck and the last 4 for the bike.

Aah. I didn't know that you actually add that number to the main vehicle's TVIP. A dirty bike wouldn't be any diff than a jetski or fishboat (at least to me, the gringo non-government official), as long as you don't replate it when you get in. Or get ready for the potential goat rodeo if you do reattach your plate, and get caught. Best bet would be to ride w/o plate, carry TVIP papers, insurance, and act stupid when necessary.

[tricepilot]

^ Perfectly put

[acejones]

Originally Posted by mark883

Aah. I didn't know that you actually add that number to the main vehicle's TVIP. A dirty bike wouldn't be any diff than a jetski or fishboat (at least to me, the gringo non-government official), as long as you don't replate it when you get in. Or get ready for the potential goat rodeo if you do reattach your plate, and get caught. Best bet would be to ride w/o plate, carry TVIP papers, insurance, and act stupid when necessary.

I can certainly manage the acting stupid part. It just comes all too naturally !

[mark883]

Originally Posted by acejones

I can certainly manage the acting stupid part. It just comes all too naturally !

I can do !Yyyyyo No HHHHHHHABLOOOWWW ESPANYYYYYOOOOLLL! really dumb like, if required.

Heck, the one check point in October, at the middle of the Espinazo, I couldn't even remember I was coming from fricking Durango. I hadn't even been anywhere near the negra modelo yet.

[BMW Kurt]

Well, they let me in! I made it to Saltillo today. The only problem was I did not want to leave Piedras Negras. I fell in love with the official filling out my tourist card. She was friggin' beautiful and dressed to imoress. Gonna be hard to sleep tonight! (no pun intended)

[subcomm]

Originally Posted by SR

There is no place in Dgo that rents dirt bikes. In El Salto, which is about an hour west of town there is a place that has some 4 wheelers for rent. A guy PMd me about that. Sounds like he might try that.

I think there is somewhere in Mazatlan that rents XR-250s. Maybe you could ride up from Mazatlan on the highway then off road back to Mazatlan?

Thanks for the info SR.

[SR]

Originally Posted by BMW Kurt

Well, they let me in! I made it to Saltillo today. The only problem was I did not want to leave Piedras Negras. I fell in love with the official filling out my tourist card. She was friggin' beautiful and dressed to imoress. Gonna be hard to sleep tonight! (no pun intended)

Did you consider crossing the border back and fourth a few times to get some face time with her. That would be a sign of true love.

[BMW Kurt]

Originally Posted by SR

Did you consider crossing the border back and fourth a few times to get some face time with her. That would be a sign of true love.

Damn good idea! I HIGHLY recommend the migracion in Piedras Negras! I am a Latin American cherry and the border crossing process was very easy. The only problem was I entered at Puerto I and migracion is at Puerto II. I got to know the streets of Piedras Negras very well. But she made it worth it. Damn, I may forego the rest of this trip just to out process through Piedras Negras!

Seriously, I was a little apprehensive, but it was a piece of cake!

[BobLoblaw]

Originally Posted by mark883

I can do !Yyyyyo No HHHHHHHABLOOOWWW ESPANYYYYYOOOOLLL! really dumb like, if required.

Heck, the one check point in October, at the middle of the Espinazo, I couldn't even remember I was coming from fricking Durango. I hadn't even been anywhere near the negra modelo yet.

Well that won't work at the military check stop 30k east of Agua Prieta , where for two years in a row, I have had a pleasant discussion with a soldier who, in both cases spoke english better than a lot of people I know

PS they had a gamma ray x ray machine for the truck lane

[SR]

Originally Posted by BMW Kurt

Damn good idea! I HIGHLY recommend the migracion in Piedras Negras! I am a Latin American cherry and the border crossing process was very easy. The only problem was I entered at Puerto I and migracion is at Puerto II. I got to know the streets of Piedras Negras very well. But she made it worth it. Damn, I may forego the rest of this trip just to out process through Piedras Negras!

Seriously, I was a little apprehensive, but it was a piece of cake!

Glad to hear you made it. It sounds to me like you fell in love with the girl that popped your cherry! But seriously, you will get over her, there are plenty more where she comes from!