Is Mexico Safe?

[jimmex]

Originally Posted by Bato

I know you like menudo

[theshnizzle]

What the hell is a tope?????? Some sort of food......a hairstyle........footwear........??????:

I'm from Canada eh?

[theshnizzle]

Ok, I googled tope. And read a bit online about travelling in mexico. I would be camping and I read that some of the campgrounds would be easier to access in a higher vehicle. The issue is my busa is pretty low. I sometimes bottom out on speedbump up here much less a giant"tope'......thoughts?

[acejones]

Originally Posted by theshnizzle

What the hell is a tope?????? Some sort of food......a hairstyle........footwear........??????:

I'm from Canada eh?

Tope = Speed bump

Commonly found at edges of towns and villages and also throughout towns. Used for controlling speed. They range from low bumps to rediculously high.. can be made from concrete, asphalt, large ropes and even sandbags. Often they are marked, often they are not.

[acejones]

Personally, I wouldn't go to Mexico on a 'busa.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by acejones

Personally, I wouldn't go to Mexico on a 'busa.

Really? I find my busa quite comfortable

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Any bike can be used for Mexico ,but low ones will have to take care on topes.
About the decapitated tourists, wasn't this the story about a bunch of bodies including one or two Canadians a month or two ago who were found on the beaches near Pto Vallarta as a result of the drug dealers group clearing out among their own rank s ? Thes Canadians were reported to have been frequent visitor to PV and had business relationships with the drug cartels. Calling them "tourists " is being generous but probably inacurate.
The new Presidente of Mexico could make his major claim for historic place of fame by initiating a program to standardize and civilize the TOPE all over Mexico.
As topes now exists in many forms many horrid oversized examples placed in inappropriate locations.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by Sjoerd Bakker

The new Presidente of Mexico could make his major claim for historic place of fame by initiating a program to standardize and civilize the TOPE all over Mexico.
As topes now exists in many forms many horrid oversized examples placed in inappropriate locations.

I am not for this. I say keep the wild and varied, and often unpredictable, fun bumps as they are.

Uncivilized topes - yes, keep them part of the charm.

[C-Stain]

Originally Posted by Slowphil

I most certainly will do that, I'm looking forward to seeing your part of Mexico
Cheers Philip

It'd be nice to see a RR YFF! Ride safe, we're all wondering about you!

[Digiamo]

When discussing the annoying topes with Mexican riders, it was explained in detail and with great patience that the local communities can not afford traffic cops.
Drunk and reckless driving has claimed many family members in these towns, hence they install their idea of what a speed bump is. Even after stopping, some of these barriers touched my bash plate, sometimes hard. You get many opportunities to try different ways to cross them but they vary a lot so you'll need to assess as you arrive at them.

As a side benefit they get the commerce that springs up AT these locations because you have to just about STOP to not cause severe damage to your suspension or underside. You'll find you can buy a wide variety of stuff at the topes. :)

Far as bodily injury goes, nothing hurt me more than a STING RAY sting at Mazunte beach, Oaxaca.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by Digiamo

You'll find you can buy a wide variety of stuff at the topes. :)

One enterprising lady had a table of assorted motorcycle bash plates for sale.

Well, not really, but the idea was funny to me.

[Digiamo]

True dat! another plus side is the passing ability at topes.

[terrapinneck]

During a rainy night in Guatemala, (pulling a trailer full of church literature) I couldn't see a topes account of oncoming headlights. By the time I saw it all I could do was slide the brakes until right before I hit it at about 30 mph. Knocked the rear axle loose on the trailer which we had to repair later in the trip.
Topes do a great job of traffic control, I don't mind them, when I see them in time....Ha.

[MikeMike]

Originally Posted by terrapinneck

...a rainy night in Guatemala...

That has a certain Brooke Benton ring to it.

[Bato]

Last time out there I would voluntary slow down passing by small towns or houses even if there weren't any topes just thought Iwould look better...