how safe is it to ride in Mexico?

[rickcorwn]

There's a reason that everyone has fences around there yards and security system installed in vehicles. So beware of thieves, they are everywhere.

Yes, it's "thievery" -- but it's also a completely different culture. If rich Gringo leaves stuff lying around for the taking -- well, that may just be an invitation? Rich Gringo probably has it insured and will just make a claim?

If rich Gringo has so much stuff that he doesn't need to watch or protect it..., well...

When there's rampant poverty, 'sharing the wealth' takes on a whole new meaning... :huh:

That's how it was explained to me too. Many down there feel if you don't lock it up you must not care much about it. Every place we stayed had secure parking for the bikes except for one and that was an impromptu stay at a private residence.

 

[2006FJR]

Mexico issues travel alert over new Ariz. immigration law LINK

The furor over Arizona's new law cracking down on illegal immigrants grew Monday as opponents used refried beans to smear swastikas on the state Capitol, civil rights leaders demanded a boycott of the state.

Typically the subject of global travel warnings due to rampant, drug-fueled violence, Mexico issued an unusual alert Tuesday to Mexican citizens in Arizona. The country warned that the state's adoption of a strict immigration enforcement law has created "a negative political environment for migrant communities and for all Mexican visitors."

"It must be assumed that every Mexican citizen may be harassed and questioned without further cause at any time," the Mexican Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued Tuesday.

The government missive is escalating an already volatile debate on the measure signed by Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, who said the law was necessary because the federal government has failed to address persistent illegal immigration.

LAW: Immigration issue difficult to postpone

MEXICO: Issues travel alert for Arizona

BOYCOTTS: Sparked by Ariz. immigration law

ENFORCEMENT: Ariz. agency seeks federal help

"Arizona law simply regulates immigration the same way that federal law and federal authorities currently regulate," Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman said, responding to the Mexican government's alert. "It seems misguided to be angry exclusively with Arizona. Racial profiling is specifically written in the state law to be illegal."

The law continued to draw threats of boycotts, while Attorney General Eric Holder suggested the federal government could launch its own legal challenge and that the measure was subject to "potential abuse."

Supporters, meanwhile, say the measure was overdue to deal with Arizona's illegal immigrants, which number about 460,000, state records show. The law gives local police unprecedented authority to identify and detain suspects if they have reasonable suspicion that the suspects are in the U.S. illegally.

"Arizona has crossed the threshold of its tolerance," said Paul Babeu, a strong supporter of the law and sheriff of Pinal County, Ariz., located in the heavily traveled smuggling corridor between Phoenix and Tucson. "We can no longer afford to do nothing. Where is the outrage?"

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, appearing on CBS' Early Show Tuesday, described the illegal immigration problem in his state as "the worst I've ever seen."

"The (new) law," said McCain, "is a response to the president and the administration's failure to secure our borders." McCain, who is in the midst of a difficult re-election campaign, is a one-time co-author of legislation that offered illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

On the other side, critics voiced their opposition. In San Francisco, City Attorney Dennis Herrera called on municipal leaders to launch a boycott of Arizona businesses.

"Arizona has charted an ominous legal course that puts extremist politics before public safety, and betrays our most deeply-held American values," Herrera said in a statement.

In Washington, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano questioned the law's legality. "The first thing to be done is for the Justice Department to determine whether the law is constitutional," she told the Senate Judiciary Committee. The alert issued by the Mexican government came a day after Mexican President Felipe Calderón condemned the law as discriminatory.

Although it does not take effect for more than 90 days, the government bulletin urged Mexican citizens to carry "available documentation … (to) avoid needless confrontation."

 

[mferriter]

It's perfectly safe to ride...just not to stop.

 

[Checkswrecks]

There's a reason that everyone has fences around there yards and security system installed in vehicles. So beware of thieves, they are everywhere.

Yes, it's "thievery" -- but it's also a completely different culture. If rich Gringo leaves stuff lying around for the taking -- well, that may just be an invitation? Rich Gringo probably has it insured and will just make a claim?

If rich Gringo has so much stuff that he doesn't need to watch or protect it..., well...

When there's rampant poverty, 'sharing the wealth' takes on a whole new meaning... :huh:

Heck with Mexico, you could say the same about anywhere in the world.

One of our Maryland Phototag players got caught in one of those huge snow storms a few months ago and parked his dual-sport on the edge of the highway long enough to go home and get a truck. The bike was gone when he got back. As for security and drug lords, he was parked on the south side of Baltimore (aka Bulletmore).

Parts of Mexico are in a boom when compared to much of the US. What're the biggest and busiest stores in some of the Mexican cities? Next to shopping malls full of German Aldie grocery, French department stores, and Japanese electronic stores? Sam's and Walmart, of course!

I just wish I could ride down with you or Don!

 

[beemerdons]

Checkswrecks, Please mark your Ride Calendar for the last three weeks of October in 2011. Los Hermanos Rodriguez, Brothers Patch308 and HotRodZilla from our FJR Forum; plus, ten other riders from my AZ Beemers Club will be riding to Guatemala from Phoenix. I would love it if you could join us on this trek. We would be The Magnificent Thirteen!!

Since you would be riding from Damascus, Maryland we could reverse the routing going down the East coast of Mexico first. The Game Plan is to have our Wives and Girlfriends fly in/out of Acapulco and Veracruz. We hombres would slog the long autopistas and our Senoritas/Senoras would enjoy the most scenic parts of Mexico, if not the entire world!

Please check out the video in the paragraph below, this was put together by mi Amigo Ruben; who I have visited in his hometown of Oaxaca and at other Mexico BMW Rally sites.

To celebrate my 63rd Birthday, Papa Chuy is riding back to Guatemala. I rode to Guatemala City over 20 years ago on my 1986 BMW R80RT and I want to go way South again before they plant me 6' under the ground. Every year I ride into Mexico (except this year 2010) for the Mexico BMW Moto-Clubs Convention. In 2010 my good friend Ruben Tenorio, President of the Mexico Moto-Clubs, is hosting the Annual Rally in the Mexican State of Chiapas.

I will not make this BMW Rally like I usually do, instead I will do an independent ride on Miss Ingrid RT to Chiapas and Guatemala with my AZ Beemer Friends in 2011.
Chiapas Estado borders Guatemala and we'll need 3 weeks time to make it down to GC and back from Phoenix, Arizona. You'll need to start with fresh tires on your BMW (bring oil/air filter), because we'll rack up 10,000 kilometers on this trip. Plan on daily expenses of at least $110, which will cover fuel, food and sharing a room.

Really wish I could make the Official BMW Mexico Moto-Clubs Rally in Chiapas this October, but I'm riding Copper Canyon in Fall 2010 with https://www.motodiscovery.com

Paging Senor Enrique Garza: 18 months away, so you've plenty of time to save your dinero and stockpile vacation time for this epic Mexico and Guatemala journey and adventure!

PLEASE NOTE: If you want to take your significant other with you to Land of The Maya, this routing below will allow your SO to fly in to Acapulco for the ride down.

On way back from Guatemala, your SO can fly back to Estados Unidos from Veracruz. This allows solo riders to haul ass on the Autopistas on first and last fast days!

AZ BEEMERS OCTOBER 2011 RIDE TO CHIAPAS ESTADO Y GUATEMALA FOR FJR MOTO FIESTA Y MAS CAMINOS!

AZ Beemers: Let’s ride to Chiapas and Guatemala in October of 2011!!

Phoenix to Guaymas, via Hermosillo: 8 hours and 425 miles.

Guaymas to Mazatlan, via Los Mochis: 11 hours and 490 miles.

Mazatlan to Puerto Vallarta, via Tepic: 6 hours and 285 miles.

Puerto Vallarta to La Mira, via Barra de Navidad: 8 hours and 365 miles.

La Mira to Acapulco, via Zihuatanejo: 5 hours and 225 miles.

Rest Day in Acapulco and have the significant others fly in to join us.

Acapulco to Puerto Escondido, via Cuajinicuilapa: 6 hours and 240 miles.

Puerto Escondido to Tuxtla Gutierrez, via Juchitan: 9 hours & 350 miles.

4 nights partying with our fine AZ Beemer friends in Chiapas and into Guatemala.

Tuxtla Gutierrez to Villahermosa, via Palenque: 9 hours and 250 miles.

Villahermosa to Veracruz, via Acayucan: 7 hours and 300 miles.

Rest Day in Veracruz and have companions fly home to Estados Unidos.

Veracruz to Tampico, via Tuxpan: 8 hours and 315 miles.

Tampico to Brownsville, Texas: 7 hours and 315 miles.

2 days: 18 hours and 1,250 miles from Brownsville back to Phoenix, AZ.

These times and miles came directly from the AAA Map and Guide Book.

AZ Beemers: Start saving your vacation time and dinero for a 3-week and 6,000 mile trip to tour Chiapas and Guatemala in 10/2011! Mas Fiesta!!!