Is Mexico Safe?

[jimmex]

Thanks for that insightful comment.

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by 98tbird

Mexico is as safe as a fully loaded AK-47 in a 6 yo hands...

Maybe you have some first-hand riding experiences "Down South" that you could entertain/inform us with.

O posible puro pedo?

[SchizzMan]

Awesome pix, Bato. Looking forward to riding that route.

[Craneguy]

Mexican gang-related deaths fell by 15 percent and homicides by seven percent in the first half of the year, President Felipe Calderon said Thursday, according to local reports.
For the first time in several years the government has seen a reduction in homicide rates on a national level, Calderon told a national security meeting, newspaper El Universal (Link to Spanish-language site) reported.

Seems a bit too late for election rhetoric, so it may actually be good news for once!

Full article HERE

[Craneguy]

Originally Posted by MikeMike

Crane, the receipt as insurance thing does work...

That's good to know Mike. I prefer to hear actual experience than "a friend of a friend" etc,

I keep the toll receipts, but like you, I only use the toll roads if in a hurry or it's raining. That said, some of them can be entertaining. After I had braved the Periferico on a Sunday afternoon, the long sweepers on the toll road between DF and Cuernavaca were both fun and relaxing. A good antidote to the madness of the ring road! The toll roads around Orizaba can be fun too, as long as you avoid becoming a hood ornament.

[Bato]

Originally Posted by Craneguy

Mexican gang-related deaths fell by 15 percent and homicides by seven percent in the first half of the year, President Felipe Calderon said Thursday, according to local reports.
For the first time in several years the government has seen a reduction in homicide rates on a national level, Calderon told a national security meeting, newspaper El Universal (Link to Spanish-language site) reported.

Seems a bit too late for election rhetoric, so it may actually be good news for once!

Full article HERE

Originally Posted by 98tbird

Mexico is as safe as a fully loaded AK-47 in a 6 y/o hands...

Mexico is ok
no 6y/o ith ak47 quitgiing shit on mexico i demand respect USA is no better or worst show me a 6y,o with a ak47
Mexico is no more unsafe than the USA there is just heaters

[Bato]

Originally Posted by Craneguy

Mexican gang-related deaths fell by 15 percent and homicides by seven percent in the first half of the year, President Felipe Calderon said Thursday, according to local reports.
For the first time in several years the government has seen a reduction in homicide rates on a national level, Calderon told a national security meeting, newspaper El Universal (Link to Spanish-language site) reported.

Seems a bit too late for election rhetoric, so it may actually be good news for once!

Full article HERE

This i beautifull country and you a wasting time analysing it insted of enjoy it
feel sorry for you guys

[acejones]

Originally Posted by bato

this i beautifull country and you a wasting time analysing it insted of enjoy it
feel sorry for you guys

well said !!

[MikeMike]

Originally Posted by Craneguy

The toll roads around Orizaba can be fun too, as long as you avoid becoming a hood ornament.

LOL! Yep, that's why I posted those videos about the Cumbres de Maltrata.
When you come over, I'll take you on the old road, it's a mind blower to think that it was actually used back in the day for the inter-state traffic. Puts the "chingao" in the "yee haw"! LOL!

[mark883]

Mexico Shmexico.

I rode to Detroit today, and it was even 96* and high humidity.

Double Remolques got nothing on Michigan Trains crammed onto a 'well maintained' Michigan interstate.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/02...ntcmp=trending

[BobLoblaw]

Originally Posted by MikeMike

Pax, that is very common here. However, the Green Angels who provide the free highway service will usually pass by once a day. It isn't much but in the middle of nowhere it will be all you'll have.

Crane, the receipt as insurance thing does work. There was a case here a few years ago where it worked out (long process but that is bureaucracy) for a damaged wheel. When I suffered damage to both my wheels on a remote road I rode back (very carefully!) and called my insurance agent. They were at my place in half an hour and the first thing the guy asked was if it happened on a toll road and if I had the receipt. Generally, the toll roads (even here) are in not too bad a shape, though of course in rainy season it gets worse. I try to avoid them if I can, and only use them to make time if I need to or if I am tired.

The "pluma" gate at the toll plazas controls the flow and usually the operators are "on camera" and are very strict about a moto by moto flow through and they generate a receipt for each bike, by the way.

Many Mexican riders will never ride alone. There is a paranoia amongst the vast majority and they also know that it isn't likely that someone is going to stop. However, off the toll roads, things are usually a little better. I've stopped to help people (the campesino with the broken leg story is a good one, one tough guy) but I know riders who would never, ever do that in their car or on their bike.

I always thought the success in getting the tolls lowered was due to pressure by the Mexican Motorcycle Federation and not because of lack of services to bikes. Who knows?

Schizz, don't give away the secrets of how to descend the Las Cumbres de Maltrata! LOL!

When you've done them in fog like this (see link below), you know the old dirt road is safer because nobody will be on it. The Mystery Rider and I did it like that. Only time I have ridden in fog so thick I couldn't see the ground from my seat. The following video will give you an idea. Schizz knows what the "toll" road is like, unless of course you pay the other guys who shall remain nameless and who will drop the chain for you to pass. LOL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zts41...eature=related

Famous enough there is now a song about them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huGjrTMsqhM

Watch carefully at 1:46 and you'll see something like this

wonder what happens if you're not paying attention and crash right through one of those gates

[jimmex]

I had one hit me on top of my head outside Taxco a few years back. The guy with the 12 ga. pointed for me to stop right under it and waited for it to smack me. Then laughed. I was pissed until my girlfriend started laughing too, then it was funny. It did hurt though. Only in Mexico.

[MikeMike]

Originally Posted by BobLoblaw

wonder what happens if you're not paying attention and crash right through one of those gates

LOL!

Are you going to be coming south, Bob, or are you going to stick around Labrador and club some seals? LOL!

[BobLoblaw]

Originally Posted by MikeMike

LOL!

Are you going to be coming south, Bob, or are you going to stick around Labrador and club some seals? LOL!

Yah I'm coming south, I'll try not to take out any more toll gates. What size seal boots do you wear? Presently waiting to hear from Julio so I can ride with him for a few days in central BC

[MikeMike]

Get him to cook for you, it looks like he and the missus Luisa are having a great time in Alaska!

Thank you for the kind offer of seal boots for me to wear here in the tropics, never let it be said that Bob Loblaw doesn't look out for his fellow riders. LOL! Reminds me of my buddy Phil, a fellow Canuck that has a pair of Lange hockey skates hanging in his garage as a conversation piece. Personally, I use my hockey pucks to save the tiles in the garage from the bike's sidestand and to cover the odd drain or two. Damn roaches here can almost lift them!