Is Mexico Safe?

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by kobukan

Car-jackings in the US are a city problem. How is comparing that to country road robbery helpful?

LINK B

From that link:

"Authorities say the men assaulted and carjacked a couple McGee lured to a rural area and drove off with the couple's three young children."

[kobukan]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

LINK A


From that link:

"Carjacking isn't just a problem in large cities - it happens in suburbs, small towns, and rural areas."

Actually, I don't think we were ever really talking about car-jackings.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by kobukan

Personal experience only.

Well, I don't have any experience with the 50,000+ carjackings in the US each year either, so that's why I don't claim they only happen in cities.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by kobukan

Actually, I don't think we were ever really talking about car-jackings.

I'd run away from the topic too

[kobukan]

I give up. My point has been missed completely and the conversation has gone off in a completely different direction. I appreciate all the info. I'll still be riding in Mexico.

[MikeMike]

GREAT!
Once you ride here you will understand that for guys who rack up big miles over the years in Mexico and those of us that live here and ride here everyday, we are more worried about other dangers than punks with guns.
We are worried about:
sand in a corner from mountain rains and run off
barbed wire
water and dirt in fuel
heat
humidity
premium gas or not at the Pemex
flat tires at speed
topes that are unmarked especially in the wet
really stoned or wired double trailer truckers
torrential rains
hurricanes
losing a piece of luggage
hangovers
weight gain from good fresh food and breakfast steaks with chiles and onions
camera batteries
landslides
rock falls
washouts
protests that close highways
political rallies that close town squares
etc...

[airdale7]

The water was ankle deep on a KLR.

Find out where at www.twowheelsthreeamericas.com

[MikeMike]

Craneguy and I rode through that in Xalapa. LOL!

[mark883]

Originally Posted by MikeMike

GREAT!
Once you ride here you will understand that for guys who rack up big miles over the years in Mexico and those of us that live here and ride here everyday, we are more worried about other dangers than punks with guns.
We are worried about:
sand in a corner from mountain rains and run off
barbed wire
water and dirt in fuel
heat
humidity
premium gas or not at the Pemex
flat tires at speed
topes that are unmarked especially in the wet
really stoned or wired double trailer truckers
torrential rains
hurricanes
losing a piece of luggage
hangovers
weight gain from good fresh food and breakfast steaks with chiles and onions
camera batteries
landslides
rock falls
washouts
protests that close highways
political rallies that close town squares
etc...

You forgot:

Even though you've traveled Mexico with no intestinal distress so far, you know that somewhere out there, there is a piece of lettuce with your name on it. (but the food is worth the risk)

and, a somewhat related theme:

lack of toilet seat in places

[MikeMike]

Originally Posted by mark883

You forgot:

Even though you've traveled Mexico with no intestinal distress so far, you know that somewhere out there, there is a piece of lettuce with your name on it. (but the food is worth the risk)

and, a somewhat related theme:

lack of toilet seat in places

Isn't there a "Are Toilet Seats Safe" thread somewhere?

Travler's intestinal upset is no longer the threat it once was. I can remember when the only bottled water for sale in convenience stores was either a half a liter of Evian (naive spelled backwards by the way) or a 4 liter jug of Bonafont.
And they were priced about the same!

[mark883]

Originally Posted by MikeMike

Isn't there a "Are Toilet Seats Safe" thread somewhere?

Travler's intestinal upset is no longer the threat it once was. I can remember when the only bottled water for sale in convenience stores was either a half a liter of Evian (naive spelled backwards by the way) or a 4 liter jug of Bonafont.
And they were priced about the same!

More than once, I've brushed my teeth in the sink down there and thought, "gee maybe I shouldn't have..."

I've even trusted the water carafe in a few hotel rooms. Maybe I shouldn't have... no ill effects.

Bottled water is definitely a boon for gringo travelers down there. No excuse not to stay well hydrated. The greenies may not be impressed, but if my gut is happy, I'm happy.

Every time I use the bathrooms on the Indiana Turnpike, I think: "Gee I've been to nicer places in Mexico." There are spotless places in Mexico- even on their toll roads.

[mark883]

Originally Posted by kobukan

I give up. My point has been missed completely and the conversation has gone off in a completely different direction. I appreciate all the info. I'll still be riding in Mexico.

Don't take it personal. You're sure welcome around here.

You've got your solo to Mexico ticket punched, that's more than probably a lot of people on adv can say. You've been to CC and Baja, which I haven't visited, but would love to see.

Ride on, and enjoy the trip- that's what's important.

[rockymountainoyster]

The brits "invented" IPA because the hops acted as a preservative for the long trip to India round the Cape of Good Hope. It would not surprise me if the extra dose of hops, besides being excellent on the taste buds, didn't ward off some of the evil thingies in the water. The reason that Corona is such shit and tastes skunky is no hops and clear glass bottles. The beer is spoiled by the time it reaches your lips... hence the "limon" enough limon will cover any rotten taste, though when you put it on it makes them squirm a bit at first.

[MikeMike]

Bingo!
The Oyster speaks words of wisdom.
Corona proves that marketing can accomplish what a product cannot.
It reminds me of the old saying that a squirrel is nothing more than a rat with a good publicist!
Just like a certain French kidnapper...

[rockymountainoyster]

I have not seen any of you mention carrying a GS 911 to figure out and even reset certain GS fault codes. I considered bringing one on this trip but could not find a small PC in a timely fashion, they don't work with Apple. I am a mechanical ignoramus when it comes to my 1150 GS and just hope that I don't have any trip stopping problems. What many of you say about mechanical issues is certainly worth hearing. Mike Mike's words about having to stash the bike somewhere and ride a chicken bus are not taken lightly. That said I would rather have a breakdown in Mexico where there are chicken buses, there are places to stash your bike, and some kind of help can be found. In the Four Corners of the SW there are no chicken buses, there is no water, there is no place to stash your bike, people do not stop to see if you need help, there is no water, if you do stash your bike some moron with a pistol of rifle might put a few holes in it just because its there, there is no water, and... did I mention it? There is no water, just you, your feet and a long, hot dusty road.