I have been riding motos in Mexico for years. I’m a dedicated Moto Mexiholic. If you travel via a moto, you know the excitement, thrill and difference from a car. Riding is very different than in the US or Canada. Here is what I have learned so far:

• The GEM map: Google Maps - Web-based map has some top moto roads identified. How to use the map. This is only a sample, but a good start. Search out those twisty lines you see on the map. Some roads are not paved or are being updated with fresh pavement. Mexico has been paving a lot of roads over the last 10+ years. Google Maps satellite-view is key for scouting out new roads to explore. The primary roads are often packed with cars and trucks.

• Motorcycle Mexico - Advrider - Horizons Unlimited are all great online resources for updated info and travel connections. If you prefer to be guided, MotoDiscovery Tours (Pacho Villa Tours) has 40+ years of Mexico experience.

• Get your navigation systems in order. Paper maps are outdated. You will need a proper navigation system so that you can focus on the road.

• Get your paperwork in order and understand the procedures to legally ride your motorcycle in Mexico.

• When to visit Mexico?

• Get your moto fully prepped! Supplies are not easy to come by, nor cheap in Mexico. Long mileage rear tires are key. Always start with a new set of tires. New drivetrain, new brake pads, fresh oil change, clean/new air filter should all be addressed. How old is your brake fluid? Your suspension fluid? Your clutch and throttle cable?

• If you run tubes, consider heavy duty tubes with Ride-On sealant and balancer or bring a Dynaplug or Stop & Go tire plugging kit if you run tubeless. MotoPumps makes the best wired tire inflator, while Air Moto offers a great battery unit. Bring extra maintenance supplies. Mexican moto mechanics are very resourceful and inventive, but why not start with a fresh bike. See below for recommended shops when traveling if you need help.

• Bring a package of Heavy Duty zip ties. You can hold together most any part untill it’s fixed. Blow out a tire - zip tie around the tire and rim in several places and slowly ride out to a safe place. Have some travel sized Duct Tape along too. Quick Steel is my other repair on the go tool.

• ADVRider has a great tool kit thread so you are prepared. RTWPaul recommends you work on your bike at home and place every tool and size you needed in a bin, so you have the right tools with you. Go thru every fastener so you have that tool.

• If you fly into Mexico City, you can do a fly and ride rental as an alternative.

• Taller suspension / ground clearance bikes work best. There is a reason many choose an Adventure bike to tour Mexico. Topes are tall and pot holes are deep.

• Update your suspension! Mexican roads are full of potholes and topes. Invest in the best suspension you can afford…you will appreciate going down the road every mile.

• Looking for the highest roads in Mexico?

• Motorcycles pay the lowest cost for toll roads (cuota), 1/2 the toll fee of an auto. Do not use a toll PASE payment device because you will be charged an full auto toll fee.

• Mexico cuota toll road cost calculator

• Parking Security: I bring a Nelson Rigg XL packable travel cover. It packs small. Out of sight, out of mind works great during the day or for hotel overnights. This keeps random kids from sitting on your bike too.

  Lock your steering and I use a German Abus disc lock and alarm. It makes a very obnoxiously loud noise if your bike is moved even slightly. Bring your tank bag with you or lock it down. Mosko Moto makes a great quick removable tank bag that also doubles as a travel backpack.

  Lock any gear left on the bike. A simple portable motion sensor attached to your tank bag and under a bike travel cover works very well. Couple this with an alarm disc lock and your bike makes some serious noise when touched.

  I use this National Cycle rear license plate mounted helmet lock, plus I also run a cable lock thru the helmet to the rear wheel. I also use this Helmet Lok at times attached to my handguards or rack. Quickly lock your jacket to your bike thru the sleeve with this Mosko lock.

  To secure my boots, pants and jacket all together, I use a Pacsafe 85L mesh system. This is useful for stops during the day, when you want to explore a town without your gear on. It doubles as a way to secure gear at hostels or campsites when you have no extra room in your hard cases.

  Petty crime is something that can be taken quickly '“grab and run”…make your bike a fortress. Soft luggage is nice, but hard luggage offers much better security.

• You will quickly learn that topes (speed bumps) are everywhere and they always seem to surprise you. You will quickly figure out your correct speed and technique to get over them with minimal jarring. Many hit them so you jump over them and clear your rear tire.

• There is everything and anything in the road - dogs, vendors, oil spills, pot holes you name it. Every mile is a new road experience.

• Consult these online driving guides and resources as norms & rules are very different (stop signs are just suggestions, topes are everywhere, left turn signal rules and, use the far right lateral lane to make a left turn etc): Playas y Plazas - Mexico Relocation Guide - Boundless Roads - Mexico Mike - Sharing The Wander - Two Empty Passports - Eat Sleep RV - Lets Travel to Mexico - Mexinsurance - On The Road in Mexico

• Motorcycles lane split (filter) up to the front at traffic lights and border crossing lines.

• I use yellow-green hi-viz tape on my all motos so I’m better seen. Black bike, all black gear might not be the best setup for Mexico.

• Gas station attendants will let you fuel your own bike. Even though they did very little, I still tip 10p. Start looking for fuel at 1/2 tank unless you are in a populated area. Fuel every chance you get in Baja. Gas station guide.

• Many hotels will let you park your bike inside their courtyard. Bike security at night is on of the bigger issues you deal with. Research hotels that have secure parking, if possible. Parking is challenging in cities. Some riders plan ahead and book, while others show up and find something on the fly. Even the smallest town has a hotel or room to rent (cuarto/room, habatacion/room, cama/bed) if you ask around.

• Love Hotels at the edge of towns and cities are key if you are traveling thru and need an easy secure place to park for the night. Each room has it’s own attached garage. Understand there is no restaurant/food available, however many have pizza delivery.

• It’s always best to have a stash of food with you just in case. You never know where you will be spending a night and sometimes there are zero places to eat.

• Mexicans ride in group clubs. You will meet them along your travels. They are not the tough-guy gang clubs found in the US, but rather the friendliest moto friends you will ever meet. They will probably ask you to join them in a ride or a party. They want to hear about your travels. If you ride a moto in Mexico…you are part of the family.

• Moto culture is huge in Mexico and everyone you go locals will be checking you out and giving you a thumbs up. Many younger kids would love to sit on your bike, so they can get a picture. If you have stickers to hand out, you are everyone’s friend. Many create their own personal stickers to place all over, you will see them in your travels.

  Recommended Moto supply, gear and repair shops:

• Country wide list from Motorcycle Mexico

• Cancun area - PJ Motorcycles (Playa del Carmen), Royal Enfield Cancún (Cancun)

• Campeche area

• Chiapas area - Moto Adventure Service (San Cristobal)

• Chihuahua area - Yamaha Chihuahua (Chihuahua)

• Ciudad Valles area

• Culiacan - BMW Motorrad Autowelt (Culican), Moto Pro (Culican)

• Durango area - Motocity Durango (Durango), Neumatiko (Durango)

• Ensenada / Northern Baja area - Baja GS Moto (Tijuana), Baja Powerhouse (Ensenada), Servicios San Felipe,

• Creel/Copper Canyon area

• Guadalajara area - Bodega 19 Motos (Zapopan), Motoservicio Nacho Bricio (Guadalajara), Moto Servicios Garcias (Guadalajara), Suzuki Motos Guadalajara,

• Hermosillo area - BMW Motorrad Surman (Hermosillo)

• Huatulco area - K Garage (Crucecita)

• La Paz / Los Cabos / Southern Baja area - Baja Moto Works (Cabo San Lucas), Motos Baja (La Paz), Mecanico Bukovecz (Mulege)

• Leon/Guanajuato/SMA area - KTM Husqvarna Leon (Leon), Motos y Más (San Miguel de Allende, Alberto speaks English)

• Jalisco area

• Manzanillo area

• Mazatlan area

• Merida area - BMW Motorrad Jürgen Mérida (Merida), Motoplex Mérida (Merida), Royal Enfield Mérida (Merida), Sport Cycle Center (Merida)

• Mexico City area - Dams Garage (CDMX), D Moto 929 (CDMX), Grupo Rollt (CDMX), MDH Sports (CDMX), Motofeel (CDMX), Moto-Fit (CDMX), Moto Garage de Charlie (CDMX), Resiliencia Motors (CDMX)

• Monterrey area

• Morelia / Patzcuaro area - Moto Llantas Michoacán (Quiroga)

• Nayarit area - Suzuki Ixtlan (Ixtlan del Rio), Evolutions Motorcycle (Tepic)

• Oaxaca area - Cat’s Garage (Oaxaca)

• Puebla area - Hiperbikes (Puebla)

• Puerto Vallarta area - BMW Motorrad Jürgen Vallarta (Puerto Vallarta), Charlie Choppers (Puerto Vallarta), Motofashion Vallarta (Puerto Valarta),

• Queretaro area - Bünthi Motorcycles (Queretaro)

• Toluca area - BMW Lerma Motors (Toluca)

• Torreon area - Nachos Team (Torreon)

• Veracruz area - Moto Pits (Veracruz)

• Villahermosa - Sport Cycle Center (Villahermosa)

• Zacatecas area