MexTrek, Oct 22-25, 2008

[Rick M]

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTT TTT
Rick M

[skup]

Keep in mind that they will charge you tax on the value of the bike listed on the registration. You get it back only after you do the paper work coming back into the US. If you decide not to go you are out of luck or will have to cross the border just to get the refund.

[Trail Boss]

Originally Posted by skup

Keep in mind that they will charge you tax on the value of the bike listed on the registration. You get it back only after you do the paper work coming back into the US. If you decide not to go you are out of luck or will have to cross the border just to get the refund.

skup,

Maybe I missed out on some money I should have gotten back but I've never received a tax refund (or any refund) when I've done the paperwork to bring my motorcycle out of Mexico. Nor have any of the riders I've been with received a tax refund.

Last year, one rider with me paid the bond on his bike with cash instead of using a credit card and that money was refunded to him when he checked his bike out of Mexico. Is that what you are talking about?

[PharrSide]

Originally Posted by terlingua

PharrSide;

I would kinda like to hook up with someone leaving Sunday or Monday but I'm not sure if I can meet all your requirements. I never whine but I've only been riding about 45 years. I do ***** sometimes but not often and only about something really important. I ride a XR650L so if you are planning a lot of high speed pavement count me out, otherwise I am interested. Dale


Hay Dale, the buddy I was going to do that longer ride with can't make now, his house and bike were undere three feet of water last weekend. Sory, but one of the others and I are going down on Tuesday and crossing Wednesday
and ride in. We try to stay off of the Hwy our self and more to the back roads and trails as much as we can. What they are calling class 3's the guys and that I ride with and I look for most. I ride a KTM 950 and other guy is on a 450xcw but don't let the size of my bike fool you I can get were I need it. We are looking at crossing at McAllen if you are others would like to ride in with us.

Bruce

Bruce, If I can't hook up with someone who wants to leave a couple of days early I plan to ride with the group crossing at McAllen on Wednesday morning. It sounds like you will be there as well. Dale

[skup]

Originally Posted by Richard_

skup,

Maybe I missed out on some money I should have gotten back but I've never received a tax refund (or any refund) when I've done the paperwork to bring my motorcycle out of Mexico. Nor have any of the riders I've been with received a tax refund.

Last year, one rider with me paid the bond on his bike with cash instead of using a credit card and that money was refunded to him when he checked his bike out of Mexico. Is that what you are talking about?

I believe we are talking aout the same thing. They charged me the tax on the bike on my credit card and said I would get the refund on the border once I crossed back. They also said the refund was only credited at the border. I assume so they can verify that you are bringing the bike back.

[Trail Boss]

skup,

I agree, we are talking about the same thing. Thanks.

[jtb73]

I have a non street legal XR650R that I've ridden several times in Baja. In Baja it doesn't matter if you're street legal. Is this ride possible on a non legal bike or do I have to put a kit on it? Also, is everyone riding down or is anyone trailering/trucking their bikes down? The XR isn't exactly fun to ride for hours and hours on pavement.

Thanks

[Trail Boss]

jtb73,

Interesting question. I don't know if your bike needs a street legal kit. I always just assumed we needed to be street legal, but never actually asked / investigated the question.

I'm trailering to McAllen and riding from there.

[Chango]

Baja is different than the Mainland . If your XR has an off road only title in
your name . That PROBABLY will get your vehicle permit. There are plenty of U.S. riders that ride competition down there . I'll send you some info. you can ask him.

[terlingua]

Dale, There is a guy name Chuck that I have road with before that called me the other day. And was trying get me to ride with him in Copper Canyon the weekend before and then ride down from there for this. But I just don't have the time to do that much riding, I sure wish I did. If your up for that much then I can give him a call for you.

Bruce

[PharrSide]

Originally Posted by terlingua

Dale, There is a guy name Chuck that I have road with before that called me the other day. And was trying get me to ride with him in Copper Canyon the weekend before and then ride down from there for this. But I just don't have the time to do that much riding, I sure wish I did. If your up for that much then I can give him a call for you.

Bruce

Bruce,
Thanks, I wish I could do that but I don't have that much time either. I was only hoping to leave a couple of days early for the Galeana area.

[Dave Bell]

At the risk of being told to do a search, I've got a GPS question. Hopefully I can just get a simple answer and not irritate the crap out of everyone with this. Are you ready? Here it is:

What GPS should I buy? I'm asking here because I want to be able to get one appropriate for the trip. I want to add mexico maps, have it waterproof and rugged, and hopefully not too expensive ($300-$400). I mean, my old Garmin MkV was just fine but it crapped out yesterday. I'm thinking one of those Garmin 60Cx's or something. So what do you think? .

[Jbay]

another question, sorry if its been asked before

is getting premium gas a problem on this trip?, would be a 2 gal tank

do octane packets work?

(no im not going this year)

[Trail Boss]

Dave,

I asked Rusty if he could provide an answer / advice for you. He is much more knowledgeable about GPS than I.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by Dave Bell

I'm thinking one of those Garmin 60Cx's or something. So what do you think? .

Dave, that would be an excellent choice. I ran one of those until I got the Zumo. I actually liked the fact that the 60C series runs on AA batteries - they last a long time. And the 60Cx has a Sandisk card slot to upgrade memory. About $250 on Amazon. The 60CSx has a compass and an altimeter for about $50 more.

Originally Posted by Jbay

Is getting premium gas a problem on this trip?

PEMEX is the national standard gasoline in Mexico, and premium is the rojo. You can find it all over the place.



Bob

[Trail Boss]

Originally Posted by Jbay

is getting premium gas a problem on this trip?, would be a 2 gal tank

do octane packets work?

I don't ever buy premium gas, but as I recall it is often available at the gas stations in Mexico.

On the other hand, if you are riding an adventure route out in the boonies and buying gas from a 55 gallon drum, you probably won't be able to get premium.

I've never used octane packets. Sorry.

[stingray]

I'm thinking one of those Garmin 60Cx's or something. So what do you think? .

I'm using the Garmin 60CSx and have had real good luck with it. I bought the 2 gig memory chip so it has plenty of room for map, routing and track data. The RAM mounting system has worked real well too.

I loaded the Bici maps of Mexico without any real issue. I'll be putting them to the test on this trip!

[PharrSide]

Has anyone tried to do any kind of funds transfer to pay for the hotel in advance? Does it matter if we do not?

[Trail Boss]

PharrSide,

We were able to make our reservations last year without a funds transfer. While there are more of us this year, I'm operating off the belief that the verbal reservations each rider has made will be sufficient again this year.

[mlstults]

Originally Posted by Dave Bell

At the risk of being told to do a search, I've got a GPS question. Hopefully I can just get a simple answer and not irritate the crap out of everyone with this. Are you ready? Here it is:

What GPS should I buy? I'm asking here because I want to be able to get one appropriate for the trip. I want to add mexico maps, have it waterproof and rugged, and hopefully not too expensive ($300-$400). I mean, my old Garmin MkV was just fine but it crapped out yesterday. I'm thinking one of those Garmin 60Cx's or something. So what do you think? .

Dave, look at the Zumo 450 and 550. These GPS' are made for motorcycles, water proof, shock resistant, etc. Load music or maps on SD card, compass and more info than I will use. I have the 550, msrp $1000., internet price $649 and that is the kit w/motorcycle and car mounts plus more. The 450 is a bit cheaper. Do a search for best price. I like mine.
Martin