I'm currently making my way around the US on the 1150 GS. At the moment I'm in Nashville with friends and will be leaving next Sunday (Aug 14th) to head to Tucson. Having just gotten done with the Horizons Unlimited East meet up I'm feeling inspired and I've never ventured down to Mexico.

I'd I'm pondering trying to go to Tucson via mexico. I can basically spend 7 straight days on the move. I could run super slab and get to the mexican border in a couple days.

I'm trying to figure out where I should stay and what route I should take through Mexico. I don't have a good sense for how quickly I'll cover distance, what areas are worth seeing and where the safety risks are or even this is worth doing. I know there's a great deal of hang wringing (and some of it very valid) about northern Mexico and I'd really like to find affordable places to stay in advance as well as some definite route. (The lady would appreciate it if I'd do so as well)

I was considering something like coming in through Reyonosa, then down to Torreon, then Hermosillo and up.

Ideally I'd love to find someone off the list who has tent space at different destinations as well as some routing advice. (This trip is on a pretty tight budget) While this it's a bit intimidating, I'd really like to make this little detour happen.

Thanks
Mike

Mike , you say you can spend "7 days straight on the move".
Is that 7 days total from start to Tucson or 7days available for M exico?
If the latter case then you could do a nice comfortable loop almost as you propose.
Less than 7 days is a real race though unless you really push it and not sightsee which would be a pity .
Drop me a pm as to your desired route and I can provide you with some cheap hotel listings along the way since your start date is pretty near ...if you do decide on Mexico

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I could prob swing 5 or 6 days actually in Mexico. I'm not sure of my route. I'm really looking for suggestions on that.

I was considering something like coming in through Reyonosa, then down to Torreon, then Hermosillo and up. However, that's mostly me randomly connecting dots on the map. . .

PM sent.

If you are restricted to 5 or 6 days in Mexico I might suggest you race to the border at Eagle Pass that way avoiding a long swath of hot Texas- and getting into hot Mexico instead. But you will love it there.You will have to watch out for the occasional afternoon thunderstorms especially if you get into western high country
This would be a better route for you would since you bypass the gulf lowlands and the desert west of Saltillo. (These are nicer to exlplore during cooler season, and you will shave a day or more off )
From Piedras Negras a possible route would go via Monclova, Cuatrocienegas ,Torreon and then to Hidalgo del Parral
There depending on how you feel about the available time you can short cut north to Mex 16 and to Cuauhtemoc and along the north of Copper Canyon country , through Basaseachic to Hermosillo ...
OR....
you could dive right into the thick of the CC via Balleza,Guachochi,Creel and Basaseachic
and then to Hermosillo
All roads I include here are first class paved highways, no dirt road stuff.
From Hermosillo it is a simple matter of " slabbing" north on Mex 15 to Nogales and Tucson
With only 5-6 days it can be done but it leaves not much time for dawdling and ejoying scenic stops too much.Remember you will NOT be riding on the open country highways after dark- too many horses ,donkeys,cows ,deer, javelinas and other animals to run into.And you don't see anything Mexican at night, just the spot of your headlight.If you can force yourself to get up real early and ride with sunrise you will have long days and can then afford to spend somewhat more time on scenery.

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I know it's quite the stereotype question. . . but what about safety concerns? I know, like living in NYC or traveling anywhere, don't be a moron. Don't wander around drunk and showing off money or expensive gadgets, etc. Don't ask for trouble because wherever you are, it will find you.

Police, Bandits, etc. Are there any areas to absolutely avoid?

Guess you have never had the pleasure of using a Pemex "facilities".
They range from the relatively clean to "something that can make a maggot lose its lunch". It can come down to a challenge of how long you can hold your breath. And more often than not, they want you to pay for the honor of using said facilities.

...or bad enough to make a buzzard retch

Actually some of thos e kind of washrooms exist in the USA too.
But seriously you can avoid much of that sort of ... crap ..... with a bit of thought and foresight. Get your body clock adjusted and train your gut to go for the main dump of the day early each morning when you are still in your hotel or wherever you are staying. Then you will not need to visit the loo for any major work the rest of the day. Whenever you need to drain the potatoes during the day you can make a quick visit to a public washroom or if you are out in the country you can easily find some cornnfield or group of trees that " need inspection" if there is a lot of traffic .Now for the ladies it may not be that simple though.

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Well I survived Mexico and it was well worth the trip. A huge thanks to Sjoerd. His maps and info were invaluable. If I take a longer trip, I will definitely be using his book.

I'm writing about this trip as I go on my blog. (The North American leg is still under way)

Open to Suggestion

Thanks for everyone's help!