Alvin Starkman M.A., LL.B.

Those accustomed to vacationing in Mexico and expats residing here may be tempted to rent or buy a motorcycle without any or very much cycling experience, wrongly believing that all they have to do is hop on an automatic scooter and off they go, with knowledge of how to drive a car enough to assure their well being. It’s easy enough to do given that in Oaxaca, and possibly in other Mexican states, you don’t need special licensing to ride a motorcycle. Having taken a motorcycle safety course in Toronto, being licensed to ride in Ontario, and with cycling experience under my belt in Oaxaca, I offer the following advice:

1. In spite of normative behavior to the contrary, always wear a helmet, preferably full-face. Full-face protects the lower half of your head. If it’s not full-face, sure you might avoid brain damage, but remember that all it means is that you’ll always be cognizant of the badly scarred bottom half of your formerly pretty face.
2. Make sure you get a new helmet with some type of approval rating. It’s the one thing on which you should not skimp. Buy it in the US, Canada or Europe, or go for something like a Nolan, or other brand with a good reputation. It should fit snugly. Make sure the salesperson knows how to fit you. There’s a great store for accessories near the Chedraui supermarket, with the best prices in town.
3. Don’t buy a motorcycle less than 125 cc. Anything smaller means you can’t reasonably have a second person on the back, while at the same time have enough power to get out of dangerous situations quickly. Even with just you riding, you’ll need that power. The most popular bike in Oaxaca is the Honda Cargo 125…for a reason. For city driving you certainly don’t need more than 200 cc. Our Honda 150 is fine for our purposes. Gears tend to give a little more power, so if you buy automatic I might go with a 200 cc. Nothing wrong with a 250 either.
4. Buy Japanese, Italian, etc, and not Chinese. Forget Dinamo and Carabela. You won’t regret buying a brand with a track record for not having breakdowns, etc. The difference in price is often $500 USD or less.
5. I always use leather gloves, no matter where I go or how hot it is. If you get in an accident hopefully your hands will be the first to hit the ground, and leather gives and protects. Skin just rips apart.
6. If you have the option of wearing leathers, do so. Once again, it gives and protects. Leather is better than denim, and denim is better than thin cotton.
7. Have insurance at least for third party liability. If you hit someone, and he’s injured, even if you think it was his own fault, without insurance you may end up in jail until things are worked out. Even with insurance you could spend 72 hours in the clink. If you’re already insured in Mexico on a car or truck, that insurance may already provide for liability insurance for your motorcycle at no additional cost. Mine does, so ask. Keep proof of insurance with you while riding, perhaps on the inside of your helmet so you’ll never have to remember to take it with you.
8. Don’t weave. Weaving in and out of lanes and around cars is illegal in the US and Canada, for a reason. Here I do it, and you will as well at least sometimes, not being able to resist the temptation. But remember it’s very dangerous, so make sure before each weave you’re pretty well at a stop so you can see pedestrians or other bikes ready to hit you, or alternatively weave while going at a good speed and make sure you have superb peripheral vision.
9. Guard, or put another way, take up your entire lane. It’s dangerous to simply drive near the curb or at a side of a lane since cars will seize the opportunity to come up right alongside you, and can easily clip you. You should be a little to either side of the middle of the lane so no car can overtake you without passing from another lane. There’s often a slick spot from gas and oil near the middle of the lane, so that’s why it’s preferable not to be exactly in that part of the middle of the lane, but otherwise pretty well close to the middle.
10. Keep up with traffic flow to reduce the likelihood that another vehicle will not respect your right to take up your lane.
11. Do your best to not brake or change gears while in the midst of a turn, unless absolutely necessary. Rather, do so as you get set to go into or when you come out of a turn. This is particularly important when pavement is wet or when there is dirt or gravel.
12. Be extra cautious when the road is wet or there is dirt or gravel on it. If you can avoid having to brake suddenly, or at all under such conditions, do so.
13. When you’re stopped in traffic, at a light, or any other time, always keep both hands on the handle bars, and feet firmly on the ground. Never keep your balance with one foot on the ground and the other on a footrest, peddle or even brake. It’s easier to keep your balance with both feet on the ground, particularly important if you are hit or nudged by a vehicle or a pedestrian, and you’ll feel much more secure and in control in any event. While stopped your hand should always be on the brake lever.
14. Periodically think about tire pressure and have it checked. Go for regular service and maintenance. Remember that you don’t have the protection of metal around you like you do in a car or truck, so any little mishap resulting from low tire pressure, brakes not in perfect condition, loose chain, etc, could have a much more serious impact on you.

Former Torontonian Alvin Starkman has a masters in anthropology and law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Now a resident of Oaxaca, Alvin writes, takes tours to the sites, and owns Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast - http://www.oaxacadream.com - a unique Oaxaca bed and breakfast experience, providing Oaxaca accommodations which combine the comfort and service of Oaxaca hotels with the personal touch of quaint country inn style lodging.