1

Your 750 will go fast enough, if that's what you are asking. I'd be more worried about riding styles and personalities. Have you tried horixons unlimited?

2

In capable hands, your bike will go more or less where theirs do along the main routes. On secondary roads, they'll have a lot more fun than you will. On topes, you'll run the risk of destroying whatever hangs low on your bike, while they won't (think about a skid plate). Then again, you'll probably be more comfortable on the open road, of which there's plenty.

Tire choice will make a big difference on some surfaces. So will tire availability, so think about whatever sizes your bike takes. Overloading whatever bike you're on is a big factor, too. If your friends are into true off-road or exploring rocky, sandy, muddy tracks, you're going to be hating life no matter what you do.

Of course Keith is right: the real key is riding styles. You won't know about that until you take a trip with your buddies, and even then--different factors rise to the surface in foreign countries.

If you're following the riding forums, you already know that your question is asked at least weekly.

Good luck.

Mark

3

For a lot of places you may end up a dual sport would be really nice. A KLR 650 would fit the bill really well.

4

Good point. I spend most of my time in the backwood about an hour east of Tulsa. For this trip i'm not thinking of any off-road adventure. This is my first trip thru Central America and seeing the ruins and culture are more interesting than following a rocky trail to a summit.

5

I am just thinking about my experiences in Mexico, with all the topes, potholes, swerving in and out and bad roads in unexpected places I would rather have my current KLR over my previous cruiser. Course if you use your head anything will work. I see some Harleys in Oaxaca...

6

So you are in Oaxaca. This is one of the cities I think is a must to see. What is it like fom there into Guatemala?

7

Not in Oaxaca now, but was a few weeks ago and go frequently for work and fun. The furthest south of there I have ever been (without a plane) is Salina Cruz so I am not much help answering the question.

8

Topes are fun on a KLR, but torturous on a cruiser. Since you'll encounter thousands of them, that's worth considering. On any genuine dual sport (that means not a DL or similar), topes represent opportunities to easily pass anything else on the road; you just accelerate, come briefly up on the pegs, and rocket through, letting the bike buck once beneath you. It's necessary to watch out for the occasional one with a wide, flat top: they'll launch you if not taken slowly. And local people often build their own topes out of mud, rocks, rope, tire casings....or they dig trenches across the road, or introduce potholes where there were none. It's all in a good cause, and a maneuverable bike has the advantage in all cases.

Roads to Guatemala from Oaxaca range from wonderful two lane twisties to boring, flat-out, stiflingly-hot straights. Just ask ahead about any current roadblocks by local residents, since they come and go frequently.

Mark

9

Are these topes in Mexico only or Central and South America?

10

I see much more topes in Mexico than I saw when I was in Guatemala, but when you do see a tope in Guatemala, it0s either in a traffic congested town like the ones near Antigua or near a fruit inspection booth where you are forced to pull over and tell the cop you are not carrying fruit with you.

Roads in Guatemala for the most part are just as good as rural Mexico, especially in larger highways, but smaller roads can be pretty much dirt roads with holes everywhere. The road connecting Uspantan-Coban was the worst I've seen thanks to the 2010 mudslides though I've heard the government has been patching it up.