Motorcycle through Guatemala

Hello I am thinking of riding my motorcycle through Guatemala. Has anyone here done this through Mexico or central America? What is safety like ,road conditions. Is this something many people do? Are there many hostels in wich you can bring your bike inside for the night? I read some struff about car jackings. How bad is it? Thanks, any info will be appreciated. Tyson

Not a lot of people on motorcycles, but not unusual to see them either. Have talked to them and never heard any reports of problems--but then I didn't talk to the ones in the shallow graves along the roads.

Hey there, motorcycles are common in guatemala including Harley Davidson's,in fact nowadays, in tows and villages in the coastal areas you see lots of young girls and boys riding scooters around town. I would say that riding a motorcycle in guatemala is as dangerous as here in South Florida where motorcyclist get killed left and right, specially along I-95. Roads are in good shape with lots of eighteen wheelers too. I don't know what you're talking about regarding car jackings. So, I'll b e interested in knowing where you've read about it. There are lots of hotels along the roads and I'm sure they'll make it easy for you to secure your motorcycle. FYI there is an outfit in Antigua that offers motorcycle tours around the country www.catours.co.uk/guatemala_explorer. I think they're from the UK. Good luck.

Loads of locals on motorcycles but I think he's asking about tourists. For some reason I keep running into people from BC, Canada on BMWs. Also met several people from Colorado & Quebec on various rice burners in Rio Dulce.

Roads are very good everywhere, paved or dirt. They haven't yet got rid of drunk drivers so that makes a difference. At least the sober ones are very good. Many travelers ride big bimmers but I prefer a more nimble machine like the Kawa, Suzuki and Honda 400 to 750 thumpers. Parts and repairs for these makes are everywhere.
Most hotels will let you take your bike in for the night, sometimes into the lobby. Just don't leave it outside, ever.

Check out a 2-year blog by Simon Gandolfi (google simongandolfi). He is a guy in his seventies on his way back from Ushuaia (spell) to New York on a Honda 200. He has also posted on TT in the past so you can search here.

Hey Joe!
yep, you can drive your own bike or you can book a tour like DELMONTE said, Catours out of Antigua is great. I took motorcycle lessons for a week when I was there last year from a guy, yes a brit, Dave. It was a blast and they were great. I only layed my bike down once in a whole week of lessons and that time it was on a dirt trail going up Volcan Agua. I was so scared but we did it.
anyway, best of luck.
vv

Hi, yes, I am riding north - though after a few weeks in plaster in Tierra del Fuego having been run down by three trucks (OK, so two trucks were on the first truck's trailer - it counts as three trucks). There is an account on my BLOG headed CRASH. Ride with joy and care and courtesy and you will have a great time. I ride a Honda 125. Spares are readily available for the 125 everywhere in South and Central America. I am 74 and my legs wouldn't support a heavier bike. The 125 is famously reliable - I had three puinctures in 22000 kilometres and no breakdowns. It uses almost no gas. Rebuilding the entire rear end cost less than a couple of rear shocks on a BMW. A big bike is a flag of afluence where most people are poor. My BLOG has lots of details. You have a specific question, message me. simon at www.simongandolfi.com

Nice to see your still around simon....
Good travels to you!

Go for it.

Here is the route we followed through Guatemala in our VW Campervan.

GuatemalaRoute