Fatboy
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Crossing on Motorcycle from Mx to US question
It has been almost 25 years since I last crossed the border on a motorcycle and as I recall the wait times were A LOT quicker back then!
So, crossing northbound at Calexico, is there a 'shortcut' for motorcycles?
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mtgoat666
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Lane split. That's what pushy riders do.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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bajadogs
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It's not about being a pushy rider. Splitting lanes in those lines can be a real hazard with many tight spots. In Mexicali you don't need to lane
split. The last time I crossed in Mexicali it was 111. Balancing and clutching on a hot motor with full protective gear for 2 hours could be deadly.
That is one of the reasons why motorcyclists are encouraged to go to the front of the line. In Mexicali, take the Sentri lane on the left all the way
to the gate, there is a small break in the barricade with a sign for motorcycles to cut right into the front of the non-sentry lane. If anyone has a
grievance, tell them that the man with the badge and gun told you to do it, because a man with a badge and a gun probably will. If you are concerned
about how to get to the right spot just wait before the line for another motorcyclist who looks like he knows what he is doing.
Tips - Take your helmet off as you wait for the green light or the hand wave to approach, you will need to take it off anyways for ID. I hang mine on
my mirror. Have your passport ready, pull forward enough for the customs agent to see your plate, turn off your motor and be nice and be happy that
you didn't have to wait in line.
Ride safe fatty. 
[Edited on 11-26-2016 by bajadogs]
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David K
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I have seen motorcycles go to the front of long lines at the border... as there is little to search for, if any, they don't take too long. Nobody got
mad or honked.
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ehall
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Yep. Drive to the front of the line. No problemo!
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KasloKid
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Crossing at the west POE:
Find the first opportunity to get into the flow of traffic westbound next to the border fence. Get into the extreme left lane which feeds you back
into Calexico. Just before or on the left corner, there is a hole in the concrete barrier just for motorcycles. Squeeze through and look for another
hole in the next concrete barrier a little closer to the booths. Squeeze through it and look for the dedicated booth just for motorcycles. There are
signs posted for each shortcut.
Traffic will usually allow you to squeeze around them to get to the front of the line.
Fast, easy and painless.
[Edited on 11-26-2016 by KasloKid]
[Edited on 11-26-2016 by KasloKid]
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Fatboy
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Quote: Originally posted by bajadogs  | It's not about being a pushy rider. Splitting lanes in those lines can be a real hazard with many tight spots. In Mexicali you don't need to lane
split. The last time I crossed in Mexicali it was 111. Balancing and clutching on a hot motor with full protective gear for 2 hours could be deadly.
That is one of the reasons why motorcyclists are encouraged to go to the front of the line. In Mexicali, take the Sentri lane on the left all the way
to the gate, there is a small break in the barricade with a sign for motorcycles to cut right into the front of the non-sentry lane. If anyone has a
grievance, tell them that the man with the badge and gun told you to do it, because a man with a badge and a gun probably will. If you are concerned
about how to get to the right spot just wait before the line for another motorcyclist who looks like he knows what he is doing.
Tips - Take your helmet off as you wait for the green light or the hand wave to approach, you will need to take it off anyways for ID. I hang mine on
my mirror. Have your passport ready, pull forward enough for the customs agent to see your plate, turn off your motor and be nice and be happy that
you didn't have to wait in line.
Ride safe fatty.
[Edited on 11-26-2016 by bajadogs] |
Thanks! Just what I was looking for! Great tips also.
Then is up to any booth? Or is there a booth for m/c? Or do you just wait in line behind the few cars now in front of you?
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pacificobob
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i have been instructed to go to the head of the line by others waiting in line. have a fun ride
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bajadogs
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| Quote: Originally posted by Fatboy | | Quote: Originally posted by bajadogs | It's not about being a pushy rider. Splitting lanes in those lines can be a real hazard with many tight spots. In Mexicali you don't need to lane
split. The last time I crossed in Mexicali it was 111. Balancing and clutching on a hot motor with full protective gear for 2 hours could be deadly.
That is one of the reasons why motorcyclists are encouraged to go to the front of the line. In Mexicali, take the Sentri lane on the left all the way
to the gate, there is a small break in the barricade with a sign for motorcycles to cut right into the front of the non-sentry lane. If anyone has a
grievance, tell them that the man with the badge and gun told you to do it, because a man with a badge and a gun probably will. If you are concerned
about how to get to the right spot just wait before the line for another motorcyclist who looks like he knows what he is doing.
Tips - Take your helmet off as you wait for the green light or the hand wave to approach, you will need to take it off anyways for ID. I hang mine on
my mirror. Have your passport ready, pull forward enough for the customs agent to see your plate, turn off your motor and be nice and be happy that
you didn't have to wait in line.
Ride safe fatty.
[Edited on 11-26-2016 by bajadogs] |
Thanks! Just what I was looking for! Great tips also.
Then is up to any booth? Or is there a booth for m/c? Or do you just wait in line behind the few cars now in front of you? |
Just what KasloKid said. I forgot about cutting across a lane to a special motorcycle lane. It really is easy.
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Sweetwater
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I've been crossing once or twice a year on a moto for the past several years. The instructions to stay left are accurate for Mexicali, other crossings
like Algodones or San Louis have openings for a moto to split lanes or go around the stacked traffic. There is usually a group of motos that gather at
one of the agent booths and you can just join them without any drama. It helps to have a dual sport bike, buddy made a video in March, I might be
featured.
https://youtu.be/xx3FSsXde0k
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Fatboy
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Thanks everyone, didn't see Kalsokid's post until after my second post ---THANKS KALSOKID!!
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