This is an edited version of Dustin’s story which ran in the July 2025 issue of BMW Owners News. To see the full story and more photos, take advantage of a full membership with the MOA and get the magazine every month!
I often think back to riding in the Sierra Gorda Mountains of Mexico, ripping around on a little Honda XR150L last November. It reminds me of needing the right tool for a particular job.
A lot of us look down on smaller bikes (pun intended). For some reason, we all think we need a big bike. A bigger bike means more speed. Sure, on highways, I want a 1250 under me to rip past trucks. On forest service roads–great, let’s tear around some corners and show what this bike can do! But on crazy single-track or steep shale hills, I’ll take a 150–250 cc bike any day. It has more maneuverability, less momentum and is easy to pick up when I drop it.
Many people won’t believe how amazing a small bike is until they try one. If you want to experience the benefits of off-road riding on a small bike, look no further than François Deroeux. François is a professional motorcycle coach who’s competed in events like the Baja 1000. Since retiring, François now lives in the high Mexican mountain range of the Sierra Gorda, where he shows people the benefits of riding small bikes. When Janel and I visited Mexico last year, we had the privilege of riding with François for a full week on tiny Honda XR150Ls.
San Joaquín is located in the heart of the Sierra Gorda, about 170 miles from Mexico City. Waking up in our small hotel high in the mountains, as the sun rose over the mountains, Janel and I listened to roosters announcing the dawn, an occasional dog barking, and birds singing from the trees. It was a refreshing change from the noise of Mexico City.
Later, as I geared up for my ride with François, he pulled up in a van and started unloading three XR150Ls. Janel was feeling poorly, so she wouldn’t join us on our first day together. I found the XR150L instantly impressive. It was comfortable, and at 5’9″, my feet touched the ground, and the handlebars were at the perfect height.
“Ready?” he asked. I nodded, and we were off.
My first challenge was descending the steep mountain roads out of San Joaquín. I was taking it slow and adjusting to the bike as François jumped off the stairs and did stoppies, all while waving at locals who clearly knew him well.
“I hope you’re not expecting me to do all that today,” I joked.
“No, no,” he said. “We’ll go as fast or as slow as you want. Too easy–we make it harder. Too hard–you tell me. There are many places we can go.”
From there, we rode single-track trails, dirt roads and even ruins where we slid around on gravel. The XR150L was incredibly easy to toss around. Sure, on the pavement, it lacked punch, but on the trail–the bike’s true domain–it shined.
At one point, I lost focus and rode into an agave plant, where I dropped the bike. Being so light, I stepped off, picked it up and moved on. No sweat, no strain. François and I spent the day riding trails in the mountains and small towns. In El Doctor, we relaxed in the square under Day of the Dead decorations that still hung about the town, chatting about riding.
“People think they need big bikes,” he said. “It makes no sense. Small bikes take you everywhere. Tomorrow, we will get Janel out, and she will really see the advantage of having a smaller bike.”
Our drinks finished, we continued to play around with the bikes in the town, riding down steps and over the cobblestone streets. As the sun was getting low in the sky, we decided to head back to the hotel.
The next day, Janel was geared up and ready to ride. François and our guide Juan (the “Mexican Buddha” from earlier stories) went to breakfast with Janel. The market vendors in San Joaquín greeted François like family. We were served fresh orange juice and empanada-like treats stuffed with meat and veggies while trading riding stories.
At a nearby soccer field, François had a conversation with Janel about her limited off-road skill level, then walked her through what she would be doing. He spent his time making sure she was comfortable, let her know she could drop the bike anytime without shame and encouraged her to have fun. A short while later, Janel was standing on the pegs, weaving through cones like she had been doing it for years. In less than an hour, François had given Janel the confidence she needed to hit the dirt, winning high praise from someone who battles anxiety. François and the XR150L had clearly won her over.
“He’s really good!” she said to me later, “The little bike makes it so much easier to learn.”
With Janel feeling confident, we descended a steep paved road to a hydro plant that was car-free. Occasionally, François would veer us onto dirt paths to test out Janel’s new skills. Later, we were sitting on the bikes having a quick snack when François came over and pointed at a valley in front of us.
“We are going to go down one side and back up the other.” He said in his strong accent. “There are two water crossings, so great for photos.”
I saw Janel’s face pale when she heard “water crossings.” I reassured her, “It’s no big deal.”
We hit the dirt road and headed down into the valley. To say it was steep would be an understatement. Rocks littered the road, and rain had washed out the sides of it. Cars had driven on it, and in some places, the sand was as slippery as ice. I couldn’t believe cars drove on this road! The switchbacks were so steep that the corners were paved so vehicles wouldn’t get stuck.
I stayed behind Janel to make sure she was okay as François led the way. Janel made the odd stop to catch her breath and refocus, but we finally made it to the first water crossing without incident. The water was slowly flowing and about a foot deep with some rocks, but nothing too intense.
I pulled up next to Janel, and she looked at me and said, “I don’t think this is for me.”
I called François back to chat with Janel. He took his time to explain to her that she could do it and that she was on the right bike to make it through with ease. After the talk, Janel seemed a bit more motivated, and then, out of nowhere, she tore across the water crossing like it was no big deal. She was so focused she even forgot to stand up. When we came to the second crossing, she rode through it with ease. From there, we climbed back up the steep valley, each of us stalling a couple of times. Again, on such a small bike, it was no big deal to get started again.
We rode for four more days, exploring diverse terrain, tackling new challenges, and taking in the incredible scenery. That first day, I had asked François why he used small bikes, but with every trail we rode, the answer became clearer. Small bikes allow skill growth, confidence, and access to places you’d never reach on a 650 or 1250. If I’d had an XR150L in Virginia City, I might’ve finished the poker run. Instead, I had to give up. I didn’t have the right tool for the job.
Some of us might scoff at small bikes, but seriously–check your ego, stay humble, and try one out. No matter how big your bike is, you are riding, and that’s what makes us cool.
MotoDiscovery, one of the world’s first motorcycle tour companies, has been running tours in Mexico for over four and a half decades. Partnering with François and his company, FD Motor Pro, they offer an eight-day tour through the Sierra Gorda, complete with riding lessons and breathtaking scenery. There are many instructors out there, but with François, you’ll get your money’s worth. Hit the dirt on small bikes, and you’ll never look back.
