Motorcycle broke down in Mexico... still there :)

[nikux]

Its a big story, will surely share in detail for all to enjoy the adventure... but as of now, my motorcycle is still at the mexico border (Tijuana, near San Diego).

What happened was that we were going on a dirt road. It was too bumpy but the bike (GS500E'99) was riding fine. After about 8 miles I think I heard some cling noise and the engine died down. I tried to start it after a complete stop and it did start without any trouble, throttled well in neutral, but as I press the clutch and engaged the gear it died down. Exactly like the side stand is still on (which I double checked it was not). The gas was almost full. I tried it again and again, every time it started fine, but as soon as I engaged a gear it just died silently.

Anyhow I managed, to get it close to border and I am planning to get it back to do the repair. Any first suggesting what should I look at? If its something quick I can try repairing it in mexico.

[black and silver twin]

Your side stand switch may have been rattled/bashed to pieces internally by the stand vibrating while riding over the bumps. try disconnecting the switch if that doesn't work, then leave it disconnected and jump the two wires together. this will bypass the switch.
if neither works then its something else, but it sounds like the side-stand switch based on you description that it runs fin until its put in gear. that's what happens when you accidentally leave the stand down then put the bike in gear, it dies.

[romulux]

Short the sidestand switch.

[Trwhouse]

Exactly.
Definitely short the sidestand switch by disconnecting the two wires from the bike to the switch and plugging them/taping them/splicing them together at the wires that come from the bike's wiring harness to the switch.
It does appear that something was lifted up by a tire and damaged the sidestand switch, rendering it useless.
I hope that solves the problem for you.
And we can't wait to hear about your adventures.
Best of luck and best wishes,
Travel safely, bub.
Yours,
Trwhouse 

[Elijafir]

Forget about it.  Unless you left your bike in a very very very safe place that you know for a fact is 100% safe.. It's gone.

[jeremy_nash]

I would agree with elijafir, unless you left it at someone you know's house, then its probably not there.

[nikux]

  its at a paid parking lot, hope its still there!

[tt_four]

That's gonna be quite a bill if you pay by the hour!

I was having a similar problem on mine. Instead of just connecting the wires I put a ziptie around the tab on the sidestand that pushed up on the sensor. My sidestand still has the same play in it, but now the tab for the sensor is just a 1/8th inch or so taller and holds the sensor button in farther. This only works if it's caused by sidestand play though. If the sensor is actually busted you'll have to bypass it.

[nikux]

I was paying about $4 per day... safely got the motorcycle home
Took help from the maintenance worker at my residential complex to bring it back in his truck. Interestingly and annoyingly none of the rental car/truck companies allow you to cross the border in a truck or a cargo van,
although you can do so with a mini-van and cars. The ones which do ask for over $150 per day

Next job to figure out what the problem is . Will start with the side stand suggestions...

[Deros514]

Good to know you got it back home safely

[Porkchop]

although you can do so with a mini-van and cars

You could have gone with the minivan and saved a day or two.  I've transported my bike in a Town & Country.  I just took out the back bench and the bike fit between the second row seats.

Glad to hear you got your bike back.

- Porkchop

[Elijafir]

Glad to hear you got it back.  The paid lots are usually decent about keeping your stuff safe.  I have a cousin that keeps a small trAvel trailer near Rocky Point for $1 a day.

[average]

....not anymore.....

[tt_four]

I have a cousin that keeps a small trAvel trailer near Rocky Point for $1 a day.

Good deal, my wife has been wanting to get a small RV/camper since her parents always had them, and it's so difficult to go on vacation when you have dogs otherwise, but we live in the city and have absolutely no where to park something like that. I was thinking about some storage units that have parking lots. I often see RVs and boats hanging out in there. I need to see what they charge for that.

[O.G. GS500]

well i hope you stashed it well if not i guarantee its gone