BajaNomad

Plates for Dirt Bikes

bajajoaquin - 12-6-2021 at 08:53 PM

My brother and I have decided that were going to finally do one of the things we’ve talked about for years: ride border to Cabo in dirt bikes. I’ve got a fair bit of experience riding in northern Baja from life before kids but nothing major. My XR600R at the time had a plate. I see lots of people riding on bikes without plates.

I’m going to be buying a new (used) bike for this endeavor and wanted to know how important having a plated bike is. My impression is that it doesn’t matter at all, but if there’s a risk of getting hassled, ticketed, mordita’d a lot, I’d spend the dough on a plated bike.

bent-rim - 12-6-2021 at 10:28 PM

I would find a way to have some fresh tires waiting for you in Cabo for the ride back, I don't know if there are any bike shops in the area.
You could prolly just stick a plate on it south of the border.

100X - 12-6-2021 at 10:59 PM

Plate is really not needed. Correct registration in your name is though, especially for the border crossing.

Good lights, tire changing tools/supplies and gas capacity are more important. Also good to have a way to lock the bikes (disk locks are good and easy to carry). Used to be most out of the way hotels would allow you to bring the bikes into your room with you (even to ride them up the stairs to the second level!).

Being hassled has more to do with the respect you show for others and a smile when dealing with authorities, etc. You sound like this will not be a problem for you.

You will have a great time!

Where do you plan to start from? How many days for the trip down? Supported or unsupported?

[Edited on 12-7-2021 by 100X]

Don Pisto - 12-7-2021 at 12:33 AM

Lessen anxiety and possible grief, plate it ;) don't give em an excuse......



[Edited on 12-7-2021 by Don Pisto]

WestyWanderer - 12-7-2021 at 08:41 AM

Where do you live?

If you have a friend or really anyone you know that lives in AZ getting a plate in that state is very easy.

Simply give them the address of your friends place in AZ, tell them the bike with reside there, and you’re on your way. When I did it 5 years ago they didn’t even ask to see them bike, just had to sign a form saying you had all the appropriate safety equipment on it (turn signals, brake light, etc.). I did the whole process at the Yuma DMV on my way south, took me maybe 15 minutes, and I walked out with a plate.

Then you can go online and change your mailing address to your address in whatever state you live in and nothing ever gets sent to the AZ address you have them. My 450x has been AZ played for 5 years and I ride it around Orange County from time to time and have never been hassled.

I also rode it quite a lot down in Baja without a plate and was never hassled either. I agree with 100x that it’s not needed.

100X - 12-7-2021 at 09:24 AM

In many Baja miles, including 3 trips to Cabo, I have never been asked about a plate. I know no one, including a close friend that has a Baja tour company, and another that puts on some of the more well known rides down here that has had problems because bikes were not street licensed in the US. That is not to say that it has never happened, of course.

I have been driving my side by side all around Loreto for over a month without a plate, again with no issues.

I would focus more on logistics and preparation myself, but if you are in one of the few states that allow for an easy plating process, it won't hurt. There are also some newer bikes that are both very Baja capable and come plated.

dravnx - 12-7-2021 at 09:27 AM

Can you get Mexican insurance without a registration?

advrider - 12-7-2021 at 09:51 AM

You would need registration but not a plate for insurance. I'm with 100x, you don't need a plate but if you want to ride in the US a plated bike might be a better buy down the road?
I love my KTM 500 EXCF, best bike I've owned but not cheap.

JZ - 12-7-2021 at 10:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 100X  

I have been driving my side by side all around Loreto for over a month without a plate, again with no issues.



Do you have MX liability insurance on the SxS?

100X - 12-7-2021 at 11:34 AM

Yes, through Baja Bound. Applies on "main roads" only but commonly used dirt roads qualify.

JZ - 12-7-2021 at 11:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 100X  
Yes, through Baja Bound. Applies on "main roads" only but commonly used dirt roads qualify.


Great to know. I'm bringing my RZR down soon. I'll add MX insurance to it.

Looking forward to zipping around Loreto on it!

bajajoaquin - 12-7-2021 at 07:28 PM

I'm in California, where it's hard to get a plate. I've ridden XR600Rs for years, and my current one is Green Sticker only. The thing is that in order to really be legal, you need to have DOT tires, brake lights, DOT headlight, mirror, and other stuff I really don't want. I only ride on the dirt, so a plate is of no real value for me here. Unless there's real value to the plate in Mexico for this one big trip, I won't bother to get a plate in AZ.

I haven't been riding much recently, so the plan is to get back into it in the next few years, to make the ride for my brother's 55th birthday in 2024. Three years to get back in shape. We would roughly follow the Baja Divide Trail, because it's mapped out. So Tecate to Cabo. I could be talked out of this route if there's a better option.

For the bike purchase, my main desire is to upgrade to an XR650R. I know there are better options, but I just really like them. I might talk myself into a KTM 525/530 EXC or even one of the 450-class bikes. Outside of this trip, my riding is almost exclusively the Ocotillo Wells area. I don't care for deep sand riding, so performance in that terrain isn't too much of a concern.

In the past, I've ridden the Tecate area around Hacienda Santa Veronica, including a 3-dayer to Mike's and back, but it's been a while.

advrider - 12-7-2021 at 08:19 PM

Baja divide is a good route, lots of cool areas to see. When you get closer I can share some single track (GPS files) if you want to mix it up a little?
I had an XR650 I took to Baja for several years and loved it until I rode a 500 with the magic button! It's not just the button but the weight and power advantage. Mine is a 2014 that I ride the crap out of and have very few problems. Just depends on the budget but fuel injection is such a huge upgrade if you can swing it.

bajajoaquin - 12-7-2021 at 09:40 PM

I know the KTM is a better bike and if I can get over myself I’d prefer it. But I always wanted a BRP and dammit, I just want one. I don’t really have an issue kicking the thumpers so like you said, it’s about the weight.

But we shall see. I’ve got about $7500 to spend, so budget isn’t really the issue. Irrational desire is.


Yes. When the time comes I’d love to have some single track

JZ - 12-7-2021 at 10:23 PM

We are about the same age. I spent 4-5 years riding Baja Sur with my two teenage boys. 2015-2020.

Have hundreds of miles of tracks mapped out.

Can give you a few routes (kmz or gpx) that are better than the Baja Divide. Nothing too hard, but unbelievably beautiful.

Just ask.



100X - 12-7-2021 at 10:53 PM

The XR650R is one of the few Honda's I haven't owned, but have ridden them. Weight is a two-edged sword. Sure, it is harder to flick around, but when you hit things at speed the added mass causes the bike to hold direction/stability better and not be deflected off line as easily. Although it is a truly great bike, because I am not a really big guy, and also had back surgery just before they came out, I just didn't want to have to pick the monster up off the ground too often.

So how did we get these great bikes? The KX500's Team Green was riding in the mid 90's were just too fast for the air cooled XR 600's Honda was campaigning, and Honda wanted a Baja championship badly. The 600's had to be modified too much, their reliability really suffered from it, and they were still not fast enough.

In response, the XR650R was envisioned and developed by Bruce Ogilve (and Johnny Campbell too) with only one purpose--to beat the Kawasaki's and all others, and dominate Baja.

Danny Hamil's passing during the 1995 Baja 500, over time, led to Team Green deciding to pull out of Baja altogether, although the 115 mph beasts continued to be raced pretty consistently for the next few years. When the water cooled XR650R came out, it had "modern" technology, was reliable as a brick, could keep up with the Kawi, and quickly took over Baja with Johnny, Steve, et. al. It might still be Team Honda's first choice but Honda Marketing decided Team Honda needed to help market the new CRF450X and caused a switch to that machine in 2006.

As long as you do not let some magic-button bike spoil you in the interim, you will be smiling all the way to Cabo!

100X - 12-7-2021 at 10:56 PM

Scott Summers--pretty big, tough, fast dude!

bajatrailrider - 12-8-2021 at 10:04 AM

my dirt bikes plated SD riding baja since 1976. Never pulled over plate not on bike . Its only to return to baja or ride in states. Speaking of riding JZ bring your razor and dirt bikes . Waiting on you talk is cheap HAAAA

sandpoint - 12-8-2021 at 03:38 PM

I'm Bajajoaquin's brother. We'll take up the offer for trail advice for sure. We both want to avoid those super hardcore, rocky single tracks. It'll be unsupported, probably just us two, one way for about 10 days/two weeks. We'll have to con a friend to drive down and pick us up. I liked the idea of the divide route mixed with some single track/remote two track that leads to a few of the isolated, west coast spots I've not been to yet. We'd modify it for fuel requirements rather than water which seems to be the limiting factor for the bicycle folks.

Sounds like I can forgo a plate with the next bike purchase.

[Edited on 12-8-2021 by sandpoint]

bajajoaquin - 12-8-2021 at 05:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sandpoint  
I'm Bajajoaquin's brother. We'll take up the offer for trail advice for sure. We both want to avoid those super hardcore, rocky single tracks. It'll be unsupported, probably just us two, one way for about 10 days/two weeks. We'll have to con a friend to drive down and pick us up. I liked the idea of the divide route mixed with some single track/remote two track that leads to a few of the isolated, west coast spots I've not been to yet. We'd modify it for fuel requirements rather than water which seems to be the limiting factor for the bicycle folks.

Sounds like I can forgo a plate with the next bike purchase.

[Edited on 12-8-2021 by sandpoint]


WTF? I thought your username was TANSTAAFL26 everywhere. Who are you and what have you done to my brother?

advrider - 12-8-2021 at 08:23 PM

If your heart is set on a 650R, get one and don't look back. I loved mine and miss it often. I ride unsupported on all of our trip and haul everything we need. I would plan on a 200 mile gas range or better if you can.
Watch some youtube videos of trail like the 22 day, Bill Nicholas, cactus, sleeping bag trail and others to see what your comfort level is. I'm headed down in January so I should have a few new ones to share.

bajajoaquin - 12-8-2021 at 08:49 PM

Yeah, we'd do unsupported as well. We are a ways from a detailed route plan, but I figure we can spend every second or third night in a town with a motel, so I can travel pretty light. Between now and then we'll do some multi-day trips to make sure we have our gear sorted.

Would you recommend the Acerbis 6 gallon tank, or an IMS 4.3 and carry fuel bottles? If I remember correctly from my friends who had them, they get pretty dismal gas mileage, like 35 mpg. I used to have to give them gas from my 600 with some regularity.

100X - 12-8-2021 at 09:00 PM

Both tank setups work. The Acerbis is pretty big and works good--check the mounts after a couple hundred miles as they can loosen up with the torque the sloshing gas' weight puts on them. Two zip ties and an 4-5 qt. antifreeze or diesel oil container on each hip also works good but bounces around a bit and is prone to cactus or ocotillo punctures.

Unsupported is the best!

100X - 12-8-2021 at 09:45 PM

Two antifreeze containers...

00116F1C-5A55-4099-949D-75F535066134_1_201_a.jpeg - 206kB

[Edited on 12-9-2021 by 100X]

pacificobob - 12-9-2021 at 07:58 AM

We have done a lot of "unsupported " travel/camping on dirt/duelsport
Motorbikes.
I'm now over it.
Why take a good performing moto, the load it down with camping gear to the point of no longer being nimble?
I do have lots of great memories of those camps however.
It's all a compromise.

bajajoaquin - 12-9-2021 at 09:10 AM

Looks like you answered your own question.

K7BVT - 12-9-2021 at 11:21 AM

Get some stickers made related to your trip for handing out to kids and at military check points. Sounds like a great trip, good luck with the gas.

Marty Mateo - 12-9-2021 at 11:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 100X  
Two antifreeze containers...



[Edited on 12-9-2021 by 100X]


Great picture. What’s the location ?

Marty Mateo - 12-9-2021 at 11:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajajoaquin  
Yeah, we'd do unsupported as well. We are a ways from a detailed route plan, but I figure we can spend every second or third night in a town with a motel, so I can travel pretty light. Between now and then we'll do some multi-day trips to make sure we have our gear sorted.

Would you recommend the Acerbis 6 gallon tank, or an IMS 4.3 and carry fuel bottles? If I remember correctly from my friends who had them, they get pretty dismal gas mileage, like 35 mpg. I used to have to give them gas from my 600 with some regularity.


Sounds like great trip. I’ve ridden a lot in southern Baja on a 2018 Huqvarna 450 with a stock tank and two 1.5 litre fuel bottles that fit nicely into the side pockets of my hydration pack. I had a range of about 200 kilometres which was more than enough for the areas I was riding in. I would definitely be upgrading to a larger tank to do the trip you are planning but would try to stay as small as possible. For me personally I like to the idea of riding through a town of some sort on a daily basis and keeping the bike as light as possible.

100X - 12-9-2021 at 08:24 PM

Copper Canyon

advrider - 12-9-2021 at 09:14 PM

I agree with 100x on the gas storage, but I do prefer it in a big tank. You don't always have to top it off if you don't need it. I will use a antifreeze jug if needed on occasion.
These days I'm with pacificobob on packing the camping gear. Most trips we travel from town ( hotel) to town and only have an emergency style bag. We like to stay a night or two now and make loops out from and area or just ride to the next hotel. The gear takes its toll on bikes and riders. Plus I enjoy interacting with locals and I really enjoy cold beer and warm food.

100X - 12-9-2021 at 11:56 PM

advrider, I guess we have grown up...a little!