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Bwk94510
Junior Nomad
Posts: 32
Registered: 7-24-2021
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Solo Motorcycle Ride to Cabo
Hello all - I’m contemplating a solo motorcycle ride from San Francisco CA to Cabo sometime next spring. I’ve been to Mexico a number of times but
always fly. Im building a house in Cabo and want to bring an Adventure bike (KTM 390) down to leave there so I have it to ride when I’m staying
there. My next plan is a road trip with my teenage son to bring a car down but first wanted to start with riding my motorcycle down for a little
mid-life adventure (l’m 54 so a little late for mid-life  My parents used to
drive down to Cabo every year in the 1970’s - camping on the beaches along the way. My plan is to stay in motel/hotels for the comfort factor. But
otherwise want to take 5 nights to get from the boarder to Cabo so I’ll have time to check out the towns / sights along the way.
Love to hear anyone’s thoughts on my idea. Especially interested to hear perspective of those who have ridden motorcycles in Baja. Open to any tips
/ ideas. I’ve read many of the posted over the last couple years in the forum.
Thanks!
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motoged
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Keep the top of your tank full, get a room by 4, eat fish tacos, and wait for a ton of opinions and maps. 
Don't believe everything you think....
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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Don’t ask questions. Just do it.
My first trips to Mexico, we just went for it, no guidebook or internet, just a road map.
If you need your hand held, plenty of therapists here will hold your hand.
[Edited on 7-25-2021 by mtgoat666]
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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JZ
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Go for it on the bike.
We are about the same age. Did about a dozen trips from the border to La Paz with my two teenage boys over the last 4-5 years.
You definitely want to do some planning for your road trip with your kid, and not fly by everything.
You and your son are going to have some wicked fun.
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amigobaja
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Done it many times solo. From san fran i would ride mex one. Once you get past San Quiten the twisties are really fun. Imo five days are not enough.
To many cool places and things to see. From experience watch out for the goats between Concepcion Bay and Loreto.
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pacificobob
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Quote: Originally posted by motoged  | | Keep the top of your tank full, get a room by 4, eat fish tacos, and wait for a ton of opinions and maps. |
the above is solid council. I've ridden the length of the peninsula a dozen times. you'll have a great time.....oh, let me be the first to say
it...don't ride after dark.
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Don Pisto
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honestly I'd put the Duke on the truck bed and enjoy the roadtrip with your son
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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Bwk94510
Junior Nomad
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Thanks everyone- really appreciate all your thoughts and encouragement! For me - half the fun is planning and this is helpful to have a resource like
this so thank you. I’ll try to stretch the the time I have to add a couple extra days.
I see one it’s for highway 1 down. I was thinking of going on the SofC side on 5. Any reason to do one over the other? I’ve read the 5 is newer
road and nicer for the ride.
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surfhat
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Be sure and have secure storage for that bike you are leaving behind, as in out of sight and out of mind, as not to tempt the few who may admire your
moto more than you wish.
Building a secure garage of sorts should be a primary consideration for the stuff you will be bringing down.
As for the 5 or the 1 highway, I am a dinosaur and prefer the Pacific side for the incredible landscapes south of El Rosario and the Valle de Cirios
would be much missed, besides the cooler temps off the Pacific Ocean.
To each his own. You might save a couple of hours on the 5, if that is of any value. For me, it is not and never has been.
Not driving at night is to be avoided on either route, as many others advise here. Plan ahead and enjoy the daytime scenery. Take your time to smell
the desert roses, of sorts.
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JZ
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We take the 5 about 80% of the time. But on a bike and being the first time you might want to take the 1.
Benefits of the 5:
- avoids TJ, Mexicali is much easier to deal with, TJ can be stressful
- avoids all the small towns and stop and go traffic on the 1
- avoids the curvy, mountainous section of the 1 after El Rosario, however on a bike this will be a fun section
Weather is a lot cooler on the 1, so that can be a factor on a bike depending on the time of year. Some good views of the Pacific too.
At the end I choose the 5 because I feel like I'm in Baja much sooner and can relax. After you clear Mexicali, you are in a very sparsely populated
place.
[Edited on 7-25-2021 by JZ]
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El Jefe
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I agree with Surfhat. Take Hwy 1 for the scenery. Besides, you can split lanes through the traffic on the south end of Ensenada and Maneadero.
I've driven to Cabo so many times and have always thought it would be so much more fun on the moto! Good for you! And with building a place you'll
have plenty of opportunities to drive the truck down 5 with supplies.
Where is your place in Cabo going to be? We are out near La Fortuna.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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Bwk94510
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Thanks. We’re building a house on the Pacific side - development called Copala which is in the master community of Quivira. I’ll leave my
motorcycle in my carport but locked to a pole. The development is gated with 24 hour security. I could also put it behind a gate alongside the house -
I might do that. Then it’s out of sight.
I’m tempted to take 5 over 1 because I’d prefer to miss TJ and like the idea of seeing older Baja with smaller towns instead of the big cities.
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El Jefe
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Then cross at Tecate and take the road through wine country to Ensenada, then south from there. We've done that many times. It is beautiful.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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willardguy
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| Quote: Originally posted by El Jefe | Then cross at Tecate and take the road through wine country to Ensenada, then south from there. We've done that many times. It is beautiful.
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xlnt advice! and keep in mind you're not going to see any quaint old baja type towns along the 5, pretty much a gringo enclave from san felipe to
gonzaga bay. also as much as folks rave about the scenery (and rightfully so) its only the stretch between puertecitos and gonzaga bay thats
special. have a great trip!
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AKgringo
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If you want to see "Older Baja", an overnight in the center of Mulege is about as close as you will get! It has changed less than any other Baja town
I am familiar with.
Hopefully there will not be an elevated level of covid infections by the time you make your run.
I agree with taking hwy 5. I prefer wide open spaces over the stop and go through all the small communities on the pacific side. You really need to
do both routes when you can, they both have their good and less good qualities!
El Jefe gives good advice!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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JZ
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: Originally posted by El Jefe | Then cross at Tecate and take the road through wine country to Ensenada, then south from there. We've done that many times. It is beautiful.
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That is a pretty good suggestion.
[Edited on 7-25-2021 by JZ]
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motoged
Elite Nomad
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With all due respect, I believe lane-splitting is very dangerous at any time in any place... (other drivers don't expect it and can get angry with the
surprise)....and riding a bike in those places is dangerous at the best of times due to a lot of poor drivers. The small amount of time gained is
not worth the risk for me. Hotshots like it because it's cool to fight the flow.... or so they think. Adolescent riders seem to do it more than
experienced riders.
Others will disagree, but I don't do it.....have been riding since 1976 and am a good rider.... but for sure it's your call.
Don't believe everything you think....
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Bwk94510
Junior Nomad
Posts: 32
Registered: 7-24-2021
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| Quote: Originally posted by El Jefe | Then cross at Tecate and take the road through wine country to Ensenada, then south from there. We've done that many times. It is beautiful.
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Just looked at this - looks like a great route - thanks….doesn’t hurt that I like to drink wine 🍷!
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Don Pisto
Super Nomad
Posts: 1241
Registered: 8-1-2018
Location: El Pescador
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bwk94510 | | Quote: Originally posted by El Jefe | Then cross at Tecate and take the road through wine country to Ensenada, then south from there. We've done that many times. It is beautiful.
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Just looked at this - looks like a great route - thanks….doesn’t hurt that I like to drink wine 🍷! |
BRAAAP.....hic
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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Chup
Junior Nomad
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Registered: 5-27-2017
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bwk94510 | Hello all - I’m contemplating a solo motorcycle ride from San Francisco CA to Cabo sometime next spring. I’ve been to Mexico a number of times but
always fly. Im building a house in Cabo and want to bring an Adventure bike (KTM 390) down to leave there so I have it to ride when I’m staying
there. My next plan is a road trip with my teenage son to bring a car down but first wanted to start with riding my motorcycle down for a little
mid-life adventure (l’m 54 so a little late for mid-life My parents used to
drive down to Cabo every year in the 1970’s - camping on the beaches along the way. My plan is to stay in motel/hotels for the comfort factor. But
otherwise want to take 5 nights to get from the boarder to Cabo so I’ll have time to check out the towns / sights along the way.
Love to hear anyone’s thoughts on my idea. Especially interested to hear perspective of those who have ridden motorcycles in Baja. Open to any tips
/ ideas. I’ve read many of the posted over the last couple years in the forum.
Thanks! |
Sounds like a fun trip. But, that bike won't be a true "adventure" bike. Its #380 wet. Then you and your riding gear. Doesn't leave too much for
carrying anything beyond a backpack/rack with limited options for tent/etc IF that's what you are thinking about.
Otherwise, if it's just you and some minor carry alongs on the bike, and you stay on the "road" you should be fine.
Cheers
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