BajaNomad

Any Nomads do Motorcycle runs down Baja?

Bajafun777 - 5-23-2007 at 08:37 AM

Just interested in how many Nomads ride motorcycles and if any ride down Baja on motorcycle runs? Since a lot of motorcycles have only a 4 gallon tank any problems going all the way to Cabo, as some full tank mileage would only be about 160 miles or so. Thinking about taking a ride down in October of this year but want to get feedback on making it between stations and anybody's experiences in doing this. I rode for a lot of years, stopped and started riding again over a year ago on a 650 V-star Yamaha but ready to go bigger and to a touring bike. I have rode my motorcycle to Rosarito and back through T.J. without any real problems just drive extra careful and use my lights and horn at intersections and to on coming cars. Thanks for any feedback. bajafun777

shari - 5-23-2007 at 09:00 AM

You could U2U Kurt as he is a biker that does it all the time and is hooked in with some bike groups as well that come to baja and love it.

capt. mike - 5-23-2007 at 10:35 AM

still looking to do my 1st dream ride down the HW 1 on a scooter. some day soon a hope!!
have several friends, like triplegigitken here who does it a lot.

vgabndo - 5-23-2007 at 12:07 PM

Kurt is a nice guy, and I hope to ride a little with him in November (haven't talked to HIM about that!) :lol:

I'm looking to ride the whole peninsula, but I'd like to do a LOT of it in the dirt.

777, I have the Acerbis 6.6 gallon tank. As of today I have 211 miles on the present fill-up. I think that most scooters need to fill from cans at the BOLA intersection.

[Edited on 5-23-2007 by vgabndo]

IMG_0027 reduced.JPG - 41kB

capt. mike - 5-23-2007 at 02:22 PM

where can one rent a BMW dual sport GS?? w/ the boxer motor and lock bags.
i love that dakar rally look!!

805gregg - 5-23-2007 at 02:31 PM

I've been down on my V-Strom, the bike worked well, I followed a 1150GSA and KTM 950 for 2 days they couldn't lose me, the guy on the KTM said everytime he looked in his mirror he couldn't believe I was still right behind him. We only had a weekend and went as far as Erendira and stayed at Coyote Cals. Great trip though. I would do it again in a minute. We crossed at Tecate and while changing some money asked the CHP officers if we could roll across their scale, my bike with me on it weighed 900#. We are planning on doing another run to that area and fish at Castro's camp.
Gregg

tripledigitken - 5-23-2007 at 03:08 PM

Bajafun777,

Traveling in Baja by motorcycle is a blast. You can make it with the 160 mile range with carefull planning. Know the miles between gas stations before you go. The biggest gap you will face is El Rosario to Jesus Maria, but fortuneatly there are petroleros selling gas out of the back of their PU's at the turnoff to La Bay. I would be happy to share my experience with you just U2U me.

My last trip was to La Paz was with 3 other bikes. KTM 950, Suzuki Vstrom 1000, and a BMW RT1100, and my Yamaha FJR1300. We took 9 days to cover 1900 miles in Baja. No problems only fun.




I am planning another trip to La Paz this October. You're welcome to come along let me know if you are interested.

Ken

PS "No animals were injured in the production of this photograph.";D



[Edited on 5-23-2007 by tripledigitken]

capt. mike - 5-23-2007 at 04:15 PM

Ken, i hope to be on that trip!!
better i start scouting a rental!
i got a friend in NV who has several road bikes, i think he'll let me borrow one, a gold wing will work.

Bruce R Leech - 5-24-2007 at 06:39 AM

Riding down Baja on dirt bikes is one of the best things you can do here. you see more country meet more peple and have more fun than any other way of travel. but it is not with out dangers. you should plan well and travel in a grope, never alone. it is almost a must to have a Chase vehicle of some kind to haul Gas , gear and parts and tools. also an extra bike or two is not a bad idea.

KurtG - 5-24-2007 at 10:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajafun777
Just interested in how many Nomads ride motorcycles and if any ride down Baja on motorcycle runs? Since a lot of motorcycles have only a 4 gallon tank any problems going all the way to Cabo, as some full tank mileage would only be about 160 miles or so. Thinking about taking a ride down in October of this year but want to get feedback on making it between stations and anybody's experiences in doing this. I rode for a lot of years, stopped and started riding again over a year ago on a 650 V-star Yamaha but ready to go bigger and to a touring bike. I have rode my motorcycle to Rosarito and back through T.J. without any real problems just drive extra careful and use my lights and horn at intersections and to on coming cars. Thanks for any feedback. bajafun777


I've been motorcycling Baja since 1974 and just spent most of the winter in Mulege with my old KLR650 as my only vehicle. I rode back to California earlier this week but will be back in Mulege this fall. My bike is very much a compromise because I use it for both highway and back country travel. It has substantially upgraded suspension and I have modified it over the years to suit my riding needs. I have a 7 gallon aftermarket tank which gives me all the highway range I need and for local riding I just run it at lower levels to keep the weight down. Finding gas really isn't a problem, there is always someone selling gas from the back of their pickup and in more remote areas ranchers and fish camps will usually sell you a couple of gallons. Hwy 1 is a great motorcycle road and Mexico is motorcycle friendly. As to Bruce's comments about riding alone, good advice but I've been riding mostly solo for all these years because if I wait for someone to ride with I don't get to ride. And no, in 33 years of riding Baja I have never had the luxury of a chase truck. I carry tire changing and patching gear and basic tools and maintain the bike well. I've repaired a lot of tires out in the boonies but have never had a mechanical failure that I couldn't deal with.

KurtG - 5-24-2007 at 10:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo
Kurt is a nice guy, and I hope to ride a little with him in November (haven't talked to HIM about that!) :lol:

[Edited on 5-23-2007 by vgabndo]


I'll be back there in Oct so get in touch when you're headed south.

capt. mike - 5-24-2007 at 03:20 PM

yes

Ken Bondy - 5-24-2007 at 05:15 PM

I know you are talking about road bikes but a few years ago we carried my son Jesse's dirt bike on the Hummer and he rode it from San Felipe to Alfonsina's in Gonzaga Bay. He is a very experienced dirt bike rider and he said this was the ride of a lifetime:



Packoderm - 5-24-2007 at 05:18 PM

Do you have a picture of it while being carried on the Hummer?

Ken Bondy - 5-24-2007 at 08:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Packoderm
Do you have a picture of it while being carried on the Hummer?


This is the best I can do:

Bruce R Leech - 5-24-2007 at 08:35 PM

now that is a Chase vehicle :bounce:

vgabndo - 5-24-2007 at 09:20 PM

Capt. Mike:

All this one needs is saddle bags!!!

Here's a link to a couple of "unique" guys who did some riding in Mexico.

http://www.themotorcyclediarrheas.blogspot.com/

[Edited on 5-25-2007 by vgabndo]

dual sport bmw reduced.JPG - 48kB

dr650 - 6-10-2007 at 08:42 PM

777,

Great advice here from all.

Between El Rosario and Jesus Maria you're likely to find fuel sold from pickup trucks in Catavina, the turnoff for Bahia de Los Angeles, and Punta Prieta. You can also carry a couple of fuel "bottles" or cans that they sell at outdoor stores like REI. I carry a siphoning tube. Bottom line ... you can make it all the way down and back ... don't let anyone tell you you can't ... and it'll be something you remember forever.

There's some great twisties along the way putting you high up in the sky with 360 views. If you get stuck behind a truck, relax. Most times ... especially up north ... the driver will turn his left turn signal on to let you know that it's safe to pass. Occasionally, you'll have to take matters into your own hands. Be safe, be smart, don't be in any damn hurry. It's Baja, not Anaheim.

For the most part, just sit back and enjoy the ride, the scenery and the people. Kids will love you. Dogs will, too. If you take your V-Star, they'll really love you.

To my mind, riding a bike down through Baja is the best way to go, bar none. And don't get freaked out by the military checkpoints. Going south, most times they'll just wave you through. Going back north, you might have to stop a couple of times and go through the routine, depending on the day of week. Sunday mornings are pretty mellow.

When you feel like you're coming into town on a quick horse instead of a loud machine, you'll be there. Have a wonderful ride 777. Go with the road, and don't make too many plans. And try to find the best fish tacos. That's really the key.

Murphy