BajaNomad

Motorcycle Trip to BCN & BCS

Wilbur4s - 10-29-2013 at 10:50 PM

I'm planning a trip to Baja early next year (on a street motorcycle) and am looking for some advise from you Baja veterans about some interesting destinations which can be reached by such a motorcycle. I've found Bah�a Asunci�n, Muleg�, Loreto, Guerrero Negro, La Paz, and El Rosario. I've got 12 days in country, any advise? Thanks in advance, Will Pizz

dtbushpilot - 10-30-2013 at 06:01 AM

What kind of bike? The type of "street bike" and your riding ability/comfort level with sand will make a big difference in where you will want to go. Are you planning on pavement only?

BajaGeoff - 10-30-2013 at 10:28 AM

Depending on when you go, do some whale watching at Ojo de Liebre or Laguna San Ignacio....

KurtG - 10-30-2013 at 12:18 PM

It is a great ride, especially once past El Rosario. I have done dozens of round trips over nearly 40 years without a bad incident but advise that you always stay alert. You have listed great places to visit. Be sure to go into San Ignacio and hang out on the square for a bit. Mulege is great and Bahia Concepcion just to the south is a highlight of the trip. The waterfront in La Paz is one of my favorite places in the hemisphere. If I can be of any assistance send me a u2u message and I will be happy to help. My original planning method of just grabbing an Auto Club map and heading south also still works.

Blair - 10-30-2013 at 01:08 PM

Ive ridden Tecate to Cabo three times on a dirt bike. The best trip ever. We take a criss-cross route - Tecate to Mikes, San Felipe, Gonzaga, San Fransisquito, San Ignacio, Mulege, San Juanico, La Purisma, Comondu, Loreto, San Javier, Lopez Mateos, San Evaristo, La Paz, Cabo. About 1500 miles. Let me know if you need help with routing. Tips: Keep a small group, use heavy tubes.

motoged - 10-30-2013 at 01:09 PM

This guy said he is on a street bike.....his sense of adventure will determine anything off pavement.



[Edited on 10-30-2013 by motoged]

Griffin - 10-30-2013 at 02:24 PM

This book is more geared to RV's, but is a great resource for any kind of journey. It points out all the back roads adventures, camping spots and hotels, and even Pemex stations. Definitely a worthy investment for planning a Baja adventure. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982310137/

Here are some greats vids:
http://youtu.be/B9ko9e9w_e4
http://youtu.be/wOlttSFYXaI

[Edited on 10-30-2013 by Griffin]

willardguy - 10-30-2013 at 02:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
This guy said he is on a street bike.....his sense of adventure will determine anything off pavement.



[Edited on 10-30-2013 by motoged]
and how much he loves his bike! :lol:

motoged - 10-30-2013 at 04:05 PM

Huevos grandes !!!

dtbushpilot - 10-30-2013 at 04:18 PM

Riding in the sand is easy ged, you just have to stay on the gas.....

willardguy - 10-30-2013 at 05:09 PM

( thats stephane peterhansel foolin around on his FZR between Dakar stages ) :o

acadist - 10-30-2013 at 05:43 PM

One of the funniest moments on Hwy 1..........
drove my truck following 3 Harley's with all their gear. Forget which town we were going through, there were cows on the side and I was about 1/4 mile back. One guy revs his motor and a big Toro Negro came out and chased him down the road. I was laughing so hard there was no way to get the camera out and get a picture :biggrin:

Wilbur4s - 10-30-2013 at 09:53 PM

Hey Guys, Thanks for the feedback. I ride a 2012 Victory Cross Roads, a 750lbs bagger. I've ridden it and my HD on gravel, dirt, and sand ROADS. That said; not doing the off road thing. I am looking for a pavement adventure. So I am looking for input about interesting places that can be reached on a road bike, including out of the way bars, restaurants, or beaches. Again, thanks, Will Pizz

Wilbur4s - 10-30-2013 at 10:08 PM

Guys,
What should I expect as far as road conditions, distance between gas, availability of 91 octane, likelihood of flats, safety (as in will my bike be there in the morning when I go out to the parking lot of my hotel?), and any other wisdom you might fell like imparting upon me.
Thanks, Will Pizz

motoged - 10-30-2013 at 10:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtbushpilot
Riding in the sand is easy ged, you just have to stay on the gas.....


Yes....more practice needed.;D

I will have several weeks to practice on the 690 this Xmas into January. Also will be down in a yearagain for several more weeks with some guys....will have the 450 for faster sand crashes :biggrin:

I will be in Todos Santos from Dec. 21-29th this Xmas and will be staying at Casa Rancho for that time....and after will be slowly making stops on the way home ....Bahia Asuncion for several days...and I want to go to La Purisma and Comondu again...and a day into Agua Verde (maybe a several day loop out of Loreto).

motoged - 10-30-2013 at 10:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Wilbur4s
Hey Guys, Thanks for the feedback. I ride a 2012 Victory Cross Roads, a 750lbs bagger. I've ridden it and my HD on gravel, dirt, and sand ROADS. That said; not doing the off road thing. I am looking for a pavement adventure. So I am looking for input about interesting places that can be reached on a road bike, including out of the way bars, restaurants, or beaches. Again, thanks, Will Pizz



I was riding an '81 R80 G/S for my first moto trip to Baja in 1995. I stayed in Santa Rosalia at the El Morro for several days exploring the area (cave paintings, fossils, etc) and rode west to the far edge of town one day....and found a tiny shack of a bar with several rough looking characters inside. Once my eyes became accustomed to the dim interior, I noticed that the woman behind the bar was a very unattractive guy in a dress who needed more instructions as to how to apply makeup :o

Do not confuse the malecon with the maricon !!! :cool:

Wilbur4s - 10-30-2013 at 10:43 PM

haha, te entiendo, amigo. s�, el malec�n no es un maricon. Pero es posible encontrar maricones en el malec�n.

motoged - 10-31-2013 at 12:11 AM

s�, el mar puede ser peligroso:biggrin:

Griffin - 10-31-2013 at 09:16 AM

egad man, you going to do all your research here?
There must be thousands of websites out there that discuss travelling in Baja in depth. And based on all the bikers I see riding down here, probably hundreds of them are focused on riding motorcycles in the Baja.

motoged - 10-31-2013 at 10:53 AM

ADVrider.com is a good site for Baja moto stories (mostly off-road, but places to see)


My contributions so far:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124833%20&highlight=pics+baja+story


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199166

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433323&highlight=tres+pendejos

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666961

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by motoged]

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by motoged]

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by motoged]

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by motoged]

Sweetwater - 10-31-2013 at 09:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Wilbur4s
Guys,
What should I expect as far as road conditions, distance between gas, availability of 91 octane, likelihood of flats, safety (as in will my bike be there in the morning when I go out to the parking lot of my hotel?), and any other wisdom you might fell like imparting upon me.
Thanks, Will Pizz


Will, I think you ask good questions.

I rode Baja three times on a dual-sport and Barrances del Cobres on the mainland. I would tell you that a covered bike is a good thing. Roads are another transition that you should prepare for, when they are being worked on or are washed out, you are expected to deal with dirt side roads for meters to miles. If you come down the western side of Baja, you should not expect many issues until you get in to Baja Sur. And if you get off the main road, you're at the mercy of Mudda Nature and the work crews (when you go is important). As you work your way south, many stretches are reliable but the weather can always intrude. U2 me for any other questions.

Hey Ged.....when are you and your Canukistanis going south again?

motoged - 11-1-2013 at 09:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sweetwater
Hey Ged.....when are you and your Canukistanis going south again?


SW,
The bus boys will be going down early March/14. I will be down solo crossing Tecate Dec 17th....a bit of itinerary is posted earlier in this thread. On my 690 w/ truck....down to Todos and working my way north doing loops over the next month.

And you?