BajaNomad - Dirt bike for Baja trail riding

Dirt bike for Baja trail riding

Tioloco - 9-12-2019 at 04:22 PM

What are you riding? Looking at Honda xr650r and crf450x. Just desert and beach cruising. Want reliability and low maintenance. 6'1" and 250lbs. Lifetime of ATC250R and Yamaha Raptor riding. Looking to explore more single track.

John Harper - 9-12-2019 at 04:29 PM

My buddy has a couple of Suzuki DR400Z's. You might look at those if
not wed to Honda. Pretty nice bikes, way too big for me, but he's 6'3" and about 220, fits him fine. I work on his bikes for him, and it's relatively easy to do basic maintenance.

Good idea to at least have a headlight and taillight, you never know when you might get delayed by a flat, and end up riding at night.

Good luck!

John

[Edited on 9-12-2019 by John Harper]

Tioloco - 9-12-2019 at 04:32 PM

Thanks, John. I will look at them. I am not married to the Honda's but do like both of those models. Yes, lighting is critical

John Harper - 9-12-2019 at 04:35 PM

My buddy got a steal on his 2nd DRZ, I think it's a 2007 and it was only $2200, in perfect condition. Seems like a lot of bike for the money.

John

StuckSucks - 9-12-2019 at 05:56 PM

I ride a DRZ400 -- an awesome desert bike. Like sitting on a BarcaLounger across the desert.

advrider - 9-12-2019 at 06:18 PM

DRZ'S are good all around bikes. I've had three. If you try a KTM 350 OR 500 you will never look back!!! The DRZ doesn't even compare and the XR is big and heavy without the magic button... It's nice to be street legal and have a light just in case. I have about 4K on my 14 KTM 500, never broke down and valves have not been out of adjustment yet. They are more money but you are getting a lot more bike .
I've been running Baja with a group of eight KTM'S the last several years without any problems other then flats.

bajatrailrider - 9-12-2019 at 06:42 PM

Xr650 too heavy
The most reliable Bike in Baja wr250/450. 04 to 11 then 16 to 19. Nothing comes close for little work and ultra reliable

mtgoat666 - 9-12-2019 at 08:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco

What are you riding? Looking at Honda xr650r and crf450x. Just desert and beach cruising. Want reliability and low maintenance. 6'1" and 250lbs. ... Looking to explore more single track.

6-1 and 250 lbs?
You should get a mtn bike. Sounds like you need to drop 60 to 80 pounds to be healthy. I recommend specialized stumpjumper. It’s a high end bike. New they run about $3k to $4k for lower-level model. Nice bikes. Ride for life. Eat healthy. Don’t smoke. Drink in moderation. Vote blue. Just do it.

honda tom - 9-12-2019 at 11:35 PM

if your not afraid to kick it over (first time every time) I have a xr400 with all the baja stuff on it. 2 trips down and a couple of put puts with the kids. 2300 bucs. big tank.. steerin stabilizer.. skid plate.. rack.

559 308 2063

ehall - 9-13-2019 at 05:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider

Xr650 too heavy
The most reliable Bike in Baja wr250/450. 04 to 11 then 16 to 19. Nothing comes close for little work and ultra reliable

No one rides Baja with more different people and bikes. He has probably seen almost every failure possible over the last 40 years. Buy a bike and we will go ride with him.

pacsur - 9-13-2019 at 05:41 AM

I’ve always been a Honda and carb guy, my buddy up north offered me a smoking deal on his 2015 husky fe350, as much as I want it I’m concerned about the fuel injection as I’m here full time and don’t know anybody that can work on them here, any opinions on using fi down here full time?

brucedog - 9-13-2019 at 07:52 AM

I'm 5'10" 195 and just just bought a KTM 250 XCF-W on advice of several Baja neighbors who all ride KTMs. Haven't ridden a moto in 30 years so I'm calling this a starter bike (I'm 58). I chose this particular model because is has the magic button and a headlight/tail light plus it's fuel injected. If all goes well I will upgrade to a 350 which is only ten pounds heavier

bajatrailrider - 9-13-2019 at 08:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco

What are you riding? Looking at Honda xr650r and crf450x. Just desert and beach cruising. Want reliability and low maintenance. 6'1" and 250lbs. ... Looking to explore more single track.

. ... This is coming from nut case that has no smart s to ride a dirt bike. Scared and and no ability. :bounce:

bajatrailrider - 9-13-2019 at 09:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by brucedog

I'm 5'10" 195 and just just bought a KTM 250 XCF-W on advice of several Baja neighbors who all ride KTMs. Haven't ridden a moto in 30 years so I'm calling this a starter bike (I'm 58). I chose this particular model because is has the magic button and a headlight/tail light plus it's fuel injected. If all goes well I will upgrade to a 350 which is only ten pounds heavier

. I have rode many 250 ktms. On roads I think they are fine. On hill climb and steep tight trail . Poor choice as the do not have bottom end. Since as your just back into riding you won't do that. The many 350 ktms I rode seem to work real nice. I know many on here happy to have a fi bike. Even state never had problem with Fi bike. That's good but I my world carb v fi problems. Carbs are 99 # trouble free fi bikes . Not so as my guts carry extra parts with there fi bikes

Tioloco - 9-13-2019 at 10:51 AM

Thanks for the info. Will check out some of these options now.

Don Pisto - 9-13-2019 at 11:01 AM

up the fun factor, make it a 2smoke!

ehall - 9-13-2019 at 12:45 PM

This thread is incomplete without pictures.

5b0ca1c9c2600_OhioandAZ.thumb.jpg.d97a7ff64d513b2b7e2bdf7cf1960d12.jpeg - 145kB

ehall - 9-13-2019 at 12:48 PM

More

DSCF5380.thumb.JPG.621774a5fcd42f5e59a36dcbe79bcb51.jpeg - 134kB

ehall - 9-13-2019 at 12:58 PM

My favorite.

ehall - 9-13-2019 at 01:00 PM

Hey Ryan just buy one and let's ride. If it don't work out sell it and buy a different one. Haha

Tioloco - 9-13-2019 at 02:36 PM

Hey Ed, I think that is what is going to happen. Trying to research a little to figure out which way to go first. Nice pics...
And the hotel room parking spot is the best!

bent-rim - 9-13-2019 at 09:53 PM

I used to ride a XR600R for years in Baja. It's a bullet proof bike. It has a comfortable seat. The 650 is heavier because of the battery and starter and after kicking over a dropped bike on an off camber hillside more times than I care to remember, I would gladly take on the extra weight. Get a rewound stator to power extra lights from Baja Designs. There's lots of accessories available.

ehall - 9-14-2019 at 05:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco

Hey Ed, I think that is what is going to happen. Trying to research a little to figure out which way to go first. Nice pics...
And the hotel room parking spot is the best!

Dont hurt yourself climbing those cliffs at el gulfo before we get a chance to ride. Haha