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parkinsonsd
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 12-20-2013
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Newbie question about topes and motorcycles
I've never had the pleasure of going to baja, but was thinking I could swing a motrocycle drip down the peninsula, then I started reading and learning
and found out about the speed bumps.
If you've gone done, is a standard (looking at a Honda Nighthawk) going to make it over the speed bumps or should I be looking at something more like
a KLR. I'm not really into going off road that much, but I don't mind dirt roads and the like.
Problem is I've got half a continent to cross before I even get to baja.
And if you know, just how big are the topes?
Thanks alot.
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Sandlefoot
Nomad
Posts: 220
Registered: 10-31-2011
Location: La Paz
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Mood: Home
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They fit under a VW!!
Come on down!!!
Happy Trails
" Don't find fault, find a remedy; anyone can complain." Henry Ford
If you are not living on the edge...you are taking up to much space!
Just because it may not be a good idea does not mean it will not be fun!!!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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The "TOPES" have a varying degree of steepness...
Some are almost non-existent (really).
And others are really tall and wide.
It is hard to tell.
The FJ Cruiser makes it over any of them at 40 MPH, but my Prius bottoms out on the same ones.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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KurtG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 1-27-2004
Location: California Central Coast
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Mood: Press On Regardless!!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by parkinsonsd
I've never had the pleasure of going to baja, but was thinking I could swing a motrocycle drip down the peninsula, then I started reading and learning
and found out about the speed bumps.
If you've gone done, is a standard (looking at a Honda Nighthawk) going to make it over the speed bumps or should I be looking at something more like
a KLR. I'm not really into going off road that much, but I don't mind dirt roads and the like.
Problem is I've got half a continent to cross before I even get to baja.
And if you know, just how big are the topes?
Thanks alot. |
I have done dozens of round trips with various street bikes as well as my KLR with no problems. Street bikes have included a couple of CB750's,
GS850g, XS1100, V65 Sabre, GSX1100g. Harleys with little clearance do the highway regularly.
[Edited on 3-3-2014 by KurtG]
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parkinsonsd
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 12-20-2013
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Thanks. I appreciate the feedback.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by parkinsonsd
And if you know, just how big are the topes?
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The question, after your trip, will change to, "How deep WAS that pothole?"
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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parkinsonsd
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 12-20-2013
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by parkinsonsd
And if you know, just how big are the topes?
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The question, after your trip, will change to, "How deep WAS that pothole?" |
I'm from Michigan. What you consider a sink hole I consider Woodward Avenue.
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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topes and waco's
Dennis got it mostly right ! after a rain its also how LONG is that pothole ??? never can tell till Ya do it !!
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bajadogs
Super Nomad
Posts: 1066
Registered: 8-28-2006
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Topes are not a problem on a KLR and it is probably the best bike for potholes and washouts and construction zones because of their HUGE suspension
play.
U2U me if you wanna talk KLR Baja.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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I would worry more about vados than topes if i was on a bike
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KasloKid
Nomad
Posts: 326
Registered: 8-29-2009
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Any time you're approaching a small village, town or city, expect at least three topes. One at each end of the town and one in the middle. Some
towns have lots more. Some are hidden in the shade of a tree (they installed it there cuz there was shade!!!) so it's hard to see, some are painted
yellow, some are not. As I said, expect them in every village. Once you launch off the first one, you'll remember to watch for the others
They're there to slow you down, as there are enforceable speed limits through towns... usually 20 kmph.
Out of the way village dogs love to chase bikes too!!! My son has scars to prove it....
Enjoy your time in Baja... wish I was there.....
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
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Lots of six cylinder Gold Wings down here. I saw a lowered Honda Accord up at San Javier last week. Just slow down to where you can avoid pot holes
and never drive at night.
Pot hole Joke:
Stopped for a road repair crew in Louisiana, a motorist asks how bad the pot hole was. The flagger says, "We took a three pound bass out of this one
and it was native."
Mike
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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brake hard as you approach the tope, loading the suspension. as you start to climb the tope grab a big handful, unload the suspension launching you
skyward going into your best clicker, a small whip will make the kids go crazy! don't forget to hand out some steekers!
[Edited on 3-3-2014 by willardguy]
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
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I tried that once in my class B. The fridge unloaded all over the floor.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajadogs
...a KLR ... is probably the best bike for potholes and washouts and construction zones because of their HUGE suspension play.....
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Huge?????
C'mon.......
If a tope will keep someone from riding, they should take up lawn bowling....I hope this guy rides better than he spells.....
Parkinsonsd.....Baja riding is as good as you will find anywhere. The main highways have great new pavement on 90% of the highways....the rest is
good pavement with some potholes in a few sections of Baja.
The non-paved roads are likely to be off-limits to you if you are concerned about topes (paved bumps). Ride Baja, eat tacos, and live to talk about
it with that look in your eyes that a cat gets when it licks itself.....
Don't believe everything you think....
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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The worst topes I have run over:
1: Road from Vizcaino to Bahia Asunción
2: The topes in Bahia Asunción
3: The topes you go over as you cross into the US from Tecate (after the CBP checkpoint)
Most per capita topes in a municipality:
Buena Vista (East Cape)
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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bajadave1
Nomad
Posts: 225
Registered: 7-20-2004
Location: Los Barriles, BCS
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Udo,you got the percapita down pat
Note my location, Wrong side of the arroyo's,too
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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Hey, Dave....
I would add Los Barriles too to my list, but most of your topes have a lot of sand before and after them, therefore they get diminished considerably.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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So Parky, that was only a moderate newbie thrashing for this forum! I hope you'll stick around and share your Baja experience. A speed bump is a speed
bump in any language. A classic tope, gopher mound, was the row of baby moon hubcaps on steroids across city streets, and that is different and rare.
Unless you hit a Baja tope at speed, it is no more an obstacle than in any WalMart parking lot.
Go real slow around animals...and get yourself a dual sport!
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajadogs
...a KLR ... is probably the best bike for potholes and washouts and construction zones because of their HUGE suspension play.....
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Huge?????
C'mon.......
If a tope will keep someone from riding, they should take up lawn bowling....I hope this guy rides better than he spells.....
Parkinsonsd.....Baja riding is as good as you will find anywhere. The main highways have great new pavement on 90% of the highways....the rest is
good pavement with some potholes in a few sections of Baja.
The non-paved roads are likely to be off-limits to you if you are concerned about topes (paved bumps). Ride Baja, eat tacos, and live to talk about
it with that look in your eyes that a cat gets when it licks itself.....
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whoa... these bikes are more than just "huge" suspension, lets not forget the infamous "doohickey" and
legendary shift levers,and .........
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