I'm planning yet another Baja ride, this time setting up my '07 WR250F to make the trip.:banana: We truck the bikes to a friends house near San Felipe and ride from there. Plan to go 12 to 14 days, getting as far south as La Paz.
I've done a lot of Baja rides over the years so have an idea of what will work but am no expert in terms of routes and cool alternatives. (I have people for that :smirk: )
Packing the gear needed for a two week ride on the little WR is more of a challenge. I've decided against rear panniers as they are hard to secure
on a bike with no sub frame. Tank Panniers I'm hoping will work and stay put. At least I can keep an eye on them. Mostly clothing in them, spare tube,
and Beer! :thumbsup:
There are a few other challenges too ... like riding the highway sections on this very low geared dirt bike. We would try to stay on dirt whenever possible but somehow you always end up on highway more than you want ... for any number of reasons: Darkness, injury, Gas .... whatever. Anyone who has Baja experience will know of this! :foul: This eats knobbies but on a 250 not so much an issue.
The WR winds out at just 50 mph or so. I could gear it up but this bike does not have much power down low to spare, so gearing for highway speed could ruin it in more technical going. (sand and silt) We are not racers (anymore) but are not beginners either. I am willing to go slow on the road to have fun OFF road. Make sense?
The WR250 with Acerbis 3.3 gallon tank. No luggage.
Trans-It tank panniers ... from Performance Bicycles ($50)
The two panniers and above MULE Camel Back will have to carry everything
except tools & tire irons. The tools are in the little tail pack (see 1st pic) and two irons are in bash plate, while a third Ty Davis Iron will ride in Camel back with a pump. One spare tube will ride on front fender bag, another in the Panniers. Patch kit it as well.
Our days are not that long, with dirt days only being 100 to 200 miles max.
We don't camp but motel it along the way and already know all the motels in Baja and a few secret spots as well.
The plan is to ride along with two other friends ... no more than four, a trio is a good number but four is OK too. More than that really slows things down
and increases chances for problems that hold up the hole group. Fewer people, fewer problems.
I've ridden Baja with 15 guys and it is a nightmare. Meals take HOURS ... Motels fill up and somebody always has a problem. On one ride we had guys showing up in Mulege' until 2am and some guys ended up walking out of the desert for miles until their "Buddies" came back for them. Not good.
Baja is unforgiving.
Anyone here take "real" dirt bike for a "longish" Baja ride? How did you carry your stuff. I worry about the whooped out areas, rocks and sand.
Any tips much appreciated! :thumbsup:
