Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Feb 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 9
Baja in May

Hello

I have three weeks in May from Los Angeles (must end up back in LA).

XR650(L) with knobblies and a big tank - hoping for Death Valley, Grand Canyon and then south into Baja peninsula, etc. Cross at Mexicala or whatever is best.

Never been to that part of the world so any suitable routes appreciated. Mix of tarmac and trails would be great. Any places to stay or head for also appreciated.

Bike will be on American plates (Minnesota) - I'm from the UK on British Passport. Any problem getting in to Mexico and back?

Cheers, Horse.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Feb 2007
sebjones906's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: So.Cal.
Posts: 30
Baja in May

Horse27
May is a good time for travel in So. Cal. But, with the exception of Baja, a trip to Death Valley or the Grand Canyon are mostly Highway rides. True, once in Death Valley you can use your knobbies on dirt roads and the same is true of the area around the Grand Canyon. However, these places are National Parks and any off roading is governed very closely.

Now, if you are thinking of going cross country, the Mojave Desert has lots of dirt roads that go in every direction. If you have never taken on the desert, it is an aquired skill and should not be considered lightly. Same with Baja.

You can plan highway miles and then add dirt. BTW After 500 miles of highway your knobbies will be worthless for any serious dirt riding.

The street legal Honda L is a good choice for desert dirt roads and trails but it is too heavy for serious point to point sandwash riding.

Several of us ride KLR 650 Dual Purpose Bike in the desert and fire roads. The nastier the ride the more the tires become important. We've done a lot of experimenting with tires and I currently have serious dirt tires on mine but a little highway mileage really takes the edge of them.

So Cal and AZ are great places for open riding. But you need to be more specific about you intended riding before anyone can really help.

All the Best.
__________________
Sam Jones
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20 Feb 2007
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Check out reports on ADVrider

I would go over to ADVrider
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 03:51.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 Feb 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 992
Your best paper maps for baja come from Baja-Almanac.com | <h3>Mapping Mexico... Land of Adventure</h3>.
The simple multi-fold map is good, and the atlas style book is even better.
Go with both....
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Feb 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 9
That's great ... thanks. Given me lots to work with there and good advice. I been down to the Sahara and back (from London) on an XT600 (few years back now) ... so got trail and desert experience (bit rusty now though). It's mostly mud in the UK all year round!

Baja on the Pacific side looks and sounds great - think that'll be part of the trip. As does the Mojave.

Got time to think and plan ...

I've used Pirelli MT21s in the past which I likes but have heard good things about Metzeler Karoos as a dual sport tyre (tire) with off-road ability ... not sure what you guys use?

Probably the worng thread for that sort of talk!

Cheers, Horse (London)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Feb 2007
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Both good Baja tires that last
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 03:52.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 Feb 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 992
Just an idea...

At this time, I guess even you don't know how long you'll spend riding in Baja, and where you'll travel.

Taking Mollydog's advice with Tecate, you could easily put a spare rear tire on a bus right after crossing the border and have it sent down to some place like Rice and Beans in San Ignacio, which is close to the half way point in Baja. Unless you intentionally bypass San Ignacio, say with a San Francisco or Bahia Torgas loop, it will be the center of your north/south 'figure 8' loop.

Ricardo, the head dude at Rice and Beans, can be emailed at:
riceand beans@hotmail.com
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
BAJA - Southern California brclarke Route Planning 12 4 Nov 2008 17:33
Baja and Copper Canyon on tight time-fram The Big J Central America and Mexico 4 8 Sep 2006 19:59
Vancouver to Baja toowheels Travellers Seeking Travellers 21 29 Mar 2006 09:50
Baja bound? scorpion Travellers Seeking Travellers 10 14 Mar 2004 23:22
BAJA INFO TRAVELLAMUNDO South America 0 17 Jul 2002 09:35

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:41.