Husqvarna 701 just read through your thread and the trip sounds pretty interesting. Been preparing my bikes for a trip through Baja myself but can't really decide which bike to take KTM 500 EXC or R1200GSA.
I can't help but shutter to think about using a tablet as a NAV on a bike for doing that type of long distance riding. I have tried that route early on while riding in China and to each his own but in my opinion it's not a suitable solution. Those types of devices won't hold up well to the weather, and most of all the constant shock, and vibrations that you will put it through. On a bike that is ridden in the street is bad enough but once you take it off road all bests are off and not to mention the large possibility of it coming dislodged and flying off into a ditch somewhere, ask me how I know. Early on in your thread you talked about and quickly dismissed the Garmin Montana which is an excellent choice or one that you haven't considered is the NAV from BMW the Motorrad Navigator VI. The screens are very nice and viewable and they are waterproof. With the Navigator you will be able to hear turn by turn instructions through your helmet with a Sena 30K and make phone calls as well. Even if you decide to continue down your iPad route I would think long and hard about your mounting scheme because the RAM Mount options are not going to cut it. Again, ask me how I know. If your biggest put off is the fact that (unbeknownst to me) Garmin is offering lifetime maps (every one of my Garmin devices have life time maps and I have about 5 or 6 of them) then just pay for the updates every couple of years when you feel like you might need an update because the reality is, you don't necessarily need an update every single time that Garmin comes out with one. My updates are lifetime but with the NAV stuck in the car or even on the bike I go for a year or more sometimes before plugging it into my laptop but all the while it never stops me from getting to where I need to go. Just saying!
That's my two cents worth.
Anyway I'm planning a trip down there myself on or around the time that you are planning to go maybe we can meet up?

A

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BMW R1200GSA, BMW F650 Dakar, KTM 500 EXC

I'll chime in on choice of bikes for Baja ... but lots depends how much further South you intend to travel beyond Baja and how serious you want to go Off Road.

Going further into Mexico? Riding though to Cent. America and S. America?

Next question is how much Off Road would you like to do? Finding good Off Road tracks in Baja is easy, but NOT so easy on Mainland Mexico unless you know the terrain or have a guide or tour group.

Cent. America even tougher to find good off road routes without a guide. Lots of private property and MUD on the Caribe side.

If you're set on doing solo exploring Off Road then it's clear the KTM 500 EXC is the way to go. A great dirt bike ... but, IMHO, I would not take one on a long multi country trip. (several reasons why)

As with so many trips, you always end up riding A LOT on the highway. Yes, you can go searching for "Adventure" off road, but best ride with a partner or two or use a guide or join tour group.

I also see you listed an F650 BMW ... that bike could be a nice compromise that would allow pretty good Off Road capability yet could be a better loaded up travel bike than the KTM 500. Better for luggage and fast highway riding. Better than GS off road.

If you only want to do basic Dirt or Gravel roads ... then I would go with your R1200GS. A great bike ... if you can keep it running.

I've seen a few break down when abused riding ROUGH wash board tracks through Baja and even a couple failed here in our California Sierra Fire Roads. Baja Off Road is a GS eater!

The GS drive line is, IMO, a bit delicate, may not always hold up to strenuous Off Road/Wash Board abuse. So, my advice, take it easy on your GS, try not to over pack, keep weight down, make sure suspension is modified to handle the load. All should be good. (with luck of course! )

I love riding GS's on beat up paved roads or going through Pot hole'd streets.
Works great, packs up great, handles great, is fast and smooth and super comfortable. What could go wrong?

But I can't afford a GS ... so will stay with my funky 12 year old Suzuki DR650 for now!

Regards Navigation, I agree the Garmin Montana seems to be the Go! I would bring an iPad for internet, not Navigation.

Yes, big expenditure to buy both and yes, I could use my Phone to Navigate ... but I will treat myself to the Garmin and hope that I can make it work. (I'm not good with such devices! )

Hi Long Long, thanks for the input. Between you and Molly Dog I have been swayed. Garmin it is. Keep in touch and perhaps we can meet and travel together, who knows.
Thanks again MD.......
Now........ which model??
More time researching on the life sucking machine. Need it soon for my Timmons trip

Hey guys.....HELP!! 395?? 595?? Montana??
I use Bluetooth earbuds.
I like the 5 inch screen.....
Is the Nav worth the extra bucks???

Thanks for the help

I'm a total GPS Noob but in my moderate research the Garmin Montana seems to be the number one pick every where.

I would do your own reading on this but have read HUNDREDS of positives on the Montana. It ain't cheap but gets very good reviews from nearly all sides.

Hope this helps!

Thanks again MD. YOUR research has saved me hours!! I am right there in my bike mods and installs. Just finished a bit of reading myself and the Montana seems to be making people happy. Tomorrows job is run the power to my tower and MAKE A DECISION!
Decision MADE! I am ordering the Montana in 10 minutes.

I would have responded sooner but my notifications were turned off.

It may take a little bit of getting used to but it's going to be pretty hard to go wrong with a Garmin Montana. I have the 650t but they have a newer model out now. The only drawback to my model is that it doesn't have bluetooth capabilities so no voice guided directions through my helmet. It does come with a wired plug for voice but I've never used it. You should be able to beef up your new unit with a memory card with as much storage as you will ever need to load multiple maps as well as your own route creations for future use.

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BMW R1200GSA, BMW F650 Dakar, KTM 500 EXC

Mollydog I appreciate the feedback and for the same differences that you have mentioned for the various modes of travel (off road, street, dirt roads, etc.) is precisely why I have three different bikes, because the perfect bike does not exist. Of my three bikes the 650 Dakar would be the middleweight but as far as I am concerned is not very suitable as it stands to really take advantage of it's true middleweight status. It has the off road look but it's not really setup for off roading. Alas for me the 650 is out of the question for the foreseeable future as it is in the workshop and dismantled on it's bike stand waiting for an upgraded rebuild to what I feel will truly make it an adventure riding machine. So, at the moment I am left with two different bikes at the opposite end the spectrum to chose from.

I am beginning to wonder if Baja might require at least two trips on two different bikes in order to get the full flavor of the peninsula and then move on from there?

Beyond Baja I have a strong desire to ride Peru and have recently been made a where that there are ferry's from Baja into the mainland of Mexico and boats from, I think Puerto Vallarta into Columbia. Can anyone confirm this way of travel?

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BMW R1200GSA, BMW F650 Dakar, KTM 500 EXC

You could do a lot of Baja trips, lots to see.
If you ride your GS, be cautious about which off road tracks you take. Most, you can make OK, others can be a bit challenging on a heavy bike.

Deep sand would be the biggest obstacle on the heavy GS unless you are an expert Desert Dune rider.

Most tourists stay on the nice, paved highway the entire way, from the US Border, South to La Paz. From there, you have two Ferries that go daily to the Mexican mainland, one to Mazatlan, the other to Topolobombo. I prefer going to Topo as it only takes 5 hours vs. 12 to 14 to Mazatlan, depending on conditions.

I have NOT heard about a Ferry from Puerto Vallarta to Colombia. I would like to take that Ferry myself if it exists.

You could also fly YOURSELF and your BIKE from any major Airport in Mexico and possibly Cent America, to Colombia or other S. American City.

Some leave from Los Angeles to either Peru' or Chile and rent a Cargo Container, then get enough other bikes (or cars) to share in the cost.

Good luck!

Mollydog thanks for the insight.

This is your thread and I certainly am not trying to hijack it.

I will try to find out more information about boats from other places on the mainland that might go into Columbia, though.

I can ride deep sand on my GS but admittedly it's not my strong suit on that bike.

Regardless of the bike there's no way I'm riding asphalt all the way down to Cabo. My GS is completely fashioned for off road riding and the 500 is geared up as a dual sport machine.

The biggest challenge for me is the choice of tires because I certainly don't want to be riding with off road tires a few thousand miles on the pavement before I get to the Mexico boarder and actually start the trip, they'll be well worn in by then and not fresh for Mexico. I've got some figuring out to do on that front.

I think the October time frame that you have planned to go is perfect for a bit of cooler weather and I hope to be well sorted by then.

I am preparing my GS for the trip as we speak but in the back of my mind I can't help but think that the KTM should be the weapon of choice.

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BMW R1200GSA, BMW F650 Dakar, KTM 500 EXC

Not my thread, hopefully the info here will help EVERYONE!

If just doing a Baja ride, I would for sure ride the 500 KTM. But if continuing South, then the big BMW would be the Go for a longer trip.
You're lucky to have two such incredible bikes.

Tires are always a tricky thing for the exact reasons you state. I would use street tires until near the Mexican Border. Then switch to some sort of Dirt or Enduro type tire.

Finding tires in Baja nearly impossible. You may find tires at some MC dealers in either Guadalajara or Mexico City. BMW or KTM dealer there usually have something. Expensive. You may find suitable tires in other, independent shops now.

Most times when I go to Mexico I pack a tire (or 2) on my bike. I'm in N. California, 800 miles from the border. So I ride down on whatever tire is on the bike, once in Baja I visit a "llantero" shop (tire shop) and have them mount up
my new tire. You can sometimes even sell them your "old" tire.

If you know someone in San Diego, or another town near the Border, then order tires on line (cheapest way) and have them sent to your friend's house or business. Mount them up yourself or take into Mexico to have it done.


... this ride was 10 years ago. Rear tire waiting to mount up down the trail. 1st part of this ride is 1000 miles
of Interstate Highway ... so I save the off road tire for when the dirt starts. This system works for me, carrying a
tire on the DR650 is easy.

A new front here carried on rear rack, had it mounted in La Paz, same bike, different look!

Cars, airplanes, boats, bikes, tires!!! So many choices, so little time!! Riel mentioned earlier that he felt his 701 was about as close to the do it all bike as you can get. I'm feeling it! My new ( to me ) 701 just keeps me grinning. Before I made the call though Long Long I was thinking hard about dual sporting a 500. If I owned a 500, as you do................
Tires.......... My 701 came with tkc 80's. I was VERY pleasantly surprised! I asked at the dealership if the wheels were balanced and they said no. They also said to not waste my money and ride it first. In their dealership experience nobody has ever needed balancing. I was skeptical but off I went. 140 kph highway passing is rock solid, confidence inspiring in the twisted. The price seems reasonable comparatively speaking but as we all know there is no magic bullet in tires. These are a soft compound which keep me happy grip wise but its looking like a new back will be needed around 4500 km. Having been happy so far I am reluctant to go on a fishing trip in the new tire department. I have a new Conti rear coming in a couple of days that I will swap out before heading to Timmons with my buddy in a couple of weeks. For my trip south to the Baja I was figuring I would be putting on new rubber State side just before crossing ( as well as others in between I know ). My very limited experience of mainland Mexico tells me getting a new tire shouldn't be too difficult with a little planning. Finished mounting my new Montana. Received the North American city SD and installed that. Trial run looks good but as Long Long said I was also a little disappointed it doesn't have Bluetooth. Oh well, I plugged into the audio out with my ear buds and all is good. It's how I'm used to rolling anyway. In my research many people speak of open street map. Then someone mentioned MapsMe which I am accustomed to, stating that open street is what that app uses. To me, perfect. I will load MapsMe on my smart phone as my plan B backup.
Time is ticking........ leaving Toronto first week of Sept and heading to Colorado and then Utah........... still looking for a riding buddy. Who's interested?

Husqvarna 701 I've been doing a lot of work transforming the 500 into what I think is going to be a really good long distance dual sport bike. I haven't had a chance to ride it yet but I converted to a Tubliss setup and have thrown a set of Golden Tyre GT2 16aa Fatty & GT2 16. Again, I haven't tried them out yet but as I understand it they are supposed to be good for pavement and off road.

There is so much to do with getting ready for a ride and I hope to be able to meet up with and take a ride down the peninsula in October.

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BMW R1200GSA, BMW F650 Dakar, KTM 500 EXC

Husqvarna 701, I'm riding to Belize and/or Costa Rica this summer myself from Toronto, I'll be departing on my KLR 650 sometime in late August/September range. Perhaps I'll see or join you for a part of the trip! Perhaps we should tee up for a coffee over the next several weeks or so for a coffee and compare notes?

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Wow, looks like you're getting your KLR into some nice nasty stuff!

Do be aware that August/September are "typically" the heaviest time for Rainy
Season in Southern Mexico and Cent. America. Of course, this can vary year to year.

But global warming means more severe EVERYTHING. Hotter, Colder, more rain, longer droughts ... all crazy mixed up and no one is ready.

In rainy season you do get cooling cloud cover, usually does not rain in AM ... so plan to ride from dawn to when it begins to cloud up. Once the rain comes ... take cover. (tropical storms preclude this theory, can rain 24 hours)


Can be brutally HOT with 90% humidity. By late October or November rainy season tapers off and temps can cool (but not always!) Humidity lowers too. If too HOT, go up high (if possible).

I ended up living in Guatemala because much of the best areas are around
1500 to 2000 meters. Nice and cool year round.
(Guatemala: Land of Internal Spring)