Baja California

[Abercrombie tenere]

When I watched the promotional videos for the new Yamaha Super Tenere 5 years ago I dreamt of owning one and taking it on adventures like this. Next month I'll be leaving frigid North Dakota to ride this dream ride with a good friend from South Dakota and 3 others.

Anyone have any advice on what to bring, how to prep the bike, how to pay for things, pesos, travel visa card, travelers checks? I've had real good luck with Continental TKC 70s and have a new set ready to mount up. Obviously they aren't the best sand tire but I have ridden them in fairly deep sand with pretty good results so that is what I'm planning on running. I'll be riding with older guys on a KLR, GS650, GS1200 and a Buell Ulissies so I don't think I will be holding anyone back with me or my bikes capabilities. I nearly changed my mind and ordered a set of Big Blocks last night but I think I'll be fine with our route. I'm guessing the rest of the group will be turning around if we hit deep sand so I"ll probably mount up and go with the TKC 70s.

This is the Plan!

Rendezvous in Tecate USA,

Day 1 – Feb Tecate to San Felipe KSU 0800, 247 miles 7 hours, Includes a stop at Mikes Sky Ranch, about 50/50 Paved/Dirt Motel

Day 2 - Feb San Felipe to Bahia de Los Angeles(BOLA) 207 miles 5.5 hours paved the first half, dirt the second Motel

Day 3 – Feb BOLA to Mulege 286 miles 7.5 hours Dirt the first half, some light sand, Paved the second half Motel

Day 4 - Feb Mulege to Los Barrilles SE of La Paz -369 Miles 7.5 hours all paved highway


Day 5 - Feb Day off bikes at Mark’s

Day 6- Feb Los Barrilles to El Centario/La Paz after circling Cabo San Lucas 200 miles 6.5 hours first half two track, last half paved Motel

Day 7 - Feb La Paz to Loretto 324 Miles 6.25 Hours all Highway Motel

Day 8/9 – Feb Loretto to San Ignacio Lagoon 205 Miles 5 hours, last 40 miles is dirt track – Two nights Whale Watching Camp, Palapa or Yurt

Day 10 - Feb El Rosario 350 miles 7.5 hours dirt the first 40 miles – Paved Highway after that Motel

Day 11 – Feb Tecate 223 miles 4.5 hours all paved highway Cross border and head home around noon after lunch.


Open to any advice from anyone who's ridden Baja before.

 

[Thrasherg]

I've never ridden in Baja, so no advise for you, but looks like an amazing trip!! Will have to convince my wife to ride it with me someday!!
Dont forget to get plenty of pictures (to share with us) and to remember it by.

Gary

 

[Abercrombie tenere]

Well the time has come, Tuesday morning is blast off time from the frozen tundra of North Dakota. I've got 4 new tires on the pickup, 4 new tires for the trailer, a fresh set of 804/805s on the Tenere, Mexican bike insurance is purchased, visitor card printed off and the Baja map has been revised a few more times.

 

[Nikolajsen]

::008::
Have a nice trip.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Congratulations!
Should be a great trip!

 

[bob dirt]

Bucket list...I'll be on part of it this fall and maybe the complete trip in '19.
Don't take a firearm or try to hide one on the bike.You need a passport or passport card to get back into the states. I have both and would probably take my passport in case for some reason you had to fly back. How far are you driving and where are you parking your truck?
I go to Mexico all the time. I like paying fuel with pesos. I get them at local exchanges when needed. I use my no fee credit card at restaurants and stores but don't let it get out of my view. We go to Puerto Penasco a lot. Some places charge the card in USD and others in pesos.
Good luck and have fun. Don't forget about the ride report 8)

 

[Abercrombie tenere]

Bucket list...I'll be on part of it this fall and maybe the complete trip in '19.
Don't take a firearm or try to hide one on the bike.You need a passport or passport card to get back into the states. I have both and would probably take my passport in case for some reason you had to fly back. How far are you driving and where are you parking your truck?
I go to Mexico all the time. I like paying fuel with pesos. I get them at local exchanges when needed. I use my no fee credit card at restaurants and stores but don't let it get out of my view. We go to Puerto Penasco a lot. Some places charge the card in USD and others in pesos.
Good luck and have fun. Don't forget about the ride report 8)

Thanks for all the great info. Got it, no firearms, I have my passport and already printed off my (FMIM - visitors card) which I understand I will need if staying over a certain amount of days. I'm not sure if it was 5 or 7 days. Tomorrow I will make it as far as Spearfish SD to pick up another rider. Wednesday we will arrive in Alamosa CO to pick up another rider. Thursday we will stop somewhere inexpensive before or after Phoenix for the night. Friday we will arrive in El Cajon CA where we will leave the pickup and trailer in the yard of a friendly member of ADVrider.com that I have never met yet, meet up with two others from California. We will spend the night in El Cajon and start our Baja adventure Saturday morning crossing the boarder at Tecate.

 

[Checkswrecks]

If you get a chance, take photos of your passport, driver license, registration, and other important papers. Keep a copy on your phone AND on the web. If you lose the originals you can usually talk your way through with the copies.

 

[Abercrombie tenere]

Excellent idea! I'm going to do that tonight.

 

[bruinTENEREguy]

Exciting stuff, AT. Wish I was coming along.

Hope you all have a great trip!

 

[Rambler]

How did the trip go?
Any ride report?

 

[escapefjrtist]

AT and Big John are still on the road. Minor problems with a KLR but other than that, reports are good.

--G

 

[Powershouse]

Looking forward to trip report!
To the advice above I would add don't drive at night in Mexico.
Be ready for toilets without seats and not flushing tp.

 

[Thrasherg]

Looking forward to trip report!
To the advice above I would add don't drive at night in Mexico.
Be ready for toilets without seats and not flushing tp.

And despite all that, I still want to go!! ::025::

Gary

 

[SilverBullet]

Riding in Baja yesterday I came across a semi trailer completely burned up on the shoulder of the road in mountains between Mexicali and Tecate. Charred cow heads all over the ground. Gruesome but actually smelled kinda good when I passed. Lol The BBQ had been a few hours earlier as no fire, flames or coals. Apocolypse Now flashback.


Sent from my SM-G860P using Tapatalk

 

[bob dirt]

Looking forward to trip report!
To the advice above I would add don't drive at night in Mexico.
Be ready for toilets without seats and not flushing tp.

Hmmm,I have a house in Mexico, drive there at night sometimes, sit on my toilet seat, then flush the turd and tp down the tube. ::025::

 

[Powershouse]

Hmmm,I have a house in Mexico, drive there at night sometimes, sit on my toilet seat, then flush the turd and tp down the tube. ::025::

That sounds awesome! Use that for a jump off to the Copper Canyon or the Devils Backbone.

Oh, and watch for those showers with the electric heater built into the shower head. Those things scare the heck out of me.