My favorite answer (when not renting a bike) is whatever bike you got! I know someone from Tijuana that toured all of Baja on one of those delivery 125cc Hondas
Good review, seems like I'm seeing more and more of the smaller bikes in Baja. Coming down to 1000+ CC for the MX 1 trips and 500 to 800 for mixed road/ dirt trips
Yep, one of those things where the "best bike" could change from moment to moment in a region so full of varied terrains and options. Guess we'll just have to keep riding them all : )
I have done Baja and I'm a former BMW R1100GS & R1200GS owner. I can tell you these bikes are not ideal for Baja. They are way too heavy for anything off-road and the conditions you'll encounter. The perfect bike for both off-road and on-road would be an XR650L. Not only is the XR light enough for off-road but it's easy to pick up and maneuver in the sand which you will have to deal with. To top it off the XR is durable and parts for it are easier to come by. If worse comes to worst (which it sometimes does in Baja) parts are easily available and can be flown in quicker. Put on aftermarket shocks and a larger tank for longer range and you're all set. Remember: You can never have enough water unless you're drowning and you can never have enough fuel unless you're on fire.
Ha, ha, right on about the water and fuel. Yea, the XR650L is still such a great option. A bit rough on the open highway stretches if you take them, but for the intricate/intimate routes, another great option. Thanks for commenting.
Looks like the choice is giant yet comfortable bike, or small nimble bike that feels like you're sitting on a 2x4. Any chance you'll have something like the KTM 390 Adventure to rent by next year? Looks like that's the best combination of size and comfort.
Only really good adv off road guys grew up on a bike. Its a kid thing. You chased big bikes every ride growing up. Now you da man!
Learning young for sure helps, but wow are there some good late-comers to riding out there! Afterall, it's just like riding a bike : )
@@RIDEAdventures this is very true.
My favorite answer (when not renting a bike) is whatever bike you got! I know someone from Tijuana that toured all of Baja on one of those delivery 125cc Hondas
Going to join you in March on my 1290R. Looking forward to it.
Yessir, see you then!
No one has ever wished they had a heavier bike off rd !
But many have wished they had something more substantial on the highway, especially when the wind picks up. Everything is a compromise.
Good review, seems like I'm seeing more and more of the smaller bikes in Baja. Coming down to 1000+ CC for the MX 1 trips and 500 to 800 for mixed road/ dirt trips
Yep, one of those things where the "best bike" could change from moment to moment in a region so full of varied terrains and options. Guess we'll just have to keep riding them all : )
I have done Baja and I'm a former BMW R1100GS & R1200GS owner. I can tell you these bikes are not ideal for Baja. They are way too heavy for anything off-road and the conditions you'll encounter. The perfect bike for both off-road and on-road would be an XR650L. Not only is the XR light enough for off-road but it's easy to pick up and maneuver in the sand which you will have to deal with. To top it off the XR is durable and parts for it are easier to come by. If worse comes to worst (which it sometimes does in Baja) parts are easily available and can be flown in quicker. Put on aftermarket shocks and a larger tank for longer range and you're all set. Remember: You can never have enough water unless you're drowning and you can never have enough fuel unless you're on fire.
Ha, ha, right on about the water and fuel. Yea, the XR650L is still such a great option. A bit rough on the open highway stretches if you take them, but for the intricate/intimate routes, another great option. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks
What tires perform best for a trip
like that?
We're using mostly Heidenau K60 Scouts and MotoZ Tractionator GPS's with great results. Great for the mixed terrain we ride in Baja.
Looks like the choice is giant yet comfortable bike, or small nimble bike that feels like you're sitting on a 2x4. Any chance you'll have something like the KTM 390 Adventure to rent by next year? Looks like that's the best combination of size and comfort.
The KTM 390 is a strong possibility in fleet operations, so please check back with us.
any M/C with a 6 speed trans is better than EVERY m/c with a 5 spd.