DesertDrifter
Observer
Don't really know how these reports go, but just finished up a quick baja trip and thought I'd share some details.
I'm new to the whole dual sporting thing, this trip was only my 5th-9th days of off road riding . We did a litte over 1500 miles in 5 days, i'd guess about 600-700mi of that in the dirt. Couldn't have been happier with the bike given it's a 25 year old dual sport. Had no problems save for some gps wiring (good vehicle prep = more riding less fixing)
Here's a little background on the bike and gear:
Bike:
I picked up this 87 Honda XL600R with 11k for $950. Added a used Clarke Desert Tank (not pretty) and a TCI Products Rack took it out for a couple weekend trips to Big Sur and in the hills north east of Ojai, Ca.
The bike did great, so I tore it down to the frame to get to know it and prep it for mexico.
In the process of the rebuild I added a new rear tire, new chain, new rear sprocket, and a Lowrance 480c mounted to the bars (i know, its a bit large but I already had it out of one of my trucks)
Gear: I wanted to keep it minimal, I get being prepared, but any more stuff and we would have missed some of the best remote riding. In retrospect I would have ditched the tent (and 2.5lbs) for a light tarp or one of these: http://www.polerstuff.com/the-magic-tarpit/
Sleeping bag
Tent
Pad
Jetboil
Headlamp
Matches
Minimal Tool Kit
Socks
Jeans
Bordies
2 Shirts
Sweatshirt
Waterproof shell
Chest Protector
Gloves
Helmet
Goggles
Boots
Spare Fuel Bottle
Small First Aid Kit
Spot Emergency Beacon
Sat phone and iphone
15L Camelback BackPack w/bladder
Baja Atlas
Coffee
Bike Packed to Go:
Here's roughly the route we took:
Day 1:
San Diego To San Felipe
Lots of riding, rolled in after dark...good sunrise and a quick rewire of my bike's gps.
I'm new to the whole dual sporting thing, this trip was only my 5th-9th days of off road riding . We did a litte over 1500 miles in 5 days, i'd guess about 600-700mi of that in the dirt. Couldn't have been happier with the bike given it's a 25 year old dual sport. Had no problems save for some gps wiring (good vehicle prep = more riding less fixing)
Here's a little background on the bike and gear:
Bike:
I picked up this 87 Honda XL600R with 11k for $950. Added a used Clarke Desert Tank (not pretty) and a TCI Products Rack took it out for a couple weekend trips to Big Sur and in the hills north east of Ojai, Ca.
The bike did great, so I tore it down to the frame to get to know it and prep it for mexico.
In the process of the rebuild I added a new rear tire, new chain, new rear sprocket, and a Lowrance 480c mounted to the bars (i know, its a bit large but I already had it out of one of my trucks)
Gear: I wanted to keep it minimal, I get being prepared, but any more stuff and we would have missed some of the best remote riding. In retrospect I would have ditched the tent (and 2.5lbs) for a light tarp or one of these: http://www.polerstuff.com/the-magic-tarpit/
Sleeping bag
Tent
Pad
Jetboil
Headlamp
Matches
Minimal Tool Kit
Socks
Jeans
Bordies
2 Shirts
Sweatshirt
Waterproof shell
Chest Protector
Gloves
Helmet
Goggles
Boots
Spare Fuel Bottle
Small First Aid Kit
Spot Emergency Beacon
Sat phone and iphone
15L Camelback BackPack w/bladder
Baja Atlas
Coffee
Bike Packed to Go:
Here's roughly the route we took:
Day 1:
San Diego To San Felipe
Lots of riding, rolled in after dark...good sunrise and a quick rewire of my bike's gps.
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