1) BentAero--just FYI.
There is a shuttle bus every hour or so from LAX to John Wayne International in Orange County. From there its a 7 minute Taxi to Georges shop (you could walk it, about 4 miles....)
Just an idea for ya.
Thats what i would do.
Fly to LAX, take the airport shuttle, then a quick taxi ride.
2) Tires....its an endless debate. In baja I like an aggressive front tire with a strong carcass, and a rear that will last forever. Thats why i like the Rally Raid. But yeah--ive ridden to Cabo on 606's too. They are better on pavement, thanks to the rounded front tire, trade off is its less aggressive in sand, silt, loose stuff and around turns, but its all good. There are other differences too (606 will chunk on hot asphalt) etc. etc. but both are good in baja. MotoZ are cheaper and work better imho....but the Dunlops are great too.
3) No aluminum sprockets!
4) Looks like the trip is about full. I will start posting 'who's in' on the first page of this thread.
5) Hotel in Cabo is the Bahia in downtown Cabo. Its safe, good parking, close to everything and the cheapest. Book your rooms with them asap!
Its a basic hotel, fine for dirt bikers! Ive stayed there dozens of times of the last 25 years.
BUT--my wife and kids want a resort. So we will be staying at a high end place. I will let ya know where, so if your wife and kids are coming, that will be an option. She is still researching. Our old favorite, the Kalinda, is no longer.
6) Chase Truck Home
Leaves the 5th or early the 6th. Will have Flying Trash Can with me, and possibly BentAero.
7) Bike Pick Up
On the 7th in Orange County, Uptite Husqvarna parking lot. Please plan on picking up your bike on the 7th...George doesnt have room to store a dozen bikes! Nor i suspect does he want 12 dirty bikes cluttering up the shop.
I WILL BE THERE 2PM ON THE 7TH. PLEASE Be there****************************************!
(i will be taking 3-4 bikes forther north with me, but no more room)
8) Please consider getting radios! Once you ride with radios, you wont ever ride in a group without them. Its very cool, and a big safety boost.
9) PM me with your T Shirt size. If you dont, you dont get a T Shirt.
10) )Please note upcoming post about having your bike in proper condition for a 7 day, 1000 miles ride. I reserve the right to leave you to the wolves if your rat bike breaks down in the first 1000 miles if its related to a lack of proper preperation****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
All parts on your bike must be in OEM condition. Torn seat? Fix it. Torn shrounds held on with a zip tye? Nope. Get new ones. Duct tape anywhere on the bike is not gonna fly. Front light not working? Are you nuts? Heck yeah we will ride at night, somewhere, sometime. Gets dark at 5pm down there. Loose spokes? Thats just not cool. Get your bike 100% tip top ready! NO RAT BIKES! THIS IS A HARD CORE ADVENTURE!!
11) Please bring a set of Tie Downs so we can trailer your bike back home....
12) Money. Its $100 for the chase truck (fuel, hotels and food for the driver). After that plan on about $100 a day for the super stingy, $150 a day for the guys who want a couple beers at sunset and a nice lobster dinner now and then. Bring some emergency cash in case you end up in a hospital, or you taco your bike and need to pay a machine shop to straighten your frame/wheels/make you a new exhaust, whatever. (been there)
There are ATM's in the big cities. But we wont be in the big cities...except in the start and the finish.
13) Paperwork:
All bikes MUST have registration. You MUST have a passport. You MUST have a drivers license. Its a good idea to have a temporary import paper for your bike, legally it IS required south of San Felipe and south of Ensenada. BUT--in practical terms, you wont be asked for it, and we will be off road most of the time anyways. If you want to get a temporary import paper its cheap and easy, just do it at the border. Costs about $20 and takes 15-20 minutes. Plus you get a very cool sticker for your bike...just pull over at the border crossing when you first enter Mexico, right at the guard shack aka "aduana"
14) You MUST have the full protection riding gear.
Helmet. Gloves. Knee Pads. Elbow protection. Riding pants and jersey. Enduro type jacket (it will be cold on day 1-2). Moto boots. Goggles.
Kidney belt. Cheast protector. Im not riding 7 days with a guy with logging boots and sun glasses.
15) You MUST be able to go 80 miles minimum on a tank of fuel.
16) You MUST have new tires/UHD tubes. New chain and steel sprockets. Dont show up with aluminum/worn stuff.
17) Motocycling is a dangerous activity. I do not assume any responsibility for anyone on this trip. This is only a few buddies getting together for a long ride. I am only the guy sending the emails and posting info, and leading the way, because i know the trails. This is NOT a business, and in no way do i or George, both of us helping organize this trip, in no way do we guarantee or assume any responsibility for anyone or anyones equipment. Riding a dirt bike for 7 days in Mexico is dangerous. You can crash and get hurt, you can get robbed, you can get sick or bit by a rattlesnake or many many other calamitous things. Its 100% your responsibility to take care of yourself and be carefull and not have problems. So no, you cant sue me, i warned you!
18) That said:
We will do everything in our power to help out if something does go wrong. If something is stolen we will contact the police. If someone is hurt we will try to do everything we can to get you to a doctor or clinic or hospital.
OK---thats it for now.
Bottom line is ya got to be at Georges shop afternoon of the 26th or at Rancho Santa Veronica on the AM of the 27th. I will post a GPS for that location in November.
Everybody should take Aluminium sprockets, and give them to Coco when they round off break teeth and hook. Just take LOTS and LOTS of them
