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Satisfying the Wanderlust: Baja Trail Riding Tips

Things You Ought to Know Before Heading South of the Border

By Rick Sieman

May 2002 - I receive a steady stream of inquiries from across the nation-and the world about how to go trail riding in Baja. The inquiry usually goes something like this:

"Me and my buddy have been talking about this for sometime, and now we want to do it. We've always wanted to go trail riding in Baja, but don't quite know how to go about it. What makes it even harder is that we don't live in California, or on the West Coast. We live in New Hampshire (or Ohio, or Indiana or... insert your state here) and don't have a clue on where to start. What kind of bikes should we use? How do you set them up? Are there clubs or organizations that will tell you where to get gas for trail riding, or even pit support, should we want to enter and race the Baja 1000? There are lots of guys we ride with who have been talking about a Baja riding/racing vacation for years. Can you give us the straight scoop?

Gratefully yours,


Two Guys From Back East Somewhere

• Your best bet in bikes is a four-stroke, preferably 350cc and up in displacement. This will let you gas up most anywhere without worrying about mixing oil with your gas.
• Make sure that you have a tank big enough to allow you 125 to 150 miles range, at brisk cruising speeds.
  * Do not run a "hot" motor for Mexico. Stock is good, and detuned is even better. Consider that you might have to run gas with an 82-octane (or less!) rating in a pinch.
• Make sure that your bike is fresh, from the engine to the tires to the drive train. Do not scrimp by using junk chains and sprockets. Use quality 0-ring chain and steel sprockets.
• Run taller gearing than stock. Much of your time will be spent cruising on smooth dirt roads. The gearing lets your engine loaf and increases gas mileage.
• If you choose to ride a two-stroke, a 300/350 is a good choice, but make sure you have an oversized gas tank.
• Do not use soft-terrain tires. They will wear quickly at high speeds and on occasional pavement sections. A harder compound tire is the ticket in Baja.
• Some riders use the Bib Mousse tubeless foam-filled tires, but I personally think they take much of the pleasure out of riding the bike. The feel is sluggish in normal terrain and downright spooky on hard- packed dirt roads.
• A reasonable selection of tools and spares is a must, but don't overload yourself.
• Good, strong, comfortable riding gear should be worn, but avoid new boots and helmets. You don't want to spend half of your trail ride breaking in stiff new gear. A sturdy enduro-type jacket is mandatory, but make sure it can be opened or unzipped for proper ventilation during hot periods. And yes, wear the jacket even in hot weather. It offers a whole lot more protection than a riding jersey.
• Have your paperwork in order. A passport or visa is handy, and basic ID is a must. Carry your bike registration papers, but not the title.
• Carry most of your money in small denominations, and also change some American dollars into pesos at the border.
• Try to get yourself into reasonable riding condition. While much of Baja is easy fun riding, you can become a real pain in the butt to your group if you are tired at 100 miles and there is still 100 to go before nightfall.
• Put together a good first-aid kit and carry it somewhere on the bike.
• You gotta have maps. The AAA (Automobile Club of America) has a good one on Baja, and it's free. Get several. You can also buy a great map book at the border. The best one is an oversized topo-map book that sells for around 30 bucks, and all of the Mexican auto insurance places at the various border crossings have them for sale. This book is neat in that it shows canyons, rivers, washes, roads and even coastal contours, making exploration not only possible but actually easy!
• Contact a dirt bike club in the area. District 38 (AMA) is a very active group in the San Diego/El Cajon area. Get a copy of Cycle News and check out names of clubs in the events/calendar section. Then give 'em a call and ask if you could possibly attend a club meeting and ask a few questions, or even meet with some folks over a few beers and talk about riding in Baja. You will be amazed at how willing they will be to give you friendly advice, especially if you are buying the suds.