BigDog/Dingweeds/Baja/2013 - Page 4

BigDogAdventures.com · 01-31-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herbivore63

Hi Mark...I've read a number of your reports (and enjoyed them!) and am curious about your bike selection and trailering for this trip. I know you have the new TR650 and have spoken highly of it. Did you consider it at all for this trip and would it have been suitable? Also, did you consider riding down instead of trailering? My riding buddy considers a trailer to be cheating ("it's just like mountain biking") so I'm wondering how you approach that decision. Thanks for sharing the great rides with us!

Evan

Hey Herbivore,

Glad to give you my perspective for bike choice.

Trailering---------------it's winter in Southern Illinois----ice---extreme cold------snow-----no riding on any kind of bike to Baja. I would like to see your buddy ride a fully loaded bike of any kind on ice and snow. So---I'm not interested in your buddies idea of "cheating". It would be ignorant to ride on the ice. I'm smarter than that.

TR650----------the terra is a fine bike---it shines on easy offroad----and the road. I've been to Baja before---all over Baja in fact------we would be riding offroad much of the time--most of the time actually----------and most of the time it would not be easy offroad. Also ---where I ride in Baja ----------a 300 mile range is mandatory---the Husky only can go about 200 at most.

The WR was awesome on everything we rode----never a lack of horsepower at any time.

With me on it----------my 950 is horrible in deep sand---the WR just rails in it. In fact the 950 will be gone tomorrow.

My KTM 450EXC would of been nice to ride-------if it stayed together for the 3,000 miles without some kind of problem-------there is no such thing as repair parts in Baja---------it would be a miracle to find a tire if you needed it.

I wanted a bike that would be excellent on all the terrain and make it there and back.

The WR250R was hands down my choice for this trip.

John65 · 01-31-2013, 05:51 PM

Good report, BD

caljw · 01-31-2013, 06:10 PM

Hey Mark! Was unsure about being called a "yay-hoo" at first...but hey glad we entertained you. Guess we are the "Bickersons" when we ride together

. Glad Dingweeds going to be ok. It was Brian asking about the bike....me, I'm the old quiet one

Hope we cross paths again!

Herbivore63 · 01-31-2013, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDogAdventures.com

Trailering---------------it's winter in Southern Illinois----ice---extreme cold------snow-----no riding on any kind of bike to Baja. I would like to see your buddy ride a fully loaded bike of any kind on ice and snow. So---I'm not interested in your buddies idea of "cheating". It would be ignorant to ride on the ice. I'm smarter than that.

TR650----------the terra is a fine bike---it shines on easy offroad----and the road. I've been to Baja before---all over Baja in fact------we would be riding offroad much of the time--most of the time actually----------and most of the time it would not be easy offroad. Also ---where I ride in Baja ----------a 300 mile range is mandatory---the Husky only can go about 200 at most.

Oh yeah....ice and snow....makes perfect sense! We usually stick to rain around here this time of year...and rain...and more rain.

Thanks for the insight on bike choice. Very helpful...

guitarhack · 01-31-2013, 06:57 PM

This looks like a fun one, IN

ThumperDRZ · 01-31-2013, 07:14 PM

Keep it coming Bigdog

vfrpilot · 01-31-2013, 07:34 PM

subscribed

LeeU · 01-31-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herbivore63

Hi Mark...I've read a number of your reports (and enjoyed them!) and am curious about your bike selection and trailering for this trip. I know you have the new TR650 and have spoken highly of it. Did you consider it at all for this trip and would it have been suitable? Also, did you consider riding down instead of trailering? My riding buddy considers a trailer to be cheating ("it's just like mountain biking") so I'm wondering how you approach that decision. Thanks for sharing the great rides with us!

Evan

Evan,

Maybe you and your buddy should ride from Victoria,BC on a WR250 to Baja to start a long ride in January. Experienced riders do their homework before starting long adventure ride in exterme weather conditions.

LeeU

oldxr · 01-31-2013, 11:18 PM

You usually run non-dot knobbies in baja or some kind of 90%off road tire.That is why bikes are usually trucked down there.You will see alot of southern californians riding non-plated dirt bikes down there.Or get passed by a SCORE race truck doing 100mph on a dirt road.Anything goes-thats why its always heads up while riding.The locals run stop signs all the time.

LittleWan · 02-01-2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDogAdventures.com

Our trip was cut way short because of an injury----------that story is coming---be patient.

Oh no!
Sorry to hear that.

I was looking forward to your 3,000 miles! The burros were great.

Heal up quickly, Scott!

MotoBoss · 02-01-2013, 01:22 PM

Hey Dog, I see your getting in some early practice for the Hoosier National Forest ride

Good luck and damn it, have some FUN!!

blacktruck · 02-01-2013, 07:55 PM

I've never been there but from the pics you posted, it's now on my list. I hope the injury was slight and you can continue the trip later. Please keep us posted.
Ride safe there neighbor....

DingWeed · 02-02-2013, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleWan

Oh no!
Sorry to hear that.

I was looking forward to your 3,000 miles! The burros were great.

Heal up quickly, Scott!

Thanks LittleWan!!
I am doing OK.........I can't wait to go again!!

Scott

BigDogAdventures.com · 02-02-2013, 08:16 AM

Mikes Sky Ranch to Pirates Cove.

Breakfast with the boys from San Diego at Mikes Sky Ranch.

We were treated with the thinnest flapjacks in all of Mexico !!!!!

The sun rose at Mikes Sky Ranch and the light came thru those beautiful pointed pine trees in the inner courtyard.

It actually was a hard place to leave.
But we headed Southeast out of the ranch on a dirt road.

We followed a creek for a bit and crossed it many times.
We would follow several dirt bike tracks for miles out of here.

This hill was way more intimidating than it looks.

We came to this hill and it was really tough---so tough we almost opted to go back.
I move a whole bunch of rocks out of the way as there was not one good safe line to climb this thing.
I didn't think I'd make it but did. I had kind of phyched myself out after looking at it too long and was trembling when I took off.
You can't see the whole thing in this picture---we both made it up it.
A few miles down the trail we both wished we had turned back here---but it was too late for that.

rjharris · 02-02-2013, 01:41 PM

Cliffhanger of a ride report!!

01-31-2013, 05:51 PM	#47
John65 D Ol Man Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Jakin, Ga Oddometer: 1,367	Good report, BD __________________ When The Pavement Ends, The Fun Begins Dick '06 KLR650 '04 VTX1300 S '07 KLX250S couple of 4 wheelers TET Florida TET Georgia John65 screwed with this post 02-02-2013 at 07:13 PM

01-31-2013, 06:10 PM	#48
caljw Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Oddometer: 320	Hey Mark! Was unsure about being called a "yay-hoo" at first...but hey glad we entertained you. Guess we are the "Bickersons" when we ride together. Glad Dingweeds going to be ok. It was Brian asking about the bike....me, I'm the old quiet one Hope we cross paths again! __________________ cal "If you follow every dream you might get lost." Neil Young 2004 R1150GS 2002 XR400R

01-31-2013, 07:14 PM	#51
ThumperDRZ Bouncing off Rocks! Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Stinkin' County, MO Oddometer: 2,394	Keep it coming Bigdog __________________ "If you're going through hell.......Keep going!" On Hiatus

01-31-2013, 07:34 PM	#52
vfrpilot Stress Relief Rider Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Decatur, Illinois Oddometer: 481	subscribed __________________ 2001 F650GS 2007 G650X-Challenge 2011 Beta 400RR 2011 990 ADV R 2012 R1200GSA Triple Black

01-31-2013, 11:18 PM	#54
oldxr Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: central komifornia Oddometer: 594	You usually run non-dot knobbies in baja or some kind of 90%off road tire.That is why bikes are usually trucked down there.You will see alot of southern californians riding non-plated dirt bikes down there.Or get passed by a SCORE race truck doing 100mph on a dirt road.Anything goes-thats why its always heads up while riding.The locals run stop signs all the time. oldxr screwed with this post 02-01-2013 at 02:08 AM Reason: spelling

01-31-2013, 06:57 PM	#50
guitarhack Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Cumming, Georgia Oddometer: 951	This looks like a fun one, IN

02-01-2013, 01:22 PM	#56
MotoBoss Tundra Thumper Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Mid South Indiana Oddometer: 2,228	Hey Dog, I see your getting in some early practice for the Hoosier National Forest ride Good luck and damn it, have some FUN!! __________________ DONATE TO ADVRider sidestandup.com ridedualsport.com motoboss-terlingua-bound.blogspot.com MSF Rider Coach-Rider's Edge Instructor-Track Coach

02-01-2013, 07:55 PM	#57
blacktruck SWA Chicken Hauler Joined: Nov 2012 Location: BAF Afghanistan / Glasford, IL Oddometer: 90	Great start for the trip.... I've never been there but from the pics you posted, it's now on my list. I hope the injury was slight and you can continue the trip later. Please keep us posted. Ride safe there neighbor.... __________________ Anywhere is home

02-02-2013, 08:16 AM	#59
BigDogAdventures.com ^OP Fart Letter Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Mt. Vernon, Illinois Oddometer: 3,836	Day 3 January 21st, 2013 Mikes Sky Ranch to Pirates Cove. Breakfast with the boys from San Diego at Mikes Sky Ranch. We were treated with the thinnest flapjacks in all of Mexico !!!!! The sun rose at Mikes Sky Ranch and the light came thru those beautiful pointed pine trees in the inner courtyard. It actually was a hard place to leave. But we headed Southeast out of the ranch on a dirt road. We followed a creek for a bit and crossed it many times. We would follow several dirt bike tracks for miles out of here. This hill was way more intimidating than it looks. We came to this hill and it was really tough---so tough we almost opted to go back. I move a whole bunch of rocks out of the way as there was not one good safe line to climb this thing. I didn't think I'd make it but did. I had kind of phyched myself out after looking at it too long and was trembling when I took off. You can't see the whole thing in this picture---we both made it up it. A few miles down the trail we both wished we had turned back here---but it was too late for that. __________________ Mark Sampson Click here for BigDogs full length DVD movies http://bigdogadventures.com/Video.htm www.bigdogadventures.com Why in the heck did you buy a 250 ?? "Because they were all out of 175's" "The less the merrier" "I'm so old, I don't even buy green bananas"--Quote: Jimmy Dickens "The older I get--the bigger my rear sprocket gets" "It takes 12 HP to ride around the world--the rest is wheelspin"

02-02-2013, 01:41 PM	#60
rjharris Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Sunset Hills, MO Oddometer: 411	Cliffhanger of a ride report!! __________________ 2008 Yamaha WR250R 2009 Harley Roadglide 2010 Husaberg FE 570 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere I like Big Tanks and I cannot lie!

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