We have done Baja from San Diego either by itself or as part of a 3 month trip to el Salvador. I think we have done 8 trips over 10 years. You should also check out the book by Salvadore Clement(?)
First the banditos. I know a guy who rode a brand new Harley from Oregon to Panama. We met him in Guatemala. Rode all the way back. Had the bike stolen in San Francisco. A friend that we were riding with the last time said that there were some guys trying to wave him down on the section of road between Constitucion and La Paz. Don't remember seeing them but I was doing about 100 at the time. Very boring section of road. Just don't stop. Any place you stay will either have you ride the bike to in front of your room or will put it in a garage. Yes, sometimes through the lobby and up a few stairs. Gas. The big gap is 240 miles from El Rosario, the home of mama Espinoza and lobster tacos, and Guerrero Negro. Look for gas maybe at the hotel La Pinta at Catavina. Also a good place to stay. But it might be out of the back of a pickup. Then look again for a pickup truck at the cutoff road to Bahia de Los Angeles. There may be gas at Villa Jesus Maria, but not the last two times I was there and not when a friend was just there. Not even the pickup truck with gas. Never get below half a tank and get gas when you can. Places to stay. Pace yourself if you don't want to stay in dumps. There is a "chain" of hotels down Baja setup by the government. They are the "best" and anything else is way below. The problems are between Ensenada and La Paz. If we are taking our time we go San Diego to Ensenada. Then either San Quentin, or Catavina. Then Guerrero Negro or San Ignacio. Stop in Santa Rosalie to see the church designed by Eiffel. Then Mulege or Loreto. In Loreto check out the bakery across from the super market for cheese mice. I love this town. Good food, good coffee. Then La Paz. Go via Todos Santos to Cabo. Very cool ex-hippie town with a fine bakery. Money. Take pesos for south of Ensenada. There are ATMs as you head south. But fill up in Ensenada. Visa. This is a strange issue. In theory you do not need one for Baja. At least the north half. I have heard of a few bikers being stopped and asked for visa and papers for temporary import of the bike at the border of Baja south and north. I have never been stopped. But the last guys I talked to were stopped but they were allowed to do the paperwork there. So bring your title or just tell them the registration is the title for your state. It worked all through central america for the guy with the Harley. I have lots of photos of Baja on my website. When are you going? How long will you have? Don't bother asking any government people about Baja. Mike Coan www.warmnsafe.com Home of the Heat-troller www.ttg-global.com Motorcycle & Travel Site -----Original Message----- From: GTS-1000 Owners List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Mike Cordon Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 3:01 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Anyone Been To Baja on a Motorcycle? I'm planning a trip down to Cabo San Lucas (the Southern tip of Baja California, Mexico) with some friends this summer. Has anyone on the list done this on a motorcycle? One of the guys I ride with is fearful of "Banditos" (his word) stealing his Harley or robbing us (i.e., him). I've read that this is really not a problem. (I've read that one should avoid riding at night.) The one realistic area of concern that I do have is running out of gas, since it's 1,100 miles from San Diego to Cabo and the Road Star rider in our group has a range of about 135 miles (at 80 mph). Finally, does anyone have experience with the required paperwork (i.e., I've read that I need to buy insurance, have a birth certificate or passport, and vehicle registration . . . I'll bring it all, but is anything else needed?). ANY and ALL advice from experienced Baja riders will be most appreciated. Happy New Years! Mike Cordon '94 GTS
