Baja in February

[Hudson]

Wish I could join you - that trip is on the bucket list and a reason I went with the KTM 1190 over the S10 or GSA. Share lotsa pix!

 

[bigjohnsd]

KLR Break In and OPTEST SAT, all that is left is to further distill the crap I need to take and mount the SHINKO 804/805's.

I've been wavering between the 90/10 SHINKO 705's and the 50/50 SHINKO 804/805 combo.

After thinking some more about it there are about 300 miles of sandy, rocky crap and I think the 50/50 tires are a better choice.

I've got three weeks to "Getter Done".

Crap distillation: I took way too much stuff yo Alaska, this will be a shorter trip, the temperature will generally be more moderate,

I don't need as many clothes or as heavy of a sleeping bag, I probably don't need a tent but it really doesn't change my packing equation so I'm going to carry it

.

Trying to fit all that I need for camping and bike repair in the two panniers leaving a simple dry bag on the back for clothing and toiletries. The hard lockable panniers can stay on the bike at night as we plan on hoteling it more than camping and stuff should be safe that way. Easy disconnect two ROK Straps and the dry bag comes off and inside.

I think I've got it about figured out, test fit it all yesterday and it seems to work in the smaller of my three dry bags.

SPOT Link goes live 0600 17 February: https://https://spotwalla.com/trip.php?id=1783a5a666801868fdhttps://spotwalla.com/trip.php?id=1783a5a666801868fd

 

[escapefjrtist]

Wishing I could join y'all John, sounds like a great trip.

I'll be traveling in spirit with daily SPOT checks!

Ride safe!!

--G

 

[Niehart]

Wishing I could join y'all John, sounds like a great trip.I'll be traveling in spirit with daily SPOT checks!

Ride safe!!

--G

+1

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Dang it John, now you have me questioning my tire selection. I have a new set of Continental TKC 70s in the garage, ready to go, but I've also been second guessing my tire selection wondering if I should've purchased the TKC 80s.

I new set of TKC 80s are $299.00 and a set of Shinko 804/805s are $192.00 for the Tenere. There's no way the Continentals are $107.00 better so the Shinkos are on the way. I've always thought knobbies looked great on a Tenere.

 

[bruinFJRguy]

Departing for Colorado this afternoon to pick up my new-to-me Tenere.

I see it looks like you guys might all be retirees, but if you don't mind a youngster tagging along I might try to join you for part of the northern portion for a couple days.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

KLR Break In and OPTEST SAT, all that is left is to further distill the crap I need to take and mount the SHINKO 804/805's. I've been wavering between the 90/10 SHINKO 705's and the 50/50 SHINKO 804/805 combo.

After thinking some more about it there are about 300 miles of sandy, rocky crap and I think the 50/50 tires are a better choice.

I've got three weeks to "Getter Done".

Crap distillation: I took way too much stuff yo Alaska, this will be a shorter trip, the temperature will generally be more moderate,

I don't need as many clothes or as heavy of a sleeping bag, I probably don't need a tent but it really doesn't change my packing equation so I'm going to carry it

.

Trying to fit all that I need for camping and bike repair in the two panniers leaving a simple dry bag on the back for clothing and toiletries. The hard lockable panniers can stay on the bike at night as we plan on hoteling it more than camping and stuff should be safe that way. Easy disconnect two ROK Straps and the dry bag comes off and inside.

I think I've got it about figured out, test fit it all yesterday and it seems to work in the smaller of my three dry bags.

SPOT Link goes live 0600 17 February: https://https://spotwalla.com/trip.php?id=1783a5a666801868fdhttps://spotwalla.com/trip.php?id=1783a5a666801868fd

Well John you caught me wavering on the best tires for the Baja trip also. I bought a new set of TKC 70s last month but I've been second guessing my decision every since. Yesterday I changed course on tires and went with the Shinko 804 / 805. I ordered them from Dennis Kirk in Rush City MN yesterday at 4:00 PM and they were here on my doorstep in Bumfuck Abercrombie at 2:00 today. Unbelievable? I think the deeper lugs on the Shinkos will work way better in the sand! I didn't remember the lugs being so shallow on the front tire of the TKC 70s when I bought them last.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Departing for Colorado this afternoon to pick up my new-to-me Tenere.
I see it looks like you guys might all be retirees, but if you don't mind a youngster tagging along I might try to join you for part of the northern portion for a couple days.

I'd like to meet up and ride with you and your very nicely equipped new to you Tenere. I'm sure bigjohnsd will be along soon and let you know if logistics allows another rider to tag along for a couple days.

 

[bruinFJRguy]

Thanks Abercrombie. No worries if it doesn't work out. There will be other opportunities to catch up I'm sure.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

KLR Break In and OPTEST SAT, all that is left is to further distill the crap I need to take and mount the SHINKO 804/805's. I've been wavering between the 90/10 SHINKO 705's and the 50/50 SHINKO 804/805 combo.

After thinking some more about it there are about 300 miles of sandy, rocky crap and I think the 50/50 tires are a better choice.

I've got three weeks to "Getter Done".

Crap distillation: I took way too much stuff yo Alaska, this will be a shorter trip, the temperature will generally be more moderate,

I don't need as many clothes or as heavy of a sleeping bag, I probably don't need a tent but it really doesn't change my packing equation so I'm going to carry it

.

Trying to fit all that I need for camping and bike repair in the two panniers leaving a simple dry bag on the back for clothing and toiletries. The hard lockable panniers can stay on the bike at night as we plan on hoteling it more than camping and stuff should be safe that way. Easy disconnect two ROK Straps and the dry bag comes off and inside.

I think I've got it about figured out, test fit it all yesterday and it seems to work in the smaller of my three dry bags.

SPOT Link goes live 0600 17 February: https://https://spotwalla.com/trip.php?id=1783a5a666801868fdhttps://spotwalla.com/trip.php?id=1783a5a666801868fd

Well John you caught me wavering on the best tires for the Baja trip also. I bought a new set of TKC 70s last month but I've been second guessing my decision every since. Yesterday I changed course on tires and went with the Shinko 804 / 805. I ordered them from Dennis Kirk in Rush City MN yesterday at 4:00 PM and they were here on my doorstep in Bumfuck Abercrombie at 2:00 today. Unbelievable? I think the deeper lugs on the Shinkos will work way better in the sand! I didn't remember the lugs being so shallow on the front tire of the TKC 70s when I bought them last.

I used TKC 70s on my trip, but I didn't have all that sand programmed into my route.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Thanks Abercrombie. No worries if it doesn't work out. There will be other opportunities to catch up I'm sure.

PM sent

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Well it took two space heaters and larger battery charger to awaken the Tenere from its negative 10 degree winter slumber out in the garage. I'm not sure why I live in this frozen hell. The Tenere was moved to a heated shop where I was able to mount up the 804/805 tires, change oil, and prep it for the Baja ride. I couldn't believe how slowly -10 degree 10W40 Moble 1 oil pours out of a bottle. No wonder that overgrown dirt bike wouldn't turn over with out a little auxiliary heat on it.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Feverin' A'Fiercely - eagerly awaiting your arrival on Tuesday.

The bike is ready, Paperwork all done, Tourist Card printed, Mexican Insurance obtained and policy printed, Final Route Update sent to all, GPS downloaded, SPOT Trip created.

To Do:

Arrange Mexican Cell Service

Pack Clothing

Take Pups to kennel

 

[El Toro Joe]

Have fun, and safe travels...take lots of pictures.

 

[bigjohnsd]

After continuing on to Rice and Beans the KLR ran fine, But, in the morning it was a struggle to get Beastia de Azul started. Once started she ran fine. Struggled to start again in Loreto, same story. The next morning, Friday, in Los Barilles, she refused to start. We had discussed the steps we needed to take and decided a carb inspection was warranted. Everything in the Carb checked out good jet, needle, spacer, clip position, float valve etc. While rotating the carb back into position I noticed that there was a missing vacuum cap on the vacuum port. Replaced missing cap and all has been well since. The 685 kit has really helped the bike. Very little oil consumption, much better power, less vibration. With my 16 tooth front sprocket (+1 tooth over stock) I can easily cruise at 75 mph and have achieved 85 mph whole passing. Glad she is fixed.

In Guerro ***** again tonight, sked to go Whale watching in the morning, then a 220 mile run up to El Rosario for the night. Monday a run through Mexican wine country between Ensenad and Tecate, lunch along the way cross the border around 2:00pm. Hope to get to Yuma AZ Monday night, Alamosa CO Tuesday and Home Wednesday. Abercrombie FJR is in charge of our ride report.