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6/10/2010
Location
Severna Park, MD
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JBlain619
12/4/2018 10:07am
12/4/2018 10:07am
Edited Date/Time
12/27/2018 5:43am
Technically not moto or supercross but are any members desert racers? Looking at possibly knocking off a bucket list item...Baja 500
What bikes are recommended? What mods or products are absolutely necessary? Just looking for a little direction.
Thanks!
Johnathon Blain
What bikes are recommended? What mods or products are absolutely necessary? Just looking for a little direction.
Thanks!
Johnathon Blain
But I know a lot of guys that use the NHHA series and some BITD rounds as a warm up/training for baja.
Most guys are on 450's these days.
Bib's
Skid plates
Hand guards
rotor guards
Caliper guards
pipe guards
radiator braces
IMS Tank
Stabilizer
Revalve Suspension (specifically for baja...high speeds and big whoops...thats a different set up than just "off road")
Smaller Rear sprocket (for higher speeds)
I'm not sure about the 500...but you may need headlights...and depending on your bike you may need an after market stator to accomodate the lights
That would get you started...But I'm sure TeamGreen and a couple of others can give you way better info on Baja than I can.
But a 450x, bigger tank, lots of protection, send it to AHM or Precision Concepts, find a few buddies to chase you through the desert while drinking beer and looking for booby traps, hold it wide open, dont die.
Satellite Phone- we rented these and it saved my life, literally, after i broke down.
SPOT Device - mandatory equipment
Camelbak - biggest you can find, mine was 3 litres and I ran out after about 100 miles
Tool kit - something will go wrong, be ready
Helmet cam - gotta have it, you won't be able to describe the sights out there, especially the area between Rancho Coyote and Rancho Mike, just incredible.
Tire sealant - again, gotta have it, just in case
Do not try to take on this race without some sort of help. Most people will team up with some friends, for us running in the amateur class we had about 20 people and 5 riders.
A couple tips for when you are out there:
1. If you see people, slow down, there's a decent chance they've set up something to make you crash so they can watch it.
2. Watch for cows, no, seriously, watch for them.
3. Always be listening, the trophy trucks will catch you around mile 250-300, your warning will be a helicopter flying over you. Time to get out of the way.
4. don't sprint, you'd be amazed how quickly you can tire yourself out, just try to be smooth and conserve energy, its a long race.
5. Air filters, we tried to stretch a filter by 100 miles because it didnt look too bad, I ended up nearly dying out there because it got too filled up and I broke down in a very inconvenient spot.
The Shop
For more info or pricing please contact us at www.jcrspeedshop.com
Another option: If this is a one-time bucket list adventure, contact Tim Morton at BajaBoundMoto.com They will rent you a bike and provide support for prerunning and racing. Tim is very, very experienced with Baja racing.
Warning: Baja is a hard (but good) habit to break. I've been riding in Baja for over 30 years and it never gets old.
-Joe
Xeno- I'll definitely be reaching out soon!
Thanks again!
for a long time i always wanted to race it. after doing the riding i've done down there, i'd much rather go down and spend a few days to a week riding with my buds and pounding tequila every night.
Abouttheride and Xeno are on the money, get a CRF450X and a 4 gallon tank and have fun
This and ride it like Danny hamel.. nuff said ???
Pit Row
Rip to Cabo probably 2012...?
Follows suit with HS & GNCC. Kudos to all.
Nice work!
times and headed up the Honda B team a couple times. He puts together packages with a prepped race bike, takes them pre-running and teaches them how to THINK in that race.
I’d suggest first renting and riding with Tim on a tour. This is a low stress low commitment introduction. Soak it all in and pick Tim’s and his crews brain. After that experience you’ll know the right course to follow.
Bien Viaje
Been racing national hare and hound's, District 37 Desert, and the Big 6 series for most of the last decade.
Desert racing is very unique, and Baja is an animal all on its own. Do you have any desert racing experience, or desert riding experience in general? A lot of guys want to go down to baja and race, but are unfamiliar with the speeds and terrains. Its a serious commitment. A lot of the baja guys race NHHA/D37/UDRA/SIDRA/MRAN/BITD for years before attempting baja.
Like Titan1 and Xeno said the CRF450X is an amazing bike. The 06-08x is hands down one of the best bikes ever made, and its amazing with a R top end. I havent rode one of the new ones yet.
The KTM/Husky XC-F/TCW are great 450's with wide ratio transmissions.
The Yamaha WR450F is the bike to have for baja in lieu of the 450FX. Lots of guys been racing and winning in baja with that bike the last few years.
Overall setup should include what Titan1 said, but also make sure you have a fully stocked toolkit, Hydration system, knee braces, chest protector, riding jacket, carry a space blanket, lighter, protein bars, cash, SPOT tracker, stuff like that. If you ever breakdown in baja or the desert you'll be glad you have that stuff.
A rock solid foundation is:
Honda CRF450X
Completely fresh engine and everything else in perfect shape and perfectly maintained
Opened up air box
Pipe (Yosh stainless is rock solid)
15/47 gearing if you have porting done 15/48 if you don't
The gold standard in suspension is Precision Concepts.
Lately they have been starting the bikes at 3:30am so you will need lights - Baja Designs stator and XL Pro Dual lights with amber lens on the flood side (for dust).
Nitro Mousse inserts front and rear (no flats)
Tires (always personal) Pirelli XC Mid Hard for the front / Kenda Parker DT for the rear
Spare wheels (plan on changing the rear)
plan on changing the air cleaner.
For pit support (gas) Baja Pits is dependable.
Be safe and have fun!
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