Baja Shakedown

anytwowilldo

anytwowilldo

Well-known member
He's got these MonsterADV lights like the ones I have on my KLR. They work great, but for some reason his battery went dead and we had to push him for a bump start. (a learning experience for him). Thought his starter was dead, but turned out that wasn't it. It could be all the lights he was running and his battery couldn't get charged back up. Weird though that it wasn't a problem on the first day. He's got to check that out. - Hank, check your battery terminals to make sure they aren't loose.. Sometimes they need to get re-tightened.

We had to bump start his bike here. It was just me and him because Mark was way up ahead at this point. It took a few tries because it's hard to push the bike in the silt, but we got her going..[/QUOTE]

Hank, I'm a bit worried about this situation, because it was what stopped you from coming this year. Your bike would not start. I've not stayed up on what you have done to resolve the situation, but you need to make sure your charging system and battery are solid. I don't know if you modded your charging system or what those lights draw, but they may be just too much. Push starting a bike in deep sand, loaded to the gills in Baja would be a nightmare. Also, what Scott said about your boots is true. You need a good set of moto boots. It looks like your Tyvek bag worked! What do you think of it?
 
Leo_jb

Leo_jb

City boy
Cabrito said:
Click to expand...

Michael - if you got rid of the duffle bag and changed out the turn signals you could move the Great Basin back further on the bike. This would be way more comfortable. I added a rack on the back of my XR4 just to have an anchor for the Great Basin. I use those flush mount turn signals you can get at Cycle Gear. With the bag pulled all the way back I don't even know its there.

This is the best photo I could find:
 
Cabrito

Cabrito

cabrón
Leo_jb said:
Michael - if you got rid of the duffle bag and changed out the turn signals you could move the Great Basin back further on the bike. This would be way more comfortable. I added a rack on the back of my XR4 just to have an anchor for the Great Basin. I use those flush mount turn signals you can get at Cycle Gear. With the bag pulled all the way back I don't even know its there.
Click to expand...

Thanks Leo,
I'm running the Coyote and it doesn't like to be slide back much further anyway. It's super narrow. That duffel you see was some overflow for this particular ride and I don't expect to have it along in Baja. Also, my tool bag is bolted to the rear fender right under that bag you see in my pics, and I really like having quick access to it. If I install my rack (which I might end up doing) I have to re-locate my tools. Not a huge problem though with some fiddling. I have a few sets of flush mount signals that I would use if I go with a rack or if I do end up sliding the Coyote back further. I think I'll just use a smaller backpack and take less stuff. I had more stuff on this ride than I'm gonna have in Baja (I think)


Saltwater said:
These are the turn signals Im running and they work really well. Micheal, I've heard you mentioned before how bright they are. And Hank you might be interested as well. You need a universal flasher for LED turn signals.

Front
http://sicassracing.com/store/turn_signals/led/orange_lens_led_flex_mount

Rear
http://sicassracing.com/store/turn_signals/led/orange_lens_led_flat_mount
Click to expand...

Mark - thanks for the links. I do have a universal LED flasher on hand.

Edit: A quick note about Hanks battery. I noticed him leaving the lights on for extended minutes when the bike wasn't running. I even told him at one point that he should turn the key off when he kills the engine to save the battery. At this point it might just be that the battery needs to be replaced after multiple discharges. After he stopped using the running lights the battery did recover enough to start it a few times when we stopped. Good thing too because I was tired of pushing it.. :twofinger

Gotta love the simplicity of the XR4.. Don't need no electric start!

Baja Fuck Yeah!
 
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Haaank

Haaank

Guppie
So much to reply to, so little time!

The shakedown was amazing. Would LOVE to do Lost Coast. Been trying to get my wife and kids on that in the Land Cruiser but not a ton of interest on her part :)

I'll update with pictures, gear thoughts, own up to my noobness, etc. this weekend.
 
Norcalslowpoke

Norcalslowpoke

Well-known member
Hey Haank

Some boots in the ADV flea market (need to log in). Not sure your size.

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/a-few-boots-for-sale-fly-puma-and-alpinestars.1163363/

10-10.5 looks like.

Cut & paste of ad:

"getting rid of some of the guys i don't wear.

Fly Maverick size 10 - they're white, so there are marks around the inside heal and shift toe pad. soles have minimal wear and all buckles work well - $60 shipped.....



if you're local to the sf bay area and want to pick up, i can knock $10 off - i'm in foster city / san mateo

willing to trade for something adventure - forma low's, tcx
 
Haaank

Haaank

Guppie
Not sure they are my size...I wear a 10.5 sneaker.
I'd be down to try em on though. I can come next week at the earliest or maybe bring to lane splitters? On the other hand I do like the Murcia boots lol
 
Haaank

Haaank

Guppie
Haaank said:
Not sure they are my size...I wear a 10.5 sneaker.
I'd be down to try em on though. I can come next week at the earliest or maybe bring to lane splitters? On the other hand I do like the Murcia boots lol
Click to expand...

Clearly I read this too quickly. Thanks for the heads up on the boots but I think I'm gonna pass on account of shoe size.

Thanks for looking out!

EDIT: just purchased the 'mmmmmurica boots
 
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Haaank

Haaank

Guppie
GEAR:
- hammock gets a big thumbs up
- big basin knock off is good and I will continue to dial it in. Considering custom fitting it to my bike (no need for a one size fits all since this is a one off for this bike specifically) thinking of sewing in rock straps to replace the center straps
- purchased murica boots
- size xl cheek pads. Helmet is a little loose
- made a tool roll last night, much better than the bag it was in
- coffee packets purchased
- better radio gear
- Zyrtec: ate an incredible amount of dust. Uvula=swollen
- need to mod my hydration to 90° valves
- don't care for my hydration pack, well wearing a pack period.

BIKE:
- I need to sort out my electrical, will take the time to get it looked over. There is some janky wiring happening and I'm tempted to rewire it. Then again it may just be me...
- rear Dessert IT, an entire knob came off, I have 750mi, tops, on them
- maybe a kickstart as a backup


SELF:
- not be such a noob and leave my key on. Got stuck at work this way and had to bump start it. I bump started before we first got on the highway then rode on the highway for 40mi and it still needed a bump start...
- improve my bump starting skills while under pressure, I.e. When instructions are screamed at me:twofinger lol I appreciate all the help, SERIOUSLY
- ham license
- check in With tom more frequently re: urine color :gsxrgrl


A few things I was really happy I brought:
- back up battery for phone
- sneakers
- 3gal of water
- handkerchief
- power bars
- empty 16oz bottle and emergen-c
 
Haaank

Haaank

Guppie
A little more on electrical: I had a battery tender usb powering my phone, adv lights on, maybe my hand warmers too? I have them but I don't think I would have used them heading down the mountain: wasn't cold. They may have been on during the 40mi of highway though.

Up until we got on the highway there were several points where costed down the hill in neutral where the above could have been on and draining the battery. the engine was running and would have been charging the battery, right?

It was a good thing there was a little bank of dirt when we got on 1 that's when I first realized it wouldn't start but I really thought nothing of it as I had a little embankment to bump start off of.

What's weird is that it didn't charge enough after 40mi of riding to start under its own power.

At the end of coast road it started up just fine, and continued to start up fine for the rest of the trip...
 
Haaank

Haaank

Guppie
A little more on electrical:

I had a battery tender usb powering my phone, adv lights on, maybe my hand warmers too? I have them but I don't think I would have used them heading down the mountain: wasn't cold. They may have been on during the 40mi of highway up to coast road.

Up until we got on the highway there were several points where I coasted down the hill in neutral where the above could have been on and draining the battery. the engine was running and would have been charging the battery, right?

when we got to 1 that's when I first realized it wouldn't start but I really thought nothing of it as I had a little embankment to bump start off of and figured I'd charge right back up.

What's weird is that it didn't charge enough after 40mi of riding to start under its own power.

At the end of coast road it started up just fine, and continued to start up fine for the rest of the trip...
 
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HadesOmega

HadesOmega

Well-known member
Nice just seeing this now after being awol from BARF for a while. I've done a very similar ride last year after the Baja trip love that area the DR rips that stuff up. And yes Prewitt ridge has tons of those little flies that eat you alive. I found a nice camp site overlooking highway1 and it was somewhat gnarly to get to going up the Los Burros way.

Haven't done any dirt riding lately because the DR is down blown fork seals and still need to lace up that wheel =/
 
Haaank

Haaank

Guppie
Pictures!

Cabrito + Saltwater, thank you very much for letting me tag along and showing me the ropes. Invaluable being able to ride with you guys. Learning a ton.

Left my house at about 7:30 and the air was super cold crossing the san mateo bridge. We went through so many microclimates. it was really a cool experience.

Got Gaia GPS on iOS and am liking it so far.

CCBaPDkl.png



I arrived at Alice's around 8:30 cause I stepped on my 3yr old's stomach in the dark hallway...DOH! Still had time for steak and eggs before 9am.

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So I'm a huge noob:ride, I was coming into this sweeping right turn a bit too fast and ended up heading up an embankment and almost straight into an oak tree...lol. Barely got back down to the road in one piece and i think I gave cabrito a good laugh.

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We went through Ft. Hunter-Ligget and it was 109º and I'm convinced it was cooler than our slabbing just before king city. Ice water never tasted so great.

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When we finally arrived at Prewitt Ridge we spent some time trying to find a camp site and I volunteered to be the go between for Mark and Mike as Mark's bike needed a cool down before he was able to continue. I went up and down this silty hill like 30 times ha ha.

JkA8NH3h.png


I didn't fall once not even when i was riding through the low visibility of following Mark and Mike down the first time, then of course I go down on a super easy corner the next morning. Ate so much dust that time my Uvula was swollen for a few days after. Zyrtec to the rescue.

Anyway...Mike found us a rad site above hwy 1. When I woke up in the morning it thought at first I was on the edge of a cliff, I freaked out, fully awoke, and then realized it was all good ha ha. Killer view of the highway and ocean below (no pics)

S9zXStPh.jpg


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My bag held up super well but the center straps didn't cinch down easily. You'll see in later pictures where I use my sneakers as tensioners. I'm thinking about incorporating rock straps and otherwise tailoring the Giant Haaank Bag to my bike since it doesn't need to be mass market universal.

YiF7crEh.jpg



That night I found that my LEDs were great as a light to set up camp by.

0IKvnENh.jpg


FWIW My bike started up just fine several times (maybe just 3 or 4) the morning after. The only thing I did differently was reduce my idle just before we got to hwy 1...I'm sure that didn't affect the charging system that much.

To be continued...
 
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Haaank

Haaank

Guppie
Sunday

Here's the basic turn that got the better of me. MANY PROPS to Cabrito for helping me get the bike bump started. took us a few tries of pushing each other around but we got there. :thumbup I have many margaritas to buy Cabrito.

IMG_1144_zpswyxtu6vk.jpg



Sunday morning we rode HWY 1 to Coast Road and took some time for a few great photos:

Vn01BPHh.jpg


t6sgSOhh.jpg


hEyyuluh.jpg


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As Cabrito mentioned we ate a great breakfast in Carmel. We stuck out like sore thumbs. He and Mark were turning all the ladies heads too. ha ha.

I peeled off at 156 and split lanes all the way through Gilroy. It was effing hot so I stopped at a Carl's Jr. and poached some icewater and set down for a few minutes.

A few days later I noticed this:

iVl0PEIh.jpg


I'm sure I don't have more than 750 miles on these. Kind of a bummer to see 'em breaking up but whatever.


All in all this was an amazing weekend adventure and I can't wait for the next!
Thanks again Cabrito and Saltwater for showing me the ropes etc. Learning a lot from you guys.

My 5yr old's contribution to the report: :thumbup:teeth:rofl
 
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1962siia

1962siia

Well-known member
Haaank! Looks like you had an epic adventure. That "basic" turn looks pretty silty to me. I've crashed on more basic than that. :thumbup

I normally get one baja trip and maybe another couple hundred miles out of my maxxis tires. Chunking a knob off can happen for sure, but 750 miles, especially riding pavement when its super hot isn't too bad for those tires imho.

Also double thumbsup up on the Giant Haaank Bag! Nicely done!
 
Haaank

Haaank

Guppie
1962siia88 said:
Haaank! Looks like you had an epic adventure. That "basic" turn looks pretty silty to me. I've crashed on more basic than that. :thumbup

I normally get one baja trip and maybe another couple hundred miles out of my maxxis tires. Chunking a knob off can happen for sure, but 750 miles, especially riding pavement when its super hot isn't too bad for those tires imho.

Also double thumbsup up on the Giant Haaank Bag! Nicely done!
Click to expand...

Thanks man!!! It was a great trip!
 
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