Baja

[Davypo]

Thinking of planing a trip from L.A. down to Baja and back and I have about one month.
Some questions.
Am I going to make the trip in a month without too much stress ?
I could ship a bike from Europe or hire in L.A.
Anyone have any tips on bike hire in or arond L.A.

[Lone Rider]

Some areas in Baja just got pounded by John.
Mulege flooded, no fuel, no elec.

[Davypo]

Many thanks and will try out Craigslist for hiring - planning for late winter /early spring 2007.
Any ideas on best time/month ?

[Lone Rider]

Winter is best.
Oct - Mar.

[Balance]

I crewed a 40' Sportfisher to Cabo from San Diego, and as I recall October is Hurricane Season. Note recent storm.

Good Luck

[yuma simon]

If you, or anyone else gets the urge, the Mexican state of Sonora (east of Baja Norte) just eased its rules as far as paying that weird car deposit for driving/riding farther south. Google Sonora and find the official tourist site, but they just had a PR article a few weeks ago in the Yuma Sun Newspaper telling us how the state of Sonora just eased up on its vehicle deposit.

[Lone Rider]

If you have a month in Baja, you will want a dual sport bike. There are more fingers on both your hands than there are highways in Baja. The real jewels are off the beaten path - not paved.

Assuming: You're flying in, have 30 days, want to see all you can, not be limited by rental/hire restrictions, not be limited by the type of bikes available for rent/hire, want the freedom to move at your own pace...and some other good stuff.

What I would do is contact some dealers in the San Diego area and arrange to purchase a very late model, low mileage dual sport bike that would fit your needs. Say...400-650cc, well prepped, excellent condition.
Ride towards your dreams for a month and sell it back to them for $1000-1500 less than you paid for it. They would more than likely provide airport transfers for you.

It shouldn't be too difficult to find a dealer for such a plan, with conditions, of course. They make $, you get a reliable bike that you like and have a cheap vacation.

Also, a benefit to 30 days are the permanent registration/tag requirements that you will avoid.

TJ and Mexicali (to a lesser degree) feed the north, business-wise/parts/imports. La Paz and Santa Rosalia feed the south.

[Davypo]

Thanks for all the advice,

I've been looking at craigslist and thinking of buying, but it could be a lot of hassle reselling in the time I have.
But the last option seems good . Buy from a dealer with a sell-back option.
I'll look in to that. Any tips on dealers in San Franscisco who would be willing to do this type of deal would be appreciated.
I'm coming to a museums/web conference in San Franscisco mid April.
Thinking of flying out about 4 - 5 weeks earlier to catch March /April in baja.

Any tips of hotels, camp sites, places to eat, what not to miss ! what to e between san Fransisco and the border?

Much appreciated

davy