CSC's Baja Trip 2016
 

I added my name to the list today. Late March is iffy weather-wise riding out from Colorado, so I'm not sure yet if I'll trailer to California or ride.

Anyone else on this board going?

Cheers,

Dan K.

I probably won't be going, but you might end up coming through Yuma on the way to San Diego. Not sure where the ride is originating (i.e. from CSC headquarters) or across the border? If you come through Yuma, let me know!

I'm not going, but I'm glad to hear you are signed up for the trip. :tup: Please do take lots of photographs, and post a ride report after you return. :)

Dan,
I am going. Perhaps we can work something together. I'm in Berthoud, Colorado.
However, I am trying to organize a second Baja trip with some California friends either before or after the CSC trip. That may complicate things.
Dan N

Dan,

Joe B. sent me the dates of the ride, but added a note that the group might leave a day or two early. I asked him to let me know when he'd decide on that as I need to plan days off in advance and can't change them at the last minute.

Since late March is highly variable snow-wise, I've got three plans for heading to Calif.

1. If weather is clear all the way: Ride I70 / I15 all the way. Quickest route.

2. If Weather is iffy: Take the southern route. Ride I25 to Albuquerque, then I40 west.

3. If weather bad: Trailer the bike using the clearest route.

I figure regardless of route, there'll be one overnight along the way.

Cheers,

Dan K.

I wanna go too.
I'll sign up today.
Ralley Point?
Probably truck my bike to Ralley Point, thats such a drone on I-40 west.
Maybe we ( colorado new mexico people) go together?
gary of taos

I'm going and plan to ride as well from western CO if the weather is good enough. If not I'll likely be hauling the bike down on my bumper carrier. The tricky part will be riding home, we can forecast the the weather easily on the way out but it hard to know what it will be on the way home once your committed to riding the bike. Guess that's way it's an adventure bike...

Sounds like Colorado will be well represented :clap:. Mark is officially in.

I'm Mark. Otherwise know as marzhere's other half, chief cook, and RX3 test rider. I've graciously volunteered to take her bike to Baja and back. :hehe:

Weather dependent, I can ride out, haul the bike on a hitch carrier, or if need be I have a trailer that can haul a couple bikes if someone needs a lift.

Thanks
Mark

Welcome to these forums, Mark. We are glad you joined Marlissa, and the rest of us. :)

Indeed, this expedition should be called the Colorado Baja Trip. ;)

CSC Baja trip
 

I'm planning on trailering.
I don't trust the weather to be nice both directions
I don't like motorcycling on Interstate Highways, particularly the buffeting from other vehicles.
I'm burned out on high mileage days. In September I did 1500 miles in three days with NO interstate to get to the Horizons Unlimited meeting and a similar ride home. Too much. Got to slow down and smell the roses. That's why I bought the RX3.

My trailer has room for three bikes but my truck only has room for two persons (Tacoma X-cab). Glad to share if it works with the rest of my schedule.

Dan N

I wish I could go........ :(

I just got confirmation, I'm in.

Now please tell me about the hitch carrier? I'd rather use my CRV to haul RX-3 out there. It has a frame mounted 2x2 hitch. Is that possible and which one is best?
thanks

That's a Class III receiver, and they're usually rated for 350lbs of weight. Your bike should be very close to that.

The best carrier is the one that allows your bike to be safely mounted, without risk to your rear window. HF carries one that seems worthy, and it's on sale: http://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-...ier-99721.html

Remember to print off a 20% off coupon, for a bigger discount.

Thanks Weld, I'm on it.

If a class III receiver is rated for 350 pounds, it is not robust enough to carry the Zongshen RX3 motorcycle. Forum member JimJr21 has a platform shipping scale, and he reported the RX3 weighs 408 pounds will all the luggage and engine guards. ;)

http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....postcount=2913

http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....postcount=2931

I'd call it a guideline. I wouldn't hesitate to load an RX3 on a Class III carrier, but one does so at one's own risk.

Some of the farkles could be removed and tossed in the truck, so as to minimize load on the receiver.

Its true my CURT class 3 receiver is listed at 350lbs. tongue weight.
HFreight's Haul Master 400lb MC Carrier #99721

The numbers, including SPUD's, are all so close?
What if I pared down the bike a little, you know, luggage, fuel, added more air to the tires, helium maybe, like that?
The reviews at HF are very good about carrying 400 plus bikes?

Exactly. You could even remove the seat and tank, if that would get you under 350lbs.

According to JimJr21, the luggage and engine guards weigh 45 pounds. You could quickly lose 40 pounds by removing the luggage racks, panniers, trunk, and upper engine guard. ;) That would get the bike down to 368 pounds, with a full tank of fuel. :) Removing the fuel tank and saddle would probably lose another 35 pounds, which puts the weight at approximately 333 pounds. It would also make the bike much narrower for loading on a carrier. ;)

I basically treated the tongue weight limit as a guide line when I fetched my bike from Ouray after killing the clutch on Imogen pass. The carrier it's self is supposedly rated to 500lbs.

http://www.chinariders.net/attachmen...1&d=1447959086

It's a tight fit with luggage in place but I wouldn't hesitate to haul my bike to CA on the interstate. Certainly wouldn't try any real off-roading with it back there.

I just reviewed a safety presentation about trailers and hitches from my work.

Class 3 hitches (2" receiver) can be rated 350 to 800lbs TW. So as with most things it depends...

I have a hitch carrier rated for 500lbs that I got off ebay a few years ago.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/500LBS-Motor...BWH2OL&vxp=mtr

I've hauled my KLR on it several times with no issues. The KLR wet with farkles is pushing the limit. Don't foresee any issues with the RX3.

Rojo

Mark, I agree that the carrier is rated at 500lbs, but the receiver is only typically rated at 350lbs. It depends on the vehicle that it's mounted to. For example, a Dodge Caravan has pre-drilled and tapped holes that are ready for a receiver, but they're not very substantial. No way would I load 500lbs on a carrier in that situation.

A Class IV receiver (which is also 2x2) on a full sized pickup is much stronger, and I wouldn't hesitate to load a 500lb bike on one.

Yep. My receiver hitch is on a full size Ram 1500 pickup. Agree, the hitch needs have the proper rating as well as the carrier.

Rojo

Gentlemen, please keep in mind that the 350 rating is at the hitch. A carrier typically extends about 18 inches beyond the hitch greatly diminishing its' capacity.

DO NOT waste your money on the HarborFreight carrier!!
The brackets between the rail and the main frame fracture and fail - numerous stories on AdvRider.com. The brackets are aluminum and are not adequate for the loads as the m/c moves around.
Consider JoeHauler.com
That one on eBay is also available from Wal-Mart online for less money.

Dan

The Joe Hauler is an excellent design. I particularly like the style that has weld-on hinges, allowing the rack to act as a ramp. It makes loading and unloading much easier.

That said, I have a homemade hauler that is made of bed frame steel, and I've hauled it all over the PNW on the back of a Dodge Caravan.

FYI: I phoned Steve at CSC (As directed in Joe's blog) about parking space for my truck and trailer for the trip. He told me they have plenty of space, including a locked parking lot nearby the dealership.

Cheers,

Dan K.

CSC is a class act. :) We are very lucky such a reputable company decided to import the Zongshen bikes to North America. :tup:

I confirm what Dan said. Park n Ride OK w phone call. Keeping track of # 's I suppose?

I ordered all the spares that I want to carry with me on the Baja ride next March. I'm quite pleased that everything, with shipping, comes in less than $100. Not a bad deal.

Over the years I've broken all these items when out on the trail (Except for losing the countershaft sprocket nut). I'll be prepared for Baja.

Spare clutch lever
Spare front brake lever
Spare gear shift lever
Spare rear brake lever and pivot bolt
Spare clutch cable
Spare throttle cable
Spare counter shaft sprocket nut and lock washer

Cheers,

Dan K.

harbor freight actually changed their design and added steel plates to reinforce the connection. haven't heard of any failures since then. that info is also on advrider

Have a similar list of spares, plus tubes for the Baja trip. Better to have and not need.

Really looking forward to the trip. Should be a great time.

Rojo

That's good to know. Thanks for the update.

Travel spares.
 

Just in case the sprocket nut is needed, will you have a wrench for the task?
Regarding the spare cables, back in the days before standard shifters and when Brit bikes used Whitworth wrenches, we would prepare for a trip by routing the appropriate cable alongside the in-use cable and bound with electrical tape. If suddenly needed, switching over took just a few minutes.

Genius! I learn something every day on this forum.

One step closer to being ready to go. I can't believe it's only about 10 weeks away already.

I picked up a set of CoyoteTrips 2 liter fuel and water carriers and a set of small dry bags.

http://coyotetrips.com/fuelcan.html

I've already got my stash of spare parts and tools packed. I' close to being ready to go.

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...77327763_o.jpg

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...83429645_o.jpg

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...99&oe=5701A61C

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...16&oe=5749655C

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...36556185_o.jpg

Cheers,

Dan K.

The CoyoteTrips items look nice. :) If you have time, can you post some photos of the CoyoteTrips mounts, with the items removed?

Spud,

Here's Coyote Trips' web page for the carrier:

http://coyotetrips.com/fuelcan/holder.html

Or are you specifically interested in seeing how the mounts are attached to the Tourfellas?

Cheers,

Dan K.