| Author | Message | |||
     Supertoon |
I am in the process of finalizing rental of a few BMW GS's for me and my buddys to do a late January ride out of Scottsdale. We will have 4 full days of riding available. Due to the collective preferences we are planning on about 200 miles a day, of secondary paved roads. AZRider did not have enough GS's so we will be renting a few RT's as well. This will curb the amount of back-road exploring we would have like to have done. SO! Any members who live in this area or folks with who have visited and would have good route suggestions, these would be greatly appreciated. Also, any insight into weather we should plan for would be helpful in planning for what gear to bring. I am sorta looking forward to riding the GS and get a good feeling for it in comparison to the Uly...... Ride report and pics to follow!  | |||
| Rotorhead |
Here are a few of the routes I've done in my few months here in AZ. The US191 route may be a stretch but is WELL worth the effort if the weather and snow is clear.the weather at elevation will be the limiting factor riding in January. There are many more roads get with Bartimus ( he's got a ULY but is in the shop alot)and the Northern AZ riders here http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/37/7966.html?1227669350 These guys know all kinds of roads in the area you'll be in. Another good source for roads is ADV guys here. all kinds of AZ tracks for the off road. Some there "roads" are kind of harry for a GS let alone my ULY. http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=42  In Tortilla flats the pavement goes away but very doable to Roosevelt dam. 60 to Showlow is a great road. It's like driving down into the grand canyon and back out.  Weather may hamper this road in Jan  RT 89 and 89ALT. As for gear bring the layered cold gear it is winter and the mountains are cold but the valleys are nicer but still not that warm. | |||
| Hooper |
+1 on the first ride above - I did it last year on a Road King (and dumped it into a ditch on a sandy section of the dirt road), but it was spectacular. Very doable. I saw another recent thread about this same area. | |||
| Cityxslicker |
Doin Baja Peninsula in January, but on Yami dual sports. Pics to follow | |||
| Skinstains |
Try one of those F800GS' and let us know how that thing does. | |||
| Supertoon |
City, did Baja 2 yrs ago on a Road King, had to stick to rte #1 but it was amazing! Made it as far down as Loreto and had to turn back. Skin, I wish, they don't have any, but the GS should be cool, hope it doesn't break  Thanks for the route info! | |||
| Bartimus |
supertoon, ALL the rides will be hampered in January, or at least anything north of Tucson! Contrary to popular belief, it does snow in Arizona, so pretty much anything above 6500' will either have snow, or be expecting snow. That being said, all the roads posted above by Rotorhead are decent rides, especially HWY191, but if the weather dumps snow in the higher elevations, the only road left around Phoenix, is the South Mountain which will take all of about 3 hours to cover every road up there.   | |||
| Supertoon |
I think we will try to stay fairly south, keep the northern area for the next time. Here is my first draft for the trip, any comments would be cool!  | |||
| Rotorhead |
Take a look at this SE corner a good mix of dirt and pavement. Crossing the valley's I was able to average 45MPH without scaring myself. great views and low elevation you should be able to do the valley's with ease. The magnifying glass is where I live. I'd slipt the Huachuca MTN's. Let the guys with the GS go straight and the LT go up and around on paved roads and meet in Nogalas.  Bisbee to Nogalas is heavy Borderpatrol traffic but they are not concerned with your speed. One section near Lochiel you get within 800 ft of Mexico. Hell that part of route I'd join you. It's a fun ride.
(Message edited by rotorhead on November 28, 2008) | |||
| Khelton |
Backraoads to Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and into Flagstaff ate terrific runs, Flagstaff may be nippley by now so bundle up. If you want to do some off pavement, then try Schnebley Hill to Flag,great rock formations | |||
| Supertoon |
Good routes, thanks all! Rotorhead, when this gets settled I will fire you a PM, would be great to have you along! | |||
| Csg_inc |
Get a Gerbing jacket liner and bring the pig tail to hook directly to the battery. The GS will have heated grips. | |||
| Supertoon |
I have the generic fused pigtail (flat with hole in center) that hook really easily to the battery for both the Zumo and my Widder. I was just worried about the whole canbus wiring crap on the BMW | |||
| Csg_inc |
If you wire it straight to the battery it will not be going thru the canbus system and you will be AOK. Just remember to turn it off when you stop. |
