1,000 mile AZ ride report

[BMWR502]

Two weekends ago myself and a good friend set out to finally tackle the 191 or Devil's Highway as it use to be known. Although I didn't like the idea of "cheating" we decided to trailer the bikes from Yuma to Phoenix as it is 180 miles of super slab each way and the extreme heat of the AZ summers. So we started the ride in Maricopa and rode 1,000 miles over the following 2.5 days.

The route



It ended up being a very, very enjoyable route. We didn't experience too much traffic at any points, the weather was quite enjoyable (with the exception of a couple hours at low elevation), and no run ins with the authorities.

Day one went from Maricopa to Show Low (L to F on the map, clockwise). Which was mostly spent on 89 and 260, both very enjoyable roads.

Photo taken on 89 northbound, between Prescott and Jerome


Day two was a loop from Show Low back to Show Low. This took us into New Mexico down the 180, then the 78 back into Arizona, and then the 191 back north. We had been reading reviews about the 191 for quite some time, most of which had said something along the lines of "a must ride at some point in your life" or "the Tail of the Dragon has nothing on this rode." So we were pretty excited, but at the same time we didn't want to set of selves up for disappointment if the reviews were a little off.

That being said..... the 180 had the potential to be a beautiful road, however they had just laid down fresh loose gravel to chip seal the road (about 20 miles worth). Then it was fun until the high temps made the "tar snakes" come alive, requiring extreme caution. The 78 was extremely enjoyable with quite the mix of elevation change, twisties, and long 180 degree corners. We stopped for lunch in Morenci (home of the largest copper mine in North America), then it was time to head up the 191.

Eastern look off the 180


Morenci open pit Copper Mine




The 191 goes from Clifton to Alpine (going from 3,500 ft to 8,000 ft, peaking at 9,200ft in Hannagan Meadow). The road is just short of 100 miles long and offers just about everything.... very, very tight twisties, sweepers, and a few straight sections. The climb out of Morenci is a lot of fun, but you really need to be on your toes because there is no rhythm to this road, it'll go from caution 10 mph, to a caution 30 mph to a caution 15 mph and the road surface is far from perfect with rock and gravel possible in the apexes. After picking up a couple thousand feet the road calmed down a little, but thats when we ran into the "tar snakes" again, so we took a short breather.





After a short stretch we rode to Hannagan Meadow (9,200 ft elevation). This portion were pretty quick rhythmic sweepers.





The rest of the journey back into Show Low was much more relaxed, but still very enjoyable.

Day 3 took us from Show Low through Globe and back into the Phoenix area on the 60/77. The road was significantly more calm than what we had done in the days prior, but was still a very good time. The highlight by far was the Salt River Canyon.... long 180 degree corners down and up both sides of the canyon (with 2 lanes on the up hill to keep traffic flowing).



When we got back into Maricopa it was 105+ so we loaded up the bikes and drove the 180 miles back to Yuma. Neither bike had any mechanical issues, and neither rider had any real close calls, so we considered it a huge success. Highly recommend this route for anyone living in the southwest.

[BMWR502]

Salt River Canyon



Shot from the 191

[ckcarr]

Great report, Thanks!

What's with this place? The worlds most photogenic sign? LOL!

[Jim Moore]

Man, I love those roads. We used to do a similar route a few times a year.

I noticed you ddin't get to Sedona or Flagstaff. Both of those are worthwhile and doable on a weekend. It's a pretty easy ride from Yuma. Flag is about 350 miles. Go up 95 through Quartzite, then east on I-10 to 60, then 71 to 89 and you're on the way. Spend the night in Flag at the Hotel Mote Vista and come back the next day.

Btw, what are you doing in Yuma? I spent a bunch of years there back in the 90s.

[Guest24]

I'd enjoy running up on the rim; but, I don't care for the valley during monsoon season. Very nice report.

[Deans BMW]

Great ride report, BTW, my back yard.

When you go thru Alpine, stop for eats at the Bearwallow, tell them that you are a friend of Dean and all your drinks will be free.....except for Beer.

[Rick Lee]

I've done most of that route a few times. Very nice country out there. If I weren't trying to sell my GS and keep the miles down until then, I'd be doing that route again now.

[BMWR502]

I've done the ride up to Sedona and Flagstaff many, many times. 89A in-between Sedona and Flagstaff is a good ride when it is not extremely crowded with tourists, buses, jeeps, and snowbirds.

I have been in Yuma for a little over 3 years now, I am a test engineer for the US Army at the Proving Ground.

[AZ Pete]

Nice picture of Salt River Canyon! I drive that many times each year, will have to ride my BCR up there this fall

[BMWR502]

I definitely recommend it! I wanted to turn around and run it again, but it was getting hotter and hotter by the minute.

[Jim Moore]

Originally Posted by BMWR502

I have been in Yuma for a little over 3 years now, I am a test engineer for the US Army at the Proving Ground.

I was a t MCAS. It was a great place to be a pilot. And a motorcyclist. I really liked it. Well, not Yuma itself, but it was in the middle of a ton of fun activities. I cannot tell you the number of times I stood in the shade at that Texaco in Quartzite thinking, "OK, only 80 more miles in the heat. One hour. No problem."

[Guest24]

Jim, I was a T-38A instructor over at Willie years ago. We did out and backs to Yuma MCAS all the time. When were you there?

[Sophus]

Thanks for sharing your trip, appreciate it. Over here, the summer is cold, rainy and miserable for fourth year in a row.
What bike is your friend riding? Looks very space age... But cool.

[sgoodwin]

honda cbr1000rr

[AZ-J]

Nice report! I have ridden 89, 191 and SLC, even into NM many times on many different bikes over the years here.

All great roads just so many rides years before digital cameras left me with no pics.

[Jim Moore]

Originally Posted by Nail24

Jim, I was a T-38A instructor over at Willie years ago. We did out and backs to Yuma MCAS all the time. When were you there?

I was there from 1994-2000. Do you mean Williams AFB over on the east side of Phoenix? We used to go in there occasionally, but it was a civilian field by then.

[Guest24]

Yeah, Williams AFB, Jim. I was there from 1978-80. Went to Washington DC from there. Williams was a great assignment.

[Jim Moore]

You may remember Willie was located under the Phoenix ATA. They cut out a pie-shaped piece of sky so VFR traffic could get in and out of there without any aggravation. Looking at a VFR sectional one morning the thought ocurred to me that I could get going as fast as I could, then point the nose straight up and rocket up to 16,500 to proceed west VFR. Brilliant, right? Well , unbeknownst to me, after Willie became a civilian field ATC filled in the piece of pie. I was looking at an old map. Phoenix Departure was singularly unimpressed with my strategy. "Unidentified aircraft at 3000 ft, I mean 9000 ft ... No, 15,000 ft, IDENTIFY YOURSELF!"

[Sophus]

How was your friend coping with the cbr1000rr as a touring bike - comfortable, or in agony? Cool and no doubt very capable bike, but I imagine it does not fit the tourer role that well?
I am about 6'.6". I would love to have a bike like that, especially the 2009 Repsol, but not if I have to suffer when riding it.
I only have room for one bike, so it has to be reasonably versatile and look good and be sporty. Not that many options with such requirements.
The R1100s fits the bill, but is a little low on power.

[BMWR502]

That is correct, my buddy rides a 2010 CBR1000RR. It is all stock with the exception of a taller windscreen and a throttlemeister. Although he may not be as comfortable as I am on the 'S' he doesn't complain too much about the more aggressive riding position. Last fall we rode roughly 1100 miles in 2 days, and neither of us were feeling great after that one. haha. But..... he is 23 years old, and approximately 5'11 so..... he can probably handle long miles on that bike better than I could and I'm only 30~.