Ohio to Arizona
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 354
Likes: 24
From: near dayton ohio
Ohio to Arizona
So, I'm planning on breaking in my new to me bike with a little road trip to Surprise Az. I live in Dayton Ohio. To see an old buddy. This will be a 1863 mile (one way) trip. While I have done road trips before, this will be about double the longest trip that I have done.
Looks like I will be taking 70, to 44, to 40 (basic route) to get out there. I have been told that from Albuquerque to Flagstaff that there are very few gas stations. I don't know what my return route will be yet
I am looking for any advice, (maybe how to carry some spare gas) or suggestion on places that I should see on the way out, or back.
This will be my first trip on this bike. As of right now I still have the stock handlebars on it. Are they ok for long distance riding, shoulder, back, pain?
I do have a backrest.
have fresh oil, trans, and primary fluid, along with plugs.
Thanks for any tips or advice ahead of time.
Looks like I will be taking 70, to 44, to 40 (basic route) to get out there. I have been told that from Albuquerque to Flagstaff that there are very few gas stations. I don't know what my return route will be yet
I am looking for any advice, (maybe how to carry some spare gas) or suggestion on places that I should see on the way out, or back.
This will be my first trip on this bike. As of right now I still have the stock handlebars on it. Are they ok for long distance riding, shoulder, back, pain?
I do have a backrest.
have fresh oil, trans, and primary fluid, along with plugs.
Thanks for any tips or advice ahead of time.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
all kinds of gas everywhere, unless you are getting 18 MPG you'll be fine.
suggest that unless you are in a hurry that you drop down the mississippi and take hwy 60 through Missouri, OK, TX, NM and into AZ fantastic scenery and small thriving towns---this is essentially what is now the myth of rt66....just no song to sing.
prepping for a long trip, go do some 300/400 mile loops from home and get confidence in you and your ride.
figure out what you want to do..I look at 500 mile days but that is very loose- one of my Pals makes 2 reservations each day...1 at 300 miles, the other at 500 and he figures out by lunch which one to cancel.
I just head out and look to land by late afternoon before places fill up, sometimes I motel, sometimes I camp.
as long as you are in by 6pm there should be vacancies
I use stock bars and am good with them...just swapped to a cop seat, but the stock ultra seat did me great for over 10k of touring
rt back look at N out of PHX, and see the grand canyon, into monument valley, 4 corners, durango, across and up the middle of CO into Denver.
watch the weather we can be hot or cold, dry or wet- AZ has alot of elevation...while PHX is close to 90, Flagstaff is still around freezing at night
your new bike comes with hog roadside- get the $20 upgrade for unlimited mileage towing
arrowhead HD is nearest dealer to your Pal, I have had good experience with them...even though they are just a unit of a large bike/car dealer conglomerate...
Mike
suggest that unless you are in a hurry that you drop down the mississippi and take hwy 60 through Missouri, OK, TX, NM and into AZ fantastic scenery and small thriving towns---this is essentially what is now the myth of rt66....just no song to sing.
prepping for a long trip, go do some 300/400 mile loops from home and get confidence in you and your ride.
figure out what you want to do..I look at 500 mile days but that is very loose- one of my Pals makes 2 reservations each day...1 at 300 miles, the other at 500 and he figures out by lunch which one to cancel.
I just head out and look to land by late afternoon before places fill up, sometimes I motel, sometimes I camp.
as long as you are in by 6pm there should be vacancies
I use stock bars and am good with them...just swapped to a cop seat, but the stock ultra seat did me great for over 10k of touring
rt back look at N out of PHX, and see the grand canyon, into monument valley, 4 corners, durango, across and up the middle of CO into Denver.
watch the weather we can be hot or cold, dry or wet- AZ has alot of elevation...while PHX is close to 90, Flagstaff is still around freezing at night
your new bike comes with hog roadside- get the $20 upgrade for unlimited mileage towing
arrowhead HD is nearest dealer to your Pal, I have had good experience with them...even though they are just a unit of a large bike/car dealer conglomerate...
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Apr 4, 2016 at 12:00 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 310
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake
Once you get to Flagstaff, go South on I-17 and then take a turn on to 89A South to Sedona. Halfway you will come to one of the hairiest switchbacks you will find in the whole US of A. Sedona is a must to see, as well. Totally awesome country, totally awesome scenery. Believe me. Been there, done it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I did an NC-CA trip a couple summers ago with two other buddies. We took I-40 pretty much going to CA. Unless you get horrible mileage, your 5 gal tank will be good going through NM and AZ.
On your bars, if you're okay with them after a couple hours of riding, then you should be good. My shoulders ached with the stock bars, so I switched to heritage-style bars.
Hydration is key and long sleeves is a must for me, unless you don't sunburn, and take the backrest. Also take the beltway in major cities if they have them.
On your bars, if you're okay with them after a couple hours of riding, then you should be good. My shoulders ached with the stock bars, so I switched to heritage-style bars.
Hydration is key and long sleeves is a must for me, unless you don't sunburn, and take the backrest. Also take the beltway in major cities if they have them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
I have ridden thousands of miles with the stock Ultra Classic bars without issue. If you feel comfortable with them you should be okay there.
As far as gas between Flag and Albuquerque, there is plenty of gas, especially on I-40. Even in some of the more isolated areas of NM and Az. you will not have problems if you just pay attention and get gas when you can.
89A from Flag to Sedona is a "do not miss" in Arizona as is 191 from Morenci to Alpine. 60 from Show Low to Globe is interesting, and Sedona to Prescott via 89A is a great ride.
If you are going to Surprise, leave I-40 in Flag, take 89A to Sedona and Prescott, then to 93 to Wickenburg and Surprise. On the return trip go to Globe and up to Show Low, or better yet, go to Morenci and take the Devil's Highway (191) to I-40.
Bill
As far as gas between Flag and Albuquerque, there is plenty of gas, especially on I-40. Even in some of the more isolated areas of NM and Az. you will not have problems if you just pay attention and get gas when you can.
89A from Flag to Sedona is a "do not miss" in Arizona as is 191 from Morenci to Alpine. 60 from Show Low to Globe is interesting, and Sedona to Prescott via 89A is a great ride.
If you are going to Surprise, leave I-40 in Flag, take 89A to Sedona and Prescott, then to 93 to Wickenburg and Surprise. On the return trip go to Globe and up to Show Low, or better yet, go to Morenci and take the Devil's Highway (191) to I-40.
Bill
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
As stated earlier. You will not need to worry about gas. A few years ago my wife and I rode through Arizona and Nevada. Coming from the mid west, that is a entirely new kind of hot down there. Drink lots of water. Always have some on the bike.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 63
From: westland Michigan
Look at getting a cooling vest. Its a wool (im guessing) made vest that you soak in cold water and then put it on. I put it on my skin and was cold during my ride out last year to new mexico in June with it on. Without it I probably never would have made it across like I did. As stated earlier its a different kind of hot out there. Dry heat like riding in your over is the best way to describe it. No humidity just heat.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 424
Likes: 36
From: El Paso, TX
Depending on how hungry you are when you pass through Amarillo, TX, stop for a bite at the Big Texan steak house. They have a 72oz steak challenge. Also, not knowing how much of a hurry you will be in, when you get to Albuquerque, the High Road to Taos, NM is a beautiful road to ride (about a 170 mile detour). Closer is Santa Fe, NM, which is about 70 mi north of Albuquerque and is a nice town to stay in and sight-see, though not much of a scenic ride between ABQ and Santa Fe.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 247
From: Tulsa, OK
When you get to Tulsa (or sooner) cut west join 412 through the OK panhandle then head to Taos NM and drop Down to ABQ from there.
I only grind interstates if I have a time constraint AKA I have less than 24 hours to make a 1000 mile trip. YMMV but 600+ mile days are easily doable, especially if you are solo. My wife and did 2200 miles labor day weekend Tulsa to Taos, Taos to Colorado(Rode all over the place) and then back to Tulsa no interstate.
I only grind interstates if I have a time constraint AKA I have less than 24 hours to make a 1000 mile trip. YMMV but 600+ mile days are easily doable, especially if you are solo. My wife and did 2200 miles labor day weekend Tulsa to Taos, Taos to Colorado(Rode all over the place) and then back to Tulsa no interstate.