Southwest US trip- advice needed

[elvisboy77]

I’m planning a week long trip to the US Southwest.  Want to see Grand Canyon, Southern Utah and the like.  I think flying from Durham NC to either Phoenix or Las Vegas sometime in October makes the most sense weather and fare wise.

We want to rent motorcycles.

Any pros/cons of Phoenix vs LV?  Phoenix is non stop so that saves a couple of hours and reduces the odds of flight issues.

Any advice as to motorcycle rentals?  We would need two bikes, no land yachts.

Thanks!

[JJ]

I’m planning a week long trip to the US Southwest.  Want to see Grand Canyon, Southern Utah and the like.  I think flying from Durham NC to either Phoenix or Las Vegas sometime in October makes the most sense weather and fare wise.

We want to rent motorcycles.

Any pros/cons of Phoenix vs LV?  Phoenix is non stop so that saves a couple of hours and reduces the odds of flight issues.

Any advice as to motorcycle rentals?  We would need two bikes, no land yachts.

Thanks!

* October is nicer that July or August, but it still can get HOT during the day in both Phoenix and Vegas.
* Either city is easy access to the Grand Canyon, Utah, CO and other nice riding areas
* EAGLE RIDER is probably your best bet for a bike rentals (HD's most likely...)

[RinkRat II]

   One option would be to fly into Albuquerque and rent from there. It will put you easy acess to Four corners, Moab, up to Highway 12, over to Bryce, Zion and the North rim of the Grand Canyon.  Back to Kanab, Page, over through Monument Valley and back to Alb.  September and early October are the best weather months here in Northern AZ and Utah.  You will be in what is referred to as the Grand Circle ....Decisions, decisions....https://grandcircle.org/grand-circle-map

       Paul B

[Chuck in Indiana]

   One option would be to fly into Albuquerque and rent from there. It will put you easy acess to Four corners, Moab, up to Highway 12, over to Bryce, Zion and the North rim of the Grand Canyon.  Back to Kanab, Page, over through Monument Valley and back to Alb.  September and early October are the best weather months here in Northern AZ and Utah.  You will be in what is referred to as the Grand Circle ....Decisions, decisions....https://grandcircle.org/grand-circle-map

       Paul B

I likey..

[Travlr]

I nice selection of rental Guzzi's, Triumphs and BMW's here.

Mike

https://eurocyclerentals.com/bikes/

[pehayes]

Are you more interested in photo op scenery or in history?  That might dictate very different routes.  Its all scenic.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Kiwi Dave]

Monument Valley is just fantastic, as is Moab and Arches National Park.

But wait, there's more.  Goblin Valley, southwest of Green River is also a must.  Better late in the day when there is lots of shadows.

[Warren Rhen]

Monument Valley is just fantastic, as is Moab and Arches National Park.

But wait, there's more.  Goblin Valley, southwest of Green River is also a must.  Better late in the day when there is lots of shadows.

He's right, but beware, I came out 3 years ago and fell in love with the whole SW and never left 

[kingoffleece]

Yea, us, too.  Hopefully two more years and it's AZ here we come.
89A up to Flagstaff and 12 from Capital Reef down toward Zion are just two of a zillion good choices.

Boys, let him discover the Hogback or Hogridge (whatever they call it in UT) on his own.  What fun on a motorbike, eh?

[JJ]

He's right, but beware, I came out 3 years ago and fell in love with the whole SW and never left 

There is no utopia...well, maybe The French Riviera...but who can afford that?!?  

I moved to Arizona in 1980, via NY, CT, and TX.  Other than a few other short, job related stints, TX (again), NORCAL, and Germany, I eventually came back to Arizona and the great Southwest.   Tough act to follow if you like riding motorcycles.

[blackbuell]

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it includes a ride on routes 95, 24, and 12 in southern Utah. One potential problem if you plan to camp: we were traveling in that part of Utah last October and most of the campgrounds were full. We have visited all of the national parks and monuments in the region many times; all are spectacular and worth a visit. One little gem that most people bypass is Goblin Valley State Park. Have fun and keep us posted.

Jon

[elvisboy77]

I likey..

Me, too!

[elvisboy77]

I nice selection of rental Guzzi's, Triumphs and BMW's here.

Mike

https://eurocyclerentals.com/bikes/

Ooooh I like that!  Thanks.

[elvisboy77]

Are you more interested in photo op scenery or in history?  That might dictate very different routes.  Its all scenic.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

Really just looking for scenic rides with my daughter.  Good point.

[elvisboy77]

Thanks to everyone for the great advice.  I will sit down with my daughter and let you know how things shape up.  So exciting!

[Rich A]

If you're going to go thru Santa Fe, stop by!

Rich

[elvisboy77]

If you're going to go thru Santa Fe, stop by!

Rich

Thanks!  I will make a note to message you when we have our plans set. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Really just looking for scenic rides with my daughter.  Good point.

Ok, in that case, don't miss 12. That one gets my vote as most scenic road in America. 

[rocker59]

I'd fly into Las Vegas Nevada and rent a Harley from there.

Then you can run an oblong loop through southern Utah and northern Arizona.

https://goo.gl/maps/a5uQN1iPhaq

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'd fly into Las Vegas Nevada and rent a Harley from there.

Then you can run an oblong loop through southern Utah and northern Arizona.

https://goo.gl/maps/a5uQN1iPhaq

I did that many years ago when Dorcia had a conference in Vegas. I fully realize that Harleys are *much* better than they were then, but I thought that Softtail was the poorest excuse for a motorcycle I'd ever ridden on a curvy road at that time. 
Probably a new Softtail would be good for that trip. <shrug>

[kballowe]

We fly and rent once or twice a year and normally try to get a Heritage Softail at a Harley dealer.  They handle pretty decent for a cruiser style bike and have lots of luggage space.  Helpful hint:  If ya rent one, stop at the nearest air station and run the tire pressures up to 40 PSI.

We have not had good luck with Eagle Rider.

[PBS]

181 in eastern Arizona is pretty special too. Morenci to Alpine.

[JJ]

181 in eastern Arizona is pretty special too. Morenci to Alpine.

...and the road leading to southeastern AZ, including Tucson, Bisbee, Tombstone, Sonoita, Ft. Huachucca, Tubac, Green Valley, Sierra Vista, Douglas,  are also very historic and very scenic, especially in the springtime!

[Sheepdog]

New Mexico Highway 15 from Silver City to the Gila Cliff Dwellings is one of the most extraordinary roads I've ridden. Light traffic, lots of turns, and incredible vistas. Hiking the Cliff Dwellings is pretty awesome, too.

[rocker59]

181 in eastern Arizona is pretty special too. Morenci to Alpine.

I think you mean US-191.

https://goo.gl/maps/FqgDxuciCGT2

[kingoffleece]

There was a real nice story about SE AZ in the last issue of Rider IIRC.

[blackbuell]

191 in AZ IS a great MC road, but it was even more exciting when it was route 666 40 years ago before they straightened a bit.

Jon

[Guzzi Gal]

If you swing through Phoenix you can hit Tortilla Flat, Bartlett Lake for nice day rides or South Mountain for a quicky twisty.  I also have a casita with a lumpy futon available. 

[JJ]

If you swing through Phoenix you can hit Tortilla Flat, Bartlett Lake for nice day rides or South Mountain for a quicky twisty.  I also have a casita with a lumpy futon available.

The Lumpy Futon!!!

[rocker59]

There was a real nice story about SE AZ in the last issue of Rider IIRC.

I first learned of the road from a great story in Rider Magazine, back in the mid-1990s.

A rider eastbound from Tucson on I-10 decided at the last minute to grab US-191 to get him up to I-40.

It was nearing sunset.  He had never been on the road before.  He spent many dark hours transiting the road to get to its north end.

I wish I'd kept that issue.  The story was a good 'un.