East of Phoenix Rider's Group

[AZuwere]

Originally Posted by BBGS

Guys,

I wanna know what happened to that GS that broke up in Colorado.

Ride safe

Bobby

After around 2500 miles, and around 700 that week, it started running bad out of the blue near the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Fuel economy dropped from 50 mpg to 35 mpg or less, stalling, smelling like catalytic converter, unsteady rpm's, etc. So 99577 and I rode west and made it back to the 2011 RMAR (Rocky Mountain Adventure Rally) base camp in Saguatch, packed up our tents and headed back towards Farmington, NM where I had stashed the truck and trailer. Ran fine again until 4 miles from Farmington, then went bad. Made it to the truck and hauled it to the dealer in Scottsdale. They had it for a week asking strange questions like "did you fill up at a Shell station"? and "did you ride in the rain"? I didn't know that GS's were not supposed to fill up at Shell or be ridden in the rain. Anyway, after a week of tearing things off and trying random fixes, it turned out to be the throttle position sensor, which is what we suspected from the get-go in Colorado. So the beast is back home now, and in need of a good day's test ride to make sure it's healed.

I'm hoping to ride tomorrow, but I made a big mistake at the meeting the other night and ordered a beverage with milk instead of soy, and I'm paying the price now. If not better tonight, I'll have to sit this one out.

[rickcool72]

Finally decided to bite the bullet and pay to get my Kawasaki Versys valve inspected and adjusted. Now it runs smoothly!



So I got no excuses now... so I look forward to see you guys tomorrow!

[marbee40]

All,
I'm up in AK and the bride and I have pondered buying a place to get away from the cold AK winters occasionally. Also, my kid is going to ASU for a few more years, so we have reason to visit.

I was just in Phoenix dropping her off for school and looked around. The housing market is obviously ripe for taking a shot.

As I drove around the valley I noticed most of the communities are packed together. I was hoping for a place where I could have a bit of space and be able to ride out the "back door" so to speak. (Yes, we're spoiled up here). We visited with friends in Gilbert and as I looked both east and south I noticed areas that were somewhat enticing. The bride, on the other hand, wants to be fairly close to either:

1. ASU or
2. Glendale (where her aunt lives). I would like to be able to relax w/o being packed within spittin' distance of my neighbors (no offense, but it's for VACATION!)

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

[AZuwere]

Must be a Palmer or Wasilla guy. I was born and raised in Anchorage. My buddy from Eagle River (99577) stores his KTM in my garage and comes down riding a few times a year.

The area south and east of Gilbert you are talking about is Queen Creek/Johnson Ranch. You will find amazing deals there, as you will on the far west side as well. Indeed it is probably the chance of a life time price wise. Even new construction is a bargain at the moment. Right out my front door they are building snowbird oriented homes for $120K. Why bother with a foreclosure when you can buy new at those prices. Can't guide you to which side of town to live on, that is a personal choice. But I like being on the east side where it is easy to pick up 60 or 87 and head for the hills. You'll be in the thick of it in Tempe (ASU) and most of Glendale.

Not sure what else to tell you, other than we moved here 10 years ago from Cleveland and never looked back. The off road opportunities here are abundant.

[Road Hog]

is this thread real or a dream?

[AZuwere]

I'm out...continuing health issue which flared up again this morning early. Paul, I'll try to call you so you guys don't wait for me. Bummed....had everything ready to roll.

[AZuwere]

Originally Posted by Road Hog

is this thread real or a dream?

It's a dream. Now would you please put your clothes on, no one wants to see that.

[ScottV]

This was my first ride since moving to AZ and I couldn't have asked for a better day! Great group of guys, fantastic scenery, good food, cool temps, perfect mix of pavement and dirt forest roads. Thanks guys for showing me around. Of course my fine Bavarian motorcycle was the only one with a slight mechanical problem. The only problem is I forgot my camera so I would love to see some pics. I can't wait to do it again!

[AzDzRt]

Really enjoyed the ride and the group. This is the kind of riding I want to do. Thanks to 750V for getting this going...looking forward to the next one.

[AZuwere]

I have an endoscopy this Tuesday, the last of many tests we've done to try and figure out what is wrong with me. Hope we find the gremlin and I will be ok to get back with you guys on a future ride.

Another thought on Young depending on heat is to reverse your route, take the Apache trail to the dam, south on 188 and then up 288, slabbing it back across 260 and the beeline.

[Flashman1]

Originally Posted by 750Volts!

Next order of business. I am looking at a possible ride for next weekend if anyone is interested. I was thinking about riding the control rode up the back side of Mount Lemmon. If anyone knows the condition of the road please let me know. The firefighters told me a few months ago that cars use it so it shouldn't be too tough. If you have a better idea please let me know.

The road is graded gravel - should be easy - bring rain gear - it rains almast every day on top of the mountain.

[blackliner91]

Young, Az
Saturday September 10th:
Dunkin Donut NE corner of Stapley and Baseline 7:30 AM
We will also stop at the Baja Chevron across Highway 87 from Fort McDowell Casino at about 8:00 to pick up riders
We should get into Payson around 10:00 have some breakfast at a cafe and then head east on the 260 to 288 south.
Depending on road conditions it should take about 2.5 hours from Payson to Young, and about 2.5 hours from Young to Roosevelt Lake, barring stops etc. Once we arrive on the blacktop we can decide where to head from there, as there are at least 3 ways to get back to the valley from the 188.
Thanks for reading, -Paul[/QUOTE]


Your time frames are off. It is only about 90 minutes from Payson to Young (if you go slow) and about an hour (once again- going slow) from Young down to the lake. If want to fill some time, take the Malicious Gap road off of the 288 on Squaw Mesa down and then pick the A-cross road along the base of the Anches on the north side of the lake.

[blackliner91]

Pretty brave to bring those bikes down the north road!

The Antlers Cafe has been rebuilt and have a good menu. The other lunch place....

[redeye-az]

Originally Posted by 750Volts!

Thank you very much. The only time I ever rode this was on a Suzuki C50 cruiser and my bud was riding his Victory
Kingpin. He is still talking about the ride.

Young, Az (Revised)
Saturday September 10th:
Dunkin Donut NE corner of Stapley and Baseline 7:30 AM
We will also stop at the Baja Chevron across Highway 87 from Fort McDowell Casino at about 8:00 to pick up riders
In Payson have some breakfast at a cafe.
We will then head north again on 87 to the Control Road.
We will take the Control Road to Highway 260.
Highway 260 to the 288 south and head to Young.
Have some lunch in Young then decide which way to get home based on time and energy.

i live in payson so here might be more insight.
breakfast: the small cafe, accross from DQ, good place.
when on control road, about 3/4 of the way to 260, turn left on FS 29 to tonoto fish hatchery rd to SR 260.
more dirt, less traffic, more twisty.
then once on 260, don't go to top.
turn on colcord road to chamberlin trail to young.
again more dirt less traffic.
i don't think i can make it, flagstaff plans.......

[azgsgirl]

Wow, wish I'd checked this thread sooner. I live like two miles from Coffee Rush and could have come over and at least said "hi." Maybe next time!

- Jo