What is the best winter motorcycle destination?

[gbw]

My buddy and I are planning a motorcycle trip for mid to late Feb. He is in Boston and I'm near Chicago so the riding around here is slim to none, and Slim left town.

Any advice on the best place for us to go?

Our goal is to fly into some place, rent a couple of bikes, ride one whole day, camp, ride most of the next day, and fly back.

The bikes could be just about anything except HD.

Right now we are looking at three options:
1. Tuscon AZ - easy fly in and out. Can rent BMW GS or R1200RT. 70F daytime temp and mid 40s at night. I've never been there but my buddy did it last year and says the roads are fun and lots of good scenery.

2. Phoenix AZ - easy to fly in and out. Can rent just about anything you can think of. Lots of good roads, but the ones I know of go to Prescot and then Flagstaff. I think it is just to cold north of Phoenix this time of year.

3. Midland TX - not easy to get to, probably not easy to rent bikes, but my buddy says there is some good motorcycling there and the weather should be good.

Any other suggestions?

 

[emjay]

Coastal California is awesome. The road through Big Sur (between Monterrey and San Luis Obispo) is incredible. Camping in there is great - there are some environmental sites that are separate from the others. The weather there can be a little unpredictable, so it may not be the best choice, but scenery is hard to beat.

 

[Jethro]

Italy... http://www.edelweissbike.com/4DACTI...01&webNumber=13214&webLanguage=E&webCurrency=

 

[gbw]

Italy... http://www.edelweissbike.com/4DACTI...01&webNumber=13214&webLanguage=E&webCurrency=

OMG...this looks SWEEET! Wish I could pull it off, but I can only secure 3 or 4 days, and I'm afraid a trip to Italy pushes it out of my budget a little. But, I'm going to bookmark the link. Someday I'd love to do a little international adventure touring and this looks like a great option.

 

[tkent02]

My buddy just spend five days in Baja riding new Honda XR650's with several of his friends, a guided tour sort of thing. In and around the Baja race location but a few days before the race.

If you are into dirt that would be ****.

 

[gbw]

My buddy just spend five days in Baja riding new Honda XR650's with several of his friends, a guided tour sort of thing. In and around the Baja race location but a few days before the race.

If you are into dirt that would be ****.

Thanks for the suggestion. That sounds like a lot of fun. I'll look into it but neither us have any dirt experience. I think for this quick trip we better stick to paved or mostly paved roads.

 

[tkent02]

I'll look into it but neither us have any dirt experience. I think for this quick trip we better stick to paved or mostly paved roads.

All the more reason to go there, you will learn every minute.
They have smaller bikes too, 400s for sure, meybe 250s.
It would be a HOOT!

 

[Zooks]

Brisbane

 

[Johno]

Winter Destination

Winter Destination

Where is Simon?

What about Far North Queensland?

 

[Zooks]

Nah, they're all a bit loopy up there in the 'deep north'.

Besides, it's really hard to ride with a banjo strapped to your back.

 

[Joe Nardy]

Greg,

There are a few GSR members around Tucson and Phoenix that can probably help with info like rentals and routes. First Timer is a former Chicago guy who moved out there in '07 and GS Bill has been out there for some time. Billy Oliver lived out there for a while and went back recently for some dual sport riding.

If you want to make it an all around trip you could rent road bikes for a couple days then do a day or two of dual sport riding. As Tkent said, you'll learn a lot very quickly riding off road and become better road riders. You don't have to do any really tough stuff, just fire roads and easy trails are a blast!

I'd reach out to the guys above for suggestions and recommendations.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[gbw]

Greg,

There are a few GSR members around Tucson and Phoenix that can probably help with info like rentals and routes. First Timer is a former Chicago guy who moved out there in '07 and GS Bill has been out there for some time. Billy Oliver lived out there for a while and went back recently for some dual sport riding.

If you want to make it an all around trip you could rent road bikes for a couple days then do a day or two of dual sport riding. As Tkent said, you'll learn a lot very quickly riding off road and become better road riders. You don't have to do any really tough stuff, just fire roads and easy trails are a blast!

I'd reach out to the guys above for suggestions and recommendations.

Thanks,
Joe

Thanks Joe...I'll do that!

 

[highmileage]

My vote is for one of my favorite hangouts - the Florida Keys and Key West...

 

[gbw]

My vote is for one of my favorite hangouts - the Florida Keys and Key West...

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never been to the Keys but have heard a lot of great things about them. But, of the great things I've heard, none of them have been about what a great motorcycle riding destination they are. Most of FLA motorcycling, as I understand it, is in straight lines. Beautiful scenery no doubt, but not very challenging as far as twisties. Are the Keys different?

 

[tkent02]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never been to the Keys but have heard a lot of great things about them. But, of the great things I've heard, none of them have been about what a great motorcycle riding destination they are. Most of FLA motorcycling, as I understand it, is in straight lines. Beautiful scenery no doubt, but not very challenging as far as twisties. Are the Keys different?

The road down the keys is long, dangerous and boring.

 

[highmileage]

No, no twisties or anything. But the scenery..

My last ride out of Key West began before sunrise - I timed that to occur while I was on the Seven Mile Bridge. Then I headed west on Alligator Alley, and across the Sunshine Highway to Clearwater. I've also done the southern route (I think it's 19). Spectacular scenery and wonderful weather in the winter!

I love the Florida Keys and Key West. And no helmet required anymore (so long as you have a little health insurance).

Alligator Alley used to be a very dangerous road, but it's much better now.

Riding down there is no more dangerous than on any other heavily traveled road. But then, I think nothing of riding in D.C. or Manhattan, so South Florida is a piece of cake. Those of you who aren't used to serious traffic may not like it...

But I have a lot of problems w/ the Great Southwest. First of all, the cops in Arizona were all over my @ss everytime I went there - never had such problems in any other state, so I don't go there anymore! Nevada and New Mexico are nice but it can get really cold there at times during the winter.

California is nice, but many parts are so packed with traffic and stuff that it's just not fun, and many of the best riding roads are ruined by sports cars that can't even stay on their side of the road as they race around on them.

Plus, it's getting into the rainy season, at least for northern California - I've been there (San Francisco up to Eureka) in February when it rained every day for weeks on end. Talk about no fun!

 

[Big T]

I'd do weather profile for each destination for February

Midland, TX?

That's about the middle of no where, motorcycling or anything else.

If you want to ride the Texas hill country, fly to San Antonio and head north. You should be able to rent bikes there (same with Austin)

 

[earlfor]

The road down the keys is long, dangerous and boring.

Yep, 100 miles of flat, straight road, mostly two lane and high density traffic. Speed limits between 25 and 45 mph and tourist traps filling the spaces between each bridge. If you can make the run between midnight and 5am, its a peaceful ride. Otherwise, I dont recommend it. LOL Look out for the blue light "tax collectors" too. hehe

Earl

 

[KGB]

Hooters?

Or a bar/club with visual entertainment with a designated driver.

That could create some mammeries

ooppss I mean memories