Rode Across Arizona On The VFR800

[Rogue]

My friend and I did our first SS1000 across CA and Arizona.  Most of it was AZ.  I took my VFR800 across I-40, took Rte. 66 from Kingman (and passed by many landmark inspiration for the movie Cars).  We then rode all the way to Winslow, AZ and saw “Standing In A Corner” statue/crossroads.  We continued along the back roads to Cottonwood, Jerome, Prescott, along Hwy 89A.  

First, Arizona has some really beautiful scenery of desert and mountains.  The roads were all in perfect shape and a few were freshly paved.  Drivers in AZ are courteous and friendly.  There was no traffic anywhere we rode, including the small cities.  This is in contrast to SoCal where traffic in any big city is SOP even on a Saturday!  The back roads were nearly empty and we passed maybe a handful of cars in the whole 1k miles.  Except for one vehicle, the AZ Hwy Patrol was absent anywhere on the Interstates and that was the only time my radar detector went off in AZ!  In the CA Interstates, my detector went off a few times on I-15/1-40/I-10.  We also saw the CHP in a few other places collecting revenue.  AZ is huge with a large surface area, and half of it is in higher elevation and are either State Parks or BLM land.  Small populated communities and cities do pop up but nothing like the sprawling cities of SoCal.  The result is most vehicles stay close to the city limits, which leaves the back roads wide open and free of most traffic!  It’s easy to see why AZ is so popular with bikers.  

Second, for all its empty roads and seemingly lack of speed Nazi cops, AZ has limited twisties.  Hwy 89 is one mostly twisty road and it was perfect, with twisties rivaling CA’s twisty roads.  Think of Hwy 89 as equivalent to parts of CA’s Hwy 1.  But there are many others great roads that I don’t know about.  The back roads and even the Interstate we took were beautiful, serene, perfectly paved, and very fast!  This is where high horsepower bikes really come into their own.  This brings me to my third point.  I think my old air cooled Buell XB12R Firebolt would really be taxed on these roads.  I felt the VFR800 had the top end power but lacked some low end grunt during the high elevation portion of the ride.  I needed a couple of downshifts to pass quickly and needed to spin the VFR’s motor to 9k-10k RPM often.  Down in the open deserts the wind was blowing hard so the VFR800 had to contend with that, but since the air wasn't thin it felt more than adequate.  Still needed lots of revs to get going quickly.  

The wind across the desert interstates was relentless.  We maintained a speed of 78-85 mph and our bikes had plenty of reserve power but nothing excessive.  The winds near the mountain pass of CA, both coming and going was like riding through a hurricane!  I think anything with less than a full fairing out there would have been quite miserable!  High speeds and the wind were such dominant factors throughout the trip that I’m convinced this is why they make bikes like the ST1300, C14, K1300S, VFR1200, etc. because you really need thos big fairings to protect yourself from getting beat up, and to help the bikes slice through that wind!  The extra power and torque is there to overpower the road and the elements.  Sure, it’s possible to ride a 650cc bike through there but such size would mean the motor is going to need to work really hard!  My VFR800 was more than adequate but I couldn’t help it to wish for another 25 bhp!  

Endurance.  The first 600 miles was easy.  At 700 miles shoulder, knee, and arm pain became an issue.  The last 200 miles was difficult but wasn’t as bad as I thought.  I wish I had cruise control!  My VFR800 got 35 mpg in the Highway.  Prior to my trip I measured the VFR’s mileage in the city and it was 30 mpg with me riding it and 35 in the freeways.  This means my VFR800 wasn’t overworked during this SS1000 even though I felt like I was constantly spinning the VFR’s motor.  When you are riding distances like this and spending so much time on the saddle, motorcycle character or soul takes a big backseat to practicality, reliability, smoothness and refinement.  Now I fully appreciate the merits of the VFR1200 and ST bikes like it!  

I had a complete blast and would consider doing that ride again!

[chesthing]

That's terrible fuel mileage, wonder if something is wrong? My Valkyrie got better than that and that bike was a gas hog...

[Giaka]

Thats awesome, congrats. Can you post your route on a google map?

[M.Brane]

 

 You know somebody had to do it.

 You must twist the grip a lot more than I do. I get 40+ MPG with the '98 on the open road, and I'm down 1 tooth on the front. Working the twisties it will drop to mid 30s.

[SoCalFJR]

Good report Rogue.......and now you know why all us old guys are on those heavier bikes looking out our windows........I could drive some naked low power machine cross country back in my 20's and not even notice.......but not now.  You get pounded a lot out there in the wide open spaces.  Wind is relentless and a constant problem, except when its on your six.  Many years ago I did an unforgettable 500 miles across NM and Texas with about a 60mph tail wind the whole way on I-10 with tumbleweeds rolling across the landscape.  I was breezing along no problem, and was watching the bikers going the other way bent over the tank trying to hit 50mph with the engines screaming away........what a contrast..........

Anyway......the critics who laugh at the FJR and ST'S and C14's of the world and think they are overweight sleds compared to some crotch rocket will be silenced right after they do a couple of trips like yours. I also installed a cruise control on my FJR and love it even though it is seldom used in SoCal.  As soon as I head out for a longer run it gets called into play and is worth every penny, and it should be stock on anything calling itself and ST...............

  

[Rogue]

Anyway......the critics who laugh at the FJR and ST'S and C14's of the world and think they are overweight sleds compared to some crotch rocket will be silenced right after they do a couple of trips like yours. I also installed a cruise control on my FJR and love it even though it is seldom used in SoCal.  As soon as I head out for a longer run it gets called into play and is worth every penny, and it should be stock on anything calling itself and ST...............

I was kind of one of those critics.  I knew big fairing has its merits but I forgot how important it is because most of my rides are on the backroads of SoCal.  It's rare that I hit winds like that for longer than 30 minutes at a time.

When we climbed over the San Bernardino Mtns. on I-15 early in the AM, the wind was blowing from our side and we were climbing for a while.  Most vehicles had slowed to about 65, trucks down to a crawl, but we were moving along at 85 with no problem.  Once we got down onto the desert though, the winds picked up and was blowing sightly across and in front.  It wasn't noticeable until you got a gust hit you and/or you notice when you twist your wrist the engine needed time to respond...the VFR800 engine anyway.  

Fast cars & SUV's were going by us at 85+.  We were maintaining a steady 80 in CA.  In AZ where the speed limit was 75 we maintained a steady 85 and we were still getting passed by fast cars and trucks!  

But that was all nothing compared to our return trip that night.  Riding along I-10 near the San Bernardino Mts again, we got hit with what felt like hurrican force winds!  Holy Crap!  It was from the side and directly in front with gusts that was enough to lean our bikes a lot!  We picked up our speed to 85 to get through it quickly and there was a long time when I had the VFR800 in 5th gear to maintain revs and keep up a spirited pace.  Yet, other cars around us with strong engines were going faster!  It was during this time when I had to tuck down behind the VFR's seemingly tiny front windshield while I watched my friend with great envy behind the huge barn door fairing of his Gold Wing!

Lessons I forgot and had to re-learn from this very long trip:  Cruise Control or Throttle Lock!  My gosh did I wish for it!  I would have paid large sums of $$ to have one on.  Having a quiet exhaust paid dividends!  The loudest thing we heard thoughout the trip was the windblast!  I brought along my Camelback and I was so grateful for it.  Water!  The value of good headlights!  My VFR800's dual headlights did a good job of illuminating the landscape at night.  However, I wish they were just a tiny bit brighter.  Highway pegs.  My gosh I wish I had them!  

[Rogue]

That's terrible fuel mileage, wonder if something is wrong? My Valkyrie got better than that and that bike was a gas hog...

My VFR800 has a Power Commander III with a high performance tune.  This always richens up the mixture.

The VFR800 has never been known to be a fuel miser before that.  So with careful measurement and arithmetic before the trip and during the trip, I calculated my re-mapped VFR800 got just over 30 mpg in the city and 35-37 in the highway at a steady 80-85 mph.  The relentless winds may have had a hand at keeping the mileage in the mid-30's but I doubt if it would improve greatly from that.

My friend's completely stock Gold Wing got 35.5 mpg too as his average so I think my mileage was not out of the ordinary.  

[Rogue]

Thats awesome, congrats. Can you post your route on a google map?

Sorry.  My friend kept the map in his GPS.

Roughly it was this:

From the OC -
I-15 to I-40 to Kingman.
Rte 66 to Seligman.
I-40/Rte 66 (they merge) all the way to Winslow.
Winslow to Cottonwood on back roads (Hwy 87 to Hwy 260).
At Cottonwood we picked up Hwy 89A to Jerome.
Jerome to Prescott to....I think a town somewhere on Hwy 71 for gas.
We picked up I-10 to Quartzite and into Blythe, then back to the OC.

[sagerat]

Rode my Viffer from Orygun a couple of times.  I was usually in the upper 40s for mpg, but then I was not particualry exuberant, either.  Pretty much 70-75 mph, although did enjoy the legal 75-80 in AZ.

If you want twisities in the Grand Canyon State:  US 191 near the NM border is the ticket and US 60 up through Superior/Globe and Salt River Canyon is fun.

Thanks for the write-up.  My Viffer is one of two bikes I regret selling; the other was my first GS.

[BrookR1]

I have a Kaoko throttle lock on my MTS and love it. The throttle lock also helps with fuel mileage...that and staying below 75 mph. If you can time your trip around the winds, it makes riding so much easier. I was able to get 250 miles per tank when pointed downwind when I did one of my iron butt rides.

In a week and a half, I'm going to do a SS1000 on the Buell. I'm going to take it easy though.

[Giaka]

 was able to get 250 miles per tank when pointed downwind when I did one of my iron butt rides.

My 7.7 gallon tank laughs at the weakness of your miles per tank.     j/k Both your bikes laugh at the "tankness" of mine Im sure.  

[BrookR1]

I was READY for a break after 250 miles anyway.  

[county]

The thing about them IB rides is how distance shrinks after your do one.

Good on you for doing one on a sport-tourer.  

[Rogue]

In a week and a half, I'm going to do a SS1000 on the Buell. I'm going to take it easy though.

That sounds painful.  

[Justin]

Second, for all its empty roads and seemingly lack of speed Nazi cops, AZ has limited twisties.  Hwy 89 is one mostly twisty road and it was perfect, with twisties rivaling CA’s twisty roads.  

The twisty roads that AZ does have are superb though. The Coronado Trail and Salt River canyon are perfect, as well as a few others I have ridden. And as you mentioned, even when the roads aren't twisty the beautiful views and scenery make up for it.  

[Rogue]

I was READY for a break after 250 miles anyway.  

The first few 150 miles between brakes were find.

After 600 miles, that was hard to maintain and we began doing breaks every 100 miles, then 75 miles.  The last couple of hundred miles seemed to last forever!  

[Rogue]

 

 You know somebody had to do it.

 You must twist the grip a lot more than I do. I get 40+ MPG with the '98 on the open road, and I'm down 1 tooth on the front. Working the twisties it will drop to mid 30s.

I wanted to take more pics but that meant stopping.  We limited our stops to 15 minutes at the gas stations.  We did it in 19 hours.  So I have these videos of us at gas stations.  LOL!  

[gritsngravy]

Sounds like you had a good time.   I've always favored a bike with some size, weight and power when I head out on a long ride.     Rogue hit the nail on the head when he described how character takes a back seat to practicality, refinement, reliability and smoothness on long rides.  

Usual  mileage I can get out of my stock '07 vfr is ~40mpg with somewhat conservative riding, i.e no red lining through the gears, triple digit passes etc.     My King actually gets better mileage even with several high speed runs and beating everyone off the line at stop lights.  Just don't need to use much of that MOTOR to make things happen quickly.    Still, with nearly 6 gallons of fuel the VFR  has taken me 200 miles before refueling and frankly that's all I need.     Still a nice ride.  

[napper]

 Drivers in AZ are courteous and friendly.  

If I repeat it over and over, will it make it true?

You did well staying north metro of phoenix.  I'm impressed you included 89A through Jerome on a SS1000.

[BrookR1]

The first few 150 miles between brakes were find.

After 600 miles, that was hard to maintain and we began doing breaks every 100 miles, then 75 miles.  The last couple of hundred miles seemed to last forever!  

I meant on one tank of gas.  

[M.Brane]

I wanted to take more pics but that meant stopping.  We limited our stops to 15 minutes at the gas stations.  We did it in 19 hours.  So I have these videos of us at gas stations.  LOL!  

 Well that's better than no pics I guess.

 I usually roll about 70-80 on the open road depending on other traffic. I was really surprised how little the sprocket change affected my MPG. It sure pulls nicer down low, and the sweet spot for highway cruising is more reasonable now.

 I don't think I'll ever do a SS1000. I have no desire to simply put on miles, and don't care for slabbing much. I like to take the backroads & stop frequently to enjoy the scenery since I'm not paying all that much attention to it when I'm moving.

[2DFlyer]

Anyway......the critics who laugh at the FJR and ST'S and C14's of the world and think they are overweight sleds compared to some crotch rocket will be silenced right after they do a couple of trips like yours.
  

The right tool for the job.

I'm jealous Rogue.  Thanks for the report and stoking the fire some.

[spinalator]

Good job Rogue!

[David Morrow]

Well done. Once again, a rider proves the VFR800's LD abilities. My girlfriend and I put an aux tank on her VFR800 and it can make a huge difference when gas is tougher to find or you want to go a little further.

http://www.ldrider.ca/vfr-stuff/vfr-aux-tank/vfr-aux-tank.htm

[Rogue]

If I repeat it over and over, will it make it true?

You did well staying north metro of phoenix.  I'm impressed you included 89A through Jerome on a SS1000.

We originally had Phoenix as part of the route but I vetoed that idea because I had a sneaking suspicion it would ruin my impression of AZ.    

Jerome was a cluster-fook but in a good way.  I mean, there were tons of people walking around, cars as slow as mollasses, dirt on the road, and they were having some kind of motorcycle party.  There were tons of cruisers, which surprised me because the road was incredibly twisty.  It was the only place we saw sportbikes at.  Most places in AZ favored cruisers and ST bikes.  However, as soon as we were clear of Jerome, the road opened up and it was simply heaven up until Prescott.  Prescott was better than Jerome.  Again, as soon as we were clear of the city Hwy 89 was sublime and just wonderful to ride on!

[kevin_stevens]

I have a Kaoko throttle lock on my MTS and love it. The throttle lock also helps with fuel mileage...that and staying below 75 mph. If you can time your trip around the winds, it makes riding so much easier. I was able to get 250 miles per tank when pointed downwind when I did one of my iron butt rides.

In a week and a half, I'm going to do a SS1000 on the Buell. I'm going to take it easy though.

I have a Buell comfort saddle for sale if you want it.  Might help, they're pretty comfy.

KeS

[mxvet57]

The thing about them IB rides is how distance shrinks after your do one.

Good on you for doing one on a sport-tourer.  

If he was on a FJR comfort wouldn't of been an issue.


Rogue, congrats on the ride. One of these days i have to do a SS1000. I have done 850 miles in 15 hours so i know it can be done.

[veefer800canuck]

I don't see any



therefore this thread is