Wilbur Goes To San Diego

[Plane Dr]

So Wilbur (2022 KLR) will be making a run to San Diego. The plan is to leave it there for the winter, flying out to ride hopefully about once a month. I have a route planned with a basic ride of highway 380 to PHX then Blythe to San Diego. Way points, The Colony, Roswell, Payton, Blythe, Lakeside. It's about 1400 miles give or take, 3 days planned, maybe 2 depending on how my anatomy takes it. Gas stops noted with options depending on how it settles out for a steady drone. Of course hotels and campgrounds in a number of places scoped as well.

1000 miles on the KLR. This was an easier ride prep, other than having built a new bike in the last 3 months. After multiple ADV bike builds I think this is the best all rounder yet. The weight is manageable, the lack of power is a savior! I have enough miles I am comfortable with the bike. I've done a few 150-200 mile rides so most bugs have been ironed out. Tires will have a smallish margin left on arrival.

Having done a number of these long distance trips over the years. The goal is slow and steady, enjoy the trip, instead of riding something like the VFR and being a mile muncher. I have all the standard stuff for the ride. My normal fix anything anywhere tool kit, way more camping gear than I need. I'm taking lot's as Cali will require different gear for different local trips.

I'll post some pictures before I leave and try to get some on the road. I'll post 1 of Wilbur in the final mule configuration.

 

[Texas T]

So Wilbur (2022 KLR) will be making a run to San Diego. The plan is to leave it there for the winter, flying out to ride hopefully about once a month. I have a route planned with a basic ride of highway 380 to PHX then Blythe to San Diego. Way points, The Colony, Roswell, Payton, Blythe, Lakeside.

I get the impression that you're doing this ride "right about now" and not at some future point in time.The weather should be nice until you get past Payson and leave the Rim Country behind as you drop down into the Phoenix valley. We're in the 90s this week and 100s next week with Blythe being a bit higher than that. We haven't gone up to the Show Low house yet this year, otherwise I would have been happy to meet you for lunch/dinner when you hit Lakeside. If you're already familiar with the area you know this, but Darbi's is the best place to eat.

 

[Plane Dr]

Leaving in a week (May 20th). Departure is 0 dark thirty. I'll do the final test pack this weekend, as well as the final once over.

My buddy and I had lunch at a place like Darbi's last time I was out! The target is actually Lakeside Ca, NE of San Diego. I'll be on 60 after show low. It looks like a good ride. Any tips?

The DRZ grenaded in Pine Valley in like 2015/16. The KLR won't have that problem or the stupidity of the DRZ. The DRZ was a 470 stroker that was waaaay fun! Well up to the "bang"!

 

[Boulder Ed]

good luck. As much as I fall asleep instantly counting KLRs, any ride on two wheels is a good one One has to work to grenade a DRZ so be gentle on the KLR. I saw a couple grenaded in AK from running them too fast with 800 pounds of gear I suspect

 

[Texas T]

I'll be on 60 after show low. It looks like a good ride. Any tips?

Depends on how much you want to deviate from your route. Are you on 60 from Socorro NM? It looks like 380 stops at San Antonio NM at I-25. Although I haven't ridden 52-163-159, I think I'd take 60 west from Socorro past Magdalena and then halfway to Datil you can take 52 / 163 / 159 to Alma which sits on hwy 180. Alma was a former location for Butch Cassidy and his Hole In The Wall gang. You can get gas and food at the Alma Store there.

You can then go north on 180 to Alpine AZ, and if you haven't eaten yet, stop at the Bear Wallow Cafe. You then continue north on 191 to Springerville and then west on 260 to Lakeside-Pinetop and Show Low. Again, if you haven't eaten, Darbi's is the place to go in Lakeside-Pinetop. Gas is usually the least expensive at the tribal casino... Hon-Dah. Keep in mind that from Springerville to Show Low to Globe, most of the land you'll be on will be White Mountain or San Carlos Apache tribal lands so act accordingly. Their lands, their laws.

Depending upon time and how much you want to deviate from your route, you can also go south from Alma to 78 which takes you into AZ. Once you get past Mule Creek and then all the way to Three Way it's a great ride. At Three Way turn north on 191 and ride the Devil's Highway if you haven't already done so. This will bring you back to the previously mentioned Bear Wallow Cafe in Alpine. A KLR is not the best tool for a road like the Devil's Highway so you may want to bypass it.

You said you're going to be on 60 from Show Low. That will take you through the Salt River Canyon, second only to the Grand Canyon, and with the amount of snowfall we had this winter (and yesterday) the Salt River should be running bank to bank. This will take you down to Globe, and from there west on in to Phoenix. As you enter the town of Superior you'll see a large building on the left toward the end of town; that's Los Hermanos if you want some good Mexican food.

HOWEVER, temps are going to be ratcheting up here quickly and you're easily going to be in the 100s once you come down out of the mountains at Superior. Again, depending upon your route restrictions and time... from Show Low I would take 260 to Payson (lunch at the airport or at the 260 Cafe), then north to Pine and Strawberry and west to Camp Verde which brings you to I-17. Go south just a couple of miles and then 169 & 69 into Prescott. South on 89 out of Prescott and some incredible downhill mountain riding on Yarnell Hill. Stop and pay your respects to the Yarnell Fire Fighters that were killed nearby several years back. The memorial is on the downhill side of the road.

Continue on 89 to Congress, then 71 until you once again hit the 60 near the town of Aguila. Continue on 60 past Brenda (see photo) and you'll hit I-10 about ten miles east of Quartzsite and then onto Blythe. This will keep you out of the traffic mess of the Phoenix Metro area, and keep you in cooler temps until after you pass Congress.

If none of this works for you, then perhaps someone else will find some interest in the routes I've laid out. Have a good ride and be safe.


My wife's name is Brenda.

 

[Plane Dr]

I am staging the KLR for the winter in Ca that is the whole purpose of this trip. The VFR1200X is by far a better machine for this trip. However it defeats the purpose. The intent is to camp and such in Ca in places the VFR just can't touch. The route through Prescott makes it 24 hours total (driving) so I could do 3 8 hour days which is kind of what I had in mind. Long but not hard. I mean the VFR did direct to DAL-PHX then Long Beach (1500 miles under 36 hours elapsed) before it was properly rigged up.

I need to keep an eye on tires. I will be close to the limit on them. Could I change them yes, but I think the mileage is doable with a little to spare.

I really like the deviation north to Prescott and around PHX. It only adds around 2 hrs and beats heat and traffic. This whole thing is subject to how I feel as I go, if I get tired I'll stop or if the tires are looking poor I'll shorten it. Now I have several potential routes planned out. All looking great.

DRZ's are great and bullet proof till you build a 470 stroker. That engine dyno'd at 56 hp, double the factory. I also had 10K miles on the stroker, from SM to hard off road. That build is known to develop piston rock which is what got me. Later versions use different stroker cranks and are more stable. When mine went it went it went big so the engine was a complete write off. I ran a stock engine after that for a few months (a year?) but it needed valve/head work so I parted it out. But honestly the bike was due for another complete teardown and rebuild. Poor thing was just plain wore out. I ran about 3 or 4 engines in it over the years and it was solid. The stroker and the E engine I replaced it with were the only time I had issues. The rest were for fun.

 

[Plane Dr]

good luck. As much as I fall asleep instantly counting KLRs, any ride on two wheels is a good one One has to work to grenade a DRZ so be gentle on the KLR. I saw a couple grenaded in AK from running them too fast with 800 pounds of gear I suspect

The KLR is loaded like a mule. but not too bad. I went to a 16 tooth to bring rpm down and have temp gauge etc added. It will be fine. The VFR is a 90 mph cruiser. 75 should be a sweet spot on the KLR.

 

[dukey33]

Have a safe trip and good luck.

If any of the mapped fuel stops are close to the range of the tank, keep in mind a strong headwind may shorten that to an uncomfortable distance.

 

[Plane Dr]

Have a safe trip and good luck.

If any of the mapped fuel stops are close to the range of the tank, keep in mind a strong headwind may shorten that to an uncomfortable distance.

I have mapped out at 180 mile intervals. The tank at standard mpg should get 240. Plus I pack an extra 1/2 gallon, for the just in case.

 

[Plane Dr]

Here is poor Wilber. Way loaded down. Bear in mind this trip I am not camping nor am I planning anything more than the ride. The amount of gear is being "moved" as Wilbur will be there for a year. So the camping gear is "extra" as are the tools. Yes I can move some stuff on the plane rides back and forth but it is nice to get a big chunk of it out there, and I don't expect any impact on the ride itself.

I got slagged when I joked about only 100 lbs of gear. I thought that was not bad when it includes the bag weight. Balanced left to right and all the weight is low. I don't care for tank bags so the tail box is doing that duty. Plus them Kawasaki bags are heavy for what they are. I need 1/3 of what I'm hauling for any given trip. Meaning different rides and camping need different things. I am not buying a third or fourth set, I did that last bike out there so now it is all going back. This is purely a moving trip.

 

[gixxerjasen]

Although I haven't ridden 52-163-159, I think I'd take 60 west from Socorro past Magdalena and then halfway to Datil you can take 52 / 163 / 159 to Alma

From here: https://nmroads.com/mapIndex.html

Seasonal Closure, NM 159 from mile marker 12, 3 miles east of Mogollon to mile marker 22, 3 miles west of Willow Creek Campground.
Seasonal Closure
The lower gate is located at milepost 12.3, just past Mogollon, and the upper gate located at milepost 22.6, Willow Creek Campground. This closure is in place due to winter weather conditions making the roadway impassable. The traveling public is asked to use US 180 to NM 12 (Reserve) to NM 435 (Reserve Beaverhead Road) for access into Willow Creek, Snow Lake and the Gila National Forrest. The NMDOT will monitor gates, expected reopening is scheduled for late April to mid-May.

Post Date: 12/20/2022 8:18 AM
Update Date: 5/16/2023 6:36 AM
Expiration Date: unknown

Says updated today, don't know if there's a better source but I've seen some BDR videos and that area gets nasty muddy and there's a lot of rain forecasted in the area. Doesn't sound like a good place for an overloaded KLR even if they open it.

 

[Texas T]

From here: https://nmroads.com/mapIndex.html



Says updated today, don't know if there's a better source but I've seen some BDR videos and that area gets nasty muddy and there's a lot of rain forecasted in the area. Doesn't sound like a good place for an overloaded KLR even if they open it.

Good research.

There is a Low just to the SW of us and it's pulling a lot of moisture into NM and southern/eastern AZ. We actually got rain, lightning and very high winds today in the SE Phoenix valley and they got hail north of us as well as up on the Rim (Show Low, Lakeside-Pinetop).

 

[Plane Dr]

The trip was uneventful, so a great trip. I had planned on 3 days. But honestly I got to Prescott just after lunch and was might as well ride. The KLR was extremely comfortable even with the stock seat. The only complaint, which isn't even fair, is it is underpowered! Wait it's a KLR (dummy)!

I had the GPS set with the track I wanted to follow, but somehow it decided on a better way midway through day 2. In my no thinking about Navigation mode, I followed the GPS, as such I deviated to the no fun interstate, but on the flip side I got the obligatory take it easy shot in Winslow.

I rode through rain, winds, cold and heat. Day 2 I went from 50 ish in the morning to 102 ish in the valley by PHX. Everything you expect in a ride. I'm pleased overall, I saw a whole section of the country I haven't seen before, some beautiful vistas, just plain enjoyed the ride.

Since I had time on my hands Monday we rode around for a few hours on by far the twistiest roads. Better than the dragon in my books.

New tires on the way, buddy will drop the bike and have tires and a service done (why cut into riding time). So it's all coming together nicely!

 

[Texas T]

I had the GPS set with the track I wanted to follow, but somehow it decided on a better way midway through day 2. In my no thinking about Navigation mode, I followed the GPS, as such I deviated to the no fun interstate, but on the flip side I got the obligatory take it easy shot in Winslow.

Even if the route is in the GPS I'll write the main road changes in grease pencil on the inside of my windshield just to avoid that very thing from happening because I got bit just like you did.

Glad you had a safe, enjoyable ride.