Down into the furnace

[Rick G]

Went for a ride today , with two fellows I haven't ridden with before. One rode a 2002 Triumph America, the other a very new 1200 Sportster.  In spite of my caution, that it would be damned hot at the river , we went to Oatman (I was out voted) and then to the Avi casino in CA. After lunch at the Avi's buffet , we crossed into NV. and rode up to Laughlin and crossed back into AZ.   The V ran well until we hit the 6 % grade , on hiway 68 heading back to Kingman. about 8 miles up the grade ,it it acted like it was going on to reserve , but reserve didn't help . We stopped  at the only gas station on the grade and I topped up the tank . I believe it was vapor lock, so I stopped plugging along at 65 and hit the 12% part of the grade at 80.  Not a bit of problem! bike even ran a bit cooler. I wonder if more gas being vaporised absorbed more heat and eliminated the vapor lock?
it was decided that we should go up hill next time , maybe to Seligman or Supi.
Both of my fellow riders were impressed with the Visions power and quickness. The HD rider had a hard time believing that it was only, 33 cubic inches.

[motoracer8]

Rick, I rode my Vision through Death Valley about 10 years ago, We stoped at Stove Pipe for gas and it was 110. The Vision did fine but the rider sufferd alittle.

  Ken G.

[Rick G]

Ken , I try to stay out of extreme heat,  I just don't have the stamina I used to.  I was working friday trying to finish a HVAC installation  and darned near passed out twice. I finally called halt and went to get a 54 oz drink , which helped a lot.
In days of yore, I rode in the desert, on a dirt bike , during July , with no problems .145 deg. attics held no terror for me either !

[motoracer8]

Rick, I feel for ya, I can't even emagine being in the A/C business summer time in AZ. About 92or93 I rode a saddle sore 1000, it Took place in early June so the weather was not too hot yet. The promoter always offered 3 or 4 routes, I like the desert route so I chose that one again, we entered Death Valley from the East, from Beaty on Hwy 95, it was probbaly 80/85 deg. The ride so far had been quite pleasent from the start in San Jose Ca. As we droped down into the valley it started to get hot, really hot, when we got to Stove Pipe, about noon, it was 126 deg. I was riding a BMW, it's oil temp was 280 deg, my friend on a HD said the engine would detonate at anything above a small throttle opening. While at Stove Pipe I soaked a sweat shirt with water, filled my helmet with water and off we went, that lasted 10 or 15 miles, and my sweat shirt was dry. By the time we got to Lone Pine on 395, it was probbaly about 90 deg. it felt like we were by the ocean. Needless to say I stay out of Death Valley on a motorcycle during the summer.

  Ken G.