North Rim Grand Canyon
- Thread starter SkooterG
- Start date
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Ari Rankum
NAFO Karting Champion, 2012
That's a fun report, SkooterG.
89A, along the Vermillion Cliffs, must be one of the most beautiful sights I've ever had the good fortune to experience on a bike.
I know this is a tough time for you - I hope you're doing okay.
It surprises me no end to say this, but it was good to see you these couple times this year.
89A, along the Vermillion Cliffs, must be one of the most beautiful sights I've ever had the good fortune to experience on a bike.
I know this is a tough time for you - I hope you're doing okay.
It surprises me no end to say this, but it was good to see you these couple times this year.
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
https://picasaweb.google.com/beemerguyRT/AZ...CanyonAug232008 More piccies. Makes it hard to be at work!!
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
https://www.azbeemers.org/forum/index.php?t...w;topicseen#new A very nice Grand Canyon panoramic picture.
SockMonkey
Makin' Some Noise
Dear BMW Motorrad,
I thought you might enjoy these photos taken during my recent trip to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA:
Thank you again for producing such a wonderful piece of German motoring excellence!
Yours sincerely,
Another satisfied BMW owner
_________________________
:lol: :lol: :lol:
I thought you might enjoy these photos taken during my recent trip to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA:
I would be delighted if you would post these on your website along with those from other happy BMW owners taken in locales around the globe!
Thank you again for producing such a wonderful piece of German motoring excellence!
Yours sincerely,
Another satisfied BMW owner
_________________________
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Last edited by a moderator:
Tbird
Well-known member
That's funny SockMonkey!
It amazes me that BMW has gotten a free pass on this issue so far. It seems as
they are totally unconcerned about their bike's perceived reputation for unreliability.
True and sad story...I was at my local BMW dealer several years back getting
a warranty issue taken care of on my LT and I asked the service manager and a
couple of his techs about the rear drive issue. They all claimed to never had
heard of it. Not 30 min later THEIR flatbed rolls up with a LT on it. Guess what
it's problem was (rear tire looked just like the pic in this thread...owner told me
FR started grinding). I had caught them is a certain lie! I never trusted that shop
again with touching my bike.
My LT never had a FD failure...but my ABS system went kaput at less than 30K.
Was out of warranty and they told me I needed the whole unit replaced at over $2500.
I told them I have a 10 year old pickup with 130,00 mi that has perfectly working
ABS and that BMW should take care of it. No dice they said.
I regretably had to tell BMW to KMA. That's pretty much how I ended up riding the FJR.
I still miss having BMW bikes but BMWNA sucks. I love the FJR and have no regrets.
It amazes me that BMW has gotten a free pass on this issue so far. It seems as
they are totally unconcerned about their bike's perceived reputation for unreliability.
True and sad story...I was at my local BMW dealer several years back getting
a warranty issue taken care of on my LT and I asked the service manager and a
couple of his techs about the rear drive issue. They all claimed to never had
heard of it. Not 30 min later THEIR flatbed rolls up with a LT on it. Guess what
it's problem was (rear tire looked just like the pic in this thread...owner told me
FR started grinding). I had caught them is a certain lie! I never trusted that shop
again with touching my bike.
My LT never had a FD failure...but my ABS system went kaput at less than 30K.
Was out of warranty and they told me I needed the whole unit replaced at over $2500.
I told them I have a 10 year old pickup with 130,00 mi that has perfectly working
ABS and that BMW should take care of it. No dice they said.
I regretably had to tell BMW to KMA. That's pretty much how I ended up riding the FJR.
I still miss having BMW bikes but BMWNA sucks. I love the FJR and have no regrets.
Last edited by a moderator:
Wicked Webby
Right is Harder than Wrong.
Very nice ride report. Breath taking scenary!!
Good work!
WW
Good work!
WW
rogdeb
Scouser
Great ride report and pics Scoot :clapping: ... Damn, those roads look familiar ----- memories
Wolfhound
Wildman
Cool temps up there & great company & scenery !
A few pics from us :
Jane cruising to the rim
Don & Donna (beemerdons)
Jane after flat
Views from North Rim Lodge
From near Cape Royal
A few pics from us :
Jane cruising to the rim
Don & Donna (beemerdons)
Jane after flat
Views from North Rim Lodge
From near Cape Royal
SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
Great piccies Robert!
Jane - BOTH hands on the bars!
Jane - BOTH hands on the bars!
Jackson
Well-known member
Thanks for the pics and the story, Scooter. I love the North Rim.
Last edited by a moderator:
UselessPickles
Making Grand Canyon replicas from air boxes...
Are you sure those tires are actually tubeless? I had a 2001 F650GS; it had tubes in tubeless tires :blink:
It wasn't a mistake. That's just how they did it. It drove me a bit crazy when I tried to plug a hole in the "tubeless" tire just to discover that air was now leaking out of the rim at every point that a spoke was connected. The guy at the BMW shop had an explanation for the tubeless tire with a tube in it, but I can't remember it.
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
https://www.bmwscruz.com/motorcycles/2009/f...s/F650GS_F.html UselessPickles: Unfortunately, this is the second time today that I have had to admit publicly that SkooterG is correct about something. First: The Audiovox cruise control does not require removing Throttlemeister. Second: That F650GS Twin indeed has tubeless tires on its cast aluminum wheels.
2009 BMW F800GS indeed has tubes in its spoke wheels. I saw both bikes in Barcelona, Spain at the BMW Barcelo Sants dealership while waiting to ride the Pyrenees with Stef - teerex51 and Dave - Orestes. Asked that question in Spanish.
2009 BMW F800GS indeed has tubes in its spoke wheels. I saw both bikes in Barcelona, Spain at the BMW Barcelo Sants dealership while waiting to ride the Pyrenees with Stef - teerex51 and Dave - Orestes. Asked that question in Spanish.
James Burleigh
Well-known member
Enjoyed the report, Skoot.
BMWs are crap. Just ask JWhite...
BMWs are crap. Just ask JWhite...
Great report Skooter.
Beautiful scenery.
Beautiful faces.
A great ride.
Thank you.
Beautiful scenery.
Beautiful faces.
A great ride.
Thank you.
Khunajawdge
Toto El Mundo!
OK, a little late but not "never", here's my ride report from California.
Thursday October 21st 2008
After preparing for nearly 2 months for a ride to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to meet up with the AZ Beemers and Southwest FJR Forum, I was nearly ready to depart. Had received a new Escort 8500 X50 Radar detector earlier in the week (trade in rebate on my older SOLO), and went about fabricating a bracket and wiring it in. On the morning before the ride, I discovered that my battery had lost a cell. Must have driven it over the edge of its lifespan by keeping the ignition on so long hooking in the Escort. So, into town I go to find a new battery! The replacement cost me $90.
In the evening my riding partners “Los Tres Amigos”, Robert Van Houtte from Marina, and Rudy Lopez from Paso Robles came over and we had a fine feast of tapas y vino of various varieties at my place. Joviality was common and our spirits were high anticipating early morning departure on this ride. Rudy and I would be on FJR’s and Robert would ride his FZ1.
Friday, October 22nd 2008
Robert and I departed from my house at 6:30 AM and picked up Rudy in Atascadero where we proceeded to head over CA 58 east toward Bakersfield. About 60 miles into 58, all of a sudden my bike began to jolt and all the dash lights went flashing. After pulling over with some intermittent stumble of the engine, it was diagnosed that I had not hooked in the battery correctly? Into the right Fairing panel I go, and sure enough the main positive lead to the battery is hanging and was not held to the battery with the 10 mm battery bolt = DOH! After the roadside fix, all was well and it never acted up again the entire trip.
Upon departure, the temperature on the coast was a cool 60 degrees, but by 10:00 AM, it was already 88 as we approached the Central Valley. By the time we reached our breakfast stop in Tehachapi, CA at 11:15 or so, the temp had dropped a little to around 86. After breakfast heading toward Barstow, the temp began to climb steadily through the 90’s s until in Barstow it was 105. By noon we were soaking ourselves with H2O and filling our camel backs at every gas stop. Leaving Barstow we continued on Interstate 40 east.
The afternoon wore on as we continued crossing the Mojave and at 4:30PM, we were standing at this spot in the shade in Needles, CA. where my temperature gauge said 117 degrees, Whew!
It was very gratifying to reach our first overnight rest stop in Kingman, AZ where the temp had dropped to 98 degrees at 5:30 PM. :clapping:
Saturday, October 23rd 2008
“Los Tres Amigos” departed Kingman east on 40, and realize that we may be an hour late for our breakfast rendezvous with the AZBeemers for breakfast in Flagstaff due to having crossed into Mountain Time Zone? Here we are calling Don Stanly at a rest stop to convey this news. No answer so left a voicemail on his cell. Temps were in the 80’s all morning. Lot’s cooler than yesterday because we were at a much higher altitude than back in the Colorado River Valley near Needles.
Turned out we were on Mountain Time. Upon arrival in Old downtown Flagstaff, we see the line-up of bikes in front of Charlie’s Grill in Flagstaff.
The ride proceeded in small groups with “Los Tres Amigos” forming our own group, on route north on AZ 89 from Flagstaff. Not much radar all day, but I did get zapped by a Navajo Tribal Police patrol vehicle near Cameron, AZ on “the Rez”.
Before my departure on this Southwestern journey I had read 2 fiction books on the South West. A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman, and The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey. Interesting to be cruising through Northern Arizona where much of the territory, history, culture, with a twist of intrigue and adventure had been spelled out in these books! The Zane Gray book entitled Tonto Basin was given to me at the Inn by Don Stanley (Beemerdons). Thanks for the read Don!
AZ 89A departs slightly to the northwest from northeasterly 89 at Gila? This is Indian Bridge on the Rio Colorado near Lee’s Ferry.
Rode from the Indian Bridge along the Vermillion Cliffs to Jacob Lake on AZ, but not until after a stop at Lee’s Ferry for a dip in the Rio Colorado with full riding gear on. At Jacob Lake we stopped for fuel and met Greg and Jane again and were among the first to co-witness the flat on Jane’s Vulcan = Bummer!
Heading South on the Kaibab Plateau past the longest alpine meadow I’ve ever seen, we saw these critters. That’s Rudy in the foreground!
Here’s a picture of some of the bikes that were parked in the parking lot at the North Rim Lodge before our group arrived.
The primitive cabins at the North Rim are log cabins and are small and Spartan but they are really neat! Unfortunately (Doh?), I didn’t shoot a picture of them. Dinner at the Inn that evening was memorable and it was kewel to meet a few on the Forum from the Arizona contingent. It is always great to put an actual face to a handle from this forum.
Here is a view from Bright Angel Point behind the Inn around dusk.
Sunday, October 24th, 2008
After the most restful sleep on this ride “Los Tres Amigos” readied for departure from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We ended up following Greg, Don, and Robert and their SO’s riding 2-up, to Cape Royale. Here’s a group pic at the parking lot.
At Jacob Lake we departed our new Arizona friends and headed west. Jane’s bike was diagnosed with a nail in the tube and you’ll have to read elsewhere in this ride report for other accounts of the details of that adventure.
“Los Tres Amigos” ALL received written performance “warnings” in Zion National Park = Doh? We shouldn’t have even gone that way and avoided the park entirely, but the route looked twisty on the map. Surprise! Besides paying a $12.00 entry fee, the speed limit in the park was posted at an average speed of 25 mph. FJR’s don’t like 100+ air temperatures when they have to crawl along at slow speeds in a National Park, so we wicked it up a bit when the MoHo’s pulled into the sightseeing areas. We tried to let them run a bit, what would you do if your legs were beginning to blister? When we were pulled over, we weren’t cited, just warned for doing 45 in a 35 by the friendly US park rangers. When we exited the park (which has spectacular scenery), it was 111 degrees. Wicking it up good for a stretch of approx. 20 miles, we were in desperate need of gas and water by the time we reached Hurricane, Utah. Our final goal for the day was Mesquite, NV.
Thanks to the Oasis gambling casino, our stop in Mesquite, NV was a pleasant one. Inexpensive rooms, good parking security, cheap drinks, swimming pool, and buffet dinner were all very traveler friendly and reasonable. :drinks:
Monday, October 25th, 2008
Departure at 7:00AM headed us west on Interstate 15 away from the rising sun under a cover of high clouds. We rode for 70 miles at 80 – 85 degrees, before breaking into sunlight near Las Vegas and the temperature quickly soared to 100 at 8:00 – 8:30 AM, and it was morning Rush Hour. By 11:00AM we were in Barstow again at 108 degrees, and well into our home leg of the journey on CA. 58. We lost Rudy somewhere and Robert’s butt was wearing out, as his seat on the FZ1 is Not a distance platform. The FZ1 also has a gasoline range of approx 160 miles. He and I spent one more night on the road in Tehachapi after traveling approx. 350 miles from Mesquite in 100 + degree temps. Rudy ran the remaining 200 + miles for Paso Robles and made it home by 6:00PM.
Tuesday, October 26th, 2008
A familiar road for me is CA Hwy. 58. From Tehachapi, 58 takes me all the way through California’s Central Valley to Santa Margarita. From there I headed south on Highway 101, which was just within a few miles of home. Robert took I 5 near Bakersfield for his return to Monterey. My total miles on this trip was 1546. Gas prices were between a high of $4.00 in California to a low of $3.39 in Arizona.
Lastly, muchos gracias to Greg Marbach and Don Stanley for organizing this year’s run to the North Rim. It was a great adventure with some excellent camaraderie and scenery!
All the while, we rode in memory of Tim Bates.
Thursday October 21st 2008
After preparing for nearly 2 months for a ride to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to meet up with the AZ Beemers and Southwest FJR Forum, I was nearly ready to depart. Had received a new Escort 8500 X50 Radar detector earlier in the week (trade in rebate on my older SOLO), and went about fabricating a bracket and wiring it in. On the morning before the ride, I discovered that my battery had lost a cell. Must have driven it over the edge of its lifespan by keeping the ignition on so long hooking in the Escort. So, into town I go to find a new battery! The replacement cost me $90.
In the evening my riding partners “Los Tres Amigos”, Robert Van Houtte from Marina, and Rudy Lopez from Paso Robles came over and we had a fine feast of tapas y vino of various varieties at my place. Joviality was common and our spirits were high anticipating early morning departure on this ride. Rudy and I would be on FJR’s and Robert would ride his FZ1.
Friday, October 22nd 2008
Robert and I departed from my house at 6:30 AM and picked up Rudy in Atascadero where we proceeded to head over CA 58 east toward Bakersfield. About 60 miles into 58, all of a sudden my bike began to jolt and all the dash lights went flashing. After pulling over with some intermittent stumble of the engine, it was diagnosed that I had not hooked in the battery correctly? Into the right Fairing panel I go, and sure enough the main positive lead to the battery is hanging and was not held to the battery with the 10 mm battery bolt = DOH! After the roadside fix, all was well and it never acted up again the entire trip.
Upon departure, the temperature on the coast was a cool 60 degrees, but by 10:00 AM, it was already 88 as we approached the Central Valley. By the time we reached our breakfast stop in Tehachapi, CA at 11:15 or so, the temp had dropped a little to around 86. After breakfast heading toward Barstow, the temp began to climb steadily through the 90’s s until in Barstow it was 105. By noon we were soaking ourselves with H2O and filling our camel backs at every gas stop. Leaving Barstow we continued on Interstate 40 east.
The afternoon wore on as we continued crossing the Mojave and at 4:30PM, we were standing at this spot in the shade in Needles, CA. where my temperature gauge said 117 degrees, Whew!
It was very gratifying to reach our first overnight rest stop in Kingman, AZ where the temp had dropped to 98 degrees at 5:30 PM. :clapping:
Saturday, October 23rd 2008
“Los Tres Amigos” departed Kingman east on 40, and realize that we may be an hour late for our breakfast rendezvous with the AZBeemers for breakfast in Flagstaff due to having crossed into Mountain Time Zone? Here we are calling Don Stanly at a rest stop to convey this news. No answer so left a voicemail on his cell. Temps were in the 80’s all morning. Lot’s cooler than yesterday because we were at a much higher altitude than back in the Colorado River Valley near Needles.
Turned out we were on Mountain Time. Upon arrival in Old downtown Flagstaff, we see the line-up of bikes in front of Charlie’s Grill in Flagstaff.
The ride proceeded in small groups with “Los Tres Amigos” forming our own group, on route north on AZ 89 from Flagstaff. Not much radar all day, but I did get zapped by a Navajo Tribal Police patrol vehicle near Cameron, AZ on “the Rez”.
Before my departure on this Southwestern journey I had read 2 fiction books on the South West. A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman, and The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey. Interesting to be cruising through Northern Arizona where much of the territory, history, culture, with a twist of intrigue and adventure had been spelled out in these books! The Zane Gray book entitled Tonto Basin was given to me at the Inn by Don Stanley (Beemerdons). Thanks for the read Don!
AZ 89A departs slightly to the northwest from northeasterly 89 at Gila? This is Indian Bridge on the Rio Colorado near Lee’s Ferry.
Rode from the Indian Bridge along the Vermillion Cliffs to Jacob Lake on AZ, but not until after a stop at Lee’s Ferry for a dip in the Rio Colorado with full riding gear on. At Jacob Lake we stopped for fuel and met Greg and Jane again and were among the first to co-witness the flat on Jane’s Vulcan = Bummer!
Heading South on the Kaibab Plateau past the longest alpine meadow I’ve ever seen, we saw these critters. That’s Rudy in the foreground!
Here’s a picture of some of the bikes that were parked in the parking lot at the North Rim Lodge before our group arrived.
The primitive cabins at the North Rim are log cabins and are small and Spartan but they are really neat! Unfortunately (Doh?), I didn’t shoot a picture of them. Dinner at the Inn that evening was memorable and it was kewel to meet a few on the Forum from the Arizona contingent. It is always great to put an actual face to a handle from this forum.
Here is a view from Bright Angel Point behind the Inn around dusk.
Sunday, October 24th, 2008
After the most restful sleep on this ride “Los Tres Amigos” readied for departure from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We ended up following Greg, Don, and Robert and their SO’s riding 2-up, to Cape Royale. Here’s a group pic at the parking lot.
At Jacob Lake we departed our new Arizona friends and headed west. Jane’s bike was diagnosed with a nail in the tube and you’ll have to read elsewhere in this ride report for other accounts of the details of that adventure.
“Los Tres Amigos” ALL received written performance “warnings” in Zion National Park = Doh?
We shouldn’t have even gone that way and avoided the park entirely, but the route looked twisty on the map. Surprise! Besides paying a $12.00 entry fee, the speed limit in the park was posted at an average speed of 25 mph. FJR’s don’t like 100+ air temperatures when they have to crawl along at slow speeds in a National Park, so we wicked it up a bit when the MoHo’s pulled into the sightseeing areas. We tried to let them run a bit, what would you do if your legs were beginning to blister? When we were pulled over, we weren’t cited, just warned for doing 45 in a 35 by the friendly US park rangers. When we exited the park (which has spectacular scenery), it was 111 degrees. Wicking it up good for a stretch of approx. 20 miles, we were in desperate need of gas and water by the time we reached Hurricane, Utah. Our final goal for the day was Mesquite, NV.Thanks to the Oasis gambling casino, our stop in Mesquite, NV was a pleasant one. Inexpensive rooms, good parking security, cheap drinks, swimming pool, and buffet dinner were all very traveler friendly and reasonable. :drinks:
Monday, October 25th, 2008
Departure at 7:00AM headed us west on Interstate 15 away from the rising sun under a cover of high clouds. We rode for 70 miles at 80 – 85 degrees, before breaking into sunlight near Las Vegas and the temperature quickly soared to 100 at 8:00 – 8:30 AM, and it was morning Rush Hour. By 11:00AM we were in Barstow again at 108 degrees, and well into our home leg of the journey on CA. 58. We lost Rudy somewhere and Robert’s butt was wearing out, as his seat on the FZ1 is Not a distance platform. The FZ1 also has a gasoline range of approx 160 miles. He and I spent one more night on the road in Tehachapi after traveling approx. 350 miles from Mesquite in 100 + degree temps. Rudy ran the remaining 200 + miles for Paso Robles and made it home by 6:00PM.
Tuesday, October 26th, 2008
A familiar road for me is CA Hwy. 58. From Tehachapi, 58 takes me all the way through California’s Central Valley to Santa Margarita. From there I headed south on Highway 101, which was just within a few miles of home. Robert took I 5 near Bakersfield for his return to Monterey. My total miles on this trip was 1546. Gas prices were between a high of $4.00 in California to a low of $3.39 in Arizona.
Lastly, muchos gracias to Greg Marbach and Don Stanley for organizing this year’s run to the North Rim. It was a great adventure with some excellent camaraderie and scenery!
All the while, we rode in memory of Tim Bates.
Last edited by a moderator:
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
Khunajawdge: It was a real pleasure meeting/riding with you, Robert and Rudy. Hope to see you and others again in 2009!
