Arizona
Dual-sport ride on 2017 Suzuki DR-Z400s motorcycles
Apr 22 - May 7, 2019
2,445 miles
Palm Desert CA (Holiday Inn Express) 132 miles
Blythe CA (Best Western Sahara) 203
Buckeye AZ (Holiday Inn Express) 164
Prescott AZ (Best Western Prescottonian) 128
Phoenix Anthem AZ (Phoenix Hampton Inn) 164
Globe AZ (Days Inn) 202
Mammoth AZ (The Lodge) 63
Tombstone AZ (Larian Motel) 139
Patagonia AZ (Stage Stop Inn) 121
Kearny AZ (General Kearny Inn) 195
Young AZ (Pleasant Valley Inn) 130
Sedona AZ (Best Western Sedona Inn) 188
Cottonwood AZ (Super 8) 51
Wickenburg AZ (Best Western Rancho Grande) 163
Blythe CA (Best Western Sahara) 160
San Diego 242 miles / 2,445 total
2020 Dual-sport Ride: California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada (June 6-24)
2840 miles on DR-Z400s motorcycles
1. Parker, AZ -- Quality Inn (263)
2. Wikieup, AZ - Trading Post Motel (180)
3. Kingman, AZ - BW plus A Wayfarer's Inn (99)
4. Flagstaff, AZ - BW Pony Soldier Inn (227)
5. Page, AZ - BW View of Lake Powell (159)
6. Escalante, UT - Circle D Motel (122)
7. Hanksville, UT - Whispering Sands Mtl (156)
8. Green River, UT - Comfort Inn (106)
9. Price, UT - Legacy Inn (127)
10. Ferron, UT - Big Mtn Lodge (134)
11. Hanksville, UT - Whispering Sands (122)
12. Torrey, UT - Austin's Chuckwagon (102)
13. Richfield, UT - Quality Inn (125)
14. Panguitch, UT - Purple Sage Motel (108)
15. Mesquite NV - Best West, Mesquite (200)
16. Las Vegas, NV - Hampton Inn LV (137)
17. Big Bear, CA - B.W. Big Bear Chateau (231)
18. Idyllwild, CA - The Fireside Inn (117)
19. San Diego (123)
Bikes: 2020 Suzuki DR-Z400s
Tires: Dunlop D606 Rear and Pirelli MT21 front
Luggage: Wolfman Mini Beta Bag
Navigation: Garmin Montana 610 GPS
Cameras: Canon G7X Mark II and Sony RX100
Route Planning Resources: Garmin BaseCamp, Google Maps, Google Earth, TripAdvisor
2022 Suzuki DR-Z400s and 2023 Honda CRF300L Rally
May 23 - Jun 8, 2024
2800 miles riding
Blythe CA (Days Inn) 217 mi
Wickenburg AZ (Best Western) 172
Prescott AZ (Sierra Inn) 145
Chino Valley AZ (Days Inn) 80
Flagstaff AZ (Best Western) 184
Page AZ (BW View of Lake Powell) 202
Escalante UT (Circle D) 94
Caineville UT (Cathedral Valley Inn) 167
Green River UT (Am Best Value) 110
Fruita CO (Balanced Rock) 130
Monticello UT (Atomic Blue) 165
Blanding UT (Arch Canyon Inn) 89
Torrey UT (Austin’s Chuckwagon Lodge) 174
Kanab UT (Best Western Red Hills) 203
Boulder City NV (Best Western Hoover Dam) 231
Twentynine Palms CA (Best Western Joshua Tree) 200
San Diego (190)
Dual-sport ride on 2017 Suzuki DR-Z400s motorcycles
Jan 7 - 16, 2019
1,480 miles
Itinerary:
1. Palm Desert, CA (Best Western plus - Palm Desert) 138
2. Parker, AZ (Best Western Parker Inn) 208
3. Wickenburg, AZ (Best Western Rancho Grande) 124
4. Kingman, AZ (Best Western plus - Wayfarer's Inn Kingman) 188
5. Boulder City, NV (Best Western Hoover Dam) 144
6. Bullhead City, AZ (Days Inn - very bad) 91
7. Primm, NV (Primm Valley Resort and Casino) 129
8. Needles, CA (Best Western Colorado River Inn) 136
9. Palm Desert, CA (Holiday Inn Express) 188
10. San Diego, CA 130 / 1,480 total
May 16 - June 1, 2018
Motorcycles: Honda Africa Twin and Suzuki DRZ400S
3,470 miles
Itinerary:
1. Wickenburg, AZ (BW Rancho Grande) 335
2. Springerville, AZ (BW Sunrise Inn) 303
3. Reserve, New Mexico (The Frisco Lodging Company) 143
4. Pinos Altos, NM (Bear Creek Motel & Cabins) 158
5. Alamogordo, NM (Super 8) 217
6. Cloudcroft, NM (Dusty Boots Motel) 177
7. Socorro, NM (Super 8) 191
8. Truth or Consequences, NM (Comfort Inn) 119
9. T or C, NM (Comfort Inn) 104
10. Socorro, NM (Super 8) 149
11. Los Alamos, NM (Comfort Inn) 219
12. Chama, NM (Chama Trails Inn) 158
13. Cuba, NM (Frontier Motel) 236
14. Grants, NM (Days Inn) 145
15. Springerville, AZ (Rode Inn) 158
16. Wickenberg, AZ (BW Rancho Grande) 305
17. San Diego 335 / 3,470 total
When should I ride in Arizona?
Planning dual-sport motorcycle rides across multiple states requires balancing weather conditions to avoid snow, cold temperatures, and other seasonal challenges. Below are recommendations for the best months to ride in Arizona—while avoiding snowfall, unmelted snowbanks in high mountain passes, and temperatures below 45°F, or excessive heat. These suggestions focus on optimal riding conditions, considering elevation, regional climate variations, and typical weather patterns.
Arizona
Recommended Months: March, April, October, November
Details:
March: Northern high country (e.g., Flagstaff) thaws (50s-60s°F), while deserts stay mild (70s°F). Passes clear of snow by late month.
April: Statewide sweet spot—60s-80s°F. High elevations dry out, and deserts aren’t yet scorching.
October: Post-monsoon clarity, with 60s-80s°F. Snow-free mountains and cooler deserts.
November: Late-season riding (50s-70s°F), though northern areas may see early snow by month’s end.
Avoid: June-August (100s°F in deserts), December-February (snow in north).
Recommended Best Month: October
Summary: Arizona’s low deserts get brutally hot (100s°F) in summer, while northern high country (e.g., Mogollon Rim) can see snow in winter. October offers 60s-80s°F statewide, with snow-free mountain passes and cooler desert riding. Spring (March-April) is also viable but can be windier and less predictable.