Newbie Ride Tale - The Second Go 'Round

[Twisties]

Thanks all for your encouragement regards yesterday’s post, my first attempt at a Ride Tale. It was a great boost to my ego to get some positive feedback, and I could get addicted to this…. Just kidding, you won’t have to worry about a post everyday.

 

Today we set off for American Fork Canyon, UT 92, the home of Timpanogos National Monument.

 

 

 

We had never been there before. We had a run of about 20 miles of slab until we turned off on Rte 92. Here is a panorama we shot before we entered the canyon. It was very gusty and we had trouble keeping the bike up while stopped.

 

 

Once we entered the canyon mouth we were sheltered from the wind and could snap a few more shots:

 

 

 

Then we came to a sign that read narrow road and switchbacks next 20 miles. Immediately after that we saw this sign:

 

 

So we were thinking things were definitely looking good, really good!

 

The road turned out to be quite narrow and I would call it intimate, but we weren’t worried about people crossing the centerline :):

 

 

Then we started to catch some views:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We topped out at Deer Creek Reservoir:

 

 

Then had lunch at Don Pedros in Heber:

 

 

Thirty miles of slab, and we were home, stawberry margaritas in immediate preparation. On the way down Parleys Canyon (I-80 East of SLC) we saw a flock of hoons doing about 90 coming up through heavy traffic, and semis clawing their way along. We were able to get a positive ID on the two lead hoons as they were doing their mating dance, which consists of riding on one wheel in and around semis, on a steep curvy road at speed . The lead two were clearly Yellow Billed Hoons. We think the rest were a mix of Common Hoon, and maybe some Red Necked Grebe. We know hoons are common in So. Cal. But they are quite rare here, and we had never seen the mating dance performed in the wild before.

 

So this was another new experience for us. I was wishing for something a little more nimble than the RT, in fact it wallowed on some of the switchbacks, and seemed to suck for air coming out of them. I think a GS or an ST would have been better. Most of the canyon was in 1st through 3rd gear, it was that tight. There was some loose gravel, and few close encounters with SUVs. If I had my way, they’d make this baby one way. This was no sport bike road, we didn’t see any. I think it is too tight to be called a “great” motorcycle road, but you sure can’t beat the scenery, and we will certainly ride it again.

[Redbrick]

Great pics and beautiful country Jan........Thanks.........

Phil.........Redbrick

[norah]

[kcscout]

Great pics.

 

A two - 1200RT family - gotta love it.

[Bill_Walker]

I was wishing for something a little more nimble than the RT, in fact it wallowed on some of the switchbacks, and seemed to suck for air coming out of them.

 

Nice tale! A set of Ohlins will fix that wallowing right up!

[Volfan615]

Nice ride report and absolutely gorgeous pictures!

[bakerzdosen]

So, the road isn't "gravelly" any more eh? Last time I did the Alpine Loop (last Fall I think) I was scared out of my mind coming down to Alpine as the whole road had just been graveled.

 

However, you're right, it's more of a sightseeing road than a motorcycle road. But it is quite picturesque this time of year. I try to never miss it during Fall colors.

[azkaisr]

Worthy Tale

[Francois_Dumas]

Great pictures again.

 

Hey that road would be considered a 'main through road' in some countries over here... so don't worry !!

[Carnadero]

 

Come back to this spot when autumn is in full swing and the leaves are ablaze in yellows and oranges, and/or during the middle of winter (if possible) when the ground is covered with undisturbed snow. A clear day and a low sun angle should make for a couple more worthy-of-framing images.

[Twisties]

Time to reply to some of your comments:

 

beautiful country

 

Lets just say, it isn't the politics that keeps us here...

 

A two - 1200RT family - gotta love it.

 

We are, We are. Still got those temp tags on back and already almost 1800 miles on them. The house is a mess, sooner or later we need settle down and clean-up.

 

Quote:

I was wishing for something a little more nimble than the RT, in fact it wallowed on some of the switchbacks, and seemed to suck for air coming out of them.

 

 

 

Nice tale! A set of Ohlins will fix that wallowing right up!

 

Thanks, now that you brought it up I realize, probable noob mistake, long story on how I ended up with ESA, as it was not in the original deal and I didn't want it, but lets just say I might be getting my bike only about now if I didn't take this one. In any event, I realized since you mention it, that I was set on "normal" and one rider with luggage (although I was riding naked... ummm I mean without luggage). What would be best for very tight steep turns? As I understand it the rider/luggage sets the preload, and the comfort/normal/sport sets the damping. I wonder if the luggage setting causes the rear to be relatively stiffer than the front, since it may assume rear weighting, affecting the handling... ? I think I should have been on sport at least, any suggestions welcome!

 

o, the road isn't "gravelly" any more eh? Last time I did the Alpine Loop (last Fall I think) I was scared out of my mind coming down to Alpine as the whole road had just been graveled.

 

However, you're right, it's more of a sightseeing road than a motorcycle road. But it is quite picturesque this time of year. I try to never miss it during Fall colors.

 

Some loose gravel, not huge amounts, but enough to make you cautious. Yes, fall definitely.

 

Thanks for all your replies!

 

Jan

[Bheckel169]

Definitely on these tight little roads a Sport dampening would be appropriate and if you have significant luggage, you should preload to rider + luggage and I think you'll find a large improvement.

I did a somewhat similar road in the Uintas over the weekend and had just a rider preload as I was solo and always run the mountains in Sport. Didn't have any problems and the 06 1200 RT was as nimble as I could have asked for.

Bruce

[Bob Palin]

Very nice indeed, you seem to be my kind of people, come on down to Torrey and I'll show you the best paved roads around...

 

Then I'll show the best roads around, in my truck

[Twisties]

Very nice indeed, you seem to be my kind of people, come on down to Torrey and I'll show you the best paved roads around...

 

Then I'll show the best roads around, in my truck

 

Tomorrow?

 

Well we'd love to meet you to! If you're SLC send a pm.

 

We have been to Torrey both ways indeed. We had our cruisers down there last fall, and even stayed in the Chuckwagon, but didn't know about BMWST then, nor did we have beemers (well Sharon's [bullett] R-26 doesn't count since it is pending restoration).

 

We have been down many times in the truck and Miata. Spent much time on the Burr Trail before it was paved. Can't say enough about the whole thing. But I'm sure you know many more great spots than we ever dreamed of!

 

We're going to try to make Torrey next May, found out about September too late this year after we had already booked an overseas trip for the following week... but maybe we'll sneak down for a day if we can, sounds like a blast.

[Twisties]

Carnedero,

 

Somehow missed your response when I replied to the others. The trees are Aspens. They go a very characteristic clear yellow in the fall. Very fine indeed. Here some shots of them from other locations in fall and winter:

 

[Fugu]

We rode through there about a month ago, amazing scenery.

 

I didn't stop for pictures, had a lot more riding to do that day.