So I bought some property in Arizona... AND...

[SpyderGirl]

Today I purchased some land in Arizona and I want to go out and see it while I am out there near the end of August this year. The property is located 14 miles down a dirt track which is indicated as being passable by all vehicles.... but what do you all think about the Spyder handling a dirt road for that distance (there and back)? I saw something on here some time ago, but couldn't find it.

Any thoughts?


Oh, and if you were wondering, the property is in Lake Mead Rancheros, AZ which is near the foothills near Grand Canyon. It's located about 30 miles from the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk and 15 miles north of historic Route 66. (GPS coordinates: 35.58403,-113.86728)

 

[fastfraser]

I think if the road is hard packed dirt you will have no problems at all, other then the :spyder2: getting dirty.

I think Chris from Austria got stuck on a gravel road and had to push his :spyder2: out. The traction control doesn't like the rear wheel spin on loose gravel.

 

[Dochands]

I visited some friends in NC and had no problems on the gravel roads that all the residences are on. Its a bit dusty and slow going but the bike performed.

I would be more concerned about having my ID and papers going to Arizona these days. :yikes:

 

[SpyderGirl]

I think if the road is hard packed dirt you will have no problems at all, other then the :spyder2: getting dirty.

I think Chris from Austria got stuck on a gravel road and had to push his :spyder2: out. The traction control doesn't like the rear wheel spin on loose gravel.

Well sources don't mention that the road is gravel and says that it's passable by all vehicles. I too was concerned about the TCS. Maybe I can just disable it just for the trip to and from the property.

I am hoping that it's hard-packed so it won't be an issue. I guess if worse comes to worse I'll just have to rent a truck to go up to the property.

Anyone else have experience riding the Spyder in such conditions?

 

[SpyderGirl]

I visited some friends in NC and had no problems on the gravel roads that all the residences are on. Its a bit dusty and slow going but the bike performed.

I would be more concerned about having my ID and papers going to Arizona these days. :yikes:

Well personally I think everyone should keep a form of ID on them. It's just good practice.

I can't wait to go out to the property and check it out. I'll probably even go up there and spend a night to see what it's like. It should be GORGEOUS. :2excited:

 

[Firefly]

:congrats: on the property purchase.

Sounds like a good place for some Spyder 'testing'......

I wouldn't worry too much about the Spyder on dirt roads--- ridden on plenty... fun to fish-tail on them....:thumbup:.

As far as the TCS---- we have people riding on snow and ice year round---- if it can handle that it can handle dirt.

Take pics !:thumbup:

 

[SpyderGirl]

:congrats: on the property purchase.

Sounds like a good place for some Spyder 'testing'......

I wouldn't worry too much about the Spyder on dirt roads--- ridden on plenty... fun to fish-tail on them....:thumbup:.

As far as the TCS---- we have people riding on snow and ice year round---- if it can handle that it can handle dirt.

Take pics !:thumbup:

Thanks Firefly.

This is true, what you say about those riding on ice and snow. You're probably right. I'm not really worried about it. Just thought I'd ask to see if others may have experienced problems or had any tips.

And of course I'll take pics.

 

[jedd]

I've ridden on gravel with no problems, works great. Although I wouldn't ride gravel NAKED a rock may hit you and you may get a owe .:roflblack::roflblack:

Jim:thumbup:

 

[boborgera]

The property is located 14 miles down a dirt track which is indicated as being passable by all vehicles.... but what do you all think about the Spyder handling a dirt road for that distance (there and back)?

Just ride easy the Spyder isn't that delicate, To get into my property in N.Y. I have to go 2 miles on a dirt/rock/rutted mud road, It gives me a good reason to wash my Spyder when i get home

 

[SpyderGirl]

I've ridden on gravel with no problems, works great. Although I wouldn't ride gravel NAKED a rock may hit you and you may get a owe .:roflblack::roflblack:

Jim:thumbup:

Oh, now you're no fun!! :roflblack:

Just ride easy the Spyder isn't that delicate, To get into my property in N.Y. I have to go 2 miles on a dirt/rock/rutted mud road, It gives me a good reason to wash my Spyder when i get home

That's good to know. I'll throw my husband on the back to weigh down that rear tire so it can grip down good then give it a bath once we get back to the resort in Sedona. :doorag:

Now google directions are telling me it'll take 53 minutes to go the 14 miles which I know is total crap because I should be able to go faster than 15 MPH. (I hope)

 

[RoadHammer]

i wouldn't worry about dirt roads whatsoever. I run miles and miles of them often. If anything it will make you a better driver and you will really learn how your bike handles on uneven surfaces.

 

[SpyderGirl]

i wouldn't worry about dirt roads whatsoever. I run miles and miles of them often. If anything it will make you a better driver and you will really learn how your bike handles on uneven surfaces.

That's good to know. I'm a dirt bike rider so I think I can handle it.

Now what do you think about speed on such roads??

The road that goes up from my property over to the Grand Canyon Skywalk is also a dirt track... about 35 miles one way.

 

[sabunim5]

I regularly run my Spyder on a 3-4 mile stretch of dirt road to get to a friends house. No problem at all. Just be aware that the Spyder only has about 4 inches of ground clearance and act accordingly. Have fun checking out your new property.

 

[SpyderGirl]

I regularly run my Spyder on a 3-4 mile stretch of dirt road to get to a friends house. No problem at all. Just be aware that the Spyder only has about 4 inches of ground clearance and act accordingly. Have fun checking out your new property.

Sweet! And thanks! :2thumbs:

I don't think ground clearance will be an issue on the roads up to the property, but maybe traveling on the property itself.

 

[Campverdefela]

If this is a dirt or gravel road cut for a development of homes you should be fine but I have been on quite a few forest service roads here in Az. and their usually Jeep territory, lots of ruts and fair size rocks.

 

[SpyderGirl]

If this is a dirt or gravel road cut for a development of homes you should be fine but I have been on quite a few forest service roads here in Az. and their usually Jeep territory, lots of ruts and fair size rocks.

This appears to be a dirt road cut for development of homes. It's not marked as a forest service road. The road is called Antares Road. There appears to be about a mile of pavement heading north of Route 66 then just dirt roads the rest of the way.

I am considering possibly renting a Jeep anyway to make the trek out there, I haven't decided yet. I also considered bringing our dirt bikes with us and parking the Spyder at the Ranchero Motel off of Route 66 and making the trek up there on two-wheels instead. I don't know yet.

 

[ARtraveler]

There is also a thread on gravel roads the last week or so.

 

[SpyderGirl]

There is also a thread on gravel roads the last week or so.

Yeah, that was the one I was looking for... but I guess this is a little different because it's dirt roads.

I'm not going to worry about it at this point. Now I just wish it was August already so I can go and see it.

 

[MouthPiece]

Is that ocean front property there in AZ?

 

[SpyderGirl]

Is that ocean front property there in AZ?

LOL, I never was much for ocean front property... I love the mountains. The property is very close the the Grand Canyon so I should have a nice mountain view. Also, Lake Mead / Hoover Dam is also close by.

I am 15 miles north off the old Route 66 and Las Vegas is about 3 hours away. It's about 30 - 45 minutes from Kingman.

The climate is mild with highs in the 80's and 90's in the summer and in the 30's typically in the winter with very little snow or precipitation. It's PERFECT (for me).

Oh, and it was just under $3,150 an acre.