WINTER TRIP. MN-AZ

Hi Everyone, I've been off of here for awhile. Back surgery, relationship issues...everything many of u deal with. So, now getting off the pain pills and all that, I'm ready to go! Never did this before. Early January I plan on making it to AZ. I think I will have to go straight down I-35 down to I-10 then make my way over Surprise, AZ.
I've been riding for 47 years and rode in snow numerous times...at one time, '70's, when the roads were closed in big storm and National Guard was called out in Ohio. I wrapped rope around my '57 pan head, such a wire heater in oil tank, started charcoal brickettes on fire on a cookie sheet after burning down, and after about 20 minutes, I shoveled the snow off, it was out on the back porch, and headed out! The solders all waved and the cops couldn't make it around to me!
Well, I hope I don't scratch the paint on my '13 F6B. I have made some changes on the bike. I put a different upper cowl on it modified the exhaust, bars, wind shield, manual cruise, & other stuff.
This spring I hope I can get a 1800 used engine on the table. Then we'll see what everyone is talking about on the "performance" complacency. Mass produced anything, can be improved.

if anybody has done this trip, please send any suggestions... Thank You. watso

That route sounds sound. Don't think I would push west from DFW or OKC on I20 or I40 through Amarillo and New Mexico. You would most likely hit snow and ice which would slow you down. Good luck.

Well all I got to say is the B isn't a 57 Panhead. In case you forget it weighs almost 900 pounds and makes about 105/HP and 105/TQ. You was probably making 30/HP in that Panhead. In a half inch of snow every time you ease into the throttle that ass end is gonna come around , every curve you go around that front end is gonna want to kick out. Sounds like a suicide trip to me.

Living in South Dakota, I have never considered making a cross country trek during the winter. Although I have had the occasion in December, January, and February to take the bike out for a quick spin on a day we call "a January thaw", that is about it for me.

As you have lived through, sub-zero temperatures is what I would be paranoid about. I have done a 50 mile ride when the temperature was +5 degrees, and although I had a snowmobile suit and all the equipment...was I glad to be done with that ride! I can't imaging doing hours of that.

IF El Nino holds up, which it appears to be doing here in the mid-west, it may be a doable year for your cross country trip. I will never forget driving near Green Bay WI one early March day, it was about 15 degrees out with snow piled up everywhere, but the roads were dry. Two BMW motorcycles with younger riders were heading south. After they passed me by, the sign attached to the license plate "Daytona or Bust!" I couldn't help but wish I was going with them :icon_razz:

Hi OP, your trip sounds very ambitious for the coldest wettest time of year.

As someone who has extensive riding experience, I can only say there is a huge amount of risk to your safety in your plan. Is it possible you can do it in 4 wheels this time around so you can scout out the best routes for a motorcycle and formulate a workable plan for a winter trip with proper preparation - next time. As shooter says, the F6B is a different animal entirely from a 60 year old bike.

Reading between the lines
In the event you are making a one way trip and need to go sooner than later, rent a truck and take your bike with you.

Best of luck to you.

Well, I'm all for braving the elements, but as you can see, most folks here would be a bit leery of such a trip in January.

Let me just share my experience from this past February, 2015: February 11, after extensive planning and study of the weather, rode from Nashville, TN to Beatty, NV for the annual President's Day Death Valley Ride.

The trip out was mostly uneventful, with temps just above freezing and a moderate snow squall coming through Oklahoma. The entire trip was on I-40.

Beautiful weekend in a Death Valley, then started home on Monday.

As I was heading east, the ice storm from hell was beginning it's trek toward the mid-south. I made it as far as Little Rock, AR, where (luckily) I have close friends to stay with. As I hunkered down for the night, the ice storm settled over west Tennessee, squarely on my route home. It then moved slowly to Nashville, where it dumped several inches of ice. Temperatures stayed below freezing for days.

My one night with friends turned into four!

I was really getting homesick, so the first day the temps got above freezing, I started to make my way the final 300 miles to home on I-40. Did I mention, it was raining hard the whole way?

How I managed to avoid the numerous icy patches and make it home alive is beyond me...I guess the good Lord has other plans for me. Just to keep my sphincter fully puckered, there were many signs along the way admonishing drivers to "Watch out for ice on road ahead".

Yeah, that's just what you need to make your ride safe and enjoyable!

Despite my waterproof gear, my hands got soaked and quite cold. I was shaking despite my Gerbings being cranked up all the way. "Miserable" would be a gross understatement.

I just remember praying "God, if you'll just help me make it home, I'll never do this again!"

Well, He did His part, and now I'm doing mine...no more long winter rides. The weather is just too unpredictable and the risks are too great.

Your results may be different, but then again, maybe my story will help you ponder this trip a little further...

Here is a picture of the last guy that tried that trip.Attachment 17899

Each response was helpful and intriguing. I've watched a couple of wipe outs on icy patches, via GoPro cameras the riders were wearing. It is serious. I relate it to a time I was with maybe ten guys, I was in back. As we were coming into LasVegas it looked completely dry. We exited and then I saw one, two , then two more go down. I was on an FXRT and slowly pulled the brake, immediately went into a slide. It had rained slightly an hour before, after a couple month dry spell. It was exactly like ice...I've rode on frozen lakes many years ago.

I plan on making it a three day trip. Of course watching the weather and I have weather radar on board. Hopefully make the most of daylight. I know to avoid I-40 in the winter. Yes this isn't a '57 pan, but in this case I think it's a plus. I think watching for a break in the weather is key and once past Kansas, I hope the roads will be in better condition.

I've never had such conveniences such as heated grips, vests, GPS, all the stuff, so, I hope this will ease my stiff concentration, keeping the bike straight up on turns. I'm going to do a few test runs, around here in really cold weather. Deep snow would be the stopper. Well, we'll see what happens. Any more pointers and comments are appreciated.

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Originally Posted by shooter

Here is a picture of the last guy that tried that trip.Attachment 17899

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This guy was not on a F6B.

Don't let it ever be said that this forum's members don't look after it's fellow members. For the motorcycle aficionado only, I found something for that winter trip that just can't be put off till summer. And when summer rolls around you can take to the beach!
:039:

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My friend,When I started reading this I first thought you were kidding. From Minnesota to Arizona - in January !? I live in Colorado but I kinda track the weather in the surrounding states. Not being sure of your intended route my advice is to find another method or another time frame to make the trip. The weather around here will change in hours -not days.Highways will shut down and if you are in the middle of "the gates" you are stuck. I have had opportunity to do triage on folks that did not take this seriously. Just on a short trip these folks were not even close to being prepared for the winter around here.
Think long and hard about your plans for this..

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Originally Posted by shooter

Well all I got to say is the B isn't a 57 Panhead. In case you forget it weighs almost 900 pounds and makes about 105/HP and 105/TQ. You was probably making 30/HP in that Panhead. In a half inch of snow every time you ease into the throttle that ass end is gonna come around , every curve you go around that front end is gonna want to kick out. Sounds like a suicide trip to me.

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Yep, No matter how mighty, with out real spikes, the ice will bring most anything down. Play it safe

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Originally Posted by 1surebet

This guy was not on a F6B.

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Man I gotta tell you , the B is a great handling bike , but ice and snow brings all motorcycles to their knees. That trip is not doable that time of year.

is definitely what I don't want to do. I know I would regret scratching the paint job first, although the rest of me would feel it too.
Well, I can see this is a serious consideration. I would not depart in any anticipation of an ice or snow storm.
I agree with all of you. The point is, I don't have to do it, it's a challenge. I also am not in my 30's, so I will not go under any conditions. Sometimes there is a break in the weather...I think all I need is 24hr. break.

I've had a lot of experience in cold weather. Part of the reason I'm waiting till January is that here in Minnesota, we have a relay run,"foot run", that starts on midnight Dec. 26 and covers about 90 miles. It's been balmy some years, and also 60 below other years. That lasts around 12 hours mainly in the dark running in the open plains at times. I'm Native and it is in relationship to our history.

I've also been sliding down the highway thinking...I wish I'd stop sliding pretty soon, especially when I saw traffic headed my way. That was during a heavy rain storm in Florida, so no ice.

One update, I have a friend willing to truck me & Bike south to Kansas City. It tends to make me think of Lee Marvins line in The Wild One - " Oh the shame of it all", but If it's needed I'll do it.

Its a work in progress, not a death wish. It puts a smile on my face seeing the care many people have, thank you. We'll see what the weather brings. It's just a trip I'd like to see if I could make. Now, if I were writing on a Ural site, you guys would be wanting to go with!

You should make it just fine IF the weather cooperates. I commuted year round by M/C (weather permitting) when I lived in MN. I had a limit of 10°F and would try not to ride on ice or snow. You also have to watch the refreeze if the sun comes out and melts the snow banks during the day. There is actually less ice to worry about if the roads are clear and it stays below about 20°. There are riders almost daily at Bob's Java Hut in Minneapolis. I am however not as nuts as I sound because about 20 years ago I moved south!:039:

My Grandfather used to ride year round in eastern SD and western MN but he cheated:
Attachment 17969


Good luck on your trip!

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Originally Posted by Miks

Living in South Dakota, I have never considered making a cross country trek during the winter. Although I have had the occasion in December, January, and February to take the bike out for a quick spin on a day we call "a January thaw", that is about it for me.

As you have lived through, sub-zero temperatures is what I would be paranoid about. I have done a 50 mile ride when the temperature was +5 degrees, and although I had a snowmobile suit and all the equipment...was I glad to be done with that ride! I can't imaging doing hours of that.

IF El Nino holds up, which it appears to be doing here in the mid-west, it may be a doable year for your cross country trip. I will never forget driving near Green Bay WI one early March day, it was about 15 degrees out with snow piled up everywhere, but the roads were dry. Two BMW motorcycles with younger riders were heading south. After they passed me by, the sign attached to the license plate "Daytona or Bust!" I couldn't help but wish I was going with them :icon_razz:

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12/9/15 record high in oklahoma city 74 deg today.

It was a beauty. Thursday and Friday look awesome as well. Saturday a wash, but I'll make it to the gunshow. Just make Tuesday aOK. My departure back to Houston.

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Originally Posted by shooter

Here is a picture of the last guy that tried that trip.Attachment 17899

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Shooter, that is hilarious! But it also is a great sculpture. Thanks for the laugh.

I'd go but still have a job, lot of extras to add on the f6b so off to work I have to go. Sure we will do road trips in the future.

I guess I am really getting old!!!...I would not take a trip like suggested on this thread if my life depended on it...Much to risky and dangerous for my liking...It is tough enough in winter to go that far in a cage, let alone a bike.....But, as they say..."to each his own"..Good luck my friend, but I might suggest you think long and hard about the negatives of this venture before you go....JMHO

I hate to put the bike up for winter, but that trip sounds pretty risky. What is even worse, at least in my opinion, is the thought of riding for 2000 plus miles, each way, on the interstate hwy system. What a drag. If your gonna do the trip, pick some other routes, to get a break from the interstate. But, each to their own. JMO :icon_biggrin: