Longrider
Well-known member
I wonder about taking my FJR to the top of Pikes Peak. Is the gravel road too much for a street bike? Anyone on the forum made the trip on a street bike?
Longrider
Longrider
NAFO and Pikes Peak
- Thread starter Longrider
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Mike Kneebone led a group ride of various bikes several years ago. Unless you have a non-updated Gen II with altitude sickness...the bike is going to do fine. IIRC, more and more is being paved...with possible finish of paving in just a couple of years.
The issue of gravel is going to be a personal one and not a bike one. If FJR's can fling themselves up to Bristlecone,CA in the Iron Butt rally or be the only bikes that don't fallover when going to Grosvenor Arch,UT ....Pike's going to be a walk in the park.
The issue of gravel is going to be a personal one and not a bike one. If FJR's can fling themselves up to Bristlecone,CA in the Iron Butt rally or be the only bikes that don't fallover when going to Grosvenor Arch,UT ....Pike's going to be a walk in the park.
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pinhead
Well-known member
About 20 years ago, my Dad and I rode our bikes (Interceptor 500 and a Goldwing) up there with no real problems. My clutch and brakes stopped working near the top (air in the lines?) but those are optional anyway, right?
James
Well-known member
Took my XS11 up in 2001 w/out any problems, as did several others at the camp that year. Didn't see any bikes w/problems, saw a lot of cages w/issues (there was an Escort w/4 people in it that out-weighed the car, radiator did not like it, and others). The guy checking brake temps on the way down said he'd never seen a bike's brakes too hot, and that very few had any issues that he knew of. The gravel's not too bad, and unless you're real early in the day there is no speed involved (too busy). A group that went around 3:00pm (I had gone earlier) got caught in a hail/snow storm and were required to stay in the gift shop on top for 45 minutes till it passed, waited another 30 for the road to get drivable for them.
When I was out there in 2006 for the IBA meeting they were in the process of paving Pikes Peak road all the way to the top. There were several fairly long waits in construction areas. Don't know if they are finished yet.
I did it on my '05, and a few years earlier on a Concours. The only issue I had was on the FJR when I came across a road crew doing some grading work. I drove through a section of deep, loose, sand/gravel mix and had one instance when I felt like I was about to go down, but I didn't. It was probably not as bad as it felt. Despite that little incident, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
Badcat
Well-known member
I'll go with you and we'll find out! That's a ride I was looking at and wondering the same thing.
Burk
Toecutter
What would DoG do?
Just don't do it on Avon Storms....
Longrider
Well-known member
I live in Woodland Park at the bottom of Pikes Peak -- had never ridden one of my street bikes up there until last summer. Some friends in town on their Gold Wings, but I decided to ride my FJR to the top with them instead of my Gold Wing. Still probably 5 miles of unpaved road, but they have paved the area of the sharp switchbacks that are above timerline. Big help as those could be sorta tough with the washboard, loose gravel, and sharp turns, but not an issue now. Still some dirt, but very doable on the FJR. I had included a couple of photos earlier, but I'll repeat one of those here along of a couple of others from the trip up in summer 2007.
shokdimn
Well-known member
First pic; nice shot Dave. I need one of those with my FJR right in front of that marker too.
fjrchik
Just a girl in the world, having rode 3 FJRs
sweet! i can't wait! :hyper:
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Geezer
Parsimonious Curmudgeon
sonicspeed
Tennessee Volunteer
my brother and i are in for this ride
GunMD
Well-known member
This looks like a 'must-do' to me. It's on my list.
NMRoadRunner
A Bulls work is never done!
I think we're going to see alot of FJR's on Pike Peek that weekend! We're going 2 up. I've got a buddy in Colorado Springs and he's taken his Harley up several times. I've never been there before, so we're going on Friday if it's not raining. Alot of summer rain that time of year. See you on the top! :yahoo:
Cdogman
Bad Boy
I am in!!!
PizzaJim
Well-known member
Cool. This is definitely on my list!
