Epic Solo Ride to Anza Borrego

[Jack Leis]

Yesterday dawned a beautiful clear day so I set out for a ride down south to Borrego Springs. The last time I had been there was to wire up a pump station for a new golf course in 1995. I headed south on the 215 to Newport road and headed east to check out Diamond Valley Lake but to my surprise couldn't see it because of the foothills . Oh well. Headed east to Sage Road then started going south. The road was a blast with great sweepers and some hairpins that came up too fast and got the heart pumping a few times but it was really neat then the road surface started going to hell. I actually encountered asphalt with whooptydoo's . Never seen anything like it ! Actually got air till I wised up and slowed down. Highway taxes at work ? I don't think so ! Picked up Highway 79 and followed it southeast thru cool places like Paradise Valley and Warner Springs. After that it started to get REALLY windy. Really had to hang on and just go for it. I took a breather at San Felipe Road and was worried about the bike blowing over on the centerstand. I thought about turning around. I had about 25 miles to go so went for it right into a headwind. The kind of headwind that even though your shifting as fast as you can, as soon as you pull in the clutch its like hitting the brakes. Rode the headwind in 3rd gear for 5 or 6 miles until I could get it into 4th. I crested the top of the Laguna Mountains and started down the eastern side to a fantastic site. From on top you could look down into Anza Borrego Desert with the Salton Sea shimmering in the distance. It was about 8 miles of fun sweepers and turns all the way to the bottom of the mountain into Borrego Springs. I rode around the small city and noticed that it had only changed a little in 18 years. Took a break then headed home in reverse, at that point the ride was only half over. It was a great ride , I got home in one piece, tired but smiling. 248 miles, 66mpg, the bike never skipped a beat. Cant beat a Royal Enfield !

[bikesnob]

Nice report Jack, thanks for sharing.

[mattsz]

Took a break then headed home in reverse...

Never mind - I'll just leave you all to fill in your own punchline here... 

[Jack Leis]

Never mind - I'll just leave you all to fill in your own punchline here... 

  Mattsz 1 , Jack 0 .

[TWinOKC]

I just bet it seems a little different going on these rides without your "wing man"?

[Jack Leis]

YEP !

[Ice]

Jack,
I last traveled that stretch of route in 1993.

Thank you for bring back those memories.

[Jack Leis]

Thanks Ice, your certainly welcome. Im heading back there in a week or two, I'll take some pictures and post them.

[Ice]

I would appreciate it,
Cheers mate.

[boggy]

Jack - Are you running K81s? I'm trying to decided on K81s or K70s OR some combo of both. I don't want to sully your thread here... I picked up the tire thread in the Tech Tips section. Thanks!

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,10916.msg173555.html#msg173555

[Jack Leis]

Not my thread Boggy, it's OUR thread ! The very first tire change I did on my G5 what seems like ages ago now, I put a 4.10 K81 on the rear and a 3.25 K70 on the front. Man that thing stuck like glue in the corners ! The downfall was the K81 only lasted something like 18 to 2,000 miles. After that I went to a 3.50 K70 on the rear and they only lasted 2 to 2,400 miles. I went thru 6 of those and 2 front K70's. Awhile back I started using Avon AM26's and am quite happy with the traction and they definitely last longer. Almost twice as long. Anything is better than the stock tires, I ride the bike pretty hard sometimes and have alot of weight so you've gotta find what works best for YOU. I love the K70's but just flat got tired of changing them so often.

[boggy]

The downfall was the K81 only lasted something like 18 to 2,000 miles. After that I went to a 3.50 K70 on the rear and they only lasted 2 to 2,400 miles. I went thru 6 of those and 2 front K70's.

Holy smokes... Those puppies wear out quick!

OK... this is very good info to know.  From the way you guys ride, 2000 miles will be a much longer time frame for me but I think I'll try the K70s since they last a wee bit longer.  And no burn-outs.

Thanks Jack. -Boggy

[Arizoni]

A lot depends on how you ride.

If you push the bike to the limits on twisty roads a soft grippy tire will wear out fairly quickly.

If you ride like me the K70 will last a long time.

I've got over 2000 miles on my K70, front tire and it has hardly worn at all.

[boggy]

My riding generally consists of commuting and although I love to push it, I usually only get to cut loose a few weekends — I'm ok with the wear over a few thousand miles and it's good to hear your front tire looks healthy at that.

Arizoni, I saw you have a 3.25 K70 on front, what are you running on back?

[Arizoni]

I'm still using the original rock hard Avon on the back.

Like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going and going an.....