|
|
Post by blackc on Aug 8, 2007 19:00:14 GMT -5
I set uot this morning to go to the top of Mingus Mountain, behind the house, to see how the Rocketa 250 would perform on the hills.
From where I live to the top is a gain of 4000' in 16 miles, a good part of which is flat before you get to the old mining town of Jerome AZ. In Jerome is the steepest part with 10% grades, though over short distances.
After that it's switchbacks and steep grades pretty much all the way.
There was no place where I couldn't accelerate on the steepest slopes and it was very smooth saling all the way up.
No heating problems either.
On the return the scoot held it aginst compression so well I only used the brakes 4 or 5 times all the way down.
Pretty good I think.
|
|
|
|
Post by scottfla on Aug 8, 2007 19:47:14 GMT -5
Nice, what speeds did you have up and down?
|
|
|
|
Post by blackc on Aug 9, 2007 0:14:01 GMT -5
On the lower slopes up to 50mph. From the entrance to Jerome the speed limit is 20mph until you're out of town and then it's 30mph from there to the top, about 8 miles away.
I generally do 40 to 45 for most of the way except for the turns. On the scoot I kept it a little lower, but could have gone faster.
The problem is opposite traffic which tends to cross the double-yellow coming around the switchbacks so you want to give them time to react or there will be big trouble.
A friend of mine found that out a few years ago. It cost him 2 months in hospital and his bike. Wife said "thats all"
I've been driving this road for 56 years and pretty well know where every bump is.
|
|
|
|
Post by hillbilly on Aug 9, 2007 0:40:54 GMT -5
Sounds like too pretty of a ride to push very fast anyway.  Seems to have done well for such a big altitude change on a carbureted scoot too |
|
|
|
Post by blackc on Aug 9, 2007 11:03:31 GMT -5
The ride is pretty to extreme. It attracts a lot of two wheel traffic, some of which rides at extreme speeds, though there don't seem to be many accidents.
The views on both sides of the mountain are worth going to see.
After, if you stay on hwy 89A you'll go through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, both major tourist destinations.
A leisurely pace on the mountain is worthwhile. Just pull over to let following traffic by and you'll get a friendly wave.
|
|
|
|
Post by A J on Aug 9, 2007 11:52:14 GMT -5
The views on both sides of the mountain are worth going to see. A leisurely pace on the mountain is worthwhile. Just pull over to let following traffic by and you'll get a friendly wave. Absolutely ! Mingus and Oak Creek Canyon are two of the best rides in Arizona. I haven't been there, on two wheels, for about 35 years but, I aim to get out this week end. Enjoy ! A J |
|
