I stayed at the camelback resort when I was there a few years back. Great area to stay.

 

Then you'll be doing Tortilla Flats. Otherwise known as Apache Trail. Its a populare ride.

Have a great time!

 

I don't consider Tortilla Flats a "ride". It's 12 miles from Mesa. It's a place to see. You go there for lunch.

 

A buddy and I rented 2 bikes from Buddy Stubbs several years ago. It sure turned out to be quite a mistake for my buddy. When he returned the bike, they claimed he had "scuffed" the seat with his boot and charged him around $300 for a new seat. Even had the ***** to claim they were giving him a discount. And as Paul Harvey says....here's the rest of the story....they wanted $125 to ship him the old seat. Rest assured never, ever, will he (we) rent bikes from Buddy Stubbs again. I'm sure others may have had a good experience with them, but this is what happened to my buddy :-(

A couple of years later we rented from Chester's. Great experience!

 

Figure out where your planning to ride yet? Makes it easier to suggest rental and hotel locations.

 

Another thumbs up for Chester's!

 

...and the road sucks. It will rattle your teeth loose.

From Mesa go north on 87 then south on 188 past Roosevelt Dam to Globe. From there take 77 south to 79. Lots of nice riding in those areas. Stay in lower elevations - there may be snow/ice at 4000' (Payson, Show Low, etc)

 

I stand corrected. Yes, avoid it at all costs. Especially if you like your teeth. And whatever you do, dont do a search on it to see how many people who DONT live right next to it, enjoy the ride. I mean visit - sorry.

 

Based on things I've seen here while searching I'd like to try:

Tortilla Flat
Tombstone/Bisbee
Yuma
Lake Havasu

Chester's is likely where I am renting. I'll have an Ultra Limited so it will have the fairing and even if temps aren't perfect it will be more protecting than my Road King. My wife is not real good with longer rides so we'll see how the Tombstone and Lake Havasu rides play out.

Any other recommendations with Scottsdale as our hotel base?

 

Lots of good riding here, watch for weather if you head north or in higher elevation. You can take a look at my blog for some places in the area; I plan on going to Tombstone in the next couple of weeks let me know if you're in the area we can grab a beer.