motorcycles in death valley
 

thinking about visiting death valley in april mostly to put some miles on my motorcycle. Understand it's not 4WD but has anyone done this? Does it work out okay?

I saw quite a few with motorcycles when we were there. Quite a few of the side roads will be dirt and somewhat washboarded, but shouldn't normally be a problem (though I saw one guy with a bike bigger than he could handle lay it down twice in a sloping dirt parking area). The main roads are paved, and the visitor guide describes the conditions of the others fairly well. With a motorcycle, I think the road heading west through the Panamint range would be more fun than the fairly flat southern entrance.

okay, thanks. I'll bring my wife along to put the bike back on rubber.

ROFL @ "4WD" motorcycle...

I went to Death Valley in April and it was 99 degrees at the bottom.

I don't think that the engine workings of a motorcycle or the terrain of Death Valley roads will be a problem.

If you drive other places with weather near to 100 degrees on your motorcycle then you won't have any foreseeable problems.

And if 100 is no problem, then think about the possibilities of 115...

I laughed at the 4WD motorcycle also, but then thought surely Musky meant he understood the main road not to be 4WD. I think DV would be great on a motorcycle if the weather isn't to hot. Hopefully you are going early April not late April. The only thing you will miss out on is a couple of spectacular canyon rides that are dirt roads. Do not attempt Titus canyon a cycle. You probably could do 20 Mule Team Canyon. It is dirt road, but smooth. The rest you can park your bike and do a little hiking. It will be cooler early in the day. If you can eat at Furnace Creek Inn for a meal.

Drove it on my HD RoadKing in April about five years ago. Came in from Lone Pine went to Scotty's Castle, Ubi Crater, Furnace Creek for lunch, and out to Beatty where we spent the night.

It was hot, but even my air cooled HD did fine since there isn't much slow down you can keep the air moving. When we parked we tried to park in the shade just to let the bikes cool down a little.

Even in April is was pushing 100 degrees in Furnace Creek, up at Scotty's Castle it will be a little cooler.