Utah dualsport in April
 

I'd like to spend about a week riding a stock 2008 KLR 650 in Utah somewhere. Any recommendations on where to maximize good riding and good weather in April? I probably don't want anything too challenging off road. For the most part I'd like to stay on roads, gravel and dirt are OK. I will be trailering from Winnipeg Canada. Where would be a good place to unload. Would like to motel it for the most part, but I could probably handle a night or 2 in my van if need be.

I would recommend staying in or near Page, AZ at or near Lake Powell. I really can't recommend anywhere north of there due to having not gone too far north out of AZ, so I am sure others will chime in for specific Utah destinations, but near Page and Lake Powell is Monument Valley which has a dirt road loop through the valley. Not too far south is Canyon de Chelly which is like a miniature and more intimate version of the Grand Canyon (when I lived near there, I had visited the canyon numerous times before ever having visited the Grand Canyon, and was kind of let down when I finally made it to the Grand Canyon!). My visits were with my family via car, so we were limited to the overlooks on either side of the canyon, but the canyon does have a dirt trail to ride on, too. Of course, if you haven't been to the Grand Canyon, that would be a good ride to see as well. That should keep you busy for a few days out of your week, and like I said, others will chime in for specific destinations that will take you further north into Utah. My two cents, but they are well worth seeing and will be within the extreme southern parts of Utah.

If you can postpone your trip, found this on advrider...

Anynoe going to be in Moab June 2011? - ADVrider

Mark96, spring is an unsettled time in Utah, even southeastern Utah. That said, the Great Basin, where the roads hold up somewhat better when wet than they do in other places in Utah, is often good this time of year, but still unsettled. I was just in the awesome Silver Island Mountains north of I-80 at Wendover ($27 rooms at the Red Garter during the week), and it was terrific (don't miss Silver Island Canyon Road), just cool and mostly cloudy. While I ride a stock KLR as well, I was in my 4Runner this trip.

If the weather holds, I recommend the House Range, Tule Valley, Pony Express National Backcountry Byway and Transcontinental Railroad National Backcountry Byway. They are closer to you than canyon country (where the roads can be a disaster when wet), very historic and very remote. I can follow up with further suggestions including canyon country if you wish, or we can visit offline.

Note: Canyonlands National Park in Utah has reopened White Rim Road to loop travel. A massive washout in August 2010 made it temporarily impossible to do the 100-mile road as a loop. Read the latest here.

Hello byways, thanks for the advice. Visit offline....sure....how?? I'm kinda green with the HUBB.