Get Ride Ready
LA to Las Vegas via the Grand Canyon. 1,340 miles of the American Southwest.
Live Weather Along the Route
Los Angeles
Flagstaff AZ
Las Vegas
Live data via Open-Meteo. Cached for 10 minutes. Falls back to seasonal guidance when unavailable.
Seasonal Guidance
Temperature Range
15–40°C | Desert heat with cooler canyon elevations
Best Season
March – May and September – November
Watch Out For
Desert heat June–August, Grand Canyon altitude, UV exposure, flash flood risk in canyon country
The Southwest covers desert heat, high canyon elevation, and sudden temperature drops. LA is warm, Flagstaff sits at 7,000ft and can be cold, and the desert valleys reach 40°C in summer.
What You'll Need
Layerable for extreme temperature ranges. Heat management is critical.
Helmets
Ventilated Touring
US roads mean miles and miles at highway speed. Ventilation for desert heat (up to 40°C) and insulation for cooler elevation sections. A good adventure or touring helmet is your best friend.
Shoei GT-Air III
Sport Touring
Excellent ventilation for desert heat, quiet at US highway speeds. Strong visor system.
Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS
Full-Face Touring
Great value, solid ventilation, widely available in the US if you need a replacement.
Jackets
Mesh + Waterproof Liner
A 3-in-1 mesh jacket with removable waterproof and thermal liners is the right tool for US touring. Desert heat in Arizona, thunderstorms in Missouri, cold in Colorado — one jacket handles it all.
Rev'it Airwave 3
Mesh Touring with Liner
Maximum airflow for desert sections. Add the liner for Flagstaff and Colorado altitude.
Klim Traverse
3-in-1 Adventure
Built for exactly the kind of range US touring demands. Excellent on EagleRider bikes.
Gloves
Mesh + Waterproof Set
Pack two pairs. Mesh gloves for desert states (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona). Waterproof for Midwest thunderstorms and Colorado altitude.
Rev'it Sand 4
Adventure Touring
Good for the majority of US riding — ventilated but still protective.
Boots
Adventure Touring
US roads involve a lot of time off the bike — diners, landmarks, gas station stops. You need boots that work both on and off the highway.
Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex
Adventure Touring
Works in desert heat and Midwest rain. Comfortable enough for diner stops.
TCX Infinity 3 Waterproof
Touring Boot
Good for long days on hire bikes. Easily available via US retailers.
Andy's Ride Setup for Southwest Tour
Shoei GT-Air III
American roads and ventilation are a match made in heaven with this lid.
Rev'it mesh with liner
40°C in Arizona and cold at Flagstaff elevation. Only option.
Mesh + waterproof set
Mesh for the desert states, waterproof for the Midwest.
Sidi Adventure 2
Worn these at diners, gas stations, and 700-mile days. They hold up.
3L minimum in desert
Dehydration on US summer rides is a serious risk. Always over-prepare.
What to Pack
The Southwest covers desert heat, high canyon elevation, and sudden temperature drops. LA is warm, Flagstaff sits at 7,000ft and can be cold, and the desert valleys reach 40°C in summer.
- 01Lightweight base layers (moisture-wicking for desert heat)
- 02Thermal mid-layer for elevation sections
- 03Hydration pack or large water bottle — 3L minimum in desert states
- 04High-SPF sunscreen (desert UV is brutal)
- 05Polarised sunglasses for long desert miles
- 06US power adaptor
- 07Credit card with zero foreign transaction fees
- 08US roadside assistance (EagleRider often includes this)
- 09Phone mount + charging cable
- 10First aid kit
- 11Hydration pack — 3L minimum in desert sections
- 12Layers for Grand Canyon / Flagstaff altitude
- 13US travel insurance with medical cover
Ready to Ride?
View the Southwest Tour TourAndy's Picks for Southwest Tour — Buy on Amazon
The specific helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots I recommend for this tour. All available on Amazon UK.
Shoei GT-Air III
Sport Touring Full-Face
Integrated sun visor. Quiet at motorway speeds. The touring helmet for warmer climates.
Rev'it Airwave 3
Mesh Touring Jacket
Maximum airflow for desert and summer riding. Add the liner for altitude sections.
Alpinestars Andes V3 Drystar Gloves
Waterproof Touring Gloves
Full waterproofing without losing feel on technical roads.
TCX Infinity 3 Waterproof
Waterproof Touring Boot
Excellent value, comfortable for long days, CE Level 2.
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Kit Up for Southwest Tour
MaximoMoto carry a full range of touring and adventure gear — jackets, helmets, gloves, boots and more — at competitive UK prices with free shipping over £69.
Gear for American Long-Haul Touring
Comfort over distance matters most on US tours. Mesh ventilation for heat, quality gloves for long days in the saddle.
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One of the UK's largest motorcycle gear retailers — massive clearance pricing on helmets, jackets, boots and accessories.
Shop GhostbikeSome links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we believe are useful for riders.
We only recommend gear we'd use ourselves. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission if you purchase, at no extra cost to you. This never influences what we recommend.