Our crew of five on three V-Stroms started early from San Diego (CA) to reach the climb just beyond Congress (AZ) before the heat could take its toll. We kept to our ambitious goal despite losing time to a mechanical issue on a piece of safety gear. We conveniently ran across a Border Patrol checkpoint at 169 miles (SR-78), providing a facility for everyone to get their evaporation vests charged (temp at that point had reached 100°F in the shade with less than 20% humidity). The maximum temperature recorded for the desert crossing was 111°F. We stopped in Jerome at the Haunted Hamburger, but then missed reaching Oak Creek Canyon in daylight. The switchbacks were a tad chewed up and would have been a better run during daylight. SR-78, SR-89, and SR-89 ALT were good rides. 460+ miles for the day. 
Next: Flagstaff to Page (Grand Canyon South Rim)

Tip 1: Unadulterated airflow at high speed in overwhelming heat (over 110°F) will suck the life out of you (your perspiration is blown away before it can cool you through evaporation). I switched over to the finer mesh of the First Gear Kilimanjaro Air jacket and love it. No wind or sun burn on the arms. Good airflow above 30MPH; plenty of air to activate my evaporation vest.