Rides & Routes

There’s nothing like the open road. There’s little better than the feeling and freedom of traveling around the country. The ability to see the sights and soak in the pleasure of a long, uninterrupted ride is one of life’s greatest pleasures. 

But when it comes to a great motorcycle ride, you can’t settle on just any old slab of asphalt. There are certain stretches in this country that are nightmares for bikers and bike enthusiasts, and then there are stretches that are an absolute dream.

We’re going to go ahead and bet that you would be interested in the latter. And why wouldn’t you be? You deserve to ride on the best motorcycle roads the U.S. has to offer. Read on, and we’ll walk you through the twelve you should know about.

1. Blue Ridge Parkway

When it comes to the best motorcycle roads in the country, there’s no better place to start than with the stretch of road that is literally known as ‘America’s Favorite Drive.’ 

That’s right, the 500 mile stretch of Blue Ridge Parkway has quite a reputation. The road stretches through both North Carolina and Virginia, starting and ending in two different national parks: the Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountain National Parks. That means you have the option of starting or ending your great big ride in some of the most scenic locations in the country.

The road itself is a gorgeous display of nature and natural scenery. You’ll be making your way through the Appalachian region, and that means countless hiking trails, orchards, and rivers will spring up along your route from A to B. If you’ve ever wanted to make a trip through this region of the country, you’d be hard pressed to find a better route than the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s truly one of the best motorcycle roads the country has to offer. 

2. Pacific Coast Highway

If there’s a most famous road on this list, it’s probably the Pacific Coast Highway that stretches from Southern to Northern California. It’s most notable stretch, through Big Sur, has been featured countless times in movies, television, and in commercials. 

It’s been filmed so frequently for good reason: the Pacific Coast Highway is simply one of the most beautiful and scenic rides anywhere in the world. Much of the drive will put you thousands of feet above the gorgeous and crystal-blue California waters. 

A drive down the PCH, also known as State Road 1, is a great ride for beginners. The speed limit is kept comparatively low here, and the stretch of road is so popular that you can’t go more than a few short miles without running into new towns, shops, restaurants, and attractions. 

The popularity of the Pacific Coast Highway might mean you’ll run into a bit more traffic here than you might on some of the other routes on this list. But if you don’t mind a little touch-and-go driving, it can be well worth the once in a lifetime scenery. 

3. Tail Of Dragon At Deals Gap

Many of the routes on this list are quite long and can take days of traveling to get through. Some of us don’t have that kind of free time available to us. Need a shorter ride, one that you can get through in one day? We’ve got you covered there too. 

The Tail of Dragon At Deals Gap is a surprisingly short road located in the heart of Tennessee. But don’t let the length fool you: this is also one of the most challenging roads to navigate in the country. There’s a reason it has such an eccentric name, after all.

The Tail of Dragon is a mere eleven miles in length, but in that distance, there is an intimidating three-hundred and eighteen different turns and curves. If you decide to take on this motorcycle road, you’ll have your work cut out for you. But if you can handle the challenge, Tail of Dragon can provide quite an enjoyable and adrenaline-pumping experience. 

Despite the twists and turns, this road still crosses some of the more gorgeous regions of Tennessee, working its way through lakes and small mountains. If you’re a novice or even average rider, you may want to save this path for later on your bucket list. But if you’ve seen the world of biking and want more, taking on the Tail of Dragon might be the right move for you. 

4. Northwest Passage Scenic Byway

Want a little bit of a history lesson along with your bike ride? You could do worse than the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway, which follows more or less the exact path initially forged by Lewis & Clark. 

Yes, that means you can take your motorcycle down through Idaho, Montana, and Washington and see what some of the earliest English explorers first saw in the new land of America. In a sense, taking a trip down this long stretch can serve as the best possible history lesson, literally allowing you to step back into an earlier chapter of American history. 

And if that wasn’t appealing enough to you, there’s a huge number of other attractions that fill the area and towns off of the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway. Want to go whitewater rafting, camp out, or go hiking? The Byway will give you plentiful opportunities to do just that. All of this combined makes it more than just a great and beautiful trail of asphalt: it makes the byway one of the most quintessentially American roads in all of the country. 

5. Beartooth Highway

No list of the best motorcycle roads in America would be complete without chronicling a path that cuts through the Rocky Mountains. And king among such paths has to be the Beartooth Highway. 

The Beartooth Highway is the highest elevation paved road in the Rock Mountain region. That means you’ll have the combined benefits of a smooth ride and incredible views and scenery. At it’s highest peak, the highway reaches 11,000 feet above the ground. 

The zigzagging road passes through both the Custer and Shoshone National Forests and provides some of the most jaw-dropping views anywhere on the planet. At the very end of the road? The entrance to Yellowstone National Park, positioning Beartooth Highway as kind of the ultimate yellow brick road for nature lovers. 

Downsides to the path? The elevation can make it difficult to traverse for many months of the year. Higher elevations mean lower temperatures, and the roads of the Beartooth Highway can get icy, snowy, and deeply dangerous very quickly. If you’re planning to make a trip out to ride this road, you’ll need to plan ahead.

There are a few weeks within the fall and spring where the weather can be perfect for it. But wait too long and you might find that long portions of the highway have been shut down entirely, for the safety of the public. 

6. Going-To-The-Sun Road

This gorgeous road in Montana has to have our favorite name on the list, grabbing extra points for capturing the transcendent experience that such a trip can provide. This incredible motorcycle riding road is the only paved path that cuts through Glacier National Park, one of the most notable and popular reserves in the country.

Going-To-The-Sun Road has an amazing reputation, mostly thanks to its natural scenery and incredibly smooth and well-paved roads. There’s enough twists and turns to keep experienced bike riders interested, but not so many that it should prove too challenging to more novice riders. 

The pathway itself also isn’t too long: from beginning to end, it reaches just about 50 miles in total. That means you can get through it in a day fairly easily, or split it up over a few days if you want to spend more time exploring or hiking around.

Montana is one of the few states left in the country to have a plethora of natural beauty still untouched. As such, visiting Going-To-The-Sun Road should absolutely be on your motorcycle trip bucket list. 

The Best Motorcycle Roads In The United States

As a biking enthusiast, we probably don’t need to convince you of how amazing a few days spent on the open road can be. But what we can do is point you in the direction of some of the most amazing motorcycle roads in the country. The above routes, roads, and highways boast some of the best scenery and smoothest rides in the world. 

If you’re a serious biker, you owe it to yourself to spend some time riding down these amazing stretches of asphalt. Want to learn more about the best rides and routes? Check out our blog for more. 

There is no better state than California to take your motorcycle out for a ride. Whether you go out for the day, a week or longer,  there is a breathtaking variety of terrains and entertainments both on and off the beaten path.

Here is a sampling of five of the best California motorcycle tours. 

1. Pacific Coast Highway

One of the most spectacular road trips in the entire United States, the Pacific Coast Highway runs all along the state’s picturesque shoreline from the Oregon border to the Mexican border. While it is awe-inspiring in a car, it is even better on a bike. 

If you start in the North at San Francisco, you can get started with a drive through that famous bastion of the sixties’ counter culture. Now a hotbed of tech giants and real estate, the city still holds its bohemian charm with lovely parks, an active street life, and music everywhere.

Continue south of the city towards Silicon Valley, and you can stop at San Jose to see the infamous haunted Winchester Mystery House. Built by an eccentric member of the wealthy gun making family, the estate has over 150 rooms, with lots of architectural curiosities like dead-end hallways, and staircases that run up to the ceiling.

No trip down Route One would be complete without seeing Monterey. The road is challenging for a motorcycle, with lots of curves along steep, craggy cliffs. Be safe and stop on a lookout point to observe the crashing surf, majestic rocks, and seals along the coastline.  

Take a detour to Big Sur, and camp under the stars in this arty, hippy-like community. Indulge in a nude dip in the natural hot spring baths at the Esalen Institute to soothe sore muscles from your ride.

Continue South to Southern California, soaking in the sun and sights at such hot spots as Santa Barbara and Malibu. If you go off the beaten track in Orange County, you may stumble upon one of the country’s most famous biker bars, Crook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon.  

You can keep going to San Diego, and –  if you have your passport-  continue right on through to Tijuana. 

This is an over 500-mile drive, so take your time and plan out places to camp along the way to really sample the freedom of the wild, wild west. 

2. Mulholland Drive 

If you can only do a day trip on your chopper, Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles is one of your best bets for an exhilarating experience.

This well-known blacktop winds through the Santa Monica mountains and is the home of the notorious stretch of road called “the Snake, ” otherwise known as the most-crashed corner in SoCal. 

Hollywood types in fancy cars crowd this stretch of highway ever since Steve McQueen made it cool. But motorcycle aficionados have a special love/hate relationship with it, mostly due to the 180-degree hairpin which attracts all kinds to test their prowess.

Considered a “skatepark for motorcycles,” many inexperienced riders crash along the Snake (otherwise known as Edwards Corner). It’s not that hard if you do what the good riders do: lower your speed before the turn, lean in, and roll on the gas after the apex. The hot doggers who hit the corner way too fast tend to slam into the guard rail.

Despite the thrill- or maybe because of it?- many bikers put Mulholland on their bucket list. Just don’t forget your own bucket- a helmet is required by law in California. 

3. Far From the Maddening Crowd 

A mid-length motorcycle trip which will take you beyond the big cities is to follow Highway 1 from San Francisco to Fort Bragg. You will be struck by the awesome natural beauty, the sleepy little beach towns, and the cool vibe of the people in the northern part of the state. 

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito and Marin County, still a hippie haven. Take some time to hike into the Muir Woods and see the massive redwood trees.

Continue north along dramatic cliffs and check out the beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore. You can find lots of quirky towns like Inverness, which boast art galleries and old style Western saloons.

Speaking of saloons, not far from this neck of the woods lie the vineyards of Napa Valley and Sonoma. If you are going to drink, make sure you leave your bike at the campgroundsand get a ride back. 

Other cool sights on the way to Fort Bragg include the charming town of Mendocino, MacKerricher State Park where you may catch a glimpse of a migrating whale, and Glass Beach, which looks like it’s covered with jewels.

4. Joshua Tree 

Maybe you like the desert more than the coast or the forest. Then you should check out Joshua Tree, located about an hour from Palm Springs and about two hours from Los Angeles. 

The park is amazingly beautiful and you can access a lot of it from paved roads. You can also find campsites and hiking trails, plus cools places to eat, drink, and spend the night. 

From LA, it’s mostly freeway riding – and you know, there is often a lot of traffic in the LA area, so be patient. Then you get off on the 62, which takes you almost to the park gate. Inside the park, you will find a two-lane road with limited passing and low-speed limits.

Motorcyclists love Joshua Tree because of all the paved roads which give you great views of the desert and mountain vistas. The park is open all year round.

Note that there is no cell service in the park area and no services or facilities in most places. You should also be prepared for extreme weather and changes in temperature: there may be snow at the higher elevations in the winter. Under the summer sun, on the other hand, it can get up to 120 degrees! 

If you don’t want to camp, stay at the Joshua Tree Inn Motel. If you would rather have a swimming pool to dunk into after a long dusty ride, there is a Best Western. You can also find a lot of private homes on Airbnb along the road leading to the park or on its border. 

Pioneertown is an old movie set made to look like an old fashioned Western town. There you can find Pappy & Harriet’s, a fun roadhouse bar. You might also want to check out The Joshua Tree Saloon to wet your whistle.

5. LA to Las Vegas, Via Death Valley 

Although the fastest way to get from Southern California to Las Vegas is via Route I:15, the most scenic way will take you through God’s most forsaken landscape, Death Valley.

It may take five hours and it goes below sea level. Be warned, you may need cooling suits because the temperatures here can rise way beyond any human comfort level. 

There are all sorts of fun things to check out along the way, from funky diners to ghost towns. You can cool off in Panamint Springs at a motel or the saloon with a bar made out of a giant redwood burl.

In Death Valley, you can zoom past sand dunes, rock formations, and places like the Funeral Mountains and the Devil’s Cornfield. Furnace Creek is another place to stop and cool off at a cheap roadside motel or the elegant Furnace Creek Inn, which boasts a swimming pool fed by natural warm springs.

From Death Valley Junction, heads towards Vegas through Pahrump, where you can check out the laundromat owned by “Madam to the Stars” Heidi Fleiss. The infamous Chicken Ranch is not too far from here either.

From Pahrump, you are an hour away through the mountain roads to Vegas, baby. This route takes you through the dramatic moon-like natural landscape past some of humanity’s most unusual specimens.

California Motorcycle Tours: Hit the Road and See It All 

California motorcycles tours are a great way to see one of the nation’s most diverse and amazing states. From the beaches of Southern California where the stars hang out through deserted mountain towns, a trip on a motorcycle will expose you to sights and experiences beyond your wildest dreams.

Make sure you have the right equipment, clothing, and provisions for whatever ride you choose. Keep your bike in tip-top condition, and learn how to perform basic maintenance so you don’t break down in a desolate area far from assistance. 

Seeing the world on a motorcycle, whether with your better half, your friends, or by your lonesome, is an incomparable way to rediscover your connection to the land and the road. Feel free and fast as you experience the road under your wheels and the wind in your face. You will never forget it. 

For information on buying a bike and keeping it in running order, plus tips on the best rallies, routes, and motorcycle-related products, plus the latest legal developments impacting motorcyclists, check out our site. We’ve got everything you need to ride and to live free. 

A study done by the Motorcycle Industry Council shows that just over 8% of American households owned one or more motorcycles in their homes in 2018.

This was a 1.08% increase from 2014, which represents nearly 1.5 million people.

Motorcycles have gained popularity in recent years. People use motorcycles as a mode of transport or for recreation. They are easy to use, and this is why the number of people purchasing these two-wheeled modes of transport increases each year.

The increased demand for motorcycles has also increased the supply. The increased supply has encouraged the creation of many motorcycle brands. These brands manufacture motorcycles that have different features, prices, and sizes. 

Are you looking for the best motorcycle brand to buy your dream bike? This article will discuss the best motorcycle brands.

1. Honda

Honda is a world-class motorcycle producing giant located in Japan. It offers a wide selection of motorcycles that range from Honda cars, power sports, personal jets, and even robots.

The company has been in the automotive industry for decades. It has created a large market for its automotive products, especially with its many types of motorcycles.

Honda’s motorcycles are cost-friendly, fast, and can do well in almost all types of routes.

Most of Honda’s motorcycles don’t have the whistles and bells found in Harley Davidson and Ducati. Thus, Honda’s motorcycles are cheaper than those of its competitors.

Honda CRF250L Rally and Honda Rebel 300 are some of the popular motorbikes that bear the Honda name.

2. Suzuki

Suzuki has been in the motorcycling industry for the last 60 years. As an old company, the brand hasn’t forgotten where it came from. It still strives to produce high-quality bikes that are available for the less skilled, intermediate, and the highly experienced riders.

Some of the best rides made by Suzuki include the iconic GS series, the lender two stoke RG 500, and the GSX-R Family. Although the company also makes automobiles, it focuses more on selling motorcycles.

3. Yamaha

Yamaha is a Japan-based company that used to make musical instruments. In 1955, the company started making motorcycles.

It began with simple and cost friendly motorcycles, although it has now grown its brand to a powerhouse that makes the best cruisers, off-road bikes, and sport bikes.

They are also capable of designing all types of street legal bikes. Some are good for touring while others are dirt bikes. It is currently ranked as the second largest motorcyclemaking company in Japan after Honda.

Yamaha motorcycles include the Yamaha Bolt Cruiser and Yamaha V Star 250 Cruiser.

4. Kawasaki

Kawasaki is a great motorcycle brand based in Japan. Its main competitors are Honda and Yamaha; they are both located in Japan. The company joined the motorcycle industry in 1960.

Its first motorcycle was the B8 125cc, which was produced in 1961. Its popularity increased five years later when it made the largest bike ever.

The motorcycle industry positively received the first bike, and since then the company has never slowed down. Some of the Kawasaki brand motorbikes include the Kawasaki Ninja 300, Kawasaki KX 100, and many others.

5. Ducati

If you are a motorcycle racing fan, you have probably heard of Ducati. It is an Italian based company which specializes in making motorcycles for people who race, although they still make quality motorbikes for the other riders too.

They make a wide range, including the street legal. Thus, their products are ideal for all types of people. Ducati designs all its motorcycles as racing bikes, although their speed, functionality, and mode of usage vary.

All bikes have timing engines for an excellent performance. The firm has won 14 rider world titles and 17 best manufacture titles. Ducati motorcycles include the 1970 Ducati 750 GT, Ducati Multistrada 950, and the 1987 Ducati 851.

6. BMW

BMW started as an aircraft producing firm. It was, however, forced to leave the aircraft industry when Germany signed the Versailles treaty.

Since then, the German-based company has been making high-quality motorcycles. They include the 486cc R 32, which was created in 1923.

It was the first motorbike made by the company, but it opened many doors for the company because all the motorcycles they later manufactured sold well.

Its other famous products include the GS adventure touring motorbikes, such as the F800GS and S1000RR sportbike, and the six-cylinder K1600GT and K1600GTL touring motorcycles.

The GS line of both on and off-road bikes adds up to almost 30% of the BMW motorcycle sales, and the GS is therefore believed to be the best selling BMW.

7. Indian

Although the company name could easily suggest that it operates in India, the Indian motorbikes are actually produced in the United States. The company went into business in 1901 in Springfield and has since gone through many changes aimed at improving the brand.

Initially, the company reduced its sales due to the Indian name stamped on it. However, with time, Honda decided to resurrect the name by producing motorbikes under the same name again.

Even today, many users are still loyal to the Indian brand as they consider it to be the pioneer manufacturer of motorbikes. Additionally, the motorcycles are durable and spare materials are readily available.

8. Curtis

This is another American company which has been in the market since the 1990s. All its products are custom made, and this on one of the factors that make its motorbikes to stand out from the rest.

The brand takes special orders from the clients and then makes a unique bike for them. As a result, all the motorbikes made by this company are unique in different ways and they rarely look alike.

The fact that the bikes are not built in bulk but rather by order has made the brand a little less popular than its mass-producing counterparts. Currently, only a few people own the Curtis motorcycles.

9. United

Despite its name which makes it sound like it’s based in the States, the United company is located in India and is considered to be the second largest motorcycle producing company in India.

The name of the company is not yet very popular in the global market, but the company is rapidly gaining a popular reputation by producing high-quality motorcycles at low cost.

The brand also manufactures all types of motorbikes, thus providing an extensive choice for customers.

10. Yinxiang

Yinxiang is a Chinese company which initially specialized in real estate development — if you can believe it. Later, this company moved on to making small motors, and then, finally, motorcycles.

Despite its humble beginning, Yinxiang is currently listed as one of the best 20 bike manufacturing companies in the world. It competes with top motorcycle companies that have been making motorcycles for many decades.

The products of this brand include more than a hundred types of vehicles, including three-wheelers, dirt bikes, mopeds, ATVs and scooters. The engines range from 50cc to 250cc.

11. Hero

Hero is the largest motorcycle company in India and the second largest in the world. It manufactures all types of motorcycles, although its powerful scooters have increased its popularity.

Hero has been producing motorcycles for many decades, but its ability to use the same high-quality materials and workmanship has enabled it to remain relevant in the industry.

It distributes more than 45% of its products in India, while some of the products are distributed in Canada and the United States. Hero’s most popular bikes include the Hero Extreme 200R, the 2018 Hero Passion Pro, and the Hero Destini 125.

12. Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson is undoubtedly one of the best-known motorcycle brands in the world. The company has been making motorbikes for decades. Therefore, they have a loyal and dedicated consumer market.

Its classic motorcycles have a vintage appeal that any long-time rider would die for. Harley’s are also known for their loud pipes. 

While Harley Davidson bikes still look old school, their newer rides are designed with modern features, which make them faster, more comfortable, and safer.

The famous Harley Davidson brand includes FLH Electra Glide, which uses an electric engine and is ideal for touring.

13. MTT

This US-based company entered the manufacturing industry when it established a jet engine turbines factory. Although it still makes the turbines, the firm got into the motorcycle industry with the main aim of creating the fastest street legal motorcycle.

After its first bike, the company gained notable fame. Thus, it was able to expand and start manufacturing almost all types of motorcycles. Most of the bikes are custom made. The most popular one is the Y2K Turbine Superbike, which is powered by the turboshaft engine.

The Best Motorcycle Brands

Whether you’re looking for your first bike or next new ride, it’s essential that you thoroughly research all of the best motorcycle brands, not just one. 

While you may have always dreamed of owning a Harley, that might not be the best bike for you. And, it’s much better to figure out which brand would suit you before you write any checks and hit the road.

Agree with our list? Comment below with your pick for the top motorcycle brand of 2019.

There is nothing like the pull of the open road. Feeling the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin. Even if you’re just driving to and from work, it can fill you with a sense of freedom and a desire for adventure.

But there’s something particularly thrilling and inspiring about visiting a new place for the first time on a motorbike, watching the road unfold with nothing between you and the big open sky above. 

Riding a motorcycle allows you to interact with the landscape around you in a much more direct way that looking through the car window making it the ultimate form of transportation for tourism.

If you’re a biking enthusiast, then there is no better way to see a new country. Check out these great motorcycle trips to learn where to take your next adventure.