What are your favorite motorcycle roads?

[Billinva]

I'm planning a trip for this summer from Virginia to California and back. This is my fourth bike trip out west, and I've been on a lot of great roads including most of AMA's top 15. I've spent a lot of time looking for top motorcycle roads, but would like input from VRCC members. I'm pushing 72 so this could be my last long trip.

Would you list 3 or 4 of your top motorcycle roads?

                Thanks.

[six2go #152]

Last year there was a series in Road Runner magazine about traveling coast to coast on US Route 50. If I were to travel West from here in Indiana, I think that's the way I would go. I would probably detour around the larger cities and pick up 50 again on the other side of places like Cincy, & St.Louis.
Have a great trip however you go. 

[Momz]

There are great roads all over this land. It all depends on where you live and where you want to go.

I feel so fortunate to live within 1/4 mile of E.N. Hines Drive. It is a scenic curvy parkway that heads west out of Detroit and out to some of the best motorcycling roads in southern MI. We (my wife and I) use Hines Dr. virtually all he time to start day trips or even long weekends.

Even when we went to both INZANEs in Bellaire, MI, and it was our starting point. I truly enjoy starting out "stress free", and I may take a bit longer to reach a destination, but is the journey that makes riding worthwhile.

[Ice]

Last year there was a series in Road Runner magazine about traveling coast to coast on US Route 50. If I were to travel West from here in Indiana, I think that's the way I would go. I would probably detour around the larger cities and pick up 50 again on the other side of places like Cincy, & St.Louis.
Have a great trip however you go. 

Did that ride in 2011 (that's when Road Runner had the article posted) split from 50 in Utah, it was a lot of fun, however there is a reason they call 50 the loneliest road in America. Good advice to avoid some of the larger cities, also accross Kansas is a tough haul on 50, very flat, straight and tons of wind so if you can detour that piece, do so. Other than that it was a blast and great scenery to boot. However you ride enjoy.

[Oss]

14 over the Big Horn Mountains

Chief Joseph Highway and Beartooth Pass  (Wyoming into Montana)

Lolo Pass  (even if its raining) in Idaho

120 into Yosemite from the east  If you are going eastbound hope you dont get vertigo   honorable mention  to 88-89 out of Tahoe going either direction

The exit road from Muir Woods north of Sausalito on the west end of the Golden Gate bridge

89A from Sedona up to Flagstaff   the road from Jerome west and south is also supposed to be A+

The Pig Trail in Arkansas was fun but not like the other roads  it goes for less than an hour just north of 40 in that state

if you go in mid July  the Highway to the Sun is supposed to be one of the best in the USA  It was still closed end of June last year

[Michael K (Az.)]

Man, I don't know where to start, so I'll just say,"thanks for the post, I just took about 6 trips in my mind! Whew! Tired now, think I'll take a nap!"

[pocobubba]

I rode a great route in your state last year , Rt #51 in the mountains of the southern part of the state , more curves than the Dragon . We also rode Rt 66 and the Trail of  Tears a few years ago , cool ride . Good luck , ride safe .

[..]

Blue Ridge Parkway to Cherokee NC dropping in to Wheels Through Time museum in Maggie Valley.

On to Robbilsville, NC

Cherohala Skyway to Tellico Plains, TN

North on Hwy 68 for a few hundred yards

TL Hwy 39 Japale Rd     TL Hwy 315

Hwy 64 west to I 75 to Chattanooga, TN to I 24 west to Exit 111 to Hwy 55 south to Tullahoma and

http://www.dickel.com/en-row/Tours/map-directions.aspx

On to Lynchburg, TN and Jack Daniels http://www.jackdaniels.com/visit

Then on to Boss Hoss Dyersburg, TN http://www.bosshoss.com/factory_tour.asp

I 165 West to Hwy 412 west to Paragould, Mountain Home, Springdale into OK and Hwy 412 into the  NE corner of NM

Visit the Capulin Volcano. Continue north to Folsom     TL Hwy 72 / 456     

TL Hwy 551 towards Branson CO CROSS CO State line becomes Hwy 389

TL Hwy 160 to Beshoar     TL Hwy 160 / 350 to Trinidad     

TR North Animas St CROSS I 25      TL Prospect St becomes Hwy 12

Hwy of Legends to Valdez, Stonewall, Monument Lake, La Veta

TL West 2nd St     TL Hwy 160 to Fort Garland, Blanca, Alamosa, Del Norte,

South Fork     TR Hwy 149      TL Hwy 50 to Montrose     TL Hwy 550

to Durango     TR Hwy 160 to Four Corners, Teec Nos Pos AZ     

TR Hwy 160 to Kayenta     TR Hwy 163 to Monument Valley     TL Hwy 261     

TL Hwy 95 Natural Bridge Monument Park   TR Hwy 95 to Hanksville     

TL Hwy 24 towards Torrey     TL Hwy 12 to Boulder, Escalante,

Bryce Canyon     TL Hwy 89 to Kanab, CROSS AZ State

Line to Fredonia  becomes Alt Hwy 89     TR Hwy to Grand Canyon retrace

TL Alt Hwy 89   to Kanab and on to TL Hwy 9 to Zion Park, Springdale, UTmotels in Hurricane are a lot cheaper than Springdale, UT.

On to Death Valley and then the Pacific Coast Hwy.

PCH is best ridden north to south so that you are next to the sea for the best views.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Crap! Now I'll have to take another nap!

[MrArn]

Last week I was talking with another rider that was going to hit the top 15 motorcycle roads in America in a single trip. That got me to thinking about how would I decided what were my top 15 highways.

For me there are just too many factors--time of day, time of year, rising sun, setting sun, rain, wind, bugs or traffic. Traffic is a big factor for me, too much traffic and a highway loses it appeal. Also I've been on road I hated in the heat of midday, only find the same road amazing in the early morning or late evening.

I'd love to say the best highway was the one I'm riding, however that just would not be true. Some highways are better than others, but I'm not sure any could be named my top highways.

My favorites are all close to home, because that's where most of my riding takes place. Most of them I will ride several times each year.

NM 14 --all of it

NM 04--all of it

NM 41--from I25 to US285

NM 86 --Early morning between Espanola and Taos

NM 94--all of it

NM 96--all of it

NM 434--all of it

NM 518--all of it

US 60--from Az to I25

US 64---from I25 to Farmington

NM 152--all of it

US 285--from Espanola to Denver

US 160--all of it it in Colorado

US 180--from Silver City to Reserve

US 550-- from Durango to Montrose

CO 133--all of it

CO 149--all of it

CO 82--from US 24 to Aspen

There there are the roads I've ridden just once and would love to ride again--That's too long a list.

[fudgie]

44 in So Dakota
US 20 in NE.

[Wizzard]

Rt 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica and rt 14 over the Big Horn Mountains

[MarkT]

If you join the AMA, they have a database of great rides all over the country in the member's only area, here: http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/asp/membersonly/roads/ama_roads_database_home.asp  Too bad it doesn't have maps, but they are written by members, so they are ride-tested.  Details vary.  You can also find a lot of great ride sites just google "great motorcycle rides".

[Hoser]

Iron Mountain Road and the Needles highway in S. Dakota, Pig trail in Arkansas.  Hoser 

[Jess from VA]

The ones with the most turns and changes in elevation......... while at the same time having the least amount of cars and trucks on them.  Good surface and least gravel and sand is a plus too.  Nature and views are another plus.





I'll pass on these.

[Hoser]

I'm in Kansas.  I use roads like this to get to the good ones.    Hoser

[musclehead]

this got me thinking of the cascade lakes highway in central orygun, man I'm depressed, guess i'll take a nap.

[BobB]

I always make sure that I take in US-14 Scenic South of Spearfish SD when I'm out there.  Also known as Spearfish Cannon Road.  Two great roads link up to it on the South end.   

[Jess from VA]

I'm in Kansas.  I use roads like this to get to the good ones.    Hoser

Thought that last one might hit a nerve in the cornbelt. LOL

You have to ride what is available.

My ride to the good stuff is 1/2 hr traffic, then nice country 2/4 lanes out to mountains in another 45 minutes.   Skyline Dr. is best on weekdays, it can be lines of Winnebago's on weekends.

[Momz]

I always make sure that I take in US-14 Scenic South of Spearfish SD when I'm out there.  Also known as Spearfish Cannon Road.  Two great roads link up to it on the South end.   

Absolutely beautiful and cool on those extremely hot SD August days.

[NEHI]

    Rt 12 Utah (or as I refer to it as Planet Utah).
   Rocky Mountain national Park.
   Going to the Sun Highway.
   Rt 287 from West Yellowstone to Ennis Montana.
   Mt Evans Colorado.
   And last but not least, one of my favorite places to just be, The Moki Dugway Rt 281 Utah.

[Billinva]

Thanks for your ideas on favorite motorcycle roads. I have done many of these roads but still have a lot  to go. I have already begun adding some of the suggested roads to my summer trip.

            Thanks again.

[LandElephant]

Out of Redding Ca, Plantina Rd to Hwy 36 then west to Fortuna, Ca. Great ride through the Trinity Mountains. Never hit much traffic any time I rode it.

Charlie Morse
Land Elephant

[3fan4life]

Where is this at ?

[3fan4life]

There are quite a few roads that are on my "bucket" list for when I do get to make a cross country trip.

This is one of them:



Kings Canyon, CA

[Jess from VA]

Mark, I'm not sure.  

I Googled Skyline Dr/BRP pics for my post, and that was in the group, but I do not recall that stretch of road on either.

[3fan4life]

Mark, I'm not sure.  

I Googled Skyline Dr/BRP pics for my post, and that was in the group, but I do not recall that stretch of road on either.

I doubt that it is anywhere on the east coast.


BTW,

If you're up for riding the BRP this weekend with Smokin Joe's bunch.

I'm hooking up with them on Friday night and I'm riding solo, so I can split a room if you like. 

[3fan4life]

It would seem that it is on the Skyline Drive............




In Taiwan:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rla579/2715468547/#lightbox/

[Ice]

Where is this at ?

Mark, from the picture I would say somewhere in Europe, the guardrails loolk like the ones I saw in Austria, Switzerland and Italy when we cruised through the Alps in 2008.

[Jess from VA]

Mark, I gave serious thought to hitting the Waynesboro Days Inn Thurs nite for beer and stories, or Fri early enough for the launch South, but am overcome with homeowner crap and a little bike work (I THINK I have something fixed but am not sure yet without a more local shakedown cruise).  I am not afraid of getting my vagina wet (wet vaginas used to greatly appeal to me).  LOL  Saturday may be a washout nonetheless.

I also had a few words earlier with Mike (Hubcap) about this same hookup....I believe he is also solo, and may be up for a room-splitting deal at the NC end on Friday.  Thou he was still waiting for a tire.

I sure hope to ride together sometime this Summer, you are always good company.  

[3fan4life]

I sure hope to ride together sometime this Summer, you are always good company.  

I was just thinking the other day that we should try to get a Virginia ride of some type together.

Maybe we could shoot for the last weekend in July.

Hopefully, Yuri and Petra will be up for something more local as well. 

[RainMaker]

Tennessee.  And then Tennesee.

[czuch]

I-40, eastern Tennessee.
NM14.
Right now, I-10 between Tucson and Vail Az. At the end of that road, I'll get a kiss and a beer.

[Mr Whiskey]

"The Dragon".
'nuff said. Enjoy!
Peace, Whiskey.

[LTD]

Lajitas, Texas out of big bend national park to Presidio,Texas a fifty mile stretch of heaven.  One of  the most remote places in america to this day. It hugs the rio grande the whole way carving canyons just spectacular you expect John Wayne to ride out on a horse at any moment and you wouldnt be all that surprised.

[Daddie O]

Definitely Hwy 1, aka Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH).  Doesn't matter north or south, it's breathtaking.