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Top 10 Best Motorcycling Touring Roads

31K views 72 replies 54 participants last post by  Scrambling 
#1 ·

'I've been everywhere, man; I've been everywhere, man; across the deserts bare, man; I've breathed the mountain air, man; of travel I've had my share, man; I've been everywhere.' —Johnny Cash

Even for Johnny Cash, it would be a mighty feat to ride America's 3.9 million miles of highways, byways, avenues and alleys to get, as the song says, "everywhere." Although sometimes it may feel like we've traveled every road worth a ride, the biker DNA bubbling in our blood tells us there is, somewhere, the spectacular road not taken.

Not that we haven't tried to ride everywhere. Aside from a few heated water-cooler debates, varying levels of certifiable psychosis, polite differences of opinion and immeasurable variables of riding style, the staff at Motorcycle.com carefully considered its 300 or so years of collective biking experience and named these the Top 10 touring roads in the U.S., although no peaceable agreement could be made as to order, except for the fistfight averting alphabetical.

Print this, stuff it in your leather shirt, get off the couch and on your bike, and find some adventure.

More: Top 10 Best Motorcycling Touring Roads on Motorcycle.com
 
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#3 ·
Motorcycling Roads

I have ridden in 16 Eastern US states, and part of Canada. By far the best "Bike Roads" I have been on are right here in my home state of West Virginia. The Appalachian mountain range has a network of roads that fit many styles of riding, and all designs of bikes. If you get a chance, check it out. You will not be disappointed.
Hope to get West of the Mississippi soon, maybe the Rocky Mountians, and see what they have to offer.
 
#61 ·
I have ridden in 16 Eastern US states, and part of Canada. By far the best "Bike Roads" I have been on are right here in my home state of West Virginia. The Appalachian mountain range has a network of roads that fit many styles of riding, and all designs of bikes. If you get a chance, check it out. You will not be disappointed.
Hope to get West of the Mississippi soon, maybe the Rocky Mountians, and see what they have to offer.
I have to agree. West Virginia has some of the most spectacular and engaging motorcycle roads I've ever ridden.
 
#4 ·
I have not been to a thousand of road trip, did some in Canada some in USA and a few in France and Switzerland and to me the blueridge area sits the top 3 number on in the alpes around Mont-Blanc.... I am planning to have a ride in Arizona next spring so i will see then!!!

I am going back in jully for a road trip in Switzerland hope I find new places to ride!!!!
 
#5 ·
Greatest Rides - Far Away and Downunder!


I've traveled a range of rides and a lot of miles touring, particularly the past 17 years. This has included 3 months touring through Germany, Ireland, South England, France, Austria, Czech Republic. These were fascinating tours and the countries remarkable - but for riding / touring options, I still believe the most exceptional country for touring, experiencing the landscape, sights, challenge of the ride and range of possibilities is definitely NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!!
Because I come from there, you may well think - bias is a strong factor and no doubt it has some influence, but in all honesty the landscape, roading and experience of open-road touring in New Zealand is spiritual. The potential to enjoy a remarkable country on roads that allow for exceptional empathy and harmony of the rider with their bike is, I believe, unprecedented.

 
#21 ·
I wonder if it would be possible to rent a MC in New Zealand, or if it would be reasonable to have mine shipped over there for a ride of both islands.

I've traveled a range of rides and a lot of miles touring, particularly the past 17 years. This has included 3 months touring through Germany, Ireland, South England, France, Austria, Czech Republic. These were fascinating tours and the countries remarkable - but for riding / touring options, I still believe the most exceptional country for touring, experiencing the landscape, sights, challenge of the ride and range of possibilities is definitely NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!!
Because I come from there, you may well think - bias is a strong factor and no doubt it has some influence, but in all honesty the landscape, roading and experience of open-road touring in New Zealand is spiritual. The potential to enjoy a remarkable country on roads that allow for exceptional empathy and harmony of the rider with their bike is, I believe, unprecedented.

 
#9 ·
I have just recently completed a holiday trip to Kaernten.
The trip around the GrossGlockner was one of my hightlights. But then again a lot of this part of Austria is just wonderfull.
A great climate , just south of the Alps, Udine (IT) just 50km away .
Just great
 
#10 · (Edited)
The guys over at Motorcycle.com had it right about the wonderful Pacific Coast Highway. Its a fantastic route. But, they missed out on some great roads just a bit more north of the PCH that I love.

Head up north from California to Washington State and keep going over the border to beautiful British Columbia Canada (by water ferry to Victoria, or by land to Vancouver... or both).

The pictures are from Port Angeles, Washington USA just before the ferry ride to Victoria B.C. Canada. And then crossing the border from Vancouver BC Canada, into Seattle Washington USA.



 
#13 ·
More Great Roads!

Wow, there are some great suggestions here and pictures! My company, Compacc is doing a great series on the top motorcycle roads. There are so many roads to choose from, we had to divide it by regions.
The top 20 in the Southwest area:
http://blog.compacc.com/2011/07/top-20-motorcycle-roads-in-the-southwest/
The top 20 in the Midwest:
http://blog.compacc.com/2011/07/top-20-motorcycle-roads-in-the-midwest/
The top 20 in the West: http://blog.compacc.com/2011/06/top-20-motorcycle-roads-in-the-west/
 
#15 ·
Interesting list and article. A little surprised Blue Ridge Parkway didn't make the list. But maybe it's over-traveled/named too much.

Living in N.GA in the U.S. I'm a little spoiled by all the great roads here in N.GA/NC/TN we have within an hours ride or so from my house. But some nice out-of-the-way roads for me (i.e. not near my part of the country) that I've found on my '99 Sprint have been:

Rt 100 in Vermont
Rt 125 in Vermont
Hwy 28N/Hwy 30 through the Adirondacks from Schroon Lake over to Speculator NY
Rangeley Lake Byway in NW Maine.
All kinds of backroads in Central/North NH and VT.
 
#16 ·
Just read this thread and was like others, what about the Blue Ridge? Obviously as I read i'm not alone in that! lol If you take the BRP south you can get on hwy129 at Deal's Gap and make up for that 45mph speed limit on the Dragon's Tail. 318 curves in 11 miles, as they say, of hauling A** and scraping pegs! Close to it is the Pig's Trail, Arkansas hwy21 I believe, and most of the roads north of I-40 in Arkansas. The three sisters, hwys335-336-337 & a little hwy41 tieing them together at the top, in the Texas Hillcountry. Nothing like bluebonnets, twisties and dodging deer on a spring morning! lol Hell, riding to work on the freeway is better than not riding at all.
 
#17 ·
Must admit I am loving the roads here in Austria (No we do not have Kangeroos) Once away from the Autobahn's the roads get wonderful good surfaces generally and some of the views are amazing followed by some really great places to Eat and then there's those curves that take you round Mountains with 300-400ft drops off to one side... that is one way to get your concentration back...
 
#22 ·
You can do either, renting is likely to be the most hassle free - lots of reputable companies offering a range of machines. You need a month if you're going to do justice to the visit and cover both islands. If not, just do the south island.

Some links here to whet your appetite:
http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-zealands-south-island-revisited.html

http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-zealands-south-island-revisited_24.html

http://kiwibound.livejournal.com/2009/03/17/

Cheers,

Geoff
 
#24 ·
I used to live in eastern PA which had some decent roads up in the Appalachian mountains and along the Delaware river. Last year I moved up to NYC and for the past year I haven't found a decent ride anywhere within an hour of the city.

Anyone have any suggestions.
 
#29 ·

'I've been everywhere, man; I've been everywhere, man; across the deserts bare, man; I've breathed the mountain air, man; of travel I've had my share, man; I've been everywhere.' —Johnny Cash
While not a Triumph video, the song reference reminded me of a video from Colorado Local Steve Farson. I don't know that he has been "everywhere," but I think he may be close :)

 
#31 ·
Civilization's relentless destruction of nature and scenic country roads is at full throttle here in southern Louisiana: two of my favorite rides are about to have a gambling casino and two housing developments. They closed off my access to River Road 15 miles south of Baton Rouge last Friday to rip up the trees and build a divided highway...

"While people planning trips to stars
Allow another boulevard to claim
A quiet country lane
It's insane!" — Neil Young © 1968
 
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