So many roads with so little time depending on your cruising speed.
Oregon boasts some of the finest riding in the country for both off-road Adventure bike trails and paved highways. Many riders at MotoSport spend their weekends on the saddle spending countless hours riding the high desert in the east and along the cool coastal waters in the west.
After asking for some input on the best Oregon roads for motorcycles one constant suggestion kept coming up: Check out Butler Motorcycle Maps. The company has various state maps highlighting the best places to ride featuring lots of details with the rider in mind. Of course, the map created for Oregon was handed over and of the 25 "Best" noted, along with others marked "Good" and "Better," we narrowed the scope to 10 including a brief description of each route.
1. Wallowa Mountain Loop
Only open during the summer months, the Wallowa Mountain Loop on FR 39 (Forest Service Road) in Eastern Oregon offers twisty mountainous roads with great scenic views of the Snake River.
2. Highway 101 - Oregon Coast Highway
Take your pick anywhere along Oregon's coast but the highlight comes from Coos Bay through Reedsport and on up to Florence where you ride along the famous Oregon Dunes.
3. Highway 206 - Wasco-Heppner Highway
Near the border of Washington, you cross the John Day River and get a memorable look through Cottonwood Canyon.
4. Highway 242 - McKenzie Highway
Enjoy lava beds and all-encompassing views of the Cascade Mountains. The McKenzie Highway is considered one of the more breathtaking roads in Oregon.
5. Highway 66 - Green Springs Highway
One of the lengthier roads to enjoy, you get tons of twisting roads and numerous elevation changes. Add this to your list of must-rides.
6. FR 19 - Aufderheide Memorial Drive
Conifer and deciduous trees provide the escort taking you alongside the Cougar Reservoir. Plenty of curves and if you get hot or just want a breather, stop along any one of the swimming holes you'll encounter.
7. Highway 207 - Heppner-Spray Highway
Tight corners and rapid descents take you down into the John Day River Valley in Spray, OR.
8. FR 42
Described as one of the best roads in Oregon for traveling by motorcycle.
9. Highway 229 - Siletz-Kernville Highway
Radius turns and off-camber angles make up this stretch of road in western Oregon just in from the coast off Depoe Bay.
10. Highway 395 - John Day Burns Highway
At this point you can pretty much expect roads in and around anything with the name John Day to invite the motorcycle rider. This section of road takes you through 15 miles of up and down riding.
We picked the highlights for the best motorcycling roads in Oregon but so many more exist you could easily spend a week or more in the Beaver state eating miles and miles of road on your bike. If you have spent any time in Oregon take a ride anywhere and expect to encounter an assortment of topography and easily digestible roads that offer a variety of side dishes.
For the motorcycle rider, Oregon can certainly represent Graceland.