Dreaming of a West Coast Tour

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Okay, so it can be difficult to write a blog about a place you have never been to. Most of us only dream about going to beautiful places but never actually get the chance to get away. I have always been told that dreamers are creative people so to that, here a few or four places I dream to eventually visit on motorcycle; it might take a touring bike to reach, however.

California North Coast, California

Ever hear of the mystically famous Redwood trees in California? I heard there is some so big you could cut a whole in trunk and drive a car through it! The above link takes you to a review of the California North Coast road, where these Redwood trees and Pacific Ocean coast come together to make a scenic route that is so beautiful it must be a dream.

Highway 299, California

So I pick these roads at random. With only reviews and interactive geographic maps at my disposal, it’s the closest I come to these places without actually dreaming. Highway 299 is a 143-mile stretch through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest that is covered with twisties and extreme elevation. Oh how I wish this were my daily commute to work.

Blue Mountain Scenic Byway, Oregon

The name speaks for itself. Although you do not here that much about the state of Oregon, it is still a place I would love to visit. This road or byway is apparently very scenic which leads you through a winding road that only experienced riders should travel on. It appears to be long, but I accept the challenge.

Out to the Ocean, Washington

Because Seattle is a city that is on my bucket list for places in America to see, this road is a perfect West Coast fit. I think they call it Out of the Ocean because it starts on the Pacific Coast and lead inland to Seattle. Perhaps a glass of wine and a classy dinner in the city would be the far point of this dream trip on my motorcycle.

Top 5 Motorcycles For Long Distance Traveling

Many people have their own riding styles and have pre-selected their prefect fit bike. Of course, the type of motorcycle they want depends on riding style and rider capability. When touring, some people may want a more laid back cruiser like a fully dressed Harley Davidson or Honda Goldwing. For me, those bikes are too heavy and not agile enough. I have put together a list of the top 5 motorcycles for touring – in my opinion.

1. Ducati 2014 Multistrada

The Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring is an exceptional bike. Ducati is known for their stability, comfort, and speed and this bike is no exception. Aside from its sporty looks and sleek design, the Multistrada ranks number one on my list because of its handling and balance. These characteristics make the perfect recipe for a bike that is eager to hit the twisties and hug every turn.

2. BMW 2014 R 1200 RT

So I have expensive taste. However, the 1200 RT comes in second due to its cutting edge technology that is integrated into the machine: such as GPS, traction control, and a patented air/liquid cooled boxer engine. Because of the price and weight relative to the Ducati Multistrada, this bike takes second on the podium, but is still an excellent ride.

3. Honda 2014 ST1300

Talk about more bang for your buck, the Honda ST1300 is fast, well balanced, and sleekly designed. My dad owned this motorcycle for a couple years and my Kawasaki ZRX 1200r didn’t have a chance to keep up – around turns and on straights. Although it lacks some of the minor technologies of the BMW, it is a great contender; in fact, I could say these two bikes are tied in the world of sport touring motorcycles.

4. Kawasaki 2014 Concourse

So Kawasaki has fallen a little behind in the sport touring class. Their 2014 Concourse lacks the agility and comfort of the other motorcycles. However, its price tag is much easier to swallow. At a few thousand dollars cheaper, the concourse makes the list because A.) I am a Kawasaki fanatic, and B.) The price tag gives it value.

5. Harley Davidson Street Glide

Without a doubt, Harley Davidson has a brand name that is trustworthy and reliable. Their motorcycles are built with such quality that the aforementioned motorcycles look like toy against them. That said, the 2014 Harley Davidson Street Glide comes in last place due to its price tag and weight. Because everything is chrome and metal, the bikes weight substantially more then its competitors and has more of a cruiser feel than a sporty feel. This makes it less enjoyable around tight corners. However, if long-straight roads and flashy chrome is your style, you might want to consider this bike.

Those are my favorite sport touring motorcycles. Comment below and tell me what you are riding or what you want to ride!

3 Places You Should Ride a Bike To In the Mid-West

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 1. Pikes Peak Run, Colorado

Okay, so the number one place I want to ride to is Pikes Peak in Colorado. Located in the heart of Colorado, this 24-mile road is ripe with twisty turns and smooth roads. The scenery, as depicted in several motorcycle magazines, is beautiful with green forests at the bottom and rocky mountain terrain towards the top. Supposedly, at the top of this colossal, 14,110 foot mountain is a restaurant and gift shop – a perfect break before the exciting trip back to the bottom.

2. Yellowstone National Park

Perhaps you love rough camping. If you do, then you would want to go riding with me. Usually, I bring all of my camping supplies and stay in the campgrounds but as far from people as I can get. For me, Yellowstone National Park is a place where you can get that seclusion, while being close enough to many great open roads to travel on. One road I will visit is the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, a 200-mile stretch of changing

scenery and elevation changes of 10,000  feet!

3. Lake Tahoe

 

So after many relatives telling me how great Lake Tahoe is, I absolutely had to add it to my list. Lake Tahoe is known for its breath taking views and plethora of vacation ideas. From camping to snowboarding (another favorite of mine), Lake Tahoe would be a great place to visit. Additionally, there are many great roads to travel on. The Reno to Lake Tahoe loop is a superb, 119-mile road that features rocky cliffs and twisty turn.