The Best Oregon Motorcycle Routes
The Beaver State is an amazing place to explore, with all kinds of different landscapes worthy of your attention. From the forested mountains and the Pacific coastline in the western part of the state to the high desert in the eastern part, you’ve got your pick of things to see and do.
Riding your motorcycle is the perfect way to get to know our state a little better, and there are plenty of routes worthy of your time, but it can be a challenge to whittle down your options. Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson, located in Eugene, is proud to be your western Oregon motorcycle dealer. To help you plan those springtime adventures, here are some of the best motorcycle routes in Oregon!
Santiam Highway to the Oregon Coast
Head for the misty beauty of the Pacific Ocean by following this gently winding route northwest from Salem, Oregon. Highway 22 is well-maintained and is a safety corridor, so you’ll need to watch your speed, but it will take you through the gorgeous forested scenery of western Oregon over approximately 55 miles. The highway meets north-south US 101 in the town of Hebo, Oregon, and you can choose your own adventure from there: continue south to Pacific City or Neskowin, head north towards Tillamook or turn around and go back to Salem.
Dooley Mountain Highway/OR Route 245
Called the “Little Dragon” due to its many bends and corners, this wide, open stretch of highway in eastern Oregon offers you plenty of solitude as you ride from the valley up into the mountains. Twists and turns abound, and you’ll experience almost 200 corners over a 14-mile stretch of road!
Beginning in the tiny town of Unity, you’ll head north on a portion of US-26 until you reach its juncture with OR-245, which you'll follow for another 37 miles north and east, past the Unity Reservoir and north up to Stices Gulch, which is a ravine near the end of the road. OR-245 meets the Sumpter Stage Highway/Route 7, which you can take east towards Baker City or west towards Phillips Lake.
Highway 6 to Tillamook
Another coastal route, this journey starts north of Forest Grove in the town of Banks, where you can pick up Highway 6 and head west for 49 miles to the town of Tillamook. You’ll pass through the historic and beautiful Tillamook State Forest along the way. Once in Tillamook, you can take US 101 north or south, or stop in at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for some ice cream or other delicious Oregon-made dairy!
Oregon Outback Scenic Byway
This 175-mile stretch of road will take you through a portion of southern Oregon down into the northeastern corner of California. Begin in the town of La Pine, Oregon, and head south on Route 31 E, which will hit Highway 395 in Valley Falls before continuing on another 20 miles to the town of Lakeview, Oregon.
You can continue on south to the Goose Lake State Recreation Area in California or end your tour at Lakeview. As you ride, you’ll leave the forests and head into the edges of the high desert, which offers you majestic views of valleys, mountains and sagebrush. Just make sure you fill your gas tank up before you go, since stops are few and far between in this outback region!
Of course, these aren’t your only options when it comes to great motorcycling in the Beaver State, but they should give you some excellent jumping-off points. Come on down to our dealership in Eugene today to check out our current selection of new and used motorcycles for sale, including Harley-Davidson® models. You can also discuss financing options with our friendly staff. Willamette Valley welcomes all of our western Oregon customers along the I-5 corridor, including those in Corvallis and Albany.