How To Plan The Best Route For A Motorcycle Trip

This video explains my tricks and tactics for planning the most enjoyable and scenic motorcycle routes for any trip. How to avoid the freeways and stick to the local two laners and how to find those two laners. Also some tips on how to find awesome motorcycle destinations.

This video will help you plan a route for your next motorcycle trip. I share my tips and tricks with you guys on what I look for when deciding where to go, and more importantly what route to take to get there. These are the tricks I've learned over the last six years of countless motorcycle trips, including a few long term adventures around the United States.

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🏍 WHO IS TIM COLLINS OF FTA ADVENTURES? (FORMERLY FORTY TIMES AROUND)
A lifelong adventure enthusiast and a long time motorcycle traveler, I have spent the last few years honing my craft as a motorcycle adventure specialist. I am currently living full time on my motorcycle, a 2015 BMW R1200GS named Lupe.

Motorcycle travel and camping have become my largest passions in life. I have a meticulous nature that helps me analyze gear, technique and tactics in a way that is highly beneficial to anyone looking to embark on a motorcycle venture of any scope.

[FTAAdventures]

What's your favorite motorcycle destination? Mine is probably Dragon's Tail, but I'd love to hear from you guys! So let me know down below! Thanks for watching!!

[ilyafilru]

There's a place in NorCal called Lost Coast. It's a bunch of old logging roads. It's one of my favorite rides. You can disappear into the wilderness, camp on the beach and be completely alone for days.

[BMBanister]

In the US the entire Smoky Mountain region is my favorite destination. I hit the Dragon most trips, but it is Dar from my favorite route around there. Outside the US, I was lucky enough to tour the Alps while in the Army. The border region where Italy, Slovania, and Austria meet was awesome. It is also home to the annual September bike week around Faaker See lake.

[classicrider]

I love riding the Allegheny, Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountains. Rode the dragon first time in 1980, on a 1975 kZ 900. (No traffic back then). I live in Alabama only 200 miles from deals gap. A couple of riding buddy's and myself quiet often take a day trip over the Cherohala parkway thru the dragon and back home. After 45 years and around four hundred thousand miles(400, 000) I still get a thrill every time I get on my bike. My favourite destination is wherever I get to safely.

[tentcamper]

Blue Ridge Parkway, 469 miles of beauty with history to be learned along the way. Next is Alaska, the Dalton HY north of Atigun Pass is my favorite. Riding on a gravel road with ice up to 2, 000 feet thick underneath. Looking across the tundra for Musk Ox. I’m planning my third trip there and super excited thinking about it. Third would be most of our awesome National Parks followed by anywhere in Canada. Good drivers, super nice people and like the USA, so much beauty. Thanks for the content Tim.

[everjeeper]

Yellowstone/Grand Tetons trip I took in 2004 was my favorite bike trip, also hit Mt Rushmore and Devils Tower, I only had 2 weeks for trip and I live in NE Indiana so I had to use interstates most of the time to get there and have enough time to really enjoy, also spent time in Jackson Hole then down to Moab Utah then back I70 through Colorado, best trip ever, did grand canyon, Bryce and Zion parks and Bonneville salt flats the following year but Yellowstone still my favorite

[mikeb]

Finally bought a touring bike last year (flew to Nashville and rode it 1000 miles back to MN in two days... limited time available). This summer is 1st big trip.... central MN to eastern coast of ferry over Lake Michigan.... heading north to Sault Ste Marie (over Mackinac Bridge).... following Lake Superior's shoreline (mostly) heading west.... stopping at Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and Duluth, then back to central MN. 5 days.... about 1400 miles (plus side runs). Wife and I going with one other couple. Crazy excited. I turn 53 next week and finally going to start living the dream instead of just spinning wheels (I'm a truck driver). My retirement will be filled with trips going to meet up with old army buddies.

[garywalker]

Highway 1 San Francisco to Central Oregon is my favorite so far

[matthewstclair]

Ozark National Forest in Northwestern Arkansas is pretty awesome. Scenic hwy called the Pig Trail is a great ride!

[mrsb]

The northern part or Skyline Drive in Virginia is beautiful, and there are easy pull offs for pictures and some excellent camping as well!

[rhtoms]

Excellent video. If you haven't already done it try riding from San Jose, CA via Mt. Hamilton Rd. heading East. It is 77 miles with over 1000 turns!. Stop have lunch in the valley and then go back for a completely different experience on the same road. Just east of the summit is an OHV park, and there is always the Observatories to see. In the summer the road can be very busy so I recommend riding it during the Spring or fall as wintertime can sometimes have snow.

[roberteads]

If your in the Smokies, go to an area M/C shop. Most will have maps made for scenic rides, loops, and watering holes. Same goes for the Rockies, Ozarks, desert Southwest, and just about any area you happen to be in.

[eliinthewolverinestate]

When we were out west we drove by the Mexican Hat, Monument Valley and through Delores canyon was a great cruise. Cut through Grand Canyon and Yosemite myself. Got pictures of shoe tree on the loneliest road in the continental US. Would love to go back out to Moab take the jeeps and dirt bikes. Hit the 5 national parks by trails by Moab and do some camping.

[douglasmacy]

Well said Tim, it’s not about the destination, it’s all about the journey in life

[BootsandJeansRiders]

We live in Northern California, so of course Hwy 1 A.K.A. PCH. Over the last three years we have ridden four long distance trips, three of which were cross country (USA). However we love riding in South Dakota, especially the Iron Mountain hwy US 16A, and Needles hwy.
We are also National Parks freaks, so your tips are right on point. Thanks for all the great advice.

[carlpop]

Favorite destination: Pictured Rocks national lakeshore, Munising, Michigan. That is on Lake Superior, in the upper peninsula. There is a two-lane county road (H 58) between Grand Marais and Munising that is a motorcyclist's dream. There are many funky little towns all across and around the UP, connected by scenic two-lane roads, with very little traffic. Motels, restaurants, and other merchants are very friendly to motorcycle riders.
You mentioned ferries. The Lake Express Ferry goes between Milwaukee, WI and Muskegon, MI. You can cross Lake Michigan in a mere 2.5 hours. Western Michigan has beautiful scenic roads, and Wisconsin does, too. The ferry is great because it allows you to avoid the traffic nightmare of Chicago. On top of all that, cycles travel free in spring and fall, as long as the rider pays the per-person fare. Another good video, Tim. Thanks for sharing what you have learned.

[bunhead]

for sure, planning every step of the way is not letting the adventure "happen"...but I also like to watch and plan and get psyched for the trip by watching videos like this! thanks!

[jeffmedich]

The Upper Pennisula of Michigan is a long time favorite. Recently Tennessee has become a favored destination.

[barron]

My current favorite is Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula three separate roads to Copper Harbor and one great views of Lake Superior, one Brockway Mt. Drive. and one a tunnel of trees. Great Side trip Ferry to Isle Royal Nat. Park.

As far as planning camp or motels ahead some times it can be difficult to find an camp or motel during tourist season, I like National Forest Campsites Disperse Camping also I have found if the camp is full look for other motorcyclists to share there site. Note always offer to share costs or other do your share.

[spannerchucker]

I'm from Wales so I'm biased in that direction, but one of my favourite places on the bike has to be Corsica, it's amazing! Great channel by the way, just found it today and subscribed!