Best Rides in 5 of the Top Motorcycle States

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Buying a bike and riding the route of your dreams can take some research. When you look at all of your choices on Cycle Trader, five states have plenty to offer when it comes to the most marketplace listings and incredible journeys to break in a bike. While you can make your way around some of the best and worst states for riding your motorcycle, these are five we recommend for a great shopping selection and scenic destinations.

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1. Florida

If you’re riding motorcycles in Florida, the first destination that probably comes to mind for most people is the amazing Overseas Highway (U.S. Route 1) that takes you from Miami to Key West. Since that one is so obvious, we thought we’d pick a different spot. If you want to stay away from the traffic that tends to gravitate toward the coasts, we suggest you try the Green Swamp Loop that starts and finishes in Zephyrhills. This 130-mile ride outside the edges of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve provides a rare opportunity to view the flora and fauna of Central Florida. If you don’t want to do the whole loop, there are numerous roads and highways you can take through the preserve to cut the loop into sections.

2. California

When you’re riding or buying motorcycles in California, you’ll definitely want to visit the well-traveled Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH). Spanning 656 miles, it’s the longest state route in California and the second longest in the U.S. (after Montana Highway 200), offering beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and lots of small towns along the way if you want to catch a bite to eat. Other memorable rides in California include Angeles Crest Highway, Joshua Tree National Park, Big Bear Lake, and Avenue of the Giants.

3. Texas

The Hill Country outside of San Antonio offers some of the best riding for motorcycles in Texas. If you make your way there, check out The Twisted Sisters (sometimes called The Three Sisters), spanning Texas Routes 335, 336, and 337. Covering a total of 220 miles (although you can take shorter loops), the ride offers expansive views with lots of wildflowers and biker-friendly towns. Other popular rides include Possum Kingdom Lake, The Willow City Loop, North Dallas Twistys, and Big Bend National Park. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you might also want to look into the Hippie Hollow Horror.

4. Pennsylvania

If you’ve found a motorcycle for sale in Pennsylvania, then you’ve got plenty of routes to discover in the Keystone State. If you’re looking to ride near Philadelphia, you might consider The Loop, which runs along the Brandywine River and passes through the town of Kennett Square—which is known as the mushroom capital of the world—and dips into Delaware before returning back. Or you might want to ride through Amish country down PA Route 340. If you’re more on the Pittsburgh side, try the Trail Ridge Road that winds through the Appalachian Mountains, offering amazing, panoramic views. Or you might want to try the Longhouse National Scenic Byway, which circles the Allegheny Reservoir and provides several incredible overlooks.

5. Illinois

Whether you’re taking it solo or group riding motorcycles in Illinois, the state is ready to rock bikers with the Rock River Run, one of the best routes because of the beautiful scenery. There’s also the Starved Rock State Park Tour, one of Illinois’ most famous landmarks that offers lots of unique spots to explore. And did you know that the famous Route 66 starts in Chicago? If you’re feeling nostalgic, the route itself no longer exists in its entirety, but there are some roads that follow the original that are rideable.

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Roll Out

There are several great biking adventures available in every state of America. All you need to do is get out there. And if you need a bike to take you on all these amazing journeys, Cycle Trader has the largest online listing of new and used motorcycles for sale. We can also help you sell your current bike if you’re looking for something newer. So, take it outside and enjoy the ride.

Barrett Baker

Barrett Baker is a freelance writer with more than 40 years of writing experience. He has worked with the U.S. Department of Energy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and a variety of advertising and marketing firms throughout his career. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, cooking, and working with animal rescues.

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