Idaho vs Montana VS Wyoming vs Oregon!

[Calintz333]

Which State should I go visit. Once I get my Virago 250cc I plan to make one of those long trips sometime in the Summer of next year after I already have over 6 months of riding under my belt. I was inspired by a man who did a cross country road trip on a Honda Rebel. I have no family in any of these states and More than likely will end up camping out. Will carry most of my things in saddlebags and a backpack.

So which state is better to visit?

I want to spend like 2-3 days checking out that state.

I am considering the states I mentioned.

Idaho
Montana
Wyoming
Oregon


What id like to see

Forests, a lot of forests!
Nature
Waterfalls
Open land

I'm so sick of california you can't go anywhere in this state without running into a Huge city. The state is so packed with people, well 17.4million people and is almost double the amount of the 2nd largest population state Texas.

The nature in California has been raped, only thing thats left is a few shrublands and a bit of forest around Santa Cruz area and north cali.
For god sakes the State symbol bear is extinct in cali already.

Anyhow Which state is best to visit, which is safer?

Which has less crime ?


Which is safer to actually camp out safely ?

Which has most nature and beautiful sights?

Which has most nature and beautiful sights for cheap inexpensive?


IV never left South california and the only place I have been around in Mexico. Living there and growing up as a kid for most of my life It was a lot of fun seeing a lot of the country. Iv been to all of Baja California and to Veracruz & Tamaulipas. Id love to see the US as well.




Now I am in no way planning to do the 7500miles this guy did, thats pure insanity, I only want to do about 1500-2000 tops.

Thanks hope I get a ton of replies.




Incase you guys are wondering why I post this so early If I want to go in summer of next year its because I plan ahead a lot....I planed ahead my motorcycle almost 2 years and did research and looked at different bikes, its just how I do things I knew what classes I am going to take this spring semster and at what times 3 months ago, 4 months before Registration was open. I am the complete opposite of a spur of the moment kind of guy.

[threedchief]

I feel your pain about the crowds in CA! Having moved here from Alaska last year, I am still adjusting to all the people. With that said, there are some beautiful rides in California that you could do with less time. My wife and I have done two weekend rides up to the Eureka area. The first trip was just exploring the coastal redwoods and was about 800 miles in three days, mainly on HWY 1 & 101. The second trip was 101 to Eureka, across 299/96/3 loop on the Bigfoot Highway, about 1000 miles. There are a lot of state and national forest campgrounds there and very little traffic.

If you want to explore wine country, let me know and I can show you all the "must ride" roads. I try to ride at least one day every weekend just to explore the area and get lost! It is a beautiful area and possible to get away from people if you know where to go.

If you are determined to go to the other states, my first choice would be WY/MT. Go up through Flaming Gorge at the WY/CO/UT border, continue north through Tetons NP, then spend some time exploring Yellowstone NP. You could easily spend a month in Yellowstone and not even come close to seeing everything! Another great trip is to Glacier NP in Montana. The "Going to the Sun" Road should be on every rider's "must ride before I die" list!

I have been looking into a 4-5 day trip to OR next year to include Crater Lake, explore the center part of the state, then back down the coast. The other trip I want to make is to the Grand Canyon.

Motorcycles are the only way to travel! We have found that you don't need much stuff, just eat at restaurants and all you need is a tent, air mattress, sleeping bag, and small amount of clothing. That easily fits into our saddlebags or strapped to the backrests. Get a small tank bag to hold all the small stuff like wallet, sunglasses, cellphone, maps, and GPS. Have a general plan, but don't sweat the details. Take back roads and avoid the interstates. Leave your watch at home. Only use your cellphone for emergencies and checking in, otherwise, turn it off and enjoy!!!

Tim

[David 1]

I think you have only one solution. You must visit all 4 states and then determine which one or ones, or all, that you like best.
It is easy to find open spaces around here. 50 miles and I am out on Ortega Highway, with nothing but forest.
Same with to the north, on Angeles Crest and Angeles Forest, (they are now partially closed due to forest fires), but totally remote when open.
Cruising from here out to Las Vegas or Laughlin or into Arizona, there is nothing out there. Wide open spaces. One area absolutely nothing for 92 miles.
From Petaluma, go east, or north, beautiful rural, small town, woods, forest, 2 lane roads.
It's all here. Or, go into the other states. Nevada has some of the most barren, wide open areas.
Death Valley, wide open, nothing there.
Here is a photo from my last Laughlin trip.
dc

[PerrySB]

Southern California, is not California. Northern California north of San Francisco is the real California. Since this is your first trip I would to Coast highway 1 north of San Francisco up into Oregon. When you get up to Florence Oregon head east on highway 58 to Eugene, that is a very pretty town. Continue on east over the Cascade mountains. As you leave Eugene on 58 stop at mile marker 47 on the south side of the road, you will see a little trail that will take down to a hot spring that only the locals know about. Check out Crater Lake and when you get to highway 97 head north along the east side of the cascade mountains. When you get to interstate 84 head back west until you see the scenic route through the hood river are, it is gorgeous.

I don’t know if you have been to Yosemite but it is one of the most beautiful places on earth in my opinion. If you hit it early in the season the waterfalls are spectacular. Other areas worth seeing is Lassen Park, and Mt Shasta.

If this is your first long trip on a motorcycle let me give a little advice. Considering the bike your riding don’t do over 350 miles a day. As you plan your trip keep it reasonable and expect the unexpected. Personally if you just toured Northern California and Southern Oregon that just might be enough for your first long ride. It is kind of like food, sometimes our eyes are much bigger than our stomach. Don’t bite off more than you can choose. Take plenty of time to rest, keep yourself hydrated, and make sure your bike is in very good condition.

[67fire]

Calin, I think that Perry has the right idea.
Where are you located in CA? SF Bay area?

Head north up Rte. 1 into Oregon and east to Idaho then south
through the Sierra's to Tahoe and back home.
(If you are anywhere near Reno, drop me a PM and I'll hook up for some of it.)

YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!

Eric

[Prodigy]

Dude 17million people? and you're complaining??? Ah I lived in Italy and that country is the same size as florida but it has 60 million people... there's no such thing as "open road there" lol but it does have some amazing twisties... Good luck!

I'm actually planning on going not this year coming up, but the next one, 2011 around for a month or so, For sure I want to go to california and its hills, and its parks.. Yosemite park and lake tahoe are my main objectives... they looks so beautiful on tv :-D I have to go camping somewhere there...

[Badlands-4-2]

When touring in any of those mountainous states you have to consider the weather and your ability to pack for it. We were in Yellowstone this summer. It went from 90 degrees to snowing as we crossed the mountains. We got caught in rain,fog and hail, sometimesall in the same day. There were lots of bikes, but they were all dressed appropriately for the conditions. I would question the ability to carry a weeks worth of camping gear and clothes on a 250. You may want to try a shorter trip first to sort out what you can bring and what you must bring on such a journey.

[David 1]

Perry. The 'real' California? You sound like some of these biker guys, who say 'that's not a "real" motorcycle'.
The real thing about northern Cal is it's really cold. And frequently really rainy.
Southern California is really cool, cause it's usually nice and warm. And dry.
dc

Does the Mason Dixon line extend through Fresno or something?

[NOVAnewbie]

I lived in Idaho for 11 years and I have to say it the most beautiful place I have ever been, I agree with Threedchief though you should definitely look up Yellowstone. It covers Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming so you could do all three.
Oregon is also a really good idea. Just head up the coast along the ocean cliffs, it's an amazing drive.

[PerrySB]

Perry. The 'real' California? You sound like some of these biker guys, who say 'that's not a "real" motorcycle'.
The real thing about northern Cal is it's really cold. And frequently really rainy.
Southern California is really cool, cause it's usually nice and warm. And dry.
dc

You are right, Southern California does have some really nice attraction. You guys have Disneyland and I’m jealous. Truthfully I love all of California and I especially love San Diego. Actually the only place in the US that I have visited is New York City, you don’t ride a motorcycle in that town, cab drivers are insane.
I worked the LA freeways for a few years, it was too hot for me.

[David 1]

*%@@ to disneyland.
There are some nice warm roads around here, riding out to Laughlin, Palm Springs, El Centro, anywhere to the east of San Diego, Tecate (forget Tijuana), Julian, Big Bear Lake.
Or up the coast, I went in April up to Morro Bay. Very little freeway the entire way.
Ortega Highway. Pines to Palms.
But you are right about the north, there are some beautiful endless roads out there, up to Lake Tahoe, etc.
But just cruising the freeways around any big town? Ugh.
dc

[Makinaw]

I completed a 6900 mi road trip in August, and I have to say Idaho was beautiful. If you only have one state to visit, make it that one and roll through the Sawtooth mountains. Of course Montana is right there as well so a quick stop in Big Sky country couldn't kill you. This next summer I fully plan on making another run through the northern states. GL, HF.

[PerrySB]

The gentleman that made this post is new to riding so I wouldn’t really recommend starting off with an excessively long trip. However that is just my opinion. Truthfully I can’t imagine doing that much riding on a 250 but I know it can be done.

[67fire]

Anywho, here are a few recent pic's around Lake Tahoe:





Eric

[TJDukit]

I would say go check out the Oregon Coast. I've done alot of work and camping in the Northwest and the coast of Oregon is just awesome. For forest and waterfalls I would check out Silver Falls State Park http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_211.php there are a ton of waterfalls to look at and the forest is just awesome and it's only a couple hours out of Portland. I would also cruise Highway 101 which runs the whole coast of Oregon, Washington and California. I've driven it a few times and it would make for a nice leisurely cruise or even some challenging twisties if you want. I would say that my home state of Oregon is probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

[PerrySB]

I must agree with TJ, Oregon is a beautiful state, at least western Oregon and the Coast. Not only that the North coast of California has the Redwoods and they are really worth seeing.

[750killshin]

Well I am sold on Lake Tahoe. I'm looking to seeing more of the US, since I've only been to CO (skiing) and ME (Acadia) for vacations. The only problem is that it takes like 5 hours minimum to get out of Texas from here. If you want to get out to the north (and avoid OK) then it's 9 hours.

[TJDukit]

Tahoe is awesome too. I just visited my Aunt there and she showed me around. She knows quite a bit of the history of the area. I would check out the Vallhalla Mansions and Emerald Bay. During the summer the Mansions are open for tours and the road to Emerald Bay has some fun 10mph corners and very steep.