Motorcycle Travel 2025/26. You can’t always get what you want… but if you try some time, you’ll get what you need! Bear finds some alternatives to the USA...
I like the people in the US very much. I just love the landscape over there, and I’m even fond of the food and drink – although admittedly the quantities are usually mind-boggling. A Friday night all-you-can-eat fish fry is a spectacle that you really need to see – once…
The USA is a fantastic place to visit and ride, perhaps not right at this moment though…
I think I have written more guides to motorcycle travel in the US than anywhere else, with good reason. The place is vey special, and there is a lot of it. But I am not going to recommend that you travel to the US at the moment. Nothing to do with politics; it’s strictly a practical matter. I’ve read in the news and heard from friends and acquaintances that US officials have gone downright feral. In the past, Homeland Security and Customs have sometimes been officious and sometimes downright aggressive – and yes, I’ve seen this myself even though I’ve only been subject to it once or twice – but now it seems to be all the time.
Read previous Bear Tracks articles here…
So skip the US for the time being. The rest of the world has a lot to offer too, and many of these places actually want you to visit. Well, okay, the good citizens of Barcelona are dousing tourists with water pistols, but hey: it’s really hot there at the moment… At any rate, I thought I’d offer you some alternatives. These are places I can vouch for myself. They all have interesting food. In some cases they’re even a lot cheaper than the US.
Really special motorcycle destinations
The Alps
Out of season (in the European summer) the Alps are full of ski resorts just waiting for motorcyclists. It’s still not cheap but the riding is simply spectacular. Hint: stay in your hotel on the weekend. The roads will be full of crazy Europeans. Not cheap, but affordable.
Norway
In summer, Norwegian and other Scandinavian roads will be full of campervans. In Autumn and Spring, they will be wonderful. Scenery is absolutely top notch and riding is just classic. And there ‘s an entire valley that grows strawberries. European, incredibly tasty, ones. Expensive unless you’re careful.
Spain/Portugal
It’s a big place, so despite being very popular with tourists, much of it is simply empty. Just stay away from anywhere that prints brochures. I love the south-eastern tip with its Clint Eastwood memorabilia, but there is great riding everywhere. Quite affordable.
Continental favourites
Eastern Europe
Step back in time and discover places where ancient Czech and Russian motorcycles still rule. Tops for scenery, roads petty good and constant contact with cheerful people. Cheap outside the main cities and tourist traps.
Italy
Overloaded autostradas and surly cops (occasionally) are mostly problems in the north. Anywhere from the Apennines right down to the toe of the boot is empty and great riding. Not cheap.
France
You can add outstanding food and drink to the riding in France. I have loved the south, all the way from the Italian border to Carcassonne, for decades but I’ve recently added Brittany. Mostly cheerful cops who often cut international riders some slack. Local riders do tend to be super-competitive. Expensive but worth it.
Germany
The place to discover back roads through the mountains and small inns by purling streams… it’s true, I’ve found them myself. Motorcycle museums abound. Exxpensive unless you’re really careful.
Greece
I’ve just spent a couple of weeks in Greece and discovered a whole side to the country that I’d never seen before. The north with its low woods and endless narrow roads is empty and welcoming, but all of the coast (while a little touristy in the settlements) offers more or less empty roads along cliffsides inhabited only by goats. Cheap.
Off the beaten path
Oman
A bit of a specialised destination. You can rent bikes in neighbouring UAE but you’ll need local advice for accommodation and destinations. Great mountain and desert riding in the dirt. Expensive.
Turkey
Everything you could really want by way of riding, with tar, gravel and dirt rods and both coast and mountain scenery. Getting overrun by tourists in the better-known places, but big enough to find your own space. Cheap.
Right nearby
New Zealand
I don’t need to tell you anything about Unzud, not even that it is a brilliant motorcycle destination. Have your bike shipped over by Get Routed. Good value.
Vietnam
Lots of tours are available. I don’t know any of the ones currently operating personally, but it looks as if they’re all pretty good – and cheap. Flights are cheap, too. Cheap.
Thailand
A bit like Vietnam with better roads, more powerful bikes and more developed tourist facilities, but also more expensive. Not too cheap.
And, to conclude… One very special destination, best tackled with a tour operator: Morocco. Worth it!
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