Idaho
2007 Idaho Dual-sport Ride
Aug 24 - Sep 9
2,420 miles and 15 days of riding
KTM 525 EXC and Suzuki DR-Z400s
Drove truck from Moraga to Meridin, ID
1. Meridian ID - Mountain Home ID (154)
2. Stanley ID (188)
3. McCall ID (244)
4. Grangeville ID (154)
5. Pierce ID (139)
6. Superior MT (155)
7. Post Falls ID (157)
8. KTM service, Post Falls and around Lake Coeur d'Alene (128)
9. Bonners Ferry ID (200)
10. Priest River ID (205)
11. Lewiston ID (199)
12. Joseph OR (178)
13. McCall ID (179)
14. Garden Valley ID (72)
15. Meridian ID (68)
Then drove truck back to Moraga
Suzuki DRZ400s Dual-sport Ride in ID WA OR
September, 2019
1,131 miles of riding (cut short due to snowfall in the north)
a. Drive from home to Hawthorne NV (453 mi), Travelodge
b. Drive to Ontario OR (458 mi), Quality Inn
1. Riggins ID (185) Salmon Rapids Lodge
2. Elk City ID (147) Elk City Hotel
3. Pierce ID (97) The Outback
4. Wallace ID (132) Stardust Motel
5. Sandpoint ID (157) La Quinta - then headed south to avoid snowfall
6. Clarkston WA (164) Best Western RiverTree Inn
7. Ontario OR (249) Quality Inn
c. Drive to Hawthorne NV (458 mi), Travelodge
d. Drive Home (453 mi)
August 16-29, 2013
Suzuki DRZ400s motorcycles
2,300 total miles
1. Bellevue ID (140) Airport Inn
2. Arco ID (120) Lost River Motel
3. Ashton ID (160) Rankin Motel
4. Lima MT (150) Mountain View Motel
5. Elkhorn Hot Springs MT (160) Grasshopper Inn
6. Helena MT (160) Days Inn
7. Seeley Lake MT (145) Seeley Lake Motor Lodge
8. Columbia Falls MT (150) Super 8
9. Libby MT (120) Country Inn
10. Wallace ID (130) Stardust Motel
11. Pierce ID (190) Outback Cabins
12. Grangeville ID (165) Bear Den RV Resort / Cabins
13. McCall ID (150) America's Best Value Inn
14. Garden Valley ID (110) Home
2011 Dual-sport Idaho
990 miles on Suzuki DRZ400s
August 28 - September 1, 2011
0. Garden Valley, ID
1. Riggins, ID
2. Elk City, ID
3. Lolo, ID
4. Grangeville, ID
5. Crouch, ID
During July 14 - August 16, 2020 we rode Suzuki DR-Z400s motorcycles on a 5,845-mile journey along the Continental Divide going north, then the Great Pacific Divide going south. The route was predominantly on dirt and gravel. It was a fantastic dual-sport motorcycle trip!
Daily stops and miles were:
1. Blythe CA (220 miles) BW SureStay Sahara
2. Flagstaff AZ (254) BW Pony Soldier
3. Cortez CO (266) Baymont by Wyndham
4. Ouray CO (139) Ouray Chalet Inn
5. South Fork CO (178) Four Seasons Lodge
6. Salida CO (169) Silver Ridge Lodge
7. Aspen CO (181) Tyrolean Lodge
8. Georgetown CO (148) Georgetown Colorado Hotel
9. Steamboat CO (201) La Quinta
10. Rawlins WY (152) Hampton Inn
11. Lander (160) Rodeway Inn Pronghorn Lodge
12. Pinedale WY (166) Best Western
13. Island Park ID (231) Sawtelle Mountain Resort
14. Salmon ID (201) Super 8
15. Helena MT (235) Days Inn
16. Seeley Lake MT (128) Seeley Lake Motor Lodge
17. Libby MT (184) Evergreen Motel
18. BIKE SERVICE: Change tires, oil, clean air filters in Libby MT
19. Cheney WA (174) Holiday Inn Express
20. Wenatchee WA (181) Best Western Chieftain
21. Naches WA (144) Silver Beach Resort
22. Gov’t Camp OR (189) BW Mt Hood Inn
23. Sisters OR (153) BW Ponderosa Lodge
24. Crescent Lake OR (124) Williamette Pass Inn
25. Ashland OR (165) BW Windsor Inn
26. Weed CA (179) Comfort Inn Mt Shasta Area
27. Mineral CA (153) Lassen Mineral Lodge
28. Truckee CA (163) BW+ Truckee-Tahoe Hotel
29. Pollock Pines CA (128) Westhaven Inn
30. Mariposa CA (167) Miner’s Inn
31. Exeter CA (174) Kaweah Motel
32. California City CA (159) B. W. California City Inn
33. Banning CA (208) Hampton Inn & Suites
34. Home in Southern California (144)
Bikes: 2020 Suzuki DR-Z400s
Tires: Dunlop D606 Rear and Pirelli MT21 front
Luggage: Wolfman Mini Beta Bag
Navigation: Garmin Montana GPS
When should I ride in Idaho?
Planning dual-sport motorcycle rides across multiple states requires balancing weather conditions to avoid snow, cold temperatures, and other seasonal challenges. Below are recommendations for the best months to ride in Idaho—while avoiding snowfall, unmelted snowbanks in high mountain passes, and temperatures below 45°F, or excessive heat. These suggestions focus on optimal riding conditions, considering elevation, regional climate variations, and typical weather patterns.
Idaho
Recommended Months: June, July, August
Details:
June: High passes (e.g., Lolo Pass) clear by mid-month, with 50s-70s°F. Central mountains and panhandle dry out, though mornings can dip near 45°F.
July: Ideal conditions—60s-80s°F, snow-free trails. Southern plains and northern mountains both peak for riding.
August: Warmest month (70s-90s°F), with clear passes. Wildfire smoke can affect air quality late in the month. (September and early October can provide beautiful with fall colors, but be watchful for early snow, especially at higher elevations.)
Avoid: November-May (snow, sub-45°F nights in mountains).
Recommended Best Month: July
Summary: Idaho’s rugged terrain, including the Sawtooths and Bitterroots, retains snow in high passes (e.g., Lolo Pass) into June. July offers clear trails and temperatures in the 60s-80s°F, avoiding both snowbanks and sub-45°F mornings common in spring and fall. August works too, but wildfire risk increases.