Oregon
July 18 - August 1, 2016
Suzuki DRZ400S
2,200 miles
Itinerary:
1. Unity, OR (Burnt River Motel) 195 mi
2. La Grande, OR (Best Western Plus Rama Inn and Suites) 142 mi
3. Dayton, WA (Best Western Dayton) 135 mi
4. Ephrata, WA (Best Western Rama Inn) 186 mi
5. Conconully, WA (Comstock Motel) 149 mi
6. Chelan, WA (Riverwalk Inn) 133 mi
7. Ellensburg, WA (Best Western Lincoln Inn) 168 mi
8. Packwood, WA (Hotel Packwood) 138 mi
9. Packwood, WA (Hotel Packwood) 100 mi
10. Hood River, OR (Best Western Hood River Inn) 149 mi
11. Detroit, OR (All Seasons Motel) 120 mi
12. Prineville, OR (Best Western Prineville Inn) 170 mi
13. John Day, OR (Best Western John Day Inn) 160 mi
14. Ontario, OR (Best Western Plus - Ontario Inn) 150 mi
15. Garden Valley, ID 86 mi
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) Best Western 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
Africa Twins along West Coast (CA, OR, WA)
July 8 - 26, 2019
4,027 miles
1. Solvang CA (305) Hotel Corque
2. Monterey CA (239) SureStay Hotel in Seaside
3. Rohnert Park CA (204) Best Western
4. Fort Bragg CA (177) Super 8
5. Arcata CA (209) Best Western
6. Gold Beach OR (180) Azelea Lodge
7. Reedsport OR (236) Best Western
8. Newport OR (181) Best Western
9. Aberdeen WA (266) Best Western
10-11. Sequim WA (266) Lynn's
12. Raymond WA (210) Golden Lion Motel
13. Florence OR (245) Quality Inn
14. Crescent City CA (222) Best Western
15. Garberville CA (195) Best Western
16. Gualala CA (185) Gualala Country Inn ↓
17. Gilroy CA (225) Best Western
18. Santa Maria CA (239) Radisson
19. San Diego CA (324)
June 8-11, 2016
Suzuki DRZ400S
750 miles
Itinerary:
1. Juntura, OR (The Oasis Cafe and Motel) 238 mi
2. Ontario, OR (America's Best Value Inn) 167 mi
3. Jordan Valley, OR (Basque Station Motel) 169 mi
4. Garden Valley, ID 168 mi
June 26-30, 2016
Suzuki DRZ400S
820 miles
Itinerary:
1. Baker City, OR (Best Western Sunridge Inn) 225 mi
2. Joseph, OR (Eagles View Inn and Suite) 160 mi
3. Lewiston, ID (Red Lion Hotel) 110 mi
4. McCall, ID (America's Best Value) 220 mi
5. Garden Valley, ID 105 mi
Oct 6 - 19, 2014, Oregon Dual-sport Ride
Suzuki DRZ400s motorcycles
2,030 total miles
1. Sumpter, OR (191 mi) Depot Inn
2. John Day (143) Dreamer's Lodge
3. Prineville (169) Rustler's Inn
4. Bend (141) Bend Holiday Motel
5. Diamond Lake (130) Diamond Lake Resort
6. Ashland (180) Best Western Windsor Inn
7. Grants Pass (123) Buona Sera Inn
8. Roseburg (142) Rose City Motel
9. Cottage Grove (88) Village Green Resort
10. Madras (160) Chateau Inn Econolodge
11. Spray (113) River Bend Motel
12. John Day (122) Dreamer's Lodge
13. Ontario (247) America's Best Value Inn, now Red Lion
14. Garden Valley, ID (80 mi) Home
When should I ride in Oregon?
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 Oregon—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.
Oregon
Recommended Months: June, July, August
Details:
June: Cascades (e.g., McKenzie Pass) clear of snow by mid-month, with 50s-70s°F. Coastal areas dry out (50s-60s°F), and eastern high desert warms to 70s°F.
July: Peak riding season—60s-80s°F statewide. High passes fully open, though wildfire smoke can start late in the month.
August: Warmest month (70s-90s°F), with clear passes. Smoke from wildfires can be a concern, especially in eastern Oregon, but trails remain snow-free.
Avoid: November-April (snow in Cascades), May (lingering snow, wet trails).
Recommended Best Month: June
Summary: Oregon’s Cascade Range often holds snow in high passes (e.g., Santiam Pass) until late spring. June brings warmer temperatures (50s-70s°F) and clears most mountain routes, while avoiding the heavy rains of early spring and the wildfire smoke common in late summer (August). Coastal areas remain cool but rideable, and eastern Oregon’s high desert dries out.