Motorcycle Rides Near Me in Indiana

Closest US Motorcycle Riding Hotspot to Indiana

First, if you are a Indiana motorcycle rider that is willing to travel a bit to wherever the best motorcycle rides are, then I need to tell you about some motorcycle riding HOTSPOTS across the United States.  After 20+ years of collecting data on 1,000s of great US motorcycle roads & rides, motorcycle rider reviews and ratings of those motorcycle roads, along with thousands of photos and videos, it has become clear that some regions of the USA are simply motorcycle riding Hotspots.  And, the particular motorcycle riding hotspot that is the nearest to the state of Indiana is located to not too far away in southeastern Ohio in a little section referred to as The Buckeye Hills.  I'll provide you some specific information about that hotspot below but you need to realize that there are other hotspots located in different regions of the US that you may want to consider traveling to at some point in your "motorcycle riding lifetime."  Each of these hotspots act like “magnets for motorcycling” and are depicted in the map image below.

Showcase: The Buckeye Hills Motorcycle Riding Hotspot

The nearest motorcycle riding hotspot to Indiana is the surprising southeastern Ohio's Buckeye Hills. Now, the path you would most likely take to get to Southeast Ohio would to head south into Illinois. Depending where you are coming from in Indiana you could head down through Wisconsin, through Illinois, cut over east to Indiana and make your way to Columbus Ohio where you’ll be on the doorstep of the Buckeye Hills motorcycle hotspot and can choose from any of its many wonderful roads. Of course a trip of this length will take an investment of your time and travel expenses but if you are up for the trip and really want to take in some world class motorcycle riding that riders have been flocking too more and more over recent decades, you need to put Southeast Ohio on your radar for an eventual motorcycle pilgrimage. 

Admittedly, Ohio is probably not one of the first states that comes to mind when you hear the concept of a motorcycle riding hotspot, but the amount of visitor traffic, the raving reviews, and the enthusiasm around Ohio’s southeast corner unmistakably point this area out as a US motorcycle riding hotspot.  This region draws in riders from all over the USA. 

The wonderful curves of the Buckeye Hills are a result of the 'marvelous for motorcycling' topography/terrain of this region which is referred to as the Appalachian Plateau.  The Appalachian Plateau is area covered in rolling hills and valleys.  The Appalachian Plateau covers portions of a number of US states but is part of a particularly that get particularly steeper and more pronounced as you go further south making this the most rugged region of Ohio and potentially that of the entire US Midwest.  Southeast Ohio absolutely dominates in terms of the most popular motorcycle rides in the Midwest region with 4 of the Top 5 ranked routes.  So if you are looking for a Midwestern motorcycle hotspot and love curves and twistees, check out these favoritesOnce in southeast Ohio you will want to focus on these stand out Ohio motorcycle rides:

• #1 motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #1 in the entire Midwest) – Ohio’s Triple Nickel – Route 555 
• #2 motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #3 in the Midwest)   The Ohio Cousin of the Tail of the Dragon 
• #3 motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #4 in the Midwest)  Ohio Route 26 
• #4 motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #5 in the Midwest)  Ohio’s Dragon’s Tail 

Since the remaining three motorcycle riding hotspots are significantly further away than the Southeastern Ohio hotspot, I didn't go over those other hotspots.  However, if you are interested in learning about those any of those other US motorcycling centers of gravity, simply visit our Motorcycle Rides Near Me in the USA guide where you can read the detailed and full report.
 

Iconic US Motorcycle Rides

Now if you are interested in not just hotspots but the USA's hottest individual motorcycle rides that are generally considered to be the very best motorcycle roads in the entire USA, then I need to tell you about the motorcycle rides that have reached iconic status. Unfortunately none of these motorcycle rides are located in Indiana, they are rides that all die hard motorcycling riding enthusiasts should add to his/her motorcycle riding bucket list.  The short list of these premium motorcycle rides in the USA are as follows:

	The Dragon – This is a route that starts at the North Carolina and Tennessee border and goes north from there for 11-miles into Tennessee.  This motorcycle ride goes by many names such as The Dragon, the Tail of the Dragon, Deal’s Gap, and/or the Dragon’s Tail.  Call it what you want, but this is most likely the most famous motorcycle road in the entire world … yes, world.  It is known for its collection of incredible curves compressed into a short stretch of 11-miles ... 318 curves in those mere 11-miles.
	The Blue Ridge Parkway – like The Tail of the Dragon discussed above, the next iconic motorcycle ride is also world famous yet this is anything but a short ride as it covers a whopping 469-miles!  This route is covers large portions of both Virginia and North Carolina and has been enchanting both motorcycle riders and car drivers for decades.
	Three Sisters – the next iconic motorcycle ride takes us down way down south & “deep in the heart of Texas” with a motorcycle ride that also goes by a few different names (Ranch Roads 335, 336,337a, or “The Twisted Sisters,” or simply “The Three Sisters”) and is positioned in an area known as Texas Hill country just northwest of San Antonio, Texas.  The ride has a cult following of riders and like the other iconic rides, draws motorcycle riders in from not just the USA but all parts of the world.
	Hwy 1 - Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) – Beyond a doubt, the most iconic motorcycle ride in the west is the Pacific Coast Highway and is also one of the most famous scenic drive in all of the world.  This quintessential road trip up (or down) the California coast became popular when it was glamorized by a variety of movies and TV shows and has only grown in popularity over time.  It offers gentle curves and breathtaking scenery as well as world class amenities along the coast and in the cities/towns that grace its path.
	If you’re looking for a iconic motorcycle ride in the Midwest, The Tunnel of Trees Road is like the PCH of the Midwest and like PCH (described above), this route is also a “shore hugger.”  It offers riders great lake shore scenery off to the west with a canopy of green foliage from above.  The ride is a favorite among Midwestern motorcycle riders and is particularly captivating in the fall when the autumn colors mesmerize riders as the ride beneath a canopy of golds, oranges, and scarlet reds.
	The last iconic American motorcycle ride on our list is the most extreme in many aspects as it is located in a sparsely populated area in northern Wyoming and crossing over into an equally sparsely populated area of Southern Montana and is referred to as Beartooth Pass .  The route is extreme for the fact that for the sheer mountain cliffs and switchbacks as well as the fact that it can throw snow & ice into the mix as late as July.  It not only offers riders unrivaled mountain scenery but also has the added bonus of putting riders within a short drive to the quintessential US National Park - Yellowstone.

The Best Motorcycle Riding areas in the state of Indiana  

So far we have told you about Indiana's nearest motorcycle riding hotspot, Southeast Ohio, as well as iconic US motorcycle roads that are spread out around the USA, but all of these motorcycle rides are a considerable distance from Indiana.  And, some motorcycle riders simply aren't up for the long distance travel to get to these exceptional motorcycle roads (or at least not at the moment).  So, if instead you simply want to find the best motorcycle rides near you in Indiana, then read on as I describe 5 of the very best motorcycle rides in Indiana below.  Each of these rides has been a top ranked motorcycle ride in Indiana for years as our ranking algorithm doesn't let a newly added ride simply jet right up to the top of the list of motorcycle roads but instead factors in the route's popularity over time by looking at many different factors that indicate a motorcycle road's popularity (e.g., page views for that motorcycle road, the number of motorcycle riders following that route, the number of times that route has been saved to riders' To Ride list, the number of times that motorcycle ride has been saved to a riders' Rode It list, the number of motorcycle ride photos or videos that have been uploaded to that page, etc, etc.).  Keep in mind however, that even though we use a somewhat complex rating algorithm to keep 'undeserving routes' from erratically rising to the top, certainly the ratings can & do change over time and so the list you see below of the best motorcycle rides in Indiana was current at the time of the publication of this guide to the best motorcycle rides near me - Indiana (date of last update is found at the top of this guide in the "note" section). Currently there are 38 Indiana motorcycle roads registered on McR which places Indiana slightly below average in the number of registered motorcycle rides (the average US state has approximately 45 roads registered on MotorcycleRoads.com at the time of this publication).  If you'd like to see how Indiana motorcycle roads stack up in terms of quality however, check out our always updated list of the Top 100 Motorcycle Rides in the USA. 

Below are short descriptions of 5 of the best motorcycle rides in Indiana (complete/updated listing of all Indiana motorcycle rides).

The Top-5 Best Motorcycle Rides in Indiana: 

1. US HWY 12 Through The Indiana Dunes

This well-maintained two-lane winding highway from Portage, Indiana to Michigan City via Highway 12 makes for a gorgeous Indiana motorcycle ride, especially with the fall foliage. Adjacent to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, it has camping spots, public beaches on Lake Michigan and several picnic areas. Other attractions include the lighthouse are Franklin Park, a Zoo and a pier. There are fuel stops along the way, restaurants and a mall in Michigan City.

2. Morgan-Monroe Loop

It is the perfect route if you want to take a nice weekend off to bike down to Brown County. From Morgantown, the ride makes a loop. Countryside twisting roads, aesthetic calming woods in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest and the awesome fall scenery are simply a treat. Stop at New Unionville for gas, a grab, a drink and some rest. Except for a section of loose gravel in the forest, the roads are in excellent condition.

3. The Brown County To Ohio River Cruise

This ride takes you from Bloomington all the way to the Indiana/Kentucky border. It ride covers undoubtedly the most beautiful sections of the state. The scenery, the roads, the amenities in the rural Midwest are all pretty great. You are in for some splendorous scenery if you visit in spring or fall. Go cruising around the Indiana University campus before you leave for the ride. It has some great art museums among other attractions, some of historic significance. And while on the road, watch out for other riders on sharp turns. You may be careful, but they might be lost admiring the scenery!

4. The Crawford-Perry Co. River Loop

The Southern Indiana motorcycle route can be found just north of the Ohio River, at Corydon. You will see the Blue River, the Horsheshoe Bend, the Hoosier National Forest, pass by the Ohio River and some quaint Indiana towns. Some moderate curves in the beginning, sharp curves with steep elevations towards the middle and smooth straights with 90-degree turns towards the end make it a great, balanced ride. The author recommends The Dock in old Leavenworth, The Overlook restaurant on Horseshoe Bend and the Old Time bar and grill at Magnet on the Ohio River.

5. West Central Indiana: Hwy 234 & Sugar Creek Canyon

The loop begins at North Salem at the intersection of IN 236 and IN 75. It’s a great place for bikers with gas stations, cafes, Saloons right at the beginning. It gets interesting after you cross paths witn IN 234, says the author. After some high-speed sweepers, you get to ride some tight twisties and smooth turns with a church, an old farm implement museum till you hit Freedom – yes, a town called that! Head to Shades State Park and meander through Sugar Creek Canyon to make a stop for a bite at Turkey Run Golf Course, then continue to Waveland Lake. The road has several beautiful things to watch out for, too many to mention. Make a nice Sunday morning trip out of it

Overall, in addition to the top rated Indiana motorcycle roads described above, overall Indiana offers some nice attractions that you would work into a motorcycle trip along with any of the nearby motorcycle roads listed on McR.  These attractions range from scenic sites, museums, historic and cultural spots and more.  Below I've provided you with a list of some of the more popular attractions in Indiana for you to work into you Indiana motorcycle trip planning: 

• Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art is at the entrance of White River State Park (which is also home to the Indianapolis Zoo, White River Gardens, NCAA Headquarters, Victoria Filed and more). Its remarkable collection from the 19th century onwards was assembled by Harrison Eiteljorg. Work on display includes landscapists Albert Bierstadt and Georgia O’Keefe; pictures and sculptures by Frederick S. Remingdon and Charles M. Russell. It’s most recent installation is Attitudes: The West in American Art featuring a diverse collection of artists.
• Studebaker National Museum is a top attraction of South Bend and narrates the tale of the American car manufacturer and its roots in the city. It displays several locally make automobiles including classic models, military vehicles and the country’s largest collection of Presidential carriages along with intriguing manufacturing drawings and history of the Studebaker Corporation.
• Snite Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Notre Dame features 19th and 20th century work pertaining to significant historic periods. European paintings and sculptures, Mesoamerican effigies, Native American Ceramic pieces and contemporary art work is on display. It also hosts rotating exhibits. The Bascilica of the Sacred Heart, Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes shrine, Compton Family Ice Arena and the Notre Dame Stadium are in the vicinity.
• Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore overlooks the shore of Lake Michigan at the Illinois border to create a unique landscape. Hiking, biking and other beach activities like fishing and boating are popular here. If you plan a multi-day trip, you can camp at the seasonal Dunewood Campground. Sunsets are particularly beautiful with bright changing color tones at Lake Michigan.
• Brown Country State Park is the largest State Park in Indiana. It was dedicated to the Indiana Humorist Frank McKinney Hubbard at the time of its opening in 1932. It is known for its scenic views of the southern Indiana hills, home to a wide range of trees. It especially turns beautiful in autumn. It is a nice place to walk along trails and fish, with night cabin facility.
• Prophetstown State Park features many ways to interact with the environment. Located within the park is a 125-acre farm that offers hands-on experience with homesteading, gardening and livestock feeding. It’s location at the confluence of the Wabash and Tippecanoe Rivers creates some interesting hiking trails and aquatic recreational attraction.

Conclusion

As always, I hope to provide you with insightful & valuable motorcycle riding community information to help you get the most out of all of your motorcycling experiences.

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