Riding Oregon
Oregon motorcycle rides: coast, Cascades and high desert
Oregon motorcycle rides cover three different worlds: the coast on US 101, the volcanoes and passes of the Cascades, and the empty canyons and high desert east of the mountains. This guide covers the best roads, when they open, Oregon's helmet and lane rules, and how the free Rippin' app works here.
- Helmet law
- All riders
- Dry season (west side)
- About July to September
- Rippin' ride guide
- Pacific Northwest
- Rippin' price
- Free
Why ride it
Why Oregon motorcycle rides are worth the rain gear
West of the Cascades, Oregon is green for a reason. The coast runs the length of the state on US 101, the Coast Range behind it is full of river roads and logging country, and the Willamette Valley has farm roads that connect it all. The Columbia River Gorge, east of Portland, adds waterfalls and cliffs along the state's northern edge.
The Cascades run north to south down the middle: Mount Hood, the Three Sisters, Mount Bachelor and Crater Lake, with lava fields and lakes between them. Bend sits on the dry east side and makes a natural base for summer riding.
East of the mountains, Oregon turns into high desert and canyon country. The John Day country has painted hills and fossil beds, and the far northeast has the Wallowa Mountains and Hells Canyon. Roads out there are long, quiet and often sunny when Portland is gray. A good Oregon trip crosses the Cascades at least twice.
The roads
The best motorcycle roads in Oregon
Nine classics, from the coast to the Idaho line. Several of the best only open in summer, so check before you go.
- Oregon Coast Highway (US 101)Runs the whole coast from Astoria to Brookings, past headlands, beach towns and sea stacks. Watch for strong gusts on the headlands, fog, and slow RV traffic in summer.
- Historic Columbia River HighwayThe old highway east of Portland, from Troutdale past Crown Point and waterfalls like Multnomah Falls, with stone walls and tight curves. Watch for a narrow road, heavy crowds at the falls in summer and cars stopping anywhere.
- Mount Hood Scenic Byway (US 26 and OR 35)Climbs from the Portland side past Government Camp and swings around Mount Hood down to Hood River. Watch for snow on the pass much of the year and heavy weekend traffic.
- McKenzie Pass (OR 242)The old McKenzie Highway between the McKenzie River valley and Sisters, through dense forest and then open lava fields near the Dee Wright Observatory. Watch for very tight, narrow corners, and know it's closed in winter, often into early summer.
- Cascade Lakes Scenic BywayRuns west of Bend past Mount Bachelor and a string of mountain lakes. Watch for the winter closure beyond Mount Bachelor, cyclists, and campground traffic in summer.
- North Umpqua Highway (OR 138)Follows the North Umpqua River from Roseburg toward Diamond Lake, with waterfalls a short walk off the road. It's part of the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway. Watch for damp shaded corners and slow traffic.
- Crater Lake Rim DriveCircles the rim of Crater Lake National Park, with the deep blue lake below. Watch for the season: snow keeps the full drive closed for much of the year, there's a park entry fee, and it's cold up there even in summer.
- John Day country (US 26 and OR 19)Crosses central and eastern Oregon through canyon and fossil country near the Painted Hills and the John Day Fossil Beds. Watch for summer heat, long gaps between gas and deer at dusk.
- Hells Canyon Scenic Byway (OR 86 and Forest Road 39)Loops through the Wallowa Mountains in the far northeast, with an overlook into Hells Canyon. Watch for a remote road with few services, winter closure on Forest Road 39, and deer and elk.
When to ride
When to ride Oregon
- West sidePortland, the valley and the coast get most of their rain from fall through spring. July through September is the dry season and the best riding. You can ride the rest of the year, but you'll ride wet.
- Mountain passesThe main crossings stay open in winter with snow and traction rules. The summer-only roads, like McKenzie Pass, the Cascade Lakes road past Mount Bachelor and Crater Lake's Rim Drive, usually open around early summer, depending on snow.
- East sideDrier and sunnier, with hot summers and cold winters. Late spring and early fall are often the sweet spot for the John Day country and Hells Canyon.
- Smoke seasonWildfire smoke can settle over parts of the state in late summer. Check air quality and fire closures before a long trip.
The rules
Oregon motorcycle laws: helmets and lane splitting
Helmets. Oregon requires a helmet for all riders. See the IIHS helmet law overview for how that compares with other states.
Lane splitting and filtering. Oregon passed a lane filtering law in 2023 (Senate Bill 422). It allows filtering past slow or stopped traffic only under specific conditions on certain roads, and full lane splitting at highway speed is still not allowed. Don't assume California's rules carry over the border. Read the current Oregon statute or ODOT guidance for the exact conditions before you filter.
This is a summary, not legal advice. Laws change, so check the Oregon Revised Statutes or Oregon DMV before you ride.
Events
Oregon motorcycle events
Oregon's riding calendar is local: bike nights in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Bend and Medford, club rides, swap meets and charity runs, mostly packed into the dry months. The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, a worldwide charity ride usually held in May, rides in cities around the world. Riders in the north of the state can also head up to the Oyster Run in Anacortes, Washington, in September. Check the organizer for dates every year.
In Rippin', open Meets to find bike nights, meets and charity rides near you and RSVP. Repeating weekly and monthly meets show their next date. Any rider can post a meet, and shops and clubs can add theirs. More on motorcycle events in Rippin'.
Live from the app
Oregon on Rippin' right now.
2 upcoming events and 3 rider-added roads in Oregon on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
Local knowledge
Riding tips for Oregon
- Assume the road is wetWest of the Cascades, shaded corners stay damp long after the rain stops, and fall leaves and moss make them slicker. Good rain gear is part of the bike here.
- Coast windGusts on the headlands along US 101 can push a bike across the lane. Stay loose and give yourself room.
- Deer and elkCommon on the coast, in the Coast Range and all over eastern Oregon, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Fresh chip sealSummer is resurfacing season, and rural roads get fresh loose gravel. Slow down when you see the signs.
- Log trucksCoast Range and mountain roads carry logging traffic. Give them room on the climbs and in tight corners.
Rippin' in Oregon
How the Rippin' motorcycle app works in Oregon
Rippin' started in Southern California, and Oregon is early: few riders, few rider-added roads, and turf around Portland, Eugene, Salem and Bend that is mostly unclaimed. That's the opportunity. Everything below is free on iPhone and Android.
Ride any loop that closes back on itself and the land inside becomes your turf on the live map, with your name on it. Empty land is free to claim. Read how Turf Wars works. Moto shops, cafes, bars and dealerships can become poker stops that deal a card to every rider who arrives; see poker runs, and businesses can join as a stop.
Know an Oregon road that deserves a board? Add it as a segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it. Put your crew in a squad and use group rides to keep everyone on one live map.
Go deeper
The Pacific Northwest ride guide
The Pacific Northwest motorcycle rides guide covers Oregon and Washington together, from the Columbia Gorge and McKenzie Pass to the North Cascades, with every rider-added road on a map. It updates as riders add more.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Oregon?
US 101 along the coast is the classic. In the Cascades, McKenzie Pass and Crater Lake Rim Drive are hard to beat in summer, and Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is the pick in the far northeast.
When is motorcycle season in Oregon?
West of the Cascades, July through September is the dry season. The summer-only mountain roads usually open around early summer. East of the mountains, late spring and early fall are often best.
Is lane splitting legal in Oregon?
Lane splitting at speed isn't legal in Oregon. A 2023 law (Senate Bill 422) allows lane filtering past slow or stopped traffic under specific conditions. Check the current statute or ODOT for the details before you try it.
Do you have to wear a helmet in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon requires a helmet for all riders. See the IIHS helmet law overview and check current law before you ride.
Is there a free motorcycle app for Oregon riders?
Rippin' is free on iPhone and Android. It records rides, turns loops into turf on a live map, and lists meets near you. Download it free.
When does McKenzie Pass open?
McKenzie Pass closes for snow every winter and usually opens around early summer. The date depends on the snowpack, so check ODOT before you go.
Be first on Oregon's map.
Download Rippin' free, ride a loop when the sun's out, and claim the turf around your town.