"Eric,
I wanted to write a sincere thank you for our amazing experience with your two day training
option right there in Bend Oregon on September 3rd and 4th. My brother Nick organized this
trip. He owns his own KTM and rides often here in Western Colorado. His goal was to ride with
us, his two brothers.
- Our thanks to Adam for the kind words and satisfaction in knowing that our ADV Training Expeditions have helped the Wasser Brothers build a foundation for their future riding plans. See you guys in Baja : )
| "I wanted to thank you and your staff for allowing me to rent the Honda Africa Twin which resulted in a fantastic trip. We camped 8 nights and the Africa Twin was flawless the entire time, no problems whatsoever while exploring Oregon. The machine is perfect for the type of riding we performed on pavement, improved roads, dirt roads, rain and even little of an ATV trail. Smooth linear power and with the traction control and ABS turned off the power was predictable; didn’t disappoint. I have conducted a half dozen fly and rides all over the country and your process was by far the easiest, your rental program is five stars. I wish you well with the growth of your Bend store and I will be back maybe for the Washington BDR or maybe some type of Alaska or South America trip." |
-Despite the tragic amount of wild fire activity we had around the Pacific Northwest in late 2020, Brant Hill from Alabama was still able to make use of our Oregon U.S. motorcycle rental fleet on an Africa Twin Adventure Sports for a couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing Brant, and come back anytime!
| "What a great experience! If you are looking to "try before you buy" or need a do anything motorcycle for an adventure, this is the place to go. The Ride Adventures team is professional and friendly. There are no egos here. The bikes are immaculate and perform as they are supposed to. It was easier than renting a car, and way more fun because its a motorcycle! I will be using them again in the future." |
-Our sincere thanks to Dan Wellisch from right here in beautiful Bend, Oregon where our Oregon U.S. motorcycle rental fleet is based. Glad if you enjoyed, Dan, and RIDE on!
| "Even now I’m still remembering the experience with great joy. Crossing the borders was straightforward, the sights were amazing, and the motorcycle carried me reliably everywhere. I had room for everything I needed and made goal every day. Cannot wait for my calendar to line up to do another trip in the area soon." |
-Oleg on our Self-Guided Fly & Ride the 3 Corners: Argentina, Bolivia & Chile tour package.
- Steve Fox and some buddies from southeastern U.S. all came out for our Best of Southwest Oregon ADV Riding trip in August 2022. Thanks for the kind words, Steve, and we look forward to seeing you in Baja for another trip soon.
| "This is the second time that I have hired bikes from RIDE Adventures for a trip. The first was a ride up through Patagonia and the latest from Oregon, through Canada and on up through Alaska - some 6,500kms. I cannot recommend Eric and his team at RIDE Adventures more highly. Great people to deal with - honesty, integrity, reliability, well maintained bikes that are comprehensively kitted out………and importantly people that ride themselves and understand that things do not always go to plan and will work with you to help get things sorted whatever they are and wherever you are. Thanks Eric - you guys are simply awesome!" |
-Mark Stewart from Australia on the heels of a successful ride to Alaska with his friend Phil, and our Oregon-based motorcycle rentals. A pair of Africa Twin's, 2 experienced riders, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, and all the moose, elk, bears, and other wildlife along the way, quite a journey a long time in the making. Just loved this picture as two voyagers were headed out of the shop that day. Come again, guys!
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"Hi RIDE Adventures,
I had great trip and great start in California with GS Motorcycle. Next time I will get plan for ride with your team travel some where else interesting. I passed my fear about traffic and now I can enjoy like American people! So many video was took I will update you soon."
-Minh Tran from Vietnam after 15 days of riding across the U.S. on an BMW R1200GS. His first time riding in the U.S., all part of an architectural research project, and meeting friendly Americans along the way!
"Well, the trip came to an end today. Pulled in at 3:00 showing 1475 miles. I can't wait to start looking through all the pictures and videos. Really want to thank you guys for an incredible time! I could not have asked for a better time. Chad...you and Ernie are top notch tour guides and photographers...thank you!"
-Jeff Baenen from Illinois after his September 2013 Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail guided motorcycle tour and ride back home on his Triumph 1200 Explorer
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Arrival Day: Welcome to beautiful Bend, Oregon!
Welcome to Bend, and we hope you can arrive a little earlier and enjoy this outstanding town for outdoors lovers. We are nestled along the Deschutes River which writhes up from the Cascade Mountains, and serves as the backbone for our small town.
From the river rafting and fly fishing opportunities to the vast array of mountain biking, dirt biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, golf, and other options we have in the area, we are incredibly proud to call Bend "home," and hope you have the chance to enjoy it as well before departure.
Groups will meet up for a welcome dinner and briefing, and Self-Guided Fly & RIDE adventurers will have their instructions for when we’ll be going through motorcycle check-in. Bring anything you want to mount on the bike, and we'll make sure you're all set and fit for the great ride ahead. The twisting of your wrist begins tomorrow.
DAY 2 - Bend to Sisters (235 miles)
Try to pace yourself today as you get settled in on your motorcycle, we have an exciting dual-sport day ahead and many more days to go on this tour.
Enjoy the ride on simple dirt roads as we make our way to the largest volcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. Newberry Volcano has an area of 1,200 square miles when its lava flows are taken into account. Within the large 4x5 mile caldera are two gorgeous lakes: Paulina Lake and East Lake. Spiraling to the top of China Hat and climbing up to the Pine Mountain Observatory before twisting and turning our way through an un-believably beautiful scenic canyon.
Regarded as one of the best paved motorcycle rides in the state, the Crooked River will lead the way to another masterpiece it has created, Smith Rock State Park. This Oregon gem is the result of water cutting through rock created by volcanic activity dating back as far as 30 million years ago. Now, generally considered the birthplace of modern American sport climbing, it is world-famous for all types of outdoor recreation including traditional climbing, multi-pitch climbing, bouldering, hiking and mountain biking to name a few.
DAY 3 - Sisters to Yachats (220 miles)
Prepare yourself for tight pavement twisties and sweepers this morning, the McKenzie Highway has a real treat in store for us. Like nothing you’ve ever seen before, the dark, broken lava field that stretches for 65 square miles presents an out of this world moonscape. The result of eruptions from Belknap Crater 2,000 years ago, it is the most recent and remarkable examples of volcanic activity in North America.
As we jump into the dirt in Willamette National Forest, horrific burn scars are evidence of recent fires that ravaged through these forests destroying everything in its path including many homes. Crossing the Willamette Valley just north of Eugene into Lobster Valley, the scenic Alsea Highway will show us the way through the coastal range to Yachats on the beautiful Oregon coast.
Take a deep breath of the cool ocean breeze and relax after a big day. Yachats is referred to as the “Gem of the Oregon Coast” for its natural dramatic beauty, however, some say it carries a type of curse on account of the gruesome settlement history with native tribes. Nevertheless, a well-known travel magazine named this destination one of the "Ten Coolest Small Towns of the U.S.A.".
***NOTE: Part of the McKenzie Pass is typically closed November-June due to snow pack.
DAY 4 - Yachats to Bandon (215 miles)
An exciting day of riding in the backcountry lies ahead, but first we cruise south on Highway 101, and maybe the most awe-inspiring section of the Oregon coast. Enjoy an imaginary cup of coffee as you leisurely soak in the breathtaking views of Cape Perpetua, home to famous sites such as Thor’s Well and Smelt Sands State Park to name a few.
Now that you’re awake after that tasty cup of imaginary joe, let’s get dirty climbing and traversing the coastal range, following the Suislaw river into the Suislaw National Forest. From there the Smith River will wind us down to the small fishing village of Winchester Bay for lunch, get ready for ultra fresh seafood. Best attempted before filling your belly though, you’ll get a chance to test your sand riding skills in the Oregon Dunes (don’t worry if you’re not up for the task, there is no required sand riding here).
With the ocean in the rearview mirror, the Umpqua River will show us the way inland to the Elliott State Forest, expect incredible mountaintop views, wildlife sightings and possibly herds of wild Elk grazing.
Before reaching our hotel accommodations in the popular hip coastal town of Bandon, we must navigate our way through Coos Bay, Oregon coast’s most populous city (16k residents) and the surrounding area known as “Oregon’s Bay Area” (32k residents).
If your schedule permits, you will be pleased to extend your trip package to include an extra night or two in Bandon, just let us know. Why spend extra time here? Bandon is a central point for the nearby Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, a 40 mile and 7,000 acre stretch of sand-covered beach dunes. Here you can rent dune buggies, ATV’s, UTV’s, and other fun machines and have a BLAST out there exploring. (Twin cylinder adventure bikes unfortunately won't cut it. Too heavy!)
If fishing is your game, the Pacific halibut season kicks off in May and salmon and tuna run through the summer months. Bay crabbing and clamming is also a local favorite as is fresh water fishing in lakes and rivers offering rainbow and cutthroat trout and Chinook salmon. In addition, golfers can take advantage and enjoy the world-class Bandon Dunes Golf Courses nearby, making perhaps the perfect Rest Day from the motorcycle.
DAY 5 - Bandon to Crescent City, California (225 miles)
Twisty mountain roads will lead us to an unusual historic building with an intriguing history almost as fascinating as contents of the museum it now houses. It’s no surprise that Oregon has a deep rooted logging history and the Coos County Logging Museum is a fun place to learn about it with it’s extensive collection of antique logging equipment and rare photographs.
With our new knowledge of Oregon’s logging history, we head into the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Oregon Redwoods, maybe with a different perspective and appreciation for the precious natural resource that is these forest.
Finally, we arrive in Crescent City, our only night in California. Did you notice the tsunami warning signs all over town? Wander the Crescent City waterfront and marvel at how this city was entirely rebuilt after a devastating tsunami in 1964. The city’s offshore geography makes it unusually susceptible to tsunamis caused by faraway earthquakes in such places as Alaska and Japan. Also known for its picturesque lighthouses and 1865 shipwreck rumored to hold 1.5 tons of gold coins and bullion, much of which has never been recovered.
DAY 6 - Crescent City to Grants Pass (170 miles)
Skipping the foreplay today, we’ll reach our redwood climax before this morning’s coffee has time to kick in. Some say that size doesn’t matter, but that’s only cause they haven’t experienced the ancient majestic giants in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park These Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) can grow to be 360+ (110m) tall, and have a trunk diameter of 22 feet (7m) at their base. Absolutely jaw-dropping, for those who’ve never seen them in person, let alone ridden a motorcycle under their canopy. Living often over 600 years, and up to as much as 2,000, fossil records indicate the Redwood species as going back to the Jurassic period, some 160 million years ago. (And yes, those were the Redwoods Luke Skywalker was riding through in 1983’s “Return of the Jedi”).
It might feel as if the day climaxed prematurely, but don’t worry, we have a long day of fun ahead with more fantastic dirt riding as we head into the Smith River National Forest and cross back into Oregon on backcountry mountain ridge lines. Somewhere deep in the Siskiyou Mountains, eons of acidic water seeping into marble rock created and decorated the wondrous “Marble Halls of Oregon.”
A quick stop at the Oregon Caves National Preserve before we end the day in Grants Pass nestled along the Rogue River. True to its motto, "It's the climate!", Grants Pass has a Sunset Zone 7 climate.
DAY 7 - Grants Pass to Bend (250 miles)
On our final (and longest mileage) day, we’ll head north along parts of the original fur trading route of the Siskiyou Trail in the Siskiyou National Forest.
Back in the Cascade Mountains now, the collapse of Mount Mazama about 7,000 years ago, formed the deepest lake in the U.S. at 1,949 feet (the deepest lake in the U.S., the second-deepest in North America and the ninth-deepest in the world). Crater Lake is the fifth-oldest national park in the United States and, believe it or not, the only national park in Oregon. Following the unpaved Windigo Pass north towards Cascade Lakes Highway, along the shores of Hosmer, Elk, Sparks and Devil's Lakes, and past Mount Bachelor, we’ll arrive once again at our origination point in Bend. Completing the circuit, probably with mixed emotions about the tour ending.
DAY 8 - Departure (if you must)
As we've noted and bragged about, Bend isn't just the kind of town you'll want to pass through in a hurry. Inquire with us about arranging extra time in this fun small mountain town, and anyone interested in hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, golf, just floating the river, or even skiing (often possible through May) should plan on staying a bit longer.
As described by Eric in the original announcement of our Bend-based rental fleet, you may end up living here someday, too!
2019+ Honda CB500x
Another recent assertion by Honda Motorcycles into the Adventure Riding world, riders seeking a compact-sized adventure bike have been raving about the CB500X. With plenty of power emanating from the parallel-twin engine, and an agile disposition, everything from paved twisties to gravel, dirt, and sand can be conquered with this fun adventuring option. Starting in 2019 with it's 19 inch wheel, this bike has proven itself for us in places like Patagonia, and will be a great option for riders exploring beyond.
- Wet Weight - 430lbs
- Seat Height - 32.7 inches
- Fuel Capacity - 4.6 gal
X
32.7 in
430lbs
4.6 gal
471cc Parallel Twin
2024 Yamaha XT250
The Yamaha XT250 is a reliable and versatile dual-sport bike, perfect for both on- and off-road adventures.
Its air-cooled 249cc single-cylinder engine provides a broad powerband and excellent fuel efficiency, while the compact chassis and long-travel suspension ensure agile handling and comfort on various terrain.
With features like a 21-inch front wheel, wide-ratio five-speed transmission, and electric start, the XT250 is ideal for exploring dirt trails, commuting, or simply enjoying the thrill of the ride.
X
32.7 in
291 lbs
2.5 gal
249cc
Honda Africa Twin
X
33.5/34.3 in
511 lb
4.96 gal
998 cc
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports
X
35.4/36.2 in
533 lb
6.4 gal
998 cc
Honda Africa Twin CRF1100 (2020+)
X
33.5/34.3 in
505 lb
5.0 gal
1084 cc
Yamaha Ténéré 700
This highly-anticipated "masterpiece of value" has finally been released, giving dual sport adventure riders around the world one more incredible middle-weight adventure bike to choose from. With 73+ smooth, linear horsepower pouring through one of most beautiful exhaust notes out there, the Ténéré 700's unique anti-squat design puts that power into the ground, instead of into the rear shock. The result is one of the best handling, adventure bikes on the market, all backed by typical Yamaha-reliability. Take this agile machine on short trips or long, paved twisties or dirt roads, and know that this may be as close to the "perfect" adventure bike as we have seen in a while. With an attractive entry price, and corresponding rental rate, we expect the number of Ténéré 700's in our fleet operations to grow steadily and remain a factor for a long time.
X
34.4 in / 874mm
452 lb / 205kg
4.2 gal
689 cc