Best motorcycle rides in New York

8 Motorcycle Rides in NY | Best New York Motorcycle Rides [Adirondack, Lake George + More]

Last Updated on: 30th October 2023, 01:01 pm

Thinking of planning a weekend ride in the Catskills or a scenic motorcycle tour of Long Island? New York state has many great places to ride your motorcycle, from Lake George to the Catskills to NYC. You’ll find a great mix of major highways, country roads, and open stretches of land that make a great place to hit the road on a crisp fall day. So, to help you plan the trip, here are the top motorcycle rides in New York.

The Catskill Preserve (100 Miles) | A Classic Catskill Motorcycle Ride with Serene Mountain Vistas

The Catskill Preserve is a 700,000-acre state park in the Catskill Mountain Range in upstate New York. Spending the day exploring the park is one of the best Catskills motorcycle rides and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and well-maintained roads. Although there are several different roads to traverse in the Catskills, experts recommend starting in the town of Catskill and heading west along Route 23 to Durso Corner. You’ll then encounter a fun, winding path along Route 296, which will eventually take you back to Catskill. Skilled bikers can complete this epic Catskills motorcycle ride in about 3 hours. Along the way, you’ll encounter quaint local towns and villages, as well as notable attractions like Kaaterskill Falls and Hunter Mountain Resort.

 

 

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The Adirondack Lake Loop (90 Miles) | The Perfect Adirondack Motorcycle Ride for a Tour of Lake George

The Adirondack Lake Loop is one of the best New York motorcycle rides if you want to explore some of the most scenic areas in upstate New York. The trip starts and ends at Lake George, heading up Route Nine toward Ticonderoga. History enthusiasts may want to stop at Fort Ticonderoga, which played an essential role in the Revolutionary War. From there, you’ll get on 1-74, then head south down Route 9 and Schroon River Road before ending up back in Lake George. You can stop to get something to eat in the towns of Schroon Lake or Bolton Landing along the way. The Adirondack Loop is undoubtedly one of the best Lake George motorcycle rides and only takes about 2 to 4 hours to complete.

Hawk’s Nest (70 miles) | The Best Orange County Motorcycle Ride for Exploring the Upper Delaware River Region

Hawk’s Nest Lookout is a scenic overlook outside of Port Jervis and also the site of one of the best motorcycle rides in Orange County NY. You’ll explore the Upper Delaware Scenic River region, starting in the town of Hancock and ending in the quaint town of Sparrow Bush. You’ll head southeast down NY-97 to the town of Narrowsburg, then follow a series of country roads into Sparrow Bush. Along the way, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Delaware River, paved roads, and quaint small towns as you meander along the New York, Pennsylvania border. It’s one of the best motorcycle rides in upstate New York if you’re searching for a twisty tour of the Catskills that takes about 90 minutes to complete.

Ocean Parkway (15 miles) | A Quick Long Island Motorcycle Ride Along the Coast

The Ocean Parkway Ride is one of the best Long Island motorcycle rides and offers gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean. The ride starts at Meadowbrook Parkway and goes from Jones Beach to Robert Moses State Parkway in Suffolk County. If you want to make a day out of it, you can stop at Jones Beach or Captree State Park and explore the barrier islands along the south shore. You’ll encounter mostly flat, paved roads with a few twists to keep it exciting, plus you’ll pass through plenty of parks, small towns, and fishing villages where you can stop to refuel or grab a bite to eat. Plus, it’s one of the quickest New York motorcycle rides and can be completed in about 15-30 minutes. 

The Hudson River Bridge Tour (70 miles) | One of the Best Motorcycle Rides in NYC and the Hudson Valley

The Hudson River Bridge tour is one of the most famous motorcycle rides in NYC and offers a unique look at some of the most iconic bridges in the state. You’ll start in NYC on the George Washington Bridge before heading west into the Hudson Valley. You’ll head upstate and into New Jersey via the Palisades Parkway and eventually make your way just south of Newburgh. You’ll then head south via Route 9W along the Hudson River before eventually stopping in Tarrytown, a village in Westchester County.

Along the way, you’ll experience plenty of amazing scenery, from the industrial might of the George Washington Bridge to the pastoral beauty of the Hudson River. You’ll also pass by a few notable attractions, including Harriman State Park and Storm King State Park. It’s one of the best upstate NY motorcycle rides but also offers a chance to explore the outskirts of NYC as well. With many interesting sites to check out along the way, you can finish this New York motorcycle ride in anywhere from two hours to an entire day.

 

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Keuka Lake Road (15 miles) | A Breathtaking Finger Lakes Motorcycle Ride with Gorgeous Views of New York Wine Country

Keuka Lake Road is the perfect area to explore on your Harley and makes for one of the best Finger Lakes motorcycle rides. You’ll start your journey in the town of Hammondsport, which is about 65 miles south of Rochester. You’ll then head up 54A north along Keuka Lake for about 15 miles while enjoying some picturesque views of New York’s wine country and eventually end in the town of Branchport. If you want to extend your trip, you can also keep going north to the tip of the lake in the village of Pen Yan, then head south down 54 back toward Hammondsport.

The roads are well-paved but feature a few twists and turns that keep things interesting. You can also stop and spend the day in Keuka Lake State Park, which offers a great place for picnics, camping, fishing, and water sports. It’s a relatively quick Finger Lakes motorcycle ride that can be completed in under 30 minutes unless you decide to make it a loop, which will likely take closer to an hour.

Tracy Road (11 miles) | A Serene Adirondack Motorcycle Ride with Natural Beauty and Manageable Traffic

Tracy Road is another one of the most popular Adirondack motorcycle rides and makes for a great way to explore the wilderness of Upstate New York. It’s a short and sweet ride that starts at Moriah Center and then takes you north on Witterbee Road. After about 2.5 miles, you’ll be on Tracey Road until the point it connects with I-87. It’s a calm, winding stretch of road that features low traffic and plenty of foliage and wildlife along the way. You won’t find too many notable attractions along the way as it’s a relatively isolated stretch of highway surrounded by nature.

However, it’s only a quick drive into Lake Placid for more activities like the Lake Placid Club or the Olympic Museum. So, if you are planning a motorcycle trip from Port Henry to Lake Placid, you need to visit Tracey Road. At just 11 miles, you can easily complete this Adirondack motorcycle ride in under 30 minutes. While it may not be the most action-packed ride, it does offer a peaceful way to explore the Adirondack woodlands.

US Route 20 – Albany to Buffalo (300 miles) | One of the Best Motorcycle Rides in New York for Touring the Entire State

If you’re looking for the best motorcycle rides in Western NY, then US Route 20 from Albany to Buffalo should be on your bucket list. Although it’s a major trek, this 300-mile journey is one of the best ways to explore the natural beauty of the state from border to border. You can take US-20 the entire way and find yourself traversing cornfields, farming villages, and the finger lakes. Route 20 is America’s longest federal highway and runs directly between the state capital and its second-largest city.

Along the way, you will travel just south of major cities like Syracuse and Rochester and pass through quaint towns like Sharon Springs and Cazenovia, which offer plenty of great local shops and restaurants. A few attractions to stop and visit along the way include Sonnenberg Gardens and Historic Mansion, a 50-acre state park in Canandaigua, and the Jello-O Museum in Le Roy, NY. This action-packed motorcycle ride in New York will take about five hours with no stops, or you could even make it an entire weekend getaway and stop overnight in Central NY. But for those who are willing to make the journey, it’s one of the best motorcycle rides in Buffalo NY.

Ready to explore the open road on your Harley with the wind whipping through your hair? Whether you’re a New York state resident or you’re planning on shipping a motorcycle cross country, you’ll find no shortage of fun rides in the Empire State. Federal Transport will make it much simpler to ship a motorcycle in New York to your ideal destination. Relax and enjoy the journey without worrying about learning how to ship a motorcycle, and let our experts handle it. We offer fast, affordable New York motorcycle shipping so you can enjoy the ultimate ride without the added stress.

We will gladly ship your motorcycle directly to your home, or you can pick it up at one of our convenient warehouse locations in Syracuse, New York, or Monroe Township, New Jersey. Get started today with a free quote from our team of motorcycle shipping experts.

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