Suggestions for world's best roads

[hkdad3]

I am in the early stage of planning a 6 continent RTW trip with two other riders (trip 3 years away, BMW1200GSA). We have already sketched out a general route: Europe to Mongolia to Singapore; Australia; USA - Argentina, Cape Town to Cairo. We have started to plan in detail on Basecamp for uploading to Garmins. There are many considerations on finalizing the route, security, visas, weather, etc. But we would love suggestions for the WORLD's BEST MOTORCYCLE ROADS. Current examples include: Tajikistan - from Khorog to Osh; Romania: Transfagarasan; Bolivia: Old Yungas Road. Offroad/rough road suggestions welcome. Thanks!

[benmac]

If you get the chance ride through New Zealand. No particular road, you will find stunning scenery everywhere you go with lots of twisty cambered corners leading onto straights passing through lakes, forests and mountains. Paradise! Am probably biased as I come from NZ but after living in the UK for 12 years I sure do miss it!

[pecha72]

Originally Posted by hkdad3

WORLD's BEST MOTORCYCLE ROADS

Personally I like to think of them more as regions, not necessarily any particular roads, that are best suited for bikes.

Just to give a few examples, in Europe Norway is probably worth a visit, if you want spectacular roads. And in Asia, northern Thailand is famous for a reason. More mountainous areas in Laos are also great, even though its road infrastructure is less developed. And the Himalayas (northern Pakistan, India, Nepal) should also be a pretty safe bet. Also the roads to the hill stations in southern India are great in their own way.

Do note, that if planning to ride from Mongolia to Laos you will need to get into, and cross China, which costs a lot of money, if you want to do it with your own bike(s). Plenty of active discussions about this at the HUBB.

[hkdad3]

Thanks for feedback so far. Plan to do separate New Zealand trip in the next year, renting a bike. I have done several China trips (Silk Road, Tibet, Xinjiang) and am aware of the unfortunate high costs and requirements. Welcome further suggestions on other great roads...not much to brag about here in Hong Kong.

[brclarke]

South Island, New Zealand.

[RTWbyBIKE.com]

Originally Posted by brclarke

South Island, New Zealand.

We just did 13.000km there... amazing!

A MUST DO is>

Thomsons Track
Rainbow Road (Only open from Boxing day till end of January I think)
Molesworth Station RD (Only open from Boxing day till end of January I think)
Skippers School
Denseys Pass
Arthurs and Lewis Pass

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[bkm_br]

Serra do Rio do Rastro in Brazil is also a great road to visit. Many people say that this road is the Brazilian version of the Passo dello Stelvio in Europe.

[Tony P]

Originally Posted by hkdad3

Welcome further suggestions on other great roads...not much to brag about here in Hong Kong.

The BAM - all of it.
Really is the ultimate bragging factor, if that is what turns you on.

5 motos have done the east half, and only 3 of them went on to the west half (which on its own is becoming more regularly travelled).

But a 1200GSA is not the moto for that - no matter how much TT stuff you put on it.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533442

[Rixxy's]

There is some great riding to be done here in Northern Thialand - The Mae Hon Son Loop for a start its a far better road the the stelvio on the Trasfangarian, plus there are many fantastic offroad routes, it would be worth you renting a couple of KLX's for a few days and exploring.

Have a look at Ride Asia - there is a guy called phil and you can buy GPS maps off him for Thailand and LAos with all the good roads and trails on, well worth it!!

[Grant Johnson]

A few from North America: Trans Am Trail, Continental Divide off-road "route", the Dempster highway, Duffy Lake road

[Elliott Ness]

Don't forget the west coast of scotland, mid Wales for gloriously beautiful countryside and great riding roads

[Walkabout]

To ask for a list of the best roads in the whole wide world is a big ask!

Somewhere else in here, the website shown below (and the route therefore) has been flagged up.
It is a route that I have covered on a motorbike and it is certainly a contender for "best in the world" as far as Europe is concerned.

La Route des Grandes Alpes - The trail - Association Grande Traversée des Alpes

[hkdad3]

Originally Posted by Elliott Ness

Don't forget the west coast of scotland, mid Wales for gloriously beautiful countryside and great riding roads

Just did a 1000 mile loop on a rented 1200GS through Scotland (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Portpatrick, Portree, Applecross (my favorite), Nairn, Ballater, Edinburgh). It was a fantastic long weekend, and the team at BMW Motorrad Central in Edinburgh was terrific (ask for Tony).

[rundanielmc]

Originally Posted by hkdad3

Just did a 1000 mile loop on a rented 1200GS through Scotland (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Portpatrick, Portree, Applecross (my favorite), Nairn, Ballater, Edinburgh). It was a fantastic long weekend, and the team at BMW Motorrad Central in Edinburgh was terrific (ask for Tony).

+1 for Applecross! Just spent the last few days touring around the West Coast of Scotland and the road from Fort William to Applecross via Bealach na Bà was simply breath taking.

[OOgie]

Adding to the U.S. list: Route 66, Deal's Gap (318 curves in 11 miles), the Badlands of South Dakota, and the Beartooth Hwy.