We’ve seen it before.
A group of guys visit Las Vegas for a bachelor party. Girls decide to blow off steam in Sin City.
And families? Well, families go there perhaps thinking that Circus Circus is sponsored by Ringling Bros. Once visitors arrive in the Lost Wages, they think to themselves, “Let’s rent motorcycles in Vegas!” They find a rental shop, overpay for their iron steed, and then decide to cruise up and down the strip, trying to look cool.
We don’t have anything against gambling on the strip, grabbing late-night food at The Peppermill, or seeing Carrot Top (actually, we do have a problem with Carrot Top). But we prefer experiencing the Neon Capital on a motorcycle. What are the best motorcycle rides in Las Vegas? Where are the top spots to stop along the way? In other words, how do the locals do it?
When a Vegas native decides to ride, where does he go? What are her tried and true routes?
We asked the Twisted Road moto-community for their thoughts so that you’re best prepared for your visit to The Marriage Capital of the World (which was handily located in The Divorce State until Nevada lost that title as other states developed more lax rules around break-ups).
These recommendations were provided by Las Vegas moto riders who make renting a motorcycle in Las Vegas easy—their bikes are all for rent on Twisted Road.
Will S., the owner of the 2016 Honda Africa Twin, this 2016 Ural Gear Up, and this 2018 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin has plenty of recommendations.
As a “LV local” he enjoys riding to national and state parks and monuments. Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, The Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead are some of his frequent stops. If you’ve got a little extra time, Will adds, “I’d also like to point out southern Utah as an incredible destination from Vegas. Southern Utah would include St. George, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and thousands of miles of off-road trails.”
He also enjoys drone spotting near Creech Air Force Base and visiting Rachel, Nevada (the closest habitation to Area 51). He ends by saying, “and Veyo Pies for the best Pie on the planet!”
Clinton S., owner of this 2003 Honda VTX 1300 S, and Menachem W., owner of this 2011 Yamaha FZ8, both say to check out the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop.
Cheetah P., owner of this 2010 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager has his favorite route, “a really nice desert day ride that takes about five hours total on the bike. “But I usually make it up to an eight-hour time commitment with picnics and shopping and photos and such during the trip,” he says.
He says he likes to “start on the 215 to State Road 95 south, then ride past the dry lake bed, through the mountain pass, beyond Searchlight, and eventually head west on old route 66 (just before highway 40). In Goffs head into the Mojave National Preserve and ride all the way through to Nipton Road. Either take a right for a quirky afternoon in Nipton, or continue left to get back on highway 15 which brings you right back into Vegas!”
Timothy M., owner of this 2014 Yamaha Super Tenere says, “There's more to see than the strip when in Las Vegas. The surrounding area has much to see besides a casino or two. Red Rock Canyon, for example, has a beautiful scenic loop that will take your breath away.
The Lake Mead Northshore Road will not only test your riding skills, but also presents a very diverse geological display that will just blow your mind. That same Northshore Road will lead you to Valley of Fire State Park, just 16 miles from Overton. With its outrageous colors and four thousand-year-old petroglyphs — you won't be sorry you stopped there.”
Tim also enjoys riding to Hoover Dam. “Take one of the tours and be prepared to spend the day there. A three-day rental would be just enough time to see these awesome wonders,” he adds.
Gary G., the owner of a 2017 Moto Guzzi Flying Fortress, also loves riding Mt. Charleston, and says “it’s just an awesome ride.”
Joshua R., the owner of this 2010 Honda VFR 1200 ABS, has a lot to say. “Well, recreational riding around Las Vegas is not as inspiring as some other places. Commuting on the other hand is considerably more comfortable on a motorcycle in Las Vegas than it is in say California, where the roads are junk, and even the lovely winding roads are so clogged with cars that they are nearly impossible to enjoy.”
He continues, “A major benefit of riding around Las Vegas is that the police really won’t give you any trouble.”
He suggests, “The ride up to Mount Charleston and back is nice once you get to the end and actually start climbing the mountain. The ride up to Logandale is monotonous freeway, but once you get to Logandale you can ride through the valley and take the roads surrounding Lake Mead which is lovely. There is an interesting little bar/food/music venue at the top of the mountain on the way to Pahrump Called the Mountain Springs Saloon, which is worth a trip.”
Joshua goes on to say, “Down south of Las Vegas, the ride out to the Pioneer saloon is okay and worth doing at some point, as is the ride to the Tecopa Hot Springs out in Death Valley, or the Amargosa Opera House, Hotel, and Cafe, which is a wild experience.”
On Friday and Saturday nights, he says we will find him at Lake Las Vegas where he catches jazz on the lake, gets a good coffee, then a “decent” Mexican or Italian dinner.
Joshua has advice for those who ride adventure bikes too: “It really is an awesome experience to ride across the dry lake beds down near the Jean exit south of Speed Vegas. On a side note, I had my 2005 R6 at an indicated 160 on the lake bed at one point, but the back tire was spinning substantially the entire time.”
On another note, he shares, “The ride down to the Hoover Dam is considerably less interesting now that they’ve built a lovely smooth wide flat freeway that effectively bypasses it completely. But the opportunity to turn off of that freeway and slice your way down to and from the dam is still an option once you get there.”
This owner likes leaving Las Vegas and riding the 126 miles to Oatman, AZ. He explains, “The road from Kingman, AZ to Oatman starts off slow, but the last 11 miles of Old Route 66 has 105 turns.”
John S., owner of this 2016 Ducati Scrambler and this 2006 Triumph Bonneville says, “The riding in Las Vegas is not like what most think of — sure, our main attraction is The Strip and it is a one of a kind experience at night (think 2 miles of Times Square with less traffic), but some of our best riding is found away from downtown and in an environment quite unlike the strip.”
Specifically, he enjoys the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, which he says “has unbelievable views and although the main loop of the park is limited to 35mph, there are countless unpaved roads that lie in the conservation area that have no posted limits.”
His next favorite ride is “Mt. Charleston, about 30 minutes and 3,000 feet above the strip. The air cools and the palm trees turn to pine. A favorite weekend ride is taking Kyle Canyon Road (RT 157) up towards Mt Charleston stopping for lunch at the top at Mt. Charleston Lodge then heading back onto Deer Creek Road (RT 158) for some twisting mountain roads.
"I like to stop along the way at the Desert Overview, which will give you a full view of the Las Vegas Valley. Then I enjoy returning to the valley floor on Lee Canyon Road (RT 156). This loop takes you through completely separate climates, so bring layers and be advised that Mt. Charleston can get snow in the winter months although the roads are usually clear quickly after a snowfall.”
Finally, no ride to Las Vegas would be complete without renting a motorcycle in Las Vegas and reading our Las Vegas Area Motorcycle Rider’s City Guide. So grab your helmet, don your leather jacket, and bring thirst for beauty — both natural and neon — to experience Vegas on two wheels. Like a local.
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