Northern Oregon is full of beautiful evergreen-framed roads and even waterfalls—the combination of twisties and scenic routes makes it a rider’s paradise. There are also some quaint towns and places to stop along the way.
- Renting a Motorcycle in Portland, Oregon
- Best Motorcycle Rides in and around Portland
- Portland Motorcycle Hangouts
- Portland Weather & Riding
- Portland Motorcycle Rules & Tips
- Preparing For Your Portland motorcycle trip
Where to rent a motorcycle in Portland
If you want to explore the Portland area on two wheels, Twisted Road has got you covered—so your Portland motorcycle rental options are virtually unlimited. You can search our members’ motorcycles for rent in Portland and to find whatever you feel like riding during your trip; a touring motorcycle, a sportbike, a cruiser… our community of riders has all sorts of bikes listed. And no need to rent just one bike while you’re in town; you can check out a different one every day or two if you want to!
Best Motorcycle Rides in Portland and surrounding areas
Some of the best and most popular Portland motorcycle routes are:
- Columbia River Gorge Forest Loop
- Klickitat Loop
- Wind River Road
- Cape Horn
- Oregon Coast Highway
- Clark County Scenic Loop
Every Twisted road motorcycle rental includes unlimited miles, so you can ride all over northern Oregon if you feel like it! (Check out our Twisted Road review page to hear from our riders, and see why we’re your best source for a motorcycle rental in Portland!)
Motorcycle hangouts in Portland
Portland is easy to get around on a bike, and there are lots of great places to stop for a bite or a drink. Here are a few of our favorites:
This place is at the top of our list of Portland Biker Bars. It’s been there since 1902, and it’s a great mix of neon, moto memorabilia, cocktails, beers, and bar food. (Be sure to try the Buffalo Bacon Bourbon Wings!) They also have a great rotation of live music—calendar is on their website.
See See Motor Coffee Co.
Whether you need a morning cup of joe (and breakfast sandwich, burrito, or pastry), or an afternoon pick-me-up, See See is the place to get it and pick up any motorcycle gear you might need. They even have their own line of coffee, which you can order on their website. Another highlight is their Hot Dog Happy Hour (4-6pm daily) where you can get a dog, chips, and a beer for $6!
And speaking of See See, their owner is also the founder of one of the coolest motorcycle shows around—The One Moto Show. It has everything from jaw-dropping custom builds, to bands, to the ever-entertaining One Pro Super Hooligan Races. The latter is a dirt-track spectacle that’s worth the trip all on its own.
BAMF MOTO
This is a really great Portland motorcycle shop that covers all your motorcycle gear needs— jackets, pants, gloves, boots, electronics, and super cool motorcycle t-shirts of BAMF’s own design. James, the owner, is friendly and knowledgeable, and the whole place just has a nice vibe that will make you glad you stopped in. (You can also check out the BAMF MOTO website to order gear if you haven’t made it to Portland yet!)
Voodoo Donuts
Not directly moto related, but… you’ve gotta hit up Voodoo Doughnut while you’re in Portland. Everyone will ask you if you did. (They have a few locations around the country now, but Portland is where they’re from, so you get the OG experience there.) Voodoo is one of the most creative ways around to get your sugar fix. Don’t miss the Old Dirty Bastard (Raised yeast doughnut with chocolate frosting, Oreo cookies, and peanut butter!)
The Mesquitery
The Mesquitery is in the quaint little town of Hood River, about an hour from Portland. It’s a perfect place to stop on your way to the Columbia River Gorge. (Or on your way back!) You can get a massive Porterhouse, or other grilled delicacies, as well as their famous clam chowder. And—who knew—pierogis! (Yes, they’re known for those.) If you have room after that, they also have a pretty amazing dessert menu.
Portland weather & riding
Portland gets over 40 inches of rain per year, so you’ll want to be sure to pack your rain gear, and even be prepared for snow during the fall and winter months. Fog is also common, so it’s a good idea to bring a helmet shield or glasses with lenses that are yellow or amber for best visibility in lower light conditions. Summertime in Portland—which doesn’t really warm up until June—is typically low 80s and dry.
Portland Motorcycle Rules & Tips
As always, it’s important to ride safely. In Portland, that means watching out for things like potholes, distracted drivers, and cars turning from the middle lane.
When you park on the street within the city limits, you’ll need to pay anywhere that cars are required to. Most streets have kiosks where you can pay for parking and place the receipt on your bike. (It’s a good idea to take a picture of the parking receipt on the bike with your phone, in case the receipt gets stolen or lost.) You’re also allowed to park in alleys as long as you don’t block the passage of other vehicles.
Preparing For Your Portland Ride
Because Portland has a typically rainy climate, you’ll definitely want to bring waterproof clothing. And layers are always a good idea, so you'll be prepared for temperature fluctuations.
You’ll of course also want to bring your helmet, riding boots, and jacket, etc. (Make sure you check out our article on traveling with gear before you leave!) If you’re not traveling with your protective gear, please let us know and we can work with the owner to try and find local options for you. Often, owners are more than happy to lend their gear to fellow riders.
