Get a taste of the Pocono Mountains and savor sweeping backroads to tight curves. This loop takes you along the Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers and through the Delaware State Forest—a perfect mix of riding and country scenery sure to spark a smile or three.

This loop ride is a scintillating mix of clear skies, vibrant green forests, and deep blue waters, all viewed from the greatest seat in the world—a motorcycle saddle. Spanning two states, this escape south of the Reno/Sparks area includes views of several towering ski areas and hugs the banks of Lake Tahoe for miles. This ride is best made from late spring to early fall.

It’s another 100-plus-degree day in “Middle-earth” of North Carolina. The office air conditioner is struggling to keep up as the warmth radiates from the large windows. We haven’t ridden in a few weeks due to the heat and humidity. Fortunately for us, the Great Smoky Mountains are just two hours away. I dial the boss’ extension and pitch her a tour she can’t refuse. “How about we connect some of our favorite North Carolina hotels with the best-of-the-best motorcycling roads for a three-day escape?”

He stands guard over the north entrance to the city nigh 20 feet tall, hardened arms and sinewy muscles, a mighty club gripped tightly in his left hand. He’s the Grants Pass Caveman statue, a novelty of both civic-minded businessmen and mascot of the local high school. The Caveman was birthed by a group of businessmen in 1922 who were looking for ways to promote tourism in Josephine County. One of the major natural attractions in the county is the nearby Oregon Caves, and though no Neanderthals were discovered there, the name has stuck for almost 100 years.

We started at the southern tip of the continent and have seen many wondrous things. After a day off the bikes, the adventure of a lifetime continues …

The old lumbering town of Lewiston located in the north-central area of Michigan’s lower peninsula has a unique claim to fame. Lewiston is the only town in the U.S. to host two National Rally events a year. In January, the rally crowd descends on Lewiston to turn their Subaru WRXs, Mitsubishi EVOs, and Ford RSs loose on the snow- and ice-covered backroads. In August they return again to try the routes on gravel and dirt. The promoter, Rally America, advertises these events as using “real roads,” and that raised our interest. Would these street-legal two-tracks, logging roads, and seasonal routes be a good testing ground for 2018’s new middleweight dual sports? With a Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 and a BMW 310 GS in tow, Corey, Kathleen, and I set off in early May to investigate the routes that that were used in the January 2018 Sno*Drift event. Unfortunately, the 2018 winter hadn’t lifted its grip completely in northern Michigan. Snow was still visible in the woods and, in many areas, melt runoff was streaming across the roads.

Transcontinental touring has become a significant category in motorcycling, so named to describe the many two-wheeled wanderers out there who lean toward long-haul, high-mileage outings. To accommodate this free-spirited mindset, Honda and Yamaha have steadily refined the machines in their respective luxury stables, producing two motorcycles which, though designed for the same task, couldn’t be more different in their approaches to tackling America’s open roads.