Vermont Motorcycle Roads and Motorcycle Touring
Motorcyclists on VT-100
Vermont has something for every type of motorcyclist: low traffic counts on roads with relaxed, country sweepers; technical twisties for challenge; remote dirt roads through forests for dual-sport adventure. In a single day ride, you can easily ride a route that combines all of these characteristics. Our people are open, friendly and helpful. You can find good meals from local sources and wash it down with a world-class Vermont micro-brew. Vermont has everything a motorcyclist could want. So what are you waiting for?
Vermont Motorcycle Roads and Touring
There 15,801 miles of roads in the Vermont. More than half of these are unpaved, gravel roads. Our paved roads are typified by towns or villages every ten miles or so, with a rural landscape in between. The space between population centers keeps traffic to a minmium and the open fields of Vermont’s working agricultural creates vistas of the green mountains.
To learn more about good motorcycle roads, see: Vermont Motorcycle Roads
Dual-sport and adventure bike riders should read our Vermont Dual Sport Resources Guide.
In most Vermont towns you can purchase gas, food and basic supplies. In Vermont's larger cities and towns, you can purchase whatever you need. In our smaller towns, resources are often limited to a single, owner-operated store. These stores often close early by suburban standards: do not count on reliable commerce after 6 p.m. in many small towns. Beer and wine is available in gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets, seven days per week. Liquor is only available in "liquor stores", but many grocery stores have a liquor store within the larger grocery store.
Our riding season begins in April and ends in November. Temperatures at the beginning and end of season range from morning lows in the low 40’s, to midday temperatures in the 70’s. An overnight low in the upper 30’s is not unusual in April, October or November. Dirt roads in April can be a mud-fest, making travel on street bike questionable. Heated gear, heated grips and good riding pants are highly recommended for early or late season riding.
Early-May through late-October are prime riding season. Vermont’s comfortable summers enable you to wear your safety gear without overheating. It is unusual to get temperatures above the mid-80's and summer norms are mid-70's to 80 degrees.
If you are planning a trip for Fall (September, October), it is best to reserve ahead as fall foliage increases demand. You will also find main secondary roads to be filled with tourists and buses. See our VT-100 Alternatives: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 for ways to avoid the leaf-peeping conga line.
Vermont Rentals and Tours
Every rider should get themselves a copy of the New Hampshire/Vermont gazetteer. To read a full review of the gazetteer, see this page.
Riders who would like to rent a motorcycle should contact Moto Vermont in South Burlington. Conveniently located near the airport, Moto Vermont has rental options for BMW motorcycles, including adventure bikes like the R1200 GS and F650 GS and dual-sport motorcycles from Honda. They also rent gear, including helmets, gloves and GPS units.
Vermont's Harley Davidson dealer no longer rental motorcycles.
To learn more about renting a BMW motorcycle from Moto Vermont, see this article.
Other Useful Information for Motorcycle Touring in Vermont
