Great Wide Open Tours

Great Rides

Riding season for Great Wide Open Tours officallly begins on April 1st and concludes on September 30th. With late May - Early September being our busiest time.

The excellent riding and touring possibilities that exsist in the Tri State area (Michigan, Indiana and Ohio) are limitless.
From exploring the thousands of miles of the Michigan's coastlines, to Adventure Touring in Michigan's U.P.
To the rush of Sport Touring in the hills of Ohio's Amish Country, to the long sweepers of Indiana's less traveled back roads.

Pickup a copy of just about any magazine (Rider, RoadRUNNER, etc.) devoted to the sport and you are likely to find an article extolling the excellent riding available in the area.

Motorcycle Escape Magazine included Ohio's Amish Country in its "Top Ten Favorite Rides" list.

If you are looking for an "Ultimate Adventure", our VStroms are available for rental for up to a month (more if needed) and can be ridden anywhere in the continental 48 states (see "Cross Country" for one such ride).

- Detailed Intineries of these routes and others are available and complinetary with your rental.
- As well, we offer Guided tours of some these routes 2 - 3 times a year. See "Tour with us" for more info.

"Sunrise Side & Tip O' The Mitt" - Spend 4 days and 3 nights traveling Michigan's Sunrise Side. Tracing Lake Hurons Coastline from the thumb to Cheboygan. From Cheboygan to Mackinaw City and around to the Lake Michigan Coastline. Inland to the Huron National Forest and more.

Some Highlights Include:

Tawas Bay
Alpena
  Huron National Forest
  Mackinac Bridge
  AuSable River
Presque Isle
  Lots more

"All the Way Around" - Starting from our Plymouth tour base, spend 6 days and 5 nights riding the coastline of Michigans Lower half. Incredible wilderness and excellent roads await. Explore the diverse scenery of both coasts. On the Sunrise Side you will enjoy the sweeping hills and mighty pines as you head up US 23 between Tawas and Cheboygan. The Sunset Side brings the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes and the famous "Tunnel of Trees".

Some Highlights Include:

Tawas Bay to Cheboygan
  Mackinac Bridge
  AuSable River
  Traverse City
The Tunnel of Trees
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes
Lots more

"Beyond Big Mac and Back" - 7 days and 6 nights in the Great Wide Open, including a few in the land that lies beyond the Mighty Big Mac. Travel the coastline up to the Macinaw City where you can spend a few hours or a day if you choose to take the ferry over the world famous Mackinac Island. Once you cross the bridge, your in the U.P. "ehh"! Where you'll visit the Tahquanemon falls and explore true wilderness. Adventure, sport touring? This is what its all about.

Some Highlights Include:

Tawas Bay to Cheboygan
  Mackinac Bridge
  Mackinac Island
  Tahquanemon Falls
  Pictured Rock State Park
Lots more

"Over the Hills & Thru the Woods" - Some great riding lies just south of us in Ohio. Ranging in length from 4 - 6 days, where you will enjoy some of the best riding in the country. Explore Amish Country's sweeping hills and hospitality. For the more adventure mind rider, there is Wayne State Forest and Ohio's own "Tail of the Dragon" to experience.

   Some Highlights Include:
   - Amish Country
   - Wayne State Forest
   - The Motorcycle Hall of Fame

   - The Ohio River Valley
   - AMA Vintage Days (Ludington)
   - Lots more

Stage 1 - "Route 66" - Starting out from our base in Plymouth, MI your first stop is in Chicago, IL where after a nights rest, you jump on Historic Route 66 and head to the West coast. Take your time traveling this historic path west and enjoy the rich history along the way.

States Traversed
Illinois - Where it all began. Route 66 that is.
Missouri - Crossing the Mississippe Rover you enter the "Gateway to the West"
Oklahoma - Plenty to see and do here in the panhandle state
Texas - What more can be said.. everything IS bigger in Texas
New Mexico - Scenic and inspiring
Arizona - Beautiful and fun
California - Where you find the Pacific Ocean

Approximate Mileage- 2500 (one way)
Approximate Time - 10 - 14 days (that parts up to you)

(you can opt to drop off you VStrom at our preapproved, prearranged location and fly out of LA - addl fee applies, or you can continue on up the PCH)

Stage 2 - "The PCH"

"The Pacific Coast Highway"
Santa Monica, CA - Monterey, CA - Sacremento, CA - Pacific Coast Highway Tour (US 1 & 101)

From Santa Monica you then head North via US 1, otherwise known as the Pacific Coast Highway. We take this coastal road north to Monterey and then inland where we pickup the next leg of our journey in Sacremento.

- The PCH & the 101 offer some of the most spectacular riding anywhere

Approximate Mileage - 600 (one way)
Approximate Time - 2 - 4 days (that parts up to you)

(you can opt to drop off you VStrom at our preapproved, prearranged location and fly out of the Bay Area - addl fee applies, or you can continue back east)

Stage 3 - "The Loneliest Road"

"The Lonliest Road" - Your starting point is here in Sacremento, where you jump on US 50 a true coast to coast route. Traveling east towards St Louis we rejoin Route 66 and head back to Chicago. Closely following the path of the Pony Express Riders.

States Traversed
California - Beautiful and Scenic Mountain Roadways
Nevada - The "Real" West is found here
Utah -Colorful canyons and rivers
Kansas - The Sunflower state
Missouri - Ride thru the Ozarks
Illinois - Where you rejoin Route 66
Michigan - Where your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end?

Approximate Mileage - 2500
Approximate Time - 10 - 14 days (that parts up to you)

Total Approximate Mileage - 5600 (all 3 legs)
Total Time - 3 - 4 weeks (or more, thats up to you)

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge - MO Seligman AZ Albuquerque, NM

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