Great motorcycle roads according to AMA members (Photos)

The American Motorcyclist Association recently polled its members asking for opinions on the best motorcycling roads in the United States. As with any list of this type, it is highly subjective. However, based on some of the roads I have experienced that are on the list, I would have to agree with most. There are some, though, that I have not had the privilege of riding and will put them on my list.

In the slideshow I have included maps for each and pictures for some of the roads.

Here we go from top to bottom:

Beartooth Highway in Montana and Wyoming (US-212); heading south out of Red Lodge, Montana, Beartooth Highway crosses into Wyoming at about 11,000 feet. [I was glad to see one of my favorite highways at the top of the list. Here is a link to an Examiner.com article.]
Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina; unparalleled beauty at every turnout makes this a great road for everyone but the sweeps and switchbacks make it a joy for motorcyclists. [Another favorite of mine and a must ride road again and again whenever Im in that part of the country; the link to my Examiner.com article.]
The Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee and North Carolina (US-129); a rite of passage for motorcycles is to slay the Dragon with its 318 curves in eleven miles. [I wouldnt necessarily call it scenic because the curves are so tight and continuous making it impossible to enjoy the scenery but it is impossible not to enjoy the mechanics of the ride; my take on the ride.]
The Million Dollar Highway in Colorado (US-550); named for the metals mined in the area but could also be named for the views. "The essential to budget travel is to prepare onward. When it occurs to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved holidays and/or going to see new destinations we have never been before, the truth of cost and budgeting is often in the back of our heads. Preparation and spending our travel budget wisely is a consideration for most families. Lowering consuming and costs, while still enjoying your vacation to its fullest, is the key to assured achievement and fiscal obligation. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The thinking behind protecting money while journeying is simple: Even if your personal funds is incredibly limited, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or leaving the homestead! Also remembering that while traveling, no matter whether on a budget or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a large vacation or travel expenses!..". [The entire southwest is on my list of places to ride and this road will be on my planning map.]
Pacific Coast Highway in California (CA-1); as the name suggests, this highway runs up the coast from near Los Angeles to past San Francisco. [This is on my Bucket List of places to ride.]
Going to the Sun Road in Montana; the only road through Glacier National Park is often closed in the winter but summer rides will offer great scenery. [AMA says that major snow in the past few winters have taken a toll on this road.]
Cherohala Skyway in Tennessee and North Carolina; this unbelievably gorgeous highway is also called the 100 Million Dollar Highway (because of its cost), the Mile High Highway (because of the elevation), and the Little Blue Ridge (because of its overlooks onto scenic Eastern Mountains). [One of the scenic roads of recent trips makes it high on the list but also because it is just so great from overlooks to switchbacks to ascents and descents, this road has it all; my article at Examiner.com.]
Route 36 in California; running in the west near the Pacific Ocean eastwardly through the center of California and across mountains, AMA calls this a great road with little towns and scenic volcanic landscapes.
Northwest Passage Scenic Byway in Idaho and Montana (US12); so named because it follows roughly the same route as the Lewis and Clark Expedition, this road offers sweepers, high mountain passes, and great views.
Angeles Crest Highway in California (CA-2); heading out of Los Angeles towards Wrightwood, the road climbs to 7,000 feet and offers seclusion that seems impossible so close to a major city.
Natchez Trace in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi; following the old trade route of the Indians and early pioneers, the Trace winds slowly through the south from Natchez, Mississippi to near Nashville, Tennessee. [I have ridden the Trace but have not written about it because I personally dont consider it a great motorcycle road. Except for a record-breaking rainstorm, there was no excitement for us and the mind-numbing sameness of the road is, frankly, boring. The small towns of the south just off the Trace were a delight and those I would revisit.]
U.S. Route 33 in Virginia and West Virginia; according to AMA this road mixes sweepers with tight switchbacks as it crosses the Eastern Continental Divide through the Monongahela National Forest.
California Route 58 in California; AMA describes this road with its technical mountain twisties and hairpins plus its high plains dips in addition to its panoramic vistas as one of the most beautiful rides in the state of California.
Ohio Route 170 in Ohio; running near the border with Pennsylvania, this highway in the northeastern part of the state is in the Appalachian Foothills and offers challenges one does not expect in the Midwest. [I used to live in this area and did not know about this road; I need to go back and check it out.]
Washington Route 129 and Oregon Route 3 in Washington and Oregon; following the Snake River, these two highways combine to offer views, switchbacks, and elevation changes.

Some other highways getting votes are listed in AMAs honorable mentions:

Highway 12 in Colorado
Route 191, 180, and 78 in Arizona and New Mexico
U.S. 191 from Alpine to Morenci in Arizona
U.S. 16A in South Dakotas Black Hills
U.S. 50 in Nevada
and Farm to Market 336 in Texas

So, what is your favorite motorcycle road? Did AMA have it on the list? Comment and let us know. (Some of my other favorite roads are listed in the links below.)

Motorcycles - Motorcycle Reviews, Motorcycle Pictures Harley ...
motorcycles.about.com
Motorcycle news and reviews along with motorcycle buying advice and motorcycle maintenance articles.
Events, Places and Clubs Motorcycle Roads and Rides ...
motorcycleroads.com/motorcycle-events.php?state=NJ
Find the best motorcycle roads and routes in America and abroad. Plan great motorcycle rides and find the best motorcycle trips in the US, Canada, Europe,
Harley Davidson News - Topix
www.topix.com/com/hdi
News on Harley Davidson (Ticker: HOG) continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.
American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association
ahrma.org
About Us. The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association Ltd. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to restoring and competing on classic motorcycles.
Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Accessories by BikeBandit.com
www.bikebandit.comHonda OEM Parts Yamaha Kawasaki Parts Yamaha Parts
Motorcycle parts, motorcycle accessories by BikeBandit.com. We are the Web's most trusted source for oem motorcycle parts and aftermarket motorcycle parts and ...
AMA Road Racing Gets TV Deal Done - America's Motorcycle
www.cyclenews.com/585/21416/Racing-Article/AMA-Road-Racing-Gets-TV...
Although the chances of getting a TV package was beginning to look slim with one round already in the books, AMA Pro Racing and Chet Burks Productions have pulled off ...
American Motorcyclist Association
www.americanmotorcyclist.com
Who better to put gear to the test than some of the most serious motorcyclists around: AMA members? The AMA Member Tested program enlists real AMA members to
Honda Red Riders - Off Road, ATV, Motocross, and Road Racing ...
powersports.honda.com/racing.aspx
Featured Rider Marc Marquez Team: Repsol Honda Ride: RC213V. The newly crowned Moto2 World Champion arrives in the MotoGP class with some extraordinary records
Outlaw motorcycle club - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlaw_motorcycle_club
An outlaw motorcycle club (sometimes known as a motorcycle gang or biker gang) is a motorcycle subculture which has its roots in the immediately post-World War II era ...
AMA Flat Track Resurrection - Motorcycle USA
www.motorcycle-usa.com/504/7630/Motorcycle-Article/AMA-Flat-Track...
One of the oldest and longest running motorcycle racing series in America, Flat Track is a sport requiring strength, skill and a whole lot of courage. AMA Flat Track ...