Seattle is a dynamic, urban city surrounded by some outstanding natural beauty. This Northwestern state is famous as the home of Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, and, of course, the Grunge Music scene that was the birthplace of bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
This is one of the coolest cities in the US to tour, especially on a motorcycle. It’s got a dense urban center with lots of sights and some amazing rides right by town.
Don’t miss this one.
Renting a Motorcycle in Seattle
There’s probably no better way to explore Seattle than by motorcycle. Twisted Road helps you find a motorcycle to rent for as long as you like so that you can see the best of the city from the back of a bike. We have many models from top brands like Ducati, BMW, Harley, Indian, and more.
Your choice. Your ride.
Great Motorcycle Rides in Seattle
There are plenty of great options for exploring Seattle on a motorcycle. Here are some recommendations:
- Cascade Loop (Iconic, Multi-day ride)
- Mount Rainier National Park (fun, fast jaunt with great views)
- Puget Sound (All day ride, plus a ferry)
Cascade Loop
Two or three-day trip — 444 miles
The Cascade Loop is an absolute must-see route. You’ll ride through lush rainforests, apple orchards, and vineyards and see some mountain peaks, valleys, deserts, waterfalls, and island communities. There are some seriously amazing views of both man and nature.
This trip is longer than most, but this is one of those bucket list items. You will want to split this trip into at least two or three days because it’s about 450 miles. This ride starts just north of the city.
From the city, take Interstate 5 north to Mukilteo, on the shores of Puget Sound. This first leg is about an hour and a half. Turn onto Highway 2 east until you hit Wenatchee. Along this route, you’ll see the mind-blowing views of the 4061-foot Stevens Pass.
After Stevens Pass is the town of Leavenworth. Located in the Cascade Foothills, Leavenworth is home to all things Bavaria: food, architecture, breweries, and a fast-growing wine industry. Worth a stop for lunch at least! Along this part, you’ll see many pull-outs for photos and views.
Stop in Wenatchee, the Apple Capital of the World, and try the food, maybe stay the night if you like. Next, follow Highway 97A, you will want to see Lake Chelan, and the 275 acres of vineyards and 37 wineries along this route. Turn north on Highway 153 until it meets Highway 20 just before Twisp.
A mandatory stop is at the North Cascades National Park. Trust us, this awe-inspiring natural wonder is worth it. Home to over 300 glaciers, mountain peaks, valleys, and waterfalls, this could be the highlight of your trip.
The next stop is the historic logging town of Sedro-Woolley. If you’re in town during Independence Day week, you can experience the bluegrass bands, fireworks, and the logging and chainsaw carving contests. From here, continue on Highway 20 circling back to Mukilteo (you will take the ferry), and take I-5 back south to Seattle.
TAKE NOTE! Highway 20 is closed from milepost 171 to 134 every year between late November through late April because there’s just too much rain. Yes, it’s closed on account of rain.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier towers 14,400 feet above sea level and can be seen from as far as Seattle on a clear, sunny day. The snow-capped peak is an icon for the state of Washington and a terrific motorcycle destination. You can get into Mount Rainier National Park with a narrow but well-maintained mountain road, with stunning views of glaciers, forests, rivers, and turquoise blue glacial lakes. The Park is developed exceptionally well and has plenty of lodging and dining options. There are ranger stations, visitor centers, as well as dozens of scenic lookouts along the way. The best time of year to visit Mount Rainier National Park is in the summer. The rest of the year the weather gets angry. We suggest carrying a warm layer and rain gear, as the weather in this corner of the United States is unpredictable and can vary dramatically.
Take Route 164 to Enumclaw, then join Route 162 and ride south towards Eatonville. This road follows the natural bends of the Puyallup River and offers an easygoing, pleasant ride along the outskirts of Mount Rainier National Park. Past Eatonville, you get to wide, high-speed sweepers, which are fantastic on a bike. Get gas in Elbe, and maybe lunch.
From Elbe, take Route 706, also known as the National Park Highway, along the Nisqually River. It cuts across a dense fairytale forest in gentle curves and comes to the Nisqually Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. You’ll find plenty of places to stay the night if that’s what you’re looking for.
From the Nisqually Entrance, Paradise Road takes you along the very heart of the park. This road has twists, hairpin turns, and switchbacks. If you’re an experienced rider, you’ll feel tempted to bring the heat, but with wildlife and slow-going tourists, this road needs to be taken slowly.
Eventually, Paradise Road will meet Route 123, which will take you on to Route 410 and back to Seattle.
Puget Sound
This is a Day Ride with some adventure a little further west of the Cascade Loop. It has everything a sightseeing tour should: mountain peaks, lush forests, and serene coasts.
Keep an eye on the water during this ride, you often will spot killer whales in the bay. Start this ride by crossing the Tacoma Narrows bridge and through farms and tiny villages on the Kitsap Peninsula. You’ll come to Shelton, about two hours outside of Seattle. This town has great shopping and is worth stopping if that’s your thing. Next, you’ll come to Hood Canal, a scenic inlet. Perfect views of the water. Next, stop for lunch in Port Townsend. This place is known for its fresh local seafood and the quaint downtown district with Victorian-style buildings from the 1800s.
From Port Townsend, ride to Bainbridge Island. Here you get on the ferry to Puget Sound and back down to Seattle. Motorcycles are allowed on the ferry and are first-on, and first-off. This cuts wait time in half. Be sure to bring money for each vehicle. Check ferry prices before your trip!
Great Motorcycle Hangouts in Seattle
Seattle has many motorcycle events, conventions, and shows. The Twisted Road events page has a comprehensive calendar before your trip.
Backfire Moto
This is a motorcycle repair shop with tables and a bar. The vibe is relaxed and friendly, and you’ll meet plenty of other bikers here.
9LB Hammer
Great place with creative drinks. Very relaxed crowd, old school arcade games you can play. You won’t regret this stop for an evening of fun.
Lucky 13 Saloon
Tuesday is bike night at Lucky 13. This is a fun biker-focused bar that sponsors local memorial rides. They’ve been open for 5 years now, and they’ve already become a local staple. Karaoke too if you’re into that.
Seattle Motorcycle Weather and Riding
Seattle has hot and dry summers and very rainy winters. Summer is best for riding, but you can stretch the season from May to October.
Be prepared for cool mornings and warmer afternoons. Surprisingly, Seattle gets only 3 inches of rainfall each month, which is less than Houston. However, the rain is constant and very light. You will want to pack rain gear.
Seattle Motorcycle Laws and Tips
Washington motorcyclists and passengers are required to wear a helmet. Helmets must be DOT-approved. Lane-splitting is illegal. If you have a passenger, the motorcycle must have a passenger footrest and seat.
Preparing for Your Seattle Motorcycle Rental
Tourists enjoy exploring Seattle by foot or Uber, but renting a motorcycle from Twisted Road is a great way to tour the town and get a unique perspective.
Motorcycle rental with Twisted Road offers you options. You can enjoy a bike ride on your trip without shipping your own bike. If you need help finding gear, ask us to reach out to our network. Many of our owners will loan helmets or other equipment to make your ride comfortable and safe while you visit Seattle.
Live in Seattle? Earn Extra Money Renting Out Your Motorcycle
As one of the leading peer-to-peer motorcycle rental marketplaces, Twisted Road makes it easy for owners and riders to connect and negotiate rental terms on a bike with one another.
Plus, all owners earn 70% of profit, which means accruing total earnings of $1,000 will return $700 to your pocket. It's an excellent deal in a world where it's often 50/50 or worse.
