Best Motorcycles for Route 66
Family station wagons and chrome-laden hot rods once roared down Route 66, as did motorcycles. In its heyday, Harley-Davidsons were a common sight along the route, and there is certainly something special about doing the ride astride big American iron. Today, however, riders are spoiled for choice.
For our own tour, we chose Harleys, but they aren’t the only way to ride into nostalgia. From futuristic tourers to electric experiments, each motorcycle offers a different conversation with the road. Here are a few worthy companions for your own cross-country pilgrimage.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide
If there’s one modern machine that belongs on Route 66, it’s the Road Glide. It combines the classic swagger of a Harley with the comfort and confidence to tackle 2,448 miles of shifting landscapes. Behind that sharknose fairing, you get just enough wind to remind you you’re alive, while the Milwaukee-Eight engine’s thumping mirrors the heartbeat of America. On long desert stretches, the rumble echoes off sandstone walls, and you realize this is exactly what the road was built for.
Honda Gold Wing
For those who crave comfort above all, the Gold Wing is the ultimate Route 66 luxury liner. It comes with heated seats, smooth suspension, GPS, and enough storage for every souvenir between Chicago and Santa Monica. It’s a mile-eater in every sense. But be warned, it’s almost too good at its job. On a Gold Wing, the temptation is to keep the miles melting away. Yet, Route 66 isn’t about efficiency, but discovery. Remember to stop and stretch, and let the roadside kitsch sink in.
BMW R 18
The R 18 is a European interpretation of the great American cruiser. Its massive boxer engine pulses with character, and its stripped-back design mirrors the simplicity of Route 66 itself. Riding it feels both nostalgic and fresh, like meeting an old friend who’s reinvented himself. The torque is intoxicating, the craftsmanship impeccable, and the presence undeniable. Park it outside a vintage diner and watch old-timers wander over to ask, “What is that thing?”
Harley-Davidson Model D
It’s 1929. The road is rough, the wind unrelenting, and your Harley Model D is your ticket to freedom. With just 750cc, hand-shift controls, and a hardtail frame, every mile demands attention. Back then, riders didn’t worry about playlists or GPS. They watched the horizon and hoped the next town had gas. Riding a Model D today would be arduous and glorious in equal measure—a true handshake with history. If you want the real Route 66 experience, this is as close as it gets.
Indian Chief Vintage
For riders who crave nostalgia without worrying whether their century-old machine rattles apart, the Indian Chief Vintage delivers in spades. With leather fringe fluttering in the wind and chrome glinting against the desert sun, it looks like it rode straight out of a Route 66 postcard. The smoothly rumbling engine and easy handling allow you immerse yourself fully into your surroundings.
Suzuki GSX-S1000 GX+
If cruisers aren’t your thing, this high-tech sport-tourer brings a different energy to the highway. The GSX-S1000 GX+ loves to lean, making stretches like Oatman Highway a playground. Although fast and brimming with tech, the GSX is still raw enough to feel the road beneath you. Where others are content to cruise, you’ll be chasing the horizon with a twist and a grin. Just try not to arrive in Santa Monica too soon (or zip past the pier straight into the ocean).
Can-Am Pulse
Riding Route 66 on an electric motorcycle once sounded like science fiction, but the Can-Am Pulse makes it real. With around 70 miles of range, you’ll need to plan carefully, especially through the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona. That’s part of the fun, though. The silence of the motor lets you hear the wind hum through ghost towns and open plains in futuristic freedom. On the Mother Road, the Pulse bridges the gap between where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Kawasaki Z900RS
Retro in style and spirit, the Z900RS channels the 1970s, when muscle cars roared and gas was cheap. This cool vintage machine is minimalist and just comfortable enough. It doesn’t bother with fairings or distractions, instead offering a direct connection to the asphalt through the throttle. On the Z900RS, every gas stop becomes a conversation starter, and every stretch of road feels like the opening scene of a road trip movie.
Whether you ride a 1920s relic or a cutting-edge electric bike, Route 66 offers something few roads can: a chance to step into the rhythm of America itself. The right motorcycle becomes part of the main cast in the story you’ll tell when you get there.