Riding through Montana
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Riding through Montana
Here is a question for you Montana riders. I will be leaving at the end of June from Boise and taking two days to get to Kalispell. Is it possible to leave Kalispell in the morning, go through Glacier National Park and arrive in Fort Peck, followingUS-2, in the late afternoon. Per google maps the distance is approximately 448 miles and nearly 8 1/2 hours of riding. This is just on leg of a week and a half trip I will be taking by my self. I don't plan on rushing or making reservations, just cruising along and taking in the sites on the road. I ultimately want to end up in Sturgis after Fort Peck. Also are there hotels or camping in the small communities along this route? Would it be better to plan on two days to run the length of Montana? I have driven non stop from boise to phoenix many time in a car, sleeping in the car as needed and sometimes while driving! But I have never spent more than four hours on the seat of my bike . By the way I will be riding my Dyna.
Thank you for any advice.
Thank you for any advice.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Airdrie, AB
RE: Riding through Montana
Well I live right along that route and it would be pushing it to make it from Kalispell to Fort Peck in that timeframe. Especially considering you will want tocross the Going to the Sun Road in GNP which will take a couple of hours in itself, if you want to enjoy it that is.
I would suggest heading out of Kalispell early and doing the park, then spending the night somewhere close by. You could spend the night in St Mary which is at the east end of the park but the area is touristy and expensive. If you stop for lunch in St Mary I recommend the Park Cafe (great pie!)
If it were me I would go a little farther east to Cut Bank or Shelby and spend the night there before continuing on east on Hwy 2.
I wouldnt do Hwy 2 at night if you can avoid it.
I would suggest heading out of Kalispell early and doing the park, then spending the night somewhere close by. You could spend the night in St Mary which is at the east end of the park but the area is touristy and expensive. If you stop for lunch in St Mary I recommend the Park Cafe (great pie!)
If it were me I would go a little farther east to Cut Bank or Shelby and spend the night there before continuing on east on Hwy 2.
I wouldnt do Hwy 2 at night if you can avoid it.
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RE: Riding through Montana
Thank you for the input. Is the US-2 scenic, as per my map, or would you suggest going towards the south east corner of the state verses riding the top portion of the state?
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Airdrie, AB
RE: Riding through Montana
Hwy 2 is scenic from Kalispell to Browning or so then you start getting into the prarie.. I would have to say the ride from Cut Bank to the ND border on Hwy 2 is not exactly what I would call scenic, if you like mountains and twisties. Thats not to say it isnt a nice ride though, just different terrain.
Another good route off Hwy 2 would be to head south out of Browning through Choteau to Great Falls and take Hwy 87 from there and wind on down through the southeast part of the state through Billings and into South Dakota.
Another good route off Hwy 2 would be to head south out of Browning through Choteau to Great Falls and take Hwy 87 from there and wind on down through the southeast part of the state through Billings and into South Dakota.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Billings, Montana
RE: Riding through Montana
I hope you have reservations when you hit Sturgis cuz there won't be any when you get there. I would plan on taking your time on the Going to the Sun highway as one never knows how the touristy traffic will be. Plus you will want to enjoy the ride and the view. Good luck on your ride.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Billings, MT
RE: Riding through Montana
I rode my Dyna from Milwaukee, where I bought it, and back to Billings with a stop in Sturgis at the Mustang Seats tent along the way. Had no problems with the stock seat to Sturgis, was in heaven after that on the Mustang.
87 is a pretty nice ride. Riding at night here can get you killed - deer & cattle mainly. 89 to & through White Sulpher, then on to US 12 to 87 is pretty scenic too. You won't make time on these roads. The heat/cold/elements raise hell with the tarvy.
Ride safe. I'm headed to the WestFork of theSalmon River at about that time for a rafting trip. Will be in Boise in September - wife's an artist & is doing the Art in the Park thing. Unfortunately, I'll be in the RV, may tow the bike for the first time, though.
87 is a pretty nice ride. Riding at night here can get you killed - deer & cattle mainly. 89 to & through White Sulpher, then on to US 12 to 87 is pretty scenic too. You won't make time on these roads. The heat/cold/elements raise hell with the tarvy.
Ride safe. I'm headed to the WestFork of theSalmon River at about that time for a rafting trip. Will be in Boise in September - wife's an artist & is doing the Art in the Park thing. Unfortunately, I'll be in the RV, may tow the bike for the first time, though.
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RE: Riding through Montana
Thank you for the replys.
To dw2169; yes I do have a comfortable seat. I bought a Sundowner Two Up acouple of weeks ago. I haven't noticed any comfort difference from stock around town but it will be going with me on the trip anyway. The reason for the Two Up is I struck a deal with my wife. She can come along, but I still get to hit on every waitress and truck stop honey with no repercussions! Actually she is wonderful women and has not got to seeparts of thecountry like I have and this is a good opportunity for that.
itileman; I plan on parking the bike by 4:00pm so there will be no night riding. I've hit enough deer in my truck and would never want to try one on the bike. Email me if your are in town with your bike. We havea great day loop from Boise to Idaho City, on to Lowman, down the river to Banks and then back to Boise. There are a lot of twisties from Idaho City to Lowman and alot of mountain scenery.
To dw2169; yes I do have a comfortable seat. I bought a Sundowner Two Up acouple of weeks ago. I haven't noticed any comfort difference from stock around town but it will be going with me on the trip anyway. The reason for the Two Up is I struck a deal with my wife. She can come along, but I still get to hit on every waitress and truck stop honey with no repercussions! Actually she is wonderful women and has not got to seeparts of thecountry like I have and this is a good opportunity for that.
itileman; I plan on parking the bike by 4:00pm so there will be no night riding. I've hit enough deer in my truck and would never want to try one on the bike. Email me if your are in town with your bike. We havea great day loop from Boise to Idaho City, on to Lowman, down the river to Banks and then back to Boise. There are a lot of twisties from Idaho City to Lowman and alot of mountain scenery.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Colorado
RE: Riding through Montana
Will be headed from Butte down into Idaho through Pocatello down into Brigham City, Utah or in the near vacinity. \\; Can that be done in one day and how are the roads. \\; Plan on staying on I-15.
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How about wildlife on the way..............
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Any other thoughs......................................
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How about wildlife on the way..............
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Any other thoughs......................................