TMS Blog

Riding Your Used Harley-Davidson Motorcycle in Minnesota

Written by David Glassman

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota is home to nearly 250,000 registered motorcycles, an all-time high for the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” For a state that has what seems like 5 months of winter, you would think that number would be much lower. However, with its amazing summer/fall weather and awesome landscapes, it makes sense.

So, how can you get the most out of it? What should you see? What can you do? How can you be prepared for the unpredictable? This blog will touch all of those so you can get the most out of your Harley trips!

Best Routes to Ride

Whether you’re up north in Duluth, down south in Caledonia, or somewhere in between, the great state of Minnesota has plenty of scenic routes that are great for sightseeing on a Harley-Davidson. Lucky for us, MotorcycleRoads.com saved us the trouble and gave us a great list of scenic Minnesota routes that are great during the riding season! In this list, the Triple State Mississippi River Run was ranked the second best route as it follows the Mississippi through not just Minnesota, but Iowa and Wisconsin, as well. Check out which route made #1!

Plan Different Types of Trips

Your road trips don’t always have to revolve around family gatherings or require a hotel room. Be sure to incorporate small trips throughout your summer too! Got a favorite lunch spot that’s an hour or so away? Take the Harley out for a cruise on the weekend! Want to go to Sturgis? Better book it soon, August 7th will be here before you know it! Either way, mixing up the lengths of your trips will help you get the most out of your Harley and avoid any long road trip “burnouts.”

Storms and Repairs: 2 Major Road Bumps to Consider

When people make travel plans, they sometime forget to prepare for the unpredictable. Granted, you may have to book some trips far in advance, which can make planning around the weather more difficult. But, it’s always good to have a plan, especially if you happen to run into some hail or a renegade bear trap up near Bemidji.

So how can you prevent an awesome trip from turning into a complete disaster?

PLAN. AHEAD.

Riding through a storm is no walk in the park, either. So if you find yourself in a heavy downpour, keep an eye out for overpasses. Overpasses are great spots for shielding yourself from the elements if you can’t get yourself indoors. But, if you’re only dealing with a little rain and some wet roadways, remember that the pavement won’t have the same grip. Here are 5 tips for riding a motorcycle in the rain from Sport Rider.

As for long distance trips, there are plenty of resources online that you can take advantage of. But, just remember that you may not always have cell or data service when you’re traveling. To avoid being caught with your… phone…down, take screenshots of useful information before you hit the road so you don’t find yourself in a bind. To give you a headstart, here a few resources you may find useful:

Bike Preparation Tips for Long-Distance Motorcycle Trips - ADV Pulse

Three Ways to Fix a Flat - Cycle World

Motorcycle Road Trip Packing: 20 Things You Might Not Think To Pack - The Fun Times Guide

Thinking it’s time to start looking at a "new-to-you," used Harley-Davidson motorcycle? Click below to check out our used Harley-Davidson inventory!


Search for used Harley Davidson motorcycles for sale at Tousley Motorsports in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

David Glassman

David Glassman

David Glassman is President of Tousley Motorsports.

We Need Your Trades!

All Makes, All Models, We Pay Cash

trades Get a Quote Today