For experienced Arkansas/MO riders - Trip advice please (pictures added page2)

[bpreynolds]

Me and a bud of mine are leaving for Arkansas a week from tomorrow.  Neither of us have been to Arkansas before.  I made reservations in Little Rock for four nights which basically means we�ll only have 3 days of riding from LR.  Some questions and I�ll try and number these for responses. 
1) LR seemed like a good choice initially.  It�s under six hours to and from; however, as I look more and more at maps it looks like maybe Harrison would have been a better home base?

2) So many roads and routes seem to loop off the top of 7 which seems like a fantastic road on paper.  I obtained an Ozarks ride map from state tourism and it looks fine though when I street view some of the roads it lists, other than 7, they look fine but maybe not that great?  I�m here speaking of 43, 21, 16, 65, 23, 62, and some others.  One route, the �Ozark Moonshine Run� claims 662 curves on loop from Lorton up to Harrison, then back down 43, 21, 16.  Good as it sounds?

3) On trips I always prefer having a home base.  It can wear on me a bit and take away from the ride for me personally when I have to pack up, check out, check in at a new hotel each day.  This being said, I also obtained a Butler map that shows one phenomenal looking loop that runs from Hot Springs north on 7, 9, 19, etc. all the way to St. Louis, then loops back down via different but good looking roads taking you through Herman, Branson, Eureka Springs, etc. until 23 carries you on down to Booneville and loops back to Hot Springs.  This route looks fantastic and is seriously challenging my home base preference as this would be more a ride til you drop, stay, get up next day and back on route kinda thing.  Thoughts?

4) If we do decide to stick with LR as home base, are there enough good rides/loops in the area to make for a wonderful trip?  Almost all routes from here seem to involve some version of looping off the top of 7 but any routes/roads suggestions welcome.

[oldbike54]

 All good roads , the area North of Hot Springs is wonderful . The Eureka Springs area is great , avoid weekends in either place . Give us a shout when you get over in Western AR , some of us would probably do a meet up .

 Dusty

[Wayne Orwig]

This post needs MAPS with tracks on it.





I have only been there a couple of times. I believe (It was long ago) this was one of the more interesting roads I took.

[blackbuell]

Eureka Springs is a great home base for riding; good inexpensive accommodations, lots of decent bars and restaurants; the town is very friendly towards motorcyclists. Been there 3-4 times; wonderful roads all around the area.

Jon

[LowRyter]

I've got a whole thread on it plus maps here

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=94356.30

If you're looking for the most challenging roads, I've highlighted most of them on the maps.  Harrison is close to the center of the best and the hotel looks spectacular. 

As Dusty says, Eureka Springs and Hot Springs have some scenic sites and historic buildings. The riding is a little less challenging but still fun. 

And for sure, the Moonshine Run is one of the best.  I'd prefer to ride the full length of Hwy 7 (instead of 21) as I outlined on my map (Ark 123).    Wayne is pretty well spot on for a "don't miss".  You are welcome to copy the maps I posted.

I would guess the weather will be your biggest challenge. 

[kballowe]

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don't forget Mount Nebo
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[mojohand]

I'd recommend this day: The ride up 14 to the Buffalo River and then down to Rush Historic District, then off to Yellville (great BBQ in town), Harrison, Jasper, and back would make for a great day.

[Darren Williams]

And you can't visit the area without riding Push Mountain, East of Harrison Hwy 341, the Southern part (we usually ride halfway up and turn around and do it again, go get a bite to eat and then repeat)!  What bikes will you be riding? The KTM 950 SM you have listed would be a blast in NW Arkansas.

I recommend any of John's listed routes in NW Arkansas, they are well pretty well maintained and not crowded during the week. Also I would recommend Magazine Mountain (East of LR and just South of I-40) along with Hwy 7 in the Ouachita National Forest just North of Hot Springs.

When we do our Arkansas rides, we generally stay around Eureka Spring or Harrison a couple days, then ride down to Hot Springs, hitting Magazine Mountain and Ouachita Forest on 7.  Every Spring with the Motoblogger guys we usually base out of Clarksville (East of LR).  Arkansas roads are so good it's hard not to think it is the mecca of sport riding. Slow down in towns, riding respectful, and LE generally lets you enjoy yourself on the back twisties.

[Darren Williams]

One more thing to consider. A lot of Arkansas roads are chip seal type. Good traction but make sure you have plenty of tire tread, as they can wear down quick.

[LowRyter]

I am going to share my secret, 123 south of Mt Judea is probably the best ride anywhere besides the Dragon, it's just as technical but then opens up for some good sweepers and not so much traffic either (which makes it better than the Dragon).  341 is in 2nd place after 123 in Ark.   123 is what makes the Moonshine run so good and 7 south of Jasper is a nice ride too (which makes a great loop).

+1 on 950 KTM

[Luap McKeever]

Stay away from the Ozarks. These roads are crooked. Not a straight line for hundreds of miles. Why anyone would want to ride a motorsickle around here just boggles my mind 

Kidding aside, you can't go wrong anywhere around here.  However, knowing what I know about this area, I'd avoid Eureka Springs like the plague.  Instead, I'd hotel it somewhere in SE Oklahoma or West Central Arkansas and tour that peaceful, quiet, crooked, mountainous area before I'd do this area (NWA). The Kiamichi and Ouachita mountains are my absolute favorites to ride anywhere on this planet. I love that area so much, I wouldn't mind living there. But, if you've never been to NWA/SWMO, it's something you need to experience for sure.  And like others have said, tell us when and where and we can have a few of us maybe meet up for lunch or something.

Either way, have fun :-)

[oldbike54]

 ^^^ West Central AR and SE Oklahoma have the Ouchita mountains , very light traffic , and wonderful roads . The Talimena Drive that runs 57 miles East and West along the spine of the Ouchita mountains is pretty amazing , and on a weekday will have very light traffic .

 Dusty

[bpreynolds]

I knew there was a reason I kept my membership card here even now not owning a Guzzi  You guys are phenomenal .  Thanks so greatly much.  I can't wait to get back to the house the next couple days and start looking at all of this and trying to map something out.   
And yes, I'm taking the 950 as it's the only motorcycle I own for now. 

[Darren Williams]

OK, now that we have that settled I have a free Saturday and all this Ozark riding talk has me wanting to get over there. Anyone here going riding this weekend? The wife even expressed an interest in going with me do some curves.

[LowRyter]

just Saturday Darren?

[Darren Williams]

just Saturday Darren?

Well, only one day either Saturday or Sunday. A leave early and get home late kind of day ride.

[Joliet Jim]

seems people either love Eureka or really don't. I'm in the later category. We were there last fall camping at the lake and Eureka just seemed like a big expensive tourist trap. I'll take the hot springs area over that. Mt. Nebo was cool and I give credit to the guy who pulled a travel trailer up there. I don't think we were on a bad road except around Little Rock but that was on the slab towing. Hoping to do a trip down there with one of the Guzzis later this year.

[Guzzistajohn]

seems people either love Eureka or really don't. I'm in the later category. We were there last fall camping at the lake and Eureka just seemed like a big expensive tourist trap. I'll take the hot springs area over that. Mt. Nebo was cool and I give credit to the guy who pulled a travel trailer up there. I don't think we were on a bad road except around Little Rock but that was on the slab towing. Hoping to do a trip down there with one of the Guzzis later this year.

I’m not a big fan of eureka either. But I think even less of Little Rock. jasper/Harrison would be my choice. But what do I know?  I’m 40 miles into the show-me state

[Guzzistajohn]

OK, now that we have that settled I have a free Saturday and all this Ozark riding talk has me wanting to get over there. Anyone here going riding this weekend? The wife even expressed an interest in going with me do some curves.

I could do that Darren, wouldn’t hurt me to stay off the ktm for a weekend

[rocker59]

1) LR seemed like a good choice initially.  It�s under six hours to and from; however, as I look more and more at maps it looks like maybe Harrison would have been a better home base?

Little Rock is not a good choice. You'll have to ride through traffic in all directions to get to the good riding.  I'm from Little Rock, and unless you want to see some of the historic things downtown, then change your home base.  Old State House, Historic Arkansas Museum, Presidential Library, Capital Hotel.  If you don't care about those things, then relocate to someplace like Harrison and the 1929 Seville Hotel. 

2) So many roads and routes seem to loop off the top of 7 which seems like a fantastic road on paper.  I obtained an Ozarks ride map from state tourism and it looks fine though when I street view some of the roads it lists, other than 7, they look fine but maybe not that great?  I�m here speaking of 43, 21, 16, 65, 23, 62, and some others.  One route, the �Ozark Moonshine Run� claims 662 curves on loop from Lorton up to Harrison, then back down 43, 21, 16.  Good as it sounds?

As a rule, the US highways will have the most traffic.  North-South US-65.  East-West US-62/US-412.  They are good "transit roads" for getting to the good roads.  The State highways are all good.  AR-7, AR-9, AR-14, AR-16, AR-21, AR-23, AR-103, AR-123, etc.  Though AR-7 can be pretty busy at some times in some places.

3) On trips I always prefer having a home base.  It can wear on me a bit and take away from the ride for me personally when I have to pack up, check out, check in at a new hotel each day.  This being said, I also obtained a Butler map that shows one phenomenal looking loop that runs from Hot Springs north on 7, 9, 19, etc. all the way to St. Louis, then loops back down via different but good looking roads taking you through Herman, Branson, Eureka Springs, etc. until 23 carries you on down to Booneville and loops back to Hot Springs.  This route looks fantastic and is seriously challenging my home base preference as this would be more a ride til you drop, stay, get up next day and back on route kinda thing.  Thoughts?

The Arkansas Ozarks are compact enough to have one home base to ride from.  Harrison, Jasper, Eureka Springs are all good locations.  If you want to also explore the Ouachita Mountains south of I-40 and The Arkansas River, then I'd suggest relocating.  Mount Magazine State Park Lodge, Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge, The Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs.  Something like that.   

4) If we do decide to stick with LR as home base, are there enough good rides/loops in the area to make for a wonderful trip?  Almost all routes from here seem to involve some version of looping off the top of 7 but any routes/roads suggestions welcome.

Yes.. Little Rock is in the center of the State, so you could base out of there and run loops in different directions each day.  However, as I mentioned, it's a sprawling metropolitan area and you'll burn a lot of time transiting in and out of your base hotel each day in heavy traffic on boring roads.

[oldbike54]

 Mena AR would make a good base , what Rockere is saying about Little Rock is very true , stay away. Peter Egan says to avoid any city highlighted in Yellow when touring , they hold nothing for a touring rider . Van Buren would work , but stay out of Ft Smith .

 Oh , AR 71 is s nice scenic route , very lightly traveled .

 Dusty

[rocker59]

Mena AR would make a good base , what Rocker is saying about Little Rock is very true , stay away. Peter Egan says to avoid any city highlighted in Yellow when touring , they hold nothing for a touring rider . Van Buren would work , but stay out of Ft Smith .

I never recommend Little Rock as a stay for out of towners, unless they listen to my lodging suggestions!  It's not a real safe town in which to just randomly pick a cheap motel.  In fact, it's pretty dangerous.  And if you're not from there, you're not going to know the intricacies of the parts of town that are "OK" vs. the parts of town that are basically war zones.

Yeah.  I suggested the Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge, which as you know is on the mountain above Mena.

Oh , AR 71 is s nice scenic route , very lightly traveled .

US-71. 

[nsmith]

New to this part of the country but it looks like we might get some kinda ride put together. Let me know if you have room for another, I could use a little help getting to know the area. I live just north of Push Mountain road by about 6 miles

[rocker59]

And you can't visit the area without riding Push Mountain, East of Harrison Hwy 341, 

For me, the best part of riding Push Mountain is getting to Push Mountain.  The roads between Fayetteville and Push Mountain are so fantastic that Push Mountain is really just more of the same, but for not as long!

We used to ride over there sometimes, back when I was doing a bunch of Sunday and Monday rides.  About 400 miles round trip.  A nice long day of curvy goodness, with breakfast and lunch stops worked into the mix.

Haven't been there in a long time.

[rocker59]

This post needs MAPS with tracks on it.





I have only been there a couple of times. I believe (It was long ago) this was one of the more interesting roads I took.

AR-123 is one of the best roads anywhere.  The north section between Lurton and Mt Judea can be full of squids and state troopers on nice Saturdays, but otherwise it's fantastic.  The southern section from Pelsor/Sand Gap to Hagarville is a really nice ride, in either direction!

[bpreynolds]

Y'all are killing me.  Everytime I think I have a plan then there are more good options to further confuse me   But that's a great problem to have.  Can't wait.  Dunno whether it's gonna rain or not but extended forecast temps are looking fantastic, in upper 60s, low 70s even. 

Rocker, thanks so much for chiming in.  I'm excited to go home tonight and check these lodges out. 

For the very brief while - maybe not much longer given what you guys are saying, we still have reservations at the newly renovated Hotel Frederico in LR.  It was cheap and very nice looking.  I do care about a place being safe per se, but then again we hadn't planned on being on the street except to get on and off the bikes and to go in and out for dinner.  TripAdvisor didn't mention in any reviews about the part of town, but plenty said a lot about the renovation noise when it was still going on - supposed to be finished now in the main part of the hotel.

The motorcycles themselves, few folks, clever ones anyhow, would see a big dirty orange dirt bike looking thing and think, mug that guy!    But ya never can tell so there's that.  I usually tell them I'm a librarian and they quickly realize the pointless aspect of asking me for money   

[Darren Williams]

I could do that Darren, wouldn�t hurt me to stay off the ktm for a weekend

I'll head ENE and you head SSW.  We can meet somewhere. Just remember it takes me about 3 hours to get to Siloam Springs. Of course I could try for Noel, MO. or somewhere further South in Arkansas.

[John A]

If you get to southwest AR there used to be a free ferry boat across the (think it was across the Red river) to get to Bentonvile. I don't know if its still there but it was a fun thing on motorbikes. There is lots of good riding in western AR. the winding stair trail is not to be missed as previously mentioned. Have fun!

[oldbike54]

If you get to southwest AR there used to be a free ferry boat across the (think it was across the Red river) to get to Bentonvile. I don't know if its still there but it was a fun thing on motorbikes. There is lots of good riding in western AR. the winding stair trail is not to be missed as previously mentioned. Have fun!

 Bentonville is in NWA 

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

The Peel Ferry crosses from Ark-Mo on Bull Shoals lake on Hwy 125. 

I've listed on one of the maps I highlighted.