Oregon Motorcycle Ride: Crater Lake Rim Drive

[@RobertMerz]

If you enjoy my videos and want to help me out with the time and expense that I take to create them please visit my page at Buy Me A Coffee and consider making a small donation. Thanks so much, Robert. www.buymeacoffee.com/lgEFpyZjs

[@bestill1139]

Robert Merz what type of pipes do U have there ? Thanks

[@RobertMerz]

@@bestill1139 I have Cobra X-tra Longs that I had to cut down and change to slash tips. I liked the look of the X-tra Longs but they dragged hard and I was forced to cut them down probably about 8 inches, and with the slash tips that made them about 10 inches shorter at the lower edge. I do still drag them on hard rights on occasion. I also run the straight thru baffles, I did originally use the more restrictive baffles but on the dyno the power curve was falling off as the revs approached the top end. Hey thanks for watching!

[@HaveMotoWillTravel]

WOW!! JUST WOW!! You out did yourself on this one.

[@RobertMerz]

Crater Lake is just so spectacular, and with so many viewpoints that it made it much easier to edit as there were so many natural breaks for the video.

[@wbvmcgary]

I did this ride back in 1978 on a 750 Yamaha triple. Thanks again for the memories.

[@RobertMerz]

You're welcome!

[@makelongaojia4288]

You inspire me to take these beautiful rides.

[@b-a4798]

Another great ride . I get to see places I never will in my lifetime

[@jachumba85]

What amazing views. Your videos are awesome. Thanks for everything.

[@childofthelight9071]

Thanks so much! Always wanted to go there. ❤

[@RobertMerz]

And thank you, for watching, and taking the time to comment!

[@tocr6259]

Robert, that Crater Lake Rim ride is one of your prettiest video pieces yet. What a quiet, scenic, wooded ride around the Lake. Outstanding look at that area....

[@RobertMerz]

Thank you so much, it is nice to hear that you are enjoying these!

[@tocr6259]

Where you planning your next trip too?

[@RobertMerz]

We definitely want to get back into some of the great landscapes of Utah, however, this year looks like we might only have a shorter time period so we probably wouldn't plan that far and something that we want to explore in depth unless we have a longer time to do it. Wyoming and Colorado are sort of in our thoughts at the moment. we have explored both states considerably already, so we could make a quick trip and not feel we have bypassed something we shouldn't have. The attractions are two fold, Joe Bonamassa is having a concert at Red Rocks, Colorado, and 2 days before the solar eclipse will be passing directly over Wyoming. A ride from our home to Red Rocks is only 1500 miles each way so it would not be too bad a ride for a short trip!

[@tocr6259]

Where did you guys stay in Cooke City and enjoy dinner at?

[@RobertMerz]

We have never stayed overnight at Cooke City, however there are several places to choose from and they all look rustically charming. As far as eats, the last couple times we went through we had lunch. The one time at Beds N Buns, and it was perfectly suited to the town, with our meal made on the Barbecue outside. The last time we had lunch at the Beartooth Cafe, and it was equally suited to the feeling of the town, with a "rustic gourmet" type of menu.

[@footfulla1]

G'day Robert mate that was awesome, and your bike sounds great

[@RickLincoln]

Your video was a great "ride along" Thank you... I especially liked the stills that you captured. My wife and I are headed up there on a two-up tour this fall.

[@RobertMerz]

Thank you Rick, I always like to hear from people that enjoy my videos. You guys have a great ride this fall!

[@StevePicaGCT]

Excellent video, sir! We just came back from there and watching this brought the rim ride back to life. Nice work.

[@stevenalbertbartlett2688]

Raised in Portand & J'ville Ore.Now live in S.Fla put losta hours behind the Hbars..Applegate & Rogue Rivers.-logging roads into N.Cal..couldn't resist playing my trumpet in the R.Collier Tunnel late one night...freq played Crescent City & Gold Beach..1 mo of ur vids..& I B Back 2 Heaven & my senses.thnx

[@Eagles0690]

I enjoy watching these videos. Brings back memories on some and some I’m seeing for the first time. I took my wife and two daughters out west 4 or 5 times..( we live in SC). Would love to go again but just can’t afford it. Plus my health is going. Anyhow, enjoy the ride for me.

[@lizmagu3189]

Beautiful place.. 👍

[@RobertMerz]

Thanks Liz. Crater Lake really is a spectacular place.

[@Mr67Stanger]

Awesome video. I drove around the rim with my wife 2 weeks ago and I said to myself: I'll have to return and ride the Rim Road on my Motorcycle.

[@elainemiles5806]

beautiful lake

[@rcnyoplait]

The deepest lake in the USA and 2nd in the world. It was formed from a volcano that collapsed when the magma left its core creating a void. The island is the top of the volcano 🌋

[@robertgray-islandog]

Love that ride, looking forward to doing it again soon.

[@gripman_uk]

Great ride and great video - definitely on my list of rides for our visit in September

[@arnoldw12]

Thank you for sharing!

[@sunrisekendo]

Hi Robert: greetings from Vancouver, BC. I really enjoy watching all your vids. Thanks for putting them together with such care. They are giving me lots of ideas for future trips. I am struck by how fantastic the weather looks in many of your videos. If I could be so bold as to make a request, it would be fantastic if you posted the time of the year when are riding on all these vids. That would be a great help for travel planning ;-) Thanks again for all your efforts!!

[@RobertMerz]

Hello JM: I am happy to hear that you are enjoying my work. I also appreciate your input, it is not a bad idea at all. I do try to give the info that I think is relevant to the traveler, particularly riders, and I have had many comments inquiring as to what time of year regarding particular rides, so you have me thinking on it! I do get a fair number of comments with suggestions and criticisms, and thay are often helpful, sometimes they would take me in a direction that I am not interested in going, but I do consider most of them and my viewers' inputs have helped me shape my product. Crater Lake was recorded on September 4th by the way, and if you have have other questions about where / when etc regarding this or other vids do not hesitate to ask. Most of my U.S. vids are August, and September. I choose these 2 months because generally they are the driest. August is great in the mountains and some attractions close in September, as well as some mountain passes. By September the heat of the summer is beginning to wane, and the heavier traffic is becoming lighter. So these 2 months are usually the optimum in my mind. You may have noticed in my end credits that Vancouver isn't to far away from our location, and I have a few vids which depict some of the great riding that is right here in yours and my backyard. Thanks for your comment and keep coming along for the ride!

[@sunrisekendo]

Thanks Robert. I'm sure I will be hitting you up with more questions as we approach the beginning of riding season. I would like to venture farther afield this year and I am trying to persuade my wife to hop on board for a few trips. Btw, I'm riding a Triumph Bonneville, but I wouldn't mind adding a touring bike to the roster in the near future. Cheers, Jason

[@RobertMerz]

When I got my first touring cruiser I took my wife for a first ride. It was perhaps 10 km. When we got home her response was "Will you be mad if I hate this?" That was in early summer. She tried a few more rides over the course of the summer, with no prompting from myself. By summer's end she was asking "Where are we going this weekend?" So it can happen. Some suggestions though, have a bike that makes her feel comfortable and secure. I love the look of your Triumph. They have done such an awesome job of recreating the classic look, and it is a look I like. I am also sure that I would love riding it. But unless you have added a better seat for the passenger, a back rest, and some sort of grab handles, it isn't going to feel very comfortable or secure for an inexperienced passenger. Your wife is also probably not going to enjoy a first ride in the congested traffic of the city, and let's face it, in that regard Vancouver is beyond Hope! An option to this dilemma that you have is to rent a bike (Eagle Rider perhaps), a big dresser, ride out to the Hope area, and have her drive out and meet you there. That is where you begin your ride. Keep on the quiet roads, keep your speed down, stop often, and see how that works out. My wife had never ridden before, now we take off on rides that last 45 days, some days we ride 800 km, and through all sorts of weather. Now she has a hard time imagining being restricted to a cage, so it can happen. If this works you are going to be buying a big touring bike, if not you are only out the rental expenses. Just an idea. By the way there are lots of pictures of us and our bike on our Facebook business page Dry Rock Studios to help encourage her.

[@sunrisekendo]

Thanks for the great tips and suggestions Robert!

[@mrclean28h]

Most exellent this one is diffently on my list to do and go. I am enjoying the rides over here until I get home to my ride and wife. Come Sept 18th new Tri Glide will be picked up in Round Rock. I have more of your videos to enjoy so it helps the time go by

[@RobertMerz]

Crater Lake is spectacular for sure. Thanks for watching, keep the comments coming, and hoping September 18th arrives quickly for you! Stay safe!

[@StevieinSF]

Thanks for this vid - I'm planning to ride up from the bay area either May or June. I'm hesitant because it can still snow into June. Rim Drive looks good/well maintained.

[@RobertMerz]

+StevieinSF The rim drive is well maintained and is open now. The Crater Lake National Park website keeps updated information on roads, and of course check the weather forecast before you go. A nice ride is to head up from Klamath as we did, do the park and then head out to Grant's Pass. Have a great ride, and thanks for watching the vid!

[@JonBrazelton]

What time of year was this filmed? Weather looked great and hardly any tourist traffic.

[@RobertMerz]

+Jon Brazelton We rode through Oregon in September. We find that is the best time to go to avoid the bulk of the traffic and still have nice weather

[@gregkollasch5494]

I have to ask, if u could pick three of the best national parks to ride through, what would be your top 3

[@RobertMerz]

That is such a tough question because there are so many great National Parks, but here is my answer based on my personal biases and selected from the parks that I have personal experience with. 1. Death Valley, my all time favorite. It is still not very busy, it has great roads for riding, it has great scenery. If you go pick your season according to your abilities, it can be beyond hot in the summer and if you aren't prepared there could be serious consequences. Spring or Fall are going to be more comfortable. 2. Zion. The highway in from Mount Carmel Junction has such great scenery and was built to be ridden. 3. Yellowstone. This is a bit of a tough one for me to recommend, because of the traffic, but the east side of the park, from Mammoth to Yellowstone Lake, and the Lamar Valley out to Cooke City (and of course Beartooth Highway is just beyond and a big factor in why I choose Yellowstone) has great scenery and is a nice riding road. The traffic is quite light before 9 am and again after 7 pm even in the busy season..

[@Fred-vj3hm]

I want my money back. You didn't list the elevation of the Steel Visitor Center

[@RobertMerz]

Really sorry about that, how about a credit toward a free viewing of one of my other videos!

[@adubulous46]

Where did he stop to take pics

[@RobertMerz]

There are lots of pullouts that are well located along the Rim Drive that allow for stopping and taking pictures.

[@adubulous46]

@@RobertMerz I went hiking to the top of Garfield peak yesterday it was breath taking

[@RobertMerz]

That is awesome. It must be spectacular views all 360 degrees from there!

[@adubulous46]

@@RobertMerz yes sir 1.7 miles hike felt like 5 and 8,000 feet elevation we were up there

[@dreadymanadventurer]

Great video. Moto meet up / Group ride Oct. 8 2016 in Southern Oregon. Check my FB page for details.