Arkansas, especially the northwestern part of the state, is home to many wonderful motorcycle roads.
One highway in particular, US-65, cuts a 130-mile swath of asphalt ribbon through the Ozark Mountains from Conway, at I-40, to Harrison, just south of the Missouri state line.
For motorcyclists, the road has plenty of curves, a few tight sweepers, grades that are well posted, and nice pavement.
When discussing this highway with an older gentleman, he commented that in the 1930s and 1940s, this stretch of road through the Ozarks was a single slab of asphalt, perhaps only eight feet wide. When meeting oncoming traffic, trucks and cars had to drop half way off the pavement to allow both vehicles to pass. Often one had to travel a few miles or more down the road with half the vehicle on the shoulder before finding a safe transition slope to get the car or truck entirely back on the slab.
Today US-65 not only boasts a fully paved highway but where inclines are steep enough that trucks down shift to make the grade, a third lane has been added for passing. In an area with a decent amount of heavy truck use, especially logging trucks, those passing lanes come in handy in being able to safely pass slow-moving trucks. Now days motorcycles (and probably cars also) will not have to ride behind the trucks the entire route. In other words, not having to drop wheels off of a single-slab road and ride on a shoulder is a plus.
For the best riding experience, begin in the south. Traffic is heavy near I-40 and through Conway but as one climbs up out of the city, congestion gives way to landscape views of bluffs, small mountains, and farms. There are a few small towns along the way, none with a population of over 4,000, and nothing that will significantly slow the rider. Harrison is a larger city with 13,000 residents but the city has a bypass.
As one nears Harrison, look to see plenty of tourist information booths advertising Branson; the entertainment mecca of the Ozarks is less than 15 miles north of the state line.
A couple of recommendations for stops along the highway include Landers Toad Suck Harley-Davidson in Conway because everyone needs a Toad Suck tee shirt and the Daisy Queen drive-in Marshall for a sandwich and chocolate malt.
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