-
Cowboy Harley-Davidson® of Austin10917 S Interstate 35, 78747 AustinView map
Austin is the gateway to the Hill Country, the region of limestone hills, clear rivers and ranch roads that Texan riders count among their finest. A few dozen kilometres west is enough to leave the traffic behind and find linked curves, villages of German origin and century-old dance halls. EagleRider is our partner here, with a catalogue ranging from roadsters to big touring bikes.
The branch is located at Cowboy Harley-Davidson of Austin, 10917 S Interstate 35, about 15 km south of the centre as the crow flies. You reach the Hill Country via the Dripping Springs road or through San Marcos, without crossing downtown at busy times.
Our partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Austin?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Austin
1 Fredericksburg, Luckenbach and Enchanted Rock
- Austin
- Dripping Springs
- Johnson City
- Luckenbach
- Fredericksburg
- Enchanted Rock
- Blanco
- Wimberley
- Austin
Make your way to Johnson City via Dripping Springs, then on to Luckenbach, a hamlet of a few houses made famous by its open-air concert hall. Fredericksburg, a town founded by German settlers, stretches along Main Street with its brewpubs and stone houses. To the north, Enchanted Rock, an enormous dome of pink granite, rises above the oaks.
On the way home, avoid the outbound route: via Blanco and Wimberley, Ranch Road 32 unrolls the bends of the Devil's Backbone, a wooded ridge overlooking the valley.
- Distance
- about 400 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Roadster, cruiser or Bonneville for the back roads
2 The Twisted Sisters around Leakey
- Austin
- Fredericksburg
- Kerrville
- Leakey
- Camp Wood
- Vanderpool
- Bandera
- San Marcos
- Austin
Ranch Roads 335, 336 and 337 form the famous trilogy of the Twisted Sisters: around a hundred kilometres of tight bends, elevation changes and river fords, in the Frio canyon. The village of Leakey serves as a base. Reach it via Fredericksburg and Kerrville, then ride the three roads back to back, preferably on a day with no traffic.
The return goes through Bandera, which calls itself the cowboy capital of the world, and San Marcos. Allow two days, or three with a night in Leakey so you can ride the roads in both directions.
- Distance
- about 750 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Roadster or light adventure bike (Triumph Tiger, Yamaha Tracer, BMW GS)
3 COTA, Bastrop and Texas barbecue
- Austin
- Circuit of the Americas
- Bastrop
- Smithville
- Lockhart
- Luling
- Austin
Leave to the south-east to pass the Circuit of the Americas, the Formula 1 and MotoGP track at Elroy. You can admire its architecture and observation tower from the neighbouring roads. Bastrop and the Lost Pines then offer isolated pines in a plain of oaks, with fine shaded roads.
Finish with the barbecue of Lockhart and Luling, two rival towns that contest the title of best table in Texas. An easy day, with no long distances.
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Cruiser or light touring bike
4 The Highland Lakes and the Willow City Loop
- Austin
- Lake Travis
- Marble Falls
- Burnet
- Inks Lake
- Llano
- Willow City
- Marble Falls
- Austin
Head up to Marble Falls along Lake Travis, then follow the chain of Highland Lakes to Burnet, Inks Lake and Llano. The roads alternate between bridges, stretches of water and hills. North of Fredericksburg, the Willow City Loop crosses ranches for about twenty kilometres.
It is famous in spring, when bluebonnets line the road. Allow a good day and a half for this loop, without leaving the county roads.
- Distance
- about 450 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Touring bike or comfortable adventure bike (BMW RT, Road Glide, Pan America)
Weather and seasons
When to go in Austin?
Best time
March, April, October and November
March to April, October to November
highs 21.4 to 27.6 °C, lows 11.1 to 16.7 °C
The seasons to favour: highs of 23.6 °C in March and 26.3 °C in April, 27.6 °C in October and 21.4 °C in November. March and April are also when the bluebonnets bloom, and autumn offers clearer skies than summer, with 9 hours of sunshine a day in October.
May, the wettest month
May
highs 29.6 °C, lows 19.4 °C
May is the wettest month: 200 mm of rain over 15.1 days. Storms are brief but intense, and the fords of the Hill Country can fill in a few minutes. Ride with rain gear and check the forecast before any ford crossing.
High season
June to September
June to September
highs 31.9 to 35.4 °C, lows 21.9 to 24.8 °C
Summer is scorching: a high of 35 °C in July, 35.4 °C in August, and nearly 12 hours of sunshine a day. Set off at dawn, stop by a river at midday and drink before you are thirsty. August and September stay a little drier, with 120 and 103 mm of rain.
Winter
December to February
December to February
highs 15.8 to 18.4 °C, lows 5.2 to 7.9 °C
Winter stays mild during the day: a high of 15.8 °C in January, 18.4 °C in February. Nights drop to around 5 °C and shaded roads stay cool in the morning. These months suit the short loops of the Hill Country, with a lined jacket and warm gloves.
Climate in Austin, month by month
Most pleasant months: February to March, November to December.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16 °C | 5 °C | 75 mm | 7 h/day |
| Feb | 18 °C | 7 °C | 78 mm | 7 h/day |
| Mar | 24 °C | 12 °C | 80 mm | 8 h/day |
| Apr | 26 °C | 15 °C | 136 mm | 9 h/day |
| May | 30 °C | 19 °C | 200 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jun | 33 °C | 23 °C | 98 mm | 11 h/day |
| Jul | 35 °C | 24 °C | 89 mm | 12 h/day |
| Aug | 35 °C | 25 °C | 120 mm | 12 h/day |
| Sep | 32 °C | 22 °C | 103 mm | 10 h/day |
| Oct | 28 °C | 17 °C | 97 mm | 9 h/day |
| Nov | 21 °C | 11 °C | 81 mm | 8 h/day |
| Dec | 18 °C | 8 °C | 83 mm | 7 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Helmets and local rules
In Texas, the helmet requirement is not the same for everyone: it varies with the rider's age and insurance. Ask the rental company, and always wear a helmet, especially on the winding roads of the Twisted Sisters.
Fords and flash floods
In the Hill Country, many roads cross rivers at fords. After a storm, the water can rise very quickly. Never cross a flooded road: wait, or turn back.
Gravel and ranch roads
Ranch Roads are narrow, sometimes with no shoulder, with gravel in the bends and livestock roaming free. Slow down in blind curves and do not overtake in winding sections.
Wildlife at dawn and dusk
White-tailed deer are numerous and often cross the road at dawn and dusk. Avoid riding at night away from the main roads, especially near ranches.
Traffic on Interstate 35
Interstate 35 between Austin and San Antonio is very busy and prone to slowdowns. To reach the Hill Country, prefer the secondary roads, which are more pleasant and often faster at rush hour.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Austin
Where do I pick up my motorcycle in Austin?
At Cowboy Harley-Davidson of Austin, 10917 S Interstate 35, a partner dealership that serves as the EagleRider branch, about 15 km from the centre as the crow flies. Your booking confirmation gives the pick-up arrangements.
Which motorcycle for the Hill Country?
Depending on the branch's availability, the EagleRider catalogue includes the BMW R 1250 GS, the Triumph Tiger 660, the Indian Scout and Street Glide models, among others. On the tight bends of the Twisted Sisters, a light, manoeuvrable motorcycle is easier to ride than a big touring bike.
How long for the Twisted Sisters?
At least two days, with a night in Leakey or Kerrville. Leakey is about 270 km from Austin, and the three roads demand concentration and frequent breaks. Four days lets you add Fredericksburg and Luckenbach.
Can I ride to the COTA circuit?
Yes, the Circuit of the Americas is in Elroy, south-east of Austin. Access to the track depends on events: to go in, check the circuit's calendar. From outside, the neighbouring roads already let you see the facilities.
Can I return the motorcycle in Dallas?
This is sometimes possible, depending on the rental company and the dates: Dallas, another EagleRider departure point, is 293 km away as the crow flies. Run a search to see whether a one-way return there is offered for your period.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Motorcycle rental in Austin
Do I need a special licence to rent in Austin?
The rental company requires a valid motorcycle licence (category A for Europeans) and a piece of ID, sometimes an international permit depending on the country. Minimum age and licence seniority vary with the motorcycle.
Can we travel two-up?
Yes, on motorcycles designed for a passenger: touring and adventure bikes offer a seat, footpegs and a backrest. On the Twisted Sisters, a passenger will appreciate a stable touring bike rather than a light roadster.
Where do I put my luggage?
Saddlebags and a top case equip large touring bikes; with a cruiser or roadster, a saddle bag covers a night or two away. Travel light on ranch roads, where the bends are more enjoyable on a lightly loaded motorcycle.
Can I picnic by the rivers?
Yes, several Hill Country state parks allow swimming and picnicking near rivers, but access may be limited at busy times. Check conditions and entry fees before you leave.
When should I book my motorcycle in Austin?
Allow a few weeks ahead for the spring bloom and for autumn, the most sought-after periods. Enter your dates in the search to see which motorcycles are free.
About us
Why ride from Austin
Few American cities give such quick access to real riding roads. After half an hour on the Interstate, the Hill Country offers its hills, its rivers and ranch roads where you really ride rather than just travel. Luckenbach, Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock and the Twisted Sisters all sit within a single region, reachable in a day or in a week.
The branch in south Austin lets you set off without crossing the centre, and the city itself deserves an evening: live music, barbecue and a Formula 1 circuit in its surroundings. Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons.
Other departure cities
Rent elsewhere in the United States
Route 66 · Chicago → Los Angeles
Return to another city