TL;DR

Looking for scenic routes for motorcycles near me this fall? Central Indiana delivers. Here are five must-ride routes that blend color, curves, and throttle therapy:

• Fall Creek Road – Easy city escape with wooded views and light curves
• Brown County Scenic Loop – Big fall color and mountain-style riding vibes
• Morgan-Monroe State Forest – Quiet, cool, and perfect for a reset
• Eagle Creek to Traders Point – Lakeside twisties and open-road ease
• Indy to Madison Run – A full-day adventure with river views and small-town charm

When the leaves start to turn and the air gets that perfect fall crisp, it’s time to chase the horizon. Autumn in Indianapolis brings out the best in the Midwest’s landscape, which feels made for two wheels.

If you’ve been searching for scenic routes for motorcycles near me, you’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up our favorite fall rides around Indy. These are routes that deliver the kind of views, curves, and freedom riders live for.

1. Fall Creek Road – The Hidden Gem in the City

Tucked away on the northeast side of Indianapolis, Fall Creek Road is one of those better-than-expected motorcycle routes. It winds alongside Fall Creek and meanders through wooded stretches, quiet neighborhoods, and sections of Fort Harrison State Park. In the fall, the tree canopy pops, creating a tunnel of color that feels well beyond city limits.

This route is ideal for riders who want a laid-back cruise without the long haul. It’s close, scenic, and just curvy enough to keep things interesting, especially near Fort Ben.

Fall Creek Road is proof that you don’t have to head hours out of town to find great riding nearby. It’s the kind of ride that’s perfect for a weekday evening cruise or a quick weekend reset. For Indy riders looking for good local motorcycle routes that bring the beauty of the season, this one’s a no-brainer.

2. Brown County Scenic Loop – Indiana’s Answer to the Smokies

If you’re craving curves, elevation, and those big autumn views, the Brown County Scenic Loop delivers. This ride snakes through Indiana’s most dramatic terrain.

Begin in Nashville, Indiana, and take either SR 135 or SR 46, both of which lead to Brown County State Park. On the way, the rolling hills explode into scenic vistas with fall color around every curve.

This is a favorite among riders who appreciate a mix of technical turns and wide-open scenery. Along the way, you’ll pass through unique stops and overlooks that make it hard not to pull over. Whether you’re riding solo or on a group run, this loop feels like an escape without ever leaving the state.

The Brown County Scenic Loop easily earns a spot among the best cross-country motorcycle routes in the Midwest. It’s the kind of ride where throttle and lean become second nature and where every corner rewards you. If you’re looking for a route that gives off Smoky Mountain vibes right here in Indiana, this is it.

3. Morgan-Monroe State Forest Ride – Quiet, Cool, and Curvy

Sometimes, the best rides are the ones where the world just quiets down. And that’s exactly what you get with the Morgan-Monroe State Forest Ride.

Just south of Indy, this route follows Old State Road 37 through dense woods, soft hills, and miles of uninterrupted pavement. It’s not the longest stretch, but what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in atmosphere. In the fall, the air is crisp, the roads are dry, and the forest glows with deep reds and golden yellows. This is where throttle meets therapy.

The curves here are smooth and rolling—nothing too aggressive—making it ideal for clearing your head or breaking in new riders. There’s a calm to this area, and that’s why it’s one of Central Indiana’s good motorcycle routes for an escape. Pack a thermos, pull off at one of the scenic pullovers, and soak it all in.

Morgan-Monroe might not be a stop on the big cross-country motorcycle routes, but it sure feels like a detour worth taking. It’s a local favorite with just enough twists and terrain to keep things interesting. If you’re looking for a route that captures the peaceful side of fall riding in Indiana, this one hits the mark.

4. Eagle Creek Park to Traders Point – Lakeside Twisties and Open Roads

For riders looking to keep it close to Indy, the loop around Eagle Creek Park to Traders Point is a solid go-to. It’s one of those scenic routes for motorcycles near me that delivers more than you'd expect. This includes curving lakeside roads, thick forest lines, and open patches where you can roll on the throttle.

Start near the reservoir, wind your way through the park area, and head northwest toward Traders Point. You’re sure to find a smooth blend of nature and open-road freedom.

The beauty of this route lies in its simplicity. It’s short enough for a quick ride, but rich enough in views to make it feel like a real getaway. The elevation changes around Eagle Creek give you just enough lean to keep it interesting. There’s even a handful of roadside pull-offs perfect for taking a photo or just catching your breath.

Whether you’re a new rider building confidence or a seasoned vet scouting new routes, this one hits a sweet spot. You’ll find the kind of peaceful corners and quiet straights that make fall riding in Indy so special.

5. The Indy to Madison Run – Full-Day Fall Adventure

If you’ve got a full tank, an open day, and a hunger for the horizon, ride from Indy to Madison. This route takes you south on SR 135, SR 7, or SR 421. Each offers its own flavor of rolling hills, farmland, and winding forest stretches.

It’s one of those longer hauls that captures the spirit of cross-country motorcycle routes. In the fall, with leaves turning and the air cooling down, this ride becomes pure Midwest gold.

As you close in on Madison, the road begins to hug the Ohio River, and the view shifts from rural to cinematic. The historic river town is a favorite among riders for its charming waterfront, downtown, 19^th century architecture, and its beautiful surroundings. Clifty Falls State Park is an easy stop for a hike or a recharge before the return trip.

Whether you ride straight through or take your time exploring, the Indy to Madison run is a must. It’s a reminder that the best rides don’t always start with an interstate. Sometimes, they start with a map, a good riding jacket, and a wide-open morning.

Hit the Road This Fall with Southside Harley

Fall in Indiana was made for riding, and these routes prove that you don’t have to go far to find the kind of roads that remind you why you ride.

You don’t have to rely on cross-country motorcycle routes to find great riding. Central Indiana has plenty to offer, with scenic routes for motorcycles near me, hidden gems, and small-town stops that all deserve a spot on your fall ride list.

At Southside Harley, we live for this season and everything it brings: cooler temps, colorful views, and rides that make you fall in love with your bike all over again.

Ready to chase the horizon? Browse our collection of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles here.

The Harley Davidson Sportster has long been a favorite among riders who crave power, agility, and iconic American style. Over the decades, the Harley Davidson Sportster models have evolved, to offer a variety of trims, each with its own personality and purpose.

Whether you're a seasoned rider or brand-new to Harley Davidson motorcycles, understanding the key differences between Sportster trims can help you choose the model that matches your riding style best.

In this guide, we’ll explore the most notable Sportster models—past and present—highlighting performance specs, and take a closer look at features like seat height, fuel tank size, front fork design, and more.

The Legacy of the Sportster Line

Originally introduced in 1957, the Sportster lineup is one of the most enduring in Harley Davidson's history. Known for its stripped-down, look, responsive handling, and raw V-Twin power, it became the go-to choice for riders who wanted something both lean and fierce.

Over the years, the Sportster family has included various models, from the classic Iron 883 to the high-performance Nightster and Sportster S models. Many Sportster models have come and gone, but the spirit of the Sportster remains the same: compact, tough, and built to thrill.

Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883

One of the most iconic Harley Sportster models, the Iron 883 is a favorite for new riders and those who prefer its low stance and old-school feel. It’s powered by an air-cooled Evolution engine with fuel injection and rubber mounted for reduced vibration.

• Engine: 883cc air-cooled V-Twin
• Seat Height: 25.7 inches
• Fuel Tank: 3.3 gallons
• Sportster Weight: Around 564 lbs
• Rear Shocks: Coil-over with preload adjustment
• Front Fork: Traditional telescopic
• Riding Position: Low and aggressive

The Iron 883 delivers simplicity and style, minus the lack advanced electronics and selectable ride modes. It’s pure Sportster DNA.

Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200

The Iron 1200 adds more power and torque while keeping that vintage vibe.

• Engine: 1202cc air-cooled Evolution engine
• Harley Sportster 1200 Specs: 73 lb-ft torque at 3500 rpm
• Seat Height: 25.7 inches
• Fuel Tank: 3.3 gallons
• Sportster Weight: 564 lbs
• Rear Suspension: Dual shocks with preload adjust
• Front Tire: 19 inches

The Iron 1200 gives you more muscle for highway riding while keeping the minimalist, throwback style intact.

Harley Davidson Forty-Eight

The Forty-Eight stands out for its “bulldog” stance, peanut fuel tank, and beefy front tire.

• Engine: 1200cc Evolution
• Fuel Tank: 2.1 gallons (peanut tank)
• Seat Height: 26.2 inches
• Front Fork: 49mm with cartridge damping
• Sportster Weight: 556 lbs
• Rear Wheel: 16 inches

It’s a head-turner with a slammed profile. The smaller fuel tank limits long rides, but the aesthetic makes up for it.

Harley Davidson Nightster

While the Sportster S often takes the spotlight, the Nightster carries the modern Sportster name forward in its own way. The Nightster blends Harley’s new technology with a design that nods back to the Sportster’s roots.

• Engine: Revolution Max 975T, liquid-cooled
• Horsepower: ~90 HP
• Torque: 70+ lb-ft
• Fuel Tank: 3.1 gal (fuel cell hidden under the seat for a classic look)
• Seat Height: 27.8 in
• Suspension: Dual rear shocks / SHOWA front fork
• Electronics: Rider safety enhancements and selectable ride modes

The Nightster feels familiar for longtime Sportster fans but adds modern reliability, performance, and control. Importantly, Harley-Davidson currently produces only two Sportster models—the Nightster and the Sportster S—making them the torchbearers of this legendary lineup.

Harley Davidson Sportster S

The Sportster S is a complete reimagining of what a Sportster can be. This modern machine is liquid-cooled, has advanced electronics, and big-time horsepower.

• Engine: Revolution Max 1250T, liquid cooled
• Sportster S Specs: 121 horsepower, 94 lb-ft of torque
• Sportster S Horsepower: 121 HP
• Selectable Ride Modes: Sport, Road, Rain, and Custom
• Fuel Tank: 3.1 gallons
• Seat Height: 28.9 inches
• Rear Suspension: Linkage-mounted piggyback monoshock
• Front Fork: Inverted 43mm SHOWA
• Rider Safety Enhancements: Cornering-enhanced ABS, traction control, and drag torque slip control
• Connectivity: Bluetooth for phone calls, music, and navigation

If you want cutting-edge tech and wicked performance, the Sportster S is the top-tier choice. It’s a bike that looks just as aggressive as it rides.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s a quick breakdown of key features across the popular Harley Davidson Sportster models:

Choosing the Right Sportster for Your Style

Every rider has different goals. Here's how the models stack up by riding preference:

• For beginners or casual city riding: Iron 883
• For classic Harley feel with more muscle: Iron 1200
• For short trips and bold styling: Forty-Eight
• For modern performance with retro vibe: Nightster
• For top-tier power and tech-loaded rides: Sportster S

The riding position and comfort will vary, too.

The Bottom Line

The Harley-Davidson Sportster family has always balanced heritage with innovation. Today, only the Nightster, Nightster S and Sportster S carry the name forward, but the legacy of the Iron and Forty-Eight still resonates with riders everywhere.

Whether you want old-school simplicity or cutting-edge performance, the Sportster lineup proves Harley-Davidson still knows how to build a bike that makes the road feel like freedom.

Ready to ride? Explore Indianapolis Southside Harley Davidson and throw a leg over the Harley Sportster that calls your name.

Browse our collection of Harley Davidson Motorcycles here.

Your helmet may not be doing it's job- and you may not even realize it.

If you've started researching for your new motorcycle helmet- or maybe even your first motorcycle helmet- you may have stumbled into a helpless and overwhelming state of information-overload.

You're likely realizing that there's so much more to this purchasing decision than a sleek design and a comfortable fit. Take a look at each of the life-critical components of a Harley-Davidson® helmet, illustrated below:

Why Is A Proper Helmet Fit So Important?

When you experience an impact (while you're wearing your helmet, of course), your helmets liner is designed to absorb this impact and reduce the trauma to your head. If it's too loose- even if it feels just right- you're leaving empty space between your head and the liner that'll be just enough to smash your skull into the liner, rather than having that force absorbed by it. Of course, if it's too tight, that'll just be downright uncomfortable. A well-fitted motorcycle helmet will prevent both of these scenarios, and you'll be significantly increasing your chances of a favorable outcome after an impact.

Maybe now you're even more stressed out than before about making this decision- but we're here to help.

We've got 5 steps that are sure to help relieve some of that stress:

1. Choose a helmet style.
2. Determine your size.
3. Try the helmet on.
4. Ensure a proper fit.
5. Replace on a schedule.

1. Choose a helmet style

As you've probably already noticed, there's an overwhelming amount of helmets out the market. So, let's take a look at the primary helmet categories so you can approach the decision process with a bit more confidence.

Modular Helmets

Modular and full face helmets are similar in many ways. They both cover your head and face completely, but there are some notable differences.

Modular helmets typically come equipped with a hinged design, which locks into place. This will give you the flexibility to easily swing your chinbar and faceshield up with the simple push of a button. This gives you, the rider, quick and easy access to your face, without having to completely remove it like you would with a one-piece, full face helmet.

The nice thing about modulars- unlike many full face helmets- is that they're usually designed to allow a refreshing flow of air in and out of the helmet, helping you to keep cool on those hot summer rides.

In addition, this type of helmet proves especially convenient for riders who wear glasses. If you've ever tried to slip on a full face helmet while wearing glasses, you know it's not fun to fumble your glasses into place and forcefully cram them back to your ears. Modular helmets allow you slip on the helmet like an open face helmet, gently adjust your glasses and flip down the face shield. Poof- magic.

Full Face Helmets

With a full face helmet, you have a one-piece unit that fully encloses your head. There's a face shield to protect your facial extremities, as well as an attached chinbar that sits at the bottom of your face.

While this type of helmet doesn't typically doesn't offer the refreshing airflow, like the modular helmet, they're built for the highest level of impact protection.

Your decision to choose a modular helmet vs. a full face helmet may just come down to your comfort and safety preferences.

Check out the latest helmet styles available NOW at Southside Harley

Open Face/Three-Quarter Helmets

Think of open face helmets as modulars, minus the face shield and chin bar. Your face is fully exposed and accessible, while the rest of your skull and the back of your head are encased within the shell.

With an open face helmet, you'll experience the most airflow, but your face is left vulnerable to the elements and foreign objects you may encounter out on the road. For this reason, many riders who opt for open face helmets may also choose accessories to aid in protecting areas of their face, such as goggles, a balaclava, or even just a bandana to protect your mouth.

Open face helmets are usually a less expensive option, which makes them a popular choice among both new and experienced riders.

Again, the choice comes down to comfort and safety preferences. But, if you're new to the sport, ask any experienced rider and they'll tell you that it doesn't feel good to get smacked in the face with a June bug, a rock, or even a raindrop at 70mph. So please do something to protect your face!

Half Helmets

There's not much of a difference between half helmets and open face helmets. In fact, they're sometimes just classified as open face. This type of helmet is going to be the least restrictive and will protect the minimum surface area of your head. Your face is exposed, just like the open face style described above, but now you're removing protection from the back of your upper-neck and head. Think of it as half an eggshell slapped on the top of your head.

That's not to say you shouldn't opt for a half helmet, but do note that this style is the least protective option- so be certain that it's the right choice for you.

2. Determine Your Size

This may be more challenging than it sounds, as each helmet manufacturer or brand will have slightly differing sizing measurements. To get a general idea of what your size range you may be in, take a look at this Helmet Sizing Chart for a few of the most popular brands you may find at your local dealership. However, we'll always recommend coming in for a fitting before you make a purchase or order any helmet online.

3. Try The Helmet On

As you dive deeper into your helmet exploration, you may notice that some helmets just don't feel as comfortable as others. That's normal. You may go in to this process with a preferred helmet style in mind, but the truth is that everyone's head is inherently different in size, shape and dimension. That means you'll just need to accept that your first choice of helmet simply may not fit correctly. It could be how it's designed; it could be the brand; it could be the abnormal shape of your noggin. Don't get discouraged, just keep exploring and try out different styles and models.

4. Check for proper fit

Once you've found a helmet that feels comfortable, there's a helmet-fitting process that will help you determine if it's going to perform as it should, in the event of an incident. It's not enough to just feel comfortable.

We recommend downloading our official "Motorcycle Helmet Fitting Pocket Guide" for detailed instructions. You can print it out or simply take a screenshot so you can bring your guide with you as you search for that perfect helmet.

5. Replace On A Schedule

EVEN IF A HELMET DOES NOT APPEAR DAMAGED, IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY MOST MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATIONS TO REPLACE YOUR HELMET AT LEAST EVERY 3-5 YEARS!

Why?

Interior protective elements, such as helmet liners and eps structures (impact absorbing layer), deteriorate over time and lose effectiveness in safety, comfort and fit. This is crucial to be aware of because you may not physically see this deterioration.

Helmets that show dents in the shell or fraying of the straps should be replaced immediately!

Conclusion

Did you get all that? It's okay if you didn't- save this page as a resource and you'll have everything you need to get started in your hunt for the right motorcycle helmet! Make sure you download your Helmet Fitting Pocket Guide, and come on in to Southside Harley. We're always here to address your concerns and will happily help you along to get you fitted properly for that new helmet. Ride safe and ride on!