Though cheated by construction from riding the“ Old” grade, the“ New” U. S. 97 / White Bird Grade was ample fun amid interesting topography.
One can’ t swing a dead skunk by the tail and not hit a historic marker of the Lewis and Clark expedition or of the mighty Nez Perce nation’ s rich and often tragic history. Much of the settlers’ history, exploration, expansion, and interactions with indigenous people, both good and bad, are catalogued in the terrain and markers around nearly every corner. Perhaps most notable is the Heart of the Monster heritage site that would be a worthwhile distraction for hours of hiking in the right footwear. It was a fitting centerpiece to my stay, as the monstrously good roads, whether on a Ducati Monster or a monstrosity rat bike like mine, are all good in keeping with a theme. Oh, and it’ s Sasquatch country.
Smoky skies greeted my early departure and stayed along for the entire day, keeping the morning brisk through filtered sunlight. Since it was late September and in the middle of the week, traffic was so light it was almost nonexistent, mostly lumbering semis as opposed to the long lines of road-blocking RVs that are found in peak summer. All were easily dispatched with the Zed-Ex-Ten’ s mill.
Rolling seven minutes south on U. S. 12, a lucky turn onto SR-13 at Kooskia rewarded me with some smooth curves and the sumptuous ascent up to the Grangeville plateau of wheatfields and ranches. I climbed into even thicker smoke, the burnt aroma filling ram-air fed nostrils of both myself and the bike under a struggling reddish orb above. Nothing was to be done but ride on and endure a bit of straight, taking U. S. 95 southbound and down the 7 % White Bird Grade. It became a fun romp, with ample passing room in both directions, very fast sweepers, and tetonshaped geography as I dispatched two large groups of Austrian- and Bavarian-made ADVs heavily laden for an expedition.
With a quick left turn at the hill’ s bottom, New 95 becomes old and wings you through the historic little burg of White
Nestled in a now smoky gorge, the hamlet of White Bird, Idaho, lies at the crux of some very fine motorcycling.
24 / NOVEMBER 2026 / RIDERMAGAZINE. COM