On the Road Glide Special along the Croatian coast
Discover Croatia on the Harley-Davidson Road Special 2023
I'm riding my Road Glide Special along the Adria Magistrale coastal road in Croatia.
The Road Glide Special is undoubtedly an impressive motorcycle, and I had the pleasure of riding it from Zagreb through Plitvice National Park and along the breathtaking Croatian coast from Zadar to Rijeka. The route promised a mix of spectacular scenery, winding roads, and the chance to explore some of Croatia's most charming towns.
I had just come from the 120th Harley-Davidson Anniversary Festival in Budapest, so it was the perfect opportunity to take a little detour across Lake Balaton to Croatia. I had never been to Croatia before and this wasn't meant to be a detailed tour; I just wanted to get to know the area better and will travel around the country again later on my Harley.
Put on your sunglasses and off you go—yes, this is something different for me, a constant 35 degrees and pure sunshine. Next time, I'll take my little insulated bag with me, where I can keep a few small bottles of water cool. You never stop learning, I realize once again.
Winding roads and unpredictable obstacles: the challenges of driving from Zagreb to Plitvice
The powerful 114ci V-Twin engine from the Road Glide Special has enough power to push the heavy Harley-Davidson out of the curve.
Unfortunately, the route from Zagreb to Plitvice is rather disappointing. It's even quite dangerous, with lots of no-overtaking signs and speed limits of 50/60 km/h, lots of small tractors and a very confusing route. You really need to be very relaxed here, as people sometimes walk on the road. It also seems to be a route for pedestrians heading towards Germany, who walk on the road.
In the footsteps of Winnetou
I arrived in Plitvice and ventured a little off the beaten track. This is where the lakes and waterfalls that Croatia is famous for are located. I followed in the footsteps of Winnetou, the famous Karl May film adaptation of „The Treasure of Silver Lake“ from 1962 was shot here. To see it all, however, you need to stay at least one night, or perhaps even two. The place is geared towards tourism, so you'll have no trouble finding a cozy restaurant.
From the waterfalls to a picturesque sundowner along the Croatian coast
Above all, you need a precise plan for how to approach visiting the waterfalls. I drove up the mountain via a side road to get a better overview, but I quickly realized that this wasn't going to work. I had considered spending a night in the village, but changed my mind because it makes no sense to visit this beautiful place without a plan. I continued towards Zadar on the Croatian coast. The route from Plitvice to Zadar is a dream. Right at the edge of Plitvice, the road winds its way between small mountain ranges, and at some point, the wide open countryside opens up before you.
This route comes highly recommended. The sun is slowly setting and I enjoy a wonderful sundowner.
The fascinating city of Zadar: history, sea organ, and Venetian charm
When I reached Zadar, I drove straight to the sea organ. I have to say, even in the evening there was still a lot going on here; the sea organ seems to be famous worldwide.
Zadar, a Croatian city on the Dalmatian coast, is home to fascinating remains from the Roman and Venetian periods in its picturesque old town, which is located on a peninsula. The impressive ruins bear witness to the region's rich history. In addition to the historical ruins, numerous Venetian gates adorn the city walls and lend the cityscape a charming character.
One of the main attractions in Zadar is the Sea Organ. The Sea Organ of Zadar is a unique architectural work of art and an acoustic installation that stretches along the city's promenade.
The sea organ consists of a series of steps leading directly into the Adriatic Sea. Beneath these steps are large resonance chambers containing a series of pipes. When the waves crash against the coast, the water enters the resonance chambers through these pipes, producing sounds.
I booked accommodation late in the evening. It wasn't the perfect hotel, and the room still had an old Eastern Bloc character, but it was fine for one night.
Winding coastal charm and culinary delights: along the E65 on the Road Glide Special
The first stage took me along the picturesque Adriatic coast. The turquoise blue water sparkled in the sun and the rugged cliffs provided a breathtaking backdrop. The Road Glide Special impresses with its stable and comfortable ride, making long stages no problem at all, but also making it really fun to enjoy winding roads. The well-padded seat and rigid fairing allow me to cruise along the coast relaxed, like a captain on his big steamer.
I'm traveling on the E65, passing charming coastal towns such as Tribanj and Sukosan. Croatian cuisine does not disappoint. All along the route, there are fruit and even olive stands, a wide selection of fresh fruit, large melons, and all the citrus fruits we know from the supermarket.
Curvy magic along the coastal road: a paradise for every motorcyclist
The roads between the cities were a paradise for motorcyclists. Gentle curves and good asphalt made my heart beat faster. The Road Glide Special makes it easy to lean into the curves and enjoy the riding experience. Its powerful engine and precise handling made riding along the winding coastal roads an absolute pleasure.
You could take a detour to Paklenica National Park, or drive a little further inland along the small forest roads. There are small towns such as Stirovaca, which still seem to have paved roads, but these are probably more suitable for Pan America riders. I would find that quite appealing, though.
But I stayed on the coastal road, where you obviously meet lots of other motorcyclists and there are various restaurants that are particularly biker-friendly. Zengg is another of the larger towns on this route, where I stock up on cold drinks because it's really hot and I'm enjoying perfect weather with hardly any wind on the coast. I also fill up with gas right away. I haven't seen many gas stations on this route from Zadar, and I wouldn't have needed to fill up yet because the Road Glide Special has really low fuel consumption. With my relaxed riding style, it sometimes shows me a range of almost 500 kilometers.
From coastal landscapes to urban flair: a discovery tour from Zadar to Rijeka
Finally, I reach Rijeka. The city is an important economic and cultural center and offers a fascinating contrast to the tranquil coastal landscape. The architecture tells a story of times gone by, while modern shops and cafés enliven the cityscape.
My trip along the Croatian coast from Zadar to Rijeka on the Road Glide Special was a great adventure. The Road Glide offers both comfort and performance to cover the long distance, and Croatia's coastal landscape proved to be the perfect backdrop for this exciting ride.
The route along the main line is well worth traveling.
From the coastal landscape to the interior: an extended motorcycle tour through Croatia, from north to south and beyond the coast
To make the tour unforgettable, I would extend it. It was great as a taster tour, but it might be better to travel from north to south and include places like Split and Dubrovnik in the itinerary. It's a good idea to take tours inland, rather than just driving along the coast. Croatia's many national parks are a great opportunity to soak up the impressive landscape. The beautiful nature and especially the lakes and waterfalls are rare gems. Why not spend two or three nights in one place and then continue your journey in a relaxed manner?.
If you're feeling really adventurous, you can take the ferry from Dubrovnik to Bari in Italy, which takes seven hours, and then drive north along the Italian coast.
External link to the ferry from Dubrovnik to Bari in Italy
I will definitely include this in my plans. I really enjoyed the coastal tour, but I would like to see more of Croatia's interior. The big question will be whether to drive back up the coast of Italy or simply plan a route through the interior of Croatia.
Harleysite 2023 Volker Wolf
Test vehicle: The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special 114 in Industrial Yellow/Vivid Black with a black finish, model year 2023.
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