Need advice on an Idaho, wyo, montana tour this summer

[cswett]

Howdy
I'm an R1150R owner, but am renting a HD Electra Glide this July to ride two-up from Bend, Ore. to Billings, Mont., in five days. Hope you can forgive the apostasy of riding a Harley and offer any advice on routing, sight-seeing, etc. First day will probably be blasting straight to Boise, via John Day, then a bit more leisurely.
Am considering a route that would take me from Boise, to Stanley, Idaho, Driggs, Idaho, Jackson, Wyo., Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Red Lodge, Mont, then Billings.
How is it riding through national parks in the summer -- Winnebago hell?
Any other routes seem smarter. Want lots of mountain scenery, but don't absolutely need the national parks.
I can't afford a fancy rain suit or heated vest/jacket, but plan on taking light foul weather gear to keep me somewhat dry, with layers underneath for warmth. Being from California, I'm not used to summer storms, and am hoping for the best.
I've posted a similar query on Pashnit.com, a bike touring forum mostly focused on the West Coast, but responses have been sparse.
Would also welcome advice on what I should beware of in the Electra Glide in handling, compared with the Beakster, or my previous bikes, a K75 and a Suzuki 800 cc Boulevard.
I'm not an aggressive rider, and will be even less so with my wife on the back.
Thanks much
Clint

[sweatmark]

One of the current month's issue moto magazines features a trip report for very similar region of the country. Look for a report by seasoned rider on Suzuki DL650 V-strom.

Mrs. Sweatmark and I rode to algary and back a couple seasons ago. The return trip was through Glacier National Park (Highway to the Sun) and Hwy 12/Lolo Pass; please include these roads. From Lewiston/Clarkston to Enterprise is a good ride, plus plenty of other prime routes in Eastern Oregon.

[jas]

Watch for deer between Bend and Vale, especially east of John Day near Dayville. You’ll enjoy that route, the river will be nice and warm should the day call for a dip. Top your tank off in John Day, the next real fuel site/town is about 115 miles way in Vale, OR.

If I were to head to Stanley from Oregon, I would probably cross the border to Fruitland and take Hwy 16 to 52 passing through Banks  Garden ValleyLowmanStanley. However, if you plan on taking the night off, head to Boise or Eagle and then take HWY 21, BoiseIdaho CityLowmanStanley.

Should you be passing through Stanley around the 6th of August, check out the Stanley Stomp ride-in (http://www.idahobmwriders.com/stanleystomp.html). I must warn you though, watch the weather. I always seem to hit mountain storms when I head to Stanley from Eagle.

Send me a message when you get to the Boise area and we’ll have a beer.

[cswett]

Thanks.
This is the route we are looking at for mid-July.
Sunday -- Bend to Boise via John Day
Monday -- Boise to Salmon via Stanley
Tuesday -- Stanley to West Yellowstone
Wednesday -- Cruise around Yellowstone, return to West Yellowstone
Thursday -- West Yellowstone to Red Lodge
Friday morning -- Red Lodge to Billings, have bike in Billings by 10 am
This will be my first tour and my wife's first time on the back of a bike for more than an hour. Want to include Boise in the trip so if she finds it not to her liking, she can jump on a plane and fly home,
Any advice on clean but inexpensive lodging, good eats, etc, would be greatly appreciated.
I'm turning 60 this summer and this is my way to push back against the concept of being a senior citizen.

[Dr. Strangelove]

can't give you much advice on the part west of Yellowstone, but assuming you get to Yellowstone...you're not going into Utah, are you?

anyway; I was just up there and can give you this route.
There is always construction somewhere in Yellowstone. You will deal with stop and go and gravel/dirt and long waits. Assume that is a given and if you don't have it, great. There are very few routes to get you to the Billings area, but I could suggest this one.
From West Thumb follow 14/16/20 out the East Approach--gorgeous--to Cody (forgettable).
At Cody, take Wy 120 N to the state line where it becomes Mt 72. At Belfry take a left and head toward Red Lodge, Mt which will be a nice place to stop for the night.

The next morning do the Beartooth Hwy ( US 212) and then do the Chief Joseph Scenic Hwy (Wy 296). These are two of the most beautiful highways in the country, imho and in the opinion of many others. All paved and views galore. I just did them in late May and it was not RV hell, but July may be different??? Chief Joseph brings you back to Wy 120, Now go south to Cody (still forgettable, but fill up for sure).

From Cody take 14/14a all the way to Ranchester. be VERY careful of the speed limits in the little towns along the way--they are 30 mph and the locals are VERY serious about it. I know. This route will take you through the Bighorn Range--remarkable ride. Remember to fill up when you can. You will pass Medicine Wheel. On something like a Harley I would rec that you do not ride up the gravel road and then hike 1.5 miles to it---the gravel on that road made the front wheel really dance and it is steep and somewhat twisty.
But I digress.

So, take 14(a) to Ranchester and get on I 90 there and head up to Little Bighorn. If you haven't seen it I would def rec it. A very somber and beautiful place. You do not want to stay there, but up the road in Hankins, Mt.

From there you can head onto Billings.

Hope this helps. If you had a little more time you could head over to Devils Tower--again on 14a/14

John