Ukraine West to East
 

Hi All. We're planning our summer trip to the Caucasus via Ukraine and I hoping for some advice to help formulate a route. We'll be entering from Moldova and because of events in Donetsk and Luhansk we're looking at crossing into Russia at Kharkiv. Can anyone suggest some cool places to checkout or some nice roads / trails? We're riding 250 dirt bikes so prefer to avoid major highways and if there's the chance of taking in some easygoing trails then all the better. I'd like to check out Odessa but other than that I'm open to suggestions. Thanks in advance, Phil

Check this out for feedback about the quality (not necessarily excitement) of road quality: Актуальное состояние дорог Украины | Автострада

Apparently the M16 between Cisinau/Tiraspol and Odessa is horrible. But the M15 that bypasses Transdniester to the south is good.

I'd say definitely go to Odessa. And unless there is something you definitely want to see in Russia, consider taking the Chernomorsk-Poti/Batumi ferry to get straight to the Caucasus (saves the hassle of a visa for EU passport holders, too).