Well it is going to be -10 tomorrow night in northern Indiana and there is a bunch of snow on the ground. So what to do but start thinking about a long ride next year.

I could go on a 12 day trip but decided on splitting it into three trips of four days. I have a heritage and the though of 12 days in a row was to much. I could also do a 6 day trip. I think for my first trip I will go to the u.p. of Michigan.

Need to know places I must see. Any real special hotels? Really looking for something special. I'm not against county roads as long as there paved. I really love slow country road riding. Even around where I live I will run 150-200 miles in a day on mostly county roads. Anybody know of anything?

 

Lake Gogebic, Lake of the Clouds, Porcupine State Park, Copper Harbor, Calumet, Tahquamenon water falls, Sault Ste. Marie and the Mackinaw bridge just to name a few places to see.....

Trucky911

 

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...igan-tour.html

 

head over to west side of state on your way up....Petoskey and Harbor Springs...catch M119 out of Harbor Springs and tour the tunnel of trees. Surprsingly there are a number of nice roads in the UP that are in great shape. We went from Lansing to M119, accross bridge, US2 into Wisconsin down to Milwaukee and visited museum. nice ride, nice roads. Did not have many worries about gas although we made sure we stopped before we needed to.
The Soo Locks are worth looking at...watch freighters come through the locks. Coppor Harbor, Tahquamenon Falls are a couple more interesting sights. Many places to stop...get everyones opinion here, then chart your map!!!

 

W. Lake Shore Rd starting in Brimley is a nice ride with lots to see . Beautiful scenery along Lake Superior ( "The Shallows" comes to mind).If you do find yourself in the Brimley area stop at the Dancing Crane Coffee House and say hi to Jim LeBlanc , the owner . Jim is Brimley's resident Renaissance man . I spent a rainy morning drinking coffee and talking to Jim and his wife . It was a wonderful experience .

 

Last summer I rode up and across the U.P. on the way west. The most fun curvy roads I was on there were 119 just southwest of Mackinaw bridge near lake Michigan, and 41 out to and 26 back from Copper Harbor. (US 41 actually runs from Copper Harbor to the southern tip of Florida.)
I would suggest visiting the Shipwreck Museum of the Great Lakes at Whitefish Point which is on the NE part of the U.P. There's a small town just south of the point where you can stay.
Copper Harbor is scenic and worth the ride. The last part of 41 to the end is the best. After you go to the very end turn around and head back to Copper Harbor and bare right on 26 along the coast. Turn left at Eagle Rock which will take you up along the hill with great views, continuing on it takes you back down to 26 again.


Off a small road in north central MI.





NW near lake Michigan coming up to Mackinaw bridge. Reminded me of WV.






Whitefish Point which is at NE corner of the U.P,





Along the north coast, Lake Superior.





Copper Harbor

 

Sounds like a great ride. All of the places that were mentioned are amazing to see. U.S 41 from Marquette to Houghton runs along the Lake Superior shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula and is really beautiful. Food wise, make sure you try a pasty when you are in the U.P., and stop at the Ambassador Bar in downtown Houghton for a pizza.

 

H58 from Munising to Grand Marais. Recently paved in the last few years. We've rode the UP many times and it's one of my favorites.

 

Coming out of Kokomo, I'd take US-31 & I-96 up to Manistee, turn left at the Casino, and take Hwy 22 up to Northport and back down to Traverse City where you can get back on US-31 and take that all the way to Big Mac. Riding in any direction from St. Ignace is great. If you go east toward Cedarville, it's wide open country and relaxed riding. If you go north, there's Whitefish Point and The Soo. US-2 west of St. Ignace follows the north shore of Lake Michigan. If you want to go for a swim, just park your bike and jump in. Fayette on the Garden Peninsula is a restored iron ore smelting site and has a beautiful natural harbor. I't's all good along the Lake Superior shoreline too. If you take I-96/US-31, check to see if the (new) Grand Haven bypass is open if you don't want to ride through G.Haven. I live in W.MI and enjoy riding all the roads I mentioned.

 

Awesome guys! From all the suggestions may spend 3 or 4 days up there.

31 to 22 is must for this trip. Ive always wanted to hit 22. All my years trucking in Michigan I was never able to get north of muskegon on the west side.

I thought about heading over to WI and head back down but that might be tight for 4-6 day trip. My wife is really only good for 250 a day max. May have to get the $500 touring seat for my heritage so we can go a little further. Problem is I hate the rider seat on that setup. But if she ain't happy no one will be...lol

I keep hearing fuel station are in short supply up there. My bike is only good for about 200 miles. Gas buddy will probably be my friend.