Through Chicago or around?

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Apr 14, 2012 | 09:10 AM

#11

billnourse

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 7,934

Likes: 43

From: Bloomfield, NM

I have ridden through Chicago twice on Rt. 66 rides, and my impression is that if you are on a motorcycle you are fair game. Even the city buses cut us off. Drivers in Chicago have no respect for motorcycles, peds. or each other.

Bill

Apr 14, 2012 | 09:27 AM

#12

Captain Bligh

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 539

Likes: 7

From: Indiana

I once heard Chicago has two seasons: winter and construction. Construction clogs already crazy traffic. Check your route carefully for construction. I've done the ferry and I've ridden Michigan. Michigan is a nice state for riding. If it was for me, I'd ride Michigan and skip the ferry. YMMV.

Apr 14, 2012 | 05:54 PM

#13

wannabe

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 142

Likes: 0

From: S.W. Iowa

Thanks again for all the help guys. Uncle Larry, the Tunnel of trees is on the agenda already, looks pretty cool. Flhxkiller, I'm to cheap to pay for an over priced boat ride, since my wife and I both have to pay, its $80 per person and $47 per bike thats a whole lot gas in my book.

Apr 14, 2012 | 06:12 PM

#14

wu8always

Novice

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 22

Likes: 0

From: Chicago

you might be fine at 11:00 am through chicago. 294 is the safer bet as far as traffic is concerned. maybe check traffic on a phone prior to heading through. I-80 is 5 or 6 lanes wide and a little crazy like most have mentioned. if you had more time, i would suggest lakeshore drive and up the lake front through all of the neighborhoods of the rich, but this will cost you on time.

i live near wrigley field. i'm planning to ride my SG up from the cincinnati area in a few weeks. i still haven't decided my best route, but you'll have a much better chance at 11 am then you will around rush hour.

good luck.

Apr 14, 2012 | 06:42 PM

#15

dub976

Tourer

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 430

Likes: 2

From: ChiTown burbs

I'd catch 294 and go around the city, unless your looking to stop downtown for some killer food. gridlock happens all the time for no reason so plan on going from 80mph to 15mph in a instant.

its not "as" bad on the highway but if you do get off and ride the city..... be warned that people make right and left turns from the other lane all the time. buses will run you over same with taxies. I let my pipes bark and ride a lil higher in the rpm range whenever I'm downtown to let people know I'm there.

Apr 15, 2012 | 11:21 AM

#16

flhxkiller

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 1,403

Likes: 25

From: se michigan

If you're going to ride it I'd take the 94w to 294n route back to Milwaukee. It's only 10 miles or so farther and the traffic runs a bit better, should take about 5+hrs from Muskegon to Milwaukee. I don't like to pay that $ for the ferry either but still do a couple times a year when visiting friends in Milwaukee. I've ridden it many times before and after the ferry started running, lately I prefer doing the ferry. Just be really careful running thru the area from the Michigan line to 94 north of Chitown, its IMO the most stressful 100 mile stretch of highway you'll ever experience between LA and NYC.

Apr 15, 2012 | 11:50 AM

#17

smitty901

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Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 23,001

Likes: 11,441

Some will avoid a City like Chicago at all cost.
I have a different view. Riding the heat of a City day and night at the right time is an amazing ride. I often ride through Chicago.
Now rush hours would not be a good call .
Like most thing is not about how you do it but when.

Apr 15, 2012 | 12:09 PM

#18

nevada72

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 44,897

Likes: 29,874

From: PNW

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty64

I take the I90 Skyway onto Chicago to I94 to Milwaukee, I have gotten stuck in traffic any way I try to go, and if I am sitting in traffic I might as well have something to look at! I have already gotten off on the Stevenson and gone to Lakeshore Dr and taken US 41 north also.

This (Skyway) is a good route depending on the day and time, not to mention events that may be happening at the time. It's a very direct route vs a long way around on 294. If it's a weekend or noonish I would do it. If its weekday rush hour, I would go around on 294. Lakeshore is ok, but it doesn't last long before it takes you into the suburbs, which eats a lot of time.

Regardless, make sure to keep pace. You can be packed in like a parking lot and moving at 80 mph easily. Order an I-pass to save money (they charge more at the manned stations) and time.