Michigan??
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 800
Likes: 27
From: In the Pacific Northwest, a few hours east of Seattle.
RE: Michigan??
There are some nice hotels in St. Ignace.
The Straits are pretty picturesque. Dunno if you want to get over to Mackinaw Island or not, but its a nice afternoon.
Be prepared for cold weather riding, but it can be clear and great views even if its cold.
I grew up in Michigan, spent most of my summers in the Upper Penninsula...
Best,
Doc
The Straits are pretty picturesque. Dunno if you want to get over to Mackinaw Island or not, but its a nice afternoon.
Be prepared for cold weather riding, but it can be clear and great views even if its cold.
I grew up in Michigan, spent most of my summers in the Upper Penninsula...
Best,
Doc
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Michigan??
ORIGINAL: Zimbob
Other suggestions would be appreciated too, like weather at that time of year, how people are with bikers, how the law sees bikers, helmet law, things to look for and look out for, ect. Thanks in advance for all your input.
Other suggestions would be appreciated too, like weather at that time of year, how people are with bikers, how the law sees bikers, helmet law, things to look for and look out for, ect. Thanks in advance for all your input.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern Michigan
RE: Michigan??
I highly recomend that you try to see the tunnel of trees, its one of the nicest scenic rides you can take in Michigan, its in the upper part of the lower, heres a map.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Michigan??
I would say to stop at Makinaw City then take the boat over to Makinaw Island then head on across the Makinaw bridge. Just doing that is a trip you won't forget. When the heat of the summer is getting you down there is no better place in the country to be. Just remember it can get cold there even in the middle of summer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
RE: Michigan??
I moved away from MI many years ago. When I got into motorcycle touring I decided that one day I would tour MI on bike. So last September, my wife and I did just that. We had a route planned out but we ended up modifying it and turning it into a lighthouse tour. We visited lots of lighthouses as wella s many of the great sites that MI has to offer.We even went into the U.P. to visit a few. Many people have mentioned lots ofgreat places to visit.
Here is a link to our photos from our trip. It is on snapfish, all you have to do is register, it does not cost anything.If you have any commentsor questions about the photos just ask.
http://www2.snapfish.com/shareereg/p...=SYE/otsi=SALB
Here is a link to our photos from our trip. It is on snapfish, all you have to do is register, it does not cost anything.If you have any commentsor questions about the photos just ask.
http://www2.snapfish.com/shareereg/p...=SYE/otsi=SALB
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Michigan??
Matt: As others have said, "the weather can and will be a real factor in May". If you have to go then, be prepared with great rain gear. That having been said, my wife and I spent two weeks last August in Traverse City visiting her relatives. We trailered our Road King Classic up from Las Vegas because her mother was coming back with us for the winter. I rode the area from Traverse City north every day for 10 days. If you get north far enough go see the Soo ship-locks at Sioux St. Marie, Upper Peninsula. It will be worth your trip. Wonderful roads all around the east end of the UP. Stop in the H-D Dealer at *******. Very nice people. See the boat harbors at St. Ignace, Charlevoix and Petoskey. Ride St. Route 119 along the shoreline of the west side of the upper thumb. Great ride!
The Mackinaw Bridge was fun, Mackinaw Island is sort of boring because you can't take your bike out there. If you like to tour big ships, they recently put on display for guided tours a US Coast Guard ice breaker at Mackinaw City. At Sioux St. Marie, there is a huge older ore freighter on display and open for self-guided tours. The Michigan shipwreck museum is at White Fish Point in the UP.
Get on Google and start researching the areas of interest you may have. There are a couple of sites that are broadcasting real time video of the ships going thru the Soo Locks.
If you like to eat fish, buy either the Whitefish or the Lake Perch. Both are delicious! ................. Big Cholla
The Mackinaw Bridge was fun, Mackinaw Island is sort of boring because you can't take your bike out there. If you like to tour big ships, they recently put on display for guided tours a US Coast Guard ice breaker at Mackinaw City. At Sioux St. Marie, there is a huge older ore freighter on display and open for self-guided tours. The Michigan shipwreck museum is at White Fish Point in the UP.
Get on Google and start researching the areas of interest you may have. There are a couple of sites that are broadcasting real time video of the ships going thru the Soo Locks.
If you like to eat fish, buy either the Whitefish or the Lake Perch. Both are delicious! ................. Big Cholla
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
RE: Michigan??
all good ideas
May is ccccchhhhillly
I live about 2.5 hours east of the haven's , give er take the bar stops
you have to go to grand haven, beauty of a town, good biker area as is all of MI
you would spend all summer here if you wanted to just for the ride
May is ccccchhhhillly
I live about 2.5 hours east of the haven's , give er take the bar stops
you have to go to grand haven, beauty of a town, good biker area as is all of MI
you would spend all summer here if you wanted to just for the ride
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: Michigan??
We try to go to Michigan in August. The weather is better and the biting flys are not a problem.
South Haven is great especially during the Blue Berry Festival in early August. North of there are several small towns worth visiting. Traverse Bay area, Leland, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs are all great places. Also, stop by the Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes area.
South Haven is great especially during the Blue Berry Festival in early August. North of there are several small towns worth visiting. Traverse Bay area, Leland, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs are all great places. Also, stop by the Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes area.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 449
From: Michigan
RE: Michigan??
Well I live near Lansing and my brother lives right outside South Haven. Very nice to ride around the area and the farther north you go the better it gets. Hwy 31 will take you north thru a lot of small towns. As mentioned the wheather at that time of year can be warm or we can have snow. As South Haven is right on the lake if it gets cold enough they can get that lake effect snow and it can be nasty. Let me know when you'll be here and I'll try to meet up with you guys for a beer. Beautiful country but May can be a crapshoot to ride in.
Sarge.
Sarge.