Motorcycle Rides Near Me in Wisconsin

Closest US Motorcycle Riding Hotspot to Wisconsin

First, if you are a Wisconsin motorcycle rider that is willing to travel a bit to wherever the best motorcycle rides are, then I need to tell you about some motorcycle riding HOTSPOTS across the United States.  After 20+ years of collecting data on 1,000s of great US motorcycle roads & rides, motorcycle rider reviews and ratings of those motorcycle roads, along with thousands of photos and videos, it has become clear that some regions of the USA are simply motorcycle riding Hotspots.  And, the particular motorcycle riding hotspot that is the nearest to the state of Wisconsin is located to not too far away in southeastern Ohio.  I'll provide you some specific information about that hotspot below but you need to realize that there are other hotspots located in different regions of the US that you may want to consider traveling to at some point in your "motorcycle riding lifetime."  Each of these hotspots act like “magnets for motorcycling” and are depicted in the map image below.

Showcase: The Buckeye Hills (Southeast Ohio) Motorcycle Riding Hotspot

The nearest motorcycle riding hotspot to Wisconsin is the surprising Buckeye Hills. Now, the path you would most likely take to get to the Buckeye Hills would be to head south into Illinois. Depending where you are coming from in Wisconsin you could head down through Illinois and down to I-70 and then cut over east to Indiana or if you were to pass by Chicago, you would head southeast over to Indiana and cut down south along I-65. In either case, you’ll most likely at some point get to Indianapolis, IN and take I-70 further east and over into Ohio and eventually make it to Columbus Ohio where you’ll be on the doorstep of the Southeast Ohio motorcycle hotspot and can choose from any of its many wonderful roads. Of course a trip of this length will take an investment of your time and travel expenses but if you are up for the trip and really want to take in some world class motorcycle riding that riders have been flocking too more and more over recent decades, you need to put Southeast Ohio on your radar for an eventual motorcycle pilgrimage. 

Admittedly, Ohio is probably not one of the first states that comes to mind when you hear the concept of a motorcycle riding hotspot, but the amount of visitor traffic, the raving reviews, and the enthusiasm around the Buckeye Hills (Ohio’s southeast corner) unmistakably point this area out as a US motorcycle riding hotspot.  This region draws in riders from all over the USA. 

The wonderful Buckeye Hill's curves are a result of the 'marvelous for motorcycling' topography/terrain of this region which is referred to as the Appalachian Plateau.  The Appalachian Plateau is area covered in rolling hills and valleys.  The Appalachian Plateau covers portions of a number of US states but is part of a particularly that get particularly steeper and more pronounced as you go further south making this the most rugged region of Ohio and potentially that of the entire US Midwest.  Southeast Ohio absolutely dominates in terms of the most popular motorcycle rides in the Midwest region with 4 of the Top 5 ranked routes.  So if you are looking for a Midwestern motorcycle hotspot and love curves and twistees, check out these favoritesOnce in southeast Ohio you will want to focus on these stand out Ohio motorcycle rides:

• #1 motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #1 in the entire Midwest) – Ohio’s Triple Nickel – Route 555 
• #2 motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #3 in the Midwest)   The Ohio Cousin of the Tail of the Dragon 
• #3 motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #4 in the Midwest)  Ohio Route 26 
• #4 motorcycle ride in Ohio (and #5 in the Midwest)  Ohio’s Dragon’s Tail 

Since the remaining three motorcycle riding hotspots are significantly further away than the Southeastern Ohio hotspot, I didn't go over those other hotspots.  However, if you are interested in learning about those any of those other US motorcycling centers of gravity, simply visit our Motorcycle Rides Near Me in the USA guide where you can read the detailed and full report.
 

Iconic US Motorcycle Rides

Now if you are interested in not just hotspots but the USA's hottest individual motorcycle rides that are generally considered to be the very best motorcycle roads in the entire USA, then I need to tell you about the motorcycle rides that have reached iconic status. Unfortunately none of these motorcycle rides are located in Wisconsin, they are rides that all die hard motorcycling riding enthusiasts should add to his/her motorcycle riding bucket list.  The short list of these premium motorcycle rides in the USA are as follows:

	The Dragon – This is a route that starts at the North Carolina and Tennessee border and goes north from there for 11-miles into Tennessee.  This motorcycle ride goes by many names such as The Dragon, the Tail of the Dragon, Deal’s Gap, and/or the Dragon’s Tail.  Call it what you want, but this is most likely the most famous motorcycle road in the entire world … yes, world.  It is known for its collection of incredible curves compressed into a short stretch of 11-miles ... 318 curves in those mere 11-miles.
	The Blue Ridge Parkway – like The Tail of the Dragon discussed above, the next iconic motorcycle ride is also world famous yet this is anything but a short ride as it covers a whopping 469-miles!  This route is covers large portions of both Virginia and North Carolina and has been enchanting both motorcycle riders and car drivers for decades.
	Three Sisters – the next iconic motorcycle ride takes us down way down south & “deep in the heart of Texas” with a motorcycle ride that also goes by a few different names (Ranch Roads 335, 336,337a, or “The Twisted Sisters,” or simply “The Three Sisters”) and is positioned in an area known as Texas Hill country just northwest of San Antonio, Texas.  The ride has a cult following of riders and like the other iconic rides, draws motorcycle riders in from not just the USA but all parts of the world.
	Hwy 1 - Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) – Beyond a doubt, the most iconic motorcycle ride in the west is the Pacific Coast Highway and is also one of the most famous scenic drive in all of the world.  This quintessential road trip up (or down) the California coast became popular when it was glamorized by a variety of movies and TV shows and has only grown in popularity over time.  It offers gentle curves and breathtaking scenery as well as world class amenities along the coast and in the cities/towns that grace its path.
	If you’re looking for a iconic motorcycle ride in the Midwest, The Tunnel of Trees Road is like the PCH of the Midwest and like PCH (described above), this route is also a “shore hugger.”  It offers riders great lake shore scenery off to the west with a canopy of green foliage from above.  The ride is a favorite among Midwestern motorcycle riders and is particularly captivating in the fall when the autumn colors mesmerize riders as the ride beneath a canopy of golds, oranges, and scarlet reds.
	The last iconic American motorcycle ride on our list is the most extreme in many aspects as it is located in a sparsely populated area in northern Wyoming and crossing over into an equally sparsely populated area of Southern Montana and is referred to as Beartooth Pass .  The route is extreme for the fact that for the sheer mountain cliffs and switchbacks as well as the fact that it can throw snow & ice into the mix as late as July.  It not only offers riders unrivaled mountain scenery but also has the added bonus of putting riders within a short drive to the quintessential US National Park - Yellowstone.

The Best Motorcycle Riding areas in the state of Wisconsin  

So far we have told you about Wisconsin's nearest motorcycle riding hotspot, Southeast Ohio, as well as iconic US motorcycle roads that are spread out around the USA, but all of these motorcycle rides are a considerable distance from Wisconsin.  And, some motorcycle riders simply aren't up for the long distance travel to get to these exceptional motorcycle roads (or at least not at the moment).  So, if instead you simply want to find the best motorcycle rides near you in Wisconsin, then read on as I describe 5 of the very best motorcycle rides in Wisconsin below.  Each of these rides has been a top ranked motorcycle ride in Wisconsin for years as our ranking algorithm doesn't let a newly added ride simply jet right up to the top of the list of motorcycle roads but instead factors in the route's popularity over time by looking at many different factors that indicate a motorcycle road's popularity (e.g., page views for that motorcycle road, the number of motorcycle riders following that route, the number of times that route has been saved to riders' To Ride list, the number of times that motorcycle ride has been saved to a riders' Rode It list, the number of motorcycle ride photos or videos that have been uploaded to that page, etc, etc.).  Keep in mind however, that even though we use a somewhat complex rating algorithm to keep 'undeserving routes' from erratically rising to the top, certainly the ratings can & do change over time and so the list you see below of the best motorcycle rides in Wisconsin was current at the time of the publication of this guide to the best motorcycle rides near me - Wisconsin (date of last update is found at the top of this guide in the "note" section). Currently there are 47 Wisconsin motorcycle roads registered on McR which puts that state slightly above average as the typical US states has around 45 registered motorcycle roads.  You can see the list of Top 100 Motorcycle Rides in the USA to see how Wisconsin stacks up against other US states in terms of having the most popular motorcycle rides. 

Below are short descriptions of 5 of the best motorcycle rides in Wisconsin (complete/updated listing of all Wisconsin motorcycle rides).

 

The Top-5 Best Motorcycle Rides in Wisconsin: 

1. Wisconsin 60 Along The Wisconsin River

This Wisconsin motorcycle ride goes along the Wisconsin River from Madison to Prairie du Chien and ends in Sauk City, from where you can choose to go southeast into Madison. The river’s valley is set against a gorgeous backdrop of foothills and bluffs. As you cruise along, you also come across some old villas and Mansions on the excellent roads. It has got some tight turns and curves with reasonable speed limits, making it an absolutely satisfying ride. There is some food and gas facility available on the way.

2. Hwy 55, Menomonee Reservation Ride

Beginning in Shawano, this 66-mile motorcycle ride along Highway 55 goes up to Mole Lake and ends in Nashville. It has some canopies as well as open areas, twisties and straight ways, with some nice river views as it briefly runs along the Wolf River. It primarily takes you through the Menomonee Reservation and also shows a small part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Gas up before you start as this ride is dedicated to enjoying nature with no other interruptions!

3. Wisconsin's Route 33 - The Little Deals Gap Of The Mid-West!

This beautiful route covers some picturesque Wisconsin farmland stretches and goes through an Amish county. It also partly runs through a state park. The ride along State Route 33 is definitely a blast, say riders! The roads are smooth and you will have plenty of gas stations and places to grab a bite on the road.

4. Triple State Mississippi River Run (MN, IA, WI)

From Brownsville, MN, thus motorcycle ride takes you to New Albin and Lansing, IA. Here, upon crossing a bridge, the ride continues in Wisconsin to go all the way up to the eastern shore. The Mississippi river with a backdrop of the neighboring hills creates a beautiful landscape. Head down the other coast of the river for the best of both coasts. The meandering roads are in good shape and offer some interesting places to stretch your legs, revel in the natural beauty and grab a bite.

5. Hwy 95 From Fountain City To Arcadia

Great, amazing and colorful are a few simple ways in which riders choose to describe this Wisconsin motorcycle route. It goes from Fountain City to Arcadia. The road exhibits its best shades in the fall. Although the road is in average condition, the hills and curves make a thrill of a ride! There are some amenities on either ends, but the road doesn’t have much.

 

Note: Aside from the great motorcycle rides listed above, Wisconsin is simply a lovely state that enriched with delightful landscapes, quaint towns, and plenty of snapshots of classic Americana scenery. The state contains various types of geographical and cultural features, hence offering a variety of attractive things to do.  So putting together a great Wisconsin motorcycle road is as easy as combining any of the many popular Wisconsin motorcycle roads listed on McR and some of the great destinations listed below for your motorcycle ride/trip planning purposes:

• Oshkosh, a small on on Lake Winnebago, is known for the world-renowned airshow that earned it a place on the world’s airshow circuit and a popular line of kid’s clothing. Every summer, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the largest meeting of aviators attracts about 15,000 aircraft and half a million visitors. Aerobatic displays, vintage and contemporary military aircraft, nighttime flying displays, educational workshops, theatrical performances and aircraft rides (for those who have the budgets) are the highlights.
• The Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee is the birthplace of the motorcycle that says Freedom like nothing else! With more than 450 classic displays, the museum educates visitors about the iconic machine. There is also a Harley-themed restaurant on site. Visit during one of the museum’s ‘Bike Nights’ to witness the spectacle of the gathering of many fans and owners that drive to show off!
• The Dells of the Wisconsin River is a five-mile gorge on the state’s largest river. That natural beauty is mostly located in the state park of the same name along with some sandstone formations, an abundance of flora and fauna, canyons and some cliffs as high as 100 feet. The area also offers boat tours and excursion.
• The Land o’ Lakes region is tucked between the Boulder Junction, Eagle River and Rhinelander in northern Wisconsin. It is popular for water sports and boasts of 200 unspoiled lakes of various sizes. Camping, backpacking, canoeing and kayaking are the predominant activities. Fishing, boating, hiking, biking and swimming and cross country skiing in summers and snowshoeing in winters are other attractions.
• The Apostle Islands National Lake Shore consists of 21 islands and shorelines of over 69,000 acres in northern Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior. Historic lighthouses, sandstone sea caves, forests and natural animal habitats shape up the beautiful landscape.
• Peninsula State Park spans about 3,776 acres and includes eight miles of Green Bay shoreline in Door County. It is a site known for
• The Devil’s Lake State Park in the Baraboo Range spans over 9,200 acres and is the largest one in Wisconsin. Attractions include the 500-foot high quartzite buffs, 360-acre Devil’s Lake and other rock formations like the Blanaced Rock and Devil’s Doorway. The park also has part of the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail. The scenic beauty attracts hikers and campers from all over.
• The Peninsula State Park, a 3,776-acre stretch with 8 miles of Green Bay Shoreline in Door County is the third largest in Wisconsin. It attracts a ton of people with its walking trails, biking opportunities and good camping grounds.

Conclusion

As always, I hope to provide you with insightful & valuable motorcycle riding community information to help you get the most out of all of your motorcycling experiences.

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