Motorcycles Ride Free on this Great Lakes Ferry

[bigjohnsd]

https://www.lake-express.com/motorcycles-ride-free/

 

[RossKean]

The rider still pays but its a good deal anyway. Unfortunately, if I'm headed that way this year, it is likely to be summer rather than the free Spring and Fall. Skipping the ride around the southern half of Lake Michigan isn't a bad thing!

 

[bigjohnsd]

I've done the SS Badger, from Manitwoc WI, the last coal fired commercial vessel in the USA. Great experience.

 

[Viper Pilot]

I've used that hi speed ferry many times with my bike. Nice ride!

 

[huron52]

Once on the Lake Express and four times on the SS Badger. The only trip on the Lake Express was slow due to fog.

 

[deagle]

Great post Bigjohnsd!! I've taken it about 5 times. Once it was a little rough sailing and I was hoping the bike next to me was tied down well. Usually it's smooth sailing though. I've also taken the Badger, which was a great ride and didn't feel near so "commercial". So smooth I literally could have left the bike on the kickstand and walked away.

Lake Express quicker and better times for me so that's what I've been using. Now to plan a ride through the U.P again.

Thanks for the heads up! The ferry's are a little pricey!

Don.

 

[DesignFlaw06]

Even with the free motorcycle fare, the ferry is still incredibly expensive for supposed time savings. Unless your schedule mandates you go through Chicago at rush hour, you can get to Milwaukee from Muskegon in 4.5 hours. The ferry is a 2.5 hour ride plus an extra hour by the time you board, load, and unload.

I've got the best excuse to take it since the ferry is only about 2 miles from my house. I've been on it a couple times. It is one of those things that sounds like a great idea until you actually run the numbers so I don't in most circumstances. But there are intangibles that I don't necessarily place value on. To me, travel time is travel time no matter if I'm sitting, sleeping, or driving. Chicago driving doesn't phase me but I can understand why people want to avoid it. It is a smooth ride usually and a neat experience if you haven't done it before. I take Lake Michigan for granted because I've lived here for so long.

If you're going to do it, free motorcycle fare is the time to do it.

 

[boyitgobob]

Thanks for the tip, stirs a desire for a ride around Lake Michigan. Don't know whether I'll take the ferry or not though.

 

[bigjohnsd]

I've done it riding through Chicago and taking the Badger. My Sister in Law lives in Lake Zurich, so if I'm going to ride through Hell I try to leave Lake Zurich at 0500. If I'm coming from the East I try to do Chicago mid morning or right after lunch. I much prefer the rural roads leading to Manitwoc and from the Ludington Michigan side.