A wedding is a wonderful time to celebrate with friends and family, but when that family resides in Wisconsin, it is also a great excuse for a motorcycle adventure. My cousin’s wedding was during Labor Day weekend, and the trip would take me through Milwaukee, so I called some friends at Harley-Davidson to see if I could borrow a bike. They offered me a beautiful Blue Burst Low Rider ST. Arriving on the Friday before the wedding and planning to return the bike the Tuesday after Labor Day, my trip quickly turned into a multiday odyssey, giving me the opportunity to explore the wonders of Wisconsin on two wheels.
Scan QR codes above or click Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, or Day 4 to view routes on REVER
On Friday, I flew to Milwaukee. Since the Low Rider ST has small saddlebags with only 2 cubic feet (28.3 liters) of storage, I knew I needed to pack light. Thankfully, the wedding would be informal, so I could forego a sports coat in favor of a simple shirt and tie that I could roll up with other essentials. Once on the ground, I met the representative from Harley-Davidson and transferred the contents of my duffel bag into the saddlebags. My destination was the Green Lake/Ripon area, about two hours northwest of Milwaukee, which would serve as my home base for the weekend.
With the bike packed and ready, I set a course for Ripon, where the couple was hosting their rehearsal dinner that evening. Hoping to avoid interstates, I asked a friend who formerly worked at Harley-Davidson if she could recommend a route. She gave me detailed directions that I was able to enter into my REVER app. What followed was the perfect welcome to Wisconsin.
My ride began in the suburb of Wauwatosa and ventured west until I turned north of Pewaukee Lake. This led me to State Route 83, which threads the needle between Pine Lake, Beaver Lake, and North Lake. Making good time, I stopped at Sweet Dreams in Hartford for a frozen custard. About midway through my chocolate cone, a bit of drizzle began to dampen my day. There was just enough precipitation to wet my windscreen but not enough for rain gear, so I hopped back on the Low Rider, set it to Rain mode, and pointed my wheels north. At this point in the ride, I was passing nothing but cornfields and cow pastures, their distinct smells intensified by the light rain. From there, I took State Route 175 to State Route 33, and then a northerly ride up County Road P to Theresa. Fully immersed in rural Wisconsin, I eventually found myself on State Route 49.
The drizzle dried up, and I was greeted by the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. At 33,000 acres, the Horicon Marsh is one of the largest wetland areas in the United States and is a migratory stop for ducks and geese. The marsh is divided between federal and state parks, with the northern portion being managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. SR-49 passes along the northern edge of the refuge and provides a scenic view of the wetlands. With the sun now shining, I took a moment to rest at one of the nearby vistas before continuing on toward Waupun. Riding along County Road M, I was again surrounded by cornfields and cow pastures, as well as several gigantic windmills spinning in their slow, methodical manner. I eventually turned west on State Route 23, which took me into Ripon. After dropping off the bike and my gear at the hotel, I joined the bride and groom at Knuth Brewing Company to catch up over beers and grub.
The wedding was on Saturday evening, so I woke up early to squeeze in a morning ride around Green Lake. From the hotel, I ventured west on SR-23 until turning south on County Road A. On Illinois Avenue, I passed the Heidel House Hotel & Conference Center. For those looking for luxury during their motorcycle adventures, the Heidel House is an outstanding option. Originally built in 1890, the property transformed into a restaurant and later a lakeside lodge. The facility closed in 2019, but through a multimillion-dollar investment in 2021, it was redeveloped into one of the premier destinations in the Midwest. Today, it is also an outstanding dining spot, including Waves Pub and Grill, a casual option for a midride stop. If golf is your game, the lush grasslands of Wisconsin are lined with country clubs, including Tuscumbia Golf Course, across the street from the Heidel House.
On a timetable, I continued down Illinois Avenue until turning north on Lake Drive and then west on South Street, which took me through the heart of Green Lake. Keeping the actual lake on my left, I turned south and took a moment to appreciate the view at Hattie Sherwood Park. Green Lake is not large, but it contains several boat launches that were bustling with activity over this Labor Day weekend.
At the southern tip of the lake, I took a break at Dodge Memorial County Park to admire the boat traffic and dip my toes in the water. I continued on County Road K before turning north onto Lakeview Road, which ironically did not have the view of the lake I expected. I tried to hug the shoreline by turning west, but the lake was obscured by homes along the shore, so I returned to Lakeview Road and eventually made my way to County Road A. I pulled into Sunset Park to enjoy the east side of the lake before returning to Ripon. Back at the hotel, I changed for the wedding and then joined my family at my cousin’s home for a picturesque outdoor ceremony.
Sunday proved to be a day of rest. I rode the Low Rider ST back over to Dodge Memorial County Park and joined my extended family for some swimming and relaxation. But come Monday, I was ready to venture out farther and set my sights on the largest lake inside the state, Lake Winnebago. I plotted a 102-mile route around the 137,700-acre lake. I headed east on SR-23, through Rosedale and then Fond du Lac before turning north on U.S. Route 151. About a third of the way up, I found The Little Farmer, a quaint farm stand offering baked goods and apple products. The orchard and rustic buildings surrounding the property are a favorite location for family photos. And depending on the season, they also offer hayrides, a corn maze, and tours for kids.
Along U.S. 151, there are also numerous beaches, but I was focused on riding, so I continued my journey north until reaching Sherwood and turning west on State Route 114. On the north side of the lake, I pulled into Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, where I spent some time exploring the trails on foot, which gave me a chance to admire the wildflowers and a bustling butterfly garden. With daylight burning, I continued to Menasha, where I dealt with some construction. Then on to Neenah and ultimately Oshkosh, where I stopped at the north tip of Menominee Park beside a cove and a thin peninsula that contained a paved path suitable for pedestrians and bicyclists. From that vantage point, I could see across the lake, with the boat traffic one would expect on a holiday weekend. Back on the bike, I continued through Oshkosh and stumbled across a classic car show held in South Park. As a classic truck owner, I felt obligated to stop and walk around the park. Needing to rendezvous with family that evening for dinner and some college football, I then proceeded southwest on State Route 44 before returning to Ripon just as the night game was about to kick off.
Tuesday marked my return to Milwaukee. I headed out on SR-23 before eventually making it to SR-175, which I would follow all the way back. Not having to worry as much about the navigation, I spent time reflecting on the bike I’d been riding all weekend. The heart and soul of the Low Rider ST is the 117ci Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin, which is oil-cooled and cranks out 114 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. This is a monster of a motor in a Harley that weighs 712 lb, which is svelte compared to the 838-lb Road Glide that comes with the same engine. Rolling on the throttle, especially in Sport mode, makes for spirited launches off the light that are complemented by a throaty growl from the 2-into-1 pipes. The fairing offers decent wind protection, and the dash display is radically improved over the minuscule readout on 2024 models. I was relieved to see an analog display, as the previous digital dash was difficult to discern. The Blue Burst paint (an $850 upgrade) is striking and more eye-catching than the Billard Gray and Vivid Black color options. Starting at $24,199, this is one of the most affordable touring bikes in Harley-Davidson’s lineup. My only issue with the Low Rider ST is the 27-inch seat height. I’m 6-foot-1 and have a 34-inch inseam, so the ergonomics are a little snug for my liking, but as the name implies, this is a Low Rider.
My 81-mile return ride ended where the journey began. I handed the bike back, but my day was not over. Any self-respecting motorcyclist can’t go through Milwaukee without taking a tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum. I spent a couple of hours recounting the rich history of the Motor Company at this motorcycling mecca. This was my second stop at the museum and was undoubtedly a highlight of this trip. Visitors can see the dawn of motorcycle design and its evolution over the years under the bar and shield. The curation is top-tier and rivals any automotive museum in the world. It is worth witnessing, and it made for an ideal and fitting end to my tour of Wisconsin.
See all of Rider‘s touring stories here.
Wisconsin Motorcycle Ride Resources
- Milwaukee
- Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
- Ripon
- Green Lake
- Green Lake Country
- Heidel House Hotel & Conference Center
- Heckrodt Wetland Reserve
- Oshkosh
- Lake Winnebago Region
Christian Pierce is a freelance writer whose work has been published in Rider and on sites like RevZilla’s Common Tread, HotCars, TopSpeed, and Road Dirt. He grew up in Laconia, New Hampshire, site of the legendary motorcycle rally, and now resides in Atlanta, where he works in the film and television industry.
