Crusie thru Sturgis?

[oldryder]

Taking a western road trip in a couple weeks. Me on GOld wing with daughter #2. Daughter #1 on FJR.

turns out our trip coincides with Sturgis bike week.

We could easily make a pass thru Sturgis mid day. daughters think this is a great idea.

Never been out there and don't know what to expect mid-day in town...

couple questions:

1. will cruising thru town be stop n go or annoyingly congested?

2. will people and behavior in town midday be something I wouldn't want teenage daughters to see?

 

[SLK50]

1) Yes, and oh hell yes.

2) Definately yes.

 

[LDRydr]

My wife and I passed through during the rally once and didn't have any problems. Yes, traffic can move a bit slow in the downtown area, but no worse than rush-hour in the big city. And they tend to police it well enough so you're not about to see anything worse than you'd see on T.V. any given night. Plan to park for an hour or so and people-watch, it's a hoot.

 

[user 213]

I did Sturgis last year. Before 11 am, you'll get into town fine, generally speaking. After that, it gets ugly until late at night. One tip is once you get inside the town, jet down a side street for a few blocks, then run parallel to the main drags to the center of town, or close, and park on a nice shady side street. Walk and check things out, then get the heck out of dodge. Getting out isn't as bad, but will have some stop and go on the main drags. Repeat the back street method and you'll minimize the hassle. Do watch your speed and obey the various signs. They reduce the speed limits around Sturgis during bike week, especially between Deadwood and Sturgis. Some of the street signs in Sturgis on the back streets are obscured by trees too, but often have a LEO waiting for someone to blow through it.

The behavior will be fine during the day. They've really cracked down on any nudity during the day. The worst you'll see is some bare breasts with pasties or some body paint. Nothing a teenage girl hasn't seen before, skin wise. At night things get a little more rowdy, but the real nasty stuff goes on outside town in the large campgrounds now.

If you get hungry in town, and aren't interested in the vendor food, there's a grocery store like a Safeway in town, just behind all the tents. Cheap deli food there with tables inside with A/C. Seldom very crowded.

 

[Gerry.GEG]

I can't speak from first hand experience but I've known several who have done it multiple years. They use the term, "It's like Vegas." Not for kids.

So, depending on your kids you'll have to make that determination.

Good luck.

 

[black cherry]

1) Yes, and oh hell yes.
2) Definately yes.

+1

Gunny

What he said

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

I grew up in the area and saw my first Sturgis in 1962. Since then it has gotten bigger but more controlled. I have family in Rapid City and frequent Sturgis every two years. I usually ride but my brother has an extra Harley so when I fly in I have a bike to ride. The Black Hills and surrounding area becomes real small. Traffic from the south end of town to the north can be up to an hour during a real busy time, in or out. Get into town on the north exit. Most of the stuff happens at night. The Buffalo Chip when it has a concert is the third largest town in South Dakota. It has become a rally to sell T-Shirts. Vendors everywhere. But ride the Black Hills. Early morning or early evening is the nicest. Gorgeous countryside. Numbers have been way down the last few years due to economy and gouging. My brother sells liquor so he has a real pulse on the Rally. Lots to see around the area. Its worth the time to visit the area and take in Sturgis.

 

[Indian Scout]

#1 Traffic can be a little heavy after about 11:00 a.m. As someone else said use the north exit to enter town and you should be ok.

#2 As for being alright for childern, you will not encounter any problems downtown during the day as long as you stay out of the bars. At night you could find some of the females showing their brests momentarlly as they ride down main street.

 

[hotbike dave]

Taking a western road trip in a couple weeks. Me on GOld wing with daughter #2. Daughter #1 on FJR.
turns out our trip coincides with Sturgis bike week.

We could easily make a pass thru Sturgis mid day. daughters think this is a great idea.

Never been out there and don't know what to expect mid-day in town...

couple questions:

1. will cruising thru town be stop n go or annoyingly congested?

2. will people and behavior in town midday be something I wouldn't want teenage daughters to see?

hell yes traffic is at a stand still-#1

Sturgis used to be wide open , no longer, is all mom and pop stuff downtown now, police ,kids, grandma , no drinking ( ********! bring back the goodold days!)#2

 

[oldryder]

thx for replies.

we're going. I'm sure the girls will love it. (wife not too impressed but she'll get over it.)

 

[becoyote]

Behavior not so bad during the day but the traffic is ridiculous.

If you don't like the sound straight pipes you won't have a good time because you will be surrounded on all sides by dumb ***** revving their bikes in traffic for no reason.

The worst thing though is that all the beautiful roads in the Black Hills will be clogged with these noise makers going 10 mph.

 

[hotbike dave]

Taking a western road trip in a couple weeks. Me on GOld wing with daughter #2. Daughter #1 on FJR.
turns out our trip coincides with Sturgis bike week.

We could easily make a pass thru Sturgis mid day. daughters think this is a great idea.

Never been out there and don't know what to expect mid-day in town...

couple questions:

1. will cruising thru town be stop n go or annoyingly congested?

2. will people and behavior in town midday be something I wouldn't want teenage daughters to see?

well did ya go and what did ya think?