Sturgis

[squidbilly]

August 1 I start my trip back to CA from VA. Planning on a northerly route due to the heat but also to see Mt Rushmore. Thinking about dropping by Sturgis just to say I've been there. Anyone ever been there on a non-Hardley? I'll probably do it in any case, but I'd like to know if anyone has had any problems that may make me reconsider.

 

[FastJoyRide]

You'll be fine. Spearfish Canyon is one of those roads that you really have to ride both ways - as it's effectively two different roads depending on which way you're going.

 

[Ignacio]

Hell, I rode through there on my FJR in the middle of Sturgis on the way to the SPANK Rally last year.

I was the ONLY person in the entire town on a sport-tourer, but then it was 3 a.m. and the only people riding were probably overserved v-twin riders.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Happened upon Sturgis back in '05 (on an FJR) totally by accident. Had a blast! There were a lot of non-HD brands, Beemers, sportbikes, wings...just about anything you can imagine. We intended on just riding through, but ended up staying 1 - 1/2 days people watching and riding demo bikes.

You gotta see it a least once. Have fun!

--G

 

[jocko87]

Damn shame you have to be there at the wrong time of the year. Come back in June and you can have to roads to yourself. I grew up in the area and wouldn't consider visiting during rally/peak tourist season. Much cooler and more enjoyable riding if you ask me. Vanocker canyon south out of Sturgis has all new pavement and is a good short little ride.

 

[Dr. Rich]

Last year on the way to NAFO, I rode though downtown Sturgis about 1 week before the big influx of bikes. It is a neat little town. All the booths were set up but none of the Hardleys were there. I did this little poster to memorialize the event

 

[fjrb0]

+1 on being on an FJR and being in Strurgis, Ain't no thing, man. Course we went in September and the town was dead. But as posted already, beautiful area, but skip the President's Heads and go to Devil's Tower. Watch out for forest rats, they own the area all around there. But they have some very pretty green grass to eat, so weren't licking the pavement like they were in Nebraska.

 

[johnny80s]

Hell, I rode through there on my FJR in the middle of Sturgis on the way to the SPANK Rally last year.
I was the ONLY person in the entire town on a sport-tourer, but then it was 3 a.m. and the only people riding were probably overserved v-twin riders.

Actually we knew you were coming through and parked the bikes behind the hotel. Sorry I did not want to be the one to tell you but I drew the short straw.

It was FRJBluesman's idea. I wanted to say, "Hi" but I got voted down by the other guys. Bluesman is the ringleader though.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Actually we knew you were coming through and parked the bikes behind the hotel. Sorry I did not want to be the one to tell you but I drew the short straw.
It was FRJBluesman's idea. I wanted to say, "Hi" but I got voted down by the other guys. Bluesman is the ringleader though.

I guess they must have some pretty big parking lots there, to accomodate all the pick up trucks and trailers. Did you get strange looks for actually arriving on a bike?

 

[jwhite518]

If you have to choose between Devils Tower and Mt. Rushmore, I think you should choose Rushmore. It's a really neat place to visit, and if you spend a little time listening to a ranger, or in the museum, you just might learn something about our country. We were there last summer and enjoyed it so much we went three times in a week. Also did Devils Tower and Sturgis in a rental car.

They don't sell motorcycles at this shop, just H-D souvenirs.

 

[johnny80s]

Actually we knew you were coming through and parked the bikes behind the hotel. Sorry I did not want to be the one to tell you but I drew the short straw.
It was FRJBluesman's idea. I wanted to say, "Hi" but I got voted down by the other guys. Bluesman is the ringleader though.

I guess they must have some pretty big parking lots there, to accomodate all the pick up trucks and trailers. Did you get strange looks for actually arriving on a bike?

Hey no need to get personal here...

 

[FJrider1]

I was there 3 weeks ago, all the "cruiser" bikes were at the motorcycle museum...

Went to the "official" Sturgis store, got my tee and got out... and YES, did do spearfish both ways, awesome!

 

[marcusorelius]

I think I'll be goin to "too broke for sturgis" at mormon lake Az, a week from next saturday

 

[FJRBluesman]

Actually we knew you were coming through and parked the bikes behind the hotel. Sorry I did not want to be the one to tell you but I drew the short straw.It was FRJBluesman's idea. I wanted to say, "Hi" but I got voted down by the other guys. Bluesman is the ringleader though.

I guess they must have some pretty big parking lots there, to accomodate all the pick up trucks and trailers. Did you get strange looks for actually arriving on a bike?

Hey no need to get personal here...

How did I get invloved in this....???? John you're such a ..... a ...... well, I guess the name John says it all.
Good one Jill! :rofl:

 

[happyPuppy]

I was there once in the mid 1990's. The rally was not on and it was just a regular small town, not much special. Deadwood was cool, I liked the cemetery

 

[NMRoadRunner]

If you go "during" bike week, expect your scooter to get pissed on, and expect "Alot" of traffic both into and out of town, I went once, never again! HD riders, during Sturgis, are Assholes, they go out of there way to be Assholes in front of other HD riders. :assassin:

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

If you go "during" bike week, expect your scooter to get pissed on, and expect "Alot" of traffic both into and out of town, I went once, never again! HD riders, during Sturgis, are Assholes, they go out of there way to be Assholes in front of other HD riders. :assassin:

+ 1 ^^^^^

It's a big, demeaning, disappointing waste of time.

(definitely intelligence insulting and tending to make you ashamed.... )

 

[protondecay123]

If you go "during" bike week, expect your scooter to get pissed on, and expect "Alot" of traffic both into and out of town, I went once, never again! HD riders, during Sturgis, are Assholes, they go out of there way to be Assholes in front of other HD riders. :assassin:

+ 1 ^^^^^

It's a big, demeaning, disappointing waste of time.

(definitely intelligence insulting and tending to make you ashamed.... )

The experiences really vary here. I went for Bikeweek in 2007. My ole lady, my brother and his ole lady. We stayed at the Lodge in Custer State Park about an hour away.

The roads were fantastic

Needles highway SD 87 is a wonderful drive through granite needles and wooden curved bridges.

Iron Mountain Road is SD 16A and it has a viewing spot for Mt Rushmore without paying the $10 admission fee ( and no they don't take the National Park Pass!) If you have a good zoom or telephoto lens you can get good pictures from there.

The Wildlife Loop Road near the Game Lodge is fun. There's nothing like slinging fresh buffalo scat on the riders behind you!

Below is a link to a map

https://www.sdgfp.info/parks/Regions/Custer...rExploreMap.pdf

The entire week we went to Sturgis from Noon to 1500 on Wednesday ( Wednesday a large portion of Sturgis moves to Wyoming) It was still packed to the gills. I did a lot of demo rides. They were fun.

If you a just another squirrel looking for a nut, camp at the Buffalo Chip. Cheech and Chong are doing their show on Tuesday night Aug 4

IMHO YMMV Good Luck!

 

[Silver Penguin]

I think I'll be goin to "too broke for sturgis" at mormon lake Az, a week from next saturday

We were just there, last month, via the dirt road that goes west to the freeway. Recommend the fish and chips at the Mormon Lake Lodge.