Sturgis

[johnny80s]

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.

More damn fish and chips! Don't you people ever get enough?

 

[Silver Penguin]

More damn fish and chips! Don't you people ever get enough?

No - never enough but unlike other members of our dining party, we do eat other things as well.

BTW, does the family restaurant near our campsite serve fish and chips? Just asking!! :clapping:

 

[SCWatts]

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.

You'll have the roads to yourself plus the hail! Went through there on an RV trip with the family June 2008. We were winding our way to the Needles, right behind a couple on a Harley . . . rounded a bend and my wife said "Look up ahead at that mist! That's beautiful!" About the time it dawned on me that wasn't mist . . . BONK! BONK! In seconds, we went from "ahhh, the beautiful mist" to screams of terror as the hail tore through all the plastic overhead vents and large hail was flying into the RV as I rolled on a highway full of quarter-sized hail around a tight corner. When we finally found a place to pull over, I climbed up top to discover my air conditioner shroud completely shredded, along with the sewer vent.

I have no idea what the Harley couple did, but it hailed two more times during that week, and then I noticed how many of the locals' cars were hail damaged. Guess they just live with it.

So, in summary: Go in June, but wear your gear! And put a tank bag on . . . .

 

[johnny80s]

More damn fish and chips! Don't you people ever get enough?

No - never enough but unlike other members of our dining party, we do eat other things as well.

BTW, does the family restaurant near our campsite serve fish and chips? Just asking!! :clapping:

Would I take you anywhere that didn't fish and chips?

 

[sportsguy]

No drama in Surgis, IMO.

We drove through last month on our route from Eastern Canada to Seattle (4300 miles). We stopped at the Harley store, I bought gloves (love them - summer mesh ones with black on black Harley logos so they aren't too flashy) then we hit the roads around town. The folks at the store were very friendly and helpful. Heck, the gal serving me OK'd a 15% discount because, she said:

1 - I was Canadian, and she likes Canada

2 - Buying riding gear is always smart

3 - Because I was getting back into biking, even if it wasn't on a Harley...

One thing Sturgis is not, is vegetarian friendly.

I'd say, so long as you are not a vegetable, Sturgi sis friendly and safe! If you were, say, a pickle, there could be trouble... :shifty:

 

[hotbike dave]

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.

you will enjoy the hills! / anything you really want to see during bike week you better look at early in the morning, otherwise is just traffic.i useually take a small bike (250ninja) for the sturgis traffic thing ;also note there is nowhere to stay and you can't get anything to eat! the damn place is packed!

 

[tbwrench]

I had my FJR out there last year with no problems and have only missed 1 year since 87. People are alright as long as you don't try to act cool or say "hey bro" to everyone. Showing respect and keeping to yourself goes a long way. I have not had my bike peed on and It wont happen on mainstreet because there are so many cops everywhere and the city needs money since vendors and sales were down last year. The city is and has been very greedy for a long time. I would suggest the Needles Highway as a must see/ride. It is near rushmore. Have fun! I will be 2 up on a silver 04. One last thing, I got my FJR last year in may and only rode custom harleys before that, I am a custom bike builder with national awards. More people stopped and asked about my FJR than most of my customs while traveling. Most of the questions were what is that? is that the new goldwing? or That is a nice BMW! Most harley guys thinks its a Beemer and for some reason the BMW's don't bother them.

Have a great ride! TBWRENCH

 

[dbx]

I've been to Sturgis during bike week a bunch of times in the late 1980's to the late 1990's on a Suzuki GS1100E and never had a single problem. My advice to myself was don't be a douche bag and no one will bother me. Knock on wood, it has always worked.

Actually, I haven't followed my own advice very well. There were a few years where I was picture happy, and I'd walk up to a gal who's topless, or wearing assless chaps, or just a mess of shredded threads so most of her skin is showing. I'll say hi, hang on while I get a pic, and she'll ask if I want her boyfriend/husband in the shot and I say no. He just looks at me while I take pictures of his "old lady."