Opinions on Sturgis

[uncledj]

One of my buddies called me this morning and says he wants to go to Sturgis this year. He says he want's us to take my motorhome, with the bikes in tow up to the area, and either stay at a nearby campground or at Sturgis itself. (I don't know that that's even an option)

We'd be coming from Ohio, me in Central, and my friends in NE Ohio.

I've nothing against the idea, and while I get that you're supposed to actually RIDE to Sturgis,......the motorhome's pretty comfortable, and I think it'd be

quicker.

I think I'd like to ride there, but with us all in our early 50s, it'd be tough to get away from work for as long as it'd take to have an enjoyable trip.

In any case, I've always wanted to go to the area, to check out the sights on the bike, but don't know that it'd be a good idea to go during the rally. I'm betting it's pretty crazy, and I'm not a big fan of crowds. I'm also figuring that it wouldn't be much fun riding to see the sights while dealing with all the traffic.

I'd like to hear from those who've been there during the rally or not....what are your thoughts....to go or not to go, and if so...during the rally or during an off time...???

 

 

[Jactana]

I went a month before the rally just to avoid the crowds. It's pretty busy there in the summer as it is, never mind adding 400000 people to the mix. We camped on the east entrance to Custer Park at the Spokane Creek campsite, and day rode the whole area for 5 days, really relaxed, and lots of sights.

I guess it depends what you're into, the rally thing kinda gets old fast for me. Ron

 

P.S. we rode down from B.C., Wyoming was beautiful!

[Freebird]

If you don't like crowds, you are going to HATE it during bike week. I went during bike week in 2008. Had a great time and camped at Buffalo Chip camp ground. You will meet some nice people and some crazy people. I'm glad I made it one time during bike week but I would love to go again when it's not so crowded.

[CaptainJoe]

We always hit the area in June.

 

Was told by the business owners in Sturgis that the week before and the week after the rally are getting as bad as rally week.

 

I hate crowds... so you won't see me anywhere near that place in late July early August.

 

 

Taking a motorhome is gonna set you back a couple thousand... You could do a lot of motels for that...IMHO

[dwatson636]

We are planning to go sometime this year in the off season too. As well as no big crowds, It will be a whole lot cheaper as well. I did some research, and the hotel, motels, b&b's etc triple or quadruple their prices for the 2 weeks of the rally. But we will only be riding from Denver.

[wizard]

Robin and I rode to Sturgus on the 69th anniversary run and spent a week in Deadwood. To ride in the Black Hills area with that many bikers was awesome! But you gotta understand, this is a run for the older bikers. I think that the best memories and experiences came on the ride there and back. We ran into 115 degree weather to snow and sleet. And the people we met everywhere were great! 3 days to get there, 1 week riding the hills, 3 days back. Leave the motorhome at home, and ride. You will never forget it!

[uncledj]

This is just the kinda good stuff I was hopin' for......Thanks, and keep it comin'.

[bj66]

Sturgis gets really crowded. But that being said, its something everybody should see once. Most of the campgrounds are outside of Sturgis itself. The Buffalo Chip, The Broken Spoke, and Glencoe are some of the biggest. I stay at The Iron Horse Campground. Its not as rowdy as alot of the places. Bathrooms and Showers are clean. Alot of people from my area go there. Its fun. They have a beer barn and the shuttle busses run into town from there. If you are going in a camper better call now. There probly would be a spot at the Iron Horse, but I dont know if they would have any full hookups left. Might have some electricity only, and probly have some spots just to park with no electricity/sewer at all. Aussie Annie stayed at the Campground next door to where I stay at. I didnt know she was there, but she could tell you about that place.

 

You can always come and visit more than once. Then you can see the Black Hills both ways. Have fun with your decision.

[nesheins]

Found this website last year, http://www.sturgis.com/campncabin.html when a group of guys were wanting to go, but life got in the way during rally for us. But my wife and I went last year the first part of July. Stayed at a place called the Spur Campground in Piedmont. Hope the site helps

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Last thing that place needs during the rally is one more motorhome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bongobobny]

Tow the bikes??? Does your friend own a Harley???

[Miles]

He says he want's us to take my motorhome, with the bikes in tow up to the area, and either stay at a nearby campground or at Sturgis itself. (I don't know that that's even an option)

We'd be coming from Ohio, me in Central, and my friends in NE Ohio.

I've nothing against the idea, and while I get that you're supposed to actually RIDE to Sturgis,......the motorhome's pretty comfortable, and I think it'd be

quicker.

I think I'd like to ride there, but with us all in our early 50s, it'd be tough to get away from work for as long as it'd take to have an enjoyable trip.

 

 

 

Anywhere in Ohio...to Sturgis, SD is only a one day ride. And why would you think that driving a motorhome, towing a trailer with the motorcycles on it, would be faster than actually riding the bikes ?

 

I have been there many times, and we used to rent the house of the HS vice principle, which was one balock over from Main St. We just left the bikes in the back yard of the house, and walked over one block to the zoo. It was fun...years ago, but that was when there was only 200K to 250K people there. Now, with 500K people, it is too crowded.

 

If you do go, take the bikes...see all the sights outside of Sturgis, camp or motel away from the really big campfrounds, like maybe in Spearfish, SD. It is worth going one time, but the crowds and drunks are a problem.

[RandyR]

You'll notice everyone said the word -crowds- .

 

In fact, the crowds start 50-100 miles away.

 

Might as well go to Cedar Point, less people, and better behaved.

[uncledj]

That's another issue that could be a bit of a problem with riding long distances.

The guy who called rides a Suzy Volusia 800, and another friend rides a Yammy

V Star 650. They don't have windshields or monster motors for extended highway travel.

Another friend who rode up to the North PA mountains with us last year has an old Harley (82) that was a project bike that he kinda went over, but not too thoroughly, ending up in the need to leave the Harley at the cabin, and I had to ride him bi-otch on the back of my Venture, and just to add insult to injury I taped the sign to the back of my bike.

I wouldn't have done him like that, but he was big time into the "If it ain't a Harley it ain't s**t attitude, so I had to make him pay.

[CaptainJoe]

Thats hilarious!

 

Wouldnt worry about the 650 Vstar Yamaha. I rode across the country to Washington state and back on mine with zero problems. the two I was with rode "ultra classics" and were very impressed with it. Just so happens I had to ride to cheynne and back to laramee? to get parts for his 3 month old Harley... LOL

 

He also had to ride bi-otch when we went to lunch.(bottomed the shock out once or twice on that trip).

 

To be fair though he is the most down to earth guy you'd ever want to meet and has never knowcked another mans bike...

 

Memphis shades makes some good quick detach windshields, I had one on mine. The wind will beat you to death heading west....

[Guest tx2sturgis]

 

 

You just redeemed yourself!!

 

Thats funny!

 

 

Well....Here's my input, for what it is worth. I've only been to Sturgis 18 times...so what do I know.

 

 

 

 

How about you and your buddies take 2 weeks off, this gives you 8 to 10 easy days on the road. Travel the back roads, ride slower, take longer, enjoy the ride. Pack a cheap sleeping bag, small cheap tent, cheap air mattress, leathers and a rain suit. Food is EVERYWHERE at the rally.

 

Camp at Glencoe, you're close to all the action, without being TOO crowded. Glencoe has 'motorcycle only' camping areas...and lots of entertainment, and the Full Throttle, and Buffalo Chip are close by.

 

Its a 5 minute ride to downtown Sturgis.

 

Its about an hour (maybe 2 hours depending on traffic) to Mt Rushmore. Its about 45 minutes to the casinos and street scene in Deadwood. Its 2+ hours to Devils Tower, Wyoming.

 

And, its a short 2 minute walk to nekkid babes on Pervert Road. BRING YOUR CAMERA!

 

After you have bought (and need to pack) t-shirts and souvenirs, plan on tossing the cheap sleeping bag, mattress, and tent in the trash when leaving. Or you can ship that stuff home by UPS or USPS, if its something you want to keep. Stay in a motel on the way home, you will appreciate a REAL bed and shower by then!

 

Have fun sir!

 

Edited February 16, 2013 by tx2sturgis

[rickardracing]

I think if you want to tow your bikes and stay in a motorhome, do it. Your not going to be the only ones. I want to go to Sturgis once in my liftime. Yeah, it's going to be crowded, but that's part of the fun and ambiance. I know someone that goes every year. What's the worst thing that can happen? You may enjoy yourself, you may not. But you'll never know UNLESS YOU GO!!

[Eddie]

Went last year had a blast , lots of amateur riders. I seen a lot of bikes hit the ground with no good out comes. One lady rider tried to get off an exit infront of me and took her husband out that didnt know they were getting off the eway . He crashed and was sliding on the pavement and it took all I had not to run him over and not let his out of control bike take me out. Also seen a SUV pull out in front of a pack of bikes and take 14 out on the highway. Good thing we were on the side of the road .Seen a guy hit a buffalo in Custers park, and Big Mike had his tour pak open and a gust of wind put him in a ditch. Great time.

Besides that the roads and sites were awesome, I will go back a week or two before the rally next time.

[dwatson636]

Eddie, That's why I won't go during the event. Too many crazies and inexperienced riders, as well as cages who don't know how to drive around bikers. I have heard too many stories like yours.

[Phoneman1981]

Lots of good replies and and some funny reading on this one! If you really do not like crowds and are also interested in riding to the attractions then I would suggest NOT coming during rally week. We live close (4 hours) and went several years in a row the week before the rally. Stayed in Custer. Rode a bunch. Only went to Sturgis one day, toured the vendors and returned to Custer before DARK!! The past two years we have went during rally week. Stayed with friends in Sturgis. Rode less. Able to enjoy some alchohol and not have to ride. Actually had a blast just people watching. Another option might be travel in the motorhome to our area. You are welcome to leave the motorhome here and ride on up to Sturgis.

[ragtop69gs]

We were in Sturgis back in 2010 the week after the rally, it was a ghost town. All the crowds and crazies were long gone and you could ride your own ride. We spent the 2 weeks before the rally touring Montana,Wyoming & Idaho. I've been to Daytona for bike week and biketoberfest that was enough to convince me I didn't want to be in Sturgis during bike week. I enjoy a large group ride like a PGR mission, but not a rally with 200000+ with half that have had too much to drink !

[bj66]

We actually stay at our campground quite a bit. Of course being from South Dakota we have seen it all before. So on certain days we may just stay back at campground. Several of us have campers (wives wont tent) and we may just have a cookout with several of the neighbors. Some of them have all been camping in same spots for years and it has become an annual thing. Thats what makes it fun. Also pulling a camper, we have a vehicle to run into town to get groceries or beer and such. So for us it is as much about the people in the campground as it is riding up in the hills. But like I said we've seen the hills before. My wife doesnt ride at all. This year I think I have her talked into coming out. I bought a toyhauler just to give her the comforts so she would come out. While she is there I wont ride my bike at all. If we go into town I will be driving a vehicle. Its fine with me. If I can get her out there for 3 or 4 days, I'll gladly stay back and keep it low key. After all it is vacation and I'd love to spend part of it with her. I will still have a few days with my sons.

[hog]

The wife son and I went in 06.Son and I rode up wife followed in the Jeep.We stayed in Gilette,Wyoming about 95 miles from Sturgis and rode over to Sturgis area everyday.Motel room was 125.00 a night during Sturgis.About a 59.95 room any other time.If you don't like crowds,drunks,watching boobies,etc. do not go during bike week.It was fun to see but I won't go back during bike week.

[Aussie Annie]

Well we came over from Western Australia in 2011 and part of my "bucket list" was to go to Sturgis Rally

We had an amazing time riding the area. Loved Spearfish Canyon, and the Crazy horse Monument.

 

**You gotta Ride!!!!!

[Freebird]

TX2Sturgis jarred my memory. I stated that we stayed at Buffalo Chip. That is the OTHER large campground there. It was Glencoe that we stayed at though. Still large and a lot going on but a bit quieter than Buffalo Chip I've been told.