Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events STURGIS... HERE WE COME

Yep, all falling together nicely, crating bikes in 18 days, 24th May, and flyin in on the 12th July....
Arrive LA and make our way up to Canada, across to Sturgis and back to LA... 19 bikes and 32 Kiwi's... 7500 odd miles... 47 days...

What's it like ridin on the other side of the road...

Gonna be a trip of a lifetime...

Sounds like your gonna have a great time !!!!

Hope all goes well for ya Mike, sounds a really exciting event and I believe Sturgis is fantastic

You will enjoy the Black Hills. Lots of great two lane twisties in good condition. And give er take somewhere between 400,000 to a half a million Harley Davidsons. I wonder if gas prices will keep some people at home this year?

the 70th Rally a few years hence is expected to really draw some people.

It snowed a regular blizzard in the Black Hills this past weekend.

The weather can be weird in Sodak. Cold one minute and hot the next even in August at times.

Sturgis was great, hope it isn't one big commercial now like other big events have become. I haven't been in years but would like to go with Wendy we wanted to last year but it just wasn't in the cards maybe this year but I doubt it with the Twins and gas prices.

I dont think there are any rallies of any size that are not highly commercialized anymore.

Sturgis is one big economic boost to the local merchants in the Black Hills area. Literally thousands of vendors flood into Sturgis and the surrounding area. Black Hills Harley Davidson alone in Rapid City turns their parking lot into one huge Harley accessory vendor parking lot.

Stone House Saloon up in Belle fourche only operates during the rally and from what I hear they make money hand over foot for a week. Lots of small enterprises like that only open for the rally and make a killing.

The degree of commercialization has grown a lot over the years. Even back in the early seventies when I was still in High School the Rally was a small affair by the todays standards.

Now its big name venues and concerts , packed campgrounds and thousands upon thousands of bikes stretcing from the Southern Black Hills all the way to Belle fourche in the North.

Even Wyoming benefits from the rally.

It is one big humongous party atmosphere though. Sometimes the best time to ride the most popular roads is at daybreak before the crowd wakes up after a night of partying.

The big outdoor biker bar "Full Throttle" is a venue unto itself with concerts and beer and booze a flowing. Its also home to a large assortment of vendors selling everyting from T-shirts to oil paintings. Last year the guy that rides (stunt rider) around the inner circumference of a large tin can worked out of there. Three or four burn out pits for thoe who want that experience as well.

Its a fun time overall but its a watch your butt type of riding experience during peak riding times.

I know we went to Laconia a couple years ago and it wasn't what I remember. It was just vendor after vendor. Daytona has gone way down hill from what I remember too although not as bad since there still is plenty of the old school stuff to do if you know where to go. I haven't been to Sturgis since maybe 84.

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... 19 bikes and 32 Kiwi's... At Sturgis...oh my this is going to be good.

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You talk funny. Where you from. Did you have to cross the ocean to get here. (Belive me, ive been asked that one).

Be ready for lots of questions. When they ask you, Are you Australian....or Are you English, or Are you Polish ( ) just nod politly and smile....its so much easier.

Never been to Sturgis, but would like to expericence it one time. It must be one of the biggest if not the biggest rally in the world now. But be careful, from what i hear the local roads there become as congested as big inner cities during comuter time.

Well its not really like big inner city traffic. Rapid City is the predominant hub Metropolis for the greater Black Hills area. Its around 65 thousand population and is the second largest city in the state of South Dakota. Its roughly 30 miles from Sturgis. Sturgis during non rally time is home to about I'd say 7 or 8 thousand souls.

Intersate 90 is the slab that gets you from Rapid to Sturgis other than running through the Hills themselves. The area is a popular tourist area all Summer long for everyone including bikers with Mt Rushmore, Custer State Park , lots of lakes and camp grounds / fishing et al.

So during rally time the population of Sturgis, Spearfish, Custer, Hill City, and all the camp grounds in the Black Hill region swell to full and more. Sturgis residents rent out their front yards as camping spots, Add in cager tourists who seem fascinated with all the bikes and are rubbernecking constantly and you do have some congestion in there. Lots of different packs of riders on the various two lanes in the area all day long and into the night and they all want to ride at different speeds and or with a sense of urgency. Add in some beer for some of them and especially if you are out riding after the sun goes down...well if behooves you to watch your butt and check your six regularly for fast groups of four to five bikes hauling along who will not hestitate to pass you within your own lane. You really have to adhere to your line and watch your mirrors.

I got into the Black HIlls at night last year and I stayed off the bike after dark after that experience.

I'll be there from August 2nd to the 6th. Getting in early, going to enjoy the ride.

I am staying at my sisters place in Rapid City. Nothing like free lodging during the rally. Might spend a night or two in my brothers loft in Piedmont as well.

Have not decided on my route from Tucson to the hills yet. I am taking a few more days this year so I have more scenic options to get there. May just haul butt on the slab all the way home though.

I like to go the week after the whole shebang, great area to ride and no giant crowds, also quite a few vendors stick around and their prices are slashed
Same with Laconia, great mountain roads, sans the lame stupidity.
Used to attend both with a large group of friends, after a while we all tired of the crowds,so we started show'n up on the last day and stay'n the week after.

If you have the time visit the 2008 BMW Motorcycle International Rally Gillette, Wyoming July 17 - 20 2008

BMW Motorcycle Rally Link

I went last year...it was a pretty good time, but yes, very very commercialized. From what I hear a lot of what happens there depends on where you stay. We stayed in Hogg Heaven and it was 25.00 a night to camp, but very nice and quiet. But be very very very careful when riding there...you never know if someone just got a bike yesterday and decided to go to Sturgis the next day.

My best friend and I have talked some time about heading up there. This looks like a pretty good year timing wise. Unfortuantely he's in the market for a new ride; his Big Dog Pitbull is killing his back and wants something a bit smoother.

I wouldn't mind going up early and getting some peaceful riding in before the crowd really comes in. Is something like that even possible? Meaning, do riders trickle in constantly or flood in all at once? But a few of you mentioned coming in afterwards; hadn't really thought about it but that could work quite well also.

Well it's been a rather stressful week what with loading up the bikes hoping nothing is forgotten and not having too much, but I think all is prepared... My partner Robyn and I left Nelson at dawn on Fri and headed the 130Km to Picton, cool and a slight shower, both bikes running fine [her's is an 05 screamin eagle v-rod] takin it ease with our new tires on... Took the 3 1/2 hr Cook Straight ferry to Wellington in what they said was 'less than favourable conditions', year right, a good 4 mtr swell, snuck down and checked the bikes a couple of times ...
On Sat went to the warehouse in the rain, and met the group, cleaned our bikes as best we could and with teams of 3 got all our bikes crated up. 16 Harleys, 2 Yamaha's and a lone Triumph...
Cause of my wide bars I had to take them off and lay them lengthways along the bike, a bit worried about the whole affair what with wiring and brake resorvoir, [hope it dosen't leak] proberly have to bleed system when I get to LA and get my beloved bike back...
Flyin across the Pacific in 7 weeks time, can't wait for it all to begin...

Sturgis is all good. I use to live in Rapid City,'78 was the first year for me. Yea, the crowd has changed alot but if anything it's much safer out there. The riding is world class, and the concerts/party are second to none. If you decide to party in Sturgis or go to a concert, plan on staying put. Riding back to a motel at night is a bad idea. Lots of wildlife crossing the path and lots & lots of law that have no problem wrecking your vacation. We ride all day and throw down at the Buffalo Chip.

Starting to get real exicited now, 10 days to we fly over the Pacific to the States... Apparently the ship arrived safe and sound with our bikes 4 days ago... Just putting it out there here's where we'll be staying each nite so maby if any of you are close or onroute we could possibly meet up... I dare say this will be my only trip to the States [especially with my bike] so would be nice to meet someone from this esteemed site...
I know some of you will be at the Rat Kootenay Raid, Nelson, BC rally but I'll be there a couple of days late and it'll be all over and you will have gone no doubt, funny that, I live in Nelson, NZ...

Destination Milage

12 July LA
15 July Morro Bay 207
16 July San Francisco 231
18 July Eureka 272
19 July Bend 364
20 July Astoria 250
21 July Victoria 211
23 July Vancouver 70
24 July Whistler 146
25 July Kamloops 186
26 July Jasper 274
27 July Banff 180
29 July Whitefish 370
30 July Dillon 308
31 July Jackson Hole 232
1 Aug Red Lodge 242
2 Aug Gillette 290
3 Aug Sturgis 113
7 Aug Ft. Collins 350
8 Aug Idaho Springs 156
9 Aug Buena Vista 260
10 Aug Moab 300
12 Aug Durango 250
13 Aug Torrey 300
14 Aug Kanab 180
15 Aug Grand Canyon 210
16 Aug Jerome 160
17 Aug Laughlin 198
18 Aug Las Vegas 96
21 Aug Bishop 275
22 Aug Fresno 224
23 Aug Morrow Bay 140
24 Aug LA 207

Gonna be nice to leave winter behind here and head to the northern summer and ride, ride, ride......

Hey Mike, if you want to meet up on the 3rd, pm me and get my number, I would love to meet you and your mates and put a few miles on with you
Dave

Which route are you taking between Whitefish and Dillon?

From Whitefish we head out down 93 going down western side of Flathead Lake. Brunch at Missoula then down 93 till we hit 43 and over Chief Joesph Pass to 15 and on to Dillon..
John, that day will be a Wed so obviously don't know what you are up to, I could deviate if I needed to...

Sounds good to me Dave, PM sent...

What route are you taking between Buena Vista and Moab?

We backtrack to 82, over Independance Pass to Aspen. Cool refreshing drink then several variations to Moab.
1. Boot it up to Glenwood Springs and on to 70 West till Cisco turnoff.
2. On to 133 at Carbondale over McClure Pass , hang a right on 65 over Grand Mesa and on out to 70. with lunch stop at Grand Juction then on to Cisco.
3. Head on to Delta then up to Grand Junction. First 2 rides more scenic .
First ride about 295 miles, Second about 380 and last about 340. . Will be hot when we get into Utah, so want to leave early. Probaly get into Moab late afternoon... [These are the words of our tour organiser, Kentucky Ken]

FCTush, [Mike], have you got any ideas about these 3 routes?

Mike, are you going to do any posting of your travels while in route? We live near Fresno, possible for a connection and ride.
Have a safe and enjoyable ride.
Bob and AmyLee

hey mike, you guys have a good time. By an odd coincidence I will cross your north-south path around the 7th of Aug west of Rapid city SD. Probably not practical to meet up but I'll pm you my cell # and maybe we'll work something out - my schedule is loose enough.

And curse you and your HD buddies for bidding up the prices of motels during that week. I just got a quote of $300 for a holiday inn express in Rapid city Aug 7!

Why don't you all just camp and leave the soft beds for us old folks.

Make absolutely sure that Van-Ocker Canyon Road is on your list of must rides during the rally. It is, in my opinion, one of the best rides in the Hills. When I was young this road that runs from Sturgis over to Nemo Road was unpaved.

Its a great ride with two options. When you hit the fork at Van Ocker and Nemo Roads you can go left to Rapid City or turn right and venture further afield into the Black Hills.

Watch out for deer as they are thick as fleas in this area especially Nemo Road. One of last years fatalities was an individual who hit a deer on Nemo Road between Van-Ocker and Rapid City.

We made it, what a big huge smoggy city LA is... the group all getting to know one another, our room mates are an awsom couple... Sun Robyn hired a red mustang convertable and we went crusin in style... Picked up our bikes yesterday and no damage or major problems, Robyn,s needed gas and mine needed the front brakes bleed... We all made it safe an sound back to the hotel on the wrong [I mean right] side of the road so all is ready for our departure heading north today... What a blast, I can't believe this is all really happening.... Robyn's b/day today also so what a present that will be for her... It's actually 4.30am here, I've been up for an hour, and was to excited to sleep so I better go an lie down for a bit cause we depart in 3 1/2hrs and will put some rubber on the road... We brought a MacBook Air to keep in touch and document this trip so next time if ya's are lucky you'll get some photos...
Mike...

I was down town Half Moon Bay after work visiting my wife at her work when i walked outside to see two people looking at my bike. they were also riding bikes one V-rod and the other a Speedmaster, '05, blue and black like mine. I walked over to make conversation. To make a long story short I was talking with WildMike from New Zealand and his lady companion who were just days into their trip They were in a hurry to meet up with their group. I said I had read about their pending trip back in June or early July on the web site. They took some pictures of us made some nice comments about my bike and went on their way. Seemed like real nice people and were doing fine.
A small world it is.

Gary

You're right Gary, what a small world it can be, yours was the first and only one I've seen of our breed so far, the're far and few between over here... was good to meet up out of the blue... gotta tell ya's these big milages are quite tiring for some of us... just enough energy to shower, eat and a couple of drinks before its time for some shuteye... went from Eureka to Bend today, Crater Lake was awsom... I'm not gonna have the time or energy to relate this trip as I go, so I'll leave it till I get home in 6 weeks time... This country of yours certainly has amazing scenery, and I'm only in our second State of this trip... Nice bike ya got Gary, keep those custom pieces coming... It's midnite and I'm signing out............

Hopefully we see you in Sturgis

Dave

Met up with Mike today in Vancouver. hung out at the local triumph shop for a bit,an had a good ole chat .first time ive heard tbike pipes ,very nice . Good to meet ya mate ,enjoy the rest of your trip (and the fireworks)

Was good to meet up with you Gordie, had a few dramas since then I can tell you, a deer jumped in front of me on Sat heading for Jasper and put me in the ditch, my bike's a mess but still rideable and I'm in Banff at the mo resting my body and trying to get parts so I am at least legal... Everything seems closed Sun/Mon so I'll see what tomorrow brings to know if I'm off to Calgary to get rear master cylinder part and indicators... This is certainly turning into a trip of a lifetime....

jeez ,your craming in as much excitement as possible on this trip ,eh Mike.hope the rest of your trip is a bit less dramatic mate.