[KRH]

Ok so I know it is a good way off...but I was wondering if anyone was planning on going to Sturgis next year? It is the 75th year and all. My husband and I are thinking of going for our first time ever. And lots of places are already booked up!

Soooo, anyone?

 

[StoneFree]

Ok so I know it is a good way off...but I was wondering if anyone was planning on going to Sturgis next year? It is the 75th year and all. My husband and I are thinking of going for our first time ever. And lots of places are already booked up!

Soooo, anyone?

It's already on my schedule and we'll be showing the Stone Free II rigid frame custom chopper and probably a custom rigid frame bobber as well based upon the Street 750 and Street 500 respectively.


I doubt we'll be there for the entire week as that's just too much for this old man to deal with. I can't party like I used to and Sturgis is one of the biggest parties held every year.


If you've never been, are young enough to party 24/7, and can afford it then I'd recommend staying at the Buffalo Chip as it's the biggest party in all of Sturgis. Don't expect to get any sleep though as sleep is not on the agenda at the Buffalo Chip. The party goes on day and night and you'll have to fall asleep to the sound of very loud pipes and/or rock-n-roll music. Complaining about the noise is not allowed at the Chip.

 

[KRH]

We looked at the Chip... I'm young..but just not that kind of partier. ....

Hubby found some 2 person cabins nearby that aren't outrageous like the hotels. We are looking into those. I can't request the time off work until the end of this year or beginning of next so we are waiting to finalize the plans.....but I would love to go for the whole deal!

We are looking at taking a mini honeymoon just so we can save for Sturgis.....hahaha

 

[HDGuy]

I won't be but i'm in for seeing what event coverage for this years event is going to be like.

 

[Testiphony]

Can someone give a quick run down of what this event is?

 

[KRH]

Can someone give a quick run down of what this event is?

It is a huge annual motorcycle rally held in Sturgis, South Dakota, usually during the first full week of August.

There are stores, vendors, events, parties, concerts, camping, exhibits, a bike building contest...all kinds of stuff for that week. They basically shut down the main drag of the city to cars and bikers take over.


They usually get an average of 40,000 people, but I heard they're expecting at least a million this year for the 75th anniversary!

More info: Future Rally Dates | 75th Annual 2015 Sturgis ® Motorcycle Rally

 

[bbally]

It has already been said.... but if you are a first timer, stay at the Chip... it will be worth it.

And do yourself a favor in the evening if you go to main street and plan to drink. Take DaBus (free) and save your self the DUI.

 

[StoneFree]

We looked at the Chip... I'm young..but just not that kind of partier. ....

Hubby found some 2 person cabins nearby that aren't outrageous like the hotels. We are looking into those. I can't request the time off work until the end of this year or beginning of next so we are waiting to finalize the plans.....but I would love to go for the whole deal!

We are looking at taking a mini honeymoon just so we can save for Sturgis.....hahaha

Sounds like a great plan and I hope to see you there.

 

[StoneFree]

Are you planning to ride or trailer to Sturgis? If you avoid freeways as much as possible (which I always recommend) it's at least a 1,200 mile trip each way from Indy (not sure where you live in Indiana) and that's probably a 4-5 day ride. I do recommend riding over trailering the motorcycle if at all possible. It's worth it for the experience.


You can FedEx stuff you'll need in Sturgis so you don't have to carry it on the M/C. If you rent a place ask them about accepting the shipment for you so that it will be there when you arrive. Most are very willing to do this usually for no charge (the Chip does charge for this service).

 

[HDGuy]

Riding down would indeed make it more rewarding, something i know i would do. Have yet to go on a trip like that, but I know I would be debating if to ride or trailer.

 

[KRH]

Are you planning to ride or trailer to Sturgis? If you avoid freeways as much as possible (which I always recommend) it's at least a 1,200 mile trip each way from Indy (not sure where you live in Indiana) and that's probably a 4-5 day ride. I do recommend riding over trailering the motorcycle if at all possible. It's worth it for the experience.


You can FedEx stuff you'll need in Sturgis so you don't have to carry it on the M/C. If you rent a place ask them about accepting the shipment for you so that it will be there when you arrive. Most are very willing to do this usually for no charge (the Chip does charge for this service).

Right now that is the big debate!

Ride, or trailer part way...

We are weighing options. We live in Indy, so he says it's around 1100 miles each way.

I'd love to ride it all the way. His bike and my lack of riding experience are running us into questions. His bike currently hits the gas light about every 100 miles. So he may need a bigger tank before we can do it. But we shall see!

Would certainly be a great late honeymoon adventure to ride the whole way!

 

[StoneFree]

Right now that is the big debate!

Ride, or trailer part way...

We are weighing options. We live in Indy, so he says it's around 1100 miles each way.

I'd love to ride it all the way. His bike and my lack of riding experience are running us into questions. His bike currently hits the gas light about every 100 miles. So he may need a bigger tank before we can do it. But we shall see!

Would certainly be a great late honeymoon adventure to ride the whole way!

A bit slower and longer if you stay off of the freeways riding but infinately more enjoyable. As I noted I'd plan on at least 1,200 miles and 4-5 days if you ride to Sturgis.


While the fuel light comes on at about 100 miles the range is over 165 on the highway but I always stop for fuel every 100 miles and suggest it. It's good to take a short break after that many miles of riding to avoid fatique.


You do have the option of riding there, then dropping the M/C off at any Harley dealer and they will ship it home for you. I believe that the cost is $500 but you'd need to check on that. I believe I read that in the HOG literature. Then you can fly home from wherever you drop the M/C off.


On a personal note I've found the journey to and from an event to be equal or better than the event itself. The sights I see and the people I meet on the highways and byways are one of the most enjoyable parts of any road trip I take. That and the actual riding is what it's really all about even when you make it to an event like Sturgis.

 

[ColoHarleyGirl]

You need to ride so you can buy the "I rode mine to Sturgis" patch. I will be there. It will be my third and last time going as a little of Sturgis goes a long way. I too am to old for the 24/7 party.

 

[StoneFree]

You need to ride so you can buy the "I rode mine to Sturgis" patch. I will be there. It will be my third and last time going as a little of Sturgis goes a long way. I too am to old for the 24/7 party.

You're right on that one. A little Sturgis does go a long way and the last time I was there was in 2006. About every 10 years is about all this old man feels is necessary. There are a lot of other M/C rallies that I feel a need to attend and I don't put all of my eggs in one basket.

Yes, to honestly wear the "I rode mine to Sturgis" you do have to actually ride there but, as I noted, you can ship your M/C home because there isn't a "I rode mine home from Sturgis" patch. LOL Riding to Sturgis garners a lot of respect from other riders because it's "about the journey and not the destination" which those of us that are hard-core riders respect. I only make it to where I'm going about 75% of the time because I often get side-tracked and I've never once regretted getting side-tracked on a road trip.

 

[HDGuy]

"I trailered mine to Sturgis"

 

[KRH]

Well, we have been discussing it today and we THINK we are going to ride!!

We conquered step 1 and got hubby his new seat. A mustang one for his 1200 nightster.

We plan to get a small trailer for him to pull as well, rather than getting him luggage and such...it ended up being more economical for us... So we are working on that.

We may not make it for the entire thing...but I think we are going....

Just have to see if I can get the time off work approved...he already has it!

I'm so stoked!!!

 

[StoneFree]

"I trailered mine to Sturgis"

Did you get the patch?

 

[CO WanderZest]

Sturgis Bike Week 2015

Hello,
kind of resurrecting this thread since it has some good advice in it.
And asking the question,

"Is anyone riding to Sturgis???"

Personally, I will be riding up the week before and pulling out on Sunday, before the official start of the week. Riding up for the first time with an experienced friend. Its only 400 miles for us from Denver.
Lots of the older riders from around here go up the week before bike week or the week after to ride the rides in the Black Hills.
I hope to see another Street 750/500 while I am there.

 

[Rock270]

Hello,
kind of resurrecting this thread since it has some good advice in it.
And asking the question,

"Is anyone riding to Sturgis???"

Personally, I will be riding up the week before and pulling out on Sunday, before the official start of the week. Riding up for the first time with an experienced friend. Its only 400 miles for us from Denver.
Lots of the older riders from around here go up the week before bike week or the week after to ride the rides in the Black Hills.
I hope to see another Street 750/500 while I am there.

i'd like to go at least once some day.
but I don't think i'd survive over a thousand miles each way on my 750 though.
and I wont take my big rice burner to it and have to hide it....lol