Took my first trip to Sturgis this weekend, only to be a few miles away and have a van switch lanes right in front of our pack and hit the brakes to make a left turn. I took the ditch, hit a culvert and am lucky to be breathing. I escaped with a concussion, a few stitches, road rash and sprained wrists. My 2014 SG is in 4000 pieces and totalled along with another bike that was riding with us. All in all though, I had a good time. Not sure if I'll ever return though.

Oh ya, and the best part is the only witnesses that stuck around was my group and the guy in the van who lied and said he'd been in the left lane for miles. Nobody in a neutral position was there so the police officer didn't write any tickets and called it a no fault accident. SMH

 

One of the reasons that I'm considering a go-pro style camera for rides. You might be able to argue with a witness, but video provides proof.

Glad you escaped (relatively) unscathed. Bikes can be replaced: Considering a 2014, hopefully insurance will cover the whole repair/replace.

 

Wow. That was quick. Glad you're, uhh, OK.

 

That sucks! Guess cagers are cagers nomatter where you go. Glad you're ok and hope to see you back on a new horse soon as those wounds heal up.

 

Another reason I want a dash cam setup.

 

Sorry to hear about the incident.

It's not just the 'cagers' everyone needs to worry about while in Sturgis, however. When you are out there riding in the area you will see more than a few riders doing things like crossing center lines, passing solid lines, etc. Things are only worse after riders are getting loaded up in the bars and making their way back to the campgrounds. Most of the rally-related accident stories you will read about in the news are bike-on-bike or single bike accidents.

I know everyone points fingers at cagers, and many deserve it, but when you go out there you are going to see a lot of worse stuff from riders. A lot of people out there ride like it's their first week on a bike. Add alcohol and twisty roads into the mix and the best thing to do is grow eyes in the back of your head.

The first one is already in:

http://rapidcityjournal.com/sturgisr...f21a92c05.html

The collision between three motorcycles on state Highway 34 caused a life-threatening injury to one Oklahoma rider, put three other people in the hospital and left another biker with drunken driving charges.

A biker involved in an accident on Highway 34 east of Sturgis has been charged with DUI and vehicular battery in a head-on crash that put several people in the hospital with serious injuries, including one who was sent immediately to surgery.

Darter, officials said, was riding a 2013 Victory motorcycle westbound on Highway 34 when he crossed the center line and collided head-on with Grogan's eastbound 2014 Hawk motorcycle.
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Sturgis is a "Sensory Overload Area" ... You are responsible for your own safety and well being. Glad you're okay. Sucks to lose the scooter.

 

There are other bike riders that shouldn't be riding bikes that are worse than any "cager" I have ever seen.

 

Expect the unexpecteded and have a plan when it occurs.
If I was a "few miles" from Sturgis, hyper vigilance, situational awareness, slow speeds and defensive attitudes would be at 110%. The closer you get to a venue like Sturgis, the more dangerous it becomes.

 

Some people can't/won't ride 1,000 miles. I know I couldn't. To me, it's not how you get there, as long as you get there.