Sturgis 2015 thoughts
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 261
Likes: 19
From: Indiana
My wife was number 100 in the sale board! They did give her a great deal on the Slim & a great trade in price on her sporty! All in all we wouldn't of got as good of deal here locally as out there, plus it was a cash deal so they wanted to work on price!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 187
From: Florida
That's interesting. Around here, the locals generally feel its difficult, if not impossible, to get a good deal during Bike Week and Biketoberfest. The dealers sell a lot of bikes though, almost all to visitors.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
That's what they were designed for. Actual use is something entirely different now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,365
Likes: 24,244
From: NC, USA
Glad to hear most had a great time out there. I passed on it this year but did 2013 and 2014. I plan on seeing SD again maybe next year. I believe that if you go there with a positive I don't care attitude you'll have a great time. Reading too many posts on here can plant a seed of negativity that you might not be able to shake. Price gauging is common in most tourist locals just about anytime, anywhere.
In reference to "Touring Bikes", not everything we buy do we utilize for it's intended purpose or capability. I have a dive watch that can go 4,000 ft but do I do that? no, I have a rifle that can hit targets at 1,000m but I don't do it? no. My bike will bust 100mph easily but do I do it? no. Does owning a "Touring Bike" mean I can't go barhopping or ride it around town or is that reserved for slick down Bar hoppers?
Why people get so spun up on how people utilize there own property or how they get somewhere is a mystery to me.
In reference to "Touring Bikes", not everything we buy do we utilize for it's intended purpose or capability. I have a dive watch that can go 4,000 ft but do I do that? no, I have a rifle that can hit targets at 1,000m but I don't do it? no. My bike will bust 100mph easily but do I do it? no. Does owning a "Touring Bike" mean I can't go barhopping or ride it around town or is that reserved for slick down Bar hoppers?
Why people get so spun up on how people utilize there own property or how they get somewhere is a mystery to me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 220
From: Dallas
The simple mention of trailers has ruined this thread for me. Who gives a **** if someone trailers there. Me and my brother are going next year and pulling my 35' toy hauler there from TX. Anybody gives me **** for having a trailer will be met with a middle finger and a big "**** you". People who ride there are no more hardcore than I am. Stop your bitching about all the trailers and RV's you big babies. Whaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
Rode out from Wa State, 2 1/2 days travel, 4 nights in Hill City, 3 1/2 days home thru Yellowstone. Had a great ride, Downtown was a blast. Weather was good to us, dodged the storms and very little wind. All the usual suspects were there, and got to ride with the Buffalo. Don't know what the gas prices were, don't care. Wife says were going back in 2017, She is a trooper. Good Times!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
The simple mention of trailers has ruined this thread for me. Who gives a **** if someone trailers there. Me and my brother are going next year and pulling my 35' toy hauler there from TX. Anybody gives me **** for having a trailer will be met with a middle finger and a big "**** you". People who ride there are no more hardcore than I am. Stop your bitching about all the trailers and RV's you big babies. Whaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 26
Likes: 18
From: Sandy, UT
Sturgis 2015 thoughts riders and traffic
When I wrote about my overall thoughts on this years rally I said it was a great year. I still stand by that, however there where a few small issues I had. Of course some folks never have and issue and its don't worry.
This year on most of my rides traffic was running pretty good on the surrounding highways. There were a few people that had problems in their riding. It seemed to me there were quite a few inexperienced riders out there and a lot on rental bikes. My local dealer told me that 3 months ago people were coming saying I need to buy a bike now for Sturgis and I need one right away. Most he said had never owned a Harley, or a bike for that matter. They started requiring proof of an endorsement before closing a sale.
One of my biggest gripes was the number of people riding waaayyyy slow. Now I believe many roads in the Black Hill deserve serious attention and respect, but 15 to 20 miles under the speed limit is pushing it IMO. I was going towards Lead on 385 when I came on a group doing 25mph, and the weather was great. I kid you not. The back up was ridiculous. I had several groups like that on many of the roads. If you can't do the posted limit, or just a few miles below maybe a motorcycle isn't for you. The views in the area are great but if you want to look and take pictures pull off it's just safer. Trailers big issue I see on here. I'm not going to get into should you trailer or not. One thing I see is this is one week of the year and it's for BIKES. Stop letting people with large vehicles down in Sturgis. Have a assigned route for them. Yes there are certain campsites that are close in, but knowing the area there are other routes rather than right thru downtown. No one is going to die going around for one week. There you go let the bashing begin.
This year on most of my rides traffic was running pretty good on the surrounding highways. There were a few people that had problems in their riding. It seemed to me there were quite a few inexperienced riders out there and a lot on rental bikes. My local dealer told me that 3 months ago people were coming saying I need to buy a bike now for Sturgis and I need one right away. Most he said had never owned a Harley, or a bike for that matter. They started requiring proof of an endorsement before closing a sale.
One of my biggest gripes was the number of people riding waaayyyy slow. Now I believe many roads in the Black Hill deserve serious attention and respect, but 15 to 20 miles under the speed limit is pushing it IMO. I was going towards Lead on 385 when I came on a group doing 25mph, and the weather was great. I kid you not. The back up was ridiculous. I had several groups like that on many of the roads. If you can't do the posted limit, or just a few miles below maybe a motorcycle isn't for you. The views in the area are great but if you want to look and take pictures pull off it's just safer. Trailers big issue I see on here. I'm not going to get into should you trailer or not. One thing I see is this is one week of the year and it's for BIKES. Stop letting people with large vehicles down in Sturgis. Have a assigned route for them. Yes there are certain campsites that are close in, but knowing the area there are other routes rather than right thru downtown. No one is going to die going around for one week. There you go let the bashing begin.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,642
Likes: 181
From: Massachusetts
An alternate route to keep vehicles with trailers out of downtown sounds like a sensible idea. The area that you live in is one of the best in the country for riding (I'm jealous). I broke my shoulder at Snowbird a few years back. Luckily they have the medical center, pharmacy and liquor store all at the bottom of the mountain.
I would assume that it has been considered by the planning committee.
I would assume that it has been considered by the planning committee.
Last edited by Jack Sullivan; Aug 11, 2015 at 01:21 PM.