Just returned. Attendance WAY down. Dying a slow death.

 

Sounds like riders are finally wising up to the fact that it's nothing more than a money grab...

 

I think attendance the year before an anniversary is usually going to be down. I spent most of my time in the Black Hills and only went downtown twice--Friday and Sunday. Didn't seem any less busy than other times I have went. The number of bikes riding in the Black Hills did seem to be down though, at least compared to last year. But I remember the same thing in 2014 the year before the 75th. A lot of people holding off this year for the 80th in 2020. I won't go anywhere near it next year as it will be a total zoo.

 

It can be. But I think the view that in order to attend you have to spend more than you would on any other road trip is a myth. Tent camping easily can be found for $150 the whole week. Outside of this year, that's all I ever have spent on lodging the times I have went. And food can be had at any of the markets for prices you would pay at home grocery stores. Lynn's Dakotamart off Lazelle has anything you would need and the prices aren't jacked. Gas costs the same as anywhere else on the trip. Parking is free.

But if you want all the bells and whistles--stay at Buffalo Chip with an RV, buy all the food and beer at the bars and stands, buy merchandise from vendor tents, yes you will empty your wallet in a hurry. It's as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.

 

Go on an off year and enjoy the riding with fewer bikes. Stay home on an anniversary year and get the t-shirt on line. We go in September to enjoy the riding and we forego the shirts.

 

Speaking of t-shirts, there is a custom t-shirt shop on main street during the rally that always does a daily $9.99 rally t-shirt special. Each day they offer a design. High quality and unique design--Not the usual generic rally stuff-skulls, flames, etc..one per customer but better than the usual fare and doesn't shrink in half the first time you wash it. Every year, the stock rally vendors have basically the same style of designs with different lettering.

 

When I use to go it was ******** to elbows walking down the side walks. Seems like there still is a lot of bikes. Bet everyone is in one of those new large saloons taking in the a/c and beer.

 

A down year is still how many people? It is a very large area where people stay. I'd rather go on a down year and it will probably be packed next year from people hoping it's another down year. Then again, the HD diehards are fewer these days. I can barely get excited to ride to Daytona, PCB, or Myrtle anymore and they are all less than 500 miles. Rode to Sturgis in '05 and had a blast - 1500 miles each way. Probably will go back one more time before I stop riding in the next 20 years.

 

I think it's all pretty much about managing expectations.

Talk to people at the rally you get a lot of people complaining about this or that but most of the complaining is about expenses.I am not sure what they expected but most of the people complaining about how expensive it is are those who trailer out. This isn't about looking down on people who trailer out to the rally but just reality. The cost in fuel to just pull an RV to and from the rally alone could fund a couple of people riding out and camping the hole week, plus a weeks worth of food and gas. Then when you get there, its going to cost a big wad of cash just to park that RV at a place like the Buffalo chip for the stay. And they don't allow in alcohol and make you buy their stuff so you are going to be paying out the wazoo if you like to party. Add in all the other expenses and you are looking at a pretty large bill for the whole trip. It's only expensive if you trailer out or demand top accommodations.

People will actually complain about how crowded it is too -- 'this is bs---it took me fifteen minutes to go two blocks. Not sure what they expected.

 

How big are the other ralleys you mentioned compared to Sturgis ?