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Not Daytona, but Myrtle Beach BW in 85, 37 yrs ago...I thought I had more photos.... I've posted this before in places, they're buried by now...As stated, only a coupe of baggers in view...Now, it's the opposite..
Yeah, Sturgis is nothing like it used to be. Somethings may be better, but it was a lot less corporate feeling back then.
Now, the best week in Sturgis is the week after the event, especially if you just want to ride and see the beauty the area holds.
Paul
Was in Sturgis for the first time last year, there is some fantastic riding in the Black Hills but have to admit would not be very enjoyable to ride on one of those bikes with the massive rake on the front end.
Before credit cards and the middle class made it their favorite Walter Mitty fantasy, being an old school scooter tramp and the big parties were another world, epic fun.
Oh yeah, I know about scooter tramps and the life. I was raised by a biker grandpa, a sometimes biker dad, had uncles who rode, and had lots of biker friends growing up in the late 70s and 80s. I've been around bikes and bikers my whole life.
Like I said, I never got to any of the big events but I've been to some parties and seen some stuff that would make John Q. Public's jaws drop.
I went to Daytona last week and left on Saturday. Bikes started rolling in heavy on Thursday (day before it officially started).and the majority of the bikes were baggers. Also, almost nobody even knew what an FXR was and I got lots of people asking which Sportster I rode. A salesman around 30 at the HD dealer said when I walked in, "nice FXR4" and I was shocked.
I think I need to take a few years off from going because I was bored most of the time. The bonus is my cousin lives there and also a buddy I grew up with in MD.
I would have loved to attended DBW back in the day.
I went to Daytona last week and left on Saturday. Bikes started rolling in heavy on Thursday (day before it officially started).and the majority of the bikes were baggers. Also, almost nobody even knew what an FXR was and I got lots of people asking which Sportster I rode. A salesman around 30 at the HD dealer said when I walked in, "nice FXR4" and I was shocked.
I think I need to take a few years off from going because I was bored most of the time. The bonus is my cousin lives there and also a buddy I grew up with in MD.
I would have loved to attended DBW back in the day.
My parents were there back in 1957, would have loved to have seen Florida back then. Still have some old 8mm film dad took of the race which was actually held on the beach back then.
Never done Daytona, and Sturgis was a one and done. The crowds, cost, and commercialism ruins it for me. I love the Black Hills and stay in a little place in Hill City in the off-season. Planning that trip again, soon. Very cool pics, OP.
My 1st trip down was 1985 on my 83 Shovel Wideglide. There were 6 of us, 5 on HDs (3 Sporties) me and an FLH and a 78 Bonneville. We had a backpack a piece, no radios, no GPS, no nothing... If you didnt ride you didnt go... I think I did Americade that year and it was still the Honda Goldwing Rally!
Sturgis is no longer the Sturgis I remember either, hats pulled down over the ears and turned sideways, baggy pants ready to fall down and rap music. It is what it is but just no so much for me anymore, I must be getting old . As Dylan said the times they are a changing, we just need to get used to it, we had our day.
Weird. Where at the rally are you hanging out? I never see any of that. I will say that Sturgis has become just a big shopping trip. Which is fine, I guess, I enjoy the ride out and back, and hanging out with friends I'm only able to see once a year.
man o man do i remember daytona back in the day. what a blast. those days are all but forgotten. never to be seen again. i miss those days. and have no interest in going these days. great pics brings back memories
I have been to Daytona only once and it was the usual rally scene I have visited elsewhere. I have enjoyed Sturgis and Laconia each time I have taken the trip. I just approach these trips without any real expectations other than enjoying myself. Most of the interesting stuff I find in the surrounding areas and in a place like Sturgis, I rarely venture into the city itself. Despite being so crowded there really isn't a whole to see other than nonstop bike traffic and a bunch of look-alike vendors selling the same stuff. There are obviously the bars too but it's all the same stuff as well. The best vendors are outside of town at various stops in the Blacks Hills or at the HD vendor complex. Lots of stuff you just happen upon while out riding and didn't even know it was there..
I have no old school comparisons to make with the past. But my impression of the bike rally scene as a whole is that if you have seen one, you have seen them all. Regardless of size, they are basically the same thing but with different scenery. What you get out of them is what you want to get out of them. Some do like to dress up and play hardcore biker at these events. But in the end, there is no right or wrong way to enjoy yourself I guess. To each their own. I just do my own thing and that usually involves exploring the area, talking to folks, seeing something new etc. Of course you can do these things without the rally but myself I do still find it interesting to see the crowds and all the bikes, vendors etc...Even though I rarely buy much it is still interesting to see all the stuff available for your bike in person. Its better than online window shopping at JPCycle. The word I would use to describe the major rally events I have been to is 'interesting.' But again that is the perspective of someone with no link to the past.
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. As Dylan said the times they are a changing, we just need to get used to it, we had our day.
