Hey guys, going to sturgis for the first time. It’s been on wishlist for a long time. My wife is coming. Been on two wheels most of my life but only back on the HD scene for a few years. We have some riding buddies we’ve made along the way, but no one going to sturgis. So I’m shipping the bike and we’re flying there solo.

I’m watching videos, reading articles, etc… doing my research best I can and I’m usually pretty good on the homework end if all else fails. That being said, being 2k miles away, it would be nice to know the tips and tricks of people that have been there and know the dos and don’t of the area. Being solo, I don’t need any problems with a-holes or the law. I like to be as prepared as possible and maybe even meet some fellow riders on this forum. I’ve had good luck with that in past trips!

of course, we want to tour the landscape of SD and the nearby states. Would love to see history and nature etc, but also want to have some fun at bars etc. I’d like to drink, but I don’t ride drunk/stupid. How reasonable is the riding situation? Do you get pulled over for riding noticeably incapacitated/stupid …. Or is every mile a dwi checkpoint? Are certain times if day safer or riskier in that respect? My bike will be my only mode of transportation. So just want to get a feel for how things are. I don’t want problems with the law nor do I want to be in an accident with riders who ride incapacitated and blatantly don’t care about the law or life. I don’t want to go on a tangent, but there’s a big difference in my opinion between what is illegal and what is dangerous. In NY, the socialist hellhole I’m from, 1 beer can potentially put you in cuffs.

This is an expensive and long awaited trip, so I’d like to enjoy it as much as possible for everything the rally and the overall area has to offer without any snags.

speed limits ? Is everywhere a speed trap? Tips like that is what I’m looking for.

as a closing statement, I’m pretty aware and can usually feel for the right places and wrong places to do certain things, but being that sturgis is 2k miles away, it would be nice to have a jump on it.

feel free to PM me to discuss things.

thanks to anyone who contributes.

 

There are several great ride opportunities; look here —-> https://rallysturgis.com/ride-maps

 

Pick a place to stay well out of Sturgis unless you are the get drunk and stupid type and want to puke at the Buffalo Chip.

 

Drive past the event say you did it and keep riding.

 

Well IMHO you've missed the whole point,the ride there and back is the best part but since you've made plans find a place to stay well out of town,
I've stayed here a couple of times if you are camping.
If you are moteling it never mind but Elk Creek is pretty cool
https://elkcreekresort.net/
Last time (we've been there 6 times) we stayed in a motel in Keystone near Mt.Rushmore,it was nice.

 

I absolutely would drive or ride there, I just don’t have 6 days round trip driving there available to use.

found a hotel in hill city. Saw some other posts where people recommend it. Wanted to be away from full blown sturgis but the town looks like it would have some night life walking distance from hotel .

 

Hill city is nice by itself, and a decent ride up to sturgis.

 

I heard temperature changes are significant. 90 degrees to 50 degrees same day ? True ?

 

Yeah Hill City is a pretty fair choice,have a great trip.
Make sure you have a full tank of gas when you stop for the night and get up early to ride the Black Hills unless you like sitting in traffic.

 

Yeah it can be extreme,we got caught in a nasty hail storm back in '93,took out my headlight and beat us up pretty bad coming in from the west but we were lucky.
We only had golf ball sized hail,people coming in from the east had baseball sized hail.
The next morning there were snow plows clearing the streets but that afternoon temps were in the 90's.