Sturgis, what a ripoff
Went to Sturgis for the first time this year. Just got back in fact. I'd always wanted to go.
I'm used to bike rallies jacking up their prices but jesus christ Sturgis takes the friggin' cake!
It's a joke. I don't understand why people put up with it.
We camped in the Black Hills and the riding was fantastic in and around the hills and Sturgis, but the rally itself is bogus.
I'll never go back, that's for sure, and I hope the price gougers go out of business and die a slow death. Bunch of greedy, avaricious jackasses.
I'm used to bike rallies jacking up their prices but jesus christ Sturgis takes the friggin' cake!
It's a joke. I don't understand why people put up with it.
We camped in the Black Hills and the riding was fantastic in and around the hills and Sturgis, but the rally itself is bogus.
I'll never go back, that's for sure, and I hope the price gougers go out of business and die a slow death. Bunch of greedy, avaricious jackasses.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: United Kingdom
I'm from Sturgis and dealt with the Rally every year. It's not difficult to go to the Rally and not spend much cash. Go to Walmart or a grocery store and make your own meals and buy your own beer. If you are seriously eating every meal and drinking all your beer from the bars/vendors then you are retarded and are the exact chump that they are targeting and I appreciate the money you are pumping into my small town's economy. If you use half a brain and spend your money wisely you will leave with your shirt still on your back.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 164
From: Home
I've checked out Stugis about 2 weeks after the rally and have to say it was very nice.
No vendors or any of that crap but t-shirts were 3 for $10, clear roads and reasonable hotel / motel rates.
No vendors or any of that crap but t-shirts were 3 for $10, clear roads and reasonable hotel / motel rates.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,291
Likes: 7,773
From: West Central FL
I live about three hours from Bike Week and Biketoberfest and I don't go to them for the same reasons. If you jack up prices during a major storm it's called "price gouging."
If you jack up prices during a major event it's called "business" and the difference is in how much money filters down to the city, county and state governments.
One member who lives out there summed it up nicely- "If you are seriously eating every meal and drinking all your beer from the bars/vendors then you are retarded and are the exact chump that they are targeting and I appreciate the money you are pumping into my small town's economy."
Last edited by Hey Man; Aug 21, 2016 at 04:45 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 3,431
From: Idaho Panhandle
I went to Disneyworld, got a deal and had a good time. Everything was plastic and disposable.
I went to Las Vegas, got a super deal and we had a very good time. Everything was plastic and a ripoff, but we survived well. Managed to not have our saddlebags stolen.
I went to Sturgis, camped there, moteled going and coming, had a good time. Beers on the shuttle to town and back were cans, and 3 dollars, but I figured it was a great way to get ripped off. Rode the bike in the first day, rode shuttle next day. Went back off season to ride needles, iron mtn, pigtail, spearfish, badlands and black hills. Oh so much better than Sturgis week. Plenty of regular beer prices in Sturgis. Never felt I needed a beer at Full Throttle after the first one. At chip, I bought cheap large plastic chip tankard and got cheap refills all week. Even used it for free hot coffee in the morning, though that warped the inside, it worked for beers all week. I think it holds more than a pint, and cost 3.00 to refill.
I have a great time. Will be back next year. Biggest change over the years is amount of Chinese made cheap crap, even with the big names. What is becoming harder to find are the custom ma and pa small businesses that make really cool stuff. I think Sturgis and the chip need to make a section and reduce rates for independent and home businesses so they can still attend. Years ago it was custom or homemade stuff and service, now it is about sales and daily sales totals. Though, I sure do appreciate the closeout prices at places like the Harley dealer tent.
I went to Las Vegas, got a super deal and we had a very good time. Everything was plastic and a ripoff, but we survived well. Managed to not have our saddlebags stolen.
I went to Sturgis, camped there, moteled going and coming, had a good time. Beers on the shuttle to town and back were cans, and 3 dollars, but I figured it was a great way to get ripped off. Rode the bike in the first day, rode shuttle next day. Went back off season to ride needles, iron mtn, pigtail, spearfish, badlands and black hills. Oh so much better than Sturgis week. Plenty of regular beer prices in Sturgis. Never felt I needed a beer at Full Throttle after the first one. At chip, I bought cheap large plastic chip tankard and got cheap refills all week. Even used it for free hot coffee in the morning, though that warped the inside, it worked for beers all week. I think it holds more than a pint, and cost 3.00 to refill.
I have a great time. Will be back next year. Biggest change over the years is amount of Chinese made cheap crap, even with the big names. What is becoming harder to find are the custom ma and pa small businesses that make really cool stuff. I think Sturgis and the chip need to make a section and reduce rates for independent and home businesses so they can still attend. Years ago it was custom or homemade stuff and service, now it is about sales and daily sales totals. Though, I sure do appreciate the closeout prices at places like the Harley dealer tent.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,926
Likes: 962
From: Texas
I have no qualm with spending up on beer when I'm out for a good time. Same with food. I know my cash flow and know what I can afford. If I didn't want to spend up, then I would simply do as others advised here...buy at walmart and be choosy about where my money goes. Doesn't make me a chump or a mark. Sometimes I just don't want to do all the planning and extra steps and am OK with paying for that convenience.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 14
From: lancaster,ca
Most come out here for the riding and the comradery and meet up with their friends/bros once a year or whenever.
Personally I mostly like the scene and really like it when the rally year does not end in a 0 or a 5.
Those years are crazy and I try to avoid Sturgis as much as possible.
If you think it's bad here for price gouging, you should try Las Vegas some time, and it does not matter what time of year you are out there.
They don't even have complimentary coffee in the motel room's there.
If you so have the notion to have a cup, it will cost you $6-bucks which is added to your room bill.
Personally I mostly like the scene and really like it when the rally year does not end in a 0 or a 5.
Those years are crazy and I try to avoid Sturgis as much as possible.
If you think it's bad here for price gouging, you should try Las Vegas some time, and it does not matter what time of year you are out there.
They don't even have complimentary coffee in the motel room's there.
If you so have the notion to have a cup, it will cost you $6-bucks which is added to your room bill.
Strange ALL my rooms in Vegas have had free coffee..maybe you should try staying somewhere else than the motel 6...
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 241
From: the 'ville' kentucky
i hear they got 75th tees on sale in sturgis--i got 1 last year and dont need any more blk tees--been many times to sturgis--stay at a campground for $100 for 10 day stay during rally week--eat at am legion (good food and priced right)--drink a cpl brewskies at the dungeon and ride the **** outa them hills--be there next year--i like the sturgis rally