Well put sir. One can enjoy Sturgis anyway they choose. The stuff the OP is worried about is all optional. Just got back from being there the week before, leaving the Sunday of main week...great time to go.

 

Can't go if yer dead.

Get on and ride. You will be liberated.

 

I want to do it just for the ride out there! I actually could care less about the rally itself. Cant speak for my riding bud though.

He loves twisty roads, which I dont care for,,,I love being on the interstate with the cruise set and counting miles!

 

Go the week before the rally starts. Most vendors are already there and setting up or already setup for the early folks. Get out of dodge a day or two into the rally.

 

Live in Sioux Falls and go there once or twice a year. Every other year for the rally. The Rally is fun to see the chaos and the Sturgis madness. Slow/newbie riders on the fun roads = Needles/Iron Mountain/Van Knocker Canyon ruin the "fun" factor.

If you want to ride, see the awesome roads and sights go in May/June. If you want to see the rally madness go early in the week.

We always stay in Deadwood and venture into Sturgis a couple times. Take a bus from Deadwood at night for 15.00 a head and get a ride back. Sturgis at night is entirely different during at night vs the day.

The roads out there are second to none IMO. Beautiful scenery and amazing riding. Only truly enjoyable when the rally is over.


EDIT--- I'll add that the roads to/from Sturgis are truly dangerous during the rally. All of the trailers/Rv's with the GIVEN wind that you'll find on the way there nearly ruin it. 30-40mph wind this year with the solid line of vehicles was bad. The Sunday of the rally finish is even worse. I'll never do the last few days of the rally again.

 

Group of us go every 3 years. We rent a cabin together at a camp grounds in Rapid City. Only go into Sturgis and the hot spots maybe twice during the week for half a day each time; rest of the time we ride. Do our drinking at the cabin after the day's ride. This year we went out the week prior to; all the festivities and a third of the crowds. Had a blast! Rode from Maine and back!!

 

I say hell yes they can..... I wish i wasnt hungover everyday i was there. but I was lacking a little self control this year. I have been since 05 so I wasnt to concerned about seeing the sights. but honestly if you went and woke up early and did the rides you would have a great time.

I would recomend hotels in Deadwood, Spearfish, Or Rapid City.

 

Saloons are just for some of the attendees.

If you go do Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, Custer Park wild life loop, Spearfish Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, The Bad Lands, Devils Tower. The towns of Custer, Deadwood, Hill City, Spearfish, Bellafourche and others for eating places.

That will keep you riding for three days and never step into a saloon.

I would venture to say that the huge majority have never been in the major saloons in the Sturgis Area.

I have went twelve times and enjoy it more each time. I find new locations that I never knew about each time. Adventure, discovery and riding is what Sturgis is about not getting drunk on $9 drinks.

Did I mention that I'm 71?

Take one evening on Lazelle St to look at the bikes and people. Doesn't cost a cent and it is great theater.

No one, inexperienced rider or whatever has ever ruined a ride. Did Needles twice with the most riders I have encountered on it and had no problem enjoying the ride. I am not so high and mighty that I look down on others and have patience to share the road with them.

 

I had a GREAT time in Sturgis both last year and this year..... because we rode through in early July.

Rushmore proper was okay, but the best views are from Iron Mountain/14A... make sure to also ride to Deadwood/Lead, go see Crazy Horse, and make the ride out to Devils Tower and the bad lands..... Spearfish canyon was cool too.

From Chicago we rode to Sioux Falls then across SD the 2nd day pretty easily.

As for the rally... I'm 27 and am always looking for an adventure.... so again, I stay the hell out of Sturgis during the rally. Between the slow/drunk riders clogging everything up to the drunk 40-somethings who trailered their bikes out,and the kids trying on their beer muscles, never mind the cost of everything and the crowds.... all so you can hear a few 2nd rate bands and see a bunch of run down 40 ear old *******..... maybe it's just me but every Sturgis story I've heard sounds like a nightmare.

 

if you can try n get a room in deadwood on main street. its only bout 8 or 10 miles away from sturgis and a rather nice ride to and from. on the bright side when your done in sturgis you can go back to deadwood n do a lil gambling and drink for free!!