Do NOT Go To STURGIS WITHOUT These ESSENTIAL Items!

[@FFL-vg9ro]

1) Long sleeve white or light gray shirt. Better than sunblock and bare skin on long rides. Warm as an extra layer at night. 2) collapsible small beverage cooler. Great to have lots of cold water/soda along for the ride.

[@johnc6380]

Another great video! Thank you. I'm totally envious that your only 600 miles away from the Black Hills! From where I live in California, I'm about 1,600 miles away. The upside is that it turns out to be a true adventure riding there and back every year. It's never the same. The instantaneous weather fluctuations are extreme at times, so be prepared for anything. I completely agree with your list and cannot stress enough the need for actual cash, warm/cold weather clothing, full rain gear, have water in your bags, keep an eye on your fuel level and above all else don't forget about the "common sense". For those who may be going for the first time, understand that once in the Black Hills, you'll be riding through several highly technical, two-lane roads. Know your limits in terms of skills, or familiarity with the roads and respect the warning signs. They're there for a reason.

[@Touringmidwest]

Very well said John.. now I feel like I should make another video. 100% agree with you.

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

I moved smack dead in the center of the black hills national forest. 30 mins from Sturgis , deadwood 20 mins , 45 mins to iron mountain, yeah it’s actual heaven.

[@BrewCityRider]

Great advice. Yeah, the cold temps at night took me by surprise the first time I was out there too! I would add to bring sunscreen and earplugs for the ride out.

[@Touringmidwest]

Sunscreen for sure 👍🏼

[@aragos32727]

I am planning my first trip from Florida this summer I'm going to do it on a Dyna so watching as many videos as I can. Thanks for the tips!

[@neildewitt2869]

Best You Tube is Bob and Tams Excellent Adventures they tell it all. During rally everymorning. Second is Profesional Monkey, both outstanding and will tell you a lot. To eat American Legion in Piedmont exit 46. $17 supper full home cooked meal with cake and ice cream. I have 16 years and I'm not rich. If you want more contact me!

[@johnjenkins9202]

I learned while riding in Colorado that when you get cold you can throw on your rain gear since it's windproof it helps keep you warmer

[@Touringmidwest]

It's true.. we were layering up with everything we had on the bike 😂

[@yucasola]

Excellent advice. We are only 2200 miles away (Miami, FL); just about as far as you can get in the continental US. Have to plan it well.

[@Touringmidwest]

That's a big trip.. your gonna have an amazing time!

[@brianhile1380]

I agree rain gear is essential! I've used Olympia rain gear for many years. Olympia has proven itself over and over!

[@Touringmidwest]

Nice.. I was also thinking about aerostitch today but that's high end stuff.

[@kevinmellady4246]

Thanks for the info. My first trip to Sturgis. Riding a 98 classic. From Ft Myers, FL. At 61 is the reason for Air ride suspension. See you all there, brothers and sisters.

[@Touringmidwest]

I hope you Have a safe ride and a great time!

[@neildewitt2869]

Get an Air Hauk seat cushion and it will extend your ride day by 2-300 miles. I'm from Alaska and for 13 years took the road, at 67 I bought one and now don't have the back ache and tiredness I used to. I'm 70 now and it's 23 miles short of 3000 one way for me. Been doing this for 16 year. This is 17th run. See you their!

[@philgarrett5947]

Thanks for the info. This year will be my 1st Sturgis. Camping at Katmandu.

[@Touringmidwest]

Awesome.. you will have such an amazing time.. I love going out for the rally.

[@neildewitt2869]

Look me up. I might end up being the camp host. 16 years of experience.

[@philgarrett5947]

@@neildewitt2869 Awesome! This is our 2nd year staying at Katmandu. Should arrive on the 30th. I'll be in site #37 with electric. I'll have a 16ft enclosed trailer and a GMC Canyon.

[@EdwinDearborn]

1. High-quality rain gear. 2. Warm riding gear. 3. Good tent & camping gear. 4. Cash & credit cards. 5. Comfortable walking shoes.

[@Chimeskinkade]

Was riding / camping through Ohio couple weeks back. And as soon as I got to camp I broke out the , you guessed it, Hey Dude's. Lol. Your right they are perfect for throwing in the bags. Super comfortable, I love em 👍

[@Touringmidwest]

💯 glad to find someone who agrees with me 😁

[@richardgrove3073]

Thank you sir good tips That's something I need to know you have a great one thank you for your video

[@Touringmidwest]

I appreciate your kindness.. thank you and be safe.

[@omagicmanfan]

Good advice thanks for the video

[@Touringmidwest]

Thank you

[@apwelsh]

I never had any problems with Frogg Toggs. Inexpensive, and works great in cold weather to break the wind, to keep you warm.

[@neildewitt2869]

Only problem in real rain it doesn't keep you dry. I have a one piece that cost $29 5 years ago and it's the best I've ever bought. Way better than Harleys rain gear. It's Thunder Under but covid put them out of business I'm guessing. In those five years I have burnt a small hole in right leg riding. I have a brand new set of Harley gear size 3xl I'll sell anyone for $300. I tried it on and never wear. I'm sick of getting wet with Harley rain gear. Only thing I don't have is a thigh pocket which would make my gear #1. I still wear it stay dry and deal with pulling out wallet at gas stops.

[@apwelsh]

@@neildewitt2869 my frog toggs have been through a very heavy storm and kept me pristine dry. I can still get them at cycle gear, J&P cycles, RevZilla.. I bought name brand gear while in Sturges, and they were so poorly made they leaked less than 5 minutes into my ride. They have replaced them since, but I have not tried them out to see how well they work. I know the frogs toggs work.

[@JosephMullin]

If it gets cold at night a couple of hand and foot warmers work great

[@Touringmidwest]

That's a great tip.. thanks man.

[@JosephMullin]

@@Touringmidwest I use to do a leaf peeping ride(when colors were at peak) in Southern Vermont and Northwestern Massachusetts we all used them in our boots and gloves to keep warm. They work best on the top of the hand so it doesn't interfere with your grip.

[@jdreyno1958]

Thanks for the tips. I hope to make it out there someday.

[@Touringmidwest]

I hope you can Jim. It's a good time and beautiful Riding.

[@neildewitt2869]

Someday will never come if you don't just go. I ended up in my late 50 before someday came. Now I will turn 70 shortly after. Only missed when mom passed and covid hit. Trapped in Alaska I couldn't cross Canada.

[@jdreyno1958]

@@neildewitt2869 I know, you're exactly right. I will be 66 next month. Not getting any younger 👍

[@quidable3626]

Haa in 2020 Custer it was 93° in the day, next morn it was 28° at the broken arrow campground in Custer sd

[@Touringmidwest]

The weather can change so quick out there.

[@neildewitt2869]

My first year we had a foot of golf ball hail on streets and tge plows were called out. It get cool during the day in Deadwood I'd go hang out behind tge hotels for a few and chill. The heat is a killer!

[@mikaldene7146]

More than once I was glad I added a bottle of water. Warm water is better than no water...trust me.

[@Touringmidwest]

It's true.. great tip

[@thatdumbguy]

Great tips for going to Sturgis, for the first time or the 30th.

[@Touringmidwest]

Thanks man. I can't wait to get out there again, I just love it!

[@thatdumbguy]

@@Touringmidwest same will be there from the 9th to the 12th , maybe see ya around.

[@Touringmidwest]

@@thatdumbguy I'm still not sure if I'll.be able to get out this year .. hoping though 🤞

[@DeBa1226]

Oh man, good stuff. I wear chaps on every road trip, if for no other reason, to keep the elements, wind, rocks off me. I suggest $2k cash & a debit card versus a credit card. That way everything is paid at point of sale, and you don’t come home to a racked up credit card still needing to be paid. 🤣

[@Touringmidwest]

It's true man.. I'm done with credit cards brother.. I'm trying to get out of debt right now.

[@DeBa1226]

@@Touringmidwest Nothing more free-ing that being debt free… be no longer a slave to the lender!

[@neildewitt2869]

​@@Touringmidwestcredit cards are great but you need to use it like a check book. Don't spend more than you have and pay it off in full monthly. I've lived debt free for 20 years this way. It is an awesome way to live!

[@garrettwilds1039]

Sunscreen is a must

[@Touringmidwest]

Definitely

[@harleyhawk7959]

I burnt a hole in mine, I found some leather sewed it on the legs that could get burned

[@dennisschoenaurer4152]

They say some people stay in the national forest and get their food from the grocery store, and eat at the vendors sparingly

[@Touringmidwest]

Some do, I stay at Custer and generally eat breakfast and supper at camp most days and grab a burger or something at lunch time when we are out and about

[@neildewitt2869]

Don't eat at venders, it is way over priced and it only lasts a few hours. I eat supper at American Legion in Piedmont exit 46. Full meal @ $17 this year. They have cake and ice cream included!

[@jasonmeyer287]

Hey dudes rock 😃

[@Touringmidwest]

They are so good right?

[@torgy3]

600 miles that can and should be a quick 2-3 day trip. Fuel shouldn’t be more than $250. camp downtown for $25 a night. You can easily do it for under $500. I’d rather go to Sturgis for 3 days then riding locally for a month.

[@Touringmidwest]

Its true, I love the rally. always a great time out there.

[@neildewitt2869]

600 miles 2-3 days? I'm not bragging but that's one days run and I'm 70 in November. Camp for free on BLM Land. Eat at American Legion in Piedmont exit 46 nightly $17 this year. That's $170 for all 10 days and only changing cost is fuel.

[@torgy3]

@@neildewitt2869 ya but your old school these young cake eaters can’t handle that much saddle time!

[@GJM866]

Just recently heard a biker refer to Sturgis bike week as trailer week....😄

[@Touringmidwest]

Yup lol.. I have a patch on my vest that says "I rode mine to trailer week" 😂

[@neildewitt2869]

Sturgis is a rally not bike week. Bike week is Dayton. Please use correct nomenclatures. Thank you. People now days are confused enough.

[@elgringoec]

We slept in the car, believe it or not, wasn't too bad!

[@harleyhawk7959]

get a electric inner liner with a thermostat.

[@Touringmidwest]

I have a heated jacket liner.. it's amazing but on the coldest ride we took last year I gave it to my friend that was on the back cause she was freezing.. maybe I should get a second one 😂

[@richardmoorer2668]

I doubt I'll ever make it without there for a rally.. I'm 70, used to want to go, have watched and do watch a lot bgg of videos, dont have the stamina to deal with the frenzy? 1800 miles away anyway..

[@Touringmidwest]

That'd be a big trip

[@neildewitt2869]

B.S. I'll be 70 in November and I've gone ladt 16 years. I'm from Alaska and 13 years I rode. Now I store a bike at St Croix H.D. in New Richmond, Wisconsin. It's $300 storage and I fly from Alaska to Minneapolis and dealer picks me up. I ride from WI now. Still almost a 1000 miles. I do 659 first day and stay in Mitchell and 347 I think it is into Sturgis. Two days out and back plus all tge riding in Black Hills!

[@michaeltamte296]

Be careful with the Hey Dudes. The bottoms are foam, not rubber. They are very comfortable, but in damp conditions they can be slippery. On a humid day, in the garage, my feet slipped out from under me and I really landed poorly (and painfully).

[@Touringmidwest]

Ouch.. and noted. That would ruin your day.

[@neildewitt2869]

Good info!

[@DeBa1226]

You treating yourself to some camping at Sturgis this year?!

[@Touringmidwest]

It's not looking like it man.. money is just to tight still. Hopefully next year though.

[@DeBa1226]

@@Touringmidwest oh boy…. Sleepin in a tent is cheap bro!!

[@neildewitt2869]

​@@Touringmidwestcamping free on BLM Land. 5 places around tge area.

[@Touringmidwest]

@@neildewitt2869 I’ll have to look into that.. we had a baby in October so we are not going this year either.. fingers crossed for next year 🤞🏼

[@KingPhillip]

Are you running a chopped tour pack with the king tour pack backrest and speaker pods?

[@Touringmidwest]

Nope that's a king.

[@KingPhillip]

@@Touringmidwest is it. Must be the angle. I doesn't look that big in the video. Thanks.

[@Ed.Johnson]

Bring your brother.

[@Touringmidwest]

If your brother is cool like yours otherwise leave him home.

[@h3r63rt]

If only for the spare kidney

[@Touringmidwest]

@@h3r63rt hahahahaha

[@Touringmidwest]

@@h3r63rt hahahahaha

[@mvincken]

I always said the #1 thing is sunscreen….plenty of it

[@Touringmidwest]

So true.. being tough is great but being comfortable is great too 😂

[@mvincken]

I’ve seen too many people burnt to a crisp being “tough”…they don’t think about the hot dry climate and being in the sun non-stop

[@neildewitt2869]

A​men

[@dannyloiland8609]

Frogg toggs

[@Touringmidwest]

Yes for sure

[@donaldcook6997]

do not go to strugis with out these things: money insurance phone number of good lawyer phone to take video more money..lots more

[@Touringmidwest]

😂... I love it

[@neildewitt2869]

I've gone fir ladt 16 years and spent fromm $400-1600 annually over that time. It's cheep if you don't go to tge Chip and get sucked into that's the only place to have fun. Look at the hundreds of thousands that go and stay other places. I haven't heard of many complain about it except for money. At $1600 ladt year I complained. My campground is now a new place. If you look around some you can have an outstanding time for cheep..don't eat $25 hamburgers of turkey legs. Go to tge American Legion in Piedmont exit 46 fir $17 this year and eat a good meal home cooked with cake and ice cream. There are 5 free camp grounds. Look around fir your needs and do it cheep and annually like I do. Contact me for more info.

[@pglover2010]

Why bikers spend time and money in a city that rips them off for food, lodging, and entertainment is beyond me? Sturgis accounts for over half of SD's budget revenues and bikers should boycott this place until Sturgis cracks down on vendors, local businesses, and residents who price gouge. I'd make this place one to avoid until bikers are treated better.

[@Touringmidwest]

I don't think that It's any different than people going to a state or country fair, an amusement park, water park, a concert or any other event or tourist trap.. it's an experience and yes it's rediculous that everything is expensive but it's the way the world works..

[@neildewitt2869]

It's truly not the venders. If you check into what your saying you'd find out they charge their prices because Sturgis has upped the space fees to over $7000 for the 10 days. Now how many shirts is that before you break even? It's the city and they're greed that has caused it. Last two years tgey have been getting a bite in the tail and I think some are starting to realize the vender fees are to high. Go talk to tge mayor or police chief. You'll be surprised what you will find out. Point the finger where it should be pointed. Thank you!

[@marknix1048]

lived in a rental house in vegas for a few years, harley cycle parts all over the place. bought a honda cb750, and never looked back. never ever have i been flipped off by so-called bikers, while i was taking a ride. This sadly, is how HD is gonna end it's legacy. all of a sudden, we can't enjoy motorcycles these days if we not riding a piece of true oil dripping garbage, that I've always hated!

[@Touringmidwest]

It's sad that has to be that way.. I'm just glad too see people on 2 wheels.. it's Harley for me personally cause I love them but I won't judge you for Riding something else.. Just enjoy the ride man, who cares what anybody thinks. Stay safe.

[@Dynacologist]

@marknix1048 There are motorcycles of every kind at these rallies, nobody is judging you for what you ride...

[@rrmorris67]

hey dudes? Whats a hey dude?