Is the Sturgis Biker Rally for Me?

[@Sincity4me]

Glad you mentioned the safety point. Friend of mine had a head on collision with a pickup that crossed center. Had massive head injuries but just too stubborn to die. Convinced me to go during the off season and avoid all the drunkenness. Also they raise the room rates about triple if not more. Don't like paying triple for the same room I would get for less 6 weeks later.

[@patdebduff396]

Good advise - went in 06 we were smart and scheduled time before and after the rally so had time to enjoy Black Hills without traffic. It was a once in a life time trip. Would recommend all Sturgis virgins to listen to you

[@ZylarB]

Good video really opened my eyes to what I’m getting my self into this week. Safe riding everyone.

[@Dry_Slyme]

Alan Creek how was it?

[@Error-eb9gv]

Isn't 1,700 miles only a 17-20 hour ride or is it through a lot of towns and back roads?

[@BrianDawe]

Great info! Thank you so much for sharing. Very good video with very important information.

[@bdhenry1966]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. That is a good perspective to consider.

[@crossbj]

Rapid City is 20 Miles away, 20 minutes

[@elmerfudd5650]

I rode the Trail of Tears a couple of times with 90K plus bikes heading to the same destination. It was like being in a VERY LONG parade for hours; sometimes roasting from the heat rising from the motor at the many stops. I have no desire to do it again, but, I am glad I rode it. Sounds like Sturgis is like the Trail of Tears X10. So, no thanks, and, thanks for educating me and thumbs up!

[@Frostytravels]

Good place to visit....need to be done once .....bucket list item for sure....just be cautious....absolutely wonderful area to ride....

[@baltsosser]

I love visiting Sturgis. The fine folks at the Indian display take a picture for me every year when I visit them. The reality of staying in Sturgis is so ridiculously simple. Do tent camping on the front lawns right in downtown Sturgis. $25 a night, and the entire town is walking distance for you. No messing around with traffic then. I stayed for 6 nights last year for $150. A single night in a hotel will be more than that during bike week.

[@countbasingstoke]

Very cool video. Is still a dream of mine to go! Perhaps for my 50th. Wish we had more bike rally's like this in the UK

[@marybarosso3845]

Good infor. Bob.

[@bmc81]

Itchy, This was a very well planned video. You know a lot about Sturgis and there is still plenty of other things that could be told here. However, it would take you another hour to tell and you still might not get it all. We go every year(since 1999) and stay at Chris's Campground in Spearfish which is only 17 miles to the west. And 10 miles away from Deadwood. We do trailer our bike because we love to stay in our motor home. We paid a lot of money for it, so. we use it as much as we can. Have fun and thanks again for doing this.

[@TheOilfieldkid]

55 degrees in Wooster today took my bike out of its hiding place! great vid hope to go someday!

[@autumnknight8710]

Hey Itchy, good presentation. Would you please offer some elaboration as to why you don't recommend 'trailering my bike' from Kansas. Thanks man - same to you: "Ride Hard - Live & Die Free".

[@davidonstott5317]

I have been going to the sturgis Talley for 27 years straight, camp south of rapid city about a mile. have to go thru rapid to get to sturgis and has never taken more than 30 minutes,, unless it was downpour rain and still made it less than an hour.

[@edgargomez8662]

I have the idea of going this year, I've heard the two good and bad stories, but who can give the best opinion is ..... who has gone several times you get scared, because they have only heard I think as you say if you are looking for problems you will find them, but if you do not look for them, nothing happens ... thanks for uploading this video and clearing up many doubts a huge hug from Colleyville, Texas

[@djairjordan]

I have fond memories of Sturgis. When I was a kid my parents decided to go on the great boring family road trip through Yellowstone and then to sd to see mount Rushmore. As a 11 year old kid I was bored out of my mind untill we hit sd and a stream of about 20 bikes drove by and all of them had topless women riding on the back. Then when we stooped naked women were everywhere definately a pre teen kid's wish come true

[@sr_73_]

Lolol...awesome youth story!

[@twatson6252]

Never been but would like to. Been to lonestar rally In Galveston Tx. We enjoyed that one. It was clean and well thought out we thought.

[@twatson6252]

The only thing I do not like about what I see is the price gouging. On everything. I wish people at some point would just say to hell with that then the prices would come down.

[@jeannetteyoung8585]

Why do I have to fight a lot of people at Mt Rushmore? Is that part of the American experience?

[@mattjohnson5146]

I live in black hawk sd I ride the hills almost on a daily basis and rally time is a lil crazy traffic wise but it is something if you haven't done I do recommend giving it a shot as long as your comfortable with the roads they can b pretty gnarly when it's not rally time but it's a place as a biker it was on my bucket list once I made it happen no matter where I'll be living I'll always make the trip good video man ride on and keep the rubber down

[@triketacular8093]

Thank You for the very informative vlog.Have always wanted to attend the Sturgis rally,but l can see a lot of advanced planning is required. Have be to the Anacortes Oyster Rally in Washington State once, and thought this is what Sturgis must be like. Only on a scale of about a hundred times smaller! Safe Travels.

[@addeedo1]

Hey good info...question...is there gas throughout the countryside... I have a Harley sporster with the 2 gal peanut tank which gives me about 80 miles..can I ride everywhere and anywhere there? Like from sturgis to devils tower..rapid city..rushmore etc? thanks

[@addeedo1]

Ok thanks man

[@addeedo1]

I decided Sturgis not for me tho...too much craziness...Im too old for that nonsense

[@addeedo1]

Yeah..thats what I would probably do if I ever go...arrive the week before..watch the bikes roll in..then get the hell out of dodge. Thanks again

[@derekheuring2984]

Thanks for the info Itchy. A couple of my Air Force buddies and I are planning to hit Sturgis next year and your insights will help greatly. We're going to trailer there though, we're all in our mid to late sixties and it's 1100 miles one way from where we live in Texas and no one wants to ride all day in 105 degree heat.

[@jeannetteyoung8585]

Will Ellsworth let you stay on base? They had a hotel and, I think, a campground ten years ago.

[@MrPAULONEAL]

Do you have a buddy named Scratchy?

[@kenny553]

good commentary. Where were you riding from?

[@kenny553]

Akron... nice. I'm down near Cincinnati and trying to plan a ride out there. Never been to sturgis and have never rode that distance. Thanks for the info.

[@majorlifts]

You're a great guy thanks for the in depth look at Sturgis. You'd be a great guy to ride with, ever think of being a paid guide, you wouldn't have to do anything cept ride and point, you'd be great at it, I'd pay. Only not sure I'd be able to keep up on my Harley Hugger, I keep her around 70mph. I like to ride easy. I hope one day I see you on the road.

[@Peterbilt359]

Very accurate video. Friends of mine set up huge camp next to bikini beach at chip every year. After a week I'm sick of it and then by June I'm missing it.

[@TexasMan77]

How about Glencoe campground? Why wouldn’t you trailer your bike again? Hope to go one day.

[@TexasMan77]

itchymoche - Thank you, love the video. Watched it a few times. Anything else I should know about the rally? How does it compare to Daytona? I’ve heard Daytona is more rowdy.

[@TexasMan77]

I’ve also heard more and more people trailering. How many people would you say do this percentage wise?

[@TexasMan77]

itchymoche Wow that seems a lot. Myself I’d be riding nearly all day and spend a minimum time partying. From San Antonio TX to sturgis would take 3 days arriving early on the third day. 1200 miles. Have a great weekend.

[@TexasMan77]

To piggyback into my last question, what are some of the other smaller campgrounds you’d recommend? Thanks again..

[@Liveharley1]

Sturgis South Dakota is on my list of rally's it the biggest and the best a must before i died! thanks for the tips.

[@lightningbrigade257]

Thank you for the great video.

[@adamsizemore3628]

81's were the only 1%ers there and I drank with them. They were really nice guys

[@erikc4055]

Went to sturgis this past aug those guys were deep

[@tedtoads9097]

Where did you ride from?

[@tedtoads9097]

Just out of curiosity how old are you?

[@renegadebiker24]

Itchy, I attempted to go in 2014, and I got halfway there, but I had to turn back, due to finances. I will try to attempt to go there again eventually. However, I think the Bikes, Blues and BBQ is probably a lot different than Sturgis rally. Have you ever been to Bikes, Blues and BBQ??

[@walterking9386]

renegadebiker24

[@eddiebenzz]

Say Boss ... what about Guns ? Should we pack an unloaded Gun ( or loaded ) Gun for protection ? ( of course , only for those w/ a Clean record , or ... just leave them at home ? )

[@pricelessppp]

Best bring a Less lethal option like a TAZOR or something as their would be a public safety risk.

[@MrDavid3846]

28 miles from rapid city to Sturgis.

[@MrPAULONEAL]

That's nowhere near what he said...

[@asylumvideos9358]

Great job on video..you just scared me on Not going to Sturgis for first time alone.. Bc nobody can get off work or they really just don't want to go lol I think I'll stick around home..great video though

[@asylumvideos9358]

itchymoche yeah I'm still thinking about it one minute I say yes next minute I say no..I don't even have a place to stay.. I was thinking of camping out with the buffalos lol

[@youravantgarde]

can you do a comparison video of Daytona vs Sturgis?

[@bambam0099]

My wife and I went to our first Daytona ralley a few weeks ago and it STUNK compared to Sturgis. The traffic was horrid with delays everywhere. The streets are "small" and t-shirt vendors galore (and not much else). Daytona Speedway was nice with some good vendors but, unless you're an adolescent into wet T-shirt activities, forget it. We are into riding so Daytona is definitely not for us; we will never go again. Sturgis and the surrounding areas are INCREDIBLE rides. This will be my 3rd straight year. I plan on spending 2 weeks riding from the Grand Canyon up to Glacier Park (of course we'll be stopping at yellowstone, beartooth, chief joseph, etc.) and then back to Sturgis area (and deadwood, badlands, Mt Rushmore, devils tower, needles and on and on and on). The appeal of Sturgis to us in not Sturgis per se', it's the riding. We only spend 1 afternoon in town walking around which in itself, is so above Daytona. Simply put, no comparison. Save your time and money, skip Daytona and go to Sturgis.

[@baltsosser]

I've been to Daytona twice and Sturgis 4 times. There simply isn't a comparison. In Daytona the rally is NOT supported by the town so you are basically corralled into small spots in town. They are not necessarily within walking distance. Daytona is a one day ride from my house, and Sturgis is a good 3 day ride. Sturgis is a serious rally, with a fantastic layout. Daytona layout is just awful. I won't go back to Daytona for any reason, not even to ride with a friend I have form Florida, just not worth it. Heading up to Laconia in June to see what that rally looks like. I hope it trends more toward what Sturgis looks like as opposed to Daytona.

[@Dachamp2001]

Never been to sturgis I would like to go for the 1st time but it’s a 1,500 mile ride for me one way lol and finding a room is looking for a needle in a hay stack

[@Roadsheep]

Here in the Netherlands (EU) also winter with snow and ice, so no bike weather. In Europe we have Euro Bike Week in Faaker See (Austria) in september. Seems something like Sturgis only smaller. 150.000 Bikes and the police are nicer.

[@snakechrmr6398]

I'm a bit south of you (Portugal) so except for a couple of days I can ride year round. There is also a bike rally down south in Faro but it's mostly sport bikes and I don't enjoy those venues. I do go annually to the Euro Harley Rally. 2013 in Rome; 2014 in Biograd na Moru, Croatia; 2015 in Portoroz, Slovenia and this June Lugano, Switzerland. Lots of stuff to see on the way to/from in these countries. And you're right, cops in Europe are a lot more motorcycle friendly than in the US.

[@willyb933]

Long ride from the west coast of Canada but have friends that go. Too far for my old bones!

[@sminthian]

FYI, Custer Park isn't called that anymore (apparently Custer is now a bad guy...).

[@lylecasteel365]

sminthian really?? I live 5 miles from csp and as far as I know it's still called Custer State Park.

[@jonmacdonald5345]

sminthian Don't Tell me some Tranqueefa social justice Pussys blocked traffic and had it changed now??

[@MrPAULONEAL]

They would have to rename the county it's in too...

[@mattsez2879]

you mentioned you trailered once, youll never do that again. May i ask why? i was thinking of towing bike there.....now im worried...lol

[@mattsez2879]

3 day ride 8 hrs 1 way......worried a rainy day will lose me a day at the rally......3 rainy days, ill miss it or get home to late for work.......just got a brand new low profile bike trailer for my metric cruiser.....900 pound bike. so ya, loading and unloading will be interesting. thanks for the info!

[@mattsez2879]

first day through ohio and Indiana was heavy rain....sure wished i was in a car!!! followed by a state and a half of very heavy wind storms all down hwy 90 west....so ride there was a night mare.....ride home was pretty nice

[@metalboarn6174]

sorry bro but it's not an hour from Rapid City to Sturgis. it's much closer to 30 minutes and black hills Harley is only 10 minutes away from Rapid City headed towards Sturgis

[@itsmini6175]

Will I be murdered if I ride my Hayabusa there?

[@itsmini6175]

Thanks

[@tobedetermined4180]

I don’t see the fun on any of that, unless you are there two weeks before, walk or use uber to move around

[@BoutTime73]

I wanna do sturgiss and will most definately drink myself to sleep.

[@crazyjoecola6853]

Hey can ya just rock up an find a place to sleep, tent park bike safely

[@CONTENDER791]

For someone who's been there countless times like you say. Sturgis is 28 miles from Rapid City, not 100 miles.

[@CONTENDER791]

No problems , nice garage !

[@RoadKing05FLHR]

2015 had about twice as many bikes as I normally see. Great time riding around in the Black Hills. Stayed one night at KOA Rapid City, one night at Buffalo Chip, one night in Custer Park then moved on. Next night at KOA Devils Tower. Through the Big Horns, Yellowstone, Chief Joseph Hwy, Beartooth Hwy. Iron Mountain Road, Hood Tunnel Road, Needles Hwy, Spearfish Canyon, Wildlife Loop. Early morning is the best time to get out in Custer Park during the rally. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaWogHRtbcideZI

[@adamsizemore3628]

rode thru Needles, black hills, Deadwood, got chased by bull buffalo at Custer, Rushmore, Devils Tower and drank my ass off in between. 2015. And when they towed bikes they hung em via hook and they're hauled off dangling. (And yeah I drank and smoked myself to sleep.) At the campsite if it wasn't bikes keeping you up it was people fucking on bikes or tents. First two days there was four fatalities.

[@curtiszwilling1844]

I wonder how many air cooled motors are destroyed in stop and go traffic?

[@capitainecrochet443]

I was there in 2013 . T.shirt sales and booth mainly . So disappointed .

[@trustno1342]

i do like your videos but when you say you rode 1700 miles to get to sturgis it must have only been around 700 miles because you say rapid city is 100 miles away but it is only 33 miles from the center of each town Just sayin

[@pahrahinc3895]

How to do Sturgis.??? stay sober, bring plenty of cash, make advance plans, forget about dragging a bike with you. Enjoy the sights, whatever that may be, take some videos and go home, done.

[@servicarrider]

Not for me. Too many people. Don't like booze and I don't like drunks. Beautiful country though. Best to visit before or after rally.

[@crossbj]

I dont drink and I dont like crowds but I love going to Sturgis, been Five times and I live in Australia

[@londohondo]

Ya,...little FYI,....its for BIKERS. HA HA, its all pussified and commercialized today,...like a big county fair.

[@douglaseast6028]

You can do what you want. meaning it you wanna party till morning fine you can. If you wanna camp at a respectful campground you can do that . research is the key. I have been there the last 6 years but chose a campground that fit my perspective. He acts like the cops are out to get everyone well he is wrong. They want you to be safe have a good time. The rides are worth the trip.

[@americansniper1641]

douglas east cop economics means they are out to get everyone they make their years salary that week so yes they’re out to get u on anything possible

[@ericheine2414]

Iron American Dream on KZbin Share it. Take a ride across the promised land. Ride to Sturgis.

[@waynerhorer9910]

how can you watch this video after he says its 100 miles from rapid city to Sturgis? Seriously have you even been there? 30 miles at best

[@ronnieronanderson6862]

always wanted to go , now im a paraplegic after a bad motorcycle accident , drinking is no longer an option for me since i have to self cath 5 times a day , my friends did help me build a trike i ride now , but i dont think i could do the big crowds being in a wheelchair i feel like i would be lost in the crowed , a buddy of mine wants me to go to little Sturgis in Kentucky but i told him i would have to have enmitys hotel room bath and shower no camping for me , but to anyone planning on going or just thinking about it remember its all fun and games untill its no longer fun and games

[@johnready630]

Not for me , I like my space .

[@Michael-xl8dz]

Just a nother glass of wine 🍷...?

[@punapeter]

Disabled persons can enter Natl. Parks for free, for life. fyi Probably don't have a Whole Foods either so all the food there is GMO. Bring your own food. lol It's go genetic and mainstream like Daytona or Burning Man. Every fool for far and near can rent an bike or an RV and totally fuck up a good thing. That's why I've lived in Hawaii for 20 years. No Helmet Law either. Beautiful empty coastal highways you can ride 365 days a year in gorgeous weather. No down time. Jus sayin'.

[@Patrick_B687-3]

I wanna see the Black Hills, but never during the Sturgis rally. Way, way too many fools and crazy nut jobs.

[@brycemcdermaid7995]

May or June is a good time. Not too hot and everything is green. Rainiest time of year though.

[@randyhutchinson9910]

sounds like a good time, to bad it's so over the top

[@henrycagle7827]

THANKS BUT NO THANKS !

[@PhinAI]

...The thunder of bikes, heck ya! Elbow to elbow, not so much.... Trailering -- not unless the horse rebels.

[@randyhutchinson9910]

only if your super itchy, moochie

[@bryanleslie4513]

What kind of an acid were you on. It's only less than 30 miles between Stugis and Rapid City. I used to live there so I started to laugh when you said it was an hour and half.

[@pahrahinc3895]

A lot of hype, what's to do once you get there, we don't drink, smoke, so that pretty much knots us out of the loop. Is there anyplace good to eat.???

[@TexasMan77]

pahrahinc - Don’t worry about that, ride all day.

[@londohondo]

Nothing stays the same, once people find out about a goodtime they all want part, and it gets ruined. stugis up till about 89-90 area, was great, real biker shit, lots of booze, drugs, pussy, fights gangs,....real guy shit, most today are RUBs, thats "rich urban bikers" for you newbes, and most trailer in, ??? Sturgis was a ride in event??? A pilgrimage once a year, for real bikers,...its all but dead,...kind of sad really, hell all the good bands played there, from Bob seger to David allen Coe, most going today dont even know who they are,....love to find another STURGIS hidden away like it was in the 70s,......man, that would be great, no Hondas, trailer queens or wanna bes, ........

[@HarleyBreakoutGuy]

Over 300 bikes are stolen every sturgis :()

[@Bubbles99718]

Harley Davidson Breakout Ducati Panigale 1299 Wonder what kind mostly?

[@Error-eb9gv]

@@itchymoche I sleep on mine, theft protection or mugging proposal?

[@BigDaddy-rg8gb]

Not now. To old to party. Never made it.

[@peterc7327]

Sturgess has been patented by Harley Davidson. It should be open to all.

[@rippin187]

So riding a metric cruiser to Sturgis is not an issue?

[@TheLewilliams3rd]

Nope. You'll see lots of metric bikes out there.

[@jammer5375]

Not for me!