The Badlands, Northbound: South Dakota Motorcycle Ride

[@RobertMerz]

If you enjoy my videos and want to help me out with the time and expense that I take to create them please visit my page at Buy Me A Coffee and consider making a small donation. Thanks so much, Robert. www.buymeacoffee.com/lgEFpyZjs

[@daviddwyer4788]

You make the videos I want to watch. Superior production values: No talk. Best video. Understated or no music track. The experience is you, your motorcycle, and the landscape. I can't imagine a better combination. Thank you!

[@RobertMerz]

That is an awesome comment, and it is right on in describing what I try to produce. You, motorcycle, landscape, experience it yourself and form your own conclusions. Spread the word! Thank you very much for taking the time to comment, and for watching, Robert

[@AFVETmark]

So peaceful and quite beautiful could get lost out there viewing the scenery. Was there in summer 2021. Two days I took to explore the badlands. First day was west to the prairie dogs and found a shortcut back to Wall. The next time was the East side up to the missile site. Absolutely gorgeous those formations.

[@roadking0073]

Just came back from Sturgis 2022. That was first on the list as we rolled in and man was it worth it! What the video doesn't show is the immediacy and grandeur of the area. It's really close up and the valleys are waaay down there and the peaks can get waaay up there and there are times where the rock face is only a few feet from the road itself. Absolutely stunning on all levels. Great job on your up and down shifting. Smooth brother, smooth. Its important to mention that on a bike you really have to pay attention on this putt but ultimately you realize how so worth it and so fun it was when you're back on the flatland. I appreciate that you really ride, not a noob like some contributors! Your ride pretty much mirrored my own and yeah we throttled up exactly as you did on exiting the park! Thanks for not junking it up with commentary or opinion. You let the ride unfold and present itself as it should be. Great share! 👍

[@RobertMerz]

What a great comment! Yes the Badlands are just awesome, both to see and to ride, glad you got them in and appreciated them as much as you did. I really appreciate your comment about my shifting, it is amazing how many people get all bent out of shape about down shifting with rev matching. They either don't understand or can't do it themselves, maybe both, and then criticize the ones that do rev match saying they are just attention seeking noise makers. Meanwhile they continue to abuse the drive train of their own bike, or the rentals that they are riding. Yes I really do ride, and I find that many of the ride vids on KZbin are really not ride videos but rather opinion pieces and vids with manufactured drama. Isn't there enough of that all around us already? I try to create a ride video where the viewer can just enjoy the ride and, as you say, just let it unfold in front of them. Pour yourself a coffee (or whatever your favorite beverage is) sit back, and enjoy the ride, that is what a ride video should be! Hey thank you very much for watching, and taking the time to leave a great comment. I really appreciate it!

[@davidjpodurgiel7388]

We are having a lesson on the Badlands with my 8 year old nephew, I knew you would have a great video of it, they are loving it.

[@RobertMerz]

That is very cool! Thanks for thinking of me, and say hi to your nephew for me!

[@kunalkhanna985]

What a ride. I will be there someday!! So many parts of the country I haven’t explored. Thanks for sharing, America is beautiful!!!!

[@RobertMerz]

America surely is a diverse and beautiful land, and it is always nice to hear from someone that thinks the same. Thanks for commenting, and I do hope my vids give you more ideas of where to explore.

[@rdaugherty52]

I thought the Badlands was way south and why have I never seen this before looks like a awesome ride definitely going in the bucket list thanks for showing.

[@RobertMerz]

The Badlands are really awesome scenery and a great ride. Make sure you check out the little town of Wall and Wall Drugs while you are in the area. I have a few other Badlands videos to further entice you and also some vids of the nearby Black Hills. Hey thanks for watching, and leaving a comment.

[@norbertkarow9412]

Very interesting video, fantastic landscape, well done :-) Thank you !

[@RobertMerz]

Thank you Norbert. It is a fantastic, beautiful landscape. Glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@Sledge-fu5zr]

My wife and I rode through the Badlands last July. It was an amazing ride. Nice road and beautiful scenery. It was 102 degrees so it was a little warm. Loved it.

[@RobertMerz]

The Badlands are just so beautiful, and Highway 240 is a road built to ride. We rode it in early September, It was nearly as hot in the daytime but cooling off considerably overnight. Thanks for watching, and commenting!

[@chuckbayman]

I really like your videos. I'm planning on riding the black hills in august of 2020.due to health problems I will be trailering my scooter there and riding my scoot all around the area.thanks for taking me along for your ride

[@RobertMerz]

Hello once again Chuck, nice to hear from you again. The Black Hills has some great rides and scenery, do enjoy, and do look after your health.

[@jimwortham8634]

Thanks for posting blockly I have been through Badlands a few times thank goodness never at night time LOL

[@RobertMerz]

The Badlands are really pretty to ride through. Thanks for watching, and leaving a comment.

[@yosam5184]

Did that ride in 2009 on the way to Mt Rushmore. Enjoyed the ride again with your video.

[@RobertMerz]

That is awesome, thanks for leaving me a comment.

[@KeukaRyder]

Was there back in 1974 with the wife and our 2 Irish setters in a VW! Great quality on the video!

[@RobertMerz]

The classic American Road trip, the 70's, a VW, and 2 Irish Setters, I could see a movie about it coming soon to a theatre near you! Great memories I bet. Thanks for the comment and watching!

[@albertosbrolla8424]

I guess you could call these “naked rock formations”! I wish I had the time to visit these places, I’m glad you are able to give us these videos so we can plan for our retirement and follow your steps! Thanks for sharing, and I truly thank you for making these videos!👍

[@RobertMerz]

You are very welcome.

[@larryjohnson791]

lovethe rides gets me out of my wheel chair forthebetter part of the day

[@RobertMerz]

That is awesome that I can help you that way. Thanks for telling me, and for taking the time to leave a comment.

[@davehanson455]

Man that thing sounds perfect

[@RobertMerz]

Well thank you very much Dave!

[@davehanson455]

@@RobertMerz looks like such a beautiful place to ride. I live in Pennsylvania and we have beautiful places to ride as well. But nothing quite like this. Thank u for putting this up. Great video

[@jimwolf9924]

That was an awesome video as usual. Haven't done it yet. Just getting back at it after my heart attack last year. I really enjoy your films. Thanks.

[@RobertMerz]

Thanks Jim, always nice to hear from someone enjoying my work, and it is good to hear from you again. The Badlands is some really beautiful scenery to ride through, and I am pretty sure riding is good for the heart as well as the soul, so it will be good for you to be back at it. Take care.

[@jimwolf9924]

Thanks Robert. Hoping you and Lizette are doing well.

[@daves4yah]

Nice ride and video. Doing my first long distance ride from Redding Cali to Wenatchee Wa end of May and looking forward to it! Hope these old bones can handle it. Cheers!

[@RobertMerz]

Thanks Dave, for watching and commenting. It is a lot of work putting these vids together so I always appreciate hearing from people that enjoyed my work. There is so many good rides between Redding and Wenatchee, except the interstate (never my favorite). You are going to have a lot of fun. For us we hardly ever do long distance rides, just a bunch of easy and often short, day rides, all strung together day after day. And there are always so many opportunities along the way to stop and "smell the roses', stretch the legs, and just partake in whatever is offered up that day.

[@wbvmcgary]

Again, thanks for the memories.

[@RobertMerz]

You are so welcome!

[@Dinoxt12]

Good ride , I've done the same ride a couple of times, I head out there the day after labor day for a week or two, only thing I fly out and rent a bike from a dealer, riding Montana, and both North and South Dakota's it's a great adventure, 4Sure.

[@RobertMerz]

If you have to travel far, the fly and rent is a great option, giving you more time to spend where you want to be riding. I have heard a lot of good things about North Dakota, someday I will have to get there and check it out.

[@mv3780]

I would love to ride my bike through there. Absolutely beautiful!!!

[@RobertMerz]

It is a spectacular landscape, and a great road to ride, just made for that new V-Star!

[@mv3780]

Robert Merz I just checked. It’s 1,387 miles to Wall South Dakota lol.

[@RobertMerz]

Our shortest route there is 1,274 miles, but I wouldn't take that route, I would end up being more in the 1,400 mile range. Typically on our big trips we put in 2 or 3 big days at the beginning and end, 500 to 600 miles per day, to get us where we want to ride, and then to get us back home. Once we are in the area we plan to explore our days range more often 100 to 200 miles, with some days only being 50.

[@mrclean28h]

Excellent as always

[@RobertMerz]

Thank you!

[@DavidSmith-br4vt]

Happy Easter Robert bring your family has a blessed day!

[@RobertMerz]

Thank you David, and Happy Easter to you and yours!

[@susanlorden9526]

South Dakota, more than just the Black Hills!

[@RobertMerz]

Yes, although the Black Hills are great, there is much more. We need to go back and explore further!

[@NedBeasley]

Great ride. Great video! Great job!

[@RobertMerz]

Thanks again Ned. Yes some really pretty country to see.

[@ChangingLanes]

Hey, Robert! One of our viewers linked this video in a discussion about hearing more motorcycle sound. Mind if I ask what you're using to get the nice rumble without all the wind noise? BTW, beautiful ride! Can't wait to get out there next year! Keep the shiny side up! -chad

[@RobertMerz]

Hi Chad. I have not found an easy solution to getting clean sound while recording video during my rides, and even if I had it would not suit my style of video with all the blended clips. What I do is strip all the sound out of my video and dub in the sound I need to suit the finished blends. I use my own prerecorded sound, and it is a very time consuming process during the editing.

[@7452]

Another good one Robert

[@RobertMerz]

Thanks Joe!

[@marco-tiopet4020]

I just love it !!!!!!

[@eddiebenzz]

How’s that Yamaha Beast ? Any issues ? I ride a 2013 Roadliner w/ 40 k miles on it. Very strong ... no issues. ❤️ my bike.

[@RobertMerz]

We really like our 'liner. Great power, handles better than a big bike generally should and a ton of storage with aftermarket bags and tour pak. We did have 1 issue, the primary drive shaft sheared off the splines due to being incorrectly assembled at the factory, other then that it has been great.

[@eddiebenzz]

Robert Merz Thankyou for sharing. Ride Safe.

[@DeBa1226]

Any new videos in the works or you thinking of a road trip or two? 😁

[@RobertMerz]

The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway was our exit from Wyoming , and a great way to say goodbye to a great state. The plan will be to begin a new season of vids this coming November. As for a road trip, we definitely want to. At the moment we have become very busy on a time sensitive matter so that is our immediate focus.

[@jeffhoward553]

If a person would ride all these road, how long would it take, how many days??? If they would take their time, is it possible of hiring you as a guide

[@RobertMerz]

The answer to your first question really depends on where you are starting and ending, and how long you want to spend in the saddle each day, what your interests are, and what your priorities are. My trips tend to be extended jaunts by most people's standards, in the 30 to 40 day range. I spend about three days putting in high mileage days to get to where I want to "start" my trip and then after that my mileage is very dependent on my interests in the area that I am riding (and how I am filming the ride), but probably average only a 150 miles a day. The day I filmed this I probably did 150 miles, but the days previous were in the Black Hills and I probably only did 60 miles a day for several days in a row, just to many things to stop at and explore such as Mt Rushmore, caverns, museums, etc. If you wanted to hire me as a guide, yes I am available. I really enjoy showing the sights to people that appreciate them, and I enjoy planning how to get the most out of a trip based on interests.

[@FlipandTheBlueMule]

👍👍👍😎

[@RobertMerz]

The Badlands has some great roads and incredible scenery!

[@bigroryhollar5023]

🍻🇺🇸

[@ghostmost2614]

What was the temp?

[@RobertMerz]

As I recall it was chilly in the morning and quite warm in the afternoon, maybe mid 40's to mid 80's?

[@ghostmost2614]

@@RobertMerz thanks. I'm taking Hyw 90 across from Lake Michigan to Montana mid August

[@RobertMerz]

Mid August is going to be considerably warmer (potentially).

[@randalljackson6103]

Nice video except for the constant blipping of the throttle.

[@RobertMerz]

Thank you.