The HISTORY of the STURGIS RALLY | West605 | Ep. #12

Whatever your opinions of the Sturgis Rally, no one can deny its historic impact on West605! From its beginning in 1938 with Pappy Hoel to the coming 83rd Anniversary in August. Learn all about the famous rally known to motorcyclist across America!

[@carlbruhn1772]

Awesome series. The final statements you made hold a tremendous value. Well said!!

[@fatboynick4104]

I think anybody who rides, should attend the rally at least once. It is a fun event. But what makes the trip worth it is that the riding in the surrounding area is some of the best riding in this country. I've been there at least 10 times (rally time and non-rally time) and I cannot get enough of it. I've done many cross-country trips and have seen spectacular scenery and met amazing people. But there is something special about Sturgis and the Black Hills that keeps me going back.

[@Michaelobama184]

Get your feet wet by going on a few Poker Runs 😊

[@tedecker3792]

I went every year from 68 until 1980. Went to race the scrambles, hillclimb and short track. Got to help Pappy put up cardboard arrows for an enduro event he was putting on. I’d ride in the sidecar of his Indian and hop out at every curve to put up another arrow. He was known for scaring the crap out of his sidecar passengers.

[@ryanhanson1593]

What.made you stop going after 1980?

[@tedecker3792]

@@ryanhanson1593 became a wildland fire fighter and was busy all summer.

[@captainmoretokin2172]

Not only do you meet new people but you get to show your bike to others. People love to talk about their ride and thats what i find everywhere. When you see a biker at a gas station you can walk up and tell them how nice their bike is and thats a starting point of a conversation. I know i like it when people say ''Nice Bike Man'' the response is always '' Thanks''. So With that being said i say ''Thanks'' to the city of Sturgis and the people there for everything you do year in and year out. It's a beautiful thing. Thank you

[@billdumanch6237]

VERY well-done and no politics!😎

[@johncuriotto616]

But if you burn and American flag....might be a problem

[@IEchuckie]

And so it should be

[@browngreen933]

Great honest report! Started as races and rally, became a hard-core biker event, and then a family oriented money making enterprise! Good event to avoid! 😮

[@PeterSmith-or3pq]

Peaceful ❤,

[@seth3054]

It's seems like the full throttle tv series brought out more variety of bikers... that show deserves a lot of credit to bikers coming to sturgis

[@ryanstaygrinding]

On my way to Sturgis Bike ralley now. Ocean City NJ to Sturgis 1750 miles. Light load & its paying good 😊

[@robwastman4993]

We like going to The Black hills to ride the week prior to the Rally and visit Sturgis for a a couple hours on the opening day.

[@nadewitt-yf6ng]

I came once! Now it's my annual pilgrimage, from Alaska. I still after 15 time have not seen it all. Other than the congestion its the best ever. Kind helpful people. I love the American Legion in Piedmont to eat. Last year $14 got you a full sit down meal. Quick, easy, and delicious oh and to end cake and ice cream. Best deal in a hundred miles.

[@chriscook3447]

I rode up to Sturgis for the 4th of July week this year and had a great time!! I'm going back with folks from my CVMA(21-2) chapter next year! If you ride the Black Hills are da Bomb. People there are so nice and there is so much to see and do.

[@jimritter9769]

Been going since 61love it and the black hills

[@jameslamere6771]

600,000+ attended the 83rd last week.

[@mojomanmurph1925]

If you ride, you must attend at least one Sturgis rally. What folks describe, write about or show in pictures and videos does it no justice. You have to be there in person for a few days to really experience it. It is something else.

[@blackbob3358]

The irony of the "flag waving" is not lost on me. These kids were "anti machine " , that being Washington politics !!

[@Lloyd-mo]

my sister rode on the back of her husband's harley 74 in 1963 to sturgis from sheridan. i was12.

[@toddgittins5692]

Sheridan, the absolute end of the line.

[@Bootbitch]

1988 was the last year I rode to sturgis because after that it became too commercialized.

[@donrice8026]

there one time stayed in county park never whent back to many people for me HAPPY TRAILS

[@nobodycares3897]

15:31 RIP Jessi

[@Shamalamalam]

2024 and i miss full throttle energy drinks. JS

[@tinarouse506]

My Honey is on his way with his buddies 😮 to Sturgis. I Wish I was going there Too 😊! I'm going to Miss him being gone on my Birthday 😮🎈🎂😢 Aug 8 🤐! Hope to see him back from his return Aug 10 or 11 😢...

[@sicks6six]

"them kids are hopped up on vitamin pills" . . . "hey Jhonny what you rebelling against" = "what you got" and the rest is history as they say . . .

[@northerniltree]

Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.

[@bobbydouglass1813]

really?? 400-500 thousand and yep it's crowded, but the whole area (black hills) is fun, pretty and historical.

[@northerniltree]

@@bobbydouglass1813 You missed the built-in punchline.

[@wolfgangschmidt9598]

That is too funny. I missed the punch line too until you pointed it out.😁@@northerniltree

[@crippledbeast_U-toob]

My understanding is, People were dying to get there this year.. Tasteless jokes aside, too many inexperienced riders took off across the country to go, and didn't make it. We need old hands to mentor these millennials who manage to figure out the clutch, and that's all they got. A whole group, as a group, cut off a tractor trailer and was taken out. Riders crashed all over the U.S. heading to their first Sturgis Rally. Riders classes at a dealership for insurance discounts aren't going to fix this.

[@mpista7182]

Woulda been cool before the money-makers moved in like corporate vultures

[@br529]

I go to Sturgis have been many times. Few things I noticed that I don't like. 4 cops on every block in town. Now you have families coming down the sidewalks. Pushing stollers dogs ona leash. Three kids with them. It's became Disney land in the black hills. Not a bike rally

[@jims812]

Everybody trailers their bikes now days more like trailer week. Yea I been a few times 93,94,95,96,97,98,2001,2003,2006,

[@mojomanmurph1925]

@@jims812 After going a few times and being a 3 day ride one way for me, I will trailer if I go back. It's not the ride out, it's the ride back that gets me. Might even rent a camper and trailer it. If you got the money, why not.

[@knuckles-3386]

It hasn’t been a bike rally for a long time i stopped going in 78 the mayor at the time said either the rally goes or i quit well i guess we know how that ended up

[@jimbrew4529]

​@@knuckles-3386My buddies used to do Sturgis in the 70s on their choppers - hard core bikers, but great guys. I used to enjoy their stories. Most are gone now. Sturgis has been taken over by profiteers and well-fed, middle-aged families. They have fun, so what the heck.

[@crystalmccallcrystalssoaps2752]

Yep. Agreed

[@monl3807]

Last time i went was 2000....my man died ...we have a friend PeeWee has a bike shop and a medic too.

[@slimtim6721]

I was there 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 😆 I would say if you didn't make there by 81 you'll never know what a real rally was sorry but it's true. 💯👌👍☮️

[@Yooper71]

How do carry your clothes?

[@jims812]

Rolled up then put in a T Bag

[@mojomanmurph1925]

They have luggage for motorcycles and folks use the baggers to store stuff in, then some just put in a pillow case and strap to the motorcycle. Folks get creative when traveling.

[@IEchuckie]

Back in the old days you didn't need any extra clothes

[@motormech1h343]

I would go back just not during the rally

[@howardkahn4330]

GREAT PLACE GREAT TIME!------ 2003....however, never ever buy a used harley, big misstake, buy new or do not buy, also never buy a harley with a lowering kit......most so called harley mechanics are not qualified and lowering kits are dangerous, you need the suspention to work like it was meant too....

[@neilo.hislop950]

Thank you Mister Know it All .

[@webheadwilks]

History? He's not talking history.