The Wheels Are Coming Off! Sturgis in Trouble?

[@Donaldnrockingham]

The reality is there’s 500,000+ coming to the area ready or not, welcomed or not, rally events extend probably a hundred miles west, east and south. Sturgis isn’t the only town catering to the rally, Rapid City, Deadwood, Keystone, Hill City, Spearfish and Wall just to name a few are also cashing in on bikers. The city doesn’t have to sponsor any events, just provide basic services and collect the sales tax and vendor fees. Also don’t get the idea there’s half a million hell raisers coming to Sturgis like it’s 1975 or something, the average age attendees is 50, so not geriatrics but not 30 year olds with impulse control problems either.

[@ken2tou]

Yup. It’s a regional event.

[@Burroughspoint]

I think you're right. The city needs to get back to basics, provide basic services and be a facilitator for the rally. Get back on track, then offer niceties to the rallygoers once they stabilize budgets.

[@OEFarredondo]

30 year olds... IM STILL YOUNG WOOO!!

[@jeffwalraven9961]

Then move it, and watch Sturgis crumble with out all that money

[@neildewitt2869]

They cant move it. People will still come! What started tge rally(bike races and hill climbs) has gone away because YOU people don't support these venues! Ladt year on ladt day tgey had street races and people stayed to watch and it was a big success. This year will have more races.

[@lonewolvesonwheels]

@@jeffwalraven9961 the rally is in a 200 mile radius Sturgis is just what they call it.

[@Burroughspoint]

I think with something so iconic, that there's no "moving it" at this point. Better for the city leaders to right the ship, be as best a rally partner and facilitator as possible, and once the budgets are back in line, then continue to host city events for the rally.

[@feloniousmonk3049]

I went to Sturgis in 2022 and in 2023. A week before the rally in 2022, and things were already ramping up in town. I went 2 weeks before the rally in 2023, and the town actually felt pretty dead and boring. Nothing but the earliest vendors beginning to show up and set up for the event, not even a lot of motorcycles around. I think a better option would be to make the Sturgis event a month long event to smooth things over, space things out, and lessen the towns work load quite a bit. The problems are that everything becomes very, very, very expensive during the rally, and the vendors are there for one and only one reason, make money, quick and easy, and then get the hell out of Dodge. It's all about working hard and making fast money.

[@RevJay_Rides]

I've been there for the last 4 years. I met one police officer from my home state, Tennessee. They come in from all over. The rally is pretty awesome. However, I don't live there so I can imagine it would get old at times. I plan to go this year, but about 3 weeks before the rally. I might not even make it into the town of Sturgis. I might prefer to stay in the Black Hills.

[@Burroughspoint]

The Black Hills are beautiful any way that you cut it. And I'm sure you'll have a good time no matter if you make it out to the town or not!

[@lonewolvesonwheels]

Sturgis is free if you camp 🏕️ in the woods get your groceries at the grocery store

[@Burroughspoint]

Good to know!

[@neildewitt2869]

Ive been 18 times ive done it as little as $400 and ladt year $1600. That's all 10 days in a cabin and food, gas, tee shirts, and whatever else I want. Most people are to lazy to look around a little and find good deals. Biggest thing i hear is food. We'll the American Legion in Piedmont exit 46 is $17 for a full meal with cake and ice cream. It's $25 for a hamburger at most of the big venues. CHIP, FTS. down town streets! See my point? Food tgat is ok or good for you? Its your choice.

[@lonewolvesonwheels]

@ I tent camp 🏕️ for free in the woods

[@neildewitt2869]

There are 5 free camp grounds in the area. Just look and ask. Taking nothing away from this person's channel but Bob and Tams Excellent Adventures on you tube has done videos on Campgrounds and food. They get to rallies early and post what's still open to stay, food, happenings, etc...

[@lonewolvesonwheels]

@ I get my groceries from the Dakota mart and cook at my camp

[@Burroughspoint]

It's clear that Sturgis has a lot to figure out, but it also seems like a town with a strong sense of community. Hopefully they can find a way to work together and overcome these challenges, and continue to be a good partner for the Sturgis rally.

[@stevewebb9195]

Something fishy going on here! Big cities compete to have conferences with 2500 people in their cities. Let alone 500,000 people. I go through the Dakotas quite often it is quiet except for the rally. Something stinks in Sturgis!

[@Burroughspoint]

Hopefully they can get everything stabilized in the local government to be the best possible partner for the rally. It's in the best interest for all involved.

[@josephtroupe5487]

See you this August. Cheers

[@Burroughspoint]

Cheers!

[@lonewolvesonwheels]

The city can just bug out and the rally will still happen

[@Burroughspoint]

I think it’s in the city’s interest to be a good partner from a governance perspective. They’re going to have to provide government services one way or another. They just need to get their house in order, and it sounds like they’re trying.

[@lonewolvesonwheels]

@@Burroughspoint the rally happens in a 200 mile radius.A big part of the rally is in rapid city but there is deadwood spearfish hill city Nemo Rushmore Crazy Horse and many more plus the Buffalo Chip and all the other camp ground parties with concerts

[@cliffjaden2841]

@ 3.5% sales tax on every transaction in the city limits of Sturgis... I think they are all right.. nobody gives a crap if it's in the city of Sturgis or not.. the rally is all over in every direction within 100 miles..

[@Burroughspoint]

This is true. It's a massive event, no doubt. And the city of Sturgis itself has all of the motivation in the world to be the best rally partner possible.

[@Sgtyork488]

Greed

[@JohnCunningham-sy5ug]

Oh boy I have there 5 times over past fifteen years. And plan to go out this year 2025. Yes its no fun😊. Was out in 2020 last time God Bless the Governor. I'm sure the Rally will be fine in spite of politics. 😊

[@Burroughspoint]

I'm sure the 2025 rally will work itself out, just like you say. Hope you have a good trip out there!

[@darrelgraham9206]

I don't remember which, video it was on but, supposedly the council spent a lot of money on looking into building a water park, which contributed to the budget problems and a few other items. It does seem like someone was not spending wisely plus attendance has been down from the past several years,which equates to less tax revenue, and add in inflation. I also heard a lot of people complaining about the alcohol prices at bars and I noticed the bar's didn't seem as packed as normal.

[@Burroughspoint]

That is what I understand one of the issues are. It's a complex net of personalities, issues, and other things at play which kind of led to this situation. But maybe now that the city has the shortfall, it will encourage them to spend more wisely in the future?

[@SDMurph4adventure]

You have never even been to Sturgis? Not sure you have much credibility.

[@Burroughspoint]

This channel exists to create quality content for the motorcycle community by discussing current motorcycle events, sharing motorcycle community news, and to share my personal motorcycle adventures. I appreciate you tuning in!

[@SDMurph4adventure]

@@Burroughspoint you should go to Sturgis. Great riding and would give you some good insight on the area.

[@Burroughspoint]

The Sturgis rally is definitely one of my bucket list rides. I’ve never been to the rally itself, but I’ve been to the Black Hills before. I live in the south now but I really do miss riding out west. It’s just not the same.

[@marine052520031]

Talladega,Martinsville,...hell Nascar too all weekend

[@Burroughspoint]

Absolutely!

[@genekelley7579]

🛑🛑 This is infighting is nothing new at motorcycle rallies. It all about the MONEY!!💰 The State and the City, receive revenue from the event, and crying “shortfalls” is BS. 💩 If you read further into this issue, the city of Sturgis is trying to divert money to a “home grown project” to build a multi million dollar Water Park within the city limits. It seems to me, the issue isn’t the event itself, but how to siphon revenue from the rally, to fund a project that has nothing to do with the rally, or how to maintain it. 💯

[@Burroughspoint]

I mean, to be fair....The city does have to worry about more than just the rally and it's participants. City leaders do have to govern the town for the rest of the year. And it's fair for the city to use some of the revenue generated by the rally to fund some of those projects enjoyed by the townies. But the City should try and be the best rally partner possible in order to continue to capitalize on the rally's impact in the community.

[@genekelley7579]

@ I’m Sorry, your comment doesn’t make sense.

[@explaindis1]

Tow company cash grab is also and issue

[@todd1hd]

Don't park in no parking zones then the "Tow Company Cash Grab" as you call it will be out of business.

[@Burroughspoint]

I'm sure that's a big revenue generator for the tow companies...

[@richardsnow3951]

You have never been, why would you care.

[@Burroughspoint]

That's a good question! Because this channel exists to create quality content for the motorcycle community by discussing current motorcycle events, sharing motorcycle community news, and to share my personal motorcycle adventures. Thanks for stopping by!

[@randybaca6132]

People won't to party but don't want to pay for it I hope it all goes away it has got to big 😅

[@Burroughspoint]

Hosting the rally certainly can be an expensive prospect!

[@AlbertK-eq5gd]

If you have been there once why go back the dang place is like the castopo it ain't all that plenty of other places to go that actually like bikers.

[@christopherw4527]

Yes. Plus after 25 it may be time to become an adult. Leave us alone and go to California to be pervs and asses. So obnoxious.

[@christopherw4527]

Not you Mr. Albert. You are right.

[@Burroughspoint]

There are a ton of other options for rallies! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX_HmZKkl5t7r80

[@christopherw4527]

Deleting comments because you don't want to hear from people. No cursing or insults and you still did it Calvin. That is pathetic young man.

[@Burroughspoint]

? I don’t delete comments. As a growing channel, I can still interact with every comment and I try to post replies to every comment. We may disagree on something, but I won’t delete comments. Now if YT moderates it and removes it, that’s a different story. But that’s not me.

[@christopherw4527]

@@Burroughspoint Thank you for responding. Had to be youtube then. I just don't understand why they would. No negativity. Not even anything negative. Weird.

[@Burroughspoint]

WSJ Article: www.wsj.com/us-news/sturgis-south-dakota-motorcycle-rally-tourism-54291fc5 Adventure Rider Article: www.advrider.com/trouble-for-sturgis/ KOTA TV Article: www.kotatv.com/2024/08/24/unrest-sturgis-residents-call-city-hall-resignations/