Sturgis, 2005

cpaharley2008 · 08-07-2021, 10:39 AM

While watching the news there were several "on the spot" breaks from the yearly Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held around this time each year. Noelia and myself attended Sturgis in 2005, the first time for her, my third time. Beautiful country in South Dakota.The Harley Softail in the picture later ended up being traded for my current 2014 Dodge Ram 1500.......

gabeck · 08-07-2021, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

While watching the news there were several "on the spot" breaks from the yearly Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held around this time each year. Noelia and myself attended Sturgis in 2005, the first time for her, my third time. Beautiful country in South Dakota.The Harley Softail in the picture later ended up being traded for my current 2014 Dodge Ram 1500.......

So who are those two youngsters really ?............. Awesome photos, and clearly a fun time. Now we know where the Harley comes in.

davidmurphy02 · 08-07-2021, 12:31 PM

Back in 1999 when we had just bought our first RV and knew pretty much nothing, we wanted to go to Glacier NP in Montana for our first big trip. It looked like the Black Hills area was a great place to visit en route so we figured on doing that. When I called a campground to make reservations they said "well, we only have one spot left....and you know it's Sturgis week, right?". I had never heard of Sturgis so I asked and they said, basically, there will be a bunch of motorcycles in the area. Sounded interesting so we booked the campsite.

We turned out to be pretty much the only non-bikers in the campground. Made a lot of new friends, learned a lot about Harleys, and had a ball - great group of folks!

Centex · 08-07-2021, 12:53 PM

Good for you, Jim!

Back in 1981, about 3 weeks into a solo camping/touring trip of the Pacific coast and western states on my BMW R100RS 'airhead', I ran into a group of Harley riders at a campground near Devil's Tower, WY. Friendly folks on their way to the Sturgis Rally, as we sat around a campfire sharing stories I accepted their invitation to tag-along.

Though not exactly 'my crowd', the rally was certainly interesting and entertaining. Everyone I encountered without fail was very friendly and welcoming of 'the long-distance rider on the BMW' (obviously not a marque prevalent to the rally

). More than a few wanted a close look at the Bimmer, most nodded approval at the OHV twin-with-pushrods, many joked about the jugs protruding from the sides, and some even forgave the shaft-drive

.

Though I don't think my much later ride, a 2004 Kawasaki Concours with an OHC4 and water cooling, would have engendered nearly as much welcome acceptance with that crowd, IME sharing a common love of serious travel on 2-wheels breaks down most all social barriers as demonstrated at Sturgis in 1981

.

Forever glad I took the 'side trip' to Sturgis, I had a fun few days at the rally and saw even more of the US than I expected on my 'loosely planned summer trek'. From there I headed back to Colorado then finally home to Austin after 5-weeks and ~7k miles. On that trip I only did two 'hotel nights' while visiting Harrah's Car Museum in Reno.

Though a good time I'll admit no urge to return to later Sturgis Rallys, BTDT. Seems the event has evolved quite a bit in the intervening decades, perhaps some for the better and some for the worse.

davidmurphy02 · 08-07-2021, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

While watching the news there were several "on the spot" breaks from the yearly Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held around this time each year. Noelia and myself attended Sturgis in 2005, the first time for her, my third time. Beautiful country in South Dakota.

Ah, back in the good old days when the phrase "Sturgis is a real hot spot" had a different meaning than today...

MyronL · 08-07-2021, 02:42 PM

Ah, great stuff, Jim. Never went to Sturgis but then, my used old, battered 1965-66? modified Ducati (crazy wiring, straight pipe, very hard seat) probably the reason why.

cpaharley2008 · 08-07-2021, 03:17 PM

I remember trying to make a reservation and everything was $$$. So I ended up staying at a KOA in the Badlands, one of my favorite places and only 90 miles away, which out there is nothing......

WillyB · 08-07-2021, 04:02 PM

A customer friend rents his house, front yard and back yard for the past 15 Sturgis Rally's and takes his family on a 2 Week 1st Class World Vacation each year.

This year he is paying off his last son's college tuition from his Sturgis money.

Five tents in the front yard, eight tents in the back yard, 3 bedrooms, living room and the each of the two baths each have their own fees.

Due to Covid they rented a huge house in the mountains for 2 weeks this year.

**Donna D.** · 08-07-2021, 10:03 PM

Be kind or be quiet. And try to stay on topic. I've edited this thread and am going to reopen it.

Croney · 08-07-2021, 11:31 PM

My MIL lives in Spearfish, beautiful area. Below them is Hamster Hill a cluster of maybe 30 very nice duplexes owned by the Hamsters MC. Great group of folks I'm told.

escape artist · 08-08-2021, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

While watching the news there were several "on the spot" breaks from the yearly Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held around this time each year. Noelia and myself attended Sturgis in 2005, the first time for her, my third time. Beautiful country in South Dakota.The Harley Softail in the picture later ended up being traded for my current 2014 Dodge Ram 1500.......

Hi: cpaharley2008... WOW!!! For the price of that "Bike" you coulda had an Escape!!!

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

oldwave · 08-08-2021, 09:57 AM

I’ve ridden on many motorcycle tours starting with a Honda 160 dream in 1968 , a couple of BSA LIghning 650s, a Honda nighthawk 650, a Honda st1100, and recently two BMWs . Always preferred riding with one or two friends. I did go to the BMW rally a few years ago. While the spectacle of Sturgis seems interesting, I prefer driving through canyons and ocean bluffs with little traffic. But that’s the beauty of individual choice. My favorite place to ride is Cape Breton, but West Virginia is a close second.

cpaharley2008 · 08-10-2021, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: cpaharley2008... WOW!!! For the price of that "Bike" you coulda had an Escape!!!

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Yes,
I ended up trading my Harley I owned in 2014 on my tow vehicle, 2014 Ram 1500 and got a great price. Have not rode since then.......

escape artist · 08-10-2021, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Yes,
I ended up trading my Harley I owned in 2014 on my tow vehicle, 2014 Ram 1500 and got a great price. Have not rode since then.......

Hi: cpaharley2008... "The road is long... with many a winding turn".

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Telescopist · 08-10-2021, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

While watching the news there were several "on the spot" breaks from the yearly Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held around this time each year. Noelia and myself attended Sturgis in 2005, the first time for her, my third time. Beautiful country in South Dakota.The Harley Softail in the picture later ended up being traded for my current 2014 Dodge Ram 1500.......

Is it just a rumor or true that construction has begun on President Trump's head?

escape artist · 08-10-2021, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telescopist

Is it just a rumor or true that construction has begun on President Trump's head?

Hi: Telescopist... Can't be true...There's nothing there!!! George Washington is a head by a nose.

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

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