We got home from Sturgis on last Friday

[werewolf]

First, it was totally different from last year. No lines or waiting except to get your picture taken at the Sturgis sign. Actually, QUIET comes to mind.

With the wifes health issues and my current ankle problem, along with no trike yet,
we took the car, not the most exciting way to travel. But then again, it was hotter there than central Kansas for most of the week (excluding when it rained)

Lots of the big Harley trikes. Can Am and Honda Wings showed up in good numbers. Throw in a few of the freewheelers. A few Indians. One Rewaco trike. One Stallion and six assorted RoadHawk trikes (I think maybe they were all together)
Maybe 3 or 4 other assorted homemade vw trikes and that's about all the trikes I remember seeing.

Ducati and Moto Guzzi both had displays at Sturgis. Never seen them before,
but I wasn't looking for them in the past.

We were there Sunday thru Thursday. Hit all the stuff we hadn't seen before and generally enjoyed ourselves.

Odd thing, I didn't see ONE Frankenstein trike conversion. IE the axle and fender conversion for HD. Not sure why or if I just wasn't in the right place.

 

[MikeyTX]

I had planned on going this year. Didn't work out that way after I blew past my turn off at Ontario, OR. No biggie. I am going to go up the week after Labor Day. At that point in time, I should pretty well have Needles Highway all to myself. epper: Glad to hear y'all had fun and made it home safely.

 

[Keystone]

Quiet is a real good way to describe it. Lightest traffic outside of the city of Sturgis I have seen in years. Made it real nice for riding the Hills and being able to get across a road it one had to. I was there Sat-Sat. By Monday I saw some food venders that had already lowered their prices.

 

[Texan]

...... By Monday I saw some food vendors that had already lowered their prices.

But not by much!!!!!

That is one of my biggest complaints about Sturgis over the years is food quality and prices. Circus food on a stick. I did notice there were a couple 3-4 more sit down eating places on Main street this year but didn't try any of them. We have made it a habit over the past 5-6 years to hit Nemo for breakfast and Rapid City for supper....

8~\o

 

[1dn5up]

But not by much!!!!!

That is one of my biggest complaints about Sturgis over the years is food quality and prices. Circus food on a stick. I did notice there were a couple 3-4 more sit down eating places on Main street this year but didn't try any of them. We have made it a habit over the past 5-6 years to hit Nemo for breakfast and Rapid City for supper....

8~\o

Smart move, nothing worse than having moazoomas revenge while riding :gah:

 

[MikeyTX]

Checked the hotel rates for mid September. The Super 8 in Sturgis is only $79.00 a night. Imagine that.

 

[werewolf]

We actually ate a couple of meals at the Sturgis grocery store.
We ate the special one day, and the other we had
fried chicken and potato salad.
They also have inside seating.
Maybe not the most exciting meals, but reasonable on price both times.

 

[Crawford]

I'll have to agree on the small crowd. I've seen more bikes in the canyons when I have visited in July. Friday morning I visited the Harley dealer to check out the bikes for sale tent. They had sold 350, but by that time last year they had sold 600. I went up Wednesday and had perfect weather temperature wise, with only small showers.

 

[MikeyTX]

Used to go all the time

For me, it was an annual event. I'd quit several jobs over the years when they wouldn't give me the time off to go. Jobs and ex wifes are like buses ......... The next one comes along in about 30 minutes. Funny thing, the year after the Mo-Co quit introducing the new bikes at the civic center, I quit going on a regular basis. :gah: Still trying to talk myself into going up in mid September. :AGGHH:

 

[clint44]

How are the crowds the week after? FWIW,I would never go to Sturgis on an anniversary year.

That trike event at Deadwood in July is looking better and better,for us.

 

[Bikerbozo]

2000 was my 8th and last time in Sturgis. Way to crowded for my tastes. So any idea how many people there this year? And that July trike rally is really looking good. I just have to figure how to get wife out there since her health won't allow that long a ride anymore. Maybe a box with some holes shipped UPS...ground.

 

[Texan]

......I just have to figure how to get wife out there since her health won't allow that long a ride anymore. Maybe a box with some holes shipped UPS...ground.

Don't forgot a bowl of water !!

8~\o

 

[MikeyTX]

2000 was my 8th and last time in Sturgis. Way to crowded for my tastes. So any idea how many people there this year? And that July trike rally is really looking good. I just have to figure how to get wife out there since her health won't allow that long a ride anymore. Maybe a box with some holes shipped UPS...ground.

Sounds like it's about time to do what I'm fix'n to do ......... Buy a toy hauler. It is getting to the point that riding in the heat from where I live in TX is taking its toll on my aged body.

 

[clint44]

Sounds like it's about time to do what I'm fix'n to do ......... Buy a toy hauler. It is getting to the point that riding in the heat from where I live in TX is taking its toll on my aged body.

We can't afford a toy hauler but one of those Aluma TK1 trike trailer is looking better,all the time. It's about 1,200 miles from here to the Black Hills and riding that far in this heat is not something we want to do.

 

[MikeyTX]

My bad

I should have been more specific. I meant to say a vehicle that will pull a trailer with the trike on it. At 71 and diabetic, heat is my enemy too. U-Haul has MC specific trailer that has a drop down ramp with a wheel chock in the nose. It will handle a trike.

 

[Texan]

........U-Haul has MC specific trailer that has a drop down ramp with a wheel chock in the nose. It will handle a trike.

Yeah, they do but don't tell them what you're hauling and if something happens you're up the creek. The weight limit is 950#, clearly posted on the trailer. You have an accident or break something, you're financially responsible for everything.

Thinking I might consider trailering to Sturgis because having Parkinson's the heat also kills me. I made the mistake of taking my trike over to our local U-Haul to make sure it would fit. Young man that worked there was helping me, putting furniture pads on the corners of the trailer to protect the trike. Trike high centered on the ramp so we're working on figuring out the problem when the manager came out and said "you can't haul a trike on those trailers". I looked at him and said it would fit. He looked at me, pointed at the load limit sign and said weighs too much, then read me all the liability issues.

8~\o

 

[MikeyTX]

Lol that's why I'll go pick it up and load the trike at home. They play on the safe side with the weight issue. Just as Harley-Davidson does the oil change intervals.

 

[Texan]

Lol that's why I'll go pick it up and the trike at home. They play on the safe side with the weight issue. Just as Harley-Davidson does the oil change intervals.

Now I know it fits so next time I'll do as you stated, rent it and load at home.

8~\o

 

[MikeyTX]

They like any big company are at the mercy of their legal department. Ever notice how freak'n overloaded some of their cargo trailers or trucks are going down the road ? Just make sure it has good tires when you pick it up. Ie: More than 3/32 of tread, no cracks in the sidewalls or impact bruises that could bubble up and cause a blowout. Correct air pressure for the tire size. No damaged springs. The lights. Current license tag. And check the coupler assembly. I found one that was damaged and refused it on the spot.