Nighthawks at Sturgis?

[ignisuti]

Not that I plan to go anytime soon, but I was simply curious (stuck in dis-belief) as a friend of mine mentioned that it wouldn’t ever be a good idea for me to take my bike to Sturgis. He claimed it get vandalized by the hard-core Harley riders. I’m going to have to call B.S. on that one. Thoughts?

Any of you guys ever go to Sturgis on your Nighthawks?

[muttstang]

I think it depends on where you go mostly.

Most of the people up there are doctors and lawyers who trailer their harleys to within 50 miles or so and then ride in but there are some areas where some of your more stereotypical bada$$ types will hang out and may cause some trouble.

[ariwhiteboy]

I guess you could...as mutt mentioned most of that crowd are normal guys playing biker for the week. I would highly advise that you avoid anyone wearing a Three Piece Patch , they likely won't play nice and are sure to have lots of "friends" nearby.

What I really don't understand is why you would want to go to Sturgis? I've never been to Sturgis (don't want to either) but have attended several "Bike Weeks" up and down the coast. A large crown of people consuming copious amounts of alcohol, riding loud bikes, and proving to each other that they are bad@$$es. Maybe it's your thing, but it's not my scene at all.  You would probably get more out of attending a NH rally or just meeting up with HPPants and some of the gulf coast crowd to go ride the Ozarks.

[ignisuti]

You would probably get more out of attending a NH rally or just meeting up with HPPants and some of the gulf coast crowd to go ride the Ozarks.

I like where you're going with this. Will have to give it some thought later this summer when things settle down.

[muttstang]

The black hills have some beautiful places to ride and I really want to head up there sometime in the spring and take Needles Highway and a few others on the bike.  Maybe grab a travel fishing rod and hit some of the lakes for trout out there.  But you definitely want to avoid it in late July through the end of August.  And I've heard that Sturgis itself is actually a bit of a dump.  Hill city is a cool little town though and if you are in the area, You definitely want to go to the Alpine Lodge where your dining options are "Steak, or Steak"

[ignisuti]

The black hills have some beautiful places to ride and I really want to head up there sometime in the spring and take Needles Highway and a few others on the bike.  Maybe grab a travel fishing rod and hit some of the lakes for trout out there.  But you definitely want to avoid it in late July through the end of August.  And I've heard that Sturgis itself is actually a bit of a dump.  Hill city is a cool little town though and if you are in the area, You definitely want to go to the Alpine Lodge where your dining options are "Steak, or Steak"

If you're gonna mix a bit of fishing in there, you could probably definitely twist my arm into going if the timing was right. Let me know!

[mattrowe19]

I was there during the rally last year. Not with the bike, but on vacation with my family. We were camping just outside of Custer. Beautiful area for some rides and was wishing I could. Especially through custer state park. Most of the the people I talked to were cool. You might get some crap from the Harley guys about riding a "rice burner" but mostly good natured. I didn't have any problems at all and it was generally a good experience.

[drdubb]

Sounds like someone needs to organize a mid-west rally.

[Brittles]

have attended several "Bike Weeks" up and down the coast. A large crowd of people consuming copious amounts of alcohol, riding loud bikes, and proving to each other that they are bad@$$es.

You forgot the part about the ta ta's 

I've been around a few guys that go around those "bike weeks" with 15 lbs of beads hanging off their necks with the sole intent of seeing as much flesh as possible. Seems over the top to me.

I would love to ride around the Black Hills as I've heard it's beautiful but wouldn't want to do it during the Sturgis Rally.

[talespin]

...proving to each other that they are bad@$$es.

Physical therapists and dentists don't get many opportunities to do that, so they gotta grab it when they can.   

[tbante]

Physical therapists and dentists don't get many opportunities to do that, so they gotta grab it when they can.   
[/quote]

Oh, I thought you were talking about the 15lbs of beads...........

[mattrowe19]

To me, the rally is what you make of it. If you want to be stupid and do dumb$+*% stuff, you can. If you want to have a good time, enjoy some beautiful scenery, and do all the tourist stuff, you can. I would recommend not staying in Sturgis if you choose the latter. There's plenty of great places to stay in some of the other towns in the Black Hills. Like I said, I stayed just outside of Custer, and the campground and people were great. I have to admit, being there during the rally is what prompted me to get my rear in gear, take my MSF, and finally get a bike.