Miss Behavin' in Sturgis

[RDJ]

The plan was to spend few days riding out from LA, maybe Bryce Canyon, maybe Monument Valley. But if I could get a few more days I could go via Sturgis - would be my first trip there.

So, landed on Wednesday night, picked up Miss B (my '01 502 ci V8 bike) Thursday and headed out via Nevada (Vegas), Utah (Provo), Wyoming (Laramie), then South Dakota (a night in Hill City and three in Rapid City). Rode the Black Hills 'circuit' with Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse etc. and spent one day seeing the bikes and other sights in Sturgis itself, before heading south to Arizona to Monument Valley, then back to Los Angeles again on the second Saturday (via Flagstaff). Lots of different weather - 118F in the deserts, 56F in the mountains!

Apparently the Sturgis numbers were down by about 30% from usual and while the roads were congested at times they never seemed to be jammed.

A few mechanical gremlins visited but did not stay too long. Biggest delay was 200 miles south of Sturgis, with a major electrical malfunction, fortunately fixable with basic tools and advice from the factory / dealer.

Lessons learned:

1. A phone can be even more useful than a toolkit.

2. I should put the rain gear on before I get wet.

3. Best mileage on my 502 is ~22mpg (worst mileage on my 502 is, actually, quite a bit less than 22... but who cares...)

4. To really stand out in Sturgis is quite simple - wear a full face helment and ATGATT!

5. With an 8.5 gallon main tank, 2.5 gallon reserve, and highway pegs, a man can ride clear across a state with only one stop.

6. Not sure who was more startled - the deer or me.

7. I really must invest in Loctite.

8. A V8 makes a great touring bike. Riding through Arizona / Wyoming, you have to downshift maybe twice an hour!

3302 miles. A great ride.

[RDJ]

A few pictures from the trip

[RDJ]

And a couple more

[scumdog]

I'm jealous.

Been to Sturgis - but not on a bike, gonna be there in 2011.

Why did they think the numbers were down - i.e what caused less to attend Biker Week??

[RDJ]

Back in the big smoke for a couple of days

[Bren]

what a great set of wheels....woulda been a blast!

[RDJ]

Some seriously interesting customs

[scumdog]

Saw some of them on the cyclespot site.

[RDJ]

..and a few more


(The Purple Bike Mover brings a whole new meaning to 'trailering the bike' - about 150K$US for the combo...)

[RDJ]

Why did they think the numbers were down - i.e what caused less to attend Biker Week??

Apparently, it was the cost of gas at well over US4$ per US gallon... considering most people were coming from reasonably far away, and a pretty high percentage were trailering, or in RVs etc.

[Headbanger]

AWESOME.




Your my new hero.

[scumdog]

Apparently, it was the cost of gas at well over US4$ per US gallon... considering most people were coming from reasonably far away, and a pretty high percentage were trailering, or in RVs etc.

Hmm, $9:00 a gallon here.

Even at 68 cents in the dollar that's a shit-load more money needed for each galon.

That will teach the wimpy bugger to trailer ot TV their bikes there.

[Winston001]

Great trip and thanks for the report. Its a shame I didn't know you were going, I'd have suggested turning into the Rockies at Denver onto US265 then onto US160 which would have taken you over Wolf Creek Pass - 10,000 feet, then into Pueblo Indian cliff dwelling territory. Then onto Durango, Page and you are in the Canyonlands. South through Monument Valley or wander around first, you could spend a week in this vast area, it is majestic desert, canyons and rock spires.

Anyway I'm sure you know this and there is always another time.

[n0regret5]

i would love to ride a 'hoss..they're just oozing "i'm a wanker and you can kiss my arse", but in a cool way. saw one in the flesh at our Americarna festival last year, they're not as big as i thought!

i don't think i'd make it very far into sturgis on a TL1000S streetfighter...

[outlawtorn]

thanks for the pics and the writeup!!!!!