Since I'm a little late posting this I'm going to assume that if you're coming to the 2018 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, you probably already know what you need to know, so I'll direct this post at the people who are just passing through and are new to the Rally experience. The Rally officially runs from August 3-12 this year, but you can expect the Hills to be pretty full of motorcycles for a week before and after. With a couple hundred thousand bikers in the area, you can also expect lodging to be in short supply and more expensive, and even though Sturgis is the center of the rally, the shear size of the event has caused it to envelop the whole Black Hills and surrounding areas.
During Rally week, Sturgis's Main Street is transformed into a motorcycles only street of tourist shops, food vendors and bars.
If you are in the area and want a taste of the rally, park your car as close as you can to Main Street and then walk it up and down, it shouldn't take you too long to realize if it is for you or not. One word of warning, despite attempts to clean up the Rally, I still wouldn't say it is child friendly.
So what brings people to the Rally? I'm not really going to try and answer that because the answers would be far too various and I guarantee some would be x-rated, but I'll try to give you some highlights.
Motorcycle Rides - There are daily group rides, or you can go off on your own to ride through the Hills.
Concerts - The Buffalo Chip is the most famous concert venue. They have nightly concerts with this years acts ranging from Kid Rock to Eric Church to Foreigner, but most every bar has a live band playing sometime during the day.
Camaraderie - I would guess that most people come to the rally to meet friends and have a good time. How they do that however, is what makes Sturgis, Sturgis.
The Sturgis Rally, it's not for everyone, but it is a unique experience that you won't forget.
