11 Things You Should Know Before Going To Motorcycle Rallies 

I just added some new links (in the description) to Harley parts that I put on my bike. Some of the newest parts are in dealer exclusives unfortunately, but as more parts become available I will update in the description. There is also a generic Harley link to everything on the site. I also added the Cardo link and discount. The goal is to get more and more good companies on board and get yall discounts when I can. Thank you all for being apart of the community and big thanks to the Shot Squad.

I'm more than a bit antisocial. Maybe a local group ride but a rally... Nope. I ride to get away from people, feel the wind, and find my peace.

Sturgis has a way different vibe than the rallies you have been to. It’s about the local riding. Expect to average 150-200+ miles a day. Walk Main Street and Lazelle one time, and then spend the rest of your time away from Sturgis itself. Nemo, Rochford, Deadwood, Lead, Hill City, Keystone, Montana, Wyoming. Head out a different direction every day and find your favorite spots. If you like music, there are 20+ bands playing somewhere every day, and 90% are free. Food and drink is pretty reasonable everywhere, except downtown Sturgis.

I live in Sturgis I Bartend during the Rally. Very fun experience

Best advice I've seen waa posted at the entrance to the Wetzel rally in Ohio. A Club owned rally ground. IT SAID " IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE YOUR ALCOHOL THIS IS A BAD PLACE TO FIND OUT " 😊 It travels very well.

When you do get to Sturgis the riding is the thing, at least to my friends and I. Yes the venues are great to visit, the bars, the concerts, and all but don't spend so much time walking you lose time for the rides. Spearfish Canyon, Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, Custer Loop, and so many more. A nice ride to get the feel of how big and empty a lot of the area is is to ride to Belle Fouche then to Alzada Montana, then south to Devil's Tower. Just watch your gas! You let it get below a half tank you might not make it back unless you carry some extra with you! I love Sturgis

See you there. I’ll be in a black Harley shirt and blue jeans, ya can’t miss me.

I have been to a number of major bike rallies over the years. I am never attending another. Far too crowded. Far too expensive. Not even remotely worth the effort. Yes there are some decent deals to be had if you know what you are looking for. But again not even close to the effort required. I love riding with myself. I'm never early. I'm never late. I'm never lost. Guess the years have made me cynical but that's how i see it. Great video and keep up the content!

Man you're in for a treat when you go to Sturgis. The riding and sights are amazing.

All great information Sir, great video!!!

Laconia NH. Is a must, not what it used to be but always a good time.

14:03 and reapply! My neck got torched between my jacket and helmet when I was in Milwaukee for the 120th.

I’ve never so many dropped bikes, duck walking, slow speed wobbles and posers as “bike” rally riders.

Been to Sturgis once long ago went on my Triumph. Other that only a toy run. To me the importance aspect of that was the "run" itself as to how fast who could make it to the bar first. Since that pretty much have kept to my self.

New subscriber - Thank you for your time. All of your videos are not just entertaining, but more importantly, they're informative, and that is priceless, God bless you and protect you always.

Been riding for 22 years but have only been to 1 rally, Myrtle Beach Fall Rally. I hope to make it to Daytona and Sturgis someday.

FWIW, if you go to the medicine dept at most stores they have pop and freeze packages for injuries. They don’t take up much space and really help cool things down. I carry an insulated DeWalt lunch bag, which carry’s 4 bottles of water, these really help keeping things cool.

Growing up in Orlando I have been to Daytona Bike week / Biketober fest tons! I recommend going the first weekend to scope out what you want, and then the last weekend or last few days to work your deal! The vendors don't want to lug all that stuff back! Also Sturgis is a completely different feel, best riding ever! I recommend going to most events at least once.

Awesome video, I learned to buy water only in the Harley store $ 1.00 bottles vs 3-5 dollars at the booths. In my years going to Daytona, I’ve never had an issue with biker clubs. I do not bother them and they do not bother me.

I have been to bike rallies everywhere mytle beach is the most fun for me

The last rally I went to was 2019. It was Laconia. Had fun but the older I get the less I like crowds. One thing about rallies is if you want a part installed you usually don't have to wait long. The dealer may be booked up for a few weeks so rallies may be a better option.

Great info Heg.

I live in North Myrtle Beach, and I find that I find better deals online. This year you will find that a lot of venues with not allow colors.

Daytona is the partying rally… Sturgis is the riding and partying rally for me

Second and last time I went to Sturgis ( from Montana ) witin one day two people within a tent away in my campsite had been seriously injured in crashes. 1987. I did find a good used remote mount oil filter/cooler. Sportster liked it.

I went to Sturgis for the first time last year. And I plan on doing it almost every year going forward. The riding is some of the absolute best in the country, something kind of rare for rally locations. Don’t get me wrong, the ocean shore riding is okay, but nothing can really compare to mountain riding. At Sturgis, plan on spending a day at the vendor locations, be it downtown or the Rally at Exit 55. Installation on new are free or really cheap. Slip ons and air cleaners are normally free. Full system might cost like a hundred bucks. Same with stereos. There’s a ton of cheap eats around.

After going to 100s of runs and rallies over 30 years. I just go for the riding, I steer clear of "Tent city" Sturgis has some of the best riding. Met a ton of great folks there.

Americade Rally in Lake George NY is a great one to go to. It has some of the best scenic rides anywhere.

You will have a blast at Sturgis! So awesome I try to go every year. Deadwood baby!

Good video, much appreciated. I'm still a brand newb and I'm probably going to my first couple small, local rallies here in the next couple weeks. I generally like to be alone, but I like to get out and socialize from time to time, see some stuff, do the things.... and since I'm new to this, I didn't want to end up going "to stupid places with stupid people doing stupid things." Hopefully I like 'em and it'll make me want to experience some of the bigger rallies.

We like Leesburg, the city has things well-organized and seem to appreciate bikes being in town.

For the past two years, I've written to Daytona Bike Week with my HOG Chapter (around 15 bikes). Daytona has almost no interesting rides. It's all about the Speedway, Destination Daytona, and Main Street to a degree. Getting upgrades for the bike is a great thing. I had Love Jugs for cooling (Speedway) and some LED lights (Destination Daytona) added to my Road Glide. Several others had high-end sound systems installed. One evening, we tallied up the amount of money that we dropped between us all, and it was a pretty staggering amount (especially for a us N. Alabama boys (and gals)). As you said, this is what Daytona is really about. Main Street is about the bars and bikini washes and seeing and being seen, but it seems to be dying out (local businesses are trying to shutdown Daytona Bike Week, like they did Spring Break). Sturgis is about the rides. Sure going into Sturgis for a day is cool, but the riding is fantastic! I think that my biggest tip is to be aware of the added traffic, and pay attention to the cagers, even more than normal, in Daytona especially.

Wait till you do Sturgis, it is truly unique; such great riding ++

At Sturgis make sure you put both feet fldown

In Daytona and Sturgis, If you do happen to drink a little too much and decide to leave your bike somewhere over night, it will get towed and they do not treat them nicely. That’s a big one.

Abate of Iowa freedom rally by algona, Iowa is a small rally compared to ones you mentioned. It's the only one I'm a dedicated goer. Check it out for our 40th anniversary this July 3rd-6th!!

Have to check out lake of the ozarks bike week. Great riding way less people.

As far as the in town Sturgis it's alot like Daytona as prices go. Sturgis is all over the area in large mile radius, it's just not in town. Be ready to ride, I ride at least 150 to 200 miles a day while I am there. Plenty of stuff to do. Enjoy if you make it.

South Park was right about Harley-Davidson owners. We much prefer going to the Isle of Man for the TT races.

Hello there, Thanks for all your informative tubes. I would like to know your personal evaluation of your RG as I am looking at a 2024 model and I just want your opinion on that. Thank You

One big difference you will notice is this. In Daytona the police are out to get you. In Sturgis the police are out to help you.

How can you talk about motorcycle rallies with only 2 venues experience? And not include Laconia, NH? Rookie!

Interesting video 👍 I've been going to rallies in the UK and Europe for years, I went to a few when I lived in the USA. I've found the big rallies are getting very corporate and expensive so I just go to smaller rallies now. (Sturgis is something every biker should visit at least once, it's a huge piece of biking history.)

Been to many of the rallies, Daytona was not fun, rides are third class, Sturgis one day in town and around the shops outside of town, place is a riders paradise, and from there you have easy access to lots of great riding in other states, best however to hit the black hills early before all the party people wake up, start at 8 the drunks don't come out of hiding till 11 or 12, plus the kids who think they are hot rodders showing off. from there hit Yellowstone and the great rides in Montana then drop down into Idaho, and Utah. Take the side roads stay off the freeways as much as you can. do it every year.

I go to Laconia every year since its only about a 90 minute ride for me. I've been going for nearly 30 years. I did Sturgis in 2023 for the first time. Loved it. Laconia and Sturgis are more about the riding for me. The roads and scenery are amazing. I've never been to Daytona, but for some reason it doesn't appeal to me. Seems more like a drinking and partying rally.. and I'm not much into that scene. I may try Americade this year.

I live in Arizona and we just had bike week and it has changed since last year. I would avoid the whole west world experience and head to cave creek , plenty of vendors, bikes and cool people.

I've always enjoyed going to rallies. Now that I'm closing in on 60 i don't spend much time there. I like to roll in for a day and then move on. I will say all the time I've spent at rallies i have never seen a single fight. Expect some loud obnoxious drunks now and then. As a whole it's been a lot of fun. As far as clubs go. They're just like you and I. They are there to have fun. Don't go up to them with a holier than thou attitude or they might just help you out with that. Otherwise you will have no problem whatsoever. I think now it's starting to get a little to commercialized though. Still fun but way to expensive

don't let them sew your pocket shut when getting a patch.

Algorithm has decided, correctly, that I should watch some of your videos. Your opinions and experiences are excellent and you say many many things that are unpopular and 1000% correct.. everything from time of day, unlicensed death and accident rates, group riding, lack of practice and alcohol involved in riding. I will encourage people to watch your stuff and the gun, patriot thing I can deal with. Motorcycle industry and riders are stuck in a very similar mess to gun industry and gun users. Access. Ducks Unlimited and a few others are spending time, money and political capital for hunting rights and habitat preservation. In motorcycling many areas that were open to motorcycles are being restricted or done away with completely. Open spaces for all groups drastically reduce everyday.. can't be addressed monthly or yearly, a trail you ride on maybe in jeopardy of disappearing forever. And if bicycle racing and events are an indicator..off road is what people want and access has to be a priority for riders and manufacturers.

Try some rallies in the South. Bama Bike Fest or Angel City. Or even Mid America in Buckhorn,Mo. There are Soooo many rallies that Aren’t Daytona etc.

I have little interest in Daytona. Went to Sturgis and liked it.

Agreed

It's about respect! When Interacting with clubs, respect them and they will respect you

I freeze water bottles and wrap them in towels. Generally stay ice cold all day

From all you've said and from other videos I' ve watched I don't need to be within 500 miles of any of these "rallies." I'd much rather hit the open road.

It came as a surprise to me. They are much bigger than anything I have been to in the UK. And the combination of dealers, stalls and events is unusual. I have been to motorcycle shows in an exhibition hall, autojumbles (a car boot sale of old parts for classic British bikes) and bike nights with no stalls but hundreds of bikes, often set up to raise funds for charity. And, of course, guns are kept in locked cases in country houses for grouse shooting or not at all. Our police often give priority to bikes over cars when managing traffic at a bike event.

Great video. I know several people who have been to these rallies and say that it's a great time. I have a 2005 Softail Deuce with only 9300 miles on it that I bought three years ago and have never ridden it because - I don't know how. LOL. I know, I'm an idiot, but maybe one day. Thanks for uploading this; it was very enjoyable.

The thing to remember about sturges is it's Dangerous in the hills lot of people die every year. The roads going through the black hills are beautiful, but very dangtrish. Be careful when you ride them.

Love your content, but wanted to mention that your mic was really low compared to all the other sound in this video.

Great video!! I enjoy all your vids but you need to do something about the sound.

I quit going, I go to local swap meets etc. Got tired of all the booths non- motorcycle related?

I’ve done Laconia 20 plus years, Sturgis last 5, Daytona a bunch and now hitting Arizona in few weeks. For me it’s one day at the shit show (dealers or T-shirt alley to people watch. Sturgis best riding so far but just moved to AZ and riding here is amazing and will overtake Sturgis by far in my opinion. Daytona for me wasn’t as fun as the others but from NH in March doesn’t get any better to get away from snow. Again my opinion.

Can't get in to eat anywhere. Can't get in to piss anywhere.

Maybe fedex should set up a customer booth and truck to ship purchases to riders home. Walk up, show events item receipt hand it over to box up and ship home. They would get a lot of business if they don’t already.

I was at AZ Bike Week this past weekend. Loved Cave Creek. However the tee shirt vendors F’ed up big time. They hardly had anything. Huge disappointment……..

Rienharts sound slappy to me kromewerks 4.5" have the best sound after having heard m9st brands also if you want obnoxious loud pipes and don't want to hear your radio if you got one tab neighbor haters

Dude, this is the first video I have seen from you. You are really green to bike rallies. I have far too much to say to write it out here. Go to several more rallies like Laconia (the world's first rally), Sturgis, and some other rallies. You will get a totally different view.

😂 your the only rider on the road! 🎉

Daytona bike week has no were near 500,000

Normally a few people are killed in bike wrecks at Daytona. I have seen a few minor wrecks by drunks. Say one guy messed up bad on I95. A truck ran him over. This was just outside Jax. I guess he was on his way home like I was. I hope he was okay. Anyone going to Daytona will have a sore clutch hand by the end of a day. So much stopping, shifting etc...A lot of drunks.

You definitely listen to Creed Fisher!!!!

I spy a FAL on your wall. My man 😎

Watching on RU-vid is as close as I want to get.

no Laconia!?!?

Rally used to be fun. Now they are fundraiser for the municipalities. Pay ripoff prices for everything. Roadside extortion coming and going. Nothing but drunks and posers bragging about how much money they spent on their bike. Lots of bikes stolen. Total ripoff unless you are a vlooger who writes off all expenses on their taxes. $10 for a bottle of water? Totally insane! Old party's were great. People still remember me from the rodeo from 30 yrs ago. Rev your motorcycle at a stoplight and get a $350 ticket, welcome to Daytona . No thanks. Poser party for poser riders. Pathetic 😢

Every year the small towns out about 100 mi. and all the way to every large meet have speed traps and every cop they have out the write you up, best money makers these small towns have, you are usually long ways from home, they know you're not going to come back and fight it, you will get a lot of B.S. tickets. One of the worst things are the riders WHO CAN'T RIDE !

Well you be having a meet up at Sturgis?

I go to pcb thunder beach

Laconia... 1957/1958... It's never been the same since😂😂😂...

Just freeze your bottled water then you have them all day long. Always stays cold all day. In the tour pack

The rally in Mexico is way more fun

The roads around Sturgis are open outside of rally week, if riding without being surrounded by drunken idiot show-offs and weak-minded bullies is your thing. For this older Scottish rider, the speed-limits are a bit low mind, after being used to riding quickly on two-lane roads that are half the width of one over here. Just don’t drink and ride.

My mom lives in scenic Spearfish. Ima motorhead, but wouldn't wanna navigate half a million hogs.

Sturgis is in the actual world in itself and it spreads out for about 100 miles from that location

None of the party happens in common spaces ...goto the private campgrounds

There's the laughlin river run last week of April I'm going to head to. But that one has been a turd show since 2004

Get a Camelback for water

A lot is 2 words

I never understood blipping the throttle and other things . Do you think you’re the only one out of 300k plus people to do it ? It gets old and played out quick . Let’s attract negative attention by acting like a teenager with their first car

Not sure why people like to advertise the fact that they are carrying a gun, like with a 2A sticker on their car or bike but okay.

@9:05: what this fine God Fearing Man is trying to say is, don't be taken advantage or sucked in to buying something that a beautiful , luscious girls with very pronounced curves in your face giggling while they try to sell you a product. Keep it together.

I've been to dozens. Why should I give a shit what you say?

9:19: Human trash.

I have been to Sturgis once, saw a lot of cool bikes, but unfortunately way too many modern computer bikes. People buy these things, and think they are the hottest riders out there, because the spent a ton of money. I also do Arizona Bike Week every year, because I live in Arizona. Again, I see mostly modern stuff, which I have no interest in seeing. My Harley is a 1989 FXRS Low Rider, mostly stock except for the exhaust, backrest, and saddlebags. I have added some extra chrome. There is nothing digital on it, and there is no flat black on it. And that kind of trash seems to be mostly what you see at motorcycle rallies. They've gone from motorcycle rallies to flat black computer rallies. A lot of riders are still wearing their pirate costumes. If only they knew how silly they look dressed like that riding "modern" computer bikes, mostly baggers. I'll be 65 in a few days, I'm going to quit messing with motorcycle events. I like real motorcycles, not computers on wheels.

Arm Yourself.

can anybody hear what this guy is saying? he talks soo softly then when he switches to a motorcycle clip it's louder than him!

Way too long.

If you see one of us 1%er’s do not take pictures, don’t be afraid and don’t ask me no questions.