You are so correct. At some point, this rally had turned a biker event into a grab the cash event. The riding is top shelf, though. Unlike any other riding in the world. Thanks for sharing.
You are so right all the way around! The riding is still great, and there are some vendors that still take care of you But the prices out there are stopping a lot of folks from going back. I know we have talked about it and we will probably not go back! $25 for a gyro or a turkey leg, lodging prices have just about doubled and for a lot of us we just can't afford it anymore. The mighty dollar has just totally taken over the rally, and it is just sad to see it happening.
I agree. So sad to see as I love that area for riding, but cost of eats and drinks … wow ! Lots of great memories there from years past. Thanks for watching and for leaving your comment Cheers
AWESOME YOU TWO ALWAYS GREAT TOO WATCH!! YOU ARE NOT FAR OFF TALKING ABOUT COMMERCIALIZATION, WHEN WE ARE GETTING FEWER OWNING. THEY CAN THEN DIRECT THE OUTCOME FOR THEIR MEANS AND CONTROL THE STEPS WE TAKE. SEEMS THEY WANT TOO TAME US TO THEIR BEING NOW AND TAKE AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.THANKS AGAIN C&A:) CHEERS!!
Hey Craig, I think all rallies are turning commercial. The only thing saving it is the riding, meeting old friends and watching the bikes roll by. We hope to see you soon, cheers.
Great video and perspective! As a first timer to Sturgis I have a bit of a different perspective. We loved the riding and it’s definitely second to none. We stayed in a hotel in Rapid City which was quiet and clean (we’re not campers). Overall prices were unreasonably high but it’s a big rally so expected. We found the crowds everywhere a little overwhelming as well as the riding: too many inexperienced riders on big bikes. We also found the political element a little too much. Everyone wanted to talk politics which isn’t my thing: it’s a bike rally so let’s talk bikes 🙂
Yes. You make a great point. We have been there many times and the group of friends we meet there every year, we all agree … we don’t talk about politics and a couple other topics (being Canadian LOL ) Cheers
I think you're spot-on I'm seeing a younger crowd As well. Debating the 85th, for all the same reasons. May check out FL rallies...maybe do Mexico again Rocky Point rally
You are right about the commercialism, but it isn't just at Sturgis although Sturgis might heave held out longer. There is another thing to consider, apply the expression "it's getting old", not just to Sturgis either. It is and I think always will be awesome to see so many bikes but to truly enjoy the roads come back after the tourists go home.
You make some great points in your comment. I actually was also there on July 6,7th. Awesome area and the roads are some of the best anywhere. Thanks for watching and for leaving your comment. Have a great weekend
From the clips you showed, the band line-up looked disappointing, and for some nighs, the crowd was not paying a whole lot of attention to the music. But for such a huge popular event, cash and price gouging isn't surprising, and I'm sure vendors certainly would take advantage of price hikes to get their slice of the action. Still, it's an awesome event, to ride the area roads, and spend time with riding friends 👊😁👍
It’s all about the people !!! We have met such great friends thanks to that event and place. Sad it just costs so much now. Inhibiting to what we see and do now.
I do not mind all the vendors. I can get products I have seen online, or never heard about, patches, leather goods and other accessories. But I think pricing has gone up all around due to inflation, which forces some greedy f**ks to take advantage of that and jack up their prices. I know that some suppliers have no choice but to raise prices to cover their costs and have some $$ on the side for themselves. A few vendors ruin it for the rest of the good folks. I do feel staying at BBs is way overpriced, and just to enter to experience the atmosphere (or concert) is stupid. I agree the bands were not great this year, and declining in quality. There are a good number of great tribute bands they could have sourced, or even Dead South who put on a great show was in the same area (nearby) during Sturgis They would have brought the house down and are popular on the county fair circuit They are always in MT/ID/Dakotas in early August
Firstly I like your new friends 😂 Are you out to lunch? I don’t think so. Why? just based on the Moto events I’ve gone to in the past few years. Every year they all feel more “commercial”. It’s beginning to feel like camping at a living commercial. Long gone are the days of just hanging out and chillin without a worry or a care. It’s just becoming more and more “I can sell you this and then this, oh and don’t forget that”. Just my two cents worth, anyway.
Yup, I agree, sad to say. I remember rallies in the 80’s and it was all about getting together and had nothing to do with buying “stuff”. It has to go back at sometime , I hope. 🤞 Cheers
You are so correct. At some point, this rally had turned a biker event into a grab the cash event. The riding is top shelf, though. Unlike any other riding in the world. Thanks for sharing.
That’s what so refreshing for me when I rode to Virginia !! Loved that meet up we had there.
You are so right all the way around! The riding is still great, and there are some vendors that still take care of you But the prices out there are stopping a lot of folks from going back. I know we have talked about it and we will probably not go back! $25 for a gyro or a turkey leg, lodging prices have just about doubled and for a lot of us we just can't afford it anymore. The mighty dollar has just totally taken over the rally, and it is just sad to see it happening.
I agree. So sad to see as I love that area for riding, but cost of eats and drinks … wow !
Lots of great memories there from years past.
Thanks for watching and for leaving your comment
Cheers
AWESOME YOU TWO ALWAYS GREAT TOO WATCH!! YOU ARE NOT FAR OFF TALKING ABOUT COMMERCIALIZATION, WHEN WE ARE GETTING FEWER OWNING. THEY CAN THEN DIRECT THE OUTCOME FOR THEIR MEANS AND CONTROL THE STEPS WE TAKE. SEEMS THEY WANT TOO TAME US TO THEIR BEING NOW AND TAKE AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.THANKS AGAIN C&A:) CHEERS!!
Thanks for watching for leaving your comment !!!
The only thing that’s constantly these days is change. Uggg
👍🏻👍🏻
Groovy episode very informative.
Thanks !!!
What great traditions you and your friends have created I am happy to see the travels.
We really look forward to Wednesday’s and the traditional picture. Looking back it tells a great story year by year.
Hey Craig, I think all rallies are turning commercial. The only thing saving it is the riding, meeting old friends and watching the bikes roll by. We hope to see you soon, cheers.
Ya. Good point.
Great video 😎👍🇺🇸
Thank you !
Thanks for the wrap-up. I'd rather ride with a smaller group [like at VAMM] and be done with it. I don't need the crowds or the concerts.
I can appreciate that !!!
The crowds are big there …
Cheers
Great video and perspective! As a first timer to Sturgis I have a bit of a different perspective. We loved the riding and it’s definitely second to none. We stayed in a hotel in Rapid City which was quiet and clean (we’re not campers). Overall prices were unreasonably high but it’s a big rally so expected. We found the crowds everywhere a little overwhelming as well as the riding: too many inexperienced riders on big bikes. We also found the political element a little too much. Everyone wanted to talk politics which isn’t my thing: it’s a bike rally so let’s talk bikes 🙂
Yes. You make a great point. We have been there many times and the group of friends we meet there every year, we all agree … we don’t talk about politics and a couple other topics (being Canadian LOL )
Cheers
I’m pouring ice water over my head with temperatures over 90 degrees 😎👍
Whew that first day was a cooker !!!
I agree with you that the concerts have gone downhill.
Hopefully next year will be better !!!
I think you're spot-on I'm seeing a younger crowd As well. Debating the 85th, for all the same reasons. May check out FL rallies...maybe do Mexico again Rocky Point rally
Ya, I think we may start searching around for alternatives. 2025 is not a given yet.
Thanks for watching and for leaving your comment !!!
Cheers
You are right about the commercialism, but it isn't just at Sturgis although Sturgis might heave held out longer. There is another thing to consider, apply the expression "it's getting old", not just to Sturgis either. It is and I think always will be awesome to see so many bikes but to truly enjoy the roads come back after the tourists go home.
You make some great points in your comment.
I actually was also there on July 6,7th. Awesome area and the roads are some of the best anywhere.
Thanks for watching and for leaving your comment.
Have a great weekend
Great content!!
Thanks for the feedback !!
Just like any other event these days...money and greed moves in and the fun slowly gets squeezed out.
Yes. True. So many places there now are corporate owned. Places like Big Berthas are still good and I think it’s locally owned.
From the clips you showed, the band line-up looked disappointing, and for some nighs, the crowd was not paying a whole lot of attention to the music. But for such a huge popular event, cash and price gouging isn't surprising, and I'm sure vendors certainly would take advantage of price hikes to get their slice of the action. Still, it's an awesome event, to ride the area roads, and spend time with riding friends 👊😁👍
It’s all about the people !!! We have met such great friends thanks to that event and place. Sad it just costs so much now. Inhibiting to what we see and do now.
Yep, you attract large crowds and people are going to notice and try to commercialise it!
So true. I guess that happens everywhere.
That Wednesday could be worse... or maybe scary... if it was called "No Nuthin' Wednesday"... 🙊🙉🙈😅
LOL
I do not mind all the vendors. I can get products I have seen online, or never heard about, patches, leather goods and other accessories. But I think pricing has gone up all around due to inflation, which forces some greedy f**ks to take advantage of that and jack up their prices. I know that some suppliers have no choice but to raise prices to cover their costs and have some $$ on the side for themselves. A few vendors ruin it for the rest of the good folks. I do feel staying at BBs is way overpriced, and just to enter to experience the atmosphere (or concert) is stupid. I agree the bands were not great this year, and declining in quality. There are a good number of great tribute bands they could have sourced, or even Dead South who put on a great show was in the same area (nearby) during Sturgis They would have brought the house down and are popular on the county fair circuit They are always in MT/ID/Dakotas in early August
Thank you for your comment !! You bring up some great points !! I really like seeing comments from all points of view.
Thank you
Firstly I like your new friends 😂
Are you out to lunch? I don’t think so. Why? just based on the Moto events I’ve gone to in the past few years. Every year they all feel more “commercial”. It’s beginning to feel like camping at a living commercial. Long gone are the days of just hanging out and chillin without a worry or a care. It’s just becoming more and more “I can sell you this and then this, oh and don’t forget that”.
Just my two cents worth, anyway.
Yup, I agree, sad to say. I remember rallies in the 80’s and it was all about getting together and had nothing to do with buying “stuff”.
It has to go back at sometime , I hope. 🤞
Cheers
@@SHHHMotoTravels or maybe some new events need to start up that just focus on the riding and community 👍🏻