Very funny experience

[bambam0099]

Got home today after driving 27hrs straight thru.   Got to meet Wayne from Heathers Leathers Friday who is going to build a baby chummie deluxe seat for me.   Great guy and his Indian is gorgeous.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7dDzA_iCGZJSk9USnltb3puZDQ

Another great riding day Friday.  We put on ~2200 miles while there.   Looking forward to Sturgis 2016!

[Troll]

Beautiful country when you can actually see it...Been out that way MANY times, to the "Sturgis" thingy, just once...and that was more than enough.

[bambam0099]

Nah, we went to Full Throttle and Buffalo Chip once but the joy of going to Sturgis is riding (I'm not a bar guy without my wife with me).  We just got back from a 3 state ride, from 8am to 8pm.  Tomorrow is our last day (as of now) so we're going to hit the road by 7am.

We hit Sturgis once with the bikes to see what it's like and then the next time, we parked "at the mouth" and walked in.  That's it, twice into town is enough.  We got to see all the vendors, the bikes, etc., etc..  Riding and periodic stopping into small towns for a drink (non-alcoholic of course) and eats is what this is all about.

The riding with thousands and thousands of others in unbelievable scenery is simply incredible.   This was a bucket list thing for me but I'm already planning for the return next year.

[DC]

Did you see Jackyl playing at Full Throttle?

[JagLite]

Tomorrow, a 6 hr "loop" ride out of Rapid City to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, etc.

That sounds amazing!
Another ride to plan on   

Please take pictures...
Uh, oh, you are probably already riding.
I hope you TOOK pictures   

[49Reo]

Sounds like an awesome time, and awesome folks you hooked up with for your say. That was money well spent.

[bambam0099]

Hey thanks!  We just got back from the Chip; great concerts but what a hole!  LOL!   It's a mud pit and there are 1000's of campers everywhere.  We drove the truck because they were calling for heavy rains that never happened but man, so glad we didn't drive our bikes because we would of turned around and went home.  What a mess there from the torrential downpour we had last night.
We were at Full Throttle and a huge storm hit us which literally put the saloon under water.  I've never seen anything like it.
We waited for 2 hours hoping it would subside but it never did so by the time we got to our bikes, we were soaked.
No sense putting on my leather coat and ruining it so we left in tank tops and no goggles.  Have to admit, I was really nervous.
The rain felt like BB's and then the small hail started.  Luckily my friend is a very experienced rider so he made it easier for me just by being able to follow him.   We almost pulled over a few times but it stopped half way to Rapid City (where we're staying) and luckily, the heavy rain washed all of the parking lot mud off.  The next morning, our bikes looked almost clean surprisingly.

I answered an ad on Craigslist and was able to hook up with a couple that wanted to rent out there 5th wheeler right at their house for $1000 for the week.  These people are so cool and thoughtful that they had a BBque dinner waiting for us when we got there and have gone out of their way to make us feel at home, even offering a covered car port for us to park our bikes in.  It's in a secluded area with a chain linked fenced in yard.  These people are just the best.  We feel like we've made new friends. The wife even waits up for us to get back to make sure we're safe!  LOL!   It's like we have mom with us!   Awesome people.  I'm going to fix her computer before we leave...I feel like I owe her so much already.

Everyone at Sturgis has been great and the patriotism (which I love) is everywhere.   Tonight while watching Shinedown, a really old vet was hobbling by and a bunch of 40'ish guys got out of there chairs and litterally gave up theirs while they helped him over to it.  It was such a cool act that we all high five'd them and the vet.  So far, love it here and being amoungst hundreds of thousands of bikes is simply awesome!

Tomorrow, a 6 hr "loop" ride out of Rapid City to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, etc.  Thursday, we go riding to meet up with Wayne from Heathers Leathers (if he makes it in time!  He told us had a 1000 miles to go earlier)  then the Black Hills area and then more riding Friday.

Simply incredible experience, I love it here!

[DC]

Looks like you guys are having a blast out there.

[49Reo]

Bambam, thats the next best thing to being there!! Thanks for posting!

[pcarrell]

Bambam, you look like you're having enough fun for all of us that can't be there......THANKS!

[bambam0099]

Heading out to the Buffalo Chip to catch Leonard Skynard and Shinedown.
I'm trying to post when I get a free moment on my google drive if anyone is interested...

TTYL

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7dDzA_iCGZJfm1HM2JLY3paR3pUalVNUklIZGJBQUhXR3k5cmp5UG5xbERUMzB4UTBVY1E

[bambam0099]

Ok, we're at Sturgis now.  It's incredible to say the least.  It makes Americade and Laconia look like kindergarten class...

So, along the lines of this thread, take a look at this video I took Monday, the 1st time we were going towards the main street and pay close attention to what my buddy (on his harley bagger) says to me after the one guy takes a picture of my bike (and that's after I got a thumbs up previously from a couple).
I get this type of occurrence ever where I go and enjoy every minute of it :-)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7dDzA_iCGZJR1NmVlYzODJBc28

[49Reo]

The weird thing is harleys are pretty rare over here and when I saw his it was WOW. I was really surprised at the reaction to ours over his.

Well after looking at the pic of your sweet ride I am not surprised at all that your bike took all the praise. Harleys over there may be a rarity, but they are seen every day on TV, on magazines, etc, never see a Drifter except on rare occasions. VERY nice bike, btw. Yours too, ARalph. Very nice, Same as mine was when I got it except for the tan seat.

[bambam0099]

Don't be surprised. Even with out all that bling people will choose to oogle over these bikes.
I've got the stripped down version of yours, and I get the same thing happening.

Sweet looking ride...

aralph

Personally, I love the way Drifters look stripped down but the problem (at least where I live) is that the weather is so damn unpredictable, it could be 40 in the morning and 85 in the afternoon so I need the bags on so I have a place to put my coat and extra clothing.

[shunter v8]

  Thanks,a very cool looking bike you have there.

[aralph]

I was really surprised at the reaction to ours over his.

Don't be surprised. Even with out all that bling people will choose to oogle over these bikes.
I've got the stripped down version of yours, and I get the same thing happening.

Sweet looking ride...

aralph

[shunter v8]

The weird thing is harleys are pretty rare over here and when I saw his it was WOW. I was really surprised at the reaction to ours over his.

[bambam0099]

My buddy has a full blown Harley cruiser and he's always amazed how much attention I get with my Drifter.
When we went to Laconia, every where you looked there were Harleys so his bike was just another bike but mine stood out and always got an audience.
We are heading to Sturgis in a couple weeks ... should be interesting and fun!

I love having something that is not 'the norm'.   When I went to get a car, I was all set to get a 'vette until I saw a 3000GT and had no clue what it was but immediately wanted it.  Funny how many people think it's some kind of Ferrari   LOL!

[pcarrell]

My best friend and I ride together all the time and he has a 2010 HD Superglide Custom, and my Nadine gets way more compliments.  I feel bad sometimes...........SOMETIMES.

[shunter v8]

We went a lovely ride yesterday and ended up at old Laxey beach a beautiful spot on the island, we went for some lunch in the cafe and when we came back to sit on the sea wall there was an absolutely beautiful chromed up to the hilt roadking. I said to the guy are you trying to show us up. The funny part is we spent the next two hours chatting and the amount of passing people who showed more interested in our indianised drifter was amazing this guy had spent thousands on customizing it and it was beautiful but the public seemed to prefer the "indian" drifter I had to have a wry smile.