Yep, the lifestyle does look crappy. Maybe the bikes are expensive, but the people who own them don't do themselves any favours. I guess it may be slumming on the Amex card.
While I used to race off road motorcylces (motocross, enduros, grand prix,) that's a different crowd entirely from what's at Sturgis. When I went to Sturgis ten and fifteen years ago it was generally a pretty rough crowd. My state has a low population (under 900K) so there are relatively few police. When an additional 500K people show up and concentrate in one place (drinking copious quantities of alcohol) the police were stretched very thin. In years past it was the rougher element that came, and they could be dangerous. The place was also overrun with whores, sometimes on the street topless! Then one year several people were stabbed and one was shot. I was very careful to not piss anyone off, and generally carried a small pistol (just in case.) After that especially violent year the governor brought in many more police and the "bad element" was run off. What is now left is a sort of costume party on a grand scale--people with expensive bikes show up all dressed up in black leather, drink beer and strut around for a few days, then go back home and turn back into accountants and personnel administrators.
I no longer carry a gun--there's a highway patrolman on every corner! There are still plenty of whores though. They've learned how to skirt the law to some extent. While I was walking around and took the above photo, I had several approach me. One asked if I was looking for a little fun. I replied, "Maybe, but doesn't a little fun cost a lot of money?" She replied she didn't ask for money, but will take donations.
I replied, "Hmm. Maybe we can work something out. Got change for a dollar?"
She left in a huff. Anyway, while there are still some genuine "hard core" bikers that show up, it's mostly the "wannabees." And, they are getting older and older. There doesn't seem to be many young replacements showing up. In a few years I wonder if they'll be riding around Sturgis in little battery operated power scooters.
Until then, it is world class spectacle and something to see. It's sort of like watching the migration of the wildebeests.
Kent in SD
Below photo:
"Hello dude! Like my butt?"
