Harley-Davidson fans swarm into Sturgis

The 6500 residents of Sturgis, South Dakota braced itself today (Monday 3 August) for the influx of an expected half-million-plus Harley fans following today’s official opening of the Sturgis Rally – the world’s largest bike meet.

The week-long event is expected to attract 600,000 visitors (based on 2008 figures) mostly comprised of Harley-Davidson owners and their families who treat Sturgis as a week’s holiday by taking in popular nearby tourist attractions such as the famous Dakota Black Hills and Mount Rushmore.

MCN Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin, who is there testing the new 2010 Harley-Davidsons, said: “The only way to describe it is that it’s like the end result of throwing together the BMF rally, TT and an airfield Sunday market with beer on sale all day.

“I’ve never seen anything like it and I advise anyone who is into bikes, and not just Harleys, to take it in even if only for one day.”

Harley legend Willie G Davidson, son of one of the original founders of the firm, is expected to attend while one of the main events taking place is the popular AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building, where customisation takes on a new meaning.

One of the most interesting creations was the JRL Cycles Lucky 7 machine featuring a Rotec R2800 radial engine.

If bikes, beer, tattoos and all things bewildering is your thing, get to Sturgis between 9-15th next year for the 2010 70th anniversary rally.