DWO Logo
DWO Logo
Planning Sturgis for 2021

It is about that time. If you are headed to Sturgis for 2021 and want to really experience as many of the rides as possible, planning is key. If you have not been following our blogs with Twisted Road we have a six-part series from January through June. Each month we provide a ride route with the important sites and hole-in-the-wall stops you will want to make along the way.

The goal is to help you experience 14 rides in one week. That is important if you have limited time off and want to maximize your experience. For a quick reference guide, we have a shorter, downloadable version on Amazon. If you are a prime member it is free to download. Or get a physical copy to carry in your saddlebag. Either way, the booklet has detailed maps, stopping points and recommendations on what to do and eat along the way.

Click here for "14 Sturgis Rally Rides in 6 Days: Enjoying the South Dakota Black Hills and More"

What Happens After Hours at a Motorcycle Museum?

Like the movie, "Night at the Museum", the bikes do come alive. Outside of Wichita, Kansas at a wonderfully outfitted motorcycle museum uniquely named, Twisted Oz, things do happen after hours. The museum curator, Paul told us every motorcycle in the museum, apart from one, is taken out and ridden. This is particularly amazing because half their collection contains bikes from the early to mid-1900s as well as many custom bikes and sidecars. It is a thrill to look at a bike from history and know it could still carry you to new places with all the unique rustic starters, time owned sounds and bare minimum seats.

Also, after hours the museum curators and owners create their own riding stories and they share them with you as you tour the museum which truly enhances the eye candy experience. There is a guest book there for you to sign. I would not be surprised if when the doors are closed for the evening, they don't occasionally take a peek to see what far away destination people have traveled to see their one-of-a-kind collection. I heard a story about someone riding through from Australia. Ask Paul about that one.

Are You Looking for a Balance Solution for Your Bike?

I ride a Harley Sportster with a sidecar. The question I get asked most often is "how easy is it to ride?" There are so many riders out there unwilling to give up riding and are looking for a solution to stay on the road. I can understand because I took that path when I had an accident and broke my kneecap. Right now, the options for continuing to ride are not as varied as the people's reasons they need a solution. You are really looking at a trike, sidecar or Spyder.

I cannot really speak to the trike or Spyder. Even though I had never seen a sidecar in real life, it is what I went for and I am glad I did. I still feel like I am riding my motorcycle on the road. It does ride differently with the bucket on, so you must learn a few tricks and skills in that area. I do not ride with sidecar brakes so if you want a smoother stop simply add brakes. Sidecars ride a little rougher and there is a little more pull with the sidecar when you are out on the open highway. But I like the raw feel of the sidecar. It is also more difficult to find dependable, close by and good service for a sidecar.

I like the old-fashioned ride and the history behind sidecars. There are not great stats out there on sidecar owners, but I am estimating about 20,000 in the United States. If stats match up with motorcycles and, accounting for a slower adoption of sidecars than motorcycles, there could be under 2,000 female sidecarists out there who ride in the U.S. If you see a female sidecarist, honk three times and give her the thumbs up. If you like the "sidecar delay", which is when someone stops you at every stop to talk about your ride, then a sidecar is something to think about.