There was violence in the streets in downtown Sturgis when 20 members of the Hells Angels and Mongols got into a knife fight that left at least one member of both clubs wounded. (See video below.) There were more bike shows, slightly fewer vendors and a smaller crowd at the 71st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The Jackpine Gypsies, one of the oldest motorcycle clubs in the country, founded the Sturgis Rally more than 70 years ago. It was focused then as it is today on racing and riding and having a party with fellow bikers. Here are the high points of Sturgis 2011.
August 7th - Jay Allen, Sugar Bear & Michael Lichter rode from the Original Broken Spoke Saloon in downtown Sturgis to participate in the opening cerimonies for the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial traveling wall at Broken Spoke Campground. The ride pulled away at 10:30 am Sunday from the Original Broken Spoke Saloon at 905 Lazelle St.
As most of you know, Jay Allen has stepped away from management of Broken Spoke Saloons at Daytona Beach, Myrtle Beach, Laconia and Sturgis Countyline Campground. You will find him leading the party at the Original Broken Spoke in downtown Sturgis. "Sometimes you have to step back in order to move forward, if that makes any sense to you," Jay said in a recent interview before this year's Sturgis Rally.
Full Throttle Saloon – Downtown Sturgis kicks off with Rev Payton Big Damn Band, Aug. 7th and follows with two great bike shows.
The 5th Horse Backstreet Chopper Show on Monday, Aug. 8th - a Free show with $10,000 in prizes and giveaways, included a free T-shirt for everyone who entered a bike at Full throttle Saloon, downtown Sturgis.
Paul Yaffe’s “Baddest Bagger in Sturgis Show” on Tuesday, Aug. 9th. Ted Nugent, Aug. 9th; Jackyl, Aug. 10th and Marshal Tucker Band, Aug. 12th. Full Throttle is a major party zone with Angie “It’s All About the Ass” – Rhett Rotten’s Wall of Death, midget wrestling and plenty of other Freak Shows, Theme Nights, hot bartenders, hot dancers and even a real ASS named Emmit.
See the story & video.
AMD World Championship Bike Show – August 7 to 10, 2011 at Champions Park
Freddie “Krugger” Bertrand of Belgium won the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building during the 2010 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The bike was built for Veon Motorcycle's owner Peer Toftner and features a unique electronically adjustable frame system developed by Peer (pictured, left, with World Champion 'Freddie' Krugger) in conjunction with Dutch designer Mark van der Kwaak. At the flick of a switch the V-Rod engined bike can be transformed from a low-riding cruiser with long rake to sport bike mode with a shorter wheelbase and steeper rake. The radical machine even has two sets of foot controls to match each style of riding.
The AMD Champions Park is a designated 4.5 acre vendor’s area at 3rd and Lazelle Streets in downtown Sturgis. Harley-Davidson became a major sponsor of the AMD Championships and moved into that area in 2010. The Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building program now encompasses some 32 events in total, including Harley-Davidson and International Motorcycle Show “AMD Affiliate” events in 20 different countries: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.
Monday, Aug. 8th 2011: The Legends Ride took off from Deadwood to jumpstart the 30 Years Strong Celebration at the Legendary Buffalo Chip in Sturgis. The Legends Ride has raised more than $200,000 in the past four years. Proceeds from the ride go to the Black Hills Special Olympics to secure much-needed transportation and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame.The premier charity ride has sold-out every year since it began in 2007. Each rider donates $150 and also receives a souvenir gift package, guest parking and overnight camping.
Celebrity riders this year included Lorenzo Lamas, Holly Hoffman, and Rupert Boneham. More than 500 riders participated in the 4th Annual Legends Ride that departed from downtown historic Deadwood for a 50-mile ride through the beautiful Black Hills to the Chip, where riders enjoyed food and drinks at a private reception, special live auction and a concert headlined by the 80’s rockers Def Leppard and Tesla. 
"Celebrating 30 Years Strong" with concerts by Alice Cooper and Pop Evil, Aug. 6th; Bachman & Turner and Styx, Aug. 7th; Def Leppard and Tesla, Aug. 8th; Toby Keith and Poison, Aug. 9th; Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aug. 10th... George Thorogood & The Destroyers and Leon Russell, Aug. 13th.
The First Annual Victory Bike Show: 4 to 8pm Wednesday, Aug. 10th at the Chip, with trophies in five categories: Best Cruiser-Vegas, Jackpot Kingpin; Best Victory Chopper; Best Bagger/Tour-V92C, Vision, Vision Street, Cross Country, Cross Roads with and without Tour Pack; Kingpin Tour or Vegas Tour; Best Bobber – Hi Ball, and Best Sports.
August 11th - American Thunder Music Festival - Stevie Nicks with Jeff Bridges & Friends on stage together for a Wounded Warriors benefit.
The Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show is the largest custom bike show in the world and always the biggest bike show in Sturgis. Look for the show again in 2011 on Thursday, Aug. 11th at the Buffalo Chip next to the Michael Lichter "Art of Motorcycles" exhibit hall. Both shows are free to attend. The Rat’s Hole Bar that opened last year is the only venue at Buffalo Chip that serves draft beer at half-price all day with a 34-oz souvenir insulated mug, perfect for concerts. Open daily, Aug. 6 to 12 - The Art of Motorcycles presented by photographer Michael Lichter will focus on avant-garde artist, Jeff Decker this year in a show titled "Slant Artist-An Eccentric View on Motorcycles and Art." A large majority of the display will consist of Jeff's personal collection including ten beautiful bronze sculptures, along with many of the bikes that have inspired his art. There will also be an eclectic display of motorcycles and wall art culled not only from his personal collection, but from friends and other artists filling the 7,000 square foot Lichter Exhibition Hall at Sturgis Buffalo Chip® Hours for the FREE exhibition this year will be August 6th-12th 10 a.m.- 10 p.m. with the exception of Tuesday August 9th where hours will be limited from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. for an invite only industry reception. Details: http://www.motorcyclesasart.com/
The Limpnickie Lot of custom bike builders will be creating their own FREE Limpnickie village with over 20 Limpnickie Lot motorcycle builders and a skateboard ramp in the free area, near the Buffalo Sculpture at the West Gate at Sturgis Buffalo Chip during the 2011 Sturgis Rally.
Tuesday, August 9th - The 5th Annual Cycle Source Magazine Black Hills Run will roll out at Noon from the Limpnickie Village at Buffalo Chip.
Friday, August 12th - The Limpnickie Lot builders and Cycle Source Magazine present The Cycle Source Free Night Time Chopper Show. The bike show will feature 10 classes, free entry and prizes from Legends Air. From Hula Girls to Machine Gun Shooting and Mud Races, there’s always a lot going on at The Buffalo Chip.
There is body painting at Full Throttle Saloon again this year by world famous body painters, including Lawren Alice who created this body art at Sturgis 2010.The Knuckle Saloon – Downtown Sturgis was featured on the History Channel, when Larry the Cable Guy rode with the Hells Angels to the Black Hills and Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2010. He rode through the Black Hills and stopped at Mt. Rushmore. Then he took in the spectacle of the downtown Sturgis Rally and participated in extreme sport fighting at The World Famous Knuckle Saloon. The Knuckle is the home of KNKL Rally Radio. It has wall-to-wall Sturgis memorabilia and 10 full-service liquor bars, and a menu that includes Fat Tire Beer, chipotle-seasoned Wings of Fire, The Knuckle flame broiled burger and Buffalo Burgers, sweet potato waffle fries, Chicken, Shrimp and Fish baskets… and some of the best free entertainment in Sturgis.
Loud American Roadhouse – Downtown Sturgis - is a burger, steak and wings house that always has hot entertainment during the rally. Try the Loud Burger, Cajun Tip Pasta, Tip Poor Boy or Ranch Tip Wraps or settle on All-American favorites such as BLT, patty melt or a chicken strip basket.
One Eyed Jacks – Downtown Sturgis – The Five 13 Band will be playing Aug. 1 to 13. With 15,000 square feet of party space, it’s one of the few places where you can sit down to dinner and they feature “certified Angus Beef.” They employ over 50 bartenders during the Sturgis Rally to keep up with the food & party on three levels.
Broken Spoke Campground at the County Line will have concerts by Little River Band, Aug.7th; Foghat, Aug. 9th; and Jasmine Cain, Aug. 11th. Broken Spoke.
Loud American Roadhouse – Downtown Sturgis - is a burger, steak and wings house that always has hot entertainment during the rally. Try the Loud Burger, Cajun Tip Pasta, Tip Poor Boy or Ranch Tip Wraps or settle on All-American favorites such as BLT, patty melt or a chicken strip basket.
One Eyed Jacks – Downtown Sturgis – The Five 13 Band will be playing Aug. 1 to 13. With 15,000 square feet of party space, it’s one of the few places where you can sit down to dinner and they feature “certified Angus Beef.” They employ over 50 bartenders during the Sturgis Rally to keep up with the food & party on three levels.
Broken Spoke Campground at the County Line will have concerts by Little River Band, Aug.7th; Foghat, Aug. 9th; and Jasmine Cain, Aug. 11th. Broken Spoke.
Wednesday, Aug. 10th 2011 starts with the 9 a.m. Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, South Dakota. Share breakfast with legendary riders, racers and industry leaders. This year, one of the most famous riders of all time will be remembered: Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel. Details and breakfast tickets at: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.
Screaming Eagle Performance Motorcycle Racing - AHDRA Races – daily at 1 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 10 & 11) at Sturgis Dragway: Gemeral admission $25.
The 2011 NITRO National Pro Hillclimb at Sturgis Buffalo Chip® is gearing up to be the sickest event at the rally. Last year’s insanity of riding in the dark will be repeated, with events at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. on Wednesday & Thursday (Aug. 10 & 11.) This will be Round 5 of the RacerX/Malcolm Smith Motorsports N.A.H.A. Pro Hillclimb Series featuring the world’s greatest professional hill climb athletes such as Harold Waddell, Travis Whitlock, Jason Smith, Bret and Robie Peterson, Nick Beer, Dusty Beer, Corey Erhardt, and last year’s defending Open Exhibition Nitro National Champion Max Simmons will compete.
The Pro Pits will be open to the public so spectators can check out the action of the hill climb, while cruising through the pits, talking to the riders, and checking out the twisted fire-breathing machines.
Biker Belles™ Deadwood - Sturgis Ride & Party on Wednesday, Aug. 10th.
Four-time national land speed record holder and pilot of the original “World’s Fastest Bagger,” Laura Klock of Klock Werks Kustom Cycle, unvieled “SALT” -- a customized Harley-Davidson® built under her direction and guidance with the girls and young women of the Abbott House.
Iron Cowgirl Missy Covill played some of the original songs she wrote on a long-ride to Sturgis Buffalo Chip, and bike raffle tickets were be available in support of Abbott House. The winner will be announced next fall. “We couldn’t be more excited about this inaugural celebration of women in motorcycling in Sturgis.” said Laura Klock. “Whether you’re an avid motorcyclist, a curiosity seeker, or someone looking for a new change of pace, you are welcome to join us!"
“Biker Belles™ was a day of real women, real stories and real fun!” Read more.
“Biker Belles™ was a day of real women, real stories and real fun!” Read more.
Sturgis Rally Poker Runs, Rides & Charity Events – For the latest updates on events and details about charity events and poker runs, click the online events schedule or visit Sturgis Rally Headquarters at 1040 2nd Street in downtown Sturgis.
Saturday, Aug. 6th – Prostrate Cancer Awareness Poker Run – Golden Resort, Lead SD
Saturday, Aug. 6th – Salute to American Veterans – Homeless Veterans Event – Sturgis RV
Monday, Aug. 8th – Mayor’s Ride - $150 +tax to benefit Sturgis Volunteer Fire Dept.
Thursday, Aug. 11th – Ridin’ the Riz Poker Run – Rapid City to Kyle SD
Thursday, Aug. 11th – Sturgis AA Serenity Ride - 9:20 a.m. at 1222 Junction Ave.
Oglala Cultural Experience at Pine Ride Reservation powwow grounds, Kyle SDOglala Lakota College presents traditional Oglala Indian festivities and hands-on activities at the reservation powwow grounds, July 29 to Aug. 27, 2011. A traditional Oglala meal will be served at 4 p.m. on Aug. 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th during the Sturgis rally. Daily festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. Black Elk Speaks 7 to 8 p.m. and there is a cash-only art market.
Devil's Tower - If you have a chance listen to the Lakota Indian guide talk about her people & their struggles and walk around the entire Devil's Tower. It's a moving and spiritual experience that will bring you a lot of PEACE.
Devil's Tower - If you have a chance listen to the Lakota Indian guide talk about her people & their struggles and walk around the entire Devil's Tower. It's a moving and spiritual experience that will bring you a lot of PEACE.
Interior (SD) Volunteer Fire Dept. Hog Roast & Dance – Thurs. Aug. 11th
The Interior (SD) VFD will begin serving roasted hog, baked beans, salad and much more at 10 a.m. Thurs. Aug. 11th at the fire hall, 320 A Street in Interior SD. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. Dance to the Wilt Brothers Band at 8 p.m. There will be merchandise for sale as well as a raffle for 2 rifles & a 1971 Ford 3/4 ton 4x4 with Approx 15,000 original miles. All proceeds to benefit the Interior VFD & building fund. Contact interiorvfd@live.com .
Breakfast at the Sturgis Rally - Several local charities rely on funds they raise during the Rally to help them do good works the rest of the year. The food is great and the people are friendly.
• First Presbyterian Church - 1319 Junction Avenue
• Grace Lutheran Church - 1061 Sherman Street
• Senior Citizens Center - 919 2nd Street
• Marine Corps Jr. ROTC - 12901 Highway 79, at the Sturgis High School
