Some ways I want to go to Sturgis rally. But I have been told I will see the same vendors and drunks in Sturgis that I knew in Daytona. So I wondering if I should visit that region the week before the official event. Or during the event. Or the last couple days and the following week. Not sure if I am camping or not.

It is 1800ish miles one way, so a leisurely three day ride there. Probably 4-5 days returning.

 

Screw the rally, go ride the area when it is not congested!

 

LOL...and I can probably return home with the current year "official" Sturgis rally shirt before the rally commences!

 

Been there the week before ... Been there during ... Before and the first couple of days is more my speed

 

Been to Sturgis multiple times.

Only once during the actual rally itself.
If you really like the crowds and want to experience the rally, then during the rally is the time to go.
Just be prepared for the congestion. Sturgis is not a very big town, but they get set up to handle the crowds pretty good.

But if you really just want to ride the Black Hills, yet still have a somewhat rally experience, then being there the week before the rally is great.
Still pretty much the same experience, just somewhat lessor crowds. Most vendors are set up and running that entire week before.
There will be plenty of bikes around, so you get most of that rally feel, with more experienced riders around you.

Road the bike up with 6 other riders for the actual rally, just to have that experience.
We had a good time, but the group I was with was more into the party atmosphere than anything else.

I can can say I did it once, but much prefer the week before, checking out and heading home on Friday the day the rally starts.

 

I voted the Last three days and the following week. It was between that and Stay in the area week before and 4 days of the official dates. Both have some advantages. In 2021 I arrived on the last day of the rally and stayed all the next week. By Tuesday the area was dead. Almost like the rally had not happened. Riding home was better with no rally traffic. This year I left on Thursday of the rally and the traffic was heavy. Lots of RV's and trailers along with all the semi's. I was able to make the ride again this year. Not sure how many more years that will happen.

Definitely spend some time in town during the rally. I always get up and ride early in the day then come back to camp, cleanup and ride the bus into town. No worries about getting a DUI or avoiding all the critters on the way home. Let alone the drunks.
Have fun.

 

It all depends on why you want to go up there. For me, even after 45 years of riding, I'm still obsessed with motorcycles. I love being in the midst of thousands and thousands of them. I love just walking around town looking at bikes parked on the street, and going to the various sites, bars, and campgrounds where they're having bike shows. I have to admit that there are fewer outstanding bikes to look at on the street than even 10 years ago, but I can still usually get my fill of seeing cool bikes.

I also like going to the flat track races and the hill climbs. Hanging out in the bars at night is fun too. Overpriced for sure, but that's part of the gig and I don't mind so much considering who's getting my beer for me. (see below)

The riding outside of town is truly outstanding, and I certainly take advantage of it, but for me, I can get the equivalent or possibly better riding a lot closer to where I live. Like I said, the rally is why I go there. YMMV.

 

I love the riding in the area and I enjoy going into town to look at all the bikes and interact with the people. Going during the rally works for me. A long ride but not as far as you. Enjoy.

 

Assuming you are planning for 2025.
The Rally really starts Week before and you can enjoy riding the Black Hills and other areas like Badlands. And towns that welcome riders.
All merchants and vendors in towns in Black Hills are set up for the Rally like Hill City, Spearfish, Deadwood, Custer.
I stay away from Sturgis crowds. Prefer Rapid City Harley Davidson. You can spend half a day looking at bikes, talking to salesmen and vendors. And beer gardens.
The best part for me is going through small towns in Wyoming. Stay at Mom & Pop Hotels, restaurants and western bars. Bloody Marys, steak and eggs at 8AM.
The journey is what makes it!

 

I enjoy the rally, and I don't like people. I like seeing all the bikes. I like seeing more and more bikes on highway. People make to big a deal out of it. They are geared up and ready to make money. You will wait longer for a beer back home. Don't gas up in town. After the first couple times I didn't drive through town. First couple times I went to full throttle. It burned I believe and moved.

Did they pave the road to the east?

I would park on edge of town and walk in. I used to use west exit. Maybe beer is a dollar more for me, but probably cheaper than some city people. But even if $2, you drink 50, you spent an extra $100. Chalk it up to vacation.

I enjoyed walking around and seeing everyone. everyone was polite and friendly. I was never there at bar close.