Bikers, officials say this year’s 75th Sturgis rally is huge

Law enforcement and transportation officials won’t hesitate in predicting that attendance at the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally will nearly certainly blow away all previous rally records. “Depending on the time of day, traffic can be backed up two or three miles just trying to get off the interstate into downtown Sturgis”.

The rally is famous for bawdy behavior, with police busting hundreds each year for drunken driving and drugs, but authorities and bikers alike say there’s no indication there will be violence like that seen this spring among outlaw clubs in Waco, Texas, where a shootout left nine people dead and twice as many injured.

More traffic means more danger.

Tim Swezy, who was polishing his Yamaha Warrior on Main Street in Sturgis, said the anniversary is part of the reason he decided to attend this year – that, and it’s been “on the bucket list”.

Michelle Pollman asks Ken Ammerman about his unique motorcycle helmet on the first day of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally August 3, 2015 in Sturgis, South Dakota.

Sturgis is infamous for bawdy behavior – fishnet bodysuits and breasts clad only in paint are occasional sights downtown during the rally.

“It’s pretty tame up here”, Jeff Jones said.

“Most people are just up here to have fun and get away from their jobs for a week”, White said.

“People cut loose here, that’s for sure”. They are the front line warriors making it all possible for our 75th rally visitors and others to have an enjoyable, relaxing time in the Southern Hills. He couldn’t afford a Harley.

“I was very content riding on the back of my husband’s bike. It was about seeing new country; I’d never been up here”, he said.