It’s Time You Went to Sturgis.

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For every Harley rider, the first full week in August means only one thing – Sturgis. For over seventy years, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has brought “Hog” lovers from around the world to the Badlands of South Dakota.

Originally called the Black Hills Classic, the rally was started by the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club back in 1936, receiving an American Motorcycle Association (AMA) charter in 1937.The AMA promoted racing events starting on August 14, 1938. That weekend, the lineup had only nine racers and a small audience to watch the single race. Today, the week long, Sturgis Rally holds 12 events, including: hill climbs, road tours, as well as short track, ½ mile and motocross races. Recently, the revitalization of riding has drawn over five hundred thousand spectators and hundreds of racers to this event, demonstrating the increased popularity of the Rally.

Riding through the Black Hills National Forest, you’ll experience some of the best riding on Earth. You can take to the open road and see Mt Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument, and Devil’s Tower National Monument or visit the famous town of Deadwood. You’ll see some of the most breathtaking scenery as you ride Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Loop and Vanocker Canyon Road. This area is one of only a few places on earth that offers this kind of riding.

After spending the day on the open road, hang around the town of Sturgis and enjoy the races, concerts, and free style bike stunts. Don’t miss the vendor exhibits and bike shows. Harley-Davidson and Victory showcase their new models at this event each year. Visit the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame or one of the world famous watering holes.

The Motorcycle Rally is an experience of a lifetime and it’s all waiting for you in Sturgis and the gorgeous Black Hills of South Dakota.

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Choosing Your Motorcycle Saddlebags

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With the price of gasoline, there is more interest than ever in motorcycles. The fact is, they are a very economical way to travel. Whether you are traveling across country or simply riding to work everyday, you will also find that riding can be exciting. However, the downside is that motorcycles do not come with space to store your belongings. Because of this, you will want to invest in saddlebags for bike and make your traveling easier.

The first thing you may consider when looking at saddlebags is the price. Generally, they can run between $100 and $400, depending on brand, size, style, and material. While you may wish to go with the lower priced ones to save money, the quality is the most important factor. The last thing you will want to do is go out and buy another set of saddlebags because they did not hold up to the weather conditions.

Before choosing the saddlebags for your motorcycle, make sure it comes with the mounting hardware if needed. You need to know that it can safely be installed on your bike. The last thing you should do is put one on without the right hardware. If not installed properly, it could result in a serious accident. Many styles of saddlebags are available in the throw-over style that secure under your seat. But even with this style, you need to measure the open space on the side of your bike to make sure there is enough room for them to fit.

Another thing to consider is how easy they are to get into. If you have to stop to get something out of your bag, you do not want to have to fumble around with too many straps and buckles. Many of them come with quick-release buckles that will allow you to open them by the simple press of their sides. Of course, you will also want to look for those that come with locks, as you do not need to have your things stolen when away from your bike.

These are just a few of the important things to consider when purchasing saddlebags for your motorcycle. In your search for the right ones, you will come across many different styles. Choose the one that meets all your criteria, but also will add a little more style to your ride. The convenience of saddlebags will make your search worth while.

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A Hidden Treasure in Western North Carolina

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The best vacation spots are ones that others don’t know about. Sometimes the seclusion of these areas will be ruined once they become feature stories on popular search engines. However, there is one place that not even the ‘travel beat’ writers for are aware of. It’s a place in western North Carolina and its called Lake Lure.

Many people think Dirty Dancing was filmed in upstate New York. This is where the movie takes place, but it’s not where it was filmed. Dirty Dancing was filmed on Lake Lure. You can even rent the actual cabin that they ‘stayed’ in. It will be several hundred dollars per night, but it’s a lifetime experience and something you can tell your friends and family about.

There are many other reasons to visit Lake Lure. The simplest reason is that it’s one of the most beautiful manmade lakes in the United States. High cliffs protrude over the lake in some areas, which makes for a picturesque scene. You can enjoy one of these spectacular views as you swim in the lake at Lake Lure Beach. This beach will get a little crowded during the weekend when it’s peak season, but if you go during the week, you might be one of only ten to twenty people on the entire beach. And if you’re traveling with family, this beach has some advantages over other beaches. One is that there’s a general swimming area and a kiddy swimming area. If you have an infant or toddler, this will allow you to swim in a designated section without older kids running and splashing around you. Another neat feature is that they have two water slides that end in the lake; the lines are never long. There is a tiny splash park, so if your kids like to catch water from fountains or have buckets of water poured on their heads every few seconds, this is the place for them. There is also a Water Wars section, which is a game where you catapult water balloons from your station to your opponent’s station.

Overall, Lake Lure Beach is probably one of the least crowded and most entertaining beaches in the country. Other sites in the area include Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock Village, Asheville, and Hendersonville.

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Choosing the best Luggage for touring

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There are so many options available when it come to choosing the best motorcycle luggage for touring that it is very difficult to pick up one particular company. You have options depending upon the kind of motorcycle you are riding. Most of the clients prefer hard luggage for the security it provides and also the fact that it is completely waterproof. With the hard luggage you do not have to worry about removing the straps since they are quite easy to take on and take off.

There are different popular brands of hard luggage that manufacture racks and fitting kits depending upon the model of the motorcycle. There are a few things that you should consider when you are putting a hard rack on your motorcycle. The first thing that you need to identify is whether there is any company that manufactures the racks you want for your bike. Once you are able to answer this then you have a wide range of options available to you. Popular brands of motorcycles will have a wider range of options than limited edition sports bikes.

Most of the racks nowadays are of the quick release type which can be fitted to your motorcycle with three or four permanent fitting points. Using quick release bolts, the luggage racks can now be taken on and off within a matter of minutes.

There are a lot of motorcycle riders who do not prefer hard luggage for their bikes as they fear that it spoils the looks of their bikes. In such circumstances, you can opt for soft luggage which offers you plenty of options ranging from simple tank bag to throw over panniers and large tail packs. Most soft luggage options available in the market place are not completely waterproof. Further, they also have a major problem when it comes to the zippers. However, you will find that there are a new range of waterproof bags that are very flexible and can be fitted on to any kind of motorcycles, irrespective of the model of the bike.

If you are having a sports bike then maybe you can opt for the Ventura range of soft luggage that can be easily fitted on to the rear rack of your motorcycle quite easily. If you are not using any luggage, you can easily replace the rack with a grab rail. Another option which can seriously consider is the aluminum luggage which has become quite popular since they are extremely tough and durable and makes the best option if you are planning to go on a long motorcycle tour.

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Motorcycle Insurance Overseas

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Motorcycle riders travelling overseas with the intention of bringing along their bike to experience the thrills of riding in a foreign land need to ensure that they have the proper insurance coverage before heading out onto the open road.

Before leaving for an overseas trip, motorcyclists should carefully review their current motorcycle insurance policy to see if coverage extends to overseas travel. Most insurance policies unfortunately do not translate as coverable when riding outside of the United States. However, temporary policies are available which will provide coverage while overseas.

Understanding exactly what is covered under an overseas insurance policy is the first step in planning for a successful trip. One of the misconceptions that motorcyclists commonly have regarding overseas motorcycle insurance is the belief that the policy will offer the same coverage as their domestic policy at home. This could be a costly misunderstanding in the event of an accident.

Most motorcycle insurance policies vary depending upon which country the policyholder will be visiting. In general, many policies offer standard coverage such as collision, comprehensive, and liability. Coverage will also depend upon the age and condition of the motorcycle as well. Some insurance companies will not extend overseas coverage if the value of the motorcycle exceeds a certain dollar amount.

A typical problem involving motorcycle insurance is not reading the policy’s potential restrictions regarding overseas riding. Many policies have clauses which state restrictive rules such as time constraints on the length of stay, as well as limits imposed to keep the rider off the road to avoid potential claims.

A good option for any motorcyclist to avoid falling into the trap of restrictions is to clarify their exact riding needs and intentions to the insurance underwriter. Knowing the ins and outs of the policy before leaving is essential in order to circumvent these issues during the trip. It is also important for the traveler to become familiar with the rules of foreign roadways. Each country has specific laws and regulations regarding riding, therefore, it is essential to understand the laws before jumping onto the road.

This information also translates to riders travelling to the United States from overseas. Travelers to the U.S. should also carefully review their individual policy in order to make the most out of the motorcycle insurance while overseas.

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“Black Hills Gold” : The Annual Bike Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota

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When the 2010 Sturgis Bike Rally kicks off on August 9th of this year in Sturgis, South Dakota, it will mark the 70th anniversary of what has become one of the biggest and best known motorcycle rallies in the world.

Since a Summer day in 1938, the first week of August has brought, at times, as many as 400 to 600, 000 riders of all ages and from all backgrounds to the little town of Sturgis, South Dakota, near the beautiful Black Hills mountain range, looking to be part of the week long festival.

Although it was once known as a giant party, the rally of modern times has become a popular vacation destination for families from every walk of life. With so much to do and see around Sturgis, a trip to the rally offers more than just bikes. A quick ride around the area reveals the wild and sometimes sad history of the American West including some of its most recognizable landmarks.

For most motorcycle enthusiasts, the best part of the annual Sturgis Rally is being around others who love motorcycles and the life in general. From exhibitions like the “Burn Out” competition to contests judging which biker has the “best” tattoos; the Sturgis Rally is a week long, non-stop celebration of everything “biker”.

Music and the biker lifestyle are just about inseparable, and a rally without live music is almost like a rally without bikes. The 2010 Sturgis Rally is no exception, with acts like Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, and the legendary Bob Dylan all scheduled to appear there this year.

There are many hotels and camping grounds in and around Sturgis that offer a full range of accommodations and price scales. The Sturgis area is also home to dozens of restaurants, bars, and clubs that guarantee visitors an endless variety of some of the best food, fun, and live entertainment around.

For more information and a schedule of events for the 2010 Sturgis Bike Rally, check out one of several websites online and make your plans to be part of the 70th Annual Sturgis Bike Rally.

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