Story by ALLISON PARKER / Photos by KEN ENGELMAN & KEVIN WING
RIDING AROUND
The Black Hills are ready to rumble again in August. If you’ re making the pilgrimage to Sturgis, start planning now.
The Black Hills and Beyond
86th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Preview
THE 86TH ANNUAL Sturgis Motorcycle Rally runs Aug. 7- 16, and the Black Hills of South Dakota will soon welcome hundreds of thousands of bikers. As always, the schedule is packed with 10 days of nonstop action, from concerts to bike shows, charity rides to racing, and everything in between.
Not even the most ambitious rallygoer can see and do everything Sturgis has to offer, so we’ re providing a rundown of not- to- be- missed events and happenings to help you make your experience an unforgettable one.
CONCERTS
With 18 bands scheduled to perform between the Buffalo Chip and the Full Throttle Saloon, if you can’ t get your music fix at Sturgis, you can’ t get it anywhere.
The Buffalo Chip is music central and kicks off the rally with David Lee Roth performing Aug. 7. Other concerts include Megadeth, Hairball, Skillet, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lainey Wilson, Buckcherry, Collective Soul, and Drowning Pool.
The Full Throttle Saloon has a packed music schedule this year, starting Aug. 7 with Blackberry Smoke. The saloon will also host Sammy Hagar and Friends, Jamey Johnson, Journey, Rob Zombie, Jackyl, and Insane Clown Posse.
BIKE SHOWS
Give your ears a rest between concerts and check out some of the many bike shows set to take place during the rally. The High Octane Ride- In Bike Show sets the scene on Aug. 7, and the Motorcycles as Art exhibition runs Aug. 8- 14.
Other bike shows on the schedule include David Mann Chopper Fest Sturgis, School’ s Out Chopper Show, FXR Show & Dyna Mixer, Camp Zero Contraption Show, Evo Entanglement Bike Show, Global Getdown Bike Show, Sportster Showdown Bike Show, Biker Belles Women’ s Bike Show, Camp Zero Mini Bike Show, Bikini Beach Bike Show, Pretty Fast Bike Show, and Rat’ s Hole Custom Bike Show.
On Aug. 14, the Buffalo Chip Custom King invites the Best in Show winner from each bike show to compete for the 2026
10 / JULY 2026 / RIDERMAGAZINE. COM