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The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has kicked into high gear, with vendors, races and parties filling the Black Hills. Alongside the revelry, a series of federal lawsuits tied to a fatal crash during last year’s rally is drawing attention to aftermarket parts and on-site installations.
Rally bustle: vendors, shows and last-minute prep
Organizers and exhibitors say activity around downtown Sturgis is nonstop. Bike shows, pool parties and vendor tents are packed as crews rush to finish displays and ship merchandise. Easyriders staff and other publishers are setting up experiences and securing parking near the main strip.
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Local builders are also busy. Two Chin’s Turbo Trikes — a popular presence at the rally — has drawn interest in its turbocharged trike conversions. The shop’s owner is simultaneously dealing with personal family medical matters, illustrating how small businesses here juggle work and life during the rally.
Federal lawsuits accuse vendor of faulty installation after Aug. 1 crash
Several lawsuits filed in federal court allege that an aftermarket suspension kit and its installation at the 2025 rally led to a multi-bike collision that left one rider dead.
Plaintiffs say Robert “Bob” Amerson bought a suspension kit from Performance Machine, which markets products under the name Progressive Suspension, while the company operated a vendor tent at a Sturgis Harley-Davidson dealership. According to the complaint filed by Jennifer Sanford, Amerson’s girlfriend, technicians installed the new front-fork components on Aug. 1, 2025.
The following day, the suit says, Amerson’s 2019 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special began to wobble on a sweeping right-hand curve on Highway 16A. The motorcycle allegedly tipped, slid across the center line and struck three motorcycles traveling the other way. Amerson suffered fatal injuries. The crash was captured on video, the filings say.
Separate plaintiffs — John Bianco and James and Melody Bardsley, all from Cumberland, Rhode Island — have filed their own lawsuits claiming injury as a result of the chain-reaction collision.
An independent inspection cited in the complaints concluded the installation was defective. The engineer reported the left fork pipe was misaligned and appeared to have shifted within the clamp, with markings and discoloration consistent with movement, and alleged bolts were not tightened properly. The suits contend those conditions caused the wobble and subsequent loss of control.
The complaints accuse the company of negligence and product liability. Performance Machine declined to comment when contacted by the Dakota Scout. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs include Derek Nelsen and Eric Preheim of Fuller, Williamson, Nelsen & Preheim; Tyler Haigh of Evans Haigh & Arndt; and Michael Bornitz of the Cutler Law Firm, all in Sioux Falls.
Racing and entertainment: AFT heads to Sturgis
Sturgis will host Round 12 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season as the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Super TT arrives at the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club on Aug. 8. Reigning KICKER AFT Singles champion Tom Drane comes to town riding a long win streak and eyeing another milestone.
Drane’s recent run has made him a dominant force, though other contenders are in form. Chase Saathoff, last year’s winner at the Jackpine Gypsies Super TT, remains a threat. Riders to watch also include Bradon Pfanders, Trevor Brunner and several up-and-coming competitors who could surprise at the technical TT format.
Race organizers are offering a mix of general admission and reserved grandstand tickets at modest prices, and special experiences such as VIP hospitality and Harley-Davidson fan packages. Broadcast partners include FloRacing for live streaming and select coverage on FOX Sports, providing options for fans who cannot attend in person.
Pancakes & Pistons and Military & First Responder Day
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, Motorcycle Missions will host its annual Pancakes & Pistons breakfast during Military & First Responder Day at Harley-Davidson Rally Point (1201 Main Street, Sturgis). The free breakfast begins at 9:00 a.m. and runs until noon, and the entire day’s programming is open to the public.
- Free Pancakes & Pistons breakfast (9:00 a.m.–noon)
- Commemorative T-shirt and challenge coin giveaways for military and first responders, while supplies last
- Veteran resource organizations and community exhibitors
- Motorcycle showcase items, live music and a 2:00 p.m. flyover
Organizers say the event is designed to create a welcoming space where veterans, active-duty service members and first responders can connect and access community resources. The program will feature appearances by several motorcycle-community figures and partner organizations.
Voices from the community and event highlights
The week’s coverage also includes historical and cultural pieces. George Christie — long associated with Easyriders magazine and the motorcycle world — notes his decades-long friendship with Keith “Bandit” Ball. A separate column reflects on the cultural impact of the 1969 film Easy Rider and its connection to motorcycle culture, a thread many Easyriders readers follow closely.
The publisher’s weekly news roundup credits a staff that keeps coverage rolling during the rally, naming contributors such as The Redhead, Wayfarer, LA Laura, Viscous Vickie and others who report from the grounds.
Amid the festivities, an open letter highlighted safety concerns in Florida, pointing to high statewide motorcycle injury and fatality rates and urging riders and rights groups to pressure courts for sterner penalties for dangerous drivers. The piece called for organized advocacy similar to what Mothers Against Drunk Driving has achieved, urging motorcyclists to attend court proceedings and demand action.
What to watch for
In the coming days, organizers expect a steady flow of events: pageants, live music, bike shows, and more off-track activity that keeps Sturgis busy. At the same time, lawyers involved in the federal suits say the alleged installation failures raise broader questions about on-site aftermarket work at large events.
As the rally continues, both celebration and scrutiny are unfolding side by side — a reminder that safety issues and community traditions often collide in places that draw large crowds and complex logistics.
