SIOUX FALLS - Nearly $1 million in sales is pumped into Sioux
Falls when Sturgis-bound bikers roll through the city, officials
from the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau said.
"It's a great economic boost for Sioux Falls," said Teri Ellis
Schmidt, the bureau's executive director. "From what we can see, it
looks like (this year's) numbers are holding their own."
Jim Entenman, co-owner of J & L Harley-Davidson, said
sales at his dealership spike by 10 percent when the Sturgis
Motorcycle Rally begins.
Sales are higher than last year at this time, he said, which
stems partly from more new riders. So far, bikers from at least 42
states and six countries have visited the dealership.
"A lot of people coming through are newbies to the rally," he
said. "They don't seem to be afraid of spending money. There seems
to be more younger people, which is very positive for the
sport."
J & L Harley-Davidson provides nine motorcycles in a
rental fleet, and Entenman said the fleet has been rented out
consistently for the past few weeks. The latest renters were nine
French couples who planned to go to Sturgis and beyond, he
said.
The Sturgis rally is unrivaled in the motorcycle world,
Entenman said.
