2026 Deadwood 3 Wheeler Rally Accomplishment

[JayBros]

I found the Deadwood Rally this year somewhat of a disappointment but the Spyder reached a milestone on the way home.

- -

 

[Bangorbob]

Contrats on the 100K mark.

 

[Little Blue]

Congratulations, on your Spyder Miles.
Let the good times roll.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

Congratulations on the 100k on the Spyder & body.

 

[Sagebrush]

Good to know that they'll go that far.

 

[Ozarkwoods]

That is an amazing marker! Did you put all the miles on your Spyder? Do you have a list of your parts, and repairs? Well done!
We were real close to coming to the rally, but we had an elder pet issue that kept us home. So you say the Rally was disappointing, can you elaborate on this and, have you contacted the Rally planners to help them improve it? I hate to hear that a Rally was disappointing, especially when we have so few out here to go to.

 

[jjc54]

Congrats. Hopefully get to experience it myself next year! Hot steel!

 

[JayBros]

That is an amazing marker! Did you put all the miles on your Spyder? Do you have a list of your parts, and repairs? Well done!
We were real close to coming to the rally, but we had an elder pet issue that kept us home. So you say the Rally was disappointing, can you elaborate on this and, have you contacted the Rally planners to help them improve it? I hate to hear that a Rally was disappointing, especially when we have so few out here to go to.

Yes, I am the sole owner and have put all the miles on it. I also keep records of all the work done on the roadster. I am fortunate that it had only one warranty claim, a parking brake motor replaced a bit over a year after taking possession. My B.E.S.T. extended warranty expired unused. I had to replace the front bumper cap in 2023 thanks to a steeper than expected dip going into a side street in AR but thanks to a couple of dealerships in FL who had the parts I needed when BRP did not, everything ended up fine. I am capable of and have done several of the 28K major services, but I have also had the same dealership technician doing the tasks I choose not to do, like the rear tire and the two-year brake fluid flush. When he changes the rear tire, a General Altimax, he always checks the belt tension with a Gates electronic meter.

Regarding the 3 Wheeler rally, my opinions are soley mine and are based on attending a number of different rallies around the country over the years. If you're familiar with the Spyderfest rallies that the MoGang held in Springfield, or the Spyderquest rallies held by the NY Spyder Riders in the Lake George/Saratoga Springs areas, as well as Lamonster Garage and BajaRon, you can see the difference in spades when compared to this year's Deadwood event. First off, the state of SD had the worst road construction company in the world doing repairs on U.S. 385 and that made using the main drag to Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial a real bummer. There really wasn't much that couls be done other than postpone the road work for a week and try to talk a government entity into doing something like that would be pushing several miles of anchor chain. Second, the welcome aboard and finale banquet meals were barely fit for human consumption. Both events were held outdoors in horrible heat and without an audio address system that could be easily heard and understood by all attendees. When you have some of the best motorcycle riding country in the nation in that part of SD, organizers must rise to the occasion IMO. The First Gold Hotel/Casino was the host site along with the Travelodge next door and orchestrated the event. All the staff I had any dealings with were very helpful and cooperative, but the event just didn't have the aura of a gang of motorcycle/Spyder riders organizing and hosting the event.

 

[JKMSPYDER]

I have been to 5 of the three wheel rallies and the first one in 2015 was the best IMO. Lots of vendors and contests for the riders. Then every time I went after that there were fewer and fewer vendors. I did not go this year because of the heat. I didn’t want to ride back and forth from northeast TN in 90+ heat and then have the same heat in the Black Hills. But if you have never ridden in the Black Hills it should be on your bucket list. And you don’t have to go during the rally. Any time from May to October would be good.

 

[Ozarkwoods]

Yes, I am the sole owner and have put all the miles on it. I also keep records of all the work done on the roadster. I am fortunate that it had only one warranty claim, a parking brake motor replaced a bit over a year after taking possession. My B.E.S.T. extended warranty expired unused. I had to replace the front bumper cap in 2023 thanks to a steeper than expected dip going into a side street in AR but thanks to a couple of dealerships in FL who had the parts I needed when BRP did not everything ended up fine. I am capable of and have done several of the 28K major services but also have had the same dealership technician doing the tasks I choose not to do, like the rear tire and two-year brake fluid flush. When he changes the rear tire, a General Altimax, he always checks the belt tension with a Gates electronic meter.

Regarding the 3 Wheeler rally, my opinions are soley mine and are based attending a number of different rallies around the country over the years. If you're familiar with the Spyderfest rallies the MoGang held in Springfield or the Spyderquest rallies held by the NY Spyder Riders in the Lake George/Saratoga Springs areas as well as Lamonster Garage and Baja Ron, you can see the difference in spades when compared to this year's Deadwood event. First off, the state of SD had the worst road construction company in the world doing repairs on U.S. 385 and that made using the main drag to Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial a real bummer. There really wasn't much that couls be done other than postpone the road work for a week and try to talk a government entity into doing something like that would be pushing several miles of anchor chain. Second, the welcome aboard and finale banquet meals were barely fit for human consumption. Both events were held outdoors in horrible heat and without an audio address system that could be easily heard and understood by all attendees. When you have some of the best motorcycle riding country in the nation in that part of SD, organizers must rise to the occasion IMO. The First Gold Hotel/Casino was the host site along with the Travelodge next door and orchestrated the event. All the staff I had any dealings with were very helpful and cooperative, but the event just didn't have the aura of a gang of motorcycle/Spyder riders organizing and hosting the event.

Amazing testimony to a great machine! I am sure part of that is your maintenance on it! I hope that I will be able to put many miles on mine.

My wife and I did full time RVing for 12 yrs and Rapid City and the Black Hills was our Summer home-base. We know the roads well and also had a SxS that we had stored in storage during the Winters and used during our stays. Road Construction is never fun but a necessary evil, and as far as the state goes their main concern was to have it in riding shape for Sturgis. So the Three wheel rally and the Corvette Rally was not as urgent. I follow a couple of YouTubers on motorcycles and also Amzoil Adam who was a Vender there. It seemed as though the activities were away from the venders, so the venders never really got many sales. A rally needs to be profitable for venders for them to keep coming year after year. Lack of venders means less people going to them or to the rally. A viscous circle no doubt. I been looking at three wheelers the Goldwing trikes and the Spyder for sometime I would say a year or so and in May ‘26 my wife said let’s get one. Well it didn’t take me long to jump on that Que. So with that said I never really attended Lamonster Rallies. Looking forward to getting some Rallies in.
I would urge you to make contact with the organizers of the Deadwood Rally and voice your thoughts maybe it would make a difference. I can’t imagine the work it takes to put on a Rally. Although friends of ours have put on Rally’s in Texas for their Motorhome chapter and they have passed on the amount of work just for a small group. Safe travels all

 

[Tango]

JayBros - You have got to contact the event staff. Inform them of your feelings. Especially the food and vendor problem.

 

[JayBros]

JayBros - You have got to contact the event staff. Inform them of your feelings. Especially the food and vendor problem.

Thanks, Tango, I've left a message for Michele to call me.

 

[Tango]

Thanks, Tango, I've left a message for Michele to call me.

Michele is a great gal to speak with. Met her many times as we went to the rally 3 times now. Plans are in the early stages to go for one last time next year.

 

[Ozarkwoods]

Every event should have a way to pass on suggestions, concerns, comments both positive and negative. Because knowing what is going well is just as important as what needs improvement. Having a post event poll, or questionnaire on all aspects of it is Important. So much work goes into an event and sometimes it’s a thankless job, but that is where the attendees come in and help. What little tweaks can be done? A questionnaire should definitely be given to the venders also. The venders word of mouth to each other can and will make or break a rally.

 

[JayBros]

The big difference as I see it between D3WR and other rallies, many of which no longer exist, is that it is put on by a commercial activity while the latter have been conducted by Spyder centered activities, i.e., Spyder clubs/riding groups. Yes, there are select commercial entities, e.g., Lamonster Garage and BajaRon Performance Suspension, that while they are in business to make a profit, are also focused on a specific niche of recreational motor vehicle owners. First Gold Gaming Resort's primary mission is keeping its rooms full of guests who will keep the gaming floors and restaurant full shucking out the contents of financial accounts and, oh, by the way, also host a recreational event for a specific group of recreational motor vehicle riders. All the staff involved with the D3WR are very personable and helpful, but they work for a business activity who's primary objective is to make a profit in whatever unit of time one chooses to measure. As one can see from my avatar, I am a member of what we wearers of the EGA (Eagle, Globe & Anchor) have committed part or all of our lives to in support of the greatest country in the history of the world. We have different standards and think differently than others.