2009 Sturgis Rally Photo Gallery

These definitely aren't the pearly gates, but it's the next best thing if you're a biker.

Put on your best party hat - it's time to thrown down for Sturgis 2009.

The Buffalo Chip girls strike a pose.

Custom motorcycle builder Eddie Trotta kicks back while waiting for the Legends Ride to get underway.

Look - up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's a - flying motorcycle?

There's plenty of good sights to be seen at Sturgis '09.

Motorcycle USA took a spin on the 2010 Harley-Davidson Softail Convertible with a couple hundred other riders through the Black Hills.

Country star Toby Keith plays to a receptive crowd at the Buffalo Chip Monday night.

Legendary custom builder Sugar Bear readies his chopper for the Legends Ride.

ABATE of South Dakota held a keg roll at the Buffalo Chip. Now that's entertainment.

Not everybody could get away wearing their chaps like this, but fortunately some wear them well.

Motorcycle USA's Cruiser Editor, Bryan Harley, mugs for a shot with the stars of Easy Rider II, Phil Pitzer and Sheree J. Wilson.

The Legends Ride 2009 started in Deadwood and took a scenic 50-mile ride to the Buffalo Chip.

Kyle Shorey of Shadetree Fabrications built the 2009 Deadwood Special which was auctioned off at the end of the Legends Ride.

Who does this look like? Think Easy Rider.

Sheree J. Wilson stars in the upcoming movie Easy Rider II The Ride Back.

Skeletor even made it to Sturgis.

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler is squeezed in by Women Rider's Now editor Genevieve Schmitt and her friend Betsy Huelskamp.

Here's a peek at Paul Cox's latest build with a 93 ci S&S Panhead, kick start, a VL Springer front end,and Paul's own frame, tank, and fender.

Motorcycle USA's Bryan Harley caught up with custom motorcycle builder and leather guru Paul Cox at Sturgis.

Lita Ford rocks the Chip.

The Jager Girls provided backstage entertainment before the Toby Keith concert.

The Buffalo Chip Girls are big fans of MotoUSA, the magazine.

The caliber of competition at the 2009 AMD World Championships was top-notch.

We took a great ride through the South Dakota countryside to the Crazy Horse monument onboard the 2010 Indian Chief Roadmaster.

Aerosmith was rockin' the Buffalo Chip - then the soundboard blew, and Steven Tyler took a painful dive off the stage.

You want an industrial strength motorcycle? Check this baby out.

The Buffalo Chip pays homage to the men and women who serve and have served defending our country.

We couldn't think of a more fitting way to visit the Crazy Horse monument than on an Indian Motorcycle.

Dave Cook of Cook Customs celebrates after becoming the first American to win the AMD World Championship.

The 7th Annual Metzeler Custom Bike Show featured motorcycles like this faired bagger with swooping lines.

Sturgis is truly a carnival-like affair.

Where'd I park my bike again? Lost on Main St. Sturgis again.

The StreetBoyz did their thing, pulling off standup wheelies and other sick stunts for a receptive crowd.

The guys at JRL Customs are at it again, building another radial engine motorcycle that they entered in the AMD contest.

The People's Choice Award winner at the Metzeler Custom Bike Show featured a sideways-mounted engine and twin back wheels mounted so close it rides like a slick.

Paul Cox and friend talk shop while checking out his latest custom.

The 7th Annual Metzeler Custom Bike Show and the custom Dirico Pro Street with a patriotic paint job would look good in any biker's garage.

So this is what it's like to party like a rock star.

Steven Tyler checks out the incredible motorcycles at Michael Lichter's 9th Annual Motorcycles as Art reception.

Dee Snider, formerly of the band Twisted Sister and current host of the House of Hair, gave us a big 'Hell Yeah.'

Eddie Trotta kicks back on one of his custom bikes after judging the Metzeler Custom Bike Show.

Custom builder Rick Fairless rides away after making a guest appearance at the Metzeler Custom Bike Show.

CJ Hanlon of Guilty Customs rides his iron horse into the sunset.

The hail piled up like snow after a vicious storm swept through Sturgis Friday night.

If the hail wasn't bad enough, the winds turned everything inside-out.

We were lucky that the storm didn't knock out our window the same way it did in this car, especially since we were stuck inside our SUV.

We ran across this huge chunk almost two hours after the storm.

The Sturgis hail storm of 2009 pounded cars and motorcycles mercilessly.

Poor, poor Vulcan!

Wouldn't want to have taken one of these upside my head!

We ran into former American Idol contestant Amanda Overmyer at the Full Throttle Saloon not long after the hail storm. Overmyer gets my props for taking the stage and rockin' the house even after the pandemonium.

Even 50 years later, Marlon Brando has still got it. The Buffalo Chip Girls strike a pose with his portrait at the Michael Lichter Exhibit.

Walking into Sturgis' Full Throttle Saloon has the feel of entering Mad Max's Thunderdome. Check out how the hail knocked out all of the sign's lights.

2009 AMW World Championship of Custom Bike Building winner Dave Cook hoists the winning trophy over his head.

With 83 beautifully-crafted motorcycles entered in the competition, the 2009 AMD custom bike contest easily was one of the toughest fields ever.

A closer look at the 550cc BMW engine that Dave Cook used in his winning bike, Scrambler.

The show must go on! These girls were working when the storm struck the Buffalo Chip campground. At least they remembered to save their tip jars!

Here's a clean look at the Rambler, Cook Customs' winning bike at the 6th Annual AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building (courtesy of the good people at AMD).

Lorenzo Lamas, aka 'Renegade,' was in Sturgis promoting his new motorcycle company, Lorenzo Cycles.