Why Trust a Pre-Sturgis Checklist From Klock Werks?
Klock Werks isn't giving rally advice from the sidelines. Founder Brian Klock, known across the industry as the "King of the Baggers," is an inductee in the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and the shop sits in Mitchell, SD, right along the route thousands of riders take to reach the rally every August. The Klock Werks Pre-Sturgis Party has run in Mitchell for years, which means the Krew watches, up close, exactly which upgrades hold up on the ride in and which ones riders wish they'd made before they left.
That same shop has designed and built limited-edition collaboration motorcycles for Jack Daniels® and Indian® Motorcycle, projects with hard deadlines and no room for guesswork. The five upgrades below get the same standard: race-tested, bolt-on, no paint.
See the full lineup on the Flare® Windshields collection page, the first stop on this list.
What Upgrades Are Actually Feasible Before Sturgis?
Not every upgrade belongs on a pre-rally list. Paint needs cure time and a booth slot most shops don't have open this close to August. Custom bodywork needs fitting, test rides, and second appointments. The five picks below skip all of that. They ship finished, bolt on with common tools, and come from Klock Werks or a partner brand the Krew has run and recommended for years, not a name picked for this list alone.
1. Flare® Windshield: Why Does Wind Protection Matter for the Ride to Sturgis?
Order to install: about a week. The Flare® Windshield bolts directly to your stockwindshield mount. It's injection-molded from Lexan® polycarbonate and built around the patented "hips and "flip" shape Klock Werks engineered after setting land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, a shape designed to redirect air rather than just block it. If you're logging real interstate miles to get to Sturgis, this is the upgrade that earns its keep every hour you're in the saddle.
- Reduces buffeting and fatigue on long highway stretches.
- Ships finished in a tint or Kolor to match your bike, no paint needed.
- Straightforward install with common tools, no special order lead time.
2. Dynamat® Sound Deadening: How Does It Help on the Interstate Miles to Sturgis?
Order to install: a weekend. Dynamat® is the sound deadener Klock Werks partnered with because it's the original, and after thousands of miles of testing, it's still what the Krew installs first. It's a foil-faced butyl mat that adheres directly to your fairing, saddlebags, or under the seat, cutting vibration and road drone on the long highway stretches between home and Sturgis so you show up less rattled and more ready to ride.
- Noticeably quieter cockpit on long interstate stretches.
- Peel-and-stick install, no special tools required.
- No paint or bodywork involved, ever.
3. Metzeler Tires: Why Swap Rubber Before a Long Rally Trip?
Order to install: a shop appointment, typically a few days. Fresh rubber is the least glamorous item on this list and the most important. Metzeler is a tire brand that shows up on Klock Werks builds again and again, chosen for its dual-compound touring construction that holds up under loaded, multi-day highway riding. Swapping to a fresh set before a long rally trip is one of the simplest ways to ride with more confidence and less risk.
- Fresh tread and compound before the miles add up.
- Quick swap at most any motorcycle shop, no special order lead time.
- Nothing to paint or match, just better grip under you.
4. LePera Seat: How Much Does Seat Comfort Matter on a Multi-Day Ride?
Order to install: one to two weeks. LePera shows up in Klock Werks build breakdowns for a reason: it's a direct bolt-on seat upgrade that ships finished and mounts using factory hardware. Multi-density foam and a finished cover mean there's no upholstery work waiting on your end. What our Krew sees on the lift every summer is riders who put this off for years and regret it somewhere around hour six on the interstate.
- Ships finished, no paint or upholstery work required on your end.
- Bolts on using factory mounting points, no fabrication needed.
- Makes a noticeable difference on multi-day rides.
5. iOmounts® Magnetic Phone Mount: What's the Fastest Upgrade on This List?
Order to install: a day. The iOmounts® Magnetic Phone Mount is machined from billet aluminum, not plastic, and holds a phone securely with no special case required. It's the fastest install on this list, a strong magnetic hold that keeps your GPS, playlist, or group chat visible and secure for the whole ride out.
- No bulky clamps, no special case needed.
- Install in minutes and snap on and off the bike just seconds with only one hand.
- Billet aluminum construction, built to handle vibration at highway speed.
Order Now, Ride Ready
None of these five upgrades require paint, bodywork, or a long wait between checkout and install. Order them now, install them over a weekend or two, and you'll roll into Mitchell for the Pre-Sturgis Party, and on to the rally itself, on a bike that rides better than it did last month.
As always, #GetKlocked 👊🏻
People Also Ask
Q: How far in advance should I order pre-Sturgis upgrades?
A: Order at least three to four weeks before you plan to leave. All five upgrades on this list ship finished and typically install within a week or two of arriving, but building in buffer time for shipping and a shop appointment, especially for tires or a seat swap, keeps you from scrambling the week before the rally.
Q: Why does this checklist avoid painted parts?
A: Custom paint requires cure time and a booth slot that most shops don't have open this close to a major rally, and a botched last-minute paint job is worse than no upgrade at all. Every item on this list ships in a finished, ready-to-install state so there's no dependency on a paint schedule you can't control.
Q: Can I install these upgrades myself, or do I need a shop?
A: The Flare® Windshield, Dynamat® sound deadening, and iOmounts® phone mount are all straightforward DIY installs with common hand tools. Tire swaps and seat installs are usually faster and safer at a shop with the right equipment, though an experienced rider can handle a seat swap at home.
Q: Does Klock Werks sell tires or seats directly?
A: Klock Werks focuses on windshields, mounts, and bolt-on accessories manufactured in Mitchell, SD, and partners with trusted brands like Dynamat® for sound deadening. For tires and seats, use the Klock Werks dealer locator to find a shop that carries Metzeler and LePera products near you.
Q: Will these upgrades work on any Harley-Davidson® or Indian® model?
A: Fitment varies by part and model, so always confirm your specific year and model on the product page before ordering. Klock Werks builds windshields and mounts for a wide range of Harley-Davidson® and Indian® platforms, and partner products like Metzeler tires and LePera seats are typically available across most V-twin touring and cruiser models.
