So... Whose all goin' to Bikeweek this year?

[nearmisses]

Just wonderin' how many on this site will be going to Bikeweek this year and if we can't all get together and meet sometime.
BMW will probably be test ridin' that new K1200GT and somebodys got to report. We stay at the KOA campgrounds out in Deland. Gentleman, and Ladies, Start your engines!

[messenger13]

When and where is "bikeweek"?

[CWF]

Joe...just in case you aren't kidding....Daytona. Usually the last week of Feb into the first week of March.

Mostly HDs and other poser metric cruisers but like any MC event you'll find em all there.

I used to go about every other year simply because after the cold Jan and Feb months it was nice to be down where it was sorta warm. Kind of a taste of the warm weather riding right around the corner in the colder places like KY & Ohio.

[Lynn_Keen]

When and where is "bikeweek"?

Pretty sure the reference to "BIKEWEEK" would have to be the infamous Daytona Bike Week. The dates for 2006 are March 3 thru 12. If ya like beer and loud pipes that's the place to be!!

[edonthenet]

I'll be down there for the NASCAR 500 but gone before Bike Week. Last event I went to was 2000, when the cops dragged some young rice rider behind some bushes and beat him pretty badly. They said he resisted arrest but a few witnesses said otherwise. Of course, the incident got watered down and nothing came out of it.
Daytona is filled with wannabees and troublemakers for the week and the locals don't want them. They'll take your money but they spit at you behind your back.
Save your money and do Americade. Lake George is a beautiful area with miles and miles of scenic riding. The town puts out the red carpet for the bikes and the events are many and enjoyable.
Maybe the hardcores don't put this event on their calender, but in honesty, who needs 'em?

[nearmisses]

It's not all beer and loud pipes, actually, I could probably count the beer I drink there on say... 2 hands an a foot , but that's for the whole week mind ya and only with Pizza! I go for the old fart racing days, the International Bike show, the museum, the Auction for old bikes at Deland at the university there, also the riding is great! They have Hills in that part of Florida, not to mention a ride to St. Augustine is always nice, made nicer now that it won't hurt a bit on the LT!! The best part is the manufactures go there and actually 'Let" you ride their bikes for FREE!! The vendors at the track have anything your little heart desires for a bike. The resturants are good and the ocean smells wonderful. A ride anywhere will get you meeting new folks that love what you love, ridin'. Now... whinners to the back of the bus and riders start your engines! And Joe, you should come too!
It's in D A Y T O N A , F l. J u st a b i t s o u t h e a s t o f G e o r g i a o n y o u r G P S
Hope you all can come!! Really!! It'll be a Blast

[messenger13]

Joe...just in case you aren't kidding....Daytona. Usually the last week of Feb into the first week of March.No, I wasn't kidding...for a change. I can't keep up with Daytona, and Mrytle Beach, and the handful of other "bikeweeks" that I hear about.

Quite frankly, I would NEVER go to an event like this. Simply because, I see nothing good that can come out of it. Take a crowd (read: MOB), add bikes, beer, too much testosterone, half-neggid woman, adding more testosterone, ...need I continue? I am basically a loner, when it comes to riding. I enjoyed the BMW MOA National rally for an afternoon. Wouldn't have minded staying another day perhaps. CCR is cool because I get to meet my cyber-friends. LT Spring Traing Camp II is going to be BIG FUN!

Oh well...back to the garage.

By the way...I hold NOTHING against anyone wanting to go to these events, and I don't mean to offend anyone. Different strokes for different folks. And that's what makes this world a fun place.

Party on GARTH! :D

[nearmisses]

I fully understand the crowds part Joe, My best friend flew out from California and came with me in 2004 and he hates crowds but it got him back into motorcycling and he was starting to vegitate with some serious knee problems. We test rode every HD there until he found one he liked. cost too much though so...He bought a Buell just like mine and then for Christmas 2004 a Springer Softtail off Ebay Cheap. He's a Harley guy thru and thru. As for the testosteron stuff it's there but you don't need to be where it's at. There's so much to see and do it's that large an event. I'm not big on crowds either but I love Bikeweek I'm not a Harley guy either but thats the best part it isn't only HD's. It's all the best stuff in motorcycling in one place at one time. If you ever dreamed it it's there for everyone. If you've never been to Bikeweek (and Daytona "IS" Bikeweek) don't let the naysayers scare you, there's a TON of Beemer riders too. Goldwingers out the Wazoo also. That's why I asked. What's this LT Springfest thing you mentioned? Sounds like fun too. We'll get together at one of these places eventually.

[messenger13]

What's this LT Springfest thing you mentioned? Sounds like fun too. We'll get together at one of these places eventually.Read about it HERE (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2314), in the South East forum.

[hoog62]

Is this eyewitness testimony there Ed? With the number of bikers (of all stereotypes) in town for the week there will be some run ins, with the police and each other. Bikeweek is not just Main Street. If you're looking for trouble you can find it, but it is by no means a foregone conclusion just for showing up. I take my wife and son to Daytona every year and have yet to have any problems. Lots of things to see and do out at the speedway: races, test rides, shopping.......you could (and we have) spend two or three days out there alone.

If the locals could ditch two of the four winter/spring special events, bikeweek would not be one of them. Yes, there is an element that wears out their welcome pretty quickly, but they usually head back to New Jersey soon enough.

[jhowdy]

Bikeweek definitely doesn't have to be beer, questionable women, and thugs unless that's what you want. Races and lots of them is what Bikeweek started as and continues to be for a lot of folks. Everything from world class road racing, flat track, motocross, enduros, drags, trials, etc. The worst part is there isn't enough time to catch them all and it's all in the same general area in 9-10 day period. Demo rides available from every manufacture and them some. Probably the single biggest concentration of vendors in one spot at anytime right in front of the speedway and miles from main street. I would never take my wife or mother to be exposed to the things most folks believe Bikeweek is and for years we've spent Friday and Saturday night watching the short track races at the stadium and running back over to the speedway for the supercross and 200. It's even about camping with the BMW folks and Sunday morning services with a traveling preacher who's Bible is the only thing that has more miles on it than his Airhead. If you want coleslaw wrestling and wet t-shirts, it's there, but it's by no means is all there to it. It's all what you make of it.

[nearmisses]

So Jack, you're only 18 miles from me in Punta Gorda, are you going this year? Do you usually go? At least it sounds like you understand the concept of not dealing with the crazys and enjoying what is available to see and do. I thank you for your imput at least. I never heard so many negative thoughts on Bikeweek in my life as on this site! Should we even tell them about the special races they created just for BMW airheads? Not that us "Liquid" cooled folks would ever partake of those, just kidding. My thanks to you and Dave for the more Positive aspects of Bikeweek explained also. Sure wish we could get Joe there, he'd be like a kid in a candy store! Imagine the greif he could stir up at the BMW tent!!!

[starky]

I've been going to Americade for the past three years. I'm ready for a trip to Daytona this year.
We plan on trailering to Charlotte NC and then riding down from there on the 4th. Hope the weather isn't too bad, but I'd rather be there just with teh bike rather than car and bike.

We booked a room at Hampton Inn Palm Coast. I think that is about 25mi. from daytona.
We'd love to meet you.
PM me with your co-ordinates/cell # and I'll call you when we arrive. It sounds like you can give us the guided tour.

[GLWBMW]

It would be hard for anyone to keep me away from 'The' premier motorcycle event in the nation. I started going to 'The' event in '70, then again in '72, '73, & '74. Had to miss a few years due to USN obligations, but started again in '84 and have not missed a year since. There is sooo much to do and see that you can't do it all. I currenly live in Jax and it is just a short ride down the rode for me; if the mood strikes me, I'll stay overnight, if not I just go home and head out again the next day. There is usually a large contingent of BMW riders that generally camp just north of Daytona, 3 or 4 exits, for the duration of 'The' event. Hope to see some of you at 'The' event.

[REWDOC]

Hi Brian,

I'm going down for the IBA Bikeweek dinner on March 10th. I'll run down to Daytona on the 11th, then back to Columbus on the 12th.

[GLWBMW]

I'll be down there for the NASCAR 500 but gone before Bike Week. Last event I went to was 2000, when the cops dragged some young rice rider behind some bushes and beat him pretty badly. They said he resisted arrest but a few witnesses said otherwise. Of course, the incident got watered down and nothing came out of it.
Daytona is filled with wannabees and troublemakers for the week and the locals don't want them. They'll take your money but they spit at you behind your back.
Save your money and do Americade. Lake George is a beautiful area with miles and miles of scenic riding. The town puts out the red carpet for the bikes and the events are many and enjoyable.
Maybe the hardcores don't put this event on their calender, but in honesty, who needs 'em?

Ed,
You are absolutely correct in some of your observations; however, as far as the locals are concerned, very few of the vendors in town for the event are locals. The eating & drinking establishments enjoy the influx of tourists, as do the motels/hotels in the area. Most of them even prefer the biker events to the Nascar events because of the comparative amounts of money spent. On the average, the bikers spend between $100 and $250 a day, not including lodging and meals. That is a tremendous boost to the local community. The Nascar fans don't spend near the money, simply because of the number of people that attend. ( 250,000 Nascar fans / 600,000 bikers) The only major problems that usually occur involves traffic congestion - with this large of an influx of people, this would de a problem in any metropolitan area. There are noise ordinances that are more ridgidly enforced during Bike week, as are the laws concerning eye protection and handlebar heights. The locals that don't particularly like the biking crowd are generally the retired snowbirds that moved down here from the cooler climates and did not realize the noise and congestion involved around the 2 motorcycle events held here each year - 'Bike Week' in Feb/Mar timeframe and 'Biketoberfest' in Oct timeframe; they like the area and since they now live here, they are trying to change things around. Little do they realize that if they are successful and the events move elsewhere, the local taxes will have to increase because of the missing revenue from these two events. The people that tend to cause what little trouble there is are generally immature young people that don't know how to act in mixed company and they would be trouble anywhere. I've rambled on here enough about this; unless you have the personal experiences that have put a bad taste in your mouth, don't always believe what you hear.

Take care and have fun at the events that you attend.

[jhowdy]

So Jack, you're only 18 miles from me in Punta Gorda, are you going this year?

Brian,
I'm on-call during Bikeweek this year and instead of trying to switch out the week with someone else, I'm planning on heading to Atlanta the next weekend for the bike show up there (longer ride :D ) You need to try to make it to the next RTE in Groveland on February 11th (see the post in the SE Forum)

[nearmisses]

Jack,
Took a look see on Mapquest and found Groveland. I'll talk to Susan tonight and see if we can make it and PM you. Thanks for the invite sorry you can't make Daytona, The more the merrier

[nearmisses]

So far I have three confirmed Joel, Gary and Mike? Did I leave anybody out? I may have inadvertantly lost some PM's as I don't use them much so if I missed someone let me know. This will be "Year 65" for the event and it should be a good one (hope they don't retire it to Orlando!). The Wood's Auction at Seton University in Deland starts on Wed. 8th as far as getting your entry in. Old Bikes can be seen there the rest of the week if that's something you like. I'm gonna try to put a link in for the events here, it worked!
http://www.officialbikeweek.com/
(you might have to copy and paste it).
This should help you find anything you might desire. A ride to New Symrna Beach will "net" you the best Crabcakes south of Chesapeak Bay at JB's Fish Camp. The entertainment is awesome there as well, so too the sunsets!. I don't know about the rest of you folks but this is almost as much fun waiting for as Christmas is to me.
A great time to spend some hard earned cash on great deals and keep our economy moving at a sluggish time of year. So do your Patriotic best and help out by coming down! Florida needs the influx of income. No Hurricanes this time of year! Grin Grin. Just be sure you're all home by taxtime! HA! Well Hope this helps in some small way and looking to meeting all of you in March.

[charlieg]

I have lived in Daytona since 56' and have been attending the event since it was just the bike races and a few hundred bikes on Main St. It is now most likely the biggest motorcyle event of any kind. I don't know of any current motorcycle manufacturer, custom builder, parts dealer, ect. that is not here for Bikeweek. If you like motorcycling then this is the place to be. Loud pipes and traffic are the biggest problems for the locals so the LEO's are out in force. Over all the years with this event drawing as many as 500,000 people from all over the world there have been relatively few behavior problems. I have met numerous riders who ship their bikes from across the pond to be here.

Along with all the racing and bike stuff there are always great bands at venues in all directions from the heart of it all on Main St. There is definitely something for any motorcyclist here, even coleslaw wrestlers.

[KayGee]

Does anyone have a suggestion of where I should stay that would be at least 50 miles from Daytona? I would like to be able to dip in during the day to check it out and sleep somewhere far away. I have no desire to see the roudy crowds on Main street. My friend lives in Gainsville and I thought about staying there. Any thoughts?

[omurphy]

my fiancee and i will probably go for a day or two. it's about a whole 280 miles(gloat). omurphy

[gatorglenn]

Hi kaygee,

Ocala is about 70 miles away, straight shot on hwy 40. Gainesville would be about 35 to 40 miles more. I have staying in Ocala and it is not a bad ride back and forth. I don't think I would want to add the distance to G-Ville but for a free plavce to stay, maybe?

Glenn

[KayGee]

GatorGlenn,
Thanks. I will look at Ocala. My friend has a dog and I would have to sleep on the couch so I don't think that I will be sleeping there. I'll go by and visit and take them out to a nice dinner but I need to make reservations somewhere before it gets too late.

[RS6654]

Quite frankly, I would NEVER go to an event like this. Simply because, I see nothing good that can come out of it. Take a crowd (read: MOB), add bikes, beer, too much testosterone, half-neggid woman, adding more testosterone, ...need I continue? I am basically a loner, when it comes to riding. :D

We're with you Joe. My wife and I live right up the road in Jacksonville, bought our LT in Daytona. I get all my parts and work done there. We've been to Daytona Bike Week several times and for us it's no fun. It's loud, the exhaust fumes are noxious and the shops are comprised mostly of leather and skull cap helmets.

To each their own but Sturgis, DBW, and Laconia are not on our list of favorite places. We are lone riders too. Actually we despise group rides. We're "tell me where your going and I'll meet you there" kind of people. Our favorite thing is to load up the bike, turn off the cell phones and vanish. :)

Ralph

[RS6654]

Does anyone have a suggestion of where I should stay that would be at least 50 miles from Daytona? I would like to be able to dip in during the day to check it out and sleep somewhere far away. I have no desire to see the roudy crowds on Main street. My friend lives in Gainsville and I thought about staying there. Any thoughts?

Palatka is an easy country ride from Daytona. It's kind of off the radar too so you might find a cheap room there.

[DaveDragon]

Trailer Week in Daytona, been there, done that.... Still good for a few laughs.

Maybe I'm a little jaded, but I enjoy laughing at the lines of Trailer Queens clogging I-4 between Tampa - Orlando - Daytona.

[gatorglenn]

Hi Keith,

If you look at Ocala you might loo in the Silver Springs area. That is on Hwy 40 on the east side of Ocala and will on the "right" side to get to Daytona. The down-side is that the motels in that area are generally older but usually cheaper than the newer ones which are mostly located near I-75 on the other side of Ocala.

Glenn