Daytona Bike Week
Mar 4th, 2011 through Mar 13th, 2011
Like many of the major motorcycle rallies, Daytona Bike Week has its roots in motorcycle racing. This event is officially considered to have started on January 24th, 1937, with the first running of the Daytona 200. Like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, gas rationing during World War II caused the race to be cancelled in 1942. While the race did not restart until February 24, 1947, many bikers continued to visit Daytona and continue the Bike Week event. Daytona Bike Week also has one more item of historic significance...it was the first major motorcycle rally yours truly attended, back in 1976.
Today, the Daytona Bike Week runs in early March, and features much more than motorcycle racing. Check out Big Daddy Rat's Custom Chopper Show, watch coleslaw wrestling matches, ride on the beaches, or just sit at your favorite tavern.
The future of Daytona Bike Week is still much in debate, with at least one of the city commissioners calling for an end to the event, so the citizens of Daytona Beach did not have to leave the area to get some sleep. But efforts in the past to close down bike week have failed, and it is a pretty good bet that, with an estimated attendance of 500,000, Daytona Bike Week will be here for a long time in the future.
Typical Events at Daytona Bike Week
Daytona Bike Week includes numerous events every year. As one of the 'Big Four', some of the best custom motorcycle builders, vendors, and manufacturers attend. A partial list of events is provided here, but I highly recommend going to the official website, listed below, to get a detailed listing as well as a schedule.
- AHDRA Motorcycle drag racing
- Daytona 200 Motorcycle Race Week, racing events throughout
- Coleslaw wrestling (check it out!)
- Several custom motorcycle shows, including Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show
- Live music throughout the event, at numerous locations
- Vendors - for about anything a biker would want
- Manufacturer displays
While attending Daytona Bike Week, don't miss these nearby attractions
Many people spend their entire vacation enjoying the events and comradery offered during Daytona Bike Week. But, if you want to just get away from the hustle and bustle that is Daytona Beach during the rally, here is a short list of some of some of the attractions nearby:
- Visit country unchanged since America was first settled at St. Johns River Country only a half hour west
- Kennedy Space Center (even if there is no launch scheduled, this is a good visit) is one hour south
- St. Augustine the "nation's oldest city", is one hour north
- Sea World an hour and 10 minutes southwest
- Ride in the glass bottom boats in Silver Springs, an hour and 15 minutes west
- Walt Disney World, fun for all ages, is one hour 15 minutes southwest
- Universal Studios Florida an hour and 15 minutes southwest
- Cypress Gardens theme park is two hours southwest
Want more great reading on Daytona Bike Week?
Roby Page has been attending Daytona Bike Week since 1985. His book, Bike Week at Daytona Beach: Bad Boys and Fancy Toys, available both in hard copy and paper back, is a combination of memoirs of those travels, a historical review of the American Biker, and a photo essay. Join Roby in his search for what it means to be a biker.
Daytona Bike Week Official Website (for further information)
- Daytona Bike Week www.officialbikeweek.com/
Motels and Camping Near Daytona Bike Week
Motorcycle related laws to know while attending Daytona Bike Week
One of the common complaints when returning from a major motorcycle rally is about the law being rampant, and giving tickets out for every minor infraction. While we cannot stop all tickets from being given, some of those tickets are due to you, the attendee, not being aware of some of the standard laws in the state. Below are some of the most common laws for Florida. Be aware, though, that many rally locations have recently passed local ordinances that may be more strict than the state law. For example, a new noise ordinance was passed in Myrtle Beach just in time for the 2005 Fall Rally. I make every effort to keep this information up to date, but you may want to research them more just prior to going to an event, just in case they have changed.
| Helmet Usage | Not required over 21 with a minimum of $10,000 in medical insurance |
| Eye Protection | Required by law |
| Daylight headlights | Required by law-modulating headlight permitted |
| Passenger Seat | Required if carrying a passenger |
| Passenger footrests | Required if carrying a passenger |
| Mirrors | Required |
| Turn Signals | Not Required |
| Mufflers | No person shall modify the exhaust system in such a manner that the noise emitted is above that emitted by the vehicle as originally manufactured. No person shall operate a vehicle with an exhaust system so modified |
| Max Noise Level | Yes |
| Handlebar Height | Maximum of 15" above seat |
| Riding two abreast | Yes |