Daytona Bike Week Helpful Hints
#1
02-20-2015, 07:10 PM
Daytona Bike Week Helpful Hints
It's that time of year. Bike Week begins in 2 weeks
I've attended Bike Week and Biketoberfest for decades.
The last couple of years I've posted some hints for those that are going for the first few times.
Some of the advice will keep you out of trouble, some of it may just help a bit (to not look like a newb).
What Not To Do: (according to police I’ve chatted with)
- Breaking the back tire lose.
- Pulling the front wheel off the ground. (mandatory $1000 fine)
- Speeding 30 mph over speed limit. Mandatory court appearance, possible loss of license.
- No eye protection or wearing sunglasses at night. Yes, they look and why give them a reason to pull you over.
- Your license plate has to be stationary. If your plate is mounted so that it can swing, it is a violation. (mostly crotch rockets)
- Handlebars above the shoulders is a violation. (I’ve only ever seen it enforced once, but it cost my buddy)
Overall, I’ve always found the Daytona police to be very cool and hands off. They are used to dealing with huge crowds. Bikeweek, Biketoberfest, 2 Nascar races, Spring Break etc. Don’t act like an *** and you won’t be treated like one.
Some Hints:
- You don’t have the loudest bike there. Don’t be a dick throttle jockey.
- I don’t know you; I don’t know your skills. Don’t ride next to me or anyone else you don’t know. Stop lights and stop signs are the exception.
- Always park backing in on Main Street. Park as close to the bike next to you as you can. Don’t be the hated dick that takes enough room for 2 bikes.
- When you back your bike up on Main Street, tell princess to get off the back first. That way she can help you push your bike over the curb to park, and you are less likely to lose your balance and drop your bike on the bike next to you.
- By all means buy a t-shirt, but wait until you’re home or when you come back another year to wear it.
Must See:
- ******* Tropical Tattoo Bike Show. The best garage builds you will ever see. Very casual, and the beer is cold.
- Boot Hill Saloon (It’s better before and after bikeweek)
- Iron Horse Saloon (go in the evening and have the steak and tators)
- Ride The Loop. Everyone has to do it once. When you pass the photographers, look at your watch and remember the time. It will help you find your pic online later.
- Destination Daytona, motorcycle retailing on steroids. (not my thing, but to each their own)
- The Cabbage Patch cole slaw wrestling. A rite of passage. Seeing them make the cole slaw is as interesting as the wrestling, but I still show up. (I’d ride 15 miles to see a train wreck too…)
If you have questions, ask.
If you have other suggestions, post them.
Most Important:
RIDE SAFELY and BE CAREFUL!
The worst sound during bike week is the ambulance siren. You hear it far too often during the week.
I've attended Bike Week and Biketoberfest for decades.
The last couple of years I've posted some hints for those that are going for the first few times.
Some of the advice will keep you out of trouble, some of it may just help a bit (to not look like a newb).
What Not To Do: (according to police I’ve chatted with)
- Breaking the back tire lose.
- Pulling the front wheel off the ground. (mandatory $1000 fine)
- Speeding 30 mph over speed limit. Mandatory court appearance, possible loss of license.
- No eye protection or wearing sunglasses at night. Yes, they look and why give them a reason to pull you over.
- Your license plate has to be stationary. If your plate is mounted so that it can swing, it is a violation. (mostly crotch rockets)
- Handlebars above the shoulders is a violation. (I’ve only ever seen it enforced once, but it cost my buddy)
Overall, I’ve always found the Daytona police to be very cool and hands off. They are used to dealing with huge crowds. Bikeweek, Biketoberfest, 2 Nascar races, Spring Break etc. Don’t act like an *** and you won’t be treated like one.
Some Hints:
- You don’t have the loudest bike there. Don’t be a dick throttle jockey.
- I don’t know you; I don’t know your skills. Don’t ride next to me or anyone else you don’t know. Stop lights and stop signs are the exception.
- Always park backing in on Main Street. Park as close to the bike next to you as you can. Don’t be the hated dick that takes enough room for 2 bikes.
- When you back your bike up on Main Street, tell princess to get off the back first. That way she can help you push your bike over the curb to park, and you are less likely to lose your balance and drop your bike on the bike next to you.
- By all means buy a t-shirt, but wait until you’re home or when you come back another year to wear it.
Must See:
- ******* Tropical Tattoo Bike Show. The best garage builds you will ever see. Very casual, and the beer is cold.
- Boot Hill Saloon (It’s better before and after bikeweek)
- Iron Horse Saloon (go in the evening and have the steak and tators)
- Ride The Loop. Everyone has to do it once. When you pass the photographers, look at your watch and remember the time. It will help you find your pic online later.
- Destination Daytona, motorcycle retailing on steroids. (not my thing, but to each their own)
- The Cabbage Patch cole slaw wrestling. A rite of passage. Seeing them make the cole slaw is as interesting as the wrestling, but I still show up. (I’d ride 15 miles to see a train wreck too…)
If you have questions, ask.
If you have other suggestions, post them.
Most Important:
RIDE SAFELY and BE CAREFUL!
The worst sound during bike week is the ambulance siren. You hear it far too often during the week.
Last edited by Jonesee; 02-20-2015 at 08:42 PM.
#2
02-20-2015, 07:19 PM
Good pointers to which I agree to all but one. When I park, I don't care if someone doesn't like if I park too far away from the next bike. I've had guys park so close to me that I could barely upright my bike enough to raise my jiffy stand. And on one occasion when trying to upright my bike, the damn pointed tips of the dudes mirror dug into my tour pac. I have over 40 grand in my bike and don't enjoy seeing any damage. For this reason, my bike and other vehicles get parked out in the outskirts of the parking lots. But if I need to park my bike near others, I take my needed real estate.
#3
02-20-2015, 07:23 PM
Good pointers to which I agree to all but one. When I park, I don't care if someone doesn't like if I park too far away from the next bike. I've had guys park so close to me that I could barely upright my bike enough to raise my jiffy stand. And on one occasion when trying to upright my bike, the damn pointed tips of the dudes mirror dug into my tour pac. I have over 40 grand in my bike and don't enjoy seeing any damage. For this reason, my bike and other vehicles get parked out in the outskirts of the parking lots. But if I need to park my bike near others, I take my needed real estate.
I've seen them so tight you had to lean your bike backing in and pulling out.
Like all parties, the more the merrier...
Last edited by Jonesee; 02-20-2015 at 07:38 PM.
#4
02-20-2015, 08:01 PM
How the heck did you do a BBG in under 21 hours? You averaged 73.23 mph and that is with no gas stops. At 35mpg you used 44 gal of gas - so you stopped at least 6 times (assuming you had a 1-2gal auxiliary tank) at 5 min per stop is another 30 min - so your average mph while on the bike was 75mph. Well, now that I put it like that I guess it can be done. I've done a couple of 16 hr 1000 milers and a 47 hour 50cc but have always thought the BBG was the most challenging of the short rides. Congrats!
#5
02-20-2015, 08:10 PM
How the heck did you do a BBG in under 21 hours? You averaged 73.23 mph and that is with no gas stops. At 35mpg you used 44 gal of gas - so you stopped at least 6 times (assuming you had a 1-2gal auxiliary tank) at 5 min per stop is another 30 min - so your average mph while on the bike was 75mph. Well, now that I put it like that I guess it can be done. I've done a couple of 16 hr 1000 milers and a 47 hour 50cc but have always thought the BBG was the most challenging of the short rides. Congrats!
Sit, Twist, Refuel Repeat
The ride report is here:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...s-57-mins.html
Yes, the BBG is considered an "extreme ride" by the IBA.
If you have specific questions, just ask.
Last edited by Jonesee; 02-20-2015 at 08:34 PM.
#6
02-20-2015, 08:16 PM
The Main St. parking thing- yes that little curb intimidates some people, but someone always jumps in to help push them in. Every so often someone gets pushed into one of those giant flowerpot things or a pole while backing in- that sucks.
#7
02-20-2015, 08:49 PM
Florida Crew Moderator
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Port St Lucie Florida
Posts: 11,396
Received 3,389 Likes
on
1,560 Posts
When you park at Destination at 9am remember the parking lot will not look the same a few hours later. If you have a black Streetglide good luck finding it!!
