Bike Week back when
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 696
Likes: 488
From: Southern Indiana
Great pictures! I lived through it. Moved to Daytona in mid 70's and lived there for 27 yrs. Great times. Miss it much, moved back to IN in 2000 for family and for several years travel to Fl for bike week and visit old friends.
Sadly, due to circumstances , I will not make it this year. Party on my friends.
Sadly, due to circumstances , I will not make it this year. Party on my friends.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 6,345
From: pacific northwest
I was there last year and neither did I see any of what he was describing, in fact the wife and I enjoyed it so much are planning on going this year.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,629
Likes: 4,090
From: Virginia
A look back at Bike Week almost half a century ago when it was full of bikers not tourists, sightseers and gawkers.
So this is not really true of bike week as I remember it. I grew up in Daytona Beach in the 70’s always on a bike and didn’t leave the area till the late 80’s and have ridden to bike week almost every year since then. So I have a almost 50 year perspective on seeing bike week evolve. Way before my time, “bike week” was about racing on the beach before Bill France built the International speedway and it was mostly motorcycle enthusiasts that came to Daytona to race or watch the races. Main Street didn’t really become established till the late 70’s, as a matter of fact, the owner of Boot Hill closed his bar during bike week in his first year because he didn’t want to deal with rowdy bikers. The 80’s were when the bad element really showed up during bike week, cops starting cracking down, bars started banning colors. It became so bad, the town elders came close to completely shutting bike week down in the late 80’s, by then the cabbage patch and the us1 bars were getting going because people didn’t want to deal with cops checking loud exhausts and cracking skulls.
To me bike week has always been about motorcycles, races and meeting people. Yes, things have changed, honestly some for the better but you can still experience the tradition that started in the 40’s. Those who squawk about commercialism at bike week, I would tell you it was the merchants around Main Street and France that saved bike week when the town supervisors wanted to kill it because they didn’t want to loose the business by seeing bikers move somewhere else.
So this is not really true of bike week as I remember it. I grew up in Daytona Beach in the 70’s always on a bike and didn’t leave the area till the late 80’s and have ridden to bike week almost every year since then. So I have a almost 50 year perspective on seeing bike week evolve. Way before my time, “bike week” was about racing on the beach before Bill France built the International speedway and it was mostly motorcycle enthusiasts that came to Daytona to race or watch the races. Main Street didn’t really become established till the late 70’s, as a matter of fact, the owner of Boot Hill closed his bar during bike week in his first year because he didn’t want to deal with rowdy bikers. The 80’s were when the bad element really showed up during bike week, cops starting cracking down, bars started banning colors. It became so bad, the town elders came close to completely shutting bike week down in the late 80’s, by then the cabbage patch and the us1 bars were getting going because people didn’t want to deal with cops checking loud exhausts and cracking skulls.
To me bike week has always been about motorcycles, races and meeting people. Yes, things have changed, honestly some for the better but you can still experience the tradition that started in the 40’s. Those who squawk about commercialism at bike week, I would tell you it was the merchants around Main Street and France that saved bike week when the town supervisors wanted to kill it because they didn’t want to loose the business by seeing bikers move somewhere else.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,576
Likes: 7,953
From: Long Island, New York
Bike Week at any of the noted locations is what you make of it. Hang out in all the wrong places with the clowns and you will not have a good time. Find the crowd and types of bikes you like and go hang out over there. **** if I bring enough of the boys, we can hang out in a 7-11 parking lot and have the time of our lives. Don't worry about what the clowns are doing, do your thing. I still like going to the Rallies, but Daytona for example, one day and one evening on Main Street is enough for me. Take a ride up the coast or go West into farm country. Lots to see, lots of miles to be ridden and a **** ton of bars/events to chose from. No reason to be aggravated with the radio boys if that is not your scene.
And honestly, lots of guys dig the loud radio big wheel scene, have at and enjoy the ride. I do not have to agree with your tastes in motorcycle for either one of us to have a good time.
Sorry fellas but everything changes. I bet Pappy Hoel would have hated Sturgis in the 70's. All you long haired hippies in town with your drugs and not out in the woods doing dumb things on motorcycles like the Jackpine Rally.
Times change.
And honestly, lots of guys dig the loud radio big wheel scene, have at and enjoy the ride. I do not have to agree with your tastes in motorcycle for either one of us to have a good time.
Sorry fellas but everything changes. I bet Pappy Hoel would have hated Sturgis in the 70's. All you long haired hippies in town with your drugs and not out in the woods doing dumb things on motorcycles like the Jackpine Rally.
Times change.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1,047
From: Southwest Desert
Times have indeed changed. Imagine a life without a latte at Starbucks in the AM. Exhaust noise was music to the enthusiast. Owning a Harley wasn't much of a status symbol back then either. In fact, just the opposite. People usually thought you were just a scumbag and left you alone. Hardcore bikers were all tattooed up, and it meant something. It wasn't "art". Long hair and leather jackets were the norm.
NO motorcycles had radios back then. No maps on smartphones either. You had to know where you were actually going or stop at a gas station for directions and actually talk to someone.
In cities MC's were chained up to keep them from being stolen, and that chain served a dual purpose if necessary! (Bikers were rowdy and fought sometimes.) No one was worried about scratching their polished or powder coated wheels with an actual chain. The average MC rider is now docile, laidback and mainstream. Many are overweight. Like it or not, that's just the way it is...
I miss the edgy grittiness of days gone by, but I wouldn't go back...
NO motorcycles had radios back then. No maps on smartphones either. You had to know where you were actually going or stop at a gas station for directions and actually talk to someone.
In cities MC's were chained up to keep them from being stolen, and that chain served a dual purpose if necessary! (Bikers were rowdy and fought sometimes.) No one was worried about scratching their polished or powder coated wheels with an actual chain. The average MC rider is now docile, laidback and mainstream. Many are overweight. Like it or not, that's just the way it is...
I miss the edgy grittiness of days gone by, but I wouldn't go back...
Last edited by SirHarley; Mar 9, 2022 at 03:46 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,627
Likes: 1,348
From:
Been "doing" Bike Week in Daytona for decades and - yes, it's changed!
I still enjoy getting together with like minded folks and enjoying motorcycles, adult beverages and fun!
Bike Week in Daytona is what you make it.
I still enjoy getting together with like minded folks and enjoying motorcycles, adult beverages and fun!
Bike Week in Daytona is what you make it.
