bike week observations
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Hummm, a group of us are heading to Florida Thursday. Maybe we could just drive right past Daytona and head to maybe Tampa or the Keys. I've done Daytona many times and why get aggravated when the gulf side might be more relaxing.....Damn, I hate threads that make enough sense to get me second guessing myself.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 2
From: St. Augustine Florida
I have been attending these events for the past 15 years. Yes, they are pretty much the same. you know that going there. What you make of it is what you will get out of it. Yes it is commercialized and over priced... and this will not change.
I go there to get stuff for the bikes, meet friends that head down from out of State and look at all the bikes that are around. Some years we will stay right on Main Street while some years we will camp out away from the action. Some years we dont stay and just make day trips from the house. We go for the sights, sounds and atmosphere that is created with this many bikes at one location.
Every year is different, but we will always be there for a day or the entire week.
It is like going to McDonals looking at the menu.
You know what they have and serve yet still read over the menu every time.
Ride safe
I go there to get stuff for the bikes, meet friends that head down from out of State and look at all the bikes that are around. Some years we will stay right on Main Street while some years we will camp out away from the action. Some years we dont stay and just make day trips from the house. We go for the sights, sounds and atmosphere that is created with this many bikes at one location.
Every year is different, but we will always be there for a day or the entire week.
It is like going to McDonals looking at the menu.
You know what they have and serve yet still read over the menu every time.
Ride safe
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 2
From: Savannah, Ga
I went this weekend, other than a flat tire while I was there it was fun. I stayed in the Cape Canveral area. It was a nice ride up to Daytona on US1. As far as the vendors there were fewer than in the past and they had the same stuff as in the past. It was fun to hit some of the smaller places on the way. My favorite is the $1 hotdogs and Beers in Daytona.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 507
Likes: 2
From: Florida/Jax
Ha...guess I'm the opposite. When and if we do go it's mostly at the end to see what kind of deals might be had from vendors not wanting to pack stuff up and haul back. Sometimes you find something and sometimes nada...looking for some helmets this time. Thinking of heading down this Staurday if plans don't get changed...LOL, not even riding my bike down.
I agree it's about the ride but I guess living down here kind of take it for granted in regards to some of you folks coming from other states. We can make that run damn near year round minus the crowds....which that's not such a bad thing for me.
I agree it's about the ride but I guess living down here kind of take it for granted in regards to some of you folks coming from other states. We can make that run damn near year round minus the crowds....which that's not such a bad thing for me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 3
This year was my first time to go to Daytona and while I did have a good time it definitely wasn't great. I was surprised by the lack of vendors. I went hoping to see some custom shops, custom parts, trailers, etc and hardly saw any vendors offering anything of that nature. For me Daytona didn't live up to my expectations and I do not expect to go back any time soon. Last year I went to Sturgis and for me it was a totally different experience. Lots of sightseeing to do, lots of riding, and a good mix of vendors in the town. Sturigs is already planned again for me for '10.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 1
Without the vendors there are no rallies. This year is not a good year for vendors. No one is spending as much as in the past. No one is making the insane profits they did in the past. Capitalism is just that, capitalizing the market to get the most profit from it you can. If the hosts don't see a profit, they don't see a need to support the rally. Simple math that even I can manage...
Although I've never been to bike week, and I have lived in Florida since '75, I hope to make it this week. It's getting close to the end, if I don't make it this year I may not make it next year, or the one after that. Not really anything I'm looking for other than being there.
If I find something I'm willing to part with a few dollars for I'll get it, if not it won't matter either way to me. I would like to see a few old freinds, if they are still around, but since I only recall a few of their names it's kinda unlikely. Just knowing I went, at least once, is enough for me.
Although I've never been to bike week, and I have lived in Florida since '75, I hope to make it this week. It's getting close to the end, if I don't make it this year I may not make it next year, or the one after that. Not really anything I'm looking for other than being there.
If I find something I'm willing to part with a few dollars for I'll get it, if not it won't matter either way to me. I would like to see a few old freinds, if they are still around, but since I only recall a few of their names it's kinda unlikely. Just knowing I went, at least once, is enough for me.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Crok, I mean no disrespect. Your a member with great alot of great posts. I simply disagree. The vendors are who ruin otherwise great events. When I grew up going to big events, it was NEVER about vendors. It was about meeting and hanging with other like minded people. We didn't care if we all had to meet in a muddy field to do it. The commercialazation is what has wrecked these events. Just flappin my gums here.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: georgia
exactly bikers were the ones who created the rallys.vendors capitalized on it.nothing wrong w/ capitalizing on it but the problem comes when that becomes the focal point (for lack of a better term).
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
I myself have never been over to Daytona for bike week...Living in florida, If I want a great ride I(often my wife as well) will take off on one. I see no draw to these events at all. The vendors situation reminds me of a flea market. I don't like flea markets. My wife and I have done a few group rides to some other weekend or day events....same boring crap...bars too full to get a beer or sit down, garbage food out of the back of a camper, patches, t-shirts and sunglasses...blah... give me a great ride, a great spot to go and get a beer and some good food...the heck with the biker events.