Americade vs. Laconia
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Cruiser
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Americade vs. Laconia
Living in Connecticut is nice in that it's close to both Lake George and Laconia. So getting a bike again after 25 years makes me want to check out one of these two rallys. I'm wondering what the pros and cons of each one are? Heard that Americade isn't Harley friendly and you have to pay to even check out the vendors. Heard Laconia cops are a P.I.T.A., that it's to crowded, and not worth the aggravation. The guy that works on my bike(only works on Harleys) remembers Laconia back 20-25 years ago and says that he has customers who've been to Laconia for 20 straight years that now go to Americade instead. Can't go to both so I'm looking for everyones thoughts, good and bad. Thanks!
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Vermont
Living in Connecticut is nice in that it's close to both Lake George and Laconia. So getting a bike again after 25 years makes me want to check out one of these two rallys. I'm wondering what the pros and cons of each one are? Heard that Americade isn't Harley friendly and you have to pay to even check out the vendors. Heard Laconia cops are a P.I.T.A., that it's to crowded, and not worth the aggravation. The guy that works on my bike(only works on Harleys) remembers Laconia back 20-25 years ago and says that he has customers who've been to Laconia for 20 straight years that now go to Americade instead. Can't go to both so I'm looking for everyones thoughts, good and bad. Thanks!
How about something different, better, well attended but not crowded?
www.back-to-the-basics.com. One hell of a good time and more good food than you could ever think of eating. Everything including showers and a beautiful lake on site. I've been going since its inception and have enjoyed it more each yaer.
Last edited by Rickr01; Jun 4, 2011 at 12:09 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
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From: New York
Yes, you have to pay to check out the vendors at Americade while Laconia is free and spread out. Many at Laconia H-D in fact. Many of the vendors by the water are mostly tee's, etc.
Both are good places to visit. Laconia for me is a longer haul so I stay for at least a few days where as I usually make a day trip out of Americade. Laconia, you ride around more where as Americade, most can be done in one spot. If money and time were no issue, I'd hit up Laconia. BTW, while police are very visible, much of the time you are fine unless being a dipchit.
Both are good places to visit. Laconia for me is a longer haul so I stay for at least a few days where as I usually make a day trip out of Americade. Laconia, you ride around more where as Americade, most can be done in one spot. If money and time were no issue, I'd hit up Laconia. BTW, while police are very visible, much of the time you are fine unless being a dipchit.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Massachusetts
How about something different, better, well attended but not crowded?
www.back-to-the-basics.com. One hell of a good time and more good food than you could ever think of eating. Everything including showers and a beautiful lake on site. I've been going since its inception and have enjoyed it more each yaer.
www.back-to-the-basics.com. One hell of a good time and more good food than you could ever think of eating. Everything including showers and a beautiful lake on site. I've been going since its inception and have enjoyed it more each yaer.
Looks good to me, but 100 buxx to get in the door of a BYOB party is pushing it a little, ain't it?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Upstate NY
I've been to both. I live about 45 mins from Americade and three hours from Laconia. This year I'll probably do one day at Americade and four days at Laconia. Americade is not as freindly as Laconia. Yes, you do have to pay to get into the main area. But there is nothing but t-shirt and other vendors in that area and last year really wasn't that impressive. The Lake George area is nice but I also noticed that there are far too many crotch rocket jerk offs screaming up and down the street trying to impress the girlfriend on the back seat. It's ok for a one day trip but nothing more than that. I had a great time last year at Laconia and really had no problems with the local PD up there. There are a lot of HA's at Laconia and they are watching them all the time. I can't even recall any problems there during the time we were there. There is (in my opinion) much more to do at Laconia than Americade. Yes they both have an over abundance of t-shirt and parts vendors, they both have some beautiful roads for riding and they both can have some pretty crappy weather all at the same time. It looks like the best days for Americade this year would be Thursday and Friday since the weather is supposed to be nice both days. I may cruise up there one of those days. I will be leaving for Laconia on Wednesday the 15th for the rest of the week. You decide, try one this year and one next year.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: AZ
Been to both Laconia is way better. The police only harass the idiots. Also the last few years the NY State Police have been having motorcycle only checkpoints during Americade week and issuing tickets for aftermarket mufflers and non dot helmets. And what I mean by motorcycle checkpoints is Harleys only. Americade is more confined to the town of Lake George, Laconia is more spread out. Save your vacation and go to the best Sturgis.
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From: Vermont
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From: The City Of New York
I'm a fan of Laconia. Been going since '84. Lots of people and traffic down by Weirs Beach, but the rally is spread out for many miles with great roads and long day trips. Never got pulled over once and I have loud pipes. I'm just not obnoxious about it.
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Joe Kucinski
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From: Georgia Mountains
Been to Laconia several times and the riding up there is great. Never been to Americade, but paying to see vendors??? That's not right.
Laconia is as motorcycle freindly as any place I've been.
Laconia is as motorcycle freindly as any place I've been.
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Cruiser
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Thanks for the imput guys. I know there's more than 7 people who've been to one of these rallies. Any experiences or impressions of either one would be helpful. Thanks!
Last edited by Ctdeluxe; Jun 5, 2011 at 06:15 AM.