ROYAL ENFIELD REVEALS ALL-NEW SCRAM 411 ADV CROSSOVER

Ready. Set. Scram!

Milwaukee, WI (Tuesday, March 15, 2022) – Royal Enfield, the global leader in the midsize (250cc – 750cc) motorcycling segment, today unveiled the Scram 411 – the brand’s first ADV crossover. The new Scram 411 is an engaging, accessible and capable street scrambler, with the heart of an adventure motorcycle. Built on Royal Enfield’s proven 411cc single-cylinder engine platform and the Harris Performance chassis, the Scram 411 combines spirited agility on urban streets, with competent rough-roading capabilities. Focused and purposeful changes in the riding geometry and ergonomics make it ideal for in-city riding, as well as unpredictable, challenging trails off the urban grid. Unveiled for global audiences today, the new Scram 411 is already available in India, and will be available in Europe, Asia Pacific, North America and Latin America later this year. The Scram 411 is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. late summer/early fall. Pricing and colorways will be announced in the coming months. The Scram 411 is a continuation of Royal Enfield’s constant pursuit of exploration, and building motorcycles to enable every adventure. One such motorcycle is the Himalayan—Royal Enfield’s flagship adventure tourer. Launched in 2016, the Himalayan has fostered a subculture of adventure touring around the world, most recently, even Antarctica’s South Pole. Its unique design and well-rounded capability make it among Royal Enfield’s best-selling motorcycles, and it is upon this stalwart platform that the style evolution continues with the more urban-focused ADV-crossover motorcycle—the Scram 411. The all-new Scram 411 is a new subspecies that has the authentic vibes of a scrambler and adventure touring in its DNA. With long-travel suspension and class-leading ground clearance paired with a 19-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear, the Scram 411 is playfully agile on city streets, yet is highly capable of tackling more rugged terrain, so the exploration doesn’t end when the pavement stops. Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director, Eicher Motors Ltd., simply loves the fluidity and the multipurpose ability of the Scram 411. Speaking about this in the context of modern existence, he said, “Whether it’s London, New Delhi or Tokyo, the contours of modern urban existence are ever-changing. With our world increasingly becoming more fast-paced, life in the urban context has become about the weekday hustle and the weekend getaway, and everything in between. We wanted to build a motorcycle that could effortlessly navigate this entire gamut, and be the perfect ally for the young, modern-day rider. The Scram 411 is truly a motorcycle made for now, and is always ready to tackle whatever surprise is in store.” Speaking about the inspiration behind the Scram 411, and about the new motorcycle, Executive Director, Royal Enfield, B Govindarajan, said, “The globally lauded versatility and competence of the Himalayan inspired us to reimagine the motorcycle in a more young, modern-day, urban context. The Scram 411 is the perfect crossover for young city-dwellers, who prefer a motorcycle that is fun and engaging to ride around the city, yet has a rugged appeal. By shifting the riding geometry to make the motorcycle more at home on busy city streets, and retaining its strong ability to take on rough roads and take on the weekend dirt trail, we’ve brought a unique subcategory for consumers. Like all our motorcycles, the Scram 411 is built for the global rider, and manufactured with world-class engineering. We also have an array of genuine motorcycle accessories and a vibrant apparel range inspired by the Scram lifestyle. This is a very exciting and spirited new motorcycle, and we are confident that young riders from across the world will love the new Scram 411.” Mark Wells, Chief of Design at Royal Enfield, enjoys riding the Scram 411, and loves how easily it can navigate a wide spectrum of terrain and challenges. Speaking about creating a new subspecies of motorcycles, he said, “Most scrambler motorcycles focus only on aesthetics and looks. When we began work on the Scram 411, we were determined to create a motorcycle that would be distinct in design and purpose, and bring the best of rough-road capability to urban riding. With its distinctive look and design, playful colorways, accessible riding proposition, the Scram 411 is an ultimate ADV crossover for the urban environment.”

ROYAL ENFIELD SCRAM 411 – DETAILS & SPECIFICATIONS

The Scram 411 is powered by the globally appreciated 411cc, fuel-injected, 4-stroke, SOHC, air-cooled single-cylinder engine. The counterbalanced engine ensures smooth power delivery and strong bottom-end torque that elevates the overall performance. The wide spread of useable power makes it easy to manage over long urban commutes with minimum gear shifts, and the confidence-inspiring low-revving torque allows it to tackle bad road, and off-road sections easily. Long-travel suspension and monoshock design, together with class-leading 7.8 inches (200mm) of ground clearance, the Scram 411 delivers a smooth and comfortable ride. The telescopic front suspension with 41mm forks and 7.4 inches (190mm) travel, pairs with 7.0 inches (180mm) travel on the rear, where the link-mounted monoshock enables stable and confident riding over rough roads. Front and rear disc brakes combined with dual-channel ABS, ensures confident braking. The change in the riding geometry is brought about by the 19-inch front wheel and dual-purpose tire. This, combined with the 17-inch rear wheel, are key to the Scram 411 motorcycle’s nimble handling. The dual-purpose tires ensure a confident grip over tarmac and loose gravel for the ideal combination of on-road grip and rough-road tractability. The seat on the new Scram 411 is designed for comfort over long saddle time. The single seat that reflects the urban styling of the motorcycle, offers great comfort for both rider and passenger. The accessible 31.2-inch (795mm) seat height enables and easy reach to the ground, making it easy to maneuver in stop-and-go traffic. The Scram 411 features a new digital-analog instrument cluster that provides easy access to essential information. Circumvented by a traditional analog speedometer, the Scram retains this classic style element, also making for easy viewing.

WATCH THE Live Launch of the Royal Enfield Scram 411

More details, information and specifications on the North America-spec Royal Enfield Scram 411 ADV crossover motorcycle, including colorways, options, genuine accessories and pricing, will be released in the coming months. U.S. arrival is anticipated in late summer/early spring. #readysetscram #scram411 #royalenfieldscram About Royal Enfield The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. Royal Enfield North America (RENA) is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is developing a growing network of more than 140 dealers in North America, including the contiguous U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. RENA currently offers the all-new Meteor 350, Himalayan and the 650 Twins (INT 650 and Continental GT 650) motorcycles, along with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories and apparel. For more information on Royal Enfield North America, visit www.RoyalEnfield.com/us/en/, www.Instagram.com/RoyalEnfield_NA, www.Facebook.com/RoyalEnfieldNorthAmerica.

Essentials to flip into high gears inside your Garage

by Kyle Smith from Hagerty.com

We all started somewhere, and for most of us garage-dwellers, it was a set of sockets and screwdrivers.

From there we progressively acquired tools to complete tasks and projects until we reached a point where there wasn’t a project to be scared of.

A big part of that is the mental toolbox, but the physical tools in your hands or on your bench can be critical in deciding if you are able to take on a project.

We took a look around the garage and rounded up these eight tools that we recommend for a budding DIY enthusiast.

CLICK HERE To Read this Tech Tip to up your DIY game

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Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo Secures Fourth Consecutive Podium in Detroit

March 12, 2022 | Ford Field | Detroit, Michigan

Foothill Ranch, Calif. (March 13, 2022) – Round 10 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship brought the series to the famous Motor City of Detroit, Michigan, where Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Cameron McAdoo secured his fourth consecutive podium result with a second-place finish. In the 450SX Class, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson was involved in an exciting battle for the lead before a late-race crash ended his race.

McAdoo entered Saturday’s morning qualifying session keen on closing in on the championship lead. From the first timed qualifying session, it was clear McAdoo had the pace to win as he used the power of his Kawasaki KX™250 to uncork a massive quad down the rhythm section and record the fastest lap of session one. At the end of the timed qualifying sessions, Team Green’s McAdoo recorded the third-fastest time overall with a 44.480.

In 250SX Heat 2, McAdoo started the race in seventh place. With his sights set forward, the No.48 quickly began planning his attack towards the front during the opening laps. McAdoo’s superior speed through the whoop section made all the difference in the short race as he was able to utilize this advantage to make his way up to second place before the end of the race.

At the start of the 250SX Main Event, McAdoo found himself caught up in the middle of the pack as he navigated through the first rhythm section inside the top-10. Eager to make his way up the field, McAdoo used his creative line choice to move past the competition and run in third before the start of Lap 3. By the halfway mark, the Team Green™ rider was following close behind second place and again utilized his impressive speed through the whoop section to make the pass. After moving into second, McAdoo fended off immediate pressure from the rider behind and proceeded to build a comfortable gap between him and third in the following laps. The Iowa native continued his charge forward but limited time forced McAdoo to settle for a second-place finish.

McAdoo’s impressive charge through the field on his No.48 KX™250 secured a fourth consecutive podium finish of the 2022 season maintaining second place in the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship points standings.

“This is my first time racing here in Detroit and I’m happy with how the day went. We started on a strong note after finishing the first timed qualifying session with the fastest lap time and backed that up with a strong showing in my heat race. I really want to be battling for wins and know I have the speed to do so, I just need to work on getting better starts so I can be in the mix from early on. Overall, I’m proud of how I rode and am thankful I have such a strong team supporting me.”
– Cameron McAdoo

Coming into the day with the expectation of testing different bike setups, Anderson started his morning by closely examining the layout in Ford Field during riders’ track walk. Anderson and the team discussed the day’s game plan before qualifying, anticipating how the track would change throughout the day due to the unique Detroit dirt which was tackier than in years past. In the later stages of qualifying, Anderson consistently recorded lap times near the top of the timesheet before recording a 43.716 lap time for third-fastest heading into the night show.

The beginning of 450SX Heat 2 saw Anderson utilize the impressive handling of his KX™450SR to trade positions with the front runners during the opening laps. Combining fast laps with consistent whoop speed, the No.21 Kawasaki rider ran comfortably in second before the start of Lap 4. In the later stages of the race, Anderson found himself having to adapt to the track’s rapidly deteriorating surface but, like a true veteran, managed the situation with ease and finished the short qualification race in second.

The beginning of the 450SX Main Event saw Anderson off to another strong main event start and trading positions back and forth at the front of the pack before taking firm control over second place by the end of Lap 4. The No.21 KX450SR rider utilized his whoop speed to take the lead two laps later. As the race unfolded behind him, Anderson was running comfortably out front and in control of the race. Near the halfway mark, the New Mexico native began feeling immense pressure from behind but refused to hand over the position easily. Despite his best efforts, the rider behind was able to take over the lead with 10 minutes left in the race. Never one to give up, Anderson stuck close behind the leader’s wheel, studying his line choices and mounting charges to regain the lead. Unfortunately, while making a charge for the lead, Anderson suffered a late-race crash that ended his night early.

Anderson retains second place in the championship points standings with seven rounds of racing left to go.

“I was feeling really good today from the start of the first practice. Probably the best I’ve felt racing in Detroit, and I think my performance throughout the night showed I had what it took to win tonight. Unfortunately, I pushed a little too hard while challenging for the lead and had a crash that ended my race early. It’s unlucky, but these things happen. I’m just glad I feel fine right now and am planning on giving it my all in Indianapolis next weekend.”
– Jason Anderson

Brandon Paasch, Cam Peterson, and Sheridan Morais Make it an all Pirelli Podium Sweep using DIABLO™ Superbike Slicks

DAYTONA, Fla. (March 12, 2022) – Pirelli Tire North America stormed to victory and a one, two, three finish at the 80th running of the Daytona 200. The victory marked the second consecutive at Daytona for TOBC Racing rider Brandon Paasch who relied on the performance of the DIABLO™ Superbike range in each of his successes. Attack Performance Yamaha rider Cam Peterson came up 0.007 short to finish second, followed by fellow South African Sheridan Morais in third aboard his Syntainics / Penz13 racing machine, making it an all Pirelli podium sweep for the first time in the event’s history.

“Man, what a race,” said Paasch. “I kind of hung back early to let everyone settle in before making my moves and we got going just in time. That was a close finish and the slingshot worked out perfectly. My team decided to not change tires on our last pit stop, which definitely was a gamble, but it showed how much traction was left in my Pirelli’s as we came to the final stretch. A huge thank you to Pirelli for their efforts that have played a big part in my Daytona 200 victories!”

The 57-lap shootout proved to be an all-out battle as riders exchanged passes for the podium positions lap-after-lap. Paasch used patience for the majority of the race, running just inside the top-five with his sights locked in on the front-runners. As riders began to make their final pit stops, Paasch found himself out front before making a pit stop of his own, allowing Peterson to inherit the lead with 12-laps remaining. Paasch and the TOBC Racing team elected to pit for fuel only after seeing how well the DIABLO™ Superbike slicks continued to hold up. He would return to the track in second but was quickly shuffled to fourth, as he got back up to speed.

“My team absolutely crushed that second pit stop, which put me in a great position,” said Peterson. “I was kind of out there in no man’s land with a little bit of traffic and no draft. I came around to the finish and thought I had put myself in the perfect position, and at the last second, I could feel Brandon there and tried to push up on him. It was a fun race and a good confidence builder.”

Paasch and Morais used one another to begin a push towards the front, slowly closing in on the rear wheel of Peterson with just three laps to go. With the race to the checkered flag on, it was Paasch who proved to have a brilliant strategy holding back throughout the race and using a slingshot move down the final straight to take the victory by just 0.007 seconds over Peterson. Morais was just behind the lead duo to complete the podium in third, 0.057 seconds behind the winner.

The victory marks the first time that Pirelli has won the Daytona 200 three consecutive times. Kyle Wyman won in 2019 and Paasch in 2021 and 2022. No race was held in 2021.

“I wanted to break away so bad, but it just seemed impossible,” said Morais. “That was a fun race. Probably the most fun I have ever had in a race. Every lap someone was there. I thought Cam should have had that race, but we put our heads down and managed to close that gap and it was a battle to the finish.”

Paasch’s race-winning Triumph set the fastest lap of the race with a 1:49.959 and was equipped with a 120/70R17 DIABLO Superbike SC2 front and 190/60R17 Daytona rear tire.

“What an incredible way to cap off the weekend here at Daytona,” said Oscar Solis, senior racing manager, Pirelli. “To be able to win this iconic event for the third consecutive time is special and to do it by sweeping the podium just makes it that much sweeter! It was a tight race to the finish and having so many Pirelli riders battling for the win just shows how capable the DIABLO™ Superbike range is. Congratulations to Brandon on the win and Cam and Sheridan on their podiums!”

In addition to capturing the top three spots, Pirelli showed its domination with six riders in the top eight positions, including TOBC Racings Danny Eslick sixth, TSE Racing’s Harry Truelove seventh, and Vision Wheel / Discount Tire / KWS Motorsports rider Geoff May eighth. With MotoAmerica and Daytona allowing riders to choose the tire brand of their choice, more than half of the grid elected to run Pirelli.

2022 Daytona 200 Race Results (Pirelli riders in bold):
1. Brandon Paasch
2. Cam Peterson
3. Sheridan Morais
4. Josh Hayes
5. Richie Escalante
6. Danny Eslick
7. Harry Truelove
8. Geoff May

For more information about the complete line of Pirelli motorcycle tires, please visit Pirelli.com

Yippee,

We moved our clocks and watches forward this morning, and Spring is just a week or so away. We’ve gone from 11 degrees to 50 degrees in a week. And as soon as our shop is complete, we will be taking advantage of the extra daylight time working on bikes and playing in the shop.

–Bandit

Last year Bikernet.com hit the 25-year marker in the business, which was a major milestone after starting in 1996, when the web was super-young.

Here is an awesome feature article from 2007, to give readers a glimpse of how the Motorcycling industry has shaped over the years and insight into the legacy of Bikernet.com

Badlands Run 2007
DownUnder Bikernet Reporters Ride To Sturgis

By Doc with photos by Doc and Chris Callen

“Sometimes on a trip like this you can begin to feel as if you have no other life but this; that you’ve always been riding and always will be.

Family, friends, home, pets all seem to fade into a mist of another time and another place. Here and now is the only reality. This place. This road. And during those times when it feels like one is riding through a pizza oven, skin cracked and dry despite sun block regularly applied, tired, thirsty and with a bad case of monkey-butt it helps to remind oneself of the old saying that, “even the worst day on the road, still beats the best day at work”.

Sustained by a mix of road philosophy, music from their CD players and the thought of that first long cold beer, the boys hit Wichita just on dusk, bought that longed-for cold beer and booked into the nearest motel.”

– Excerpt from Badlands Run 2007 By Doc

Read the entire Flashback Feature Article at:
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Badlands_Run_2007.aspx

Join the Cantina to get exclusive access to a treasure of 25 Years of Motorcycling Lifestyle.

Click Here to Subscribe to the Cantina

This week the House and Senate are tackling a self-imposed deadline to pass funding legislation before government departments and agencies run out of money. To avoid a government shutdown, a large omnibus spending bill is being voted on that will fund government operations through the end of September. Importantly for transportation related projects and programs, the omnibus bill unlocks billions of dollars in funding that Washington red tape has delayed.

Lawmakers and transportation officials have been warning for months that full implementation of the $1.5 trillion infrastructure law, which was enacted in November, isn’t possible because government funding is constrained at 2021 levels. So, while the money is actually in the accounts and ready to be spent, transportation agencies are locked out of using a large percentage of the money until this second piece of legislation is enacted.

Only in Washington, D.C. does it take two bills, five months apart, to achieve your policy objectives!

Lawmakers Focus on Tesla
Recently Tesla has come under criticism for its Autopilot and Full-Self Driving (FSD) features, which critics say give the impression to drivers that the vehicles are capable of hands-off operation. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened two investigations into Tesla’s autopilot system and the automaker has launched nearly a dozen recalls in the U.S. Many of those recalls are related to over-the-air updates which allows Tesla to tweak and change its software remotely.

Last month, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sent a letter to Tesla seeking answers to a series of questions regarding its technology. Included in the letter were questions regarding safety programming, issues related to phantom braking and driver monitoring capabilities.

Tesla responded to the letter last week saying in part, “Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD Capability features enhance the ability of our customers to drive safer than the average driver in the U.S.,”

Senators Blumenthal and Markey seemed less than impressed with Tesla’s response to their questions. In a joint statement they said Tesla’s response was “just more evasion and deflection from Tesla. Despite its troubling safety track record and deadly crashes, the company seemingly wants to carry on with business as usual.”

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has long been concerned that safety standards for self-driving and autonomous vehicle technology are inadequate. All motorcyclists should remember that these vehicles are on our roadways right now. Remain vigilant while riding, as the operators and perhaps even the manufacturers are not fully aware of what this technology can and cannot do.

To read the initial letter sent to Tesla click here.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders.
Visit Website at: http://mrf.org

Our new fully adjustable footrests will fit FLH Models 2014-present.

They will mount on the lower frame by the voltage regulator and since they are fully adjustable they will accommodate various rider heights for the most comfortable angle.

We offer them in 3 color schemes. Chrome, Black, and Chrome with a black mounting bracket for a more sleek look since the black bracket blends in with the frame.

The Lindby Custom Adjustable Footrest for the FLH Models have High-tensile, triple chrome-plated 1-1/4″ steel tubing construction with the Lindby Custom unique look and protection that’s unparalleled.

The New Innovative Patent Pending Design is available for purchase

Features:

• Front bars are made from 1 1/4″ high-strength steel for long-lasting durability.
• Replaceable Bonded Rubber Footrests provide traction and added comfort and traction in all climates.
• Available in triple-chrome-plated or gloss black powder-coat finish.

Visit the Website for more info and buying it online: https://www.lindbycustom.com/

C. A. Bridges is a Digital Producer for the USA TODAY Network.
Additional information from bikeweek.com

DAYTONA BEACH — Bike Week, now marking its 81st year, may not be your grandfather’s — or even your great-grandfather’s — bike rally. A gathering for motorcycle race fans, a drunken party, a biker brawl or a family vacation destination, Bike Week has been a lot of things over the years.

It’s our Mardi Gras, our Fantasy Fest, our Carnival. It’s a portable, 10-day street party of motorcycles of all kinds, eye-popping costumes, bikini-clad women, sidewalk vendors, parades, Clydesdales, beards, tattoos and alcohol. Bikers and locals alike go to nonstop concerts and bike shows, go on long rides or just stay on Main Street for days watching it all go by.

It all began in 1937 when almost a hundred daredevils on motorcycles raced each other on the road and packed sand of Daytona Beach in the first Daytona 200, launched by a group that included not-yet-NASCAR-president Bill France. About 15,000 fans watched Ed “Iron Man” Kretz ride his No. 38 Indian Motorcycle to the win before heading to Main Street to celebrate.

In the next four years crowds and entries doubled and things at the “Handlebar Derby” got a bit wilder. In 1939 a News-Journal article reported that “the party got so rough that city firemen had to be called to dampen the crowd’s spirits with a little cold water” and the National Guard had to be summoned.

City leaders attempted in 1941 “to limit, if not eliminate the rowdyism” by organizing activities for fans, including field events, a 100-mile race for novices, a parade of motorcycle clubs, and “the presentation of trophies to the best-dressed woman motorcyclist.”

In 1942 the race was put on hold for five years while the country fought in and recovered from World War II, which is why we’re celebrating the 81st anniversary this year instead of the 85th. But some locals and visitors continued to show up for the party every year anyway, race or no race, for an unofficial event that became known as Bike Week.

France kicked things off again in 1947 and Daytona Beach was “jammed to the rafters,” according to a Feb. 21 story that reported every available hotel room and apartment was rented. Most places were “only charging moderate rents,” an average of $4 or $5 for a double room without a private bath.

But things reportedly got so out of control that a Chamber of Commerce committee was formed to come up with a plan in 1948, endorsed by the American Motorcycle Association, for “preventing unbridled rowdyism.” The plan included checking mufflers at all approaches to the city and handing out lists of rules for behavior to all visitors to help limit the influx of what the AMA referred to as “one-percenters,” as compared to the “99% of the motorcycling public” who are “law-abiding.”

Did it work? Not right away. A tear gas grenade was used to quiet the crowd in 1949 when some motorcyclists insisted on racing on Main Street, which had been blocked off for a street dance.

“We have plenty more grenades if we need them,” the sheriff was quoted as saying.

Bike Weeks in the ’50s were, comparatively, sedate. The 1950 event was described as quiet, orderly and “the most successful racing weekend in Daytona Beach history.” And by 1951, the “Wild West” atmosphere was deemed a thing of the past.

This was likely helped along by the officers from 70 out-of-town police forces brought in by city leaders to help control the crowd and lay down the law that year. But wholesome fun was still encouraged: An “entertainment program for the diversion of motorcycle enthusiasts” was slated that included a “contest for the best uniformed police squad.”

It also didn’t hurt that Marlon Brando and James Dean were on the big screen a few years later making bikes, white T-shirts and leather jackets look cool.

By 1961, France moved the motorcycle races to his newly-built Daytona International Speedway but the party stayed largely on the beach. Gradually, the “Wild West” returned.

 

Bike Week expands to more cities
It also started spreading. Over in Samsula in 1967 Olga “Aunt Ollie” Weber, daughter of the town’s co-founder Joe Sopotnick, took over the neighborhood gas station and general store he’d built in the mid-’20s and gradually turned it into a bar and, twice a year for Bike Week and Biketoberfest, a biker haven where visitors could hang out, bet on illegal drag racing and camp in the old cabbage field next door.

Years later, in the late ’80s, it became even more of a must-see destination when Ron Luznar, Weber’s nephew and the bar’s new owner, noticed that “wrestling” events involving bikinis and gooey ingredients were becoming popular. Rather than having women grapple in mud or whipped cream, Luznar stayed on-brand and coleslaw wrestling quickly became a notorious, world-famous attraction at Sopotnick’s Cabbage Patch.

Meanwhile, a smaller Bike Week was forming. Tommy Asberry, a Black biker from Atlanta, was ticketed in 1971 for parking his Harley-Davidson on Main Street and found a more hospitable welcome, along with many other shunned Black motorcyclists, in Daytona’s Second Avenue area (since renamed Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard) to enjoy Black Bike Week, a major event in the local Black community to this day.

Over in New Smyrna Beach in 1981, Gilly Aguiar, owner of Gilly’s Pub 44, took a stand against the trade deficit of the day by inviting everyone to bash a Japanese bike for charity, and that immediately became a popular annual event.

Depending on what you thought Bike Week should be, the 1970s and ’80s were either the event’s Golden Age or a decidedly unfriendly, uncontrollable invasion. A popular motorcycle magazine suggested there shouldn’t even be a 1981 event.

Newspapers reported disorderly conduct and women exposing their breasts. Trouble with rival motorcycle gangs began to get the attention of the law enforcement community. Daytona Beach police were on overtime to assure crowd control. A former Orlando motorcycle gang leader was sent to prison for murdering a Daytona Beach biker.

Even the Boot Hill Saloon — long since a world-renowned biker bar icon — famously stayed closed during its first Bike Week in 1974 because new owner Dennis Maguire “didn’t want any problems with bikers,” as he told the Sun-Sentinel years later.

 

On Main Street, no colors allowed
Locals feared that tourists were starting to stay away and law enforcement and city officials were unhappy. The Bike Week Festival Task Force was formed in 1988 to bring some formal organization to the event. Alan Robertson, the original owner of Main Street’s Beach Photo & Video, served as chairman and relentless Bike Week supporter.

Karl Smith, a.k.a. Big Daddy Rat, long one of the forces of nature of Bike Week, was one of the first to see the commercial potential. Big and burly (but with a degree in fine arts), he sold airbrushed shirts from The Rat’s Hole and his other shops, organized motorcycle shows in Daytona and around the world, and helped spread the message that Bike Week didn’t have to be a slugfest.

 

Not everyone was happy with a softer Bike Week. In the late 80s the Iron Horse Saloon, a rough and tumble Main Street staple, moved to U.S. 1 on the north end of Ormond Beach to avoid Daytona’s planned decorative renovations.

Throughout the ’90s and into the 21st century, police and bikers got friendlier and local tourism agencies began marketing family activities to draw in vacationers.

Bike Week attractions continued to spread out from the beach. A welcome center with vendors across the Halifax River on Beach Street drew off some of the Main Street crowds. Auto dealer Bruce Rossmeyer, who opened a successful Harley-Davidson dealership on Main Street in 1994 that kicked off his chain of Harley locations, moved it 20 years later to the new 150-acre Destination Daytona complex he built along Interstate 95 near Ormond Beach to give bikers more restaurants, bars, shops, a hotel and condos to go to.

 

Revving up during COVID-19
Even during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 when major sporting events and public gatherings of all times were being canceled, the motorcycles rolled on in Daytona Beach despite growing concern from health officials and warnings from city officials and the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“We can’t cancel it. The people are already here. You can’t put gates around the city,” said Nancy Keefer, the chamber’s CEO. “We help with the permitting, master-planning and marketing of the event, but we don’t control the businesses (that put on the events).”

There was a brief outcry when initial media reports stated that a New York resident who traveled to Daytona Beach for Bike Week was among three new presumptive coronavirus cases, back when three new cases were a big deal.

It was later learned that the 63-year-old man never made it to Daytona Beach. However, a 59-year-old man from St Lucie County who attended Bike Week became the first COVID-related death on the Treasure Coast a few weeks later.

While hand sanitizer was visible at most bars and venues, few masks were in evidence on Main Street. At the last minute city and county officials announced they were revoking permits for any gatherings of 100 people or more, which meant that vendors would have to pack up.

But while white-topped tents over T-shirts, food and other wares were missing and outside bars were shut down, the crowds still came. An estimated 500,000 people attended the 2020 event.

 

Riding into the future: only motorcycles allowed
After weathering heightened health concerns during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Bike Week marks a return to normal, albeit with general health guidelines that have remained in place at many businesses, said Janet Kersey, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce.

 

There will be activities, concerts and attractions all over the area for visiting bikers. Biker-friendly bars are scattered up and down U.S. 1. The bucolic city of DeLand holds a bike parade every year. Bikers looking for a quieter (if still raucous) place to go head to Flagler Beach. Destination Daytona will have vendors, motorcycle demonstrations and music on outdoor stages. Many visitors come down just to ride the Loop in Ormond Beach, a scenic, 34-mile ride through twisting, tree-lined roads in largely undeveloped Florida.

Black Bike Week, traditionally held the second weekend of the larger 10-day event, brings thousands of people of all ethnicities to enjoy the street-party festivities at Joe Harris Park in Daytona Beach.

And, of course, at the Speedway across the street from the Official Bike Week Welcome Center at OneDaytona there’s the Daytona Supercross, and the Daytona 200 that started it all.

 

 

By Renegade

FeedSpot.com regularly checks for the best Motorcycle Blogs from innumerable motorcycle related blogs on the internet.

They investigate the Blogs for regular new content, hits from search engines, people subscribing to the blogs, variety or specialization in the motorcycle market and industry, daily traffic, social media followers, domain authority, presentation and much more algorithms for ranking the blogs.

Bikernet Blog is consistently rated in the Top 100 Motorcycle Blogs on the internet.

Considering Feedspot media database has over 100,000 curated list of Influential Bloggers in 1500 niche categories – this is quite a success story for Bikernet Blog.

See Latest Rankings at:
https://blog.feedspot.com/motorcycle_blogs/

Last year Bikernet.com hit the 25-year marker in the business, which was a major milestone after starting in 1996, when the web was super-young.

What sets the Bikernet Blog aside from other blogs is their ability to deliver comprehensive coverage on all aspects of motorcycling – including customers, custom builders, legislative, dealerships, aftermarket parts, corporate news, industry, outlaws, market news, motorsports, freedom fights, off-road, tech & tips, infrastructure updates, women achievers in motorcycling, events, reviews, accessories, changes in laws, travel tips and most importantly the fun & joy of bikerdom.

CLICK HERE To Read more on this milestone of the Bikernet Blog.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us regarding advertising which supports our platforms and contributors. Advertising is simple and will get you a comprehensive reach on Bikernet.com, the Bikernet Blog, Bikernet Weekly email newsletter and Bikernet Facebook Page.

Plus, get support for your client-specific advertising and marketing needs. We can build a custom chop and we can shape a custom promotion for you as well.

Refer Advertising Options on Bikernet.com by CLICKING HERE.