11 Helpful Tips For Attending Daytona Beach Bike Week
I attended my first Daytona Beach Bike Week 20 years ago. Yes, I know, I don’t look old enough to be able to make that statement. Let’s move past that. Over the last 20 years, I have learned a few lessons the hard way about how to get the most out of my time at Bike Week. These simple tips and tricks seem obvious but are often overlooked. So, whether you are a first-time or old-timer, these eleven tips will help you make this year’s Daytona Bike Week the best yet.
1. Wear Sunscreen
If you already live in Florida, this tip should be familiar to you. Florida has a tropical climate with intense sun, and you don’t have to go to the beach to get a sunburn. Nothing is more uncomfortable than putting motorcycle gear on over sunburned skin. So do yourself a favor and wear sunscreen on any exposed skin while walking or riding around. Put it on before you head out for the day, and then reapply during the day.
As you can see in this picture, the sun was out in full force this particular year.
When putting sunscreen on, consider how your clothing will move when riding. If it moves in the wind, you need to put sunscreen on in places that your clothes cover. This is a lesson I learned the hard way. I ride a sport bike, so my shirt will fly up, exposing my back. This resulted in my entire lower back getting sunburned. Another place this happens is on your legs if you wear shorts or pants with rips. Finally, ladies, this happened on my chest when my shirt got pulled by the wind, exposing more skin than I planned on.
2. Check the Weather
March in Florida is slightly unpredictable. There have been years when I went to Daytona Beach Bike Week, and I froze the entire time. Other years, it was hot, and I sweated the whole time. Before you come, check the weather to know what to expect and pack. Think about the day highs and nighttime lows. You may enjoy hot and sunny weather during the day, but the temperatures might drop uncomfortably low at night.
3. Dress in Layers
This tip works with the last one. I always dress in layers. I mainly do this because we head out for the day and are gone from the hotel all day until late at night. That means I must bring everything I could need or want. Dressing in layers lets me remove clothing as the day gets hotter and then put them back on when the temperatures drop again. Remember, you are riding a motorcycle. So, the temperatures always feel cooler while riding than when you are not. As you can see below; two different years and two very different temperatures.
4. Wear Comfortable Shoes
This tip mainly applies to the days you aren’t going out on rides. You will do a ton of walking. Sure, you can look cool in your clunky motorcycle boots. But your feet, legs, hips, and back will be worn out by the end of the day. Choose your shoes wisely so you can walk around the vendor booths and not deal with aches and pains. Plus, the footing is not always great. You want shoes you can confidently walk in and feel stable. If you plan to attend one of the concerts or stop by the bars, you will definitely be standing the entire time.
5. Sign Up Early To Test Ride
I have attended Bike Week in Daytona since I was a freshman in college. My university was about 30 minutes inland from Daytona, so it was easy for me to head out there for the festivities. There were several that I actually worked through as a college student. I didn’t get my motorcycle license until after college while I was in law school.
So, for the first several years I attended, I didn’t have a motorcycle license, let alone a motorcycle. After getting my license, I attended Daytona Beach Bike Week with the sole purpose of sitting on every bike I thought I might like. Then, I signed up for test rides of my favorites. It made the choice of picking a Kawasaki Ninja 300 an easy decision.
When I was ready to upgrade, I went back to Bike Week, and I went through the process again. I ended up with a Kawasaki Ninja 600. By the time I bought my ZX-14, I had enough experience and knowledge that I knew I would be happy with the bike without having to do test rides.
However, lately, I’ve felt like I’m ready for a change, and this year, I will test out some different bikes as I consider my next purchase. Test rides at Daytona Beach Bike Week are a great way to experience different motorcycles. It’s quick and easy without the pressure of visiting a sales shop. You show up, sign the paperwork, show them your gear, and get to your ride. The rides are just long enough to get a feel for the bike but not so long that you feel stuck.
Because they are so easy and fun, they are very popular. Slots can be limited, and they fill up FAST. So, if this is something you want to do, get there early and sign up.
6. Do a Maintenance Check Well in Advance
When my husband and I were still dating, he went to Bike Week with friends for the day without me. On his way, they rode through a rain storm. The wiring for his headlights got wet because it had shifted out of place. The rain quickly shorted out his headlights. This was not good; he had to ride home from Daytona in the dark with no headlights. Learn a lesson from his mistake and give your motorcycle a maintenance once-over well before attending Daytona Beach Bike Week. Check your tires, oil, and chain. Just make sure your bike is in good order.
7. If You Trailer, Plan Ahead for Parking It
I’ve always ridden to Bike Week in Daytona, but there is nothing wrong with trailering. However, if you decide to trailer, you need to plan ahead for what you will do with it. If you stay in one of the campgrounds, you may need to pay extra and reserve a trailer spot. If you stay in one of the hotels on the beach, you will absolutely need to reserve a spot. Those hotels have small and tight parking lots, and they mainly reserve them for motorcycle parking.
There are trailer parking lots around Daytona, but they can fill up quickly. To ensure you have a spot, it’s best to contact those storage lots in advance. Finally, you can drive around and find a random parking lot, business, or resident that will charge you to park your trailer. I would be careful doing this. There are some sketchy parts of Daytona that I would not trust to leave my trailer in for a week.
8. Drink Water
You already know that motorcycle riding has a sneaky habit of dehydrating you. When you are in Florida, this happens even faster. It doesn’t matter if you ride, walk around, or sit still; drink plenty of water. If you drink alcohol, you need to take this tip even more. Alcohol dehydrates you, and you don’t want to wake up with a hangover.
9. Plan to Buy Stuff
I’ve gone to Daytona Beach Bike Week thinking there is nothing I need and I won’t do any shopping. That was dumb. I always buy something. When you ride a motorcycle, impromptu shopping becomes tricky. Many Bike Week visitors are on a cruiser or another style of bike with bags or luggage.
They have it easy as they can stow their purchases away. On my sport bike, I have nothing. I have sat on purchases. I have put them under my clothes. I have asked the people I’m with if I can put my purchases in their bikes. All of this gets tricky and sometimes downright comical, depending on what you buy. Finally, I live in the Tampa Bay area, so I ride across the state to go to Bike Week. Which means I have the added challenge of getting my purchases home.
10. Expect to Wait
Daytona Bike Week is a public event that tens of thousands of people attend. While the event is well spread out, you will find pockets of heavy concentration. When this happens, you will have to wait your turn for things. Most notably, this happens around the food vendors, restaurants, motorcycle manufacturer tents, stores, and Main Street. You will wait in line to eat, pay for purchases, cross the street, etc. Just remember that you are in a crowd, and everyone is there to have a good time. So relax, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy yourself.
11. Bring a Bike Cover
If you plan to stay at a hotel on the beach, you need to bring a cover for your motorcycle. Here is what happens. You park your motorcycle in the hotel’s parking lot and go to your room for the evening. The next morning, you wake up and head to your bike to go riding. You will find a damp bike covered in a film of salt and sand. It’s gross and not great for your bike. A cover protects your bike and ensures it is clean and dry.
FAQs
Is Daytona Bike Week kid friendly?
Daytona, the city, has worked hard to make Daytona Bike Week more family-friendly. Some places are more family-friendly than others. You may see people in questionable dress or behave in a way you don’t want to expose your children to. Ultimately, it is up to you to determine what you think is appropriate for your children.
What is the purpose of Bike Week?
The purpose of Daytona Bike Week is for people with a common interest in motorcycles to come together. You enjoy riding, concerts, socializing, and shopping at vendor tents.
Is Daytona Bike Week safe?
Yes, you can safely attend Daytona Bike Week. However, like any large event, it attracts all kinds of people. Protect yourself by riding defensively, avoiding risky riders, and being aware of your surroundings.
Is Daytona Beach a biker town?
Daytona Beach is a vacation beach town. It hosts several events throughout the year. Two of those events are Bike Week in March and Biketoberfest in October. However, these two events do not make Daytona a biker town.
