Motorcycle Rally Guide for 2021
Posted By
Clint Lawrence, founder of Motorcycle Shippers. Helping give riders more freedom to enjoy the bikes they love. [email protected]
Rally Time!
Riders live for the thrill of the open road, yet love to hang with other like-minded enthusiasts, moto-heads, and two-wheel junkies. Checking out bike shows, sharing riding experiences and meeting new friends is core to the culture of rallies across the good ole USA. Many years ago when a bunch of bikers rolled into town it used to mean trouble. Today it means fun for all!
Here is the shortlist of some of our favorite motorcycle rallies.
Lone Star Rally
Galveston, TX, November 4th– 7th, 2021
The Lone Star Rally is held every year in Galveston Texas, and brings together thousands of motorcycle lovers from across
the country. Known as “North America’s largest weekend rally” the rally has plenty to offer everyone of all ages. We have included just a few of the events below.
| Cycle Source Magazine’s Ride-In Bike Show: Nov 6th.
| Beach Central Park rodeo games
Whiskey Barrel Roll | Weenie Bite | Slow Race | Plank Walk
Two fan favorites are the whiskey barrel roll and the slow race, where the winner is the last to cross the finish line. Let’s not forget there’s nothing like a warm saggy weenie hanging from a string on a hot day to get your tummy rumbling!
| The Miss Lone Star Rally Competition
Growing in popularity and features 50 or so contestants. These ladies pre-qualify at Harley-Davidson dealerships around the area and compete for more than cash and prizes
Pro Tip: Rent a beach house and make a mini-vacation out of your trip. Travel west on Seawall onto FM 3005 and drive out over Blue Water Highway. It’s a beautiful ride
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Sturgis, SD, August 6th – 15th, 2021
A tradition for 75 years; the Sturgis Rally has become an iconic motorcycle rally. Sturgis attracts riders from all walks of life from weekend riders to hardcore bikers. Nearly half a million riders attend this annual event. You’ll find good music, great food, comedy, bike shows, vendors and more! This is one can’t-miss-rally. Here are just a few of the events that are going on this year.
| Kid Rock
Tuesday, August 8th, 2021 – You’ve waited long enough. The time has come to reunite with your friends, crank your party up to eleven and lose your mind to the tight rhymes, magnetic party anthems, and down-home Americana crossover stylings of Kid Rock.
The freedom-loving, fire-spitting, over-the-top, American badass will make his triumphant return to The Best Party Anywhere® on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, and it’s the party you need to be looking forward to all year and All Summer Long.
| Motorcycle Rally Drag Races
Monday, August 9, 2021 – AHDRA Nitro Drag Qualifying 1 PM
Tuesday, August 10, 2021 – AHDRA Nitro Drag Finals
| Insane Clown Posse
Saturday, August 14th, 2021
ICP is an American hip hop duo composed of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Founded in Detroit in 1989, Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore and is known for its elaborate live performances.
Laconia Bike Week
Laconia, NH, New Dates- June 12th-20th, 2021
This annual event is a great place to go for food, music, bike build offs raffles, hill climb, tours, swap meets, concerts, fireworks, vendors and bike shows. Plus, you can’t beat the scenery. Don’t miss this one! Here are just a few of the events that are going on this year, but you can find out more in the latest on Laconia Bike Week
| FIM North American Vintage Championships at NH Motor Speedway
June 12-13th
| NorthEast Motorcycle Road Racing
Tuesday, June 18-20th
Enjoy round three of Championship Cup Series racing, highlighted by the 98th Annual Loudon Classic, the longest-running motorcycle race in America.
Daytona Beach Bike Week
Daytona Beach, FL March 4th – 13th, 2022
A rally tradition since 1937. Nearly half a million people attend this 10 day event each year. With great food, (seafood festival and clambakes) parties, street festivals, motorcycle races, custom bike shows, cabbage wrestling, vendors, and more! Hands down, a great time to be had by all. Here is our guide to the 2022 bike week.
| Events coming soon for 2022
Subscribe to the Bike Week Newsletter to receive updates
Biketoberfest
Daytona Beach, FL October 14th – 17th, 2021
Halloween isn’t the only good time to be had in October. Biketoberfest draws thousands of people to Daytona Beach looking for a long weekend of fun each year. Look for shows, rallies, great food, music, racing, and beautiful scenic rides. This is a smaller and quieter rally but well worth attending. Download the app to get up-to-date rally info. Here are a few of the fun events for the 2021 season.
| Street Festival Ride
This ride begins with the iconic Main Street and becomes a scenic and historic cruise along Beach Street to the Midtown Street Festival.
| Daytona Beach Racing & Card Club Lucky Ride
Biketoberfest® Lucky Ride from Daytona Beach Racing & Card Club to Orange City Racing & Card Club and back
Distance: 70 miles Time: 2 hours
| The Loop Ride
From the Birthplace of Speed Park to the Tomoka River basin, this 23-mile ride is part of a 30+ mile double loop known for its lush canopies of live oaks and scenic ocean, river and marsh views. During motorcycle rallies, be on the look-out for street photographers capturing your picture as you cruise through the Old Florida landscape along the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop and Trail.
Americade
Lake George Village, NY June 21st – 25th, 2021
If you’re looking for a quieter experience in your next rally, Americade in Lake George Village, New York might just be for you. Americade has been touted as the “world’s largest touring rally” and has drawn crowds of nearly fifty thousand riders. There’s plenty to see including, fireworks, a parade, prizes, free rides on demonstrator bikes, shows, music, food, you name it! This rally isn’t just for “geezers”. Riders of all ages attend this rally and it’s “biker neutral”. Any year, make or model is welcome. Americade offers a delightful and sober experience for any rider. Check out these events.
| Adirondack Side-by-Side Tours
TBD
For the fun-seeking, adrenaline junkie, Americade is offering an off-road, all-terrain vehicle guided ride through the forests of the Adirondacks
| Beatles Boat Cruise
TBD
| Motomotion Freestyle Stunt Show
TBD
Laughlin River Run
Laughlin, NV, April 22rd – 24th, 2021 [No 2021 event information has been announced]
This event was founded by Dale Marschke in 1983 and attracted less than five hundred riders its first year. Now drawing over seven hundred thousand riders it has become one of the biggest events of the year. The attraction of the old west can be felt as riders travel down old Route 66 to take in the Colorado River, Laughlin, NV, Oatman, AZ. (watch out for those burros!) Kingman and Bullhead City, AZ. Events include music, poker runs, vendors, races, the Ms. Laughlin competition and other charity events. This is not your grandma’s rally. Expect to get a little rowdy.
Love Ride
Southern CA, Tentative.
Love Ride has been called the largest one day motorcycle rally of its kind. This event has taken place in Southern California and features a ride from Glendale to the Castaic Lake Recreation Area. This ride has attracted up to four thousand riders and has raised over twenty four million dollars for charity. While they officially ended (in 2015) the Love Ride’s 30+ year motorcycle charity ride and huge concert, the LOVE RIDE FOUNDATION itself will continue to forward charitable causes for underprivileged children and US veterans in the near future. On November 10th, 2019 they brought the event back with over 800 people participating. Here is our original guide to the Love Ride.
Bikes, Blues and BBQ
Fayetteville, Arkansas – September 22rd-25th, 2021
Located in the foothills of the Ozarks Mountains, Northwest Arkansas is full of scenic, well maintained roads. This rally has grown quickly over the years and is now billed as the “Largest US Charity Rally” and over the last 20 years has raised over 2 million dollars for local charities. Also called the BBB Rally this event includes a Miss BBB pageant, poker runs, a Bar-B-Q contest, lots of great blues music, a battle of the bikes and other events. If you love great Q, Cool bikes and great music, this event is for you. Follow them on Facebook.
| Harley-Davidson Demo Rides
Wed 22rd -Fri 25th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Baum Stadium
| Fayetteville Fir Fighters’ Poker Runs
TBD
West Side of Baum Stadium
| Car and Truck Shot
TBD
Arvest ballpark
| Natural Falls
Any day you wanna ride..
Is your chance to experience Natural Falls State Park which is outside of West Siloam Springs, OK. It is not a bad drive from Fayetteville, only taking about 40 minutes in 5:00 traffic. It lies along U.S. Highway 412, near the Arkansas-Oklahoma state line.
Thunder In The Valley – 2021 Johnstown, PA, June 24th – 27th, 2021
This rally is little more adult themed with events such as tattoo contests, hill climbs, mud wrestling and other adult entertainment. There is music, events at bars and lots of vendors. Multiple venues with food booths, vendors, live music, kids’ activities, manufacturer displays, demo rides, and stunt shows offer something for everyone. The Thunder Bolt Saloons offer a variety of mixed drinks at three outdoor venues.Some of the local dealerships in the area sponsor their own events. You will also find some great scenery to ride through.
Republic of Texas (ROT) Motorcycle Rally – 2020 Event Cancelled due to the coronavirus
Rescheduled to June 10-13, 2021
Sign up to receive emails regarding the event.
This rally has brings riders and bike lovers to Austin, Texas from all over the world, and claims to be the largest “turnstile” (paid ticketed attendees) motorcycle bike rally in the US. It is held at the Travis County Expo Center, and is known for the downtown Austin bike parade, which closes off more than 50 city blocks and ends on Congress Avenue in front of the Texas State Capitol.
If you have never visited Austin, TX you are in for some fun. The city is bursting with music, art and culture, nestled closely to Lake Austin. The rally attracts distinguished musical acts and entertainers like Willie Nelson, Sammy Hagar, Joan Jett, Hank Williams Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
O.K., now that I know where to go how do I get there?
The first thought that comes to mind is RIDE! Riding is always a fun idea but not always practical. Let’s say I’m in Columbia, SC. I’ve always wanted to go to Sturgis. I hop on my hard tail and hit the road. Several days and 1700 miles later I make my triumphant entrance into Sturgis. My back is killing me, my breath smells of the thousands of exotic bugs I’ve eaten along the way and I’m wearing my kidneys for a necklace. TIME TO PARTY? I don’t think so. I’ll fly instead! Excellent! I’m in Sturgis and my iron steed is stuck at home in the garage. No way. I didn’t come all the way to Sturgis just to leave my baby home. What about shipping my motorcycle? Ask your friends. Maybe a buddy has a trailer and is hauling his bike to the rally. Maybe you can throw in with him for a little extra gas money. If not, there are companies that offer motorcycle rally shipping.
What’s the best way to ship my bike? How do I find a reliable motorcycle shipper? What do I look for and what should I ask about?
There is no “one size fits all” answer to motorcycle shipping. The most important thing to remember, timing is everything. Don’t wait till the last minute. Motorcycle shippers fill out their rally trucks weeks in advance. Plan next year’s event this year and start making some calls. Know what your needs will be before you start making your calls. Are you going solo or with a group? Is there a discount for group shipping? How long will it take? Here’s a few of the questions you should ask when looking for a good deal on transport.
How much should I pay?
This is always a good first question. When shopping for a shipper, make sure the quote you receive is “all inclusive” and that there are no hidden costs, fuel charges etc. Some companies may charge extra to load the bike at your door. Ask about the cost of insurance or valuation coverage, and the deductible. If you’re going solo, ask about round trip discounts. Make sure the company you select has proper operating authority and is fully insured.
How long will it take?
Most companies will provide an estimated time frame for pickup and delivery of your bike. Total transit time will depend on the service you are provided. Something to keep in mind is all shipping companies have a “plan” in place to make shipping affordable for you and profitable for them. What does this mean? You’re not booking a limousine. Most can’t be there exactly on your time frame. Usually you will have to show a little flexibility with your schedule, but some companies do offer more VIP shipping services if you are on a tight schedule. There are even options to expedite your shipment for delivery within 7-days.
How will my bike be transported?
Find out the type of vehicle your bike will be transported on. Some carriers use open air transporters with no protection against the elements. A true enthusiast will want his/her baby transported fully enclosed. The last thing you want is to show up at the rally with a bike that looks like it just went through a war zone. Ask if you will need to prep the bike in any way. Some companies require that the fluids be drained. You probably don’t want to show up at the rally with a dry bike. A good company requires nothing more than a signature upon pickup and delivery.
I think I’m ready to rally but am I really a rally kind of person?
Absolutely! There’s a rally out there for every man, woman, boy and girl. There’s something for everybody from the Wild Bunch to the weekend enthusiast. So you’re not the tattoo and leather type. No problem, there’s a rally for you. You’re a scooter freak. There’s a rally for you too. Trike Rallies? You bet! Sidecar rallies? You know it! There are rallies for every taste and preference and they all have one thing in common. BIKES! You want to see what’s new in the industry? It’s there. Looking for that special set of pipes? They’re there. Seats, apparel, accessories of all kinds. It’s all there. Plus it’s packed with music, bikes, great food, and bikes, great people, and more bikes, games, raffles, prizes, and oh yeah, BIKES! Don’t miss the fun, the camaraderie, the excitement. Don’t just sit there! It’s Rally Time!