Struggling economy may affect upcoming motorcycle rallies
The Staff of Clutch and Chrome
June 18th 2008
Increasing gas
prices, tightening budgets at home and an unknown economic
future has many wondering about the success of upcoming
motorcycle rallies.
During the
motorcycle rally in
Myrtle Beach at the
beginning of May
merchants and
vendors faced what many felt was a slower event, but were
pleased with the overall results, experiencing an increase
in sales in the last few days.New Hampshire is currently
hosting its motorcycle rally for the 85th year,
Laconia Motorcycle Week. Laconia
officials said the number of vendor permit applications
appeared to be down this year. Attendance does appear strong
although some are contributing this to a growing trend of
bikers arriving at events earlier.
Experts both in and outside of the motorcycle industry are
looking to the grandfather of all motorcycle rallies,
Sturgis taking place in
Sout Dakota on August 4th.
Pre-bookings for hotels are lower than usual and Director Pepper Massey of
the city's rally department says fewer bikers are making
early plans to attend the 68th event, but numbers should
still be good.
Another large motorcycle event this year, Harley-Davidson's
multiple anniversaries and celebrations are taking place in
Milwaukee during August. Ma rking
the anniversaries of Harley Owners Group, 100 years of
supplying motorcycles to law enforcement and 105
years of producing bikes,
rock concerts, events and
the opening of its
museum are all being hosted
by Harley-Davidson.
However, due to
the unique nature of the event, gauging attendance is
difficult and Harley themselves are keeping quiet with
attendance expectations. |
