Myrtle Beach Bike Week Update

If you avoid police traps, you still can have a good time in Myrtle Beach. But reality is that local businesses and vendors already in town setting up for the event are perfectly aware of a possible new slump in business during the 2010 edition. The reason, much more than the economy, is the standoff between bikers and the city of Myrtle Beach. No ruling has yet been issued regarding the lawsuits stating that the Myrtle Beach’s helmet law is unconstitutional because it is stricter than State law, which only requires helmets for riders under 21.

Consequence, many bikers now refuse to come to the rally, or at best bypass Myrtle Beach and its hotels. Horry County shortened the vending activity from 10 to 7 days and the number of vendor permits went from 146 to only 81. Phil Schoonover, Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson owner on Kings Highway expects traffic to be down about 50%.  Tom Herron, spokesman for Business Owners Organized to Support Tourism is confident that the helmet law will be overturned. And during this time the government agencies announced that the number of officers along the Grand Strand is going to increase again. No doubt, the damage has already been done…

22 Responses to “Myrtle Beach Bike Week Update”


  1. 1 hddave May 7th, 2010 at 9:45 am

    I wouldn’t go to M.B. if u paid me!

  2. 2 Jeff Nicklus May 7th, 2010 at 10:49 am

    I was offered an appearance contract to attend …… my reply: NO THANKS I AM DONE WITH MYRTLE BEACH!

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  3. 3 live2rideaglide May 7th, 2010 at 10:53 am

    too many other places , venues, rallys and events that love bikers and OUR MONEY to keep beating this dead horse. myrtle beach is dead. i hate it for the businesses and the especially the vendors but it is what it is. they dont want us people. rather riide a glide. be cool

  4. 4 South of MB May 7th, 2010 at 11:56 am

    ..Just go south of Myrtle Beach. Surfside, Garden City. Murrel’s Inlet. All are ready for the Bike season and welcome bikers. Hell, us local folk never went to Myrtle beach for bike week anyway.

  5. 5 Manhattan Choppers May 7th, 2010 at 12:51 pm

    ditto with everyone

  6. 6 Country Road King May 7th, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    MB no longer wants me there as a biker! Therefore, they no longer get me with my family either! The money will go away.

  7. 7 hpierce May 7th, 2010 at 1:42 pm

    I went last year because I still supported the city, just not their leadership, BUT when the mayor and most of the council got re-elected, I felt that it’s over. I am not a resident so I can’t vote with a ballot, but i can vote with my dollars. I will not be attending the rally this time. I did go to the outer banks bike rally this year for the first time and had a blast. I hope it grows!!

  8. 8 Boss Hawg May 7th, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    Why the fadder? Businesses should walk away, too. Have many of ya ever been through Murrells Inlet when there wasn’t a rally…it is dried up and businesses shuttered.

    Re-tool like Jay with the Broken Spoke…betcha he closes Myrtle down…wanna bet?

    Jeff…like you I have been done…rode up purposefully in May ’08 outside the rally dates (if you wanna call the latter a rally…should be called Myrtle Beach Freaknic)…the hell with Myrtle!

    Boss Hawg

  9. 9 tepiddeath May 7th, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    I used to live in the area, Murrells Inlet to be exact, only a couple of miles from Suck Bang Blow. I bought my first Harley while I lived there, and I couldn’t even ride it into the complex where I owned my condo. I usually parked right at the entrance and would walk to my home. The businesses there were begining to see financial troubles back then, and that was 10 years ago. I moved from there to north Florida, and now in South Florida. I don’t do Daytona or Myrtle Beach for their bike weeks because of the very fact that I work hard for my money and if someone does not want me or my hard earned money there, then FUCK them! There are plenty of better places to go anyway! All I can say is, in this economy especially, it must be nice to not need as much money as you can bring in to your city and it’s establishments, because lordie knows that is not the situation for my shop!

  10. 10 Todd8080 May 7th, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    From an article in Thursday’s edition of the Myrtle Beach Sun News:

    “Some have suggested the court will eventually rule against the city of Myrtle Beach, but not until after this year’s rally as a political courtesy, giving the city two full rallies with the ordinance in place to help officials achieve their goal of discouraging motorcycle tourists from coming to town.”

    Source: http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/05/06/1458693/a-rally-by-any-other-name.html

    So the S.C. Supreme Court, whose job it is to decide which laws are just and which are not, will allow one or more laws which it already knows are (and plans to rule as being) completely illegal and unconstitutional to remain in effect “as a political courtesy”??

  11. 11 Mark Cresswell May 8th, 2010 at 9:53 am

    Hi Cyril, as a long time industry guy setting up vendors in Myrtle Beach ( as well as Laconia and Sturgis ) I pulled out last year of what for a long time, was a lot of vendors most profitable show. I can’t see how anyone who loves motorcycles can support an event that doesn’t want bikes in its town, the Manufacturers agree and requested a new rally.
    SO… in 6 days we see the Asheville Bikefest kick off its first show, it has a lot of the big rigs and vendors that would normally be heading to South Carolina.

    Asheville Bikefest is Not a beach rally, Panama and Outer Banks have that covered.
    Asheville Bikefest is not a street party, Leesburg has that down to a science.

    Asheville Bikefest is a all about riding around the Blue Ridge Parkway and mountains of Western North Carolina with demos, stunt shows,local mountain music,great vendors and food all in a friendly welcoming town that is no stranger to having bikes on its streets.

    Check out the Mayors letter on the Asheville page of the website http://www.ashevillebikefest.com it says it all…

    Cheers

    Mark Cresswell

    Worldwide Dynamics Inc
    Event management and marketing for the motorcycle industry
    Leesburg, Asheville, Laconia, Sturgis

  12. 12 TPEvans May 9th, 2010 at 8:16 pm

    I don’ t get the fold the tent and move on attitude. The City of Myrtle Beach has shown its true colors, but there is plenty north and south. Murrels Inlet – home to SBB and the Beaver Bar, id doing OK. Take a ride up to Shallotte for another bunch of vendors. Stop off at HB Spokes and hang out. Not a problem – and you don’t do exactly what these pricks in Myrtle Beach want you to do. The recession is primarily responsible for the downturn in the attendance at all rallies. Ok by me, I don’t actually like trying to fight my way through 300,000 or 400,000 other bikes – even though I do enjoy the sight.

    When you say that the City of Myrtle Beach ain’t getting your money, they never did, except for maybe a few cents of sales tax. Your money went to the Dead Dawg, and Greg’s, and the Dog House, and SBB. So when you tuck your tail, its these folks that ain’t getting the money – not Myrtle Beach.

    Its just seems that doing exactlty what they want you to do ain’t something that Davy Crockett or Audie Murphy or General Harry W.O. Kinnard would understand (google his name – you will find another American Hero to serve as inspiration).

  13. 13 Walt Lumpkin May 10th, 2010 at 9:50 am

    TPEvans you make several good points regarding the local businesses and vendors located beyond the reach of the city fathers of Myrtle Beach. However, the city has basically divided the area with a fortress mentallity and increased the presecence of enforcement officers and their borders to further deter bikers from entering the city limits. And the city voters sent us a message when they re-elected their leaders. I can take a hint.

    I’ve been known to be like Don Quiote and joust with windmills just for the sport but I’m older, less patient with fools and hopefully wiser than when I was younger. Therefore I spend my time where people are receiptive and appreciative of my presence and dollars.

    I spent the last weekend (Apr 28-May 2) at the 12th annual Thunder Beach in Panama City Beach, Fla. Judging by the traffic it was probably the largest one they have had so far. The city supports the rally and the businesses appreciate your money and don’t mind telling you so.

    Life is much easier when you ignore the asswipes and hang with people who enjoy your company.

  14. 14 Fat Boy May 10th, 2010 at 11:21 am

    When I had an e-mail wresting match with the a town politician who stated “we don’t need you or your motorcycle freinds here” , I made sure it will never ever happen. FUMB!

  15. 15 Manhattan Choppers May 10th, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    Well put walt,that’s what daytona did of course yrs back so everyone started ormond.

  16. 16 live2rideaglide May 11th, 2010 at 2:50 pm

    HEY DUDES SPEAKING AS ONE WHO LIVES AND RIDES I WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYONE TO THE GREATEST PLACE ON EARTH TO RIDE. THE PARKWAY/ SMOKIES THE DRAGON , DEALS GAP FONTANA
    SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO AND THE PEOPLE ARE GREAT. THE BEST BARBQUE IN THE WORLD. MAGGIE VALLEY CHEROKEE PIDGEON FORGE. MYRTLE BEACH WHO? GLIDINGAROUNDTHEPLANET

  17. 17 bob armstrong May 16th, 2010 at 5:01 pm

    I went this yr but its the last. Got pulled over by a motorcycle pig on Sat night and had no clue as to why. It was for flipping a cig off my bike – littering and a $470 fine. If I was speeding at over 100 it would’nt be that much. I know it was due to my PA tags and I’m positive a SC resident has never seen this kind of bullshit. A retired police officer friend of mine summed it up by stating this type of predudice PIG is a disgrace to the force, FUMB!!!!!!!

  18. 18 Todd A. May 16th, 2010 at 6:54 pm

    I went to Myrtle Beach 2010 for vacation with wife and brought motorcycle. I was unsure what to
    expect as far as bike week this year. Unfortunately we experienced several acts of deliberate attempts
    by South Carolina vehicles following so close and almost running us down, and verbal gestures ” run them all down”. Rest assured that myself, family and friends and other 300 hundred thousand bikers
    will not spend another dime! Myrlte Beach will be a ghost town losing so much revenue for one week out
    of an entire year.

  19. 19 Grumpy May 17th, 2010 at 6:51 pm

    I hate SC. about fifteen years ago I was riding between FLA and NC. I was hauling two bikes on a trailer. The pigs pulled me over and proceeded to search my truck. The pig wouldn’t tell me why but he kept telling me I was going to jail. Finally he lets me go and wants to shake my hand.
    South Carolina is a bunch of hippcrate Xtians. FUMB and SC.

  20. 20 Rita May 24th, 2010 at 11:00 am

    We went to Myrtle this year and had a good time. We were sure to not even enter city limits. I love this bike week and if the helmet law goes away we do plan to attend in 2011. All the locals that we met love bike week, it seems it is just the old retirees who are pushing us out. We have been going for 13 years and don’t want to let these losers ruin our good time!

  21. 21 Colonel Tom Jun 20th, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    I went to Myrtle Beach this year too, worked at Suck Bang Blow Lots of you know me, Colonel Tom and his crazy bike, I had a great time (watch my show on you tube) Im from England originally, and Im sickened by the way SC cops trap and treat my hardworking biker friends, to hell with Myrtle Beach, I will definateley support the bikers and refuse to perform anymore of my shows there.
    My thanks to Jimmy Motely (Owner of Suck Bang Blow) for allowing me to entertain at his bar.
    See ya in Sturgis (buffalow chip campground) August 2011

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Cyril Huze