Laconia Motorcycle Week, Largest Bike Rallies in the U.S. & States with the Highest Percentage of Riders

Located in Laconia, New Hampshire this historic bike festival is going on its 96st year this upcoming June.

With an average of more than 400,000 people showing up for the festivities per year.

Laconia is an awesome place for bikers all around the country to meet up and get together and compare bikes and party together for a week or even longer if you choose.

Note: As illustrated above you can see the amount of motorcycle enthusiasts which attend the week long festival. Over 400,000 riders of all types enjoy one of the biggest bike rallies in the United States.

Official Bike Week Website for Laconia is Here

Laconia is an awesome place to go spend some time on your motorcycle if you have never been.

Filled with beautiful back roads along gorgeous Lake Winnipesaukee, Laconia is every rider’s dream town.

Let’s go over a few of the basics of Laconia Motorcycle Week and comparing some of the biggest rallies in the United States so you’re prepared for your first or next trip.

Largest Bike Rallies in the United States

Below is a table list of the biggest motorcycle rallies by attendance. Laconia is the 3rd or 4th largest in the country. Of course Sturgis is the largest reaching over 700,000 in 2015.

Rank by Attendance	Rally	Location	Attendance
1	Sturgis Motorcycle Rally	Sturgis, ND	500,000 - 700,000
2	Daytona Bike Week	Daytona, FL	450,000 - 550,000
3	Bikes, Blues and BBQ	Fayetteville, AR	400,000
4	Laconia Motorcycle Week	Lake Winnipesaukee, (Laconia), NH	400,000
5	Rolling Thunder Ride	Washington D.C.	350,000
6	Bike Week in Myrtle Beach	Myrtle Beach, SC	300,000
7	Republic of Texas Biker Rally	Austin, TX	200,000
8	Laughlin River Run	Laughlin, NV	70,000
9	Indiana Boogie	Springville, Indiana	30,000
10	Love Ride	Glendale, CA	20,000
11	Redwood Run	Piercy, CA	12,000+
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States with the Most Motorcycle Riders per Capita

I have compiled a list of motorcycle riders by state base on per capita. Of course South Dakota is first with 12 people per bike.

Unlike Washington D.C. which is the least at 172 people per bike. I am sure the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally influences the outcome.

New Hampshire comes in second with only 17 people per bike. And of course Laconia Motorcycle Week influences the data.

Iowa is third with 18 people per bike. There are numerous rally’s in Iowa with Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally held each year drawing in thousands or motorcycle enthusiasts. 

State	# of Bikes*	Population*	People per bike
South Dakota	69,284	816,598	12
New Hampshire	79,266	1,316,807	17
Iowa	173,929	3,050,202	18
Wisconsin	317,276	5,691,659	18
Wyoming	30,351	564,554	19
North Dakota	32,654	674,629	21
Vermont	30,070	625,909	21
Montana	46,996	990,958	21
Minnesota	240,288	5,310,658	22
Alaska	30,983	714,146	23
Idaho	62,576	1,571,102	25
Maine	50,318	1,327,379	26
New Jersey	330,470	8,799,593	27
Colorado	173,120	5,047,692	29
Delaware	30,494	899,792	30
Ohio	390,494	11,537,968	30
Oklahoma	127,140	3,760,184	30
Pennsylvania	404,164	12,717,722	31
Washington	220,856	6,742,950	31
New Mexico	64,863	2,065,913	32
Indiana	204,402	6,490,622	32
Rhode Island	32,989	1,052,528	32
Michigan	308,338	9,877,143	32
Florida	574,176	18,838,613	33
West Virginia	56,210	1,854,368	33
Oregon	108,313	3,838,332	35
Kansas	81,354	2,859,143	35
Arizona	178,890	6,413,158	36
Connecticut	97,960	3,575,498	36
Nebraska	51,371	1,830,141	36
Illinois	350,193	12,841,980	37
Alabama	127,255	4,785,401	38
Tennessee	168,408	6,357,436	38
Arkansas	76,293	2,921,588	38
Nevada	68,951	2,704,283	39
Massachusetts	159,000	6,555,466	41
Virginia	195,722	8,023,953	41
Missouri	140,936	5,995,715	43
North Carolina	223,209	9,560,234	43
South Carolina	107,864	4,637,106	43
Kentucky	98,475	4,347,223	44
Hawaii	30,098	1,363,359	45
Utah	59,355	2,775,479	47
California	801,803	37,338,198	47
Maryland	120,069	5,785,681	48
Georgia	199,586	9,712,157	49
New York	345,816	19,395,206	56
Texas	438,551	25,253,466	58
Louisiana	67,486	4,545,343	67
Mississippi	28,067	2,970,072	105
District of Columbia	3,523	604,912	172
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*Approximate as of 2018

Arrival

Once you have arrived to Laconia Motorcycle Week you will want to set up base somewhere so you’re not worried about finding a place to sleep.

The area offers multiple cabins and also campsites with full access to water and electricity for a small fee per night.

After setting up camp it is time to start partaking in the activities that Laconia brings.

Note: As illustrated above, the small town of Laconia, New Hampshire located along the Winnipesaukee River between lake Opechee Bay to the north and lake Winnisquam to the southwest welcome bikers from the east coast and Canada each year during the month of June.

Riding Events

Where you want to start riding is really up to you. There are many different riding events throughout the week starting with the first which is called the “Naswa’s Peter Makris Memorial” ride.

If you’re looking to check out hundreds of vendors and live bands and music then heading to Weirs Beach will be your type of fun.

Weirs Beach offers just about everything from vendors, souvenirs, to bikini contests and much more.

Note: Freedom Ride makes its way down Lakeside Avenue at Weirs Beach. Motorcyclists from around the country ride from Weirs Beach to the POW/MIA Memorial at Hesky Park in Meredith. The usual sponsor of Laconia Bike Week is Progressive Insurance.

You definitely aren’t going to have time to get everything done in one year so I suggest you make a list of the events that look like fun to you and check those out first.

Here is a list of all the events that will be taking place at Laconia Motorcycle Week from Saturday June 9th until Sunday June 17th.

Here is the schedule for this year and the years thereafter.

As I suggested, check that list out and make a schedule for yourself to follow throughout the week so you’re assured you are making the most out of your week.

The Bikes

If you’re wondering what kind of motorcycle you can bring to this event then I have the answer for you; all of them!

Well to an extent, don’t show up on a moped and expect to keep up with the big boys on the real motorcycles.

Note: An example of a fancy custom make motorcycle you will see at Laconia Bike Week. Image is from the 2017 rally.

If you’re driving a sports bike you will be more than fine at the event, but if you’re riding a Harley you will really feel like you fit in.

Either way, who knows, you may end up leaving with a new motorcycle with all the great deals and giveaways they offer over the course of the week.

Note: The center and hotbed of activity during Laconia is Weirs Beach. You will find literally thousands upon thousands of motorcyclists from all over the United States to cherish this special week in June.

Any event that has been going on for 96 years should definitely be worth your time. If it wasn’t a good time the rally would have probably ended years ago.

Number of Deaths per Rally

Finally, you want to be safe while you are the rally during Bike Week in Laconia or any rally for that matter.

I have outline the amount of deaths per year for each of the top three rallies in the United States.

Laconia, Daytona Beach, and Sturgis each have a number of motorcyclists which die each year.

According to the press, the majority of riders do not wear helmets at the rally (which is presumed) and if so, many of the unforeseen accidents would have been prevented.

Have fun, but be safe.

Year	Daytona (Deaths)	Laconia (Deaths)	Sturgis (Deaths)
2000	15	3	10
2001	6	6	4
2002	13	1	7
2003	1	2	8
2004	0	5	3
2005	0	4	6
2006	20	6	6
2007	8	5	0
2008	7	7	5
2009	7	0	9
2010	4	3	4
2011	3	5	0
2012	8	5	11
2013	3	3	12
2014	3	4	8
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Source for Data & Statistics, for Daytona, Sturgis, & IIHS.

Final Thoughts & Considerations

So now that you know the basics of Laconia Motorcycle Week it is time for you to do some research of your own and set a plan so you can maximize your time in Laconia.

Follow the link I attached to all the events of the week, make a list, figure out where you are going to sleep, and get the party started!