Laconia Motorcycle Week

Located in Laconia, New Hampshire this historic bike festival is one of the most popular of its kind, with people from all over coming to support it. 

With an average of more than 300,000 people showing up for the festivities per year, the Laconia bike rally is one of the biggest motorcycle rallies in the US.

Laconia is an awesome place for bikers all around the country to meet up, get together, compare bikes, and party together for a week. Sometimes the Laconia NH bike week runs for much more than a week if you’re having that much fun, which is often the case.

Laconia is a wonderful place to go spend some time on your motorcycle if you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, or you have never been.

Filled with beautiful back roads along gorgeous Lake Winnipesaukee, bike week in Laconia, New Hampshire is the dream of every die-hard rider.

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. The Laconia motorcycle rally is the 3rd or 4th largest in the country. Of course Sturgis is the largest reaching over 700,000 in 2015.

Biggest Motorcycle Rallies

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

Below is a table detailing a list of motorcycle riders by state, based on per capita. South Dakota is first, with 12 people per bike. Unlike Washington D.C. where there are at 172 people per bike. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally no doubt influences that outcome.

New Hampshire comes in second with only 17 people per bike. It’s natural to assume that Laconia Motorcycle Week influences the data.

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

These numbers are approximated as of 2018.

Arrival at Laconia Motorcycle Week

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 on 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.

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. Laconia welcomes bikers from the east coast and Canada each year during the month of June.

What kind of riding events can you expect at Laconia Motorcycle Week?

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, live bands, and loud music, heading to Weirs Beach during bike week 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 it’s suggested that you make a list of the events that look like fun to you and check those out first. It’s always a good idea to see what is being offered, and figure out what sounds the most appealing ahead of time. Or you can wing it, and do things as they appear in front of you.

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What type of bikes will be at Laconia Motorcycle Week?

If you’re wondering what kind of motorcycles you’ll see or which ones you can bring, there is nothing but good news: all bikes are welcome. 

To an extent, because you don’t want to show up on a moped. However, you’ll find custom DIY bikes, classic bikes, and everything in between. Don’t be shy about bringing your wheels to show off.

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.

There are also plenty of great deals and giveaways, so you may end up leaving with a beautiful new ride. 

As a note, the center and hotbed of activity during Laconia is Weirs Beach. As mentioned above, 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.

Are there any casualties because of Laconia Motorcycle Week?

You will definitely want to be safe while you are the rally during Bike Week in Laconia, or while you’re at any rally for that matter.

Unfortunately there can be casualties. 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 as well.

Casualties at Laconia, Daytona, & Sturgis Rallies

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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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.