The 84th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week roars into town the weekend of February 28th and keeps the CC's humming through Sunday, March 9th. Many folks, even those who have never slung their legs over a Harley, know about Bike Week, but did you know there is also a "Black Bike Week?"
In the name of full disclosure, I admit I have never owned or even ridden on a Harley. I guess you could say I've at least dipped my toe into the pool of motor oil; I did own a Yamaha 650, back in the 80's when I still had hair. It was purchased purely as a less expensive set of wheels when the Mrs. first moved in with me, and we were living in sin. But I digress.
The way the story goes, Black Bikers decided to create their own Black Bike Week event within the Daytona Bike Week event, when back in 1971, Tommy Asberry, was ticketed on Main Street during the Bike Week festivities, and told to move along because his Harley-Davidson was "leaking oil." Sadly, the black oil was not really the problem, it was all about Asberry's black skin.
This prompted this special band of biker brothers to start their own event to coincide with the traditional Bike Week event.
More than 50 years later, while Black bikers are accepted side-by-side with the rest of Daytona Bike Week participants, they have developed some of their own traditional meeting places and side events, in addition to all the usual Bike Week hangouts.
While not a full week, the hub of Daytona's 2025 Black Bike "Week" from Thursday, March 6th through Sunday, March 10th, congregates around Daytona Beach's Joe Harris Park at the corner of McLeod Ave., and Green Street.
Those of you looking for the ultimate Black Bike Week night club scene, you won't want to miss out on the three nights of upscale DJ sounds, food and drink presented by DNYCEMUSIQ at Euphoria, on South Ridgewood Avenue in Daytona Beach.
If you're like me, one who sees Bike Week as one of the most interesting, and satisfying people watching events on earth, you will soon realize that of all the machines rumbling by in this deafening parade of pure raw power, the Black bikers are riding some of the most tricked out bikes out there. They take their style, and the bikes they are mounting very seriously, and they are not afraid to drop plenty of coin to show the world, it's much more than just "a bike."
So to all of you I say, party on, stay vigilant, and above all, arrive back home safely.
Daytona Black Bike Week Links:
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