If you had to choose

[NighthawkVTX]

This year I have the opportunity to either go the Laughlin River Run, or the Arizona bike week/ Cave Creek bike week.
Just wondering if anyone has been to theae events and has any recommendations . Thanks

[Jess from VA]

I attended the Laughlin River Run in around 1990 (still have the shirt).

It was a lot of fun riding across the Mojave Desert in various groups with 18K bikes, and we filled up two of the (then) five casinos.  But there were an awful lot of rough customers and 1%er bikers there, several of whom thought it would be fun to make off with my wife (whether she was willing or not).  A few years later, there was a rather famous shoot out inside a casino between two rival bike gangs (this can be found on Utube).  Overall, the experience was pretty good, but this rally had more 1%ers and gang members than anything I ever attended (before or since).  I don't know if it's better now.  But if you have a nice looking wife or SO, it's best to keep her close.  (I was only gone getting soft drinks for about 4 minutes)

I have no experience with the other one you mentioned.  

2002
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kic9WZXUG1c

[The emperor has no clothes]

The Laughlin River Run is not as bad as it used to be. But, it still gets a little rowdy at night once they've gotten liquored up. Personally it's not my cup of tea. Mostly a bunch of doctors and lawyers who wanna be Harley riders that have little experience riding. (No offense to lawyers and doctors) I do not go much, even though I'm only 50 miles away. The vendors are mostly selling stuff you can get anywhere. If you are into watching a lot of overweight Harley riders dressed up in leather jackets and chaps it's the place to be. This is going to sound pretty mean, but you will see more vibrating jello on the pillion seats than you ever realized was possible.

[Jess from VA]

Hey, two thumbs up.                                      (not really)


I'll tell another part of my story at Laughlin.  My barber at March AFB for five years (I was on active duty when I rode there in 1990) was a very nice Hispanic man, who had been a gang member in his youth, and still had the script tatoos all around his neck.  I knew he rode a HOG, and sometimes I had parked mine outside the base barber shop.  I just happened to run into him in the casino parking lot while walking around.  He took me back and showed me his nice bike and a couple of his buddies.  Also nice guys.  I mentioned the 1%ers who tried to make off with my wife the night before, and other rowdy crap, and he leaned in and told me he always carried his break down submachine gun when traveling to Laughlin.

Again, this was 28 years ago.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Hey, two thumbs up.                                      (not really)


I'll tell another part of my story at Laughlin.  My barber at March AFB for five years (I was on active duty when I rode there in 1990) was a very nice Hispanic man, who had been a gang member in his youth, and still had the script tatoos all around his neck.  I knew he rode a HOG, and sometimes I had parked mine outside the base barber shop.  I just happened to run into him in the casino parking lot while walking around.  He took me back and showed me his nice bike and a couple of his buddies.  Also nice guys.  I mentioned the 1%ers who tried to make off with my wife the night before, and other rowdy crap, and he leaned in and told me he always carried his break down submachine gun when traveling to Laughlin.

Again, this was 28 years ago.   

After that shoot out 14 or 15 years back they have cracked down on the gang activity there. I'm sure there is still many that go, but I haven't heard of much. Back to the OP's question. I haven't been to the AZ Bike Week, but I wouldn't recommend the River Run.

[NautiBrit]

I was at the River Run a couple of years ago and since I live in Phoenix, hit some of the Bike Week every year. If it's rides, destinations and things to see and do, you can't beat Bike Week. Both events have their 1%'s, but you'll find a more laid back attitude at Bike Week.

[Westernbiker]

Ok, I will tell you this. Bike Week at West World in Scottsdale is not as good as it use to be. It will cost you upwards of $25.00 a day just to get in and visit the vendors. Note that this cost also allows you to see the band that night which are usually name bands not locals. Ever since the Go Daddy guy bought Scottsdale Harley, he now keeps the other Harley shops from participating because of some crazy Harley rule about ones turf! So I attend Bike Fest now which is being held at the Peoria Sports Complex. It is free to get in, has lots of vendors, you can test ride bikes, there is a large tent that has a couple of bars and live music and it is also the main entrance for all the bikes. That's right, it is called the 'Ride Thru Experience' You actually ride thru this large tent where the people are and the bars. Some guys stop and do burnouts, some rev their bikes up as the pass thru, it is a good time. I recommend Bike Fest, it gets better every year, unless you want to see the big name bands. Plus you can still visit Cave Creek and all that goes on there and of course the Harley shops around town all have things going on and all kinds of rides you can join. Google both Arizona Bike Week and Arizona Bike Fest and check it all out.
I have never been on the river run but know some friends that have and they are 50/50. Good, would go again and bad, will never go again

[NighthawkVTX]

I think I may go to the pheonix rallies.
The AZ bike week, the Pheonix bike fest and the castle creek bike week look like a better idea. Between the 3 I should have some fun. I've  always wanted to see ZZ Top in concert