I’m not sure if “Bike Rallies” are going to continue, at least Reno Street Vibrations.
I went looking for vendors with show prices. I was just hoping to pick up a half cover to use on the road, tire plug kit, compact tire inflator and maybe a bike battery jumper. All they had were T-shirts, and non motorcycle stuff like dog food and CutCo cookware. Even at Battleborn HD and Reno HD the offerings were limited. I guess I’ll have to buy that stuff off Amazon. The only thing I bought in the vendor area was a plate of Korean chicken and fried rice, it was good. In Virginia City I had an ice cream cone. It was entertaining for a while, at least until it became a cacophony of throttle revving.
Not too long ago you could ride in to a rally, buy tires, filters and fluids and there was a guy there to install them and service your bike. You could even get suspension systems installed, and a dyno tune. After all that there was an area where scantily clad women would wash and wax your bike by hand.
Today it was all “official T-Shirts” and booths for motorcycle attorneys. What happened? Are folks losing interest? Did COVID kill it off? Did the ease of the internet and Amazon replace booth vendors? Does this portend what's to come?
I guess it's time to make motorcycle rallies great again.