Laughlin River Run

[steveinutah]

Thinking of going. Anybody here been there? Any input would be appreciated.

Steve

[LadyAce]

We used to go every year until there was one cop for every two bikers and they started arresting people for just holding up the famous show your ---signs. Dal-con takes all the casino rooms and charges an arm and a leg for them with a 3 night minimum but that is par for every rally.
A lot of things to look at and bikes everywhere, but it has been ruined for us.
LadyAce

[Wilsondude]

When are the dates?

[ILuv_UMan]

We used to go every year until there was one cop for every two bikers and they started arresting people for just holding up the famous show your ---signs. Dal-con takes all the casino rooms and charges an arm and a leg for them with a 3 night minimum but that is par for every rally.
A lot of things to look at and bikes everywhere, but it has been ruined for us.
LadyAce

LadyAce:

Thanks for telling it straight up. Not sure, I have ever yet, heard a biker state, they didn't like a Motorcycle Rally.

[steveinutah]

LadyAce, thanks for your input. Also read about an H.A. group getting in some sort of rumble in 2002.

Wilsondude, the Laughlin River Run Rally is April 20-24. Website is:

http://www.laughlinriverrun.com/

When I do a room search on Expedia, etc., all the rooms are booked. Might be some available through the website, but cost is north of $200/night. Monarch Harley dealer said it was getting to be a rally for the rich and famous Californians, but just about every vendor will be there ( more than Sturgis ). I had read Ultimate Seats will be there, so that's my primary reason to go and try them out.

My plan is to trailer down to LV and stay there. Then ride down and back ( `60 miles ) the days I want to shop/sightsee in Laughlin. That way I get to play in LV, too.

[Wilsondude]

Hey steveinutah, I have the Ultimate Big Boy w/ backrest, and would be happy for you to get a good look see. There are so many positives to this seat, especially if you're big like me.

[steveinutah]

Wilsondude, thanks for the offer. I'm not quite your size, but at 6'6" ( closer to 6'4 1/2" come sundown :( and ~190# I think the Big Boy would be the better fit.

Also as I browse the forum, it seems a number folks that chose the VTX 1800 are as big or bigger than me. I know the bike's size was a big factor in my choice. My wife rides a '92 Heritage Classic and the few times I've taken it out, I feel the boards need to be set farther forward.

Anybody in the local VTX group riding this weekend?

[Wilsondude]

Probably gonna. Kevin (kxb44) and I were thinking about a longer ride down south, but if we don't, we will fer sure ride around here either Saturday, Sunday, or both. Somebody usually throws up a post on Friday, or even on Saturday morning, so just keep watchin'. Be nice to meet you, steveinutah! Also gotta tell you that the Heritage Springer and Softail are two of my favorite bikes in the Harley line - I just love the look of them! Also, another lady rider would be great. Kevin's wife rides also (Suzuki Intruder).

[ILuv_UMan]

Weather Forecast for Saturday is high of 44 and Rain/Snow Showers.

Sunday, the forecast is Party Cloudy, high of 45. :( :( :(

Thus weekend, not looking very spiffy for a ride as of today (Wednesday). Beautiful outside now. :) Mid 50s. CYA

But you never know with those Bozos who work for the Weather Service, it might change.

[EtrnlSoldier]

LadyAce, thanks for your input. Also read about an H.A. group getting in some sort of rumble in 2002.

I was there and yes, that's why there's a cop for every two bikers. Bullet holes everywhere and dead bikers all over the place. We try to make it safe for everyone and sometimes that means cracking down on the big and little things. Shootouts in the casinos aren't cool.

[LadyAce]

I was there also, not at that particular casino, but at the rally and I don't believe arresting someone for holding up a sign will stop the HA from doing whatever they want to do. I have gone many years and that is the only year that they have had that kind of incident and it was an isolated one at that. They didn't shoot up the whole town. Don't get me wrong it is a good rally, but between Dal-con and the cops it has been ruined for us, IMHO.
LadyAce

[EtrnlSoldier]

I was there also, not at that particular casino, but at the rally and I don't believe arresting someone for holding up a sign will stop the HA from doing whatever they want to do.

I hear you there and I never minded the women flashers but, I believe the thought behind not letting people hold up the "show us your boobs" signs is that, with all of the alcohol flowing and the different gang members and such standing around, this can lead to more incidents which tick some people off and cause escalations. Like, one chick shows her boobs, five others think it's cool so they do as well, then, one guy gets p/oed because some other guy actually looked at his girls boobs, the fight begins, the guns/knives/whatever come out, bystanders get hurt,etc. I don't make the laws, and I couldn't tell you for sure if that particular ordinance actually helps or not, I'm just trying to explain the thought behind it.

They didn't shoot up the whole town.

Well, they kind of didn't need to. They shot up the casino area of Harrah's pretty well and, you never know where the crap is going to start when you have idiot biker gangs around. It's easy to say that "oh well we stayed at the Flamingo, so who cares if the shooting was at Harrahs." Next time, if they aren't contained, it could be at your hotel. You only need to get hit by a stray bullet one time for it to be one time too many. And, when I say that I was there, I don't mean that I was just in Laughlin. I was at the crime scene.

Again, I don't know if the whole sign thing helps or not. I just hate it when some 50 year old juveniles do their gang shooting crap in places where it jeopardizes bystanders. I have a serious disdain for so-called "outlaw" bikers. We try to make the River Run as safe as possible for everyone. Sorry if we ruined your fun but, if you aren't doing anything you aren't supposed to do, you shouldn't have any trouble with the cops.

[doc_cj]

Frankly, friends, I can't see the need to support just down right piracy. :evil:

The promoter has purchased the rooms and jacked the prices as much as 500%! Not for me, I'll find somewhere else to spend my money.

There are a dozen other events I'd rather go to, and if nothing else I'd rather spend the money going to a local event.

[steveinutah]

My research showed that the room prices were going to be outrageous, if you could find one. So I found a campground in Searchlight for $12/night. We''ll trailer the bikes down behind our motorhome ( small class "C" ) and ride the bikes the 45+ miles each way to/from Laughlin. Also found a write up done by a group from Florida that went last year. Best little gem from them was to eat at the casinos for lunch, since the street vendors get $6+ for a hamburger.

Never been to a bike show/rally, and this one fits the schedule. I'm not much of a writer, but when we get back I'll try to post my experiences there.

[Mountain Flier]

Steve, a couple of us from Sandy are planning to go to Laughlin. Current plans are to spend the night in Las Vegas and ride back and forth. We should figure out how to get together down there. Any other Utah guys planning on going to Laughlin?

[doc_cj]

There's a small chance that a friend and I may ride down to Laughlin Saturday morning, stay a few hours, and then head back Saturday night. I'd be interested in maybe setting a time/place for the Utah VTX crew to meet.

I've not been to Laughlin before (my wife and I are going the 18,19 & 20 or March for our 24th Anniversary), so I'm not sure what points of interest there are to use for a meeting spot. Maybe someone who's been there, and been to the RiverRun, can suggest a spot. I'll be glad to check it out while I'm there this month.

An alternative is to have a Stop-n-Chat meeting in someplace like St. George or Cedar City on Sunday (the last day) as you northern boys head back home.

Any ideas?

[Mountain Flier]

I haven't been to Laughlin in years and don't know where a good place to meet would be. Maybe someone might have a good idea of a place and time that we could all get together. If you guys want to email or PM me your cell phone numbers, I'll compile a list and send it back out.

[Mountain Flier]

Ross and I are going to take off on Thursday, April 21 and return on Sunday, April 24. Probably stay in Las Vegas. Anyone else going? It would be nice to have a group to ride with.
http://www.laughlinriverrun.com/