MYRTLE BEACH
Myrtle Beach Bike Week, which began in 1940 as a modest gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts, has since evolved into one of the nation’s largest motorcycle events. Over the decades, the event has navigated periods of tension with the city of Myrtle Beach while maintaining its status as a cultural tradition centered in surrounding areas like Murrells Inlet and North Myrtle Beach.
In 1940, the inaugural “Harley Week” was organized by local Harley-Davidson dealers, attracting approximately 200 riders to Ocean Drive in what is now North Myrtle Beach. Early events featured races and other festivities. However, during World War II (1941–1945), the rally was temporarily suspended as many riders served in the armed forces. After the war, the event resumed and gained popularity throughout the 1950s and 1960s, attracting a regional following and prompting local businesses to cater to the expanding biker community.
From the 1970s to the 1980s, the Grand Strand Motorcycle Rally gained immense popularity nationwide, drawing hundreds of thousands of riders from across the United States and Canada. This surge in attendance solidified its status as a nationally recognized motorcycle celebration. However, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the rapid growth of the rallies led to friction with Myrtle Beach city officials and residents. While nearby towns like Murrells Inlet and North Myrtle Beach embraced the biker-friendly culture, Myrtle Beach faced challenges. In 2008, the City of Myrtle Beach enacted a mandatory helmet law, which was widely perceived as an attempt to discourage the rally. This led to a boycott by bikers, resulting in the relocation or re-routing of many rallies. In 2010, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the city’s helmet law was unconstitutional, affirming that only state law applies. State law mandates helmets for riders under the age of 21. In response to violence during the Atlantic Beach Bikefest in 2014 and 2015, the city implemented a controversial 23-mile traffic loop to restrict cruising. However, the NAACP later sued the city, alleging that the traffic pattern was discriminatory because it was exclusively used during the historically Black bike week.
Today, the Grand Strand hosts three distinct rallies each year, with most of the activity occurring outside of Myrtle Beach’s city limits. Spring Harley Week: This highly sought-after 10-day rally in May remains a popular event for many motorcyclists. Atlantic Beach Bikefest: This Memorial Day weekend event centers around Black motorcycle culture and is distinct from the spring rally. It also attracts thousands of visitors to the Grand Strand. Fall Bike Rally: A smaller, 10-day gathering typically held in late September or early October.
The V-Twin Visionary USA Tour travels to Myrtle every year for a good time. We love this event and have been partnering with Harley-Davidson and throwing one hell of a bike show and party at the one and only Suck Bang Blow. What is that you ask? SBB is a large, well-known motorcycle bar located at 3393 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. The 40,000-square-foot venue is a hub for motorcycle enthusiasts, particularly during the Myrtle Beach Bike Week, and features multiple stages for live bands, food, and drinks. When Myrtle Beach's police crackdown intensified, biker-friendly businesses in Murrells Inlet and other unincorporated areas saw a significant boost in business. These communities leaned into the rally culture, establishing themselves as the new focal points and at the head of that was a place known as Suck Bang Blow. A place where you can see live music, a ton of bikes parked and posed, and best of all a burnout pit where anyone can try their luck at shedding tires.
