I was born and raised in the Central Florida area. My first Daytona Bike week was by accident in 1979.  I was skipping high school (it was senior skip day and I was a freshman) and rode over meet my friends at the Daytona Pier.  I was 15 years old riding my Kawasaki KZ 200.  I had never heard of Bike Week and had no clue what was going on. I was totally amazed as I rode into town. There were a couple a thousand  "real bikers" Hells Angles's, Outlaws, Grim Reapers.  Here I am weighing 120 lbs, wearing my Varsity Letterman jacket because I had made the Varsity Cross Country as a  freshman.  I thought if I make it to the Pier without getting my ass whooped it will be a miracle.  It was a hell of a lot tougher crowd back then and a totally different attitude.  Not the "Rubers" (rich urban bikers) that have infested Daytona and all the events since the mid 1990's.

 

I finally got down to the beach and needless to say my friends that had drove in cars where nowhere in sight.  As I looked around this big dude hollered at me to pullover to him. So I duck walked my bike through the sand over to him.  He chugged his beer and crushed the can and told me to put it under my kickstand. Then he asked who the hell I was looking for?  I gave him a very short version.  Then he introduced himself as Buzzard and told me he would let anybody mess with me too much. And I can't  mess with any beer because the cops were watching from up on the Pier.  I hung out and looked at all the bikes. Buzzard rode what I know now was a 1000 Sportster with ape hangers.  Back then there were a lot on Honda CB 750's chopped out. One of the guys told me how he chopped his bike out and offered to chop mine.   I regret today not taking him up on his offer but how would I explain that to my parents.    As I went to leave, Buzzard asked if he could ride my scooter.  I wasn't sure but said yes any ways.  He didn't go far but he just spun four or five donuts burying the bike in the sand. Buzzard and everybody were laughing so hard. He gave me my bike back as it was standing on it's own buried in the sand.  He stuck his hands out and we slapped ten.  I got on and rode off.  I have been to Daytona Bike Week every year since 1979.  But it sure has changed especially since 1996.  Oh and just two final facts. I never have seen Buzzard or any of them again and my ride my senior year in high school I was old Moto Guzzi 1000 V-convert fully dressed my friend Doug held the paper on.

 

The difference between "RUBer's" and bikers. Ruber's can tell you what their riding and  Bikers talk passionately about working on and riding every bike we have ever owned.

 

Sincerely,

Raymond Beary.