This year marked my third trip to Daytona Bike Week, and as always, it was filled with unexpected surprises and new experiences. Originally, I had no plans to attend, but when it was announced that the 50th Anniversary Honda Gold Wing would be unveiled at the event, I couldn’t resist. That was the perfect excuse to pack up and head to Daytona.
Honda made sure to make a big splash by flying in all the 2025 Gold Wings directly from Japan on a chartered plane two weeks before the event. With that level of dedication, I knew this was going to be something special. I wasn’t alone in making the trek—Warren, a friend who’d been to Daytona before, decided to join me on March 4th, 2025.
We arrived and immediately dove into exploring the vendors at the Daytona Speedway. Warren was off to check out Can-Am, while I was drawn straight to the Honda Gold Wing. There, I signed up for a demo ride on the stunning 2025 Gold Wing DCT Tour, which was available in a beautiful new gold and brown color scheme. In terms of performance, I noticed little difference from my 2022 model, except for the removal of navigation in favor of Apple CarPlay. While the tech was interesting, I wasn’t a fan. Given the remote places I ride where cell service is scarce, I prefer a solid GPS, not a reliance on apps that depend on connectivity.
But it wasn’t all about the demo ride. Afterward, I was thrilled to be offered the chance to ride on the iconic Daytona race track for an exclusive Gold Wing Parade lap. I joined around 100 other Gold Wings and rode through the infield and pits while a race was ongoing. It was a surreal experience, seeing so many bikes lined up and hearing the roar of engines while we rode together. Definitely a highlight.
Warren, meanwhile, was having his own fun. He tried out both a Harley Trike and a Can-Am Spyder, adding some variety to his adventures. Afterward, we hit up the local Harley dealership, which had a massive presence at Daytona—second only to the event itself. The vendor setup was nearly as impressive, and it was almost like experiencing a second Daytona Bike Week!
Next on both of our lists was the much-anticipated Cold Slaw Wrestling event, but luck wasn’t on our side. We missed it by a hair! Not to worry, though—there were more vendors to explore, even if they weren’t quite as polished as the first ones. And, as expected, beer was flowing freely.
One thing I had never experienced before was the legendary Daytona 200 motorcycle race. For less than $50, I got a front-row seat to the action. It was deafeningly loud, and, as a first-timer, I quickly realized that I was the only one not wearing hearing protection—definitely a "newbie" move on my part! The bikes zoomed by so fast that I couldn’t make out their numbers, and after a few laps, I gave up trying to keep track. Regardless, it was a thrilling spectacle.
After the race, we headed to Main Street for what I consider the quintessential Daytona experience—riding through the heart of the event. The crowds lined the streets, cheering us on as we cruised by. It felt great to be part of the action, but when we parked and ventured into what’s known as the “Dark Side,” I quickly realized I’m too old to be interested in that scene anymore!
In between all the excitement, we got the chance to catch up with old friends. Fran and Brion graciously invited us into their home for a delicious BBQ, complete with fresh Florida strawberries—an unexpected but delightful treat. We also met Rick B., who was checking out Bike Week while looking to sell his Gold Wing. Always great to meet fellow riders and hear their stories.
Overall, this trip was everything I hoped for and more. I rode new routes, tried out things I hadn’t before, and, most importantly, made unforgettable memories. By the time we returned home on March 10th, I had racked up 2118 miles on my trusty "BLUE" Gold Wing, and it was looking just as sharp as ever. Daytona Bike Week 2025? Another adventure for the books!
Here is a link to my "unedited pictures and videos"
https://photos.app.goo.gl/UvnzqGsKf6Rv5KGaA
and if you haven't had enough Gold Wing, here is a youtube video review of the 2025 Gold Wing that I thought was very good.
https://youtu.be/oHdl1XiRO44