Eye On AIMExpo: Vegas and Beyond

For most people who visit Las Vegas, their agenda is filled with gambling, shows and nightlife and some sunning by the pool. In the powersports industry, we tend to look for adventure in all forms. With the sixth annual American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) presented by Nationwide, hanging by the pool will be the last thing on attendees’ minds during this event, Oct. 11-14, 2018.

While the AIMExpo is the anchor to Powersports Industry Week, which will feature events such as the Monster Energy Supercross race and Las Vegas Bikefest at the same time as the all-in-one trade show for dealers and consumers, the strip is also a launching pad for powersports enthusiasts and industry pros.

Southern Nevada offers expansive beauty ready to be explored by riding and adventure-minded attendees. There are several ways to experience the picturesque landscape that surrounds this desert jewel.

For those traveling by plane and looking for a riding experience, EagleRider rentals are offered through Las Vegas Harley-Davidson, which is just a short 10-minute walk from the show floor at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. If you have something other than a Harley-Davidson in mind, EuroCycles offers additional rental options for your metric preferences.

If four wheels are more your thing, Speed Vegas puts you behind the wheel of an exotic car. Speed Vegas is set to host AIMExpo attendees on its own exclusive track with long straights and banked curves to allow for even faster speeds and intense cornering. The unique venue hosts a Cars and Coffee event every Saturday, with AIMExpo sponsoring two events in September leading into Powersports Industry Week in October.

Want to tackle the dirt on four wheels? Just 20 minutes from the strip is Zero1 Desert Adventures where participants get buckled into a Polaris RZR XP 1000 and set off for either a half-day or overnight experience.

Whether you’ve brought your own ride or decided to rent, there is one event that should definitely be on your radar — the Las Vegas Ride For Kids. We know that the powersports industry is very charitable, and one of the organizations that has benefited greatly from its generosity is the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, which hosts Ride For Kids events throughout the country. In conjunction with AIMExpo, the Las Vegas Ride For Kids event will be hosted on Sunday, Oct. 14, and will culminate at the front doors of the show floor.

There are several adventures just outside of the strip, too.

Red Rock Canyon is located just 15 minutes from Las Vegas and is a popular destination for motorcyclists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Just over an hour outside the city, riders can make the climb up Mt. Charleston to enjoy great tree-lined views. Once you’ve ascended to the top, you can enjoy a nice lunch or dinner at the Mt. Charleston Lodge, which features music in the evenings on Friday and Saturday.

For a longer ride full of amazing twists on windy roads paired with beautiful scenery, look no further than the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the Valley of Fire. The two landscapes are right next to each other and provide an amazing opportunity to see the breathtaking views.

In just 40 minutes you could throw out your kickstand and witness one of the greatest marvels of engineering – the Hoover Dam. This is considered a longer trip because we’ll assume anyone making the ride out will almost certainly want to take in the various tours of this historic landmark, but it could just as easily be a shorter excursion to simply enjoy the great views of the landscape that surrounds this immense piece of history.

This is just a sampling of the motorized adventures that can be enjoyed during your time in town for AIMExpo. With perfect weather on tap for October, you won’t want to miss out on a great opportunity to see what lies beyond the Las Vegas Strip.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.