Business loves the 25,000 Harleys headed for Laughlin

Brian Seals

Friday, April 24, 1998 | 10:25 a.m.

When Laughlin merchants hear the distinct rumbling of Harley-Davidson motorcycle engines this weekend, it won't be a nuisance. The sounds will be accompanied by that of cash registers chiming.

About 50,000 people are expected in the Southern Nevada town of almost 9,000 residents over the weekend for the 16th annual River Run. About 25,000 motorcycles are expected.

Stereotypical Hell's Angels types are only a fraction of the turnout. Most of the bikers are considered rich urban bikers (RUBs) that cruise on customized cycles that can cost up to $50,000. They'll bring their disposable incomes with them.

Though hard economic numbers aren't available, the event that features cruising, a little drinking and a bit of flesh flashing is a boon to the town's merchants.

Laughlin will likely fill its roughly 11,000 hotel rooms and the 1,500 rooms in neighboring Bullhead City, Ariz., are expected to be close to filled.

Though the slot machines may not be clicking at a rapid pace as one might assume, restaurants, bars and other vendors can expect a profitable weekend.

"From a local standpoint, it's the gas stations, the local vendors, the pubs and the restaurants that benefit from this," said event chairman and Golden Nugget Laughlin President Frank Todre. "It's not a very big gaming crowd."

He said the Golden Nugget sells out six months in advance. Other hotels start taking reservations for the next year as biker enthusiasts leave the event.

"It has a regional impact for the most part," Todre said.

Indeed, towns like Bullhead City, which sits across the Colorado River from Laughlin, enjoy a spillover effect.

"The draw is in Laughlin, but they come through Bullhead City to get here," said Trudy Rhodes of the Bullhead City Chamber of Commerce.

This year Bullhead City will offer street vendors during the event for the first time.

"It's one of the bigger weekends for Bullhead," Rhodes said.

And businesses aren't the only beneficiaries. The bikers also fuel charitable causes. A pancake breakfast sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club typically generates between $6,000 and $7,000. The Chamber, seniors groups and other organizations gain funds by selling water, washing bikes and other activities.

"I would say on the whole, charities make between $15,000 and $20,000," Hurns said.