The rumbling of Biketoberfest was joined by the grumbling from drivers of Polaris Slingshots, three-wheeled vehicles that are banned from Main Street along with cars and trucks.
This is the first Biketoberfest that the Slingshots have been restricted. The prohibition began earlier this year during Bike Week. Cars and trucks were already banned from Main Street during Bike Week and Biketoberfest once the street is closed to all but motorcycle traffic.
While Slingshots have three-wheels, they are wider than three-wheeled motorcycles known as trikes.
“As before, Slingshots and similar vehicles will be prohibited on Main Street in order to protect the 'motorcycles only' venue. There are no adjustments to the vehicle restrictions that were enforced earlier this year,” Daytona Beach Police stated in an email in a response to The News-Journal.
The email stated security for the event, which runs through Oct. 19, would be the same as well.
“For Biketoberfest, the Daytona Beach Police Department will follow the same security protocols used during Bike Week," the email stated. "Additional officers will be assigned to the event venue and surrounding areas, protective measures such as meridian barriers will again be in place to safeguard the venue from unauthorized vehicles."
Slingshots headed to Destination Daytona
Beth Lee Davis, with Coast 2 Coast slingshots, wrote in a message that many in her group of 80 members are “boycotting” Biketoberfest events in Daytona Beach.
“We are only doing activities in Ormond Beach that welcome Slingshots,” she wrote.
Slingshots are classified as “autocycles,” not motorcycles, according to Polaris' website. They are neither cars nor motorcycles, but have elements of each. Slingshots have steering wheels not handlebars. While you need a driver’s license to operate a Slingshot, a motorcycle endorsement isn't required.
Slingshots are banned during Biketoberfest as a police officer re-routes the driver off of Main Street during the second day of Biketoberfest, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
Slingshot rentals: Biketoberfest Main Street ban unfair
Brad Champion, the owner of Daytona Slingshot rentals in Daytona Beach said the Main Street ban hasn't hurt rentals. But renters are unhappy to learn about the ban.
“People are wanting to rent and we have to tell them ‘No, you can’t go down there on Main Street’ and we have to tell them why, whatever the reason, wider.”
He said every year he gets brand new Slingshots from Polaris to rent. The standard Slingshot without a roof rents for about $350 for 24 hours during Biketoberfest and Bike Week. The rest of the year, the machines rent for about $300. The price includes tax and insurance.
“It’s a huge community and when you alienate an entire community – ‘No, you can’t be part of the main festivities down there on Main Street – are you going to park and walk?” he said.
Champion also indicated that there may have been an incident a couple of years ago when someone in a Slingshot or a trike struck a motorcycle parked along Main Street, which caused a domino-like effect knocking down other bikes.
But he said the person responsible for something like that is the one who should be punished. He said Main Street, even with the motorcycles parked along side, is wide enough.
Said Champion: “The road is wide enough and just to say “No, you can’t go down there’ when these people want to be part of Biketoberfest or Bike Week. I don’t think it’s right.”
