Minnesota events
Minnesota motorcycle events, rallies and bike nights
Minnesota motorcycle events fit a short, busy season: the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in May, bike nights all summer in the Twin Cities and Duluth, club racing and track days at Brainerd, the August run west to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and North Shore color runs in September. Here's what comes around every year and how to find what's on near you.
- Season
- May to early October
- Big trip
- Sturgis, August
- Track
- Brainerd
- Post your own
- Free
Every year
Big recurring motorcycle events for Minnesota riders
These come around most years. Dates change year to year, so check the organizer before you plan.
- Sturgis Motorcycle RallyEvery August in Sturgis, South Dakota. Minnesota riders are close enough to make it a classic road trip west on I-90 or across the prairie on smaller roads. Check the rally organizer for dates and book early.
- Distinguished Gentleman's RideEvery May, riders dress sharp on classic and vintage-style bikes and ride for men's health. The Twin Cities and Duluth usually host rides. Register on the DGR site.
- Racing and track days at BrainerdBrainerd International Raceway hosts club motorcycle road racing and track days during the season, the right place to ride fast. Check the track and the clubs for dates.
- North Shore color runsLate September brings group rides up MN 61 and the Gunflint Trail for fall color. Many are posted by shops and clubs, so watch the events map.
- Toy runs and charity ridesClubs, rider groups and dealers run charity poker runs all summer and toy runs in fall before the snow. Check the events map for local ones.
In the app
Upcoming Minnesota motorcycle events in Rippin'
Rippin's events map covers the whole US. It puts bike nights, meets, rallies, swap meets, charity rides and toy runs on the same map as turf, segments and poker stops. Set your area and events show nearest first, then tap RSVP so the organizer knows you're coming.
The list below comes from the app's map and updates when this page is rebuilt; the app always has the latest. Details come from organizers and can change, so confirm before you ride out. Read more on motorcycle events in Rippin'.
Live from the app
Minnesota on Rippin' right now.
5 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Minnesota on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Sat Nov 21Twin Cities Harley-Davidson Blaine Annual Chili Cook-OffBlaine
- Sat Nov 28Ride Into The HolidaysSaint Paul
- Sat Apr 3Donnie Smith Bike Show & Swap Meet 2027 (38th Annual)Saint Paul
- Sat May 1Dirty Rotten Bikerfest 2027Princeton
- Sun Jun 6Blessing of the Bikes Forest Lake 2027Forest Lake
No Minnesota roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
Every week
How to find bike nights in Minnesota
With a season this short, Minnesota riders pack the summer with bike nights. They're how you find people to ride with.
- 1
Open Meets
In Rippin', open meets and events and set your area: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud or wherever you ride.
- 2
RSVP
Tap RSVP on the ones you'll make, so riders can see who's coming.
- 3
Ride in together
Start a group ride so everyone is on one live map on the way.
- 4
Post the missing ones
If your regular night isn't listed, post it and set it to repeat.
The big trip
Riding from Minnesota to Sturgis
For a lot of Minnesota riders, August means Sturgis. I-90 runs straight across southern Minnesota and South Dakota to the Black Hills, which makes it the fast way, but it's long, windy and hot. Many riders take two days and mix in smaller roads across the prairie.
Plan fuel on the long rural stretches, ride in the morning before the wind and heat build, and book rooms early. Share a ride plan with your squad so the departure time, route and stops are in one place, and see the South Dakota overview for riding once you get there.
Add yours
Post your Minnesota motorcycle event
Minnesota's events map is still filling in, so a bike night you post gets seen. Any rider can post one for free, and the Minnesota overview shows how the rest of Rippin' works across the state.
Shops and clubs that host a lot of events can use Organizer Pro ($8.99/mo) for unlimited and recurring meets, official events and recurring ride plans. A North Shore cafe or Twin Cities shop can also become a poker stop, so every rider who shows up gets dealt a card.
- 1
Create it
Add the name, time, place and a short note on what to expect.
- 2
Make it repeat
A weekly bike night or monthly breakfast ride only needs to be posted once.
- 3
Share it
Send it to your squad and post it to the feed. Riders RSVP in the app.
Seasons
Minnesota's motorcycle event calendar, by season
Spring (April to May): Season openers, blessings of the bikes and the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride. Early rides are short and cold.
Summer (June to August): Weekly bike nights, charity poker runs, racing and track days at Brainerd, and the August trip to Sturgis.
Fall (September to early October): North Shore and bluff country color runs, then the last bike nights.
Winter (late October to March): Toy runs before the snow, then indoor events and planning. See the best time to ride in Minnesota for the season picture.
Before you go
Before you ride to a Minnesota event
- Confirm the date with the organizer the week before.
- Pack a layer for anything near Lake Superior.
- Plan fuel in the Arrowhead and on the prairie.
- Ride home in daylight. Deer and moose are hardest to see at dusk.
- Share a ride plan with your squad so everyone knows the time, route and stops.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What motorcycle events are in Minnesota?
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in May, Twin Cities and Duluth bike nights, club racing and track days at Brainerd, charity rides, and North Shore color runs in fall. Many riders also head to Sturgis each August.
How far is Sturgis from Minneapolis?
It's a long day or an easier two days west on I-90, which runs across southern Minnesota and South Dakota to the Black Hills. Plan fuel, wind and heat.
Is there a big motorcycle rally in Minnesota?
Minnesota doesn't host one of the giant national rallies. Its riders are within reach of Sturgis, one of the biggest in the country, every August.
Where can I ride on a track in Minnesota?
Brainerd International Raceway hosts motorcycle club racing and track days. Check the track and the clubs for dates.
How do I find bike nights in the Twin Cities?
Open meets and events in Rippin', set your area and browse what's nearest. If your regular night isn't listed, post it and set it to repeat.
Can I post my own motorcycle event in Rippin'?
Yes, any rider can post a meet or event for free. Organizer Pro adds unlimited and recurring meets and official events for shops and clubs.
See what's on in Minnesota.
Download Rippin' free, find Minnesota events and bike nights on the map, and post the ones we're missing.
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