Ever wondered what it would be like to work in a motorcycle shop? Or just want to learn how to change the oil on your motorcycle but don’t have enough garage space at home?
City College of San Francisco has a course for that. The college runs several motorcycle courses every semester, and a new semester is starting up August 17, running until December. Classes last eighteen weeks. Students attend from all over Northern California.
You’ll probably want to start with the Moto 90, Introduction to Motorcycle Technology course. It will give you an overview of motorcycle history, competition, and culture in class sessions, and also plenty of time to learn how to work on motorcycles in the fully-equipped shop.
Moto 90 courses run Monday and Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 to 9:20, or Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Half the time is spent in the classroom, the other half in the shop, so there’s plenty of chance for hands-on wrenching, and also the chance to talk about motorcycles with enthusiastic classmates.
Other, more advanced courses are offered once you’ve passed Moto 90 (or pass a challenge test, if you have extensive motorcycle experience already).
Oh, and how much does it cost? If you’re a San Francisco resident, the classes may be free; residents of other California counties pay $46 per credit unit (Moto 90 is a 4-unit course), working out to about $265 a semester (still a bargain)!
Image courtesy Indian Motorcycle/Veterans Charity Ride.
The 5th annual Veterans Charity Ride (VCR), in partnership with Indian Motorcycle, will feature a record number of female veteran participants, who will be sharing their decorated military careers and passion for motorcycling with their peers. The veteran-operated, non-profit VCR uses “motorcycle therapy” to help fellow veterans readjust to civilian life.
This year’s ride to Sturgis, South Dakota, will embark on July 25, 2019, from Salt Lake City, Utah, winding through Colorado and past the famous Pikes Peak before turning north toward the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The group will be riding a variety of Indian Motorcycle models, some with custom-built Champion sidecars to carry amputee and paraplegic veterans. The journey not only delivers the freedom of the open road and the cathartic experience only a motorcycle can deliver, but allows the veterans to bond by sharing stories and engage in peer-to-peer discussions.
Image courtesy Indian Motorcycle/Veterans Charity Ride.
The VCR connects veterans in a peer/mentor environment that reintroduces them back into the civilian community to reconnect with the country they served. VCR offers holistic and nature-based programs specifically designed to help wounded, severely injured and amputee veterans from all branches of service. Throughout the ride, the VCR stops by several small towns to make connections and to honor and celebrate our nation’s heroes.
This year’s ride will feature a total of 17 veterans. Among those, eight are returning veterans who will mentor the nine veterans who are new to the program. This year’s ride features four female veterans, the most to join in a single year for VCR. Among some of the riding veterans this year, include:
US Army Chief Warrant Officer Kaylan Harrington comes from a long line of veterans spanning back to WWI and has been riding motorcycles since she was 16. After several tours of duty, Harrington returned to Afghanistan with NATO Special Operations Detachment and continued to work with local children, building schools, helping abused women and expanding educational opportunities for girls.
Eric “The Iron Fist” Morante is a three-tour Marine veteran, whose loss of his leg did not stop him from fulfilling his dream and became the first Marine amputee sanctioned to compete in boxing in the United States.
Jared “Bones” Thomas spent more than eight years as an Army combat medic who first joined VCR on the ride to Sturgis in 2018. The ride had such a profound effect on him he chose to come back this year and help lead the ride.
To support the VCR, donate or learn more, visit VeteransCharityRide.org. You can also follow along on Indian’s and the VCR’s social media channels.
Committed to getting new riders on two wheels, Discover the Ride will return to the 2019-2020 Progressive International Motorcycle Show. (Photo by Manny Pandya/IMS)
The Progressive International
Motorcycle Shows (IMS) has announced its 2019/2020 tour dates and
locations, including a new stop in Denver, Colorado. The eight-city tour will
provide motorcycle enthusiasts and consumers an opportunity to interact with
the latest models coming to market and brand-new accessories, merchandise and
more. Actively supporting IMS’ dedication to the growth of the industry and
sport, Progressive, the leading motorcycle insurance company and IMS title
sponsor since 2010, will continue to work alongside IMS through 2025. Tickets
for the 2019/2020 IMS tour will go on sale September 5.
The
2019/2020 Progressive IMS tour dates and cities are as follows:
Long Beach, CA: November 22-24, 2019, Long Beach
Convention Center
New York, NY: December 6-8, 2019, Jacob K. Javits
Convention Center
Dallas, TX: January 3-5, 2020, Kay Bailey Hutchison
Convention Center
Washington D.C.: January 10-12, 2020, Walter E.
Washington Convention Center
Denver, CO: January 17-19, 2020, Colorado
Convention Center
Cleveland, OH: January 24-26, 2020, International
Exposition (I-X) Center
Minneapolis, MN: January 31 – February 2, 2020,
Minneapolis Convention Center
Chicago, IL: February 7-9, 2020, Donald E. Stephens
Convention Center
To learn more about the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows tour, visit motorcycleshows.com.
With eight stops around the U.S., at IMS motorcycle enthusiasts can check out the latest models from most major manufacturers and many apparel and accessory vendors.
Committed to
getting new riders on two wheels, IMS debuted Discover the Ride, a forward-thinking
initiative designed to introduce riding motorcycles to consumers of all ages in
a safe and controlled environment, on the 2018/2019 tour. Survey feedback
provided by participants of the initiative found that 81 percent of currently
non-motorcycle-licensed consumers who experienced the program’s New Rider
Course plan to get their motorcycle license, indicating a high level of
interest of new riders to the industry.
“IMS’
engaging approach to increasing new ridership is exciting and we are thrilled
to continue our title sponsorship of this industry leading event for another
five years, ” said Eric Doubler, Recreational Vehicle Business Leader,
Progressive. “The show provides a fantastic platform for our brand to
connect with both new and seasoned riders, and each year we look forward to
presenting motorcycle enthusiasts with a can’t be missed experience,
deeply-rooted in motorcycle culture.”
Returning to
the 2019/2020 tour is the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show (UBCBS), sponsored
by J&P Cycles since 2012, the world’s largest and most robust motorcycle
builder competition. Also returning this year is the Marketplace presented by
Cycle Gear, an interactive retail space allowing consumers to touch, test, and
buy the latest gear, parts and accessories from key aftermarket brands with
specialists on hand to educate, introduce products, and answer questions to any
gear needs.
“Cycle
Gear couldn’t be happier to be back as a presenting sponsor of the Progressive
International Motorcycle Show’s Marketplace for the fifth year in a row,”
said Dan Nelson, President and COO, Cycle Gear. “Cycle Gear prides itself
on being a part of the motorcycle community everywhere from our own local store
events to a premier destination like the Progressive International Motorcycle
Show. We’re excited to continue our presence and meet riders across the nation
to show off all of the ways Cycle Gear is working to make the ride that much
better, from tire and Bluetooth installation services to our new online product
reservation experience. We’re always eager to show people the Cycle Gear
Difference and this is a fantastic event to do just that.”
“By working with Progressive, Cycle Gear, and J&P Cycles over the years, we’ve been able to continue our legacy as the nation’s leading motorcycle tour, providing a source of growth for the industry and sport,” said Tracy Harris, Senior Vice President, IMS. “With the unwavering support of these key sponsors, and the motorcycling community, we have been able to curate memorable experiences for seasoned riders while simultaneously inviting new riders into the community. We look forward to the upcoming 2019/2020 and bringing the love of motorcycling to an even larger market.”
For more information about the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows, visit motorcycleshows.com.
Now you can rent a Can-Am Spyder or Ryker through Turo, an online vehicle sharing marketplace.
Can-Am has announced a partnership with Turo, a global online vehicle sharing marketplace–think of it as Airbnb for vehicles–to engage potential enthusiasts with an extended ride experience.
The pilot program will initially be available in nine markets in three states, all specifically chosen because they do not require a motorcycle endorsement to ride a Can-Am 3-wheeler. These initial markets include:
San Diego
Los Angeles
Palm Springs
Sacramento
San Jose
San Francisco
Reno
Las Vegas
Myrtle Beach
Via the partnership, Can-Am has provided preselected 5-star Turo hosts with multiple vehicles and helmets, and they’re trained and ready to guide riders through the entire rental process.
While this is a great way for non-Can-Am owners and those new to powersports in general to dip a toe in the fun of the open road, it’s also a great way for existing owners or enthusiasts to create road trips outside areas where they live.
For example, a rider living in Chicago could book a Spyder or Ryker rental in California and take an epic ride up the famed Big Sur coast, without having to ride all the way across the country.
It also opens the door for Can-Am owners to potentially join Turo as a host and put their own vehicle up for rent to help offset the cost of ownership.
BMW’s Vision DC Roadster electric motorcycle concept, complete with Duolever fork, shaft drive and “boxer” power plant. Photos courtesy BMW Motorrad.
As most of the major motorcycle manufacturers in the U.S., Europe and Japan continue to pursue battery-powered electric propulsion, BMW found itself asking, “What would an electric BMW motorcycle look like? And how would it be immediately recognizable as a BMW?”
Given that the opposed-twin “boxer” engine has been at the heart of BMW motorcycles for more than 90 years, the answer seems to be something along the lines of the newly-unveiled BMW Vision DC Roadster concept bike.
This top view clearly shows the protruding cooling elements, a nod to BMW’s classic “boxer” engine.
While the Vision DC’s battery is oriented in a standard vertical/longitudinal position, it has two cooling elements with integrated fans that extend out to each side, a nod to the protruding cylinders of the boxer engine. Slung underneath the battery and connecting to the driveshaft (another BMW hallmark) is the cylindrical electric motor itself.
Clutching the battery from above is a split, milled aluminum frame with what appear to be carbon fiber reinforcing tubes that span the opening where the fuel tank would normally be. The subframe also appears to be of a tubular carbon fiber design.
Up front is a Duolever fork capped with an LED daytime running light (DRL) flanked by two LED lights, one for low and one for high beam.
BMW says the rider’s apparel represents the next generation of riding gear, with integrated lighting and a magnetic backpack.
Even the rider’s clothes might offer a preview of things to come, including integrated lighting and a backpack that attaches to the jacket via magnets rather than straps.
Electric motorcycles are coming, whether you like it or not, and we’re excited to see BMW striving to stick to its signature look, making a battery-powered bike that’s still unmistakably a BMW.
Keep scrolling for more images….
Subframe is tubular carbon fiber, with LED tail lights.Driveshaft is exposed. Metzeler tires incorporate postage stamp-sized LED lights to aid in visibility.The flat, milled aluminum frame is suspended over the battery, which attaches via carbon fiber tubes.LED daytime running light (DRL) turns its cooling fins into art.Side-mounted cooling elements extend out when the bike is turned on.
Prototype drawing of the new Harley-Davidson model to be co-developed with Qianjiang Motorcycle Company in China.
Amidst a slowdown in sales domestically, Harley-Davidson has announced another step in its strategy to expand its presence in Asia through a collaboration with Qianjiang Motorcycle Company to launch a smaller, more accessible Harley model in China by the end of 2020.
This collaboration with Qiangjiang, which owns the Benelli brand, will produce a “premium 338cc-displacement Harley-Davidson motorcycle for sale first in the China market with additional Asian markets to follow,” per the press release.
According to the press release, the new model will be produced in a Qianjiang facility in China and is intended to expand access to the Harley-Davidson brand and drive incremental sales, both of the new motorcycle and also traditional Harley products already offered in Asia.
Harley has previously stated its objective is to grow its international business to 50 percent of annual volume by 2027, and China is an important part of that plan. Harley-Davidson retail sales in China grew 27 percent from 2017 to 2018.
RideToWork.org is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization that advocates and supports the use of motorcycles and scooters for transportation, and that provides information about everyday utility riding to the public. Every year, it sponsors an official “Ride to Work Day” that aims to bring awareness to the benefits of using a motorcycle or scooter for commuting/general transportation.
Here at Rider, every day is Ride to Work Day, so we fully support RideToWork.org’s mission to get more people riding, make our roads safer for riders and push local governments to add motorcycle parking and other moto-friendly ordinances.
So join us this Monday, June 17, and ride your motorcycle to work to show your support!
The towering Wasatch and Uinta Mountains of Utah will be home base for Ducati this June, as the Italian brand brings its world-renowned Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) Enduro program to North America for the first time. Having previously generated rave reviews in Europe, this is the first time Ducati will bring DRE Enduro to North America, where the Flying Iron Horse Ranch is set to become a breathtaking locale in which to enhance one’s motorcycle skills.
This is a hands-on training through diverse and adventurous terrain, and riders of all levels are encouraged to join the Ducati family in this exclusive program. DRE Enduro Academy activities in Utah will have participants developing off-road riding techniques in a private family facility featuring an off-road course. Attendees will then put their newly developed skills to the test in the Utah mountains for an adventure ride discovering Utah’s back country. With the help of tailored coaching led by Paris-Dakar veteran Beppe Gualini and a host of American and Italian instructors, the academy provides invaluable experience for those who use their motorcycle to discover the roads less traveled.
Pricing for the two-day program begins at $1,900 and includes luxury accommodations at Sundance Resort, meals, instruction and the use of Ducati’s groundbreaking new Multistrada 1260 Enduro motorcycle – a bike built for any weather and any terrain. The Multistrada 1260 Enduro is the new generation of the off-road member of the Multistrada family, with increased displacement courtesy of a 1262 cc Testastretta DVT engine delivering consistent torque through the RPM range along with a lower center of gravity allowing for easier maneuverability.
With a student to instructor ratio of 4:1, this high-touch experience is limited to 16 students per session and over 50% of the spaces for June’s DRE Enduro have been pre-sold. Those wishing to participate are encouraged to sign-up to secure a reservation for this life-changing experience.
Americade takes place every June in beautiful Lake George, New York, surrounded by great roads through the lush Green Mountains.
Americade 2019, which bills itself as the “world’s largest multi-brand motorcycle touring rally,” is part of the 2019 AMA Gypsy Tour, a national series of 15 premier road-riding events.
Per the AMA website: “One of the original experiences in motorcycling, gypsy tours are gatherings of riders from all over the country, converging upon a single destination. AMA National Gypsy Tours brings like-minded riders together to enjoy the camaraderie of motorcycling, often in a location of particular beauty, historic significance and/or importance to the sport.”
Americade occurs June 3 – 8, in beautiful Lake George, New York, and features many new events, including one of the largest expos in the country, a free 2-day block party concert, more rides than any event in the country and the most factory demos than any U.S. event.
“Americade has been an AMA-sanctioned event for many years and has always provided a fun atmosphere and scenic backdrop for motorcyclists to enjoy,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Whether it’s organized rides, the expo, seminars or dinner boat cruises, there’s a multitude of activities for road riders at Americade — one of my personal favorite riding events.”
For more details on Americade 2019, visit www.americade.com or call (518) 798-7888.
Indian Motorcycle has announced its first-ever rental program, Indian Motorcycle Rentals. Available now at select dealers around the country, Indian Motorcycle Rentals provides local residents and travelers alike the opportunity to rent a new Indian motorcycle for as little as four hours or as long as several weeks.
Indian Motorcycle Rentals is currently available through nine dealers around the country, with plans to continue to expand throughout the year. Participating dealers will have a rental fleet with various models available. Each dealer’s rental fleet will be updated out every 12 to 18 months to ensure riders have the opportunity to ride Indian Motorcycle’s current model year lineup. Riders must have a valid motorcycle license, and can book their Indian Motorcycle experience online in advance to ensure bike availability.
Image courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
Each motorcycle rental will include insurance as part of the rental fee. Riders will also have access to helmets, if they do not have their own. In addition to helmets, riders are required to have additional safety gear including long pants and close-toed shoes. Additional protective gear, such as gloves, a riding jacket and high-visibility or reflective clothing, is also recommended.
