Tag Archives: Rallies & Clubs

Rocker MC at Bard College: New School Meets Old School

Rocker MC Bard College Simons Rock
Rocker MC regulars, clockwise from far left: Luck Henderson, Jason Stafford, Jake Aloia, Amanda Bury, Monk Schane-Lydon, Tyler Farnsworth, Messiah Vision, and Helen Cohen. (Photos by Gregory Cherin and Dan Carp)

Some think the face of motorcycling is aging. Not so in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where one man is bringing the biker zeitgeist to Bard College at Simon’s Rock. Known as “The Rock,” it’s an early college that gives 10th and 11th graders the experience of post-secondary life at a tender age. Many students graduate with a bachelor’s degree at age 20, which I did in the ’80s, and it was the smartest decision I ever made.

Monk Schane-Lydon hopes students will also leave the school with a love of heavy metal thunder. Monk, a former Air Force helicopter crew chief, is an adjunct instructor and advisor to the Simon’s Rock Motorcycle Club, or “Rocker MC,” a self-funded club that restores old bikes.

“Our first bike was a Honda CX500,” Monk told me. “It came in boxes and was essentially a $100 donation of parts.”

A couple years ago, the Rockers hosted me for a reading during my national book tour for Spirit Traffic. I was so inspired and impressed by their passion that I chased them down for a series of phone interviews.

Related: Riding From Gunnison, Colorado, to Hovenweep National Monument,
by C. Jane Taylor

Rocker MC, or just “Club” as the students call it, is the brainchild of Sean Lamoureux, who brought bikes to students for a spring term workshop in 2015. Later, Bill Powers, a parent who wanted his kids to get out of their dorm rooms and work with their hands, bought the club its first motorcycle lift. Since then, Monk has been slowly accumulating tools.

Monk said only two students currently ride. “The ‘over-my-dead-body mom’ is still a reality for some. Tyler even named his bike ‘The Mother Disappointer.’ Our students are ages 15-19, so they must have permission to ride. But it’s not about riding for most of them; it’s more about building and creating.”

Rocker MC Bard College Simons Rock Monk Schane-Lydon
Adjunct faculty member and club adviser Monk Schane-Lydon teaches students how to use tools and the ins and outs of maintaining, repairing, and rebuilding motorcycles.

Monk added that besides mechanical skills, bodywork, and painting, students also learn patience. “These things are not done overnight. They also learn self-confidence. We had a fork seal that needed to be replaced. I said, ‘Okay, Helen and Jake, take that front end off. The book is right there.’ In two hours, they had taken it entirely apart and replaced the front seal. They were so satisfied with their work. Students here learn to complete their goals.”

“When I show them bodywork,” Monk continued, “I tell them to close their eyes and feel it. Being able to dial in and trust your feelings is a talent.”

In addition to advising Club, Monk teaches graphic design. “One of my students, Luck Henderson, created graphics for a Virago to give it some attitude,” he said. “I taught them how to use Photoshop and Illustrator. Another student, Ava, took off mechanically and tackled her Mazda Miata, pulling the rear end and putting her own brakes on. She [did it] on her own in her driveway. The wild thing is her dad was not mechanically inclined at all.”

What are the big takeaways for Club students? “You’ll have to ask them.” 

Rocker MC Bard College Simons Rock Helen Cohen
Rocker MC teaches students to solve problems. Here, Club member Helen Cohen rewires the headlight bucket on a 1978 Honda CX500. Later, she’ll test the new indicator lights for the turnsignals, neutral, high beam, and oil pressure.

Helen Cohen is an 18-year-old psychology major. She doesn’t ride motorcycles (her mom “has quite an aversion” to them) and steered clear of Club until the second semester of her junior year, when a friend invited her to join. 

HC: [Club] appealed to me. I wanted more technical experience and a better understanding of how machines work. I drive an old car – a 2006 Volvo S60. I wanted a better understanding of how to keep it going.

Listen to Rider Magazine Insider Podcast Episode 45 with C. Jane Taylor

CJT: What are you getting out of Club?

HC: Confidence and an appreciation for the machines that take us places. There is so much involved, but it’s not as complicated as I thought. When I first walked in there, the only thing I was brave enough to mess with was sanding a gas tank. I later learned how to solder and am learning more about auto mechanics. Motorcycle knowledge can apply to cars. The skills give you a way of thinking, so you’re not quite so concerned by things like blown fuses. 

I feel much more confident now. And it’s a way to learn about motorcycling and the motorcycle community.

It’s fun. Being in Club demystifies things and makes me feel like I can take an active role in repairing things. It has already saved me from having to call roadside assistance. It has nothing to do with my career, but that confidence will follow me forever.

Rocker MC Bard College Simons Rock Jake Aloia
Under the watchful eye (and camera) of advisor Monk Schane-Lydon, Club member Jake Aloia tightens down the rocker arms on a 2004 Triumph Bonneville T100 after adjusting the valves.

Jake Aloia is also 18. He is a double major in psychology and criminology. During the summer before starting at The Rock, he took an MSF course with his dad. They got their motorcycle endorsements together, and they share a Triumph Street Twin. Jake joined Club as soon as he got to school and has been part of it ever since. “Such a niche club at a niche school. It felt so perfect. I showed up at my first meeting; it took me less than an hour to fall in love,” he said. 

CJT: How’s Club going for you?

JA: I get a lot out of it. A big part is having space to work with my hands. It’s meditative. Creating something with your hands is a nice step away from the hustle and bustle of being a student. Showing up and tinkering is therapeutic. At the same time, you gain so much knowledge. Every time you go, you have a new problem to solve. Having the limitations of a not-decked-out shop gives you better problem-solving skills. 

CJT: What are your biggest takeaways? 

JA: Two. Every problem has a solution. In life when you don’t know the solution, you want to give up. You think, ‘This is too complicated.’ But you don’t have to be an expert. Every problem can be solved in one way or another.

The second is: Less is more. You don’t need every tool to solve these problems or repair these bikes. You can do a lot with a little. Each time, we must ask ourselves: How can we do it with what we have?

I’m much more confident as a rider and troubleshooter. If something happens, I might be able to take care of it myself. It all boils down to confidence, problem-solving, and understanding how the machine works. 

CJT: How will this experience influence your life?

JA: It is monumental for me. I have always loved working in this kind of mechanical setting, and I’ve gained a big enjoyment of it in Club. Being able to maintain my own vehicles, being able to carry that confidence, knowing the machine is not in control of me, and knowing what is happening under me as I ride make me a safer and smarter rider. For as long as I ride, I will feel that. 

Rocker MC Bard College Simons Rock Messiah Vision Helen Cohen Monk Schane-Lydon Rosie Echols
Left to right: Messiah Vision, Helen Cohen, Monk Schane-Lydon, and Rosie Echols work on Rocker MC’s 1978 Honda CX500.

Tyler Farnsworth is a 20-year-old biology major. He has been in Club for three years and initially joined because he was interested in riding and realized he did not know much about how engines work. He wants to apply that knowledge to other things, namely his car.

CJT: What are you getting out of Club?

TF: Obviously knowledge in terms of mechanical skills, but possibly more important than that is friends. I met people here I would not have met otherwise. I met my roommate, Jake, who is now my best friend.

I have always been interested in
mechanical stuff. I wanted to try the robotics team in high school, but the kids were not willing to teach you what you didn’t already know – that is the opposite of Club. Even if a student only comes once or twice, they are still going to learn something and meet some really cool people. 

Club proves that anybody can work on and learn about this type of stuff. It doesn’t matter who you are. Even if you never ride or never need to work on your own car, you’ll learn problem-solving skills that will apply to many different areas of your life. 

What makes it fun and interesting is that every time you show up, it’s never the same. I’ve done electrical work, I’ve taken apart a carburetor, replaced parts, and done bodywork.

Rocker MC Bard College Simons Rock Rosie Echols
Rosie Echols uses a grinder to modify the rear frame loop of a Yamaha Virago, which is being converted from a cruiser to a bobber. No mechanical knowledge or experience is required to join Club. All students are welcome to learn and have fun.

CJT: Do you ride?

TF: I have a license but no bike. My dad doesn’t want to deal with my mom’s anxiety about it. But once I have a job and my own place…

CJT: What’s your dream bike?

TF: There are a lot of bikes out there. Right now, my dream is to finish the [Honda] CX500. I am graduating at the end of this semester, so maybe that will happen! 

Related: C. Jane Taylor Rides 6,000 Miles on National Book Tour

CJT: How will your experience at Club influence your life?

TF: When I showed up for the first time, I was new at Simon’s Rock and did not feel good about doing things by myself. I came to Club alone and felt okay about being on my own, meeting new people, and making new friends.

At Club, I felt more affirmed that I can try something on my own, that I will be accepted and welcomed. I was talking about how anybody can and should show up – it’s important that you mention that I am transgender. Nobody ever mentions it. I want to encourage people that ride motorcycles – and everyone else – to embrace who they are and be themselves.

Are these smart young early-college students the new face of motorcycling? All signs point to a resounding “yes.” They share a love of motorcycles, individualism, and kinship with all generations of bikers. The future of our two-wheeled family looks bright indeed.

C. Jane Taylor is the author of the moto memoir Spirit Traffic, published in 2022. Her second book, Riding the Line, and her Sunday Love Letters are available on Substack. Subscribe here.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

Suzuki National Demo Tour Schedule Announced

2024 Suzuki GSX-8R in Metallic Triton Blue
The 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R is just one of many Suzuki models that you can test ride during the Suzuki National Demo Tour.

It’s hard to know if a motorcycle is right for you until you’ve ridden it, but many dealers don’t offer test rides. At Rider, we try to provide an in-depth look and honest riding impressions through our motorcycle reviews to give you everything you need to know about a model before visiting your local dealership, but words, photos, and even video don’t quite compare to the experience of a first ride on a new motorcycle.

2024 Suzuki Hayabusa 25th Anniversary Model
Now is your chance to try out the Hayabusa 25th Anniversary Edition.

If you’ve been reading our Suzuki motorcycle reviews and have wanted to get a taste of riding one of these models yourself, you’re in luck! Beginning the week of March 1-9 at Daytona Bike Week, the Suzuki National Demo Tour invites riders to schedule a demo from an extensive list of Suzuki models.

2024 Suzuki Motorcycles V-Strom 800DE Champion Yellow #2
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE is another option during the Suzuki National Demo Tour.

If you’re at Daytona Bike Week and want to try out a new Suzuki, bring your license and your riding gear to the Suzuki display at Daytona International Speedway. Demo rides will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedule a ride on a GSX-8R, GSX-8S, V-Strom 800 or 1050, Hayabusa, or any other Suzuki from the list of available models.

In addition to demo rides, you’ll also find a display of fully accessorized models, custom bikes, Suzuki racing bikes, and Genuine Suzuki Accessories.

2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Glass Sparkle Black
2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

If you miss your chance in Daytona, take a look at the Suzuki National Demo Tour schedule at the end of this article. The tour will travel to key MotoAmerica races, the U.S. round of MotoGP, some NHRA drag races, key rallies, and more.

Below is a list of Suzuki models featured during the Suzuki National Demo Tour Schedule. Click on any model to link to a Rider review of that motorcycle.

Available Suzuki Models for Demo

Suzuki National Demo Tour Schedule

  • March 1-9 – Daytona Beach, FL; Daytona International Speedway during Daytona Bike Week
  • March 15-16 – Savannah, GA; Savannah Motorsports
  • March 15-16 – Orange City, FL; Deland Motorsports
  • April 3-7 – Scottsdale, AZ; Arizona Bike Week
  • April 5-6 – Winston-Salem, NC; Kevin Powell Motorsports
  • April 19-May 20 – Plano, TX; Plano Suzuki
  • April 19-21 – Braselton, GA; Road Atlanta
  • May 3-4 – Janesville, WI; Hankster’s Motorsports
  • May 3-4 – Belleville, NJ; The Motorcycle Mall
  • May 31-2 – Plymouth, WI; Road America

Visit the Suzuki website for more information and to stay up to date on schedule additions and changes.

Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2024 Motorcycle Buyers Guide  

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

Syd’s Run: If You Can’t Be Fast, Be Spectacular

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

If anyone in Australia told you another Syd’s Run is coming up, you might think it has something to do with Sydney. However, it happens in Christchurch, New Zealand. One instantly knows something is up when you spot a gaggle of Honda C50s on the way to the starting point of the event at the periphery of Christchurch’s Central Business District.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

Syd’s Moped Run is held each November, just before New Zealand’s summer kicks in. The run was started by Sydney James Falconer in 1995. Falconer ran the event for many years on the Saturday that fell closest to his birthday. After he passed away, his son Keith continued to run it for several more years.

“Dad was a hard man,” Keith told us. “He wasn’t one for rules and regulations. He rode bikes all his life, like Triumphs – biker’s bikes mainly – but as he got older, he moved back to the smaller stuff. Our family tried to give him a party for his 70th birthday, but he refused. Instead, he sat down with his old cronies from the vintage car club, and they mapped out a moped run, which had to be pedal-powered when it initially started.”

Falconer rode an old 50cc Puch with pedals, or alternatively, his Ducati Cucciolo. He was a great one for specials, a hard case. Falconer ran the event for nearly 20 years until his health got the better of him.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

The whole spectacle is a great way for people to get out on small bikes and enjoy themselves. Current organizer Aaron Card says the run is for anyone riding small bikes, but he doesn’t mind if you turn up on a Harley and join in. Ride it slow and have a good time; that’s all that matters. Card says it’s not at all about speed but rather the people, the mates, the camaraderie, and hanging out together.

See all of Rider‘s Trike, Sidecar & Scooter reviews here.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

Attendance is impressive. On the 25th anniversary run in 2020, organizers stopped counting when they reached 306 participants leaving the start, with more who kept joining in. It was a significant jump from the very first run, which had about 45 riders.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

And what a selection of machinery it usually is. Wandering through the crowd in the main parking area and adjacent street parking for the overspill, a vast array of vintage mopeds from the Big Four Japanese manufacturers usually dominates the spectacle. It ranges from small Honda cafe racers with up-spec or aftermarket fitted horizontal engines to racing fuel tanks to fancy Yoshimura exhaust work. I’ve seen pit bikes with suicide shifters, a ratty looking Honda Hero Stream, and a 50cc Honda Turbo Z.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

Some of these bikes belong to the local Quake City Rumblers, a moped club that pines over modified classic Japanese mopeds and helps with marshalling duties at the event. Your eye might catch a rusty metal panel lookalike scooter, perhaps a Honda Joker or something of Aprilia origin, complete with metal chains hanging off it. One of the very few Vespas I’ve spotted was modified to run on a slammed rear suspension. Had I not seen the scoot arrive earlier, I would’ve guessed it wasn’t rideable.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

Honda Cubs in original vintage patina join forces with specials like a stretched Honda Cub with a long chopper fork. Even the odd Honda CT110 “Postie” or farm bike usually blends in seamlessly. A Gandalf-like bearded enthusiast willingly posed for a picture for me, sitting on his vintage Yamaha scoot, parked up close to some vintage Suzuki scoots and small-displacement Suzuki street or trail motorcycles, including a Suzuki AC50 Maverick from 1973.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

Italy represented itself with an immaculately looking Guzzi Stornello 160 and a Ducati 55, joined by some “cyclemotors”: bicycles with engines fitted to them on the frame rails or on the rear carrier rack, such as a Triumph-framed bike. Hell, even an old Velosolex showed up, a moped hugely popular in its day in Europe.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

An Excelsior scooter joined ranks with a Mayfly Falcon from 1938, the latter parked with a “For Sale” sign. Nearby, a Raleigh moped proudly displayed a small handwritten phrase: “If you can’t be fast, be spectacular.” This catchphrase can easily describe the whole event in one sentence. More vintage European scoots rounded up the spectacle, including a rare German-built 49cc Goericke Goerette from 1955, a Victoria from Nuremberg, and a good old Puch from Austria.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

There is a big social aspect about the whole outing. Half the day is about eating, having a drink, and talking, and the other half of the day is about riding the bikes. The ride stretches over 62 miles, done in two parts over Christchurch’s predominantly flat terrain over the span of about eight hours.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

The first part leads the participants down Ferry Road toward the Christchurch Gondola to the Port Hills tunnel over to Lyttelton and its natural harbor, which is a caved-in extinct volcano filled with sea water, then to Bridal Path Road, and on to the seaside settlements of Sumner and New Brighton (Quadrophenia, anyone?) to Thomson Park. Proceeding from there, the cavalcade rides down Marshlands Road and via the suburb of Northlands back to the CBD, concluding in the inner city’s Smash Palace outdoor pub for prizes and the subsequent wrap-up.

Syd's Run Uli Cloesen

You can keep up with Syd’s Run happenings on Instagram @SydsRun. And you can watch a half-hour video from the 2003 run on YouTube.

See all of Rider‘s Rallies & Clubs coverage here.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

Rally for Rangers Announces 2024 Rally Dates, Locations

Rally for Rangers, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to protect the world’s special places by empowering rangers around the world with new motorcycles and equipment,” has announced its 2024 rally dates and locations. Rally for Rangers has provided 160 motorcycles to rangers in 16 parks in Mongolia, Argentina, Nepal, Bhutan, Peru, and Namibia. In September of last year, the organization held its first U.S. rally in the Black Hills of South Dakota (read about it in the sidebar of Brad Gilmore’s article about riding the Black Hills BDR-X).

Rally for Rangers Peru
Rally for Rangers in Peru. (Photo by TopTop Studio)

For more information on Rally for Rangers, visit the Rally For Rangers website or listen to our interview with Rally for Rangers co‑­founder Tom Medema on the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast. For details on the 2024 rallies, read the press release below.


Celebrating 10 years of supporting rangers and protecting parks one motorcycle at a time, 2024 will see a “Greatest Hits” of our decade of adventure. We hope you’ll consider joining us or otherwise supporting these critical efforts to aid park rangers in their important work!

Peru: May 18-30, 2024

Rally for Rangers Peru
Photo by TopTop Studio

Beginning in May, we will return to Peru for a road-based tour of parks from the Pacific to the Amazon.

Rally for Rangers Peru
Photo by TopTop Studio

We will be visiting world renowned parks like Machu Picchu along the way and reaching heights of 16,000 feet as we traverse the stunning Andes range on Peru’s famous winding mountain roadways.

Learn more and sign up.

Mongolia: July 21 to Aug. 3, 2024

Rally for Rangers Mongolia
Photo by Phil Bond

July will see our return to where it all began: Lake Hovsgol National Park. The Mongolia rally is SOLD OUT and will be our first all-alumni event to celebrate this historic milestone. Waitlist signups are still available. Learn more.

Black Hills: Sept. 18-22, 2024

Rally for Rangers Black Hills
Photo by Kirsten Midura

Following our successful first venture in the U.S., next September we will return to the stunning and historic Black Hills. This rally will support not only the Oglala-Sioux Park Rangers but also rangers of the Northern Cheyenne.

Rally for Rangers Black Hills
Photo by Kirsten Midura

The event has a broad mix of riding options, from full pavement tours of parks and monuments to the off-road challenges of the Black Hills BDR-X. You get to choose! More details in early 2024.

Bhutan: Nov. 3-16, 2024

Rally for Rangers Bhutan
Photo by TopTop Studio

The Kingdom of Bhutan welcomes our return in 2024 to support parks and rangers that protect an incredible array of endangered species such as tigers, elephants, and so much more.

Rally for Rangers Bhutan
Photo by TopTop Studio

This primarily road-based trip is suited for intermediate and advanced riders. Learn more and sign up.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

Rolling to the January Jam in Rocky Point, Mexico | Favorite Ride

January Jam Rocky Point Mexico
The U.S./Mexico border is a place of transitional beauty, with various types of international boundary barriers inter-secting the stunning Southwestern landscape. The January Jam was a great excuse to experience it.

January can be a cruel month for motorcyclists. Even in sunny southern climates, chilly temperatures can make extended rides an exercise in discomfort. That’s why I make an annual winter sojourn south to the land of tequila and tacos for some riding and music at the January Jam in Puerto Peñasco – or Rocky Point – Mexico.

After topping off my tank at the lone American border gas station in Lukeville, Arizona, pleasant ambient temperatures mixed comfortably with radiating heat from the cylinders of my BMW GS as I idled in the slow parade at the border crossing. Rumble strips, remote cameras, armed agents, and concrete barriers marked the intimidating border security protocol.

January Jam Rocky Point Mexico

Scan QR code above or click here to view the route on REVER

My anxiety was tempered by the knowledge that I had my ducks in a row. I had purchased my three-day Mexican motorcycle insurance, and I had my passport, registration, and license handy. The camouflaged border agent motioned for me to lift my tinted faceshield and then waved me through. Just like that, I was in hustling, bustling Sonoyta. Men rushed at cars with squeegees, women held up packages of tortillas for sale, and traffic was frenetic. 

I knew what to do in this dusty border town. I kept my head on a swivel and rode below the posted speed limit. Local police cluster by the border and on the southern fringe of town with eagle eyes for tourists who drive like they are still in the U.S. It is not a cheap ticket if you get stopped.

January Jam Rocky Point Mexico
Puerto Peñasco is full of small motorcycles and big murals.

Sonoyta has the colorful, informal vibe of most Mexican towns, but I kept riding south. While the temperature back home in Arizona was hovering in the 40s, I smiled as the reading on my dash indicated 72. Yep, just what the doctor ordered.

Related: Baja Enlightenment: Riding Mexico’s Lower California Peninsula

On Highway 8 toward Puerto Peñasco, I passed dozens of descansos (“resting places” in Spanish), memorials that are intriguing, sobering, and often quite beautiful. They range from miniature concrete shrines to thematic collages. One honored a Dallas Cowboys fan.

January Jam Rocky Point Mexico
Creative descansos line the route to Puerto Peñasco.

I also passed a sign that read “Hassle Free Vehicle Zone.” Uninformed tourists often mistake these signs to mean relaxed traffic and speed rules. Not true, my friends. They just mean fewer paperwork regulations for tourist travel.  

The road from the border to Puerto Peñasco is straight and barren, but there is something to be said for an open-throttle roll through the warm desert in the dead of winter.

January Jam Rocky Point Mexico BMW GS
My BMW GS is perfect for exploring the thriving desert environment.

At the end of this 70-mile stretch, I came upon a group of Mexican sportbikers who were chatting along the dusty roadside. The half dozen crotch-rocketeers waved and saluted as I approached. They were more than happy to pose for a photo for a lone gringo moto-tourist before pulling a group U-turn and roaring back toward the coast. 

Just as Puerto Peñasco/Rocky Point goes by both Mexican and English names, it has two distinct personalities. There is the old town itself, teeming with street vendors, rusted vehicles, and colorful buildings, exuding the character of a traditional fishing village. Street taco stands waft aromatic clouds, and small motorcycles mounted with massive transport containers serve as delivery vehicles. 

January Jam Rocky Point Mexico
A group of Mexican sportbike riders pose for the gringo tourist.

Then there is the new, mostly American-owned resort community in Sandy Beach north of town. Upscale resorts line the blue waters of the Sea of Cortez. What Sandy Beach lacks in traditional character, it replaces with comfort and safety for international tourists. 

January Jam Rocky Point Mexico Sonoran Sea Resort
The Sonoran Sea is one of the beautiful resorts on Sandy Beach.

Both locations served as staging points for my weekend’s activities during the January Jam, which is the brainchild of Roger Clyne, the charismatic front man for Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. Clyne is an entertainer with a voluminous catalog of great songs and an enthusiastic following in the Southwest and beyond. 

For the jam, Clyne assembles a lineup of accomplished musicians and invites fans to congregate in Puerto Peñasco for three days of music, golf, and general reverie. Music fills the sea air, and tequila flows, especially Clyne’s own premium spirit, Canción, fittingly named after the Spanish word for “song.” 

January Jam Rocky Point Mexico
Fantastic musical acts fill the nights during the lively January Jam festival.

There are daily and nightly concerts at Clyne’s watering hole, Banditos, as well as performances at other venues in Sandy Beach and Rocky Point. We enjoyed the familiar tunes of Clyne’s band as well as David Lowery of Cracker, the Mexican-influenced sounds of The Jons from Tucson, and the lively rock blend of Miles Neilson and the Rusted Heart.

After a weekend of sampling traditional Mexican food, listening to great music, and riding to nearby fishing villages, the time came to head back north. It was over too soon.

January Jam Favorite Ride Resources

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival Announces 2024 Dates

Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival 2024

The Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival will return to Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, from May 16-19, 2024. Back for its seventh year, this event will keep attendees entertained with plenty of motorcycle activities, vendors, daily live music, stunt shows, food trucks, and more.

Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival 2024

Loretta Lynn’s spacious 3,500-acre ranch allows plenty of room to roll and romp through the woods and across the hills. Back for 2024, the ADV Experience package was a hit last year and includes three days of trial riding, biker games, morning coffee, skills building, and demo rides on Harley-Davidson Pan Americas, and general admission to the rest of the TMMR activities. The ADV Experience is open to any make or model of adventure bike, and the package costs $149, just $20 more than the price for general admission.

Related: 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special | First Ride Review

Along with the wooded trails on the ranch, there are also fields to camp in, the Fist City Track for bike shows and games, a country store and museum, and three music stages. TMMR boasts its “two-wheeled playground” and invites attendees to enjoy Harley-Davidson demo rides, racing, ADV trail riding, the V-Twin Visionary performance bike show, an all-class bike show, biker games, group motorcycle rides, the BC Moto Invitational bike show, and more.

Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival 2024

The ranch’s location an hour west of Nashville guarantees plenty of musical talent. The 2024 lineup won’t be announced until after the new year, but you can expect to see a schedule packed with several live performances each day including outlaw country, Southern rock, country, bluegrass, and rock ’n’ roll.

Related: Fun Times at the Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival 

Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival 2023
Loretta’s Roadhouse is the main stage for nightly music during TMMR. For the 2023 event, the Loretta Lynn tribute featured Loretta’s granddaughter Tayla (purple dress) introducing guest performers and storytellers, like Tim Watson on the fiddle who performed at Loretta’s funeral.

Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival offers a variety of camping options to suit your needs. Basic tent camping is available onsite, and RV hookup spots are also available. For those looking for a more sophisticated stay, the campground also offers fully furnished glamping tents for rent. Hotels and Airbnbs in the area are also available but fill up fast. Members of the U.S. Special Operations Forces can take advantage of the partnership with Special Ops Xcursions for complimentary tickets and camping.

Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival 2023
The Fist City Track, which hosts racing and biker games during TMMR, also hosts Amateur National Motocross Championships every year.

General admission for the Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival is $129, and VIP upgrades are available. Pricing for tent, glamping, and RV spots on the ranch has not yet been announced. To stay up to date on TMMR news, sign up to join the email list or text “TMMR” to (883) 306-6093. Ticket sales start on December 1, 2023.

Visit the TMMR website for more information.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

Inaugural BMW Motorrad Days Americas at Barber Vintage Festival a Success

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas
The BMW Motorrad Days Americas area dominated the Henderson Auctions Fan Zone at this year’s Barber Vintage Festival. It featured motorcycle displays, a beer garden, a stage with live music, food trucks, vendors, and more. Be-yond the Fan Zone is the racetrack, which hosted AHRMA racing and BMW parade laps.

America should designate a national park dedicated to motorcycles, and I nominate the Barber Vintage Motorsports Park. Set on 880 acres in the lush, rolling hills east of Birmingham, Alabama, it’s a motorcycle dreamland. A 16‑­turn, 2.4‑­mile racetrack designed with input from John Surtees and Dan Gurney winds through the campus. There are no grandstands, just well‑­manicured grassy hillsides where spectators can spread out chairs, blankets, and umbrellas.

The crown jewel, of course, is the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest collection of motorcycles: more than 1,800 of them representing 200 manufacturers from 22 countries.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
With more than 1,000 motorcycles on display, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is overwhelming.

More than 1,000 motorcycles are on display at any given time, and they are spread out over five floors in a spacious, well‑­lit cathedral of speed and engineering. The top floor of the museum houses the Barber Advanced Design Center, an industrial design lab.

Barber has hosted rounds of AMA/MotoAmerica Superbike racing since 2003. I attended the Superbike races in 2004, where I watched the dominant Mat Mladin battle it out against Jake Zemke and Miguel Duhamel. It also hosts American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) racing.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Fred Jakobs
During a museum tour, BMW archivist Fred Jakobs took a deep dive into historical models like this 1938 R 51.

Barber hosts two annual motorcycling events: Barber Small Bore, which celebrates the wild and wacky world of minibikes, and Barber Vintage Festival, which brings together vintage bike fans for a three‑­day festival packed with AHRMA races, demo rides, bike shows, seminars, museum tours, vendor areas, and a huge swap meet.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas
Demo rides are a popular activity at the Barber Vintage Festival, and BMW offered both on‑­road and off‑­road demos.

This past October, the 18th annual Barber Vintage Festival hosted the inaugural BMW Motorrad Days Americas – a spin‑­off of the event that takes place every summer in Germany – to celebrate the 100th anniversary of BMW Motorrad.

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here.

BMW invited members of the motorcycle media and friends of the brand to be part of the event, which gave me the opportunity for a long-overdue visit to the festival and museum. I’ve been told that you can’t do justice to the museum in less than a full day, and truer words have never been spoken. The scale, depth, and breadth of the collection is mind‑­boggling.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas
If it has a motor and two wheels – and sometimes three or four wheels – it can be found at the Barber Vintage Festival.

On Friday, our chummy group of motojournalists saddled up on a fleet of BMW R 18 Roctanes to ride from our hotel to Barber. We were joined by Peter Nettesheim and his daughter, Kate. Nettesheim’s New York home showcases the world’s largest collection of BMW motorcycles. He owns at least one of every BMW model built between 1923 and 1970, including the oldest known example of the first motorcycle BMW built, the 1923 R 32, as well as various newer models and an extensive collection of BMW paraphernalia.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas 1923 BMW R 32
The 1923 R 32 was BMW’s first production motorcycle.

Upon arriving at Barber, I hopped on one of the shuttles that carries visitors along the park’s ring road surrounding the racetrack and ferries them to the museum, the Fan Zone, the swap meet, the Proving Grounds, the paddock, and the spectating areas. Motorcycles were parked on nearly every available patch of grass, and the age range and diversity of bikes were impressive. The blue smoke and ring‑­a‑­ding sounds of 2‑­strokes filled the air, and old‑­school minibikes piloted by hipsters and overgrown boys zipped around everywhere. Harleys, Hondas, and Hodakas of various vintages and conditions sat proudly on makeshift kickstand pads, some with “For Sale” signs tucked into the handlebars. Name any motorcycle brand, and it was represented somewhere by someone.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas
The BMW ride‑­in bike show included John Langston’s 1928 R 62 that he rode in the 2014 Motorcycle Cannonball and an R 75/5 chopper.

My first stop was the sprawling Proving Grounds, which was the staging area for demo rides offered by BMW, CFMOTO, Indian, KTM, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Yamaha, and electric bike maker Ryvid. BMW had an enormous fleet of bikes on hand and was offering both on‑­road and off‑­road demos. Next to BMW’s demo area, our very own Quinn Redeker gave hourly police‑­style riding demonstrations on a BMW R 1250 RT‑­P, and his humor and skills weaving through tight cone patterns kept folks thoroughly entertained.

Related: Motor School with Quinn Redeker: Hi, My Name is Quinn

Near the Proving Grounds was the Isle of Triumph, an immersive fan experience located inside the racetrack with live music, a bike show, art installations, and vendors selling food, drinks, and merch.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Quinn Redeker
BMW Authority Sales Ambassador and Rider columnist Quinn Redeker gave a demonstration of police‑­style riding.

Next, I made my way over to the Henderson Auctions Fan Zone, which overlooks the racetrack and had a bouncy‑­house kids zone, American Motor Drome Company’s Wall of Death, the Urias Family Globe of Death, and a vendor area, where I visited our friends at Royal Enfield, SW‑­Motech, and Wunderlich America.

Taking up most of the real estate in the Fan Zone was the BMW Motorrad Days Americas area, which included displays of current and historical models, a beer garden, a stage with live music, a merchandise store, and partner displays, including Edelweiss Bike Travel, RawHyde Adventures, and the BMW Performance Center.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Shawn Thomas BMW R 1300 GS
GS Ambassador Shawn Thomas during the world‑­first public unveiling of the 2024 R 1300 GS.

On the stage at noon, GS Brand Ambassador Shawn “Rock On” Thomas and BMW Motorrad VP Region Americas Trudy Hardy gave a few introductory remarks before pulling a cover off the 2024 BMW R 1300 GS – the bike’s first public showing since being announced on Sept. 28 (see page 7 for details). After Stefan Reiff, BMW Motorrad’s VP of Customer, Brand and Sales, gave an overview of the new GS, Thomas rolled it off the stage, and I captured a short video of him starting up the bike, which is available on the Rider YouTube channel. The R 1300 GS was on display the rest of the weekend, giving folks a chance to check out the bike up close.

Related: BMW Motorrad Unveils 2024 BMW R 1300 GS at Barber Vintage Festival | Videos

At dinner on Friday night, I had the privilege of sitting with Udo Giestl, who worked as an engineer for Butler & Smith, the former U.S. importer for BMW motorcycles. He built the R 90 S racebikes that Reg Pridmore, Gary Fisher, and Steve McLaughlin campaigned in the inaugural 1976 season of AMA Superbike racing. McLaughlin and Pridmore finished 1‑­2 in the Daytona 200 that year, and Pridmore won the championship.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Udo Giestl Fred Jakobs Steve McLaughlin
From left, Udo Giestl, Fred Jakobs, and Steve McLaughlin with Pridmore’s R 90 S.

On Saturday, Giestl’s son, Eric, led the BMW parade laps on a restored version of Pridmore’s R 90 S racebike, and he was flanked by Peter and Kate Nettesheim on two vintage BMWs from Peter’s collection.

That same day, Revival Cycles hosted a BMW‑­only ride‑­in bike show, which included well‑­maintained bikes of new and old vintages as well as various customs, like an R 75/5 chopper with a raked‑­out springer front end. I joined several other journalists for an in‑­depth tour of the BMWs in the Barber Museum given by BMW archivist Fred Jakobs, who had traveled from Germany to attend the event.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Eric Giestl Reg Pridmore
The BMW parade laps were led by Eric Giestl on Reg Pridmore’s 1976 AMA Superbike championship‑winning R 90 S, Peter Nettesheim on a 1966 R 60/2, and Kate Nettesheim on a 1958 R 50.

It was a full, fun weekend with more to do than there was time to do it. No word yet whether BMW Motorrad Days Americas will become an annual event, but no matter what, put the Barber Vintage Festival on your calendar (Oct. 11‑­13, 2024), and make sure you allow plenty of time to explore the museum.

For more information, visit the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum website.

The post Inaugural BMW Motorrad Days Americas at Barber Vintage Festival a Success appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

KTM Announces Details for 2023 KTM Adventure Rider Rally

Fall is a great time for riding in some of the amazing wide-open spaces of the Southwest U.S., especially on a dual-sport or ADV bike. Along these lines, KTM has announced the dates for its 18th annual KTM Adventure Rider Rally, Oct. 13-15 at the Lake Powell Resort in Page, Arizona. The Adventure Rider Rally will take place one day after a Ride Orange Street Demo and will offer riders the opportunity to explore northern Arizona and southern Utah in groups of two to four, as well as participate in a variety of other events each day. The rally has been specifically developed for KTM Adventure and Enduro riders; however, it is open to all brands of street-legal motorcycles. For more information, read the press release below.


2023 KTM ADVENTURE RIDER RALLY

MURRIETA, Calif. – The 18th annual KTM Adventure Rider Rally will take place at the Lake Powell Resort in Page, Arizona, between Oct. 13-15, with KTM North America, Inc. excited to host its 2023 edition and welcoming riders from around the globe as one of the brand’s most historic and celebrated events on the global KTM Adventure Rally calendar.

With the options to ride spanning northern Arizona and southern Utah, including the Grand Canyon, adventurers will welcome the opportunity to experience designated loops across each day, inclusive of routes that are suitable for all skill levels and with common places for lunch/gas, supported by KTM.

The format of the rally will once again be in line with that introduced last year, promoting a collective environment for riders to enjoy together.

2023 KTM ADVENTURE RIDER RALLY

See Rider‘s West U.S. tour stories here.

In the interest of safety and to maximize the fun for participants, adventurers will be placed in groups of two to four people each day. Riders can sign up in advance to pre-determine their groups; otherwise, individuals will be teamed up on-site with a rider/group of the same skill level. In order to navigate the self-guided adventure following GPS tracks provided by KTM, a SPOT, InReach, or similar PLB is required for all riders.

2023 KTM ADVENTURE RIDER RALLY

The ultimate KTM Adventure Rider Rally has been specifically developed for KTM Adventure and Enduro riders; however, it is open to all brands of street-legal motorcycles. Thursday, Oct. 12, will feature the ever-popular KTM Ride Orange Street Demo sessions, which enables participants to take part in the planned rides across Friday, Saturday, and half-day Sunday. Riding Technique and Technical Riding Seminars will be available for participating riders, and a broad mixture of Adventure vendors will also be on location.

2023 KTM ADVENTURE RIDER RALLY

Related: 2023 KTM Ride Orange Street Demo Tour

In addition to having the chance to enjoy the experience with a selection of KTM Adventure ambassadors and athletes throughout the event, participants will receive an event T-shirt and hat, along with a pre-event dinner on Thursday, breakfast Friday-Sunday, and an Awards Dinner on Saturday, where riders will be able to recollect the experience and share their “orange adventure” stories into the evening.

2023 KTM ADVENTURE RIDER RALLY

With positions to the 2023 edition strictly limited, visit the 18th Annual KTM Adventure Rider Rally event page for further information and to register now for the KTM Adventure Rider Rally in Page, Arizona, from Oct. 13-15.

See all of Rider‘s KTM coverage here.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show Winners

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Hugh Smith won the Japanese category on Day 3. The Marine Corps veteran won a special award during the Industry Meet & Mingle on Saturday night at Americade 40 in Lake George, New York.

Americade has been drawing riders to the picturesque area around Lake George, New York, for four decades. To help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the “World’s Largest Touring Rally,” Rider and American Rider magazines co-hosted the inaugural Bring It Motorcycle Show. Since there are so many cool motorcycles at Americade, we invited attendees to bring it!

Related: Americade Celebrates 40 Years

Our show was sponsored by partners IMTBike, SMK Helmets, and Spectro Performance Oils. For three days, June 1-3, we gave awards in five categories: American Bagger, American Cruiser, Japanese, European, and Old School (pre-1990). Additionally, we handed out a daily $250 prize for Editors’ Choice. All daily winners were invited to a grand finale to determine the Best of Show on Saturday evening.

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
More than 60,000 people attended Americade 40. The Bring It Motorcycle Show was held on Beach Road near Canada Street, so it got a lot of foot traffic. We had cloudy skies on Saturday, but the rain stayed away.

The culmination of our event was an Industry Meet & Mingle celebration at the beautifully restored 19th-century Carriage House at Fort William Henry Resort that overlooks Lake George. The Best of Show winner was selected by vote and received $1,000 cash plus prizes from the show sponsors.

Of the 18 daily winners, 14 were on hand for the Best of Show judging when attendees of the Industry Meet & Mingle cast their ballots.

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
The Bring It Motorcycle Show concluded on Saturday evening at an Industry Meet & Mingle event at the newly renovated Carriage House at Fort William Henry in Lake George.

After nearly 100 votes were tabulated, it was the purity and simplicity of Keith Youngblood’s 1969 Triumph TR6R hardtail bobber that earned the grand prize.

“It’s a highlight of my life,” Youngblood exclaimed. “I never expected to win!”

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Keith Youngblood’s beautiful 1969 Triumph TR6R Bobber, which won the European category on Day 2, was also ultimately voted Best of Show. He won $1,000 in cash, a crystal trophy, and prizes from the show sponsors.

Youngblood’s vintage Triumph just edged out the bike with the best backstory, which belongs to Marine Corps veteran Hugh Smith. He uses his 2006 Yamaha Road Star V-Twin to help build homes for veterans with children. Smith dubbed his bike “Milwaukee Packout,” as he uses it as a worksite mule, and it’s fitted with Milwaukee toolboxes and even a battery-powered miter saw on the back!

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Hugh Smith, a Marine Corps veteran, uses his 2006 Yamaha Road Star “Milwaukee Packout” as a work vehicle when he helps build houses for female veterans with children. Check out the bag of Quikrete in the right toolbox and the battery-powered miter saw on the back. He won the Japanese category on Day 3, and he came in second place during Best of Show judging. Americade director Christian Dutcher chipped in $200 to honor Smith for his service and work, and Rider and American Rider magazines will send him some cool prizes.

We only had one Best of Show award to give out, but Smith’s story pulled many heartstrings at the event, including those of Americade’s chief, Christian Dutcher, who graciously dug into his pocket to gift Smith with $200 for a special award.

We thank our show entries, our sponsors, and all Americade staff and volunteers for making our inaugural show such a success. We’ll be back next year, so Bring It!

Related: Americade 2021 Rally Report

Bring It Motorcycle Show Day 1 Winners:

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Editors’ Choice (Day 1): Duane Cipas, 2002 Eddie Trotta Custom (Photo by Matt Gustafson, gustophoto.com)

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
American Bagger (Day 1): Greg Burchard, Harley-Davidson Road King Custom (Photo by Matt Gustafson, gustophoto.com)

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
American Cruiser (Day 1): Jim Botsacos, 2018 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Deluxe (Photo by Matt Gustafson, gustophoto.com)

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Japanese (Day 1): Harrison Hunter, 2004 Honda Rune (Photo by Matt Gustafson, gustophoto.com)

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
European (Day 1): Jennifer Martin, 2011 Ural T (Photo by Matt Gustafson, gustophoto.com)

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Old School (Day 1): John Kyser, 1986 Suzuki Cavalcade GV1400 (Photo by Matt Gustafson, gustophoto.com)

Bring It Motorcycle Show Day 2 Winners:

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Editors’ Choice (Day 2): Adam Mitchell, 2016 Harley Davidson Road Glide Turbo

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
American Bagger (Day 2): Darryl Colten, 2008 Victory Vision

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
American Cruiser (Day 2): Mike Sabatino, 2008 Harley-Davidson Night Rod Reverse Trike

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Japanese (Day 2): Ed Charette Sr., 2006 Honda Gold Wing Trike

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
European (Day 2): Keith Youngblood, 1969 Triumph TR6R Bobber

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Old School (Day 2): Don Adams, 1978 Honda CB750

Bring It Motorcycle Show Day 3 Winners:

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Editors’ Choice (Day 3): Tim Curley, 1974 Honda CB750K

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
American Bagger (Day 3): Sheana Holder, 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
American Cruiser (Day 3): Joe Fayo, 2017 Indian Scout

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Japanese (Day 3): Hugh Smith, 2006 Yamaha Road Star “Milwaukee Packout”

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
European (Day 3): Eddie Plam, 2020 BMW R nineT /5 (Eddie wasn’t present at award time, so Rider EIC Greg Drevenstedt accepted it on his behalf)

2023 Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
Old School (Day 3): Brandon Hamblin, 1987 Harley-Davidson Sportster Chopper

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

Americade Presents ‘Bring It Motorcycle Show’ Co-hosted by Rider Magazine

Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
A customized Victory Vision at Americade 2021.

Americade is a weeklong motorcycle festival that brings together more than 75,000 riders each year to the scenic Lake George area in New York. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the event, which will run from May 30 through June 4, and there will be a new event this year that you won’t want to miss: the Bring It Motorcycle Show, which is being co-hosted by Rider and its sibling publication, American Rider.

Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
A trio of customized Can-Am Spyders and a Honda Gold Wing at Americade 2021.

Americade’s goal is to highlight the best of motorcycling and ensure that the public’s perception of motorcycling is a positive one. It features the most factory demos of any event in the U.S., stunt shows, comedy shows, and plenty of riding opportunities in the beautiful region.

Related: Americade 2023 to Offer the Most Factory Demo Rides in U.S.

Attendees this year are invited to compete for prizes during the new Bring It Motorcycle Show, which will run June 1-3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Categories include American Bagger, American Cruiser, Japanese, European, and Old School (for pre-1990 bikes), and there will be an Editors’ Choice selection each day. All daily winners will be invited to the Industry Meet & Mingle on Saturday evening when the Best of Show winner will receive more than $1,000 worth of cash and prizes.

Americade Bring It Motorcycle Show
A V-8 trike at Americade 2021.

The Bring It Motorcycle Show will have a prime location between stunt shows and food trucks, making it the perfect spot to admire interesting bikes and take a lunch break in between other activities. We’re excited to host this event, and we look forward to meeting some of our readers. Stop by to say hello!

For more information, visit the Americade website.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com