In this episode of “On the Throttle,” Jacqui Van Ham and Josh Troche talk about Harley-Davidson, 10 days of INTENSE streaming, the International Motorcycle Show Series and Yamaha’s explanation for pulling out of Dakar.

• Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire released its S2 Del Mar LE, billed as an electric urban street tracker.
• Isle of Man TT is available to stream. Its Live Pass program includes all six qualifying days and the four race days. All the action takes place May 28 to June 11.
• The International Motorcycle Show Series/IMS Outdoors is canceled.
• Yamaha’s pulling out of the Dakar Rally is explained.

This episode of On the Throttle has been brought to you by:

Red Line Oil: Products designed and engineered to keep you cool.

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The powersports industry is at a crossroads with where and how brands promote their products amidst the continued manufacturing and sourcing delays associated with the pandemic. These current hurdles that IMS’ brand partners are facing would have made it difficult for IMS to produce a show that would meet everyone’s expectations. Therefore, IMS will not be moving forward with the planned 2022 events, including the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show.

Any tickets purchased or Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show registrations paid for 2022 events will be refunded to the credit card used for purchase within seven business days. If you have not received your refund within seven business days, please contact service@tixonlinenow.com.

IMS greatly appreciates your attendance and loyalty over the years and will miss sharing your love for motorcycling with you.  

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Tickets will go on sale on March 24 at www.motorcycleshows.com.

Heading into the sophomore year, the experience-focused event will bring back the popular two-wheel and four-wheel demo programs, eBikes, shopping, custom and vintage bikes, and music, while also offering more chances for enthusiasts to engage with brands and their riding community, from ride-ins and races to speakers and charitable efforts.

“The launch of IMS Outdoors was an exciting challenge that armed us with learnings we look forward to applying on the 2022 tour, including an expansion of the highly successful demo program, growing our electric footprint and adding more experience-focused offerings,” said Tracy Harris, senior vice president of Progressive IMS Outdoors. “The powersports industry is amid a transformative period in time as new brands emerge, such as bespoke and electric companies, and we welcome an all-new generation of riders. We are so proud to cater our event to the changing needs of the industry and reunite everyone from new riders and kids to life-long enthusiasts.”     

2021 Tour Results

• More than 35,000 motorcycle demo rides were taken across the eight-city tour.
• Nearly half — 44% — of attendees were new to riding or prospective riders; IMS is a catalyst for industry-wide growth and is driving new customers for exhibitors and event sponsors.
• The introduction of side-by-side and eBike demos were well-received and indicated the community’s growing interest in adjacent products.
• Influenced by IMS’ award-winning Discover The Ride program, three different programs put more than 1,600 adults and teens on a motorcycle for the first time.
• Nearly 1,700 kids rode two-wheeled balance and battery-operated bikes with Strider, Harley-Davidson and Husqvarna.

Harris continued, “We could not be more excited to announce this year’s tour schedule, which was built in partnership with the industry’s leading OEMs. Our team is working diligently to produce an even more robust event that brings the love of riding to life and look forward to sharing more details regarding activations and participating brands with our community soon.”

IMS 2022 Schedule

• Colorado
  The Ranch Events Complex
  June 17-19, 2022  
• Chicago
  Goebbert’s Farm
  June 24-26, 2022
• Pennsylvania
  Carlisle Fairgrounds
  Sept. 16-18, 2022
• New York
  The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  Sept. 23-25, 2022
• Atlanta
  Venue to be announced
  Sept. 30 – October 2, 2022
• Northern California
  Santa Mateo County Event Center
  Oct. 21-23, 2022
• Arizona
  Westworld of Scottsdale
  Oct. 28-30, 2022
• Southern California  
  OC Fair & Event Center
  Nov. 4-6, 2022

Tickets go on sale March 24. Save the date on your calendar and visit www.motorcycleshows.com for more information on the 2022 tour. 

The post Progressive IMS Outdoors Announces 2022 Tour Schedule appeared first on Motorcycle & Powersports News.

“The competition in Southern California was an excellent ending to an incredible year,” said Tracy Harris, senior vice president of Progressive IMS Outdoors. “The raw talent and pure passion these builders infuse into their custom bikes is remarkable, and we applaud everyone who participated. We’re proud to celebrate the hard work and artistry these builders put into their bikes and showcase the creative side of our sport.”  

Winners of the Custom Street, Custom Classic and Freestyle categories took home $500 to $1,000 in cash from Progressive IMS Outdoors, plus prizes from Black Flys sunglasses. The People’s Choice winner received a pair of Black Flys sunglasses in addition to $500, courtesy of Gasoline and Coffee. The runners-up from the Custom Classic, Custom Street and Freestyle categories won an Arlen Ness Air Cleaner, Vance and Hines Exhaust and Rinehart Racing Exhaust respectively. All Southern California prizes were provided by Arlen Ness, Vance and Hines, Rinehart Racing, Black Flys sunglasses, and Gasoline and Coffee.  

Winners from the Southern California round include:  

Custom Classic 

Winner 

Jon MacDowell took home first place with a 1967 Triumph stripped-down TR6R hard tail. The bike featured front and rear running Shinko 705 tires, dual Amal carbs with hard lines, custom drag bars and footboards, a foot clutch with a jockey shift and cupronickel hard lines. The lowbrow oil tank includes a modified original triumph gas tank with a Joe Hunt magneto, a Patina frame and antiqued brass and aluminum parts. 

Runner-up 

Dustin Kott secured runner-up with a 1979 Kawasaki KZ750 that features a CB750 Swing Arm, a GSXR front end and a custom-built seat and rear set with paint by Cali Paint Co. 

Custom Street  

Winner 

Mikey Loko won with a 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Glide with a Rose Gold Bagger.  

Runner-up 

Dustin Kott secured runner-up with a 2006 Triumph Speedmaster, featuring a reversed cylinder dead and Mono-Shock conversion. The motorcycle hosts a custom subframe, a shaped aluminum tank and custom fairing with paint by Bryan Collins and Cali Paint Co. 

Freestyle

Winner 

Mark Shell secured first place with a 2018 completely custom bike that featured a custom floorboard shifter and brake, and titanium pipes. The custom paint was done by Creative Auto. 

Runner-up 

Yuanda Xu took home runner-up with a 1966 Harley-Davidson Softail, featuring a stretched wing arm by Chassis Design, custom girder forks by Voodoo Fabrications and a platinum air ride. More features include One-Offs pipes, handlebars, fairing, air dam, oil tank and seat. The bike has custom paint by Jon Schroder. 

People’s Choice

Lily Karapetyan secured the People’s Choice award with a 2019 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim, with all body work performed with fiberglass, added bags and fairing, LED lights, raised handlebars and a custom seat. The bike was custom painted by Karapetyan. 

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“We designed the competition to spotlight professional and amateur builders alike, attracting world-class builders at each stop along the tour that come to showcase their rolling works of art. Not only do the participants receive well-deserved recognition, but the custom motorcycles on display provide event attendees the opportunity to engage with some of the finest customs across the U.S.,” remarked Bob Kay, director of UBCBS.    

Each stop along the tour holds a competition at the event comprised of three classes – Custom Street Class, Custom Classic Class, and Freestyle Class – and the People’s Choice Award. Winners from each category are entered into the championship round held in Atlanta, competing for the grand prize and renowned title: King of Builders.   

“Congratulations to the winners in Texas—officially halfway through the tour, we have seen some remarkable bikes and this city’s bunch had incredibly unique and custom builds that reflected each builder’s story and background. We are still accepting applications for the upcoming four cities and welcome all creatives and builders to be a part of the fun,” continued Kay. Apply to participate in the upcoming competitions here: https://motorcycleshows.com/UBCBS.   

Winners from IMS Texas include:   

CUSTOM CLASSIC  
Winner  

    * JC Coen with won with a 1980 Harley-Davidson FXB. This custom classic was painted by OSC and features an engine size of 80.  

Runner-up   

    * Ryan Brown secured runner-up with a custom 1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead.  

CUSTOM STREET  
Winner  

    * Danny Ratliff won with a 2014 Darwin Digger Bobber. Custom built by Brass Balls with a magic touch from “Manny” the magician from Oklahoma City, brushed stained finish that changes color from all directions.   

Runner-up   

    * Jason Williams secured runner-up with a 2012 Harley-Davidson Road Glide, custom painted by Gary Queen.  

FREESTYLE  
Winner  

    * Larry Curik won with a 2021 Lone Star Chopper XR1525S, custom painted by Springel. The motorcycle features a dual front head Shovelhead, exhaust ports moved and left side exit and dual carbs on the right side. Everything on the bike is handmade or modified, including the wheels, brakes, and sheet metal. The bike started as a 30-year-old Ness Luxury Liner frame that Larry chopped himself.

Runner-up  

    * Justin Kelly secured runner-up with a 2003 Harley-Davidson XL, custom painted by Conrad.    

PEOPLE’S CHOICE  
Winner   

    * Motorcycle Missions won the People’s Choice award with their 1972 Honda Cl350. The motorcycle was built by a group of female US Veterans, where they tore the bike down and got right into restoring the old parts and installing the new ones. They did a complete engine rebuild/restore, learned how to prep their bike for paint and learned how to ceramic coat their parts, wrap their exhaust, fabricate, metal shape, and detail their bike for the show, thanks to Meguiars. The bike started as a restore in May 2019 and then turned custom with a set of brand-new Yamaha R6 forks, and custom triple trees donated by Cognito Moto. The 7-inch LED Evo S headlight and mounting brackets were made and donated by Motodemic. 18-inch wheels front and back with a donated Cognito Moto machined front hub and wheels laced by Buchanans. Powder coating donated by Temecula Powder coating. Custom-made seat donated and made by Corbin Seats, and the Ikon Suspension. Rear shocks donated by Ikon Suspension. Exhaust mufflers donated by Voodoo Moto and titanium exhaust wrap donated by DEI Engineering.

The post Progressive IMS Outdoors Custom Bike Show Winners in Texas appeared first on Motorcycle & Powersports News.

In December 2020, IMS revealed the Tour’s exciting refresh from an indoor convention setting to outdoor venues that broaden the experience for consumers, enabling attendees to fully immerse themselves with brand-new models and engage with products that complement the motorcycle lifestyle. “Transitioning to an experience-forward event series has been very well-received by both our attendee and exhibitor community, a model everyone is excited to continue,” said Tracy Harris, Senior Vice President of Progressive IMS Outdoors. “This new and improved layout mirrors the Powersports lifestyle by providing a fun environment for enthusiasts to reconnect after so many months apart and demo product of interest, from on and off-road, four-wheels, to the latest e-bikes on the market.” 

EXPANDED DEMO OPPORTUNITIES

With each participating OEM running an average of 20-minute demo rides all weekend, the first three weeks of the Tour delivered upward of 14,000 demos. “Progressive IMS Outdoors has been a great opportunity for Kawasaki to showcase our exciting Side by Side line-up to the IMS fan base and the motorcycle industry,” said Kawasaki’s Chris Brull, Vice President of Marketing and Racing. “The Kawasaki demo experience is equal parts educational and exciting, especially for first-time riders. In addition to our complete line-up of motorcycles, including Ninja, Versys, Vulcan and Z motorcycles, we are thrilled to offer attendees the chance to ride our new Teryx KRX 1000 Side x Side line-up through a unique off-road course and tackle any obstacle with ease.” 

“Progressive IMS Outdoors has proved to be a major success for Indian Motorcycle,” said Taylor Young, experiential marketing manager, Indian Motorcycles. “We’ve been thrilled with the exposure to new and existing riders, as well as our family of Indian Motorcycle owners who’ve been coming out to support. We look forward to the remaining markets on the Tour.”

DELIVERING NEW RIDERS 

A focal point of this year’s Tour is building a solid base of new riders through more Learn To Ride opportunities. Nearly half of surveyed attendees in Chicago were either prospective riders that plan to start riding in the next 12 months or are new to riding. IMS’ transition to an experiential event series welcomes a handful of entry points into the world of motorcycling through greater opportunity for eager new and interested riders to hone their ability to ride via programs like Discover The Ride, Ride With Us and Harley-Davidson’s Invitation To Ride. Also notable is the expanded electric footprint and inclusive activities for kids at the tour.

“I loved the learn to ride area,” said an IMS attendee. “The people and experience were amazing! I ride with my husband, but I have never ridden by myself because I didn’t want to spend $300 to take a course and not be sure if I like it or not. This quick course has influenced me to sign up for a motorcycle class. Thank you so much; what a terrific experience!”

Harris continued: “We do not have plans to return to the indoor event series. Our mission is to support the industry’s growth, connect enthusiasts with the brands they love, and provide an experience that is so much more than simply looking at new models — and the Summer months allow for this level of engagement. With so many smiling faces in Northern California, Chicago and Pennsylvania, we could not be more excited to share that Progressive IMS Outdoors is here to stay.” 

The post Progressive IMS Outdoors 2021 Tour Update appeared first on Motorcycle & Powersports News.

The Motorcycle Industry Council’s Ride With Us Moto Intro program is a free experience to IMS ticket holders interested in learning how to ride. Motorcycles, riding gear, and coaching are provided.

“We’re already closing in on helping more than 500 people experience the exhilaration of their first ride,” said Cinnamon Kernes, MIC vice president of market expansion. “The sheer joy these new riders exude when they take their helmets off is truly inspirational.”

Motorcycling is a fun and fuel-efficient way to commute, and a great way to travel, explore, and recreate. Many people are discovering the benefits of riding. New motorcycle and scooter sales rose 11.4 percent in 2020, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council Retail Sales Reporting System, and the trend continues, with sales up 15.2 percent through the first half of 2021.

“IMS has great experiences for riders, now non-rider can join in the fun and experience their first ride,” Kernes said.

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For 40 years, the consumer-oriented International Motorcycle Shows took place indoors, largely in convention centers located in different cities around the United States. With motorcycle interest surging despite the ongoing pandemic, the IMS organizers decided that shows were important, but they should take place outdoors, which would be both safer and more inviting to the consumers the shows hoped to attract.

Once the nine venues chosen for the newly named 2021 IMS Outdoors were locked down, IMS faced a second hurdle – the empty warehouses of most OEM’s, which made them reluctant to divert the bikes dealers were screaming for to the demo fleet. Eventually, the demo trucks of Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Enfield, Zero, KTM, Indian, and Harley-Davidson/Livewire appeared at the Northern California show, while Energica and Beta displayed bikes. Kawasaki also brought its Teryx sport side-by-sides and set up a demo track on the hill above the raceway.

The Sonoma Raceway IMS Outdoors show opened to the public at 1 pm, Friday and ran July 16-18. The attendance was a little lighter than hoped on Friday, but by 10 am on Saturday, the motorcycle parking lot was almost full and shuttle buses were busy bringing in people from the automobile parking lot. The outdoor format, in addition to adding an extra layer of safety in a post-pandemic world, gave the IMS Outdoors show a lot of extra room. One use for that room were three different closed circuits: an Intro to Motorcycles course, run on specially configured Zero motorcycles, a Strider balance bike track for little kids, and a loop for slightly bigger kids to practice cornering on Husqvarna electric minibikes. Both kids’ loops saw a steady stream of children and their parents. One little boy, obviously destined for an American Flat Track number plate, was hot shoeing around corners in clear imitation of Jared Mees.

Ryan McFarland, the inventor of the Strider balance bike, gave a press presentation on All Kids Bike, a nonprofit that sponsors a learn to ride a bicycle program for kindergartners in public schools. He presented the alarming statistic that 75 percent of children never ride bicycles. Instead, they spend hours staring at screens. Childhood obesity is a major issue, as is a lack of independence. Bicycle riding has the potential to fix all three problems. All Kids Bike (interestingly, largely supported by motorcycle-related businesses) is now teaching over 60,000 kids annually how to ride. McFarland suggested dealerships spearhead fundraising for the program in a nearby school. “Your dealership can be a hero when you deliver the bicycles to the school.”

By noon, it was very obvious that the major consumer draw was the demo rides. Some people waited several hours to get a chance to sample a specific motorcycle. Dan Quick of Zero was all grin as he watched the line of people waiting to do a test ride. “The pandemic helped Americans realize how rad powersports are. Our dualsports are flying out the door and are outpacing forecasts. We are able to keep stocked by not having a single source supply chain.”

The Zero factory is in Central California, South of Silicon Valley. “We didn’t have much disruption due to the pandemic. What did cause disruption was wildfires in our area. Our product development timeline was impacted just by weeks, not months, and with the launch of the FXE we’re on track.”

Andrew Kihn, Supervisor of consumer events for Kawasaki, was competing with Dan Quick for the Biggest Smile Award. “We are here with two different demo trucks – the Good Times motorcycle tour and the Teryx KRX sport side by side tour, because the IMS is a leading industry event and people come here wanting to demo. It’s the best way to experience our products. We got the tours back out on the road in June and visit dealerships every weekend, with demos, a lounge with video games and other things to make an event out of the demo.”

“There’s been a long demo line here since 9 am. People are eager to see and ride bikes, and our new KLR is at this event, which is a major draw. Our side by sides are here too, and this is a unique opportunity to demo both.”

In addition to the demo trucks, there were exhibits by aftermarket retailers and E-bike manufacturers. Superbike Showroom has a unique business model – they buy trade-ins from dealers and sell to consumers on their website. “We can pay more to dealers than the auction houses – and there’s no waiting to get paid,” says Shawn Owens, Sales director of  Superbike Showroom. “Almost everyone here yesterday was motivated to come by the test rides. We needed this. It’s good to see normal life coming back.”

John Michael Thompson, General Manager of Giant Bicycles USA, was proudly standing next to Giant’s large display, complete with demo rides. He explained how a sideline of E-Bikes might be valuable to a motorsports dealer. Giant, based in Taiwan, is the world’s largest manufacturer of performance bicycles and is a major player in the E-bike market. “Our demographic is people who want to get outside, exercise and most of all have fun. With our pedal-assist machines, we create a flat world, where you don’t exhaust yourself pedaling up hills. E-Bike sales can give a dealer new business and a wider scope. ”

“Giant’s mission is retail support. We are focused on selling our retailers’ inventory first! We do have direct sales, but facilitate in-store pickups through our website and share 100% margin with our stocking retail family. We also have our own financing and will help train service people. We can give a dealer a top return on investment.”

“People were really lining up for demo rides,” said Robert Pandya (Team Manager of the Discover the Ride program hosted by IMS Outdoors) at the end of the day. “The motorcycle parking lot is full. The demo managers are happy with the numbers and turnout.

“We need more promotion of, and assistance to, new riders,” Pandya suggests. “Right now we are in a bubble. It’s up to us to keep the momentum going.”

The post The Sonoma Raceway International Motorcycle Show appeared first on Motorcycle & Powersports News.

“After over a year apart, we are so excited to be bringing the Powersports community back together,” said Tracy Harris, SVP, IMS Outdoors. “Our goal is to showcase the diverse lifestyles and offerings across the Powersports industry in fun and inviting atmospheres. With our Tour’s new outdoor format, we are thrilled to be able to bring more opportunities than ever to allow our attendees to truly interact with the products and sport, not matter one’s age or skill level.”

Discover The Ride

Designed to introduce riding motorcycles to consumers of all ages, the returning Discover The Ride initiative will provide a variety of interactions for attendees to learn and grow their riding skills in safe and controlled environments. In partnership with Zero Motorcycles, the New Rider Course allows non-licensed motorcyclists to experience, first-hand, the thrill of two-wheels on speed-limited electric Zero Motorcycles and learn riding basics from Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) instructors.

New this year to Discover The Ride is the introduction of Strider in the Kids Zone and IMS’ partnership with All Kids Bike, opening the world of two wheels to enthusiasts as young as two years old.

Adjacent to Discover The Ride is the Motorcycle Industry Council’s (MIC) Ride With Us Moto Intro experience. The Moto Intro gives non-riders a chance to experience the thrill of their first ride within 45 minutes. MSF RiderCoaches will guide new riders through basic motorcycle controls and help them experience their first ride in a closed-course environment. Furthermore, at select events indicated below, Harley-Davidson’s Invitation To Ride program will also be extending a hand to prospective riders, delivering the opportunity to experience the basics of riding on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

·    Texas: Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, TX – October 1-3)

·   Nashville: James E. Ward Agriculture Center (Lebanon, TN – October 8-10)

·   Central Florida: SUN n’ FUN Campus (Lakeland, FL – October 15-17)

Demos

There will be ample opportunities along each Tour stop to hop on and ride both gas-powered and electric motorcycles and bicycles from brands including FLX, Harley-Davidson, Indian, Kawasaki, Pedego Santa Rosa, Pushpak Motors,Rayvolt, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Tern Bicycles, Yamaha, and Zero. More information on Street Demo Rides can be found here, and Electric Bike Demo Rides can be found here.

At select events on the Tour, Kawasaki and Yamaha will also offer Side by Side demos:

·   Northern California: Sonoma Raceway (Sonoma, CA – July 16-18)

·    Chicago: Goebbert’s Farm (Pingree Grove, IL – August 20-22)

·    Pennsylvania: Carlisle Fairgrounds (Carlisle, PA – September 10-12)

·    Atlanta: Georgia International Horse Park (Conyers, GA – October 29-31)

·    Southern California: Venue and Date TBA

Returning Attractions

Returning this year will be a number of fan-favorite attractions, including:

Adventure Out!: a space to shop, prepare for the next trek or tour and learn about incorporating adventure and travel into a motorcycling lifestyle – now also including RVing. A central campsite, surrounded by exhibitors, acts as a place for education and discovery, with experienced riders and RVers sharing their stories and tips. While there, attendees can enter Explorify’s Adventure Out! sweepstakes for a chance to win a South Africa Tour and a lifetime subscription to Rider Magazine or a free three-day motorcycle rental and pick up a copy of Rider Magazine, your source for touring, travel, and adventure on two-wheels.

IMS Vintage: An IMS staple, Vintage will be returning to each market, enabling attendees to get up close and personal with the very best classic and retro-style motorcycles from vintage bike clubs across the country.

J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show: The nation’s largest motorcycle builder competition, the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show will feature hundreds of motorcycles and tens of thousands in cash and prizes across the Tour. Professional and amateur builders are invited to compete at their local Progressive IMS Outdoors for cash, prizes, and recognition.

Shopping at IMS

Across the Tour, there will additionally be many opportunities to explore brands and make purchases in the following areas:

Charged at IMS: Charged at IMS introduces visitors to the world of electric-powered “micro-mobility” vehicles with brand exhibits and an electric bicycle demo course or trail.

SHIFT at IMS: This curated, lifestyle-orientated space is for riders seeking new and known brands that emulate their lifestyles and values. A lounge sits at the center of this space, giving visitors a chance to socialize and chill while they shop.

The Marketplace: The Marketplace is an interactive retail space allowing you to touch, test, and buy the latest gear, parts, and accessories from key aftermarket brands. Specialists will be on hand to educate, introduce products, answer questions and help you finalize your purchase.

The Shop: This is a one-stop shop for buyers looking to work on their vehicles and make updates to their rides. Visit The Shop to purchase parts, tools, and accessories. See the event homepage for participating brands.

The Range: At the heart of IMS Outdoors lies The Range, a place for attendees to explore and shop brands to outfit them head to toe with gear, apparel, and accessories, plus connect with clubs and services to enhance their riding lifestyle. See the event homepage for participating brands.

Across the nine stops of the Tour, each event will project a different tone in line with the region’s lifestyle and culture, including aspects such as music and food. Furthermore, attendees of the first event in Northern California will have the opportunity to ride the Sonoma Raceway track or ChampStreet course with the Yamaha Champions Riding School.

The post Progressive IMS Outdoors Announce 2021 Attractions, Demos and Experiences appeared first on Motorcycle & Powersports News.

The Kids Zone with Strider, the latest addition to Discover The Ride, will elevate the industry-leading new rider program by introducing two experiential courses geared toward all riders ages two through 15 at each stop along the 2021 tour. Furthermore, to complement the onsite attraction and extend support to the local community, the organizers of the Progressive IMS Outdoors tour join the All Kids Bike movement dedicated to teaching all children in America how to ride in kindergarten PE classes.

Collectively, the two initiatives spotlight the Progressive IMS Outdoors tour’s dedication to nurturing young riders and building the next generation of Powersports enthusiasts, while also providing more young kids the opportunity to learn balance, develop essential riding skills, build confidence, and foster a love for two wheels.

“Discover The Ride is the industry’s most notable program breaking down barriers to entry for those interested in learning how to safely and comfortably ride two wheels — we are honored to join the program via The Kids Zone and extend this learning opportunity to more people,” said Ryan McFarland, CEO and founder of Strider. “Imparting excitement for outdoor-based activities to the younger generation is central to who we are at Strider. We look forward to putting smiles on kids’ faces at IMS Outdoors; whether they’re experienced on two wheels or are learning the art of balance, we have a course for everyone.”

McFarland, who also serves on the board for All Kids Bike, continued, “we’re also excited to be partnering with the Progressive IMS Outdoors tour to bring the kindergarten PE Learn-To-Ride program to more schools across the U.S., giving more kids the opportunity to learn this milestone skill. This level of community support is instrumental in shaping how kids perceive and engage with two wheels for the rest of their lives.”

All Kids Bike Teams up with IMS Outdoors

The Progressive IMS Outdoors tour is sponsoring the introduction of the All Kids Bike program in nine elementary schools across the U.S. On behalf of IMS Outdoors, selected kindergarten PE classes in each community along the 2021 tour will be equipped with everything needed to get their students rolling including teacher training and certification with the All Kids Bike Learn-To-Ride Curriculum, bike fleet sizes that fit the needs of each class size, pedal conversion kits, and fully adjustable helmets, all at zero cost to the school.

The turnkey program represents the event organizers’ firm commitment to and gratitude for the local communities that host IMS Outdoors. Tracy Harris, SVP of IMS Outdoors, stated: “We are grateful and excited to partner with All Kids Bike to share our passion for two wheels and instill a life-long skill in the younger generation. All Kids Bike initiated a nationwide movement, and it’s an honor to join the ranks.”

To further connect the community, IMS Outdoors is working with a dealer in each market across the 2021 Progressive IMS Outdoors tour to help celebrate the selected school and deliver the bikes. More details will be shared soon.

The Kids Zone with Strider

Entering its third tour, Discover The Ride has evolved into the Powersports industry’s foremost program easing non-licensed consumers onto two-wheels through the New Rider Course, online education via New To 2, and Next Steps that promotes continued training.

Brand-new to Discover The Ride this year are two interactive closed courses designed exclusively for kids of varying skill levels and comfort with two wheels.

• The Strider Adventure Zone provides little ones from two to seven years old a safe environment to explore mobility on two wheels on a Strider No-Pedal Balance Bike. The arena will allow kids to experience the challenge and thrill of navigating a unique course with assorted obstacles, while simultaneously developing their balance and bike-handling skills.
• For children that are approximately eight to 15 years old, the Strider Balance Zone affords kids the opportunity to master their balance and coordination on a Strider 16 Balance Bike on a course that fully tests their skills of balance and expertise on bike, challenging participants to remain upright.

Link: IMS

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