International Motorcycle Shows Grabs New Riders by the Horns

So many more people grow up in dense urban areas today compared to when many of us long-time motorcycle riders cut our teeth. Add to increased traffic the higher cost of living, the myriad thrilling alternatives to motorcycling including video games and televised professional Cornhole, and well – it’s no surprise our numbers are dwindling. I don’t think human nature has changed, though, I just think getting started is harder than it used to be, so hats off to the Progressive IMS shows, and its new Discover the Ride program, for greasing the skids for that 3% of Americans who think it’s cool to ride around on motorized two-wheeled machines. New to 2 isn’t some lame lecture series, either, it puts butts in seats: kid ones, adult ones – and even wheelying ones!

Press Release:

The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows (IMS) Cultivates a New Generation of Riders with New to 2

IMS offers new riders a comprehensive introduction to motorcycling, breaking down the industry’s high barriers-to-entry through an online platform

Santa Monica, Calif. (January 31, 2019) – The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows (IMS), the industry leader for connecting powersports’ top brands with enthusiasts and buyers, today announced NewTo2.com, an online platform within Discover The Ride dedicated to educating a new generation of riders. Discover The Ride, a forward-thinking initiative that serves the entire motorsports industry and new to IMS this year, is designed to introduce riding to those interested in motorcycling. The initiative is comprised of five interactive activities including, the New Rider Course in partnership with Zero Motorcycles and Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles, the Kid’s Zone presented by Allstate, XDL Wheelie Experience, Dyno Experience and New To 2.

As a new series of online videos now available to consumers, NewTo2.com includes live presentations at IMS, educating new riders on the world of motorcycling. The videos and live presentations at the show are hosted by Monique Filips and Jordan Diggs, experienced motorcyclists, as well as surprise guests in certain markets, guiding riders through the different types of motorcycles to choose from, the gear needed, how to get started and tons of advice for the journey into motorcycling.

“It is amazing to introduce individuals to motorcycling who are interested in riding but don’t have any experience due to the barriers to entry for new riders,” said Tracy Harris, Senior Vice President, Powersports, UBM. “Discover The Ride provides the proper gear, coupled with the proper training in a closed, safe course, and is proving to be a gateway for non-riders to get on two wheels and say, ‘This is fun, I can do this!’ Not only can attendees hop on a motorcycle and ride at the show, New To 2 offers access to continued education to interact with at their convenience.”

Discover The Ride’s Overwhelming Success

New To 2 live presentations enable crowds of new and non-riders a forum to ask questions and receive answers about motorcycling. In addition to the New To 2 online educational content, the Kid’s Zone presented by Allstate introduced more than 864 kids to Stacyc’s electric balance bikes on a closed course track. Furthermore, countless experience the power and ability to shift through the gears at the Dyno Experience with Ducati, Harley-Davidson and Yamaha. New and experienced riders got a balance check busting a wheelie at the XDL Wheelie Experience.

After four shows, thousands of non-riders and experienced riders—from toddlers to adults—enjoyed the five interactive riding zones. Twenty-six percent of those were non-riders and 762 of those non-riders completed the New Rider Course. Participants started on Yamaha Power Assist bicycles then graduated to Zero Motorcycles, customized for a new rider, with the guidance of Total Control trainers.