With three successful events completed, Progressive IMS Outdoors, the leading U.S. motorcycle tour, is heading to Texas on October 1st. Thousands of experienced and new riders have turned up to events held in Northern California, Chicago, and Pennsylvania, to delight in the new outdoor festival atmosphere. Attendees have enjoyed on- and off-road demo programs, shopping in The Marketplace and The Range, discovering new brands, expanded Learn To Ride experiences, listening to music from local artists, and reconnecting with fellow enthusiasts.
In December 2020, IMS revealed the new outdoor format that has replaced the indoor convention setting, which has broadened 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.”
Demo rides have been a mainstay of the new outdoor format. Participating manufacturers, running an average of 20-minute demo rides all weekend delivered upward of 14,000 demos over the first three weeks.
“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 KRX1000 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.”
A focal point of the 2021 Tour is to play a role in bringing new riders into the sport with several Learn to Ride opportunities, developing the next generation of customers. 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.
The transition to an outdoor setting has enabled IMS to provide attendees with many hands-on opportunities to experience the world of motorcycling.
Discover The Ride and the MIC’s Ride With Us program offer safe, accessible, opportunities for eager new and interested riders to get on two wheels for the first time or hone their skills, with the potential to deliver hundreds of new riders to the industry.
Participation in Harley-Davidson’s Invitation To Ride Program, available to consumers in Texas, Nashville, and Central Florida.
An expanded electric footprint with Serial 1 powered by Harley-Davidson and Yamaha Power-Assist electric bicycles, available tour-wide, and in select markets, Giant and Momentum e-bike courses for all riders, and a course designed specifically for women.
A more inclusive Kids Zone presented by Strider that teaches kids as young as two learning the life-long skill of riding a bike
“I loved the chance to ride a Zero Motorcycle. My wife learned how to ride a motorcycle at the event; she will be taking the MSF in the near future,” remarked a delighted IMS attendee.
Another IMS attendee shared: “I loved the learn to ride area. 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.”
Upcoming Progressive IMS Outdoors Events
- Texas at the Texas Motor Speedway on October 1-3
- Nashville at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center on October 8-10
- Central Florida at the SUN N’ FUN Campus on October 15-17
- Georgia at the Georgia International Horse Park on October 29-31
- Southern California at the OC Fair & Event Center on November 19-21
To learn more and purchase tickets, visit: motorcycleshows.com
