Yamaha to Offer Demo Rides at AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that Yamaha will be providing a demo fleet of cruisers, sportbikes and dual-sport machines for attendees to test ride at the 2009 AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, presented by Harley-Davidson and Buell, scheduled for Aug. 19-22 in Keystone, Colo.

"Yamaha offers an impressive range of motorcycles, and we're excited that they'll be on hand with some of their most popular models for our attendees to ride," said Tigra Tsujikawa, marketing and special events manager for the AMA. "Not all demo ride locations are created equal, and one of this summer's best will be at our conference. Along with a host of riding seminars, a fantastic vendor row, numerous conference activities and the facility's impressive amenities, the demo rides will be a major part of what makes the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference the top destination for women riders in 2009."

Kim Knupp, national events manager for Yamaha, added: "Yamaha has always supported the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference as a corporation, and this is a great way to continue that support. We consider the women's market very important, and one of the best ways to serve that market is to make sure we provide motorcycles for the woman rider that fit them and work best for them."

Knupp said that all of Yamaha's demo ride leaders are licensed Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructors. The rides are safety-oriented, and riders are encouraged to ask a lot of questions, no matter how simple. To participate in a Yamaha demo ride, Knupp says attendees must have a helmet, long pants, closed-toe shoes, eye protection and a motorcycle endorsement (no permits).

"Demo rides allow you to get a feel for the motorcycle and how it performs, but it's also so you can enjoy yourself," Knupp said. "We encourage the attendees to come out and take advantage of all the manufacturer demos that will be available at the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference. The demo rides are open to everybody -- men and women -- so please feel free to come by, select a bike and take it for a ride."

Knupp adds that the location is certainly a major draw for the conference, which will offer some marvelous demo-ride routes, thanks to its location at the Keystone Resort & Conference Center in Colorado's Rocky Mountains.

"It's a beautiful facility and in a very nice area of Colorado, so I think that the ladies and men who attend will be very happy," Knupp says. "If you've only got one rally to attend this summer, this is the place to be."

The 2009 AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, presented by Harley-Davidson and Buell, is the country's premier event for women motorcyclists. With the theme "Riding to New Heights," the conference not only honors the contributions of women riders to motorcycling's past and present, it also celebrates the fast-growing role that women riders are playing in the future of motorcycling.

In addition to demo rides, a vendor area and other activities, registrants will have access to an impressive schedule of conference seminars. Also included is admission to the opening ceremonies on Aug. 19, a barn dance on Aug. 20 and a closing banquet on Aug. 22. Both the barn dance and closing banquet include dinner.

Registration is $165 through Aug. 3, which includes a commemorative t-shirt. Registration after Aug. 3, as well as on-site registration, will cost $185. Participants can register now at WomenandMotorcycling.com or by phone by calling (800) AMA-JOIN. While the event focuses on women riders, it is not limited to women. Men are welcome to participate with a paid registration.

Keep an eye on WomenandMotorcyling.com for regular updates about the conferences, including new speakers and activities as they're finalized. Sign up for e-mail alerts by e-mailing the AMA at info@womenandmotorcycling.com.