As the clock winds down on 2017, we would like to take a look back at what may be our best year yet in the business of helping people discover the world by motorcycle. Join us on this three part series as we take a journey back to the beginning of 2017 and share with you some of our favorite memories from the year gone by. (Part 1: Favorite Moments from Guided Adventures | Part 2: Birth of a MotoQuest Tour)
We started this company to help people experience the world by motorcycle. In our opinion, it’s the best way to travel and experience a new place. It’s been a wild ride (sometimes literally!) over the years, but as we reflect on our roots we are proud to be able to make positive impact on the lives of so many motorcyclists. In the business world, growth is measured with numbers. In our world, we measure growth in smiles, in messages from happy customers, in changes that enable us to do what we do even better.
2017 marked the end of an era, as our Southern California headquarters moved to a new office and shop space. Located just down the street in Signal Hill, we are better equipped than ever to set you up with a rental bike, or to host a presentation about riding in Alaska, or Baja, or Japan.
It’s also an exciting time in our corner of the motorcycling world as so much interest in adventure riding means new bikes! This year we welcomed the new Honda Africa Twin to the MQ fleet, and already they’ve been put to the test in Alaska, Baja, and most recently on the famed LA to Barstow to Vegas race. This is a very dirt-capable bike that’s also comfortable and fun on the road (read Managing Partner Kevin Hagerty’s bike review: 30,000 Miles on the Africa/Alaska Twin). We’ll always have a big fleet of BMWs and the reliable workhorse that is the V-Strom 650, but we look forward to trying out the next wave of new adventure bikes. After all this is motorcycling, so let’s have some fun!
We’ve also selected our employee of the year: Jethro the support truck! Legend has it that Jethro began his career in the humanitarian world, aiding the cleanup efforts of the Exxon-Valdez oil spill. We were able to lure Jethro over to the corporate darkside. Now he’s been changing tires and hauling gear from the shores of Prudhoe Bay to the shores of Cabo.
In all seriousness, we could never pick just one MotoQuest staff member! We are very grateful for each and every member of our amazing team. Putting together group rides of this magnitude is no small feat; it takes a talented and dedicated team to pull it off.
If you’ve made it this far, well then the only thing left to do is to thank you! So THANK YOU! Thank you for taking time out of your day to read our stories. 2018 marks our 20th year in business! We never imagined we would be saying that, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our customers and fans. We hope that we are able to provide a temporary escape from your daily routine, which should hold you over at least until your next actual motorcycle adventure. Until then, happy riding!
Go back and read the previous parts of this three part retrospective:
Part 1: Favorite Moments from Guided Adventures | Part 2: Birth of a MotoQuest Tour