Almost a year ago I adopted a neglected, overweight, out of shape, socially awkward, dumb little dog. Her name was BikerPup, a Pug and Jack Russell Terrier mix. In the weeks and months that followed BikerPup flourished. Her coat was sparkling and soft. She lost weight and built up her cardio and her energy. She became a smarter dog, with a keen ability to recognize and differentiate the sounds of motorcycle engines, and a love for hanging out, listening to music, drinking beer and wrenching with us in the garage.

This winter I attended a motorcycle industry pub night. I had the pleasure of sharing tables with family-founded businesses such as KYMCO Canada and Motorcycle Mojo. I spoke with a Triumph marketer about MISSRIDER (once his band was done performing on stage, naturally). At the end of the night, CMG Online’s own Rob Harris and Brenda Cyr gave me a drive home.

Since 2007 I’ve been pushing for a stronger motorcycle riding community. Riders are the YOU in YouMotorcycle. At the pub night it struck me how tightly knit the motorcycle industry is in Canada. Everyone knows everyone. Who they work for may change but the faces stay the same. The industry is a small collection of circles. A passion for motorcycles alone won’t get you in, but you can get in. Here are 10 Ways YOU can Find a Job in the Motorcycle Industry.

The City of Toronto is Canada's most densely-populated urban metropolis. The multicultural city is one of the fastest growing in North America. Not an inch of skyline can be seen without a crane working on the next skyscraper in and around the downtown core. Many Torontonians have taken up motorcycling to escape the urban slug fest known as all day rush hour traffic. We try to ride out of the city as often as we can. Little do we know that the city has some great little roads hidden away waiting to be discovered by a motorcyclist.

I once learned the hard way that if a motorcycle has been too molested, that is, if it’s been too modified by the wrong hands, it should be avoided. Last night, whether out of stupidity, forgetfulness, or a stroke of genius, I decided to ignore this lesson.

I bought a heavily modified 1990 Honda Hawk NT650 GT, with various Honda and Buell pieces on the front, Ducati parts on the back, and some aftermarket parts thrown in for good measure. I’m diggin’ it.

I love living in Toronto. The motorcycle community is great. There are motorcycle meets almost every day of the week, loads of events, and we still get free motorcycle parking.

For my Dad, who said - among countless other words of encouragement - “That’s a great site!”
This post is just for you. My father hasn't been permitted to drive for the past few years on account of having had brain cancer, leaving him prone to potential seizures. He beat his brain tumor only to be hit with cancer in the central nervous system in his spine. This isn't a sad story. Au contraire, it's my answer to not only what was my greatest motorcycle memory of 2011, but also a day I will remember forever.

Toronto City Councillors will be looking into charging motorcycles parking in the city of Toronto. Motorcyclists have not had to pay for parking in Toronto since a late October, 2005 Council meeting. After what seems like an endless unslaught of budget cuts to public services from Mayor Rob Ford's City Hall that has left Toronto hearts crying, will motorcyclists be the next victims or will Toronto Councillors remember that it was actually costing them to charge parking for motorcycles in the first place?

The Mad Bastard Scooter Rally is like your crazy ex: You'll call it foul names, find yourself caught up with it in situations you'll regret in the morning, and no matter what you do to protect yourself this rally will be a pain in the butt.

For some of us, leather and cruisers just aren’t hardcore enough, and crotch rockets just don’t capture the true essence of riding. We are the few, the strong, the proud. We are the Mad Bastards, and this is our story.

Neither sportbike, nor cruiser. Neither Harley, nor Porsche. The Street Rod is a conundrum of a motorcycle. Original V-Rod owners and fans wailed about the suspension, both front and rear, and the V-Rod's unsporting handling, particularly in corners. Say what you well about Harley-Davidson's creative and marketing departments but these guys know exactly what they're doing and they know how to take a hint.

You've heard all of the doom and gloom on the news: gas prices soaring, dwindling supply of fossil fuels, double dip recession, we're all feeling the pinch at the pump. Luckily for you, motorcycles can take you very far on very little gas, if you ride them the right way.

Here are 10 ways to get better gas mileage from your motorcycle and cover the most distance for your dollar.