How To Make Money In The Motorcycle Industry

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I'm looking at retirement looming in a couple years, and contemplating options for a little extra income...plus fun. Thankfully I don't need to pay the mortgage- just pocket money.
Wondering if any of you have found a way to make a few dollars using your motorcycle...

I'm not interesting in being a mechanic, but perhaps...

Guiding trips, or helping out with road events like races, or doing some sort of courier work.

Any thoughts?
Back in the day I was a courier - I mainly did long distance stuff. The money was pretty good.
I enjoyed it, am thinking of maybe doing it again.

Off the motorbike, I'm dog walking - I love dogs but my current life is way too unstable to get my own so being paid to look after someone else's hound is a win/win for me. On top of that I do some copy editing for a Hungarian motor e-magazine and I'm hoping to pick up some teaching work in the next few months - my end game is to obtain a CELTA (teaching certificate) and then look for teaching work in Eastern Europe, South America or the Middle East.

Hope some of that helps.
You can always deliver ptzza!
You can make a few bucks as an MSF rider coach.
You can make a few bucks every now and then buying, fixing, and selling bikes off CL. It's tough though. I tend to buy, fix, and sell at a loss. I try to make it up in volume.
That's a good idea. Or private motorbike lessons?
Whatever you do, make sure your insurance company knows or you may find no coverage. Especially delivery work.
I've met a few guys that tried the cycle messenger thing. They all said you were screwed if you went down because no one will insure that type of business these days. And most big cities got out of even trying it and went back to hipster bicycle messengers.
I managed to talk a boss into letting Me deliver sandwiches on my bike when I was in trade school. I delivered to a ton of local business and school functions. They loved seeing me show up on a vintage bike (70's cb350) I got huge tips. Got caught by a regional manager and almost got the store closed down,hah.

I totally murdered that little honda doing that for two summers, poor little bike,hah.
i took my first bike lesson from someone who rents her Rebel 250 to potential riders and gives independent instruction on how to pass MSF. she will coach you with your own bike, too. it just cost more to use hers. she charges anywhere from $15 to $30 an hour and does groups, too. pretty sure she is routinely "booked" if a bit seasonal, even in L.A.
gotta admit to an experienced rider who wanted specific instruction for something a lot of what she had to "say" and "teach" i already knew. so a person might think before they do this "what do i have to offer a rider?" but remember you are mostly instructing newbies. just act like you know your stuff and they won't know the difference or care!

as for myself i just wanted to learn proper, basic clutch operation having only rode scooters for a few years before buying a bike. and well, she helped me with it

check out her facebook page. if this little gal can make money giving riding lessons, anyone can!!

https://www.facebook.com/Crazikido2?fref=ts
How does one become a motorcycle courier?
Indirectly, I made thousands of dollars by getting leads for my business from the motorcycle group that I meet with on Sunday mornings. I didn't even try to bring it up in conversations. People asked me what I did and word got around. So, you don't necessarily need to make money with your motorcycle, just use it to market your idea.
When I lived in England for a few months of the year one of my jobs was to shear lambs bought at markets around the country before they were trucked to Europe.
Occasionally we would get one with a broken leg, which I would slaughter and butcher. Sometimes the boss would pay me to pack one in a box and deliver to his banker or some other big shot in London, about 100 miles away.

I enjoyed turning up in some flash bank or whatever, and getting shown through to the inner sanctum in my leather jacket, carrying a dead lamb neatly cut up and packed in a beer carton. Getting paid to do it was a bonus.

I did think of doing the motorcycle courier thing as a job sometimes, but in the end, country boy that I am, the idea of living in a city didn't do it for me.
You could be one of those models in the cruiser mags. I imagine this would require some plastic surgery, but every great artist suffers for their art. Quit being a pussy and just do it!
Depending on where you live I can see a tour guide. Out here on the west coast I can see guided tours to adventure riders showing them the scenic spots that are off the beaten track.
what is it a courier delivers? it sounds like intrigue could await? what could be so darn important that snail mail, fax, internet, or a security company cannot do it?
"the documents MUST arrive by closing! the future of the city depends on it!"
Here it is:
http://www.motorcyclemessenger.com/index.html
http://www.motorcyclemessenger.com/medical-delivery.html

Years ago I remember reading (10 or more yrs ago) that in the UK medical delivery by motorcycle was a top job for speed junkies bc the couriers had specific stickers preventing police from pulling them over for speeding. It was a Car and a driver style publication so who knows.
But ck out your local medical delivery needs.
nooooo!
awesome info, thanks
sure beats the hell out of whats in the box!! :eek1
Download and re-watch the six series of Sons of Anarchy. Bound to be some good ideas you could pick up.
Try Corner worker at the race track. It don't pay much
But is kinda fun.
Not yet, but I am working on a quote for the local municipal government. They posted a tender for an inter-office courier. It would involve putting lockable hard bags on, and maybe a different bike but I would be using the bike for about 8 months out of the year.
I am also thinking of a silly idea. It would involve picking up a Ural Gear Up or Patrol, removing the sidecar tub and putting a hotdog cart on the frame.