About COG

History

It all began in the Summer of 1988 at a Cody, Wyoming rally hosted by Rider Magazine. About 15 or so Kawasaki Concours ZG1000 owners began "hanging out" in the afternoons and one day Rob Stevens said, "Why don't we start a Concours club?" Some time after Rob got home he took out a small magazine advertisement seeking out other Concours owners interested in forming an owners group. Those who replied received this December 1988 letter from Rob explaining his plan. A month later Rob sent out this January 1989 pre-start update letter. Shortly after this he got 50 founding members and COG was rolling.

Officially founded in the spring of 1989, the Concours Owners Group (COG) was formed to serve the interests of Kawasaki Concours and Kawasaki GTR enthusiasts, riders, and friends worldwide. The club has evolved to become a premier sport touring club. It is an AMA Chartered, incorporated IRS 501(c)(7) not-for-profit, volunteer run social club.

In the summer of 1989 was the publication of the first Concours Owners Group Newsletter Volume 1, Number 1. This newsletter eventually became the Concourier magazine of today. 

Who Can Join COG?

We welcome the riders of ANY brand or model of motorcycle as members and at any of our events. Most of our active members and associates reside primarily in the United States and Canada, but there are some members residing in other parts of the world.

Want to learn more about COG? Check out the Commonly Asked Questions

COG's Structure

A dedicated team of 50+ volunteer officers are spread across the USA and Canada. These men and women, with assistance from other members, organize the club activities and events each year. Over the years our volunteers have hosted over 1,500 rallies, events, and other activities to provide members, guests, and friends opportunities to come together to share common interest and enjoyment for the sport of motorcycling. Typical activities include, but are not limited to: Social events, day trips, overnight trips, weekend rallies, motorcycle safety courses, and an occasional maintenance demonstration or group wrench session. Rallies typically involve riding the best roads of an area and great camaraderie. 

Learn how COG is geographically divided into six COG Areas to better serve the needs of the members.

COG's Online Evolution

The Concours Owners Group first went online in March 1996 with the help of a group of enthusiastic "uber-geeks". The complete history and articles from The Concourier  talking about COG-NET, Concours.org, and COG-Online.org can be found here: COG's Online Evolution.

COG/Concours in the Press

• Youtube video of a Concours  14 test ride
• COG Northeast MA Tech Day - Motorcyclist's Post (June 20 2016)
• COG mentioned in editorial in Backroads Magazine (May 2016)
• Electric Koolaid for the Road "Rubbin Nubs" A blog radio interview with COG Historian (starts 17 min in - Mar 11, 2014)
• "Affiliate Spotlight: Concours Owners Group" Accelerate Magazine (Jan 16 2014 - magazine no longer exists)
• "2011 COG National Rally - The Concours Owners Group celebrates 25 years of the Concours" Rider Magazine (Feb 2012)
• "Silver Concours™: COG Celebrates Concours' 25th Birthday" Accelerate Magazine (Nov 2011 - magazine no longer exists)
• "Motorcycle Rally in Somerset" Daily American Somerset, PA (Jan 2010)
• "COG Rally Chronicle" Accelerate Magazine (Issue 6, 2008 - magazine no longer exists)
• "2007 National Rally Report" Accelerate Magazine (Nov 2007 - magazine no longer exists)
• "Club Corner" RoadBike Magazine (Sep 2007 - magazine no longer exists)
  
• "2006 COG National Rally" Accelerate Magazine (Feb 2007)
• Review of the Concours by Ehlert Publishing, Powersports Networks, February 2006 (link no longer exists)
• "Rally in the Valley" Johnstown Newspaper (July 2004)
• "COG in the Mountains" COG NE Spring Rally Backroads Magazine (July 2004)
• "Lightweight Tourer Comparison", Motorcycle.com, June, 1996
• Cycle Guide Sept 1986

COG Links

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Contact COG

go to the Contact Us page