THE SECOND STRIKE PROGRAM
THE TRAINING IS JUST THE BEGINNING.
You don't need a motorcycle. You don't need riding experience. You just need to be willing to try something new.
Second Strike is a veteran-led nonprofit determined to prevent combat veteran suicide by breaking isolation through the Harley-Davidson community.
We provide motorcycle training, protective riding gear, and the connections to help you become part of something bigger. Our goal isn't just to teach you how to ride. It's to introduce you to a community, new experiences, and something worth looking forward to.
Everything we provide is free. You'll never receive a bill.
WHO WE SERVE
Our program supports:
- GWOT Combat Veterans — Whether you've recently separated or have been out for twenty years, there's a place for you here.
- Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Survivors — An opportunity to build confidence, connect with others, and experience something new on your terms.
- Gold Star Families — A chance to build lasting relationships and become part of the motorcycle community.
You don't have to explain your past to be part of what we're building.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
If accepted, we cover everything you need to get started:
- Motorcycle Training: Harley-Davidson Riding Academy or a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation course near you, anywhere in the country.
- Simpson Motorcycle Helmet: Quality protective equipment from a trusted industry partner.
- Second Strike Riding Gloves: Protective gloves for your training and future rides.
- HeatWave Visual Eyewear: Protective riding eyewear.
- MSF-Approved Footwear: Riding boots that meet course requirements.
- Second Strike Apparel: An official long-sleeve shirt.
- Mentorship and Support: Guidance from experienced riders throughout your journey.
- Community Opportunities: Group rides, motorcycle events, rallies, and opportunities to connect with other riders.
The gear is yours to keep. No fees. No repayment. No hidden costs.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TRAINING?
This is where Second Strike really begins.
There's an entire world waiting beyond the riding course.
Maybe you'll get into custom paint, building motors, chasing horsepower, or learning to work on your own Harley-Davidson. Maybe you'll enter your first bike show, travel across the country, or spend your weekends riding with people who become lifelong friends.
We want you to experience all of it.
We're not here to put you through a class and disappear. We want to help you build connections, discover new interests, and become an active part of the motorcycle community.
Your bike. Your build. Your direction.
WHY WE DO THIS
Isolation is one of the biggest challenges many veterans face after military service.
We know how difficult it can be to find your place, connect with people, or simply find a reason to get out of the house.
We're not here to make you relive your past or tell you how to live.
We're here to introduce you to new experiences, connect you with good people, and help you find something you're genuinely excited about again.
HOW WE MAKE IT POSSIBLE
Second Strike is supported through merchandise sales, donations, and partnerships throughout the motorcycle industry.
Every purchase and contribution helps us provide training, protective gear, and continued opportunities for more veterans to get involved.
Your support helps us reach the next veteran.
THE MOTORCYCLE IS THE CATALYST.
The training gets you started. The people, the rides, the builds, and everything that comes after give you a reason to keep going.