A love of motorcycles since childhood has defined my personal and professional life.

My first bike was a Lil’ Indian Mini-Bike, which was really an assemblage of parts in a basket with a lawnmower engine.  I spent the summer of 7th grade in 1973 restoring it and haven’t been without a bike since.

Post-college I began an automotive career (that’s what you do when raised in suburban Detroit!). I started with GM’s Pontiac Division, ascending to brand management for Chevrolet Silverado until I was recruited by AMA Pro Racing to be VP of Commercial Development, Brand and Marketing – starting a 15-year career in the motorcycle industry.

At AMA Pro Racing I oversaw the Supercross, Motocross, Superbike and Flat Track Championships and led the development of the AMA Supermoto series. I had the good fortune to attend races all over the world, including all the leading U.S. Roadracing and Motocross tracks (favorites: Laguna Seca, Barber Motorsports Park, The Indy Mile and Red Buuuud).

I’ve developed and worked directly on programs with Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, consulted for BMW Motorrad, Brammo, Harley-Davison and numerous racing properties.  I have known and managed some of the top riders in the sport including negotiating the first factory rider contract for a female motocross racer with American Honda - multi-time champion, Ashley Fiolek.

In 2010 I joined Harley-Davidson as the Director of Brand Alliances and Business Development on the Global Marketing Leadership Team and traveled the world developing new business initiatives for the motor company (and also meeting some great people and getting in some amazing rides!).

I also raised a family, relocated multiple times and traveled extensively for business – both domestically (49 states) and internationally (19 countries) – but always found time for an intense motorcycle hobby; buying, selling, racing, restoring and customizing about one hundred bikes (so far!).  Over time I accumulated an eclectic collection of interesting (to me) bikes that I housed at my shop space in downtown Milwaukee, organized by country of origin from; Austria, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and USA. 

In 2017 I relocated to Chicago for a Chief Marketing Officer position in the hospitality industry, but in 2019 I came back to the motorcycle business – starting FCM Enterprises, for selling, buying, and brokering fine collectible motorcycles out of my brand new shop in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago.

John C Farris Jr
Principal of FCM Enterprises, LLC