Motorcycle culture course: history and trends
Online course of 300 hours in motorcycle culture: history and trends. 6 modules covering the origins of the motorcycle, the post-war and Japanese expansion, rider subcultures, racing and its technical influence, and current market trends, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the technical and industrial evolution of the motorcycle since its origins.
Analyse the role of the Spanish and Japanese industries in the history of the sector.
Interpret rider subcultures and how they are reflected in cinema and literature.
Relate racing to technical innovation in series-production motorcycles.
Identify current technological and market trends.
Handle historical and graphic sources with critical judgement.
Produce a research or outreach project on motorcycle culture.
Who it's for
- Motoring history communicators
- Journalists covering motorcycling
- Curators of motoring exhibitions
- Trend analysts in the two-wheeler sector
- Cultural managers of motorcycle events
- Brand content managers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into specialist media
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 (approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) No 134/2014 (environmental performance requirements)
- Royal Decree 892/2013 (Spanish Historic Vehicles Regulation)
- FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations (technical and sporting rules of MotoGP)
- Directive 2006/126/EC (driving licences)
- Law 16/1985 (Spanish Historical Heritage Act)
- Royal Legislative Decree 1/1996 (consolidated text of the Spanish Intellectual Property Act)
- Zotero
- Google Trends
- Tableau Public
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Omeka
6 modules
1.1Daimler Reitwagen and the first prototypes1.2Hildebrand & Wolfmüller and series production1.3The motorcycle in the First World War1.4Indian, Harley-Davidson and the American market1.5British manufacturers between the wars1.6Speed records and racing pioneers1.7The motorcycle as popular transport in Europe1.8Period advertising and poster art1.9From the motorised velocipede to the purpose-built frame1.10Case study: analysis of a 1920 catalogue
2.1Italian scooters: Vespa and Lambretta2.2The Spanish industry: Montesa, Bultaco, Ossa and Derbi2.3The arrival of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki2.4The Honda CB750 and the modern superbike2.5The decline of the British industry2.6Motorcycles in the Eastern Bloc2.7Mopeds and motorisation in 1960s Spain2.8Brand globalisation and exports2.9Technical innovations that changed the sector2.10Case study: the rise and fall of Bultaco
3.1Rockers, café racers and the Ace Cafe3.2Mods and scooter culture3.3Motorcycle clubs and the sociology of association3.4Custom, chopper and American culture3.5Biker cinema: The Wild One and Easy Rider3.6Motorcycling literature and photography3.7Winter rallies and major motorcycle gatherings3.8Women pioneers and women's motorcycling3.9Fashion, aesthetics and clothing brands3.10Workshop: iconographic analysis of a motorcycle film
4.1The Isle of Man TT and road racing4.2The Road Racing World Championship since 19494.3Motocross, trial and enduro: origins and evolution4.4The Dakar Rally and the adventure motorcycle4.5Technology transfer from racing to series production4.6FIM technical regulations4.7Spanish riders and the rise of national motorcycling4.8Circuit safety and protection4.9The economics of teams and sponsorship4.10Case study: from MotoGP to the road bike
5.1Electric motorcycles and new manufacturers5.2Neo-retro and the revival of classic models5.3Electronics: IMU, cornering ABS and traction control5.4Urban mobility and motorcycle sharing5.5Chinese and Indian manufacturers in Europe5.6The Euro 5 standard and the decline of the two-stroke5.7Connectivity and digital communities5.8Customisation and contemporary custom culture5.9The experience economy: events and tourism5.10Workshop: trend map of the European market
6.1Topic and historical research question6.2Primary sources, newspaper archives and archives6.3Interviews and oral sources6.4Image archive and image rights6.5Historical contextualisation of the phenomenon studied6.6Outreach format: exhibition, article or documentary6.7Script for the outreach product6.8Source criticism and bias6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is Zotero, Google Trends, Tableau Public, Adobe Premiere Pro and Omeka, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Work is based on real procedures: curating an exhibition on Spanish motorcycling, historical research into a defunct brand and trend analysis of the European motorcycle market. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) No 168/2013; Delegated Regulation (EU) No 134/2014; Royal Decree 892/2013; FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations; Directive 2006/126/EC; Law 16/1985; Royal Legislative Decree 1/1996.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Zotero, Google Trends, Tableau Public, Adobe Premiere Pro and Omeka, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: just an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
Related programmes
Aerodynamics course applied to motorcycle fairings
Online course of 300 hours in aerodynamics applied to motorcycle fairings: 6 modules covering motorcycle aerodynamics, fairing design, aerodynamic appendages, CFD simulation and aerodynamic testing, with…
Course in Railway Accident Investigation
The Railway Accident Research Course provides specialized knowledge in the reconstruction of rail events, including root cause analysis and contributing factors. It focuses on the application…
Circuit pressure management course
Online course of 300 hours in tyre pressure management on the circuit. 6 modules covering tyre pressure physics, instrumentation, tyre warmers, setup by circuit and conditions,…
More in Motorcycles & 2-Wheelers
All Motorcycles & 2-Wheelers programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships