Meet the Dubbelju Team
- Wolfgang Taft
- “There is no bike too small to have fun on.”
- I started Dubbelju motorcycle rentals 20 years ago because I was unable to find a motorcycle to rent when I arrived from my native Germany to ride the west coast of America. I currently ride a BMW R1200GS and Yamaha XT 500, and can usually be found riding a bike, wrenching on a bike, or sharing my experiences from 40 years of riding with others.
- Christof Hillebrand
- “A classic bike, a glass of wine, good family and friends around me – what more could I ask for?”
- I joined Dubbelju as partner and investor in 1999 after exploring California on one of Dubbelju's rental bikes. I particularly love classic bikes, and for many years have been involved in the European Rider Rights organization, FEMA. I travel to sunny California from my home in Germany to ride whenever I can.
- Cherie Schmelter
- “I'm happiest on two wheels.”
- I have been riding motorcycles for over 18 years – street, dirt, track – and in that time have owned over 36 motorcycles. That puts me in a pretty good position as Dubbelju's reservation coordinator to answer most of your motorcycle questions and hook you up with a Dubbelju motorcycle that works for you. At the moment (and this too shall change) I am riding a Kawasaki ER-6N, Honda CRF 150F, and fixing up a '96 FZR600R.
- Jeff Seraspi
- “There is no bike too large for me to handle.”
- I have loved motorcycles since the time I could walk – and now I get to be working in a place where I can happily ride, wrench and customize motorcycles. The latest bike I am customizing – my own Triumph Bonneville.
- Bobby Crooks
- “We truly have some of the most beautiful motorcycle riding North America has to offer.”
- I’m a native to the California Bay Area, recently returning to San Francisco from Atlanta GA. With my passion for riding and the joy I get from meeting people that share this passion, Wolfgang Taft and Dubbelju Motorcycle Rentals just seemed like a natural fit. Give me a day and I can have you riding in places like; Napa, Calistoga, Santa Cruz, Monterey, or Big Sir CA. If you can give me two days you can be riding in places like; Lake Tahoe, Reno, Lake Shasta, Yosemite, Santa Barbara, or through the California Redwoods the tallest trees in the world. With four to five days you can be riding in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Crater Lake, Death Valley, Mojave Desert, or Las Vegas. See what I mean? I get to meet some fantastic people and be a part of some really incredible memories and adventures it's no wonder why I love my job!
- Margaret Grahame-Doyle
- “On the road again…”
- Although I work at Dubbelju as a business advisor In San Francisco, I live on arguably the best motorcycling road in the world – Highway 1 at Big Sur, which means a long, but breathtaking commute. I do this drive mostly on four wheels, but often on the back of my husband's Harley Electra Glide – giving me a different perspective of motorcycle riding, just like I bring to the business.
- Warren Doyle
- “Why do I ride motorcycles? Because there is so much of this world still to experience.”
- I love to ride motorcycles. I love to travel – California, America, Europe, Asia, Australia – I have put on many miles and replaced many tires. But mostly I love people and sharing the experience of riding and touring – whether it is with those I travel with or those we meet along the way - and then talking about it later over a beer. I am Dubbelju's California Tour guide.
- Michael Sargent
- “If only there were a business that combines baking, boys, and bikes!”
- When I first started my bookkeeping business, I was overwhelmed by too many clients but I began to realize that I could pick and choose who I worked with. I decided then to only work with businesses who were passionate about their work, were among the best in their field, and who approached life with a sense of quality, fun, and humor. Choosing Dubbelju was a no-brainer. That was 12 years ago.
Dubbelju in the News
- Hotel California - Kiwi Rider
- 7 Days in California - Bike
- Mit der Harley durch Kalifornien und Oregon - VINUM
- Ride Guide - Australian Road Rider
- The Greatful Tread - Mercury Weekender
- Traum zwischen Pazifik und Wüste - Tourenfahrer
- USA: Nord-Kalifornien - Reise Motorrad
- Wild wild West - Oldtimer Markt
- Hogs and Triumphs in SOMA - Urban Daddy
The Dubbelju Name
Pronounced "Double-you", is a reminder of the difference between the German and English way of saying "W", something that Wolfgang smiles about often.
California is a destination for motorcyclists from around the world — and Dubbelju is at the heart of it all.
Why Dubbelju?
Almost anyone can rent you a motorcycle and hand you a map. We as one of the pioneers in the U.S. motorcycle rental industry have the experience and knowledge to maximize the value of your vacation-time. As motorcyclists ourselves, we know your needs, we know the area, and we have ridden the roads we recommend. We'll get you rolling in the right direction and make sure that you return home with only the best of memories.
Our Goal
To provide our customers with a shop big enough to fulfill all the necessary services, yet small enough to offer a warm, friendly, family-like atmosphere and to use our enthusiasm and understanding as riders to provide you with an unexpected level of quality service, allowing us to cater to your needs.
History
In the late 80’s I arrived in California and wanted to rent a motorcycle for a trip on Highway 1, along the famous west coast of America. It was almost impossible because I could not find a motorcycle rental shop! I fell in love with the country and the people and wanted to save others the frustration I was going through; thus the idea of renting out motorcycles was born. A few years later I came back to San Francisco and opened Dubbelju. My first customer crossed the Golden Gate Bridge on a Harley Davidson in the summer of 1991.
Through the shared desires of both, American and International motorcyclists, to rent and ride Dubbelju grew steadily. With this came the need for expansion. My friend Christof Hillebrand, already a loyal customer since 1993 joined Dubbelju as a partner and investor in 1999. He brought with him his experience of owning and running an international business. Like me, Christof is passionate about motorcycles and riding and was involved in the European motorcycle community on many different levels. He was an active member of the European Riders Rights organization FEMA and as a freelance journalist he has written articles for German motorcycle magazines. He also loves to wrench and ride classic bikes.
We are both motorcyclists with heart and soul. We love bikes, roads and adventures, both discovering the new and rediscovering the old. The passion for riding and sharing our adventures with our customers is a big part of our lives and also helps make Dubbelju unique. We hope our enthusiasm and understanding as riders together with our team at Dubbelju providing a high level of personal service will have you return home with only the best of motorcycling memories.
Christof and I are grateful to our loyal clients, suppliers and employees for their support, which has made our dream and vision of Dubbelju possible.
Wolfgang and Christof