Can Akkaya: A Life On The Limit

Can Akkaya began his racing career in 1985. Self-taught, he achieved the title of German Track Trophy Vice-Champion, secured pole positions, and celebrated numerous international victories and podium spots. Can set lap records on various tracks, particularly home on the Nuerburgring Nordschleife, earning him the moniker ‘Crazy Can.’ Professionally, he competed in the German IDM Championships, the Dutch Open Championship, and entered the European Championships to earn the MotoGP wild card. His racing number, ‘36,’ left a mark in the European racing scene.

After retiring from professional racing at the end of 1995, Can found joy in riding various motorcycles, including Choppers, Cruisers, Supermotos, and Moto-Cross bikes. In retirement, he was still known for his expertise in race bike and suspension development and worked as a test rider in race bike engineering and contributed to the development of leather motorcycle racing suits.

Mind over Machine, a book by Can Akkaya

His book, ‘25 Seconds,’ was published in 2005. In this book, Can puts you on the race bike seat in the race. With tough words and gallows humor he takes the reader into a world of challenges, victories, and fears. Can reveals the guts of the racing world.

Since 2006, Can has been an instructor at track days across Europe, where he developed a program for a racing school. In 2008, he migrated to the USA, recognizing a notably low education system for street riders. In 2009, he extended his programs at Superbike-Coach Corp.

To this day, ‘Coach’ Akkaya trains riders of all ages, levels, and categories, with approximately 1200 students per year. He is in his 46^st year of riding, racing and coaching. Headcoach Can Akkaya also serves as an Expert Witness, providing expertise in legal proceedings and assisting the court. He is actively consulting with law firms in this regard.

In 2026, Akkaya published his second book- the best seller ‘Mind Over Machine: Psychology of Riding Motorcycles‘.