The crash happened in the area of McKinley and Temperance Avenues just before 1:30 pm.
The California Highway Patrol says the motorcyclist was believed to be traveling at dangerously high speeds when the van tried to take a U-turn ahead of him.
In the ensuing collision, he suffered deadly injuries.
The occupants of the van, a woman and a child, suffered minor injuries.
The CHP says the motorcycle rider is a 38-year-old resident of Fresno County from the Sanger area.
This story is developing and will be updated.