American Motorcyclist January 2016 Street

January 2016

Photo Brian J. Nelson

2015 AMA MOTORCYCLIST OF THE YEAR: WAYNE RAINEY

AMA REWARDS

Watch this space for updates about your valuable benefits as an AMA member.

HOW YOUR AMA MEMBERSHIP PAYS FOR ITSELF Are You Covered?

Value

American Motorcyclist magazine

$19.95

Included

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Your Cost

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*with membership automatic renewal **average cost of $100/night stay – 2 nights ***average $750 per year expenses on gear/parts/accessories

THE ESSENTIALS AMA Roadside Assistance

The Best Deal In Towing Get peace of mind with AMA Roadside Assistance, which covers all your vehicles, as well as those of your family members living with you.

Best of all, you can get this coverage at no additional charge. For details, call (800) 262-5646.

Lodging

Save At Choice Hotels, Motel 6, Red Roof Inn At Choice hotels, save 15% off the best available rates at participating Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay, Rodeway Inn and Econo Lodge hotels. Use the Member Discount code #00947556.

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Plus, get a 20% discount off available rates at Red Roof Inn. For discounts, call (800) RED-ROOF and use the code VP+ 503343. You can also make reservations online at www.redroof. com. Just enter the code VP+ 503343 in the field labeled “VP+/ID#” when making reservations. The discount will be automatically applied.

EagleRider Motorcycle Rentals

Arrive And Ride EagleRider offers an AMA member discount of 10% discount on Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW and Polaris rentals and tours.

Call (888) 900-9901 or book at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ Membership/EagleRider.aspx, using discount code AMA015.

Motorcycle Shipping

Ride Where You Want In the United States, call Federal Companies, an agent for Specialized Transportation, Inc., at (877) 518-7376 for at least $60 off standard rates. For international shipments, call Motorcycle Express at (800) 245-8726. To get your discount, be sure to have your AMA number handy. Motorcycle Express also offers temporary international insurance.

Car Rentals

Save Money When You Drive Get up to 25% off prevailing rates at any Avis or Budget car rental agency.

For Avis, enter discount code: D388100. For Budget, enter code: Z942000. AMA Members save up to 25% on year-round Hertz rentals with discount code CDP# 497193.

AMA Gear

Buy AMA Stuff Online Find unique patches, pins, posters, T-shirts and books at AmericanMotorcyclist.com and at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio. Details at www.

MotorcycleMuseum.org.

Rider Accident Medical Plan All members of the AMA are eligible to purchase coverage.

Benefits are paid when a covered member is injured. See http:// www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ Membership/Members_Only/ DiscountCodes for details.

Insurance, Credit Card, Finance and Banking

The AMA has joined with Nationwide to bring members-only moneysaving offers on insurance, a cash-back AMA-themed credit card, finance and banking. For more details see, www.nationwide.com/ americanmotorcyclist.

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS ActionStation/Bohn Body Armor

Save 10% on complete product line—plus bonus. Go to www.actionstation.com/ama/ and use coupon code AMAB4U at checkout.

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ADVMoto

Adventure Motorcycle Magazine offers a 20% discount on all subscriptions through AdventureMotorcycle.com and 20% off ADVMoto branded items and back issues on ADVMotoShop.com. Enter discount code AMADV20 at checkout.

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Save $5 on admission to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

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AMA members can place free ads in the AMA member classifieds at AMA.Sprocketlist.com or AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Classifieds.

AMA Supercross And AMA Arenacross Tickets

Save on advanced tickets; AMA members can get $5 off when they buy tickets online at Supercrossonline. com and use password SXAMA5. AMA members can get $5 off when they buy tickets online at Arenacross.com and use password AMA5OFF. Certain restrictions apply, call (800) 262-5646 for details.

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Save 10% on complete motorcycle garment restoration and repair. You can get your motocross boots fixed from MX Boot Resole and Repair. Use code AMADISCOUNT at checkout.

BikeBandit.com

Visit BikeBandit.com for a 10% discounts on motorcycle parts, gear and apparel. Enter your AMA number when checking out to receive your discount.

(Discount is not available on tires.)

Colorado Motorcycle Adventures

Colorado Motorcycle Adventures offers AMA Members 10% off all motorcycle rentals and tours! Mention your AMA Membership when reserving your rental or tour. A current AMA Membership card required to receive discount.

Design Engineering, Inc.

DEI is now offering AMA members a 10% discount. Simply enter the discount code AMA10DISCOUNT during checkout.

Dowco Powersports

AMA Members save 20% on Dowco products, an industry leading manufacturer of motorcycle covers and luggage. To take advantage of the discount, use code AMA20 at checkout.

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AMA Members receive 10% off and free shipping on all orders. Simply use the code AMAEVS15 during checkout at www.EVS-Sports.com.

Gear Brake

GEARBRAKE detects when you decelerate, even in instances of downshifting and engine braking where the brake is not applied, and automatically lights your taillight with a flashing alert! AMA members receive a 15% discount at gearbrake.com with the promo code: AMASAFE.

International Motorcycle Shows

AMA members save on advanced adult one-day general admission. The promo code is “AMA16” when you buy your tickets online from www. motorcycleshows.com.

LifeLock Identity Theft Protection

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Black Wolf Mototours offers allinclusive dual sport adventure tours in the Northern Rockies. Current AMA members receive 10% off any guided tour. Visit the Members Only section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com for discount code.

AMA members receive a 10% discount off all jackets, chaps, vests, rain suits, race suits, and gloves. You can shop online at www.brooksleather.com or at any participating Brooks dealer.

Just present the code AMABRO when ordering.

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The best routes made easy. Save 20%.

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MYLAPS provides a 20% discount off MSRP or any current sales price on web-orders or orders coordinated by the AMA for all Motorized Products to AMA members. To receive the discount, enter code AMA-789HJK at checkout.

Pagnol Moto

At Pagnol Moto we develop and design extremely high quality gear for riders by riders. Visit www.pagnol-moto.com and use the code 1AMAVIP at checkout to receive your AMA exclusive 10% discount.

Rider Magazine

Members pay only $19.99 for 2 years (24 issues) + 2 extra FREE issues. Visit the Members Only section on www.

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RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine offers a 20% subscription discount to AMA members.

RoadRUNNER is the touring expert of North America, providing information on the best places to ride. AMA discount code is CRIAMA at www.roadrunner. travel/promo/ama.

Sam’s Club

As an AMA Member, you can join or renew your Sam’s Club membership and receive a $10 gift card using a special members-only certificate.

Visit Members Only section on www.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com to download the coupon.

Sena

The Global Leader in Bluetooth and ‘Audio Action Camera’ Innovation for Powersports, Motorsports and Outdoor Sports – is now offering AMA members an exclusive 15% discount on its product lineup. Log into the ‘Members Only’ section on the AMA website to get the code and #RideConnected.

Shark Kage

A multi-functional ramp which adds the functionality of a bed extender, cargo cover, work table, cargo box and sunshade; all-in-one product! Enter code AMA20 to take advantage of the AMA exclusive 20% discount.

Shock Sox

Street ~ Dirt ~ Off-Road ~ SHOCK SOX, “The 10-Second Removable Fork Seal Protector.” Get 10% off your order by entering your AMA number during checkout at ShockSox.com. For colors, sizes and model-applications, visit www.

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Spot LLC

AMA Members receive unprecedented and exclusive service credit on SPOT Spot Trace, Gen 3, and Satellite Phone products in addition to existing device promotions. Visit the Members Only section on www.AmericanMotorcyclist. com to view details.

TomTom

TomTom would like to offer you a 10% discount on any TomTom product (excluding accessories). Visit www. tomtom.com to place your order and enter AMA10_TT2015 at check out to receive your discount.

US Chrome

AMA Members save big at US Chrome!

We offer a $30.00 discount on cylinder plating and dealer pricing on Wiseco, Wossner, ProX and Vertex piston kits.

For more information visit the Members Area of the website.

Warm & Safe

Heated clothing and controllers designed by bikers. To encourage others to join the AMA we offer members an 18% discount. Enter AMA at check out to receive your discount.

James Holter

On Nov. 8, Trials Inc. held its first official round of the 2016 competition season at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio. The event—the first of its kind on the corporate campus—was a huge success. See video and photos at www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

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LETTERS VIEWPOINT RIGHTS HALL OF FAME EVENTS CALENDAR GUEST COLUMN

American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147.

Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2015.

Printed in USA. Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $19.95 covered in membership dues.

COVER Wayne Rainey is not just one of the most-talented racers in history, but he’s also the man who brought professional road racing in America back from the brink in 2015. That’s why he’s the 2015 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year.

PAGE 18. Off-road races often become part of the communities where they’re held.

Racers and clubs recognize that, and give back in cool ways.

PAGE 18.

Adventures are everywhere. Need a reason to go find one on your motorcycle?

Here’s some inspiration.

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January 2016 Volume 70, Number 1 Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com

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Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147.

Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices.

To switch the version you receive, call (800) 262-5646, ask for membership services.

Want to read both versions? Call the above number to get both delivered to your home for just $10 more a year. Members can read both versions online at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine for free.

Enter for your Chance to Win! 速

2016 Raffle Bike

A minimum donation of $5 per ticket, or $20 for five tickets, is suggested. www.MotorcycleMuseum.org or call (800) 262-5646

COMMUNICATIONS

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

American Motorcyclist 13515 Yarmouth Drive Pickerington, OH 43147 (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org

Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ about/board Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, Chair Schenectady, N.Y.

James Holter, Director of Communications/Managing Editor Jim Witters, Government Affairs Editor Heather Wilson, Associate Editor Mark Lapid, Creative Director Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer Halley Immelt, Graphic Designer

Perry King, Vice Chair, Northern California Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla. Paul Puma, Executive Committee Member, Laguna Beach, Calif.

Steve Gotoski, Advertising Director (Western States) (951) 566-5068, sgotoski@ama-cycle.org

Jeff Skeen, Executive Committee Member, San Diego, Calif.

Zach Stevens, National Sales Manager (626) 298-3854, zstevens@ama-cycle.org

Jerry Abboud, Thornton, Colo.

All trademarks used herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned by the AMA and may only be used with the express, written permission of the AMA. American Motorcyclist is the monthly publication of the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents motorcyclists nationwide. For information on AMA membership benefits, call (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2015.

Russ Brenan, Irvine, Calif.

David Foley, Milwaukee, Wis. Tony Moseley, Fort Worth, Texas Roger Pattison, Taos Ski Valley, N.M. Robert Pearce, Murrieta, Calif.

Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.

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AMA STAFF EXECUTIVE

BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS

Rob Dingman, President/CEO Jeff Massey, Chief Operations Officer Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer Donna Perry, Executive Assistant to President/CEO Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs

Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations & Business Member Programs

ACCOUNTING/DATA ENTRY Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager Lori Cavucci, Data Entry Representative Deb D’Andrea, Data Entry Representative Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator Ed Madden, System Support Specialist Nicole Weppler, Member Fulfillment Specialist

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AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations Jordan Cavallaro, Museum Admissions and Collections Assistant Paula Schremser, Program Specialist Katy Wood, Collections Manager AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES

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Bill Cumbow, Director of Racing Rob Baughman, Assistant Road Riding Manager Kip Bigelow, Motocross Manager Joe Bromley, District Relations Manager Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations Chris Harrison, Road Riding Manager Alex Hunter, Program Manager Michael Jolly, Off Road/Track Assistant Manager Beth Owen, Off-Road Coordinator Mike Pelletier, Assistant Motocross Manager Danielle Plessinger, Motocross Coordinator Jessica Robinson, Track Racing Coordinator Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager Serena Van Dyke, Recreational Riding Coordinator Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager

DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES John Bricker, Mailroom Manager Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations Nick Haris, Western States Representative Rick Podliska, Deputy Director Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager, Off-Highway Elizabeth Starek, Staff Assistant Casey Wright, Government Affairs Manager, On-Highway STATE CHAPTERS Marie Wuelleh, State Chapter Manager INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Jennifer Kirkpatrick, IT Director Dave Coleman, Network Architect MARKETING Amanda Donchess, Membership Marketing Manager Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing Manager MEMBER SERVICES Christina Dolin, Member Services Representative Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative

Harl eyHon Davidso Suzu da, and n, now ki card s avai lable !

PICK A CAR D,

ANY CARD No matter what or how you ride, the AMA has a spec ial card for you. Want one? Ju st let us know by renewing early, or telling us when you renew via our online signup form at AmericanMotor cyclist.com, or calling (800) AMAJOIN (262-5646).

MEMBER LETTERS

Letters to the editor are the opinions of the AMA members who write them. Inclusion here does not imply they reflect the positions of the AMA, its staff or board. Agree? Disagree? Let us know! Send your letters to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

Letter of the Month HELMET TALK Calculated risk, I understand. I ride my motorcycle—sometimes great distances, sometimes alone, sometimes in crazy freeway traffic alongside impatient hulking semi drivers, sometimes in horrendous weather—and there is always some kind of calculated risk in it. That risk is balanced out by the joy of riding my motorcycle, and chewing up the miles, and landing in places I would never otherwise have seen, and meeting hundreds of people who wouldn’t approach me if I had stopped to put gas in my very ordinary car, rather than my beloved Triumph Scrambler.

I wear a helmet, always, because, well, not wearing one is a risk I don’t find acceptable. And besides the obvious benefit of protecting the noggin—it keeps my head dry when it rains, stops the wind from tearing up my eyes, and collects dead bugs that would otherwise have splattered on my face. What’s not to love?

But then there’s this: I wear a pink helmet. Must be pink. I imagine vaguely it adds to my safety, because I think I am approached with less macho aggression from fellow road users when it is clear I am a woman. Give her space! Girl rider!

OMG! I sprout an invisible shield from my pink helmet.

But mostly I just love pink.

Jo Alkemade Via email THE LONG WAY HOME I appreciate all the work done by the AMA to protect the rights of motorcyclists.

But I must admit that I do not quite understand advocacy for lane splitting. I am a motorcyclist and a bicycle commuter (who was hit by a distracted driver in May).

My theory behind the common refrain, “I did not see you” is based on observations of many drivers. Most drivers simply follow the bumper in front of them. They do not make decisions on their own about speed, following distance, use of turn signals, etc.

They simply glance up from their personal devices for a second or two out of every five or 10 to make sure there is a bumper in front of them. Things like motorcycles and bicycles are unrecognizable and do not register. The only “valid” input received is a bumper. Further, I am referring to the forward view. I suppose that most drivers pay significantly less attention to the rear view.

Couple this lack of attention with inability to control the vehicle, evidenced by the proliferation of collision avoidance and lane departure avoidance systems, and I conclude that lane splitting is an extremely dangerous practice.

My solution to traffic jams is this. When I find myself at the back of a long line of slow moving traffic, I take the next exit. Then, I find the “long way home.” And that, my friends, is not a bad thing.

Tom Haykin Pittsburgh, Pa.

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

higher ethanol blends such as E15. It’s called Smarter Fuel Future (smarterfuelfuture.org).

We encourage all AMA members to become involved in this crucial fight and sign up for AMA Action Alerts on the AMA homepage at www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

ROADS GOOD. CROWDS BAD. “The Golden Season” (November issue) was a good article. As a neighbor to Helen, Ga., I say avoid Helen on weekends. There is one way in and one way out, and the traffic is at a standstill at best.

Downtown Dahlonega is crazy on weekends, as well, so check their events calendar—same for Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Morganton, Hiawassee, etc.

All the roads the author mentions in his article are not to be missed. North Georgia roads are best during the week. Weekends bring herds of bicyclists, RVs and others.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays are best, as most places are closed on Mondays, so sometimes food is hard to find.

Safe travels!

J. Harty Clarkesville, Ga.

JOIN THE FIGHT It seems to me there is a whole other bunch of dogs laying up on the porch snoozin’ that should be in the ethanol fight. Every time I leave the house, I’ll see a landscaper’s truck and trailer loaded down with chainsaws, blowers, weed eaters, etc.

There are quite a lot of them. I never leave the house and not see a boat in tow. How many boat owners and marinas are in the country?

What happens if E15 is forced on us?

We own five vehicles—the newest is a 1991 Electra Glide—none of which can use E15.

What about the county, state and federal vehicles and equipment. What about the military? Will the taxpayer have to pay for new vehicles and equipment. Of course, we will.

This is just another money-making scam being pushed by a lot of growers, politicos, various non-governmental organizations and the greenie weenies. We, the taxpayer, fund this scam.

The AMA is doing a fantastic job on ethanol, but there should be many more organizations involved. As always, thanks for the good work.

Larry McConnell Blythewood, S.C. Thanks, Larry. A diverse group—including the AMA, boat owners, small engine users, food producers and environmentalists—has banded together to stop the proliferation of

GREAT ROADS What a great surprise I found on page four in my latest issue: a photo of Maryhill Loops Road in Washington looks exactly like Highway 162 in Northern California. This road runs west from Willows, Calif., to Elk Creek, Calif.

At the intersection of 162 and Elk Creek is a county road going north and south. Go south to Stonyford, Calif., or go north to Corning, Calif. It’s one of the best 90-minute rides on my list.

An added bonus is Thunderhill Raceway Park on Hwy 162 just outside of Willows.

(Willows is on Interstate 5, 90 minutes north of Sacramento.)

Keep the good stuff coming.

Vern Packer Redding, Calif.

LONE RIDER Hats off to Mark Harrigan’s column “Solo Touring.” My year to start solo touring after 40 years of going with “the group” was 2015. I had enough debating where to eat, stay and gas up. I thought I was just being a curmudgeon, until I saw Mark’s column.

What has made solo touring possible is the dependability of a modern bike and cell phones. The “group” is no longer necessary to lend assistance and support. Twenty years ago, I completed a trip to the Sturgis rally on a Moto Guzzi that broke down three times along the way. Thank goodness for the other riders to lend support back then.

Sound Off!

Now going solo and not dealing with the group or being stranded in the middle of South Dakota is truly liberating.

Scott Marek New Prague, Minn.

KNOW YOUR ELK! In your December issue you had an article by Mark Harrigan (“Solo Touring”) describing his ride, and it was a really good article! However, he mentions riding through Rocky Mountain National Park and seeing herds of moose. I hope I’m not being too nitpicky pointing out that moose don’t gather in herds. The most moose I’ve seen in a group in RMNP is three—a mother with two immature youngsters.

However, elk do gather in herds, and there are more than 5,000 elk in RMNP. They are truly beautiful, magnificent and large animals, and more than one person has mistaken them for moose.

Keep up the good work. And keep riding in Colorado!

John Grabarczyk Pueblo, Colo.

Thanks, John. Our apologies to elk everywhere.

A roundup of recent comments on Facebook (www. facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist, www.facebook. com/amasupercrosschampionship). Instagram and Twitter (@AMA_Racing, @AMA_Riding).

In response to the video on the AMA YouTube channel of Wayne Rainey speaking at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony…

Chris Moore: Wayne Rainey is a champion on so many levels and now is an AMA Hall of Fame Legend.

Steve Johnson: A true champion. Congratulations Wayne.

In response to a giveaway for vintage AMA apparel…

Mike Brunner: Just like motorcycles, you can never have too many AMA shirts...

When your sprinter needs a tow… @timmybadour70: Being an #AMAmember has more benefits than most people realize. Alternator let loose with 33 miles till home, AMA roadside assistance covers 35.

In response to the new AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame calendar available for purchase… @eatsleepshiftrepeat: Loving it!

TRIM SAFETY

VIEWPOINT

Announcing The 2015 AMA Motorcyclist Of The Year When the AMA sold its rights to select professional racing series in 2008, it was not without controversy. In fact, controversy was among the primary reasons for the

By Rob Dingman sale. The AMA had become mired in controversy for its handling of professional racing. Much of that controversy stemmed from the fact that the AMA was attempting to be both the sanctioning body and series promoter for several of the various disciplines.

There is a great deal of financial risk associated with being a professional racing series promoter. Everyone has heard the phrase, “The show must go on.” That financial risk is the reason.

No promoter wants to lose his or her investment in an event or series of events.

The primary task of the sanctioning body is to ensure safe and fair competition. It is difficult to do this in a manner that doesn’t at some point adversely affect the interests of the promoter. If a racing star is penalized for a rules infraction, or if bad weather causes unsafe conditions that lead to an event cancellation, for example, there is an inherent conflict with trying to be both the series promoter and sanctioning body.

Add to this that the AMA was risking members’ money to promote professional racing, and you get an idea why something needed to be done. Particularly since most of the professional racing series were losing a great deal of money.

When the decision by the AMA Board of Directors to sell the professional racing rights to the Daytona Motorsports Group was announced, there was reason for optimism. DMG was backed by Jim France and there was a belief that with the backing of a member of the famed France family, DMG would do what the AMA couldn’t, and make AMA professional racing successful and profitable.

Although DMG faced many challenges caused at least in part by its own missteps, perhaps the greatest challenge was a faltering economy. Just as DMG acquired the rights to AMA Pro Racing,

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the bottom fell out of the U.S. economy, making a challenging situation much more difficult. There is no doubt that, had the AMA continued as both professional race sanctioning body and series promoter during the worst economy since the Great Depression, the organization would have been decimated financially.

By the end of the 2014 season, the AMA-branded road racing series being run

by DMG was in a difficult place. Series and team sponsorship was elusive.

The television package was not what the teams needed to attract sponsors. Tracks and event promoters were unwilling to commit to sanction agreements for the following year.

Fortunately, for all parties involved, a partnership called the KRAVE Group stepped forward. A deal was struck late in 2014 between and among the KRAVE Group, DMG and the AMA that enabled KRAVE to take over commercial and promotional responsibility for professional road racing in America and restored the AMA as the sanctioning body for professional road racing.

In 2015, the KRAVE Group operated the first season of its MotoAmerica professional road racing series sanctioned by the AMA and FIM North America. The MotoAmerica series was not without its own challenges in its inaugural year, but it built a strong platform and set professional road racing in America on a new path for success.

The KRAVE Group and MotoAmerica are headed by three-time MotoGP World Champion and two-time AMA Superbike Champion Wayne Rainey, an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer who was honored in October as a Hall of Fame Legend. Rainey was the driving force behind the KRAVE Group, MotoAmerica and getting the deal done.

While Wayne Rainey is one of the most accomplished racers of all time, it is due to his efforts as an executive rather than his greatness on the race track that he is the 2015 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year.

It is always important to point out that the AMA Motorcyclist of the Year is not a lifetime achievement award. Rather, it is recognition for the profound impact that an individual has had on motorcycling in the last 12 months. While Rainey was under serious consideration for the honor last year for his efforts to acquire the rights to the road racing series, the AMA Board Jeff Guciardo

ROAD RACING’S CHAMPION

Wayne visits his AMA Superbike Championship winning Kawasaki GPZ750 at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

wanted to be sure that his efforts and the series were successful.

Over the last year and a half, I have had many discussions with Wayne about the future of American road racing. One thing that stood out early in our conversations was Wayne’s motivation. He said that he wanted Americans to again be competitive on the world stage. He wanted to build a ladder from the amateur racing ranks to national professional racing to the world championship level. He has been instrumental in helping the AMA bring the various amateur road racing organizations around the country together to develop a path to a professional road racing license that runs through the AMA. Wayne has not traded on his multi-time world champion status to accomplish what he has on the business side of road racing. Certainly, his name and racing success have opened some doors and gotten people to return his phone calls, but that can only get you so far.

Given three world championships and two national championships and the fact that a crash while racing ended a phenomenal career, it would be understandable for someone in these circumstances to be driven by the worst combination of arrogance and bitterness.

This could not be more contrary to who Wayne Rainey is. He is the most down-toearth and humble person, let alone world champion, I have ever met. He is also perhaps the most optimistic person I have ever met. There is no doubt in my mind that the strength of Wayne’s character and his personality have made him successful.

It is, therefore, my great honor to present Wayne Rainey as the 2015 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year.

Rob Dingman is AMA president and CEO.

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HIGHWAY BILL INCLUDES RTP, MOC MEASURES Motorcycle-Friendly Amendments Included

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved its version of a multi-year national highway bill (H.R. 3763) in October that includes reauthorization of the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program.

The RTP provides money for state and local motorized and nonmotorized trail projects across the country. The program is funded by gas taxes paid into the Highway Trust Fund by OHV users.

The Senate version of the transportation bill, called the DRIVE Act, passed earlier and also retained the RTP funding.

In addition, both versions of the bill contain language prohibiting the use of federal funds to conduct motorcycle-only checkpoints.

FEINSTEIN DEFENDS STANCE ON MONUMENTS

AMA Attends Desert Meeting During a heated meeting in mid-October in the California desert, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) defended her two-pronged approach to winning “national monument” designation for three Southern California tracts.

Since 2009, the senator has been trying unsuccessfully to convince Congress to designate the Mojave U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)

Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains areas as national monuments.

In 2015, Feinstein increased her efforts by sending President Obama a letter asking him to use executive action to make the designations that Congress has not.

“The AMA objects to bypassing Congress in making monument designations and believes that the viewpoints of local officials and stakeholders should be considered,” says AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris, who attended the desert meeting.

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CALIFORNIA COUNTY DRAFTS OHV PLAN Del Norte County gets $54,000 Grant Del Norte County, Calif., is using a $54,000 grant to survey the area’s old logging and mining roads and the county’s gravel roads to determine their suitability for off-highway-vehicle recreation.

The Del Norte County OHV Facilities Plan will include future development, signage, staging areas and campsites in the Six Rivers National Forest and on county roads.

The need for a county plan arose in 2014 when the U.S. Forest Service was developing a Travel Management Plan for Six Rivers. The county sought additional OHV access, including creation of some OHV loops using Forest Service and county roads.

But the county realized that OHVs were not permitted on county roads. So, in late 2014, officials adopted an ordinance that allows OHVs on six county roads and decided to adopt a formal OHV plan.

STATEWATCH CALIFORNIA A.B. 2752, which became effective in 2015, removes the word “transport� from the first line of California Vehicle Code Section 38020, eliminating the prohibition on transporting an unregistered off-highway vehicle from one location to another. Citations for having an unregistered off-highway vehicle can only be issued if the unregistered vehicle has been removed from the trailer or truck bed.

Also, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of California State Parks has invited the public to be part of its long-range planning process for the Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area. Management of the area currently is guided by a plan approved in 1991. The state has acquired land adjacent to the existing SVRA, but must update its longrange plan before the acquisition can be added to the SVRA. Prairie City SVRA is the location for the Hangtown motocross races. The new General Plan will provide for the needs of motorized off-road riders and include goals and guidelines focusing on water quality and air quality, among other issues. Those interested in getting involved can subscribe to an email list for updates and provide comments by visiting www.prairiecitygeneralplan. com/get-involved.

IDAHO The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is surveying stakeholders as part of its effort

to create a draft plan managing the St. Anthony Sand Dunes in Idaho. In 2003, roughly 100,000 individuals visited the dunes. By 2013, use increased to an estimated 285,000 individuals. The BLM says a majority of visitors use the region for motorized recreation, but a large number of people use the dunes for hiking, running, horse riding and star gazing. Survey results will be considered in the drafting of the management plan. The survey is available at uidaho.co1.qualtrics. com/SE/?SID=SV_a4dlglHutfC7x5j.

MICHIGAN S.B. 527, introduced by state Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) would require motorcyclists and motorcycle passengers to wear helmets while riding.

The measure would reverse the 2012 decision to let riders and passengers 21 and older ride without helmets if they had at least $20,000 in medical insurance.

Currently, riders without helmets also must have held a motorcycle endorsement for at least two years or completed a certified rider safety course. The bill was referred to the transportation committee.

MARINES TO USE CALIFORNIA OHV AREA Johnson Valley To Be Closed In August

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to close the Johnson Valley Shared Use Area in Southern California during August 2016 to conduct military training, according to a notice from the corps.

Under the terms of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014, 53,000 acres in Johnson Valley were designated as a shared-use area that could be used for military purposes 60 days each year. The rest of the time, the land is available for recreation.

The Marines are working with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Federal Aviation Administration on the details of the closing and are developing an outreach program to notify stakeholders of the training schedules, safety plans and land-use and airspace changes.

More information is available at www.29palms.marines.mil/Staff/ G5CommunityPlansPAO/JohnsonValley. aspx.

January 2016

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SOUTH FLORIDA OHV PARK DELAYED Officials Have Broward Riders Stuck In Neutral

Tread Lightly! Executive Director Lori McCullough presents the award to Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations.

AMA RECOGNIZED BY TREAD LIGHTLY! Receives ‘Founding Partner’ Plaque

Tread Lightly!, a national nonprofit promoting responsible outdoor recreation, honored the AMA in October with a “Founding Partner” plaque during Tread Lightly!’s 25th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C. “The AMA was an original Tread Lightly! member in 1990 and has maintained membership from the very start,” says

Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations. “We are fortunate to have such an active and effective partner in our efforts to promote responsible offhighway recreation.”

Allard accepted the recognition during a reception and met with Tread Lightly! members from Utah to discuss trail access in that state.

A 190-acre off-highway-vehicle park proposed for Palm Beach County, Fla., has been delayed until at least 2016.

The park, which has been in the planning stages since 2013, hinges on $10 million in county funding and the willingness of the South Florida Water Management District to part with about 40 acres of land adjacent to a county-owned 90-acre parcel.

Jack Terrell, the Florida representative for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that the demand is high for dirt bike and all-terrain-vehicle riders, but there is no place to ride. The newspaper reported that 11,000 ATVs are registered in Palm Beach County.

Preliminary plans call for about 5 miles of trails around the perimeter of the property and a 2-mile race track. Under consideration is a Supercross-style track.

County commissioners discussed the proposal during their annual budget sessions. They say that the facility would take a year to build after the project is approved.

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YOUR PERSONAL S E C R E T PROTECTION SYSTEM Thumbs up to 61-year-old U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) for learning to ride a motorcycle as part of a charity challenge. The congresswoman took the challenge issued by Soroptimist International of Trenton, Mich., in support of its effort to raise money to fight breast cancer. Dingell’s goal is to learn to ride a motorcycle in time to take part in the group’s 2016 charity ride.

Thumbs up to U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.V.) for showing up in October at the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia in support of Bikers Against Child Abuse.

Mooney praised the motorcyclists’ volunteer spirit and compassion.

BACA is an international organization through which motorcyclists help create a safer environment for abused children. The Children’s Home Society is a private, nonprofit agency that provides family services, including adoption and birth-parent counseling.

Thumbs up to Collier County, Fla., for issuing free tickets to nearby off-road-vehicle parks while a committee continues its search for a suitable site for a county-owned park. County residents can receive four tickets per month per vehicle to visit parks in Lehigh Acres, Fla., or Croom Motorcycle Park north of Tampa. Riders have been waiting for more than 10 years for a county park to be built.

Thumbs up to the motorcyclist who stopped traffic, dismounted and rescued a frightened kitten from a busy roadway intersection. The woman, whose Reddit handle is “Your_Brain_On_ Pizza”, posted a video of the incident on YouTube. It appears the cat fell from a red car that passed through the intersection about 10 seconds into the video. The video is here: www. youtube.com/watch?v=oP5qPvCAyfE. A Reddit discussion can be found here: www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/ comments/3pkl1f/saved_a_kitten/.

The rider named the kitten Skidmark.

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WEST MOJAVE COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED BLM Seeks Input On Plan

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The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has extended until Jan. 25 the comment period for its Draft Land Use Plan and Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the West Mojave Route Network Project in California.

Two public meetings will be scheduled. Notice will be posted on the BLM website.

The relevant documents are available at the California Desert District Office and field offices in Barstow, Needles, Ridgecrest, Palm Springs and El Centro and at the BLM’s California state office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, Calif. The documents also may be found online at www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/energy/DRECP.html.

Comments, with WMRNP in the subject line, should be submitted to: • Email – cawemopa@blm.gov • Website – www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd/west_mojave__wemo.html • Fax – (951) 697-5299 • Mail – BLM California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, ATTN: West Mojave Route Network Project, Moreno Valley, CA, 92553.

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NEW JERSEY OHV PARK PLAN STALLS West Milford Twp. Committee Disbands

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West Milford Township (N.J.) canceled all scheduled meetings of its volunteer ATV Committee in October and abandoned plans for an 800-acre off-highway-vehicle park, citing complaints from nearby residents and failed efforts to secure state cooperation.

The committee was established in 2014 to explore the idea of a public off-road park to alleviate the problem

of illegal OHV use on the township’s reserved property.

Officials targeted the 800-acre Jungle Habitat property, but nearby residents complained that motorized recreation would create too much sound and dust.

Negotiations with the state Department of Environmental Protection for use of other protected properties proved unfruitful, and the effort lost momentum.

8/19/2015 4:44:53 PM

SYRACUSE MILE TRACK CLOSES $50M Entertainment Center To Replace It

The historic mile-long dirt racetrack at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, N.Y., closed in October, allowing work to begin on a $50 million development that includes an amphitheater and equestrian center.

The Syracuse Mile, or Moody Mile, was home to horse races for more than a century and also AMA Grand National Championship events.

Development plans call for a themed entertainment center, scheduled to open in time for the 2016 New York State Fair, which is planned for Labor Day weekend.

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FINDING DESERT FREEDOM The Joy Of Nowhere By Natalie Ellis Barros, Photos By Jack Frost

I have never felt so naked and cold as I did riding down the Arizona highway through a snow storm this spring. It’s important to note that my bike and I are both spoiled by the delicate California seasons. Neither of us had yet ridden through anything quite like that squall.

Only three days earlier, I had packed my sleek BMW F650GS—nicknamed “Lady Godiva” by my mother because the simple body work reminded her of the famous streaker—for the road to Flagstaff, Ariz.

It being the middle of May, the freezing temperatures with a complementary outerlayer made entirely of snow were not what I had in mind.

Thirty-two more miles... Thirty-one point eight more miles... Thirty-one point six...

It felt as though I no longer had control over my body—let alone the bike. My mind had shut off. I was slipping. Not thinking straight. What thoughts I had left focused on the road, waiting for it to end at a nice warm lodge. My body and bike somehow moved together, sliding over ice and bracing against the pockets of wind made by the kamikaze semi-trucks.

Every once in a while—when the bike was steady enough that I could use my left glove to wipe the snow from my helmet visor—I was able see a few feet in front of me. Anything could happen. I was alone and completely vulnerable on the road. It

The big open spaces of the American West were meant to be explored on a motorcycle.

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was just then that I noticed a single light in my mirror. Looking as closely as I could without losing focus on the blur ahead, I saw something that brought me back.

Out from my cold seclusion, something pulled me back to the road and back to the throttle.

About 10 feet behind me, tucked in on my left and riding for his life, sat a tall snowman—a fellow motorcyclist— straddling a red trembling motorbike.

Never mind the fact that I ended up getting lost shortly after that, riding about 17 miles in the wrong direction and developing the early stages of hypothermia. At that moment I felt connected to the world and another being; right then, I felt truly alive.

I began my ride headed for Overland Expo West in want of both adventure and a little guidance. Being fairly new to the whole “adventure biking” scene, I decided to go hang with some of the experts. I started preparing my F650GS a few weeks before the trip, lucky to have the help of a bike-savvy dad. I packed too much, as usual, and finally hit the road. It took me no time to ride out of the Sacramento Valley and up to Tahoe. The 395 took me south, and I spent the night in Bishop due to the storm warnings in the mountains. I rose early that next morning and felt the light rains settling in on my way to the big

adventure of the day: Death Valley.

I received plenty of advice. “Make sure you fill up on gas at every single stop.”

“Make sure you have enough water.”

“Make sure your bike doesn’t overheat.”

But no one told me to be ready for some of the most beautiful and intimidating sights I would ever see.

Although the horizon is drowned in sand, there is still so much life scurrying across Death Valley’s toasted land. There were many coyotes, cacti and birds of prey, but as the afternoon heat was approaching, I did not dawdle. I rode through to the deserts of Nevada and spent the night catching up with an old friend in the city of Las Vegas.

The next day, with an expensive hangover and an unexplainable Snapchat storyline, I took off for the adventurer’s dreamland that awaited me in Arizona.

The snow storm “slide fest” wasn’t the “dreamland” I had pictured, but it certainly was an adventure.

I arrived at the Mormon Lake Lodge for Overland Expo West just past 5 p.m., shaking all over like a Chihuahua in a big dog park. Somehow I made it off the bike without tipping over and shivered my way into the lobby, where I was instantly greeted by sympathetic strangers who helped me remove my soaking gear and sat me down by the fire.

“Can I get you a drink?”

I almost cried.

“I’m on it.” One of the strangers ran toward the bar while another grabbed my hands and started rubbing them between hers. I couldn’t feel anything until the painful sting set in about 15 minutes later.

Well at least I know I don’t have frostbite now.

I have never felt more compelled to hug strangers.

“Did you just ride through that snowstorm?”

“Y-y-y-yes,” I responded through my violently shaking body.

“By yourself?”

I shook in affirmation. My whiskey arrived, and in a few hours I was laughing and toasting with new friends.

This was going to be a great weekend.

Overland Expo was just like Disneyland.

I got to take a beautiful new Zero up to 94 mph and played with so many wondrous unaffordable travel gadgets. But the best thing about Overland Expo, besides all the inspiring and educational presentations, was meeting and making friends with some of the most interesting and welltraveled people in the world.

The weather finally cleared on Monday.

I packed my dried things and took off with three new friends, motorcyclists Jeri, Dagowin and Jack from The Netherlands, who had convinced me to hit the BDR (“Backcountry Discovery Route”) trails for a bit of off-road fun.

I’ve done about two off-road trails in the past, but this time we were fully

Natalie Ellis Barros

Roadside repairs.

It’s not always warm in the desert.

The author with her Dutch friends.

L-R: Jack, Jeri and Dagowin.

January 2016

19

loaded and headed all the way to the Grand Canyon, close to 50 miles off-road.

This was definitely going to be a new experience. About an hour or so into the dirt, on one of the many dusty, banked turns, I slipped down a deep rut and was thrown into the bank. I got my leg quickly out from under the bike. Thank God for all the gear that I wear.

“Are you hurt? Can you walk?”

I was fine but my luggage was broken.

Jeri picked up the pieces and said something in Dutch to Dagowin. He looked at me: “Here, take a seat for a moment and rest and we’ll take care of your bike. Here’s some water.”

I couldn’t have asked for better companions. I sat there and watched while the boys did some Dutch engineering magic. The mends were made, and Godiva and I were fit to ride again.

My new friends now took turns staying back with the newbie. I felt bad that I was holding them back, but they wouldn’t let me ride faster even if I wanted to. It was like I was their inexperienced younger sibling, and I must admit I felt completely safe with them. I fell again and again, but I was having a great time. After mud, dust and rocks, we stopped for lunch a couple hours later at an abandoned fire tower and then finally made it to the Grand Canyon.

None of us had ever been to it.

“It looks just like the pictures,” Jeri claimed.

We laughed at the cliché, but the canyon’s unparalleled beauty nevertheless struck a deep chord within us.

After wild camping somewhere off the fire road we rode in on, we packed up the next morning and revved straight toward Antelope Canyon.

Riding in the dirt had been a blast, but riding on the highway through the desert was a spiritual journey all its own.

I could finally focus on more than just the relationship between me and the ground.

We passed RVs through the desert and followed each other on side roads. We were on a Hajj through America’s Old West.

Antelope Canyon looked as if it held within it all the lost souls that had ever lived in the desert. The elements had swept and molded it into perfection. We explored the canyon with the rest of the tourists in the 100-degree heat, but it was as if they weren’t even really there. This was our journey, our playground, our spirit world. After a million “spiritual selfies,” we took a tip from one of the locals and headed to a lake.

The only way to get into the water was off a dock that happened to be right next to one of the fanciest lake resorts I had ever seen. Up pull four bikers covered in red dirt from head to toe and properly

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baked on with a layer of sweat. With an audience of tourists eating most likely over-priced seafood in the desert, we shed an upper layer of gear and took a running jump into the lake. We were quite a show, splashing around and laughing. Our bath was quick. We dried off, geared back up and went searching for a place to camp.

That night, Jeri made a glorious dinner while I played some music off my phone.

Jack took photos of the night sky, Jeri chopped up garlic, and Dagowin and I conversed with the desert spirits. I had found a tribe, and I loved them like family.

The skies were kind to us and the weather was perfect all night.

The next day, it was time for me to go my own way. The boys were all headed to the Arches and more BDR trails that morning, but I had to head to Zion. It was hard to say goodbye. I definitely missed

my tribe, but I have to say, it was nice to be on my own time again.

There is nothing like Zion in this world.

I had planned on staying the night but all the campsites were filled and the thought of searching for a place to wild camp among the throngs of domesticated tourists after such a beautiful night in the desert was not appealing. So I headed to Vegas again.

Vegas is Vegas. Everyone goes there to be their worst selves. Soon, I was out of there and back on the road, in the desert where I belonged. The one good thing about Vegas was that it helped me learn my place. I don’t belong in the city. I need the road more than I need the comfort of a bed and the validation of a tiny dress and being pawed by creepy patrons. I’ll take a night in the middle of nowhere with coyotes scratching at my tent anytime.

Sand and street tires aren’t a good combination.

Riding or relaxing— two wheels do just fine.

Exploring natural wonders.

Motorcycle camping under the desert sky. Does it get any better?

Ask the MSF

HEAT DEMON HARLEY-DAVIDSON GRIP WARMER KIT

UNDERSTANDING COUNTERSTEERING

Info: www.heatdemon.com MSRP: $169.95 When you live north of 40 degrees latitude or at elevation, motorcycle riding is seasonal. We can’t

By Jim Sendecke stop snow and ice, but there’s no reason that on a dry day, cold should keep you off the road.

The first thing to ruin a great ride on a cold day is a set of numb, uncomfortable and dangerously clumsy hands. Good gloves help, but the real answer lies in heated handgrips.

My Heat Demon heated grips arrived in a small package. (I ordered the clutch-side mounted controls.) The heated grips are designed to fit on virtually any handlebar and throttle type.

The directions were straightforward and reasonably easy. It helps to have some basic knowledge of how to disassemble your handgrips and related controls, and how to access your electrical connections.

A series of well-done instructional videos also is available on YouTube.

While the installation task is stepby-step, each step took a little longer that I expected. Step one: “Disconnect battery.” Only two words, but on my Harley-Davidson Road Glide, this involved removing my hard bags, seat straps, luggage rack and seat. Next, I took a few measurements, removed the existing grips and associated hardware, and drilled a hole in the handlebars. It also meant removing the throttle cables to release the right handgrip for insertion of the heating element. This disassembly was not difficult, but time consuming.

After finishing the installation, I connected the system to the battery.

Operation is simple. A click of the switch gives you several temperature settings and allows for the use of much thinner gloves, keeping your hands warm and nimble. This translates to a quicker response on the throttle, brake and clutch.

Heat Demon’s heated grips not only improved the riding experience, but extended it as well.

Q: When I took the MSF Basic RiderCourse, I was taught the “press, lean and roll” technique for curves.

But I hear a lot of talk about countersteering, instead of using body lean.

What is the difference? And which should I be using?

A: The technique taught in the MSF Basic RiderCourse for negotiating corners is “slow, look, press, and roll.” The four steps are presented here as separate items for clarity, but in real-world use as one gains experience, some steps may occur simultaneously, and the “Look” step becomes more of an overall perceptual strategy than an isolated step.

Slow: Reduce speed if needed before entering a turn by rolling off the throttle and/or using the brakes. If you need to downshift, do so before entering the turn.

A safe entry speed does not require you to do any hard braking while in the turn.

Look: Evaluate the curve’s features as you approach: sharpness or radius, length, surface conditions, etc. Keep your head up and eyes moving throughout the turn.

Turning your head in the direction of the turn helps you keep a good visual picture.

Continuously scan far and near as well as to the sides.

Anthonys_logo_add.indd 1

Press: To initiate motorcycle lean, first press forward on the handgrip in the direction of the turn. Press left handgrip, lean left, go left. Press right handgrip, lean right, go right. Then adjust your steering to maintain the path of travel.

Roll: Use the throttle to maintain or slightly increase speed. Avoid quick or sudden throttle roll-on or roll-off that would affect smoothness, as this influences the suspension and tire grip.

“Body lean” is not listed as one of the four steps, but is a supporting element of the “press” step. Pressing on the handgrip causes the motorcycle to lean. At normal street speed you and the bike should lean together. Body lean can help fine-tune the bike’s lean angle in certain situations, but is not very effective at initiating a turn.

A deliberate movement of the handlebars is needed to initiate a change in direction. At anything above walking speeds, to turn effectively you need to press forward the handgrip on the same side of the turn. This is called countersteering because the front wheel initially moves opposite the direction of the turn.

It would take several pages to describe the physics of counter-steering (see MSF’s book “Guide to Motorcycling Excellence”), but most riders counter-steer instinctively because they’ve carried the technique over from bicycle riding. Try countersteering and body lean, separately and together, in a safe place, to see what effect each has on a change in direction.

Jen Muecke

Member Tested

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January 2016 7/17/15 3:10 PM

Lessons Learned

Armando Espinoza

LOCAL ACTIVISM NEEDED

New York’s Brad Berson Fights Unreasonable Laws

By Jim Witters Brad Berson’s involvement in motorcycle advocacy began in 2008, when he learned of an effort to outlaw aftermarket mufflers on bikes in New York City.

“While I hate excessive motorcycle noise and the negative attention it brings, this law would have subjected the owners of parked, unattended motorcycles to very expensive fines just for not having a matching set of clearly visible EPA labels,” Berson says. “The legislation was really vicious in nature. If it were to pass—even in watered-down form—it would have ended up punishing many innocent people.”

The proposal was floated by City Councilman Alan Jay Gerson, who once tried to ban all motorcycles from Greenwich Village.

“A few motorcycle enthusiast friends—some of whom I had just met— jumped in headfirst with me,” Berson says. “And, with the help of some local ABATE members and a rag-tag but very passionate representation of various local motorcycle clubs, took on the NYC Council and Alan Gerson directly regarding the plan.”

The onslaught of motorcyclists and their allies persuaded the council to scrap the muffler plan. But other issues confronted New York motorcyclists.

In 2007, the New York State Police had started motorcycle-only checkpoints,

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and by 2008, the practice was gaining momentum.

About the same time, riders lost use of Manhattan’s last motorcycle parking area near the South Street Seaport and witnessed the removal of motorcyclefriendly language from then-Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing traffic plan.

That’s when Berson and other advocates realized they needed to consolidate their efforts to create and maintain a strong local grassroots presence.

“While the show of force [over the muffler issue] was impressive and ultimately very successful, it was then that my friends and I realized that, while motorcycle riders across the nation had a fair amount of support from the AMA, and upstate riders had ABATE of New York, nobody was actively and cohesively advocating for New York City’s motorcycle riders,” Berson says. “Those downstate riders—us—faced unique challenges and were subject to a completely separate political and legal environment. We decided we had to do something about the lack of representation. And so the New York Motorcycle & Scooter Task Force was born.”

The task force is a volunteer organization intent on “improving safety,

parking, awareness, education, advocacy, and licensing for motorcycle and scooter riders; to reduce injuries and fatalities; to increase citizen and government awareness of the presence, needs, and rights of riders; to educate motorcyclists and the public about riding.”

Effecting Change

One of the unique features of the task force is its text-messaging alert system for motorcycle-only checkpoints. Riders who spot a checkpoint can send an SMS text message to the task force phone number.

And riders can receive notifications by text through their cell phones or by following @nymstf on Twitter.

“We quickly discovered that the power of the people is an incredible thing, and that motorcyclists bring a very diverse and useful range of skills, experiences and contacts,” Berson explains. “The hard part is getting them all at the same table.”

Among those brought together to fight the muffler proposal were “people with knowledge of law, engines, technology, transportation, etc.,” Berson says.

“We had ninja-grade debaters,” he continues. “We had creative people who could assemble compelling presentations.

And I think the most important part is that we had people with the charisma to get riders with textile adventure jackets,

riders with three-piece rockers on their leather vests and everyone in-between all cooperating.”

After the group defeated Gerson’s antimotorcycle muffler plan, they defeated Gerson.

“Since he had a long history of antimotorcycle behavior, we all went the extra step of reaching out to voters in his council district and made sure his challenger won in the 2009 election,” Berson explains.

Despite some victories, it remains a tough battle. Berson says motorcycles represent just 2 percent of all registered vehicles in New York City. By comparison, Ecuadorians represent about 2.4 percent of the city’s population.

“We have to remember that, as a minority, the only people who are looking out for our interests is us,” Berson says.

“That means we have to work harder just to obtain and maintain the rights and privileges that come virtually automatically to nearly everyone else.

“As members of a minority group, we need to be acutely aware of the power of the people. It can actually be an advantage for us. A well-motivated, wellorganized minority can often out-represent

“We have to remember that, as a minority, the only people who are looking out for our interests is us,” Berson says. “That means we have to work harder just to obtain and maintain the rights and privileges that come virtually automatically to nearly everyone else. the popular vote due to voter apathy. I’m not going to lie, that does take some work.

But it’s very rewarding.”

Get Involved

Berson encourages everyone to become involved in protecting the motorcycle lifestyle.

“If you discover an issue that concerns you as a motorcycle rider/owner, it surely concerns others, too,” he says. “Get to know your elected officials at every level of government, and let them know where your interests lie. Find like-minded people to help you, get your local elected officials on board and don’t be afraid to reach out to local motorcycle rights groups, advocacies, clubs, chapters, etc. Even if you’re not a member, you should still find tons of help and encouragement.”

Berson also urges motorcyclists to sign up for the AMA Action Alerts, so they’re able to easily “let their elected officials know where they stand, that they demand representation and that their vote counts.”

In addition to supporting the AMA on issues in which it already is involved, motorcyclists should let the AMA know about their other concerns.

“Keep a close eye on your local government,” Berson says. “For example, we routinely screen the NYC Council’s legislative web site for motorcycle- and vehicle-related keywords. We also recommend seeking out and joining local motorcycle rights and advocacy groups.

AMA membership should be considered mandatory but only a start. Local involvement is important too.”

The key, he says, is active involvement by all riders.

“I cannot underscore enough the power of the people,” Berson says. “The NYMSTF is just a few well-meaning folks with a website and some good ideas.

The real power is in the members. We help back them up, provide support, knowledge. But we cannot and will not do everything. Empowering people is what makes things happen.”

What Does Every Garage Need?

MORE BIKES 12 months of motorcycles from the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame collection, as well as loaned bikes on display. Beautifully photographed and featured alongside their histories.

Makes an excellent gift for all the motorcyclists in your life.

Buy one at www.MotorcycleMuseum.org or call (614) 856-2222.

$15

Photos Alison Grogan The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, features the people and machines that have deďŹ ned the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling in America. The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-proďŹ t corporation that receives support from the AMA and from the motorcycling community. For info and directions, visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org, or call (614) 856-2222.

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1954 VINCENT RAPIDE A John Parham Treasure

Although American motorcycles are his main focus, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member John Parham has been collecting Vincent twins and singles, as well as other British bikes, for years. This 1954 Rapide is one of 10 Vincents owned by Parham that he displays at his National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa.

The Vincent brand is best known for being the motorcycle that Hall of Famer Rollie Free rode when he set the American one-mile land speed record in 1948, averaging more than 150 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Free rode a highly tuned Vincent Black Shadow while wearing a tight-fitting swimsuit to reduce weight and lying flat on the Vincent to cut down on wind resistance.

The 1950s Vincents featured a Girdraulic front fork—a blade-type girder fitted with twin hydraulic dampers—in place of the telescopic front forks

used by competing brands. The Girdraulic fork is said to have provided exceptional lateral rigidity and resistance to front-end twist during hard braking.

The 998cc V-twin Rapide produced 45 horsepower, delivered to the rear wheel via a diaphragm clutch and a four-speed transmission.

The Vincent also features an advanced swingarm design, and the chassis uses the engine as a stressed member.

The standard Rapide was capable of 110 mph to 115 mph, placing it among the fastest performance road bikes available in the 1950s.

This bike highlighted Parham’s induction at the 2015 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame ceremony in Orlando. Following the gala presentation, it returned to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, where it will remain on loan until it returns to Anamosa.

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Famer

STEVE BAKER: WORLD CHAMPION Steve Baker was the first American to win a road racing world championship— the Formula 750 Series in 1977. Baker was also a leading rider in the 500cc Grand Prix Series that season, finishing second to Barry Sheene. Baker was one of the first riders to prove that Americans could be competitive on the world level.

Baker was born in Bellingham, Wash., on Sept. 5, 1952. His father was a motorcyclist and Steve began riding the dirt trails around his hometown by the time he was 11 years old. At 16, he began honing his racing skills on the short tracks and TT dirt tracks of the Pacific Northwest. He quickly became a leading racer in the region.

In the early 1970s, Baker began branching out and racing up and down the west coast of the United States and Canada. During this time, Baker became the top-ranked novice and, later, junior TT rider in country.

As his dirt-track career was blossoming, Baker began road racing. He quickly took to racing on pavement and soon left dirt-track racing to concentrate solely on road racing, mostly in Canada where

he became a three-time road racing champion.

Baker first began racing professionally in the United States in 1973. His first AMA national finish was 28th in the 1973 Daytona 200. That start did not foretell the great ride Baker would turn in later that year. Baker’s breakthrough race came in September of ’73 in Talladega, Ala., where he finished second behind former world champion Kel Carruthers.

At Talladega the next year, Baker broke his leg badly and was forced to sit out the rest of the 1974 season. That made his second-place showing in the 1975 Daytona 200 even more impressive. It was his first race back after the injury.

In the 1976 season, Baker reached the zenith of his racing career in the United States. He started off the year inauspiciously. His factory Yamaha OW31 suffered mechanical problems in the season opener at Daytona and he was unable to finish the race. Baker then earned his first AMA national victory when he won the Loudon Classic in June. He also won the 250 Grand Prix event at Loudon. In August, Baker duplicated his

Loudon feat at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, Calif., again winning the national and the 250cc race.

Despite his Daytona DNF, Baker still had a chance to win the first AMA Road Racing Championship of the modern era, but a 250 GP heat race crash at the season finale in Riverside, Calif.,

Put yourself in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is YOUR hall of fame—we couldn’t exist without the generous support of our donors. Now there’s a new way for you to show that support in a very visible way: My Hall of Fame. The idea is simple: A $20 charitable donation gets you a 3-inch-square space on the wall in the Hall of Fame entrance foyer that hangs during the campaign year.

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prevented him from competing in the national and cost him a shot at the title.

That year, Baker was also making a name for himself overseas. He scored wins in the Anglo-American Match Race Series and the prestigious Race of the Year at England’s Mallory Park.

In 1977, Baker started the year impressively by winning the pole for the Daytona 200. He went on to win the rain-shortened 200 and the International Lightweight 250 Grand Prix event as well. From there, he competed in both the newly formed Formula 750 World Series and the 500cc World Championship Grand Prix. Riding for the factory Yamaha team in both series, Baker won the 750 title and finished runner-up in the 500 World Championship to Barry Sheene.

The end of 1977 was the beginning of the end for Baker’s racing career. Yamaha did not renew his contract.

He came back as a privateer and struggled in the 1978 500cc World

Championships on a Suzuki. At the end of that season, Baker suffered a devastating accident at the Mosport circuit in Canada. That crash left him with a broken arm and shattered his left leg for the third time. Soon afterward, Baker retired from racing.

After his racing career ended, Baker bought a dealership in his hometown of Bellingham. When inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1999, Baker was still running his dealership, helping sponsor local riders.

GIVE TO THE HALL OF FAME

Final Appeal For 2015 Donations Under Way The history of American motorcycling includes stories of fun, thrills, competition, courage, sacrifice and innovation.

The authors of that history are equally amazing—men and women who have raced faster, worked harder and ridden better to advance the motorcycling world to new heights. They are the members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Each year, the Hall of Fame asks for your support to help fund operations. Money is needed for everything from new exhibits to utilities. Now is the time to make your tax-deductible donation and further the mission of the Hall of Fame.

Those who give will be recognized with exclusive gifts commemorating their contributions.

For more information about the levels of giving, and to make your contribution today, please visit www. motorcyclemuseum.org/2015appeal.aspx.

Thank you for your support!

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THREATS & CONSEQUENCES

The Top Six Motorcycling Issues For 2016 By Jim Witters

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hreats to the motorcycle lifestyle are not going away in 2016, but the new year provides ample opportunity for motorcyclists to realize some gains.

“We are looking forward to tackling the challenges we anticipate during 2016,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. “Several big issues stand out for AMA members: lane splitting, motorcycle-only checkpoints, ethanol in our fuel, access to public lands, use of private land, and international recommendations that could affect U.S. motorcycle laws.

“We will be monitoring these issues and more, reporting developments to AMA members and the general public, lobbying elected and appointed officials and calling on motorcyclists and their supporters to speak with a unified voice.”

Here is a quick look at what to expect in 2016.

Lane Splitting Perhaps the greatest opportunity for progress this year involves the issue of lane splitting, which involves safely riding between lanes of stopped or slowed traffic.

Three states – California, Tennessee and Washington – have pending legislation carried over from 2015 that would codify and regulate the practice.

Motorcyclists in Texas and Oregon remain hopeful that they can revive bills that showed promise last year. And several other states, including Minnesota, are considering 2016 efforts to pass a law.

The AMA supports local efforts to make lane splitting legal and can aid riders at the state level by offering information and advice, by issuing alerts to motorcyclists at appropriate times and by writing letters or supplying direct testimony.

“It seems like the time is ripe for a big push to get lane splitting accepted and legalized,” Allard says. “The studies are in, and the evidence is clear that responsible, lane-splitting riders are less likely to be injured than other motorcyclists.”

Studies conducted by the University of California Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research & Education Center show that lane-splitting riders are less likely to be rear-ended by other vehicles and were less likely to sustain head injury, torso injury or fatal injury.

The SafeTREC study, led by Thomas Rice, also concludes that the speed differential between the motorcyclist and other vehicles is a much more accurate indicator of relative safety than any specific speed.

Those initiating efforts to legalize lane splitting in their states are urged to contact the AMA for support and assistance.

Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints Motorcycle-only checkpoints have become an important issue at the state and federal levels. The AMA is working to eliminate federal funding for these checkpoints and is working with local and state motorcycle rights organizations to pass legislation prohibiting their use by law enforcement agencies.

One extreme example of discriminatory checkpoints occurred at a Hooters

restaurant in Pembroke Pines, Fla., that had been staging bike nights for more than a dozen years. Despite the venue’s lengthy record of incident-free events, in 2015 police began conducting “safety operations” near the restaurant.

Attendance dropped from more than 400 to a level that was no longer profitable for the promoter. The restaurant canceled the weekly events that included a disc jockey and vendors.

The local police claimed the checkpoints were conducted for the safety of the motorcyclists.

A bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), called the “Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act,” would restrict the Secretary of Transportation from granting funds to any government entity to operate a motorcycle-only checkpoint.

The language from that bill was included in the multi-year national highway bill passed by the U.S. Senate late in 2015.

The AMA has fought motorcycle-only checkpoints since the state of New York announced plans to set up 15 of them in 2008 to stop riders on their way to summer motorcycling events.

California, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Illinois, New Hampshire and Virginia have passed legislation curbing motorcycle-only checkpoints.

“We will continue working at the federal and the state level to end these checkpoints and allow motorcyclists to travel our nation’s roadways unimpeded,” Allard says.

Access To Public Lands The efforts of some in Congress to support environmentalists’ efforts to close public lands to motorized recreation continues in 2016.

“Public lands management and monument designation by the president will continue, with some members of Congress supporting his action to go around Congress,” Allard says.

President Barack Obama has used his authority under the law to designate National Monuments without the approval

of Congress. And there is no reason to believe those maneuvers will stop during his final year in the White House.

Since 2009, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has been trying to convince Congress to designate the Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains areas as National Monuments. Since her efforts failed, she sent a letter to the president seeking designations by executive action.

The AMA opposes bypassing Congress on these issues. But the AMA supports bills by Feinstein and U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.) to designate the monuments by congressional action because the public, including the off-highway vehicle community, has an opportunity to be heard.

The AMA also supports S. 228, introduced by U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), which would require the president to get congressional approval and certify compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 before designating a national monument.

At the same time members of Congress are pushing for more monuments, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are implementing planning processes and policies that further infringe on responsible motorized recreation.

Through their Travel Management Plans, the agencies are closing trails across vast tracts, particularly in the West.

And the Forest Service’s “no net gain in trail miles” policy ensures that opportunities for motorized recreation will remain limited into the near future.

On another front, even though the greater sage-grouse was not placed on the Endangered Species List in 2015, environmental groups have filed a series of lawsuits challenging that decision. The outcome of those court cases could result in additional restrictions on off-road riding.

The AMA opposes actions that restrict reasonable OHV recreational opportunities, that prevent enthusiasts from participating in a meaningful manner in the public lands management process, that reduce the quality of recreational opportunities or limit legal, existing routes of travel into and through public land areas.

“We will be working with other groups across the country to protect the trails we have and to seek opportunities for expansion,” Allard says. “We count on all off-road enthusiasts to alert us to potential problems and to join us in our efforts.”

Use Of Private Property More communities will attempt to use sound ordinances and zoning and nuisance regulations to close existing offhighway-vehicle parks and prevent new ones from opening, Allard says.

The city of Aberdeen, S.D., recently

January 2016

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“Too often, local governments and officials bow to the emotional pleas of people who really don’t want any OHV activity at all nearby.

We support reasonable restrictions on vehicle exhaust sound. But we oppose arbitrary and subjective rules, because riders have no way of determining whether their vehicle meets the standard.”

— Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations

enacted an ordinance that allows police officers to judge whether a motor vehicle, including a street motorcycle or dirt bike, is too loud.

In his overview of the ordinance, the city manager stated, “Rather than attempt to enforce a complicated set of measurements, distances and decibel levels, the amendment uses the same standard for noise in residential areas.”

Other communities, including Rockingham County, Va., and Hampton Twp., Pa., enacted ordinances in 2015 that unreasonably restricted the use of dirt bikes to large tracts of land and established arbitrary standards for exhaust, sound and dust.

Macedonia, Ohio, drafted a law that would allow only one off-road vehicle at a time to operate on less than two acres, and no more than two OHVs at a time on larger parcels. Riding would be limited to one hour a day, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. or dusk, whichever is earlier.

“Too often, local governments and officials bow to the emotional pleas of people who really don’t want any OHV activity at all nearby,” Allard says. “We support reasonable measures to regulate vehicle exhaust sound. But we oppose arbitrary and subjective rules, because riders have no way of determining whether their vehicles meet the standard.”

When motorcyclists become aware of complaints or proposed changes in local laws or codes, they should immediately contact the AMA for help in educating elected and appointed officials, working with neighbors to resolve the issue and fighting any unreasonable restrictions.

“Involving the AMA early in the process provides a better chance for success,” Allard says.

Ethanol Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established new mandates under the Renewable Fuels Standard in November, some presidential candidates and many members of Congress believe the RFS is overdue for reform or repeal.

Increasing the required amount of ethanol

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blended into the nation’s fuel supply will require higher percentages of the additive in each gallon of gasoline sold.

Most of the country’s vehicles are running on E10, which is 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol. To meet the RFS mandates, retailers may have to offer and sell fuel blends with higher ethanol content—E15, E30 or E85.

However, none of the nation’s estimated 22 million motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are certified to use blends higher than E10. Doing so is a violation of federal law and could result in damage to engines and fuel systems.

And the spread of E15 and higher ethanol blends in the marketplace increases the danger of misfueling. Even careful riders may inadvertently contaminate their fuel system with residual E15 left from the previous use of a blender pump.

The federal government is making it even harder on motorcyclists by providing $100 million in matching grants for the purchase and installation of blender pumps in 21 states. The more blender pumps there are, the higher the risk of inadvertent misfueling.

“The presidential candidates already have begun debating this issue in Iowa and New Hampshire, and it certainly will be part of the campaigns as they move forward,” Allard says.

WHO/OECD Reports Two reports issued late in 2015 continued the international effort to standardize motorcycle laws globally, and each report contains a call for universal mandatory helmet use for riders and passengers.

The Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015, released in October by the World Health Organization, calls for all nations to amend their laws to reflect the organization’s recommendations for improving road safety and reducing traffic crashes, injuries and deaths.

WHO targets five key “risk factors” for stronger laws and increased enforcement: • Use of motorcycle helmets – mandatory helmet use by all riders, with a helmet-quality standard • Speed – a national urban maximum

speed limit of about 30 mph • Drunken driving – driving laws with a blood alcohol content of less than or equal to 0.05 gram per deciliter, as well as lower limits of less than or equal to 0.02 gram per deciliter for young and novice drivers. (The U.S. standard in most jurisdictions is 0.08 percent BAC, mathematically the same as 0.08 gram per deciliter.)

• Seat belts – comprehensive seat-belt laws covering all occupants • Child restraints – a law based on age, height or weight, with an age or height restriction on children sitting in the front seat.

At about the same time, the world Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s International Transport Forum issued a research report titled Improving Safety for Motorcycle, Scooter and Moped Riders that calls for sweeping changes in the way powered two wheelers interact with other vehicles on the road.

The transportation forum’s recommendations include: • A “Safe System” approach that caters to the needs of powered two wheelers • Involvement of all stakeholders in sharing responsibility for rider safety • Make the needs of motorcyclists an explicit part of transportation policies • Create a “toolbox of measures” to improve rider safety • Promote appropriate behavior among riders and road users in general • Compulsory helmet use for all riders • Improve vehicle safety features • Introduce self-explaining and forgiving roads—roads that guide drivers and riders to adopt appropriate speed and behavior, along with traffic-calming measures • Conduct more research into powered two-wheeler mobility and crash mechanisms.

“Promoting motorist awareness of motorcyclists, making roads easier to navigate and including motorcyclists’ needs in transportation policies all are laudable objectives,” Allard says. “While the AMA strongly encourages helmet use, we oppose sweeping mandates and believe that adults should have the right to decide when to wear helmets.”

The AMA does not oppose laws requiring helmets for minor motorcycle operators and passengers.

While the United States is under no obligation to adhere to the recommendations of these two groups, their reports reflect the ongoing pressure foreign governments are exerting on U.S. officials to adopt international standards.

SAVE DATE The

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

July 8-10, 2016

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio

#AMAVMD www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com Proceeds beneďŹ t the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Brian J. Nelson

Wayne Rainey, president of MotoAmerica, speaks with AMA Superbike contender Josh Hayes during the 2015 season.

WAYNE RAINEY 2015 AMA Motorcyclist Of The Year By James Holter

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acing’s reach is a wide one. For manufacturers and engineers, it’s the proving ground of development. For fans, it’s the quintessential entertainment. For racers, it is why they ride. For nearly all of us, motorcycling loses something without it.

In recent years, some such loss has been felt in professional road racing in the United States. Race attendance was down. The paddock was shrinking. There was squabbling over rules. Sponsor dollars had dried up.

A savior was sought.

Thankfully, one found us.

The AMA Motorcyclist of the Year Award acknowledges the profound impact that an individual or individuals have had on motorcycling during the past year. In 2015, that individual was AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend and threetime MotoGP World Champion Wayne Rainey.

Rainey’s vision, knowledge and personal credibility created the new home of the AMA Superbike Championship: MotoAmerica. The 2015 season, its first, was undeniably successful. Professional road racing in America is back.

“As president and cofounder of MotoAmerica, Wayne Rainey will be the first to tell you that he didn’t do it alone, and he didn’t, but make no mistake, MotoAmerica and the resurgence of AMA Superbike racing happened because of Wayne Rainey,” says AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “His ideas, his inspiration, his reputation and his relentless drive to push his team to succeed where others could not is the reason that professional road racing is flourishing once again.

“For his role in co-creating MotoAmerica, the AMA and FIM North America Championship Series, and for leading the sport of motorcycle road racing into a bold, new era, Wayne Rainey is the 2015 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year,” Dingman says.

Perhaps more than most, the story of this AMA Motorcyclist of the Year award is rooted in the history of the person who earned it.

Wayne Rainey was a dirt-track racer before he realized he was even more talented on asphalt.

‘THAT ONE PHONE CALL CHANGED MY LIFE’ Rainey, born Oct. 23, 1960, in Downey, Calif., began riding a Honda minibike when he was 6. His father, Sandy, was a motorcycle and go-kart racer.

By the age of 9, Rainey started racing dirt track, progressing through the ranks until he went pro in 1979.

Although Rainey did fine—earning six top-10 AMA Grand National finishes in 1980—he took advantage of opportunities to compete in club-level road races and found that his real talents were on asphalt.

“One day, this friend of mine, Eddie Lawson, called,”

Rainey recalls. “He was riding for Kawasaki in road racing. He says that Kawasaki wants to sell KX250 short trackers and that they wanted to talk to me.

That one phone call changed my life. It got me hooked up with Kawasaki Accessories, and after we ran a couple dirttrack races, they asked me if I wanted to do some club-level road racing.”

That went well, and then in 1981 Kawasaki’s racing department called Rainey on a Monday and said if he could get to Loudon, N.H., by Thursday, he could ride one of their bikes in the novice 250 Grand Prix class. Rainey made the drive, won the race

(in the wet) and earned an AMA Superbike ride with Kawasaki in 1982.

In his rookie season in the premier class, Rainey finished third behind teammate Eddie Lawson and Honda’s Mike Baldwin. The next year, he won the title.

Rainey’s championship remains one of the most improbable in AMA Superbike history. He captured it on a Kawasaki GPZ750—a bike that was a technological dinosaur compared to Baldwin’s cuttingedge, factory Honda V-4 VF750F. Rainey was on top of the American racing world.

It would not last long, however. Just a week

January 2016

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WAYNE RAINEY 2015 AMA Motorcyclist Of The Year

later, Rainey was out of a job. Kawasaki was leaving Superbike racing. Motorcycle sales were devastated by the recession of the early 1980s. Rainey joined many other Americans on the unemployment line.

‘AN OPPORTUNITY TO RACE FOR A WORLD TITLE’ The economic climate of motorsports racing was just as challenging in 2008 as it was in the early 1980s. That was the year that the AMA sold professional road racing to the Daytona Motorsports Group.

As in the early 1980s, major motorcycle manufacturers had been on the financial defensive for years. Industry support of road racing was minimal. The so-called Great Recession that decimated discretionary spending in America in general, and new motorcycle sales in particular, had pushed pursuits such as racing deep into the margins of business plans everywhere.

While DMG had the resources to keep the series operational during the anemic economic climate—something that might have bankrupted a non-profit member association—professional road racing was in dire straits.

Further, a number of apparent operational missteps by DMG lingered, and became easy targets for critics frustrated by the industry’s financial reality.

All unfortunate, yes, but for Wayne Rainey, the greater disappointment was rooted in something far more important than money: sport.

The problem, as Rainey saw it, was clear: The series lacked the competition, exposure, framework and appeal to forge the next generation of great American motorcycle racers.

His interest at first was small, then grew into something much, much more.

In early 2014, Rainey was ready to act on an idea that had been germinating for months. He would build a better series. Rainey knew, however, that a proper racing

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Wayne Rainey, competing for his first world title.

series was more than events on a schedule. For legitimacy, a professional racing property needed to be sanctioned by an entity recognized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, the international body for motorcycle sport.

The AMA is the sole U.S. affiliate of the FIM. However, the association recognized— and continued to present the No. 1 plates for—the DMG-run series. Contractually, the AMA could not sanction a competing series.

Rainey astutely figured that FIM North America, the FIM Continental Union that includes the AMA and the Canadian Motorcycle Association, possibly could.

In April, Rainey wrote to AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman in Dingman’s capacity as president of FIM

North America, a position that rotates between AMA and CMA presidents every four years.

Rainey sought sanctioning for a continental motorcycle road racing championship series.

While that may seem like a reasonable request, fulfilling it wasn’t so straightforward.

For an event or series to be sanctioned by FIM North America, it must first be sanctioned by the AMA or CMA. By virtue of the relationship the AMA had with DMG following the 2008 sale, DMG would have to acquiesce to the involvement of FIM North America—and, by extension, the AMA. “DMG was understandably resistant,” Dingman recalls.

“A North American continental road racing series would have competed with the already struggling national series.”

During the next several months, Rainey kept the conversation going about a sanction, and Dingman continued to work with DMG, negotiating an arrangement that would clear a path for a Rainey-led professional road racing championship.

“An important consideration for all involved was my term as FIM North America president, which was up at the end of 2014, and therefore my ability to influence the negotiations and help protect DMG’s calendar,” Dingman says. “Further, there were cases in Europe and Asia where the FIM circumvented its continental unions and national federations, and the FIM might have done the same here. If that happened, DMG would have had no protections whatsoever.”

Dingman says that while that logic resonated with DMG management, movement was slow—and the end of 2014 was approaching. That’s when the unexpected happened.

“DMG put the rights to professional road racing in America on the table,” Dingman says. “I was asked to broker a deal that would ensure one series.”

A deal was made. In September 2014, the AMA re-acquired the sanctioning, promotional and commercial rights to professional motorcycle road racing in America. Simultaneously, the association recognized MotoAmerica as the new home of AMA Superbike racing—the AMA Road Racing National Championship Series—while granting the series status as an FIM North America Championship.

“The structure of our agreement with the AMA serves the goal of developing riders to be successful on the world stage,” Rainey said at the time. “It allows a framework that supports advancement from youth competition to novice, from novice to proam, from pro-am to national championship contention and,

for the best of the best, an opportunity to race for a world title.”

MotoAmerica is a property of KRAVE Group LLC, a Costa Mesa, Calif., based organization. Rainey, as MotoAmerica president, is one of four who founded the group.

The others are Chuck Aksland, a former racer and 20-year manager of Team Roberts; Terry Karges, executive director of the Petersen Museum, a former motorsports marketing executive and team owner who spent 17-years at Roush Performance; and Richard Varner, a motorcycle manufacturer, energy sector entrepreneur, philanthropist and businessman.

“At every stage of the process, Wayne’s intentions were never in doubt,” Dingman says. “He greatly valued the historical relevance, legitimacy and ties to the greater world of motorcycling inherent in AMA involvement.

“Just as important,” Dingman adds, “I’m also confident that his interests weren’t shaped simply by how the AMA could help MotoAmerica, but how

MotoAmerica could help the AMA, from supporting our role as an amateur sanctioning body to elevating the association among the legions of fans so eager to see American racers excel on the world stage.”

‘I LEARNED I WASN’T READY’ Excelling on the world stage is something Wayne Rainey knows something about—and he knows it doesn’t come easily.

Rainey’s first foray into world championship road racing came in 1984. After Rainey was laid off by Kawasaki, former FIM World Champion Kenny Roberts, then a team owner, offered Rainey a ride in the 250cc Grand Prix World Championship.

“When Kawasaki quit racing, I went to race for this crazy guy Kenny Roberts, and it was his first year not racing himself,” Rainey remembers.

“It was anything but fun. That year, I learned a heck of a lot. I learned I wasn’t ready, but I got to see the future, and I knew I wanted to go back.”

Rainey struggled, finishing

eighth in the standings with a season-best finish of third. The first chapter of Rainey’s worldlevel competition was short.

In 1985, Rainey returned to America, racing Hondas in AMA Formula One and 250 Grand Prix with MacLean Racing. Injuries impacted his results. That didn’t matter to the factory Honda team that Rainey embarrassed just two years prior. Honda hired Rainey to compete in AMA Superbike and Formula One in 1986.

Rainey won six of nine Superbike races, but still finished second to his teammate Fred Merkel. The next year, the title would be his—won against Rainey’s now legendary rival, Kevin Schwantz.

The competition had honed Rainey’s skill, and he was ready to put it to the ultimate test, returning to the world championship in 1988. He would race for Team Yamaha Roberts, now in the premier 500cc class. Rainey won Donington Park and finished third in season points. In 1989, he won three Grand Prix races, finishing second in the world championship behind Lawson.

The next year was all Rainey.

He won the opening round in Suzuka, Japan, and began his three-year rule as world champion. Rainey won the world title in 1990, 1991 and 1992 against a field of talent that many consider one of the most competitive ever in MotoGP. For three years, Wayne Rainey was the greatest motorcycle racer in the world.

Then, it was over. In 1993 at Misano, Italy, Rainey crashed, slid into a sand trap and suffered a paralyzing injury that ended his racing career.

Amazingly, the Californian returned to the GP circuit the following year, but to manage his own team rather than race for one.

He continued to manage through the 1998 season, when he retired to spend more time at his home in Monterey, Calif.

COMMON CAUSE

To casual observers, MotoAmerica might have had the appearance of an exercise in vanity—men with influence and money taking advantage of a down-and-out series, positioning for status among

Decades before he co-founded the series that would become the new home of AMA Superbike, Wayne Rainey was just another racer in the crowd.

January 2016

35

WAYNE RAINEY 2015 AMA Motorcyclist Of The Year

motorcycling’s elite.

Clearly to road racing aficionados, it was anything but that. From the first race of the 2015 season to the final podium, the words and actions of each principal—Aksland, Varner, Karges and certainly Rainey—reinforced what everyone hoped was true.

These men not only valued the integrity of the sport, but believed success would come from partnership, cooperation and pursuit of a common vision.

Not only did that sentiment permeate the paddock, but it also was present behind the scenes, which AMA Director of Racing Bill Cumbow says was fundamental to procedural smoothness.

“The AMA has a significant operational role in the series,

from issuing licenses to approving rules and enforcing rules to monitoring race control and more,” Cumbow says.

“As an organization, we have decades of experience working with promoters of every size, and it should go without saying that there’s always some give and take, not to mention outright conflict.”

Working with MotoAmerica, however, was different, he says.

“It was refreshing how much we were on the same page,” Cumbow says. “To a person, whether it was Race Operations Manager Niccole Cox or a trackside race official, the mutual respect was there.

That doesn’t happen unless it comes from the top.”

There were challenges. Early season timing and scoring performed sporadically. In

Wayne Rainey, at the 2015 induction ceremony for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, where Rainey was honored as an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend.

‘WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO DIE’

Jeff Guciardo

36

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

terms of promotion, the initial TV package was less than stellar—races were aired a week later.

There was tragedy. A freak accident at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca resulted in two riders losing their lives in a chain-reaction, multi-rider collision. Spanish riders Daniel Rivas, 27, and Bernat Martinez, 35, passed away as a result of their injuries.

Through it all, the paddock, industry and fans supported, rather than chastised, MotoAmerica, giving the promoter the benefit of the doubt and allowing it a second chance to address any firstseason growing pains.

But while arrogance is quickly vilified, humility commands respect. Rainey is neither arrogant, nor lacking in humility—something rare for an athlete who has stood at the pinnacle of his sport, not once but three times. When it comes to shaping personal qualities, however, perhaps the moments spent staring into the abyss are the ones that matter.

In 1993, racing was no longer fun for Rainey.

“It was all about the win,” he remembers. “It was all about Sunday, and nothing else mattered.”

When the series reached Misano—“my favorite track, a dirt-track racer’s track”— Rainey was leading the points and the race. The last two races on the calendar, Laguna Seca and Jarama, Spain, had been won by Rainey before.

Something, however, wasn’t right.

“The race at the Czech Republic was the easiest Grand Prix win I ever had,” he says.

“I was upset about it because it was too easy. Then, here we are at the very next race, and I’m racing against my great rival Kevin Schwantz for the championship. During that race, after about eight laps, I knew something wasn’t right. I was already tired. I was having a hard time keeping the bike

on line. The race before, I was riding at 75 percent, and this one I was riding at 200 percent, and I wasn’t getting away.”

Then he crashed.

“All I knew is I was going really fast, and when I slid off the track into the sand trap, I didn’t know which way was up or down,” Rainey recalls. “Right before I stopped, I felt this huge pop. I was in tremendous pain.”

Rainey says he tried to stand up but couldn’t—“the only thing that was working was my arms.”

Then, he says he started to die.

“My left eye started going black. My right eye started going black,” he says. “I thought about my son, Rex. He was 10 months old at the time.”

Rex and Rainey’s wife, Shae, were back home in California waiting for the next race at Laguna Seca.

“All this was going through my mind,” Rainey says. “Then the pain went away, and I realized, this is what it feels like to die.”

Rainey says that even though he wasn’t a religious man, he reached out to God and asked Him to help him live.

“And He did,” Rainey says.

“All the blackness turned white.

The pain came back. Every breath was a struggle, and each one was harder than the last. That day changed my life, but my love for the sport never did change.”

‘PERFECT TIMING’

At its annual induction ceremony, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame selects a previous inductee to honor as an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend. These are the true giants of motorcycling, those whose impact crosses eras, disciplines and even motorcycling itself. For 2015, Wayne Rainey, a member of the class of 1999, was selected as the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend.

“We have so many great Hall of Famers that deserve Legend recognition that it’s a matter of time before they’re honored, and Wayne is certainly one of

those individuals,” Dingman says. “With MotoAmerica’s successful first year sparking new interest in the Wayne Rainey story, this was the perfect time to anoint Wayne as a Legend.”

That recognition allowed the AMA to help satisfy that interest with press releases, articles and a short biographical film. Most important, it gave Rainey a role in the induction ceremony itself.

As usual, Rainey exceeded expectations.

The newest Legend could have simply thanked the Hall of Fame for the honor and offered a few words to the crowd.

Instead, Rainey delivered an unexpectedly revealing halfhour speech.

Flanked by historic motorcycles representing the Class of 2015, and with his championship-winning 1991 YZR500 MotoGP bike perched on a pedestal behind him, Rainey shared openly about his successes, failures, triumphs and fears—including the story about his horrific crash.

“For years, I was a father to Rex,” Rainey says. “I was

Brian J. Nelson

L-R: Yamaha Motorsports Racing Division Manager Keith McCarty, Wayne Rainey, the AMA’s Jeff Massey, 2015 AMA Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier.

taking him to karate and baseball. Then he went off to college, and it was just me and Shae, and Shae goes, ‘You need to find something to do.’”

Rainey did, meeting “a couple buddies, who are now my partners.”

It was just “perfect timing,” Rainey says. “And with Richard and Terry and Chuck, we thought there was a chance we could get American road racing.”

A rapt house sat in intense study, conferring due respect— knowing they were watching something special.

“Often, those who make history let others tell it,” says AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey. “As a result, something is bound to get lost in the translation. It was an honor to be on hand as Wayne Rainey offered his firstperson perspective on some of motorcycle racing’s most impactful moments, and how those moments shaped him as a person.”

Watch the video of Rainey’s Hall of Fame Legend speech at www.youtube.com/ americanmotorcyclist.

‘GET THIS THING TO GO’ On Friday, Oct. 11, Rainey officially honored Cameron Beaubier as the first AMA Superbike Champion of the MotoAmerica era.

“For myself and Richard and Terry and Chuck, we’ve been battling all year to get this thing to go, but seeing you guys out there doing your job and racing hard makes it all worth it,” Rainey said at the banquet.

Just as significant, however, Varner, Karges and Aksland took a turn recognizing the other AMA road racing champions on stage that night: Jake Gagne in Superstock 1000, J.D. Beach in Supersport, Joe Roberts in Superstock 600 and Gage McAllister in the KTM RC 390 Cup spec class.

Development classes represent the future, and the future is a big reason MotoAmerica happened.

Rainey has consistently said that his interest in promoting an American or North American road racing series was to help prepare U.S. riders to challenge for a world title.

“From what we saw this year,

there’s nothing that’s going to hold those guys back,” Rainey says. “The support is there for these guys to go do what their heroes did before them.”

The riders know this.

Speaking on stage after being recognized for his Supersport title, Beach said: “For me, it’s really cool because a few years back I got Wayne’s book [“Wayne Rainey: His Own Story”], and it really touched me a lot because of how he grew up racing dirt track. He worked really hard to get to the world stage, and I’m working really hard to follow in those footsteps.”

Racers have said such things about other racers, but whether they have said such things about a promoter is debatable. Today, that is Rainey’s role—a promoter— but one he transcends in ways no one else could. His knowledge, his integrity and his perspective provide the tools to build the team and do the work to provide a path for U.S. road racers to return to worldclass status—and American motorcycling has made it clear that it is eager to work with him.

January 2016

37

4

The first Kenda SRT AMA Hare and Hound National Championship Series race for the season will be held in Lucerne Valley, Calif., by the Desert Motorcycle Club on Jan. 23-24. Info: www.nationalhareandhound.com

Mark Kariya

A few of the AMA-sanctioned events this month, listed on the following pages.

Dave Hollub

GO RIDE

1

1, 3 2 2 4

Marie Schultz

Southeastern Short Trackers in Campbellsport, Wis., is hosting an ice race on Jan. 17 as a benefit for the Steel Shoe Fund that assists flat track motorcycle racers who have been seriously injured during competition within the U.S. Info: www.steelshoefund.org

5

2

On Jan. 1, Mid-West Motorcycle Club is putting on a road rally in Indianapolis, Ind. Info: www.midwestmc.com

5

3

Mike Barton

Kevin Wing

Madison Motorcycle Club is hosting its annual New Year’s Day poker run in Madison, Wis., on Jan. 1. Info: www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org

Family Riders MTC is hosting the Broxton Bridge Dual Sport in Ehrhardt, S.C., on Jan. 16-17. The first 125 participants to pre-register receive a free t-shirt and dinner Saturday night. Lunch is provided on Saturday.

Sunday’s route will take riders by a spot where they can buy their own meals. Info: www.carolinadualsporters.com

COMING UP The AMA Ice Race Grand Championship will take place Feb. 13-14 at the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area in Waterford, Mich. The event is hosted by White Lake Racing. A specialty award for the AMA Ice Racer of the Year will be bestowed upon one outstanding rider, and the AMA ATV Ice Racer of the Year will be also be awarded. Info: www.whitelakeracing.com.

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

JANUARY EVENTS CALIFORNIA

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JAN 30: (Includes ATVs) MAYSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, JIMMY WEINERT RIDING PARK, (845) 283-4038

JAN 1: NORWALK: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLING ASSN, (602) 705-4902, SC-MA.COM JAN 1: NORWALK: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLING ASSN, (602) 705-4902, SC-MA.COM JAN 1: NORWALK: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLING ASSN, (602) 705-4902, SC-MA.COM JAN 1: NORWALK: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLING ASSN, (602) 705-4902, SC-MA.COM TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL JAN 1: POZO: CENTRAL COAST MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION, (805) 801-8829, POZORIDERS.COM COMPETITION

THE ADVENTURE is out there

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The best routes, roads and two-track, mapped by local experts.

A great challenge with like-minded riders. A full weekend’s activities, with camping, campfires, food and prizes.

ROAD RUN JAN 1: PORTLAND: TRINITY ROAD RIDERS, (503) 314-4757, PDXPLOARBEARRUN.COM PENNSYLVANIA COMPETITION ARENACROSS

CROSS COUNTRY JAN 16: RANCHO CORDOVA: 2 DAY EVENT, POLKA DOTS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (916) 606-5108, POLKADOTSMC.COM HARE & HOUND JAN 23: (Includes ATVs) LUCERNE VALLEY: 2 DAY EVENT, DESERT MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (626) 260-2830, NATIONALHAREANDHOUND.COM INDIANA RECREATIONAL

JAN 22: ALLENTOWN: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM

For more information visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ Riding.

JAN 23: ALLENTOWN: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATIONAL DUAL SPORT RIDE JAN 16: EHRHARDT: 2 DAY EVENT, FAMILY RIDERS MTC, (843) 708-0886, CAROLINADUALSPORTERS.COM

ROAD RALLY

TEXAS

JAN 1: INDIANAPOLIS: MID-WEST MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (317) 828-3941, MIDWESTMC.COM

COMPETITION MOTOCROSS

COMPETITION

JAN 2: WORTHAM: 2 DAY EVENT, FREESTONE COUNTY RACEWAY, LLC., (713) 962-3386, FREESTONEMX.COM

ARENACROSS

WISCONSIN

MARYLAND

JAN 15: BALTIMORE: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM JAN 16: BALTIMORE: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM NORTH CAROLINA COMPETITION ARENACROSS JAN 30: GREENSBORO: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482,

RECREATIONAL POKER RUN Supporting Sponsors

JAN 1: MADISON: MADISON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (262) 424-9361, MADISONMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORG

Official Boot

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January 11/18/15 2016 2:38 PM

UPCOMING EVENTS June 18-19: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX July 2-3: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek MX Park July 16-17: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX

MOTOCROSS FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM

Sept. 25: Maggiora, Italy

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Aug. 21: Orlyonok, Russia LUCAS OIL AMA PRO MOTOCROSS PROMOTOCROSS.COM

May 21: Sacramento, Calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic May 28: San Bernardino, Calif.: Glen Helen National June 4: Lakewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley National June 18: Mt. Morris, Pa.: High Point National

AmericanMotorcyclist.com  Riding  Dual Sport

June 25: Blountville, Tenn.: Tennessee National July 2: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National July 9: Southwick, Mass.: Southwick National July 16: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek National July 23: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal National Aug. 13: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla National Aug. 20: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek National Aug. 27: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman National AMA ATV MOTOCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ATVMOTOCROSS.COM

March 8: Daytona, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway (Pro points only) April 9-10: Kemp, Texas: Underground MX Park April 23-24: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway Supporting Sponsors

May 7-8: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman Raceway May 21-22: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway

Official Boot

July 30-31: Buchanan, Mich.: Redbud MX Aug. 13-14: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn Ranch MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS AMASUPERCROSS.COM

Jan. 9: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium Jan. 16: San Diego, Calif.: Petco Park Jan. 23: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium Jan. 30: Oakland, Calif.: O.Co Coliseum Feb. 6: Glendale, Ariz.: University of Phoenix Stadium Feb. 13: San Diego, Calif.: Petco Park Feb. 20: Arlington, Texas: AT&T Stadium Feb. 27: Atlanta, Ga.: Georgia Dome March 5: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway (note: not a Feld Motor Sports produced race) March 12: Toronto, Canada: Rogers Centre March 19: Detroit, Mich.: Ford Field April 2: Santa Clara, Calif.: Levi’s Stadium April 9: Indianapolis, Ind.: Lucas Oil Stadium April 16: St. Louis, Mo.: Edward Jones Dome April 23: Foxboro, Mass.: Gillette Stadium April 30: East Rutherford, N.J.: MetLife Stadium May 7: Las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium AMA AMSOIL ARENACROSS SERIES ARENACROSS.COM

Jan. 9-10: Cincinnati, Ohio: U.S. Bank Arena Jan. 15-17: Baltimore, Md.: Royal Farms Arena Jan. 22-24: Allentown, Pa.: PPL Center Jan. 30-31: Greensboro, N.C.: Greensboro Coliseum Feb. 4-7: Colorado Springs, Colo.: Broadmoor World Arena Feb. 13-14: Birmingham, Ala.: Legacy Center Feb. 20-21: Tampa, Fla.: Amalie Arena March 5-6: Omaha, Neb.: CenturyLink Center

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com 0116_AMA_Beta_Natl_Dual_Sport_Series.indd 1

#AMADualSport

June 4-5: Tallassee, Ala. Monster Mountain

11/18/15 2:39 PM

March 12-13: Lafayette, La.: Cajondome

UPCOMING EVENTS April 1-3: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Business Bank Arena April 9-10: Salinas, Calif.: Salinas Sports Complex April 16-17: Tacoma, Wash.: Tacoma Dome April 22-24: Nampa, Idaho: Ford Idaho Center May 6-8: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena (Amateur National Championship) ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV/MC AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP, PRESENTED BY AMSOIL MXSPORTS.COM

Aug. 1-6: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn Ranch NORTHEAST AREA QUALIFIERS March 5-6: Elizabeth City, N.C.: Elizabeth City MX March 12-13: Hedgesville, W.V.: Tomahawk MX April 9-10: Englishtown, N.J.: Englishtown April 16-17: Dillwyn, Va.: Actiontown MX Park

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS May 28-29: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway (Amateur) June 18-19: Henderson, N.C.: North Carolina Motorsports Park (Youth) MID-EAST AREA QUALIFIERS March 19-20: Altamont, Tenn.: Fast Farms MX Park April 2-3: Waynesburg, Ohio: Malvern Motocross Park April 16-17: Rossville, Ind.: Wildcat Creek MX April 23-24: Chillicothe, Ohio: ChilliTown MX

April 9-10: Grand Cane, La.: Desoto Motorsports Park April 16-17: Wellston, Okla.: Reynard Raceway April 23-24: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Raceway April 30-May 1: Amarillo, Texas: Bowers MX May 21-22: Yantis, Texas: Johnsonville MX Farm May 29-30: Brush, Colo.: Sweney Cycle Park (Sunday / Monday races) SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

April 30-May 1: Bronson, Mich.: Log Road MX

June 11-12: Lakewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley Motocross Park (Amateur)

May 7-8: Nashport, Ohio: Briarcliff Motocross

June 25-26: Alvord, Texas: Oak Hill Raceway (Youth)

May 14-15: Bloomingdale, Mich.: Dutch Sport Park May 21-22: Livingston, Tenn.: Thunder Valley MX MID-EAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

NORTHWEST AREA QUALIFIERS Feb. 13-14: Marysville, Calif.: MMX Racing March 19-20: West Richland, Wash.: Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex

April 23-24: Fredericksburg, Pa.: Sleepy Hollow MX

June 4-5: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud MX (Youth)

May 7-8: Junction City, Ore.: Eugene MX Park

May 7-8: Seward, Pa.: Pleasure Valley

June 25-26: Millington, Mich.: Baja Acres (Amateur)

May 14: Billings, Mont.: Billings MX

May 14-15: Winchester, N.H.: Winchester Speedpark

NORTH CENTRAL AREA QUALIFIERS

NORTHWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP May 28-29: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal MX Park (Youth/Amateur)

May 21-22: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX

March 12-13: Richwoods, Mo.: Romp MX

NORTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

April 2-3: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports

June 4-5: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway (Amateur)

April 9-10: Garwin, Iowa: Oak Ridge MX

Feb. 13-14: Marysville, Calif.: MMX Racing

April 23-24: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX

Feb. 20-21: Saint George, Utah: Saint George MX

June 11-12: Shippensburg, Pa.: Doublin Gap MX Park (Youth)

MID-WEST AREA QUALIFIERS

April 30-May 1: Maize, Kan.: Bar 2 Bar MX Park

April 2-3: Turlock, Calif.: Oatfield Raceway

Feb. 27-28: Jacksonville, Fla.: WW Ranch MX Park

May 14-15: Little Falls, Minn.: Little Falls Raceway

April 16-17: California City, Calif.: Cal City MX Park

March 19-20: Sutherlin, Va.: Birch Creek Motorsports Park

May 21-22: Mount Carroll, Ill.: McMotopark

May 14-15: Hollister Hills, Calif.: Hollister Hills

SOUTHEAST AREA QUALIFIERS

April 2-3: Okeechobee, Fla.: Florida Cycle Park April 9-10: Hamer, S.C.: South of the Border MX Park April 16-17: Tallassee, Ala.: Monster Mountain MX Park April 23-24: Reynolds, Ga.: Silver Dollar Raceway

May 28-29: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS June 11-12: Byron, Ill.: Byron Motorsports Park (Amateur) June 18-19: Tigerton, Wis.: Motozone (Youth) SOUTH CENTRAL AREA QUALIFIERS

April 30-May 1: Wytheville, Va.: Pro Sport Motocross

March 5-6: Conroe, Texas: 3 Palms Action Sports Park

May 14-15: Dalton, Ga.: Lazy River MX

April 2-3: Fulton, Miss.: Veterans MX Park

May 21-22: Rocksprings, Wyo.: Rock Springs MX MID-WEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP June 4-5: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Prairie City OHV (Youth/Amateur) SOUTHWEST AREA QUALIFIERS March 5-6: Buckeye, Ariz.: Arizona Cycle Park March 12-13: Bakersfield, Calif.: Kern County Raceway Park

January 2016

41

UPCOMING EVENTS March 19-20: Haleiwa, Hawaii: Kahuku Motocross

July 9-11: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

April 2-3: Anza, Calif.: Cahuilla Creek MX

Sept. 9-11: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

April 9-10: Moriarty, N.M.: Sandia MX at Moriarty

ROAD RACE

April 16-17: California City, Calif.: Cal City MX Park

MOTOGP MOTOGP.COM

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

April 8-10: Circuit of the Americas

June 11-12: Pala, Calif.: Pala Raceway (Youth/Amateur)

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July 1-3: Plymouth, Wis.: Road America MOTOAMERICA ROAD RACING SERIES (TENTATIVE)

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Jan. 1-3: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Raceway Jan. 16-17: Tyler, Texas: Swan MX Raceway Park Jan. 30-31: Alvord, Texas: Oakhill Raceway Feb. 13-14: Fort Worth, Texas: Village Creek MX Park

April 8-10: Austin, Texas: Circuit of the Americas April 15-17: Braselton, Ga.: Road Atlanta May 13-15: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway June 3-5: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America

Feb. 27-28: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Raceway

June 10-12: Birmingham, Ala.: Barber Motorsports Park

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GUEST COLUMN

GREATNESS AMONG US Amazing Riders Are Everywhere

Not all great motorcyclists are world champions. Not all are prolific authors.

Not all are AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers. Not all are well known.

Even if they are

By Brad Kohler not famous, they nevertheless have accomplished amazing things on two wheels.

One of these not-so-famous great riders is my friend and AMA member Don King of Covington, La. Don has ridden more than 1 million miles on a motorcycle and is an epic and extraordinary motorcyclist.

Now a spry 75, Don has called Covington his home nearly his entire life.

Don’t let Don’s age fool you. He is no homebody, even today.

Using Covington as a base, Don has ridden motorcycles all over the world and extensively in North America.

On this continent alone, Don has ridden to Alaska three times. He has ridden to Labrador (Goose Bay), Canada, and all over in the Northern Territories—way up north!

Looking south, Don has ridden through Mexico three times, including the length of Baja. In the United States, he has ridden 49 of the 50 states, with Hawaii being the only exception. Within the states, Don is now riding counties. So far, he has knocked off all the counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas, which, by-the-way, has 254 counties alone!

In addition to his North American adventures, Don has ridden in Australia and South Africa, where I met him in 1999. Of course, Australia is a big enough continent in itself. In 2003, Don flew into Sydney, where he purchased a GS650.

He then proceeded to put 35,000 miles

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on that bike in three months—yes, miles, not kilometers. This included riding from Sydney to Perth, and back, by himself, across the great Outback that is middle Australia. Don also rode the southern coast and the northern coast, and everything in between, including Ayers Rock and Darwin. Don was 63 when he did this. At the end of three months, he sold the bike and came home.

Don started riding when he was 13 years old. His first bike was a Sears Allstate. There ensued a progression of various bikes, including a Vespa scooter, an SL360 Honda and a Cushman Eagle that Don hopped

up by borrowing the extension tube from his mother’s vacuum cleaner and installing that as a straight-pipe exhaust!

(Don’t try this at home, kids.) Don had much of the Eagle chromed, and he named it the “Gleamin’ Demon.”

Many of Don’s trips, such as our tour of South Africa, have been on rented bikes, or ones he does not own anymore.

That doesn’t mean his stable is empty, however. Currently, Don owns a 1972 BMW R75/5 with 434,000 miles, a 1992 BMW R100GS with 333,000 miles and a 1999 Harley-Davidson Road King with 142,000 miles.

Don racked up all that mileage himself, and it could be more now, since that tally is from last April. Given his prolific rate of accumulation, it is quite possible he’s racked up another 30,000 miles. Don says

he plans to keep riding as long as he can, at least another 10 years. At his current pace, that is an additional 150,000 miles.

Don, his wife Cathy, with their dog Jack, live in their beautiful home by a small pond. Both Cathy and Jack ride with Don when they are able. Jack has a custom dog seat that mounts to any of Don’s bikes. If Don is riding from the house, he either needs to take Jack with him, or explain to Jack why he can’t go that day. Otherwise, there is big trouble.

Don says that Cathy is a little more understanding.

Don is an exceptional motorcyclist.

His riding proficiency is outstanding, and when I ride with him I am amazed by his reaction time and awareness. As a person, Don is one of a kind, an incredible human being, a gentle and considerate soul, and a true gentleman. Don will take the time to talk to anyone, from anywhere. He has no personal barriers. To sit with Don for any amount of time, and listen to him tell of his adventures, elicits astonishment and awe. Don has enough knowledge and slices of wisdom to fill a large book.

He’ll probably never get around to writing it, though, because he’s usually riding.

AMA member Don King is an inspirational figure, in life and as a motorcyclist. Even better, you can bet he’s not alone. There may not be another Don King, but there are great riders among all of us. When you’re on the road, take time to speak with your fellow riders and create friendships. You might just be talking to the greatest motorcyclist whom nobody knows.

Brad Kohler is an AMA Charter Life Member from Lake Tahoe, Calif.

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