Own the road. Introducing the all-new 2009 Suzuki Boulevard M90. Every twist. Every turn. Every ribbon of asphalt that races beneath the thundering Suzuki fuelinjected, liquid-cooled 1462cc V-twin. It’s all yours for the taking. Long, low and loaded with class-leading power, the M90 redefines midsize cruiser styling and performance. And at under ten grand, owning it all couldn’t be easier. Visit suzukicycles.com or your dealer for more info.
Got an image that captures what’s cool about motorcycling? Send it to American Motorcyclist so we can feature it on these pages. We’ll even pick one standout photo of the month, and send the photographer a free SPOT Satellite Messenger, the perfect companion for your next ride. Send your high-resolution photos and mailing address to: submissions@ama-cycle.org. Editors decisions are final. No purchase necessary. SPOT device does not include activation or service.
Carl Gooch, stopping on the LBL 200 dual-sport ride to smell (and photograph) the flowers.
You, too, could win a SPOT. So get snapping.
For full info on all AMA benefits and discounts, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com and click “Member Services.”
Get a discount of up to 25% off prevailing rates at any Avis or Budget car rental agency. www.avis.com and www.budget.com
Use your AMA Visa card at a qualified motorcycle retailer and get a 3% rebate on your credit card bill. www.bankofamerica.com
When you purchase a Black Book Motorcycle & Powersports Value Guide, Black Book refunds a portion of the sale back to the AMA, which in turn uses those funds to help support your right to ride.it. www.BlackBookUSA.com
Choice Hotels offers members 15% off 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. www.choicehotels.com
AMA members can save as much as 20% on Garmin GPS navigators and software. www.garmin.com
AMA Members get a membership discount from the Medical Air Services Association. www.medairservices.com
AMA members receive a $5 discount on admission to the AMA’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. www.motorcyclemuseum.org
Protect All offers AMA members a 15% discount on its line of products for appearance, performance and protection. www.protectall.com
AMA Members can purchase RoadLok brake calipers, which combine superior braking performance with an integrating lockingfeature, at a 15 percent discount. www.roadlok.com
Save $20 on the SPOT Satellite Messenger and get a free service upgrade. www.findmespot.com
Stan Simpson, Chairman P.O. Box 1028, Cibolo, TX 78108
Carl Reynolds, Vice Chairman 5011 Cobblestone Dr. P.O. Box 4423, Danville, VA 24540-0108
Jon-Erik Burleson, Assistant Treasurer 1119 Milan Ave., Amherst, OH 44001
Jim Williams, Assistant Secretary 9950 Jeronimo Rd., Irvine, CA 92618-2084
Joseph Bromley 230 Pebble Ridge Rd., Warrington, PA 18976
Erik Buell 2799 Buell Dr., East Troy, WI 53120
Andy Goldfine 8 S. 18th Ave., West, Duluth, MN 55806
Michael Lock 10443 Bandley Dr., Cupertino, CA 95014
Arthur More 16153 Starlight Dr., Surprise, AZ 85374
John Ulrich 581-C Birch St., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
MichaEl thad cartEr, Photographer Mountain adventurer, would-be Nashville musician and former gymnastics standout, Michael’s true passion was photography, so the self-taught shooter established a freelance career. This month, our cover feature is seen through Michael’s lens.
JaMEs holtEr, associate Editor Anyone want to buy a somewhat haphazzardly restored 1972 TC125? Anyone? Is this thing on? It has eight speeds.
Mark kariya, Photographer A rare asset who can sling a Canon as fast as he can ride a KLX250S, Mark is a longtime dirt riding enthusiast and freelance motojournalist who specializes in covering off-road motorcycle racing.
JiM kiMBall, contributor When Jim’s not spending time on the motocross track himself, he covers the pros on the motocross and Supercross circuits. In this issue, Jim catches up with Endurocross star and off-road wildman Taddy Blazusiak. See page 36.
Bill krEsnak, government affairs Editor “...and then there was that time I held off Ricky Johnson on the motocross track. Yeah, and Jeremy McGrath and Chad Reed were behind me, too! Yeah, that’s the ticket!”
Mark laPid, creative director Mark proves that sleep is optional and swears that soon he will put a flip book in the margin of this magazine. Look for it.
nora Mcdonald, Production coordinator Nora is who you’re going to call when you absolutely, positively have to get a magazine put out overnight. As she recently said, “It will all be better Thursday because it has to be out by then.”
grant Parsons, Managing Editor Grant’s favorite story this month is on the riders who pour their hearts and souls into customized Suzuki Savages (page 22). “Those guys prove the adage, ‘Anything worth doing is worth over-doing,’ and those are always great words to live by.”
MikE sEatE, contributor Mike lives in Pittsburgh where he works as a mild-mannered newspaper columnist and publishes Café Racer magazine (www.caferacermag.com) a too-hip quarterly mag about classic and modern naked bikes. He has never learned to drive a car but has seven motorcycles for transportation and the frozen appendages that go with being car-less in Pittsburgh.
Other contributors include David Scearce, T. Scavo, DJ Jones, Paul Windham, Ken Frick, S. Moore, John Kuntz, Bob Manifold, Terry Jordan and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Mtc
MOTORCYCLIST
Go Ride [ ]
A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed on the followig pages. 1
1With defending champion Chad Reed and former champ James Stewart switching teams for the 2009 season, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship season opener Jan. 3 in Anaheim, California, should prove to be one of the most exciting season-openers ever. Can’t get to the opener? Then catch the action Jan. 10 in Phoenix, Jan. 17 back in Anaheim, Jan. 24 in Houston or Jan. 31 in San Francisco. The full schedule is on page 60.
2The gladiators in the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series pull into Grand Rapids, Mich., to do battle Jan. 2-4. Then they head to Baltimore Jan. 9-11; Dayton, Ohio, Jan. 17-18; Louisville, Ky., Jan. 23-25; and Greensboro, N.C., Jan. 31-Feb. 1. For the complete schedule, see page 60.
3A
good way to get in your first ride of 2009 and benefit charity at the same time is to take part in the 28th annual Hangover Rally conducted by the Midwest Motorcycle Club in Indianapolis on Jan. 1. The rally begins at the clubs’ clubhouse on South Harding Street at 10 a.m. and involves a poker run as well as a timed
run. Early registration is Dec. 28. Proceeds benefit DAMAR Services, which helps the developmentally disabled. For more information, call Bob at (317) 557-2130.
4The Lone Star Rally, an AMA National Convention and part of the AMA Premier Touring Series presented by Cycle Trader, is set for Dec. 11-14 in Galveston, Texas. The rally was originally scheduled for Oct. 30 through Nov. 2, but was postponed because of the effects of Hurricane Ike on Galveston Island. The rally will feature a pirate theme, a leather and lace ball, numerous live concerts, poker runs, demo rides, a ghost ship tour, vendors, the Lone Star Lady Riders Conference and more. For more information, go to www.lonestarrally.com.
5Can Mike Lafferty pull off a record-setting ninth championship title in the 2009 AMA FMF National Enduro Championship Series? Or will defending champion Russell Bobbitt, or one of the other top guns in the circuit, spoil Lafferty’s dreams? The action begins with the season opener Jan. 25 in Wedgefield, S.C. Get more info at www.sermaclub.com.
6The
2009 AMA National Hare and Hound Series kicks off Jan. 25 at the Johnson Valley Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area in Lacerne, Calif. Hosted by the Desert Motorcycle Club, this is the start of the seven-event desert-racing series. For more information, go to www.desertmc.com.
COMING SOON
Daytona! The opening race of the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., March 4-6 is always special, with racebikes reaching 200 mph on the high banking. But this season-opener wil be very special, since it will be run at night under the lights. Start making your plans now. For more information, go to www.amasuperbike.com.
Looking to go riding, racing or spectating this month? You’ve come to the right place.
The following pages list the AMAsanctioned events for December, up to date at the time this issue went to press. You can also find listings of AMA sanctioned events in the Riding and Racing sections of www. AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
The biggest events—pro races, national-championship amateur competition, plus rides and rallies that are part of the AMA Premier
Touring Series—are highlighted in color boxes. For these series, we list all of the remaining events for the entire year.
Then there are the local events, the backbone of the AMA’s riding and racing calendar. We sanction 83 different types of road and competition events for riders of all types. These events are listed by state, so you can quickly find the ones near you.
Here’s a guide to what you’ll find in these local listings:
Event Class (Competition events only)
S - Standard (Amateur classes) Y - Youth Classes
D eC 6 ( s ,t,Y): R e YNOLD s (D-9): SILVER DOLLAR MX, C/O STEVE JONES; 6 AM; HWY 96 W/JST W OF TWN; (478) 555-4673
iNDi ANA
POK e R Ru N
JAN 1 (R): i ND i ANAPOLis (D-15): MIDWEST MOTORCYCLE CLUB, BOB SHACKELFORD; 10 AM; 3101 S HARDING/2 MI N OF 465S/ HARDING EXIT; (317) 694-1305
K e NtuCKY
AR e NA CRO ss
JAN 23 (M,Y): LOuisV i LLe (D-10): INDOOR; 3 DAY EVENT: LIVE NATION, JAYME DALSING; BROADBENT ARENA/937 PHILLIPS LANE; (800) 216-7482
MARYLAND
AR e NA CRO ss
JAN 9 (M,Y): bALti MOR e (D-7) : INDOOR; 3 DAY EVENT: LIVE NATION, JAYME DALSING; 1ST MARINER ARENA/201 W BALTIMORE ST; (800) 216-7482
MiChiGAN
AR e NA CRO ss
JAN 2 (M,Y): GRAND RAPi D s (D-14): INDOOR; 3 DAY EVENT: LIVE NATION, JAYME DALSING; VAN ANDEL ARENA/130 W FULTON; (800) 216-7482
MiNN esOtA
ROAD Ru N
JAN 1 (R): b LOOM i NGtON (D-23): TRAVELERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, BETTY VALIANT; 10:31 AM; CHIEFS TOWING/8610 HARRIET AVE S; (952) 445-4379
Ne W YORK
sh ORt tRACK
JAN 18 (s ,Y): CA i RO (D-3) : ELECTRIC CITY
RIDERS, FRANK CARPINELLO; SKIDMORE LAKE/220 HERVEY SUNSIDE RD; (518) 5422144
i Ce RACe
JAN 4 (s ,t ): CA i RO (D-3) : ELECTRIC CITY
RIDERS, FRANK CARPINELLO; SKIDMORE LAKE/220 HERVEY SUNSIDE RD; (518) 5422144
NORth CAROLiNA
AR e NA CRO ss JAN 31 (M,Y): GR ee N sbORO (D-29): INDOOR; 2 DAY EVENT: LIVE NATION, JAYME DALSING; GREENSBORO COLISEUM; (800) 216-7482
OhiO
AR e NA CRO ss JAN 17 (M,Y): DAY tON (D-11): INDOOR; 2 DAY EVENT: LIVE NATION, JAYME DALSING; ERVIN J NUTTER CENTER; (800) 216-7482
OReGON
ROAD Ru N
JAN 1 (R): PORtLAND (D-28): TRINITY ROAD RIDERS, BRUCE TILLER; 10 AM; CYCLE GEAR/89TH & SE STARK ST; (503) 314-4757
sOuth CAROLiNA
e NDu RO
JAN 17 (s ): eh R h ARDt (D-29): 2 DAY EVENT: FAMILY RIDERS, DOUG COCHRAN; BROXTON BRIDGE PLANTATION/6 MI S OF TOWN; (843) 572-2008
tex As MOtOCRO ss
JAN 3 (s ,Y): JAN 17 ( s ,Y): DONNA (D-20): BILLMAN FARMS LLC, MARC FANTICH; EX HWY83 & PROC. W ON FRONTAGE/GPS/ N26.11.15.4, W98.04.45.5; (956) 928-0500
WisCON siN
POK e R Ru N
JAN 1 (R): MAD is ON (D-16): MADISON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, NORA MADSEN; 12 PM; INN ON THE PARK/CAPITAL SQUARE; (608) 441-2518
MOtORCYCLe shOWs
Cycle World i nternational Motorcycle s hows www.motorcycleshows.com
Dec 12-14: Seattle, WA
Dec 19-21: San Mateo, CA
MuseuM exhibits
Jan 2-4: Novi, MI
Jan 9-11: Washington, DC
Jan16-18: New York, NY
Jan 30-Feb. 1: Cleveland, OH
Feb 6-8: Chicago, IL
Feb 13-15: Minneapolis, MN
Feb 20-22: Greenville, SC
AMA’s Motorcycle h all of Fame Museum
The Musuem is located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week year-round except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Info: www.motorcyclemuseum.org.
Moto s tars: Celebrities + Motorcycles: Priceless machines, exclusive memorabilia and tales from celebrities’ favorite two-wheel adventures. On display through February 2009. Awesome-Ness: The life and art of Arlen Ness: King of Choppers. On display through June 2009.
Red b ikes: Large-format photographic prints by artist and motorcycle aficionado Dawn Deppi. Motorcycle h all of Fame: Bikes and memorabilia recognizing those who have made significant contributions to all aspects of motorcycling.
Founders h all: Honoring the Museum’s generous contributors.
AMA PRO R ACiNG
Monster e nergy AMA s upercross, an FiM World Championship www.amasupercross.com
Jan. 3: Anaheim, CA : Angel Stadium of Anaheim; (714) 9402000
Jan. 10: Phoenix, AZ: Chase field; (602) 4626000;
Jan. 17: Anaheim, CA: Angel Stadium of Anaheim; (714) 9402000;
Jan. 24: h ouston, tx : Reliant Stadium; (832) 667-1400
Jan. 31: s an Francisco,
AMA sPORts
CA : AT&T Park; (415) 972-2000
Feb. 7: Anaheim, CA: Angel Stadium of Anaheim; (714) 9402000
Feb. 14: s an Diego, CA: Qualcomm Stadium; (619) 525-8266
March 5: tomoka Farms Rd., Daytona b each, FL: Daytona Dirt Riders, Steve Pettenger; (386) 6156722; www.floridatrailriders.org/ddr/; daytonadirtriders@aol.com
March 29: Kisatchie National Forest, Forest h ill, LA: Acadiana Dirt Riders, Darin LaFleur; (337) 3634229; b_faster@yahoo.com; www. acadianadirtriders.org
April 26: West Point, TN: NATRA, Paul
AMA National h are & hound Championship s eries s chedule
Jan. 25: Johnson Valey Oh VA, Lucerne, CA: Desert M/C, Gary Cyr; (909) 865-3935; desertmotorcycleclub@yahoo.com;
Feb. 8: s pangler h ills, Ridgecrest CA: Four Aces MC, Richie Wohlers; (805) 573-5128; richie@fouracesmc.org; www.fouracesmc.org
March 15: s uperstition O h VA, e l Centro, CA: Roadrunner Off-Road Racing, Kirk Hester; (760) 275-9852; captain@dc.rr.com; http//groups.msn. com/RoadRunnerOffRoadRacing/
April 26: Lucerne Valley, CA: Vikings MC, Nick Balderas; (714) 775-6880;
Superdome; (504) 5873663
March 21: s t. Louis, MO: Edward Jones Dome; (314) 342-5036
March 28: toronto, ON: Rogers Centre; (416) 341-3000
April 4: Jacksonville, FL: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium; (904) 633-6100
April 18: s eattle, WA: Qwest Field; (206) 3817500
April 25: s alt Lake City, ut: Rice-Eccles Stadium; (801) 581-8849
May 2: Las Vegas, NV: Sam Boyd Stadium; (702) 895-3761
Oakley’s Inmate sunglasses offer a minimalist, assertive look that should work well with many helmets. The frame, made of a lightweight alloy based on five metal compounds, employs bridge and temple pads made of a material formulated to increase grip with sweat. The lens blocks 100 percent of UVA, UBV and UVC light.
$215 from www.oakley.com.
Shine A Light On Me
Risk Racing’s LeD Light-Mine Puts it Where You Want it
Working on a motorcycle in dim light (or no light) is no fun, especially if you’re holding a flashlight in your mouth. Now you can save your sanity and your teeth with Risk Racing’s LED LightMine, with a spherical design that includes 12 rare earth magnets that allow the light to stick to any metal surface. Smaller than a golf ball, it can fit in even tight spaces, like the one between your fuel tank and cylinder head.
$7.99 from www.riskracing.com.
WheeL-LOcking SYSteM WORkS AnYWheRe
keep Your Bike Where You Put it
The Condor Pit-Stop is a fully adjustable wheel-locking system that will secure your bike in the upright position on pavement, concrete, dirt, sand, gravel and all forms of transport platforms. When not in use, it folds down flat. The system can accommodate bikes up to 3,000 pounds and front and rear wheels from 14 to 22 inches in diameter.
$250 from www.condor-lift.com.
A MuSeuM exhiBit fOR YOuR BOOkSheLf
the comprehensive MotoStars Book
“MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” is one of the most dynamic and engaging exhibits ever displayed at the AMA’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. If you can’t get to the Museum in person, the official book of the exhibit is the next best thing. Curator David Morris has compiled hundreds of pictures and talked with dozens of celebrities whose bikes are featured, including Pat Boone, Arlen Ness, Neil Peart, Francesco Quinn, Roland Sands and many more. The in-depth stories will draw you in, proving this is much more than just a book of pretty pictures. Buy it in the Museum gift shop or at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.
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