American Motorcyclist 01 2014 Street Version

JANUARY 2014

2013 AMA Motorcyclist Of The Year Larry Little

Photo Jason Wallis

The State Of The E15 Battle

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For more than 25 years, Al Holtsberry has supported the AMA. Now we’re offering something special for him and all other AMA Life Members.

Sign up now! (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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We designed the new Life Member Plus program to stay connected with our Life Members and reward them for their years of dedication to the AMA. Offering up a package that includes American Motorcyclist magazine and AMA Roadside Assistance at a special discounted rate, Life Member Plus is a money-saving value.

The new program is 100 percent optional, so if you choose not to enroll, you still receive all the current benefits of life membership—a voice on behalf of motorcycling in the halls of government, the ability to sign up for AMA-sanctioned events, money-saving benefits and more.

With Life Member Plus, you get all that, plus AMA Roadside Assistance and American Motorcyclist magazine. And stay tuned for additional Life Member benefits to come.

AMA Life Member Plus Includes: • FREE AMA Roadside Assistance • 12 issues of American Motorcyclist magazine • AMA Life Member Plus Membership card, pin (first year), and decal with your renewal • A voice protecting motorcyclists’ rights at the federal, state and local levels • Continued access to AMA Rights, Riding, Racing and Rewards—including money-saving discounts

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NAVIGATION Navigation Photo

The AMA expresses deep regret for the death of multi-time AMA National Champion Kurt Caselli. The reigning champion of the AMA National Hare & Hound Championship Series succumbed to injuries suffered while competing in the Baja 1000 in Baja California, Mexico, on Nov. 15. Caselli was 30 years old. Godspeed.

Photo by Maragni M. KTM Images

8. LETTERS You write, we read.

10. ROB DINGMAN A word about the AMA Motorcyclist of the Year.

12. RIGHTS Fighting discriminatory parking rules, threats to responsible off-road riding, “smart” helmet technology and taking a position on lane splitting.

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 2013.

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

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

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

January 2014 Volume 68, 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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18. RIDING

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The latest news, rides, interviews and more from the world of motorcycling.

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32. HALL OF FAME

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A movie star Honda in Kawasaki clothing and Hall of Famer E.C. Smith.

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36. AMA MOTORCYCLIST OF THE YEAR: LARRY LITTLE

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The man who created a U.S. motorcycle show that brings buyers and sellers

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together in a bold new way had the biggest impact on motorcycling in 2013.

43. GO RIDE What to do, where to go.

52. BOB HIBLER Enjoying the fruits of motorcycling.

Some discounts, c AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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Swee COMMUNICATIONS

Husqvarna is a proud sponsor of the AMA National Dual-Sport Series

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 AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ about/board Maggie McNally, Chair Albany, N.Y.

Grant Parsons, Director of Communications James Holter, Managing Editor Mark Lapid, Creative Director Jen Muecke, Designer Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing/Communications Specialist

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Russ Brenan, Vice Chair Irvine, Calif.

Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.

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

Perry King, Executive Committee Member Northern California

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

John Ulrich, Executive Committee Member Lake Elsinore, Calif.

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, 2013.

Sean Hilbert, Hillsdale, Mich.

Scott Miller, Milwaukee Art More, Sun City West, Ariz.

Stan Simpson, Cibolo, Texas Jim Viverito, Chicago

(800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) AmericanMotorcyclist.com

AMA Staff EXECUTIVE

AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES (continued)

Rob Dingman, President/CEO Rhonda Hixon, Administrative Asst./Litigation Manager Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations Bob Chaddock, Vice President, Administration Jeff Massey, Vice President, Operations Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations & Corporate Member Programs Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs

Alex Hunter, MX Operational Coordinator Tamra Jones, Racing Coordinator D’Andra Myers, Organizer Services Coordinator Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager Cherie Schlatter, Organizer Services Manager Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager

ACCOUNTING

John Bricker, Mailroom Manager Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk

Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator Ed Madden, System Support Specialist Peg Tuvell, Member Fulfillment Specialist ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Sean Maher, Director AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME

Supporting Sponsor

Jordan Brannan, Museum Admissions and Collections Assistant Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations Beth Owen, Receptionist/Donor Relations Specialist Paula Schremser, Program Specialist Katy Wood, Collections Manager AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES

www.husqvarna-motorcyclesna.com

Kip Bigelow, Amateur MX Manager Joe Bromley, District Relations Manager Jacki Burris, Organizer Services Coordinator Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator Lana Cox, Administrative Assistant Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations Bill Cumbow, Director of Special Projects Sandi Dunphy, Road Riding Coordinator Dave Hembroff, Road Riding Manager

DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Marie Esselstein, Government Affairs Assistant Danielle Fowles, Grassroots Coordinator Nick Haris, Western States Representative Sean Hutson, Legislative Assistant Sharon Long, Legislative Coordinator Rick Podliska, Deputy Director Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager - Off-Highway Imre Szauter, Government Affairs Manager - On-Highway INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Rob Baughman, Network Administrator John Boker, Developer Dave Coleman, Network Architect Amy Hyman, Senior Programmer/Analyst Bill Miller, Enterprise Architect MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY Lori Cavucci, Member Services Representative Deb D’Andrea, Member Services Representative Linda Hembroff, Member Services Representative Darcel Higgins, Member Services Manager Kimberly Jude, Member Services Representative Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative Angela Warren, Member Services Representative

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MEMBER LETTERS

Send your letters (and a high-resolution photo) to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

LETTER OF THE MONTH

ENLIGHTENED PERSPECTIVE I was riding home in the dark the other morning, having just completed a night shift, when I had a car following me that Each month, a lucky AMA member wins a Bike Bandit gift card worth $100. Didn’t win? No only had one headlight. Looking in my worries. You can still take advantage of your mirrors, I was finding it difficult to judge 10% AMA member discount at BikeBandit.com. how far away it was. This got me to thinking about how the average driver views an approaching motorcycle. (I have a 30-mile ride that gives me time to ponder such things.)

Could it be that our brains are accustomed to judging the distance of an approaching vehicle by the distance between the headlights or, even in daylight, the apparent width of the vehicle?

For a car at a distance, the two headlights appear as one, which our brain registers as being far away. So when seeing one headlight on an approaching motorcycle, the driver is preconditioned to think that the motorcycle is far away Andy Wiltshire and pulls out anyway, hence the statement, “The driver looked right at me and still pulled out.” Is it that they did not see the motorcycle, or simply misjudged how far away it was?

Andy Wiltshire Eastanollee, Ga. Andy, your suspicion is backed by research. One of the findings of the groundbreaking Hurt Study, conducted more than 30 years ago, was that visibility of the motorcycle “is most critical for the frontal surfaces of the motorcycle and rider.” And, “Motorcycles equipped with fairings and windshields are underrepresented in accidents,” most likely because of the contribution to visibility. These are but two of the more than 50 factors and countermeasures detailed by Hall of Famer Hurt in his report, which is the foundation of motorcycle safety training in America.

GOOD MEMORIES I loved the story by Diane Dixon (“Have Sportster. Will Travel.” December issue).

I’m so glad to see more stories from lady riders.

I have 31 years of riding behind me, and while I enjoy writing about the places I have been and the people that I met, I have one regret. I didn’t take enough pictures, and it all had to end too soon.

Thanks also for showing the photos on page 33 of that issue. Our photo is there.

I knew when it was taken that I would not get back to the museum again. It means a lot to see it.

Bonnie L. Cousins Lombard, Ill.

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GOOD RIDES Congratulations on a well-written and informative article on the North Georgia mountains (November issue). There are many great riding opportunities just out my back door. You hit on my favorite rides. For those who haven’t ridden the Georgia mountain roads, get ready for an exhilarating experience. There is no such thing as a straight, level road up here.

Lots of scenery and good food also.

Wayne McDanal Cumming, Ga. POWER UP Rob Dingman’s article on his chance to ride an electric motorcycle is the

Lloyd Reeves

best description I have seen yet on the experience. After 40-plus years of riding, I found myself riding less than 2,000 miles a year until a test ride on a Zero last year.

The experience was like rediscovering motorcycles, and I had to have one.

I’ve had it a bit over a year with 6,000plus fun-filled miles. It rekindled my desire to spend more time on bikes in general, which led to more riding time on my gasoline-powered bike when I just want to wander all day.

I am very lucky to be able to afford two motorcycles so I get the “magic carpet ride” experience on all my local riding with the Zero and do my longer rides on a KTM 690 Duke. Anyone who can afford more than one bike really needs to find their local Brammo or Zero Dealer and try one out just for the fun factor.

Thanks, Rob! Lloyd Reeves Los Osos, Calif.

POWER DOWN In regards to your comments on electric motorcycles in the December issue: Electric motorcycles will only stay around for as long as they are subsidized by the government, same as electric cars.

Handouts, whether they come in the form of direct government grants, “tax breaks,” government laws on “carbon credits” or forced government buying (like police departments and other government agencies) are the only thing keeping the companies in business.

In short, we the taxpayer with our tax dollars are the only thing keeping these companies in business.

Batteries are a dead end. Every electrical engineer and physicist knows that. Electric vehicles will only stand a chance when a new technology is developed that can supply the necessary power. And until there are some serious breakthroughs in physics, I wouldn’t go holding your breath waiting for it. In a free market, that electric bike company wouldn’t even be in business. Cars and motorcycles are powered by gasoline for a

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reason: It’s cheap and efficient. If you want to buy a windup toy, fine. Just stop using my tax dollars to pay for it.

John Van Stry Rancho Cordova, Calif.

Thanks for your comment, John. At one time or another, virtually all U.S. energy resources have received federal support, including tax incentives provided to oil drillers in the early 20th century. Given the rapid progress of electric motorcycle development, we look forward to the day when these machines can equal the performance of gasoline-powered options available in today’s marketplace. on the tt The enclosed photo was taken in 1948.

The picture is of a TT race that I remember was taken somewhere close to Wabash, Ind. The course was laid out in hilly terrain with one large hill as a special challenge for the riders. Most of the bikes, if not all of them, were Harley-Davidsons modified for this special use.

The photo was taken about 10 yards from the top of the steepest hill. It was interesting to hear the V-twins roar up

Wayne Doenges

the hill, top it and then continue on.

There were no restrictions on safety, and spectators were everywhere. We did know that we might need to get out of way fast if the riders lost control.

All in all, it was a great day! Five of us had ridden from Ft. Wayne on British thumpers: 500cc Matchlesses, one AJS 350 and one Panther 600cc.

As I recall, the event was sponsored by a motorcycle club called the Wabash Cannonballs, but my memory might be faulty after 65 years.

I still enjoy riding today but on a more modern motorcycle.

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Mike Carnes Peotone, Ill.

Wayne Doenges New Haven, Ind.

Save on rentals with your AMA membership.

Paying Forward Good article on Bryan Much in the December issue. It’s guys like Bryan who make it possible for the rest of us to ride. Laying out trail, speaking out for our right to ride on that trail and promoting responsible riding so we don’t lose our rights due to the ignorance of others— that’s all pretty much hero-level stuff in my book.

AMA membership is full of members like Bryan, and they all deserve our thanks. Some of us due to family, two jobs, [poor] health, whatever, can’t do everything that the really active volunteers can pull off, and that’s OK. Be creative in how you help out. Maybe it’s time on the computer? Maybe you give a few bucks extra? Maybe you just spread the word.

Whatever you do, however, make sure you do the No. 1 thing: ride! When you ride, please be responsible. Don’t do the knuckleheaded things that get our rights taken away. The great thing about bikes is they’re more fun than should be legal even when you’re riding them legally!

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

2013 AMA Motorcyclist Of The Year As global economic woes continue to linger and recovery in the motorcycle industry remains slow to develop, the stars could perhaps not be more perfectly aligned for a major change in the business of motorcycling. While most in the motorcycling community viewed the cataclysmic changes brought about by the economic crisis as disastrous, one individual saw an opportunity to improve

By Rob Dingman the situation in the motorcycle industry while fulfilling a long-held passion to bring a European-styled motorcycle show for manufacturers, distributors, dealers, consumers and media to America.

The AMA Motorcyclist of the Year honor recognizes the profound impact that an individual has had on motorcycling over the last year. While the motorcycle industry has been hard-hit by the difficult economy and many companies have been forced to rethink how they showcase their products to their dealer networks and their customers, the American International Motorcycle Expo has provided a cost-effective approach to do just that.

For his success in the creation of AIMExpo, Larry Little is recognized as the 2013 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year.

The inaugural AIMExpo was held on Oct. 16-20, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Modeled after the EICMA and Intermot motorcycle shows in Europe, AIMExpo is a combined OEM, dealer and consumer show unlike anything we have seen in the United States. By all accounts, the show was a big success and is destined to grow. I spent time in the AMA booth at the show and got to experience first-hand the excitement generated by the attendees.

A major reason that the inaugural AIMExpo was so successful was because Larry had a vision and worked closely with the AIMExpo team for many months to see it become a reality.

What you may not know is that Larry’s motorcycling pedigree goes back many years. It is detailed in our AMA Motorcyclist of the Year feature starting on page 36.

I first met Larry roughly 20 years ago while I was working in the government relations office of the Motorcycle Industry Council in the early 1990s. Larry and I attended MIC media training together. Although we had not been in touch for quite some time, when I became AMA president in 2006, one of the first meetings I had was with Larry, who at that time was vice president and publisher of Cycle World magazine and chair of the MIC Board of Directors.

The advice that he offered during that meeting proved both accurate and invaluable. Larry has always provided important insights regarding the motorcycle industry and has always been

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Courtesy AIMExpo

Larry Little AIMExpo Creator And AMA Life Member

willing to help the AMA when asked. For example in 2008, when the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame needed a master of ceremonies for its annual induction ceremony in Columbus, Ohio (before AMA board member Perry King became our regular emcee for the event), Larry graciously did the honors— and did so quite well—because we asked. He has been a supporter of the Hall of Fame for years and has volunteered a significant amount of his time assisting with Hall of Fame work.

Larry’s work to transform the motorcycle show business in this country is quite impressive. So much so, that the AMA is actively pursuing opportunities to have a greater presence at AIMExpo next year and into the future. With the AMA celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2014, we hope to do something befitting this important milestone.

While it remains to be seen how great an impact AIMExpo will ultimately have on motorcycling, there is no question that it represents a dramatic departure from what has been done in the past. The short-term impact has been significant and if it takes hold as anticipated, the impact will be tremendous for everyone who loves motorcycling.

The AMA’s 90th Anniversary It’s true. We are about to roll over 90 years here at the AMA. Dozens of board members, scores of volunteers, hundreds of staff and thousands of AMA members have made an indelible imprint on this organization since it was founded in 1924. Because of their vision and hard work, the AMA has become the premier advocate for motorcycling in the 21st century, and we owe each of them a great debt of gratitude.

To honor their contributions, it is our goal to press on, paying it forward ourselves so that future generations of motorcyclists can enjoy the riding freedoms we are protecting today and the motorcycle lifestyle that fuels our passion for competition, camaraderie and adventure.

Ease the pa we’ll replac

Rob Dingman is the AMA president and CEO.

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CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL TARGETING MOTORCYCLING?

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) is asking the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention whether it is trying to reduce motorcycle use by pursuing a federal mandatory motorcycle helmet law.

The congressman also is questioning the economic impacts the CDC cited to support mandatory helmet laws.

In a letter to CDC Director Thomas Frieden dated Nov. 21, Walberg, who is a lifelong motorcyclist, an AMA life member and a member of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, asked “...is it the goal or strategy of the CDC to reduce the use of motorcycles—a legal mode of transportation—by recommending and pursuing a federal helmet law?

“If so, how would this strategy be implemented and by what authority would it be instituted?” Walberg asked. He also questioned whether Frieden believes the CDC is the federal agency best suited to research and make recommendations related to transportation safety.

The CDC, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is headquartered in Atlanta.

Walberg sent the letter after analyzing a presentation titled “Economic Impact of Motorcycle Helmet Law: A Systematic Review.” The presentation was made by the Helmet Law Review Team of the Community Preventive Services Task Force on Oct. 23. The 15-member task force, appointed by the CDC director, makes recommendations to the CDC.

CALIFORNIA, NEVADA ROADS AND TRAILS MAY BE CLOSED

2 Million Acres Affected By Proposed Federal Rule Roads and trails could be closed in California and Nevada under a proposed rule being finalized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The federal agency published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to designate critical habitat for the greater sage grouse in those two states under the Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act is frequently used inappropriately to limit trail access when no threat exists.

The proposed critical habitat designation includes 1,868,017 acres in Carson City, Lyon, Douglas, Mineral and

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Representative Demands Answers

The task force is preparing to “In fact, the only costs identified by recommend that all states have universal the Task Force on slide 37 are the costs helmet laws, which means that all riders, of purchasing a motorcycle helmet and regardless of age, would be required to the enactment and enforcement costs wear helmets. of helmet laws, which are concluded to Walberg strongly opposes the task be negligible,” Walberg says. “Not only force’s findings. One section, in particular, does this contradict the earlier findings “infers a about how positive imposing awareness motorcycle of helmet laws would —Wayne Allard laws with the discourage potential for reduced motorcycle use,” motorcycle use, but it ignores the positive Walberg says. “The presentation goes economic impact motorcyclists provide. on to conclude that ‘economic evidence “As an avid and experienced shows that universal motorcycle helmet motorcycle rider, I believe government laws produce substantial economic should be in the business of promoting benefits, and these benefits greatly the recreational, economic and exceed expected costs.’ However, environmental benefits of responsible there is no reference whatsoever to the motorcycle riding—not discouraging it,” significant economic costs anticipated by Walberg says. reducing motorcycle use.

Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for

“Motorcycling is not a disease.”

Esmeralda counties in Nevada, and Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties in California.

The FWS cites activities that may impact the sage grouse habitat, including specific references to motorized, and non-motorized, recreation as actions that would result in the

GET INVOLVED

For proposal info, write Edward Koch, USFWS, at the Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, 1340 Financial Blvd, Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502; or call (775) 861-6300.

Comment by Dec. 27 to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R8–ES– 2013–0042; Div. of Policy and Directives Mgmt.; USFWS; 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., MS 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.

sage grouse’s avoidance of specified areas during seasonal periods.

The agency’s objective is to “complete activity level travel plans within five years of the record of decision.

During activity level planning, where appropriate, designate routes in bi-state sage grouse habitat with current administrative/agency purpose or need for administrative access only.

“In bi-state sage grouse habitat, limit motorized travel to existing roads, primitive roads, and trails at a minimum, until such time as travel management planning is complete,” the agency says.

Exclusions may be made if exclusion benefits outweigh benefits of specifying an area as part of the critical habitat.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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Product ProductComparison: Comparison:Bohn BohnArmor ArmorPants PantsvsvsKevlar KevlarJeans Jeans government relations and a former U.S. representative and U.S. senator representing Colorado, praises Walberg for “asking some tough questions.”

“The AMA doesn’t understand why the Centers for Disease Control is involving itself in motorcycling when it is supposed to be protecting Americans from diseases,” Allard says. “Motorcycling is not a disease that needs to be eradicated. It’s a legal form of transportation and a source of responsible recreation for millions of Americans nationwide.

“We anxiously await the CDC’s answers to Rep. Walberg’s questions,” Allard says.

AMA SOUND TESTING KITS AVAILABLE

Application Deadline Is March 1

The AMA Government Relations Department is once again giving away sound testing kits to help AMA Districts, club members and others educate riders about sound.

The sound testing kit consists of a type 2 sound meter, tachometer, training materials, spark arrester probe, personal protective equipment and a storage case.

The kits will be awarded through a competitive grant process. To apply for a sound testing kit, a club or promoter must complete an application and return it to the AMA Government Relations Department

by March 1. Nine grant recipients will be selected by April 1.

Applications are considered twice, so those who submitted applications last year but weren’t selected don’t have to resubmit an application to be considered.

For more info, or to request an application, send an email to Marie Esselstein at messelstein@amacycle.org or call (614) 856-1900, ext.

1224.

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PARKING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MOTORCYCLISTS You Can Fight Back

From San Francisco to Weehawken, N.J., AMA members are denied access to parking facilities because they ride motorcycles.

Steven Lewan of the San Francisco Bay area says he was with a group of motorcyclists on Oct. 11 when they tried to park at a parking garage in San Francisco but were denied access.

“No reason given, no signs posted,” Lewan says. “What can be done?”

Larry Eichenbaum of New Jersey says he tried to park his motorcycle at a N.Y. Waterway facility in Weehawken, N.J., in August to catch a ferry.

“I was confronted by an employee of Central Parking and advised I was not permitted to park at the property as I was driving a motorcycle,” Eichenbaum says. “I had attempted to park in one of the outdoor asphalt parking areas. Motorcyclists are being discriminated against.”

You’ve seen the signs at garages and lots: “No Motorcycles Allowed.”

What can you do about it?

It takes some effort, but you can work to reverse the policy at a parking facility where you want to park.

Many parking lot operators post “No Motorcycle” signs when the lot or garage has an automatic gate-controlling entry. They have liability concerns, fearing the arm could accidently come down on a motorcyclist, causing injury. Rather than take the risk, they ban bikes.

For those who want to take on the fight, the AMA Government Relations Department can arm you with information about why parking control officials should encourage riding. Reasons include space savings and fuel efficiency.

AMA staffers can also provide you with examples of how other cities and garage operators have opened facilities to motorcycles. They’ve done that in various ways, from taking down their signs banning bikes to cutting off part of the parking gate arm so that motorcycles can get through.

Sometimes all it takes is a chat with parking control officers, or a letter, to get motorcycle parking allowed.

Sometimes the parking garage facility continues to ban bikes but finds other places for them to park. At The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, parking control officials banned motorcycles from most parking garages because of liability concerns, but after motorcyclists sought access, the school provided for motorcycle parking in nearby surface lots and specially modified garage areas.

If you know of a garage or lot that bans motorcycles, check with parking officials to be sure that they intended to restrict bikes. If that’s the case, ask them to discuss the issue. You may be able to open the facility to motorcycles for the good of riders everywhere.

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1113_Federal_HalfP

SMART MOTORCYCLE HELMET

Skully P-1 Helmet Features Heads Up Display The motorcycle ride of the future could be very different from the motorcycle ride of today because of intelligent transportation system technologies in the works for cars and motorcycles.

Those include collision warnings, blind spot information systems, obstacle warning systems and heads up displays.

One company working on this technology is Skully Helmets of Redwood City, Calif. Its Skully P-1 helmet features a heads up display.

Company officials say the helmet is U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) and Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) approved, so it meets U.S. and European safety standards.

In terms of technology, the helmet includes a heads up display, rearview camera, GPS and more. The headsup display projects navigation and blind spot data. It also projects GPS directions. The camera provides a 180-degree wideangle rearview

image. Bluetooth technology allows the helmet to connect to most modern smart phones.

Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager specializing in on-highway motorcycling issues, says he sees some advantages in the helmet’s technology but stresses that motorcyclists need to be sure they don’t become distracted by gadgetry while riding.

For example, Szauter suggests that riders should only use phone features while off the bike. The AMA has a strong position related to distracted driving and riding, he says.

“The AMA acknowledges that motorcyclists—in addition to car drivers, truck drivers, and even bicyclists— share the responsibility not to become distracted while riding or driving,” Szauter says.

“Distracted motorcycle operation is just as dangerous as being distracted while operating a larger motor vehicle.”

STAY CONNECTED

Get AMA News & Notes and AMA Action Alerts To stay on top of what is happening with federal land-use and other policies related to motorized recreation sign up to receive the monthly AMA News & Notes and AMA Action Alerts for breaking news.

Not only do these communication tools provide the latest updates on threats to your rights, but they include crucial steps you can take to help defend those rights.

When you sign up, you’ll be doing your part to protect motorcycling now and for future generations of riders. Visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/ GetInvolved/ActionAlertSignUp.aspx.

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2013 on-h

The AMA Go to on-highway Those actions lawmakers and during the 201 legislation may

AMA Endorses Lane Splitting Board Adopts Official Position

The AMA Board of Directors adopted a position statement in October related to lane splitting, as well as lane filtering, to aid in understanding the issue and to help motorcyclists decide whether to support efforts to permit these practices in their state.

The California Highway Patrol defines lane splitting as a motorcyclist riding between lanes of stopped or slower moving traffic or moving between lanes to the front of stopped traffic.

Currently, lane spitting is only practiced in California. AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris says lane splitting is an accepted custom and necessary strategy to ease traffic congestion there.

In the language for the new position on lane splitting, the AMA board writes: “Given the ongoing success of lane splitting in California and the recent enthusiasm for lane splitting and/or filtering in other states, the AMA endorses these practices and will assist groups and individuals working to bring legal lane splitting and/or filtering to their states.”

“The AMA endorses rider responsibility and actions that make roadways safer for motorcyclists,” the position statement says. “While research and evidence suggest that lane splitting may reduce a motorcyclist’s risk exposure somewhat, we are cautious to issue a blanket endorsement of the practice.

“In particular, experience has taught us that the legislative process and the implementation of new laws are fraught with uncertainty,” the statement says.

ResTRIC

afTeR

Our Position Where The AMA Stands

“A straightforward lane splitting bill may easily be amended with provisions that the AMA and the motorcycling community would find unacceptable.

Provisions such as mandatory helmet use in an adult-choice state, or mandatory minimum medical insurance coverage provisions, would quickly poison an otherwise well-intentioned effort.

“Motorcyclists who oppose lane splitting should remember that it is optional in California,” the statement says. “Permitting lane splitting is not the

To read AMA position statements on key issues affecting motorcyclists’ rights, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/ PositionStatements.

Position statements can be found on the following issues: Distracted and Inattentive Vehicle Operation, Voluntary Helmet Use, Excessive Sound, Rider Education, Access to Public Lands and—the latest position statement adopted by the AMA board of Directors—Lane Splitting. same as requiring it, so those opposed to the practice should consider the desires of other motorcyclists who believe they would benefit from it.”

New Oregon Riders Must Pass Safety Training In 2015 Government Motorcycle Skills Testing Being Phased Out

All new Oregon motorcycle riders under the age of 61 must pass a motorcycle safety training class beginning in January 2014, and all new riders regardless of age must pass a class beginning in 2015, to get a motorcycle endorsement. The mandatory training replaces government motorcycle skills testing.

That’s the result of a state law passed in 2009. At that time, lawmakers decided that new motorcyclists should pass a motorcycle safety training class, rather than a motorcycle skills test, to get a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s licenses.

Team Oregon provides the safety training. Basic rider training that involves 15 hours costs $179.

State Department of Motor Vehicle offices have been stopping their motorcycle skills testing, with eight more offices suspending the testing in October.

passen

TRaf

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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2013OnHighwaySumma

2013 on-hIghway summaRy

The AMA Government Relations Department monitored 1,406 pieces of state legislation related to on-highway riding in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and took action when necessary.

Those actions included informational mailings to AMA members, news releases, testimony before lawmakers and providing information to key legislative committees. Here’s a breakdown of the on-highway legislation tracked during the 2013 legislative sessions around the country through Oct. 29. Distracted driving issues are broken out further. Note that legislation may address more than one issue, so a single bill may be counted in multiple topic areas below.

all DIsTRaCTeD opeRaTIon (223) Cellphone usage Restricting or prohibiting use (96) Bans Text messaging, internet use, drowsy driving (44) hanDs-fRee Use of cellphone (33) DIsTRaCTeD/InaTTenTIve DRIvIng (37) ResTRICTIng vIDeo DIsplays (4) afTeR CRash Police reports to include distracted-driver info, enhanced penalties (9) TRaffIC offenses Vehicular assault/homicide, right-of-way and related violations, seizure, banning motorcycles from public roads, parking, riding two abreast and stunt riding (86) equIpmenT Sound, exhaust systems, lighting, emissions, fuels and alcohol interlocks (59) safeTy Rider education programs, safety and awareness, and mandatory training (64) mIsCellaneous Definition of a motorcycle, discrimination, lead, traffic calming, congestion, traffic management and study committees (145) helmeTs (35) vehICle laws Rebuilt vehicles, registrations, lemon laws, inspections, high-occupancy-vehicle lanes, titles, lane splitting and right to repair (104) lICense plaTes Special plates and vertical mounting (212) Taxes Registration and titles, taxes on miles traveled and fuel-efficient vehicles (226) mopeDs (34) The State-by-State Guide to Motorcycle Laws continues to be a popular item. Print copies are free to AMA members. Guides are also available online at AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Also included on the website is the State-by-State Guide to Off-Highway Motorcycle and ATV Laws and Regulations and the AMA’s Position Statements on various issues.

lICensIng, enDoRsemenTs anD peRmITs (46) Tolls (103) passengeRs Age restrictions (4)

InsuRanCe Vehicles, liability and denial of medical benefits (89) TRaffIC-aCTuaTeD sIgnals (10) January 2014 0

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HOT SPRINGS, HIGH ADVENTURE Riding The Rockies By Lawrence Hacking Photos by Randall Paetzold

Recently, I had the good fortune to participate in the 14th event of the 2013 AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré Adventure Ride Series in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Organized by Exit Tours of Salida, Colo., the ride promised three days of scenic routes, multiple mountain passes and hot springs.

Tucked in a narrow canyon at the base of Cottonwood Pass, near Buena Vista, Colo., is a rustic, natural hot springs that was the starting point of the ride. Once everyone had gathered at the rider’s meeting and we started getting some details, it became apparent that this would be a well-thought-out tour offering many of the best roads and attractive scenery that Colorado has to offer.

Sean Barr of Mountain Tech Yamaha laid out the route. It was self-guided by either following the GPS routes or a provided map. On Day 1, I chose to wing it by following AMA Board of Directors member Ken Ford. We were both on Triumph Tiger XCs, so I figured we’d get along.

Ken likes to put in saddle time and, like me, is a steam train aficionado. That

18

morning we carved our way down one of the most impressive passes in the Colorado Rocky mountains, the Guannella Pass, which is wedged in between some towering 14,000 foot peaks with the pass a dizzying 11,660 feet above sea level. The road down was a picture-perfect series of S-bends with nicely banked corners and billiard-table-smooth pavement.

The riding was motorcycling nirvana.

We dropped into Georgetown, Colo., at 11:30 a.m., just in time to have a sandwich in the center of this historic mining town.

As we parked the bikes, a train whistle echoed across the valley and “steam train” crossed our minds. Following lunch, we took the scenic railway ride from Georgetown to Silver Plume and back.

The train chuffs its way up 600 feet in altitude over slightly more than 3.5 miles by way of a rail that loops around

to reduce the degree of incline so the locomotive can make the climb. The side trip took some riding time out of our day, but it was well worth it.

That night we headed to Glenwood Springs, perhaps the home of the most famous of Colorado’s natural hot springs.

We rode a smooth, wide gravel road that followed the Colorado River to State Bridge. The route took another gravel road into Glenwood, but it was getting late so I split off and rode pavement South to I-70, all the while bending the Tiger around a myriad of beautiful corners on some spectacular roads.

The Glenwood Canyon section of the interstate highway system is reportedly the most expensive piece of pavement in the continental United States, and a true engineering marvel. The highway is jammed into a 12.5-mile canyon. Its sheer walls shoot straight up more than 1,200 feet above the valley floor. I was happy to have the wide-angle view the Triumph offered.

Following a therapeutic soak in the

“It was one of those epic moments in time when you realize how fortunate you are to be on a motorcycle.”

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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world’s largest outdoor hot springs pool, I headed to dinner. There I realized there were people from all over the United States on this ride. There were a total of 40 participants and six more two-up passengers or followers. It was a diverse group of interesting characters from all walks of life, the eldest being 74 years young.

Bright and early the next morning, a group of us headed due south toward one of the most spectacular sights on the tour—Independence Pass, which is

12,095 feet high. The road is what you might imagine the European Alps are like, only without the traffic. After taking time for photos, we booked it past Buena Vista back over the Cottonwood Pass to the lunch stop at Sargents.

Highway 114 South from Sargents is pure motorcycling heaven. This paved road winds down a lush, green valley with ever-

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tightening corners that come at you with just the right rate of speed. The surface was well suited to our adventure bikes.

It was mid-afternoon, the mirrors were empty and the only thing we had to watch out for was wildlife. It was one of those epic moments in time when you realize how fortunate you are to be on a motorcycle.

The planned route took us off the pavement on a gravel road that went up

and over the 10,200-foot Cochetopa Pass, on an old stagecoach route. Eventually we arrived at another hot springs just North of our overnight stop at Alamosa on the Rio Grande River.

The third and final day had a surprise.

Mike Brown, the organizer, set up a tour of the maintenance shop of the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, where the crew was busy getting a massive steamer ready for its trip to La Veta Pass and back. We

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spent a good portion of the morning asking questions about the ins and outs of steam locomotives in a behind-thescenes tour.

Following the tour, the photographer and I made up our own route, taking the Eastern side of the Spanish Mountains, a range that runs north/south. We enjoyed some nice, empty two-lane roads that are Colorado’s gift to motorcycling. There was some serious distance left to cover before getting back to Mountain Tech

Yamaha in Buena Vista for some BBQ ribs and bench racing before everyone went their separate ways. We had great fun whipping by grassy pastures full of bison. It was a memorable day and fitting end to the journey.

Thinking back, I can’t decide if Colorado is like Switzerland or if Switzerland is like Colorado, but I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t really matter. One thing is for sure: You can’t go wrong riding in Colorado.

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From The Road

minutes.

As an out-and-out road rider, my dirtriding experience is almost This past summer I had a nonexistent. Naturally Iʼm pretty strenuous 8,000-kilometer not good at it, and I avoid it motorbike ride from the Atlantic wherever possible. Iʼm on an to the Pacific across South increasing spiral of uselessness.

America. It was great fun.

That is, Iʼm useless off However, this was my first-ever road, therefore, I donʼt do it, group ride on a rented bike, and therefore, I remain useless!

I ran into enough problems to This was a drawback for me remind me that there’s always in South America, and even more to discover about this though Iʼm still a long way great sport. from being halfway competent

By Rick Wheaton Here are some of the best tips on dirt, Iʼm glad I picked up I learned from this experience. some off-road skills from my fellow riders. Not only did this give my Try the bike: I had never ridden the confidence a boost off the pavement, Iʼm BMW GS750 I was going to rent, so I sure that even the rudimentary techniques begged a friendly dealer to let me have I picked up will help me become a better a test ride. Even famous makes and rider on any surface. models have quirks that can catch you Signals: Unless you have helmet-toby surprise, and I figured a look-see ride helmet radio (increasingly common, but would be a good idea. It was, but I didn’t forbidden to me purely on account of my learn enough. singing voice—sad but true) a few simple The seat did not suit me, so I bought signals can be really useful. For example, an aftermarket pad that was superb. we agreed early on that anyone seeing a Another bike-specific issue is whether clear road ahead after overtaking should you are considering electrical accessories leave his or her turn signal flashing. By the (I was). Itʼs vital to check out the bike’s way, we also agreed that this didnʼt mean power sockets and especially their output it was safe to overtake, only that it was (I didnʼt). safe to pop out for a look.

Research the route: Because I was Potholes and animals were common riding in a group, the choice of route was problems in South America and after either pre-planned or changed day-by-day a few near misses, I learned to keep a (within reason) by majority vote. Ninetywatchful eye on the rider in front of me. five percent of the time I was happy to Any problem he or she encountered would go along with the crowd, but there were probably be mine in 100 feet, and I was occasions when I would have preferred often grateful for a dab on a brake light, a an alternate route. If I had done some warning swerve or even a pointing glove. research before I set off, maybe I could Snacks: With long hauls between have swung the vote. shopping opportunities, I made the early By the way, even if the group leader mistake of being slack on snacks. You need says itʼs okay to split off and find your to keep energy levels up during long days own way to that eveningʼs destination, in the saddle, but in the excitement of riding please think about the difficulties this can through a bunch of canyons or climbing present. My feeling is, if you havenʼt done a mountain pass, itʼs easy to forget you the research, youʼre better off sticking havenʼt eaten anything since breakfast. with the group.

Later in the ride, when this thought Riding off-road: It might be more struck me—and my stomach—out in the than the route that you donʼt like. It could wilderness, I was glad I could reach for be the actual road. If you (as I was) are those energy bars or that huge packet of part of a group where a majority nuts and raisins. Plus, when I shared favors dirt, you can bet that with my buddies, they were much riding off road is going to more likely to forgive me for the happen, like it or not. If wrong turn I made. You know, the this is a possibility, Iʼd one that got everyone out into the strongly recommend wilderness in the first place. spending some time riding on dirt roads Rick Wheaton is an before your trip. The AMA member who riding techniques occasionally writes about needed are often lessons learned from different from road riding riding routes the world and this isnʼt something over. Comments? Email you’ll pick up in a few submissions@ama-cycle.org.

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PRESSURE POINTS Maintaining Your Tires

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TIRE TIPS

Source: Dunlop Checking tire pressure

This is the most important tire maintenance function. Maintaining correct air pressure is crucial to a tire’s rolling efficiency, steering, grip, wear and load-carrying capabilities. You are not only riding on the tire. You are riding on the air pressure inside them. Buy a high-quality tire pressure gauge and use it often.

Before riding

Determine the total weight of luggage, equipment and rider(s) to be added to the motorcycle. The total weight must never exceed the vehicle load capacity found in the motorcycle owner’s manual or the maximum load on the tire sidewall.

Check your tires

Check your tires all the way around. Rotate both tires completely and make sure there are no nails or other objects penetrating the tire. If you find anything, do not ride until you have your motorcycle dealer inspect the tire and replace it if necessary.

Watch those sidewalls

Inspect your tires’ sidewalls for cracking and be wary of using sidewall treatments, which can accelerate cracking.

For wet-weather riding

Worn tires decrease the ability for the tire to dissipate water.

Worn tires also decrease handling and become more susceptible to punctures. Always replace tires before they reach the treaddepth indicators inside the tread grooves.

When storing your bike

When storing your bike or spare tires, avoid frequent and varied temperature extremes. Do not keep tires next to radiators or sources of heat. Tires subjected to these conditions age quicker than tires stored in a cool, constant environment. Likewise, don’t store tires where electric motors are present because the high concentration of ozone can accelerate tire cracking.

When buying new tires

Make sure that you not only select tires that match your intended use of your bike, but match the front and rear tires. Also, on installation, check that the arrows on the tire sidewall are pointing in the correct direction of rotation and that the balance dot is lined up with the valve stem.

Tom Bear

Running the proper air pressure in your motorcycle tire is critical. With a relatively small contact patch, and just two wheels connecting you and your bike to the road, the wrong air pressure can have a large effect on safety, performance, tire life, fuel mileage and even suspension and steering.

We recently caught up with some experts from major tire manufacturers to discuss some of the finer points of maintaining your tires. “[T]here’s a certain amount of deflection in the tire profile that’s optimal for balancing road grip, handling, comfort and durability,” says Michelin’s Casey Morris. “That optimum deflection is based upon the tire’s construction, the load—including the weight of the driver and rider—and the intended use of the motorcycle.”

To achieve that optimum deflection—sidewall flexing where the tread comes into contact with the road—it’s up to the owner of the motorcycle to make sure they keep their tires inflated correctly, he says.

Norris “T.J.” Tennent, an engineering manager with Bridgestone-Firestone and a motorcycle safety instructor, says that there’s significant drawback to ignoring tire pressure.

“Running too much air pressure will stiffen the sidewall of the tire and cause some issues,” Tennent says. “Not enough deflection and the tire could be damaged if it hit a pothole or other object at speed. You will also have a smaller contact patch, which could cause you to have less traction, especially in the wet. Your bike will also be less comfortable.”

Tennent says running too little air pressure is even worse, with rapid tire wear, cupping, “horrible” fuel economy, poor handling and bad traction in the wet.

Despite the downsides of incorrect air pressure, anecdotal evidence suggests that riders don’t maintain their tires well.

Morris says that during recent events, Michelin engineers checked tire air pressure on participants’ bikes and found that more than one-third of them had improperly inflated tires.

“We found that the front tire pressure was better maintained than the rear tire pressure,” Morris says. “Most likely because it is frequently more difficult to access the rear tire inflation stem.”

Jeff Johnston, product manager with Pirelli, says the problem is almost always too little air pressure.

“We understand from data collected by the general tire industry and interacting with consumers at rallies and events that about 80 to 85 percent of consumers— motorcycle, car, SUV, truck—run their tires underinflated,” he says.

It’s even more important to watch your air pressure closely if you increase

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Tom Bear

your bike’s load, whether that’s with a passenger or more touring gear.

“A tire that is underinflated 4 psi has lost 80 pounds of load-carrying capability,” says Dunlop’s Mike Manning.

“Tire pressure and load are related, and it is important both to run correct tire pressure and to not overload your bike.”

Johnston says that riders also should take into consideration the tire load question with respect to tire selection.

“The rider and dealer should make sure the installed tire is approved by the tire manufacturer and that it meets or exceeds the load and speed rating of the original equipment tire,” Johnston says. “Respect the maximum load approved for the bike as stated in the vehicle owner’s manual and follow this to prevent overloading.”

In general, the owner’s manual will be your key source for tire inflation guidelines, Tennent says.

“Check your owners manual for air pressure [values],” he says. “If you are still not sure, you can contact the tire manufacturer. Never run the max pressure that is on the sidewall of the tire, unless the load that you are carrying dictates it.

The load on each tire determines what air pressure you should run in the tire.”

Johnston adds that there are some exceptions to the owner’s manual, especially when you aren’t running the original equipment tire.

“We find many cruiser tires have a load index C, and that means the maximum pressure as stated on the sidewall is 50 psi, but the OE tire may only be a load range B, which has max of 40 or 42, so the owner’s manual does not apply,” Johnston says. “Pirelli has found the air pressure suggestions listed in our brochure or on the web site will improve mileage and customer satisfaction. We always suggest that running higher pressures, up to the max stated on the sidewall, will increase the life of the tire with no adverse effects.”

One factor that doesn’t affect operating tire pressure is temperature.

“Weather doesn’t affect [tire pressure] per se,” Manning says. “Tire pressure will go up or down based on temperature but that is part of the design of the tire.”

The bottom line is to take the time to check your tire’s air pressure.

“Best case is to check tire pressure before you ride,” Tennent says. “The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has a preride inspection checklist, and tire pressure is the first thing to check on that list. That’s because if the tires fail during the ride, you are going to have some problems.”

The tips to the left offer suggestions for keeping your tires in top shape. They should give you a reasonable idea of where to start before going for a ride.

RIDERS WORKING FOR A CAUSE

Helping Yourself By Helping Your Community By Joe LaChance After my wife Diane and I finished the AMA-sanctioned Four Corners Grand Tour, organized by the Southern California Motorcycle Association in 2000, I thought that we might be able to bring tourism to northern Maine by helping to popularize this tour.

We had always wondered what would bring people so far north. They would need a reason. As an AMA member who considers it his duty to help protect the future of motorcycling and promote the motorcycling lifestyle, I thought that a great way to do this would be to create a motorcycle park to honor long-distance motorcycle riders. The park would be self-sufficient thanks to donations from the riders, who would commemorate their rides with granite plaques.

In 2004, I organized a meeting for the general public and presented my plan. A lot of people wanted it, saw value in it but were afraid that it would never get off the ground. I had to convince them the plan would succeed.

I asked a local business to donate some land for the cause. They agreed.

We then started raising funds to buy a 12-foot tall granite monument costing $10,000. We raised the money, purchased the monument and installed it on the donated land (whose deed had yet to be transferred to us).

Then an unforeseen detour changed our plans. Homeland Security contacted us and said that they needed the property for a border crossing. We shifted gears and worked with the town manager to find a location that we could purchase for the

back taxes. We set up a 501(c)3, raised the funds and bought the land.

More goodwill came from a friend, Ed Pelletier, who owns a construction company. He cleared the property, carted away rubble and graded the grounds.

Madawaska Four Corners Park was taking shape. Soon, volunteers came from all over and worked long hours installing a base for the monument, flagpoles, signage, the substructure and frame for the fountain, etc., with one of the electricians even donating his services to wire the park.

The last touch was a parking lot. Thanks to a $35,000 donation from Charles Lamb from Richmond, Va., and another matching $35,000 raised by the local community (which itself numbers a mere 3,500), we had our park.

We now had a venue for the townspeople to enjoy, as well as a tourist draw for the local economy. Because Diane and I are both SCMA members, we also had an SCMA tour destination.

This project is a great example of motorcyclists having a vision and working together with local leaders to make a dream happen. This was only possible because we were willing to do the work ourselves and because we are respected members of the community. These two qualities can take you far as you do your part to contribute to the effort to protect and promote motorcycling in America.

For more information about the Madawaska Four Corners Park in Madawaska, Maine, see www.madawaskafourcorners.org.

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27 3 11/22/13 1:54 1:47 PM

E15 Fuel Battle Heating Up

Federal Lawmakers, The Ama And The General Public Fear Catastrophic Engine Failure With The Widespread Availability Of E15 As more fueling stations across the nation begin to offer E15 fuel, lawmakers and citizens are expressing concerns.

Because of that, 2014 could be a pivotal year for the new fuel, which is a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume. Ethanol is grain alcohol produced from crops such as corn that is mixed with gasoline to produce an ethanol-gasoline blend motor fuel.

Since 2010, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency first approved the use of E15 in certain vehicles, the AMA has expressed concern about possible motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle engine damage caused by the inadvertent use of the fuel blend.

Since then, the AMA has asked that motorcycles and ATVs be part of any study into the effects of E15 to ensure that the new fuel blend won’t damage those engines. Now, the AMA is stepping up its efforts—also backing federal efforts to put an end to E15 completely.

E15 Now Becoming Available

Even though the E15 issue has been on motorcyclists’ radar since 2010, and the ethanol-in-fuel issue has been around even longer, it hasn’t been until recently that people have become truly concerned.

The catalyst was the availability of E15 fuel. By the end of 2013, more than 30 stations in 10 states offered the blend.

Those states are Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Since the government subsidizes the cost of certain fuel pumps to dispense E15, more and more fueling stations may take advantage of this opportunity to offer E15 in 2014 and beyond.

In October 2010, the EPA approved the use of E15 fuel in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, lightduty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles). Then, in January 2011, the EPA added model year 2001-2006 light-duty vehicles to the approved list.

The EPA has not approved E15 for use in any of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and ATVs currently in operation, not to mention boats, lawn mowers and other small engines.

For many years, most manufacturers have approved their engines to operate on

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E10, which contains 10 percent ethanol and is commonly found at gas stations.

Many vintage-era machines still require E0, a fuel that has no ethanol. (Be sure to check your owner’s manual for the right fuel for your engine.)

The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns about E15 being mistakenly used and possibly damaging engines in motorcycles and ATVs, and about the lack of availability of E10 and E0.

This is a particular concern in rural parts of the country, says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations.

Rural areas are the most vulnerable places for motorcyclists and users of small engines because options for E10/E0 fuel may be few or even non-existent with the increasing sale of E15. This is a bigger problem when blender pumps are used.

Blender Pumps May Pose Risks

In response to concerns expressed by the AMA and power equipment makers, the EPA in 2013 issued new guidelines to help ensure that motorcyclists and others don’t inadvertently use E15 fuel.

Earlier, Allard told the EPA that with E15 now coming into the market, AMA members who make a concerted effort to fuel their motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less fuel may unknowingly refuel with residual E15 left in a blender-pump hose. A blender pump dispenses different fuel blends through the same hose, such as E10 and E15. When a customer buys E15, as much as a third of a gallon of residual E15 is left in the hose, which can inadvertently be pumped into the next customer’s tank while fueling with E10.

“In an effort to address this potential misfueling issue, EPA approved an [approach submitted by a pro-ethanol group] that requires a minimum purchase of four gallons from blender pumps that

dispense both E10 and E15 from the same hose and nozzle,” the EPA said. “Such an approach would prevent misfueling by diluting any residual E15 left in the hose from the previous sale of E15.

“However, groups representing motorcycle owners and lawn mower manufacturers objected to this [approach] because their products have gas tanks that are normally two gallons or smaller,” the EPA said.

So in 2013, the EPA posted a new option for retailers on its website’s “E15: Misfueling Mitigation Plans” page to try to avoid misfueling by consumers.

Under the new option, retailers who use a blender pump to sell E15 and E10 fuel through the same hose must also have a separate E10/E0 fuel pump. Those retailers would be required to have a label on the blender pump that reads: “Passenger Vehicles Only. Use in Other Vehicles, Engines and Equipment May Violate Federal Law.” Retailers would also be required to have signs indicating the location of the dedicated E10-or-lower fuel pump. There would be no minimum-fuelpurchase requirement at that pump.

Retailers who want to sell E15 also have the option of having a dedicated E15 pump or hose, or a pump that dispenses E15 and higher ethanol blends through a single hose.

The AMA still doesn’t believe that solves the problem, since warning labels are hard to find on the pumps, if they exist at all.

One way to deal with that problem, the AMA believes, is to do away with government funding of blender pumps.

The Farm Bill And Blender Pumps H.R. 2642, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, is known as the Farm Bill and U.S. Senate and House members have

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differences of opinion on that bill as it relates to blender pumps.

A House-Senate conference committee was to hammer out a final version of the bill. The House version amends the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Rural Energy for America program, which provides assistance to farmers or small rural businesses for renewable energy systems such as solar or wind projects, energy efficiency measures and special ethanol blender pumps. The House proposal would prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to buy ethanol fuel blender pumps.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced in 2011 that his department wants to see 10,000 blender pumps installed around the country by 2016.

Funding these pumps would be a key component in growing the availability of E15 fuel, Allard says. The AMA supports the House version of the Farm Bill, which would limit such funding.

Taking the fight to Capitol Hill

The E15 issue gained a human face when the AMA hosted an E15 Fuel for Thought rally and lobbying day on June 19, 2013, that featured motorcyclists concerned about E15. The event helped educate lawmakers about the need to research the possible harmful effects of E15 fuel on motorcycle and ATV engines.

U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) had introduced H.R. 875 to repeal the EPA’s decision approving the use of E15 in certain vehicles. The bill also would bar the agency from granting further decisions on the use of the fuel until the EPA obtains an independent scientific analysis of the effects of the E15 blend.

Riders attending the AMA “E15: Fuel for Thought” event represented millions of Americans who are fearful about the potential for inadvertent misfueling with E15, Allard says, and the subsequent engine damage that could occur in motorcycle and ATV engines.

Sensenbrenner says there have been several tests highlighting E15’s harmful effects on engines “but they have all been dismissed by the EPA. “Therefore, we must force the EPA to stop the use of E15 fuel until the serious safety, durability, performance and environmental concerns have been addressed,” he says. “We have a responsibility to ensure that Americans using gas-powered machinery—whether it be cars and boats or chainsaws and lawnmowers—are not put at risk due to faulty fuel that has not been vetted.”

AMA Board Chair Maggie McNally

attended the event and said: “When you have a type of fuel that, if inadvertently used, has the potential to damage engines and fuel systems and void a manufacturer’s new-vehicle warranty, you really should move with caution when it comes to putting that fuel in the marketplace. Issuing rules that allow the sale of E15 at gas stations without adequate testing to be sure it’s safe in motorcycles and ATVs, not to mention engines in boats and power equipment, just isn’t wise. We’re here today to deliver that message to our legislators, so that the right safeguards can be put in place.”

Survey Shows Concern

A recent survey found that more than three-fourths of Americans fear that E15 fuel may damage car engines and fuel system components.

Survey findings were released on Oct. 2 by the American Petroleum Institute, which sponsored the poll. The API is a national trade association that represents

States Selling E15 In 2013

Moreover, the California Air Resources Board has told the AMA that even if it approves the sale of the new E15 ethanolgasoline blend in California, the blend wouldn’t appear in the market for several years. CARB wanted time to complete vehicle testing and rule development.

CARB made the comment in response to a letter from Allard, who expressed concern about potential misfueling of E15 into motorcycles and ATVs. For these reasons, the AMA still wants motorcycles and ATVs to be part of an independent scientific study on the effects of E15 so that riders know what to expect if they inadvertently put E15 in their gas tanks, or if E15 is eventually approved for motorcycle and ATV use.

“Not only should the study focus on the short- and long-term impacts on vehicles and engines, it should also quantify the financial toll that increased ethanol in gasoline will levy on consumers, dealers and service facilities, manufacturers, fuel retailers, distributors and producers, and the environment,” Allard says.

State lawmakers agree.

At the request of ABATE of Illinois, state Rep. Kay Hatcher (R-Yorkville) sponsored House Resolution 524 and state Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline) sponsored Senate Resolution 634 to “urge Congress to pass H.R. 875 to scientifically determine the effects that E-15 will have on internal combustion engines of all types.”

AMA Grassroots Coordinator Danielle Fowles says that to help support the federal effort for a study, individuals should contact their state representatives and senators and ask them to introduce resolutions similar to those in Illinois.

Congress Broadening Approach America’s oil and natural gas industry.

Some 77 percent of registered voters are concerned that ethanol blends above a 10 percent level can cause severe damage to car engines and fuel system components, according to the poll.

Harris Interactive conducted the survey by telephone Sept. 19-23. Pollsters surveyed 1,034 registered voters across the country. The survey has a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percent.

Meanwhile, research results released by the Coordinating Research Council indicate that E15 would damage millions of post-2001 model-year vehicles even though the EPA has approved the use of E15 in those vehicles. The study concluded that E15 would result in fuelsystem failures.

Meanwhile, U.S. Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) sent a letter to the EPA urging a “fair and meaningful nationwide adjustment to the ethanol mandate in the Renewable Fuels Standard. Prompt action by the EPA can help…prevent engine damage.”

The Renewable Fuels Standard, created in 2005 with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and expanded in 2007 with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, requires that 36 billion gallons of biofuels be in the marketplace by 2022. But the law was passed in 2005, before the downturn in the economy, the surge in the sale of more fuel-efficient vehicles and the less-than-expected use of fuel.

However, the law gives the EPA administrator flexibility to reduce the

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Up to eight-time AMA National Enduro Champion Mike Lafferty for an amazing career. Lafferty will retire after the 2014 season.

Up to California Highway Patrol motor officer Sgt. Kevin Briggs, who has helped save more than 200 people while stationed at the Golden Gate Bridge’s suicide watch.

Info: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ rights/amafuelforthought.aspx.

Down to off-highway vehicle riders in New York City who are contributing to a negative image of motorcyclists in the Big Apple by riding illegally on roads for street-legal vehicles only.

Up to Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, an avid motocrosser, who has spearheaded his department’s efforts to adopt electric motorcycles in ways that take advantage of the technology’s benefits.

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Down to a Ford Focus driver in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who police say fled the scene after failing to yield and causing the crash and death of 29-year-old motorcyclist Kevin Gilliam Jr.

Up to U.S. Customs & Border Protection agents who found and recovered a 1953 Triumph Tiger 100 at the Port of Los Angeles that had been stolen from Donald DeVault 46 years ago.

2 Yea

Join the a from Cal unbiased

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consumers and the economy. The demands of the current RFS are unrealistic and are causing great uncertainty. As the blendwall approaches, it is clear that this flawed policy is not working.

“The growing support from members of Congress from across the nation and a diverse coalition of outside groups makes it clear that we must consider real legislative reforms to this mandate,” he says. “I urge Administrator McCarthy to take immediate action to provide much needed relief from the RFS.” Rep. Welch adds: “Administrator McCarthy has at her fingertips the authority to push the pause button so that Congress can reevaluate this misguided policy before more harm is done. She should do so immediately.”

Rep. Womack says: “The RFS is unrealistic, and the EPA knows it. It is time for the agency to exercise its authority and provide immediate and much-needed relief to American consumers and our economy by adjusting the RFS.” In November, the EPA took action to do exactly that by beginning a rulemaking process to reduce the total amount of ethanol required in transportation fuel nationwide in 2014, from 18.15 billion gallons to a proposed range of 15.0 to 15.52 billion gallons, with a recommendation of 15.21 billion gallons.

Meanwhile, on April 10, 2013, U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) introduced H.R. 1462: “The Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act” that would prevent E15 fuel in the marketplace.

There’s little doubt that 2014 is shaping up as a pivotal year for the future of ethanol.

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required volume of renewable fuels. By reducing the ethanol mandate in the RFS, less E15 likely will be available.

Allard says the recommendations in this congressional letter, if followed by the EPA administrator, would help protect the 22 million motorcycle and ATVs in America from inadvertent misfueling.

The lawmakers sent the bipartisan letter on Oct. 31, and 169 lawmakers signed it.

In the letter, the lawmakers told EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy “perhaps the newest challenge is the imposition of the statutory requirement of 18.15 billion gallons of renewable fuels in 2014, of which approximately 14.4 billion gallons will be made up by corn ethanol.

In particular, the combination of rising ethanol mandates and declining gasoline demand has exacerbated the onset of the E10 blendwall—the point at which the gasoline supply is saturated with the maximum amount of ethanol that current vehicles, engines, and infrastructure can safely accommodate.

“The EPA explicitly acknowledged this challenge in its final rule implementing the 2013 volumes – ‘EPA does not currently foresee a scenario in which the market could consume enough ethanol sold in blends greater than E10, and/or produce sufficient volumes of non-ethanol biofuels to meet the volumes of total renewable fuel and advanced biofuel as required by statute for 2014,’” the letter says. “We understand that the EPA signaled its intention to address these concerns in the 2014 rulemaking and commend the EPA’s willingness to use the authority Congress granted to it when crafting the RFS.” Rep. Goodlatte says: “Whether it’s increasing amounts of ethanol in fuel or higher food and feed prices, the RFS continues to negatively impact American

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Ask the MSF

Honoring Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

Riding Into Sunlight

Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was recently presented with the AMA Bessie Stringfield Award representing her efforts to introduce motorcycling to emerging markets.

Until her Stan Simpson and recent retirement Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords announcement, Rep. Giffords was the co-chair of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus.

As a rider for more than 20 years, and as a member of the U.S. House and the caucus, she worked with the AMA and the motorcycling community on a number of issues to protect and promote motorcycling.

The AMA Bessie Stringfield Award, first awarded in 2000, memorializes the accomplishments of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member Bessie Stringfield, an African-American motorcycling pioneer of the mid-20th century.

Q: I hate my commute. It’s straight east, and the morning sun is brutal! Short of moving or taking the “long way ‘round” the globe to get to work, is there anything you can suggest I do to stay safe when I ride to work in the mornings? Yes, I have tried sunglasses, but they seem to be either too dark or not dark enough. Thanks.

A: Riding directly into sunlight is a difficult situation for riders—whether commuting to work at sunrise or home at sunset—and this is a case for which we don’t have a good solution. Riders don’t have the car driver’s advantage of opaque flip-down sunvisors. There are some helmets available with internal flip-down tinted shields, but they are not necessarily more effective than sunglasses.

We’ve seen variety of sun-blocking gadgets, from heavily tinted or opaque static-cling decals that you stick across the upper portion of the helmet’s face shield, to duck-bill style add-ons (similar to visors that protrude from off-road helmets) that adhere to the top of the

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face shield with two-sided tape, but we don’t have enough experience with them to make a recommendation.

Some riders will tilt their head down to allow the top of the helmet’s eye port to serve as a sun visor, but one must still keep their eyes up, searching far-near and left-right.

Others will simply adjust the time of their commutes to avoid the direct sunlight.

Whatever you decide, don’t allow your “hate” of the commute to distract you from the riding strategy of keeping good time-and-space safety margins.

Do you have a suggestion? Readers are encouraged to send their sun-glare solutions to submissions@ama-cycle.org.

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Offer good only in the US. For Canada, add $24 for additional postage, all other countries add $48.

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A ‘TERMINATOR 2’ STUNT DOUBLE The Little Honda That Could Some bikes are like movie stars—the Husky 400 Cross in “On Any Sunday,” perhaps, or the Ducati 996 in “Matrix Reloaded.”

Other bikes are like stunt people— typically unheralded.

One look at this single-cylinder Honda made up to look like a Kawasaki KZ1000P police model leaves no doubt it’s of the unheralded variety.

Built for a specific scene in the 1991 movie “Terminator 2 Judgment Day” by the crew at Leavittation, the stunt company run by Lane Leavitt and his wife, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Debbie Evans, the bike had a very short and traumatic screen life.

The script called for a Kawasaki police bike to be ridden into an office building, up a stairwell, and ultimately through a glass window as the villain—Robert Patrick as the T1000 robot—leaps onto a police helicopter to commandeer it.

Faced with making that sequence a reality, Leavitt knew that a full-size KZ would be too much of a handful in the tight stairway and during the crash. He needed a more-nimble stunt double. So he found a smaller bike, this Honda, and went to work. He stripped the bike down, fit knobby tires for higher traction, and started adding the bodywork, bags and fairing to make it pass for a much-larger police bike.

Since the Honda was a single and the KZ was a four-cylinder, a four-pipe exhaust was used, leaving one pipe on either side hanging in the breeze. Through fast-paced shooting and clever editing, the disguise is undiscovered in the final cut.

After weeks spent building the bike, the

day came for its close-up. The stunt rider hit his marks perfectly, the scene was shot, and the bike was unceremoniously left in a heap where it landed.

Mindful of the movie history that the Honda was a part of, Evans and Leavitt collected the bike and left it in its unrestored condition. Today, it’s proudly on display at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame as a tangible reminder of some very clever motorcycle movie magic.

Photos Jeff Guciardo

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, features the people and machines that have defined the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling in America. The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profit 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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Hall of Famer

E.C. SMITH

The Man Who Oversaw 30 Of The AMA’s 90 years E.C. Smith served as Executive Secretary of the AMA for a third of its existence, running the association from 1928 to 1958. Taking the reins from the AMA’s first secretary, A.B. Coffman, Smith became the AMA’s first full-time employee. During Smith’s administration, the AMA moved from Chicago to Columbus, Ohio, and began to take the form that it has today.

Smith headed the association through good times and bad. Under his guidance, the AMA survived the Great Depression

and World War II. Smith was incredibly dedicated and loyal to the cause of motorcycling in all its forms.

A native of Ohio, Smith was born in 1890. He first became involved in motorcycling as an inspector and referee for the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) at midwestern races during the 1910s.

By the early 1920s, Smith was promoting dirt-track races in Indiana and Ohio and established a good relationship with the Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association (M&ATA), from which the AMA was formed in 1924. When Coffman resigned from his position at the AMA in 1928, Smith was elected to replace him.

Smith became the first full-time manager of the AMA. He hired an assistant and set up the first official AMA office in Columbus. Smith became a tireless promoter of the AMA and traveled the country, often in a HarleyDavidson sidecar rig, carrying a 16mm projector and motorcycle racing films on loan from the Firestone and Goodyear tire companies. Under Smith, the AMA began a long and steady period of growth, despite the onset of the Great Depression just a few years into his administration One of Smith’s top priorities was to

build activity on the club level, and he spent much of his time helping the clubs coordinate Gypsy Tours, races and other activities to get people excited and involved in motorcycling. Smith was also ahead of his time in encouraging clubs to get involved in civic events and charities.

One of Smith’s biggest challenges was keeping the AMA afloat during World War II. It should be noted that World War I essentially put the AMA’s predecessor, the FAM, out of business. Smith wrote and edited a quarterly newsletter called AMA News, which went out to all AMA members, including those in the service around the world. The newsletter proved to be a stroke of genius. It kept those in the service in contact with the association. After the war, the returning servicemen returned to motorcycling and supported the AMA in record numbers. The newsletter evolved into the magazine you’re holding now, American Motorcyclist.

Smith was also in charge of all types of AMA motorcycle competition. Under his guidance, the competition rules gained much-needed uniformity and in 1954 Smith helped established the AMA’s first national championship series, the Grand National Championships.

E.C. Smith died on March 31, 1977 at the age of 87 and was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.

He will forever be remembered for his deep dedication to the AMA and, in turn, to motorcycling.

On Display At The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

‘WASH DAY’

What: A gyclee print of a painting by Eric Herrmann, as part of the exhibit: “2 Wheels + Motor, an International Fine Art Exhibition.”

Why it stands out: Using acrylic paints on canvas, Herrmann’s work seems more like a photo than a painting, and it captures the spirit of a much-loved Harley-Davidson.

About the artist: Herrmann was educated in fine arts, and gave up a successful career in graphic design to concentrate on his paintings. Having ridden motorcycles for more than 40 years, he focused on painting what he knew well, and found wide success. His work has been commissioned by a number of companies, including Jack Daniels, the Barrettt-Jackson Auto Auction and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Typically, Herrmann’s works are large scale, averaging 4-feet-by-5-feet, and have sold for over $70,000.

See it: This gyclee print of the original currently hangs on display at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

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2013 My Hall of Fame a

YOU CAN HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

AMA members do it all—long-distance rides, off-road races, cruising main street, vintage dirt track... To better serve our broad membership base, American Motorcyclist magazine is now published in two versions.

The dirt version includes more off-highway and racing content. The street version includes more articles for road riders.

Want to switch? Just call (800) 262-5646, ask for membership services and tell them which version you want.

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 online at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine for free.

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.

Want a bigger space? A 6-inch square is an $80 donation, and a 9-inch square is a $180 donation. You also get an official certificate noting that your picture is on display in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Hang your picture, your kid’s picture, your company logo, almost anything. It’s up to you! Get in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame today!

9” 6” 3” 3”

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2013 AMA MOTORCYCLIST OF THE YEAR LARRY LITTLE

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The man who created a U.S. motorcycle show that brings buyers and sellers together in a bold new way had the biggest impact on American motorcycling in 2013. By James Holter

H

ever seen. There were new bike models, media intros and then after two days they opened the doors to consumers and the place was overrun.”

The passion was infectious, and Little brought the excitement back with him to America. He called Mike Webster, who at the time was running the motorcycle show business for Advanstar. Cycle World was a major sponsor of Advanstar’s International Motorcycle Shows at the time. They had lunch, and Little shared his interest in bringing the European show model to the United States.

“In a lot of ways, Mike agreed with me,” Little says. “Our conversation was basically, ‘Why

Jason Wallis

alf a million motorcyclists can’t be wrong.

That was the impression left on 2013 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year Larry Little in the early 1990s.

Little, shortly after he was named publisher at Cycle World, was attending his first big European motorcycle show—those grand assemblies of manufacturers, dealers, aftermarket companies and consumers that perennially feature the latest bikes and the riders who crave them.

“I don’t remember if it was EICMA or Intermot, but nonetheless, I was there as someone representing the industry and the media, and it was mind blowing,” he remembers. “It was the most amazing thing I have

aren’t we doing this in America?’”

After comparing notes and experiences, and discussing the possibility of replicating the European model, Little and Webster parted ways to do their own research. When they reported back, they agreed that the U.S. market was too distinctive.

“The American market was different on a global scale,” Little says. “As a percentage of the market, it was too important for the manufacturers, especially the Japanese companies, and the answer we got was, ‘No, we’re not going to come to the same place as our competitors.’ They wanted to keep their individual dealer meetings.

They didn’t want to give up control.”

The idea of an all-things-to-allpeople motorcycle industry/consumer trade show in America was, for the time, dead in the water. Little wanted it. Webster bought into it. The industry, though, wouldn’t support it.

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2013 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year Larry Little

(Left) Larry on a Honda SL125 in 1974. (Right) Baja ride in the late ’90s.

LEARNING TO RIDE

Those who work in the motorcycle industry know Larry Little well—those who just ride motorcycles, perhaps not so much, but they’ve likely seen his influence over the years.

Little grew up in the booming postwar climate of upstate New York, where 20th century pillars of American business—such as IBM, Xerox and Kodak—powered the local economies against a picturesque backdrop of the rolling countryside. He was introduced to motorcycling when a neighbor returned from Vietnam in the mid-1960s and bought a Honda S65 Sport. The neighbor gave Little a ride on his new bike, and the experience was unforgettable.

“I was an early teen, and it was the most eye-opening thing I ever experienced,” Little says. “I remember all the traditional sensations of smelling the air and feeling the breeze, and going around a corner was like nothing else.”

Little bought a basket case CB160 that he rode off-road and used to get his license when he turned 16. He then advanced to a 1973 Honda SL125 in college. He competed in local races when he was younger, which is why he originally joined the AMA. Little says his two-wheeled passion had the full support of his father, “who came home from a business trip one day convinced that motorcycles were cool.”

Little became part of the motorcycling industry when he went to work for a small parts and accessories distributorship in his home region.

“I then met the gal who’s now my wife and decided that she was worth a move to California,” he says.

There, in addition to settling down with Stephanie, Little embarked on a career progression that many in motorcycle publishing have experienced. He landed

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a job selling advertising for Cycle News, transitioned to Petersen Publishing a couple years later, and then went to work for Cycle World in 1981.

“Being on the media side was something that was intriguing,” he says.

“You get to meet so many different companies in the industry.”

Little’s self-described “inquisitive nature” led him to the Motorcycle Industry Council, a professional trade association of motorcycle industry businesses that has worked closely with the AMA on issues impacting the sport.

Little was voted to the MIC board and was later elected chairman, a post he held for 10 years.

With a background in publishing, Little believed in the power of the media and became involved in MIC efforts to expand motorcycling’s reach—which of course helps expand the business of MIC members. One of the first and most successful programs was the MIC’s Discover Today’s Motorcycling campaign, which gathered momentum in the 1990s. Little had advanced in his role at Cycle World, becoming vice president and publisher of the world’s largest motorcycle magazine by that time.

“When Discover Today’s Motorcycling started, our research showed that motorcycling had a higher negative rating than the tobacco industry,” Little says.

“Over the first 10-year period, we turned that around and a search of published

stories showed that the majority about motorcycling were positive.”

In the late 1990s, Cycle World invited the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Ride for Kids charity to share their booth at the Advanstar motorcycle shows.

Ride for Kids events have raised more money for charity than any other AMAsanctioned program—more than $70 million since 1984—and have showcased the positive efforts of motorcyclists nationwide. Little was captivated by PBTF founders and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Mike and Dianne Traynor and became enamored with the organization’s mission to find the cause of, and cure for, childhood brain tumors.

“Mike and Dianne invited me to be on their board, and I’ve been fortunate to spend time helping them with their goals,” he says. “It was so gratifying to see Mike and Dianne get inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.”

Little has always been a major supporter of the Hall of Fame, having served as master of ceremonies for the 2008 induction that was held near the AMA campus in Columbus, Ohio.

“I was so happy that Mike and Dianne finally got the recognition for all that they contributed,” he says.

PRODUCT FUELS PASSION

When he was publisher of Cycle World, Little noticed that some of the most popular articles on the magazine’s

“When Discover Today’s Motorcycling started, our research showed that motorcycling had a higher negative rating than the tobacco industry,” Little says. “Over the first 10-year period, we turned that around and a search of published stories showed that the majority about motorcycling were positive.”

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Among them were distributors, such as Tucker Rocky and Motonation, as well as manufacturers Suzuki, which used the event to reveal its 2014 model line, Yamaha and KYMCO. Post-event accounts from major exhibitors were positive—as you might expect from early adopters—but reports from regular attendees also described a vibrant atmosphere, steady business and the widespread excitement that Little says is key to the whole synergistic production standing on its own.

Some of the more popular elements were motorcycle demo rides. These included new model media introductions as well as those for the riding public.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which also held an international safety conference at the event, set up and ran an MSF Introductory Experience course that was designed to expose new riders to the sport.

“There’s no question in my mind that we did something that the industry was seeking,” Little says. “At the end of the show on Sunday around 5 o’clock when we made the announcement that the show was now closed, the whole hall erupted in applause. We were completely taken aback. We had been running hard for so long. It felt like we had done what we had promised. We had created something that the market needed.”

Little says that exhibitors were not required to renew on site for the 2014 show. They were given 30 days to decide if the show met their expectations.

“Still, well over 100, about 30 percent of our exhibitors, came forward to renew on the spot,” he says.

It wasn’t all-perfect, of course. Little would have liked more manufacturer involvement, as well as more dealers. He also admits that they would like to draw in more consumers for the consumer portion of the show in 2014.

“It was a first-year show,” he says.

“We’re creating something that has never been done before in America. Clearly, there were things that we wanted to do that we just didn’t have the bandwidth to accomplish.

“It’s not rocket science,” he says. “It’s just a longer-term learning process.”

The next AIMExpo returns to Orlando’s Courtesy AIMExpo

website were about the large overseas “A good illustration of the difference shows that he and Webster hoped to between then and now took place a few replicate. The draw, he says, was new years ago,” Little says. “Kawasaki had product news. their annual dealer meeting in Orlando “Consumers looked to Italy to find out and brought their dealers down, showed what was coming to the United states,” them the new product, entertained them Little says. “That didn’t make any sense.” and then sent them home. Two weeks But despite the popularity of product later, Suzuki had a dealer meeting in and how easily it attracted reader Orlando, brought their dealers down, interest, the companies selling that showed them new product and sent product had to be on board with a them home. A lot of these dealers were combined consumer/industry show. In the same people.” the 1990s and early 2000s, they weren’t.

The independence that manufacturers Business was good, and there was craved in the American market had no interest in rocking a boat that was become a financial anchor that not only making money. cost the companies, but their dealers, Then the boat got rocked for them. significant amounts of money—money “The global financial crisis in 2008 that they no longer had to spend. brought change,” Little says.

“From a business efficiency It also brought an opportunity to standpoint, you just took a dealer change how business was done. By principal out of his store two times in a this time, Webster had left Advanstar three-week period when they may not for Marketplace Events. He was focused on non-motorsportsrelated shows but hadn’t forgotten his lunch with Little in the early 1990s.

He believed, and Little agreed, that times had changed enough that there might be a place for the ubershow that they envisioned.

“We felt that The AIMExpo had an we could now impressive presence at convince the Orlando’s Orange County manufacturers, Convention Center. some of whom had stopped doing dealer meetings, to participate have had the staff to keep the store in an American platform for the whole open,” Little says. “There had to be a market—from riders to consumers to more efficient way to do business. Even the companies that create products and the press had to travel twice.” services for motorcyclists to dealers and The press element, for Little, is just as retailers, brick and mortar or online,” important as dealer involvement. Media Little says. participation is a key ingredient to the The motorcycle industry, like many success of any trade show, particularly recreational markets, was hit hard by one that touts product reveals as a major the recession. Both manufacturers and component, he says. retailers saw their bottom lines bleed “This synergistic relationship is built red ink. In many ways, the industry was around generating excitement,” Little moribund. Even worse, as a budding says. “You reveal new product, the economic recovery took hold, prosperity media writes about the new product, the was slow to return to motorcycling. dealers get excited, the consumers get “We gave those who sold product excited, the consumers buy the product, something to get excited about,” Little companies develop more product.” says.

Some of that excitement was rooted CONCEPT TO REALITY The inaugural American International in the energy that these companies Motorcycle Expo was held Oct. 16-20, experienced elsewhere, such as EICMA 2013, at the Orange County Convention and Intermot. Some of it came from the Center in Orlando, Fla. simple economic efficiencies that Little’s It included close to 400 exhibitors. show model provided.

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Orange County Convention Center on Oct. 15-19, 2014.

FUTURE OF MOTORCYCLING

Little hopes that the evolution of motorcycling in America not only continues to foster an environment that supports the AIMExpo concept but also expands the reach of motorcycling to new markets.

“I have a big personal interest in growing motorcycling beyond its traditional base,” he says. “I want to see two wheels accepted as normal transportation. I have a vision for a more green transportation and for two wheels to play a big role in that.”

Little says that comparing American and European markets highlights strides that remain to be made in the United States.

“Here, motorcycling is a lifestyle,” he says. “In Europe, it’s part of the culture.”

Little explains that what he means is most American motorcyclists consider riding an enjoyable pastime. In Europe, the utility of motorcycling is “woven into

the fabric of society.” He says that when many Europeans become old enough to get their operator’s license, their first mode of motorized transportation often has two wheels. It’s the default choice. In America, motorcycles are desired for their ability to thrill rather than simply transport, particularly by the young.

“Our real opportunity is to grow the industry from a motorcycling perspective,” he says. “All the benefits are there. Cities can do more, like San Francisco does with free parking for two-wheelers. Motorcycles and scooters create less wear and tear.

There’s less space [required]. There are less cradle-to-grave costs for the product. You don’t even have to take into consideration the fuel economy benefits to understand how motorcycling is better.”

Little says that recent new motorcycle models are starting to embrace the value proposition while delivering high levels of performance. This is in contrast to the extreme performance-minded approach that took hold in the early 2000s.

“Yamaha’s new FZ-09 is an example of a new motorcycle that embodies all of those qualities—in much how automakers have done in the wake of the auto crisis,” he says. “Basically, we’re seeing the product-planning cycle catching up to reality, and the result is a bike like this Yamaha, or Honda’s NC700X. They’re a lot of bike for the money.”

Still, Little is careful to point out that promoting motorcycles as reasonable transportation does not mean motorcycling becomes any less exciting.

“The vision for the show is clear that there must be an injection of energy and excitement,” he says. “There must be a catalyst to bring together the whole industry to create a stage, a platform for motorcycling in the United States.”

DRIVING FORCE

Little says that energy and excitement certainly played a role in his early motorcycling experience.

“I started competing back in upstate

Photos courtesy AIMExpo

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New York, and that’s why I originally joined the AMA,” he says. “I’d say I’m actually a bigger fan of riding off road.”

Today, Little says that he gets his two-wheeled excitement fix from adventure riding. (He just sold his KTM 950 Adventure, but is in the market for a replacement.) One ride in particular got him hooked several years ago.

“Over the Christmas holiday a few of us, including [Hall of Famer] Scot Harden, were going on an adventure ride through the Mojave Desert,” Little remembers. “The idea that we could go places on a properly equipped adventure bike where it would have been difficult for a Jeep to go, and then jump on the pavement and be 80 miles away in a little over an hour, was attractive to me.”

For Little, adventure riding provides an entirely new element to motorcycling.

“You can ride long distances. You can explore. There is really nothing that holds you back if you have moderate off-road skills,” he says. “There’s just so much to see.”

Little, who is now an AMA Life Member, says that his relationship with the AMA has evolved hand in hand with his motorcycling experience.

“As I grew in the industry, I saw the value of the AMA and its allure for motorcyclists in general, whether that’s legislative in terms of protecting our rights or in support of the industry or just information on the issues,” he says. “The AMA gives us a voice as motorcyclists, and that’s something that we desperately need.”

“I have a big personal interest in growing motorcycling beyond its traditional base,” he says. “I want to see two wheels accepted as normal transportation. I have a vision for a more green transportation and for two wheels to play a big role in that.”

Left: The 2013 AIMExpo included a full slate of activities, including a media center, new bike introductions, an outdoor riding experience area, superstars such as AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Kenny Roberts, and motorcycling seminars. It was all open to consumers as well as dealers.

2013 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year Larry Little January 2014

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HONORING GREATNESS

®

On Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, six legends of motorcycling took their places in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The following sponsors’ financial and inkind contributions made the gala event possible. The American Motorcyclist Association and the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation extend their sincere thanks to these valued partners.

CLASS OF 2013

Ricky Carmichael, Danny Hamel, Norm McDonald, Randy Renfrow, Dianne and Mike Traynor LEGENDS

Mark Blackwell and Torsten Hallman

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

GO RIDE

1

Will Ryan Villopoto be able to hang on to his AMA Supercross crown this season? Catch the early action with the season opener Jan. 4 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., followed by events on Jan. 11 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Jan. 18 back at Angel Stadium in Anaheim and then Jan. 25 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. For the full schedule, see page 45.

2

Feed your motorcycling jones this winter by visiting one of the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows in Novi, Mich., Jan. 3-5; Washington, D.C., Jan. 10-12; Minneapolis, Jan. 17-19; Phoenix, Jan. 24-26; and Cleveland Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Info: www.motorcycleshows.com.

2013 AMA Championship Banquet, Jan. 18, 2014, at the Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus, Ohio. Info: www. americanmotorcyclist.com.

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The AMA Arenacross Series features five rounds in January, and the 2104 season promises to showcase some of the closest racing action ever. Catch the excitement Jan. 3-5 in Worcester, Mass.; Jan. 10-12 in Baltimore; Jan. 18-19 in Louisville; Jan. 25-26 in Greensboro, N.C.; and Jan. 31-Feb. 2 in Milwaukee.

3,2 3

4 COMING UP Grab your coldweather gear and head out to the lake.

The hottest action on ice happens at the AMA Ice Race Grand Championships in Cadillac, Mich., Feb. 8-9. Info: www. naactionsports.com.

There’s still time to get tickets for one of the grandest celebrations of the year honoring the AMA’s top racers—the 2013 AMA Championship Banquet on Jan. 18 at the Aladdin Center in Columbus, Ohio. The top three finishers in AMA-sanctioned motorcycle and ATV national championship competition in disciplines ranging from motocross to woods racing will be recognized.

5

The Madison Motorcycle Club is hosting its annual New Year’s Day Ride on Jan. 1 in Madison, Wis. The club says: “This is the MMC signature event, a poker run with a long history filled with colorful stories. The whims of Mother Nature always make this ride interesting: Sometimes ‘great day for a ride’ interesting, and sometimes ‘I can’t believe I’m out here’ interesting.

Either way, there is big fun to be had.” Info: www.madisonmotorcycleclub.org.

January 2014

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JANUARY EVENTS ARIZONA

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JAN 26: (Includes ATVs) PORT CRANE: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 6932634, SQUAREDEALRIDERS.COM

JAN 18: LOUISVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM MARYLAND ARENACROSS

JAN 18: RANCHO CORDOVA: 2 DAY EVENT, POLKA DOTS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, ENDURO JAN 19: (Includes ATVs) MINT CANYON: LOST COYOTES MC, INC., (661) 2706755, DISTRICT37AMA.ORG HARE & HOUND JAN 12: (Includes ATVs) RIDGECREST: JACKRABBITS MC, (562) 881-0981, JACKRABBITSMC.COM JAN 25: (Includes ATVs) LUCERNE VALLEY: 2 DAY EVENT, DESERT MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (626) 2050121, DESERTMC.COM KANSAS COMPETITION

JAN 10: BALTIMORE: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM JAN 11: BALTIMORE: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM MASSACHUSETTS

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JAN 3: WORCESTER: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM

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JAN 4: WORCESTER: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM NEW YORK MUD & SNOW SCRAMBLES

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TEXAS COMPETITION MOTOCROSS JAN 5: CONROE: SCOREKEEPERS INK, (936) 321-8725, 3PALMSESP.COM JAN 19: ALVIN: SCOREKEEPERS INK, (409) 316-2000, ULITIMATEMOTOX. COM WISCONSIN COMPETITION ARENACROSS JAN 31: MILWAUKEE: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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2013/2014 EVENTS HALL OF FAME EXHIBITS AND EVENTS AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame MotorcycleMuseum.org The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Recognizing those who have made significant contributions to all aspects of motorcycling.

Dirt-Track! All-American Motorcycle Racing: Celebrating the storied history of the men and machines who battle on the dirt oval.

Jul. 19: Millville, Minn: Spring Creek National Jul. 26: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal National Aug. 9: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadila National Aug. 16: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Indiana National Aug. 23: Tooele, Utah: Utah National

2014 Monster Energy AMA Supercross AMASUPERCROSS.COM Jan. 4: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium

Stadium May 3: Las Vegas: Sam Boyd Stadium

AMA national championship series 2014 AMSOIL AMA Arenacross ARENACROSS.com Jan. 3-5: Worcester, Mass.: DCU Center Jan. 10-12: Baltimore: 1st Mariner Arena Jan. 18-19: Louisville, Ky.: Freedom Hall

Jan. 11: Phoenix: Chase Field

Jan. 25-26: Greensboro, N.C.: Greensboro Coliseum

Jan. 18: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium

Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Milwaukee, Wis.: U.S. Cellular Arena

Jan. 25: Oakland, Calif.: O.Co Coliseum

Feb. 7-9: Sacramento, Calif.: Sleep Train Arena

Feb. 1: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium

Feb. 14-16: Nampa, Idaho: Idaho Center

Feb. 8: San Diego: Qualcomm Stadium

Feb. 21-23: Reno, Nev.: Livestock Events Center

2014 AMA Pro Motocross Promotocross..COM

Feb. 15: Arlington, Texas: Cowboys Stadium

Mar. 1-2: Tulsa, Okla.: BOK Center

May 24: San Bernardina, Calif.: Glen Helen National

Feb. 22: Atlanta: Georgia Dome

Mar. 7-9: Albuquerque, N.M.: Tingley Coliseum

Mar. 1: Indianapolis: Lucas Oil Stadium

Mar. 14-16: Hidalgo, Texas: State Farm Arena

Mar. 8: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway

Mar. 29-30: Salt Lake City: EnergySolutions Arena

Mar. 15: Detroit: Ford Field

AMA Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series STEVENACERACING.COM

2 Wheels + Motor, A Fine Art Exhibition: More than two dozen artists celebrate the spirit, excitement and adventure of motorcycling through fine art.

Founder’s Hall: Honoring the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s generous contributors.

AMA PRO RACIng

May 31: Sacramento, Calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic June 7: Lakewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley National June 14: Mt. Morris, Pa.: High Point National

Mar. 22: Toronto: Rogers Centre

June 28: Blountville, Tenn.: Tennessee National

Mar. 29: St. Louis: Edward Jones Dome

Jul. 5: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National

Apr. 5: Houston: Reliant Stadium

Dec. 28: DuQuoin, Ill.

Apr. 12: Seattle: Century Link Field

Dec. 29: DuQuoin, Ill.

Apr. 26: East Rtherford, N.J.: MetLife

Jan. 11: DuQuoin, Ill.

Jul. 12: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek National

Dec. 14: Sturgis, Ky.

January 2014

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2013/2014 EVENTS Feb. 8: DuQuoin, Ill.

June 29: Marquette, Mich.: Nick Zambon, UP Sandstormers; (906) 2287010, UPSandstormers.com

State Trailblazers; (702) 9946823, http://sites.google.com/site/ silverstatetrailblazers/

2014 Geico AMA endurocross endurocross.com

July 27: Cross Fork, Pa.: Peter Burnett, Brandwine Enduro Riders; (610) 883-7607, BEW.us

May 2: Las Vegas: The Orleans Arena

Aug. 10: Grand Junction, Colo.: Thomas Jundtoft, Bookcliff Rattlers MC; (970) 250-9942, bookcliffrattlersmc.com

Aug. 23, Amateur and Youth: Caliente, Nev.: Zack Livreri, Silver State Trailblazers; (702) 9946823, http://sites.google.com/site/ silverstatetrailblazers/

Feb. 22: Duquoin, Ill.

May 15: Austin, Texas: Circuit of the America’s

Aug. 31: Union, S.C.: Duane Wellington, Greenville Enduro Riders; (864) 908-6109, GreenvilleEnduroRiders.com

Oct. 11, Youth; Oct. 12, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Darren Moen, 100’s MC; (714) 863-7170, 100sMC.org

Oct. 4: Denver, Colo.: National Western Complex

Sept. 14: Matthews, Ind.: Doug Spence, Muddobbers; (765) 998-2236, MuddobbersMC.com

2014 AIReS ama/natc mototrials amaracing.com

Oct. 11: Salt Lake City, Utah: Energy Solutions Arena

2014 AMA Hare and Hound amaracing.com

May 24 -25: Texas Creek, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Trials Association

Oct. 18: Everett, Wash.: Comcast Arena

Jan. 25, Youth; Jan. 26,Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Rick Nuss, Desert Motorcycle Club, Inc. (626) 205-0121, DesertMC.com

May 31-June 1: Sedan, Kan.: Ark Valley Trials Assocation

June 21: Sacramento, Calif.: Sleep Train Arena Aug. 23: Atlanta: Gwinnett Center

Nov. 15: Boise, Idaho.: Idaho Center Nov. 22: Ontario, Calif.: Citizen Business Bank Arena

2014 AMA National enduro nationalenduro.com Mar. 2: Pelion, S.C.: Rhonda Dennis, Columia Enduro Riders; (788) 4220329 Mar. 23: Blackwell, Texas: Joseph Roberts, Ross Creek Trail Riders; (325) 669-8866, RossCreekTrailRiders.com Apr. 6: West Point, Tenn.: TJ Kennedy, NATRA; (972) 977-4112, natra-westpoint.net May 18: Park Hills, M.O.: Michael Silger, Missouri Mudders; (636) 6396373, MOMudders.com June 1: Arrington, Va.: Chuck Honeycutt, April Fools Promotions; (757) 375-5665, VCHSS.org

46

Sept. 20, Youth; Sept. 21, Amateur: Yerington, Nev.: Erek Kudla, Get-XtrEme; (805) 236-5866, Get-Xtr-Eme.com

Feb. 8, Youth; Feb. 9, Amateur: Ridgecrest, Calif.: Richie Wohlers, Four Aces MC; (805) 795-6708, FourAcesMC.com Mar. 22, Youth; Mar. 23, Amateur: Murphy, Idaho: No ATVs. Bill Walsh, Dirt Inc. (208) 459-6871, DirtIncRacing. com Apr. 12, Youth; Apr. 13, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Justin Shultz, SOCal MC; (949) 981-6776, SoCalMC. com Apr. 26, Youth; Apr. 27, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Gary Alspaugh, Vikings MC; (805) 680-6336, VikingsMC.org May 3, Amateur and Youth: Jerico, Utah: Neil Dansie, Sage Riders; (801) 369-5939, SageRidersMC.com May 17, Amateur and Youth: Caliente, Nev.: Zack Livreri, Silver

June 21-22: Tremont, Pa.: Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600, RauschCreekRacing. com June 28-29: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Ashley Jackson, South Eastern Trials Riders Association; (423) 942-8688, TrialsTrainingCenter.com

2014 ama/natc east Youth mototrials amaracing.com July 4-6: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Ashley Jackson, South Eastern Trials Riders Association; (423) 942-8688, TrialsTrainingCenter.com

2014 ama/natc east Youth mototrials amaracing.com July 18-20: Howard, Colo.: Bill Markham, ITS Offroad; (719) 942-3372, ITSOffroad.com

AMA AMATEUR

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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2013/2014 EVENTS CHAMPIONSHIPS

AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships MXSPORTS.COM Northeast regional championship June 21-22: Armagh, Pa: Pleasure Valley Raceway (Youth)

championships May 31-June 1: Hesperia, Calif.: Competitive Edge (Youth, Amateur)

national championship July 27-Aug. 2: Hurrican Mills, Tenn.: National Championship, Loretta Lynn’s Ranch

June 28-29: Mt. Morris, Pa.: High Point (Amateur)

AMA Ice Race Grand Championships naactionsports.COM

southeast regional championship

Feb. 8-9: Cadillac, Mich.: Mitchell State Park

June 7-8: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway (Youth)

AMSOIL AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL ARENACROSS ARENACROSS.COM

June 14-15: Chatsworth, Ga.: Lazy River (Youth)

Mid-east regional championship

May 3-4: Las Vegas: South Point Arena

May 31-June 1: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman (Amateur)

Kenda AMA Tennessee Knockout Grand Championship

June 7-8: Buchanan, Mich.: Redbud (Youth)

Aug. 17: Sequatchie, Tennessee

North central regional championship June 14-15: Mt. Carroll, Ill.: MC Motopark (Amateur) June 21-22: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX (Youth)

south central regional championship June 14-15: Wortham, Texas: Freestone MX (Youth) June 14-15: Houston, Texas: Three Palms (Amateur)

northwest regional championship

tennesseeknockoutenduro.com

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: U.S. ROUNDS/WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FIM ROAD RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX FIM-LIVE.com April 13: Austin, Texas: Circuit of The Americas Aug. 10: Indianapolis: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

FIM Motocross of Nations FIM-LIVE.com Sept. 28: Kegums, Latvia

June 7-8: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Prairie City MX (Youth, Amateur)

FIM Junior Motocross World Championship FIM-LIVE.com

Southwest Regional

Aug. 10,: Bastogne, Belgium

FIM ISDE FIM-LIVE.com Nov. 3-8: San Juan, Argentina

FIM Trial des Nations FIM-LIVE.com Sept. 13-14: St. Julia., Andorra

AMA PREMIER TOURING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM March of Dimes Bikers For Babies Rides: Nationwide: www.bikersforbabies.org Rides For Kids Events: Nationwide: www.rideforkids.org

AMA national GRAND TOURS, presented by Shinko Tires and Fly Street Gear AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Polar Bear Grand Tour: AMA District 2 of New Jersey; (609) 894-2941; www.polarbeargrandtour.com March 25-Oct. 1: Eddie’s Road and Team Strange Airheads Smoke Chasing Grand Tour: Eddie’s Road and Team Strange Airheads; www. smokechasing.com April 1-Oct. 31: Tour of Honor Grand Tour: Tour of Honor; www.tourofhonor.com

AMA NATIONAL EXTREME GRAND TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM Jan. 1-Dec. 31: SCMA Four Corners Grand Tour: Southern California Motorcycling Association; www.usa4corners.org.

January 2014

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The following represent active, registered trademarks, trademarks and service marks of the AMA. Usage of any AMA trademark or registered trademark without our permission is prohibited.

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(800) AMA-JOIN® • AMA Dragbike™ • AMA Endurocross® • AMA Pro Grand National Championship™ • AMA Pro Racing® • AMA Race Center™ • AMA Racer® • AMA Racing® • AMA Supermoto® • AMA Supercross® • AMA SX Lites™ • AMA U.S. Drag Racing Championship® • AMA U.S. Flat Track Championship® • AMA U.S. Hillclimb Championship® • AMA U.S. Motocross Championship® • AMA U.S. Supercross Championship® • AMA U.S. Supersport Championship® • ATV Hare Scrambles National Championship Series™ • ATV Motocross National Championship Series™ • Amateur National Motocross Championships™ • American Motorcyclist Association® • Arenacross® • Dirt Track Grand Championships™ • Grand National Enduro Championship™ • Gypsy Tour® • Hare & Hound National Championship Series™ • Hare Scrambles Championship Series™ • Hare Scrambles National Championship Series™ • Kids Just Want To Ride® • Motorcycle Hall of Fame® • Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum® • Motorcyclist of the Year™ • National Adventure Riding Series™ • National Dual-Sport Series™ • National Enduro Championship Series™ • Protect Your Right to Ride® • Protecting Your Right to Ride® • Ride Straight® • Rights. Riding. Racing.® • Road Race Grand Championships™ • Vintage Grand Championships™ • Vintage Motorcycle Days® • Vote Like A Motorcyclist® January 2014

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GUEST COLUMN

A MOTORCYCLE LIFE John won the bet. At 82, he was the oldest rider at the table. The other four were in their 70s. I felt like a kid, albeit an older kid. We had been riding together for about 30 years.

Peter favored Beemers, perhaps because he was born in Germany, but he has had quite a stable of brands. He still has a trace of an accent. One thing about Pete is that he will always wear red: socks, shirt, always something red.

Bill was an electrician, never says much but thinks a lot.

John, our age contest winner, rarely lacks a mischievous smile. Apparently he was quite an entrepreneur, owning a Carvel franchise among many other ventures. Judging from his lifestyle he was very successful.

Reno puts the rest of us to shame in miles ridden per year. I would guess that he piles on more than the lot of us combined. Every year he averages somewhere in the mid-40,000s.

Sometimes he hits the 50,000-plus mark.

Conrad knows more jokes and how to tell them than anyone I know. To the casual passerby, we don’t look like bikers are supposed to look, not just sitting there.

The occasion was the 75th anniversary of the Ramapo Motorcycle Club.

Looking around the room, I saw other club members who brought their own unique slant to the group’s celebratory camaraderie.

Cathie, whose feet barely reach the ground when mounted on her bike, easily rides circles around most of us. I don’t even try to keep up.

Road Captain Dick just recently got his first tattoo, a big red one. It was part of a TV documentary, one of those in the “Ink” series. He and Cathie ride with their faithful pooch, Tinkerbell. (Passenger Tinkerbell racks up more miles than some of us nowadays!)

Simon reminds me of Johnny Depp playing his pirate roles. All he lacks is the eyeliner.

Brothers Fred and Steve both have shaved heads and are one of the reasons the Club’s website is so cool.

Dave didn’t make it this year but will be forever remembered for his uncanny ability

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Bob Steinberg

The Fruits Of Motorcycling

By Bob Hibler

to hide in your blind spot, bursting out when you least expect it. Old Dave kept you vigilant on a group ride.

Going back, I can dredge up other faces from the past, former members, gone but not forgotten. Blue Lou had a distinct circulation problem. “Mad Dog,” a.k.a.

Larry, was the mildest mannered guy you could ever expect to meet, which is why he was christened with that CB handle, just to confuse things. And Danny, what a character! For months he brought boxes of Twinkies, Ring Dings and Yodels to our weekly club meetings as treats, then we found out he was a dumpster diver and knew where the Drakes Cakes route driver dumped all the stale goods.

What was I doing here with this eclectic bunch of motorcyclists? It started way before, when I was a freshman at the University of South Carolina, where Carolina is pronounced without the “r.” My 1958 Volvo 544 had not survived rolling down an embankment at speed, although I did, sort of.

Once I was cut out of the body cast I wore for months to get over a broken back, I needed transportation. As a poor student paying my own way, I barely had enough cash for used books and beer, but I scraped up what I could. For $300, one does not get much with four wheels.

It did get me a well-used, white Honda Sport 90—90cc of raw power and my introduction to motorcycling.

From there it was uphill, or maybe downhill depending on whether it was me or my parents sizing up the situation.

The year I rode 750 miles home for the summer on my latest acquisition, a Honda 305 Scrambler, was quite a surprise for them. So was riding back to school.

My freshman year was also when I met Jay, a Connecticut Yankee. He eventually

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was my best man and riding partner later, after graduating. Jay was the Navigator.

Our trips were legendary, at least in the circles we traveled. The Rockies, Pikes Peak, Mexico, Hudson Bay, Newfoundland, the Iles-de-la-Madeleine and hundreds of other places. We put on thousands of miles and gathered an equal amount of memories. Eventually I started writing them down, and many found their way into print. Sometime during all that, I joined Ramapo MC. Motorcycling has helped shape and define my life. Two wheels brought me to places I would never have traveled. And the people I have met over the years!

Anytime I stop for gas or a break, chances are someone will walk over to share an experience they had, sometimes good, sometimes bad, but people feel compelled to tell me. While I am in a club and recommend it, once you start riding you become part of a community way bigger than you ever thought.

And when you are wearing that threepiece pin-striped suit and the conversation turns to where you can mention that you are a biker, what a surprise that can be!

See if that doesn’t turn a few heads and opinions—both ways. I bet it is the same for you, yes?

So keep on riding. Try to infect others with two-wheel-ism. Spread that gospel.

For non-motorcyclists, there is a whole new life awaiting their senses, right there, ahead of them. It is never too late, even a year of motorcycling—even one ride— is better than none at all.

Someday, when I ultimately stop riding, I will be doing the journey in my mind.

That still counts, right?

Bob Hibler is an AMA member from Westwood, N.J.

11/22/13 11:08 AM

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