American Motorcyclist 04 2014 Street Version (preview)

APRIL 2014

Be Safer This Riding Season.

These Training Tips Will Get You There.

Photo Christina Kiffney

Exploring South America By Motorcycle

RF-101 | RF-102V | RF-105V | RF-108V | RF-200 | RF-700 | RF-800 | RF-900 | RF-1000 | RF-1100

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TRIM SAFETY

NAVIGATION Navigation Photo

Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, chair of the AMA board of directors, participated in the ABATE of Pennsylvania Leadership & Legislative Seminar in Grantville, Pa., on Jan. 24-25. Pictured here with Mike Myers of ABATE of Illinois, and Tom Christofes of ABATE of Pennsylvania, she receives a 5-pound Hershey’s chocolate bar as thanks for her contributions.

Photo by Bob Allan, Frozen Moments Photography

8. LETTERS

You write, we read.

10. WAYNE ALLARD The cost of safety.

12. RIGHTS

Discussing land use with U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, protecting motorcyclist privacy in a “black box” bill, how Michigan might limit permit renewals, and how the Agricultural Act of 2014 affects ethanol in fuel.

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 2014.

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.

April 2014 Volume 68, Number 4 Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com

4 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

20. RIDING

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

30. HALL OF FAME

The motocross bike that launched the G.O.A.T., Hall of Famer Wells Bennett and “The Devil’s Staircase.”

40. TUNE UP, GET OUT, GO RIDE!

As the weather warms, motorcyclists in the cooler climes are preparing for the riding season by finishing up needed repairs and tuning their engines, but spring also is a great time to consider a rider tune-up. Here are some suggestions.

47. EVENTS CALENDAR What to do, where to go.

58. DENNIS LANGE Political influence 101.

SAFETY

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COMMUNICATIONS

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

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

Grant Parsons, Director of Communications James Holter, Managing Editor Jim Witters, Government Affairs Editor Mark Lapid, Creative Director Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer Halley Miller, Graphic Designer Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing/Communications Specialist

Russ Brenan, Vice Chair Irvine, Calif.

Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla. Perry King, Executive Committee Member Northern California

Steve Gotoski, Advertising Director (Western States) (951) 566-5068, sgotoski@ama-cycle.org 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, 2014.

Sean Hilbert, Hillsdale, Mich.

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

Stan Simpson, Cibolo, Texas Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.

(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 & Business 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 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 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

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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

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

Letter of the Month

FREEDOMS, PLEASE

I would like to respectfully, but strongly disagree with Mr. Van Deusen [“Cost of Freedom,” Letters, March issue] who believes the government will “allow us to ride forever if....”

Each month, a lucky AMA member wins a Bike Bandit gift card worth $100. Didn’t win? No worries. You can still take advantage of your 10% AMA member discount at BikeBandit.com.

Have you seen our government at work? One-hundred percent of the reason I am still a member of the AMA is the government will grab and take any rights they can, at any time they can.

If you give them an inch, sir, they will try to take a yard.

I wish I could live in 1950s utopian America where the government may have actually worked for the people. Nowadays? Not so much. At almost every example and opportunity, when given some power, they have grabbed more.

Helmets and mufflers? Sure, I wear my helmet every ride, and agree that rational sound restriction is great. Please let that be my choice, not something I will have to fight to regain.

What comes next? The “safety bike”? Do any AMA members remember fighting that one? Reflective vests are a good idea, but don’t let the government mandate that we have to wear those. Say, a separate tax on bikes would work wonders for generating more revenues, wouldn’t it? Look, we have these rather large funds the OHV rider taxes have provided. Let’s raid those to pay for other things.

The AMA works with government agencies to find compromises, and save some of our rights and freedoms. Don’t be so quick to give them up, blindly, thinking the government will be satisfied.

Charles Statman San Jose, Calif.

SAFETY FORWARD I have been riding for more years than I will admit to. Back in the day of Norton, Triumph and BSA, I built a Kawasaki 9 with turbo from the ground up. I rode it for many years. One time I went into a turn too hot. I locked the rear brake up, which stood the bike up. Luckily, the turbo kicked in, which allowed me to square off the turn and let me make it.

I rode a new bike with all the bells, whistle and gadgets. I could not seem to turn everything off to slide the rear tire.

Maybe it was me. A buddy has one just like it, and he could not do it either. Are the new safety devices hurting riders by not teaching them how to get by on skill?

Don’t get me wrong. I hear they may replace [ignition] points with some kind of newfangled thing. I do like seeing new improvements like electronic ignition without a battery. But are we losing our basics? What is your opinion?

Tim Stephens Belpre, Ohio Thanks for the note, Tim. Our opinion

8 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

is it’s far better to not lock up either wheel in the first place when street riding. While rider skill is paramount to manage the unexpected, the benefits from safety technology such as ABS and traction control are overwhelmingly positive. Still, we prefer riders have a choice of whether or not to have these systems on their bikes—or if they are so equipped, the option to turn them off. By the way, doing away with ignition points was a big step forward, in our opinion!

IN MEMORIAM It is with great sadness that I share the passing of fellow Trials Inc. member Royce Klein.

Royce, being one of the sons Royce Klein of the founding fathers group that started Trials Inc., has been involved with motorcycling from a very early age.

As a member, Royce has held every

one of the club’s officer positions, but it was the non-titled positions where Royce shined the brightest.

Every sport needs its enthusiasts, a “spark plug,” if you will, that no matter how big the challenge, can energize everyone around them. Royce did that time and time again, motivating people with his work ethic, calm demeanor and his loyalty to his family and friends.

He was the trials master of all of northern Ohio since the 1970s, including Nationals, local events, modern and vintage events, motorcycle rallies, reliability runs and off-road competitions.

His experience is what made Trials Inc., the premier trials club in the U.S. He was on every committee and subcommittee the club had, a mechanic for anyone who showed up to an event with problems, club historian, photo organizer—the list goes on. When not volunteering his time, he would compete in trials events, always with a smile.

What I will remember the most of Royce Klein is the sense of calmness he possessed at all times. He could make even the most excited people become calm just by talking to them.

Godspeed, my friend.

Jim Zuroske President Trials Inc. FLIPPED OUT I totally agree with Rick Wheaton’s “In Praise of the Flip Up” in the March issue on what he calls flip-up helmets, or as they are also known, “modular helmets.” I have only been riding three years, and the only helmet I will ever purchase is a modular helmet. I picked the Scorpion EXO900 Transformer, which is a great helmet. It does cost more than other brands, but the company stands behind their products.

I love my helmet. On hot days, you can leave the helmet open, or on cold days you can close it and keep your face warm. Not only is there all the functionality of the flipup helmet, but I have to say it looks pretty cool, too, and works great with my Scala Rider intercom system.

Anthony Santoro Lakewood, California ANTI-FLIP In response to Rick Wheaton’s “In Praise of the Flip Up,” I must bring up a point of concern.

As someone who wears glasses, I have used and enjoyed a flip-up helmet for

years. One day the “jaw” of my helmet fell off on one side. Although this was a brand with a very good reputation, the pivot of the jaw piece was supported by a small bolt and a nut imbedded into the fiberglass shell. The hardware had worked its way out of the shell and could no longer stay in place.

Luke Bartkiewicz Ocean Springs, Miss.

HANG UP AND DRIVE I just finished reading the “What are you looking at?” article by David Kinaan in the February issue—a well-written and informative piece with good information.

The part about distracted drivers is sadly all too true. I have been riding for 44 years and have seen many changes in all aspects of motorcycling and driving in general.

As I drive on my bike or in my truck, I see more and more of this behavior.

I like my cell phone as much as the next guy and carry it with me all the time. I don’t call or text while driving. If it is that important, then I pull over or wait until my next stop.

How many more people must suffer or die before something meaningful is done to stop this behavior?

Douglas Randall Marshalltown, Iowa

Sound Off! A roundup of recent comments on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist On vehicle-to-vehicle communication: Scott Sebenaler: I would be worried about this technology since not every motorcycle would have this available, depending on the model year. Harsher fines for distracted driving and making people more responsible would be more beneficial than a false sense of security.

Berry J. Griffin: BMW had an article about this a few years back. With the system in place, it would make it impossible for a driver to turn left in front on an oncoming motorcycle.

IF the system is functioning.

Virginia is crossing the James River on the ferries between James City and Scotland Landing in Surry County. Short and wonderful!

On signing a petition to keep public land open: Jim Hannon: Remember, this is YOUR land that the government wants to keep you from accessing.

Jack Johnson: Done!

On the best bike you could have bought but didn’t: Stephen Johnson: Honda RC51

On ferry-service tips: Michael Moon: The last coal burning ferry on the Great Lakes! Ride the Badger to Ludington.

Luis Diaz: One of the highlights of riding the Colonial Parkway in

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Robert Swiatkowski Jr.: ’06 R1 Anniversary Edition. Yellow.

Paul Billings: Didn’t make that mistake. Bought ’em all. Really regret selling my 2004 Road King though. That was really dumb.

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VIEWPOINT

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SAFETY, SECURITY, PRIVACY New Technologies Offer Hope For Safety, But We Must Proceed With Caution

With new technology emerging every day, communication between vehicles (V2V) and measurement of vehicle performance such as maintenance,

By Wayne Allard location, and mileage parameters (black-box technology) have a safety as well as a privacy component.

The AMA believes that the vehicle owner should have the freedom to determine the proper balance. That is why we continually push for an on-off switch on each motorcycle and for owner control of any information gathered and stored by these devices. These are individual choices the motorcyclist should be making.

Ensuring safety

We have been in direct contact with automobile manufacturers to help ensure that, as they develop the V2V technology, it will be sensitive and responsive to the motorcycles’ electronic profile on the highway.

This technology broadcasts a data stream that will tell road users that you have one or more other vehicles approaching in a manner that could be hazardous. As demonstrated in automobiles, the vehicle responds with flashing lights, an audible sound and, in some cases, a vibrating seat as a warning.

Examples of where V2V technology can work include blind spots, intersections, turns across traffic and a vehicle going the wrong way.

How the system will perform on a motorcycle has yet to be revealed, but we have been in contact with the regulators in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about V2V systems being sensitive enough to recognize

10 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

motorcycles. This technology could enhance motorcycle awareness on our highways, but there may be a down side: It could become yet another distraction to the driver. In addition, these high-tech vehicle control features could lull drivers into a false sense of security, causing them to lose their focus on the roadway and other nearby drivers and riders.

To help ensure that V2V technology is practical for motorcycles, we have told the Federal Communications Commission that they need to reserve sufficient bandwidth to ensure the system works as designed.

The agency should not let the bandwidth for V2V be swallowed-up by cell phone usage or some other competing technology, such as interference from other Wi-Fi systems in close proximity.

Protecting information

Although data event recorders—the so called black boxes in your cars—have not made their way onto motorcycles so far, we are urging Congress to specifically include motorcycles in legislation designed to protect private information that these devices could contain.

Black box technology is useful because it can notify the owner when engine maintenance is required and then track whether the operator follows through with the warranty maintenance requirements.

This can benefit the owner by establishing proof of maintenance. But it could also result in negation of warranty provisions if the black box malfunctions.

The black box may also contain information about where your bike is, where it has been and when. If the vehicle

is stolen, such information can be used to retrieve it quickly. But, if it has been parked in a time-limited zone and you let the parking meter expire, the black box could give the enforcing agency a tight case against you.

At the AMA, we take these potential—or real—invasions of privacy very seriously.

I have property in the Rocky Mountains where Google, Garmin and cell-phone technology does not accurately identify location points. If the GPS system in a black box is inaccurate in certain locations, it could indicate that the vehicle operator wandered into closed or restricted areas or trespassed on private property. If a public lands agency gained access to the data, it may try to prosecute you, when in reality there has been no violation.

Some attorneys feel that granting government agencies, including law enforcement, open access to the information held inside a black box is unreasonable search and seizure, which brings constitutional arguments into play.

The AMA believes the best approach is to leave control of the data with the vehicle owner. That is why we urge that an on-off switch be installed on any black box, and why we have endorsed legislation by U.S. Reps. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) that clearly states that the motorcycle owner controls the information stored on his or her bike.

Wayne Allard is a former U.S. senator and U.S. representative who is now the AMA vice president for government relations.

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DISCUSSING LAND USE WITH… U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) is the chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and the Environment. Along with two other congressmen, the Utah governor and others, he has launched a campaign to strike a balance between protecting sensitive lands and opening other areas for outdoor recreation and energy development.

Called the Utah Public Lands Initiative, Bishop’s proposal is based on the concept that the future of the state depends on a responsible balance of both conservation and development. The AMA supports the initiative because it supports sustainable off-highway vehicle access to public lands.

Here are some of the key points:

What are the goals?

Conservation: Create permanent conservation designations that will protect Utah’s most pristine and beautiful ecosystems as wilderness and/or other suitable conservation designations.

U.S. Rep. Bob Bishop, and the AMA’s Wayne Allard and Rick Podliska

Local participation: Facilitate greater local involvement, land management, and in some instances, ownership, to ensure that those most affected by federal land management decisions are given

12 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Rob Watt

The initiative is a collaborative effort to bring resolution to some of the most challenging land disputes in the state of Utah. The initiative is rooted in the belief that conservation and economic development can coexist.

For decades, unsettled land-use designations, such as wilderness study areas, have fueled distrust and acrimony in Utah, the congressman said. The uncertainty surrounding the future of these lands has created conflict among those favoring differing uses. The diverse use of public lands has an important role in making Utah healthy, viable, and inviting.

Bishop said that most local leaders and organizations agreed the existing land use approach did not work.

Multi-county support and interest in participating separated the Public Lands Initiative from past lands bills.

“When you consider the diverse U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop backgrounds and constituencies of (R-Utah) the groups involved, it’s remarkable to see the type of collaboration taking meaningful opportunities to participate in place,” Bishop said. the process and are provided the flexibility to manage local affairs.

Convincing Congress Certainty: Create certainty for local Bishop said the mentality in Washington communities and land-users by resolving is that the federal government and long-standing public lands disputes.

Congress know what is best, and that type Economic opportunity: Accelerate energy of thinking is “hurting our communities.” development and boost outdoor recreation He advocates building programs on the and tourism in appropriate locations. local level, then taking those initiatives to Congress. Empowering those closest OHV benefits to the problem is the best way to find a Bishop believes his initiative will provide solution, Bishop said. greater certainty to motorcycle and ATV riders regarding the lands available for The local angle motorized recreation.

Bishop’s initiative is “completely driven The initiative calls for protecting OHV by the participants at the local levels,” areas from encroachment by further while the current approach is for direction restrictive designations while ensuring to flow from Washington outward. that areas worthy of conservation are But for this approach to succeed, the permanently protected, he said.

Utah participants must reach agreement on land use through compromise.

Who is behind the effort?

Legislation will flow from agreement.

The initiative resulted from discussions While empowering locals, the Utah Bishop had with, U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz Public Lands Initiative keeps track of the (R-Utah), U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah), big picture, too. In the past, land bills Gov. Gary R. Herbert, local focused on specific geographic areas and state elected officials, within one county. The approach produced tribal leaders, advocacy unbalanced bills and failed to generate groups, and the public. the momentum to move a bill through the After more than 100 legislative process, Bishop said. meetings with these groups, The range of initiative participants will Bishop said he recognized help alleviate those problems, he said, a commonality between the and the new process ensures that local frustrations of all parties— voices are heard before the process in the need for greater certainty Washington precludes local involvement. in the way public lands are managed and used.

What’s next?

To gauge interest in the During the spring and summer, initiative formation of the Public participants will conduct field trips for the Lands Initiative, Bishop sent public to observe the status of the lands. letters to all 22 public lands Utah counties will continue to schedule counties in Utah, more than public meetings, where discussion of local 20 advocacy groups, the priorities will begin to shape proposals.

Ute Tribe and the Navajo Nation.

Initiative participants are planning the A list of the groups involved can be release of a draft proposal in the fall. The found at http://robbishop.house.gov/ proposal will be posted online to provide uploadedfiles/120913_stakeholders_and_ opportunities for public review and interested_parties.pdf comment.

Azeez Bakare

What is the Utah Public Lands Initiative?

A positive reception

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ACTIon InFo

Plan Could Close More PubliC lands Public Input Stifled By Process

President Barack Obama intends to use executive orders to create more national monuments, which could further restrict or end access to millions of acres of public lands by motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle riders.

In his State of the Union address on Jan. 28, the president pledged to use executive orders to bypass a gridlocked Congress and “protect more of our pristine federal lands for future generations.”

The president’s authority to do this comes from the American Antiquities Act of 1906.

Watch For Motorcycles Now is the time to start lobbying your local and state governments to declare May as Motorcycle Awareness Month within their jurisdictions.

State, county, municipal and other local legislative and administrative agencies have issued resolutions or proclamations in past years recognizing the spring safety awareness campaign for motorcyclists.

The initiative, supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, encourages drivers to watch for motorcycles and understand that motorcycle riders enjoy the same rights and privileges as operators of other vehicles.

Copies of past resolutions and proclamations adopted by government entities can be found at www. americanmotorcyclist. com/Rights/ MotorcycleAwareness. aspx).

Contacting officials early can help ensure your resolution gets adopted in time for the May campaign.

14 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

You can add your voice to those asking President Obama to include the insights of local stakeholders and user groups when designating a national monument by signing the AMA “Public Lands Should Have a Public Voice” petition. Scan the QR code above or see the link on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ americanmotorcyclist. should be made in accord with the act and with input from affected user groups and local and state elected and appponted officials.

Public lands should be open to all who enjoy them.

blaCk box bill should ProteCt MotorCyClist PrivaCy AMA Working To Ensure Motorcycles Among Covered Vehicles

While motorcycles are excluded from a proposed Senate bill designed to protect the information collected by event data recorders, commonly known as black boxes, the Senate is now working with the AMA to modify the bill so motorcyclists are afforded the same protection as other road users.

The Driver Privacy Act, S. 1925, introduced Jan. 14 by U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) would classify the collected information as the property of the person who owns or leases the vehicle.

The AMA believes it is important to clarify who owns the data collected.

Only 14 states have laws relating to ownership of information collected and stored in an event data recorder.

Sen. Hoeven said on the floor of the U.S. Senate: “There are no limitations or restrictions or guidelines or requirements on what manufacturers can have the event data recorder do.”

The black boxes are not required for motorcycles, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration already requires all passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses to be equipped with them.

The U.S. House of Representatives’ H.R. 2414, the Black Box Privacy Protection Act, covers motorcycles, and the AMA fully supports that bipartisan bill.

The AMA wants the protections of S. 1925 extended to motorcyclists, as well.

Halley Miller

May is MotorCyCle awareness Month

Just last year, the administration proposed new monument designations that would lock up at least 13 million acres of public land.

A Washington Post story identified two of the sites under consideration by the president for designation: the nearly 500,000acre Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area near Las Cruces, N.M., and about 1,600 acres on California’s central coast known as the Point ArenaStornetta Public Lands.

Large designations, such as the one in New Mexico, clearly overreach the intent of the act, which states, “the limits … in all cases shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected.”

The AMA believes these designations

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Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Don’t drink and drive.

U.S. HOUSE QUESTIONS NYSP ON CHECKPOINTS

MICHIGAN BILL WOULD LIMIT PERMIT RENEWALS Only Two Permits In 10-Year Period

A Michigan highway bill would limit the number of times motorcyclists could renew temporary instruction permits.

Currently, the state lets riders obtain a 180-day permit each riding season, with no requirement that they pass the

PENNSYLVANIA CHANGES MOTORCYCLE TRAINING PROVIDER Cape Fox Professional Services Takes Over April 1

After 15 years of providing motorcycle rider training for the state of Pennsylvania, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has been replaced by another vendor.

Cape Fox Professional Services, based in Manassas, Va., takes over the training programs on April 1.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which oversees the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program, advertised for contract bids in September.

The new contract provides for $20.74 million in funding for a contract term through Jan. 28, 2018.

“PennDOT will work closely with Cape Fox Professional Services LLC to identify enhancements and innovative ideas throughout the life of the contract to further the reach and effectiveness of this important motorcycle safety program,” says spokesman Rich Kirkpatrick.

Free training through PAMSP has been available to residents with motorcycle licenses or permits since 1985. In recent years, the PAMSP has trained more than 20,000 residents a year.

The MSF was disappointed to lose the contract.

“We have enjoyed our 15-year tenure with PAMSP, and we are truly sorry to see it end. We wish them well,” MSF President and CEO Tim Buche wrote in a letter to PennDOT.

state’s skills test to receive a motorcycle endorsement.

House Bill 4781, introduced by State Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R-Oxford), would limit riders to two permits within 10 years.

Vince Consiglio, president of ABATE of Michigan, says the state “has a terrible track record regarding unlicensed motorcycle riders being over represented in Michigan motorcycle fatalities.”

A 2012 study by the Michigan State Police found that 58 percent of Michigan motorcycle fatalities had no endorsement.

“ABATE of Michigan supports the immediate passage of this legislation as the first step to reduce the large percentage of fatalities among unlicensed motorcyclists,” Consiglio states in written testimony to the state House Transportation Committee.

ACTION INFO Michigan residents can find their elected representatives at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/rights/ issueslegislation.

16 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Michigan Department of State

During a Jan. 28 meeting of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, the New York State Police came under scrutiny for using money intended for training programs to instead conduct motorcycle-only checkpoints.

U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.), vice chairman of the subcommittee, described himself as a motorcycle rider U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble and enthusiast (R-Wis.) as he began to question Sgt. Thomas Fuller of the New York State Police about MOCs. Ribble asked Fuller whether the federal grant money could be better spent on training and other strategies that would help prevent crashes.

The congressman said that he did not believe motorcycle checkpoints do much “to make me a safer rider.”

Fuller responded that the MOCs fall under the traffic safety division of the state police and not his program.

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STATEWAT CH MARYLAND Vehicle owners would not be subject to government tracking and taxation for the number of miles they drive under House Bill 277, sponsored by Delegate Justin Ready (R-Westminster). The proposal would prohibit the state or any local jurisdiction from imposing or levying a vehicle-miles-traveled tax. It would also prohibit requiring the installation of a device in or on a privately owned vehicle

to facilitate the reporting of the number of vehicle-miles traveled.

MASSACHUSETTS The Massachusetts OHV Advisory Committee is considering new rules for off-road events that could severely curtail participation by out-of-state competitors.

The proposed rules would require the event organizer to collect a vast amount of information from participants and the owner of the event site and submit it for review at least 15 days before the event.

The provision would eliminate the possibility of late or same-day registration by event participants.

Members of the New England Trail Rider Association oppose the proposed rules.

PRESIDENT SIGNS AGRICULTURAL ACT THAT LIMITS E15 DISTRIBUTION Ends Subsidy For Ethanol Blender Pumps

Strict standards for the collection and use of motor vehicle event data—stored in recorders commonly known as black boxes—would be implemented under House File 2017, sponsored by Rep. Brian Johnson (R-Cambridge).

The bill declares the data recorded on an event data recorder are the personal data of the motor vehicle’s owner and shall not be downloaded or retrieved by a person who is not the owner, with several exceptions.

MISSISSIPPI Under Senate Bill 2400, sponsored

by Sen. Chris Massey (R-Nesbit), motorcyclists could “proceed with due caution” through intersections controlled by traffic-actuated signals if the operator

says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. “We plan to continue to monitor the E15 issue, including the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to reduce the 2014 requirements under its Renewable Fuel Standard.”

The AMA has worked since 2011 to prevent the distribution of E15 fuels, seeking independent scientific tests on their effect on motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle engines and fuel systems.

After the introduction of E15 into the marketplace, the AMA fought its spread, because of concerns about inadvertent misfueling at blender pumps.

Although the EPA has approved E15 use in 2001-and-newer light-duty vehicles, which include cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles, the EPA has not approved its use in any motorcycles or ATVs.

Halley Miller

The Agricultural Act of 2014 signed into law by President Barack Obama on Feb. 7 contains a provision that helps deter distribution of E15 fuels into the U.S. marketplace.

The AMA considers this farm-bill provision a major victory for the owners and riders of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles currently in operation.

Those vehicles could be damaged by the use of E15 fuel, a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume. Also, use of E15 can void owners’ vehicle warranties.

The Agricultural Act of 2014, which extends through 2018, prohibits the use of Rural Energy for America Program grant money to purchase and install ethanol blender pumps to dispense E15 at the retail level. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack intended to use REAP funding to install 10,000 blender pumps by 2016.

“It is gratifying to see our efforts on behalf of U.S. motorcyclists and ATV riders achieve this level of success,”

MINNESOTA

18 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

You can voice your opinion on the threat E15 fuels pose to motorcycle and ATV engines by contacting your Congressional representatives. The AMA provides helpful information for communicating with elected officials at www. americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/GetInvolved/CommunicateWithElectedOfficials.aspx.

MISSOURI House Bill 1368, sponsored by Rep. Kurt Bahr (R-O’Fallon), would prohibit the use of any global positioning system or other technology that identifies and records a person’s location for monitoring mileage traveled by any motor vehicle on any road, highway, or street in the state for the purpose of imposing any tax on the mileage traveled.

NEW JERSEY Prospective owners and operators of off-highway training or recreation facilities for motocross bikes, all-terrain vehicles, or both, would be required to obtain a license from the Department of Law and Public Safety under Senate Bill 895, sponsored

by Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank).

The bill also prohibits the department from issuing a license for the location and operation of an off-highway training or recreation facility to be located within five miles of an area zoned for residential purposes.

ADVANCING SAFETY

OHIO House Bill 406, sponsored by Rep. Doug Green (R-Mt. Orab), would create a motorcycle road-guard training and certification program to allow qualified individuals to function as traffic controllers while escorting a motorcycle group ride, under certain conditions.

Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO, met with Raymond P. Martinez, chair and chief administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, in January. The two discussed issues related to motorcycle safety in the Garden State before Dingman continued to a meeting of New Jersey rider safety instructors.

VERMONT Three bills introduced in the Vermont state legislature would alter the requirements for helmet use by motorcycle riders.

HB 721, introduced by State Rep. Teo Zagar (D-Windsor), and SB 172, introduced by State Sen. Joe Benning (R-Caledonia), would eliminate the helmet requirement for riders 21 and older who are “properly maintaining financial responsibility,” who have completed a motorcycle safety course and who have held a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license for at least three years.

The bills also would designate enforcement of the helmet law to secondary status.

HB 798, introduced by State Rep. Carolyn W. Partridge (D-Windham), would require helmets only for riders and passengers younger than 18.

Courtesy NJ MVC

believes the detection device didn’t recognize the motorcycle.

The law would require the operator to come to a complete and full stop and exercise due care before proceeding.

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Why We Ride James Walker, Bryan H. Carroll and Chris Hampel of “Why We Ride”

Melbourne “Mike” J. Wilson and Margaret Wilson

GIANTS OF HERITAGE, RECREATIONAL RIDING, PROMOTIONS HONORED AMA Announces 2014 Special Award Recipients

Tireless supporters of motorcycling heritage. A lifelong industry leader, racer and pioneer. Groundbreaking films that showcase the greatest sport on Earth. Safety advocates. Freedom warriors.

The 2014 AMA Awards recipients, chosen by the AMA Board of Directors, have made outstanding contributions to the world of motorcycling and support of the AMA mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.

The most prestigious of the awards, the AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award, is given to Mike and Margaret Wilson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for their lifelong commitment to fostering the growth and acceptance of motorcycling, and their dedication to the AMA and its Hall of Fame.

Other 2014 award recipients include: • AMA Bessie Stringfield Award—Scot Harden, Zero Motorcycles vice president of global marketing and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer.

• AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award—James Walker, producer, Bryan H. Carroll, producer/director, and Chris Hampel, writer/co-producer, of the feature film “Why We Ride”; also, Matt Greenstone, writer/director, of feature film “Road Warriors, The Bleeding Edge of Motorcycle Racing.”

• AMA Outstanding Road Rider Award—Donald L. Green, Kentucky Army Traffic Safety Training Program Office lead instructor (Fort Knox) and Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach with the Kentucky Motorcycle Rider Education Program.

• AMA Outstanding Off-Road Rider Award—Jim Pilon and Paul Flanders, AMA District 37 Dual Sport organizers and promoters of the LA-Barstow-Vegas desert event.

• Friend of the AMA Award—Roy

Garrett, AMA Life Member, ABATE of Indiana and Discover Indiana Riding Trails (DIRT).

Melbourne “Mike” J. Wilson and Margaret Wilson, AMA Life Members and inductees into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, were awarded the 2014 AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award for their many decades of service to the AMA. The award pays tribute to its namesake, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Dud Perkins.

Mike and Margaret Wilson have both served with distinction on the board of directors of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which raises funds for the Hall of Fame, and are among the foundation’s principal benefactors. The Wilsons commissioned and donated the beautiful bronze sculpture, “Glory Days,” which graces the Hall of Fame’s display area and serves as its official logo. Mike has also contributed in the design and development of displays at the museum.

Margaret, a longtime member of the Motor Maids, has ridden her motorcycles over 550,000 miles and is an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of women’s motorcycling

clubs and events. She was awarded the AMA Bessie Stringfield Award in 2003.

“This is wonderful news!” says Mike.

“Dud Perkins was a good friend of ours.

He did a lot for motorcycling, he treated us as equals and to be remembered in his name like this is fantastic.”

Adds Margaret: “Mike and I have been lucky to have each other all these years, we’ve done so many things with the AMA and made so many friends, and we are just thankful to be remembered like this.”

The AMA Bessie Stringfield Award memorializes the accomplishments of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bessie Stringfield and recognizes efforts to introduce motorcycling to new or underserved markets. For 2014, the award is given to Scot Harden and Zero Motorcycles for their pioneering work in the field of electric motorcycles. Harden has been instrumental in reaching out to motorcyclists young and old, experienced and novice, to gain acceptance of the newest way to get around on two wheels.

“I’m humbled and honored to receive this award on behalf of the passionate and dedicated team of motorcycling pioneers here at Zero Motorcycles,” says Harden, a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. “We’ve opened the sport up to a whole host of new and returning riders, not to mention many current enthusiasts who are enthralled by the acceleration, ease of operation, environmental benefits and magic carpet ride-like experience our products offer.”

The AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award honors its namesake, Hall of Famer Hazel Kolb, and salutes individuals who have generated positive publicity for motorcycling. For 2014, it is given to the production Continued on page 22

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and directorial teams of two remarkable motorcycling films: “Why We Ride” and “Road Warriors, The Bleeding Edge of Motorcycle Racing.”

“We would to like thank the AMA and its members for this award,” says James Walker, producer of “Why We Ride.”

“Being recognized for doing we what love to do, which is telling stories that inspire audiences to embrace the passion of two wheels and to live everyday to its fullest, is a great honor.”

Matt Greenstone, writer/director for “Road Warriors,” says: “From the start, this project was designed to grow the audience for the sport of American road racing. From the AMA, we had support at every level. These men and women sacrifice time away from family, sweating it out in the hot pit in search of a race win. In an effort to pay it forward, 100 percent of any proceeds created by ‘Road Warriors’ DVDs will go toward riders’ charities.”

The 2014 AMA Outstanding Road Rider Award recipient, AMA Life Member Donald L. Green, was honored for his tireless efforts to train armed forces personnel at Fort Knox in Kentucky and his commitment to the Kentucky Motorcycle Rider Education Program.

Green has successfully trained more than 3,000 students, conducted 111 Basic RiderCourses, 51 Basic RiderCourses2, 19 Military Sportsbike RiderCourses and five Advance RiderCourses.

“It is humbling to receive such an award, especially when the honor bestowed is in great part due to spending time with those who have dedicated their lives to the service of this great nation,” Green says. “I hope to live up to this honor by reaching more riders and by making a greater impact on the issues so relevant to motorcyclists and members of the AMA.” The AMA Outstanding Off-Road Rider Award highlights the achievements of an individual who has contributed to the promotion of the motorcycling lifestyle and the protection of off-highway motorcycling. For 2014, the award is presented to two deserving members of AMA District 37 in southern California: AMA Life Members Jim Pilon and Paul Flanders.

Roy Garrett

Their dual-sport committee successfully organized and now maintains and promotes one of the world’s best known dual-sport events, the LA-Barstow to Vegas Dual Sport Tour, or LA-B-to-V. Launched in 1984, the 400 mile-plus tour typically starts after Thanksgiving and has routes for dual sport, adventure touring, vintage bikes, sidehacks and small displacement machines, so long as they are street legal.

“I am honored and humbled to be nominated and chosen for this prestigious award,” Pilon says. “I am proud to have others and the District 37 AMA Dual Sport Committee put forth their belief in dual sport as a national and international vehicle to enjoy what we love, to ride.”

Flanders adds: “I am so honored to receive this award but feel that I can only accept it as a representative of our LABarstow to Vegas Committee, of which I am a part. Ten of us from District 37 Dual Sport work hard all year to put a ride together and then have 500 of our closest friends join us on Thanksgiving weekend.

I am so happy to represent our committee and participants.”

The 2014 Friend of the AMA Award recognizes the innovative work of Plainfield, Ind.’s Roy Garrett. As an AMA Life Member and member of ABATE of Indiana DIRT, Garrett has been a fixture in the off-highway riding community for his many years of promoting responsible off-highway recreation.

“I joined the AMA in 1970 when I started racing motorcycles,” Garrett says. “I started working club and district business in 1983. I was an AMA congressman in the late ’80s. The AMA helped us start DIRT in 1994. I have been the president or vice president since it started. I am currently the off road director for ABATE of Indiana DIRT, and the road captain for Stoney Lonesome M/C. I am very pleased and honored to receive this award from the AMA.” For more information about the AMA Awards Program, to see past recipients and learn how to nominate individuals for future consideration, please visit www. americanmotorcyclist.com/ about/amaawardsprogram.

Photo by Chris Casella

Continued from page 20

V2V TECH ADVANCING ON SOME VEHICLES Digital Safety Measures?

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Feb. 3 that it would begin taking steps to enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology for light vehicles.

The federal agency believes this technology will improve safety by allowing vehicles to “talk” to each other and ultimately avoid many crashes altogether by exchanging basic safety data, such as speed and position, 10 times per second.

“Vehicle-to-vehicle technology represents the next generation of auto safety improvements, building on the life-saving achievements we’ve already seen with safety belts and air bags,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “By helping drivers avoid crashes, this technology will play a key role in improving the way people get where they need to go.”

The DOT says its research indicates that safety applications using V2V technology can address a majority of crashes involving two or more motor vehicles. With safety data, such as speed and location, flowing from nearby vehicles, vehicles can identify risks and provide drivers with warnings to avoid other vehicles in common crash types such as rear-end, lane change, and intersection crashes.

V2V communications can provide the vehicle

and driver with 360-degree situational awareness to address additional crash situations—including those, for example, in which a driver needs to decide if it is safe to pass on a two-lane road, make a left turn across the path of oncoming traffic, or in which a vehicle approaching at an intersection appears to be on a collision course.

In those situations, V2V communications can detect threats hundreds of yards from other vehicles that cannot be seen, often in situations in which on-board sensors alone cannot detect the threat, according to the DOT. The AMA is concerned that V2V technology may be compromised by unlicensed devices, such as other Wi-Fi networks, and asked the Federal Communications Commission for further testing to ensure vehicles using advanced crash-avoidance and V2V technologies remain secure.

Instead of “driving as though we are invisible” and following establishing safe-riding procedures, road users could be lulled into assuming that the crash-avoidance technology in nearby cars will keep them from harm.

The AMA will continue to monitor the rollout of V2V technology in light vehicles, and will continue to inform members and motorcyclists about concerns and possible solutions.

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LANE SPLITTING SAFELY

behind traffic at a red light. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw a vehicle coming up fast. Remembering my training, my motorcycle was in gear, clutch in, and I had stopped a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of me. I accelerated, pulling between the stopped vehicles as a drunk driver rear-ended the vehicle I was behind.

The collision only resulted in property damage, and I was able to arrest the drunk driver at the scene.

So here are some best practices on how to safely lane split. First, keep your eyes up and use your peripheral vision.

You will need to look well ahead of you constantly to recognize changing traffic conditions and make the necessary adjustments. Developing your peripheral vision is a skill you may have to work on, but it can and should be mastered.

As a rule, keep your headlight on, which most motorcycles do automatically.

Keeping Your Head While Riding Efficiently By David Kinaan Recently, the California Highway Patrol, along with the California Motorcycle Safety Program, has made statements

referencing the practice of splitting traffic, lane filtering, lane splitting or white lining, in California. Lane splitting describes maneuvering through slow or stopped traffic on a roadway or at an intersection.

The AMA Board of Directors recently adopted a position statement on lane splitting to aid in understanding the issue and to help motorcyclists decide whether to support efforts to permit it in their states. (To read AMA position statements, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ rights/positionstatements.)

Lane splitting is permitted in California for one simple reason: California does not have a statute prohibiting it. There are, however, several laws and best

If You Lane Split...

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Keep your eyes up and use your peripheral vision. Look well ahead of you constantly to recognize changing traffic conditions.

Keep your headlight on.

Check your motorcycle to make sure it is operating properly.

Don’t lane split at speeds faster than 10 mph over the speed of the prevailing traffic, and never exceed the speed limit to lane split.

When the flow of traffic starts slowing and stopping ahead of you, don’t be in too much of a hurry to begin lane splitting.

Only split when there are two or more traffic lanes in one direction.

practices that increase the safety of both motorcyclists and automobile drivers while sharing the road in California.

Motorcycles have been used in California law enforcement for more than 100 years. Motorcycle officers have effectively split lanes to enforce the law, and provide rescue and relief response to multiple incidents on congested roadways throughout California. Many of the best practices, as well as the reasons for splitting traffic, have been developed and passed down by California’s motorcycle enforcement officers.

As a young motorcycle cop, I learned many lessons from my training officer that helped me throughout my career. Among them were lessons about lane splitting.

He explained to me that lane splitting was safer than stopping behind traffic. While there was the potential for a sideswipe collision while lane splitting, there was equal potential for a rear-end collision when stopped behind traffic.

I put this lesson to use early on in my career. One evening I came to a stop

Your headlight will greatly enhance your chances of being recognized by a driver checking their mirror.

You should not lane split at speeds faster than 10 mph over the speed of the prevailing traffic. You should recognize slowing and stopping traffic well in advance of reaching it, and make necessary adjustments. Generally, on a multi-lane highway, it is safest to split between the two leftmost lanes. Usually, these drivers are the least likely to make lane changes as they are often commuting longer distances.

When traffic starts slowing ahead of you, don’t be in a hurry to begin lane splitting. Slow with the traffic and observe while the last-minute lane changers settle into their lane. Then you can safely begin to lane split. Sit up tall in the saddle and keep your eyes looking ahead of you. Use your peripheral vision to maneuver your motorcycle between the vehicles.

Be keenly

aware of turn signals, drivers who are looking around, or drivers who are changing their hand position on the steering wheel. The safest time to pass between vehicles may be when they are side by side. A driver who does not see a motorcycle will still usually see a vehicle beside them.

Another best practice is only splitting when there are two or more traffic lanes in one direction. If there is only one lane, you’re not splitting traffic, you’re shoulder passing or possibly passing on the wrong side of the road. Both are extremely dangerous and usually illegal.

It is not a good idea to pass another motorcycle that is lane splitting ahead of you by moving to the right and splitting past the traffic and the other motorcycle along another lane line. Many times, when a driver realizes the first motorcycle is lane splitting, they will move to the outside of their lane, providing the most space for the splitting motorcycle. That driver probably won’t see you, and the driver will unintentionally close off the opening you were intending to use to pass. Usually, if you can get the first rider’s attention by flashing your lights, or with a light tap on the horn, the other rider will move into a gap in traffic and allow you to pass safely.

As mentioned, limiting distractions is a good idea when riding a motorcycle in any conditions, but can be critical while lane splitting. Taking a few seconds to look down at a GPS, or answering a phone call on a headset, changing a playlist, or any of the many other functions of electronic devices you can attach to your motorcycle will take your eyes and your attention off the road ahead. Those few moments are all it takes for a vehicle ahead to begin a lane change. By the time you see the hazard and react, you may have lost the time and space you needed to avoid a collision.

As the speed of traffic picks up, the congestion generally decreases, creating more space between vehicles. This is another time where you

will need to make adjustments to your speed and lane position. As gaps open up between vehicles, it may be a good idea to move into the open spaces. Select the wheel path that provides the most space between you and the vehicles you are passing, and watch for other drivers who may also want to move into the open lane.

As the flow of traffic approaches 35 to 40 mph, or the posted speed limit for the roadway, you will want to decrease lane splitting. At these speeds, your ability to perceive and react to a hazard begins to diminish and the potential for a collision greatly increases.

Another component of safely lane splitting in California is educating automobile drivers that the practice, when done properly, is completely legal.

The California Highway Patrol has, along with the California Office of Traffic Safety and the California Motorcycle Safety Program, produced pamphlets and posted safety announcements on their websites to spread the word. Motorcycle enthusiasts need to do our part by riding safely at reasonable speeds, and leaving a reasonable space between us and the other vehicles on the road. Respecting the space of other vehicles on the road will go a long way toward ensuring your safety and promoting a safe partnership between motorcyclists and other road users.

Sergeant David Kinaan retired in 2012 as the supervisor of the California Highway Patrol Academy Motorcycle Training Unit. Sergeant Kinaan was an active member of the CHP for nearly 29 years.

“While there certainly was the potential for a sideswipe collision while lane splitting, there was equal potential for a rear-end collision when I came to a stop behind stopped traffic.”

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SIGNALS FOR THE ROAD STOP Arm extended straight down, palm facing back.

FUEL Arm out to side pointing to tank with finger extended.

SLOW DOWN Arm extended straight down, swing down to your side.

SPEED UP Arm extended straight out, palm facing up, swing upward.

TURN SIGNAL ON Open and close hand with fingers and and thumb extended.

HAZARD IN ROADWAY On the left, point with left hand; on the right, point with right foot.

SINGLE FILE Arm and index finger extended straight up.

DOUBLE FILE Arm with index and middle finger extended straight up.

FOLLOW ME Arm extended straight up from shoulder, palm forward.

A point, a closed fist, a raised palm—what hand signals do you use when you ride in groups, and what do they mean? The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (www.msf-usa.org) has put together several to help make group rides more efficient (see above). We also got feedback on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ americanmotorcyclist.com. More suggestions? Email submissions@ama-cycle.org.

Steven Cooper: I usually ride off road and I’m almost always out in front, so my most-used hand signal is: both arms raised over my head. It means: where the heck have you been?

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David Gieselman: I’m a dirt-trails only rider. Thumbs-up means “Are you OK?” or “I’m OK.” Holding up a certain number of fingers means “this many riders are coming behind me.” Pointing in any direction means “Go that way” or “Please keep on your side of the trail,” or sometimes “Wow look at that!”

Christopher Eric Johnson: First and second fingers crossed means the passenger needs to go to the bathroom.

Kenji Shiroma: Closed fist or point to tank for refuel.

Chris Hickok: A leg, to warn of danger on the road (or fallen group riders in the road). www.facebook.com/ AmericanMotorcyclist

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Silent Communication

Harley-Davidson

Ask The MSF

MOVIN’ ON UP

Q: How do I know, ability wise, that I’m ready to move up to a larger, more powerful motorcycle? I currently ride a mid-sized cruiser (Suzuki C50). Thanks!

A: The basic mental and physical skill sets of riding—visual assessment of the environment, risk management, accelerating, shifting, turning, braking— are the same for all manual-transmission two-wheeled motorcycles, regardless of size. The main differences in your interaction with different models include: 1) Fit: your seated body position, which determines your basic comfort and the reach to the handlebars, controls, footrests, and ground; 2) Dimensions: including the bike’s weight, wheelbase, seat height, and center of gravity; 3) Performance: including engine power, clutch characteristics, and braking power.

what style of bike you prefer, etc.), the easiest way to determine if one would be a good fit for you, in all aspects, is to ride it through a variety of roadway conditions (hills, curves, sharp turns, etc.). That’s not always possible due to limited availability or duration of test rides.

However, if you can honestly assess your current capabilities and commitment to risk-management, you can judge if it would be wise to “move up” and have “more” of everything. Keep in mind that you have the option of selling your new bike if it doesn’t meet your needs.

When you do get a new motorcycle, regardless of size, it is important to keep your first rides fairly simple and not do something that requires a lot of finesse until you and your bike are comfortable with each other.

While we’re on the subject of moving up

through the spectrum of available sizes when considering your next bike, we’ll mention the flip side. When riders reach a certain age, they may choose to move back down the spectrum and buy a smaller, lighter motorcycle as their strength and other physical abilities “mature.”

No matter where you are on the age/ experience continuum, with so many brands offering so many sizes and styles, there are a plethora of wonderful choices for your perfect next motorcycle.

For more riding tips from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, see www.msf-usa.org.

To some degree, you can judge your fit and ability to handle a bike’s basic dimensions even without starting the engine or taking a test ride, by straddling and paddle-walking the bike a few feet, leaning it from side to side slightly while you straddle it, and operating the controls.

Performance is another complex issue, and your own performance is the biggest factor in the decision. Although you can imagine what more engine power or braking power would feel like, and you can always control power by modulating the throttle, clutch and brake controls, there is no substitute for actual experience.

Use caution: The first few times you ride a different bike you might be startled by the rate of acceleration or deceleration.

Once you narrow down your choices based on what you want from your next motorcycle (the type of riding you do,

April 2014

27

AMA Member Tested

just walking, do not bunch up in unwanted areas. They are very smartly designed.

As for performance, while on the move, the sensation is like a mini air conditioner, making you feel cooler than a polar bear’s toenails. The airflow enhancements certainly work as advertised. Another plus: TwistedCore’s antimicrobial properties work. Your hamper (or you) will not smell like a gym just after football practice.

If there are any caveats, keep in mind that you may be cooler than you planned just walking around. Also, in case you thought the gear might offer some moisture protection, it doesn’t.

The bottom line is TwistedCore’s base layer works as advertised. It kept me cool and relatively sweat free. Whether this is due to blood flow enhancements as claimed, I don’t know, but I did feel less fatigued. The gear is indeed comfortable, and its antimicrobial properties seemed to be “anti-smellular” as well.

There is now another option besides sports equipment companies when it comes to base layering, and because TwistedCore is motorcycle specific, it meets our unique needs. See, layering is not just for the cold.—Niguel Williams

TWISTEDCORE COMPRESSION GEAR

Summer Base Layer Shirt: $59.99 Summer Base Layer Pant: $49.99 Info: www.twistedcore.com At a glance, the idea behind TwistedCore compression gear seems counterintuitive.

Designed for warm-weather riding, the base layers promise to make your ride cooler and more comfortable. “I thought layering was a practice for the cold,” you may think.

Please read on.

I sampled the long underpant/ shirt base layer for about 1,000 miles of

By Niguel Williams touring, commuting (and walking) in Las Vegas, Nev., temperatures. TwistedCore garments are advertised to enhance blood flow, wick away moisture and improve airflow. The fabric seems durable and feels silky.

You can feel the different material patches compress areas such as the extremities. However, the panels, either in a sportbike crouch, touring upright or

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28 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

ColorRite, known for its extensive line of color-matched paints for motorcycles, is the AMA’s newest member benefit partner, offering a 15 percent discount on products to AMA members.

With a full range of products for motorcycles, ATVs, marine and more ranging from touch-up pens and bottles to aerosol sprays and professional-size cans, ColorRite makes it easy to find the right color for your bike.

“We’re excited to partner with the AMA in 2014 and beyond,” says ColorRite General Manager Marty Estes. “We’ve produced OEM-matched paints for over 25 years and are confident AMA members will enjoy the discount and appreciate our quality products.”

The company’s website at www.colorrite.com offers a complete database of OEM color-matched paint for body parts and frames, which users can narrow by entering the year, make and model of their machine. The website also features how-to tips, tricks and videos.

AMA members can access this new discount by entering the code found on page 35 of this magazine during ColorRite’s online checkout process.

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Minimum donation of $ 5 per ticket, or $ 20 for five tickets, is suggested.

THE BIKE THAT LAUNCHED THE G.O.A.T. Ricky Carmichael’s 1997 Kawasaki KX125

All stories have a beginning, and for Hall of Famer Ricky Carmichael’s professional AMA Motocross career, the beginning starts with this Kawasaki KX125.

After all, Carmichael wasn’t always the G.O.A.T.—The “Greatest Of All Time” —in combined AMA Motocross and Supercross competition. In 1997, he was “just” an amazingly talented up-andcoming amateur who was ready to join the elite ranks of riders in AMA Motocross and AMA Supercross.

And this is the bike that launched his pro career.

At the time, Carmichael was only 15 years old, and though he came out of the AMA Amateur Motocross Championships that summer as clearly the most dominant rider, the leap to the pros can be difficult. Plenty of other promising riders have found the leap to the next level difficult, or took a season or two to come up to speed.

Not so with Carmichael. Thanks to his amazing talent, passion for hard work and drive to succeed—and this motorcycle—the rider who would one day earn MX’s most exalted nickname wasted no time in letting the world know he was ready.

Having been sponsored by Kawasaki Team Green throughout his amateur career, it only made sense for him to continue with Kawasaki as a pro. This Pro-Circuit-built KX, tuned by Chad Watts, was the racing weapon he was handed when he arrived.

As a 17-year-old rookie in 1997, Carmichael won eight AMA Motocross Nationals to win the AMA 125 Championship—a feat all the more amazing because it was his first year riding many of the National tracks. He followed that up in 1998 with a dominating performance in the 125cc Eastern Region Supercross Championship, winning not just the title, but every race on the calendar.

Of course, from there Carmichael would go on to completely tear up and re-write the record books.

He became the most dominant rider ever in AMA Motocross, winning at least one championship every season he raced, and never failing to defend a title when he was able to ride the entire season.

In total, he earned 15 National Championship titles in AMA Motocross and AMA Supercross, three team world championships in the Motocross of Nations, and one individual Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Supercross World Championship. He won titles on two-stroke and four-stroke motorcycles, notched perfect undefeated seasons three times and was an X-Games gold medalist.

And it all started on this bike. You can see Carmichael’s KX125, on loan from Pro Circuit’s Mitch Payton, himself an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer, at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

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.

Photos Rainer Ziehm

Hall of Famer

1920s TRANSCONTINENTAL ACE

Wells Bennett Raced Dirt Track, Board Tracks And Braved Perilous Roads To Become One Of The Greatest Cross-Country Riders Of All Time

On Display At The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

‘THE DEVIL’S STAIRCASE’ BY ROGER WILLIAMS

What it is: A “deconstructivist” takes on a motorcycle hillclimb, by Ohio painter Roger Williams, with layers of images that express the complexity of the subject in overlapping symbolism.

What the artist says: “Chad Disbennett, the 2004 AMA National Hillclimb Champion, is a relative of mine, and I wanted to do a painting of Chad with his 800cc Triumph, No. 17. The painting is deconstructed images, layers and overlaps in bright pop colors. Deconstructivist art is on-edge art that came after Postmodern art. Conceptually, you see gears, a hurricane, a stick of dynamite, tattoos and just profiles of things and movement while airborne.”

See it: “The Devil’s Staircase” is currently on display at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame as part of the exhibit “2 wheels + Motor: An International Fine Art Exhibition.” Plan your visit at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

32 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Wells Bennett was a leading racer, hillclimber and crosscountry specialist of the 1910s and early 1920s. He is best known for his 24-hour, transcontinental and “Three-Flag” Canada-to-Mexico record runs of the early 1920s, while riding for Henderson.

William Wells Bennett was born in Wichita, Kansas, on June 24, 1891. From an early age he showed a keen sense of adventure and exploration that would lead him to become one of the best-known motorcyclists of his era.

Bennett got his start on motorcycles by hanging around the local bicycle/motorcycle shop, offering to clean motorcycles or run errands for the owners in hopes of being offered a ride. When he finally got the opportunity to ride one, motorcycles became his youthful obsession.

Although he was still a teen, Bennett was soon assembling and selling motorcycles.

By the time he was 21, Bennett was well established as one of the leading dirt-track racers in Kansas. In 1912, he entered his first board-track race, in Denver, and won. Soon he was traveling the country racing board-track events and making as much as $200 to $300 per week, a princely sum in those days. In 1914, Bennett signed with Excelsior.

During the war years, racing slowed to a crawl. Bennett began running in various cross-country and city-to-city timed events that were popular during that time. He had a contract with Excelsior and set numerous city-to-city records.

Bennett also became involved in stunt riding for Hollywood movies. He was in charge of the 200-plus motorcycle squadron in the film “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.”

After the war, when board track races were waning in popularity, Bennett adapted. In April 1922, Excelsior sent him to the prestigious San Juan Capistrano Hillclimb in Southern California. He won the hillclimb, dethroning the dominant Dudley Perkins (who would go on to become a fellow AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer).

The next month a Henderson factory team was assembled to set records on the creaky and deteriorating board track in Tacoma, Washington. There, Bennett rode a Henderson Four (by then owned by Excelsior) to a new 24-hour record of 1,562.54 miles, breaking the mark held by Indian and Erwin “Cannonball” Baker by more than 28 miles.

Bennett ended the year by breaking the transcontinental record on a Henderson, making the coast-to-coast trip from Los Angeles to New York in 6 days, 16 hours and 13 minutes, bettering a record set by Baker on an Ace just one month earlier. Soon, such runs were considered too dangerous, but that didn’t stop Bennett from setting the final record for the classic Three-Flags Run (Mexico to Canada or vice versa) with a time of 42 hours, 24 minutes.

By the mid 1920s, Bennett scaled back his racing to run his Excelsior/Henderson motorcycle dealership in Portland, Oregon. He sold his motorcycle business in 1930 and took a position as a service rep for Ford Motor Co. He retired to his ranch at the foot of Mt. Hood, near Hood River, Oregon.

Wells Bennett died in 1969 and was posthumously inducted in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.

Featured Guest: Motorcycle Designer and Hall Of Famer Craig Vetter When Friday, March 14, 7 a.m. to noon Where Daytona 500 Club (Infield) Daytona International Speedway 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd.

Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Contact Connie Fleming AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame cfleming@ama-cycle.org (614) 856-1910, ext. 1258 Tickets www.MotorcycleMuseum.org

Put yourself in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

0414_AMA_HoF Breakfast at Daytona.indd 2

2/11/14 1:17 PM

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 an 8-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!

8” 6” 3” 3”

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

AMA Roadside Assistance

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Each month, you receive the best magazine covering the motorcycle lifestyle with two versions to choose from: street or dirt.

THE ESSENTIALS AMA Roadside Assistance

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

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

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

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Arrive And Ride EagleRider offers a 15 percent discount on Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW and Polaris rentals and tours. Call (888) 900-9901 or book at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Membership/ EagleRider.aspx, using discount code AMA014.

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

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Passes, south Mountain Border Crossings Mysteries FroM american &south aMeriCa’s adventure Most aMazing roads Story and Photos

by Rick Wheaton

Camino del Muerte, Bolivia

Brazil,

Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru—these countries have always sounded so exotic to me, so incredibly foreign. What an adventure it would be to fly into Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, join up with a few like-minded bikers, and motorcycle across the entire continent from Atlantic to Pacific. I rode from ocean to ocean across North America in 2012. I couldn’t wait to do the same thing across South America in 2013.

Just thinking about the superlatives got my pulse racing: We’d see one of the world’s biggest waterfalls, ride 16,000-foot passes across the Andes and motorcycle alongside the world’s highest lakes. Plus, we’d ride through the highest capital city on the planet, across the world’s driest desert, to the world’s largest salt flats, and to the edge of the world’s deepest canyon.

This trip would be a first for me on three levels. It would be my first ride in South America, my first ride in an organized group and my first long ride not on my own bike. I was pretty anxious.

So, it was with more than the usual pre-trip nerves that I flew into Rio to hook up with the group I’d be riding with for the next 42 days, and to get to know the BMW GS650’s that would carry us 8,000 kilometers to the Pacific Ocean.

Over the 42 days I rode alongside several Australians, a New Zealander, a Dutchman, a young guy from Kuwait and a couple of Brits. Our first lead rider was Brazilian. Our second was Spanish. We were a nicely cosmopolitan group.

After such a build up, the first couple

36 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

of days in Rio were perhaps an anti-climax. I’d been able to hum “The Girl from Ipanema” since Corcovada I was about 17, so it was a bit of a let down to see the famous beach in the drizzle, with not a girl in sight. Happily, the “Sugar Loaf” and the huge statue of Christ at Corcovada were just as impressive in the mist, and the helicopters were still flying.

The next day, the sun broke through and we had an easy “get to know the bike” ride in the Penedo National Park just north of Rio. Only 10 percent of Brazil’s roads are paved, the rest are a mixture of gravel and dirt, as well as my least favorite surface: mud. Fortunately, this entire trip would take place in the dry season and we’d soon be spending 10 hours a day riding through dust, and maybe longing for some mud as a contrast.

Now comfortable on our bikes, we rode south to the seaside town of Pariti, where the Portuguese colonizers first set foot in

Happy Kids on the Chaco

The High Andes

Rest stop, Argentina

Valley of Purmamarca

Iguazu Falls

Brazil back in the 15th century. This was a pretty town of narrow cobbled streets, with superb views of thousands of islands scattered like confetti along the coast. Here, it’s so common for kids to fly their kites near the roads that Kite string catcher local motorbikes carry an anti-strangle device—a telescopic steel rod with a hook at the top that will divert a kite string away from an unwary biker’s neck!

We continued south and west, driving through another ex-European colony, this time the old German settlement of Blumeneau, and on to the border with Argentina and Iguazu Falls. The roads here were pretty good, and we all felt comfortable with the heavy traffic.

The mighty Iguazu Falls, on the border between Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina, are beyond words. Their 275 cataracts are immense, spectacular and as if not quite awesome enough, had been swollen by exceptionally heavy rain just before we arrived. Rain so heavy, in fact, that some of the walkways on the Argentinian side had been washed away, all adding to our sense of wonder as we took a boat ride through the wild rapids below the falls and right into “The Devil’s Throat.”

Crossing into Argentina on the bikes the next day exposed us to our first brush with South American bureaucracy. We wasted half a day shunting back and forth in no man’s land due to a “missing” document,

a tiresome procedure that would become all too familiar in the weeks ahead.

Eventually across the border, we all felt a difference on the road. In Brazil, the crazy drivers pretty much came at us in overtaking waves. Here in Argentina, we were more conscious of them from ahead, and once or twice a day we’d be pushed off line by vehicles on the “wrong side.” Fortunately, the truckers were as courteous as ever, except their signals were reversed: a Brazilian trucker would flick his right indicator when it was safe to overtake him; in Argentina, it was the left one. Helpful but confusing.

We now had a couple days riding the long straight roads and the flat plains of the “Chaco,” home to the gaucho, the Argentinean cowboy. This is a poor region of dusty villages and donkey carts but the weather was warm and dry, and soon we could see the foothills of the Andes.

Turning north, we headed for another border, this time with Chile, but bad luck with the weather intervened, and the crossing was closed by heavy snowfall. We stayed an extra day in northern Argentina while the route was re-organized, and spent the day riding up the valley of Purmamarca, a remote spot famous for its beautiful multi-colored hills.

The wind that day was gusting strongly, and steadily increased as we climbed.

Passing 14,000 feet, even the fuel-injected BMWs started to lose power, and just a hundred feet or so from the summit, my bike was almost blown off the road. I was in a horrible mess, stalled in the middle of the road, both feet firmly planted, and buffeted by a wind so ferocious I dared not lift my left foot to engage gear.

I crouched, hanging onto the bike with all my strength while all around me the air filled with flying debris. After a few exhausting minutes (this altitude is hard work) and with small stones pinging off my visor, I re-started my bike and struggled inch by inch into a sheltered spot on the roadside to wait for the squall to blow out.

Later, we returned to a blacked-out village and were told the power lines had been brought down by 100 mph winds.

Our newly calculated route cut Chile out of the mix. The good news? The nearby border with Bolivia was open. The bad news? This was reputed to be one of the most difficult borders on the continent.

April 2014

37

Utah? No, Bolivia

Sure enough, we were stuck here for seven hours, kept waiting in a dusty, windblown parking lot until well Frozen waterfall after dark, the temperature dropping steadily, the intransigent border official in no hurry to see us through.

The worst part of these delays is the inevitable night ride that follows. I go with the two-part law of motorbiking that says: 1) riding can be dangerous; 2) riding at night can be very dangerous. At night, the combination of unfenced roads and big wandering animals fills me with dread, and if you throw in crazy drivers, unlit vehicles and potholes bigger than my first house, I’d give anything to be in a nice warm bed in the previous town.

A problem with this thinking is that the previous town might be 300 kilometers (185 miles) back, with this part of the world being low on infrastructure, and basic at that. In one town center restaurant in Bolivia, with an outside temperature below freezing, the staff was wearing Puffa jackets and woolly hats.

There was no heating, and the dining room had several panes of glass missing.

Beyond the towns, though, these minor complaints evaporated as the amazing landscape unfolded: Vast deserts where it hadn’t rained for 400 years gave way to rows of huge snowcapped volcanoes. We rode beside enormous ice-blue lakes ringed by some of the highest mountains on earth, past long abandoned villages, around rockstrewn hairpin bends and past frozen waterfalls.

As we rode farther north into the Bolivian Andes, we were mostly riding at 12,000 feet or above—once to 16,200 feet—and the clear blue skies meant we would start cold, be baking hot around the middle of the day, and temperatures would plummet as the sun went down. One day we ran into puncture and mechanical problems on a 208-kilometer section that

Arequipa

threw everything at us: dirt, rock, sand and gravel. This led to a 17-hour ride, and by the time we reached our hotel, the temperature was 10 below freezing.

Never having ridden much on dirt (or gravel, mud, sand or rocks!) I found these off-road sections particularly difficult, and there were many times when I needed help from my fellow riders. They were a great bunch, and I made some terrific friends on this trip.

In the freezing temperatures, though, no one could help me with the problem I had with my cold-weather gear. I’d brought my electrically heated jacket and gloves, a wonderful kit that would keep me warm in an ice-cream fridge. Well, it would if I had researched the electrical supply of my rented bike. It was my fault, of course. I knew the bike had an accessory socket, and I assumed it would supply enough current to power my jacket. I was wrong.

It was a schoolboy error, and I suffered accordingly.

Still up at 11,000 feet, and near the town of Potosi, we took a 4x4 ride across the Salar de Uyuni, the biggest salt flats in the world, with an area of over 4,000 square miles. Driving across them, especially at this altitude, can be an almost hallucinogenic experience: the bright blue sky contrasting starkly with the blinding white salt, flat as a billiard table as far as the eye can see.

If, at this point in our ride, we were feeling somewhat smug at having motorbiked here from Rio, we had an encounter that brought us firmly back to Earth. Quietly drinking her mug of tea, we

bumped into an Irish girl, Kate, who had cycled to the Salar—I repeat, cycled— from China. It had taken her, and her Chinese built push-bike, two and a half years to get this far, and she was well on the way to cycling home to Ireland.

Good luck Kate, and hats off to you.

Driving back across the flats in our 4x4’s we felt safe, but a couple of crosses marked the spot where, despite being smack in the middle of thousands of square miles of absolutely nothing, two tourist buses crashed head on, killing everyone. A stark reminder that wherever you are on wheels—two or four—darkness lurks for the careless.

We were now close to the Bolivian capital, La Paz, the highest capital city on the planet, founded by the Spanish in the 1600s and now home to 10 million people.

The first sight of it, set in a deep valley, all soaring skyscrapers and snowy peaks, takes your breath away. It’s New York City with mountains.

The traffic here was so bad we left our

Ferrying bikes across Lake Titikaka

Five favorite Australians

38 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

The Road to Colca Canyon

Machu Picchu

bikes securely out in the suburbs and had a two-day break from touring: one day walking the crowded streets, and one day on the “Camino del Muerte.”

This “Death Road” was so named after an American insurance company declared it to be the most dangerous road in the world. It’s a narrow mountain track—gravel and rock—with vertical unfenced drops on almost every corner and for years was one of the main routes in and out of La Paz. Horrifyingly, around 200 people a year died on it, and although it has now been replaced by a paved road (funded by the World Bank), it remains infamous.

Another border crossing lay in store, our last: Bolivia into Peru. We had much left to see, but with our ride ending on the Pacific coast of Peru, this felt like the last chapter.

We meandered across the high plains of the Altiplano, zipped through the border at almost a rush and were soon balancing on the rickety ferry that cuts a corner across Lake Titikaka, the world’s highest navigable lake.

A few hundred kilometers more and we reached Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, and one of the most interesting cities in South America. The Inca civilization was huge, far reaching, wealthy and complex, and even 500 years after the event, it’s still shocking that it was so easily toppled and ultimately destroyed by a handful of Spanish invaders.

The Inca called the city, rather grandly “The Navel of the Universe,” and they built it to last. Of all the monuments to Inca skills, their huge stone walls are perhaps the most impressive. Made from closely

La Paz, Bolivia

fitted blocks of granite weighing hundreds of tons, they are cut and polished with such accuracy that you can’t insert a razor blade into the joints.

One mountain city remained completely hidden from the Spanish. In fact, it remained hidden from the entire world until 1911, when it was discovered in an astonishing state of preservation by the American explorer Hiram Bingham.

Dubbed the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu is now a world heritage site and a visit here was to prove one of the highlights of our ride.

Private vehicles are not permitted on the narrow track that winds its way up to the city, so we parked our bikes, caught a train to the bustling town of Agua Calientes and the next morning took a pre-dawn bus ride to the ancient fortress as first light broke over the mountains. It was an unforgettable sight. Machu Picchu itself is a splendid sight, but the location is utterly spectacular, a plateau surrounded by deep jungle-filled valleys, hidden for centuries among thousand-foot-high granite cliffs.

Back on our bikes, we now had a magnificent ride through the very mountains that give birth to the River On the Pacific coast, Peru

Amazon. This is landscape at its most dramatic, but it was still surprising to learn that Colca Canyon is more than twice as deep as Arizona’s Grand Canyon. We spent a couple of hours here gazing at the huge Andean condors, effortlessly gliding and swooping the thermals on their 10foot wingspans.

The highest pass over the Andes beckoned, and after a somewhat breathless stop in the thin air of the “Mirador del Andes” at 16,170 feet, we started our downhill ride through Arequipa to the Pacific. We rode north now, huge rollers pounding the coast, the smell of the ocean filling the air.

Our last throw of the dice was to visit Nazca, and see for ourselves the mysterious “lines,” the hundreds of enormous shapes and patterns that the Incas dug into the flat plain centuries ago.

The images are colossal: humming-birds, monkeys, trees and flowers; some are more than 600 feet across, so large they can really be seen only from the air.

That night we enjoyed a farewell dinner and looked back on the past seven weeks, recalling the unfolding landscapes of mountains, lakes, waterfalls and canyons, the friendships we’d made and the glimpses we’d had of great cities and ancient civilizations.

Had I been anxious about riding in South America, about the group, and using a rented bike? Yes, and riding in South America needed extra care and attention, but I’d take this in return for the extra thrills. And yes, group dynamics were challenging, but they were also supportive, and I made lasting friendships with some wonderful people.

Rick Wheaton is an AMA member who writes about lessons learned from riding routes the world over. Comments? Email submissions@ama-cycle.org.

April 2014

39

Get Out And Ride For most of the country, spring is the start of the riding season—when the snow thaws, the road salt washes away and the temperatures remain bearable. AMA Go Ride! Month celebrates the kickoff to the riding season the best way we know how: by highlighting the awesome things you can do on your motorcycle throughout the year.

This year, we remind you of all the fun things to do, but we also take a thorough look at the state of safety training. After all, while you should make sure your bike is good to go for the new riding season, it’s even more critical to tune up the most important machine of all: you!

_ Tune Up, Get Out, Go Ride!

Fresh Training Can Help Make This Your Best Riding Season Yet By Jim Witters

As the weather warms, motorcyclists in the cooler climes are preparing for the riding season by finishing up needed repairs and modifications and tuning those engines, but spring also is a great time to consider a rider tune-up.

Refresher courses and advanced-rider training provide a great way to ensure that you get the most enjoyment from the weather, the roads, the bikes and yourself.

“It’s hard to get people to return for more training,” says Bill Seltzer, marketing director and rider coach for TEAM Arizona, which trains 800 to 1,000 experienced riders each year.

“But the typical response I get from someone completing the advanced courses is, ‘I can’t believe how much I learned.’ ”

A Return To Riding

Don Rocha, a 59-year-old AMA member from Fort Collins, Colo., didn’t need much persuasion to take a refresher course at T3RG Motorcycle Schools in Denver.

“I had taken a beginner course when I was in college in Canada in the 1970s, but I didn’t do much with it,” Rocha says.

“Then one of my neighbors showed up with a sport tourer, and I decided to look

into motorcycles again.”

In 2006, Rocha bought a 2002 Ducati ST2. Then he got nervous.

“I thought maybe I had gotten in over my head, with the Ducati and all,” he says.

“So I took a refresher course from a guy in Denver before I even rode it.”

Since then, Rocha has added a Triumph XC and a KTM supermoto to his garage. He has continued his training, with a course for experienced riders, basic and advanced Total Control courses at T3RG Motorcycle Schools and a track course.

“I learned useful things about riding alone and in groups, how to position myself and what to

watch out for,” Rocha says. “The Total Control classes are really geared more toward the sport tourer bikes and our type of riding, which is a lot faster.

“The training is more performance oriented. It’s just short of a track course.”

Rocha says his initial nervousness has subsided, largely due to the formal advanced training he received.

“My intention is to do more of that,” he says.

Experienced Rider Welcomed

A common perception is that younger riders acting irresponsibly account for the highest number of crashes, injuries and fatalities involving motorcycles.

However, a study by the Ohio Department of Transportation showed that “the highest number of at fault crashes resulting in death and serious injuries involved males between the ages of 41 and 50.”

Motorcycle Ohio, a state-supported agency that oversees motorcycle training, says 75 percent of motorcycle crashes involve “experienced” riders.

“Advanced training provides riders and co-riders the opportunity to increase their understanding of safe riding techniques and to practice these techniques on their motorcycles,” the agency’s website says.

Motorcycle safety schools provide a

41to50

40 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Age range of males involved in highest number of at-fault crashes that resulted in death or serious injury (Ohio DOT)

75%

controlled environment New Rider, Percentage of crashes that and highly trained Advanced involve “experienced” riders instructors who can Courses (Motorcycle Ohio) assess the mental and Sgt. Sean Kelly of physical skills that need the Mesa, Ariz., police improvement. department, completed all of the rider courses offered by TEAM “Someone who has been Arizona. riding for, say, 25 years—maybe without incident—is biased, thinking maybe they Kelly, 47, started riding just three years don’t need training,” Seltzer says. “But ago. maybe they’ve just been lucky.”

“I had never ridden before. It was always, ‘Motorcycles are dangerous,’ so Experienced riders, even those who I stayed away from them,” he says. “But I have completed a basic rider course, can become rusty, both physically and am one of those mid-life-crisis guys who got into motorcycles as an outlet.” mentally, says Dr. Raymond J. Ochs, Kelly took the beginning rider course director of training systems for the through TEAM Arizona, bought a Yamaha Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Ochs, also known as Dr. Ray, says V-Star 650 and started riding every day, the goal of rider training is to make the logging 15,000 miles in his first year.

Since then, Kelly has added a 1976 physical actions—throttle, clutch and Yamaha dirt bike and a Yamaha Super brake control and steering—as automatic as possible.

Ténéré to his lineup.

So the advanced courses provided by As the miles rolled by, Kelly continued training. He now is a member of the the MSF and others include refreshers, police department’s motor patrol, riding a such as for cornering, swerving and hard braking, before moving on to provide new Kawasaki Concours on duty. information.

With an estimated 60,000 motorcycling miles under his belt in just three years of The key is to provide each rider with a riding, Kelly’s next goal is to complete the realistic assessment of his skills.

Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s instructor “Everybody believes they are above course and become a RiderCoach. average drivers and riders,” Ochs says.

He says that seemingly simple tactics, “We try to help them internalize exactly such as avoiding dogs while riding, prove where they stand.” helpful during routine daily rides. Attention The key is to know your limits and ride to properly positioning his motorcycle in within them. traffic and “being an active rider” helps Colleen Boyle, who operates T3RG Kelly avoid emergency situations.

Motorcycle Schools in Colorado, says “I mentally rehearse scenarios,” he the seasoned rider likely started out says. “The courses taught me to maintain “young and fearless,” but their years of a good safety zone and be attentive. experience involves “riding the same five “It is remarkable how the motorcycle roads several times a year.” responds when the rider has proper Then there are those who put their vision. It makes the ride much safer and riding aside while raising a family. much more enjoyable.”

“The riders who buy a bike after their kids are grown have more money Crash Dangers than skill,” Boyle says. “They are very Research shows that rider intoxication, hesitant to take an entry-level course, aggressive riding, wet surfaces, improper but they need the refresher to restore gear and higher speeds increase the their confidence, especially in low-speed severity of motorcycle crashes. maneuvers.”

Rider training can help address all Boyle recommends the MSF Basic those dangers.

Rider Course 2 for people with some One of the leading causes of multiexperience or a gap in their riding vehicle motorcycle crashes is “other histories. vehicle drivers’ failure to see or yield “They are very different machines,” to motorcyclists,” according to a 2013 Boyle says. “The guys who pass up the survey by the University of Texas at sport bikes and get a cruiser or a bagger Austin for the 92nd Annual Meeting of the end up wobbling at slow speeds. There is Transportation Research Board. no reason to walk your bike into a parking The basic and advanced courses help space from 25 feet.”

–

Safety Programs Supporting The AMA The AMA Rider Education Support Program (www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ Membership/SupportingRidersEd.aspx) provides rider education groups tools to promote membership in the AMA. The program currently includes more than 35 organizations with 280 coaches who train more than 105,000 riders a year at 265 U.S. locations.

Participating programs expose students to the benefits of AMA membership, including represention of motorcyclists’ rights in Washington, D.C. They include: Arizona

@ T.E.A.M. Arizona

www.motorcycletraining.com

Colorado

@ T3RG Motorcycle Schools

t3rg.ca

@ ABATE of Colorado

www.abateofcolo.org

Florida

@ Motorcycle Training Institute

www.mtii.com

Georgia

@ Georgia Motorcycle Riders

georgiamotorcycleriders.com

Idaho

@ Idaho STAR Motorcycle Program

idahostar.org

Illinois

@ Motorcycle Riding’s Cool

www.motorcyclelearning.com

Indiana

@ ABATE of Indiana

www.abateonline.org

Iowa

@ ABATE of Iowa

www.abateiowa.org

Massachusetts

@ Training Wheels

www.trainingwheelsonline.com

Missouri

@ Freedom of Road Riders

www.forr.net

Nevada

@ Cycle School Motorcycle Training

www.cycleschool.com

Continued on next page.

Get Out And Ride

Safety Programs Supporting The AMA New Jersey

riders “ride like they are invisible” and avoid traffic traps created by unobservant or distracted drivers, Ochs says.

Injury Avoidance

Avoiding crashes is particularly important for the “seasoned” riders, who stand a greater chance of serious injury.

A 2013 study by Tracy L. Jackson at Brown University showed that, “The number of injuries increased in all groups from 2001 to 2008, with the greatest rate of increase occurring in the oldest age group. Older adults had the greatest odds of hospitalization with a threefold increased rate of hospitalization” as a result of a motorcycle crash.

A key is getting more people into the advanced courses.

Boyle says her schools train as many as 3,000 novice riders each year, but an average of only 70 students a year take the “total control” course and just 25 complete the “top gun” course, which offers a civilian version of the police motorcycle training course.

Kelly says that the advanced training he received made a difference. It turned “white knuckle experiences into something enjoyable,” he says.

In investigating single-vehicle motorcycle crashes, Kelly’s personal experience is that the failure to negotiate a curve is the leading cause.

“Understanding the physics of riding really helps me,” Kelly says. “I can take curves significantly faster now, but 10 times safer.”

He credits advanced training courses, which provided him with the knowledge he

needs to choose the proper line in a curve.

“I don’t know how many years it would have taken me to figure that out on my own,” he says.

Strategies For Safety

Ochs says experienced riders tend to neglect defensive riding techniques.

Seltzer says the “most obvious” deficiency demonstrated in experienced riders is “predator vision” that results in “target fixation.”

When homing in on prey, target fixation can be a great asset. But in the ever-changing landscape surrounding a motorcyclist, target fixation is a hindrance.

“We try to get riders to expand their vision,” Seltzer says. “We work on delayed entry into curves. We work on trying different entry points and selecting a different apex. Then we use the SEE [Search, Evaluate, Execute] method.”

Ochs says the MSF website (www.msf-usa.org/riderperception/) includes a perception challenge to help riders test their skills.

The MSF offers a wide range of courses, from smart-phone apps to iTunes University courses to basic and advanced skills training to bike-bonding, Ochs says.

As with all rider training, the goal of the advanced courses is to increase the safety margin, so the motorcyclist can better enjoy the ride.

“We want to encourage people to keep an open mind,” Seltzer says. “There are lots of ways for each of us to ride better. If you open yourself up to new possibilities when you come into the course, you can get so much more out of it.”

@ Rider Education of New Jersey

www.renj.com

@ Motorcycle Riding Center

www.theridingcenter.com

@ Riding Academy of New Jersey

www.theridingacademyofnj.com

@ Fairleigh Dickinson University Cont.

Ed/Motorcycle Program view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=93

New York

@ Learn 2 Ride, Inc.

www.learn2ride.net

Oregon

@ Team Oregon

www.team-oregon.org

Tennessee

@ MidTenn Rider Education

www.midtennmotorcycle.com

Texas

@ MRH Rider Training

www.motorcycleridershouston.com

@ Geo Center Motorcycle Training

www.gcmctraining.com

@ Texas Motor Sports

www.texasmotorsports.com

@ Rider’s Edge-Caliente Harley

www.calienteharley.com

@ Motorcycle Training Center

www.texasmtc.com

@ Gregory’s Riding School

www.gregorysdrivingschool.com

@ RiderCourse Center, LLC

www.ridercourse.com

@ The Motorcycle School of San Antonio

www.themotorcycleschool.com

@ Longhorn Harley Davidson

www.longhornhd.com

@ Piney Woods Riders Academy

(936) 637-7555

@ Fastline

www.ridefastline.com

Utah

@ Salt Lake Community College

Find Rides Online AMA Great Roads Database Available online for members, the AMA Great Roads database includes routes suggested by AMA members.

To access the AMA Great Roads database, go to www. americanmotorcyclist.com/ asp/membersonly/roads/ ama_roads_database_home. asp. You will need to log in to the Members Area. If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to set one up.

42 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Share The Ride Online AMA Member Gallery Share photos online at the AMA gallery for membersubmitted photos.

Located at gallery. americanmotorcyclist.com, the gallery includes tens of thousands of images of member rides and AMA events. What’s missing here? It might be you!

Send your best photo, or two or six, to submissions@ ama-cycle.org.

Never Ride Alone AMA Roadside Assistance Carry with you the peace of mind that only comes with AMA Roadside Assistance.

For no additional cost when you set up your membership to auto-renew with a valid credit card, you can ride knowing that free, bike-friendly roadside assistance is only a phone call away. Also covered are your cars, trailers and RVs. To sign up, call (800) 262-5646.

Motorcycle Training view.fdu.edu

Virginia

@ Motorcycle Riding Concepts

www.saddleupva.com

Washington

@ Evergreen Safety Council

www.evergreenmotorcycletraining.org

@ Puget Sound Safety

www.pugetsoundsafety.com

Safety schools interested in participating in the AMA Rider Education Support Program should call (614) 856-1900, ext. 1227, for more information.

JOIN OR RENEW your AMA membership in 2014 and you could win!

Member #

Year Member

2013 Yamaha Super Ténéré

As the proud sponsor of the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Touring Series, Yamaha is awarding one lucky member a new 2013 Super Ténéré! Riders participating in the series will also be automatically entered.

Every month, everyone who joins or renews a membership in the AMA is automatically entered in a drawing for a

$100 Gift Card from BikeBandit.com.

The best part? You’re automatically entered when you join or renew between Jan. 1, 2014 and Dec. 31, 2014.

www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com (800) AMA-JOIN No purchase necessary. For complete rules, terms and conditions visit http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Membership/RenewSweeps_Rules.aspx.

Expiration

Get Out And Ride

_ AMA Premier Touring Series

The Best Recreational Rides On The Planet Are AMA Sanctioned AMA National Rallies AMA National Rallies are AMA-produced and promoted events that include a range of activities, including seminars, bike shows, rides, swap meets, racing, field meets, demo rides, vendor displays and more.

This year’s AMA National Rally is AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 11-13, in Lexington, Ohio. The event, the largest annual fund-raiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, features North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, vintage racing, bike shows, seminars and more.

More info: www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com

AMA National Gypsy Tours

AMA National Touring Rallies AMA National Conventions

AMA National conventions are the top tier of AMA-sanctioned rides and rallies. put on by the AMA’s promoting clubs and organizers, these rides are the best of the best, where you’ll find thousands of likeminded riders in some of the most beautiful places in the country.

@ AMeRicADe, June 2-7, in Lake

George, N.y. is a laid-back, roadriding touring destination with a family friendly atmosphere. More info: www.americade.com

@ THe GOLDeN AspeN

MOTORcycLe RALLy, sept.

17-21, in Ruidoso, N.M., is a huge event high in the Rocky Mountains of southeastern New Mexico. More info: www.motorcyclerally.com

44 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

AMA National Touring Rallies take the Gypsy Tour concept and mix in more options for riding. Often built around guided local tours and organized riding events, these events are open to riders of all stripes. below are national-level events. @ AspeNcAsH RALLy:

May 15-18, Ruidoso, N.M. info: www.motorcyclerally.com

One of the oldest touring experiences in all of motorcycling, Gypsy Tours began as one-day events around the country where riders would travel to a specific site to enjoy each others’ company at what evolved into large gatherings. @ LAuGHLiN RiVeR RuN, Apr. 23-

27, Laughlin, Nev. info: www.laughlinriverrun.com @ RepubLic OF TexAs (R.O.T.) RAlly, June 12-15, Austin, Tex. @ LAcONiA MOTORcycLe Week, June 14-22, Laconia, N.H. info: www.laconiamcweek.com @ THuNDeR iN THe VALLey, June 26-29, Johnstown, penn. info: www.visitjohnstownpa.com/ thunderinthevalley/ @ 37TH ANNuAL NATiONAL bikeRs ROuNDup, Jul 28-Aug 3, Tulsa, Okla.

@ sTAR 2014: June 8-11, Rapid city,

s.D. info: info: www.ridemsta.com

@ 2014 ROADRuNNeR

MOTORcycLe TOuRiNG & TRAVeL ANNuAL TOuRiNG WeekeND: July 17-24, snowshoe, W.Va. info: www.roadrunner.travel/ events/touring-weekend/ @ RALLy iN THe GORGe: Aug. 29-sept. 1, Hood River, Ore. info: www.soundrider.com/rally

@ sTuRGis, Aug. 4-10, sturgis, s.D.;

www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com

@ kiLLiNGTON cLAssic,

Aug 28-31, killington, Vt. info: www.killingtonclassic.com

ta Jus ian nd !I ed nc ou nn 4 01

2 the is cle rcy to Mo ! ar Ye the of ue rq Ma

2014 www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com

AMA Members Call (800) 262-5646 before May 27, 2014, to order advance discounted tickets.

Get Out And Ride AMA Signature Events

AMA Signature Events offer an experience that’s a notch above a typical motorcycle gathering.

@ THE NATIONAL RIDE FOR KIDS

PROGRAM supports the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Ride for Kids events feature great scenery, wonderful camaraderie and the opportunity to help a good cause.

Info: www.rideforkids.org @ MARCH OF DIMES BIKERS FOR BABIES RIDES support a favorite charity of motorcyclists—the March of Dimes—while educating people about the seriousness of premature birth and birth defects.

Info: www.bikersforbabies.org

AMA National Grand Tours

Going Faster Off-Road—Safely

Off-Road Riding And Racing Have Their Own Skills Hopping onto a dirt bike and kicking up some dust is a fun and rewarding way to launch a lifelong love of motorcycling.

For those who have not reached street-legal age, off-road riding provides an opportunity to learn skills and responsibilities while enjoying outdoor activities with family and friends.

Beginner courses, such as the MSF DirtBike School (www.dirtbikeschool.com), are great for learning the basics, but once you have those down, advanced training can help you take your riding to an entirely new level.

Below are sample programs for varying levels of skill and different applications.

Search online to find an off-road school near you. Additional resources are at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > Dirt > Get Started.

BEGINNER/BASIC

On AMA National Grand Tours, you ride at your own pace, taking pictures of yourself at key locations. There are plenty of prizes, including riding gear from apparel sponsor KLIM.

Motorcycle Safety Foundation DirtBike School www.dirtbikeschool.org DirtBike School is a fun, one-day, hands-on training session available to anyone 6 years old or older. At approved training sites, MSF certified coaches teach basic riding skills and responsible riding, including risk management and environmental awareness.

@ BIG MONEY RALLY GRAND TOUR

ADVANCED RIDING/RACING

(Jan. 1 - May 24). Info: www.bigmoneyrally.com @ TOUR OF HONOR GRAND TOUR (April 1 - Oct. 31). Info: www.tourofhonor.com @ TEAM STRANGE AIRHEADS 30TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORY LANE GRAND TOUR (March 1 - Oct. 31).

Info: www.teamstrange.com

AMA Premier Touring Series

–

For a bigger challenge, the Southern California Motorcycling Association has cooked up two AMA National Extreme Grand Tours. For details, see www.sc-ma.com. @ USA FOUR CORNERS GRAND

TOUR (Feb. 2 - Dec. 15)

@ SCMA THREE FLAGS CLASSIC

GRAND TOUR (TBA)

AMA KLIM Flash Tours

AMA Flash Tours on Facebook challenge you to get on the road.

To participate, submit photos that correspond to the active Flash Tour at www.facebook.com/ americanmotorcyclist. At the end of each Flash Tour, selected winners receive cool KLIM gear.

46 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Rich Lafferty Racing www.richlaffertyracing.com/ riding-schools.html The Lafferty schools cover off-road techniques for logs, turns, whoops, tight trails and more. Classes are tailored to the group or individual. Lafferty says he has taught riders as young as 7, but students 10 or 11 years old progress much more quickly.

The DirtWise Academy www.shanewatts.com The DirtWise Academy has worked with riders of every skill level, fitness level, ability and age. From one-day fundamentals training to a two-day hardcore class, students can learn drifting around flat turns, railing corner ruts, grinding and conquering logs, steep hills and ravines.

SPECIALIZED RACING Raines Racing www.rainesracing.com/Schools/NationalEnduroProgram.aspx Raines Riding University has developed a unique program in correlation with the Rekluse National Enduro Series, allowing participants to race and ride on the same minute as Jason Raines, while using in-helmet communication devices and helmet cameras. Throughout the race, Raines offers instruction and guidance. After each race, riders will review video footage and discuss their progress in a group.

ADVENTURE CLASS RIDING The World of RawHyde www.rawhyde-offroad.com Jim Hyde’s RawHyde Rider Training Programs proclaim to provide both an adventure as well as training. The Adventure Camps are designed to not only challenge dual-sport riders’ skills but teach students about many of the navigation, GPS, trail repairs and the latest in communication technology.

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

GO RIDE

4

Enjoy a good mix of fire service roads and twisty rural blacktop that begins in east Tennessee and goes into western North Carolina as part of the Slate Creek 500 Adventure Ride in Bybee, Tenn., April 12-13. The Slate Creek 500 Adventure Ride is part of the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series. For the full schedule, see page 55.

1

1

The battle for AMA Supercross supremacy continues this month with the stars of AMA Supercross banging handlebars in stadiums April 5 in Houston, April 12 in Seattle and April 26 in East Rutherford, N.J. For more info, go to www.amasupercross.com or see page 51.

2

The pace is fast and furious in the Kenda AMA National Enduro Championship Series.

Catch the action April 6 in West Point, Tenn.

For the full schedule, see page 52.

1

3 2,4

5

3

1 6

3

Catch some exciting action from the AMSOIL AMA Grand National Cross Country Series on April 12-13 in Union, S.C. and April 26-27 in Springville, Ind. For the full schedule, see page 51.

5

Join up with a bunch of your riding pals and head off to prison as part of the Yuma Prison Run rally, April 18-20, at the Yuma County Fairgrounds in Arizona. Hosted by the Norwalk Centaurs Motorcycle Club, the annual event is a fundraiser for needy children. Info: www.yumaprisonrun.com.

COMING UP

Start planning your riding routes now for the 2014 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 11-13, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Get together with tens of thousands of your best friends for a rockin’ good time. More information is available at www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com.

6

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation will host the South Florida Ride for Kids event on Sunday, April 13, in Deerfield Beach, Fla. For information about all of the 2014 Ride for Kids events, go to www.rideforkids.org.

April 2014

47

APRIL EVENTS ALABAMA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 26: TALLASSEE: 2 DAY EVENT, MONSTER ACTION SPORTS, LLC, (334) 318-8475, MONSTERMX.COM ARIZONA RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN APR 18: YUMA: 2 DAY EVENT, NORWALK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (661) 245-3932, YUMAPRISONRUN.COM COMPETITION

HARE SCRAMBLES APR 12: SHASTA LAKE CITY: 2 DAY EVENT, NORTH VALLEY MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION, INC., (530) 921-1233, REDDINGDIRTRIDERS.COM MOTOCROSS APR 9: SAN BERNADINO: 2X PROMOTIONS LLC, (740) 297-6686, 2XPROMOTIONS.COM APR 26: PORTERVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, 2X PROMOTIONS LLC, (740) 297-6686, 2XPROMOTIONS.COM COLORADO COMPETITION MOTOCROSS

ENDURO APR 13: CAMP WOOD: ARIZONA TRAIL RIDERS, (602) 692-9382, ARIZONATRAILRIDERS.ORG

APR 6: MILLIKEN: TWO RIVERS RACING LLC, (970) 587-5770 DELAWARE

OBSERVED TRIALS

COMPETITION

APR 13: PRESCOTT: CENTRAL ARIZONA TRIALS INC, (602) 840-3640, CENTRALARIZONATRIALS.ORG

MOTOCROSS

CALIFORNIA

FLORIDA

DUAL SPORT RIDE

RECREATIONAL

APR 27: SAN LUIS OBISPO: PENGUINS MOTORCYCLE CLUB AT CAL POLY, CPPENGUINSMC.COM

ADVENTURE RIDE

POKER RUN - OFF-ROAD APR 5: LAKEPORT: NORTH BAY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (707) 568-6321, NORTHBAYMC.ORG POKER RUN APR 5: LANCASTER: ANTELOPE VALLEY RIDERS, (661) 435-8949, AVTS.AV.ORG APR 13: STOCKTON: STOCKTON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 956-1505, STOCKTONMC.ORG TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL APR 5: PAICINES: RACERS UNDER THE SON- CENTRAL COAST, (408) 807-7293, RUTSCENTRALCOAST.ORG APR 12: SAN BERNARDINO: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG COMPETITION ENDURO APR 6: LAKEPORT: NORTH BAY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (707) 568-6321, NORTHBAYMC.ORG HARE & HOUND

APR 26: BROOKSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, DIXIE DUAL SPORT, INC., (727) 919-8299, DIXIEDUALSPORT.COM DUAL SPORT RIDE APR 26: BROOKSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, DIXIE DUAL SPORT, INC., (727) 919-8299, DIXIEDUALSPORT.COM POKER RUN APR 27: FT. WALTON: SAND DOLLAR MC, INC., (850) 244-0376 ROAD RUN APR 13: DEERFIELD BEACH: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG APR 13: UMATILLA: CENTRAL FLORIDA CRUISERS, INC., (352) 396-3239, CENTRALFLORIDACRUISERS.ORG COMPETITION

APR 27: (Includes ATVs) OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 4343669, VARIETYRIDERS.COM COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 20: CASEY: LINCOLN TRAIL MOTOSPORTS, (217) 932-2041, LINCOLNTRAILMOTOSPORTS.COM APR 26: CASEY: LINCOLN TRAIL MOTOSPORTS, (217) 932-2041, LINCOLNTRAILMOTOSPORTS.COM APR 27: CASEY: LINCOLN TRAIL MOTOSPORTS, (217) 932-2041, LINCOLNTRAILMOTOSPORTS.COM INDIANA RECREATIONAL APR 12: ROSELAWN: GRAND KANKAKEE TRAIL RIDERS, (708) 946-0999, GKTRAILRIDERS.COM COMPETITION ENDURO APR 13: ROSELAWN: GRAND KANKAKEE TRAIL RIDERS, (708) 946-0999, GKTRAILRIDERS.COM HILLCLIMB APR 26: (Includes ATVs) CAYUGA: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (217) 247-2216, PLEASURERIDERS.NET APR 27: (Includes ATVs) CAYUGA: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (217) 247-2216, PLEASURERIDERS.NET MOTOCROSS APR 12: ROSSVILLE: WILDCAT CREEK MX, (765) 379-2482, WILDCATCREEKMX.COM APR 13: ROSSVILLE: WILDCAT CREEK MX, (765) 379-2482, WILDCATCREEKMX.COM OBSERVED TRIALS APR 26: LIGONIER: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (574) 386-4061, MOTATRIALS.COM APR 27: LIGONIER: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (574) 386-4061, MOTATRIALS.COM IOWA

MOTOCROSS APR 5: OKEECHOBEE: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC APR 6: OKEECHOBEE: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC GEORGIA

APR 12: (Includes ATVs) JOHNSON VALLEY: 2 DAY EVENT, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (949) 981-6776, SOCALMC.COM

COMPETITION

APR 26: (Includes ATVs) JOHNSON VALLEY: 2 DAY EVENT, VIKINGS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (805) 680-6336, DISTRICT37AMA.ORG

APR 6: (Includes ATVs) DALTON: LAZY RIVER MOTOCROSS, (706) 278-1620, LAZYRIVERMOTOCROSS.COM

48 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL

RELIABILITY RUN

APR 12: SEAFORD: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (443) 359-1089, SPEEDCITI.COM

RECREATIONAL

ILLINOIS RECREATIONAL

MOTOCROSS

COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 27: SHELLROCK: NEW HARTFORD RACING INC, (319) 885-6469, NEWHARTFORDRACING.COM KANSAS COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 5: MAIZE: BAR 2 BAR MX PARK, LLC, (316) 239-8132, BAR2BARMXPARK.COM

APRIL EVENTS APR 6: MAIZE: BAR 2 BAR MX PARK, LLC, (316) 239-8132, BAR2BARMXPARK.COM MICHIGAN COMPETITION

NEW YORK RECREATIONAL

OREGON

BIKE BLESSING APR 26: BROOKLYN: BIKERS OF BROOKLYN, (347) 996-6690

MOTOCROSS APR 5: NEWAYGO: BIG AIR MOTOCROSS, (231) 652-5225, BIGAIRMOTOCROSS.COM APR 6: NEWAYGO: BIG AIR MOTOCROSS, (231) 652-5225, BIGAIRMOTOCROSS.COM APR 19: MILLINGTON: BAJA MX INC, (989) 871-3356, BAJAACRES.COM APR 27: MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 832-8284, POLKADOTSMC.NET MINNESOTA COMPETITION

FUN RUN APR 27: ALBANY: ROAMERS MC, (518) 248-1037

APR 13: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 244-9996, MOTOKAZIE.COM APR 27: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 244-9996, MOTOKAZIE.COM APR 27: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 679-2582, WWW.BERMBENDERS.COM MISSISSIPPI COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 12: PRENTISS: 2 DAY EVENT, GOLDEN PINE RACEWAY, (601) 506-8669, GOLDENPINERACEWAY.COM NEVADA COMPETITION HARE & HOUND APR 12: PANACA: SNDR-SOUTHERN NEVADA DESERT RACERS, (702) 293-0480, MRANRACING.COM NEW JERSEY

ROAD RUN APR 27: CROTON-ON-HUDSON: ROAD KINGS NEW YORK MC, (917) 751-3099, WWW.HOGS4HOPE.COM MOTOCROSS APR 6: (Includes ATVs) AUBURN: FROZEN OCEAN MOTOCROSS INC, (315) 784-5466, FROZEN-OCEAN.COM NORTH CAROLINA RECREATIONAL SCHOOLS - ROAD APR 21: PISGAH FOREST: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 637-0947, MOTOMARK1.COM APR 23: STECOAH: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 637-0947, MOTOMARK1.COM COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 12: HENDERSON: KRUSTY RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (252) 438-8192, NCMP.NET APR 13: HENDERSON: KRUSTY RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (252) 438-8192, NCMP.NET OHIO COMPETITION APR 5: ATHENS: ACTION SPORTS PROMOTIONS INC., (740) 591-7223, ACTIONSPORTSRACING.COM

APR 6: CHATSWORTH: PINE BARONS ENDURO RIDERS, (609) 502-6737 APR 13: PORT ELIZABETH: TRI-COUNTY SPORTSMEN MC INC., (888) 274-4469, TEAMHAMMER.ORG NEW MEXICO RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN APR 27: ALBUQUERQUE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG

PENNSYLVANIA MOTOCROSS

MOTOCROSS

ENDURO

APR 6: TIGARD: ROSE CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (503) 706-3969, ROSE-CITY-MC.ORG COMPETITION

ROAD RUN

COMPETITION

POKER RUN

APR 26: BRONX: CELTIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (914) 924-2170, CELTICMCC.COM

RECREATIONAL APR 12: BRIDGEWATER: STEEL CRUSADERS RC-JERSEY CREW

RECREATIONAL

POKER RUN

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

APR 27: PONCA CITY: RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM

APR 6: ATHENS: ACTION SPORTS PROMOTIONS INC., (740) 591-7223, ACTIONSPORTSRACING.COM APR 27: GREENVILLE: TREATY CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (937) 459-0508, TREATYCITYMC.COM

APR 4: BUCK: GENTLEMEN MC SPORTSMEN, (717) 284-2270 APR 13: SCHUYLKILL HAVEN: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 385-1460, SCHUYLKILL COUNTYMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM APR 13: MARIETTA: AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS PA POST CHAPTER #466, (717) 898-0871 APR 19: OLEY: READING MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (610) 987-6422, WWW.READINGMC.COM APR 27: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (717) 270-9797 ROAD RUN APR 27: YORK: YORK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, YORKMOTORCYCLE.COM COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLES APR 13: (Includes ATVs) TBA: BP PROMOTIONS, (267) 261-0186, AMADISTRICT6.COM MOTOCROSS APR 6: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMC.ORG APR 12: MANHEIM: SLEEPY HOLLOW MOTO CROSS, (717) 278-8998, SLEEPYMX.COM APR 13: MANHEIM: SLEEPY HOLLOW MOTO CROSS, (717) 278-8998, SLEEPYMX.COM OBSERVED TRIALS APR 27: ELIZABETHTOWN: CANDYTOWN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (717) 507-1661, CANDYTOWNMC.ORG SHORT TRACK APR 5: (Includes ATVs) SHIPPENSBURG: SHIPPENSBURG MC, (717) 796-0294, BAERMOTORSPORTS.COM TENNESSEE

OBSERVED TRIALS

RECREATIONAL

APR 5: SARDIS: 2 DAY EVENT, TRIALS INC, (502) 515-6514, TRIALSINC.ORG

ADVENTURE RIDE

OKLAHOMA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 26: PONCA CITY: RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM

APR 12: BYBEE: 2 DAY EVENT, APPALACHIAN TRAIL RIDERS, (865) 322-0193, VOLUNTEERRIDERS.COM TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL APR 5: WESTPOINT: NORTH ALABAMA TRAIL RIDERS ASSN, (972) 977-4112, WWW.NATRA-WESTPOINT.NET

April 2014

49

april eVents cOMPETITION

uTAH

WIScONSIN

ENDurO

cOMPETITION

cOMPETITION

APR 6: WEST POINT: NORTH ALABAMA TRAIL RIDERS ASSN, (972) 977-4112

MOTOcrOSS

HArE ScrAMBLES

MOTOcrOSS APR 5: (ATV only) BLOUNTVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 3235497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM APR 13: (Includes ATVs) BLOUNTVILLE: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM APR 26: LIVINGSTON: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM APR 27: (Includes ATVs) LIVINGSTON: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM TEXAS rEcrEATIONAL rOAD ruN

APR 5: ST GEORGE: 2 DAY EVENT, ST GEORGE MX, (435) 705-4125, WWW.STGEORGEMX.COM VIrgINIA cOMPETITION grAND PrIX APR 13: DILLWYN: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (434) 245-8599, VCHSS.ORG MOTOcrOSS APR 26: DILLWYN: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOPROMO, LLC, (434) 548-6043, ACTIONTOWNMX.COM SuPErMOTO APR 13: ALTON: SUPER MOTO EAST COAST, SUPERMOTOEASTCOAST.COM WEST VIrgINIA

APR 27: HUMBLE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, WWW.RIDEFORKIDS.ORG

cOMPETITION

cOMPETITION

APR 13: HEDGESVILLE: TOMAHAWK MX, LLC, (304) 229-6682, WWW.TOMAHAWKMX.COM

ENDurO APR 27: ALTAIR: TRAIL RIDERS OF HOUSTON, (832) 465-7790, TRAILRIDERSOFHOUSTON.COM

MOTOcrOSS

APR 27: ADAMS: MADISON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (262) 424-9361, MADISONMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORG MOTOcrOSS APR 13: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 265-1582, AZTALANMX.COM APR 13: GRANTSBURG: STRAIGHT ARROW ENDURO RIDERS, (651) 738-7433, STRAIGHTARROW.ORG APR 20: (Includes ATVs) HILLPOINT: SUGAR MAPLE MX LLC, (608) 393-8812, SUGARMAPLEMX.COM APR 27: NEKOOSA: RAPID ANGELS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (715) 451-1168, RAPIDANGELS.COM OBSErVED TrIALS APR 13: MAUSTON: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (319) 624-2003, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG

APR 19: HEDGESVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, WWW.TOMAHAWKMX.COM

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.

June 28: Lima, Oh.: Lima Half Mile

Oct. 12: Oregonia, Oh.: Dayton MC

July 5: Hagerstown, Md.: Hagerstown Half Mile

LucAS OIL AMA PrO MOTOcrOSS proMotocross.coM

July 19: Elma, Wa.: Grays Harbor Raceway July 26: Sacramento, calif.: Sacramento Mile Aug. 2: castle rock, Wa.: Castle Rock TT Aug. 5: rapid city, S.D.: Sturgis Half Mile

May 24: San Bernardino, calif.: Glen Helen National May 31: Sacramento, calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic June 7: Lakewood, colo.: Thunder Valley National

Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Recognizing those who have made significant contributions to all aspects of motorcycling.

Aug. 8: Indianapolis, Ind.: Indy Mile

Dirt-Track! All-American Motorcycle racing: Celebrating the storied history of the dirt oval.

Aug. 23: New kent, Va.: Colonia Downs MIle

2 Wheels + Motor, A Fine Art Exhibition: The spirit, excitement and adventure of motorcycling is expressed through fine art.

Sept. 28: Santa rosa, calif.: Santa Rosa Mile

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

Oct. 11: Pomona, calif.: Flat Track Season Finale

Jul. 19: Millville, Minn: Spring Creek National

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

AMA PrO HILLcLIMB aMaproracing.coM

Jul. 26: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal National

July 11-13, Lexington, Ohio: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Information: www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com.

June 1: Spring grove, Pa.: White Rose MC

AMA PrO rAcINg AMA PrO FLAT TrAck aMaproracing.coM Mar. 13: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona Flat Track I

Aug. 17: Peoria, Ill.: Peoria TT Aug. 31: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile II

June 8: Freemansburg, Pa.: Bushkill Valley MC June 18: canaan, N.H.: Ridge Runner/Laconia Bike Week July 13: West Branch, Mich.: Ogemaw Hills Bike Week

June 14: Mt. Morris, Pa.: High Point National June 28: Blountville, Tenn.: Tennessee National Jul. 5: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National

Aug. 9: New Berlin, N.y.: Unadila National Aug. 16: crawfordsville, Ind.: Indiana National Aug. 23: Tooele, utah: Utah National

AMA PrO rOAD rAcINg aMaproracing.coM Mar. 13-15: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway

Mar. 14: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona Flat Track II

Aug. 3: Muskegon, Mich.: Muskegon MC *All Star Challenge

May 25: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile

Sept. 21: Spring grove, Pa.: White Rose MC

June 21-22: Birmingham, Ala.: Barber Motorsports Park

June 15: knoxville, Ia.: Knoxville Half Mile

Sept. 28: Freemansburg, Pa.: Bushkill Valley MC

July 19-20: Lexington, Oh.: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

50 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

May 30: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America

2014 EVENTS Sept. 13-14: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

MoNSter eNergy AMA SupercroSS AMASUPERCROSS.COM Mar. 15: Detroit: Ford Field Mar. 22: toronto: Rogers Centre Mar. 29: St. Louis: Edward Jones Dome Apr. 5: Houston: Reliant Stadium Apr. 12: Seattle: Century Link Field Apr. 26: east rtherford, N.J.: MetLife Stadium May 3: Las Vegas: Sam Boyd Stadium

AMA pro-AM coMpetitioN March 15-16: Hamer, S.c.: South of the Border, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.victory-sports.com March 16: porterville, calif.: Porterville OHV Park, Road to Mammoth-King of the West Rnd 3; www.2xpromotions.com March 18-22: Wortham, texas: Freestone Raceway, James Stewart Spring Championship; www.freestonemx.com

May 11: pala, calif.: Pala Raceway, Road to Mammoth-King of the West Rnd 6; www.2xpromotions.com May 18: Kellogg, Minn.: Motokazie Motocross; www.motokazie.com May 24-25: Southwick, Mass.: Moto 338, Motocross League of American; www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com May 25: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway; www.pineridgeraceway.com May 26: Brush, colo.: Sweney Cycle Park; www.sweneycyclepark.com May 29-30: rancho cordova, calif.: Hangtown Motocross, Pro National Amateur Day; www.hangtownmx.com

Nov. 1-2: pell city, Ala.: Mill Creek MX, Motocross League of America (MLA); www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com

June 8: Nashville, ill.: Holzhauers MX, Mid-America MX Series; www.thetrackatholzhauers.com

July 6: Clifford, Pa.: Hurrican Hills MX; www.hhmotocross.com July 6: Altamont, tenn.: Fast Farms MX; www.midsouthraceproductions.com

April 6: Sanford, N.c.: Devil’s Ridge Motocross; www.devilsridgemotox.com

July 6: Buchanan, Mich.: Red Bud Motocross, Pro National Amateur Day; www.redbudmx.com

April 5-6: St. george, utah.: St. George MX, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.stgeorgemx.com

July 13: Blountville, tenn.: Muddy Creek, Thor United States Mega Series; www.victory-sports.com

April 9-13: San Bernardino, calif.: Glen Helen Raceway, California Classic; www.2xpromotions.com

July 19-24: ponca, okla.: Ponca City MX, Ponca City Amateur Championship (MLA); www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com

May 3-4: Bloomingdale, Mich.: Dutch Sport Park, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.dutchsportsparkmx.com May 4: Wallkill, N.y.: Walden MX, Walden MX Spring Pro-Am; www.mamamx.com May 11: Hedgeville, W.Va.: Tomahawk MX, MAMA MX Series; www.mamamx.com May 11: Walnut, ill.: Sunset Ridge; www.sunsetridgemx.com May 10-11: Little Falls, Minn.: MotoCity Raceway, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.motocityraceway.com

oct. 11-12: Duquoin, ill.: Indian Hills Motocross, Motocross League of America (MLA); www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com

June 1: Berwick, pa.: Evansville Motocross Park; www.evansvillemxpark.com

April 6: Birdsboro, pa.: Pagoda Motorcycle Club; www.pagodamc.com

April 26-27: Livingston, tenn.: Thunder Valley, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.victory-sports.com

oct. 12: tallassee, Ala.: Monster Mountain MX Park; www.monstermx.com

oct. 26: Buckeye, Ariz.: Arizona Cycle Park, Western Pro-Am; www.arizonacyclepark.com

June 29: Blountville, tenn: Muddy Creek Raceway, Thor United States Mega Series-Pro National Amateur Day; www.victory-sports.com

April 20: casey, ill.: Lincoln Trails Motosports, JM Racing Suspension Spring-Shootout; www.lincolntrailmotosports.com

oct. 5: englishtown, N.J.: Raceway Park; www.racewaypark.com

June 1: Mt. carroll, ill.: MC Motopark; www.mcmotopark.com

March 30: englishtown, N.J.: Raceway Park; www.racewaypark.com

April 13: Blountville, tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway, Thor United States Mega Series; www.victory-sports.com

Sept. 28: Dalton, ga.: Lazy River MX, Thor United States Mega Series; www.victory-sports.com

oct. 19: Blountville, tenn.: Muddy Creek, Thor United States Mega Series; www.victory-sports.com

June 28-29: Mammoth Lakes, calif.: Mammoth Moutain, Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross; www.2xpromotions.com

April 12-13: Manheim, pa.: Sleepy Hollow MX Park, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.sleepymx.com

Sept. 20-21: garwin, ia.: Oak Ridge MX, Motocross League of America (MLA); www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com

May 31: pecatonica, ill.: Stateline MX; www.statelinemx.com

March 22-23: richland, Wash.: Horn Rapids MX, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.hornrapidsmx.com

March 30: turlock, calif.: Oatfield Raceway, Road to Mammoth-King of the West Rnd 4; www.2xpromotions.com

Sept. 21: tigerton, Wis.: Fantasy Moto, Midwest Mega Series; www.fantasymoto.com

Nov. 23-26: gainsville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park, Mini Olympics-Supercross; www.unlimitedsportsmx.com Nov. 27-29: gainsville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park, Mini Olympics-Motocross; www.unlimitedsportsmx.com Nov. 30: St. george, utah: St. George MX; www.stgeorgemxw.com

AMA NAtioNAL cHAMpioNSHip SerieS AMSoiL AMA AreNAcroSS ARENACROSS.COM Mar. 14-16: Hidalgo, texas: State Farm Arena Mar. 29-30: Salt Lake city: EnergySolutions Arena

AMSoiL AMA grAND NAtioNAL croSS couNtry SerieS gNCCRACiNg.COM Mar. 15-16: Washington, ga.: The Maxxis General

Aug. 10: crystal Falls, Mich.: Valley Raceway MX; www.valleyracewaymx.com

Mar. 29-30: Morganton, N.c.: FMF Steele Creek

Aug. 10: Malvern, oh.: Malven Motocross, Battle of Ohio; www.omxa.net

Apr. 26-27: Springville, ind.: Dunlop Limestone 100

Aug. 24: Nashport, oh.: Briarclif MX, Battle of Ohio; www.omxa.net Aug. 24: edgewood, tex.: Buffalo Creek; www.buffalocreekmx.com

Apr. 12-13: union, S.c.: VP Racing Fuels Big Buck May 10-11: Hurricane Mills, tenn.: Parts Unlimited Loretta Lynn’s May 24-25: Morgantown, W.V.: Rocky Moutain ATV*MC Mountaineer Run

Aug. 24: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek, Viking Clash; www.springcreekmx.com Aug. 30-31: Millington, Mich.: Baja Acres, Baja Brawl; www.bajaacres.com Aug. 31: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway; www.pineridgeraceway.com Sept. 7: Seward, pa.: Pleasure Valley Raceway; www.pvrmx.com Sept. 7: Mason, ill.: Crossroads MX, World of Powersports Crossroads Cup; www.crossroadsmx.com Sept. 13-14: reynolds, ga.: Silver Dollar MX, Vurb Classic; www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com Sept. 21: New castle, Del.: Blue DIamond MX, Delaware State Championship; www.bdmxpark.com

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2014 EVENTS June 7-8: Millfield, Oh.: Wiseco John Penton June 21-22: Snowshoe, W.V.: AMSOIL Snowshoe Sept. 6-7: New Berlin, N.Y.: Can-Am Uandilla Sept. 20-21: TBA, Pa.: Car-Mate TBA Oct. 4-5: St Clairsville, Oh.: ITP Powerline Park Oct. 25-26: Crawfordsville, Ind.: AMSOIL Ironman

GeICO AMA eNdurOCrOSS ChAMPIONShIP ENdurocroSS.com May 2: Las Vegas: The Orleans Arena May 15: Austin, Texas: Circuit of the America’s June 21: Sacramento, Calif.: Sleep Train Arena Aug. 23: Atlanta: Gwinnett Center Oct. 4: denver, Colo.: National Western Complex Oct. 11: Salt Lake City, utah: Energy Solutions Arena Oct. 18: everett, Wash.: Comcast Arena Nov. 15: Boise, Idaho.: Idaho Center Nov. 22: Ontario, Calif.: Citizen Business Bank Arena

KeNdA AMA NATIONAL eNdurO ChAMPIONShIP NaTioNalENduro.com 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, Mo.: Michael Silger, Missouri Mudders; (636) 639-6373, MOMudders.com June 1: Arrington, Va.: Chuck Honeycutt, April Fools Promotions; (757) 375-5665, VCHSS.org June 29: Marquette, Mich.: Nick Zambon, UP Sandstormers; (906) 228-7010, UPSandstormers.com

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

July 26-27: Salt Lake City, utah: During Bike Jam at Miller Motorsports Park

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

Sept. 13-14: Sturgis, S.d.: downtown street race

Aug. 31: union, S.C.: Duane Wellington, Greenville Enduro Riders; (864) 908-6109, GreenvilleEnduroRiders.com Sept. 14: Matthews, Ind.: Doug Spence, Muddobbers; (765) 998-2236, MuddobbersMC.com

AMA eAST hAre SCrAMBLeS amaraciNg.com

AMA WeST hAre SCrAMBLeS amaraciNg.com Mar. 15, Amateur; Mar. 16, ATV & Youth: Anza, Calif.: Erek Kudla, Get-Xtr-Eme; (805) 236-5866, Get-Xtr-Eme.com Apr. 12, Youth; Apr. 13, Amateur: Chappie-Shasta OhV Area-Shasta Lake, Calif.: Russel Smith, Redding Dirt Riders; (530) 921-1233, reddingdirtriders.com

Mar. 23, Youth & Amateur: Park hills, Mo.: Gregory Kinkelaar, Missouri Dirt Riders; (314) 5047287, MODirtRiders.com

May 3, Youth; May 4, Amateur: Primm, Nev.: Ronald Maas, Sunland Shamrocks MC/Big 6 GP; (818) 767-4594, ShamrocksMC.com

June 14, Youth Bikes & ATV; June 15, Amateur Bikes & ATV: Berwick, Pa.: Duane Fisher, Evansville MX Park; (570) 759-2841, EvansvilleMXPark.com

June 14, Youth & C Amateur; June 15, Pro, A & B Amateur: elkton, Ore.: Jared Achepohl, ETRA, Inc.; (541) 912-8296, ETRA.net

July 13, Youth & Amateur: Battle Creek, Mich.: Byron Kibby, Battle Creek Motorcycle Club; (269) 209-8184, BattleCreekMotorcycleClub.com Aug. 16, Youth; Aug. 17, Amateur: Athens, Ohio: Kevin Brown, Athens Motorcycle Club; (740) 5903490, AthensMotorcycleClub.com Sept. 20, Youth; Sept. 21, Amateur: Bartow, Fla.: Keith Finnerty, Central Florida Trail Riders; (407) 774-9090, CFTRiders.com Oct. 4, Youth; Oct. 5, Amateur: Plainview, Ill.: Ron Whipple, WFO Promotions; (309) 314-3343, WFOPromotions.com

AMA SuPerMOTO NATIONAL ChAMPIONShIP SerIeS amaraciNg.com Apr. 19-20: Lake havasu City, Ariz.: SARA Park May 30-June 1: elkhart Lake, Wis.: In conjuction with AMA Pro Racing Road Race Championship July 5-6: denver, Colo.: In conjuction with NASCAR event

Sept. 6, Youth; Sept. 7, Amateur: Anza, Calif.: Justin Shultz, SoCal MC/Big 6 GP; (949) 981-6776, SoCalMC.com Oct. 4, Youth; Oct. 5, Amateur: ridgecrest, Calif.: Chris Cory, Viewfinders MC/Big 6 GP; (661) 450-8150, ViewfindersMC.com

SrT AMA hAre ANd hOuNd amaraciNg.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 State Trailblazers; (702) 994-6823, http://sites.google.com/site/silverstatetrailblazers/ Aug. 23, Amateur and Youth: Caliente, Nev.: Zack Livreri, Silver State Trailblazers; (702) 994-6823, http://sites.google.com/site/silverstatetrailblazers/

Buy the App!

Sept. 20, Youth; Sept. 21, Amateur: Yerington, Nev.: Erek Kudla, Get-Xtr-Eme; (805) 236-5866, Get-Xtr-Eme.com Oct. 11, Youth; Oct. 12, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Darren Moen, 100s MC; (714) 863-7170, www.100sMC.org

AIreS AMA/NATC MOTOTrIALS amaraciNg.com

Stay connected to the most-thrilling indoor motorsport on Earth.

Search in iTunes or on Google Play for “AMA Pro SX” or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com for details.

May 24 -25: Texas Creek, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Trials Association; (719) 564-6476, RockyMountainTrials.org May 31-June 1: Sedan, Kan.: Ark Valley Trials Assocation; (316) 644-7774, AVTATrials.com 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) 9428688, TrialsTrainingCenter.com

AMA/NATC eAST YOuTh MOTOTrIALS amaraciNg.com July 4-6: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Ashley Jackson, South Eastern Trials Riders Association; (423) 9428688, TrialsTrainingCenter.com

52 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

2014 eVenTS AMA/nAtC WeSt YOutH MOtOtrIALS amaRacing.com

Aug. 16: Athens, Ohio: Kevin Brown, Athens Motorcycle Club; (740) 590-3490, AthensMotorcycleClub.com

July 18-20: Howard, Colo.: Bill Markham, ITS Offroad; (719) 942-3372, ITSOffroad.com

Sept. 20: Bartow, Fla.: Keith Finnerty, Central Florida Trail Riders; (407) 774-9090, CFTRiders.com

AMA VIntAge dIrt trACk amaRacing.com

Oct. 4: Plainview, Ill.: Ron Whipple, WFO Promotions; (309) 314-3343, WFOPromotions.com

Mar. 10: Barberville, Fla.: Half Mile, Volusia County Speedway; Steve Nace, Steve Nace Racing; (270) 442-7532; www.stevenaceracing.com Mar. 11: Barberville, Fla.: Short Track, Volusia County Speedway; Steve Nace, Steve Nace Racing; (270) 442-7532; www.stevenaceracing.com May 4: Henry, Ill.: Half Mile; Steve Nace, Steve Nace Racing; (270) 442-7532; www.stevenaceracing.com May. 17: tar Heel, n.C.: Short Track, Tar Heel Speedway; (910) 258-2272; richard.lovette@ robeson.k12.nc.us May 18: tar Heel, n.C.: TT, Tar Heel Speedway; (910) 258-2272; richard/lovette@robeson.k12.nc.us June 20: Harpursville, n.Y.: Short Track; Square Deal Riders; (607) 725-3069; williamsracing12@ yahoo.com; SquareDealRiders.com June 21: Harpursville, n.Y.: Short Track; Square Deal Riders; (607) 725-3069; williamsracing12@ yahoo.com; SquareDealRiders.com

AMA FeAtured SerIeS BIg 6 AMA WeSt COASt grAnd PrIx SerIeS Big6Racing.com Apr. 5-6: Palms, Calif.: Rodeo and Motoplex, Hilltoppers GP May 3-4: Primm, nev.: Buffalo Bills Casino, Shamrocks GP Sept. 6-7: Anza, Calif.: The Ranch, SoCal GP Oct. 4-5: ridgecrest, Calif.: Ridgecrest Fairgrounds, Viewfinders GP

July 13: gillett, Pa.: Barbed Wire enduro, Southern Tier Enduro Riders; (607) 382-8534 July 27: Cross Fork, Pa.: rattlesnake national enduro, Brandywine Enduro Riders; (610) 368-7332, www.ber.us Aug. 10: three Springs, Pa.: green Marble enduro, Green Marble Enduro Riders; (410) 6389367, greenmarbleenduroriders.org Aug. 17: Berkshire, n.Y.: Speedsville enduro, Ithaca Dirt Riders; (607) 657-8248, www.ithacadirtriders.com Aug. 24: Mauricetown, n.J.: Beehive enduro, Competition Dirt Riders; (609) 319-7496, competitiondirtriders.org Sept. 7: Shippensburg, Pa.: Michaux enduro, South Penn Enduro Riders; (717) 265-6055, southpennenduroriders.com Sept. 21: Brandonville, Pa.: Moonshine enduro, Valley Forge Trail Riders; (484) 948-5361, vftr.org

dec. 6-7: Pala, Calif.: Pala Raceway, Vikings GP

nov. 9: Warren grove, n.J.: Stump Jumper enduro, Motorcycle Compeition Inc.; (609) 5757820, ride-mci.com

eASt COASt endurO rIderS endurO SerIeS ecea.oRg

nov. 23: new Lisbon, n.J.: Pine Hill enduro, Central Jersey Competition Riders; (732) 558-6475, www.cjcrmc.org

nov. 1-2: goran, Calif.: Quail Valley, Prospectors GP

Mar. 16: greenbank, n.J.: Sandy Lane enduro, Meteor Motorcycle Club; (856) 889-7300, www.meteormc.com

eASt COASt endurO rIderS HAre SCrAMBLeS SerIeS ecea.oRg

Mar. 23: Shamong, n.J.: Curly Fern enduro, South Jersey Enduro Riders; (609) 268-9272, sjer.org

Mar. 29-30: OxBO Hare Scrambles, South Penn Enduro Riders, (717) 938-0690

Aug. 9: Indianapolis, Ind.: Short Track; MidAmerica Speedway; (317) 871-4392; info@ midamspeedway.com; MidAmSpeedway.com

Apr. 6: Chatsworth, n.J.: Pine Barons Clock run, Pine Barons Enduro Riders; (609) 654-6300, http://pber.webs.com

May 17-18: MCI Hare Scrambles, Motorcycle Competition Inc., (609) 575-7820

Aug. 29: Springfield, Ill.: Short Track; Illinois State Fairgrounds; Steve Nace, Steve Nace Racing, (270) 442-7532; www.stevenaceracing.com

Apr. 13: Port elizabeth, n.J.: greenbrier enduro, Tri-County Sportsmen Motorcycle Club; 1 (888) 2744469, teamhammer.org

Sept. 20: Cuddebackville, n.Y.: Short Track; TriSate M/C Ltd.; (845) 566-4956; TriStateClub.com

May 4: delaware City, del.: delaware State enduro, Delaware Enduro Riders; (302) 834-4411, delawareenduroriders.com

July 12: Ashland, Ohio: Half Mile; AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days; Ken Saillant, (800) 262-5646; ksaillant@ama-cycle.org; AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Sept. 21: Cuddebackville, n.Y.: Short Track; TriSate M/C Ltd.; (845) 566-4956; TriStateClub.com

AMA VIntAge MOtOCrOSS amaRacing.com May 18: Athens, Oh.: Action Sports Moto-Park; www.actionsportsracing.com July 19-20: Lexington, Oh.: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Aug. 3: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge Motocross, www. sunsetridgemx.com Aug. 24: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports, www.lincolntrailmotorsports.com Sept. 14: Coldwater, Mich.: Log Road Motocross, www.logroadmx.com Oct. 4: greensburg, ky.: Russell Creek Motocross

May 25: Heckscherville, Pa.: Broad Mountain enduro, Reading Off Road Riders; (610) 921-3592, www.rorr.org June 1: grier City, Pa.: Shotgun enduro, High Mountain Dirt Riders; (570) 954-7799, hmdr.org June 8: deposit, n.Y.: ridge run enduro, Ridge Riders Motorcycle Club; (973) 919-4780, www.ridgeriders.org June 29: Blain, Pa.: Foggy Mountain enduro, Susquehanna Off Road Riders; (717) 533-2242, sorrmc.com

June 14-15: gMeW @ rocket Hare Scrambles, Green Marble Enduro Riders; (410) 683-9367 June 21-22: reading Hare Scrambles, Reading Off Road Riders; (610) 921-3592 Jul. 19-20: Anthracite Hare Scrambles, Valley Forge Trail Riders; (610) 476-3747 Aug. 2-3: Shotgun Hare Scrambles, High Mountain Dirt Riders; (570) 954-7799 Sept. 13-14: MMC Hare Scrambles, Meteor Motorcycle Club; (856) 889-7300 Sept. 27-28: ridge Hare Scrambles, Ridge Riders MC; (973) 919-4780 Oct. 4-5: Sahara Sands Hare Scrambles, Pine Barons Enduro Riders; (609) 654-6300 Oct. 25-26: Ormond Farms Hare Scrambles, Competition Dirt Riders; (609) 319-7496

Check Out the All-New AMA CLASSIFIEDS! YOUR ONLINE MARKETPLACE FOR MOTORCYCLES, POWERSPORTS & MORE.

Oct. 18: Paoli Peaks, Ind.: Mammoth East, www.podium1motoplex.com

AMA AtV HAre SCrAMBLeS amaRacing.com Mar. 22: Park Hills, Mo.: Gregory Kinkelaar, Missouri Dirt Riders; (314) 504-7287, MODirtRiders.com June 14-15: Berwick, Pa.: Amateur and Youth, Duane Fisher, Evansville MX Park; (570) 759-2841, evansvillemxpark.com Jul. 13: Battle Creek, Mich.: Joe Wathen, Battle Creek Motorcycle Club; (269) 729-9691, BattleCreekMotorcycleClub.com

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April 2014

53

2014 EVENTS Nov. 15-16: Delaware Hare Scrambles, Delaware Enduro Riders; (302) 834-4411

EAST COAST ENDURO RIDERS DUAL SPORT SERIES ECEA.ORG

High Adventure. No Hassle.

The best routes, roads and twotrack, mapped by local experts. A great challenge with like-minded riders. A full weekend’s activities, with camping, campfires, food and prizes.

For more information visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Riding.

Oct 12: Pine Grove, Pa.: Rorr Dual Sport, Reading Off Road Riders; (610) 921-3592, rorr.org Oct. 25-26: Chatsworth, N.J.: Meteor Dual Sport, Meteor Motorcycle Club; (856) 889-7300, www.meteormc.com Nov. 1-2: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: TCSMC National Dual Sport, Tri-County Sportsmen MC; 1 (888) 2744469, teamhammer.org

WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS MXSPORTS.COM Mar. 9-10: Daytona Beach, Fla.: RCSX Daytona; (304) 284-0101 Mar. 22: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Spring Championship; (713) 962-3386

THE ADVENTURE is out there

comteit Ge

Apr. 13: San Bernardino, Calif.: California Classic; (559) 761-0887 June 29: Mammoth Lakes, Calif.: Mammoth Mountain; (559) 761-0887 Aug. 31: Millington, Mich.: Baja Brawl; (989) 8713356 Oct. 5: Englishtown, N.J.: KROC Raceway Park; (732) 446-7800 Oct. 19: Blountville, Tenn.: Top Gun Showdown; (423) 323-5497 Nov. 29: Gainesville, Fla.: Winter Olympics; (312) 689-3461

AMA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV/MC AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP MXSPORTS.COM NORTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP June 21-22: Armagh, Pa: Pleasure Valley Raceway (Youth) June 28-29: Mt. Morris, Pa.: High Point (Amateur)

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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

AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP STEVENACERACING.COM June 23-26: Springfi eld, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds

AMA HILLCLIMB GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP VALLEYSPRING HILLCLIMB.COM Aug. 15-17: Bay City, Wis.: Mike Bronk, Valley Springs Motorcycle Club; (715) 594-3726

AMSOIL AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL ARENACROSS ARENACROSS.COM May 3-4: Las Vegas: South Point Arena

KENDA AMA TENNESSEE KNOCKOUT GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP TENNESSEEKNOCKOUTENDURO.COM

Aug. 17: Sequatchie, Tennessee

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 ROAD RACING SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIM-LIVE.COM July 13: Monterey, Calif: Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca

FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM Sept. 28: Kegums, Latvia

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

Aug. 10: Bastogne, Belgium

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

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

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

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

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

MID-EAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

FIM INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS OF ENDURO FIM-LIVE.COM May 31-June1: Idaho City, Id., West Qualifi er: Peter Reynolds, Boise Ridge Riders; (208) 384-5141, BoiseRidgeIdaho.org June 14-15: Wellston, Ohio, East Qualifi er: William Depue Jr., Appalachian Dirt Riders; (740) 384-6379, ADROhio.org Nov. 3-8: 2014 ISDE: San Juan, Argentina

FIM TRIAL DES NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM Sept. 13-14: St. Julia., Andorra

2014 EVENTS AMA DUAL-SPORT/ADVENTURE SERIES

Aug. 2-3: Walden, Colo.: Moose Run Dual Sport

Rally, Front Range Riders, Deborah Nielsen; none; www.frontrangeriders.com

Aug. 16-17: Tillamook, Ore.: Rat Dog Dual Sport,

NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www. blackdogdualsport.com

Aug. 29-Sept. 1: Hood River, Ore.: Dual Sport

Northwest, Sound Rider!, Tom Mehren; (206) 6509102; www.soundrider.com

AMA HUSQVARNA NATIONAL DUAL-SPORT SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM Mar. 15-16: Bartow, Fla.: Cross-Florida Adventure Ride, Dixie Dual Sport, Inc, Robert Frey; 727-9198299; www.dixiedualsport.com Mar. 29-30: Tucson, Ariz.: 2 Sun Adventure, Tucson Dual Sport, LLC, Chris Dodds; 520-9798398; www.tucsondualsport.com Apr. 26-27: Brooksville, Fla.: Devil’s Creek DS/ ADV Ride, Dixie Dual Sport, Inc, Robert Frey; 727919-8299; www.dixiedualsport.com

Sept. 6-7: Golden Pond, Ky.: Land Between the Lakes 200, KT Riders, Jesse Thomas; (270) 5223703; www.lbl200.com

Sept. 13-14: Columbus, Ind.: Buffaloe 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney Lonesome MC, Nathan

Gaskill; (812) 343-9772; www.stoneylonesomemc. com

Sept. 13-15: Reno, Nev.: Ride Reno 200, Dust

Devils MC, Gary Lambert; (775) 224-0361; www. dustdevilsmc.com

May 17-18: McArthur, Ohio: Hanging Rock 200 , Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 3803050; www.kaeppnerswoods.com

Sept. 27-28: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Dual

June 7-8: Mill Hall, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Great Adventure, Durty Dabbers, Nils Mantzoros; (570) 726-3343; www.durtydabbers.com

familyoffroadadventures.com

June 7-8: Bixby, Mo.: Show Me 200, Midwest Trail Riders Assoc., Robert Kaufman; (314) 434-5095; www.ridemtra.com June 7-8: Wabeno, Wis.: Ride For Research, Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030; www.widualsportriders.org June 14-15: Odell, Ore.: Black Dog Adventure Ride, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www.blackdogdualsport.com June 21-22: Big Bear City, Calif.: Big Bear Run, Big Bear Trail Riders, Jim Nicholson; (818) 391-3083; www.bigbeartrailriders.com June 28-29: Fort Rock, Ore.: Fort Rock National Dual Sport, Lobos MC, Billy Toman; (503) 656-5801; www.lobosmc.com/ July 19-26: Gwinn, Mich.: 30th Annual “Michael R Burlingham Memorial” Six Days of Michigan, Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan, Lewis Schuler; (517) 781-4805; www.cycleconservationclub.org

Sport , Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borgens; (209) 649-3633; www.

Sep 27-28: Wabeno, Wis.: Big Woods 200,

Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030; www.widualsportriders.org

Oct. 11-12: McArthur, Ohio: Baby Burr National Dual Sport, Enduro Riders Association, Steve

Barber; (614) 582-7821; www.enduroriders.com Oct. 25-26: Chatsworth, N.J.: Meteor Ride in the

Pines, Meteor MC, Jeff Fitzpatrick; (609) 654-5015; www.meteormc.com

Nov. 1-2: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, TriCounty Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 2744469 (856) 785-2754; www.teamhammer.org

Nov. 8-9: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the

Moon, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (623) 8261092; www.arizonatrailriders.org

Nov. 28-29: Palmdale, Calif.: LA-Barstow to Vegas, AMA D37 Dual Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.district37ama.org

AMA YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ NATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM Mar. 15-16: Bartow, Fla.: Cross-Florida Adventure Ride, Dixie Dual Sport, Inc, Robert Frey; 727-9198299; www.dixiedualsport.com Mar. 29-30: Tucson, Ariz.: 2 Sun Adventure, Tucson Dual Sport, LLC, Chris Dodds; 520-9798398; www.tucsondualsport.com Apr. 12-13: Bybee, Tenn.: Slate Creek 500, Appalachian Trail Riders, John Strange; 865-3220193; www.volunteerriders.com Apr. 26-27: Brooksville, Fla.: Devil’s Creek DS/ADV Ride, Dixie Dual Sport, Inc, Robert Frey; 727-9198299; www.dixiedualsport.com May 3-4: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Adventure Tour, Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borgens; (209) 649-3633; www. familyoffroadadventures.com May 17-18: McArthur, Ohio: Hanging Rock 200 , Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 3803050; www.kaeppnerswoods.com May 17-18: Tolland, Mass.: Berkshire Big Adventure, Berkshire Trail Riders, David Seften; 860-201-4416; www.mudslinger.org May 24-25: Westpoint, Tenn.: Factory Creek Adventure Ride, NATRA, John Bowling; 256-8107229; www.natra-westpoint.net June 1: Atlanta, N.Y.: Thrills in the Hills, Wayne County MC Club, John Albanese; 315-946-3082; www.waynecountymc.com June 14-15: Odell, Ore.: Black Dog Adventure Ride, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www. blackdogdualsport.com Aug. 16-17: Tillamook, Ore.: Rat Dog Dual Sport, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www. blackdogdualsport.com Sept. 5-9: Buena Vista, Colo.: Continental Divide Adv Tour, Exit Tours, Michael Brown; (719) 207-1189; www.coloradodualsport.com

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.

To switch, 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.

April 2014

55

2014 EVENTS Sept. 13-14: Columbus, Ind.: Buffaloe 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney Lonesome MC, Nathan Gaskill; (812) 343-9772; www.stoneylonesomemc. com

Motorcycle Days; AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com

Sept. 13-15: Reno, Nev.: Ride Reno 200, Dust Devils MC, Gary Lambert; (775) 224-0361; www. dustdevilsmc.com

June 2-7: Lake George, N.Y.: Americade; Americade.com

NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Aug. 4-10: Sturgis, S.D.: Sturgis; SturgisMotorcycleRally.com Aug. 28-31: Killington, V.T.: Killington Classic; killingtonclassic.com

Sept. 17-21: Ruidoso, N.M.: Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally; MotorcycleRally.com

Sept. 20-21: Logan, Ohio: Nutcracker 200, Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 3803050; www.kaeppnerswoods.com

AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

NATIONAL TOURING RALLIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Oct. 25-26: Chatsworth, N.J.: Meteor Ride in the Pines, Meteor MC, Jeff Fitzpatrick; (609) 654-5015; www.meteormc.com

March of Dimes Bikers For Babies Rides: Nationwide: www.bikersforbabies.org

May 15-18: Ruidoso, N.M.: Aspencash Rally; MotorcycleRally.com

Nov. 1-2: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, TriCounty Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 2744469 (856) 785-2754; www.teamhammer.org

June 8-11: Rapid City, S.D.: Star 2014; ridemsta.com July 17-24: Snowshoe, W.V.: 2014 Roadrunner Motorcycle Touring & Travel Annual Touring Weekend; http://www.roadrunner.travel/events/ touring-weekend/.com

Nov. 8-9: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (623) 8261092; www.arizonatrailriders.org

Jan. 1-May 24: Big Money Rally Grand Tour: bigmoneyrally.com; bigmoneyrally@hotmail.com Apr. 1-Oct. 31: Tour of Honor Grand Tour: tourofhonor.com; regis@tourofhonor.com

NATIONAL GYPSY TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Nov. 28-29: Palmdale, Calif.: LA-Barstow to Vegas, AMA D37 Dual Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.district37ama.org

Mar. 1-Oct. 31: Team Strange Airheads 30th Anniversary Memory Lane Grand Tour: teamstrange. com/2014/grandtours; bigmoneyrally@hotmail.com

Apr. 23-27: Laughlin, Nev.: Laughlin River Run; laughlinriverrun.com

AMA PREMIER TOURING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM AMA NATIONAL RALLIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM July 11-13: Lexington, Oh.: AMA Vintage

Rides For Kids Events: Nationwide: www. rideforkids.org

AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Aug. 29-Sept. 1: Hood River, Ore.: Rally in the Gorge; soundrider.com/rally

Nov. 14-16: Hammonton, N.J.: Pine Barrens 500, Cross Country Cycles, Jack O’Connor; 732-7148874; pinebarrens500.org

July 28-Aug. 3: Tulsa, Okla.: 37th Annual National Bikers Roundup

June 12-15: Austin, Tex.: Republic of Texas (R.O.T) Rally

AMA NATIONAL ExTREME GRAND TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

June 14-22: Laconia, N.H.: Laconia Motorcycle Week; LaconiaMCWeek.com

Feb. 2-Dec. 15: USA Four Corners Grand Tour: Southern California Motorcycle Association

June 26-29: Johnstown, Penn.: Thunder in the Valley

TBA: SCMA Three Flags Classic Grand Tour: Southern California Motorcycle Association

No matter what or how you ride, the AMA has a special card for you. Want one? Just let us know by renewing early, or telling us when you renew via our online signup form at AmericanMotorcyclist.com, or calling (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646).

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New! from Road Dog Publications In this collection of stories, Kirk Swanick tells the story of growing up a gear head behind both the wheels of muscle cars and the handlebars of motorcycles.

In the title story, “A Tale of Two Dusters,” join Kirk and his colorful sidekicks as they navigate the ups and downs of wrenching and wrecking hot rods, going to school, and growing up on the back of a scrambler. Those who grew up in the 1970s culture of muscle cars and motorcycles will relate to the episodes of moto-craziness and find it hard not to grin at the mostly harmless hooliganism of the era.

The second half of this book is full of colorful stories inspired by riding and wrenching those fun-filled hot rods of the two-wheeled variety. In these stories, Kirk not only relates his experience with the mechanical challenges of motorcycles, but also describes the great rewards granted to those who are lucky enough to ride them.

Distributed to the trade by:

P U B L I C A T I O N S

www.roaddogpub.com

1-800-462-6420

278 pages, ISBN 978-1-890623-40-1 (paperback), 978-1-890623-41-8 (eBook) Kindle version from amazon.com • Nook version available from bn.com

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AMA Trademarks 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. Please contact smaher@ama-cycle.org for more information or assistance.

(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®

GUEST COLUMN

POLITICAL INFLUENCE 101 As an exuberant motorcycle enthusiast who has been working feverishly over the years for motorcycle rights, I was excited when I received word that my congressmen, Peter Roskam, was appearing at a political forum that I attend on a regular basis. I decided to seize the opportunity to attempt to persuade him to get on board with house bill HR 1861, which would prohibit motorcycle-only checkpoints.

Over the years, my Illinois ABATE chapters in his district have supported him by doing supportive functions like building signs, riding and walking in parades, making calls or anything else his staff needed from us. So, I felt comfortable confronting him with the need for his support on the bill. After all, he knew who I was and what I represented.

I made copies of HR 1861 and presented them to him. I explained the injustice of a department of the federal government providing finances to local and state governments to create motorcycle-only checkpoints while not stopping other vehicles. I believe this visual aid, while especially pointing out to him the 41 congressmen who had already signed on as co-sponsors, was instrumental in him deciding to support our cause by becoming the 42nd co-sponsor of this effort to end this discrimination against motorcycles.

(To check if your representative is a co-sponsor of HR 1861, go to www.congress.gov and enter the bill number. This site has all the information regarding the progress of the bill, as well as which members of Congress support it.)

I consider this interaction with my representative a small success, but it’s small successes like these that add up to major victories. It all starts with building a relationship. To that end, here’s a simple but effective guide to addressing your representatives.

First, become familiar with the issues and laws that affect, or might affect you, on a local, state or federal level. If you are reading this magazine, chances are you are a member of the AMA. If not, join. The magazine, as you probably know, includes a wealth of information not just about the world of motorcycling, but information that’s vital to being an effective activist for motorcyclists’ rights.

In addition to the AMA, consider other organizations, such as the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, which includes a bi-monthly magazine, and your local ABATE (A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) chapter, which can put you in touch with local riders who share your mindset.

All of these groups can supplement each other. For example, ABATE works feverishly to support politicians on a local, state or federal level who are sympathetic to the motorcycle community. My chapter, ABATE of Illinois, organizes an annual trip to Washington, D.C., to lobby representatives. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the group a couple of years ago. The trip filled me with enthusiasm and made me decide to enhance my participation in our cause.

As an AMA member, you’re probably aware of the AMA E15 Capitol Hill lobbying day known as “Fuel for Thought.” Led by Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations and a former U.S.

58 AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Liza Spinazze

Making Friends In High Places

By Dennis Lange

Senator, the event was hugely successful. Several people I know went on the ride and enjoyed it immensely as an effective tool for getting involved in the legislative process. Representatives are always impressed when they meet people who they actually represent and depend on for votes. Events such as “Fuel for Thought” can go a long way toward defeating bad laws and passing good ones.

After you join these organizations, take it upon yourself to do your own homework. Find out who your local, state and federal representatives are and investigate which ones support motorcycle issues by checking out their voting records. Support the promotorcycling ones. Help with the distribution of their yard signs and literature. March in parades. Perform whatever grunt work is needed.

Become friendly with their staff and let them know how eager you are to give, and get, the support of their bosses.

Once you have put in the time and done your research on the issues you want to discuss, you are ready for that golden opportunity for face time. Remember to always be polite and respectful. Without fail, compose a thank you letter to them for the support. If you have a strong relationship with someone on staff, considering sending the letter in their care. That way, you can feel assured that the representative will see it.

My wife and I have been enjoying the addictive sport of motorcycling together for more than 47 years, all while raising two great sons. We have a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic and a Honda Gold Wing. We always try to take at least one long trip per year.

Last year, we rode more than 5,000 miles through the Northeastern provinces of Canada. What a fantastic trip!

Over the years, my wife and I have met many freedom fighters and hope to meet many more. I want my sons and their children to enjoy the same adventures that I have. That’s why I—and, I hope, you— consider it a personal responsibility to fight for our freedom to ride.

Dennis Lange is an AMA member, a co-State of Illinois MRF representative, a member of ABATE of Illinois, a member of HOG and a charter member of the American Gold Wing Association.

Product Comparo: Bohn Armor Pants vs Kevlar Jeans ActionStations Boss Paul English talks about the differences in lower body protection options.

Kevlar reinforced jeans are popular with riders of all kinds of bikes.

Draggin Jeans were among the first on the market, and there are now many similar versions available.

Many riders are interested in how these compare to the Bohn Pants.

Q: Paul, please explain the differences between Kevlar riding Jeans and the Bohn Pants.

PE: In short kevlar has great abrasion resistance and is excellent for gravel rash when you’re sliding down the road. With the Bohn System we’re focusing more on Impact Protection - the vulnerable ‘corners’ you land on and damage - knees, hips, and elbows and shoulders with the shirts. An unprotected impact in these places can put you in the ER and off work. And hurts!

Q: But won’t your armor grind through in a wreck?

PE: Actually in over 15 years, we’ve never seen our armor significantly damaged at all! This is because in a crash, we tend to bounce and slide, scrubbing the speed off.

Q:The Bohn System has to be worn under jeans as an extra layer, isn’t that hot and a hassle?

PE: Positioning armor snugly against your body is the best way of providing comfortable and discrete protection so that it’s in the right place if you have a fall. Yes, it’s definitely an extra step compared to jeans - but on the other hand you can then wear your own jeans, or whatever pants you choose. It gives you a lot more options.

Q: But isn’t it hot?

PE: The only time you notice the Bohn Pants being hot is in the heat of the summer when you’re a standstill, say sitting on your bike at a light. At that time of year eveything’s hot! Otherwise they breathe really well in all seasons; and we do have options of a mesh shell material and also a winter thermal solution.

Q: What about putting armor into kevlar jeans?

PE: Some companies do have this option, which on first impressions is a good idea. But what actually happens is the armor ‘flops’ around the outside of your leg as it’s attached to the jeans - so you can imagine that it won’t be in the right place if you actually do hit the ground.

Q: So do I need to upsize your jeans for the Bohn Pants?

PE: Surprisingly most people find that their existing regular-fit, or relaxed jeans fit perfectly over the Adventure Pants - that’s because the armor mainly fits where your jeans are loose.

Q: Don’t the Bohn Pants make your jeans look bulky?

PE: No one can see you have anything but your jeans on!

Q: And you make armored shirts too?

PE: We think of the pants and shirts as ‘A System’ that protects you without having to wear full armored gear - specially in the heat.

Q: So what’s the best choice?

PE: As a lifelong rider myself - I love to have choices in bikes, accessories and gear. Many riders are happy with kevlar jeans, and most are very well made. We’re proud of the Bohn Adventure Pants and the amazing customer reports we get, but everyone has different priorities.

My suggestion is to give us a try we’ve a great Can’t-Lose 90 Day Trial Offer!

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But now we wear this Bohn gear underneath. Yes it’s underneath!

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James Claeys, Seattle, member of the Bad Chickens Motorcycle Club, on a 2014 Indian ® Chief ® Vintage through Lebec, CA

STAYCATIONS ARE DANGEROUS. People say riding a motorcycle is dangerous. But for those who can’t imagine life without two wheels, NOT RIDING A MOTORCYCLE IS DANGEROUS. That’s why Allstate offers protection with one purpose: to keep riders riding.

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Subject to terms, conditions, availability and qualifications. New Motorcycle Replacement is an optional coverage. Claims will be settled based on customer choice to obtain original equipment manufacturer parts for their bike make and model. Actual savings will vary and may depend on coverages selected. Allstate Indemnity Company, Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL and Allstate New Jersey Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Bridgewater, NJ. © 2014 Allstate Insurance Company