American Motorcyclist April 2015 Dirt/Competition (preview version)

APRIL 2015

NICK FAHRINGER CROSS-TRAINS WITH MOUNTAIN BIKES. SHOULD YOU?

Photo Cole Kirkpatrick

MOTORCYCLES SAVED ALAN COTTON’S LIFE

FOR EVERY ROAD

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STREET COVER Pro mechanic Curtis Smith offers tips on how to get ready for spring.

PAGE 24. A crosscountry trip is more fun on a motorcycle.

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Step back in time with the AMA Vintage Grand Tour—and earn points toward cool prizes. Learn more on page 43.

DIRT COVER Nick Fahringer says his pedal bike makes him faster on his motor bike.

NAVIGATION

12. VIEWPOINT 14. RIGHTS 34. HALL OF FAME 46. EVENTS CALENDAR 58. GUEST COLUMN

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PAGE 24. Mountain bikes are a fun way to stay in shape.

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April 2015 Volume 69, Number 4 Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com

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

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

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

Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2015.

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

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

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

IF YOU THINK IT LOOKS GREAT ON PAPER, WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE IT IN ACTION.

VISIT YOUR LOCAL CAN-AM SPYDER DEALER FOR A TEST RIDE TODAY. ®

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©2014 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. Some models depicted may include optional equipment.

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

WE KNOW

CABLES 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

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

Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, Chair

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

Paul Puma, Executive Committee Member,

Schenectady, N.Y.

Perry King, Vice Chair, Northern California Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.

Laguna Beach, Calif.

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

OE REPLACEMENT & CUSTOM CABLES American V-Twin, Metric Cruiser, Street/Sport, MX/Off-Road and ATV • Meet or exceed OEM specifications • High quality fittings with premium housing • Inner nylon sleeve for longer life and smooth operation • Stainless steel inner wire - no corrosion Find what we offer for your motorcycle, use our Search by Vehicle at MotionPro.com

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

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Roger Pattison, Taos Ski Valley, N.M. Robert Pearce, Murrieta, Calif.

Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.

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AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES (continued) Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager

Bob Chaddock, Vice President, Administration Sean Maher, Director AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME Jordan Cavallaro, 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

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Scott Miller, Milwaukee, Wis.

Rob Dingman, President/CEO Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Massey, Chief Operations Officer Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs

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Rob Baughman, Road Riding Coordinator Kip Bigelow, MX Manager Joe Bromley, District Relations Manager Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations Bill Cumbow, Director of Racing Marcy Day, Racing Administrative Assistant Chris Harrison, Road Riding Manager Alex Hunter, MX Assistant Manager Tamra Jones, Racing Coordinator Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager Cherie Schlatter, Organizer Services Manager Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator

BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations & Business Member Programs DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES John Bricker, Mailroom Manager Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations Joshua Habursky, Grassroots Coordinator Nick Haris, Western States Representative Sean Hutson, Government Affairs Manager, On-Highway Sharon Long, Legislative Affairs Coordinator Rick Podliska, Deputy Director Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager, Off-Highway Marie Wuelleh, Government Affairs Specialist INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Jennifer Kirkpatrick, IT Director Dave Coleman, Network Architect MARKETING Mark Christian, Director of Marketing Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing Specialist MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY Lori Cavucci, Member Services Representative Christina Dolin, Member Services Representative Deb D’Andrea, Member Services Representative Darcel Higgins, Member Services Manager Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative

Product Comparo: Bohn Armor Pants vs Kevlar Jeans

Ac�onSta�ons Boss Paul English talks about the differences in lower body protec�on op�ons.

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 Protec�on ­ 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: Posi�oning armor snugly against your body is the best way of providing comfortable and discrete protec�on 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 op�ons.

Q: But isn’t it hot?

PE: The only �me you no�ce the Bohn Pants being hot is in the heat of the summer when you’re a stands�ll, say si�ng on your bike at a light.

At that �me of year eveything’s hot! Otherwise they breathe really well in all seasons; and we do have op�ons of a mesh shell material and also a winter thermal solu�on.

Q: What about pu�ng armor into kevlar jeans?

PE: Some companies do have this op�on, 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 a�ached 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 exis�ng regular­fit, 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 ithout 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 priori�es.

My sugges�on is to give us a try ­ we’ve a great Can’t­Lose 90 Day Trial Offer!

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

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I just feel happier when I have some protection these days, though I’m sure we’re not going to have a spill.

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MEMBER LETTERS

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

Letter of the Month

FOR THE LOVE OF VINTAGE I first was introduced to motorcycling at Quality Cycle Sales in Toledo, Ohio, in 1959. They specialized in German motorcycles including BMW, NSU and Horex. (Ever hear of the latter two?)

Horex Rebel At the time, Ohio had what we called the “14-year-old law” that permitted anyone of that age to operate a motorcycle producing less than 5 horsepower. The most common eligible rides were Vespa and Cushman scooters.

Toledo’s Macomber High School even had reserved parking for motorbikes next to the building. Parked next to the scooters were JBKs, which had 5 horsepower NSU Superfox Sachs engines. A friend and I had Horex rebel bikes. They also had 5 horsepower Sachs engines [as well as] Earles fork front suspensions. Older riders stepped up to Zundapp Charger 250cc two-cycle bikes, 200cc Ducatis, NSU 250cc Supermaxes or 250cc BMW pushrod-powered R-26s.

A non-observant motorist pulled out in front of my Horex [in] my freshman year in high school and that was the demise of my BMW R-26 Rebel. My next bike was a NSU Superfox.

That bike had a 125cc overhead cam engine rated for 8.8 horsepower. Quality Cycle affixed a 5 horsepower certification sticker to the bike, and I was in business!

Before long, I purchased a 15 horsepower BMW R-26 and alternated riding the NSU and the BMW to school.

Since then, I have owned many Japanese bikes, a Ducati short-track racer, a BSA Road Rocket, and several BMWs and Harley-Davidsons. I currently own a BMW K1200GT and a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide.

I have attended two “Art of The Motorcycle” shows in the past but have never heard of the bike David Nelson at one time owned, the Victoria Bergmeister, featured in the January issue. Please consider publishing more vintage bike articles. Who knows what may be rediscovered!

Fred Schindler Kettering, Ohio Thanks for the note, Fred. If you want to see your fill of vintage motorcycles, please come visit us at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington this July 10-12. It’s heaven on Earth!

MIND CHANGED As a fierce opponent of lane splitting, I read Fred C. Reed’s letter “Responsible Lane Splitting” in the March issue with great interest. And then I changed my mind about the practice. Thanks, Fred, for reminding me that there is a time and a place for everything.

Then I read Jascha Lee’s letter (“Lane Splitting Helps Everyone”), which got me thinking about a situation I’ve encountered literally hundreds of times. I’m driving my car on I-75 where it’s two lanes in each

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direction. There are two cars ahead of me, side by side, doing 5 mph under the speed limit and the guy on the left absolutely refuses to speed up or move over. Oh, how I wish I was on my bike so I could just slip past that idiot!

Mark Fink Huntington Woods, Mich.

LIVING THE DREAM “Renting the American Dream” (February issue) was very interesting,

getting to know how EagleRider got started and the story behind the owners.

In reading the article about their start-up and the first rental customers, I wanted to share my story of my first EagleRider rental because it truly was the American Dream coming true.

I’m 28 years old, and three years ago got the itch to finally get my motorcycle license, and so did my twin brother. We had a great mentor in getting us started in motorcycle riding who recommended the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course at a local community college. We learned a lot but did not yet have our own bikes. We did a little looking, but still wanted to test our abilities and see how the open road would feel. Being on a small-displacement bike in a parking lot is a lot different than riding down the freeway next to semi trucks.

Our first stop was L.A. EagleRider. My rental was a DynaLow, and my brother got a Fatboy. The customer service at the L.A. store was amazing. The woman who completed our rental agreement was so helpful. We mentioned it was our first time riding a Harley, so she gave us a few pointers on handling and some tips on shifting. She also suggested a route to take just to be able to get the feel for the motorcycle.

From the second we picked up the bikes to the minute we returned them, we had big smiles. Later on that weekend we met up with our friend and motorcycling mentor and went for a little ride. It was such a fun experience being out with other Harleys.

When it came time to buy, Harleys were just a little out of our price range. We’ve had our Kawasaki Vulcan’s since 2010 and have enjoyed every moment. EagleRider does help make dreams come true.

Anthony Santoro Lakewood, Calif.

SPREADING THE CURE One irrefutable certainty in life is that regardless of the time of day you schedule an appointment with your doctor, you will undoubtedly be asked to have a seat in the waiting room.

Knowing this, doctors frequently provide magazines to help impatient

Sound Off! patients pass the time. The majority of magazines provided cater to those with different interests than mine. My interests are travel and motorcycles, so I bring my own magazines to read.

Today, I brought two recent issues of American Motorcyclist. It was a long wait before my name was called, which gave me plenty of time to read both issues.

After reading, I placed both issues in the waiting room’s magazine wall rack, amid all the celebrity gossip and home décor magazines.

About 10 minutes later, both magazines were being taken out of the rack by someone who, upon seeing all the other magazine choices, was most intrigued and drawn to American Motorcyclist.

The stories, bike reviews, discussions of rights issues and camaraderie presented in each issue have now been passed on for a new reader to enjoy. I smiled as he sat down to read. At that moment, I believe both of us were feeling just a little bit better about our day.

Mission accomplished!

David Valo Burnsville, Minn.

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

In response to a #WhereRidersBelong callout…

Corey Williams: These boys love to race! Thanks, AMA, for sharing it!

Responding to a question about 2015’s can’t-miss events…

Jeff Joslin: Austin for MotoGP. B.J. Keller: Hillclimbs at White Rose MC in Jefferson, Pa. Get the fish sandwich.

Dani Jennings: 75th Annual Sturgis!

Vicki Booser-Rogers: Daytona and Americade.

May hit up Roar on the Shore in Erie, Pa., this July.

Cindy Meeks Bateman: Lost in Lodi Sox Brookhart Memorial Enduro in Shade, Ohio, on March 29.

Rebecca Harbour: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in July!

TRIM SAFETY

VIEWPOINT

ON THE ROAD AGAIN While April is deemed AMA Go Ride!

Month, we recognize that many of our warm climate members have the enviable luxury of riding year ’round. Salt, black ice, freezing temperatures, blowing snow are all someone else’s problems.

I wish I were so lucky.

Like so many of our other cold-climate members during these winter months, I have often looked longingly at my stored bike, waiting for spring and the

By Jeff Massey opportunity to get back on two wheels.

The non-riding season is also the time that I, like many AMA members, start making plans for which motorcycle events I will attend and what other riding opportunities I will take advantage of when warmer weather returns. There are infinite possibilities, from short rides close to home to longer excursions to thousand-mile trips.

Here at the AMA, our riding department, along with an army of dedicated AMA clubs and promoters around the country, has put together an impressive calendar. Since our formation in 1924, the AMA has wholeheartedly embraced the recreational rider, providing a framework, procedures and a communication network for riders and clubs to create truly engaging motorcycling events.

Looking for something cool and different this riding season?

The AMA has you covered.

Many are familiar with AMA Grand Tours. The AMA, or one of our chartered organizers, brainstorms a number of fun riding goals or destinations—usually corresponding to some common theme— and asks AMA members to complete them by a certain date.

For 2015, the AMA has combined the grand tour concept with events on our vintage racing schedule to create the AMA Vintage Grand Tour. The idea is simple. Road riders are asked to attend as many AMA-sanctioned vintage racing events as possible. Take a photo of you and your bike at the event. Then send that photo to the AMA Road Riding Department at roadriding@ama-cycle.org.

Riders who attend the most events are eligible for cool prizes.

But even if you don’t win, this is an awesome challenge.

Vintage racing is as fun to watch as it is to compete in. For the full schedule of eligible vintage races, see page 44 of this magazine.

To register for the AMA Vintage Grand Tour (it’s free), see www. americanmotorcyclist.com/amavintagegrandtour.

While the AMA Vintage Grand Tour may be new, there are a number of well-established recreational rides that are part of the AMA Premier Touring Series.

Americade is one of the largest road-riding rallies on the planet. It will be held June 1-6 in picturesque Lake George, N.Y. Americade’s best feature is arguably the legendary roads in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park. Besides the great riding and camaraderie, the event offers a variety of activities including boat cruises, poker runs, fireworks, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, bike judging, a light parade and more.

Later in the year is the equally impressive Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally on Sept. 16-20 in Ruidoso, N.M. This event, held high in New Mexico’s Rocky Mountains, features a number of great activities as well. If you’ve never been riding in the Rocky Mountains, this is a perfect introduction.

AMA National Touring Rallies this year include AspenCash on May 14-17, STAR 2015 on June 21-25, the RoadRUNNER Touring Weekend on July 16-19, and the Rally in the Gorge on Aug. 26-30.

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Ken Richardson

Planning 2015’s Rides And Destinations

AspenCash, in Ruidoso, N.M., draws a dedicated group of touring riders who enjoy the poker run, trade show, prizes, live music and more.

STAR 2015 is hosted by The Motorcycle Sport Touring Association. This year, the event will go to Springdale, Ark. Participants will enjoy outstanding riding, seminars, vendors and camaraderie at a rally that is all about the ride.

The RoadRUNNER Touring Weekend this year is based in Winston-Salem, N.C., which is home to some of the best riding in the country. Come ready to spend some quality time on your bike!

The 2015 Rally in the Gorge will be in Hood River, Ore. The focus is on sport bike, sport touring, dual sport and adventure riders, and there will be clinics on each. Known as “the biggest little rally in America,” this event always delivers a good time.

Charity rides also deserve a spot on your calendar. You feel good riding a motorcycle. You feel even better riding a motorcycle for a good cause—and sharing the experience with others.

Held in cities throughout the country, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Ride For Kids events feature phenomenal planning, great scenery and the opportunity to help families struggling with the diagnosis and treatment of a child’s brain tumor.

Two of our most popular recreational riding series are the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series and the Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series. While the dual sport series attracts serious dirt riders who enjoy challenging trail, the adventure series includes routes that most can enjoy. Designed for large adventure-style motorcycles, such as the impressive Yamaha Super Ténéré, the adventure routes are planned by America’s best and most knowledgeable organizers. Learn more at www. americanmotorcyclist.com > Riding > Adventure Riding Series.

This is a small sampling of the thousands of sanctioned activities available for AMA members. We encourage you to add them to your riding calendar for 2015. To find more, see the “Go Ride!” feature in this magazine, starting on page 38, and the calendar section on page 46.

We’d also like to hear from you. What are your favorite riding events? What should we plan on attending this year? Let us know at roadriding@ama-cycle.org, and maybe I’ll see you on the road!

Jeff Massey is the chief operations officer of the AMA.

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BRITISH POLICE, MOTORCYCLE MAKERS TO PROMOTE RIDING More Motorcycles Could Increase Safety

AMA SUPPORTS TEXAS RIDERS Motorcyclists Rally At Capitol, Lobby Legislators

AMA On-Highway Government Affairs Manager Sean Hutson, joined hundreds of Texas motorcyclists on Jan. 26 for Texas Legislative Day 2015: Ride to the Capitol.

The event, organized by Texas ABATE Confederation Inc., the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents and the U.S. Defenders, drew a range of participants, including riders of cruisers, baggers, sport bikes and dual-sports motorcycles, Hutson says.

During the rally on the capitol steps, Hutson presented a legislative update and voiced AMA

LOGOS GETS DARPA OK FOR HYBRID-ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE Second Award To Take Project Through Prototype Phase

Logos Technologies has received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research award from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to continue development of its SilentHawk electric military motorcycle.

Logos, based in Fairfax, Va., is working with California’s Alta Motors on the project. The Phase I award was $150,000, and the Phase II award is $1 million.

SilentHawk is intended to allow small, distributed military teams to move long distances quickly and stealthily across

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support for the rights of all motorcyclists.

“After my speech, everyone went into the statehouse and lobbied their elected officials on issues such as lane splitting, motorcyclist profiling and adding protections for vulnerable road users,” he says.

Specific bills addressed by participants included: S.B. 334 and H.B. 864, the “Dead” Red Light bills; 84R 3595, the Motorcycle Safety Fund bill; H.B. 813, the lane-splitting/ land-sharing bill; H.B. 383 for unprotected road users; and H.B. 401 dealing with fee increases for motorcycles and mopeds.

harsh enemy terrain. The prototype would combine Alta’s existing RedShift MX electric motocross bike with Logos Technologies’ quiet, multi-fueled hybridelectric power system, which was developed for a separate unmanned aerial vehicle program.

“Quiet, all-wheel drive capability at extended range in a lightweight, rugged, single-track vehicle would support the successful operations in extreme terrain conditions and contested environments,” says Wade Pulliam, manager of advanced concepts for Logos Technologies. “This award enables us to continue to execute a fast-paced development effort that takes advantage of our team’s prior work, superior technical approach, and extensive experience.”

Phase I of the program,

The Motorcycle Industry Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Great Britain launched a campaign to increase the number of motorcyclists.

The joint position announced in December is titled Realising the Motorcycling Opportunity; A motorcycle safety and transport policy framework, and calls for the integration of motorcycles into mainstream transportation policy.

The groups promote twowheeled vehicles as a way to ease traffic congestion.

“There is a growing body of evidence which shows that if more people started their road careers on a motorcycle, scooter or moped, this would lead to improvements in driver behavior towards all vulnerable road users,” the Motorcycle Industry Association says.

begun in February 2014, included extensive testing to understand the requirements for an off-road military motorcycle.

The result of Phase I was a preliminary design, backed by significant testing and modeling, which Logos intends to turn into a prototype during Phase II. The prototype could be operational in 18 months.

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Nature’s Mountain Playground comes alive with exciting events every season of the year.

Whether you are traveling solo, or with a group of friends, our events will keep you engaged.

Call 800-336-7009 for your FREE motorcycle touring maps and visitors guide.

Adventure awaits...

Food, Wine, & Jazz Festival May 23-24 Bring your palate ready to taste the areas finest foods and the regions finest wines . . . all while listening to great jazz artists.

Steam Weekend June 6-7 & Sept. 19-20 All 3 Locomotive types (Sh (Shay, Heisler, & Climax #3) will be powering train rides. Come celebrate geared locomotive history with us.

Snowshoe’s 3rd Annual Homegrown Music & Arts Festival July 3-5 Experience the traditions oof yesterday and enjoy the talents of today as we celebrate the music, arts, and culture of Appalachia.

WV Biscuit Bake-Off Sept. 26 Show-off your favorite recipe, or discover your new favorite biscuit.

Free samples available at the event

Cranberry Shindig Sept. 27 Traditional Appalachian festival with Food, Music, & Craft Demonstrations including Blacksmithing, Spinning Wheel, Fly Tying, & more...

Exclusively for Motorcyclists

Come ride the Highland Scenic Highway and check in at one of our visitors centers to receive your free limited edition pin.

Scan with your phone

800.336.7009 Text “away8” to 304.782.0400 or enter keycode “away8” on NaturesMtnPlayground.com

Home of:

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NaturesMtnPlayground.com/away8

IOWA DOT OKS RECREATIONAL TRAILS MONEY OHV Park, Trail Acquisition Among Projects Funded Six projects in Iowa will divide $1.3 million in funding from the state Department of Transportation.

Included is $450,599 for acquisition of land in Jasper County for the Mitchellville to Prairie City Rails-to-Trails project and $195,559 for Phase 3 construction of the

GROVELAND TWP., MICH., GETS $2.9 MILLION FOR ORV PARK Natural Resources Trust Fund Votes for Money To Buy Land

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board voted in January to provide $2.9 million to Groveland Twp. in Oakland County for the purchase of 312 acres of gravel pits and unused public land.

The site will be used as an all-purpose adventure park, with off-road vehicle trails, a motocross course and hiking and biking trails.

The Michigan legislature must approve the funding before local officials can move forward.

The state Department of Natural Resources is appraising adjacent land, hoping to expand the park to 450 acres.

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Gypsum City Off-Highway Vehicle Park.

Remaining funds will go to the AmeriCorps trail crew serving the Iowa Department of National Resources, as well as for snowmobile trail grooming, work on the Raccoon River Valley Trail and a bicycle trails summit.

FEDERAL BILL WOULD REQUIRE MORE ANALYSIS OF E15 FUEL

Scientific Study Would Measure Effects On Engines, Fuel Systems U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) is calling for more independent scientific analysis of the effects of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15).

His bill, H.R. 21, would repeal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s waiver decision related to E15 fuel and the authority of the agency to grant further decisions on the matter until the new analysis is complete.

Under the bill, the EPA would be required to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to provide scientific research on the use of mid-level ethanol blends. Findings would be shared with lawmakers.

The AMA shares Sensenbrenner’s concerns about the EPA using the results of only one U.S. Department of Energy test before rushing E15 into the marketplace.

That test was limited in scope and ignored a plethora of evidence that shows E15 gasoline has a negative effect on engines and fuel systems not designed for its use.

The AMA asked Sensenbrenner to include motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles in any scientific study examining the effects of E15 because inadvertent misfueling can cause significant damage to them, as well as void manufacturer’s warranties.

Because of the EPA’s actions requiring E15 gasoline, many refineries, distributors and fueling stations may eventually offer primarily E15 gasoline. This concerns all motorcyclists and off-highway enthusiasts, since this may affect the availability of gasoline with less ethanol (E10) or none at all (E0).

Start ‘em young.

2015 AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS July 10-12, 2015 • Lexington, Ohio Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com Facebook.com/AMAVintageMotorcycleDays #AMAVMD

STATEWATCH COLORADO

NEBRASKA

H.B. 1054, sponsored by state Rep. J. Paul Brown (R-Ignacio), would allow offhighway vehicles on certain roadways and authorize the registration of OHVs with the state Department of Revenue. The OHV rider must have a driver’s license, obey the rules of the road and observe a 40 mph speed limit. In addition, counties would be able to authorize and regulate the use of OHVs, authorize people to drive on roads without a driver’s license, and enter into cooperative agreements with the federal government to enforce off-highway vehicle ordinances.

L.B. 31, introduced by state Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins, Neb., would eliminate the state’s motorcycle and moped helmet requirements. The law currently requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet while the vehicle is in operation.

FLORIDA H.B. 419, sponsored by state Rep. Dwayne L. Taylor (D-Daytona Beach), would provide for the use of roads and trails within the Tiger Bay State Forest by certain motor vehicles, would require the Florida Forest Service to designate an area of the forest for exclusive use of off-highway vehicles, and would direct the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to set fees for access.

MINNESOTA H.F. 59, introduced by state Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa), would prohibit law enforcement agencies and personnel from profiling motorcyclists. The bill calls for state law enforcement organizations to develop a model training policy by Oct. 1, 2015, designed to eliminate motorcyclist profiling. By Nov. 1, 2016, the chief officer of each law enforcement agency must establish a written anti-profiling policy.

MISSISSIPPI S.B. 2343, introduced by state Sen. Robert L. Jackson (D-Marks), would require gas stations to sell gasoline blended without ethanol. The bill also would require the fuel to have a minimum octane rating of 87.

Also, three bills have been introduced that would permit motorcyclists to proceed through red lights after a stop, if the traffic detection device failed to trigger the light. S.B. 2167, introduced by state Sen. Chris Massey (R-Nesbit), would permit motorcyclists to proceed through a red light using due caution after coming to a complete stop at a signal that is controlled by a vehicle detection device that failed to recognize the motorcycle.

H.B. 1359, introduced by state Rep. Brad A. Oberhousen (D-Jackson), and H.B. 1360, introduced by state Reps. Reecy L. Dickson (D-Macon), Larry Bird (R-Petal) and John Read (R-Gautier) would allow the motorcyclist to proceed with caution after a stop or turn left or right unless a sign is posted stating “No Turn On Red.”

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NEW HAMPSHIRE S.B. 80, introduced by state Sen. Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry), would require the state Department of Transportation to update the state trails plan and would establish a committee to study and make recommendations for legislation regarding rail trails. The bill contains a provision that the committee consult with various interest groups, including the New Hampshire Off Highway Vehicle Association.

To an unidentified police officer in Cobb County, Ga., who spotted an Alabama man eating a cheeseburger while driving and cited him under the Georgia’s distracteddriving statute. “You can’t just go down the road eating a hamburger,” the officer reportedly told the driver, Madison Turner.

OREGON S. 172, introduced by state Sen. Brian Boquist (R-Dallas), would permit motorcyclists and moped riders to pass in a lane with traffic, if traffic is stopped or has slowed to less than 10 mph and the lane-splitting rider is traveling at a speed of 20 mph or less.

S. 420, introduced by state Sen. Jeff Kruse (R-Roseburg), would allow lane splitting if traffic is stopped or slowed to 25 mph or less and the motorcycle operator is traveling at 35 mph or slower.

TEXAS H.B. 813, introduced by state Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. (D-Palmview), would allow motorcycle riders to ride between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, if traffic is traveling 20 mph or slower, and if the motorcyclist is not traveling more than 5 mph faster than other traffic. Lane splitting would be prohibited in school zones and in areas where the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less.

S.B. 442, introduced by state Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin), omits the helmet provision, and it restricts lane splitting to limited-access or controlled-access highways.

WASHINGTON H.B. 1515, co-sponsored by state Reps. Drew MacEwen (R–Union), Dan Griffey (R-Allyn), Brian Blake (D-Aberdeen), and Cary Condotta (R-East Wenatchee), would permit motorcyclists to operate between adjacent lanes of traffic when the motorcycle’s speed is no more than 10 mph faster than the speed of other traffic and the speed of traffic is 35 mph or less.

To Yosemite National Park for bowing to public comment and reducing its proposed entrance fee hikes for motorcycles.

The park originally intended to charge $25 per motorcycle instead of the 2014 rate of $10 per person aged 16 and older.

The proposed fee hike was far out of proportion to the fee increases for cars.

The AMA urged its members to contact the National Park Service, parks in their area and elected officials to highlight the unfairness of this plan.

During its civic engagement period, the park received 2,430 e-mails in response to the proposal, 1,222 comments on the park’s Facebook page, and 16 mailed letters.

The fees at Yosemite now will be $15 per motorcycle in 2015 and $20 per motorcycle in 2016.

To the U.S. Congress for eliminating funding for “voluntary” checkpoints to survey drug and alcohol use among drivers. Lawmakers had privacy concerns and feared many drivers didn’t know the surveys were voluntary.

KNOW YOUR POLICY Privacy Placed At Risk By Insurance Requirements

Dairyland Cycle insurance policies require motorcycle owners to allow the company to “inspect your damaged motorcycle and retrieve information from its electronic data recorder” after a crash.

Marie Wuelleh, AMA’s government affairs specialist, spotted the phrase in her motorcycle insurance policy.

Electronic data recorders, event data recorders, GPS systems and other manufacturer-installed devices collect information about a driver’s speed, location and driving habits in addition to tracking vehicle performance.

Current federal law requires EDRs in passenger vehicles. EDRs aren’t currently mandated for motorcycles, but some manufacturers include them.

The AMA believes that all data collected by these devices belong to the vehicle owner or lessee. Only the owner of the data should have access, unless the owner grants specific permission for someone, such as an auto mechanic or state inspection station, to examine the information for legitimate and limited use.

Motorcyclists should examine their policies to ensure that their privacy is protected. Talk with an agent about any objectionable requirements. Consider the ramifications of granting access to vehicle data before signing a policy.

A Virginia law bars auto insurers from requiring their customers to release eventrecorder data from their cars.

The federal definition for an EDR requires that some information be collected, but it does not restrict how much information the box can retain.

Dairyland Cycle says the EDR provision has been in its motorcycle policies since 2008 and in its auto policies since 2007.

“This provision was included as a way to assist us in the investigation of losses, defense of our customers and settlement of both first- and third-party claims,” the company says. “The inclusion of this provision was prompted by manufacturers including electronic data recorders. The more information we have, the better decisions we are able to make for our customers Additionally, we have run into

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situations where customers were not willing or able to cooperate with us in claims situations, which puts all parties in a difficult position. By outlining clear expectations, all parties are on the same page.”

Dairyland says it does not keep data for aggregating purposes, only to settle individual claims. And the EDRs do not gather personal information.

“Unlike a GPS, it does not track location,” the company says. “EDR data can provide information such as speed and events (traffic accidents), which assists us in our claim investigation. The EDR data can be useful to determine the sequence of events leading up to a traffic accident, specifically with regard to engine telemetry, braking/deceleration, its speed at the time of a collision, how long it had been travelling, etc.”

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Stacy Cotton, Alan’s wife of 22 years, says she saw the change immediately.

“I have a picture of him taken right after the first time he rode with a great big smile on his face,” she says. It was the first time I had seen that big genuine smile in a long time. I was grateful to see it!”

Cotton, now 45, credits motorcycling, along with the Warrior Combat Stress Reset Program’s medication and psychotherapy, with pulling him through those difficult years.

“I never went into a clinic or a doctor’s office for care or treatment,” he says. “I spent maybe two years seeing a [Combat Reset] PTSD counselor twice a week.

Now, I no longer am seeing a psychiatrist.”

In the short time since Cotton straddled that first bike, he has won a Texas state enduro championship, as well as other division overalls, racing the B class for riders 40-years-old and older.

And in late 2013, he opened his own motorcycle suspension-building business, 812 Suspension Design LLC. Recently, Cotton and his wife Stacy took a few moments to share details about their struggles with PTSD.

Army VeterAn SAyS motorcycleS SAVed HiS life Alan Cotton’s PTSD Had Pushed Him To Brink of Suicide

by Jim Witters

The day in December 2008 when Alan Cotton arrived in the United States from deployment in Iraq, the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder began to manifest themselves immediately.

“Our team was loaded on a bus from the airport, and on a four-hour drive back to our Army base, I spent the entire drive scanning for trash and debris in the road looking for IEDs [improvised explosive devices],” says Cotton, a retired master sergeant and combat medic.

Even after a few months home in Round Rock, Texas, he could not stop “scanning.”

“Mentally, I was on mission and battle focused anytime I was in a car or around people,” he says.

“My boss, I think, was the first person to recognize my signs and symptoms,”

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Cotton explains. “I would have to shut my office door, because I would shake uncontrollably. I would cry for no reason.”

Cotton, who served 23 years on active duty in the U.S. Army as a medic, spent hours patrolling his home, the mental issues sapping his physical strength by denying him much-needed sleep.

Then, on July 23, 2011, Cotton’s friend, Phil Burleson, convinced him to try to ride a 2010 Yamaha YZ450F. “Having never been on a dirt bike, and at the age of 40, I was just going to do it to check the block,” Cotton says. “While riding, I checked out, mentally, of my own suicidal thoughts and depression, and I focused on how to ride the motorcycle. My focus was no longer on intrusive thoughts of a medic that served four combat tours and was ready to check out of life.”

AmericAn motorcyclist: How has PTSD affected you personally?

ALAN COTTON: It has affected me tremendously. I feel awkward at times, because I’m looking for an escape route if I’m invited someplace new. I’ll have a primary route to pick up my kids from school, along with an alternate route, a contingency route and an emergency route. I incorporated habits that have saved my life and the lives of others.

Sometimes people look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them why it’s important to have two sets of rims for a race. It’s like an I.V. kit in a medic’s aid bag—you’re not going to go outside the wire with just one.

If you drop the I.V. kit and or lose it, it’s gone. So I say things like, “Two is one, and one is none.” I go into an enduro race like I’m preparing to go into combat.

STACY COTTON: I would never ask for PTSD to have affected our family or our marriage. But I believe that the Lord needed Alan in the places and situations he was in with the people he went through them with because of the people he is meant to impact moving forward. He has a gift for seeing directly into others and saying what they need to hear. He would not be able to impact so many other lives if he had not been created to be the person he is.

AM: How has it affected your children [Allee, 17, and Jenna, 13]?

AC: That is the hardest part. At one point, my kids were afraid of me and avoided

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25TH TIME IS THE CHARM

me. I am slowly working on rebuilding those relationships and trying to make up for lost time.

SC: They sense when their dad is in danger, even when you hide that part from them. They know their dad has a special wisdom most don’t. He knows things most people would never want to know. And they have a dad who knows how to have fun. They love to laugh with him.

be thankful for my life.

AM: What is your home life like now, compared to then?

AC: It’s 180-degrees different. I no longer have mental barracks and avenues of approach to get in and out of my house.

I’m no longer on guard duty in my own home.

SC: First, riding was what I would call an escape from the PTSD for him. Then it became a true love, a passion, and a purpose. It’s grown into amazing friendships and a new career. Riding makes Alan happy. And Alan happy makes me happy. I am grateful for those KTMs in our garage.

AM: How has your life and marriage changed since you began riding?

AC: I’m happy, motorcycles make me happy. You know, I never once saw a motorcyclist pull up to the psychiatrist’s office. You know why? They are out riding, working through life and its challenges that we all face.

After I The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs purchased my reports that former military personnel first bike, I was suffering from post-traumatic stress still suicidal. disorder are at a higher risk of suicide than Depending on other individuals. what type of day PTSD can occur after someone goes I was having, I through a traumatic event like combat, would turn laps at assault, or a disaster. a place called City Overall, men have significantly higher Park in Austin, rates of suicide than women, and that Texas. I would trend persists among veterans. Based on wear myself out the most recent data available, in fiscal just to come home year 2009, the suicide rate among male to get a good Veteran VA users was 38.3 per 100,000, night’s sleep. And compared to 12.8 per 100,000 in females. on my bad days, A study analyzing data from the I would look for National Comorbidity Survey showed that cliffs and ledges PTSD alone out of six anxiety diagnoses to ride off of to was significantly associated with suicidal end my life. It thoughts or attempts. wasn’t until I met A later study using Canadian a guy named Kiko Community Health Survey data also found that respondents with PTSD were at Trincado, who called me out and higher risk for suicide attempts.

Know about the suicide warning signs said I looked like and the National Suicide Prevention I was trying to kill Lifeline: (800) 273-8255. To be routed to myself. On that the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 1 after being day, I made it a connected. point to live and

Suicide & PTSD

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AM: What else would you like to say?

AC: Four weeks ago, I crashed and broke my leg. I have been laid up in bed and was starting to get a little depressed.

Nothing serious.

Just feeling sorry for myself and not being able to ride. Thank you for reminding me and giving me a little reflection into my own life and how much I have to be thankful for.

SC: I hope Alan’s story inspires your readers to reach out and invite a new friend to ride with them. You never know, it might be just what that person needs to put a smile back on their face.

When Bob J. Loguidice of Ramona, Calif., renewed his AMA membership last February, it earned him the status of AMA Life Member and qualified him for the 2014 AMA Membership Sweepstakes.

In mid-January, Loguidice won the sweepstakes grand prize, a 2014 Yamaha Super Ténéré motorcycle, courtesy of Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. “I’m kind of stunned,” says Loguidice, who picked up the bike from Yamaha dealership MotoWorld in El Cajon, Calif.

“This just shows what can happen when you keep up your AMA membership.”

AMA members who joined or renewed in 2014 got a chance to win the Super Ténéré. In addition, riders participating in the 2014 Yamaha Super Ténéré AMA National Adventure Riding Series earned additional entries in the sweepstakes.

“We are very excited that Bob has won the Yamaha Super Ténéré,” says Yamaha Motor Corp. USA Retail Sales Promotion Manager Martin Vivanco. “The Super Ténéré was built for the adventurous rider who wants to explore the open road and the path less taken, and Bob will have the opportunity to do both this year at a round of the AMA Super Ténéré Adventure Riding Series.”

Designed to ride for extended periods across just about any kind of terrain in comfort and style, the Yamaha Super Ténéré serves as the perfect inspiration for the AMA National Adventure Riding Series.

The bike, known as the ultimate transcontinental adventure machine, was improved for 2014 with a more powerful engine, electronic cruise control and heated grips as standard equipment. It also has sport and touring drive modes, traction control and anti-lock brakes.

While Loguidice was elated to win the bike, he also was enthusiastic about protecting motorcyclists’ rights through his AMA membership.

“It’s extremely important to maintain your membership,” he says of belonging to the AMA. “If you don’t protect your rights, then you’re going to lose them.”

L-R: Kyle Pulley (Motoworld), Jim Williams (AMA), Glenn Bagge (Motoworld), Robert Loguidice, Steve Gotoski (AMA), Trevor Korbol (Motoworld)

Eric Doggett Studios

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Gear Up

Cole Kirkpatrick

Mountain bikers dress for the ride, just like dirt bikers do, but there’s a typical minimum standard. It includes: • Helmet • Sunglasses • Bike shorts (spandex or cargo) • Mountain bike jersey (or your favorite t-shirt) • Gloves • Mountain bike shoes • Hydration pack

Balance, looking down the trail, body language—mountain biking reinforces good habits that pay dividends for dirt bikers.

Cross-Training on Two wheels Dirt Bikers Use Mountain Biking To Get In Shape And Have Fun

by Heather Wilson

Mountain bike riding has many benefits for a motorcyclist—cardiovascular, leg training and even full-body strength.

Gary Semics, a well-known trainer in the motocross world who’s trained pros like Jeremy McGrath, Kevin Windham and Ryan Villopoto, says the great thing about mountain biking is its versatility. “You can use mountain biking as a recovery workout or as a hard, intense workout,” he says.

It’s not always about speed when it comes to mountain biking. It’s about working hard at the right times. This taxes your system and can be used to put greater demands on your heart.

FMF/KTM Factory Racing team rider and multi-time AMA National Enduro Champion Russell Bobbitt is a prolific mountain biker. Mountain biking is one tool that he uses to improve his cardiovascular fitness.

If you’re looking to get the most out of your workout, Bobbitt says, “a heart rate monitor is a great way to judge your exertion level since there are so many variables when riding, such as wind, elevation, etc.”

Wondering how to use a heart rate monitor? Semics says it’s simple. To find your max heart rate, subtract your age from 220. Your aim is to get your heart rate

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between 60-65 percent of your max rate during your workout.

“That’s when you’re burning fat for fuel,” Semics says.

So, a 25-year-old’s max heart rate would be 195 (220 - 25). He or she would want to maintain a heart rate of 117 (195 x 0.6) when working out.

Where To Start

There’s a lot that goes into finding the right bike and gear, where to ride, and even how to ride to make sure you’re getting the full training aspect of riding.

Here are some tips to get started.

Know your terrain/style of riding Before you buy a bike, you’ll need to know what type of terrain you plan to ride. Will you be riding cross-country, all-mountain, downhill, or freeride? The sidebar on page 27 defines these styles.

The type of riding you choose will have a lot to do with the terrain available to you.

If you live in California, mountains may be accessible. If you live in Indiana, chances are you’ll be a cross-country rider.

Where to ride One reason dirt bikers turn to mountain bikes is accessibility. Mountain bikes are

quiet, don’t require titling or registration and most trail systems are free and funded with public money.

Note, however, that we’re not referring to your local paved or crushed limestone bike path. True mountain bike trails resemble tight enduro singletrack, and you won’t necessarily find them at your local community park.

To find some suitable trails near you, check out www.singletracks.com, or download the SingleTracks app for a map by state of places to ride. Another great resource for finding trails in your state is www.trails.mtbr.com. Finally, don’t forget to ask at the local bike shop.

On the topic of trails, most dirt bikers are surprised to learn that mountain bike trails require significant maintenance. Find out which group maintains your local trails and volunteer for a trail day (or kick in a monetary donation). Also do your part and avoid riding in muddy conditions. Dried ruts that a dirt biker wouldn’t even notice can destroy the so-called “flow” of a nice mountain bike trail. If you’re unsure of local trail etiquette, ask a local club.

Time To Shop!

Eric Storz is a former pro trials rider who now works part time for the bike shop

Niner EMD 9 1-Star Deore $1499

Art’s Cyclery in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

He has a keen understanding of the crossover benefits of mountain biking.

“The best thing you can do is go to a bike shop,” Storz says. “When I first started riding, I made the mistake of going out and buying a mountain bike and not doing the research. There’s a lot to know about mountain biking, and your local bike shop can do more than hook you up with a bike. They can also hook you up with people to ride with.”

There’s quite the price range when it comes to mountain bikes—from $500 to $10,000. That’s why it’s important to research and understand options in frames, suspension, drivetrains, wheel sizes, tires and more.

“You need to consider the kind of riding you will be doing and your budget,” says Nick Fahringer, a Factory AirGroup Husqvarna team rider. “Bicycle types

range more widely than the motorcycles. Know what you want to pedal and what you want out of it. Then discuss it with your local cycling shop.”

In general terms, according to www.ibikeride.com, the suspension travel, tire width, and brake rotor size increases and the head tube angle becomes less steep as you transition from a cross-county to an enduro to a freeride to a downhill bike.

A cross-country bike is designed to keep the rider’s weight in the center of the bike. A downhill bike will shift the rider’s weight rearward. The cross-country bikes are also lighter than a downhill bike.

Although many cross-country bikes come as hardtails, Bobbitt recommends full-suspension, because he says it feels most like a dirt bike. Full suspension does not necessarily mean “heavy.” Modern fullsuspension bikes can achieve impressive weight targets, even 25 pounds or less.

Bobbitt says that a good mountain bike is definitely worth the investment. They function better and also last a long time.

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“Don’t go get a cheap bicycle,” he says.

“Actually, go talk to your local bicycle shop. I ride a Santa Cruz bike.

It was my first mountain bike, and it’s lasted me almost eight years.”

Today, nearly all types of mountain bikes come with 26-inch, 27.5-inch or 29inch wheels. The old standard is 26-inch, but several years ago 29-inch became all the rage, particularly among cross-country riders who didn’t need the performance (or weight gains) of full suspension setups, because they could roll more easily over rough trail. More recently, manufacturers have decided that 27.5-inch wheels are the sweet spot.

The cost of bikes built around different wheel sizes is comparable and will reflect the current trend in your discipline or area. Again, your local bike shop will be invaluable when it comes to suggesting what works best in local trails—not to mention providing test rides.

If you are unfamiliar with bicycling, you’ll also encounter various frame sizes. These are independent from the wheel size but can confuse a new mountain biker. Typically, a 16- to 17-inch frame is considered small, an 18- to 19-inch frame is considered medium, and a 20to 21-inch frame is considered large. However, this varies widely among models.

When it comes to transmissions, many riders prefer what are known as “one-bys” which refers to a 1x9, 1x10 or 1x11 setup, for example. This means there is one cog, or gear, on the crank and nine, 10 or 11 gears on the rear hub. You give up some gear ratios but gain simplicity and lose some weight. That said, most complete bikes are sold with a traditional two- or three-cog setup on the crank, and those work just fine.

Compared to motorcycles, mountain bike ergonomics are very customizable.

Seat height, crank arm length, handlebar width and bend, stem length and angle, and steer tube height all come into play.

Your local bike shop can adjust your new bike to fit your physique.

Get The Gear

Mountain bikers can choose a range of gear setups.

“The great thing about bicycle riding

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Mountain Biking Disciplines There are several types of mountain biking. Here’s a brief overview.

Cross-country: One of the most common and accessible forms of mountain biking. Think of it like hare scrambles racing but with pedals. Trails can range from gently sloping to grueling switchbacks and rocky descents. Cross-country bikes are built to be light with quick turning geometry.

All-mountain/enduro: Bikers will navigate long trails across mountainous or rugged terrain, or spend a couple hours pedaling up the mountain and then ride down. Bikes are built to a tougher standard than cross-county bikes, but they also are heavier. Full-suspension is the norm.

Freeride: It’s just like name sounds. It’s freestyle, jumps or a really aggressive trail.

These bikes come with heavy-duty suspension out back and big forks in the front.

Downhill: This is probably the least-practiced form of mountain biking due to its lack of accessibility. Bikers hike or ride a ski-lift to the top of a mountain and then descend at high speeds, hitting jumps and drop-offs. With weight a non-issue, downhill bikes are engineered for toughness and have slack geometry. is that you can pretty much wear whatever you want—a lycra bicycle suit or baggy shorts and a jersey,” Fahringer says.

Perhaps the biggest decision most new riders dwell over is what type of shoes they will wear. These depend on the bike’s pedals. Traditional flat pedals are what you remember from the BMX bikes you had as a kid. Clipless pedals (which you actually clip into—yes, we know it’s confusing!) will attach to special shoes using one of a few industry standards.

The benefit of “clipping in” is significant.

Not only does it stabilize your foot on the pedal, but both legs can transfer power to the drivetrain throughout the entire revolution of the crank. The risk is a greater chance of crashing when getting a foot down quickly would have saved you.

With practice, you can extract your foot from clipless pedals almost instantly, and most mountain bikers, even new ones, will start with a clipless system.

Nearly all new bikes will be sold with flats (or no pedals at all) because the manufacturer isn’t going to try to guess what type of clipless system you might use.

Beyond the shoes, many tools and gear brands will be familiar to dirt bikers.

“What’s really cool is the cross-over between

Santa Cruz Tallboy CC $5499-$8099

my dirt bike sponsors’ products and mountain biking accessories,” Fahringer said. “I wear Bell helmets and use a USWE hydration system when I ride either bike. Gaerne also makes top-of-the-line motorcycle and cycling shoes.”

Other extras you’ll want to buy include a tire pump, tire levers, a small tool kit or multi-tool that you can carry on the bike, spare tubes, a mountain biking app and a heart rate monitor.

Focus On Fun

brooksleather-onesixth-vert.ai Please refer production questions to: Allen Hanford allenhanford@yahoo.com 267-312-1645

Fahringer, Bobbitt and others say that one of the biggest benefits of mountain biking isn’t the workout, but the mental release it brings, as well as a change from the typical gym routine.

“It’s about the quality and fun factor for me,” Fahringer says. “It’s also extremely valuable on the fitness side. However, at the end of the day, it’s the adventure and action aspect we all talk about.”

Bobbitt agrees.

“Just getting out and exploring mountain biking is a win,” Bobbitt says. “It offers you time to yourself or a good time with your friends. Plus, a lot of characteristics coincide with dirt bikes. Have fun with it, and create your own adventure!” ~ A JC Motors Company ~

Staff Sgt. William Pendleton II

Honorees Nominated By Members, Selected By AMA Board

The six motorcyclists selected by the AMA Board of Directors to receive the 2015 AMA Awards have made outstanding contributions to the motorcycling community, and their efforts support the AMA’s mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.

The AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious of the awards and is presented to Charles Umbenhauer of Dover, Pa., for 2015. Umbenhauer has been the state legislative coordinator and lobbyist for ABATE of Pennsylvania for more than 30 years and has played a key role in securing and protecting funding of the

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program.

Other 2015 award recipients include: • AMA Bessie Stringfield Award: Delvene Manning, event manager of the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials • AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award: Peter Cline, founder of VETMotorsports • AMA Outstanding Road Rider Award: Staff Sgt. William Pendleton II, Motorcycle Safety Program Manager of the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. • AMA Outstanding Off-Road Rider Award: Desiree Bates, campaign organizer of the Fight For Ocotillo Wells SVRA • Friend of the AMA Award: Ken Wahlster, founder of BikeBandit.com

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AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award

AMA Life Member Charles Umbenhauer received the 2015 AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of advocacy on behalf of motorcyclists in the Pennsylvania legislature, with victories that safeguarded funding for rider education, voluntary adult helmet use, reduced tolls for motorcycles and motorcycle parking.

“For a long time now, I felt that being featured in the September 2008 issue of American Motorcyclist was the high water mark of my 47 years in motorcycling, but after receiving the 2015 AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award, I am truly humbled,” says Umbenhauer, a recipient of the AMA Motorcycling Advocate Award in 2004. “In Pennsylvania, we have changed the face of motorcycling and made it a motorcycle-friendly state and a great place to ride. That would not have happened without the support of the AMA and my many friends in ABATE of Pennsylvania.”

AMA Bessie Stringfield Award

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The AMA Bessie Stringfield Award recognizes efforts to introduce motorcycling to new or underserved markets in memory of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bessie Stringfield.

The 2015 award recipient, Delvene Manning, has dedicated her life to promoting land-speed racing, which does

Photos Staff Sgt. William Pendleton II: Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley/Army; Charles Umbenhauer: Gene Smirnov; Peter Cline: Amy Parrish

AMA RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING MOTORCYCLISTS WITH 2015 AMA AWARDS

not differentiate between male and female competitors. In so doing, she fostered an environment that introduced many women and men to the challenge, thrill and camaraderie of two- and three-wheel top-speed record attainment.

“The AMA has been fundamental in their support, and we have grown in participants and increased international exposure,” Manning says. “We strive to provide our participants with the best opportunity to set records, to compete against their peers of all ages, genders and range of motorcycles, and to race against history.”

has trained more than 2,500 motorcycle riders in 3rd Infantry Division and helped reduce motorcycle-related fatalities from 12 to zero in two years.

AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award

Friend of the AMA Award

AMA racer Peter Cline, recipient of the 2015 AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award, started VETMotorsports as a non-clinical outreach program to empower disabled combat veterans and support them in their continued healing.

Cline, from Columbus, Ohio, and VETMotorsports have generated significant positive publicity for motorcycling, honoring the award’s namesake, Hall of Famer Hazel Kolb.

“This award means so much to us, because VETMotorsports’ partnership with the AMA has allowed the program to reach over 45 veterans, plus caregivers, in 2014,” Cline says.

AMA Outstanding Off-Road Rider Award

The AMA Outstanding Off-Road Rider Award highlights the achievements of those who have contributed to the protection of off-highway motorcycling.

For 2014, the award is presented to AMA member Desiree Bates, who has fought for off-highway vehicle access rights in one of California’s most popular state vehicular recreation areas.

“It makes me so incredibly proud to receive this award from the AMA,” Bates says. “This lets me know that people are not only noticing that I am working hard, but that they trust me in what I do and appreciate what we’ve been doing to preserve riding rights at Ocotillo Wells.”

Ken Wahlster, founder of BikeBandit. com, has been a strong supporter of the AMA for years and is the recipient of the 2015 Friend of the AMA Award.

The award recognizes one or more in the motorcycling community, including clubs, companies, sponsors or partners that have strongly supported the AMA mission and programs.

“As a life-long rider with over 20 years of experience working in the industry, it is a great honor to be selected for an award by an organization that has done so much for motorcyclists and their rights,” Wahlster says. “The AMA has been a constant source for information and activism, and I can say with 100 percent confidence that the tireless efforts of the AMA have made significant contributions to racing, safety, land usage, etc., and that I have personally benefited from them all.”

To learn more about the AMA Awards Program and to nominated an individual, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ about/amaawardsprogram.

AMA Outstanding Road Rider Award

The AMA Outstanding Road Rider Award is presented annually to recognize those who have contributed to the promotion of the motorcycle lifestyle and the protection of on-highway motorcycling.

Staff Sgt. William Pendleton, the recipient of the 2015 award, was instrumental in helping the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga., win the 2014 U.S. Army Forces Command Exceptional Organization Safety Award (Division Level) for superior performance in reducing fatalities in both on- and off-duty activities.

“Motorcycling is important to me, but nothing is more important than the lives of my fellow soldiers,” says Pendleton, who

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AMA REWARDS

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

AMA Roadside Assistance

AMA Race Center

Available at no extra charge if you choose to automatically renew your AMA membership.

Your one-stop online source for all your motocross, Arenacross and ATV Motocross results from AMA-sanctioned events. Search by event, date, and even your name! http://results.americanmotorcyclist.com

You’re Among America’s Elite Racers Only AMA members chase national No. 1 plates.

• Coverage for bikes, cars, pickups, motorhomes and trailers (excluding utility trailers) registered to you, your spouse, and dependent children under the age of 24, living at home or away at college.

• Coverage in all 50 states and Canada.

• Towing up to 35 miles, with all dispatch and hook-up fees.

• Flat tire, lockout, battery and minormechanical assistance.

• Emergency fuel, oil, water, fluid delivery.

• No exclusions for older motorcycles.

• Toll-free assistance available 24/7/365.

• AMA Roadside Assistance pays first.

No need to pay and wait for reimbursement.

You’ll find everything you need— from races to rules to advice, at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Racing.

And as an AMA Competition Member, you’ll receive the competition edition of American Motorcyclist magazine.

HOW YOUR AMA MEMBERSHIP PAYS FOR ITSELF Are You Covered?

Value

Your Cost

American Motorcyclist magazine

$19.95

Included

AMA Roadside Assistance

$104

Included*

Unlimited Classified Ads On The AMA Website

$40

Included

AMA Online Road And Trail Guide

$19

Included

AMA Member-Only Website

$75

Included

$40**

Up To 20% Off

$187.50***

Up To 25% Off

Priceless

Included

Hotel And Motel Discounts (Choice Hotels, Red Roof Inn) Gear Discounts (BikeBandit.com, Schampa, Heat Demon And More) Protecting Your Right To Ride Your Membership Dues Total Membership Value *with membership automatic renewal **average cost of $100/night stay – 2 nights ***average $750 per year expenses on gear/parts/accessories

$49 $490.45

THE ESSENTIALS AMA Roadside Assistance

The Best Deal In Towing Get peace of mind with AMA Roadside Assistance, which covers all your vehicles, as well as those of your family members living with you. Best of all, you can get this coverage at no additional charge. For details, call (800) 262-5646.

Lodging

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

Use the Member Discount code #00947556.

Special discounts at Motel 6 are also available up to 10 percent off. Use the Member Discount code CP540176.

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.

EagleRider Motorcycle Rentals

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

Motorcycle Shipping

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

Car Rentals

Save Money When You Drive Get up to 25 percent off prevailing rates at any Avis or Budget car rental agency. For Avis, enter discount code: D388100.

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

AMA Gear

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

Details at www.MotorcycleMuseum.org.

Rider Accident Medical Plan

All members of the AMA are eligible to purchase coverage. Benefits are paid when a covered member is injured. See http:// www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Membership/ Members_Only/DiscountCodes for details.

Insurance, Credit Card, Finance and Banking

The AMA has joined with Nationwide to bring members-only money-saving offers on insurance, a cash-back AMA-themed credit card, finance and banking.

For more details see, www.nationwide.com/ americanmotorcyclist.

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS ActionStation/Bohn Body Armor

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

AMA Members also receive exclusive discounted pricing on the Bohn Bodyguard System at www.bohn-armorpants.com/ama/.

EVS Sports

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

powered by

AMA/Sprocketlist Online Classifieds

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine offers a 20 percent subscription discount to AMA members. RoadRUNNER is the touring expert of North America, providing information on the best places to ride. AMA discount code is CRIAMA at www.roadrunner.travel/promo/ama.

Sam’s Club

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

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

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine

ADD INTELLIGENCE TO YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS

Gear Brake

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

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

As an AMA Member, you can join or renew your Sam’s Club membership and receive a $10 gift card (for a Sam’s Savings membership) or a $25 gift card (for a Plus membership) using a special members-only certificate. Visit the Members Only section on www.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com to download the coupon.

Schampa Cold-Weather Gear

Save 15 percent. Enter SCHAMA during checkout at www.Schampa.com.

Heat Demon AMA Supercross And AMA Arenacross Tickets

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

Anthony’s Leatherworks

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

BikeBandit.com

AMA members receive 10 percent off all products. Visit www.heatdemon.com/AMA and use the code AMAheat15 at checkout to receive your discount.

International Motorcycle Shows AMA members save on advanced adult one-day general admission. The promo code is “AMA15” when you buy your tickets online from www. motorcycleshows.com.

LifeLock Identity Theft Protection Get 30 free days and 10 percent off.

Use promo code AMACYCLE at www.

LifeLock.com or by calling (800) 5433562.

Get 10 percent off your order at BikeBandit.com by entering your AMA number at checkout. Exclusions apply.

See www.BikeBandit.com for details.

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The best routes made easy. Save 20 percent.

Use promo code AMATHXU at www.

MADmaps.com.

Biker Rain Chaps

Save 25 percent. Visit www.bikerrainchaps. com/ama/ and use the code AMA-0315SPATTY at checkout to receive your discount.

Brooks Leather

AMA members receive a 10 percent discount off all jackets, chaps, vests, rain suits, race suits, and gloves. You can shop online at www.brooksleather. com or at any participating Brooks dealer. Just present the code AMABRO when ordering.

Cardo Systems, Inc.

10 percent discount for AMA members when presenting their membership card on Cardo’s scala rider® motorcycle communication products at participating authorized dealers only.

MYLAPS

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

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Save 10 percent. Enter code TYES4AMA at checkout from www. powertye.com/ama.

Rider Magazine

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

AmericanMotorcyclist.com for the discount link.

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The Global Leader in Bluetooth and ‘Audio Action Camera’ Innovation for Powersports, Motorsports and Outdoor Sports – is now offering AMA members an EXCLUSIVE 15 percent discount on its product lineup.

Log into the ‘Members Only’ section on the AMA website to get the code and #RideConnected.

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

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

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

US Chrome

AMA Members save big at US Chrome!

We offer a $30.00 discount on cylinder plating and Dealer Pricing on Wiseco, Wossner, ProX and Vertex piston kits. For more information visit the Members Area of the website.

AMA Member Tested

KNOBBY KNIFE MSRP: $64.95 Info: www.knobbyknife.com Hate buying new tires? Hate changing them?

It seems like you just mounted that new tire yesterday and the edges are already moving from razor sharp to soft edged, sloppy

By Kevin B. Parsons bumps. How can you ride like a hero with knobs that looks like they’ve gone five rounds with a belt sander?

Knobby Knife claims it can sharpen up those weary old lumps and make them hook up like new again. Being a cynic, I needed to see it to believe it.

So I took a tire that, after four rides, had definitely lost its edge (especially in the center). Knobby Knife came with four simple directions on the packaging. Nice!

It went like this: Heat it up. Point the edge against the knob. Press down.

Scoop out. How about that? It worked that easily.

Fortunately, this can be done with the tire mounted on the bike.

Putting the bike on a center stand helped too.

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Carving the tire well took a bit more practice but hey, a poorly refreshed knob is better than buying a new one. Because the side knobs weren’t worn as badly, I elected to only slice up the middle ones.

Using the knife, I burned my index finger (slightly) because I held it like a pistol, with my finger extended. The instructions had warned me: It gets seriously hot! Plug it in for 10 minutes and the blade heats to 500 degrees, cutting like a hot knife through butter. (Well, it’s more like a warm knife through cold butter, but still quite effortless.)

If you have any questions, the website www.knobbyknife.com has a two-minute video that clears up any questions. Cut carefully, don’t take too much rubber, and in 20 minutes you’ll have a crisp, used tire.

The company claims the knife can increase tire life by three to five times, but I think that’s optimistic. It looks like it could give you three or four more good rides, extending tire life and saving money. With the gadget costing $64.95 plus shipping, it won’t take long to save the purchase price (and more) in extended tire life.

Nobody likes worn out tires, but with Knobby Knife, the last half of the tire life can still provide some nice traction.

Now, I should fire up the bike and see if I can wear the sides of those knobbies down a bit.

GARMIN VIRB ELITE ACTION CAMERA

MSRP: $399.99 Info: sites.garmin.com/en-us/virb/

vibration makes the video recorded from a camera mounted directly to the bike unstable.

The VIRB Elite’s digital stabilization performed beautifully, however, even off-road.

Most action cameras need to be mounted to the rider to smooth out the video capture. Not so with the VIRB. This really expands the mounting options for the camera.

Camera Specs We installed a 64 GB micro SD card (purchased separately for $75). The VIRB Elite has 1080p HD video resolution and takes photos as high as 16 megapixels. It also has a 1.4-inch display built into the camera. The viewfinder, as Garmin calls it, lets you see where your camera is angled, taking the guesswork out of positioning.

The dashboard is not backlit, however, so it’s difficult to see in low-light conditions.

Altogether, the rugged, waterproof camera with battery installed weighs only 6.26 ounces and sits in a small cradle, which is attached to the mount on the bike. The fact that the camera has a sliding switch, rather than a button to start the recording process is a huge plus. It’s really riding-glove friendly!

Functions Clearly, Garmin knows GPS. Because of this, the VIRB Elite goes beyond just There are a lot of action sports cameras being an action camera. The dashboard on the market today. While we can display a compass and tell both have lots of experience you the time, distance traveled, with another popular brand, we speed, elevation and even were interested to see how the g-force acceleration.

Garmin VIRB Elite compares.

While the VIRB Elite has the Heather put the VIRB Elite capability to take photos while through the paces on her KTM recording video, it’s really not 250 XCF-W in the woods, while advisable to take a hand off Chris tested it on the street the handlebars to push the on his Buell XB12S. Chris also button while riding. Before connected the VIRB Elite to you depart, however, you can

By Chris Harrison his Garmin 590 LM GPS and set the camera to capture used the Garmin Smartphone photos repeatedly at a selected Link and Garmin Connect interval. applications.

Figuring out this function was tricky due to the confusing Mounting The Camera instructions and a non-intuitive We both attached the interface. However, after some camera using the Large Tube fiddling and trial and error, we Mount (retail: $24.99) to our figured it out. Once we got the handlebars. It was a simple feature to work, the photos process. A common problem were excellent—very clear and

By Heather Wilson with a sports camera is no blurriness whatsoever.

Smartphone Interface The Garmin products also have a few smartphone applications that you can use with your device, or you can control it remotely by using the Garmin 590LM. The beauty of this camera is that while you are riding you can use your phone or your GPS unit to switch it from standby to record video mode or to snap a few photos.

The play back, in conjunction with the data supplied by the Garmin 590 LM GPS, allows you to watch the video with the actual street map overlaid on the screen.

If the system is synchronized with your smart phone via Garmin Smartphone Link or Garmin Connect, you will experience a playback with data from your trip such as speed, time and cardinal direction.

You will be able to access the map on the computer and rewind the footage based on where you were on the map.

If you’re a techy who likes to relive your rides, or share them with others, this is an incredible feature.

Color Capture One downside: The video captured by the camera came through a bit “washed out” compared to other action cameras.

While this may be a matter of personal preference (you might consider the competition’s footage “over saturated”), the VIRB’s video did have a less-vibrant appearance. Of course, depending on your video editing software, this can be adjusted in post production.

MOTORCYCLE SALES UP 3.8 PERCENT FOR 2014

ATV Sales Also Rise; Scooter Sales Decline The Motorcycle Industry Council reports motorcycle sales increased 3.8 percent in 2014. A total of 483,526 motorcycles were sold during the calendar year, an increase of 17,743 units over 2013.

Off-highway motorcycles registered the highest percentage year-over-year growth at 10.9 percent, with the on-highway and dualsport segments tallying gains of 3 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively.

Scooter sales were the only two-wheeled segment to decline year over year, down 3.5 percent.

Meanwhile, allterrain-vehicle sales showed a steady 0.5 percent rate of growth.

NEW CONSUMER SHOWS COMING IN 2016 Marketplace Events Shows To Focus On New Riders

The producers of the innovative American International Motorcycle Expo, for which Larry Little earned 2013 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year recognition, will produce a new series of consumer events.

Marketplace Events says the shows will be timed to promote 2016 model year products.

Mike Webster, president of Marketplace Events’ motorcycle division, says that the company is planning a number of “experiential elements” that they say will welcome both traditionalists and attract new riders.

The company says that locations and dates are to be announced soon.

Battery Life While the lithium-ion battery allows you to record up to three hours at 1080p, most people are usually out riding longer than that. It might be worth the money to invest in a second battery pack (retail: $29.99) and swap out the batteries before one dies during your ride.

A Worthy Alternative The VIRB Elite is packed with functions and performs as expected. It may not be the easiest camera to use out of the box, but once you master the robust GPS syncing features, it’s a blast. Although the slightly washed-out video appearance is a negative, the camera’s built-in stabilization capabilities are impressive. All in all, the VIRB is a solid choice when it comes to shooting action sports, whether you’re road riding or dirt biking.

To view sample slow-motion videos and photos taken using the Garmin VIRB Elite, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com and search for “Garmin VIRB.”

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1956 BMW R67/3 Built For Style And Function

After the post-war ban on German motorcycle production was lifted, BMW based its new motorcycle designs on surviving pre-war models.

Slowly but surely, though, the German marque engineered new bikes that would exhibit the poise and presence of the brand’s former glory.

The BMW R67, sold in 1951-56 and available with a sidecar option, reached its zenith with the R67/3. Its 594cc overhead-valve engine produced 28 horsepower and had a reported top speed of 93 mph. Power was transferred to the rear wheel through a four-speed transmission, shifted with a foot lever or an auxiliary control on the gearbox.

A six-volt Noris magneto ignition supplied power to the Bosch spark plugs.

The BMW R67/3 was a gorgeous machine, weighing in at around 420 pounds. It boasted clean lines, deep black paint and glistening white and silver highlights.

Only about 700 of these machines were sold. This particular BMW R67/3 is even more rare, as it was used to demonstrate the functionality and feasibility of the attached prototype hardbags.

This bike was donated to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame permanent collection by Sherman Williams. See it and other historic machines at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio. For hours and directions, see www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

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

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Photos Alison Grogan

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Famer

RAY PRICE Creator Of The Funnybike Ray Price is widely recognized as the “Father of the Funnybike.” He is also credited with developing the two-speed automatic racing transmission and the first wheelie bar for drag race motorcycles.

Born in 1937, Price grew up on a tobacco farm in Johnston County, N.C.

After attending college, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he spent four years as a radar specialist in aircraft armament control.

Price bought his first motorcycle in 1963. In 1967, at the age of 30, he started his motorcycle drag racing career with a

2015 RAFFLE BIKE

RESTORATION IN PROGRESS

1966 Harley-Davidson Sportster. Since then, Price and his Ray Price HarleyDavidson drag racing team have collected numerous racing victories, records and championships in AMA-sanctioned drag racing competition, the All Harley Drag Racing Association and the International Hot Rod Association.

Price’s racing career came to an end in Las Vegas in May 2003. The day after setting a new class record of 216 mph, Price had trouble stopping after an even faster run. He dove off the bike into safety netting alongside the track. Although Price survived, the incident left him with nerve damage in his arm.

Despite being unable to keep racing, Price continued to assist his team, which continues to compete today.

Price was also a motorcycle dealer.

In 1973, he and his wife Jean opened Precision Cycle in Raleigh, N.C., which later became Ray Price Harley-Davidson.

Ray Price Harley-Davidson is one of the largest dealerships in the southeastern United States and hosts several annual charitable events, including the Toys for Tots toy run and the Ray Price Easter Basket Ride, among others.

Ray Price was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1993.

#AMARaffleRestore

1965 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide

Buy a Ticket and Follow the Build at www.MotorcycleMuseum.org (800)342-5464

Proceeds benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Melbourne J. ‘Mike’ Wilson, 1920-2015 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Passes

One of motorcycling’s greatest advocates, Melbourne J. “Mike” Wilson, passed away Feb. 2. He was 94.

Mr. Wilson, an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and longtime patron of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, was preceded in passing by his wife and fellow Hall of Famer Margaret Wilson last July. The couple was awarded the AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

“As American motorcycling’s first couple and two of the sport’s greatest benefactors, Mike and Margaret Wilson were without peer,” says AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Mike, along with Margaret, not only lived life on two wheels to the fullest, but he gave back to the sport in many ways, which included their lasting contributions to the Hall of Fame, where their story will live on in perpetuity.

“On behalf of AMA staff, our members, the AMA Board of Directors and the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, I express our deepest condolences to Mike’s family and friends,” Dingman adds.

Born on March 2, 1920, Wilson started

racing dirt track as a novice in 1939.

Following his service in World War II as a fighter pilot, he and Margaret opened Wilson’s Motorcycle Sales, a HarleyDavidson and later a Honda dealership, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Wilson returned to competition and won the Iowa TT State Championship in 1956 as an expert-licensed dirt tracker.

He was the last racer to enter the Peoria TT on a 74-cubic-inch Harley-Davidson in 1958.

As a sponsor, Wilson backed the careers of many great racers, including fellow Hall of Famers John Tibben and Leo Payne.

Following a quarter-century running a successful business, the Wilsons began focusing their efforts on preserving the heritage of motorcycling and were instrumental in the creation and promotion of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, including commissioning the timeless bronze sculpture “Glory Days” that serves as the centerpiece of the Hall of Fame itself.

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

Want a bigger space? A 6-inch square is an $80 donation, and 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”

$20

donation

6”

$80

donation

www.motorcyclemuseum.org/myhalloffame or call 1-800-342-5464 for assistance

8”

$180

donation

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

GO RIDE! Here’s Everything You Need To Know To Get Ready For The Riding Season Three things go into a great year of motorcycling: you, your bike and fun places to ride.

In our annual kick-off to the heart of the riding season, we provide the advice, tips and event information to help you prepare for many fun days in the saddle.

This year, we’ve rounded up a group of experts to offer advice on trip planning, bike preparation, refreshing your skills and riding with your friends. Plus, we provide an overview of the year’s best rides and rallies.

Trip Planning 101

Cory Parris

A Great Ride Starts With A Great Plan

By Anthony Arbicor

I can hardly wait. Sunrise is in an hour and my bike is in the garage with a full tank of gas. My sleeping bag is strapped firmly to the top of the T-bag. Nothing is in front of me but open highway—no phone, no computer, no reservations, no plan.

Then the alarm goes off. I wake up to realize that the reality of modern touring is much different than the carefree, zero responsibility days of yesteryear.

Yes, both baggers are in the garage with full tanks. But the GPS is pre-programmed with the route out (and back) and loaded with all the music it can carry. All reservations are in place and my wife and I are ready for anything.

The process we follow to arrive at this moment is, however, worthy of discussion. It has been a long road of discovery and learning, trial and error, smiles and frowns, but worth every inch.

My wife and I live in the Seattle area—the great Pacific Northwest.

Planning rides around here, and to and from here, has its own challenges. We have a different geography, and a climate that can be unpredictable.

We start off our planning process by deciding what we want to do. It might be a rally, such as Sturgis or Laughlin, or a state or local rally. Or, it might just be a destination to go and sight see around.

Wherever it is, the destination is the starting point. Then, I always snap down a rough draft of the route on the laptop or a map and then we start breaking it up into manageable riding days. We look at the route and the terrain and analyze the time it will take (adding in ample time for our gas stops) to make our usual 350-mile days. I try to stay off the main freeways and route onto the most scenic roads as much as possible. This often means that the hours in the saddle rather than the miles may dictate the length of a particular riding day.

We also check the Department of Transportation sites of all the states we are planning to travel in, just in case there is some huge road construction project that we can route around.

A key element in planning a fun trip is to not overplan your days.

Try not to wear yourself out on one

April Is AMA Go Ride! Month Win Cool Stuff, Support Your Freedoms The AMA celebrates the riding season every April with AMA Go Ride! Month. It’s our reminder that motorcycling is the best way to experience this great country.

This year, the AMA is partnering with CycleGear and its 112 brick-and-mortar stores in 34 states to promote riding, boost membership and reward members and clubs.

During April, members are invited to AMA Bike Nights at CycleGear stores. The events will include food, drink and fun, as well as special discounts and gifts for showing your AMA card.

Have a buddy who isn’t a member? If they sign up at the event, CycleGear will give you a free Stockton 15-in-one tool.

More info: www.american motorcyclist.com/amabikenight.

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

time the weather or temperature changes. We start by putting on what we would wear on the hottest of days and pack everything else on the bike.

This creates the worst-case packing scenario right up front.

Stuff sacks and compression bags that are popular with backcountry hikers work great for carrying gear while conserving space.

We both wear full-face helmets, as well, and take advantage of our on-board communication systems and inhelmet music. Full-face helmets are a great way to go for touring riders. They protect you from the sun as well as the cold and the rain, which greatly reduces riding fatigue at the end of the day.

After our ride plan and lodgings are set, and our gear is chosen and we’re all packed, we spend some time thinking about safety. We check the bikes over completely and are sure to have our first aid, tool kit and emergency compressor loaded.

The compressor is one of those things we didn’t think about carrying until we were in a group with a flat on a holiday and had to make a roadside valve stem repair. We also pack gel-type super glue in our tool kit for the same reason.

Of course, this is a great time to make sure you’re set with AMA Roadside Assistance.

If you don’t have it, get it. It’s free as long as you sign up for automatic renewal of your AMA membership, and it will set your mind at ease while your out exploring your world.

Finally, we’re ready to go.

Touring on your motorcycle is lots of fun and our planning process helps make our trips trouble free. After all, you are doing this to relax.

Having an adventure does not always mean having no plan. An adventure can be any new, novel or remarkable experience, including getting to your destination and back home having nothing to remember but good times, smiles and many stories to tell.

Anthony Arbicor is an AMA member from Auburn, Wash.

Cory Parris

long hot (or cold) day. Doing so can hurt your enjoyment of the following days.

Once we have our travel legs identified, my wife begins to look for hotels at the stopping points. We have found some interesting places as we’ve explored our five-state region (including Canada). Always keep in mind that lodging quality varies greatly. One little motel in Butte, Mont., was a perfect example. It was a 1950s motor lodge with doors so short my buddy and I, both over 6-feet tall, had to duck going in and out. But it was quaint, clean, affordable and for a quick night’s stay, just perfect. These kinds of places make for great stories after the trip is done.

After the lodging reservations are in place, I re-adjust the route if necessary and call it a trip.

Nothing left to do now but meet up with the group and head out!

Not quite. Next, you need to pack. Anyone you see on the road who has his or her touring act together didn’t start that way. Believe me. Every trip we took resulted in an adjustment of some sort when we got home. Post-ride discussions have included the following comments…

“I’ll never get caught without that again.”

“That particular piece of gear has to go!”

“We need more waterproofing!”

You get the idea. Trial and error is almost a given here.

But you can learn from others.

Talk to your fellow two-wheeled travelers, and listen to their advice. They have a wealth of experience to share about how they got to that point.

Much of the advice you get will differ by region. In the Northwest, even in the dead of summer, you can reach elevations and temperatures that will freeze you in your seat.

And at these elevations, a quick storm can soak you to the bone.

It is nearly impossible to predict these conditions, so the only thing you can do is plan for the worst and hope for the best.

We have adapted our gear to fit every condition without having to change it out every

Jeff Guciardo

Bike Preparation

Getting Your Bike Ready For Spring

By Curtis R. Smith

As the warm spring days become more frequent, you’re thinking of getting your motorcycle ready for that first ride of the season. Every winterized bike needs a springtime tuning to get ready for the road.

I recommend, at a minimum: aFuel – When you stored your bike for the winter, you should have used a fuel stabilizer to keep the gas from turning to varnish. If a fuel stabilizer was not added, you will need to drain the gas tank and clean the fuel lines. For a bike with carburetors, drain the float bowls and clean clogged jets. With a fuel-injected bike, varnish could clog your pump and injectors. After the cleaned parts are reassembled, fill the tank with fresh gas and a fuel-cleaning additive. aOil – If you didn’t change your oil for winterization, it’s a good idea to change it after the bike has been sitting to remove any contaminants.

Always keep the quantity between the minimum and maximum levels according to the owner’s manual.

aAir Filter – Pull your air filter out to check the condition and look for evidence of animals. Rodents like to nest in air boxes, so it’s always good to check there before you start the bike. Clean the filter and re-oil it, or if it’s a paper filter, replace it. aBAttery – If you still have a wet-cell battery, check the acid level.

It should be between the minimum and maximum levels. If it is low, you should add distilled water. Make sure the positive and negative poles are clean and tight. All batteries should be fully charged and load tested before any extended travel. aBrAke Fluid – Check the level and condition of the brake fluid. If it is low or discolored, change it. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air.

That moisture will change to steam in a hot system and create bubbles in the lines, resulting in a “soft pedal.” Changing your brake fluid and bleeding the system annually or biannually will help reduce the chance of this happening.

adriveline – All drivelines should be checked to make sure the chain and sprocket, final drive gearset or belt and pulley—depending on the bike—are lubricated are not wearing out and are properly adjusted. atires – Check the air pressure and adjust it according to the owner’s manual. Check the overall tire condition, looking for any cracking or cupping and measuring tread depths. Determine the remaining life of the tires long before you take off on your summer trip, as they may need to be replaced before you add too many miles.

Take good care of your bike, and plan some great motorcycle trips this year!

Curtis Smith is an AMA member with a master’s degree in sculpture.

He is a motorcycle mechanic at Motohio European Motorbikes in Columbus, Ohio, and has more than 15 years experience customizing, fabricating, and fixing motorcycles.

He also is the AMA/FIM chief technical steward for the AMA Land Speed Grand Championship at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

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Go Ride–Safely

The Start Of A New Riding Season Is A Great Time To Refresh Your Skills By Christine Firehock

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You can’t change the fact that a motorcycle is physically smaller, and more vulnerable, than other vehicles on the roadway. But you can take steps to help keep yourself safe.

Although the methods may vary from rider to rider, the pursuit of new riding skill sets and evasive maneuvers is critical.

At AMDS, we refer to riding with “Mental Armor.” Our KickStart Motorcycle Training Series teaches not only quality riding skills from beginner to advanced, but a high level of rider responsibility. We all love our bikes, gadgets, safety features, chrome and carbon fiber, but the most

Chelsea Anne Photography

Most of us have felt like “bait on a hook” while riding on the roadways at one time or another. And rightfully so. If there’s a collision, motorcycles are at the bottom of the food chain.

The good news, though, is that we are born with basic survival skills that translate well to our riding. However, those skills must be honed. As motorcyclists, we need the correct muscle memory to deliver the most effective inputs into the motorcycle at that moment of truth. Unless we practice and strive to perfect those riding skills, they will not be there during our moment of need.

We can all strive to be safer riders.

But aging, returning riders represent the highest numbers of crashes. The first year of riding at any age proves to be the most dangerous. Yet nothing is more dangerous than when we become complacent. Most of us believe that if we practice our riding, we can become proficient, and we aim to be as perfect in our riding style as we can.

You’ve heard that “practice makes perfect.” In reality, “practice makes permanent.”

How does this translate into riding safety? If we continue to practice only what we know, whether these are beginning basic riding skills or what we know from our personal school of hard knocks, then the only skills we have permanently ingrained are the basics or our poor riding habits. This is why many trainers say that most seasoned riders have only one year of riding experience that they have repeated over and over.

I consider myself a seasoned rider with 40 continuous years of experience. I have been a motorcycle rider trainer since 1986 at the American Motorcycle Driving School Inc. My observations lead me to concur that many riders don’t continue to advance their riding skills.

To get better, you need more than just miles on the bike. More seat time can build proficiency, but not skills.

Personally, I thrive on a variety of motorcycles brands, styles, environments and evolving technology. Still, my first ride of the season is in a parking lot, sharpening my winter-rusted skills. Then I find a rider course, schedule a track day or locate a demo ride and research what new safety techniques have been discovered and shared with organizations, such as the AMA, that are committed to rider safety and high industry standards.

expensive, high-tech, valuable part on our motorcycle is us, the rider.

We are a fourth-generation motorcycling family that dates to my great grandparents in 1913. My mother, Diana L. Marafioti (a 2004 AMA MVP Award winner), liked to say that the day you think you know everything there is to know about riding is the day you need to hang up your leathers.

Always invest in yourself first with professional rider training. You will be amazed at how much you benefit. The thrill of knowing there is always more to learn, another bike to ride, another road to explore and new skills to master can keep our passion alive.

Christine Firehock is CEO and a master motorcycle trainer at AMDS, a chartered AMA promoter and a member of AMA District 34. For more information, see www.kickstartmts.com.

Mark Cornelison

AMA Vintage Grand Tour

Rewarding Road-Rider Spectators At AMA Vintage Races

The AMA Vintage Grand Tour rewards road riders for attending AMAsanctioned vintage competition events.

Competition events on the AMA Vintage Grand Tour calendar include motocross, hare scrambles, dirt track and road racing in 12 states. Additional events may be added.

“AMAsanctioned vintage racing is expanding into new areas, such as Arizona Cycle Park, outside of Phoenix, Ariz., and the famous Monster Mountain facility, in Tallassee, Ala.,” says AMA Assistant Motocross Manager Alex Hunter. “AMA promoters are embracing vintage racing, where racers young and old compete on bikes from decades past to relive old memories and make new ones.”

To participate in the AMA Vintage Grand Tour, road riders should register at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ AMAVintageGrandTour. Once registered, riders will receive an email confirmation from the AMA Road Riding Department.

Registered riders will earn points by submitting photos of themselves and their motorcycles on location at each event that they attend on the AMA Vintage Grand Tour calendar. (Photos not submitted within seven days of the eligible event may be disqualified.)

At the end of the year, registered participants will win prizes in a number of categories. Prize details and complete rules are available at the AMA Vintage Grand Tour web page.

Registration for the AMA Vintage Grand Tour is free. However, participating riders must pay any applicable gate or spectator fees charged by individual event promoters.

Group Riding Tips

An Organized Ride Is A Better Ride

By Chris Harrison Additionally, discuss modes of communication within the group. Options include bike-to-bike radios, Bluetooth headsets, and hand and arm signals.

Don’t just assume everyone is on board with whatever you used on the last ride.

If you’re introducing a new mode of communication, practice it off the bike.

Make sure you discuss what you do if the group splits up. Will you make an effort to re-group immediately, or will each group proceed to the day’s planned destination after checking in?

Speaking of checking in, what is the preferred method? Is voicemail OK, or will you want to have an actual conversation?

Make sure all riders are aware of, and comfortable with, how many miles will be covered each leg of the journey. Verify that everyone has the same expectations for scheduled breaks. Will you “gas and go” or will you take some time at planned stops? Not managing expectations can throw your trip into scheduling chaos.

Finally, ride legally. Insist that all riders have the proper license endorsement, that all bikes are legal and everyone has the required apparel (according to the laws of every state you will ride through) and be sure to discuss road etiquette.

Explain that your group will not block intersections, interfere with traffic or act in any way that will invite attention from the local authorities.

Group riding is one of the most fulfilling ways to spend time on two wheels. But bad group dynamics can also ruin an otherwise wonderful ride.

Communication and forethought are your keys to success.

Corey Mays

Whenever I think about riding somewhere, the first thing that comes to mind is who I want to share the experience with. I may only want to ride with those who are excellent riders. I also might have in mind certain friends who I want to share the event with. These are not necessarily the same people. How do I get all my friends on the same page?

Nobody wants to go through the meticulous planning of an event only to have the experience overshadowed by a rider that isn’t very good at group riding.

A good group ride is more than having a cool bike and arriving at your destination together. It’s about the whole group riding in harmony. The lead rider handles directions. The middle of the pack merges efficiently with traffic and communicates down the line. The sweep rider works to keep adjacent lanes clear so riders can navigate safely.

The first step to a safe group ride is a rider briefing. During this time, give an overview of the route and note any known hazards. Discuss road conditions, traffic, weather and wildlife. Cover expected speed and lane choice.

Talk about emergency situations.

What should the group do in case of an emergency? Which bike has which tools?

Where are the first-aid supplies?

If someone has trouble, the whole group should not stop; this isn’t safe.

A good rule is only the next rider in the group and the sweep rider stop. Riders unable to help should move on rather than create an additional hazard along the side of the road. That said, at least one additional rider should stay with the disabled rider until help arrives.

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AMA Premier Touring Series The Best Riding Events Are Here

SCHEDULE

March 7: Dirt Track. AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, Oglethore Speedway, Savannah, Ga.

AMA National Rallies

March 9-10: Dirt Track. AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, Volusia County Speedway, Barberville, Fla. March 28: Motocross. AMA Southwest Vintage Motocross Classic, Arizona Cycle Park, Buckeye, Ariz.

May 2: Dirt Track. AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, Henry, Ill.

AMA National Conventions

May 16-17: Motocross, Hare Scrambles.

Action Sports Flashback Weekend, Action Sports Motocross, Athens, Ohio

May 23-24: Motocross. AMA Southeast Vintage Championship, Monster Mountain MX, Tallassee, Ala.

May 24: Motocross. Log Road Motocross, Bronson, Mich.

June 4-6: Motocross. Mid-America Vintage & Post-Vintage Championship, Legends Raceway Park, Jonesboro, Ark.

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 like-minded riders in some of the most beautiful places in the country.  Americade June 1-6, in Lake George, N.Y. is a laid-back, road-riding touring destination with a family friendly atmosphere. Info: www.americade.com  The Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally Sept. 16-20, in Ruidoso, N.M., is a huge event high in the Rocky Mountains of southeastern New Mexico.

Info: www.motorcyclerally.com

AMA National Touring Rallies

June 12-13: Dirt Track. AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, Harpursville, N.Y.

June 28-29: Motocross. Midwest Vet Vintage Classic. Sunset Ridge MX, Walnut, Ill. July 10-12: Motocross, Hare Scrambles, Trials, Dirt Track, Road Race. AMA Vintage Grand Championship, Mid-Ohio Car Course, Lexington, Ohio Aug. 8: Dirt Track. AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, Marion County Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Ind.

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.  AspenCash Rally May 14-17, Ruidoso, N.M. Info: www.motorcyclerally.com  STAR 2015 June 21-25, Springdale, Ark. Info: www.ridemsta.com/srblog/star/  2015 RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel Annual Touring Weekend July 16-19, Winston-Salem, N.C. Info: www.roadrunner.travel/events/touring-weekend/  Rally In The Gorge Aug. 26-30, Hood River, Ore. Info: www.soundrider.com/rally

AMA National Gypsy Tours

Aug. 29: Dirt Track. AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, Oshkosh Speedway, Oshkosh, Wis.

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 other’s company at what evolved into large gatherings.

Sept. 5-6: Motocross. Nickota Motorsports Park, Bedford, Ky.

Sept. 5-6: Motocross. 3rd Annual Jammer Cup, Jimmy Weinert Riding Park, Maysville, N.C.

Sept. 5: Dirt Track. AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.

Dan Focht

Sept. 26-27: Dirt Track. AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, Cuddebackville, N.Y.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

This year’s AMA National Rally is AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 10-12, 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 much more.

Info: www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com

May 9-10: Dirt Track. AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, Tar Heel Speedway, Tar Heel, N.C.

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AMA National Rallies are AMA-produced and promoted events that include a range of activities, including seminars, bike shows, rides, swap meets, racing, demo rides, vendor displays and more.

 Laughlin River Run April 22-26, Laughlin, Nev. Info: www.laughlinriverrun.com  Republic of Texas (R.O.T.) Rally June 11-14, Austin, Texas.

Info: www.rotrally.com  Laconia Motorcycle Week June 13-21, Laconia, N.H. Info: www.laconiamcweek.com  Thunder in the Valley June 25-28, Johnstown, Pa. Info: www.visitjohnstownpa.com/thunderinthevalley/  37th Annual National Bikers Roundup Aug. 5-9, Hartsville, S.C. Info: www.nbrkcmo.com  Sturgis Aug. 3-9, Sturgis, S.D. Info: www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com  Killington Classic Aug. 27-30, Killington, Vt. Info: www.killingtonclassic.com

You are invited to:

BIKE NIGHT

At all Cycle Gear locations in 34 states during April, Go Ride! Month

W

e invite you to “Go Ride” to your nearest Cycle Gear location to have fun, get free prizes and support the AMA by signing up a buddy. Find a store and plan a ride with your friends to: • Sign up your buddies to the AMA and you both get a FANTASTIC PRIZE! • Show your AMA Membership Card and get a special FREE GIFT! • Get AMA Bike Night DISCOUNTS at every Cycle Gear location • Charter Club members who are not AMA members will get a FREE AMA Charter Club patch if they join • Food – Drink – Fun! Find times and locations at:

www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/AMABikeNight

#AMABikeNight • (800)AMA-JOIN

GO RIDE

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

1

On April 18, the Golden Eagles Motorcycle Club is staging a poker run in Tampa, Fla. It’s also the 65th Anniversary Open House Party for the club.

Info: www.goldeneagles motorcycleclub.com

2

Monster Action Sports LLC is hosting a motocross race in Tallassee, Ala., April 18-19. The event is an AMA Area Qualifier for the Southeast Region for the 2015 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. Info: www.monstermx.com

3

Check out the swap meet hosted by MidWest Motorcycle Club in Indianapolis, Ind., April 18. It’s from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is only $7.

Info: www.midwestmc.com

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4

6

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4

Mid Rocky Mountain Adventure Riders are hosting a recreational trail ride, taking place April 16-18 in Moab, Utah. The “Moab Rendezvous” will test your skills and your mental toughness out in the lonely landscape, but will include rides for all skill levels. Info: www. rmariders.org

5

The American Sportbike Racing Association is holding a road race on April 12 in Kershaw, S.C. The event is the second round in the ASRA Team Challenge Series. Info: www. asraracing.com

COMING UP

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COMING UP

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Be sure to share safety messages on social media using #MotorcycleAwareness to encourage drivers to look out for motorcyclists as the prime riding season for most areas of the country kicks off.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

6

Don’t miss the enduro on April 12 in Camp Wood, Ariz., that the Arizona Trail Riders are sponsoring. It’s the final round of the 2015 Arizona Motorcycle Riders Association MotoCity Off-Road Championship Series. Info: www. arizonatrailriders.org

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will be here before you know it! Join thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts July 10-12 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Participate in demo bike rides from major manufacturers, a giant swap meet or compete in vintage racing. Info: www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com

APRIL EVENTS ALABAMA COMPETITION

FLORIDA

ORG COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

ARENACROSS

APR 11: PELL CITY: 2 DAY EVENT, RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE. COM

APR 25: FRESNO: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM

APR 18: TALLASSEE: 2 DAY EVENT, MONSTER ACTION SPORTS, LLC, (334) 318-8475, MONSTERMX.COM ARIZONA RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN APR 17: YUMA: 2 DAY EVENT, NORWALK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (661) 245-3932, YUMAPRISONRUN.COM COMPETITION ENDURO APR 12: CAMP WOOD: ARIZONA TRAIL RIDERS, (602) 692-9382, ARIZONATRAILRIDERS. ORG OBSERVED TRIALS APR 18: KINGMAN: 2 DAY EVENT, CENTRAL ARIZONA TRIALS INC., (602) 370-7546, CENTRALARIZONA TRIALS.ORG CALIFORNIA RECREATIONAL POKER RUN - OFFROAD APR 11: POZO: CENTRAL COAST MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION, (805) 8018829, POZORIDERS.COM POKER RUN APR 19: SACRAMENTO: CAPITAL CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (916) 822-4170, CAPITALCITYMC.COM TRAIL RIDE RECREATIONAL APR 25: MARIPOSA: RACERS UNDER THE SON- CENTRAL COAST, (408) 807-7293, RUTSCENTRALCOAST.

ENDURO APR 18: LAKEPORT: 2 DAY EVENT, NORTH BAY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, NORHTBAYMC.ORG APR 19: (Includes ATVs) LUCERNE VALLEY: UNITED MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (562) 773-6697, UNITED-MC.ORG ENDUROCROSS APR 25: SACRAMENTO: TEN: THE ENTHUSIAST NETWORK, INC., (916) 928-3600, ENDUROCROSS.COM HARE & HOUND APR 11: (Includes ATVs) JOHNSON VALLEY: 2 DAY EVENT, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (760) 220-6484, SOCALMC.COM APR 26: (Includes ATVs) : VIKINGS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (760) 333-7043, VIKINGSMC.COM HARE SCRAMBLES APR 11: SHASTA LAKE CITY: 2 DAY EVENT, NORTH VALLEY MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INC., (530) 424-8818, REDDINGDIRTRIDERS. COM SCRAMBLES APR 12: (Includes ATVs) EL CENTRO: OVER THE BELT RACING INC., (951) 760-2333, AMAD38.COM DELAWARE COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 11: SEAFORD: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (443) 359-1089

RECREATIONAL POKER RUN APR 12: UMATILLA: CENTRAL FLORIDA CRUISERS, INC., (352) 396-3239, CENTRALFLORIDA CRUISERS.ORG APR 12: FORT WALTON BEACH: SAND DOLLAR MC, INC., (850) 244-0376 APR 18: TAMPA: GOLDEN EAGLES MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (813) 469-3926, GOLDENEAGLES MOTORCYCLECLUB. COM ILLINOIS COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 5: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD., (815) 234-2271 APR 11: WALNUT: 2 DAY EVENT, 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 379-9534, SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM APR 25: CASEY: 2 DAY EVENT, LINCOLN TRAIL MOTOSPORTS, (217) 932-2041, LINCOLNTRAIL MOTOSPORTS.COM APR 26: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD., (815) 234-2271 INDIANA RECREATIONAL SWAP MEETS APR 18: INDIANAPOLIS: MID-WEST MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (317) 997-8729, MIDWESTMC.COM COMPETITION CROSS COUNTRY APR 25: (Includes ATVs) SPRINGVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC., (304) 284-0084, GNCCRACING.COM ENDURO

APR 19: ROSELAWN: GRAND KANKAKEE TRAIL RIDERS, (708) 946-0999, WW.GKTRAILRIDERS. COM MOTOCROSS APR 12: (Includes ATVs) PIERCTON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM APR 18: ROSSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, WILDCAT CREEK MX, (765) 379-2482, WILDCATCREEKMX.COM APR 19: (Includes ATVs) AKRON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM APR 26: (Includes ATVs) PIERCETON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM MICHIGAN 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK APR 25: (Includes ATVs) LAKE ODESSA: I-96 SPEEDWAY LLC, (616) 642-0555, I96SPEEDWAY. COM MOTOCROSS APR 19: MILLINGTON: BULLDOG RIDERS MC, INC., (810) 241-7740, BULLDOGSMX.COM MINNESOTA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS

NEW JERSEY RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE APR 25: HAMMONTON: 2 DAY EVENT, BMW OF MANHATTAN, INC., (732) 714-8874 COMPETITION ENDURO APR 11: CHATSWORTH: PINE BARONS ENDURO RIDERS, (609) 226-8591, PBER.ORG NEW MEXICO COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLES APR 18: CARLSBAD: 2 DAY EVENT, AERODYNE PROMOTIONS, LLC/ GAS-IT OFF ROAD RACING, (575) 887-2346, GASITOFFROAD.COM NEW YORK RECREATIONAL BIKE BLESSING APR 18: BROOKLYN: BIKERS OF BROOKLYN, (917) 385-0867, BIKERSOFBROOKLYN. COM POKER RUN APR 26: BRONX: CELTIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (914) 924-2170, CELTICMCC.COM COMPETITION MOTOCROSS

APR 19: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC., (952) 601-1169, MOTOKAZIE. COM

APR 12: (Includes ATVs) WALLKILL: WALDEN MX, (845) 895-2537, MXWALDEN.COM

APR 26: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 9802680, BERMBENDERS RACEWAY.COM

APR 19: (Includes ATVs) AUBURN: FROZEN OCEAN MOTOCROSS INC, (315) 784-5466, FROZEN-OCEAN.COM

NEVADA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLES APR 11: SNDRSOUTHERN NEVADA DESERT RACERS, (702) 293-0480, MRANRACING.COM

NORTH CAROLINA RECREATIONAL SCHOOLS - ROAD APR 11: BURLINGTON: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 637-0947, MOTOMARK1.

COM

April 2015

47

APRIL EVENTS

THE ADVENTURE is out there

comeit Get

High Adventure. No Hassle.

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

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

For more information visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ Riding.

APR 11: WILKESBORO: MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 637-0947, MOTOMARK1.

COM APR 17: BURLINGTON: MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 637-0947, MOTOMARK1.

COM APR 25: BURLINGTON: MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 637-0947, MOTOMARK1.

COM

APR 12: MARIETTA: AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS PA POST CHAPTER #466, (717) 898-0871

APR 26: (Includes ATVs) ELLERBE: WINDY HILL SPORTS, (910) 895-4387, WINDYHILLSPORTSMX. COM

APR 26: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (717) 270-9797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COM

OHIO COMPETITION ENDURO APR 12: HAMDEN: APPALACHIAN DIRT RIDERS, INC., (740) 3846379, WW.ADROHIO.ORG

MOTOCROSS APR 11: WAYNESBURG: 2 DAY EVENT, OHIO MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (330) 5750021, RACEMALVERN.COM OREGON RECREATIONAL POKER RUN APR 12: TIGARD: ROSE CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (503) 706-3969, ROSE-CITYMC.ORG PENNSYLVANIA BIKE SHOW APR 19: WASHINGTON CROSSING: DELAWARE VALLEY NORTON RIDERS, DVNR.ORG

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

APR 11: OLEY: READING MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (610) 987-6422, READINGMC.COM

MOTOCROSS

COMPETITION

APR 19: (Includes ATVs) LOGAN: HOCKING VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (740) 385-7695, WW.HOCKINGVALLEYMC. COM

48

POKER RUN

APR 12: SCHUYLKILL HAVEN: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 385-1460

HARE SCRAMBLES

Facebook.com/AMAAdventureRiding @ama_riding, #AMAadv

VELOCITYCYCLES.NET

DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD APR 4: MECHANICSBURG: ADVENTURE RIDERS, (717) 766-2523,

APR 26: SPRING CITY: FREEDOM RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (215) 262-0578, FREEDOMRIDERSPA.COM ROAD RUN APR 19: YORK: YORK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, YORKMOTORCYCLE.COM COMPETITION 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK APR 18: (Includes ATVs) GRATZ: SHIPPENSBURG MC, (717) 796-0294, BAERMOTORSPORTS.COM MOTOCROSS APR 4: FREDERICKSBURG: SLEEPY HOLLOW MOTO CROSS, (717) 639-5988, SLEEPYMX.COM

CANDYTOWN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (717) 507-1661 SHORT TRACK APR 4: (Includes ATVs) SPRING RUN: PATH VALLEY SPEEDWAY, PATHVALLEY. COM SOUTH CAROLINA COMPETITION CROSS COUNTRY APR 11: (Includes ATVs) UNION: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-0084, GNCCRACING.COM MOTOCROSS APR 12: (Includes ATVs) HAMER: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM ROAD RACE APR 12: KERSHAW: AMERICAN SPORTBIKE RACING ASSOCIATION, (817) 246-1127, ASRARACING.COM TENNESSEE RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE APR 11: BYBEE: 2 DAY EVENT, APPALACHIAN TRAIL RIDERS, (865) 3220193, VOLUNTEERRIDERS. COM COMPETITION ENDURO

APR 12: (ATV only) FREDERICKSBURG: SLEEPY HOLLOW MOTO CROSS, (717) 639-5988, SLEEPYMX.COM

APR 19: WESTPOINT: NORTH ALABAMA TRAIL RIDERS ASSN, (972) 9774112, NATRA-WESTPOINT. NET

APR 18: SEWARD: 2 DAY EVENT, PLEASURE VALLEY RACEWAY, (814) 317-6686, PVRMX.COM

MOTOCROSS

APR 19: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMC.ORG

APR 25: LIVINGSTON: 2 DAY EVENT, VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM TEXAS COMPETITION

OBSERVED TRIALS

MOTOCROSS

APR 26: ELIZABETHTOWN: CANDYTOWN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (717) 507-1661, CANDYTOWNMC.ORG

APR 18: ALVORD: 2 DAY EVENT, RTW RACE PROMOTIONS, (940) 5772225, OAKHILLMX.COM

APR 26: ELIZABETHTOWN:

APR 25: EDGEWOOD: 2

APRIL EVENTS DAY EVENT, KINGDOM MOTORSPORTS LLC, (214) 939-4321, BUFFALOCREEKMX. COM OBSERVED TRIALS APR 11: AMARILLO : 2 DAY EVENT, CENTRAL TEXAS TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (602) 999-5395 UTAH RECREATIONAL TRAIL RIDE RECREATIONAL

APR 16: MOAB: ROCKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE RIDERS, RMARIDERS. ORG VIRGINIA COMPETITION GRAND PRIX APR 19: DILLWYN: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (434) 2458599, VCHSS.ORG MOTOCROSS APR 11: DILLWYN: 2 DAY

EVENT, MOTOPROMO, LLC, (434) 548-6043, ACTIONTOWNMX.COM WASHINGTON COMPETITION ARENACROSS APR 11: SPOKANE: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM APR 18: TACOMA: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 2167482, ARENACROSS.

COM WISCONSIN COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 12: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 790-6211, AZTALANMX.COM APR 12: (Includes ATVs) GRANTSBURG: STRAIGHT ARROW ENDURO RIDERS, (651) 587-4435, STRAIGHTARROWS. ORG

APR 19: (Includes ATVs) HILLPOINT: SUGAR MAPLE MX LLC, (608) 393-8812, SUGARMAPLEMX.COM APR 26: NEKOOSA: RAPID ANGELS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (715) 451-1168, RAPIDANGELS.COM OBSERVED TRIALS APR 19: MAUSTON: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISONSINTRIALS.ORG

2015 EVENTS May 2: Las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium

Aug. 8: New Berlin, N.y.: Unadilla National

May 2-3: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek

MONSTER ENERGy CUP

Aug. 15: Tooele, Utah: Utah National

May 16-17: Morris, Pa.: High Point

Aug. 22: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Indiana National

May 30-31: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman

Motocross

Oct. 17: Las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium

MOTOCROSS Of NATIONS

LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

FIM-lIve.coM

Sept. 26-27: Ernee, France fIM JUNIOR MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIM-lIve.coM

July 19: El Molar, Spain MONSTER ENERGy AMA SUPERCROSS

AMAsupercross.coM

March 21: Detroit, Mich.: Ford Field (East) March 28: St. Louis, Mo.: Edward Jones Dome (East) April 11: Houston, Texas: NRG Stadium (West) April 18: San francisco, Calif.: Levi’s Stadium (West) April 25: East Rutherford, N.J.: MetLife Stadium (East)

proMotocross.coM

May 16: Sacramento, Calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic May 23: San Bernardino, Calif.: Glen Helen National May 30: Lakewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley National June 6: Blountville, Tenn.: Tennessee National June 13: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point National June 27: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek National July 4: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National July 18: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek National July 25: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal National

WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP rAcewMx.coM

March 21: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Spring Championship April 12: San Bernardino, Calif.: California Classic May 15: Sacramento, Calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic June 7: Blountville, Tenn.: Tennessee National June 12: Mt. Morris, Pa.: High Point National July 5: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National Aug. 21: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman National MTN. DEW AMA ATV NATIONAL MOTOCROSS AtvMotocross.coM

March 21-22: Lizella, Ga.: Echeconnee April 18-19: Kemp, Texas: Underground

June 13-14: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge June 27-28: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek July 11-12: New Berlin, N.y.: Unadilla July 25-26: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud August 8-9: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn’s AMSOIL AMA ARENACROSS

ArenAcross.coM

March 21-22: New Orleans, La.: Smoothie King Center March 28-29: Austin, Texas: Frank Erwin Center April 11-12: Spokane, Wash.: Spokane Arena April 18-19: Tacoma, Wash.: Tacoma Dome April 25-26: fresno, Calif.: Save Mart Center

May 1-3: Las Vegas, Nev.: South Point Arena AMA PROAM MOTOCROSS EVENTS AMARACING.COM March 29: Sanford, N.C.: North Carolina State Championship Devil’s Ridge Motocross, DevilsRidgeMotoX.com, (919) 776-1767 April 9-12: San Bernardino, Calif.: California Classic Glen Helen Raceway, 2xPromotions.com, (559) 761-0897 April 12: Hamer, S.C.: The United States Mega Series - South of the Border, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497 April 19: Mount Carroll, Ill.: MC Motopark, MCmotopark.com, (815) 238-1614 April 25-26: Livingston, Tenn.: The United States Mega Series - Thunder Valley, Victory-Sports. com, (423) 323-5497 April 26: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: King of the West - Prairie City, 2xPromotions.com, (559) 761-0897

April 2015

49

2015 EVENTS rocky mountain atv/ mc ama amateur national motocross championship MXsports.coM

Northeast Area Qualifier march 21-22: shippensburg, pa.: Doublin Gap, (717) 249-6036 march 28-29: englishtown, n.J.: englishtown, (732) 446-7800 april 11-12: Dillwyn, va.: actiontown mX park, (434) 836-7629 april 18-19: armagh, pa.: pleasure valley raceway, (814) 695-2453

southeast regional June 13-14: Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback (amateur), (407) 4532056 June 20-21: hamer, s.c.: south of the Border (youth), (423) 323-5497 Mid-East Area Qualifier march 21-22: altamont, tenn.: Fast Farms mX park, (931) 235-2776 april 11-12: Waynesburg, ohio: malvern mX, (330) 575-0021 april 18-19: rossville, ind.: Wild cat creek mX, (765) 379-2482

may 2-3: mount morris, pa.: high point, (304) 284-0084

april 25-26: livingston, tenn.: thunder valley, (423) 323-5497

may 16-17: Winchester, n.h.: Winchester speed park, (603) 239-6406

may 2-3: millington, mich.: Baja acres, (989) 871-3356

northeast regional may 30-31: Danville, va.: Birch creek motorsports (youth), (434) 836-7629 June 20-21: new Berlin, n.y.: unadilla valley sports center - amateur, (607) 965-8450 Southeast Area Qualifier march 28-29: Blountville, tenn.: muddy creek, (423) 323-5497 april 11-12: pell city, ala.: mill creek mX, (205) 699-8857 april 11-12: punta Gorda, Fla.: Florida Track and Trails, (239) 567-0227

50

may 16-17: henderson, n.c.: north carolina motorsports park, (252) 438-8192

may 9-10: london, ky.: Daniel Boone mX, (606) 231-2313 may 16-17: newaygo, mich.: Big air mX, (231) 652-5225 may 23-24: nashport, Ohio: Briarcliff MX, (740) 763-0935 mid-east regional June 6-7: Buchanan, mich.: red Bud mX (amateur), (269) 6956405 June 27-28: Millfield, ohio: sunday creek raceway (youth), (304) 284-0084 north central area Qualifier

april 18-19: tallassee, ala.: monster mountain, (334) 318-8475

march 28-29: maize, kan.: Bar 2 Bar mX, (620) 755-1370

may 2-3: Washington, Ga.: aonia pass, (706) 678-3737

april 11-12: Walnut, ill.: sunset ridge mX, (815) 379-9534

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

april 25-26: casey, ill.: lincoln trail motorsports, (217) 9322041 may 2-3: tigerton, Wis.: motozone, (920) 4192863 may 9-10: little Falls, minn.: little Falls raceway, (612) 919-3457 may 16-17: Garwin, iowa: Oak Ridge Motocross, (205) 699-8857 may 23-24: Byron, ill.: Byron motosports park, (815) 234-2271 north central regional June 13-14: DeQuoin, ill.: Indian Hills (Youth), (205) 699-8857 June 20-21: millville, minn.: spring creek mX park (amateur), (507) 753-2779 south central area Qualifier march 28-29: Fulton, miss.: Veteran MX april 18-19: alvord, texas: oak hill raceway, (940) 577-2225 april 25-26: edgewood, Texas: Buffalo Creek MX, (214) 939-4321 may 2-3: Ponca City, okla.: ponca city mX, (580) 762-3635 may 16-17: lakewood, colo.: thunder valley mX, (303) 697-1003 south central regional may 30-31: Wortham, texas: Freestone mX (amateur), (713) 9623386 June 20-21: prentiss, miss.: Golden pines (youth), (985) 273-1317 Northwest Area Qualifier march 21-22: richland, Wash.: horn rapids mX, (509) 496-2958

may 9-10: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal mX park, (360) 601-5347 may 16-17: Billings, mont.: Billings MX, (406) 671-5151 may 23-24: tooele, utah: Miller Motorsports northwest regional June 6-7: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal mX park (youth/amateur), (360) 601-5347 Mid-West Area Qualifier march 21-22: turlock, Calif.: Oatfield Raceway, (740) 297-6686 april 18-19: california city, calif.: cal city mX park, (760) 977-9774 may 9-10: hollister hills, calif.: hollister hills svra, (740) 297-6686 may 9-10: rocksprings, Wyo.: Rock Springs MX, (307) 389-1477 may 23-24: tooele, utah: Miller Motorsports Park mid-West regional June 13-14: rancho cordova, calif.: prairie city ohv (youth/ amateur), (740) 297-6686 Southwest Area Qualifier march 28-29: perris, calif.: starwest mX park, (949) 276-5153 april 4-5: san Bernardino, calif.: Glen Helen Raceway, (909) 384-9342 april 11-12: moriarty, n.m.: Sandia MX, (505) 259-6824 may 23-24: tooele, utah: Miller Motorsports Park southwest area regional may 30-31: san Bernardino, calif.: Glen helen raceway (youth/ amateur), (909) 384-9342

DIRT TRACK monster enerGy Fim speeDWay WorlD cup FIM-lIve.coM | speedwayGp.coM

June 8: King’s Lynn, England June 11: Vojens, Denmark June 13: Vojens, Denmark ama pro Flat track aMaproracING.coM

May 24: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile I may 30: sacramento, calif.: Sacramento Mile June 20: hagerstown, md.: Hagerstown HalfMile June 27: lima, ohio: Lima Half-Mile aug. 1: castle rock, Wash.: Castle Rock TT aug. 4: rapid city, s.D.: Black Hills Half-Mile aug. 16: peoria, ill.: Peoria TT Sept. 6: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile II oct. 3: calistoga, calif.: Calistoga Half-Mile oct. 10: pomona, calif.: Flat Track Season Finale ama vintaGe Dirt track national championship series aMaracING.coM

may 2: henry, ill.: Volusia Speedway Park, Half Mile may 9: tar heel, n.c.: Tar Heel Speedway, Short Track

2015 EVENTS May 10: Tar Heel, N.C.: Tar Heel Speedway, Short Track

Sept. 5: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds, Short Track

June 12: Harpursville, N.Y.: Short Track

Sept. 26: York, Pa.: York Expo Center, Half Mile

June 13: Harpursville, N.Y.: Short Track July 11: Ashland, Ohio: Ashland County Fairgrounds, Half Mile Aug. 8: Indianapolis, Ind.: Marion County Fairgrounds, Short Track Aug. 29: Oshkosh, Wis.: Oshkosh Speedzone, 3/8 Mile Sept. 5: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds, Short Track Sept. 26: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: Short Track Sept. 27: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: Short Track FeATured SerIeS: AMA All-STAr NATIONAl FlAT TrACk SerIeS SteveNaceRaciNg.com

May 22: Peoria, Ill.: Peoria Speedway, Short Track May 23: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds, TT June 13: Bucyrus, Ohio: Crawford County Fairgrounds, Half Mile June 19: Ashland, Ohio: Ashland County Fairgrounds, Half Mile

FeATured SerIeS: AMA WINTer JAM, SHOWdOWN AT THe CeNTer - INdOOr dIrT TrACk SerIeS SteveNaceRaciNg.com

March 28: du Quoin, Ill.: Du Quoin State Fairgrounds

May 29-31: elkhart lake, Wis.: Road America June 12-14: Birmingham, Ala.: Barber Motorsports Park June 26-28: Toole, utah: Miller Motorsports Park July 17-19: Monterey, Calif.: Laguna Seca – WSBK support races August 7-9: Indianapolis, Ind.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway - MotoGP support races Sept. 11-13: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

ROAD RACE FIM rOAd rACINg WOrld CHAMPIONSHIP grANd PrIx (MOTOgP) Fim-live.com motogP.com

April 10-12: Austin, Texas: Circuit of the Americas Aug. 7-9: Indianapolis, Ind.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway FIM WOrld SuPerBIke CHAMPIONSHIP Fim-live.com | WoRldSBK.com

July 17-19: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca MOTOAMerICA rOAd rACINg SerIeS motoameRica.com

July 4: Frederick, Md.: Frederick Fairgrounds, Half Mile

April 10-12: Austin, Texas: Circuit of the Americas - MotoGP support races

Aug. 5: Sturgis, S.d.: Sturgis Fairgrounds, Half Mile

April 17-19: Braselton, ga.: Road Atlanta

Aug. 15: lewistown, Ill.: Spoon River Speedway, Short Track

May 15-17: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway

The AMA Beta National Dual-Sport Series features the country’s best organized dual-sport rides. Events include miles of well marked, challenging trail connected by scenic backcountry roads. The challenging, national caliber terrain is designed to bring out the best in each rider.

OFF-ROAD INTerNATIONAl SIx dAYS eNdurO (ISde) Fim-live.com

AmericanMotorcyclist.com a Riding a Dual Sport

Sept. 7-12: Kosice, Slovakia FIM TrIAl deS NATIONS Fim-live.com

Sept. 19-20: Tarragona, Spain FIM TrIAl WOrld CHAMPIONSHIP Fim-live.com

July 25-26: West greenwich, r.I.: Steppingstone Ranch keNdA AMA NATIONAl eNdurO, PreSeNTed

BY MOOSe rACINg NATIONAleNdurO. COM March 22: gainesville, Texas: Gainesville Riders April 19: West Point, Tenn.: NATRA, NATRA-westpoint.net

Facebook.com/AMADualSport #AMADualSport

15AMA_Beta_Natl_Dual_Sport_Series.indd 1

51

April 1/21/15 2015 10:19 AM

2015 EVENTS May 17: Park Hills, Mo.: Missouri Mudders, MOmudders.com

UPdATed: March 28-29: Morganton, N.C.: Steele Creek

June 14: Upton, Wyo.: Inyan Kara Riders

April 11-12: Union, S.C.: Big Buck

July 26: Cross Fork, Pa.: Brandywine Enduro Riders, BER.us Aug. 23: Moorestown, Mich.: Lansing Motorcycle Club, LansingMotorcycleClub. org Sept. 27: Lynnville, Ind.: Lynnville Area Dirt Riders Inc., LADirtRiders.com Oct. 11: Matthews, Ind.: Muddobbers MC, MuddobbersMC.org GeICO AMA endUrOCrOSS

EnduroCross.Com

March 21: SLC, Utah: Energy Solutions Arena May 1: Las Vegas, nev.: Orleans Arena UPdATed: June 5: Austin, Texas: X Games, Circuit of the Americas

May 9-10: Odessa, n.y.: The Tomahawk

June 20-21: Toronto, Ohio: trialsinc.org (East)

May 23-24: Masontown, W. Va.: Mountaineer Run

Aug. 8-9: Casper, Wyo. (West)

June 6-7: Millfield, Ohio: John Penton June 20-21: Snowshoe, W. Va.: Snowshoe Sept. 19-20: new Berlin, n.y.: Unadilla Oct. 3-4: Somerset, Pa.: Moutain Ridge Oct. 17-18: St. Clairsville, Ohio: Powerline Park Oct. 31-nov. 1: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman KendA SrT AMA nATIOnAL HAre And HOUnd CHAMPIOnSHIP nationalHarEandHound.Com

Oct. 3: denver, Colo.: National Western Complex

April 25-26: Johnson Valley, Calif.: Vikings MC, VikingsMC.com

nov. 21-22: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Business Bank Arena AMSOIL AMA GrAnd nATIOnAL CrOSS COUnTry SerIeS gnCCraCing.Com

March 7-8: Palatka, Fla.: Wild Boar March 14-15: Washington, Ga.: The General

52

June 13-14: nehawka, neb.: mwta-trials.com (East)

March 21-22: Murphy, Idaho: Dirt Inc., DirtIncRacing.com

nov. 7: Boise, Idaho: Ford Idaho Center

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

April 18-19: Kingman, Ariz. (West)

April 25-26: Springville, Ind.: Limestone 100

UPdATed: Sept. 26: Sacramento, Calif.: Sleep Train Arena

Oct. 17: everett, Wash.: XFINITY Arena

April 11-12: Amarillo, Texas (West)

May 2: delta, Utah: Sage Riders MC, SageRidersMC.com June 6-7: Snowville, Utah: Big Nasty Hillclimb LLC, X12Events.com Aug. 22: Panaca, nev.: Silver State Trail Blazers Oct. 24-25: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: 100s MC, 100smc.com AIreS AMA/nATC MOTOTrIALS nATIOnAL CHAMPIOnSHIP SerIeS amaraCing.Com | mototrials.Com

youth nationals and Women’s Open July 3-5: Sequatchie, Tenn.: TrialsTrainingCenter.com (East) Aug. 11-13: Howard, Colo.: ItsOffroad.com (West) KendA AMA TenneSSee KnOCKOUT exTreMe endUrO

tEnnEssEEKnoCKoutEnduro.Com

Aug. 15-16: Sequatchie, Tenn.

AMA eAST HAre SCrAMBLeS SerIeS AMArACInG.COM May 31 (Amateur, youth): Battle Creek, Mich.: Battle Creek Motorcycle Club, BattleCreekMotorcycle Club.com July 11 (youth Bikes) | July 12 (Amateur Bikes & ATV): Berwick, Pa., Evansville MX Park, EvansvilleMXpark.com July 19 (Amateur, youth): Mahoney City, Pa.: Valley Forge Trail Riders, VFTR. org Aug. 2 (Amateur, youth): Catawissa, Pa.: High Mountain Dirt Riders, HMDR.com nov. 7 (ATV) | nov.

8 (Amateur, youth): Kohoka, Mo.: Midwest Motorsports

KendA SrT AMA WeST HAre SCrAMBLeS SerIeS amaraCing.Com

April 11 (Amateur) | April 12 (ATV, youth): Shasta Lake, Calif.: Redding Dirt Riders, ReddingDirtRiders. com May 16 (youth, Amateur): Caliente, nev.: Silver State Trail Blazers June 20 (youth) | June 21 (Amateur): elkton, Ore.: ETRA, Inc., ETRA.net Oct. 24 (Amateur, ATV, youth): Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Desert MC nov. 7 (ATV, youth) | nov.

8 (Amateur): Searchlight, nev.: Get-Xtr-Eme.com FeATUred SerIeS: APPALACHIAn CHAMPIOnSHIP endUrO SerIeS aCEs-raCEs.Com

March 29: Shade, Ohio: Lost in Lodi Enduro, Lodi Community/Volunteer Fire Dept.

April 12: Wellston, Ohio: Little Raccoon Classic Enduro, Appalachian Dirt Riders May 3: Chandersville, Ohio: Grassman Enduro, Ohio Woods Riders June 28: Athens, Ohio: Milk Run Enduro, Athens Motorcycle Club July 19: Bergholz, Ohio: Lumberjack 100 Enduro Aug. 2: Logan, Ohio: Jake-Tom Enduro, Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club Aug. 9: Thring Springs, Pa.: Three Springs Enduro, Green Marble Enduro Riders Aug. 30: McArthur, Ohio: Little Burr Enduro, Enduro Riders Association

Sept. 13: Londonderry, Ohio: Art Mitchell Memorial Enduro, Chillicothe Enduro Riders Association Oct. 11: Matthews, Indiana: Muddobbers Enduro, Muddobbers Motorcycle Club nov. 8: Greenville, Ohio: Peace Pipe Enduro, Treaty City Motorcycle Club FeATUred SerIeS: BIG 6 AMA WeST COAST GrAnd PrIx SerIeS Big6raCing.Com

March 28-29: 29 Palms, Calif.: Hilltoppers MC, Rodeo and Motoplex May 2-3: Primm, nev.: Shamrocks MC, Buffalo Bills Casino Oct. 3-4: ridgecrest, Calif.: Viewfinders MC, Ridgecrest Fairgrounds Oct. 31 - nov. 1: Location TBA: Prospectors MC dec. 5-6: Location TBA: Vikings MC FeATUred SerIeS: eAST COAST endUrO ASSOCIATIOn (eCeA) - endUrOS ECEa.org

March 22: Shamong, n.J.: Curly Fern Enduro, South Jersey Enduro Riders, SJER.org April 12: Chatsworth, n.J.: Pine Barons Clock Run, Pine Barons Enduro Riders, PBER.webs.com April 19: Port elizabeth, n.J.: Greenbrier Enduro, Tri-County Sportsmen Motorcycle Club, TeamHammer.org May 3: delaware City, del.: Delaware State Enduro, Delaware Enduro Riders, DelawareEnduroRiders. com

2015 EVENTS May 24: Heckscherville, Pa.: Broad Mountain Enduro, Reading Off Road Riders, RORR.org June 14: Deposit, N.Y.: Ridge Run Enduro, Ridge Riders Motorcycle Club, RidgeRiders.org June 28: Blain, Pa.: Foggy Mountain Enduro, Susquehanna Off Road Riders, SORRmc.org July 12: Gillett, Pa.: Barbed Wire Enduro, Southern Tier Enduro Riders July 26: Cross Fork, Pa.: Rattlesnake National Enduro, Brandywine Enduro Riders, BER.us Aug. 9: Three Springs, Pa.: Three Springs Enduro, Green Marble Enduro Riders, GreenMarbleEnduroRiders .org Aug. 16: Berkshire, N.Y.: Speedsville Enduro, Ithaca Dirt Riders, IthacaDirtRiders.com Aug. 30: Mauricetown, N.J.: Beehive Enduro, Competition Dirt Riders, CompetitionDirtRiders.org Sept. 13: Shippensburg, Pa.: Michaux Enduro, South Penn Enduro Riders, SouthPennEnduroRiders. com Sept. 20: Brandonville, Pa.: Moonshine Enduro, High Mountain Dirt Riders/ Valley Forge Trail Riders, vftr.org Oct. 25: New Lisbon, N.J.: Scrub Pine Enduro, Ocean County Competition Riders, OCCR.net Nov. 8: Warren Grove, N.J.: Stumpjumper Enduro, Motorcycle Competition Inc., RideMCI.com

Nov. 22: New Lisbon, N.J.: Pine Hill Enduro, Central Jersey Competition Riders, CJCRmc.org FEATURED SERIES: EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION (ECEA) - HARE SCRAMBLES ECEA.ORG

March 28-29: Tri-County Hare Scrambles, TriCounty Sportsmen MC May 16-17: Stumpjumper Hare Scrambles, Motorcycle Competition Inc. May 30-31: Oxbo Hare Scrambles, South Penn Enduro Riders June 6-7: Dogtown 50 National Hare Scrambles, Green Marble Enduro Riders June 20-21: Reading Hare Scrambles, Reading Off Road Riders July 18-19: Mountain Top National Hare Scrambles, Valley Forge Trail Riders Aug. 1-2: Shotgun National Hare Scrambles, High Mountain Dirt Riders Aug. 22-23: Hurricane Lane Hare Scrambles, Meteor Motorcycle Club Sept. 26-27: Big Bass Hare Scrambles, Ridge Riders MC Oct. 3-4: Sahara Sands Hare Scrambles, Pine Barons Enduro Riders/ South Jersey Enduro Riders Oct. 17-18: Ormond Farms Hare Scrambles, Competition Dirt Riders Nov. 14-15: Delaware Hare Scrambles, Delaware Enduro Riders

FEATURED SERIES: VIRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HARE SCRAMBLES SERIES VCHSS.ORG

March 29: Dahlgren, Va.: Race for Vision April 12: Arlington, Va.: April Fools at Oak Ridge April 19: Dillwyn, Va.: Central Virginia May 3: Martinsville, Va.: Blue Ridge May 24: Surry, Va.: Reddy Hole June 7: Location TBA: Tidewater June 21: Bristol, Va.: Harleywood Aug. 16: Martinsville, Va.: Blue Ridge II Aug. 30: Rural Retreat, Va.: Coyote Run Sept. 13: Spring Grove, Va.: Peninsula at Southwark Sept. 27: Chatham, Va.: Joe Lloyd Memorial

Oct. 18: Red Mountain, Calif.: Training Wheels MC Oct. 25: Elkins Flat, Calif.: Polka Dots MC Nov. 15: Stoneyford, Calif.: Valley Climbers MC

SPECIALTY

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May 3: Newfield, N.Y.: Dream Riders

April 3-5: Riverside, Calif.: Adams Motorsports Park

May 10: Odessa, N.Y.: GNCC

May 29-30: Plymouth, Wis.: Road America

May 24: Richford, N.Y.: Broome-Tioga Sports Center May 31: Newark Valley, N.Y.: Victory Mountain Dirt Riders June 7: Palermo, N.Y.: Arcadia Bark Busters June 14: Lowman, N.Y.: Full Action Cycles

July 12: Fassett, Pa.: Barbed Wire (STER) July 19: Odessa, N.Y.: Seneca Highland

Nov. 1: Spring Grove, Va.: Pipsico

July 26: Homer, N.Y.: Knobby Acres

Nov. 8: Rural Retreat, Va.: The Hillbilly Hare Scramble

Aug. 2: Location TBA: Scooters

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July 3-4: Denver, Colo.: Colorado National Speedway Aug. 14-15: Salt Lake City, Utah: Miller Motorsports Park Sept. 18-20: Sturgis, S.D.: Downtown Sturgis

June 28: Newark Valley, N.Y.: Valley View Dirt Riders

Oct. 11: Rural Retreat, Va.: Rattlesnake

FEATURED SERIES: WESTERN CHECKPOINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP

AMANATIONALSUPERMOTO.COM

Aug. 23: South Edmeston, N.Y.: Thunder Ridge Aug. 30: Speedsville, N.Y.: Cross Country Customs

April 12: Camp Wood, Ariz.: AZ Trail Riders

Sept. 13: Moravia, N.Y.: Twisted Fence

April 19: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: United MC

Sept. 19-20: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla

June 6: Upton, Wyo.: Inyan Kara Riders

Sept. 27: Jasper, N.Y.: STER

Oct. 3: Chimney Rock, Utah: Sageriders MC

Oct. 11: Location TBD: The Finale

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March 21-22: Tucson, Ariz.: Tucson Dual Sport LLC April 11-12: Bybee, Tenn.: Appalachian Trail Riders May 2-3: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Family Off-Road Adventures May 16-17: McArthur, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters

April 2015

53

2015 EVENTS May 31: Atlanta, N.Y.: Wayne County Motorcycle Club

Sept. 26-27: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders

June 6-7: Odell, Ore.: Northwest Tour & Trail

UPDATED: Oct. 3-4: McArthur, Ohio: Enduro Riders Association

June 6-7: Lock Haven, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club June 6-7: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders Aug. 15-16: Tillamook, Ore.: Northwest Tour & Trail Sept. 12-13: Pineola, N.C.: Appalachian Trail Riders UPDATED: Sept. 19-20: Logan, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters Sept. 26-27: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders Oct. 24-25: Payson, Ariz.: Arizona Trail Riders Oct. 31: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen MC Inc. Nov. 13-15: Hammonton, N.J.: BMW of Manhattan Motorcycles Nov. 27-28: Palmdale, Calif.: AMA District 37 Dual Sport

BETA AMA NATiONAL DUAL SPOrT SEriES

AmericAnmotorcyclist.com

March 21-22: Tucson, Ariz.: Tucson Dual Sport LLC June 6-7: Bixby, Mo.: Midwest Trail Riders Association June 6-7: Odell, Ore.: Northwest Tour & Trail June 6-7: Lock Haven, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club June 6-7: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders June 27-28: Big Bear City, Calif.: Big Bear Trail Riders, Inc. Aug. 15-16: Columbus, ind.: Stoney Lonesome M/C Aug. 15-16: Tillamook, Ore.: Northwest Tour & Trail UPDATED: Sept. 19-20: Logan, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters Sept. 26-27: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Family Off-Road Adventures

Oct. 3-4: Mount Solon, Va.: Washington Area Trail Riders, Inc. Oct. 24-25: Payson, Ariz.: Arizona Trail Riders Oct. 31: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen MC Inc. Nov. 27-28: Palmdale, Calif.: AMA District 37 Dual Sport AMA NATiONAL CONVENTiONS

AmericAnmotorcyclist.com

Americade June 1-6: Lake George, N.Y.: Americade.com The Golden Aspen Motorcycle rally Sept. 16-20: ruidoso, N.M.: MotorcycleRally. com AMA NATiONAL GYPSY TOUrS

AmericAnmotorcyclist.com

Laughlin river run April 22-26: Laughlin, Nev.: LaughlinRiverRun. com

republic of Texas (r.O.T.) rally June 11-14: Austin, Texas: ROTrally.com

AspenCash rally May 14-17: ruidoso, N.M.: MotorcycleRally. com

Laconia Motorcycle Week June 13-21: Laconia, N.H.: LaconiaMCweek. com

STAr 2015 June 21-25: Springdale, Ark.: RideMSTA.com/ srblog/star/

Thunder in the Valley June 25-28: Johnstown, P.a.: VisitJohnstownPA. com/thunderinthevalley/ 37th Annual National Bikers roundup Aug. 5-9: Hartsville, S.C.: nbrkcmo.com Sturgis Aug. 3-9: Sturgis, S.D.: SturgisMotorcycleRally. com Killington Classic Aug. 27-30: Killington, Vt.: KillingtonClassic.com AMA NATiONAL rALLiES

AmericAnmotorcyclist.com

July 10-12: Lexington, Ohio: The largest annual fund-raiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. See AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event for more details.

AMA NATiONAL TOUriNG rALLiES

AmericAnmotorcyclist.com

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

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roadrUNNEr Motorcycle Touring & Travel Annual Touring Weekend July 16-19: WinstonSalem, N.C.: RoadRUNNER.travel/ events/touring-weekend/ rally in The Gorge Aug. 26-30: Hood river, Ore.: soundrider.com/rally AMA SiGNATUrE EVENTS

AmericAnmotorcyclist.com

March of Dimes Bikers for Babies (events nationwide): BikerForBabies.org Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation - ride for Kids (events nationwide): RideForKids.org AMA ViNTAGE GrAND TOUr

AmericAnmotorcyclist.com

road riders can earn points by attending events that are part of the AMA Vintage Grand Tour.

Visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > AMA Vintage Grand Tour to view elligible events, download the registration form, and get more information.

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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 Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: The main floor of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame celebrates Hall of Fame inductees, the heroes of the track, road, trails and halls of government who have elevated the sport to new heights. Now featuring the 2014 inductees.

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

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

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July 10-12: Lexington, Ohio: Demo. bikes from manufacturers, visit the swap meet, watch or compete in vintage racing, meet AMA Hall of Famers, attend seminars and more.

AMA Trademarks The following represents active, registered trademarks, trademarks and service marks of American Motorcyclist Association, Inc. (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.

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April 2015

55

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GUEST COLUMN

DREAMING AND BELIEVING Never Letting Go Of The Love Of Motorcycling

My two brothers, Phil and Warren, years old. He declared his desperate and I caught the motorcycling bug need for a mini-bike. (He was inspired in 1971 after seeing the classic in part by a buddy who gave him motorcycling documentary, “On Any the motorcycling bug.) His pleading Sunday.” From that moment on, our reached my sympathetic ear, and we dreams were made of anything with bought a nearly basket-case Honda two wheels and a motor.

QA50 that he and I rebuilt to running Our first bike was a Honda S50. condition. Some serious mechanical By the time we got it, it was in pitiful ingenuity was involved as we even

By Bryan Halsey condition. It would barely run on a resorted to scavenging the carburetor good day. We learned a lot about from my string trimmer and adapting trying to repair a broken bike—as well as how it to the QA50 intake manifold. to retrieve one. We spent many hours pushing it We had lots of laughs and fun fooling around home from the trails in the woods and old strip with the QA50, but it wasn’t long until the 50 mines near our home south of Pittsburgh. The was too little. So I graduated him to a bike that little street Honda wasn’t ideal for riding our trails he could learn to ride (and crash) responsibly, a and we had trouble with the three of us “sharing” Honda TL125. it, but it proved to be an excellent start to our Some of my brother Phil’s connections with lifelong love of motorcycles. vintage motocross racing in Houston, Texas, Before long, Dad took pity on us and bought a netted me a Honda XR350 and I was back to Honda CT90 from a colleague. We sold the S50 riding! Only after I bought the 350 and got it to another home (where it hopefully kickstarted home did I find out that the prior owner had to another motorcycling habit). The day we got the sell it after he broke his leg for the second time.

CT90, it was 10 degrees above zero, but we had Fortunately, I didn’t break a leg while I owned the to ride it anyway. It was everything we hoped for XR, but it did skin my shins regularly. and more. The CT90 served us well.

Eventually the TL125 trials bike got me Over the next couple of years we added and connected to the observed trials community via traded bikes until we had assembled a nice my good friend and local motorcycling guru, Jim collection: the CT90, a Honda SL100 and a Zuroske. Thanks to Jim, I graduated to a modern Harley-Davidson 125. We spent most afternoons trials bike in 2006 and I began trials competition and evenings and virtually all day every day in on a used Sherco 290 (on which both Jim and the summer riding the nearby trails. In addition his son Chris scored wins in trials competition). to honing our riding skills, we also became The motorcycling camaraderie and family experts at getting home on a semi-broken bike. atmosphere is such a treat for our weekend trials We learned to make a towrope out of our belts events. Though the competition at times gets so the push home wasn’t so much of a chore. serious, everyone has a great time and pitches We loved the adventure of bushwhacking in to help when someone has trouble either in new trail into some impossible looking places the woods, around the campfire or on the road and then figuring out how to ride through those home. (If you follow this path, however, be places. Our hillclimb competitions typically forewarned that a trials bike on a trailer ended with someone either making it over the will attract other trials aficionados like top or someone returning to the bottom, enda magnet.) over-end. I had my share of the end-over-end I don’t imagine that I will return trips to the bottom of the hill. ever lose the two-wheel In 1974, two things happened to change my motoring bug, and I situation: I got a driver’s license and we moved expect to ride until I to Illinois. My primary mode of transportation am just not able. It is involved four wheels and a road (although there now a part of me. still was a little off-roading mixed in). Next came As I think back to college, a career and a loving wife. Soon children 1971, I realize that entered the picture and I put motorcycling on the dreams certainly do backburner. come true.

Nevertheless, my love of two-wheeled motoring always kindled deep in my heart, Bryan Halsey is a 12waiting for a chance to make its move. year AMA member from That moment came when my son turned 10 Brownsburg, Ind.

58

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Ben Halsey, Bryan's son, started riding on a Honda QA50.

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riding has evolved. ©2015 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. Some models depicted may include optional equipment. Always ride responsibly and safely. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Don’t drink and drive.

Thom Hill, Lebec, CA, leaves the office behind on his Harley ® Sportster ® 48.

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