Snapshots
1) A group of military men in Iraq needed T-shirts and caps to outfit their softball team—named “Team Remember”— and the AMA was more than happy to oblige. The team sends its thanks to AMA members for the gift. But we say, “No. Thank YOU.” 2) The Blue Ridge Parkway in the mountains of North Carolina.—Mark and Charla Greene of Chapin, S.C. 3) Dylan Debel shows that Minnesota winters don’t slow him down. Photo by Mike Pohl. 4) Susan Post stopping to smell the bear grass flowers in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Wash.—Russell Burress of Portland, Ore. 5) Brian Dupuy and his father, Jerry, rode from Jellico, Tenn., to Port Orford, Ore., on the Trans-American Trail. It took 26 days and they covered nearly 5,200 miles. 6) Holter Graham and John Sloan spend some time on a California lake bed.—Holter Graham of New York. 7) A sunset captured by Daniel Melguizo Moreno of New York City.


Congratulations, Mark. You’re the winner this month! “Riding my 2005 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic in the Altamont Pass area east of San Francisco. My friend, Matt Beardsley, was the photographer.”—Mark Yolton of Pleasanton, Calif.
Got an image that represents what’s cool about motorcycling? Send your high-resolution photos, name and mailing address to submissions@ama-cycle.org. We’ll pick one standout photo next month and send the photographer a prize pack of AMA gear. Editors decisions are final. No purchase necessary.
There’s more where these came from! We get way more cool photos than we can publish here, and now you’ll find them all online, searchable and divided by category. Just visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com and click on the “Gallery” link on the left.
Editorial officEs
American Motorcyclist 13515 Yarmouth Drive Pickerington, OH 43147 (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org
Grant Parsons, Managing Editor
James Holter, Associate Editor
Bill Kresnak, Government Affairs Editor
Mark Lapid, Creative Director Nora McDonald, Production Coordinator Jen Muecke, Designer
advErtising
Bob Buchanan, Advertising Manager (310) 505-3241, bbuchanan@ama-cycle.org
Ray Monroe, Advertising Manager (815) 885-4445, rmonroe@ama-cycle.org
Misty Walker, Advertising Assistant (614) 856-1900, ext. 1267, mwalker@ama-cycle.org
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, 2010.
contributors and staff
aMa Board of dirEctors
Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at www.AmericanMotorcyclist. com/whatis/trustees.asp
stan simpson, Chairman Cibolo, Texas
Jim Williams, Vice-Chairman Irvine, Calif.
Jon-Erik Burleson, Assistant Treasurer Murrietta, Calif.
Perry King, Assistant Secretary Northern California
John Ulrich, Executive Committee Member Lake Elsinore, Calif.
andy goldfine, Duluth, Minn.
charles goman, Winder, Ga.
Michael lock, Cupertino, Calif.
Maggie Mcnally, Albany, N.Y.
scott Miller, Milwaukee, Wis.
art More, Surprise, Ariz.
Jim viverito, Chicago, Ill.
(800) AMA-JOIN AmericanMotorcyclist.com
nora Mcdonald, Production coordinator Always proficient in both multitasking and discerning vintage taste, Nora finds herself dreaming of an old-school Penton Jack Piner 175.
BoonE, Photographer Jesse met with John Penton to capture the images you’ll see in this month’s feature. Owner of Finest Moments Photography in northeast Ohio, he and his family enjoy traveling the country together taking landscape pictures, shooting weddings and creating artistic images. You can follow their blog at FinestMomentsPhoto.com.
Jaclyn sollars, Photographer Living in Lima, Ohio, with her husband, Jaclyn is a self-taught photographer whose business, Avalon Photography, focuses on portraiture and wedding photography. But she takes pictures of pretty much everything, pretty much all the time. AvalonStudio.net.
MarK laPid, creative director With snow on the ground as this issue goes to press, Mark is deep into plan-ahead mode to this spring’s Race Orange Track Day Experience at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He’s thinking of test-riding the RC8. Or maybe the 690 Supermoto. Or maybe every bike in the KTM semi...
grant Parsons, Managing Editor The lack of a heated garage may have halted the painfully slow upgrade process involving Grant’s ‘73 Honda CL350, but it hasn’t stopped him from buying parts. Swingarm bushings are in the mail.
Bill KrEsnaK, government affairs Editor Elaborate fantasies are Krez’s stock-in-trade. These days he’s wishing for a two-stroke streetbike to ride to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days: an RD400, a 500cc H1 or an ‘87 GSX-R. Yeah, one of those things doesn’t belong—but that’s Krez...
JEn MUEcKE, designer Spring cleaning being what it is for Jen, she’s taken the utmost care with her house’s interior design. So now there’s a Ducati in the front entry, and a Benelli in the dining room.
JaMEs HoltEr, associate Editor James, unfortunately, can only feel jealous over Hollywood Joe’s brand-new KTM 450XC-F, complete with pre-printed number plates, handguards, skid plates and other stuff to make it even more drool-worthy.
other contributors include: Kyle Engelhart, Grogan Studios, Jeff Kardas, Jim Kimball, John P. Lauri, Shan Moore, Todd Quellhorst
JH
JEssE
Ride With The Best Take To The Road With The AMA This Season
It’s a big country out there, and there’s no better way to see it than from the seat of a motorcycle. For the best rallies, rides and tours to take in this year, look no further than the events in the AMA Premier Touring Series. These are the gatherings that stand out, whether you’re looking to experience the country’s most iconic large rallies or just hang out with local riders in smaller events. Here’s a look at some of the cool events the AMA has to offer. More activities are always being added, and the best place to find a complete list of Premier events for the entire year is online at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding. You’ll also find great rides in the “Go Ride” section of this magazine, which starts on page 50. See you on the road!
National Conventions
National Conventions are the top tier of rides and rallies sanctioned with the AMA. These are the Mac Daddies, where you’ll find thousands of like-minded riders in some of the most beautiful places in the country. Want to go big? Go here.
+ AMeRicADe: June 11-13, lAke geoRge, n.y.
WHAT IT IS: Americade, held in Lake George, N.Y., is billed as “the world’s largest touring rally,” with the Adirondack National Park—and the awesome twisty roads within it—as the backdrop. And it lives up to the hype.
“We have a tour of southwest Colorado planned. I’m coming from Texas, and my buds are coming in from Oregon and Washington. No itinerary, other than ‘Have fun every day!’”
– Tom Drew, via FaceBook
WHY IT’S COOL: Americade is a laidback, road-riding touring destination, and although plenty of people pose on their bikes downtown, far more are there for the family-friendly atmosphere and friends they see every year. The demo rides and massive vendor midway are great, too.
WHAT YOu WOuLDN’T eXPeCT: The sound volume is down at Americade, where loud bikes are discouraged and
AMA VinTAge
MoToRcycle DAys
Everything Old Is New Again
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is known for its celebration of classic motorcycles—everything from Scott Flying Squirrels to mid-1980s MX bikes. This three-day event is motorcycling mecca for anyone who loves twowheeled motorized recreation.
responsible riding is expected. Don’t be surprised if you find people who have been to every Americade since it started in 1987. It’s an easy habit to get into.
BONuS: Americade has long had a focus on rider advocacy, activism and education, offering classes and seminars that will help get your head in the game for the year.
INFO: Tourexpo.com
Old bikes or new, there’s plenty to love at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course near Lexington, Ohio, this July 9-11. For 2010, the Marque of the Year is Husqvarna. And the grand marshal is one of the greatest stars of off-road racing: Malcolm Smith. The weekend features vintage racing in all the most-popular disciplines, plus bike shows, seminars and North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet.
Want more? AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will be followed by the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships, with racing by the country’s top amateurs on the latest roadracing machinery July 12-14. Info:AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Photos Vintage Motorcycle Days: Jim Moore; Riding: Tom Bear
“This year’s motorcycle trip will be to New England: two couples on four Harleys. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law have ridden in New England before, but for my husband and myself this will be our first trip to the Northeast after having done West and South and the Great Lakes.
After this ride, we can say we have ridden our bikes in every state east of the Mississippi River! There is nothing like motorcycle touring to see the United States. No matter where you go, if you are on a motorcycle, people will come up to you and talk to you. They will relate their experiences or ask you, ‘What’s it like to ride?’
The beauty of the United States is only intensified from the saddle of a motorcycle.”
– Patty Nale Davis, via FaceBook
“I am going to try for an Iron Butt this summer. And also this summer, a bunch of local riders have started talks about a planned ride down Highway 1 in California. Should be lots of fun. I hear the road and view are breathtaking.”
– Pat Baldassari, via FaceBook
+ GoLden aspen RaLLy: sept. 15-19, Ruidoso, n.M.
WhAT IT Is: The best way to put a capper on the riding season? head for one of the most picturesque places in the country—southern New Mexico—in the height of fall. Great temps, sunny skies and enough aspens at peak color to make Ansel Adams wish for Kodachrome.
Why IT’s cooL: The desert foothills make for an otherworldly ride to the rally site, while the winding mountain roads around Ruidoso make for a completely serene getaway once you’re there. The weather in september is awesome when some other places are cold and icky.
UNExpEcTED: A short 70-mile ride from Ruidoso is Roswell, N.M., perhaps the only place with more cool UFo history than Area 51 and Rachel in Nevada.
BoNUs: White sands National Monument commemorates the area’s once-secret Manhattan project history, while nearby is a town with a name that would make any 10-year-old laugh: Elephant Butte.
INFo: MotorcycleRally.com
“I’m riding from Arkansas to Alaska for the month of June. I’m really overdue for a real road trip. Touring to Alaska by motorcycle is one of those ‘bucket list’ things.” – tom poppelreiter, via Facebook
National Gypsy Tour
One of the oldest touring experiences in all of motorcycling, Gypsy Tours began as one-day events held around the country where riders would travel to a specific site and enjoy the company of like-minded riders. Field-meet games like Bite the Weenie and Ride the Plank were popularized at Gypsy Tours, and picnics evolved into big gatherings.
+ LaConia MotoRCyCLe Week: June 12-20, LaConia, n.H.
WhAT IT Is: The Northeast’s answer to Daytona Bike Week or the sturgis Rally, this mega-gathering is a must-do at least once for any motorcyclist, and a mustdo for many riders every year. Everything
“Going from Sacramento to Knoxville, Tenn., to pick up a new Bushtec trailer for the Wing. Will go through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas Hill Country, Baton Rouge, Natchez Trace, Memphis, Huntsville, Ala., Cherohala Skyway, THE GAP, Nashville, Bowling Green, Ky., to see the Corvettes, Oklahoma, Colorado Springs, Arches, Utah and back to California.”
– Jim Guiles, via Facebook
from customs to cruisers to Gold Wings to dual-sports crowd into town, and parking your motorcycle and hanging out on Weirs Beach, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, is an experience that dates back 87 years.
Why IT’s cooL: As the locals say, Laconia is wicked-good. There’s something about the “Live Free or Die” mentality that brings out the most inimitable riders in the entire Northeast. By recent tradition, Laconia Bike Week ends on Father’s Day, which means you can justify going on several levels at once.
UNExpEcTED: Few motorcycle gatherings have more history than Laconia, which started as a motorcycle gathering spot when the AMA was only a gleam in the eye of the Federation of American Motorcyclists.
BoNUs: stop in at Fun spot on the boardwalk at Weirs Beach—home to more than 200 pinball and video games. There’s no school like the old school!
INFo: LaconiaMcWeek.com
Ride into CybeRspaCe You Live It. You Love It. Show It Off.
Like the photos you see on these pages? They’re some of the best that AMA members have to offer. And the best place for you to share your pix is online at American Motorcyclist’s new online gallery for member-submitted photos.
Located at Gallery.AmericanMotorcyclist.com, the gallery includes more than 1,000 images of member rides and AMA events, with more added daily. What’s missing here? It might be you. If you haven’t yet sent your best photo, or best two or six, to submissions@ama-cycle.org, what are you waiting for?
photos Americade: Jim Bowie; EagleRider: Tom McGhee for EagleRider
Lake George, n.y.
Signature Events
Looking for something a little special? AMA Signature events have you more than covered. At these, you know you’ll have an experience that’s a notch above a typical motorcycle gathering, as well as a solid crowd of fellow riders.
+ RidEs foR Kids: 40 RidEs that MaKE a diffEREncE
WhAT ThEy ARE: hosted by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Ride for Kids events are well known for their great organization, amazing experiences and the thousands of riders who raised $4.4 million last year for a heartfelt cause.
Why ThEy’RE COOl: We know motorcyclists are some of the most kind-hearted people you’ll ever meet, and you’ll meet a whole bunch of the best of them at a Ride for Kids event.
UNExPECTED: If you’ve ever done a Ride For Kids, rest assured you’ll be signing up for a fun time. But once you arrive, you’ll also quickly realize that you’re making a difference for kids who really need your help and are thrilled that you’re there.
BONUS: The feeling you get when you ride away knowing that, all hyperbole aside, on this day, you really did make the world a better place.
INFO: Minimum donation $35. Next events are April 18, Jacksonville, Fla. and San Bernardino, Calif; April 25 in houston, Texas. Find one near you at RideForKinds.org.
REntal The Official Tours Of The AMA
It’s fun to put together a great ride, prepare your bike and get on the road. But sometimes, it’s better to leave the hassles—from bike rentals to routes— to the pros at EagleRider rentals, the Official Tours of the AMA.
BONUS: AMA members receive a 10 percent discount on rentals and tours. EagleRider offers more than 100 Guided and Self-Drive Tours available all over the world. They’re designed by motorcycle enthusiasts and include EagleRider’s famous “road book” with optional pre-programmed GPS, a perfectly maintained rental motorcycle and motorcycle-friendly hotel accommodations. There’s even a welcome and goodbye reception, a multi-lingual tour guide, and a support van with a spare bike. Check out the entire selection of tours at EagleRider.com. AMA members can sign up for a bike rental or an EagleRider tour at (888) 9724537 or by e-mail: tours@eaglerider.com.
+ aspEncash: May 15-18, Ruidoso, n.M.
WhAT IT IS: A four-day rally built around the great roads made famous by the Golden Aspen Rally in southern New Mexico, with a twist.
Why IT’S COOl: Aspencash is home to an honest-to-goodness $10,000 poker run, where you ride from beautiful place to beautiful place collecting tickets. The rider with the highest overall score wins.
UNExPECTED: Tons of super-fun switchbacks take you to the top of Sierra Blanca peak, at 12,000 feet.
BONUS: All 33,000 square feet of the
Ruidoso Convention Center are packed with vendors selling just about everything a motorcyclist needs at a great spring rally. Plus you can ride the same roads that Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett rode back in the day.
INFO: MotorcycleRally.com
+ spoRtbiKE noRthwEst
WhAT IT IS: A rally for sportbike junkies held in the scenic Pacific Northwest, offering up the kind of camaraderie that is unrivaled for the clip-on set.
Why IT’S COOl: The Columbia River Gorge region is one of the country’s most awe-inspiring places to ride a motorcycle, offering wide views that look like living murals, and twisty roads up the gorge’s 4,000-foot walls.
UNExPECTED: Come early or stay late and enjoy the gathering of an entirely different tribe, as Sportbike Northwest is part of a larger event involving a dual-sport rally and a scooter rally. The takeaway: Most people who ride two wheels are extremely cool.
BONUS: Ride Maryhill loops Road, a sinuous string of curves that climbs the hills and ends…nowhere. The road’s builder, entrepreneur Sam hill, wanted to advance road technology in the early 1900s, and the Maryhill loops Road is one of his experiments. Today, it’s closed to traffic most of the year. Oh, and the 11,240-foot Mt. hood nearby is an actual stratovolcano!
INFO: SoundRider.com
sportbike northwest
Grand Tours
Prefer the open road to a crowded rally?
AMA Grand Tours with KOA Along the Way offer up a comfortable alternative where you ride at your own pace and take pictures of yourself at key towns and locations set by organizers. Oh yeah, there are also plenty of prizes.
+ FOUR CORNERS GRAND TOUR
WHAT IT IS: Take 21 days or less and bag all four corners of the continental U.S.: Madawaska, Maine; Key West, Fla; San Ysidro, Calif; and Blaine, Wash.
WHY IT’S COOL: Few goals sound more epic than a ride around the country— especially when you ride around the country.
UNEXPECTED: Though you could do this over three weeks—and many do—diehards can make the trek in a matter of a few days. The average is 16 days.
BONUS: Hey, it’s a lap of the country!
INFO: USA4Corners.org
+ CALL OF THE WILD GRAND TOUR WITH KOA ALONG THE WAY
WHAT IT IS: Between April 1 and Nov. 31, ride to at least 30 KOA campgrounds or places with part of one of the following wild animal names in the moniker: hen, ant, deer, elk, dog, cat, bird, eagle, bear or an insect or animal name not listed.
WHY IT’S COOL: You can spend as much time scouring maps and plotting
your journey as you can actually riding it.
UNEXPECTED: PleasANT Hill and BELKtown would count!
BONUS: As the organizers say, “Take your time and enjoy the ride.”
INFO: Midnight-Riders-mc.com
+ TITANIC GRAND TOUR
WHAT IT IS: Since one iceberg brought down 46,000 tons of Titanic oceanliner, visit at least one town ending in “berg” and as many as you can with “ton” in the name.
WHY IT’S COOL: It’s a pretty clever excuse to go for a ride, right?
UNEXPECTED: Towns ending in “burg,” “berg” and “burgh” all count.
BONUS: “I’m the king of the world!”
INFO: GLMC.org/grand-tour.html
PLAN AHEAD WITH THE AMA GREAT ROADS DATABASE
AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Members Area > Great Roads
We all need a little help from our friends sometimes, and that’s where the AMA Great Roads database comes in.
Available online exclusively to members, it includes routes tested and suggested by AMA members, organized by state.
District Rallies & Tours
Smaller and often more rewarding than some larger gatherings, district rallies and tours are great places to meet other riders from your area.
+ GYRO DAZE RUN: JUNE
19, KINGSTON,
IDAHO
WHAT IT IS: A laid-back gathering put on by the Hi-Rollers Motorcycle Club in the rugged northern tip of Idaho.
WHY IT’S COOL: If you live nearby, chances are good you’ll know at least a few people there.
UNEXPECTED: The Hi-Rollers are said to throw a mean game of ladder toss.
BONUS: From Kingston, you could do a three-state run before lunch. Heck, you could throw in Canada before dinner.
INFO: AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > District Events
+ ENDLESS MOUNTAIN DISTRICT TOUR: AUG. 29, DALLAS, PA.
WHAT IT IS: A road ride from a club that puts on some great off-road events—the Black Mountain Enduro Riders—through the hills of northeastern Pennsylvania.
WHY IT’S COOL: These folks link together roads like they do trails, so expect an impressive 150-plus-mile route through some of the best that the state has to offer.
UNEXPECTED: A mere $10 gets you a route sheet.
BONUS: We’re betting these guys don’t take you anywhere near an interstate.
INFO: BMER.org
ADD PEACE OF MIND ON THE ROAD
No matter where you ride this season, you can carry with you the peace of mind that only comes with free AMA Roadside Assistance.
For no additional cost, upgrade your membership to the Champion level with autorenewal, and ride knowing that free, bike-friendly roadside assistance is only a phone call away. Also covered are your cars, your trailers, your RVs and more.
To sign up, call (800) AMA-JOIN.
To access the AMA Great Roads database, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Members Area > Great Roads. You will need to log in to the Members Area. If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to set one up. Best of all—it’s free to members.
–
Bandit,
Director of Rapid Retrieval
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