Cover Photo Rush’s Neil Peart, photographed by Holly Carlyle. Navigation Photo The scene from one of the biggest Gypsy Tours: Laconia, N. H. Photographed by Bob Stegmaier.
Winner: Steve Quinn, who submitted this photo of Stu Kerr and Max Hendrix in Moab, Utah. Below: 1) Gene McAllister sent this photo of Ride to Work Day at General Electric’s Peebles Test Operation in Peebles, Ohio. 2) Julie Turgeon poses. 3) Charles Hammack’s take of Flaming Gorge, Utah. 4) Bones Engelman. 5) Three generations of Swangos ride together: Howard, 78; Jamie, 19; and Tim, 47. 6) Anthony Scordo. 7) Emma and Jacob Fain. 8) John and Bob Maki, and Ryan and Dale Sanborn at the 2009 WUDI ride in White Rock, Ark. 9) David Himlin. 10) AMA Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith and friends. 11) Greg, Catherine, Bianca Babor in Livermore, Calif.
From the TT course to Du Quoin’s world-famous Magic Mile, the annual AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships bring out the top talent in amateur dirt track. This year was no different. Read more on page 32. Photos: Jim Grant, Jim Bowie.
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. -VYPUMVYTH[PVUVU(4(TLTILYZOPWILULÄ[ZJHSS (4(1605VY visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. 5VYLZWVUZPIPSP[`PZHZZ\TLKMVYSVZZVYKHTHNL[V\UZVSPJP[LKTH[LYPHS *VW`YPNO[ (TLYPJHU4V[VYJ`JSPZ[(ZZVJPH[PVU
Contributors and Staff
J.
Ed.D., founder of Improving Communications, provides corporate training to develop writing, public speaking, customer service, and leadership skills. Rich is a hardcore urban motorcyclist, having clocked almost all of his 100,000 miles in and around the New York City area.
MONTY SOUNGPRADITH, Photographer Monty’s eye for the sublime extends well beyond the shoot in front of him, as the photo above shows. It was the only moment during a non-stop three-hour photo shoot extravaganza that two
Has that guy got uncanny timing, or what?
BILL KRESNAK, Government Affairs Editor “The best kind of bikes to ride? Other people’s bikes!” Good work if you can get it.
MARK LAPID, Creative Director After riding KTM demo bikes on-track at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Mark Lapid was last seen drooling heavily over sportbikes, attempting to drag his knee in his work chair and otherwise grinning wildly while planning his next on-track foray.
GRANT PARSONS, Managing Editor Grant has gone off the deep end lately, spending far too much time on his scooter, to the jealousy of his sportbike and dual-sport. After much tinkering, head-scratching and automatic-
AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stan Simpson, Chairman 413 FM 1103, Cibolo, TX 78108-1028
Jon-Erik Burleson, Assistant Treasurer 38429 Innovation Ct., Murrietta, CA 92563
Jim Williams, Assistant Secretary 9950 Jeronimo Rd., Irvine, CA 92618-2084
Erik Buell 2799 Buell Dr., East Troy, WI 53120 (UK`.VSKÄUL 8 S. 18th Ave., West, Duluth, MN 5580
Charles Goman PO Box 81, Winder, GA 30680
Perry King c/o AMA, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147
Michael Lock 10443 Bandley Dr., Cupertino, CA 95014
Arthur More 16153 Starlight Dr., Surprise, AZ 85374
John Ulrich 581-C Birch St., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Werner +
choke replacing, he’s proud to report that the Moo-Scoot is representing hard—and getting over 102 mpg. Huzzah!
JEN MUECKE, Designer In Jen’s world, motorcycles have replaced “home,” since the last two weeks have been a blur of: A Mid-Ohio track day, racing at Heartland Park Raceway in Topeka, Kan., some track time at Road America, then VMÄJL[PTL PU 6OPV·ZVVU[V IL MVSSV^LK I`TVYL 4PK 6OPV Blackhawk Farms Raceway, and then, maybe, home. But probably not.
NORA McDONALD, Production Coordinator With new TV[VYJ`JSL SPJLUZLÄYTS`PU OHUK5VYH OHZIYHUJOLK PU[V solo lunchtime sorties on borrowed motorcycles while she WYLWHYLZ[VQ\TW OLSTL[ÄYZ[PU[V[OL]PU[HNL TV[VYJ`JSL lifestyle. She swoons hardest over café-racer Hondas, but YLTHPUZÅL_PISL
JAMES HOLTER, Associate Editor With an MX100 with a points problem, an FLHTC with a starter-relay
JH, GP, ML BK
RICHARD J. ATKINS, Writer Richard
Atkins,
He didn’t order the parts he needed from BikeBandit.com. He’s still at home waiting for them.
The team at BikeBandit.com doesn’t want you to miss a ride. For the past ten years, we have provided the fastest and most accurate way for you to buy parts online. In fact, we’ve shipped over 7 million parts to riders around the world. We make it easy to get back on the road.
We have schematics for machines from 1941 to 2009!
Send your letters (and a high-resolution photo) to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.
Letters [ ] You Write, We Read
NICE STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE
You guys are bad, bad, bad. We oldtimers are not supposed to dwell in the past, and you go ahead and print a double page picture in your August edition from a 1958 Gypsy Tour. I can’t put this issue in my collection yet. It’s going to stay on the coffee table for some time, I’m sure. The photo by Eric M. Sanford deserves to IL HUHS`aLKMVY[OL ILULÄ[VM[OL`V\UNLY riders.
Sure, it’s a ’57 or ’58 Sportster, but notice the absence of a throttle cable. It’s inside the handlebar. Neat and uncluttered. Bobbed front fender. At most rallies the VMÄJPHSZ^VYL^OP[L JV]LYHSSZJVVS ;OL old AMA patches. The checker holding the clipboard is dressed as my wife dressed, loafers, white socks and the collar over [OLZ^LH[LY;OLÄLSKL]LU[ZZ[HY[LKPU[OL morning, and it appears to be foggy. Not all spectators were bikers. Some came just to take in the excitement of the rally.
I should also mention the great job that Mark Lapid did on the cover. It was fun to compare his covers to my own collection. The only disappointment was that the “Rider Of the Century,” King Kenny Roberts, was not included.
And by the way, you have my permission to be bad, bad, bad, anytime you want.
Al Chenaille
AMA No. 546479 Ludlow, Mass.
FIVE EQUALS ZERO
As the International Safety Committee chairman for the Blue Knights International—and an AMA Life Member—I wanted to let you know of the good work VM[OL>PZJVUZPU :[H[L )\YLH\VM ;YHMÄJ Safety, the State Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation on a Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Campaign. Our campaign is set to augment the “Zero in Wisconsin” program, which is aimed at achieving Zero Fatalities on Wisconsin Highways. Our program is called 5=Zero, and we are working to achieve zero motorcycle fatalities in Wisconsin through raising awareness and encouraging riders to be responsible.
The State Patrol’s motorpatrol unit has been at events displaying patrol bikes and
^VYRPUN^P[O[OL )\YLH\VM ;YHMÄJ :HML[` to get the word out on motorcycle safety statewide. It is not very often that you see the state government, law enforcement and a motorcycle club working so closely for [OL ILULÄ[VM YPKLYZPU[OLPY HYLH
Anyone wanting more information can visit www.5equalzero.com. Thank you for your great publication and all of your efforts on behalf of all riders.
Clint Cagle
AMA Life Member No. 461556 Sturtevant, Wis.
GREAT NEWS ON THE NEW MOTORCYCLE SOUND TEST
Motorcyclist now available on Google Books. This is a great resource for all motorcyclists. Here’s a tip so readers can narrow Google Books’ search to only American Motorcyclist magazines.
Select, “Advanced Book Search,” then enter “American Motorcyclist” in the Google )VVRZ:LHYJOÄLSKHUKKLZLSLJ[¸(SS Content,” and select “Magazines” instead. Keep up the good work. Thanks.
Robert J. Dombrow
AMA Life Member No. 520518
Keswick, Va.
GODSPEED, WOODY WOODWARD
Having worked with government agencies and groups to address issues of motorcycle access to public lands and roadways, I can attest to the fact the general public doesn’t care if excessively loud exhaust noise comes from a dirtbike or streetbike. They view all obnoxiously loud motorcycles as the same. (See a full report on the new sound standard on page 46—Ed.)
To see how the test plays out in the real world, I performed a sample sound check on my bone stock 2001 Suzuki 1500 V-Twin Intruder using the test procedures of the SAE J2825 20-inch sound test for street motorcycles.
Results for the 1500 Intruder were an idle level of 80.4 dBA, and the sound level at 2,000 rpm was 85.5 dBA. With the limit being 92 dBA, it appears this test procedure leaves plenty of room for healthy sounding aftermarket street exhaust systems, while screening out the obnoxiously loud street bikes.
I believe this is a quantum step forward for the motorcycle community. Reasonable enforcement of this new standard will help keep both our trails and streets open for our sport.
Don Amador
AMA No. 421222
Oakley, CA
A POWER-USER TIP FOR SEARCHING GOOGLE BOOKS
I love having past issues of American
I’m saddened to report that the motorcycling world lost a most valuable peaceful warrior on Saturday, June 13, 2009. Woody Woodward, one of the founding members of the Moving Violations Motorcycle Club and central member of the Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation’s all-volunteer army, passed peacefully in her sleep after a valiant battle against ovarian cancer.
The irony is that Woody was instrumental PU OLSWPUN[VYHPZLV]LY TPSSPVU[VÄNO[ breast cancer. Woody also worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness around HIV and A.I.D.S. Woody did so much for so many through her passion for life on two wheels that Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino declared June 7, 2008, to be Woody Woodward Day in Beantown!
Despite the challenges Woody faced confronting the monster that is cancer, two weeks prior to her death she was telling us, “Well, I may not be able to ride every day or all of any day; but I’ll be there just the same.”
Sue Slate LeRoy, N.Y.
SHORT AND SWEET
Loved your 85th anniversary edition. Keep up the good work.
Butch Royse and Judy Wyckoff
AMA Nos. 428174 and 603603 Hamilton, OH
Don Amador
Dot Robinson, Woody Woodward
Royse and Wyckoff
Viewpoint
THIS NEW TEST PROCEDURE WAS A LONG TIME COMING, AND IT ARRIVES JUST AS A NOISY MINORITY OF STREET RIDERS RESISTS REINING IN EXCESSIVELY LOUD MOTORCYCLES.
A Sound Strategy
The Threat Of Excessive Motorcycle Sound, And A New Way Forward
When it comes to motorcycle sound, the argument is not about the freedom to be as loud as you want to be. The argument is about the freedom to go where you want to go.
Like their streetbike counterparts today, off-highway motorcycle and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) riders in recent decades were running up against restrictive laws and outright land closures because their machines were drawing too much attention due to the loud sounds coming out of their exhaust pipes. Instead of standing back and waiting for even more land to be closed, the off-highway vehicle (OHV) community embraced change and moved toward a quieter solution.
The result of their efforts was the creation of a simple, consistent, economical and enforceable sound
WYVJLK\YL MVY6/=Z;OL ILULÄ[VM[OPZ standard—formally labeled J1287 by the Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE)—was continued access to more public lands than would otherwise have been possible.
Now, streetbike riders are facing the same kinds of concerns. Ask the
residents of Canyon Lake, Calif., or any number of private neighborhoods that have closed their gates to motorcycle [YHMÄJ ILJH\ZLVM L_JLZZP]LS`SV\K bikes. It doesn’t stop there. Today, under pressure from business districts, citizens and county boards, entire cities have WHZZLK\UMHPYTV[VYJ`JSLZWLJPÄJ UVPZL ordinances due, in part, to the absence of an objective on-highway test that law enforcement and motorcycle owners can rely upon.
Fortunately, there’s a solution, in the form of a new SAE sound-test procedure MVYVU OPNO^H`TV[VYJ`JSLZ6MÄJPHSS` dubbed the SAE J2825 “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles,” it was developed with substantial support from the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and published by the SAE in May.
by Ed Moreland
The AMA’s ongoing efforts to encourage quieter riding can be documented as far back as 1948 and [OL¸4\MÅLY 4PRL¹JHTWHPNU 4VYL recently, the AMA hosted the Sound Summit in 2003, which brought together riders, manufacturers, the aftermarket,
law-enforcement and federal agency personnel to develop responsible approaches to sound management. Now, thanks to the MIC, we have SAE J2825 for the street-riding community.
This new test procedure is a long time coming, and it arrives just as a noisy minority of street riders resists reining in excessively loud bikes. We all know at least one: an otherwise sensible person who just doesn’t get it that their straight pipes or competition exhaust is determining whether countless others among the silent majority will enjoy the freedom to even ride in their own neighborhood.
It’s up to us. The new on-road standard can be the same kind of change agent for street riders that SAE J1287 was for OHV riders. At a time when the future of riding on our roads and highways is at stake, we now have a very important tool available to help us preserve the open road for motorcyclists.
Ed Moreland is AMA vice president for government relations. Read more about the new SAE sound test procedure and the people who created it on page 46.
Erin Lassahn Photography
Photo
flat out pushes land speed limits.
makes sure a flat won’t slow her down.
24/7 ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. After traveling at a record speed of 232 mph, if there’s one thing Leslie Porterfield dreads it’s being stranded with a flat. So for less than a buck a month, help from Progressive Roadside Assistance is never too far away. Protect yourself today at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE or call an independent agent.
THE LIFE
Motorcyclists in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula put in a lot of hard work to create and maintain trails. This new singletrack trail is the latest example.
Cooperative Effort Creates New Michigan Trail
Sandstormers Club Spearheads Project
Michigan off-highway motorcyclists now have 27 miles of new singletrack trail in the Upper Peninsula, thanks to the hard work of the U.P. Sandstormers Motorcycle and ORV Club, in cooperation with the state Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service.
“Opening a trail to the public is not a simple, overnight task, and this trail is no exception,” said Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor Tom Schmidt. “There has been a lot of effort and outstanding commitment from our project partners.”
In addition to their work in planning and getting the money and labor necessary to build the trail, the Sandstormers will be responsible for maintaining the trail.
“We are proud to be actively involved in making this riding opportunity available to the public,” said the Sandstormers’ Jeff Magowan. “We invite area riders to show their commitment by joining us in future trail maintenance efforts.”
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources funded the environmental
analysis and trail construction through its ORV Trail Improvement Grant program, and will fund maintenance of the trail.
Others present for the opening included Anne Okonek, assistant district ranger for the Hiawatha National Forest; Ron Yesney, recreation management specialist with the state Department of Natural Resources, Ann Jousma-Miller representing Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Sherie Davie, representing U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Royce Wood, AMA government affairs manager.
“This is something that clubs around the nation can do,” Wood said. “There are opportunities to create trails if the clubs partner with the right government agencies and commit to the project.”
The new singletrack Moss Lake OffRoad Motorcycle Trail is about 3 miles north of Nahma Junction in the Hiawatha National Forest. It’s 1 mile east of Forest Highway 13 on Forest Road 2231, which is about 3 miles north of U.S. Highway 2.
For information on how you can increase riding opportunities in your area, contact Wood at rwood@ama-cycle.org or call him at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1225.
Florida Toll Road Fix
The Easy Way To Keep From Getting Charged On The I-95
AMA member Marc Allen brought to our attention the preponderance of confusion among motorcyclists riding between the I-95 Express lanes and the Turnpike or other adjacent toll roads in southern Florida.
The I-95 Express is free for motorcyclists but the other toll roads aren’t. The problem is that it’s unsafe for a motorcyclist to shield his or her SunPass transponder while riding on I-95 and then uncover it for all other toll roads.
To solve the problem, we spoke with Rick Nelson of the Florida Transportation Department. Not only is Nelson director of toll operations for Florida’s turnpike, but he also rides a 2007 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.
To avoid being charged when riding on I-95, put your transponder in the shiny silver RF-shield bag that shipped with it. Then leave it there. Don’t uncover it.
If your trip includes both travel on the I-95 express lanes and Florida’s Turnpike, or one of the other adjacent toll roads in south Florida, the answer is the same. Bag your transponder. The SunPass system will take a photograph of your license plate and image-toll you for your use of the other adjacent toll roads.
If you plan to take advantage of image tolling, make sure to keep your transponder account updated with license plate number, address and credit card information.
Three Questions With...
ABATE of Indiana Executive Director Jay Jackson Talks Rider Safety Training
American Motorcyclist: Many states currently face budget problems. What danger does this pose for rider safety training in those states?
Jay Jackson: Rider education and motorcycle safety programs are subject to the same threats as any agency that has a pot of money. As states look for ways to attempt to balance the budget, nothing is sacred.
+VU»[IL[VVJVUÄKLU[ZPTWS`ILJH\ZL the funds are dedicated or protected, as we’ve seen several states make a grab for these monies. Cash may not be the single most important component of a program, but it certainly is a factor. The formula for a successful rider-ed program includes personnel, facilities, equipment and dollars.
The scarcest rider-ed commodity has changed through the years. For a while, we just couldn’t recruit and train enough X\HSPÄLKPUZ[Y\J[VYZ>LZVS]LK[OH[HUK YHU PU[VKPMÄJ\S[`ZLJ\YPUN HKLX\H[L facilities to meet the demand for courses, followed by some concern about the availability of entry-level bikes for training. A fat wallet won’t solve all problems, but
it can go a long way toward helping to bridge gaps in these areas.
Finances appear to be the most likely shortage approaching, especially with state budgets in question and the uncertainty of what may (or may not) be included in the next re-authorization of the federal highway bill. We have seen the cost of classes increase, and some states have shifted to a pay-for-play philosophy wherein students may pay upward of $300 to participate in an educational experience.
Although training remains an exceptional value at virtually any price, we would not want the cost to present a stumbling block or serve as an excuse for someone to not enroll in a safety class.
AM: What can riders do to protect or support rider education in their states?
Jackson: The answer is actually quite simple: get involved. Particularly in these challenging economic times, providers of rider education need all the contributions and assistance that they can get.
This doesn’t mean you have to write a check. Go talk to your state program and ask what they need. Volunteer to help maintain the facilities, or acquire donated equipment, material and supplies necessary for the operation of the program. If they need an air compressor and you’ve got a spare, give it to them. Check with the program or your state motorcyclists’ rights organization (SMRO) to see what they are working on
legislatively concerning rider education, and offer your support to contact your LSLJ[LKVMÄJPHSZ[VPUMVYT[OLTVM[OL ILULÄ[ZVM MVYTHS[YHPUPUN
Oh yeah, if you can give us access to a parking lot about the size of a football ÄLSKSL[\ZRUV^>L HYL HS^H`ZVU[OL lookout for suitable sites.
AM: What do you see as the future for rider education around the country?
Jackson: Online courses, simulators, PU[YHMÄJ[LZ[PUN HUKH OVZ[VMV[OLY variations are likely to be considered. As a matter of fact, some are already in use. With a motorcycling population that does not appear to be getting any younger, there will continue to be a growing focus on motorcycles with more than two wheels. Training for these units, as well as scooters, will probably become more prevalent.
A number of states have indicated they are experiencing declining enrollment in 2009, which is likely related to the economy, but still requires evaluation.
Protecting Your Right To Ride Getting Involved Is Easy
Thanks to AMA Grassroots Coordinator Jessica Irving of the Washington, D.C., VMÄJL[OLYL»ZH UL^WHNLVU[OL (4( website called “Get Involved” that is chock full of information to make it easy for you to help protect your right to ride, whether you are a street rider, dirt rider or racer.
There, you can:
Sign up to get instant e-mail UV[PÄJH[PVUZ^OLU[OLYL HYL UL^ issues affecting your right to ride.
Get advice on how to deal with your lawmakers and the media to make opinions known.
Get tips on how to organize likeTPUKLKYPKLYZ[VÄNO[WYVWVZLKIHK laws.
To get to the new page, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com and click on “Rights” on the left side of the page then click on “Get Involved.”
Irving spearheads the AMA’s efforts to get out the troops [VÄNO[IHKSH^Z and proposals, and to push good legislation, at the local level.
You can contact her at jirving@amacycle.org, or call her at (202) 742-4310.
Jessica Irving
Going Strong
/H[ÄLSK 4J*V`0Z;OL 4VKLS -VY
7YP]H[L 7\ISPJ 6/=9PKPUN (YLH
7HY[ULYZOPWZBy Nick Haris
AMA Western States Representative
Sitting atop a mountain ridge in the /H[ÄLSK4J*V`;YHPSZZ`Z[LT PU>LZ[ =PYNPUPH^OPSL[YHPS YPKPUN0 SVVRV\[V]LY[OL
Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed Senate Bill 202, sponsored by Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), that would’ve permitted motorcyclists and passengers 21 or older to decide whether to wear a helmet on all non-interstates. It also stated that operating a motorcycle shall not be considered evidence of comparative negligence. Finally, it stated that no insurer could assign a percentage of fault to a party based upon the sole fact that the party was operating a motorcycle in a legal manner.
PENNSYLVANIA
A bicycle or motorcycle operator could come to a full stop and then proceed with caution through an intersection
JVU[YVSSLK I`H[YHMÄJ HJ[\H[LKZPNUHS if the vehicle detection device doesn’t recognize the bicycle or motorcycle, under House Bill 590, introduced by Rep. Joseph Markosek (D-Monroeville). While
TVZ[[YHMÄJ HJ[\H[LKZPNUHSZJHU IL tuned, the Pennsylvania Transportation Department of Transportation and local transportation departments don’t have the money or staff to adjust all malfunctioning signals. Show your support for this legislation by visiting the Statewatch area of Issues and Legislation section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com and contacting your representative.
YLWVY[LK[OH[[OL/H[ÄLSK 4J*V` trail system had largely recovered MYVTÅVVKPUN PU 4PUNV*V\U[` earlier in the month. It’s 100 WLYJLU[UV^+\YPUN[OLÅVVKPUN /H[ÄLSK 4J*V`SVZ[YV\NOS`OHSM of the Rockhouse trail system and nearly half of the Buffalo Mountain trail system.
The Authority also reported that it was loaning equipment to repair the trails to the town of Gilbert, which connects to the Rockhouse trail system, to OLSW^P[OÅVVK YLJV]LY`-VY the latest information visit the /H[ÄLSK 4J*V`;YHPSZ»^LIZP[L H[ TrailsHeaven.com.
High Rollers
H-D Unveils Top-Line CVO Models For ’09
There’s a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth these days as the stock market slouches along, America’s auto industry teeters on the brink, and most motorcycle customers don’t have enough purchasing WV^LY[VÄUHUJL[OLZ[LHTVMM H IV^S of hot soup. Even Harley-Davidson is emphasizing its lower-priced models, such as the new Sportster 883 Iron.
But before you load granny into the Model A and head for a WPA work camp, consider this potential good news: The folks at Harley-Davidson are bullish enough on the economic outlook that they’re positioning four models as this year’s premium-oriented Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) lineup, and the lowest priced one of the bunch starts at $25,299.
That’s because despite the tough times, H-D still sells a lot of bikes, and the CVOs are a way to deliver the ultimate expression of style and performance to the marque’s most loyal and fanatical customers.
0[»ZHIV\[KLÄUPUN HZWPYH[PVUZMVYV\Y consumers,” said CVO marketer Steve Renshaw, as well as a “showcase to display new features, technologies and innovations.”
After all, H-D needs a top-of-line product for potential owners to aspire to.
“Nobody needs a new motorcycle, but everybody wants a CVO,” says Renshaw.
There are two new models, and two JHYY`V]LYZ[OPZ`LHY ;OLÄYZ[UL^IPRL PZ the CVO Street Glide. It’s based on the new-for-’09 FL Touring chassis, rubbermounting the CVO 110 cubic-inch graniteÄUPZO TV[VY 5L^^OLLSZZHKKSLIHNZ and tail lamps extend style and function, and new suspension—adjustable for preload and rebound damping—gives a better ride. An advanced audio system is standard, of course, as you’d expect from the bike’s $30,999 sticker price.
The other new model is the CVO Softail Convertible. It’s also based on the FL platform, and it also gets new black-and-
chrome wheels. But the cool factor is in the detachable fairing, backrest, passenger seat and saddlebags, allowing you to convert the bike from bagger to boulevard stunner in less than 2 minutes, without tools. The other two models, the CVO Ultra Classic ($35,999) and CVO Fat Bob ($25,299), get new paint schemes and cosmetic upgrades, PUJS\KPUN HZTVR`JOYVTLÄUPZO JHSSLK Midnight Pearl. The Ultra also gets a larger Tour-Pak.
We spent a day riding the new machines in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains, and I found the bikes deliver what they promise. The 110-inch motor is smooth, quick-revving and powerful everywhere, suited for touring or cruising applications. Handling varies with chassis: the Ultra, as always, surprises with its easy low-speed manners, good highspeed stability, ample corner clearance and surprisingly light steering. The brakes work well, too, although the ABS isn’t as seamless as you’d encounter from other manufacturers. The Street is much the
The most fun is the Fat )VI^P[OH SPNO[ÄYT JOHZZPZNYLH[Z\ZWLUZPVU HUKZTVV[OYLZWVUZP]L engine.
same, if a bit lighter and lower. The new Convertible is bigger and heavier than what I like in a cruiser, demanding more input and rider attention than a smaller bike, but its versatility (the convertible parts work as advertised and look great) and great motor make up for it. The TVZ[M\U PZ[OL -H[)VI^P[O H SPNO[ÄYT chassis, great suspension and smooth, responsive engine. It can carve up a smooth, fast road like it was made in Italy. After a day testing a couple hundred grand worth of bikes I could see the sense in selling luxury in dark times; these are bikes styled and built to outlast L]LU[OLÄLYJLZ[KLWYLZZVVWZ0 TLHU downturn.—Gabe ets-Hokin
10 TOP TOURING TIPS Travel Smart,
Travel Well
1Eat at odd times. Everyone and their dog eats around 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. To get in and out of restaurants in a hurry, eat between these times when possible.
2Carry a spare key. Zip-tie or duct tape it somewhere hidden on your bike, or better yet, give it to a traveling companion.
3Take a tip from off-road riders and carry a backpack hydration system so you can drink while you ride.
4Keep your stuff dry in saddlebags by using trash compactor bags as waterproof barriers. They’re thicker and more durable than standard garbage bags.
5Use earplugs to help reduce wind noise. You can get them from most mail-order shops or dealers, or in bulk from safety-equipment supply houses and even drug stores. Custom plugs are also available.
6
You’ve heard it a million times, but we’ll say it again: look over your bike carefully every morning on the road Checking the simple stuff—air pressure, oil and coolant level, loose or missing fasteners—can save you from big trouble.
7Sign up for AMA Roadside Assistance. Best of all, it’s free when you sign up for automatic renewal or make a three-year commitment with your AMA membership.
8Stash a little cash somewhere hidden on the bike or on you, so you have a reserve when all else fails.
9
Especially if you’re riding alone, wear a dog-tag or ID bracelet with your name and contact info.
10
If you call a hotel—even if you’re two blocks away—you can often get a better rate than if you just walk in. And don’t forget your AMA member discount with Choice Hotels.
WORTH READING
RoadBike – Motorcycle Cruising
WHAT IT IS: The recently improved RoadBike is the premier monthly magazine for “motorcycle cruising” riders of all levels and brands. The editorial focus is on cruisers and touring motorcycles, gear, skills and fun destinations, all intended to better enjoy the ride.
THE ROADBIKE STAFF SAYS: According to publisher and AMA Hall of Famer Buzz Kanter, “Our readers are active street riders interested in real-world motorcycles and ways to better enjoy them. Every issue features accurate reviews of the latest cruiser and touring motorcycles and products, tech and how-to, and a few custom motorcycles that can be ridden daily. RoadBike also features great tours and destinations worth the ride, as well as regular articles on how to improve riding skills from novice to expert. We keep it real at RoadBike, sharing TV[VYJ`JSLZHUKTVKPÄJH[PVUZ[V\YZ and riding skills our readers can use, afford, and appreciate. We prefer practical and reliable over radical and extreme, as do our readers. It shouldn’t cost a fortune to own and enjoy a motorcycle. Our job is to show readers how to get the most out of the time and money they spend on their bikes.”
If you are looking for a fun and informative magazine about motorcycle cruising and motorcycle tours, pick up a copy of RoadBike
FIND IT: Available at Wal-Mart, Kroger, :HML^H`)HYULZ
5VISLHUKV[OLYÄUL retailers, or online at RoadBikeMag.com.
Crash Course Backroads, High Shoulders
0[^HZ[OLÄ
’78 Kawasaki KZ650 for an overnight trip on the backroads of West Virginia. It was H ILH\[
I noticed a great photo opportunity on the side of the road, I decided to stop. To my surprise, as I rode off the road, there was HZ[LLWK
LY my bars into a large mound of thick grass. With my past military training and proper full riding gear, I went into an automatic tuck and roll, ending up with no harm to myself—except my pride. My rebuilt bike wasn’t so lucky, with damage to the tank, right mirror and handlebar.
When I looked at the road, I saw the problem: a 9-inch drop off from pavement to shoulder. I then noticed the entire road was like that, with no warning signs posted at all.
The lesson learned? Always expect the unexpected, don’t make snap decisions, and proceed with caution when approaching turns in unfamiliar territory.
Peter Kareski, Front Royal, Va.
THROWBACK. A Look At Past Issues Of American Motorcyclists On Google Books.
With more than 600 issues of American Motorcyclist available online for free at Books.Google.com, there’s plenty of good reading to be found. Each month, we highlight a past story or issue.
6UL 9PKLY»Z 9LÅLJ[PVU 6U;OL 3VZZ 6M A Friend
In June 1985, we took a look at one
American Motorcyclist June 1985
rider’s reaction to the loss of a riding buddy. In “Margin: The Ragged Edge May Be Nearer Than You Think,” writer Thomas Finnegan found himself questioning his own actions after a friend—a conscientious and safe rider—failed to negotiate a pass, struck a guardrail and crashed. Finnegan wrote:
“Hannes had died on his bike. It could happen to me, too.
“The thought occurred to me that perhaps all of us are dealing with a problem of margin. Margin is like oxygen. We have it in abundance and take it for granted…right up to the instant when we realize it has run out.
“Margin is what you whittle away at when you tell yourself the trip to work takes 25 to 35 minutes depending on [YHMÄJHUK[OLU`V\ZP[OVTL PUZSPWWLYZ until your watch says you have to be there in 30 minutes. Margin is what a
racer prays will not fail him when things go abruptly wrong. It’s what you neglect I`HZZ\TPUN`V\Y[PYLZHYL M\SS`PUÅH[LK and your brakes aren’t worn out, never admitting that something could go wrong. And each time you manage to get safely home after having had just a couple drinks before wishing your friends good night, you up the ante and reduce your margin.”
You can read the full story at tinyurl. com/june85story, and browse past issues by searching on “American Motorcyclist” at Books.Google.com.
We’re happy to report that Thomas Finnegan is alive and well, and is now living in San Francisco. After almost 25 years away from motorcycling, he is planning on participating in the Ducati Riding Experience in Italy this year. He’s writing a book on the history of motorcycling in the United States in the 1960s (www.motorsixties.com).
BOOK REVIEW: The American Motorcycle Girls
A Look Back, With Lots Of Pictures
WHAT IT IS: The American Motorcycle Girls, 1900 to 1950, A Photographic History of Early Women Motorcyclists, by Cristine Sommer Simmons, is a lavishly PSS\Z[YH[LKWHNL IVVR[OH[JOYVUPJSLZ how the perceptions and realities of ^VTLU YPKLYZJOHUNLKPU[OLÄYZ[OHSMVM [OL[O JLU[\Y`
WHAT’S COOL: Pictures, pictures, WPJ[\YLZ-YVT WOV[VZVM[OL LHYSPLZ[ [YHJR YHJLYZSPRL 4HYNHYL[.HZ[[VZRPY[LK women riding side-saddle to preserve their modesty, to vintage ads aimed at women from teens onward, to World >HY 0KPZWH[JO YPKLYZ[V¸4PSL H 4PU\[L¹ girl Alice Brady to Dot Robinson, Bessie :[YPUNÄLSKHUKTVYL[OPZPZVUL IVVR `V\»SS[HRL WSLU[`VM[PTL[VWHNL[OYV\NO
REVELATION: 4HU`[LUK[V[OPURVM women motorcyclists as a relatively recent phenomenon, but this book proves that for nearly as long as there have been motorcycles, there have been women YPKPUN[OLT>OH[»ZJOHUNPUN UV^VM course, is that women riders are no longer H UV]LS[`@L[SVVRPUN IHJRZ\YL PZM\U GET IT: At your local bookstore, or (THaVU JVT 4:97!
Dunlop’s Newest Sport Rubber
New Q2 Aimed At Sportbikes
WHAT IT IS: Dunlop’s Sportmax Q2 is the newest iteration of the company’s highly Z\ JJL ZZ M \ S 8 \ HSP Ä LY
THE TECH INSIDE IT: A multi-compound tread sports high-mileage rubber in the middle, and grippier rubber on the edges, for a real-world blend of long life and OPNO WLYM V YTHUJL ( Z SPNO [ S `[ HSSLY T V YL HNNYL ZZ P ] L WYVÄ SL [ OHU [ OL 8 \ HSP Ä LY[ OL Q2 offers enhanced steering response HU K J V YULYPUN Z[ HIPSP [`
WHO IT’S FOR: The Sportmax Q2 is positioned between the Sportmax Roadsmart (aimed at street sport and sport touring riders) and the Sportmax .7 ( HPTL K H [ YHJL HU K[ YHJR YP K LY Z The Q2 is ideal for street sport riders who TH `KV[ YHJR K H `Z 4:97! WHERE TO GET IT: @V\ Y S V JHS K LHSLY INFO: +\ US V W4 V[V YJ ` JSL
Check Your Battery’s Vital Signs
Battery Bug Tells You Before Your Battery Dies
WHAT IT IS: The $ 6 0 Battery Bug is a smart voltage monitor that uses the voltage drop your battery experiences during starting as an indicator of battery health. An alarm chirps when health drops below a certain level to remind you to replace the battery.
HOW IT INSTALLS: Mount the 2-inchsquare unit somewhere you can see it easily, snake the 6 -foot wire back to your battery, coil up and secure the extra length and connect the two terminals directly to your battery.
HOW IT WORKS: We tried the unit on a couple of bikes. On a 2-week-old fully charged battery, it indicated 100 percent cranking power; on a 3-year-old battery that had been fully discharged at least once, the Battery Bug read 35 percent life. It’s all visible on an easy-to-read screen.
BONUS: Since it also serves as a voltmeter, it’s easy to see if your charging system is working correctly.
VERDICT: As a general indicator of battery health, the Battery Bug does the job. And we like the fact that although it’s designed to be mounted on a single bike and left there, the unit could also work for periodic checks on multiple motorcycles.
Hostel Territory
Touring Canada’s Gaspe Peninsula On The Cheap—With Great Results
If you live in Vermont and don’t spend a lot of time skiing during the winter, the colder months can last forever. Because motorcycle travel is one of my passions, I use the time to plan trips for the summer. This year, I worked up the idea for a camping tour around the Great Lakes.
I had never combined motorcycle travel with camping before, so I made a dry run in May to the Down East Rally of the BMW Motorcycle Riders of Southern Maine. The weather forecast was iffy, but I saw this as a plus if I was serious about doing the Great Lakes loop, where I’d no doubt see some spotty conditions. Saturday was good, but Sunday morning arrived with steady rain. Packing up in the rain was a thankless exercise, with everything becoming soaked beyond belief.
I could only imagine having to use this soggy shelter the next day, had I been traveling to another destination, so even before I got home I was thinking about
By Tyler Yandow
altering my summer tour plan. When a friend later suggested staying in hostels, that made perfect sense—a cost-effective way to travel and meet people along the way, complete with a clean bed, bathroom and usually an adequately appointed kitchen. What more did I need?
When I discovered through the Hostelling International website that there were far more hostels in Maine and the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec, Canada, I changed my route plans. I found a series of hostels that were about a day’s ride apart, and in June, my Suzuki V-Strom 650 and I were off.
4`ÄYZ[Z[VW^HZPU )L[OLS4HPUL I arrived late in the afternoon and was greeted by a large “HI” sign, making this HU LHZ`WSHJL[VÄUK;OL OVZ[LS P[ZLSM was quite basic, without much character, but clean and tidy. The next day I was off [V-YLKLYPJ[VU5L^)Y\UZ^PJRT`ÄYZ[ stop in Canada. I crossed the border in
Touring doesn’t have to be expensive, and the combination of a strong U.S.-Canadian dollar relationship and budget-friendly hostel touring in Canada’s Gaspe Peninsula can get you incredible sights on the cheap, from rock spires to quaint villages, to impromptu driftwood art to lighthouses, lighthouses and more lighthouses.
Calais, riding over the St. Croix River to St. Stephen, Canada. My destination, Fredericton, was a real city. Finding the hostel there took more than an hour. I awoke to rain for my next leg to Cambellton, and I rode through walls of water all day, arriving soaked despite my “waterproof” liners. Luckily, the hostel, located in a lighthouse on the south bank of the Riviere Patapedia within sight of the suspension bridge leading north to the province of Quebec, was worth it.
The next day’s ride, along the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River, was spectacular, and the hostel at the end in Ste. Anne des Monts, situated on a beach along the shoreline, was even better,. The hostel was a series of eclectic buildings ranging from a simple dormitory to a teepee.
The following day I explored the Parc National de la Gaspesie, located just south of Ste Anne des Monts—an ideal playground for dual-sport enthusiasts. It had a sense of remoteness that left me feeling like I could have been on another continent. With the exception of an occasional vehicle passing by, the only sounds were the birds and the wind whistling through the trees. The quiet was mesmerizing.
Then I was off to Riviere du Loup, another town on the north coast of the peninsula, and my lunch at a picnic table next to a lighthouse near Rimouski, was perfect. The hostel was a charming Victorian house near the center of Riviere du Loup. The staff of approximately half a dozen young people was multilingual, and at one point during the meal there were three languages being spoken at once.
Photo Tyler: Lee K rohn
After dinner I was treated to roasting marshmallows V]LY HUVWLUÄYL HUK[YHKLK travel stories with a charming Australian woman who, besides myself, was the only one there who didn’t speak French.
I had scheduled stops in Trois-Rivieres and Ottawa, but I had lost any desire to be in an urban environment after experiencing the natural beauty of the Gaspe Peninsula. So I headed for Newport, Vt., before venturing further west to Cape Vincent, N.Y., a stop my friend Anita had said was a must. She was right.
The hostel in Cape Vincent was great, with accommodations in the keeper’s house only a few feet from the Cape =PUJLU[SPNO[OV\ZL 4`ZLJVUKÅVVY dormitory room, which I had to myself, had an unobstructed view of the St. Lawrence River, all for the unheard-of price of $17. Maria, the hostel director, could not have been more welcoming and even offered to let me keep the motorcycle safe and secure in the vacant lighhouse garage overnight.
After making two more stops to visit family, I rolled into the driveway after 12 days on the road and more than 2,600 miles.
I don’t know what’s next, but I’ll have to up the ante to top this trip.
Ask The Motorcycle Safety Foundation
What A Motorcyclist Should Know About Riding A Scooter
YOU ASK:
I’ve been riding motorcycles for more than two decades, and I’ve taken a few MSF courses over the years. In addition to my bikes, I recently bought a 50cc scooter for running small errands and saving gas, and I realize that it’s a different animal. Since I’m going from a motorcycle to a scooter, are there any key things to keep in mind from a riding safety standpoint?
THE MSF RESPONDS:
Congratulations for adding a thrifty ZJVV[LY[V`V\Y[^V^OLLSÅLL[
The additional advice we offer scooter riders beyond what we recommend for standard motorcycles is based on a scooter’s lighter weight, smaller size and drivetrain, especially for scooters 200cc and below.
Lighter weight, combined with smaller tires and a shorter wheelbase, mean the scooter will react more quickly to your steering inputs. Lighter weight also makes the scooter more susceptible to the effects of side winds. Smaller tires will react more harshly to potholes and other road surface irregularities. Practice your maneuvering skills frequently,
particularly swerving and quick stops, in a safe area.
;OL UHYYV^LY WYVÄSLVM[OLZJVV[LY may make it harder for other motorists to detect you—the best defense is to wear a brightly colored helmet and jacket, assume you are invisible, and leave plenty of time and space to respond to problems. For navigating among city [YHMÄJ[OL 4:- :,,Z[YH[LN`·ZLHYJO evaluate, execute—works equally well for any type of two-wheel vehicle.
A scooter’s automatic transmission may also take some getting used to, as it will react to throttle input quite differently than a motorcycle
AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAMER
Doing The Triple
Hall of Famer Steve Wise Has Won MX, SX And Road-Racing Nationals
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Steve Wise has earned a singular distinction: He is the only rider in history to win Nationals in AMA motocross, AMA Supercross and AMA Superbike, cementing his place as one of the most multi-talented riders ever.
The Texan further proved his all-around talent by rounding out the podium with H[OPYKWSHJLÄUPZO H[HU (4( .YHUK National Championship race.
In the early 1980s, Wise twice won the popular ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers competition, an event that featured the top motorcycle racers in the world from all disciplines. ABC’s Superbikers was a predecessor to :\WLYTV[V^OPJOÅV\YPZOLKPU ,\YVWL and later attained AMA national status in 2003. Wise’s versatility helped him earn the prestigious AMA Pro Athlete of the
Year Award in 1982.
.HY`:[L]LU>PZL^HZIVYU PU 4J(SSLU Texas, on June 2, 1957. Steve’s father was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and took young Steve to local races from an early age. In the late 1960s, Wise was a ZWLJ[H[VY H[VULVM[OLÄYZ[TV[VJYVZZ races in America, held in Conroe, Texas.
“I remember as a young kid sitting by [OPZQ\TW HUK^H[JOPUN :`S]HU .LIVLYZ HUK1VOU+L:V[VÅ`PUNV]LY[OPZQ\TW 0 was thrilled,” Wise recalled.
When his father bought Steve a Honda SL90, he began tearing up the hills surrounding McAllen, and he only PTWYV]LKMYVT[OLYL>PZL[VVR OPZÄYZ[ AMA National victory aboard a Jim Straittuned Honda CR125 in Keysers Ridge, 4KPU ·^OLYL OL ILJHTL[OLÄYZ[ privateer to win an AMA 125 National motocross race.
Honda signed him to a factory ride in 1978. He would remain with Honda the rest of his racing career.
Wise won the 1979 New Orleans Supercross on his birthday, edging out Jimmy “Jammin’ Jimmy” Weinert in the main to take an emotional victory. With Honda, Wise earned his highest national motocross ranking of third in the AMA 250 National Motocross Championship in 1980, winning the RedBud 250cc National in Buchanan, Mich., along the way. Ultimately, Wise proved to be a
leading contender in both motocross and Supercross, but injury and untimely bike failures kept him from winning the national title he coveted.
Wise made a spectacular road-racing debut in 1981. He led the AMA Formula One point standings for most of the season and was nipped by veteran Mike Baldwin by just three points for the championship.
0U >PZL OHKX\HSPÄLKMVY[OL Houston TT in the Astrodome in his ÄYZ[L]LY HWWLHYHUJL PU HU (4( .YHUK 5H[PVUHS+PY[;YHJR YHJL 3H[L PU[OLÄUHS Wise worked all the way up from the back
In 1983, Wise would earn a permanent place in American motorcycle racing lore by winning the Mid-Ohio round of the AMA Superbike Series. He became the only motocross National winner to cross over to roadracing and win a National. ,HYSPLY[OH[ZLHZVU>PZL LHYULKH WVKP\T ÄUPZO PU[OL+H`[VUH/PZM\[\YL PU roadracing looked bright.
Just when things seemed to be gelling for Wise in 1983, he was injured in a roadracing crash and subsequently decided to retire from racing.
The 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of -HTL 4 \Z L \ T YHM Å L Q \Z[ N V[ IL [[ LY In addition to the chance to win a 19 6 9 / V U K H * ) ·[ OL NYV\ U K IYLHRPUN PUSPUL four-cylinder machine that many consider [ OL Z[ HY [V M [ OL Z\ WLYIPRL T V] LTLU [· H YHM Å L [ PJRL [^ PSS HS ZV NL [`V\ H JOHUJL [V^ PU HU V[ OLY SHU K THYR / V U K H! HU HSS V YPNPUHS Z[ LW [ OYV\ NO JJ ;OH [ TLHU Z^ P [ O V UL [ PJRL [`V\ OH ] L H JOHUJL H [^ PUUPUN [^V IPRL Z[ OH [ I VV RLU K / V U K H »Z YP Z L PU [ OL < : ! [ OL machine that ushered the Japanese J V TWHU ` PU [V (TLYPJHU T V[V YJ ` JSPUN S V YL with “You meet the nicest people on a / V U K H »» HU K[ OL IPRL [ OH [V US `` LHY Z SH [ LY YL ^ YV[ L [ OL Y \ SL Z M V Y Z[ YLL [ IPRL WLYM V YTHUJL
The 50cc machine is a 19 6 5 C100, in HSS V YPNPUHS J V U K P [ P V U ^ P [ O TPSL V U [ OL VKV TL [ LY 0U MHJ [ P [ OH K UL ] LY L ] LU ILLU [ P [ SL K WYP V Y [V ILPUN W \ YJOH Z L K I `[ OL 0M`V\OH]LU»[ILLU HISL[VTHRL[OL trip to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
H /HYSL`+H]PKZVUKLWPJ[LKVU H *HY[PLY[YVWO`OL^VU H[H /HYSL`+H]PKZVU YPKL PUZOV^HUKMLH[\YLKVU WHNL VM [OPZTHNHaPUL"¸4HJO 5LZZ¹OPZOLSPJVW[LY [\YIPUL WV^LYLKIPRLHUKTVYL *VUZPKLYPUN 5LZZ»SVUNZOHKV^PU [OL J\Z[VT IPRL^VYSK·OL»ZJVUZPKLYLK [OLVYPNPUHS YVJRZ[HY^OLU P[JVTL[V IPRL I\PSKPUN·[OPZJVSSLJ[PVUVM THJOPULZ PZH]LYP[HISLZOVY[JV\YZL PU TVKLYU TV[VYJ`JSL HY[PZ[Y`0M`V\OH]LU»[ZLLU P[ UV^»Z`V\Y JOHUJL .L[HSS[OL PUMV`V\ULLKHUK[HRL H ]PKLV[V\YH[4V[VYJ`JSL4\ZL\TVYN
California Rider Emerges As Top Prospect At AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships by Chelsea
One thing is certain about the AMA Racing Dirt Track Horizon Award, which is presented each year to the amateur dirt-tracker poised for excellence at the pro level: You never know how the coveted honor is going to be decided.
Sometimes the award, won at the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships every summer, is claimed with a dominant performance. In other years, the competition goes down to the wire. Twice since the award’s 1997 inception, the battle was too close to call, and two riders walked away with the honor.
This year, it looked like it was going to IL HUV[OLY[V\NO JHSS\U[PS[OLÄUHS OHSM mile in Du Quoin, Ill., when Madera, Calif.’s Michael Avila dominated. His three wins that afternoon sealed up three titles, giving OPT[OL 5VWSH[L PU[OL JJ 4VKPÄLK 4-Stroke, 251cc-500cc DTX and the 450cc 4VKPÄLKJSHZZLZ Avila came out on top in a week of competition that pitted the country’s best amateur dirt-track racers against each
Daniels
other on half-mile, Mile, shorttrack and TT courses.
“I struggled a lot at the beginning on the Mile, but toward the middle of the week, on the short-track, it came together,” said Avila, who’s backed by Southland Racing Products, Micah Racing, AGV and Troy Lee Designs. “I talked to some people, took their advice, and calmed down and had fun. It was my and my dad’s dream to win [OPZ[OPUNZVP[»ZNYLH[[VÄUHSS`NL[P[¹
With the 2009 AMA Racing Dirt Track Horizon Award, Avila has joined an elite group of dirt-track racers. Past winners include Nick Cummings, Jared Mees, Bryan Smith, Roger Lee Hayden and Nicky Hayden. Last year’s winner and current pro-sport racer Brad Baker was on hand to present Avila with the award.
“Not only did Mike win three class grand championships, but he was the only contender to make all of his mains,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “It’s that type of consistency that wins titles. This young racer also has a stellar
reputation in the pits. He’s not just fast, but he’s a good kid and a good sport.”
Other special awards presented at the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships included the AMA Racing Youth Rider of the Year Award, the Fast Brain Award and the Vet Award.
It was close in the youth ranks, with the award being decided by a tie-breaker in the 85cc Mod (7-11) class where St. Louisville, Ohio’s Jeffery Lowery edged V\[(UKYL^3\RLY I`OH]PUN[OL ILZ[ÄUPZO in the pair’s last race. In the July 3 TT, 3V^LY`ÄUPZOLKZLJVUK[V6^LUZIVYV 2`»Z5PJR 4J-HKKLU3\RLYÄ
“I feel very good,” Lowery said. “I’m just so happy to be here. I never thought, not once, that I’d win this.”
The Fast Brain Award was won by Warren, Ore.’s Davis Fisher. The “fast” part was handled by Fisher’s championship in the 85cc DTX (9-13) class and a third overall in 85cc Mod (7-11). The “brain” was credited to Fisher’s school year-end grades, the worst of which was an A-.
“If I get below a B, I don’t get to race!” Fisher said.
Longtime AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championship competitor Randy Blackwell brought home the Vet Award this year. Not only did Blackwell win the Super :LUPVY JSHZZI\[OLÄUPZOLK[OPYK in the Senior (40+) class and performed a ZVSPKÄM[O PU =PU[HNL 7YL :PUNSLZ
For full results and photos, see “News & Events” at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Left: Mike Avila rails on the half-mile. Above (clockwise from top): Randy Blackwell on the Magic Mile, Youth Rider of the Year Jeffery Lowery, Fast Brain Award winner Davis Fisher.
Michael Avila
Photos Jim Grant
Win A Championship, Go To Vegas
AMA Champs Will Throw Down At Hard Rock This December
At the end of each racing season, the best amateur racers in the country are honored at the AMA Racing Champions Banquet. This Dec. 4, these standout AMA members will receive the well-earned respect of their peers, family, friends and fans at one of the event’s coolest locations ever, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.
Held on the eve of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 2009 Induction Ceremony, also scheduled for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the event will provide a special opportunity for racers and fans to not only celebrate the accomplishments of racing’s present, but witness the elevation of individuals from all of motorcycling’s past.
“Amateur racing is a big part of both our heritage and our future, and we’re excited about giving our racers the recognition they’ve earned,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Whether you race motocross, in the woods, the desert, on a dirt oval or asphalt, you most likely are chasing an AMA National No. 1 plate or a national championship. The AMA Racing Champions Banquet will honor those who achieved that goal during the 2009 season.
“We’re particularly thrilled about this year’s celebration, which leads us into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 2009 Induction Ceremony,” Dingman continued.
¸;VKH`»ZJOHTWPVUZ^PSS NL[HÄYZ[OHUK look at what a career of dedication and effort can bring: a place in the revered AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”
Racers who will be recognized at the AMA Racing Champions Banquet include those who’ve won AMA national championships by coming out on top in a season-long AMA Racing National
Making The Scene
Josh Grant Takes RedBud, But Reed Still Rules Points Chase
The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship tour has been a showcase for parity this summer, and the traditional Fourth of July stop at RedBud was no L_JLW[PVUWYVK\JPUN HUV[OLYÄYZ[[PTL winner.
JGR/Toyota Yamaha’s Josh Grant
RPJRLKVMM OPZÄYZ[V]LYHSS WYLTPLY JSHZZ ^PU^P[O HZ[LSSHY YPKL PU[OLÄYZ[TV[VVM the 450cc class, starting just inside the top 10 and working his way into the top three before the third lap.
Up front, Honda Red Bull Racing’s Andrew Short and Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chad Reed were dicing for the lead, but it wasn’t long before Grant reeled them in. Grant passed Short for second with only two laps to go, but couldn’t completely close the gap on Reed by the JOLJRLYLKÅHN
Grant clearly carried his speed into the second moto, taking third from Reed on Lap 1, then catching Honda teammates Short and Ivan Tedesco over the next few SHWZ.YHU[[OLU NHWWLK[OLÄLSKHUK^VU with a commanding lead.
Reed holds the premier class points lead with 240 to Short’s 219. Tedesco is 19 more points back in third.
In the 250cc class, coming off of his ÄYZ[L]LYV\[KVVY]PJ[VY`PU*VSVYHKVVUS` a week ago, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer took the overall with a 2-4 moto score over his teammate Christophe Pourcel, who logged an 8-1 on the day. Muscle Milk KTM’s Tommy Searle ÄUPZOLK[OPYK^P[O H
In the 250cc class points race, Pourcel leads with 255 to Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey with 246
Championship Series, such as the AMA/ Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, or by winning their class at AMA Racing Amateur Championship events, such as the AMA/Air Nautiques Amateur National Motocross Championships. Competitors who’ve earned AMA National No. 1 plates will also receive their personalized hardware at the banquet. Information about buying tickets to attend the 2009 AMA Racing Champions Banquet will be announced shortly.
Josh Grant has shown he can run with Chad Reed outdoors this season.
Fastest To The Top Redmann And Libhart In Hillclimb
> P [ O [^V YV\ U KZV M [ OL Z L ] LU YV\ U K season in the books, the AMA Pro Hillclimb Championship has seen a twotime winner in the Extreme class, while tighter competition in the Unlimited class has just 1 point between the top two riders.
Nathan Redmann has put his Dr. Bob’s Racing Yamaha on top of the box [^ PJL PU , _[ YLTL HOLH KV M ;P ] LY [V U R.I.’s Ryan Thibault and Muskegon, 4PJO »Z 4H [[ 3 \ UH ^ O V OH ] L M V SS V^ L K Redmann up the hill twice, in that order,
this season.
In Unlimited, Phil Libhart, riding a ] PU [ HNL ;YP \ TWO OH ZZ^ HWWL K^ PU Z with Rumney, N.H.’s Shawn Farnsworth. / V^ L ] LY -HYU Z^V Y [ O »ZÄ Y Z[ YV\ U K[ O WSHJL Ä UP Z O OH Z OPT KV^ U PU [ OL W V PU [Z race. Libhart leads the early competition for the No. 1 plate, with Thibault 1 point back and Niles, Mich.’s Alex Benner 5 more points back in third.
In the Pro Sport class, Bryan Rusnak won twice aboard his K awasaki and holds the points lead.
Final Riders Come Together For Team
USA Assault On ISDE
Weigand, Huffman Join Trophy Team; Junior, Women’s Teams Set
The challenge is clear, the plan is in place, and the rosters are set for Team USA to take on the world at the 2009 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Figueria da Foz, Portugal, Oct. 12-17.
6U[OL ;YVWO`[LHTÄYZ[HUUV\UJLKPU March, Johnny Campbell Racing’s Timmy Weigand will replace the injured Nathan Woods, while Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Damon Huffman will replace an injured Jimmy Jarrett. The Trophy Team also includes Destry Abbott, Kurt Caselli, Ricky Dietrich and Nathan Kanney.
3LKI`Ä]L[PTL 0:+,]L[LYHU+H]PK Kamo, the U.S. Junior Trophy Team also will include defending AMA National Enduro Champion Russell Bobbitt, Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) racer Cory Buttrick and World Off-Road Championship Series rider Jamie Lanza.
“Russell is super fast in the woods, 1HTPL^PSS UL]LY NP]L\WHUK*VY`HZ well as he’s going in the GNCCs this year, OLKLZLY]LZ[VIL[OLYL /VULZ[S`0 OVWL those guys ride so well that I’m our dropout rider,” said Kamo, who’s leading the points for the 2009 AMA Racing National Hare & Hound Championship.
;OL<:>VTLU»Z;YVWO`;LHTÄUPZOLK second in Greece last year to the French team, a year after winning the Women’s World Cup in Chile. The team will include ]L[LYHUZ4HYPH -VYZILYN4HUKP 4HZ[PU and Lacy Jones.
“This will be the eighth ISDE that I OH]L JVTWL[LKPUHUK[OL[OPYKZPUJL the Women’s World Team was created,” Mastin said. “I look forward to going to Portugal healthy and ready to bring home the trophy again this year.”
Dozens of club team riders will also represent the U.S. at the 2009 ISDE. They PUJS\KL! ;VI`([RPUZ+H]PK)VV[O1VYKHU Brandt, Joel Burkett, Billy Burns, Nick Fahringer, Jeff Fredette, Don Grahn, Nick Hamill, Fred Hoess, Zach Lipana, Brent Martell, Garrett Mayer, Shawn O’Leary, Ryan Powell, Ben Smith, Brian Sperle, 9VY`:\SSP]HU;YV`:^L[[LUHT3HYZ=HSPU and Chilly White.
Nathan Redmann leads the Extreme class on the back of two wins.
Mandi Mastin wants her Trophy back.
Photos Redmann: Jeff Whitehead
Off-Road Round Up
Mike Lafferty is closing the points gap on his Shock Doctor/KTM teammate and primary rival for the championship, Russell Bobbitt. The eight-time champ won Rounds 7 and 8 of the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series in Cascade, Mont., and Blain, Pa. The wins, Lafferty’s third and fourth of the season, cut Bobbitt’s lead to 1 point, 212 to 211.
Bonds, Brown Battle In WORCS
With half the season in the books, the title race in the World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) is tight. Yamahamounted Bobby Bonds won the sixth round in Toutle, Wash., with a last-lap pass on KTM’s Mike Brown for the win. The win put Bonds just 1 point behind Brown in the championship hunt.
Knight’s Back In GNCCs
He may be too late to have a chance at reclaiming his No. 1 plate for next year, but defending Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Champion David Knight has plenty of time to reclaim the limelight.
The Isle of Man native returned to the series at the Snowshoe, W.Va., round on a Kawasaki to take a dominant win over JG Racing Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Paul Whibley. ¸;OLÄ
again,” Knight said.
Knight battled with FMF Makita Suzuki’s Josh Strang for most of the race, until :[YHUN JYH
In the point standings, Whibley leads with 214 to Strang’s 201. Strang’s teammate Charlie Mullins is 4 more points back in third.
Smage Is Masterful In Tennessee
After the relatively easy season kickoff, Rounds 3 and 4 of the AMA/NATC Observed Trials National Championship :LYPLZHTWLK\W[OLKPMÄJ\S[`SL]LS[V The Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, Tenn., got some rain to go with its rocky terrain, making for some incredibly slick surfaces at the two-day event.
“Rocky, slippery and hard,” was Lafferty’s assessment of the Pennsylvania course. “I knew it would be tough, but I ^HZU»[L_WLJ[PUN P[[VIL HZKPMÄJ\S[HZP[ was. You had to be on your game today. 4HU`YPKLYZ^LU[KV^U OHYKPU[OLÄYZ[ section, as some rocks were planted and others just moved out from under you.”
Lafferty won every special test of the day in Blain.
“This win is special to me because I consider this round a hometown race for me, and I had many family members come out and support me,” said Lafferty, whose brothers Jack and Rich also raced.
The next round of the 10-round series will roll through Marquette, Mich., where Lafferty will continue his run at a record ninth AMA National Enduro Championship. Lafferty’s eight titles currently tie him with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Dick Burleson, who dominated the series from 1974 through 1981.
It looked like Brown was going to get away easy, after pulling the holeshot and NHWWPUN[OLÄLSKLHYS`I\[H JYHZOZSV^LK down the former AMA 125cc National Motocross Champion. Brown dropped to fourth, but he was able to pass his way to back out front by the mid-way point of the two-hour race. Although Brown appeared to have it locked up, another crash by the KTM rider on the last lap handed the lead to Bonds.
In the AMA Western Hare Scrambles Series, which also held a round at this WORCS event, Timmy Weigand continues to hold the points lead with 66, 4 points ahead of Kyle Summers. Brenden Ritzman is third with 49 points.
The conditions couldn’t stop two-time defending national champion Patrick Smage, however. Smage excelled in the slippery terrain, massive walls and giant gaps, turning in one of the best performances of his career.
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day in his eight shootout rides, compared [VWV
Cody Webb.
On Sunday, Smage kept dominating, ÄUPZ
26 points compared to 40 for Webb and 42 for Will Ibsen. Smage banked his fourth-straight win of the series and stretched his championship points lead over Webb to 20, 120 to Webb’s 100.
Shan Moore
Paul Whibley: GNCC points leader.
Patrick Smage was amazing in Tennessee.
Mike Lafferty isn’t letting Bobbitt get away.
First The Trophy, Then The Bike
Arlen
Ness Stunner Reversed The Usual Timeline
In 1977, custom bike builder Arlen Ness ^HZVU[OL YVHK[VNYLH[ULZZI`ÄUKPUN his inspiration in unique places—and this bike is a prime example of how a small connection can spark a show-stopper.
5LZZOHKQ\Z[^VU HÄYZ[WSHJL[YVWO` in Daytona for a wild, two-engine custom called “Two Bad.” The award, presented personally by Harley-Davidson design guru Willie G. Davidson, was a Cartier-made ZPS]LY TVKLSVM[OLÄYZ[ /HYSL` Davidson.
The impressive trophy stuck in Ness’ mind. In fact, that award inspired him to build an antique-looking modern custom
the following year that he dubbed “Ness-tique.”
Ness aimed for something light and KPMMLYLU[I\PSKPUN[OPZIPRL HYV\UKH JJ Sportster motor. He made a frame out of 5/8-inch chrome-moly tubing, with the pullback bars rising barely above the gas tank.
He also gave it a light springer front end and stretched it out. Parts were cut to continue the light theme. For example, [OLÄUZMYVT[OL IV[[VTVM[OL IHYYLSZHUK the kicker cover were rimmed. Plus, Danny Gray made as small a seat as possible.
The gas tank features paint and graphics
by George Waters, and the 21-inch wheels, front and rear, were engraved and anodized to complete the elegant look.
About a year after presenting the designer with the award that led to the creation of Ness-tique, Willie G. walked V\[VM[OL6SK5V:HSVVU PU+LHK^VVK S.D., with Ness and sat on the bike that his trophy had inspired.
5LZZ[PX\L PZQ\Z[VULVMZPNUPÄJHU[ Ness creations on display in an exhibit called “Awesome-Ness” in the Hall of Legends gallery at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.
ROCKER & ROLLER
ROCKER & ROLLER
He’s Also One Incredibly Thoughtful Guy.
Rush Drummer Neil Peart Lives For Motorcycles.
By Richard J. Atkins, Ed.D
Feature
Photography by Holly Carlyle
Neil Peart has clocked almost 300,000 miles on two wheels. And he still rides relentlessly.
Touring with the monumental group Rush, he’s spent his nights behind the drum kit, driving the complex beats of “Tom Sawyer,” “Sprirt of Radio,” “Fly By Night”—and delivering some of rock ‘n’ roll’s most iconic drum solos. He may even be, as some magazines have dubbed him, the world’s greatest living rock drummer.
But during those tour days, he’s on his motorcycle, riding between shows, Peart has covered 45,000 miles on two wheels in the past two years alone, traveling coast to coast, through Canada and Europe. And that’s only the start of a passion for motorcycles that has seen him chronicle some of his adventures in two books. Roadshow details his 2004 concert tour and the motorcycle journeys entertwined with it, while the more introspective Ghost Rider chronicles a wandering, 55,000-mile trip around North America for 14 months looking for a “way back to life” after family tragedies.
Of course, there is also his professional résumé, which could be the subject of endless KPZJ\ZZPVU 7LHY[PZHU VMÄJLY VM[OL WYLZ[PNPV\Z6YKLY VM*HUHKH HUK PZ[OL KY\TTLY HUK lyricist with Rush, responsible for releasing 34 albums and selling more than 40 million units worldwide since 1974. Peart has, in fact, received so many awards from Modern Drummer and Drum! magazines, that he’s ineligible for some of the award categories because he’s swept the readers’ polls too many times.
The real Peart is a true gentleman and a delightfully charming, generous, humble, humorous and erudite character. His life experiences, writing, music and motorcycling adventures are compellingly inspirational. Getting up close and personal is the perfect opportunity to explore his unique perspective on this shared gift of motorcycling.
Peart’s most impressive quality is his dedication to achieving his personal best in every aspect of life. There is a full enthusiasm for living, coupled with a careful consideration of precision in everything he does, and it’s contagious.
By knowing and riding with him, you start to hear yourself say things like, “Make that turn the best turn you could possibly make,” or “Ride that mountain road as though you’ll never ride another!” Whether it’s his lane position while riding, or his dedication to wearing complete riding gear for every ride no matter how short, Neil’s success derives from unyielding discipline. Realistically, how many average riders always wear full safety gear? Then again, how many average drummers can play “Tom Sawyer”?
Don Argento (marketing director of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum) and I met with Neil to award him an Honorary Life Membership in the American Motorcyclist Association. Part of that get-together included a discussion about riding…
On His First Experience On Two Wheels
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On Learning To Ride For Real
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On The Techniques And Riding Style He’s Working On Now, And Always (UV[OLY]LY`NVVK HUHSVN`IL[^LLU KY\TTPUN HUK TV[VYJ`JSPUN PZ[OH[`V\ UL]LYZ[VW SLHYUPUN 0»]L ILLU WSH`PUN KY\TZ MVY`LHYZ`L[SHZ[`LHY 0Z[\KPLK^P[O H [LHJOLY[V^VYR VU IPN IHUK KY\TTPUN +\YPUN H JVUJLY[[V\Y 0 OH]L IYLHR[OYV\NOZ HSS[OL[PTL IL[[LY JVU[YVS VM[PTLIL[[LY
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“Another thing I learned from Neil is how to ride long distances. Before I met Neil, I would not have had the guts to load up my Ducati and head from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas and back with my girl on the back. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.”
Chris Stankee is an artist relations manager for Sabian Cymbals and rides a Ducati Multistrada or ’68 Triumph Daytona.
Your smoothness will allow you to cut in a little sharper or go wider around a patch of gravel—you’re equipped, because you’re poised.
That’s what it is, poise in motion. “Poise” doesn’t sound like a kinetic word that would apply to motorcycling and being in motion, but if you feel that way, you’re always ready for any obstacle or unexpected move from someone else.
On Lane Positioning
The way I place myself on the road is for visibility—for my visibility, to be able to
see as well as I can—or for my conspicuity, for drivers to see me as soon as they can. Lawrence Grodsky (1950-2006), formerly with Rider magazine, and 2009 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee David Hough, with the BMW club magazine, have written a lot about safe riding. These people give guidelines for lane position, and in [YHMÄJP[»ZYLHSS`Q\Z[ISVJRPUN WLVWSL MYVT taking your territory, and staying visible. On a two-lane road, I’ll stay close to the middle for the ultimate visibility and the most options. If a deer comes at you, which has happened to me, if you’re in the middle, you
“WE RIDE AS HARD AS WE CAN FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN”
have the most places to go. When there’s VUJVTPUN[YHMÄJ0 SPRL[V TV]L YPNO[ZV[OL JHYZILOPUK[OLÄYZ[VUJVTPUN]LOPJSL JHU see me. If somebody behind that one pulls out to pass, if you’re in the middle, they won’t see you until it may be too late. But if you’re over to the far right, then they have more chance. I’ve seen it many times: a car coming toward me will ease out, see me, and go back. That’s the ideal situation.
On Riding Smart
Another thing I’ve been learning lately is how to think for other people. If you look ahead and see that a lane is ending, and the driver beside you is going to need to move over, or there’s a slow truck ahead in the inside lane and the driver beside you is going to pull out to pass—you have to think, “OK, they don’t know yet what they have to do, but I do.” This is you looking ahead and predicting what others are going to need to do. You can’t predict random idiocy, but in the territory that you “own,” if you see that a car is going to have to cut in front of you, then you move back and protect your space, so they can’t surprise or hurt you. They can’t cause another problem—yours! Reading the road is an art form That’s another thing that gives you poise in TV[PVU UV[Q\Z[SVVRPUN HOLHK VM[OL
“WE RIDE AS HARD AS WE CAN FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN”
Catching Up With Peart’s Wingman
Michael Mosbach is the security director for Rush, and he plans trips and rides with Neil Peart while Rush is on tour. Author Rich Atkins got his take on their adventures:
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO RIDE WITH NEIL PEART EVERY DAY
Neil and I have ridden together for nearly 100,000 miles, if not more, and I’ve learned just a plethora: from motorcycle ergonomics to wearing the right gear at the right time. Also, I’ve learned not to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s not just limited to lane placement, but also road, altitude, conditions, behavior and that sort of thing.
WHAT’S IT LIKE, BEING ON TOUR AND RIDING WITH NEIL?
For the most part, we ride as hard as we can for as long as we can. The tour for us is more of a motorcycle tour than it is a concert tour. We try to cover as many back roads of the country as we can, seeing as much as possible, and avoid riding on the same road twice. A concert, to us, is just stopping so that
we can make money to pay the bills, and then we continue along on the motorcycle tour. That is spelled out in his book, Roadshow. Neil likes to say that, basically, the concerts are him stopping for gas money.
We like to get as much contrast as is possible during the day, and include some mountain and desert roads, wooded areas, off road, and certainly some back roads.
Maybe once a month, we’ll stay in a nice hotel just so we can catch up on our e-mails and phone calls. A Best Western next to a diner is a treat for us!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT AN AVERAGE DAY’S RIDE?
It is very hard work. Even though it’s physically taxing, it’s a great way to think. When you’re riding for six or seven hours, you can think about things that you haven’t thought about for years. Things come to mind that you haven’t thought about since you were very young, or that you wouldn’t think of during a normal day in life.
HOW DO YOU LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER ON THE ROAD?
We’ve learned to create a very simple formation that complements each of us safely on the road. It’s a microcosmic circling of the wagons, protecting us from anything that could harm us, whether it’s other vehicles or ourselves.
We ride in the basic tandem, but that HS^H`ZJOHUNLZIHZLKVU YVHKHUK[YHMÄJ conditions. He’ll stay more to the left, and I’ll stay more to the right to protect our lane, to make sure that people see that there are motorcycles there.
If we’re in the center lane, then it’s the opposite—he goes to the right, and I am to the left, protecting the lane from being rolled in on. Our tandem pattern is relative HUKOPNOS road conditions, as well as weather and speed.
Sometimes, when we’re in a “hot zone” (a place where people know it’s him), I take a half bike length ahead off his right. It’s just a more secure pattern to prevent any possible interactions we don’t want.
bike, but looking as far as you can possibly see, at every inch of pavement as it appears around a corner. I’ve noticed that I’ve become so used to that mode of perception. Even in a car, if the road is J\Y]PUN0»SSÄUK T`ZLSM SVVRPUN[OYV\NO[OL side windows at what’s coming up.
This is another perfect drumming analogy. If I’m playing a verse, if I’m not thinking of the next part, I’m going to be in trouble. It’s the same on the motorcycle. If you’re not thinking far ahead of yourself, things will surprise and upset you. Your concentration gets shaken. When I’m drumming, I’m thinking of the next part always—getting my transition set up, and that next part is being mapped out in my mind already, just like looking through a corner on a road.
On Enjoyment
Riding is a vehicle of exploration. It’s for a road that I want to explore. I want to see what’s around that corner, what’s over that hill, explore a trail that I haven’t been on before. So, for me, the vehicle is just part of all that.
On tour with the motorcycle, I might cover 800 miles between shows. You know, back roads and beautiful scenery. I go to Monument Valley, Taos, New Mexico, Mount Rushmore, over the Cascades, over the Rockies, the Sierra Nevada, or even the Great Plains—I really like riding through Kansas and Oklahoma on back roads. Then on the East Coast, you’ve got the Appalachians. All the way from Georgia to Maine, there’s good riding.
Sometimes I want to go see a national park, so that’s an excuse for a beautiful road trip—an adventure. If I’m going out for groceries, the simplest errand, somehow going on the bike is an adventure. I dress for it as if I was going to ride all day, put on all my gear. As soon as I put a leg over that saddle, I am in “motorcycling mode”—100 percent committed and engaged with what I am about to do.
On Mitigating Risk
Safe riding gear is something I’m a bit of a missionary about, because I believe in it so much. Armored suit, boots, gloves and full-face helmet—that’s my basic wardrobe on the bike. Fortunately, in my case, it’s not so much from experience, but observation. One November my friend, Brutus, went around a corner, and he hit a patch of ice and went down, going about 50 mph, sliding down the road on his back. He was wearing full armored gear, and the worst injury he suffered was when the luggage case landed on his foot.
I always liked the old saying that there are two kinds of riders: those who have fallen, and those who are going to fall. One old guy in a magazine interview said, “Look, it goes like this: if you love riding enough, and if you
“I think that Neil’s approach to riding, and looking progressively further ahead, may correlate to the approach he has developed in playing Rush’s music—in the present moment, but keenly aware of what is going on ‘up ahead.’”
Greg Russell is the owner and creative director of Tandem Digital, and rides a KTM Supermoto 950.
If it’s a great backroad in North America, there’s a good chance that Neil Peart has rdden it—or plans to someday.
“I keep waiting for the moment when I’m going to be able to help him pick his bike up somewhere. It hasn’t happened yet. When you think about a guy that’s ridden half-a-million kilometers, it’s simply amazing that he’s been able to maintain his discipline, attention and survival skills. ”
Brutus rides a BMW GS and builds future roads for him and Neil to ride in Alberta, Canada.
do it enough, chances are you’ll die doing it. The trick is to put that time off long enough \U[PS`V\KPL MYVTZVTL[OPUN LSZLÄYZ[¹
To me it’s simple: I don’t like pain. That might sound self-evident, but to me, it’s the No. 1 evil in the world; the second is fear; and the third is worry. I try to avoid all of those as much as I can—especially pain. Everyone grants that motorcycling is inherently risky, so when you’re riding, minimize that risk as much as you can by riding smart: using strategy and technique to keep yourself always in poise, in control, in balance, with the machine and with [OLZ\YYV\UKPUN^VYSK HUK[YHMÄJ 7YV[LJ[ yourself if that sudden thing happens.
On His Favorite Type Of Riding
I hardly know where to begin. It’s all a certain state of mind. I love technical riding, mountainous areas, of course. But riding HJYVZZ[OL 7SHPUZHSVUN H^PUKPUN YP]LY or over the mountains are all enjoyable. I like looking at farmland, or feeling that long stream-of-consciousness through the KLZLY[VY[OL .YLH[7SHPUZ0[PZ[OL YVHK 0
love. Highways through landscapes are the ultimate attraction for me.
On His Motorcycling Heroes
It’s the people who write about motorcycling that I look up to—those who set a good example of the spirit of motorcycling, or teach others strategy and techniques.
4LSPZZH/VSIYVVR 7PLYZVU^YV[L
The Perfect Vehicle: What It is about Motorcycles, which is a great voice for all of \ZVU^O`^L SV]L TV[VYJ`JSPUN 7LVWSL SPRL ;LK :PTVU+HUU`3PZRH HUK 9VILY[7PYZPN have contributed to that philosophical level, too.
Journalists like Lawrence Grodsky, who ^YV[L[OL¸:[H`PU»:HML¹JVS\TU MVY Rider magazine; Cycle World’s 7L[LY ,NHU 0 really like his writing and attitude toward motorcycling; Clement Salvadori is another one. My friend Brian Catterson, and Bruce Reeve, the former editor at Cycle Canada, a lot of people like that. I’m grateful for their wisdom and knowledge, and that’s the melding of it—being a good example. That’s
the way I try to ride, and write about riding, so that it will be of value to other riders. In my stories, I try to pass on that knowledge, ^OPJO 0 JHSS¸YVHKJYHM[¹ My No.1 rule of roadcraft is: Don’t let it be my fault. I ride, strategize and negotiate [YHMÄJZV[OH[PMZVTL[OPUN KVLZOHWWLU it won’t be my fault. You know those old JHY[VVUZ^OLYL[OL HUNLS PZÅVH[PUN\W MYVT the dead guy? Well, I want to be swearing down at the person who did that to me, not Z^LHYPUN H[T`ZLSMZH`PUN¸`V\PKPV[¹
On Riding Alone, And With Others
Both have their pleasures. I have a small circle of riders I enjoy riding with, but no more than four at a time—usually two. There’s a mutual trust with good riding partners, a shared respect for the rules of lane position and pace, and it’s nice to have someone to talk to at lunch.
I’ve traveled alone a lot, too. The whole Ghost Rider book involves 55,000 miles of solo riding. If I’m traveling alone, I have my notebook, bring something to read, and I’m happy with my own company.
On responsibility and motorcycling
0
One of my rules is not to be surprised on the road, and I don’t want to surprise anyone else, either—do anything unpredictable or make any sudden move that is going to cause worry or fear for anyone else.
The best I can do is set a good example, dress and ride properly. Signal every maneuver, position myself in the right place in the lane, and consider other drivers—not make a nuisance of myself. But I’m only one guy. I hope that, through forums like this, and when I write about motorcycling, the word is spread about the good way to do things. That’s all you can do.
“I once read an interview with my fellow drummer Nick 4HZVUMYVT 7PUR -SV`KHUK OL YLTHYRLK[OH[VM HSS[OL gold records and awards he had received for his musical success, he was most proud of his election to the British Racing Drivers Club. That’s how I feel about receiving this honorary Life Membership to the AMA—both proud and humble at being so honored by the motorcycling community. My gratitude and pride are tremendous and sincere. Thank you.”
Neil Peart
SOUND MANAGEMENT
A Breakthrough Streetbike Sound Test Standard Sets The Stage For Curbing Loud Pipes
The line between motorcycle sound and motorcycle noise has always been controversial. Cities around the nation have come up with some complicated laws over the years to try to deal with the issue.
Problem is, their solutions, though sometimes well intentioned, have been scattershot at best and
entirely subjective and unfair at worst. But now, a new way of measuring the sound of street motorcycles could change all that. In the process, it could help curb two of the worst problems that motorcyclists face today: Excessive sound, and the anti-motorcycling laws that come when motorcycles are perceived to be the source of it.
by Bill K resnak
Photo Open Image Studio
>OH[»ZUV^UL^PZ[OH[[OL :VJPL[`VM
(\[VTV[P]L ,UNPULLYZ:(,0U[LYUH[PVUHS has produced a simple, consistent, LJVUVTPJHS HUK LUMVYJLHISLZV\UK[LZ[ WYVJLK\YL[OH[JHU IL\ZLK[V KL[LYTPUL whether an on-highway motorcycle exhaust system emits excessive sound. If municipalities adopt the procedure, JHSSLK¸:(, 1 ¹HZWHY[VM[OLPY V]LYHSS sound-control strategies, it could eliminate SH^Z[OH[HSSV^[OLZ\IQLJ[P]L JHSS VM HU VMÄJLYVY H KLJPILS SL]LS YLHKPUN[OH[JHU»[ IL TLHZ\YLK YLWLH[LKS`[V IL[OL IHZPZ for enforcement.
That means the new practice is good UL^ZMVY TV[VYJ`JSPZ[Z·PM P[PZU»[\ZLK to unfairly target motorcyclists, and, hopefully, for cities nationwide.
“The motorcycling community and law enforcement have long sought a practical ÄLSK[LZ[MVY TLHZ\YPUNZ[YLL[TV[VYJ`JSL exhaust sound,” says Ed Moreland,
Excessive Motorcycle Sound Targeted Around The Nation
Before now, there was no simple sound test procedure to measure whether an on-highway motorcycle exhaust system emitted excessive sound. So jurisdictions around the nation have grappled with the issue in various ways, with sometimes severe penalties. Consider these recent examples:
5L^@VYR*P[`5@*HUK )L]LYS` Mass., considered proposals to allow WVSPJL[V JVUÄZJH[L UVPZ`TV[VYJ`JSLZ
0U[OL 5@*JHZLPM H IPRL KPKU»[OH]L HU L_OH\Z[Z`Z[LT SHILSLK I`[OL MLKLYHS Environmental Protection Agency as TLL[PUN MLKLYHSZV\UK SPTP[Z[OL IPRL JV\SK ILZLPaLK VU[OLZLJVUK UVPZL violation. In Beverly, if noise from the IPRL JV\SK IL OLHYK MYVT MLL[H^H`
[OLU[OL IPRL JV\SK IL PTWV\UKLK
)VZ[VUHZ^LSS HZ(Y]HKH*VSV passed noise laws requiring all
TV[VYJ`JSLZI\PS[HM[LY+LJLTILY
[V OH]L L_OH\Z[Z`Z[LTZSHILSLK I`[OL EPA as meeting federal sound limits.
*P[PaLUZPU/PUNOHT4HZZWL[P[PVULK
[OLPY KLJPZPVU THRLYZ[V JVUZPKLY adopting a sound law requiring all
TV[VYJ`JSLZ[V OH]L ,7( SHILSLK exhaust systems.
(*VUULJ[PJ\[Z[H[L SH^THRLY
PU[YVK\JLK H IPSS YLX\PYPUN TV[VY
]LOPJSLZ[V IL VWLYH[LK[V WYL]LU[ “unnecessary and unusual” noise. If a rider got two or more written warnings for excessive sound within a six-month period, the motorcycle registration
^V\SK ILZ\ZWLUKLK
0U )LUPJPH*HSPM[OL JP[`JV\UJPS
KLIH[LK TV[VYJ`JSL UVPZL HUK ultimately passed a resolution in favor
AMA vice president for government YLSH[PVUZ¸;OHURZ[V[OL OHYK^VYR VM[OL 4V[VYJ`JSL 0UK\Z[Y`*V\UJPS40*HUK[OL SAE engineers involved in the project, a ZPTWSLÄLSK[LZ[PZUV^H]HPSHISL
“The AMA maintains that few factors JVU[YPI\[L TVYL[V TPZ\UKLYZ[HUKPUN and prejudice against street riders than excessively noisy motorcycles,” Moreland adds. “With the new procedure, street motorcyclists can now determine how X\PL[VY SV\K[OLPY IPRLZYLHSS`HYL ¸;OL 1 WYHJ[PJL HSSV^ZQ\YPZKPJ[PVUZ around the nation, struggling with JVTWSHPU[ZHIV\[L_JLZZP]L TV[VYJ`JSL ZV\UK[VZL[YLHZVUHISL SPTP[ZPU accordance with the procedure,” he says. ;OL RL`[OV\NOPZ\ZPUN[OL UL^ practice intelligently, and not unfairly targeting motorcycles alone when it comes to sound issues.
“While the AMA supports the LZ[HISPZOTLU[VM[OL :(, 1 WYVJLK\YL PU (TLYPJH»ZJP[PLZ[V^UZHUK JVTT\UP[PLZ^L^PSS JVU[PU\L[VÄNO[ efforts that single out motorcycles while still permitting excessive sound from other ZV\YJLZZ\JO HZSV\K JHYZHUK[Y\JRZ
of a state law that would require EPA stamps on motorcycle exhausts.
Meanwhile, across the nation loud
TV[VYJ`JSLZOH]L ILLU
periodic police enforcement campaigns in many communities, including San Francisco, Falmouth, Mass., and Indian 9VJRZ)LHJO-SH
The AMA was aware even 60 years ago that excessive motorcycle sound created WYVISLTZ;OL (4( ¸4\MÅLY 4PRL¹JHTWHPNU
PU PU HU LMMVY[[ respect others.
Since that time, the AMA has
HS^H`Z[YPLK[VÄUK H
NYV\UK IL[^LLU V]LYS
SH^Z[OH[W\UPZO YLZWVU riders and a wide-open, anything-goes attitude that YLZ\S[ZPU H IHJRSHZO NLULYHS W\ISPJ
“Only a practical and consistent sound test can determine if the exhaust system is out of compliance with the law,” says Imre :aH\[LY(4( NV]LYUTLU
HMMHPYZTHUHNLY/L UV that the AMA opposes laws that rely on an exhaust system having HU ,7(Z[HTW ILJH\Z “the EPA stamp is not YLHKPS`YLHKHISL VUZ
TV[VYJ`JSLZ/LH[ZOPLSK HUK V[OLY JVTWVULU stamp, or its physical location prevents HU VIZLY]LY MYVT LH
[OLZ[HTW KVLZU»[N and in many cases, a replacement original LX\PWTLU[L_OH\Z[Z`Z[ VY JVZ[WYVOPIP[P]L
Tim Buche, president of the MIC, the trade group that underwrote the development of the procedure, also sees the new test as good news.
“The new SAE standard provides a much-needed alternative to outright IHUZYLZ[YPJ[PVUZHUKZV\UK[LZ[ standards that vary state to state and city to city, frustrating riders, exhaust system manufacturers, and municipal NV]LYUTLU[ZHSPRL> P[O 1 ^L JHU now have uniform standards and testing [OH[»ZLHZ`[V HKTPUPZ[LY¹OLZH`Z
0U HKKP[PVUP[»Z\UMHPY HUK W\UP[P]L ILJH\ZLZ\JO H Y\SL KVLZUV[HWWS`[V cars.”
Motorcycle Industry Council Spearheaded The New Test Effort
The creation of a new street motorcycle sound measurement procedure was a top recommendation of the 2003 national Summit on Motorcycle Sound, organized by the AMA. The Summit pulled together riders and user organizations, representatives of the motorcycle manufacturers, the aftermarket industry, racing promoters, government agencies, and others to develop proposals regarding the issue of excessive motorcycle sound.
The MIC initiated the $250,000 motorcycle sound test project three years HNVJVUK\J[PUNÄLSK[LZ[PUNHUHS`aPUN the data, and providing the initial draft practice. A representative sample of 25 motorcycles and more than 50 aftermarket exhaust systems were tested.
Collaborating with the MIC throughout, [OL :(, 4V[VYJ`JSL ;LJOUPJHS :[LLYPUN Committee validated the scope of work HUK JV^YV[L[OLÄUHS WYVJLK\YL
“Thanks to the determined efforts of the 40*6, ;LJOUPJHS*VTTP[[LL[OL :(, Motorcycle Technical Steering Committee, [OL 40*(TLYPJHU=;^PU*VTTP[[LL MIC member aftermarket exhaust system companies, MIC consultant Tom Austin VM :PLYYH 9LZLHYJO40*=PJL 7YLZPKLU[ 7HTLSH (TL[[L40*TLTILY 6, manufacturers and distributors, plus Z\WWSLTLU[HS M\UKPUN MYVT UVU TLTILYZ /HYSL`+H]PKZVU HUK[OL 4V[VYJ`JSL & Moped Industry Council of Canada, ^LÄUHSS`OH]L HZ[H[PVUHY`ZV\UK[LZ[ WYVJLK\YL MVY VU OPNO^H`TV[VYJ`JSLZ that works very well and should be adopted across the country,” Buche says.
New Streetbike Sound Test is Easy To Administer
;OL 1 WYHJ[PJLVMÄJPHSS`[P[SLK ¸4LHZ\YLTLU[VM ,_OH\Z[:V\UK 7YLZZ\YL 3L]LSZVM :[H[PVUHY`6U/PNO^H` Motorcycles,” establishes several procedures to measure motorcycle sound
^P[OZWLJPÄJ PUZ[Y\TLU[H[PVU[LZ[ZP[LZ test conditions, measurements and ZV\UK SL]LS SPTP[Z
The new procedure follows the general :(, WYVJLK\YLZLZ[HISPZOLK`LHYZHNV MVY VMM OPNO^H`TV[VYJ`JSLZ;OL (4( YLJVTTLUKZ[OH[WYVJLK\YL:(, 1 ^OLYL]LY VMM OPNO^H`TV[VYJ`JSLZHUK HSS terrain vehicles (ATVs) are operated.
The new streetbike test procedure
YLX\PYLZOVSKPUN H JHSPIYH[LKZV\UK TL[LY H[H KLNYLL HUNSLPUJOLZMYVT[OL exhaust pipe of a running engine. The procedure spells out how to do the test with the bike at idle, at a predetermined LUNPULZWLLK¸:L[974 ;LZ[¹VY I` slowly increasing the engine speed of the IPRLJHSSLK[OL¸:^LW[974 ;LZ[¹ ;OL :(, 1 Z[HUKHYKWYLWHYLK I` [OL :(, 4V[VYJ`JSL ;LJOUPJHS :[LLYPUN committee, recommends:
( SPTP[VM K)( H[PKSL MVY HSS machines; <ZPUN[OL :L[974 VY :^LW[974 [LZ[·K)( MVY[OYLLVY MV\Y J`SPUKLY THJOPULZH[ YWT VY percent of maximum engine speed, whichever is less; and ( SPTP[VM K)( MVY IPRLZ^P[O ML^LY than three or more than four cylinders at YWT VY WLYJLU[VM TH_PT\T engine speed, whichever is less.
;OL[LZ[HSZVZ\NNLZ[Z[OH[K)( be added to these sound limits for motorcycle exhaust systems that have ,7(ZV\UK SPTP[JLY[PÄJH[PVU SHILSZHUK OH]LU»[ILLU TVKPÄLK ;OL JVTWSL[L :(, 1 Z[HUKHYK
JHU IL KV^USVHKLK MVY MYVT[OL :(, website at sae.org/technical/standards/ 1
*OYPZ9LHSH TLTILY VM[OL :(, committee that put together the new street motorcycle sound procedure, says the sound limits of the new test are high enough so that motorcycles that fail the test are extremely loud.
“We’re talking about a race pipe on a ZWVY[IPRLVYZOVY[`OLHKLYZVU H=[^PU¹ Real says. (/HYSL`+H]PKZVU ,SLJ[YH .SPKL^P[O IHMÅLK HM[LYTHYRL[L_OH\Z[Z`Z[LT ^V\SK WHZZ[OL[LZ[I\[PM[OL IHMÅLZHYL YLTV]LKVY
slash cut pipes, it would fail, he says.
It’s the open pipes, he notes, that are the problem.
“Those are the guys making the communities crazy,” Real says.
“The thing we motorcyclists need to be aware of is that there are more of us [OLZL KH`ZHUK
communities,” Real continues. “Some cities have designated truck routes, and it would just take a stroke of a pen to have designated motorcycle routes because of excessive sound.”
Tim Buche
EPA Ride-By Test Doesn’t Work In The Real World
The new standard is a practical alternative to an existing standard that is so complicated that it just doesn’t work in the real world.
In 1972, Congress passed the federal Noise Control Act, which required the EPA to set noise standards for a variety of products. The EPA set sound standards for motorcycles beginning in 1983.
The EPA rule set the sound limit at 83 dBA, with the limit going to a stricter 80 dBA beginning in 1986. The test
ZWLJPÄLK I`[OL ,7( PZH WHZZI`[LZ[ Under that test, a motorcycle is ridden with the throttle wide open and the bike accelerating past a sound meter that is 50 feet away.
To be able to sell their bikes in the United States, motorcycle manufacturers must certify their products meet the federal standard and stamp a compliance notice on the pipe.
The onerous part of the standard, though, is the fact that it requires that
T\MÅLYZIL JLY[PÄLK MVY L]LY``LHYTHRL and model of bike the exhaust is designed [VÄ[;OH[TLHUZPM HU L_OH\Z[Z`Z[LT company wants to sell an exhaust for a ZWVY[IPRLP[OHZ[V YLU[HU ,7( JLY[PÄLK [LZ[MHJPSP[`OPYL H JLY[PÄLK[LJOUPJPHU[OLU show up with one of every year, make and TVKLS IPRL[OL T\MÅLY PZKLZPNULK[VÄ[ZV it can run tests on dozens of machines, which could take several days—a horribly expensive proposition.
For a company that’s trying to eke out a WYVÄ[MYVT HZTHSS UPJOL PU[OL TV[VYJ`JSL industry, that would be cost prohibitive. As a result, very few of the aftermarket Z[YLL[WPWLZHUK T\MÅLYZZVSK PU[OL<UP[LK States meet EPA labeling requirements. So regardless of whether they’re straight pipes or quiet replacements, they’re technically illegal.
What Exhaust System Makers Say
Tim Calhoun, executive vice president for LeoVince USA, calls the new standard a “positive and proactive move by the Motorcycle Industry Council to protect the rights of riders.”
“We believe the MIC has developed a test that is liberal enough to allow a responsibly built and engineered aftermarket exhaust system to pass these tests, while still being stringent enough to quickly weed out gross offenders,” Calhoun says. “These usually
gives the authorities a true roadside sound test that is valid and repeatable,” he says.
“All LeoVince exhausts will pass the new standard, and even our race cans will pass with a sound insert, which [`
adds.
Kenny Price at Samson Motorcycle Products notes that most Samson L
92 or lower decibel level.
¸(SS
a fair set of rules we can abide by. This will also keep us aftermarket companies alive, and help the rider as well. This is a home run for everyone,” he says.
The streetbike community is not alone in feeling the pressure for responsible sound limits. In fact, off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders have taken the sound issue seriously for years, knowing that noisy motorcycles (and ATVs) translate into closed riding areas.
Just like streetbikes, OHVs designed for use in public riding areas—as opposed to closed-course competition—are governed by rules put [VNL[OLY I`[OL ,7( ;OL Y\SLZWLJPÄLZ the same ride-by test used for street machines, with off-highway bikes built since 1985 being limited to 80 decibels if they have engines smaller than 170cc and 82 decibels if they are larger.
The EPA pass-by procedure is no easier to reproduce on a trail than it is on a street. But many park rangers, riding clubs and promoters found they could get consistent results from a test developed by the SAE.
Unlike the EPA test, which requires a large, controlled environment plus a test rider who will follow the procedures precisely, the SAE J1287 test is relatively simple. A calibrated sound meter is placed 20 inches from the exhaust outlet at a 45-degree angle.
;OLU[OL LUNPUL PZYL]]LK[VHZWLJPÄLK rpm (generally about halfway to redline) with the bike stationary.
;OL YLZ\S[PUNKLJPILSÄN\YLZHYLU»[ comparable to the numbers from the EPA pass-by test, but they result in uniform readings that can be used to develop independent standards.
@LHYZHNV4PJOPNHU»Z^LSSVYNHUPaLK Cycle Conservation Club used the
J1287 procedure to develop a 94 dBA limit for motorcycles ridden on the Z[H[L»ZLUVYTV\Z[YHPSZ`Z[LT In 2002, representatives from rider groups, exhaust companies, government agencies and even ZVTL LU]PYVUTLU[HSVYNHUPaH[PVUZPU California came together to work on a similar standard for that state. The result, after extensive testing, was a 96 dBA limit for bikes that can be ridden on public trails.
That standard is now the rule for recreational riding throughout California and AMA-sanctioned public-trails competition events, including enduros, hare scrambles and desert races nationwide (although if a state has a lower sound limit, then the AMA requires an event there to conform to that limit). It has also resulted in a whole new line of performance parts designed to meet the 96 dBA limit.
Go Ride [ ]
A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed
1
Join tens of thousands of your newest best friends at the Golden Aspen Rally, set for Sept. 16 -20 in Ruidoso, N.M.
The Golden Aspen Rally is a national convention in the AMA Premier Touring Series that features great people, a great time and scenic roads. Info: Ron Andrews (800) 452-8045, MotorcycleRally.com.
2 ;OLÄM [ O (4( 0U [LYUH [ P V UHS>V TLU & Motorcycling Conference, presented by Harley-Davidson and Buell, will take place at the Keystone Resort & Conference Center in Keystone, Colo., on Aug 19-22. State-of-the-art amenities and world-class riding will greet everyone who signs up, in addition to great seminars, great camaraderie and great experiences that will last a lifetime. Info: >V TLUHU K 4 V[V YJ `JSPUN J V T
3
Kenny Coolbeth and Jared Mees take their pitched battle for the 2009 No. 1 plate in the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship series to the famed :WYPUN ÄLS K4PSL :LW [ ) \[* OYP Z* HYY
and Sammy Halbert hope to grab the title for their own. Catch all the action at the 0SSPU V P Z: [ H [L -HPYNY V\ U KZPU :WYPUN ÄLS K Ill. You can see the stars in action at the Z LH ZV UÄUHSL PU OHSM TPSL J V TWL [ P [ P V U at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, Calif., Oct. 23-24. Info: AMAProRacing.com.
4
The AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships will be held on neutral ground Sept. 10-13 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Not only will the top amateurs from around the nation be vying for No. 1 plates, but they will be chasing the prestigious AMA Road Racing Horizon Award, given to the one amateur racer who shows the most promise for a successful pro career. Info: ( 614) 85 6 -1900.
5 The vertical drag race that is the AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships is set for Aug. 15-16 in New Ulm, Minn. Info: (507) 354-230 6
6
There’s a full slate of rides scheduled for August and September in the AMA K TM National Dual-Sport Trail Riding Series ranging from an event in McCloud, Calif., Aug. 22-23 to one in Columbus, Ind., Sept. 26 -27. For the compete schedule, see page 5 6
7Chad
Reed is looking for another win in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship Aug. 15 at Unadilla in New Berlin, N.Y. The competitors then go to Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Md., Aug. 22, Moto-X 338 in Southwick, Mass., Aug. 29 and Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Penn., Sept. 5.
COMING UP
The Run to the Heartland Rally, a national convention in the AMA Premier Touring Series, is set for Oct. 2-4 in Sebring, Fla. The theme is: “A Salute to Law Enforcement.” Info: Lora Todd (8 6 3) 414-2851, HRA-riders.com.
The Grand National Cross Country Series will wrap up its season Oct. 2425 in Crawfordsville, Ind. Info: Racer Productions, (304) 284-0084, info@ gnccracing.com.
THE GUIDE TO EVENTS
The following pages list AMAsanctioned events for this month, up to date at press time. Current listings are in the Riding and Racing sections of www. AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
The biggest events—pro races, national-championship amateur competition, and major rides and rallies—are highlighted in color boxes. For these series, we list all of the remaining events for the entire year.
Then there are the local events, the backbone of the AMA’s riding and racing calendar. These events are listed by state and are broken down by type, so `V\
these local listings:
ALABAMA
ROAD RUN
SEP 13 (R): LEEDS: CHARITY: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOU, K YLE CLAC K ; 8 AM; BARBER MOTORSPORTS PAR K /6 040 BARBER MOTORSPORTS PK WY; (800) 253- 6 530; RIDEFOR K IDS.ORG
ARKANSAS
ROAD RUN
SEP 19 (R): LITTLE ROC K : MARCH OF DIMESAR LITTLE, WENDY THOMPSON; 11 AM; 1200 PRESIDENT CLINTON AV E; (501) 66 3-3100; MARCHOFDIMES.COM
CALIFORNIA
ROAD RUN
SEP 4 (R): CALEXICO: 4 DAY E V ENT: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTOR, BLA K E ANDERSON; 3 AM; ‘3 FLAGS CLASSIC’; (310) 387-3974; SC-MA.COM
SEP 5 (R): GROV ELAND: 3 DAY E V ENT: AMA-DIST 3 6 ROAD DI V ISION, BOB HANSEL; 8 AM; 11401 CHERRY LA K E RD/FAMILY CP/16 MI E OF TOWN/ LEFT ON CHERRY LA K E RD; (707) 793-0251; AMA-D3 6 .COM
DUAL SPORT RIDE
SEP 12 (R): REDDING: NATIONAL: 2 DAY E V ENT: REDDING DIRT RIDERS, K ARL HAN K INS; 8 AM; REDDING AREA /CHEC K WEB SITE; (530) 9537272; REDDINGDIRTRIDERS.COM
SEP 19 (R): WOFFORD HEIGHTS: 2 DAY E V ENT: CHAPARRALS MC, MI K E ADAMS; 7 AM; GO EAST HWY178 FROM HWY99 NEAR BA K ERSFIELD; (5 6 2) 6 27-9 6 93;
SEP 26 (R): BUC K MEADOWS: NATIONAL: 2 DAY E V ENT: FAMILY OFF-ROAD ADV ENTURE, LAWRENCE BORGENS; 9 AM; 7589 STATE HWY 120 /11 MI E OF GROV ELAND ON HWY 120; (209) 6 49-3 6 33; FAMILYOFFROADADV ENTURES.COM
SHORT TRACK
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): SEP 19 (S,T,Y): SEP 26 (S,T,Y): LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, JEFF G TAYLOR; 2 PM; 5801 E MORSE RD; (209) 3 6 8-7182; LODICYCLEBOWL.COM
SCRAMBLES
SEP 5 (S,T,Y): LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, JEFF G TAYLOR; 2 PM; 5801 E MORSE RD; (209) 3 6 8-7182; LODICYCLEBOWL.COM
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): RIDGECREST: 2 DAY E V ENT: SUNLAND SHAMROC KS, RONALD G MAAS; 6 AM; CHARLIE’S PLACE; (818) 767-4594;
SEP 28 (S,T): LUCERNE VALLEY: HILLTOPPERS MC, ROBERT MATHIS; JOHNSON VALLEY SV RA; HILLTOPPERSMC.COM
ENDURO
SEP 20 (S): LUCERNE VALLEY: DESERT DAISIES MOTORCYCLE, GORDON GODEL; 6 AM; JOHNSON VALLEY; ( 6 26 ) 483-516 4
SEP 27 (S): GEORGETOWN: CALIFORNIA ENDURO RIDERS, MIGUEL ANAYA; EL DORADO NAT’L FOREST/MACE MILL; (925) 26 0-0315; CERA.ORG SPEEDWAY
SEP 11 (S,Y): AUBURN: NATIONAL; FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, DAV ID A JOINER; 6:30 PM; FAST FRIDAYS MC SPEEDWAY STAD /MC SPEEDWAY STADIUM-SACRAMENTO ST; (530) 878-7223; FASTFRIDAYS.COM
COLORADO
MOTOCROSS
SEP 13 (S,Y): DACONO: IMI MOTORSPORTS INC, BRAD LIN K US; 8:10 AM; 5074 SUMMIT BLV D; (303) 833-4949; IMIMOTORSPORTS.COM
SEP 20 (S,T,Y): LA K EWOOD: COLORADO MOTORSPORTS PROM, DAV ID CLABAUGH; 5:30 AM; 701 S ROONEY RD /SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS; (303) 988-3889; MXTHUNDERVALLEY. COM
CONNECTICUT
HARE SCRAMBLES
SEP 9 ( V,Y): CHAPLIN: NATIONAL; NEW ENGLAND CROSS COUNTRY, STE V EN POPLAS K Y; 4 PM; 115 FEDERAL RD /ARROWED FROM RT 6; (8 6 0) 617-8371; NECCRACING.NET
DELAWARE
ROAD RALLY
SEP 9 (R): DOV ER: 4 DAY E V ENT: HARLEY
DRESSERS, JOSEPH TRAV IS; 8 AM; MAIN STAY SUITES /201 STOV ER BLV D; (302) 678-8383; HARLEYDRESSERS.COM
MOTOCROSS
SEP 12 (S,Y): NEW CASTLE: BLUE DIAMOND MX, ALAN J DECARLO; 6 AM; BLUE DIAMOND PAR K /76 5 HAMBURG RD/RT 13 & HAMBURG RD; (302) 834-58 67; BDMXPAR K .COM
SEP 19 (S,Y): SEAFORD: 2 DAY E V ENT: MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS, RUTH ANN BENSON; DELMAR VA MX; (410) 375-1059; MAMAMX.COM
FLORIDA
MOTOCROSS
SEP 13 (S,Y): GAINESV ILLE: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX, WYNDELL T K ERN; 6 AM; GATORBAC K CYCLE PAR K ; (813) 470-7498; UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM
SEP 20 (S,Y): DADE CITY: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX, WYNDELL T K ERN; 6 AM; DADE CITY RACEWAY; (813) 470-7498; UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM
SEP 27 (S,Y): LA K E CITY: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX, WYNDELL T K ERN; 6 AM; ; (813) 470-7498; UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM
ILLINOIS
REC TRAIL RIDE
SEP 6 (R): OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS
MOTORCYCLE, STE V EN CHURCHILL; 8 AM; ROUTE 6 WEST /1 MI W ON RT 6; (815) 434-3 66 9; VARIETYRIDERS.COM
SEP 13 (R): OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS
MOTORCYCLE, STE V E CHURCHILL; 8 AM; ROUTE 6 WEST /1 MI W ON RT 6; (815) 434-3 66 9; VARIETYRIDERS.COM
ADVENTURE RIDE
SEP 19 (R): STERLING: NATIONAL: 2 DAY E V ENT:
BRUSHPOPPERS M.C., JAC K SUMPTION; 8 AM; 21590 LINCOLN RD /12 MI E OF MORRISON/ ON RT 30; (815) 6 22-4099; GEOCITIES.COM/ BRUSHPOPPERS
DUAL SPORT RIDE
SEP 19 (R): STERLING: NATIONAL: 2 DAY E V ENT:
BRUSHPOPPERS M.C., JAC K SUMPTION; 8 AM; 21590 LINCOLN RD /12 MI E OF MORRISON/ ON RT 30; (815) 6 22-4099; GEOCITIES.COM/ BRUSHPOPPERS
1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK
SEP 6 (S,T,Y): NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, JB STORM; 11 MI SOUTH OF MATTOON; (217) 2342505; CENTRALILLINOISMOTORCYCLECLUB. ORG
AMA PRO RACING
AMA Superbike Championship
Daytona Motorsports Group AMASuperbike.com
* Sept. 4-6: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey
Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship MXNationals.com
Aug. 15: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla Valley Sports Center; unadillamx.com
AMA Pro Flat Track Championship AMAProRacing.com
Aug. 23: Peoria, Ill.: Peoria Race Park; TT. Aug. 29: Indianapolis, Ind. : Indiana State
AMA Pro XTRM Supermoto Championship AMASupermoto.com
Pro
13:
MUSEUM
EXHIBITS
AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Museum MotorcycleMuseum.org
The Museum is located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week year-round except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Sept 12: Pickerington, Ohio: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Open House; ( 614) 85 6 -2222.
Dec 5: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony; ( 614) 85 6 -2222.
Sept. 27: Jefferson ( York Co. ), Pa.: White Rose Motorcycle Club.
Oct. 11: Oregonia, Ohio: Dayton Motorcycle Club.
MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles: Priceless machines, exclusive memorabilia and tales from celebrities’ favorite adventures. On display through February 2010.
Awesome-Ness: The life and art of Arlen Ness: K ing of Choppers.
Red Bikes: Large-format photographic prints by
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Bikes and memorabilia recognizing those who have
motorcycling.
Founder’s Hall: Honoring the Museum’s generous contributors.
AMA RACING AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships
Aug. 15-16: New Ulm, Minn.; (507) 354-230 6
SEP 7 (S,T,Y): NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, JB STORM; 9 AM; 11 MI SOUTH OF MATTOON; (217) 234-2505; CENTRALILLINOISMOTORCYCLECLUB. ORG
SEP 19 (S,T,Y): NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, JB STORM; 8 AM; 11 MI SOUTH OF MATTOON; (217) 234-2505; CENTRALILLINOISMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORG
SEP 20 (S,T,Y): NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, JB STORM; 11 MI SOUTH OF MATTOON; (217) 234-2505; CENTRALILLINOISMOTORCYCLECLUB. ORG
SHORT TRACK
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): MACOMB: LAMOINE RAMBLERS
MC CLUB, RANDY L ALLISON; 2 PM; CLUBGRNDS /RT 134 W TO BALL FOUR/2.0 MI S; (309) 837-943 6 SCRAMBLES
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): SEP 26 (S,T,Y): BELLE V ILLE: BELLE V ILLE ENDURO TEAM IN, EDWARD M HOEFFK EN; 10:30 AM; 3000 CENTER V ILLE AV E /2 MI S OF TOWN ON RT 158; ( 618) 233-1318; BETDIRT.COM HILLCLIMB
SEP 5 (S,T,Y): NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, JB STORM; 6 PM; 11 MI SOUTH OF MATTOON; (217) 234-2505; CENTRALILLINOISMOTORCYCLECLUB. ORG
SEP 6 (S,T,Y): NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, JB STORM; 11 MI SOUTH OF MATTOON; (217) 2342505; CENTRALILLINOISMOTORCYCLECLUB. ORG
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): WEST V ILLE: 2 DAY E V ENT: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, MAR K SCHROEDER; IL-IN BORDER S OF DAN V ILLE /FRM DAN V ILLE: S ON IL RT 1/E ON MAIN; (217) 477-3191; PLEASURERIDERS.NET
SEP 19 (S,T,Y): NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, JB STORM; 8 AM; 11 MI SOUTH OF MATTOON; (217) 234-2505; CENTRALILLINOISMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORG MOTOCROSS
SEP 5 (S,T): SEP 6 (S,T): SEP 7 (S,T): CASEY: LINCOLN TRAIL MOTOSPORTS, TIM JAC KSON; 6 49 CR2150E /5 MI W OF TOWN ON RT 40; (217) 932-2041; LINCOLNTRAILMOTOSPORTS.COM
SEP 7 (S,T,Y): DU QUOIN: PARADISE MOTO-PAR K INC, DOUG COCHRAN; 6 AM; 7598 GREENS M K T RD /1.7 MI W OF JCT HWYS 14 & 51; ( 618) 5426 203; PARADISEMOTOCROSS.COM
SEP 13 (S,Y): WASHINGTON PAR K : ARCH V IEW MX PAR K LLC, TODD M RUHL; 6 AM; 5100 ST CLAIRE AV E; ( 618) 781-0505; ARCH V IEWMXPAR K .COM
SEP 13 (S,T,Y): WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, JANICE PISTOLE; 6 AM; 24558 1100 E ST /4 MI S OF NORMANDY/GPS N4130 W8938; (815) 379-
Sept.
Steel City, Pa.: Bushkill Valley Motorcycle
ROAD RIDING
Series and Dunlop Road Riding Challenge
AMADirectlink.com / RoadRide / Touring
NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
Sep 16-20: Ruidoso, N.M.: Golden Aspen Rally: Golden Aspen Motorcycle Assn; Ron Andrews; (800) 452-8045; motorcyclerally.com
Oct 2-4: Sebring, Fla.: Run to the Heartland Rally: Heartland Riders Assn; Lora Todd; (8 6 3) 414-2851; hra-riders. com
Oct 29-Nov 1: Galveston, Texas: Lone Star Rally: Ron Limbock; (832) 437-2318; lonestarrally.com
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Aug 16: New Oxford, Mass.: Ride For K ids: Registration 8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.. Wal-Mart 742 Main St., North Oxford, MA 01537; pbtfus.org/rideforkids
Aug 22: Salt Lake City, Utah: Ride For K ids: Registration 8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.. This Is the Place Heritage Park 26 01 E. Sunnyside Ave. Salt Lake City, UT; pbtfus.org/rideforkids
Aug 23: Ann Arbor, Mich. : Ride For
9534; SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM
SEP 20 (S,T,Y): GALESBURG: GALESBURG MOTORCYCLE CLUB, ROBERT D FELL; 6 AM; 7 MI N OF GALESBURG RT US 150; (309) 344-1714; GALESBURGMC.COM
SEP 20 (S,T,Y): SALEM: SOUTH CENTRAL MOTOCROSS, TERRY WALSH; 6 AM; 5800 CHARLESTON RD /3 MI N OF TOWN ON RT 37/FOLLOW SIGNS; ( 618) 548-5259; SOUTHCENTRALMX.COM
HARE SCRAMBLES
SEP 6 (S,T): CASEY: LINCOLN TRAIL MOTOSPORTS, TIM JAC KSON; 6 49 CR2150E /5 MI W OF TOWN ON RT 40; (217) 932-2041; LINCOLNTRAILMOTOSPORTS.COM
SEP 20 (S,Y): WHITE CITY: CAHO K IA CREE K DIRT RIDERS, BOBBY G BROWN; 8 AM; I-55 EXIT 44 HWY 138 WEST 2MIL; CCDIRT.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
SEP 20 (S,Y): BYRON: NORTHERN ILLINOIS TRIALS, JENNIFER A MAUPIN; 9 AM; BYRON MOTORSPORTS PAR K /3 MI S OF TOWN ON GERMAN CHURCH RD; ( 6 30) 6 90-16 25; NITROTRIALS.COM
INDIANA
ROAD RUN
SEP 20 (R): KO KOMO: MIDNIGHT RIDERS, JAC K D MC K INNEY; 12 M; MILLERS TAV ERN 110 W ELM ST /EAST OF WASHINGTON ST ON ELM ST; (76 5) 452-76 54; MIDNIGHT-RIDERS-MC.COM
SEP 27 (R): COLUMBIA CITY: OLD FORT MOTORCYCLE CLUB, DAV ID O DEWITT; 12 PM; CLUBHOUSE/48 6 3 E LINCOLN WAY /E OF TOWN; (26 0) 489-3707
ADVENTURE RIDE
SEP 26 (R): COLUMBUS :NATIONAL: 2 DAY E V ENT: STONEY LONESOME MOTORCYCL, NATHAN GAS K ILL; 8 AM; SR 4 6 W FROM I 6 5/6 MI ON L; (812) 343-9772; STONEYLONESOMEMC.COM
DUAL SPORT RIDE
SEP 26 (R): COLUMBUS: NATIONAL: 2 DAY E V ENT: STONEY LONESOME MOTORCYCL, NATHAN
GAS K ILL; 8 AM; SR 4 6 W FROM I 6 5/6 MI ON L; (812) 343-9772; STONEYLONESOMEMC.COM
MOTOCROSS
SEP 5 (S,T,Y): WABASH: 2 DAY E V ENT: WABASH CANNONBALL MOTORCY, STE V E HENSEN; 6 AM; 500 W 250 S; (26 0) 578-2245; WABASHCANNONBALLMX.COM
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): ROSSV ILLE: WILDCAT CREE K MX, DEMETRIUS K NOP; 6 AM; 6 390 S WILDWOOD /I- 6 5 TO LAFAYETTE/SR26 E TO TOWN; (76 5) 3792482; WILDCATCREE K MX.COM
SEP 20 (S,Y): SEYMOUR: HOOSIER HILLTOPPERS, DANNY K GARNER; 6 AM; 7 MILES E OF TOWN/ SR 250 TO CR 385W/1.5 MI; (812) 873-1178; HARE SCRAMBLES
SEP 13 (S,T,Y): CULV ER: PLYMOUTH BLAC K HAW KS MC IN, CLIFFORD R BEAN; 8 AM;
K ids: Registration 8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m., Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, Mich.; pbtfus.org/rideforkids
Aug 30: Asheville, N.C.: Ride For K ids: Registration 8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m., Biltmore Square Mall, Asheville, N.C.; pbtfus.org/ rideforkids
Aug 27-Sep 2: Stevenson, Wash.: Sportbike Northwest: Sound Rider!; Tom Mehren; (20 6 ) 329-7808; soundrider. com/rally/
Sep 13: Puget Sound, Wash.: Ride For K ids: Registration 8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.. Remlinger Farms, Carnation, Wash.; pbtfus.org/rideforkids
Sep 13: Birmingham, Ala.: Ride For K ids: Registration 8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.. Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds, Ala.; pbtfus.org/rideforkids
Sep 20: St. Louis, Mo.: Ride For K ids: Registration 8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.. St. Charles Comm College, Cottleville, Mo.; pbtfus.org/rideforkids
Sep 20: Philadelphia, Penn.: Ride For K ids: Registration 8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.. K ing of Prussia Mall IMAX Theater, K ing of Prussia, Penn.; pbtfus.org/rideforkids
Sep 27: Baltimore / Washington, D.C.: Ride For K ids: Registration 8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.. The Mall in Columbia, Columbia, Md.; pbtfus.org/rideforkids
CORNER SR17 & SR8 /11 MI S OF PLYMOUTH; (574) 259-0103
SEP 20 (S,Y): FREEMAN: HOOSIER TRAIL RIDERS, RANDY A SICHTING; 8 AM; S TO 675S, RT 2 MI; (76 5) 516 -0214; HOOSIERTRAILRIDERS.COM OBSERVED TRIALS
SEP 19 (S,Y): COLUMBUS: 2 DAY E V ENT: STONEY LONESOME MOTORCYCLE CLUB, JIM ZUROS K E; 8 AM; 6 MILES W I- 6 5 ON ST ROAD 4 6; (317) 7848459; STONEYLONESOMEMC.COM
GRAND PRIX
SEP 27 (S,T): LAOTTO: G & S RACING, DONNA
GRIFFIS; 6 485 MERCHANTS DR /SW CNR SR 205 & 3; (26 0) 6 37-5416; GANDSRACINGS.COM
IOWA
HILLCLIMB
SEP 13 (S): ANAMOSA: MIDWEST HILLCLIMBERS ASSO, DENNIS L SCHULT Z; 8 AM; 1 MI S OF TOWN ON HWY 151; (319) 489-23 61; GEOCITIES. COM/ANAMOSAHILLCLIMB
MOTOCROSS
SEP 5 (S,T,Y): MONTE ZUMA: 2 DAY E V ENT: F V MOTOX, CHIP BRYAN; 7 AM; FUN VALLEY S K I AREA /10 66 500TH AV E/ 2.5 MI SW OF TOWN; ( 6 41) 6 23-345 6; F V MOTOX.COM
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY
TRAIL RIDERS, CURT HEJDA; 1 PM; HAW K EYE
DOWNS /4400 6 TH ST SW; (319) 3 6 3-7800; CV TR. ORG
SEP 19 (S,Y): NEW HARTFORD: 2 DAY E V ENT: NEW HARTFORD RACING, CARRIE ETTEN; 7:30 AM; 5 MI N OF TOWN ON BLAC K TOP T55; (319) 885- 6 4 6 9; NEWHARTFORDRACING.COM
ENDURO
SEP 13 (S): EARLHAM: DES MOINES ENDURO
RIDERS, K E V IN L HANSEN; (515) 314-7420 KANSAS
ROAD RUN
SEP 20 (R): K ANSAS CITY: MARCH OF DIMESKS, ASHLEY SUMMERS; 8 AM; K ANSAS
SPEEDWAY /I-70 EX 110TH ST; (913) 4 6 9-3 611; BI K ERSFORBABIES.ORG
KENTUCKY
ROAD RUN
SEP 11 (R): FRAN K FORT: 3 DAY E V ENT:
BLUEGRASS BEEMERS, ROY ROWLETT; STROHMEYERS STILLWATER CMPGRND / US 127/8 MI N OF TOWN; (859) 223-5459; BLUEGRASSBEEMERS.ORG
SWAP MEETS
SEP 26 (R): BURLINGTON: 2 DAY E V ENT: CLASSIC BRITISH MOTORCYCL, RIC K RICHARDSON; 9 AM; 5819 IDLEWILD RD /I75 TO TOWN EX, FOLLOW SIGNS; (513) 734-2548; CINCYBRITISHBI K ES.COM MARYLAND
AMA GRAND TOURS
With KOA Along The Way
Apr 1- Nov 30: USA 4 Corners Tour: So. CA Motorcycling Assoc; David L. Johnson; (909) 79 6 -2277; usa4corners. org
Apr 1- Nov 30: Color the World with KOA Grand Tour: Midnight Riders; Charles K irkman; (76 5) 5 66 -3807; midnightriders-mc.com
Apr 1- Nov 30: Grand Tour of Ireland: Irish Riders Motorcycle Club; Maggie McNally; (518) 209-24 6 4; irishridersmc. com
Apr 1- Nov 30: Ride with the AMA 85th Ann. Classic Grand Tour: Dayton Motorcycle Club; Kevin Looney; (937) 26 3-9321; daytonmc.com
Apr 1- Nov 30: Roadside Attractions Grand Tour: Road Winders M/C; Joe Sloan; (215) 322-443 6; hogman19053@ yahoo.com
STATE RALLIES
Oct 9-11: Big Bike Weekend: Redding Calif. ; Connie Grinols; (530) 245-7185; bigbikeweekend.com
Oct 23-25: New Orleans Bikefest: Westwego, La. ; Barry Lee & K ay Miller; (504) 274-0226; neworleansbikefest.com
ROAD RUN
SEP 27 (R): COLUMBIA: CHARITY: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOU, K YLE CLAC K ; 7:30 AM; THE MALL /10300 LITTLE PATUXENT PK WY/RT 29 N OF RT 32; (800) 253- 6 530; RIDEFOR K IDS.ORG
MOTOCROSS
SEP 5 (U): MECHANICSV ILLE: 2 DAY E V ENT: MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS, RUTH ANN BENSON; 279 6 3 BUDDS CREE K RD; (410) 3751059; MAMAMX.COM
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): BUDDS CREE K : 2 DAY E V ENT: BUDDS CREE K MOTOCROSS PAR, JONATHAN E BEASLEY; BUDDS CREE K MX PAR K /RT 301 S TO RT 234; (301) 475-2000; BUDDSCREE K .COM
MASSACHUSETTS
ROAD RUN
SEP 20 (R): PLYMPTON: CHARITY: PILGRIM SANDS TRAIL RIDER, GORDON B COYLE; 8:30 AM; UPLAND CLUB-UPLAND RD /AROWED FROM RTE 44 & 58; (781) 294-8355; PSTR.ORG DUAL SPORT RIDE
SEP 12 (R): SANDISFIELD: 2 DAY E V ENT: BER KSHIRE TRAIL RIDERS AS, JASON MYERS; 9 AM; SANDISFIELD FIRE DEPT RT 57 /5 MILES W OF RT 8 AND RT 57; (8 6 0) 916 -7905; MUDSLINGER.ORG
HILLCLIMB
SEP 13 (S,T,Y): MONSON: QUABOAG RIDERS INC, JAMES H OCONNELL; 8 AM; CLUBGROUNDS / RT 32 TO K ING AV E/SEE WEBSITE; (413) 267-4414; QUABOAGRIDERSMC.COM
MICHIGAN
ROAD RUN
SEP 27 (R): CADILLAC: CADILLAC MOTORCYCLE CLUB, DENNIS CARPENTER; 10:30 AM; CLBGRNDS/3747 S 39 RD /.25 MI N OF 34 RD ON 39 RD; (231) 884-3729; CADILLACMC.COM POKER RUN
SEP 27 (R): CRUMP: TRI-CITY TRAV ELERS MC, JOSEPH K SCHULT Z; CRUMP FOX CLUB / LINWOOD RD W/7 MI N/PRE VO RD W; DUAL SPORT RIDE
SEP 26 (R): BOYNE FALLS: NATIONAL: 2 DAY E V ENT: GREAT LA K ES DUAL SPORTERS, JERAMEY VALLEY; 8 AM; 2380 MAGEE RD /SEE WEBSITE; (989) 751- 6 8 6 3; GLDSMC.ORG BIKE SHOW
SEP 13 (R): ORCHARD LA K E: METRO TRIUMPH RIDERS, PETER GAREFFA; 3535 INDIAN TRAV EL / CORNER OF ORCHARD LA K E RD & COMMERCE RD; METROTRIUMPHRIDERS.COM
1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK
SEP 5 (S,T): SEP 6 (S,T): MIDLAND: BOULIS RACING, ETHEL M BOULIS; MIDLAND CO FAIRGROUNDS /1-75 TO EASTMAN RD EXIT; (000) 000-0000; SEP 12 (S,T): ADRIAN: BOULIS RACING, ETHEL
M BOULIS; LENAWEE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS; (810) 6 8 6 -7083; SHORT TRACK
SEP 12 (S,T): ADRIAN: BOULIS RACING, ETHEL M BOULIS; LENAWEE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS; (810) 6 8 6 -7083; SCRAMBLES
SEP 13 (S,T): ADRIAN: BOULIS RACING, ETHEL M BOULIS; LENAWEE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS; (810) 6 8 6 -7083; HILLCLIMB
SEP 12 (S,Y): SEP 13 (S,Y): BRIDGETON: MUS K EGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, RUSTY HANSON; 8 AM; DAN RAYMOND PK /112TH ST & GREEN AV E; (231) 726 - 6 937; MUS K EGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM
SEP 20 (S,Y): WEST BRANCH: PORT HURON MOTORCYCLE CLU, PATRICIA J WISNIEWS K I; 8 AM; 3247 COO K RD; PHMC-USA.ORG MOTOCROSS
SEP 5 (S,Y): MILLINGTON: BAJA MX INC, PATRIC K J GR Z EBINS K I; 7 AM; 8 6 83 BIRCH RUN RD /I-75 EX 13 6 E/6 .5 MI E TO TRAC K ; (989) 871-335 6; WWW.BAJAMX.COM
SEP 5 (S,T,Y): SEP 6 (S,T,Y): SEP 7 (S,T,Y): BRONSON: JB MX MOTORSPORTS, JEFF A BEERBOWER; 7 AM; LOG ROAD MX PAR K /I- 6 9 EX 13/W 10 MI TO LOG RD/S 1.5 MI; (419) 6
5430; LOGROADMX.COM
SEP 6 (S,T,Y): CADILLAC: CADILLAC MOTORCYCLE CLUB, RIC K AUGUSTON; 7 AM; CLBGRNDS/3747 S 39 RD /.25 MI N OF 34 RD ON 39 RD; (231) 884-3727; CADILLACMC.COM
SEP 6 (M,Y): MILLINGTON: 2 DAY E V ENT: BAJA MX INC, ROSEANNA M GR Z EBINS K I; 7 AM; 8
(989) 871-335 6; BAJAMX.COM
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): PORTLAND: 2 DAY E V ENT: PORTLAND TRAIL RIDERS M/C, LU K E T ADAMS; 11999 SANDBORN RD /4 MI S OF TOWN ON CHARLOTTE HWY; (517) 6 47-26 8 6; PORTLANDTRAILRIDERS.COM
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): SEP 26 (S,T,Y): NEWAYGO: 2 DAY E V ENTS:BIG AIR MOTOCROSS, MATT POWERS; 4 PM; 126 2 SPRING DRI V E; (231) 6 52-5225; BIGAIRMOTOCROSS.COM
SEP 20 (S,Y): MILLINGTON: BULLDOG RIDERS M/C, DOUG W E VANS; 7 AM; 9113 BELSAY RD /I-75 BIRCH RUN RD/E TO BELSEY RD; (248) 2845570; BULLDOGMX.COM
HARE SCRAMBLES
SEP 19 (S,T,Y): BATTLE CREE K : BATTLE CREE K MOTORCYCLE C, JOSEPH D WATHEN; 6 AM; CLBGRNDS/21758 WAUBASCON RD /HELMER N TO MORGAN/E TO WAUBESCON/N 3 MI; (26 9) 729-9 6 91; BATTLECREE K MOTORCYCLECLUB. COM
SEP 20 (M): BATTLE CREE K : NATIONAL;:BATTLE CREE K MOTORCYCLE C, BYRON K IBBY; CLBGRNDS/21758 WAUBASCON RD /HELMER N TO MORGAN/E TO WAUBESCON/N 3 MI; BATTLECREE K MOTORCYCLECLUB.COM ENDURO
SEP 20 (S): SHERIDAN: MICHIGAN OFF ROAD E V ENTS, THOMAS M DUNN; 7 AM; ; D14ENDURO. ORG
OBSERVED TRIALS
SEP 13 (S,Y): METAMORA: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS A, BRIAN AHERNE; 9 AM; ; (248) 6 34-2184; MOTATRIALS.ORG
SEP 27 (S,Y): FLUSHING: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS A, JEFF POLLAC K ; 9 AM; ; (248) 583-1437; MOTATRIALS.ORG
DRAG RACES
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): BRIDGETON: MUS K EGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, RUSS HANSON; 8 AM; DAN RAYMOND PK /112TH ST & GREEN AV E; (231) 7266 937; MUS K EGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM MINNESOTA REC TRAIL RIDE
SEP 12 (R,T,Y): THEILMAN: 2 DAY E V ENT: GOLDEN EAGLES C.C., THOMAS A EARLY; 8 AM; ZUMBRO BOTTOMS /SEE WEBSITE; (715) 307-093 6; GOLDENEAGLESMC.ORG
SEP 26 (R): HUNTERSV ILLE: 2 DAY E V ENT: TWIN CITIES TRAIL RIDERS, TOM STRONCZ ER; 9 AM; SEE WEBSITE; (952) 89 6 - 6 88 6; TCTRAILRIDERS. ORG
SHORT TRACK
SEP 19 (S,T,Y): CAMBRIDGE: ON TRAC K PROMOTIONS INC, DARCY ANDERSON; 12 M; ISANTI CO FRGRNDS /HWY 95 E OF CAMBRIDGE; ( 612) 328-4410; SCRAMBLES
SEP 13 (S,T,Y): CAMBRIDGE: NORSEMEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, K URT BOEHL K E; 9 AM; 9 MI W OF TOWN ON HWY 95/N ON HWY47/1 MI N; (76 3) 413-7253; NORSEMENMC.ORG
Riding to New Heights0hts t
+,46: :,405(9: 90+,: 7(9;0,: (\ N \Z [ >VTLUHUK4V[VYJ`JSPUNJVT 9LNP
AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series presented by Moose Racing NationalEnduro.com
Aug. 29-30: Bull Hollow Raceway, Monticello, Utah, Sean Reddish, Off Road Sports, info@ westernharescrambles.com
Sept. 18-20: Glen Helen, Devore, Calif. , Sean Reddish, Off Road Sports, info@westernharescrambles.com
Oct. 23-25: Mesquite, Mesquite, Nev. , Sean Reddish, Off Road Sports, info@ westernharescrambles.com
INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS ENDURO
Oct. 12-17: Figueira da Foz, Portugal: Federação Nacional de Motociclismo; fnm-geral@netcabo.pt; www.fnm.pt
HILLCLIMB
SEP 12 (S,T,Y): RED WING: 2 DAY E V ENT: INDIANHEAD CYCLE CLUB, DAN PREBE; 8 AM; 400 CHERRY STREET; ( 6 51) 76 4-1220; K INGOFTHEHILL.ORG
MOTOCROSS
SEP 6 ( V,Y): MA Z EPPA: 2 DAY E V ENT: HURRICANE HILLS MX PAR K I, JEFFERY GRAY; 6:30 AM; 435 6 0
232ND AV E /6 MI E OF ZUMBROTA ON CR10 TO 232ND AV E; (507) 843-5154; HURRICANEHILLS. COM
SEP 6 (S,Y): SEP 7 (S,Y): K ELLOGG: MOTO K A ZIE
PAR K I, JEFFERY GRAY; 6:30 AM; 435 6 0 232ND
AV E /6 MI E OF ZUMBROTA ON CR10 TO 232ND
AV E; (507) 843-5154; HURRICANEHILLS.COM
SEP 20 (S,Y): MILLV ILLE: HI WINDERS, JOHN C MARTIN; SPRING CREE K MX PAR K /6 3 6 33 298TH
AV E/9 MI E OF ZUMBRO FALLS/HWY6 0; (507) 753-2779; SPRINGCREE K MX.COM
SEP 20 (S,Y): BROO KSTON: ECHO VALLEY
MOTOCROSS PAR, TERI LUND; 6 AM; 4 6 50 LAVOY RD /10 MI W OF HWY 33 ON HWY2/MILE MAR K ER 235; (218) 348-4754; ECHOVALLEYMOTOCROSS.COM
SEP 27 (S,Y): EL KO: MOTO K A ZIE INC, LEE M THEIS; 6:30 AM; EL KO MX/26 350 FRANCE AV E / GPS/N44,34.20528/W093,19.73 6 88; (952) 6 01116 9; MOTO K A ZIE.COM
HARE SCRAMBLES
SEP 20 (S,Y): CROSBY: NORTHERN LITES MC, BRETT HARDY; 7 AM; 6 MI N OF TOWN ON HWY 6 /EAST SIDE; (218) 829-7985; NORTHERNLITESMC.ORG
OBSERVED TRIALS
SEP 13 (S,Y): GOOD THUNDER: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSO, GORDON BOGGIE; 9 AM; HOPPA FARM /57329 166 LANE ST HWY 22S TO CO RD 16; (952) 881-9427; UMTA.ORG
MISSISSIPPI
MOTOCROSS
SEP 27 (M,Y): PRENTISS: GOLDEN PINE RACEWAY, RANDY R RECTOR; 6 AM; 103 GOLDEN PINE RD; ( 6 01) 50 6 -8 66 9; GOLDENPINERACEWAY.COM
MISSOURI
ROAD RUN
SEP 19 (R): JEFFERSON CITY: MARCH OF DIMES-MO ST LOUI, MICHELLE HUNOLT; ABB POWER T&D COMP; (573) 6 35-5350; BI K ERSFORBABIES.ORG
SEP 19 (R): LA K E OZ AR K : MARCH OF DIMESMO ST LOUI, MICHELLE HUNOLT; 9:30 AM; 2107 BAGNELL DAM RD; (573) 6 35-5350; BI K ERSFORBABIES.ORG
SEP 19 (R): SIDALIA: MARCH OF DIMES-MO ST LOUIS, MICHELLE HUNOLT; 9:30 AM; 2503 W. 16 TH /SIDALIA STATE FAIRGROUNDS; (573) 6 355350; BI K ERSFORBABIES.ORG
SEP 19 (R): COLUMBIA: MARCH OF DIMESMO ST LOUIS, MICHELLE HUNOLT; 9:30 AM; 5704 FREEDOM DR; (573) 6 35-5350; BI K ERSFORBABIES.ORG
SEP 20 (R): COTTLE V ILLE: CHARITY: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOU, K YLE CLAC K ; 8 AM; ST CHARLES COMM COLLEGE /4 6 01 MID RI V ERS MALL DR; (800) 253- 6 530; RIDEFOR K IDS.ORG
SEP 26 (R): ST JOSEPH: MARCH OF DIMES-MO ST LOUIS, RANDI BA K ER; 10 AM; TERRIBLE’S ST. JO FRONTIER CAS /777 WINNER CIRCLE; (816 ) 238-8707; BI K ERSFORBABIES.ORG
ROAD RALLY
SEP 9 (R): CHERO K EE PASS: 5 DAY E V ENT: ROAD RIDERS FOR JESUS, CARL CRAC K EL; 12 PM; PINECREST CAMP /67S FROM STL; ( 6 3 6 ) 2859005; ROADRIDERSFORJESUS.ORG
SEP 12 (R): SPRINGFIELD: MARCH OF DIMES-MO ST LOUI, COURTNEY SWAN; 9 AM; 3225 N FARM RD 123; (417) 889-9397; BI K ERSFORBABIES.ORG MOTOCROSS
SEP 6 (S,T,Y): COLUMBIA: MOTOCROSS PARENTS, K ELLY V EST; FINGER LA K ES STATE PK /I-70 EX 6 3/N 9 MI; ( 66 0) 6 21-0299; MXPRACING.COM
HARE SCRAMBLES
SEP 5 ( V,Y): TRENTON: OZ AR KS CROSS COUNTRY RACI, TIM MILLER; 6 PM; N OF TRENTON ON HWY 6 5 TO RT A /RIGHT ON CR NW 130TH STRAIGHT 2 M. THEN LEFT; (417) 252-0198
MONTANA
HARE SCRAMBLES
SEP 19 (S,Y): BIG S K Y: 2 DAY E V ENT: LONE PEA K RACING LLC, JAMES K ABISCH; 7 AM; BIG S K Y RESORT; (40 6 ) 223-0478; BIGS K YXC.COM
TOWN COMMONS; (413) 498-4433; RACEUSCRA.COM
ROAD RACE
SEP 7 (S): LOUDON: V INTAGE; UNITED STATES CLASSIC RAC, ROBERT S COY; 7 AM; NH INT’L SPEEDWAY /RT 10 6 /N OF CONCORD; (413) 4984433; RACE-USCRA.COM
NEW JERSEY
DUAL SPORT RIDE
SEP 27 (R): NEW LISBON: CENTRAL JERSEY COMPETITIO, BOB AGONIS; 10 AM; MILE MAR K ER #3 ROUTE 72 /ROUTE 70 & 72/ BRENDAN T BYRNE STATE FOREST; (732) 9859016; CJCR.COM
ROAD RALLY
SEP 6 (R): BRIDGEWATER: DAWN PATROL MOTORCYCLE CL, PATRICIA GORGI; ROBERT ST /OLD YOR K RD/BRADLEY GARDENS SECTION; (908) 722-4357; DAWNPATROLMC.ORG
MOTOCROSS
SEP 5 (S,T,Y): SEP 6 (S,Y): ENGLISHTOWN: RACEWAY PAR K , RICHARD SCHMIDT; 7 AM; 230 PENSION RD; (732) 44 6 -7800; RACEWAYPAR K COM
DRAG RACES
SEP 11 (S): ATCO: 3 DAY E V ENT: AMA DRAGBI K E, BRANDI NEITHAMER; 9 AM; ATCO RACEWAY; (513) 943-9700; AMADRAGBI K E.COM
NEW MEXICO
CONVENTIONS
SEP 16 (R): RUIDOSO DOWNS: 5 DAY E V ENT: GOLDEN ASPEN RALLY ASSN I, PATRIC PEARSON; 8 AM; SPORTS THEATRE /304 N JOE WELCH; (800) 452-8045; MOTORCYCLERALLY. COM
NEW YORK
ROAD RUN
SEP 13 (R,T,Y): SPRING VALLEY: CHAI RIDERS MC, LAUREN M SECULAR; 9 AM; 17 S MADISON AV E /EX 14 OFF 87 OR OFF PALISADES PK WY; (212) 6 89-00 6 3; HOLOCAUSTSTUDIES.ORG/
SEP 20 (R): MT V ERNON: BLUE K NIGHTS-NY CHAPTER 1, PHILIP O’HAGAN; 9 AM; 88 W LINCOLN AV E; (914) 588-5531;
SEP 12 (R): ALBANY: BLUE K NIGHTS-NY CHAPTER V, LARRY MOYER; 9 AM; 1970 CENTRAL AV E (RT 5) /1.5 MI W OF RT 155/T’S MEMORIAL RIDE
SEP 13 (R): FISH K ILL: LOST WHEELS MOTORCYCLE CL, EDWARD G BUSSE; 9 AM; DUTCHESS STADIUM /RT 9D/N OF EX 11 I-84; (845) 297- 6 205; LOSTWHEELS.COM
DICE RUN
SEP 20 (R): GENSEO: CONESUS LA K E RIDERS MOTOR, MICHAEL BAC K US; 12 PM; 21 HIGHLAND RD /SEE WEBSITE FOR DIRECTIONS; (585) 335-5322; CLR-MC.COM ROAD RALLY
SEP 6 (S,T,Y): SOUTH EDMESTON: 2 DAY E V ENT: THUNDER RIDGE SPORTS/J K R, JAMES L SIMMONS; 6 AM; 224 MICHAEL LANE /1 MI S OF TOWN/HWY 18; ( 6 07) 847- 6 520; THUNDERRIDGE. BIZ
SEP 13 (S,T,Y): AUBURN: FROZ EN OCEAN MOTOCROSS IN, BILL M DENMAN; 7 AM; 4415 VANDERSTOUW RD /NYS THRUWAY EX 40 TO 34S; (315) 784-54 66; FROZ EN-OCEAN.COM
INC, LEE M THEIS; 6:30 AM; MIDWAY MX /58374 HWY 42; (952) 6 01-116 9; MOTO K A ZIE.COM
SEP 6 (S,Y): SEP 7 (S,Y): SEP 27 (S,Y):
BROWER V ILLE: MOTO CITY RACEWAY & RECRE, DALE K ADLEC; 7 AM; 41279 CR 7 / HWY 10/W ON TODD CO RD 7; (218) 894-2826; MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COM
SEP 13 (S,Y): BROO K PAR K : BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, K URT CASWELL; 6:30 AM; HWY 23E 8 MI TO SHERWOOD ST CR 6 8N; (320) 679-2582; BERMBENDERS.COM
SEP 13 (S): MA Z EPPA: HURRICANE HILLS MX
NEVADA
DUAL SPORT RIDE
SEP 26 (R): LAS V EGAS: LAS V EGAS DUAL SPORT, STE V E J MA K AR; 7 AM; 32100 LAS V EGAS BLV D S /PRINM, N V AT THE STATE LINE; (702) 6 41-5555; LASV EGASDUALSPORT.COM
HARE & HOUND
SEP 26 (S,T): WENDOV ER: NATIONAL: UTAH
DESERT FOXES, STE V E RIJ 15 MI S OF TOWN ON HWY 93A; (801) 9 6 4-8773; UTAHDESERTFOXES. COM
NEW HAMPSHIRE
ROAD RUN
SEP 6 (R): HILLSBOROUGH CT: V INTAGE: UNITED STATES CLASSIC RAC, ROBERT S COY; 9 AM;
SEP 26 (S,T,Y): RICHFORD: 2 DAY E V ENT: BROOME TIOGA SPORTS CENTE, TOM HURD; 6 AM; 50 SHAFFER RD /I-81 EX 8/RT 79W 8 MI; ( 6 07) 849-4438; BROOME-TIOGA.COM
SEP 20 (S,T,Y): CAYUTA: MOUNTAIN V IEW TRAIL RIDER, DAV ID M REED; 6 AM; ( 6 07) 79 6 -9558; WNYOA.NET ENDURO
SEP 5 (S,T,Y): EL K LAND: 2 DAY E V ENT: MILES
MOUNTAIN MX, PHILLIP EGLESTON; 6 AM; 10 MI OFF RT 15 ON RT 49; (814) 258-5593; MILESMOUNTAINMX.COM
SEP 6 ( V,Y): SEP 13 (S,T,Y): CLIFFORD: HURRICANE HILLS MOTORSPOR, JOSEPH C FRIT Z RT81, EX 20 6 , 374E TO RT 10 6 E TRAC K 3 MI; (570) 222-9290; HHMOTOCROSS.COM
SEP 7 (S,Y): SEP 27 (S,T,Y): FREDERIC KSBURG: SLEEPY HOLLOW MOTO CROSS, ERIC E SWARR; 2 MI E OF TOWN US RT 22; (717) 6 53-4830; SLEEPYMX.COM
SEP 13 (S,Y): JOHNSTOWN: PLEASURE VALLEY RACEWAY, JEFF M CERNIC; 6 AM; 500 COOPER AV E; (814) 6 95-2453; P V RMX.COM
SEP 19 (S,Y): THREE SPRINGS: ROC K ET RACEWAY, MAR K CARLTON; 7 AM; 22404 STARR RD; (814) 448-2701; ROC K ETRACEWAY.COM
SEP 20 (S,Y): BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, RANDY K ASTLE; 7 AM; 441 RED LANE /422 TO 82 TO LINCOLN RD TO RED LANE; ( 610) 582-3717; PAGODAMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM
SEP 20 (S,Y): HANOV ER: HAPPY RAMBLERS, SHARON L FISHER; 6 AM; 4340 HANOV ER RD / RT 116 /5 MI W OF TOWN/SEE WEBSITE; (717) 6 337708; HAPPYRAMBLERS.COM
SEP 20 (S,T,Y): LAWTON: V INTAGE: TWIN CREE KS V INTAGE RIDER, JAMES ALLEN; 7 AM; ALLEN’S FARM /.50 MI E OF JUNCT RTS 267 & 70 6; SEP 27 (S,Y): SHIPPENSBURG: DOUBLIN GAP MX PAR K INC, RODNEY YENT Z ER; 7 AM; 100 REASNOR LANE /RT 81 EXIT 24 TO RT 6 9 6 N/6 MI N OF TOWN; (717) 249- 6 03 6; DOUBLINGAP.COM
SEP 27 (S,T,Y): EL K LAND: MILES MOUNTAIN MX, PHILLIP EGLESTON; 6 AM; 10 MI OFF RT 15 ON RT 49; (814) 258-5593; MILESMOUNTAINMX.COM HARE SCRAMBLES
SEP 5 ( V,Y): BERWIC K : NATIONAL: E VANSV ILLE
MOTOCROSS PAR K , DUANE W FISHER; 8 AM; 4 6 8 E VANSV ILLE RD /I-81 EX 145/W HA Z ELTON TO RT 93; (570) 759-2841; E VANSV ILLEMXPAR K .COM
SEP 13 (S,T,Y): PLYMOUTH: BAC K MOUNTAIN ENDURO RIDE, MARTY NOON; 7 AM; PLYMOUTH RI V ER FLATS /RT 11; (570) 675-1814; BMER.ORG
SEP 20 (S,T,Y): GOOD SPRING: STATE CHAMP: RAUSCH CREE K POWERSPORTS, TIFFANY H TOBIAS; 6:30 AM; I-81 EX 107/R ON RT 209S/FOLLOW SIGNS; (570) 6 82-4 6 00; RAUSCHCREE K RACING.COM
SEP 27 (S,Y): CROSS FOR K : BRANDYWINE ENDURO RIDERS, ROBERT T STUART; 6 AM; STEWART HILL RD; ( 610) 914-5530; BER.US ENDURO
SEP 13 (S): SHIPPENSBURG: SOUTH PENN ENDURO RIDERS, GERALD L STA K E; 6 AM; MICHAUX STATE FOREST /RT 81 OLD EXIT #10; (717) 245-0353; SOUTHPENNENDURORIDERS. COM
SEP 20 (S): BRANDON V ILLE: VALLEY FORGE TRAIL RIDERS, JAMIE THEUR K AUF; 6 AM; MOONSHINE ENDURO /RT 924 & 339; (484) 8885574; V FTR.ORG
OBSERVED TRIALS
SEP 13 (S): JERSEY SHORE: XTREME TRIALS
RIDERS ASSO, CHARLES L CLEMENTS; 8 AM; MAIN ST EX OF 220 NORTH; (570) 748- 6 534; SEP 27 (S): COGAN STATION: OLD SCHOOL V INTAGE MOTORC, RICHARD BUSSLER; (000) 000-0000;
GR A ND PRIX
SEP 27 (S,T,Y): MAR K LEYSBURG: DBL SPORTS PROMOTIONS, K IM LITTLE; 6 AM; ROARING K NOB MOTORSPORTS CMPX /RT 40 20 MI E OF UNIONTOWN; (724) 929-539 6; DBLSPORTS.COM
SOUTH CAROLINA
INDOOR ENDURO
SEP 12 (S): FLORENCE: INDOOR: SOURCE INTERLIN K MEDIA, BEC K Y J KOONS; 10 AM; FLORENCE CI V IC CENTER /3300 W RADIO DR; (817) 24 6 - 6751; ENDUROCROSS.COM
TENNESSEE
1/ 2 MILE DIRT TRACK
SEP 19 ( V,Y): GREENE V ILLE: NATIONAL; V ICTORY SPORTS INC, SAM R GAMMON; I-81 MOTORSPORTS PAR K /EXIT 44 OFF I-81/FOLLOW SIGNS; (423) 323-5497; V ICTORYSPORTSRACING. COM
MOTOCROSS
SEP 13 (S,T,Y): BLOUT V ILLE: V ICTORY SPORTS INC, SAM R GAMMON; MUDDY CREE K RACEWAY /450 RIDGEWAY DR; (423) 323-5497; V ICTORYSPORTSRACING.COM
TEXAS
FUN RUN
SEP 11 (R): NEW BRAUNFELS: 3 DAY E V ENT: SAN
JACINTO HIGH ROLLERS, WAYNE BRISCOE; 12 PM; MOUNTAIN BREE Z E CAMPGROUND /SEE WEBSITE; (830) 534-3988; SOUTHCENTRALSJHR. ORG
VERMONT
ROAD RUN
SEP 4 (R): CHITTENDEN COUN: 4 DAY E V ENT: AMERICADE, CHRISTIAN DUTCHER; (518) 7987888; ROLINGTHROUGH V ERMONT.COM
SEP 18 (R): WEST DOV ER: V INTAGE; 3 DAY E V ENT: UNITED STATES CLASSIC RAC, ROBERT S COY; 9 AM; MT SNOW /RT 100; (413) 498-4433; RACEUSCRA.COM VIRGINIA
ROAD RUN
SEP 26 (R): PORTSMOUTH: MARCH OF DIMESVA, MARILYN S EATON; 9 AM; BAYSIDE HARLEYDAV IDSON /2211 FREDERIC K BLV D/I- 6 4 EX 5; (757) 3 61-0000; BAYSIDEHD.COM MOTOCROSS
SEP 5 (S,T,Y): DISPUTANTA: 2 DAY E V ENT: SOUTH FOR K MX CLUB; 6 AM; 6148 BAXTER RD /20 MIN FROM PETERSBURG OFF I-95; (804) 221-3 6 89; SOUTHFOR K MX.COM
SEP 19 (S,T,Y): AXTON: 2 DAY E V ENT: LA K E
SUGAR TREE, APRIL COLLIER; LA K E SUGAR TREE MX PAR K /400 MOV IE MOV ERS EAST; (276 ) 6 50-1158; LA K ESUGARTREE.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
SEP 20 (S,Y): MAURERTOWN: NORTHERN V IRGINIA TRAIL R, D K IR K PATRIC K ; 8 AM; WET Z EL HOLLOW LN /TOMS BROO K EX OF I-85; (540) 371-3034; N V TR.ORG
GRAND PRIX
SEP 6 (S,Y): ROC K Y MOUNT: V IRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HAR, JEFF WOODY; WILD WOODY; (540) 483-88 6 8; VCHSS.ORG
SEP 20 (S,Y): SURRY: V IRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HAR, TJ GREER; PENINSULA 100; (757) 851- 6120; VCHSS.ORG
CROSS COUNTRY
SEP 13 (S,T,Y): CHATHAM: LONE RIDER PRODUCTIONS, TIMOTHY L NORRIS; 6:30 AM; RI V ERS EDGE OUTDOORS /300 CROSS BOW DR; (804) 9 66 -7595; V XCS.ORG
WASHINGTON
ROAD RUN
SEP 13 (R): CARNATION: CHARITY: PEDIATRIC
BRAIN TUMOR FOU, K YLE CLAC K ; 8 AM; REMLINGER FARMS /32610 NE 32ND ST; (800) 253- 6 530; RIDEFOR K IDS.ORG
DUAL SPORT RIDE
SEP 20 (R): EASTON: AURORA SUZU K I INC, RANDY R MCALLISTER; 7 AM; R V TOWN/’TURTLE TOWN’ /I-90 EXIT 70; (20 6 ) 783-2323; AURORASUZU K I.COM
MOTOCROSS
SEP 13 (S,Y): RAYMOND: WARD CREE K MX, LISA
K LEMP; 6:30 AM; 41 WARD CREE K RD /SR 6 FROM CHEHALIS/SR8 FROM OLYMPIA; (3 6 0) 942-4 674; WARDCREE K MX.COM
SEP 13 (S,Y): SEP 27 (S,Y): WASHOUGAL: WASHOUGAL MX PAR K LLC, CAROLYN A HUFFMAN; 6 AM; 40205 NE BORIN RD; (541) 6731671; WASHOUGALMXPK .COM
SEP 20 (S,T,Y): PORT ANGELES: OLYMPIC
PENINSULA MOTORCY, MELISSA BAAR; 7 AM; 130 6 DEER PAR K RD /HWY 101W/S ON DEER PK RD; (3 6 0) 5 6 5-0303; OPMC.ORG
SEP 26 (S): MC CLEARY: 2 DAY E V ENT: GREATER SEATTLE MOTORCYCL, ANGIE CRATER; 7 AM; STRADDLELINE OR V PAR K /I-5 EX 104 OLYMPIA/16 MI W; GEOCITIES.COM/ SEATTLEMXCLUB
WISCONSIN
ADVENTURE RIDE
SEP 26 (R): WABENO: NATIONAL: 2 DAY E V ENT: WISCONSIN DUAL SPORT RIDE, BRAD EGGUM; 8:30 AM; FAIRGROUNDS /1 BLOC K OFF HWY 32 ON FAIR V IEW RD; WIDUALSPORTRIDERS.ORG DUAL SPORT RIDE
SEP 26 (R): WABENO: NATIONAL: 2 DAY E V ENT: WISCONSIN DUAL SPORT RIDE, BRAD EGGUM; 8:30 AM; FAIRGROUNDS /1 BLOC K OFF HWY 32 ON FAIR V IEW RD; WIDUALSPORTRIDERS.ORG
SHORT TRACK
SEP 19 (S,T,Y): BURNETT: BEAV ER CYCLE CLUB INC, MICHAEL L SCHWAR Z ENBACHER; N9898 CO RD I,1/4 MI S OF RD C; (920) 887-14 6 9; BEAV ERCYCLECLUB.COM
SEP 26 (S,T,Y): LA K E MILLS: 2 DAY E V ENT: A Z TALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, HAR V EY SCHAV E; 2 PM; CLUBGROUNDS-GOMOL RD /I-94 TO 26 /S TO B/W TO GOMOL; (414) 297-93 67; A Z TALANCYCLE.COM
SCRAMBLES
SEP 13 (S,T,Y): MERRILLAN: BUN K HOUSE, STE V E
DUAL-SPORT
AMA KTM National DualSport Trail Riding Series AMADirectLink.com / RoadRide / DS /
Oct. 3-4: Renfro Valley, Ky. ; 4-Fun Trail Riders, V icky Stephenson, (513) 553666 2, 4funtrailriders.com.
Oct. 10-11, 2009: Hammonton,
CASPER; N 11702 EL K EN RD; (715) 9 6 4-2000; BUN K HOUSERETREAT.COM
SEP 20 (S,T,Y): BURNETT: BEAV ER CYCLE CLUB INC, MICHAEL L SCHWAR Z ENBACHER; N9898 CO RD I,1/4 MI S OF RD C; (920) 887-14 6 9; BEAV ERCYCLECLUB.COM MOTOCROSS
SEP 6 (S,T,Y): SEP 26 (S,T,Y): ATHELSTANE: PINE RIDGE RACEWAY LLC, CONNIE WALLACE; 6 AM; W11359 N LOST LA K E TRL /HWY 41N TO CRI V IT Z /W ON A TO CTY C/L DEER L K ; (715) 85 66612; PINERIDGERACEWAY.COM
SEP 6 (S,T): HIXTON: CMJ RACEWAY LLC, CHRIS HALV ERSON; 6 AM; 6 MI W OF TOWN ON P .25 MI PAST CMJ RACEWAY; ( 6 08) 220- 6 853; CMJRACEWAY.COM
SEP 12 (S,Y): LA K E MILLS: A Z TALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, HAR V EY SCHAV E; 6 AM; CLUBGROUNDS-GOMOL RD /I-94 TO 26 /S TO B/W TO GOMOL; (414) 297-93 67; A Z TALANCYCLE.COM
SEP 13 (M,Y): LA K E MILLS: A Z TALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, HAR V EY SCHAV E; 6 AM; N 66 434 GOMOL RD; (414) 297-93 67; A Z TALANCYCLE. COM
Oct. 3-4: Mt. Solon, Va.: Northern V irginia Trail Riders, Dave Bludgett, (703) 791-4240; nvtr.org.
Nov. 27-28: Los Angeles, Calif. ; AMA District 37 Dual Sport, Paul Flanders; ( 6 26 ) 792-7384; district37ama.org.
SEP 20 (S,T,Y): TIGERTON: FANTASY MOTO LLC, SCOTT J BIESE; 6:30 AM; 8 MI S OF HWY 29/45; (920) 419-28 6 3; FANTASYMOTO.COM HARE SCRAMBLES
SEP 6 (S,T): HIXTON: CMJ RACEWAY LLC, CHRIS HALV ERSON; 6 AM; 6 MI W OF TOWN ON P .25 MI PAST CMJ RACEWAY; ( 6 08) 220- 6 953; CMJRACEWAY.COM
SEP 12 (S): VALDERS: MANITOWOC AREA OFF HIGHWA, JOSH NEUHAUS; 6 AM; 13431 RUSCH RD; (920) 893-3114;
SEP 20 (S,Y): DRESSER: NORSEMEN
MOTORCYCLE CLUB, STE V E DONELIUS; 7 AM; TROLLHAUGEN S K I & SUMMER REC AREA/FOLL SIGNS; ( 612) 201-8125; NORSEMENMC.ORG
SEP 27 (S): NE KOOSA: RAPID ANGELS
MOTORCYCLE C, TODD ELLINGSON; 7 AM; DYRACUSE MOTORCYCLE PAR K ; (715) 712-00 6 8; RAPIDANGELS.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
SEP 12 (S,Y): BARABOO: 2 DAY E V ENT: WISCONSIN OBSER V ED TRIALS, MAR K J DOLL; S 6 426 US HWY 12 /4.5 MI S OF TOWN; ( 6 08) 8755 6 45; WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG
)LULÄ[Z
Allied Special Products
Get your bike where you need it with Federal Companies, which offers AMA members a discount on shipping within the United States. Whether you’re shopping one-way or round-trip, Federal’s got you covered at FunTransport.com or (877) 518-7376
Char-Broil
Get a 10 percent discount on Char-Broil grills, some of the highest quality grills on the market, with stainless steel JVUZ[
KPUMYHYLKOLH[PUN technology. You even get free shipping on orders over $100 at CharBroil.com with code AMACB9.
AMA Roadside Assistance
Maximize your ride time and minimize the inconvenience of a breakdown with AMA Roadside Assistance, offering peace of mind and coverage for all your vehicles and your family’s vehicles, from motorcycles to cars to RVs and trailers. Better yet, AMA Roadside Assistance is available FREE to AMA members who sign up online and choose the convenience of yearly automatic renewal.
LifeLock
Bank of America <Z
retailer and get a 3 percent rebate on your credit card bill. Apply online or call (800) 523-7666 and mention code FAAOLW.
LifeLock protects you from identity theft before it Z[HY[ZHUK(4( TLTILYZYLJLP]L HU L_
of 30 days free and 10 percent off the regular LifeLock membership fee. Use the code AMACYCLE at LifeLock.com.
Schampa
Fight back against the elements, with quality gear from Schampa, including balaclavas, facemasks, neck gaiters and undershirts. AMA members get a 15 percent discount by entering the code SCHAMA at Schampa.com.
SPOT
Wherever you roam, a SPOT Satellite Messenger can keep friends and family informed, and get you help when you need it. Save $20 on the SPOT Satellite Messenger and get a free service upgrade when you use promotional code AMA23 at FindMeSpot.com.
Guest Column
An AMA Member’s View
Real Change Is Happening, And It’s For The Better
It’s rare that I attend an open house at a bike shop or other informal biker gathering without being approached about what’s going on today at the AMA. Most people know I’m a long-time AMA member and HK]VJH[LHUKVULVM[OLÄYZ[[OPUNZ0 sometimes hear from them is concern that Rob Dingman may be “screwing up” the AMA—which raises my hackles.
I will almost always take the time, not only to offer my personal opinion of Rob’s “New Vision for the AMA,” but also to opine from my own experience, observation and insight into what was going on at the AMA before Rob took V]LY;OPZPUJS\KLZWVPU[PUNV\[ILULÄ[Z that have already improved from my standpoint.
The greatest improvements I’ve seen are the new AMA Roadside Assistance Program, the great change in direction and coverage of the magazine, and the rededication to government relations efforts. There are other good changes, and there are more coming.
I’ve also taken particular note of Rob’s thankless job of cleaning up the inappropriate use of funds that apparently
existed in varying degrees within some of the higher ranks.
0[^HZU»[OHYK[VÄN\YLV\[[OH[TVZ[VM the membership money received for dues, one of the primary sources of revenue for the AMA, was being poured into the bottomless pit of promoting professional YHJPUN^OPSLV\Y TLTILY ILULÄ[Z dwindled. Meanwhile, most of the riders I meet every day have rarely been to a professional race, nor do they care about having their money go to support and/or promote a multimillion-dollar industry that should be able to stand alone.
It also seemed obvious to me that there were issues with a board member’s questionable expense account, while those responsible for overseeing those expenditures were apparently turning a blind eye to it all. I see that one former board member has recently been indicted by the state of Ohio and is currently facing charges concerning his unsubstantiated expenses at the AMA.
by Piet Boonstra
It’s good that the AMA has been repaid for those expenses.
I joined the AMA in 1948 at a Gypsy Tour in Laconia, N.H. That single Gypsy
Tour is still thriving after almost 70 years, while more than 200 other Gypsy Tours that started in the mid-1920s have been discontinued for one reason or another. E.C. Smith headed the AMA when I joined, and I think my original dues were a dollar. As I look back, I think it’s possible that the membership was getting more for that dollar 60 years ago than new members were getting for their considerably higher dues just two years ago. Thankfully, that has changed, and membership is now a real value.
This was all driven home to me when I saw Rob Dingman’s presentation at Americade in June, where he outlined his assessment of the AMA and where it’s heading. The changes make me feel better about where my AMA is going. And from this member’s perspective, we’re going the right way. Thanks, Rob.
Piet Boonstra, the AMA’s 2002 Road Rider of the Year, has logged about a million miles touring by motorcycle.
An in-depth interview with Rob Dingman on this subject will appear in the next issue of American Motorcyclist
Photo Gabrielsen Photography
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