THE BEST OF AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS MOVING THE AMA AHEAD
ROB DINGMAN AND STAN SIMPSON TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE
(4(9HJPUN(TH[L\Y)HUX\L[ +LJ 3HZ=LNHZ5L] (4(9HJPUNJVT
Continued from opposite page: 7) Friends from Chicago: Ron Rieger, Dan Steinberg, Chris Platt, and Glen Gable on the Cherohala Skyway in Tennessee. 8) Walter Orcutt in Sedona, Ariz. 9) Perry Givens on a 7,500-mile U.S.-Canada trip. 10) Darren Lingafeldt and his wife, Courtney, on a Lap of California tour. 11) Greg Bunker and friends in Baja, Calif. 12) Brett Kreyche at Cork Screw Pass, Silverton, Colo. 13) Christopher Bolton near Cody, Wyo. 14) Chris Daniels in California. 15) Sean Downs checking out American Motorcyclist. 16) Kelly and Spencer with Dad, John Goles, in Hollister, Calif. 17) Sidney Lynne Hefferin poses in Oregon. 18) Bob Pemberton of Texas and friends. 19) Tom Southwood in Wyoming. 20) Rich Petty (left) and Justin Larson on the way to the Canadian
checks out the view from the seat. 23) Peter Caroline says: “This photo of me and my 150cc Stella was taken
at the
EDITORIAL OFFICES
American Motorcyclist 13515 Yarmouth Drive Pickerington, OH 43147 (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org
Grant Parsons, Managing Editor
James Holter, Associate Editor
Bill Kresnak, Government Affairs Editor
Mitch Boehm, Contributing Editor
Mark Lapid, Creative Director
Nora McDonald, Production Coordinator Jen Muecke, Designer
Ray Monroe, Advertising Manager (815) 885-4445, rmonroe@ama-cycle.org
Misty Walker, Advertising Assistant (614) 856-1900, ext. 1267, mwalker@ama-cycle.org
All trademarks used herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned by the AMA and may only be used with the express, written permission of the AMA.
American Motorcyclist is the monthly publication of the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents motorcyclists nationwide. -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
Days photo team, and aside from getting lots of great art, she proved herself adept at standing on the scary top rung of a ladder while shooting the group motorcycle shot in the opener of “The Life.”
KEN FRICK, Photographer Ken proved himself to be his usual Fricktastic self as the other half of our AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days photo team. Even though we almost dumped him out of the back of the golf cart about a halfdozen times, he emerged with a ton of good shots, including this month’s cover. More information at KenFrick.com
ALISON GROGAN, Photographer Alison is one of those rare shooters who can capture beautiful art in available light with a minimum of drama. While standing on a chair. See more at GroganStudios.com
NORA McDONALD, Production Coordinator 5VYHÄUHSS
motorcycle, a 1974 Honda CB360 that was is in remarkably great shape for its $750 price tag. Aside from needing a new Å
little TLC, the little Honda, like Nora, is ready to rawk!
AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stan Simpson, Chairman P.O. Box 1028, Cibolo, TX 78108
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 55806
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
Maggie McNally 114 Kent St., Albany, NY 12206
Arthur More 16153 Starlight Dr., Surprise, AZ 85374
John Ulrich 581-C Birch St., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Bill Werner
(800) AMA-JOIN AmericanMotorcyclist.com
BILL KRESNAK, Government Affairs Editor The consumate co-enabler, Krez played a big part in the scouting, scouring and acquisition of Nora’s new machine, proving that no matter who buys a bike, you can still get a contact high if you’re close enough to the deal.
GRANT PARSONS, Managing Editor With one look at Nora’s new bike, Grant was transported back to the halcyon days of yesteryear, when he took his motorcycle license test on a machine that looked exactly the same. Then he remembered the 2 mph collision with the back of a Mercedes that followed shortly thereafter and cringed.
MARK LAPID, Creative Director With new-bike fever LUN\SÄUN[OL VMÄJL 4HYR
holy grail: one bike to do it all.
JEN MUECKE, Designer Forget new bikes. Jen has focused on an entirely new motorcyclic pursuit: land-speed racing. Though she’s not quite ready to give up roadracing, she’s been studying the AMA land-speed rulebook quite carefully of late.
JAMES HOLTER, Associate Editor Normally, it’s James ^OV I\`Z[
to grab the spotlight with her CB. But he’s been looking through the ads on Craigslist a lot lately, which is more than a little suspicious.
Send your letters (and a high-resolution photo) to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.
WAY TO GO!
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RPUKZWYV[LJ[PUNV\Y YPNO[ZHUKWYVTV[PUN [HSLU[LKYPKLYZ0 LZWLJPHSS`LUQV`LK1\S`»Z Fast Forward featuring admirable women PU TV[VYJ`JSPUN :WLJPHS[OHURZMVY UV[ running ads that feature semi-nude women
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Michele Blackwell & Duc Ngo (4( 5V
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CONGRATULATIONS FROM AN OLDER GROUP
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NUMBERS, NUMBERS, NUMBERS
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The distinction to the numbers, which were from a Motorcycle Industry Council survey, is that not all holders of motorcycle licenses actually own motorcycles at any given time.
THANKS, SGT. CLICK
Regarding the guest column written I
There
YR (4( 6O`LZ`V\ZOV\SKHSZVRUV^[OH[ one of the reasons there are police motorcycle VMÄJLYZPZZV that regular police can OH]L OLYVLZ [VV :N[1VUH[OHU /\NOLZ +\[JOLZZ*V\U[`:OLYPMM
BLUES
parking meters are being replaced
what? Motorcycles and scooters don’t have a dashboard. We have no secure way to display the meter receipts short of permanently gluing them to our gas tanks.
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U\TILYLKZSV[TL[LYZKVU»[WLUHSPaL\Z ;OLZL TL[LYZW\[\ZPU H UV^PUZP[\H[PVU and we have to speak up if our town
WYVWVZLZHKVW[PUN[OLT>P[OWHYRPUNÄULZ NVPUN[OYV\NO[OL YVVM^L»YL[HSRPUN YLHS money here.
I know the AMA can help. When I got H IVN\Z[PJRL[5PJR /HYPZ(4(>LZ[LYU Z[H[LZYLWYLZLU[H[P]LOLSWLKTLV\[ ;OHURZ5PJR
Mike Bradley (4( 5V
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ANOTHER GREAT MEMBER BENEFIT
On a recent trip to the BMW Beartooth 9LUKLa]V\Z near Red
3VKNL 4VU[ my daughter and I woke up on a cold August morning and
known you could get with an AMA card. I’ve included a picture.
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Tim Schuh (4( 5V *VK`>`V
WHAT WAS THE FIRST SUPERBIKE?
As I sit here in Baghdad lamenting my missing yet another AMA Vintage 4V[VYJ`JSL+H`ZVYPNPUHSS`H*LU[YHS6OPV UH[P]L0»T YLHKPUN[OL 1\UL PZZ\LVM American Motorcyclist. I came across the HY[PJSL TLU[PVUPUN[OL /VUKH :HUKJHZ[ *)
I hope I’m not the only person to call into question the following “....combined with its [VWZWLLKVM TWO THKL P[[OL^VYSK»Z ÄYZ[Z\WLYIPRL¹
I’d like to point out that the BSA Rocket 3 and the Triumph Trident that were released a year earlier had nearly identical KPZWSHJLTLU[Z
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_[ superbike.
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Frank Wharton
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Thanks for the perspective, Frank—and thanks from all of us for your service.
In our AMA Motorcyclist of the Year feature (January 2009), we edited Stan Simpson’s remarks and unintentionally created the impression that he was a formal member of several Canadian ISDT medal-winning teams. Simpson participated in a support capacity only. We apologize for this error and any confusion that it may have created.
On Facebook Yet? We are. Become a fan of the American Motorcyclist Association and you could be leaving comments like these:
Stefani Pineda ¸0Z\WWVY[[OPZHSZV0[»ZUV[Q\Z[[OL JLSSWOVUL[HSRLYZHUK[L_[LYZHS[OV\NO[OL`HYL[OL TVZ[VI]PV\Z)L[^LLU[OLT[OLKY\URKYP]LYZ[OL NHSZW\[[PUNVU[OLPY THRL\WHUK[OL N\`ZZOH]PUN^L YLHSS`OH]L[VILVUV\Y[VLZVU[^V^OLLSZ¹—on the same subject
Angela Neal “Did ya see them on MTV cribs? Too funny. Almost makes ya want to go out and ride a ZJVV[LY (STVZ[¹—on an AMA video of the band members of the All-American Rejects talking about their passion for scooters.
AMA Hall of Famer (and AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Grand Marshal) Don Emde “After a successful JHYLLY PU[OL 4V[VJYVZZ:\WLYJYVZZ^VYSK4PRL TV]LZ[VVMM YVHKHUK^PUZHNHPU>LSSKVUL 4PRL¹ congratulating Mike Brown on winning the AMA/ WORCS Week championship.
J. Mark Lane “I’ve been a member off and on for three decades. I got back into the sport last year after H SVUN HIZLUJLHUKP[^PSS IL¸VU¹MVY NVVKUV^);> [OLZLYPLZPU[OL THNHaPUL HIV\[^VTLU PU[OLZWVY[ ^HZ^LSSKVUL HUKPUZWPYPUN (Z[OL MH[OLYVM H `LHY
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Freddywithay Schulz¸>V^HUK0[OV\NO[0 OHKHU
0YVUI\[[.YLH[1VI 4HYH HUK4H[[¹—on Mara Butler and Matt Olsen’s two-up, 1,000-mile ride to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
Justin Weatherford¸5PJL 5PJLZ[PSS YVJRPU[OL @A [OV\NO OHYKMVY TL[VSL[OLY NV¹—on the all-new, fuel-injected Honda CRF250R
Follow the latest news from the AMA and chat with fellow AMA members VU-HJLIVVR0UHKKP[PVU`V\»SSHS^H`ZÄUK[OLSH[LZ[ in-depth info at AmericanMotorcyclist.com. www.facebook.com/pages/American-Motorcyclist-Association/54932497639
VSKM\[\YL MLTHSL YPKLY0]LY`T\JO HWWYLJPH[L[OL (ZZVJPH[PVU»Z HJ[P]P[PLZYLJVNUPaPUN HUKLUJV\YHNPUN^VTLU YPKLYZHUKTLTILYZ
Jay Shannon ¸0 THKL T`ÄYZ[]PZP[[V=PU[HNL 4V[VYJ`JSL+H`Z[OPZWHZ[^LLRLUK·6<;:;(5+05. This is an event for true enthusiasts. Yes—there’s lots of NYLH[IPRLZMYVT L]LY`LYH[VZLLI\[[OL L]LU[PZYLHSS` about the people and the personal stories behind each IPRL 0»SS IL IHJR¹
Nick Chamberlain ¸.VVKHUV[OLY LUNPUL[OH[0 JHU»[ ^VYRVU 0»SS RLLWT`239 MVY H^OPSL SVUNLY[OHUR `V\¹—on the same bike.
Life, it’s said, used to move slower. That seems especially true when it comes to how laws were made in Washington.
There once was a time in the nottoo-distant past when legislation was introduced, sent to the proper full committee, then to a subcommittee where it was scheduled for public debate, and once a decision was made, it reversed course. It went back up through committee for a full vote, to the House or Senate for a full vote, then a conference JVTTP[[LL[OLUÄUHSWHZZHNL PU IV[O houses, and then—if it survived at all—it ^HZÄUHSS`JVUZPKLYLKI`[OLWYLZPKLU[
Even though the process took months, sometimes years, there was a big advantage for organizations like ours. It also allowed us to spread the word and shape the legislation.
Not anymore. These days legislation seems to happen at warp speed. Legislators work out the details behind closed doors, coordinate with their friends in the other chamber and negotiate the vote—often before the details have even ILLUÄUHSPaLK(SZV[OL`VM[LU YLZVY[[V byzantine parliamentary procedures to further veil their intentions and restrict
meaningful public consideration.
For those of us in the business of weeding out anti-motorcycling laws, the shift has fundamentally changed the way ^L^VYR HUK[OL^H`(4( TLTILYZ can get involved to have an impact on the issues. Nowadays, we must be prepared to mobilize the troops within days— sometimes hours—of an important issue becoming public.
;OHURM\SS``V\Y (4( OHZILLU adapting and speeding up. We’re working closely with our partners and sharing more information, shortening the time it takes to tell you that an issue is happening, and using technology to allow our membership to stay informed. We’re also upgrading our systems, training staff and utilizing tools that weren’t even a possibility a few years ago.
THE “GET INVOLVED” PAGE WITHIN THE “RIGHTS” SECTION OF AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST. COM HELPS THOSE WHO WANT TO BECOME ACTIVE IN PROMOTING AND PROTECTING THE MOTORCYCLE LIFESTYLE.
by Ed Moreland
One of the biggest changes we’ve made is the addition in 2009 of more Z[HMM PU[OL>HZOPUN[VU+*VMÄJL[V help us monitor all the creative ways Congress has devised to keep you from your favorite pastime. Equally important, we provide online tools that allow you to receive instant information on an issue.
The “Get Involved” page within the
com helps those who want to become active in promoting and protecting the motorcycle lifestyle. New items like “Key Votes,” “Current Legislation,” and congressional scorecards show you how your representatives voted on motorcycle-related issues. We have expanded congressional biographies, LUOHUJLKV\Y (J[PVU (SLY[ZHUKL]LU\ZL [OL (4( -HJLIVVRWHNL[VZWYLHK[OL word in motorcycling cyberspace. (Search for us on www.facebook.com).
(ZH YLZ\S[(4( TLTILYZOH]L become more engaged—and more effective—than ever. In fact, in the past year alone we’ve been able to increase our number of press releases by 106 percent, our federal action alerts by 133 percent and our government-relations page-views by 173 percent—which resulted in an increase in the number VM TLZZHNLZZLU[I`(4( TLTILYZ[V LSLJ[LKVMÄJPHSZI` WLYJLU[ There’s a lot we need to do, and time, like life, waits for no one.
Ed Moreland is AMA vice president for government relations.
TRIP INTERRUPTION COVERAGE. One thing Charlie St. Clair, Executive Director of Laconia Motorcycle Week, knows is the road can be pretty rough if your bike breaks down. That’s why Progressive offers Roadside Assistance for only $10 a year and Trip Interruption Coverage, which helps pay for places to stay and living expenses due to mishaps, for only $5 more.* This way, anywhere you are in the country, you’re covered. Call 1-800-PROGRESSIVE or call an independent agent. has been riding to rallies since 1972. covers each trip, there and back.
“If you’re looking for great coverage of motorcycling’s '60s, '70s and '80s glory days, look no further than Moto Retro Illustrated. Whether you’re talking dirtbikes, streetbikes or minis, Mitch and his crew have created an intelligently written, wonderfully photographed and thoroughly entertaining magazine.”
—Malcolm Smith
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We’re
blushing, of course, but we think Malcolm’s got it right. Moto Retro Illustrated is the only full-coverage— dirt, street and mini—retro magazine around, and because it’s written by folks with decades of journalism, riding and racing experience from the very eras and categories we’re covering, you know the stories are gonna be good. We’re more expensive than your average magazine, but we’re worth it. Moto Retro is large-format, glossy and printed on thick, luxurious paper. We dig deep and go behind the scenes on the bikes, technology, collections, collectors, races, racers, events and people you remember from the glory days of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, and we limit advertising so you get a magazine that’s packed to the sidepanels with great stories, killer photography and hair-raising tales from Back In The Day.
So subscribe to Moto Retro Illustrated today and you’ll soon know retro as well as Malcolm Smith! Moto Retro Illustrated is quarterly (4 issues per year) and available only through our website or by mailing a check or money order to Moto Retro Subscriptions, P.O. Box 202, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274. Yearly subscriptions are $39.59 (U.S.) and $54.95 (International).
Motorcycles are like wine—many just seem to get better with age. And nowhere is that more apparent than at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, the country’s premier event for old bikes and the people who ride them, race them and love being around them.
What’s amazing, though, is that you need not be vintage yourself to enjoy the allure of shiny chrome, classic looks, or the smell of two-stroke oil in the morning. And more and more, a new generation is discovering this—along with the long-time bike freaks who have been there all along. At this year’s AMA Vintage 4V[VYJ`JSL+H`Z^
X Talk about hardcore. On a whim, Matt Olsen and Mara Butler decided to attempt a two-up, 1,000-mile-in-a-day challenge—on a 73-yearold Knucklehead. They rode from Aberdeen, S.D., to Ohio, and when we caught up with them, they were preparing to head straight back after riding in the AMA’s 85th Anniversary parade at Vintage Motorcycle Days. Matt We rode out to an AMCA (Antique Motorcycle Club of America) meet in Des Moines, Iowa, and Mike and Margaret Wilson were there—they’re a couple who are in the
AMA Hall of Fame. We pretty much hung out there with them all weekend, and they talked us into coming here.
Mara Being here at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is absolutely amazing. I’ve never seen so many types of racing in one place at one time, and being able to see all these motorcycles at once—it’s just a great opportunity. I wouldn’t miss it.
Matt The biggest problem with old bikes is that people think you can’t use them. They think they belong in a museum, or that
That’s the only motorcycle I have—it’s
/HYSL
they should only see them in the back of a magazine. What Mara and I are trying to do is beat the two-up record for oldest Harley doing 1,000 miles in 24 hours.
Harley to have a production overhead-valve motorcycle.
I restore bikes for a living. Living in the tundra of the Midwest in South Dakota and Iowa, all I do is work during the winter and
Mara Butler and Matt Olsen rode a 1936 Harley-Davidson 1,100 miles one-way for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
summer I’d ride as much as I could. Mara I mean, why not try it, do you see the motorcycle? Why wouldn’t you want to get on it? When I ride my bike I turn heads. When I ride this bike, it turns heads. I don’t ride on the back of bikes most of the time, so it’s a little nice to be able to see the scenery. I trust this motorcycle more than I do my ’89. Honestly, I would rather take this out any day than getting on something new, because it’s just way cooler.
Matt It’s a little over 1,100 miles, and we
Wisconsin, and that took three hours out of our schedule. The bad thing is we didn’t get the record, but the good thing is that it happened on
and now we can try it again on the way back. We’re happy to report that Matt and Mara made it back to Aberdeen, S.D., safe and sound—with the record they were shooting for.
Greg Glevicky made AMA vintage racing happen with a Honda CB160
Rich, Aaron and Bubba Long make racing a family matter
X This dirt-tracking family of teachers, Rich and his sons Aaron and Nate (Bubba) Long of Ohio, have raced together since 2002. Aaron won the 30-plus Open National No. 1 plate.
Rich I got back into motorcycles in 2000, and then I got Bubba (Nate) into it in 2001 and then Aaron in 2002.
Aaron We had modern bikes when we were young, like 5, and we rode all our lives. But he (Rich) raced back in the ’70s, and when he got back into it, he started riding the same stuff.
Nate We started on a short track. I think I had an XR100. You see these guys going sideways, and I remember asking Dad, “Am I going to get sideways or what’s the deal?” Anyone who has ridden an XR100 knows they don’t get real sideways.
Aaron From Memorial Day to Labor Day it’s racing pretty much every weekend. No matter what kind of bikes we’re on it doesn’t matter. It makes it a lot of fun. Rich We have a great time. We spent all that time together when they were kids, but they didn’t have any choice because I’m Dad. Now that they’re adults, we still spend every weekend together. We cherish that. To me, that’s as special as it gets.
@V\^VU»[ÄUKYHJLIPRLZT\JOWYL[[PLY than Greg’s Honda CB160. And his passion resulted in an AMA Vintage National Championship. I raced in the Grand Prix 125 class. I took 1st place today. It came together in the end. It was under some rainy conditions, but it was fun. I’m always glad to be racing. We came here last year, checked it out, said if we’re going to come back we’re going to come back racing. So my buddy and I built a couple bikes and we came back and raced. We found them in a barn, two of them. We spent all winter building them up. Every night
we were up late: 3 o’clock in the morning, no sleep—girlfriends, wives hated us. It was YV\NOI\[^L NV[YLHK`[VYHJLZVP[»ZÄUL I started riding when I was probably 8 years old on a little dirtbike around the house, and I’ve ridden streetbikes and dirtbikes all my life. I couldn’t imagine my life without a motorcycle. But the racing is another level that is exciting for me. I’m KLÄUP[LS`OVVRLK
The thing to realize is that you can do P[1\Z[NVVUSPULÄUKH IPRLÄ_P[\WNV racing. I don’t think I ever get off a bike not smiling. That’s a pretty good thing.
X Don Emde was a natural choice as this year’s AMA VMD grand marshal. The Southern Californian grew up at his father’s BSA dealership in San Diego, rode a BSA as an amateur dirttracker, and joined the BSA factory team in 1971.
When I was growing up, BSAs were really the top-of-the-line motorcycle that preceded the Japanese bikes. When people wanted to bump up to something that was at the top of the line, they bought a BSA.
It’s a great honor being named Grand Marshal. I had a lot of heroes—the Dick Manns and Gary Nixons and Cal Rayborns, all these kinds of guys when I was coming up. Within the world of BSA I was very lucky at a young age to be on the BSA factory team in 1971. It was Jim Rice, Dave Aldana and Dick Mann, and so I kind of feel like I’m representing my fellow BSA riders. It’s a great honor.
For the laps I’m doing, Rob Iannucci has been kind enough to make available a BSA 500 twin, which was ridden by my friend, Don Vesco. When I raced for the BSA factory, I was on a Rocket 3, a 750cc, so I never roadraced a twin. It’s fun to see what it was like.
To get out there on the track, that’s when the memories really come back strong. I feel like I’m 20 years old again out there.
T Jerry Bingham thought enough about the BSA he always wanted to track one down, restore it and trailer it to the bike show at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days—and win.
The BSA Rocket Gold Star was a bike that, as a kid in our family-run BSA/BMW dealership, I always admired but couldn’t afford. As time passed, I realized that the BSA Rocket Gold Star is such a rare bike, and I thought, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to track one down and restore it back to the way it was when I was a kid back in 1963?”
I found out there was one in a barn in
Pennsylvania. I called, got the information and drove over in an old Buick 77 Park Avenue pulling a trailer and and it became mine. It was in very poor condition. It had been made into a chopper, basically entirely revamped. What was really attractive to me was the
;OL color was right for this kind of machine. Unlike some new machines, the old BSAs were what motorcycles were really meant to look like. These were machines that had a lot of
say: “If you want to have fun, get on a BSA.
But if you want to get there, get on a BMW.” I don’t think any of it was really that hard. The thing that worried me was the time that it would take away from things like time with my wife. She’s most understanding, and she’s given me the freedom to do this.
I’ve been coming here for years, and it’s just great. It’s not about the machines, it’s about the people. I’ve been a life member of the AMA, raced motorcycles, the whole thing. I’m glad to see that the AMA is strong and still doing what they’re doing. I’ve always loved bikes. I’m just extending my childhood.
Shock Doctor/KTM’s Cory Buttrick, who races in the AMA Grand National Cross Country Series, took home the title of AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand National Champion at the inaugural AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships with dominant performances in hare scrambles and motocross, and a solid effort in trials.
The hare scrambles was a blast. The people here at Mid-Ohio did such a good job laying it out. It was so much fun riding these old bikes in the woods. In trials, my total score was 22. A lot of
them were because of dabs. There were a couple sections I made it through without dabbing but I didn’t go in between the right trees or something, HUK[
LS`IL IHJR to do it. I have to redeem myself. I don’t like to get beat at anything, as bad as that sounds. But I always want to do better and I always want to win.
In the motocross, we got a Penton 400 that I decided to ride to see if we could go for an Expert 500 class championship or whatever, try to win that too. I ended up winning both motos
Woods-racer Cory Buttrick went home as the AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand National Champion
on it pretty easy. Motocross was really a lot of fun because the track ended up being so perfect and they took such good care of it. That was a blast. Everything was so much fun this weekend.
After this, I’ll be hanging out probably the next couple months, just training and doing a good bit of practicing—probably on modern bikes. Just working on when the GNCCs come back around. They’re on their two-month break right now. Hopefully I’ll come back and do real good at those. I’m going to try to win the rest of them.
Tiffany Knetzer and Mike Toth get their kicks in the AMA swap meet
S For the past few years, Mike and Tiffany have made the pilgrimage from Pennsylvania, to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to hang out, take in the ZJLULHUK^H[JO[OLPY\UJSLYHJLPU[OLÅH[[YHJR race at nearby Ashland
Mike I used to ride minibikes when I was a kid. My dad had a motorcycle, and my uncle raced motorcycles. I hung out at bike shops. I’ve just always been around them.
Tiffany I didn’t really have any interest in motorcycles until I started dating Mike. That was his whole world and I got wrapped up in it.
I ride a Harley-Davidson V-Rod. It was about two years ago. Mike was drag racing his sportbike at the track, and a bunch of guys had their dragbikes up there, and I thought the bikes they were on were specially built drag-racers. I liked their bikes, and I thought, “If I ever get a bike, I want one like that.” I learned they were V-Rod production bikes.
I think it’s pretty cool that there are a lot of girls who ride, but I mean not as many as guys. So it’s cool when you see another girl riding. All my friends are like, “You gotta teach me how to ride.” It’s cool. It’s different.
Mike We just ride, it’s fun. That’s what we do. I ride back and forth to work. When I come home, sometimes we go for a ride. We ride together. It’s all about riding, putting on miles, wearing out tires.
We come here, and it’s fun. People here like the same stuff we like.
Tony Helmhold, 22, fabricated his electric motorcycle in his garage
Tom VanStavern kicks back amid parts he and his co-workers brought from Rice Paddy Motorcycles in Columbus, Ohio. Tanks for the memories, and see you next year.
W :VTLWLVWSL^HP[MVY[OLM\[\YL[VHYYP]L 6[OLYZTHRLP[OHWWLU0U[OLPYNHYHNLZ>P[O HUVSKIPRLMYHTLVMM[OLZOLSMWHY[ZHUKHSV[VM MHIYPJH[PUN4LL[;VU`/LSTOVSK
About two years ago I started riding my buddy’s Yamaha motorcycle, and ever since then, I’ve been addicted to motorcycles. I’ve always been interested in alternative fuels, and I thought, “How can I mix the two?” This is it. It started with a 1975 Yamaha RD250 with a blown motor. It was the perfect frame for this.
The motor is a Mars electric motor that WYVK\JLZ[V OVYZLWV^LY 0[»ZNV[Ä]L Honda Odyssey racing batteries that produce 60 volts total. Top speed today was about 78 mph on the straightaway. Rangewise, if I’m really hard on it, I can get a little under 10 miles on a charge. If I’m light on it, I can get almost 30. I’ve been working at a small transmission shop. There’s no transmission on this bike at all, just direct drive. So there’s very little overlap. ;OL JVVSLZ[WHY[PZKLÄUP[LS`HSS[OL MHIYPJH[PVU .L[[PUN L]LY`[OPUN[VÄ[WYVWLYS`HUKNL[[PUN P[HSS[V^VYRPZKLÄUP[LS`M\U (UKZLLPUN P[HSS work when you’re done is great.
The reactions have been nothing but positive. People like looking at this. It’s the high-tech future of the sport. I honestly think electric WV^LY PZKLÄUP[LS`MLHZPISL ,SLJ[YPJ IPRLZHYL UV longer just little mopeds.
X -YVTOPZÄYZ[=L[[LYMHPYPUNKLZPNUZPU[OL Z*YHPN=L[[LYOHZ^VYRLK[VJOLH[[OL ^PUK;OH[»ZZ[PSSOPZNVHS[OLZLKH`ZHZOLSVVRZ [VJYLH[LM\SSVUZ[YLHTSPULKTV[VYJ`JSLZ
The future of motorcycling is in streamlining. Streamlining can make bikes more comfortable while burning less fuel. I believe streamlining will allow electric motorcycles to add at least 30 percent to the duration of battery life while allowing them to go faster.
I am evaluating everything I have learned, NL[[PUN YLHK`[VZ[HY[V]LY^P[O HÄUHS streamlined design: The Last Vetter Fairing. I’ll probably offer it in kit form, much like a model airplane kit—a very big model airplane kit! If and when fuel becomes precious, this type VM THJOPUL^PSS ILJVTL HZPNUPÄJHU[MVYTVM transportation.
In my own streamliner, I am still after 100 mpg at 70 mph, with a load like four bags of groceries into a 30 mph headwind. Also, it must be the most attractive machine in the garage. Streamlining is easy to say but hard to do. My job is to make it easy to streamline.
We have a lot of problems to solve in streamlining. I have only begun. The biggest problems are political. The FIM must allow us designers to streamline racing motorcycles. Only then will the problems be solved. When racing fans see real streamlining on the track, they will want it too.
Craig Vetter is still going strong, focusing
now on full-bike streamlining
“I need the tank and the forks.”—Joe Patsko (seated) and friend Sam Price. 1969 Honda CB350 $50.
“I need the (seat) covers. I have 30 motorcycles so I need parts all the time.”— Greg Antolik. Two 1968 Honda 450 seats.
“I traded a Husky pipe and two carbs for this. I needed it for a rebuild project.”— Keith Boyd. 1972 Husqvarna gas tank. ¸
me and I winked back.”—Jenny Jarvis. The Captain $8.
“I chose it because it had a girl on it.”— Mindy Shawver. Mile-A-Minute Girl T-shirt, two for $5.
“I’m hoping to get four good ones out of this for my ’69 Sandcast.”—Bob Burns. 1969 Honda CB750 pipes $15 total.
“We’ve got about 10 or 12 of them (Honda 70s). I just want it to work.”—Jim Beall. Two horns for a 1970 Honda 70.
“I bought it because it was cool.”— John Pedrow. 1941-47 Plymouth car turtleback trunk lid $5.
“We want to ride a vintage enduro in the fall.”—Greg Svetkame. 1977 Hodaka 250 Thunderdog $750.
“I bought two rims for $5 each, brand new. It’s one of the deals of the day.”— Russ Fruchey.
“You see these coils on the internet for $150.”—Jim Denny (left) and brother, Brian. Harley Hummer case cover $25, coil $5, bolts $3.
“I needed one because I lost it.” —Bob Weniger. 1978 Honda CB550 side cover $15.
“I bought one (Honda CX500) in parts and am putting it together.”—John Losuch. Front wheel for 1981 Honda CX500 $15.
“It’s good.”—Justin Lewis. Bacon, egg and cheese sandwich $5.
T O T H E
The AMA’s Board Chairman And President/CEO Talk About The Future
On March 27, 2007, Rob Dingman was named president and CEO of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). In the fall of that same year, Stan Simpson took the reins as chairman of the AMA Board of Directors when former chairman Dal Smilie resigned after the AMA uncovered evidence of unsubstantiated expense reimbursements. In this interview, both men speak about the challenges and progress of the last two years, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
American Motorcyclist (AM): So much has happened at the AMA in the last two-anda-half years. What stands out?
Rob Dingman (RD): When I came to the AMA, I thought of it as the land of missed opportunities. What I discovered was that the world’s largest motorcycling association did not have the infrastructure to maintain its existing membership base, let alone expand it to become the premier advocacy organization that it needs to be. So behind the scenes we’ve undertaken a complete overhaul, from Z[HMÄUN[VÄUHUJL[V THUHNLTLU[Z`Z[LTZ At the same time, we created a strategic plan that we began implementing at the end of 2007.
Stan Simpson (SS): Every successful business has a functioning strategic plan, and the AMA desperately needed to overhaul its strategic plan. The board tasked Rob and his senior staff with that effort, and they did a bang-up job. So late in 2007 we had established a revamped vision, mission statement and strategic goals. The plan focused the Board on the AMA’s priorities, and laid out a road map to get us there.
Today, the Board and Rob and his staff are totally in sync. We had to be, because some aspects of the strategic plan were controversial, like the sale of AMA Pro Racing. That was absolutely essential if the AMA was going to extract itself from the daily controversies of pro racing and get us back to our core mission, which is to protect the future of motorcycling and promote the motorcycle lifestyle.
RD: When you ask what stands out, I’d have to say, right away, it was the depth of the KLÄJPLUJPLZ^L KPZJV]LYLKHUK[OL\YNLU[ need to plug holes in the AMA ship before we could go full-steam ahead.
6UL VM[OLÄYZ[[OPUNZ0 KPK\WVU HZZ\TPUN the role of CEO was to bring in forensic
accountants. What we learned was that there ^HZH[V[HS SHJR VMÄZJHS JVU[YVSZPU WSHJL HUK that the AMA was ripe for theft and fraud.
The other thing that stands out? When you take a stand on behalf of the entire membership—the vast majority of whom do not have a voice in the day-to-day operation of the AMA—and you institute changes that ILULÄ[[OH[ZPSLU[THQVYP[`I\[Y\U JV\U[LY to entrenched special interests, you will PTTLKPH[LS`IL]PSPÄLK I`[OVZL^OVZL SLNHJPLZHUKÄLMKVTZ`V\HYL KPZTHU[SPUN I am not going to dignify those attacks with a response, but I do want to state for the record that we have treated every employee who has been let go—due to our required restructuring—with the utmost professionalism and respect. Many years ago, the AMA had established a generous severance package, and each of these people has received it. Any suggestion that we’ve acted otherwise is just not true.
I go to sleep at night knowing that we’re making conscious decisions to choose right over easy. And it’s important to point out that the changes we’ve undertaken at the AMA have enjoyed the full backing of the current
Board. Many of these changes can best be described as major departures from the previous Board and senior management’s direction and priorities for the AMA. I can’t V]LYZ[H[L[OLZPNUPÄJHUJL VM[OLPYZ\WWVY[HUK ^L HSS V^L H KLI[VM NYH[P[\KL[V :[HU^OV has done a tremendous job leading our Board of Directors.
AM: Looking back on the Dal Smilie ZJHUKHS^OH[SLZZVUZOH]L ILLU SLHYULK&
RD: As the AMA grew in the decades since P[»ZPUJLW[PVU `LHYZHNV[OL PU]LZ[TLU[Z made to keep pace with its membership size were woefully inadequate. I noted a TVTLU[HNV[OH[^L OHK]PY[\HSS`UVÄZJHS controls—essentially a cigar-box accounting system. The forensic audit turned up all kinds of problems.
0»K SPRL[V JSHYPM`Q\Z[^OH[OHWWLULK because there has been some misinformation out there. Mr. Smilie paid the AMA back ^OPJO^HZHZ\IZ[HU[PHS WVY[PVU of what we believed to be the amount in question. We agreed not to pursue the matter ^P[O H JP]PS HJ[PVUILJH\ZLZ\JO HU HJ[PVU would have cost us more than we would have been able to recapture. The part that has
been less known or understood is that under 6OPV SH^[OL (4(^HZVISPNH[LK[V YLWVY[[OL suspected commission of a felony to the local authorities. The prosecutor is now pursuing [OL TH[[LY JYPTPUHSS`HUK^L HYL\WKH[PUN the membership as events unfold.@V\»SSÄUK YLN\SHY\WKH[LZVU(TLYPJHU4V[VYJ`JSPZ[ JVT·,K
We’ve done a lot since then to take control VM V\YÄUHUJLZHUK V\Y M\[\YL ([[OLZ[HY[VM V\YÄZJHS`LHY^L^PSS OH]L PU WSHJL H TVKLYU UVU WYVÄ[HJJV\U[PUNZ`Z[LT^P[O JOLJRZ HUK IHSHUJLZI\PS[PU)L`VUK[OH[^L HYL implementing an association management ZVM[^HYLZ`Z[LTVY (4: 0[KVLZU»[ZV\UK very sexy but let me tell you that when it is M\SS`M\UJ[PVUHS SH[LY UL_[`LHYV\Y JHWHIPSP[PLZ across the organization will be enhanced tremendously. Imagine trying to run your JVTWHU`VU H`LHY VSK JVTW\[LYZ`Z[LT and you get some idea of what we have been KLHSPUN^P[O 6UJL (4: PZYVSSLK V\[^L^PSS
be able to automate many aspects of our operations that are currently time-consuming HUKZSV^[V YLZWVUKUV[[V TLU[PVU^L»SS IL able to further streamline our operations and conserve AMA members’ money.
SS: From my perspective as a board TLTILY0 JHU[LSS`V\[OH[^L^LYL underserved for many years by the AMA’s THUHNLTLU[Z`Z[LTZPU[LYTZVM[OLÄUHUJPHS HUK THUHNLTLU[PUMVYTH[PVU^L YLJLP]LK [V THRL^LSS PUMVYTLK KLJPZPVUZ(UK^L [OL )VHYKOH]L[V HJJLW[YLZWVUZPIPSP[`[VV because our oversight actions were lacking H[[PTLZ6UJL 9VI^HZTHKL*,6^L knew there were problems that needed to be HKKYLZZLK ;OL :TPSPLZP[\H[PVU^OPJO JHTL V\[VM SLM[ÄLSKQ\Z[HJJLSLYH[LK V\Y KYP]L[V
“With nearly 30 percent of AMA members competing in amateur racing and off-road riding, and with 3,100 amateur racing sanctions this year, it’s clear that amateur YHJPUN PZ[OL SPML ISVVK MVY HZPNUPÄJHU[WVY[PVU of our members.”—Rob Dingman
modernize the Association.
AM: A vocal faction continues to criticize the decision to sell the AMA Pro Racing assets to the Daytona Motorsports Group, and complain that the AMA is not disclosing the details of the sale. How do you respond?
SS: Let me put it this way. Professional racing today is a highly focused entertainment and marketing business. Many years ago it made sense for the AMA to run pro racing, because it was not that much different from amateur racing. But over the years a number of specialized businesses have demonstrated that they could promote and lead that whole deal, and make money doing it. We were just not doing a good job of running pro racing, and trying to do so was draining the life out of the AMA. Plus, it was only a matter of time before one of these businesses woke up and realized they could start their own pro motorcycle series and eventually just take it all away from us.
Meantime, back here in Pickerington, Ohio, here was AMA Pro Racing, the most recognizable name in pro motorcycle racing in America. We had something of great value, and the Board—many of whom are astute businessmen—saw that we could sell this product to the right people who could take it to the next level and, at the same time, add value to the AMA badge, and remove a big burden from the AMA and help us get back to our mission to serve all motorcyclists.
RD: As Stan said, the sale removed a huge resource drain from the AMA, which was staggering when you factor in personnel, equipment, travel expenses, vendors, etc. I have to tell you, I was shocked when I discovered that the AMA was actually I\KNL[PUN[V SVZLZP_ÄN\YLZ\TZMVY[^V VM its pro racing series year after year. That was inexcusable. As a result of the DMG sale, we’ve been able to refocus on our strategic mission and rededicate more resources to our core programs: advocacy and government YLSH[PVUZHJ[P]P[PLZTLTILY ILULÄ[Z(4( amateur racing programs and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
SS: The details of the sale were kept JVUÄKLU[PHS I`+4. HUK[OL (4( )VHYK of Directors—our members’ elected
YLWYLZLU[H[P]LZ·MVY HZWLJPÄJ YLHZVU ;OLYL exists a very competitive environment in
the professional racing and entertainment business. That information, if we had made it public, could help another business set up one or more series to compete with AMA Pro Racing.
And the last thing we wanted to do was to jeopardize the proceeds of the DMG sale and bring about the collapse of the new AMA Pro Racing. So when you hear people advocating for full disclosure, you need to examine their motives.
RD: Here is what we can disclose. It is a multimillion-dollar contract over a number of years. It is a very complex deal involving many pro racing disciplines, many of which are contracted to other companies for their series’ promotion and management. A good example would be MX Sports running the outdoor motocross series. The contract also guarantees that all AMA Pro Racing competitors will be AMA members, which means that we’ll continue to see annual dues ÅV^PUN PU[V[OL (4( (UK^L^PSS JVU[PU\L[V award the No. 1 plates.
SS: The DMG sale also provided the (4(^P[O[OLÄUHUJPHSZ[HIPSP[`[V WLYTP[[OL Board to create three separate $1 million endowments. The interest income from these endowments will strengthen our government relations activities to protect riders rights, improve our amateur racing programs and improve the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. All of these programs are vital to the future of the AMA, and add real value to our membership
AM: Because amateur racing is still important to the AMA, what can we expect to see, and do you want to comment on the split with AHRMA?
RD: With nearly 30 percent of AMA members competing in amateur racing and off-road riding, and with 3,100 amateur racing sanctions this year, it’s clear that amateur YHJPUN PZ[OL SPML ISVVK MVY HZPNUPÄJHU[WVY[PVU of our members. Our director of racing, Joe Bromley, has a dedicated and experienced staff, and these guys are spending their weekends in AMA Districts at races, talking [V WYVTV[LYZWHYLU[ZHUK JVTWL[P[VYZ[VÄUK out what works and why.
Earlier this year we rolled out AMA Racer magazine for our amateur competitors. Soon we will be automating our registration
process and introducing a national point, position and advancement system for offroad. Another thing we are doing is working with promoters so that we can be sure our HTH[L\Y KPZJPWSPULZÅV^ZLHTSLZZS`PU[V[OLPY respective pro series.
SS: About AHRMA, Rob Dingman inherited that whole situation. And yes, the Board has to share some of the blame for continuing to defend the lawsuit. When Rob and I sat down and looked at the case, and totaled up the money spent by the AMA—$750,000—I can tell you that it was our unanimous recommendation to the Board we end the suit pronto. Some people have said it was a dispute between AMA and AHRMA and that is just wrong—it was between AHRMA and Rob Iannucci and his Team Obsolete. When AHRMA declared bankruptcy, it left the AMA holding the bag because we co-sanctioned their events. No one was being served by continuing the suit—not motorcycling, not vintage racing, and certainly not the AMA’s members. Long story short, we entered into a settlement agreement with Mr. Iannucci and Team Obsolete in February, and we went to AHRMA in March and asked them to resolve their differences, too. Unfortunately that has not happened, and so the only responsible action for us to take was to stop sanctioning AHRMA races and stop doing business with AHRMA—because continuing to do so would have cost more AMA members’ money. (For more, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/news/ story.asp?id=793)
RD: The one thing I would add is that if AHRMA is unable to emerge from its ongoing issues, we need to make sure we can meet our vintage racing members’ needs, because we have a responsibility to make sure they continue to have a place within the AMA, and a place to race.
AM: Shifting gears, the AMA has improved
existing programs and rolled out a string of UL^TLTILY ILULÄ[ZSH[LS`/V^OHZ[OH[ been possible given the rebuilding of the AMA’s infrastructure that you mentioned earlier?
RD: We’ve had to take on both challenges simultaneously. It has not been easy, but it was absolutely essential if we were going to deliver on the promise to give AMA members greater value for their $39 annual dues. I give a lot of credit to our marketing team and their rebranding effort. Since the sale of the pro racing assets, we’ve rolled out a dozen
UL^VY YL]PZLK ILULÄ[ZHUK^L UV^WYV]PKL more than 30 money-saving discounts from well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel accommodations, you name it.
We’ve really hit it out of the park with our AMA Roadside Assistance program. It’s free for our members that sign up for auto-renewal or opt for a three-year membership. This industry-leading program covers not just your streetbikes but your cars, trucks, RVs, trailers—everything registered to your home address. More than 27,000 AMA members have taken advantage of free AMA Roadside Assistance since we announced it in February.
;OPZKPZJ\ZZPVU VM ILULÄ[ZPZPTWVY[HU[[V HZPNUPÄJHU[WVY[PVU VM (4( TLTILYZ^OV are not racers and do not follow racing. Over half of AMA members ride streetbikes only, and of that number, over 90 percent are riding cruisers and touring machines. In some JHZLZ^L OH]L PTWYV]LK H ILULÄ[HUKZH]LK the AMA money at the same time. A good example is our partnership with EagleRider as [OL¸6MÄJPHS ;V\YZVM[OL (4(¹5V^PUZ[LHK of running just six events a year in-house MVY[OL ILULÄ[VM H ML^KVaLU TLTILYZ^L can offer more than 100 events annually to thousands of AMA members. All this is proof positive of what the AMA is capable of
“We’ve got to be prepared. In the world of motorcycles, we’ve seen meteor strikes with the attempted superbike ban, and with the large-scale closure of public lands and the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s lead ban earlier this year.”—Stan Simpson
achieving for its members in a relatively short time.
SS: Before Rob’s time, there were ¸TLTILY ILULÄ[Z¹[OH[PUJS\KLK H MYLL (4( membership when you dealt with a new supplier of motorcycle-related services. We’re not doing these anymore. Rob’s got some pretty smart people working for him, and they tell me that these non-sustaining memberships don’t truly represent who our members are. The Board agrees. If your customers don’t even know they’re your customers, that’s not a good business model that will sustain long-term growth. 5V^[HRL[OL UL^MYLL (4( 9VHKZPKL Assistance program—how great is that? That’s something every AMA member needs, including off-roaders like me who trailer our bikes to the track and the trailhead.
AM: Speaking of growth, what is the AMA membership now, and what are the goals?
RD: We have about a quarter-million TLTILYZ>LÅPY[LK^P[OH[[OL LUK of last year, but the very sort of program that :[HU Q\Z[TLU[PVULK OHK PUÅH[LK V\Y U\TILYZ by 50,000 or so. Most of those didn’t convert to dues-paying memberships, and will be off the roster by the end of this year. The recession hasn’t helped either, but when you factor out non-sustaining memberships, we’ve THUHNLK[VZ[H`ÅH[^OLU THU`I\ZPULZZLZ are reporting 30-40 percent declines. Our short-term goal is to climb back up to 300,000 through 2010 and, beyond that, we have set our sights on 400,000. There is no reason that the AMA cannot grow to one million, but we are planning on achieving that by taking a value-based approach.
SS: I want to say something to members that is on everyone’s mind: your association PZÄUHUJPHSS`OLHS[O`9VI Y\UZH[PNO[ZOPW and he’s charged his management team with making certain that the AMA pays its way L]LY`KH`/L^VU»[WYLZLU[·HUK[OL )VHYK won’t approve—budgets with planned losses. Rob’s probably getting ready to tell you that, once the AMA sold off its pro racing assets, he right-sized the staff and reduced payroll by more than $2 million. The Board agreed with that. Letting people go isn’t easy, nor is spending money for infrastructure when YL]LU\LZHYLÅH[6UL ILULÄ[VM ILPUN years old is that the AMA has invested wisely over the years, and has accrued substantial
funds for a rainy day, or a “meteor strike.” So making one-time investments in internal systems is going to have an immediate and long-term payoff. But rest assured—and I’m talking to each and every AMA member now—the AMA will continue to belt-tighten if conditions warrant that we do so, because we consider the management of your funds to be a sacred trust.
AM: Stan, you mentioned a moment ago the need to have funds for a meteor strike. What do you mean by that?
SS: Just this: There always are meteors out there, and occasionally one drops into the atmosphere and wreaks havoc here on Earth. And we’ve got to be prepared. In the world of motorcycles, we’ve seen these meteor strikes in the past with the attempted superbike ban, and more recently with the large-scale closure of public lands and the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s lead ban earlier this year. It’s great to have the motorcycle industry as a WHY[ULY PU[OLZLÄNO[ZI\[^L»]L NV[[V OH]L a larger, stronger and more robust AMA if we hope to protect our right to ride. Earlier this year the Motorcycle Industry Council released its owner survey and they estimated that 25 million people swung a leg over a bike in ;OH[U\TILY YLHSS`Z[\JR^P[O TL ;OPUR how many more phone calls and e-mails we could send to city, state, and federal legislators if we had just 10 percent of that 25 million as AMA members.
RD: Stan is exactly right, and that’s why we believe a million-member AMA is well within our grasp. And if there was ever a time to sound the alarm and mobilize the power of motorcyclists, this is it. We are facing major challenges in Congress, in state capitals, and even in city councils.
;OL YLJLU[MLKLYHS HZZH\S[VU 6/=YPKPUN has been unprecedented. More federal lands are on the list to be inappropriately designated HZ> PSKLYULZZZO\[[PUN V\[YLZWVUZPISL 6/= recreation on millions of more acres. Our VWWVULU[ZHYL L]LU ISHTPUN 6/=ZMVY[OL sudden rise in dust storms in the west.
With so many street motorcycles on our crowded, SUV-saturated, driver-distracted highways, there are more motorcycle crashes —and unfortunately more deaths. The reasons are complex, and we need to know the answers, but the federal crash study the
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