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NAVIGATION
Navigation Photo
On Oct. 19, six new members joined the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Ricky Carmichael, Danny Hamel, Norm McDonald, Randy Renfrow and Mike and Dianne Traynor.
See more from this gala event on pages 34-35. Photo by Jeff Guciardo
American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2013. Printed in USA. Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $10 covered in membership dues; $15 a year for non-members.
Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices.
December 2013
Volume 67, Number 12
Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com
8. LETTERS
You write, we read.
10. ROB DINGMAN
An electric experience in Las Vegas.
12. RIGHTS
Police on electric motorcycles, gains are made in Johnson Valley OHV battle, battling inappropriate Wilderness designations and Statewatch.
18. HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Cool new stuff for you and your motorcycle.
22. RIDING
The latest news, rides, interviews and more from the world of motorcycling.
30. HALL OF FAME
Honda’s 1970 Honda ATC90 and Hall of Famer Malcolm Forbes.
34. AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY
Oct. 19, motorcycling celebrated the careers of six amazing motorcyclists.
36. A MEMORABLE RIDE
A family reunites through motorcycles.
38. KURT CASELLI: A WINNING YEAR
The 2013 AMA Hare & Hound champion is moving to the world stage in 2014.
Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations
Bob Chaddock, Vice President, Administration
Jeff Massey, Vice President, Operations
Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations & Corporate Member Programs
Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs
ACCOUNTING
Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager
Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator
Ed Madden, System Support Specialist
Peg Tuvell, Member Fulfillment Specialist
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Sean Maher, Director
AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME
Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations
Beth Owen, Donor Relations Specialist
Paula Schremser, Program Specialist
Katy Wood, Collections Manager
AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES
Kip Bigelow, Amateur MX Manager
Joe Bromley, District Relations Manager
Jacki Burris, Organizer Services Coordinator
Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator
Lana Cox, Administrative Assistant
Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations
Bill Cumbow, Director of Special Projects
Sandi Dunphy, Road Riding Coordinator
Dave Hembroff, Road Riding Manager
Alex Hunter, MX Operational Coordinator
Tamra Jones, Racing Coordinator
Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager
AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ about/board
Maggie McNally, Chair Albany, N.Y.
Russ Brenan, Vice Chair Irvine, Calif.
Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.
Perry King, Executive Committee Member Northern California
John Ulrich, Executive Committee Member Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Sean Hilbert, Hillsdale, Mich.
Scott Miller, Milwaukee
Art More, Sun City West, Ariz.
Stan Simpson, Cibolo, Texas
Jim Viverito, Chicago (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES (continued)
Cherie Schlatter, Organizer Services Manager
D’Andra Myers, Organizer Services Coordinator
Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator
Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager
Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager
COMMUNICATIONS
Grant Parsons, Director of Communications
DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES
John Bricker, Mailroom Manager
Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator
Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Marie Esselstein, Government Affairs Assistant
Danielle Fowles, Grassroots Coordinator
Nick Haris, Western States Representative
Sean Hutson, Legislative Assistant
Sharon Long, Legislative Coordinator
Rick Podliska, Deputy Director
Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager - Off-Highway
Imre Szauter, Government Affairs Manager - On-Highway
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Rob Baughman, Network Administrator
John Boker, Developer
Dave Coleman, Network Architect
Amy Hyman, Senior Programmer/Analyst
Bill Miller, Enterprise Architect
MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY
Lori Cavucci, Member Services Representative
Deb D’Andrea, Member Services Representative
Linda Hembroff, Member Services Representative
Darcel Higgins, Member Services Manager
Kimberly Jude, Member Services Representative
Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative
Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative
Angela Warren, Member Services Representative
JOIN OR RENEW your AMA membership in 2013 and you could win!
YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ
As the proud sponsor of the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Touring Series, Yamaha is awarding one lucky member a new 2013 Super Ténéré! Riders participating in the series will also be automatically entered.
TUCKER ROCKY CUSTOM ROAD GLIDE Or a
One lucky winner will take home this Tucker Rocky Custom Road Glide with high-end components from S&S, Progressive Suspension, Arlen Ness, PIAA and many other Tucker Rocky partner companies.
Every month, everyone who joins or renews a membership in the AMA is automatically entered in a drawing for a
The best part? You’re automatically entered when you join or renew between Jan. 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2013.
AN ELECTRIC EXPERIENCE IN LAS VEGAS FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Rob Dingman
There was one thing on my schedule for the AMA Legends Weekend, presented by Husqvarna, in Las Vegas that I was looking forward to almost as much as the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony itself. This was a very busy weekend that included a Board of Directors meeting of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, an AMA Board Executive Committee meeting, an AMA Board meeting, a breakfast with the 2013 inductees, the Dave Mungenast Memorial Legends Reception featuring dozens of Hall of Famers and the Monster Energy Cup AMA Supercross event at Sam Boyd Stadium—all in addition to the induction ceremony that anchored the weekend.
The thing I was most looking forward to in the midst of all these official duties was an opportunity to ride a Zero electric motorcycle with Zero Global Marketing Vice President and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Scot Harden. Zero was a sponsor of the induction ceremony and Scot had promised to have a few bikes on hand and lead an early morning ride around his hometown of Las Vegas.
I have been curious about electric bikes for a while but never had the opportunity to see for myself if they really could be considered “real motorcycles.” While I have been pretty open minded on the subject, I personally know some purists, including a very respected member of the road racing community, who believes that electric bikes are an “abomination.”
We met outside the hotel at 7 a.m. on the Saturday morning after the induction ceremony. In addition to Scot Harden and myself, AMA Board member Perry King and Kawasaki Senior Product Specialist Paul Golde came along on the ride. Scot had two Zero DS dual-sport models that Perry and I started out on while he rode a Zero S streetfighter model. Paul rode a gaspowered Kawasaki Ninja 1000 that he had ridden to Vegas from southern California.
From the minute I threw my leg over the DS, it was an entirely different experience for me. When the key is turned to the on position and a switch similar to a kill switch on a conventional bike is in the run position, the bike is on and ready to go. Sitting in a parked position, there is no noticeable difference between on and off. The only difference is that if you twist the throttle when it’s on the bike will go.
The ride is smooth and silent. The lack of any engine noise and no vibration from the motor is surreal. There is no clutch, and there are no gears to shift through. The power delivery is instantaneous,
allowing the bike to accelerate with an incredible quickness that I had never experienced on a conventional motorcycle with a manual transmission.
Scot took us past his boyhood home and explained how there had been a dairy farm where we now saw widespread development. He then stopped around the corner from this home to show us an estate that was once occupied by Wayne Newton. Scot and his friends may have scaled the security walls a time or two to swim uninvited in Mr. Newton’s swimming pool when they were kids. We then rode through Sunset Park, which Scot’s grandmother was involved in creating. From there, we rode on to an area overlooking Paradise Valley called the Mesa. It was here that we got the opportunity to experience the bikes’ capability off-road. Although we only briefly rode the bikes on dirt, it made me hope for a future opportunity to spend more time with an electric bike off-road.
We had traded bikes throughout the ride so each of us had the opportunity to try each bike. Entering the highway on the way back to the hotel on the Ninja, I had a hard time keeping up with the electric bikes, which accelerated onto the highway much quicker than I could, having to shift through the gears.
As we were pulling back into the hotel driveway, I was riding next to Scot, and we were having a conversation. Neither of us needed to raise our voice and neither had any trouble hearing the other. The ability to have a conversation while in motion was an aspect of riding an electric motorcycle that hadn’t occurred to me.
The happy feeling you have after riding a motorcycle is one reason we all ride. I definitely had that feeling after riding the Zeros. No matter what mechanical differences there are between electric bikes and those that run on gas, one thing they have in common is the ability to provide that happy feeling and the enjoyment we all get out of riding a motorcycle.
I don’t know what the future holds for electric motorcycles. Battery technology, which is the limiting factor with respect to operating range of electric bikes, seems to improve year after year. While I don’t expect electric motorcycles to replace their gaspowered predecessors anytime soon—and they likely never will—I do think electric motorcycles are here to stay.
Rob Dingman is the AMA president and CEO.
The holidays are here. There are get-togethers where you can talk about motorcycles, time off so you can ride and work on motorcycles and, best of all, excuses to buy new motorcycling stuff. Need ideas? Here are some of 2013’s hottest products.
AMA Membership
Farkle Fingers
Adaptiv Technologies has come out with Farkle Fingers that will make any pair of gloves touch-screen friendly. Just pull the Farkle Fingers over the tips of your gloves and you’ll be able to use any touch-screen device. During those quick pit stops, make calls with a smartphone, navigate a GPS or change your mp3 player settings—all without having to take your gloves off. Farkle Fingers are stretchable, fit any size glove and will stay on the glove while riding.
MSRP: $20
Info: www.adaptivtechnologies.com
Biker Glasses
Biker Glasses are designed to look good, be comfortable and get the job done without breaking the bank. The glasses offer 100 percent UV protection, have foam padding for comfort, are scratch resistant and include anti-fog ports for venting. They come in three lens options: smoked, amber and clear.
MSRP: $15 (Smoked/Amber/Clear)
Info: www.biker-glasses.com
Tourmaster Elite 14 Liter Tank Bag
Made from heavy-duty, 1680 denier ballistic polyester and 1800 denier patterned polyester construction, the Tourmaster Elite 14 Liter Tank Bag’s built-in adjustable GPS pocket accommodates a variety of phones and devices. It has a removable map pocket and external zippered side pockets with zipper garages. Two sip tube and media port access holes are included, as well as a hinged lid with underside organizer pockets that allow easy access and organization. An integrated carry handle and hideaway backpack straps make it easy to take off the bike. The bag comes with a black visor storage pouch, water bladder storage bag, and a clear window rain cover. It can easily convert from a strap-mounted to magnetic-mounted bag with optional mounting bases.
$129.99
Help friends and loved ones stop wasting money while helping protect their right to ride and race. Give an AMA membership as a gift. AMA members enjoy a variety of money-saving benefits and discounts. More importantly, more members mean more political clout for the AMA to fight discrimination against motorcyclists and public land closures.
DUES: $49
Info: membership@ama-cycle.org or (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646)
MotoGP & Superbike 2014
Calendar
Concepts International announces it is celebrating its 30th year of supplying motorcycle racing and sportbike fans with high quality products. The high-quality MotoGP and Superbike calendar offers a vivid color essay of the 2014 season.
Spectro FC Premium Fuel Conditioner & Stabilizer
The calendar is a 13-inch x 18.75-inch spiral-bound calendar with German quality action photos. The 2014 edition contains world-class photos of the 2013 season that capture the action, atmosphere and drama of MotoGP and Superbike racing.
The company also offers racing-themed Christmas cards books, and more.
MSRP: $19.95 (freight included)
Info: www.conceptsi.com
AMA Racing Hoodies & T-shirts
Formulated specifically for high-output engines, Spectro FC Premium helps you ensure top performance and easier maintenance from season to season. It is suitable for all forms of gasoline-fueled engines, from everyday lawn equipment to superbikes. It fights corrosion and varnish build-up, and counters ethanol-accelerated corrosive problems within your fuel delivery system. Keeping your fuel fresh for up to 12 months. It inhibits corrosion and provides lubricity, prevents the formation of fuel-related gums and varnishes for easy starting after storage.
MSRP: $7.04
Info: www.spectro-oils.com or (800) 243-8645
Emblazoned with the AMA Racing logo, these well-made hoodies will keep you warm all winter, while these t-shirts will look cool under your favorite riding jacket. Available in black and navy and in sizes S-2XL.
Available in 16 sizes, 30mm through 52mm for WP, Showa, KYB, Marzocchi, Ohlins, Sachs and Cobra, these seals are designed with a performance advanced material for smooth as silk feel. They can be removed, cleaned and reinstalled multiple times so that you do not have to buy new seals and will save you money over time.
MSRP: $38-$45 per pair
Info: www.synergyseals.com
thumbholes and is breathable and fully vented.
Part No.: 3PW132023-6
Sizes: M-XXL
MSRP: $169.99
Info: www.ktmusa.com
to safely and securely trailer, or haul any bike in a pick-up. It’s billed as the finest and most versatile chock made in America and makes a great gift for the holiday season.
MSRP: $259 Info: www.condor-lift.com
K&N High-Flow Air Filter
K&N High-Flow Air Filters are designed and manufactured in the USA with the highestquality materials to provide low air-flow restriction, resulting in increased throttle response, horsepower and torque. The off-road specific air filters are manufactured with deep pleated K&N “XD” cotton media, providing an extra-large filtration area and long air filter service intervals. They offer excellent filtration and are extremely easy to maintain. An OE-style injection molded mounting frame is designed to drop directly into the stock airbox, offering a secure fit. All K&N air filters are washable and reusable, pre-oiled and ready for installation. As a rule, no fuelmanagement modifications are necessary to obtain increased performance. A one-year limited warranty is provided.
MSRP: Varies Info: www.knfilters.com
Kinekt Gear Ring
The inventors of the Kinekt Gear Ring— interactive jewelry for men and women—have designed a T-shirt for women called the Kinekt Design r(evolve) T-shirt.
The artwork depicts a transformation from flower to gear, inspired by the concept that nature influences design. The design is printed on a midnight blue basic crew T-shirt made of 100 percent soft cotton. Women’s sizes: S, M, L and XL. The company also offers a men’s concrete gray basic crew T-shirt with a different design.
MSRP: $25
Info: www.kinektdesign.com or (888) 600-8494
KTM Akrapovic Titanium Slip-On Silencer
Increasing horsepower, lowering weight and delivering a professional quality look and sound, the KTM Akrapovic Titanium Slip-On Silencer takes advantage of premium tuning and craftsmanship to deliver impressive gains. Slips on quickly and easily to stock headers.
MSRP: $599.99
Part No.: SXS10450512
Info: www.ktmusa.com
KTM Toaster
If you ride a KTM, you can’t eat ordinary toast for breakfast. This specially designed toaster toasts the KTM logo into every slice. 110V.
Part No.: UPW0870000
MSRP: $39.99
Info: www.ktmusa.com
Motion Pro Axis TruingBalance Stand
The new Motion Pro Axis Truing Balance Stand combines quality and function. Its signature blue powder coated steel tubular frame is designed to fold away for easy storage. The single-sided design makes it easy to access spoke nipples. The 15mm axle fits most modern street and off-road motorcycle wheels and features high-quality bearings that allow precise wheel balancing. An aluminum hub cone with setscrew keeps wheels firmly locked in place. For truing, an aluminum pointer is mounted to a clamp with horizontal and vertical adjustment to accommodate most motorcycle wheels. The stand can be used with dial indicators (not included).
Part No.: 08-0538
MSRP: $109.99
Info: www.motionpro.com
Leader Motorcycle Gadget Mounts
Leader Motorcycle is a family-owned business specializing in gadget mounts and cold/rainy riding gear. It offers mounts for GPS, phone, iPod/MP3, radio, camera, even clocks and drink holders. In addition, you can stretch your riding season further with the Desert Dawgs Rain Guards and Desert Digits Wind Deflectors that keep you warm in the cold and dry in the rain. Leader manufactures in the USA for top quality on every product. Info: www.LeaderMotorcycle.com or (763) 535-1440
Synergy Seals X-Bushing Z-Bolt Kit
The X-Bushing Z-Bolt Kit is available for all KTM and Husaberg bikes with PDS suspension from 1998 to 2014. The X-Bushing Z-Bolt kit will make the rear end of your bike adjustable in height and allow you to fine-tune the handling of your machine.
MSRP: $95-$100
Info: www.synergyseals.com
Powertye Pickup Kit
These high-quality American-made tie-downs are a great solution for securing your dirtbike or sportbike in the back of a pickup truck or trailer. The 1½-inch Fat Straps come with 2 Latching S-Hooks to keep your bike from falling over, and a Powertye Soft-Tye sewn-in to easily wrap around handlebars and keep hooks away from your bike. Each Pickup Kit includes two 1½-inch Fat Straps with integrated Soft-Tyes and one Storage Bag to keep everything clean and organized when not in use. The kit is available in black, red, blue or orange. It makes a great holiday gift for any rider.
Part No.: 29622-SB
MSRP: $26.95
Info: www.powertye.com
Discount available to AMA members! See page 2 for details.
K&N’s Performance Oil Filters
Designed to withstand the higher concentrates of synthetic and semi-synthetic oils, K&N’s Premium Oil Filters feature a man-made media that is developed to be compatible with both synthetic and traditional oils. Ideal for use in high-performance engines or to be used for longer service intervals as intended with many synthetic and ester oils. K&N’s spin-on oil filters are built with a 17mm hex nut affixed to the head of the filter, making these oil filters extremely easy to remove in those hardto-reach places. The filter is designed to offer high-flow rates and outstanding oil filtration. A limited warranty is provided.
MSRP: $7.49-$13.99
Info: www.knfilters.com
Spectro Premium Motorcycle Wash
You won’t believe how well this motorcycle wash works. The toughest dirt, grease, grime, bug splatter, brake dust and road film are all lifted with this spray-on/ rinse-off product. It leaves a sparkling, streak-free clean surface that keeps bikes looking like new. It’s gentle enough for daily washing, yet effective even for the dirtiest build-up. Spectro Premium Motorcycle Wash contains no petroleum solvents or harsh chemicals. It’s an aqueousbased, non-flammable product that will not spot-blanch metals if thoroughly rinsed. Excellent for aluminum, auto or truck wheels.
MSRP: $14.23
Info: www.spectro-oils.com or (800) 243-8645
FLY Racing Back Country Backpack
The Fly Racing Back Country Backpack is a backpack, hydration system and a tool pack all in one. Its 70-ounce hydration bladder is included and holds more than two liters of liquid. A tool compartment has 12 separate pockets for organization. The shoulder straps have been improved and back padding offers added comfort for long rides. Waist and chest straps distribute loads. Utility pockets for a two-way radio or cellphone are built in. Cargo cinch straps minimize bouncing, while ample expansion panels allow most compact shovels and probes to fit inside the bag.
MSRP: $79.95
Info: www.flyracing.com
ProAligner Wheel Alignment Tool
Approximately 80 percent of all motorcycle wheels are misaligned using swingarm marks. You’ll discover instant improvement in steering feel and control by aligning your wheels directly with ProAligner’s CMM-certified, laser-like accuracy. The unique and versatile ProAligner was designed by a former FIM-GP racer to out-perform any other wheel aligning method. ProAligner’s quick and easy-to-follow, sixthgrade-tested instructions are conveniently printed on its storage sleeve.
It can align all brands of bikes on rear stands, front stands, side stands or no stands at all.
MSRP: $29.95 Info: ProAligner.com
KTM Progressive Handlebar Damping System
The CNC-machined Progressive Handlebar Mounting System from KTM features cushioning rubber inserts to reduce the feeling of sudden impacts at the handlebar while absorbing vibration and maintaining KTM’s topquality component standards.
Part No.: SXS07125200
MSRP: $199.99
Info: www.ktmusa.com
A LEGENDARY WEEKEND
Celebrating In Las Vegas
Every year, the world of motorcycling welcomes a new class to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. These men and women represent the best and the brightest in all areas of motorcycle sport, industry and advocacy.
Held at the Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas, Nev., on Oct. 18-19, the AMA Legends Weekend, presented by Husqvarna, honored these motorcycling heroes with an unforgettable display of admiration and respect.
For more photographs from this weekend, see http://gallery.americanmotorcyclist.com. To see video from the weekend, visit www.youtube.com/motorcyclemuseum.
Left: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith (left) and 2013 inductee Norm McDonald provided an amazing moment at the ceremony. Malcolm, who credits McDonald with his career in motorcycling, persevered the pain of recent back surgery to travel from Riverside, Calif., and personally present McDonald with his Hall of Fame ring. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house during Malcolm’s sincere and touching tribute to his friend. They are shown here with American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation Chairman Jeff Heininger.
Above: Mark Blackwell, inducted in 2000, was honored as an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend. Hall of Fame Legends are existing members of the Hall of Fame who are recognized for ongoing contributions to the sport. Blackwell has won a national motocross title, has managed championship race teams and has excelled in business.
Left, top: Sean and Dan Traynor accepted the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame honor on behalf of the late Mike and Dianne Traynor. Mike and Dianne Traynor founded Ride for Kids, which has raised $70 million for childhood brain tumor research since 1984.
Left, middle: Road racer Randy Renfrow, who passed away in 2002, was one of the most versatile competitors of his time. Shown are (l-r) Hall of Famer Jody Nicholas, Shawn Renfrow, Edith Renfrow, Charles Renfrow, John Lassak and AMHF Chairman Jeff Heininger.
Left, bottom: Danny Hamel, who died in 1995, is considered one of the greatest desert racers ever. Shown are (l-r) Hall of Famer Randy Hawkins, Team Kawasaki Manager Mark Johnson, Hamel’s mechanic Mike Hodges and AMHF Chairman Jeff Heininger.
Photos Jeff Guciardo
Above, left: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend and 2000 inductee Torsten Hallman was unable to travel from his home in Sweden due to last-minute doctor’s orders. Induction ceremony emcee and AMA Board Member Perry King read Hallman’s speech.
Above, right: Willie G. Davidson, the man who defined Harley-Davidson’s iconic look in the 1970s, ’80s and beyond, was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. At the Dave Mungenast Memorial Legends Reception on Saturday morning, he received his Hall of Fame ring.
The greatest motocrosser of all time took his rightful place in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. As a professional racer, Ricky Carmichael denied all challengers. On the stage, he was humble, respectful and gracious—a true champion.
Below
If American motorcycling has a royal couple, Mike and Margaret Wilson are it. Shown here with Dave Mungenast Memorial Legends Reception emcee Laurette Nicoll and AMHF Board Chairman Jeff Heininger, the Hall of Famers and emeritus members of the AMHF board have been married—and riding motorcycles together—for 71 years.
KURT CASELLI: A WINNING YEAR
AMA Hare & Hound Champion Racing Ahead
By Mark Kariya
Kurt Caselli celebrated his 30th birthday this year and what a year it’s been. Besides that benchmark 30th lap around the sun, he got engaged, helped mentor teammate Ivan Ramirez and did quite a bit of racing around the globe.
The competition side of things started in January with an unexpected ride on the Red Bull KTM Factory Rally Team, filling in for the injured Marc Coma. Despite it being his introduction to a top-level rally, the American desert-racing champ surprised quite a few Europeans by winning two stages.
“It was totally unexpected,” Caselli remembers. “I got a call a week before it started and had to jump on the opportunity.
“I had a decent result and KTM was happy with that,” he adds. “It wasn’t two weeks that I was home from that that I had a contract to do rallies for the next three years, so obviously KTM was very aggressive with wanting to get me started in that career.”
Caselli is a longtime KTM rider, and he
says that loyalty pays dividends.
“I was just thrilled that they offered me that [contract], and the biggest thing is just sticking with the company,” he says. “In off-road, it’s so important to be brandloyal and just create good relationships that you’re going to be with people for the long run. We’re not making millions out here, so it’s good to have a sponsor that’s behind you, whether you have a good year or a bad year.”
But since he started winning the AMA Hare & Hound National Championship in 2011, Caselli doesn’t seem to have bad years.
Even the 2013 desert racing season went from bad to good. It started with a DNF when he stopped to aid a fellow rider while coming back through the pack, having had to replace the rear brake system due to bending the rotor earlier in the race. That immediately put him 30 points in the hole to winner Kendall Norman, the 2010 series champ.
“It’s so crazy—all the years that I’ve struggled and the races I’ve done badly, I’ve learned so much more than the races
that I’ve won or the series that I’ve won where everything’s perfect,” he says. “When you struggle, that’s when you really find out who you are and what you need to work on.”
After that, Caselli worked on getting things back to normal. He finished second to Norman at round two (it would be Norman’s final series appearance, the privateer opting to spend his limited budget for the rest of the year racing in Baja) then won the next five rounds before another runner-up at round eight— at a new venue outside of Reno, Nev.—to rising star Jacob Argubright.
Caselli locked up his third consecutive title after emerging victorious at round nine of the 10-stop tour, freeing him up to participate in the OiLibya Rally in Morocco that conflicted with round 10 as originally scheduled
A last-minute substitute for the injured Marc Coma, rally rookie Kurt Caselli stunned many by winning two stages at Dakar. That performance earned him a three-year contract to join the Red Bull KTM Factory Rally Team, a role that will prevent him from chasing more AMA championships. PHOTO: M. MARAGNI/ KTM IMAGES
Though not as prepared as he would’ve liked, Caselli nonetheless contributed solidly to the U.S. World Trophy team’s recordequaling, runner-up finish at Six Days. Individually, he still earned a gold and was ninth in the E2 division, the third American.
PHOTO: MARK KARIYA
It wasn’t until round three of the desert series that Caselli found himself leading a race. After that, it was almost impossible to wrest him out of it, and he’d win six of the first nine rounds to sew up his third straight title with one round to go.
PHOTO: MARK KARIYA
on Oct. 12-13. (Due to the federal government shutdown in October, round 10 was rescheduled for Nov. 23-24.)
“It was just a test of patience and I just keep pushing,” Caselli says of those early rounds.
His team also notched strong runner-up finishes in the first two Baja races, with the season-ending Baja 1000 coming up.
Caselli continues: “Mixed in there was a rally in Argentina. I kind of surprised myself a little—I won that. I didn’t really plan on being up front. It was just [for] practice and to get some navigation skills down, and I was able to win, but there was a lot of other things going on. Some riders went down and Coma had some bike issues. But it was good to kind of get my foot cemented there in the rally scene so people know the next few years, I’ll hopefully be up front.
“That led into this ISDE thing.”
Before the Six Days, where Caselli was
much the racing side of it. They weren’t real familiar with what was going on in the [AMA Hare & Hound] series or anything like that, but they could tell you every little change about the new [KTM] 1190 and just everything about the bikes.”
Caselli didn’t have his best year at the 88th ISDE, held on the island of Sardinia, Italy. But he didn’t need to—it’s a team event, after all, and while he turned in some good test times, his teammates backed him up well with solid finishes in almost every test. In the end, the team finished second in the top World Trophy
the U.S. team captain, however, there was a non-racing function that left a huge impression.
“It just seems like every year it just gets busier and busier, and more things get thrown in there!” he says. “It’s what I really enjoy, doing the other things [besides] racing. I was able to do an adventure ride/ rally in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.”
The adventure ride was an annual event that KTM puts on for fans of their street-legal adventure bikes. For Caselli, whose motorcycle life revolves around competition, the laid-back atmosphere of the recreational rally was a new experience.
“That was so fun!”
Caselli says. “I had a great time, met a lot of new people—a different experience, for sure, a different crowd of guys. They really enjoy just sportadventure riding, not so
category. Caselli wasn’t even born in 1982, the only other time the U.S. team has finished so high in the world championship event.
“I didn’t have much time to really train [for the Six Days style of racing] and put what I thought would be the best effort toward being prepared for [it],” he says. “But that’s OK. I feel that as the years go on, you’ve really got to pick your battles and we’ve done great so far this year as a team. It’s the strongest team we’ve had in a real long time.”
Next year, Caselli’s contracts will see him log a lot of air miles as he fills his role of rally racer while his domestic responsibility finds him focused on Baja. The ISDE will figure into his schedule as well as a few select events to stay sharp. For now, though, Caselli is tentatively retiring from making a run at the AMA Hare & Hound National Championship as he ups his competition on the world stage. Nevertheless, whether he’s racing in Mexico or Morocco, the multi-time champ will continue to represent America whenever he rides.
PHOTOS (Clockwise From Left)
GO RIDE
A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed on the following pages.
1
Don’t miss one of the greatest adventures in the country. It’s the LA-Barstow to Vegas dual-sport/ adventure ride hosted by AMA District 37 (Southern California) Dual Sport on Nov. 29-30 in Palmdale, Calif. The event is part of the AMA Husqvarna National Dual-Sport Series, presented by FMF, and the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series. For more info, see page 43.
3
There’s still some exciting Pro-Am motocross action happening in Florida and Texas. Catch the action in Gainesville, Fla., Nov. 25-27, and Nov. 28-30. Then in Floresville, Texas, Nov. 30-Dec. 1 and in Wortham, Texas, Dec. 28-29. For more info, see page 43.
5
Check out the latest motorcycles and gear at the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows in Long Beach, Calif., Dec. 6-8, and in New York, N.Y., Dec. 13-15. Info: www. motorcycleshows.com.
2
Catch the final round of the thrilling GEICO AMA EnduroCross National Championship Series on Nov. 23 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Find out more information at www.endurocross.com.
4
Be sure to catch the action of Round 5 of the Mid-South Cross Country Racing series is going on Dec. 8 at Hazzard Hill in Vanleer, Tenn. For more information, go to www.msxc.com.
COMING UP
Celebrate the racing season at the gala 2013 AMA Championship Banquet that will be held Jan. 18, 2014, at the Aladdin Center in Columbus, Ohio. The annual get-together recognizes amateur national champions from both two- and four-wheel disciplines, such as the AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series. For more information, go to www. americanmotorcyclist.com.
ARKANSAS
RECREATIONAL
TOY RUN
DEC 1: HOT SPRINGS: ABATE OF ARKANSAS, DISTRICT 14, (501) 623-2797
CALIFORNIA
RECREATIONAL
TOY RUN
DEC 8: GLENDALE: ABATE-CA LOCAL 1, (818) 344-4656
DEC 15: LOMA LINDA: MOTORCYCLE RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (562) 864-7147
COMPETITION
EUROPEAN SCRAMBLES
DEC 8: (Includes ATVs) IMPERIAL : ROADRUNNER OFF-ROAD RACING CLUB, (760) 275-9852, AMAD38.COM
GRAND PRIX
DEC 7: (Includes ATVs) PALA: 2 DAY EVENT, VIKINGS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (760) 4054445, PALARACEWAY.COM
DEC 21: (Includes ATVs) CALIFORNIA CITY: 2 DAY EVENT, AVE RACING (ALTA VISTA EVENTS), (760) 373-8227, AVERACING.COM
FLORIDA
RECREATIONAL
TOY RUN
DEC 7: LEESBURG: CENTRAL FLORIDA CRUISERS, INC., (352) 396-3239, CENTRALFLORIDACRUISERS. ORG
DECEMBER EVENTS
DEC 8: MAIZE: BAR 2 BAR MX PARK, LLC, (316) 239-8132, BAR2BARMXPARK.COM
DEC 29: (Includes ATVs) PORT CRANE: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 693-2634, SQUAREDEALRIDERS.COM
NORTH CAROLINA
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
OBSERVED TRIALS
DEC 8: SAN YSIDRO: NEW MEXICO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (505) 780-2551, WWW.NEWMEXICOTRIALS.COM
COMPETITION MUD & SNOW SCRAMBLES
DEC 1: (Includes ATVs) PORT CRANE: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 693-2634, SQUAREDEALRIDERS.COM
DEC 15: (Includes ATVs) PORT CRANE: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 693-2634, SQUAREDEALRIDERS.COM
DEC 7: (Includes ATVs) ELIZABETH CITY: 2 DAY EVENT, ELIZABETH CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (757) 754-8008, ECMX.COM
TEXAS
RECREATIONAL
TOY RUN
DEC 8: MIDLOTHIAN: GRYPHONS MC OF ELLIS COUNTY, (972) 4540880, GRYPHONMC.COM
DEC 8: HOUSTON: SAN JACINTO HIGH ROLLERS MC-NW CHAPTER, NWSJHR.COM
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
DEC 28: WORTHAM: 2 DAY EVENT, FREESTONE COUNTY RACEWAY, LLC., (713) 962-3386, FREESTONEMX.COM
FREE basic ad posting
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1000’s of listings
HALL OF FAME EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME
MOTORCYCLEMUSEUM.ORG
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Recognizing those who have made significant contributions to all aspects of motorcycling.
Dirt-Track! All-American Motorcycle Racing: Celebrating the storied history of the men and machines who battle on the dirt oval.
2 Wheels + Motor, A Fine Art Exhibition: More than two dozen artists celebrate the spirit, excitement and adventure of motorcycling through fine art.
Founder’s Hall: Honoring the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s generous contributors.
AMA PRO RACING
2014 MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS AMASUPERCROSS.COM
Jan. 4: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium
Jan. 11: Phoenix: Chase Field
Jan. 18: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium
Jan. 25: Oakland, Calif.: O.Co Coliseum
Feb. 1: Anaheim, Calif.: Angel Stadium
Feb. 8: San Diego: Qualcomm Stadium
Feb. 15: Arlington, Texas: Cowboys Stadium
Feb. 22: Atlanta: Georgia Dome
Mar. 1: Indianapolis: Lucas Oil Stadium
Mar. 8: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway
Mar. 15: Detroit: Ford Field
Mar. 22: Toronto: Rogers Centre
Mar. 29: St. Louis: Edward Jones Dome
Apr. 5: Houston: Reliant Stadium
Apr. 12: Seattle: Century Link Field
Apr. 26: East Rtherford, N.J.: MetLife Stadium
May 3: Las Vegas: Sam Boyd Stadium
AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
AMA ENDUROCROSS ENDUROCROSS.COM
Nov. 9: Boise, Idaho: Idaho Center
Nov. 23: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena
Nov. 2: Freedom, Ind: Coyote Run
2014 AMSOIL AMA ARENACROSS, FEATURING RICKY CARMICHAEL’S ROAD TO SUPERCROSS ARENACROSS.COM
Jan. 3-5: Worcester, Mass.: DCU Center
Jan. 10-12: Baltimore: 1st Mariner Arena
Jan. 18-19: Louisville, Ky.: Freedom Hall
Jan. 25-26: Greensboro, N.C.: Greensboro Coliseum
Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Milwaukee, Wis.: U.S. Cellular Arena
Feb. 7-9: Sacramento, Calif.: Sleep Train Arena
Feb. 14-16: Nampa, Idaho: Idaho Center
Feb. 21-23: Reno, Nev.: Livestock Events Center
Mar. 1-2: Tulsa, Okla.: BOK Center
Mar. 7-9: Albuquerque, N.M.: Tingley Coliseum
Mar. 14-16: Hidalgo, Texas: State Farm Arena
Mar. 29-30: Salt Lake City: EnergySolutions Arena
AMA INDOOR DIRT TRACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES STEVENACERACING.COM
Nov. 16: Springfield, Ill.
Nov. 30: DuQuoin, Ill.
Dec. 1: DuQuoin, Ill.
Dec. 14: Sturgis, Ky.
Dec. 28: DuQuoin, Ill.
Dec. 29: DuQuoin, Ill.
Jan. 11: DuQuoin, Ill.
Feb. 8: DuQuoin, Ill.
Feb. 22: Duquoin, Ill.
AMA FEATURED SERIES
AMA WESTERN CHECKPOINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP RIDECHEC.COM
Nov. 9-10: Stoneyford, Calif.
VIRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HARE SCRAMBLES SERIES VCHSS.ORG
Nov. 10: Spring Grove, Va.
AMA ACTION SPORTS GRAND PRIX SERIES ACTIONSPORTSRACING.COM
AMSOIL AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL ARENACROSS ARENACROSS.COM
May 3-4: Las Vegas, Nev.: South Point Arena
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: U.S. ROUNDS
FIM ROAD RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX FIM-LIVE.COM
April 13: Austin, Texas: Circuit of The Americas
Aug. 10: Indianapolis: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
AMA DUAL-SPORT/ADVENTURE SERIES
AMA HUSQVARNA NATIONAL DUAL-SPORT SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Nov. 29-30: Palmdale, Calif.: LABarstow to Vegas, AMA Dist-37 Dual-Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.dist37ama.org
AMA YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ NATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Nov. 16-17: Hammonton, N.J.: Pine Barrens 300, Cross Country Cycles, Jack O’Connor; (732) 714-8874; www.pinebarrens500.org
Nov. 29-30: Palmdale, Calif.: LABarstow to Vegas, AMA Dist-37 Dual-Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.dist37ama.org
AMA PREMIER TOURING SERIES
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
March of Dimes Bikers For Babies Rides: Nationwide: www.bikersforbabies.org
Rides For Kids Events: Nationwide: www.rideforkids.org
AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS, PRESENTED BY SHINKO TIRES AND FLY STREET GEAR
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Polar Bear Grand Tour: AMA District 2 of New Jersey; (609) 894-2941; www.polarbeargrandtour.com
March 25-Oct. 1: Eddie’s Road and Team Strange Airheads Smoke Chasing Grand Tour: Eddie’s Road and Team Strange Airheads; www.smokechasing.com
April 1-Oct. 31: Tour of Honor Grand Tour: Tour of Honor; www.tourofhonor.com
AMA NATIONAL EXTREME GRAND TOURS
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Jan. 1-Dec. 31: SCMA Four Corners Grand Tour: Southern California Motorcycling Association; www.usa4corners.org.
Welcome to Life Member Plus!
For more than 25 years, Al Holtsberry has supported the AMA. Now we’re offering something special for him and all other AMA Life Members.
We designed the new Life Member Plus program to stay connected with our Life Members and reward them for their years of dedication to the AMA. Offering up a package that includes American Motorcyclist magazine and AMA Roadside Assistance at a special discounted rate, Life Member Plus is a money-saving value.
The new program is 100 percent optional, so if you choose not to enroll, you still receive all the current benefits of life membership—a voice on behalf of motorcycling in the halls of government, the ability to sign up for AMA-sanctioned events, money-saving benefits and more.
With Life Member Plus, you get all that, plus AMA Roadside Assistance and American Motorcyclist magazine. And stay tuned for additional Life Member benefits to come.
AMA Life Member Plus Includes:
• FREE AMA Roadside Assistance
• 12 issues of
• AMA Life Member Plus Membership card, pin (first year), and decal with your renewal
• A voice protecting motorcyclists’ rights at the
state and local levels
• Continued access to AMA Rights, Riding, Racing and Rewards—including money-saving discounts
