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Navigation Photo Kurt Caselli, KTM’s off-road specialist and U.S. factory rider, was called in by KTM to ride the 2013 Dakar for the injured Marc Coma, a three-time Dakar winner from Spain. Caselli delivered an impressive performance in his first Dakar, including two stage victories. As a result, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rally team now consists of Caselli, Coma and Ruben Faria of Portugal.
Photo: Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool
You write, we read.
E15 fuel may harm your engine.
E15, AMA honors lawmakers and California may acquire 28,000 acres for offhighway riding.
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.
May 2013
Volume 67, Number 5
Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com
The season is starting to pick up, with lots of action across the United States.
Kenny Roberts’ 1977 Yamaha XS750, and Hall of Famer Earl Bowlby.
Two national series offer dual-sport thrills, backcountry marvels.
What to do, where to go.
Seize your opportunity, multiply ours.
EDITORIAL OFFICES
American Motorcyclist 13515 Yarmouth Drive Pickerington, OH 43147 (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org
James Holter, Managing Editor
Bill Kresnak, Government Affairs Editor
Mark Lapid, Creative Director
Jen Muecke, Designer
Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer
Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing/Communications Specialist
ADVERTISING
Steve Gotoski, Advertising Director (Western States) (951) 566-5068, sgotoski@ama-cycle.org
Zach Stevens, National Sales Manager (626) 298-3854, zstevens@ama-cycle.org
All trademarks used herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned by the AMA and may only be used with the express, written permission of the AMA. American Motorcyclist is the monthly publication of the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents motorcyclists nationwide. For information on AMA membership benefits, call (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2013.
EXECUTIVE
Rob Dingman, President/CEO
Rhonda Hixon, Administrative Asst./Litigation Manager
Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer
Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations
Bob Chaddock, Vice President, Administration
Jeff Massey, Vice President, Operations
Renee Bock, Receptionist
Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations & Corporate Member Programs
Grant Parsons, Director of Communications & Marketing
Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs
Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager
Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Sean Maher, Director
AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME
Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations
Beth Myers, 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
AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ about/board
Maggie McNally, Chairwoman Albany, N.Y.
Russ Brenan, Vice Chairman 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)
Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager
Cherie Schlatter, Organizer Services Manager
D’Andra Schwabel, Organizer Services Coordinator
Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator
Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager
Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager
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
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
Ed Madden, Managed Services Manager
Bill Miller, Web Architect
Peg Tuvell, Operations Manager
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
Angie Miller, Member Services Representative
Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative
Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative
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This letter has been rolling around in my head for a while, but after reading Rob Dingman’s column in the April 2013 issue, I figured it was time to write it. Simply put, I would like to applaud the AMA on its excellent (and sustained) leadership and support of motorcyclists.
Send your letters (and a high-resolution photo) to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.
I am a blue-collar guy fortunate enough to have a practice track on my land, which I open to any of the less fortunate young motocrossers. They pay me with the joy I get from watching them develop.
John Dubiel Boyd, Wis.
While that may sounds a bit trite, complementing an organization’s leadership is not something I take lightly. Having worked in a variety of large corporations in industries from mining to pharmaceuticals, and having volunteered with an even wider range of organizations, I have been exposed to a wide range of organizational styles. A list of the bad examples I have seen would, unfortunately, take up the rest of this magazine.
Leadership really comes down to a couple of important points. Sticking to a defined vision and giving people the tools to do their job. While the AMA has changed the way they look periodically, they have not wavered from their principles. They have tried some things that have worked out, and some that haven’t.
That is important because the status quo is never acceptable. When it comes to giving motorcyclists the tools that an organization can provide (information, support, contacts, resources, etc.), you couldn’t ask for more. There is one more aspect about leadership that is essential. Good leadership is not just at the top. Those leadership characteristics should be apparent at every level of the organization. That does not happen easily, and it doesn’t happen as a result of cheerleading or fancy slogans. It happens because you have people that truly believe in what they are doing and are passionate about it.
Congratulations AMA! Keep it up!
David Clemens Fort Worth, Texas
P.S. My very first enduro was a “little ole” gathering in south Texas back in 1990 called the Lone Star Enduro. I was fortunate enough to meet Alan Randt and Kurt Hough as we, along with several others, debated the best method of extracting Kurt’s bike from the sandy abyss it was trapped in. While I still wonder about those Cajuns that led me to that event (“Look, the sun is out, the trails will be fine”), I definitely learned that motorcycling is blessed with some of the best people on Earth.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story on Adam Enticknap in the dirt version of the April issue. I happened to have read it the day before the Daytona Supercross, so it was thrilling to see Adam make it to the heat and last-chance qualifier. He didn’t qualify for the main, but knowing his story earned him (and his dad) a new, respectful fan.
I was an AMA member in the early 1970s while racing motocross, skipped a few years but became a member again to race motocross with the old guys. I’ve ridden road bikes since 1969, and
motocross again for the past nine years (the fossil class at age 58).
I appreciate all that the AMA has done for road and off-road motorcyclists, while my wife and I tour the USA and my boys and I race motocross (“boys” of 34 and 30 years old). My only regret is that I let my membership slide for a few years. I feel like I owe back pay.
I currently keep a CR125 in San Diego with my California son for winter riding and a KTM250SXF at my home in Wisconsin where my oldest son and I ride road bikes and motocross together.
As a retired law-enforcement officer, current driving instructor and driving skills tester in Colorado, I have found that students in general have little knowledge regarding motorcycles on the road. I preach to keep additional spacing behind a motorcycle and to get a clear sight picture before pulling out on the street. I teach that looking over their shoulder on a lane change or merge to clear a blind spot where a motorcycle can be hidden is crucial—also, if one can see the motorcycle and rider clearly in detail, the motorcycle is too close to them to safely pull out onto the street.
Left hand turns at intersections are the most dangerous part of driving. I tell them to be absolutely certain to not turn if there is any question that oncoming traffic is a factor. (I got hit when I was 16 when I came through an intersection on a motorcycle and a pickup truck, driven by a man “who didn’t see” me made a left turn.)
Colorado, like other states, has lax driver training laws and test standards. It is incumbent on us to do a better job than the state mandates. Parents, friends and relatives should stress driver safety, including motorcycle safety to those starting their driving career and those complacent in their driving.
Enlighten them. The life you save may be yours!
James Saint John Arvada, Calif.
My wife and I just read and reread your wonderful traveling article by Englishman Rick Wheaton (February issue).
Later in life, it is not unusual to play your cards closer to your chest, take fewer risks. After all, 70 is just down the road, and our bones are getting brittle. Staying at home, playing it safe can be easily justified.
But Wheaton’s tale reminded us that we are still, and always will be like him: motorcyclists.
Watch out, Montreal. Here comes grandma and grandpa on two wheels. A journey of 10,000 miles begins with a single shift...
Liz and Brian Halton
San Francisco
Thanks, guys. Rick’s article really struck a cord with a lot of members. Enjoy the road, and be careful out there!
Thanks for the street version of the American Motorcyclist. I enjoy the new format.
Scott M. Kelm
Deer Park, Texas
The split magazine is a great idea. I get the street version, and my son gets the racing [dirt] version. This might give me a different perspective than most since I get to see both versions. I like it how the rights news and events calendar are the same. This is information that all members need. The “custom” content is a nice touch and makes me feel like the AMA as an association really cares about me as a member.
Other organizations I belong to— National Rifle Association and American Association of Retired Persons—have been doing this for years, and it really makes sense. I understand why you had to do it, but what didn’t make sense was before when you would send me (a Harley
rider) articles about dirtbike riding and my son (a motocross kid) articles about touring. Call me simple minded but that seemed like a waste of paper to me! Thanks for staying on top of your member’s needs and for spending members’ money more responsibly.
Joe Brooks Erie, Pa.
Thanks, Joe. It seemed like a no-brainer to us, too! Don’t forget, both versions of the magazine are available online for all members, and you can switch which print version you get at any time. Call AMA Member Services at (800) 262-5646.
With the advent of two different magazines, I can only wonder when we will have two associations: one for amateur racing and one as a Political Action Committee.
Robert Stuart Crestview Hills, Ky.
Thanks for the note, Robert. Actually, there aren’t two magazines. We are mixing up the editorial content of the middle 24
pages (or so) of each issue and, in most cases, the cover. As far as the association, one of the AMA’s fundamental tenets is that there is strength in numbers. Amateur racers need their rights protected as much as other motorcyclists (and in some cases, such as the recently defeated lead law, more) and sticking together is the best way to accomplish that.
I read a lot of articles in your magazine and others about why it’s great to ride bikes. It uses less gasoline. It causes less wear on the roads. It creates less road congestion. It makes it easier to park. All that’s great, but I don’t ride for any of those reasons.
I ride because it’s fun.
In fact, riding is so much fun that I would keep doing it even if bikes used more gasoline, caused more wear on the roads, created more congested road conditions and made it more difficult to park.
That makes me wonder: How much more fun is it for cage drivers to drive their cages if they keep driving them when they have to put up with all of that?
Brett “Smitty” Adams Ormond Beach, Fla.
More Research Is Needed Now
By Wayne Allard
When’s the last time you really thought about the quality of the fuel you put into your motorcycle’s gas tank? Well, unfortunately, it may be time to start. Let me explain. The American Motorcyclist Association has been standing up against unfair laws and rules that threaten motorcyclists since our founding in 1924.
Now, thanks to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there’s a new threat facing motorcyclists, and it involves a certain kind of fuel.
The EPA is allowing a higher concentration of ethanol in gasoline. Called E15, the new fuel is potentially dangerous to motorcycles, especially those with air-cooled engines.
E15 is a fuel blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline that the EPA has approved for use in 2001-and-newer passenger vehicles. However, the blend isn’t approved for use in any motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, boat, lawn mower or other small engine, and may even damage them and void warranties.
Currently, E10 is commonly found at gas stations and contains 10 percent ethanol. (E0 fuel has no ethanol.) Ethanol is grain alcohol produced from crops such as corn that is mixed with gasoline to produce an ethanol-gasoline blend motor fuel.
The problem with the new E15 fuel is that it hasn’t been tested to be safe in motorcycles. The EPA is allowing it in the marketplace without that testing, and is merely telling motorcyclists not to use it.
But the solution is not that simple.
The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle engines caused by the
inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available. That could easily happen if a motorcyclist accidentally selects E15 fuel, thinking it was E10 or E0.
We have also asked that motorcycles be part of any scientific study into the effects of E15 on engines to ensure that the new fuel blend won’t damage motorcycles.
Earlier this year I even testified before a U.S. House subcommittee about possible damage to motorcycle engines.
The U.S. House Subcommittee on the Environment held a hearing on “MidLevel Ethanol Blends: Consumer and Technical Research Needs.” I testified that E15 could lower fuel efficiency and possibly cause premature engine failure for motorcycles and ATVs. I also reiterated that motorcycles and ATVs should be part of an independent scientific study into the effects of E15 on engines.
U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) has introduced a bill, H.R. 875, to require the EPA to stop the use of E15 fuel until it has been studied more, which would be great news for motorcyclists if the bill becomes law.
The measure would repeal the EPA’s waiver decision approving the use of E15 and would bar the agency from granting further decisions on the use of the fuel until the EPA obtains an independent scientific analysis of the effects of the E15 blend.
Sensenbrenner has said there have been several tests highlighting E15’s harmful effects on engines but they have all been dismissed by the EPA.
Because of that, he believes “we must force the EPA to stop the use of E15 fuel until the serious safety, durability, performance and environmental concerns have been addressed.”
Sensenbrenner says that federal lawmakers have a responsibility “to ensure that Americans using gas-powered machinery—whether it be cars and boats
or chainsaws and lawnmowers—are not put at risk due to faulty fuel that has not been adequately vetted.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and David Vitter (R-La.) have introduced legislation to block an increase in the amount of ethanol that can be blended with gasoline. The bill would overturn the EPA waivers that allow E15 to be used in many passenger cars and light trucks.
The senators said the higher blend of ethanol has been found to cause engine damage, reduce fuel efficiency and contribute to higher corn prices and rising food costs for American consumers.
The Wicker-Vitter bill would prohibit the EPA administrator from granting any waiver for a blend above 10 percent ethanol and would repeal the previous waivers.
Vitter has said: “Whether you drive a car, truck, boat, or tractor, misfueling with E15 could result in engine failure, increased emissions, and the voiding of warranty coverage. It is irresponsible for EPA to allow E15 without sufficient testing and technical analysis. I support an all-inclusive energy strategy, but experimenting before understanding the consequences and potential cost of using E15 is unfair to consumers.”
With the help of motorcyclists like you, the AMA has been fighting to be sure motorcyclists’ voices are heard in this E15 controversy. But we can’t do it alone.
Fighting for your rights on E15 is just one of the ways that the AMA works for all motorcyclists, and it’s just one of the reasons why you should ask every motorcyclist you know to become an AMA member.
It’s easy. Just tell them to call (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) or go to www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
Wayne Allard is AMA vice president for government relations.
The AMA expressed concern to a U.S. House subcommittee on Feb. 26 about possible damage to motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15 fuel.
In testimony presented to the House Subcommittee on the Environment during a hearing on “Mid-Level Ethanol Blends: Consumer and Technical Research Needs,” Wayne Allard (above, center), AMA vice president for government relations, said that motorcycles and ATVs should be part of any scientific study into the effects of E15 on engines to ensure that the new fuel blend won’t damage those engines.
He also cautioned that E15 could lower fuel efficiency and possibly cause premature engine failure.
E15 is a new fuel blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline that the EPA has approved for use in 2001-andnewer passenger vehicles. The blend isn’t approved for use in any motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, lawn mowers and other engines, and may even damage them and void warranties.
E10, which is commonly found at gas stations, contains 10 percent ethanol. E0 fuel has no ethanol. Ethanol is grain alcohol produced from crops such as corn that is mixed with gasoline to produce an ethanol-gasoline blend motor fuel.
U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) introduced a bill, H.R. 875, on Feb. 28 to require the EPA to stop the use of E15 fuel until it has been studied more.
The measure would repeal the EPA’s waiver decision approving the use of E15 and would bar the agency from granting
further decisions on the use of the fuel until the EPA obtains an independent scientific analysis of the effects of E15.
Sensenbrenner says there have been several tests highlighting E15’s harmful effects on engines “but they have all been dismissed by the EPA.
“Therefore, we must force the EPA to stop the use of E15 fuel until the serious safety, durability, performance and environmental concerns have been addressed,” he says. “Throughout the 112th Congress, I introduced several bills to address the risks associated with E15. And earlier this week, witnesses from AAA, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Coordinating Research Council all testified to the Science, Space and Technology Committee that more testing is needed.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that Americans using gas-powered machinery—whether it be cars and boats or chainsaws and lawnmowers—are not put at risk due to faulty fuel that has not been adequately vetted,” he says.
Meanwhile, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and David Vitter (R-La.) introduced a bill to block an increase in the amount of ethanol that can be blended with gasoline. The bill would overturn the EPA waivers that allow E15 to be used in many cars and light trucks.
The senators said the higher blend of ethanol has been found to cause engine damage, reduce fuel efficiency, and contribute to higher corn prices and rising food costs for American consumers.
The bill would bar the EPA from granting a waiver for a blend above 10 percent
ethanol and repeal previous waivers.
“Whether you drive a car, truck, boat, or tractor, misfueling with E15 could result in engine failure, increased emissions, and the voiding of warranty coverage,” Vitter says. “It is irresponsible for EPA to allow E15 without sufficient testing and technical analysis. I support an all-inclusive energy strategy, but experimenting before understanding the consequences and potential cost of using E15 is unfair to consumers.”
The AMA honored 59 current and former federal lawmakers on Feb. 28 for their support of motorcyclists during the just-completed 112th Congress.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and former Reps. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) and Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) topped the list of those honored. They were singled out for AMA Government Relations Department “Hero” awards for their extraordinary efforts to support motorcyclists and motorcycling.
The lawmakers were praised for their successful efforts to save the Recreational Trails Program from extinction, as well as to exempt kids’ dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which had banned the sale of those vehicles.
They were also honored for efforts to end discriminatory motorcycle-only checkpoints, for trying to help forge a compromise between the military and off-highway riders over the use of the popular Johnson Valley riding area in California, and for working to help protect motorcyclists from the possible negative effects of the new E15 fuel.
“Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of these lawmakers, and the efforts of others, motorcyclists are better off now than they were a year or two ago,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations.
The AMA honored another five lawmakers with “Champion” awards for their outstanding efforts, and 50 lawmakers received “Supporter” awards for their support.
The Department of the Navy has released a required report to Congress on how its proposed expansion of a Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms, Calif., would affect off-highway riding at the popular Johnson Valley.
On Jan. 2, President Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (H.R. 4310) that barred the Navy from spending any funds on expanding the Marine base until it
submitted the report to Congress.
The report is dated January 2013 but only became public when the Navy released its “Record of Decision” dated Feb. 11. The Record of Decision is essentially the Navy’s final decision on expanding the base. The next step is to seek congressional approval.
In July 2012, the Navy released a final environmental impact statement for the expansion of the Marine Corps base. The preferred alternative, which has essentially been adopted by the Navy, would allow public use of only about 40,000 acres of the 190,000-acre Johnson Valley offhighway vehicle area, and for only 10
months a year. It’s all part of an effort by the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms to expand its land holdings to allow for more live-fire training.
Several years ago, the Navy began the formal process needed to take over some 365,906 acres of public land near San Bernardino to use for live-fire training for the Marines. At that time, the Navy filed an application with the U.S. Interior Department seeking control of the public land under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
The military hopes to begin training on the land in 2014.
The Land Is Near Other Riding Areas
California’s Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division is proposing acquiring about 28,275 privately owned acres in eastern Kern County in Southern California.
The project area extends from State Route 14 near Jawbone Station Visitor Center north to Sorrel Peak and from Red Rock Canyon State Park west to Sequoia National Forest. Site elevations range from 2,200 feet to 7,500 feet.
The 59 parcels are largely interspersed in a checkerboard fashion with land owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, near the BLM’s 7,000-acre Jawbone and 5,000acre Dove Springs off-highway vehicle areas.
The project parcels are currently used for OHV recreation,
Lane-Splitting Has Several Benefits
The sponsor of a California Senate bill that would have restricted the current practice of lane-splitting by motorcyclists is placing the bill on hold for 2013.
Lane-splitting by motorcyclists in California is recognized by the California Highway Patrol and helps ease traffic flow. Although it is not currently permitted in any other state, lanesplitting bills are introduced from time to time so it’s important to watch for those bills in your state.
An aide to California state Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose), who sponsored the bill, S.B. 350, confirmed in an email to the AMA on Feb. 26 that the bill would be placed on hold for 2013 pending the results of a University of CaliforniaBerkeley safety study expected later this year. The bill, introduced Feb. 20, would have allowed lane-splitting only in certain instances: on divided highways with three or more lanes of travel in the same direction, only when traffic is congested
grazing, camping, wildlife and bird watching, and other activities.
California officials say that motorized travel, including OHV recreation, occurs throughout much of the area, largely on designated roads and trails. A few of the project parcels are within the Jawbone Canyon open area, in which vehicles are not restricted to designated routes.
By acquiring the parcels, the OHMVR Division would be able to improve overall management of the area. Land managers would have complete access to manage and support the recreational uses, protect sensitive resources, and restore and rehabilitate damaged areas.
and only at “a safe” speed.
Nick Haris, AMA western states representative, says lane-splitting has been an accepted custom and necessary strategy to ease traffic congestion in California for years.
He notes that Beall’s bill proposed a sudden and significant shift in traffic management strategies in the state with respect to motorcycles, which could have had a serious impact on traffic flow.
“We are pleased that Sen. Beall’s office is placing the bill on hold, but we remain watchful of any legislative action on lane-splitting that could penalize motorcyclists,” Haris says. “Lane-splitting has been done safely in California for decades, so there is really no need to impose new restrictions, especially given the guidelines just released by the California Highway Patrol that make no mention of a three-lane minimum.”
According to the California Highway Patrol, lane-splitting occurs when a motorcyclist rides between lanes of stopped or slower-moving traffic or moves between
lanes to the front of stopped traffic. The convention is recognized as a benefit to urban traffic flow because it allows motorcycles to make maximum use of roadways when traffic is stopped or significantly slowed. The controlled flow of motorcyclists through stopped traffic also permits more space for other road users.
“Lane-splitting by motorcyclists, when done correctly, helps improve traffic flow for everyone on the road,” Haris says. “That helps everybody save time, gas and hassles, and promotes safer roads by mitigating traffic backups. It’s important that we work to preserve lanesplitting for the benefit of everyone on the road.”
High Adventure. No Hassle. The best routes, roads and twotrack, mapped by local experts. A great challenge with like-minded riders. A full weekend’s activities, with camping, campfires, food and prizes. For more information visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Riding.
A provision in an Ohio House bill that could have made it difficult to determine how motorcycle rider safety training funds were being spent was deleted after several motorcycling organizations complained.
Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager (above), cautions motorcyclists nationwide to keep a close watch on the actions of their legislators to ensure that motorcycle rider safety training funds aren’t endangered.
In Ohio, the AMA, ABATE of Ohio, the Ohio Motorized Trails Association and others told lawmakers that the provision was a bad idea because motorcyclists wanted to ensure that the funds are used for motorcyclist safety training. Lawmakers removed the provision from the bill, and then on Feb. 28 the full House approved the bill, sending it to the Senate for further consideration.
The provision was in House Bill 35—the proposed state transportation budget. The language proposed abolishing the Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund and transferring its cash to the State Highway Safety Fund. The Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund, coupled with student tuition fees, funds the Motorcycle Ohio rider education program.
Ohio’s on-highway motorcyclists support Motorcycle Ohio through $6 from each motorcycle registration fee paid to the registrar of motor vehicles. That money goes into the Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund.
Szauter was among those who testified against the provision before
the House Transportation Subcommittee of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee on Feb. 15.
“The proposed abolishment of the Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund following transfer of its cash balance to the State Highway Safety Fund is troubling for several reasons,” Szauter testified.
He said those reasons included:
1. Placing motorcycle registration fee money in the State Highway Safety Fund would make it harder for the motorcycling community to track it.
2. Placing motorcycle registration fee money in the State Highway Safety Fund would make it easier to divert it for purposes other than motorcycle safety and education.
3. Motorcycle Ohio, which provides the training, is strongly supported by the motorcycling community because riders know how the money is being used.
4. The motorcycling community doesn’t want money collected from them for a specific program used for purposes other than motorcycle safety and education.
Szauter also noted that in 2006 and in 2009, the state of Ohio attempted to raid the Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund. In 2006, the Ohio Controlling Board received, and later rejected, a request to transfer $750,000 from the fund. In 2009, then-Gov. Ted Strickland reversed a decision to transfer $800,000 from the fund. In both cases, the motorcycling community spoke up to protect the money riders paid to support rider education.
Motorcycle Ohio is a nationally recognized, respected rider education program that provides four training courses for motorcyclists of all skill levels. The Basic RiderCourse, the Basic RiderCourse for returning riders, the Basic RiderCourse 2, and the Advanced RiderCourse are taught by dedicated, experienced RiderCoaches.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection would create and maintain off-highway vehicle trails, assist in OHV law enforcement and fund grants and related activities including safety and education classes for persons who operate all-terrain vehicles as well as to buy land for use by OHVs, under House Bill 5803, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Maynard (DStonington).
The secretary of state would administer a program to set standards and establish training for volunteers to become certified motorcycle road guards, under House Bill 1539, sponsored by Rep. Kenneth Dunkin (D-Chicago). A motorcycle road guard would have the authority to stop and direct traffic during a motorcycle group ride if certain conditions were met.
Under another Dunkin proposal, House Bill 2253, the owner of property used as a cycle rider safety training course would have immunity from civil action for any injury or death to persons or damage to property that occurs during instruction or training on the training course.
House Bill 2318, offered by the House Transportation Committee, would authorize the use of FMVSS-compliant motorcycle headlamp modulation systems and permit the addition and use of body or wheel lamps of any color that are visible from the sides of the motorcycle but not the front or rear.
It would be illegal to sell a vehicle tire as new if it is a retread, previously used, recycled or was manufactured more than three years prior to the date of sale, under House Bill 1110, sponsored by Delegate Benjamin Kramer (D-Montgomery County). Tires that aren’t new must be sold with a written disclosure informing the purchaser of tire deterioration, under the bill.
Operators of bicycles, mopeds, and two- and three-wheeled motorcycles could proceed with caution through an automated stoplight if, after being stopped for one full cycle of the automated stoplight or 60 seconds, the automated stoplight fails to detect their vehicle, under House Bill 4265, sponsored by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R-Columbia).
Law enforcement agencies would be barred from establishing a roadside checkpoint or roadblock pattern based on a particular vehicle type, including the establishment of motorcycle-only checkpoints, under House Bill 594, sponsored by Rep. Robert Cornejo (R-St. Peters). The bill doesn’t prohibit roadside checkpoints for commercial motor vehicles or any other type of checkpoint or roadblock established and operated in accordance with the provisions of the United States Constitution and the Missouri Constitution.
The operator of a motorcycle, moped, trimobile, bicycle, or electric bicycle would be permitted to proceed straight through, or turn at, a traffic-actuated signal if the operator waits at least two complete cycles after coming to a stop and determining the vehicle has not been detected or the signal has malfunctioned, under Assembly Bill 117, sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Sprinkle (D-Sparks).
The Stow City Council voted Feb. 28 to kill a bill that would have imposed strict rules on riding on a person’s own land.
Sand, Sun And Surf On Two Wheels By Ben Getz
One of the beautiful things about being an AMA member, whether as a rider for many decades or as a virtual novice to the sport, is the diversity of options that are entertained each month in the pages of American Motorcyclist. If you had asked me 10 years ago if I thought I would be riding trail bikes on a beach with my wife and her twin sister, I would have raised a brow at you in wonder.
As time will have it, things do change, and thus it was that in mid-January 2013 my wife and I and her twin sister and her husband broke free from the frigid, subfreezing head lock that Old Man Winter
had on eastern Washington, and set out for the Pacific Ocean beaches to find sunshine and temperatures in the low 50s! With no guarantee as to what the climate would offer, we trailered our bikes there, but we were not expecting six full days of sunshine and light breezes!
The Long Beach Peninsula at Washington’s lower left corner is known as the oyster capital of the West Coast. The almost 30-mile spit of land that faces the Pacific Ocean on the west, and forms Wilapa Bay’s oyster fields on the east, holds several small communities and scenic state parks, as well as many beach
access roads. Licensed drivers/riders are welcomed to ride the over 20-mile stretch of wide-open beach, albeit observing plenty of rules. Most are for the sake of pedestrian safety and to prevent the loss of your vehicle to Poseidon’s Impound, tricky tidal changes and unpredictable sand conditions.
This coastal region is generally temperate enough year round, but much less crowded in the winter months, which was an added plus in navigating the beach. There’s still clam digging, surf fishing and plenty of bird-watching opportunities. Bald eagle sightings were plentiful. They apparently are used to humans, or just laid back, because they allowed for incredibly close approaches.
Though the mornings were still a bit
frosty, by noon it seemed the beach was the place to be and the same 20-mile stretch of sandy playground became new again after the evening’s high tide. My sister-in-law had only ridden a little 1983 CT-110 Honda automatic once before. It took a little coercion to get her to try it out in the sand and then much coercion to get her off of it as she was having so much fun! Even as a 57-year-old grandmother, it is never too late to become a new motorcycle enthusiast and future AMA member.
I, too, learned a new appreciation for this aspect of our sport, even after more than 35 years on two wheels. Although I had visions of Burt Munro’s beach blasts, or the scores of racers that blistered the beach at Daytona before asphalt, I could only imagine what it was like at those
speeds. Even riding my 1999 Yamaha TW200 elicited a few nerve-racking moments as the tires followed unusual contours and varying levels of traction and surface compaction.
There was more to see and do on this narrow sprig of terra firma than beachfront bike shenanigans, of course. We enjoyed the oyster-processing docks (along with crab and other shellfish), the state parks, and an expansive marine bird breeding and feeding sanctuary on the north end at Leadbetter State Park. The southern tip of this peninsula boasts impressive old lighthouses, such as at Cape Disappointment, that offer sightseeing opportunities and historical facts about this treacherous shoreline.
Though many shops and businesses in
the main townships of Long Beach and Ocean Park are closed for the off-season, there is still ample shopping and antiquing to be done in these seaside resort towns, and plenty of eateries with their own freshfrom-the-sea offerings. The bay at Ilwaco on the southern end provides a stunning harbor with an artsy/seaside atmosphere. This is the place to go to procure fresh seafood for self-preparation later, and the locals that stay here year round are most gracious and welcoming even to a biker gang of grandparents sporting a combined total of three cylinders and 510cc.
This was a fantastic way to spend a winter week with two wheels, and a time to remember for sure—getting the sand out of the bikes’ nooks and crannies, notwithstanding!
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bob Hansen, 93, has died. The racer, tuner and team manager was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Hansen was a key figure in motorcycle racing during the 1960s and ’70s. He is best known for running the American racing teams for Honda and, later, Kawasaki. Under Hansen’s direction, Honda won its first Daytona 200 in 1970 with Dick Mann at the controls of the CB750.
While at Kawasaki, Hansen also served as vice president of the AMA’s competition committee, the rulesmaking body for racing. Hansen was also the U.S. delegate on the FIM roadracing committee.
When inducted in 1999, Hansen kept up with his interest in motorcycles by restoring collector bikes and acting as a consultant for Heritage Racing, Honda’s vintage racing division.
The AMA and the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame, offer sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the Hansen family and friends.
Pennsylvania Rider Wins AMA Membership Bike
Four-year AMA member Stephen Horn from Reading, Pa., not only protected his right to ride last July when he renewed his membership in the AMA, he also earned a chance to win the grand prize in last year’s membership sweepstakes, a 2011 Husqvarna TC449.
That entry paid off big when Horn’s was the winning name drawn earlier this year.
“That’s great!” Horn says. “I have a Yamaha FZ1 that I do some sport touring on and a 1972 Honda CB175. I have ridden competitively off-road. In fact, I joined the AMA originally to race but then stayed a member because I believe in the political side of what the AMA does. I enjoy riding off-road, but I haven’t done it much the last couple years. I have ridden both motocross and cross country, and it will be fun to get back into that.”
Horn says he started riding when he was 17 or 18 years old, and bought his first street bike—a 400cc Kawasaki twostroke triple—when he was 18.
“I learned a lot about riding and repairs on that thing,” he says.
Horn says he has gotten more into the vintage scene in recent years. In the summer
months, he and a few friends occasionally ride to a Sunday morning ride-in in Ephrata, Pa.
“On a good-weather Sunday in the summertime, there are a couple thousand bikes that show up to that,” he says.
For 2013, renewing AMA members and new members have twice as many chances to win a new motorcycle. Members who join or renew are automatically entered to win either a 2013 Yamaha Super Ténéné or a Harley-Davidson Road Glide customized by Tucker Rocky.
For more information and to join or renew today, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
AMA members do it all—long-distance rides, off-road races, cruising main street, vintage dirt track…you name it. To better serve our broad membership base, American Motorcyclist magazine is now published in two versions. The dirt version includes more off-highway and competition content. The street version includes more articles for road riders.
You’re currently reading the street version of the May issue.
Want to switch? Just call (800) 262-5646, ask for membership services and tell them which version you want. Want to read both versions? Get them online at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine.
Explore all of the GT-Air features at shoei-helmets.com/GT-Air
Every rider understands firsthand that certain experiences cannot easily be forgotten. I had such an experience one October evening in 2005.
I was riding my ST1300 home from Wisconsin on the Tri-State Tollway in northeastern Illinois. My then-12-year-old son and I had enjoyed a fantastic day trip to Holy Hill, near Hubertus. As often happens, our trip took longer than planned and it had already gotten dark, but the skies were clear and temperatures were holding in the mid-50s for our run home.
Anybody who has taken a basic motorcycle riding course, read the safety columns found in a number of enthusiast publications, or looked at a riding skills book or video knows the preparedness drill. Always be alert, scan for potential hazards and play the “what if” game. The object of this continuous exercise is to always be aware of your surroundings and ready for anything that might happen. What happened that night broadened my perception of just what “anything” may include.
We were riding in one of the center lanes and keeping up with traffic. I was scanning far ahead, as I’ve been trained to do, when I saw what looked like an major appliance-sized cardboard box fly off the back of a pickup truck and begin bouncing and twirling toward us.
I immediately began an evasive maneuver to avoid the pinwheeling hazard with a combination of swerves and braking, all the while being careful not to get splattered by the other vehicles surrounding me.
In most cases that necessitate an evasive maneuver, there is no time to
think about what to do. Ergo, whatever you do out of habit is most likely what you will do in an emergency.
That’s why bad habits can be dangerous things and that’s also why I occasionally practice evasive maneuvers. Either in an empty parking lot or on a deserted street, I’ll imagine an obstacle that calls for a particular maneuver and then execute that maneuver. It could be a brake and swerve one time, a swerve and brake another, or perhaps a swerve out and back without braking. It all depends on the obstacle I dreamed up.
So, without time to think about it, I did a hard brake, right swerve, and another brake as I merged into the right-center lane, still watching that big box. I was taught never to swerve and brake at the same time, because there is not enough traction available to do both at once. At that moment, the obstacle flew past me on my immediate left and only then did I discover that my immense cardboard box was actually an oversized couch.
Meanwhile my son rested comfortably on the pillion, probably wondering why I had just jostled him around. I hadn’t had time to be scared during the event, but realizing what had just transpired got the adrenaline flowing wide open.
First Woman To Hold Post
Maggie McNally was unanimously elected chair of the AMA Board of Directors at its meeting in Indianapolis on Feb. 16.
McNally, of Albany, N.Y., was elected vice chair in December 2011 and has been a member of the board since 2009, representing individual AMA members in the Northeast Region. With her election, she becomes the first woman to lead the AMA board in the association’s 89-year history.
“I’m honored that my fellow AMA board members have chosen me as chair, and I’m humbled by the historical significance of a woman taking this office,” McNally says. “At the end of the day, however, the important thing is not the gender of the board’s chair, rather it is the united commitment by the board and the AMA staff to carry out our mission to better protect and promote motorcycling. Doing so enables us to nimbly and ably meet the needs of our existing and future members.”
McNally succeeds South Central Region Board Member Stan Simpson, who did not seek re-election as chair. Simpson, who remains on the board, was elected to the AMA Board of Directors in 2005 and served as its chair since 2007. In 2008, he was recognized as the AMA Motorcyclist of the Year.
Thank God? You bet I did, over and again.
My son is now a young adult and rides a motorcycle of his own. As fellow enthusiasts, we often engage in conversations about bikes, riding and the places we’ve been. Every now and then, one of us will bring up the night of the flying couch, if only to remind ourselves that anything really can happen out there.
Also at the meeting, AMA Business Member Russel Brenan of Kawasaki was elected vice chair, and Ken Ford of the Southeast Region was elected assistant treasurer. Members elected at-large to serve on the executive committee were Perry King of the Northwest Region and business member John Ulrich, of Roadracing World.
At the AMA Business Member meeting earlier that same day, Scott Miller of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Brenan were re-elected to the AMA board.
“The AMA Board of Directors represents a wide-ranging pool of experience, expertise and passion for motorcycling,” McNally says. “We draw from the motorcycling industry, AMA clubs, our membership and the entire motorcycling community. I’m confident that we are in an excellent position to build upon the momentum we’ve created to continue the AMA’s mission of promoting the motorcycle lifestyle and protecting the future of motorcycling.”
Whether you’re looking for an OEM part or an after-market solution, we can get it to you faster than anyone. And we offer live support, via chat or phone, from people who know bikes. That’s why 1.5 million riders have chosen BikeBandit.com for parts and accessories. Shouldn’t you?
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Q: I’m sure you aren’t in the business of endorsing specific motorcycles, but what type of bike should I look for? I’m a returning rider. I’m 50 years old. I raced motocross as a kid for eight years, rode on the street for two and have been off bikes since I was 21. I did take the Basic RiderCourse last summer. I’m sure this puts me in the minority, but I really don’t have a preference for the style of bike. I just want something that will be safe, fun and reliable. I can spend up to $10,000, but would rather spend much less since I’m just getting back into it. Thanks.
A: Welcome back to the world of motorcycling! Bikes have changed a bit in the three decades you’ve been away. New categories have been introduced (adventure-touring and power cruisers, for example); existing categories have become more defined (sportbikes have become more sport-oriented, for
example); technology has bestowed better handling, less weight, and more power within each engine displacement category; reliability among the major brands has never been better; and the largest engines available in most brands’ flagship bikes are much larger than they were in the 1980s.
You say you have no preference for the style of bike, but consider your primary use. Commuting to work? Long-distance touring? An occasional Sunday ride through the twisties or on dirt roads? Do you want a bigger, more powerful model, or something smaller and more economical? Will you frequently be carrying a passenger? The intended uses will help narrow your selection. Will you be buying new or used? You may get more bike for the money if you shop for a used bike, but it may not be as good a value in the long run. If you shop for a used one, you need a good mechanical background (or bring along a good mechanic) to do a thorough inspection.
To find the right bike for you, read
…And Win Cool Stuff!
A great way to ride at your own pace and still take part in the AMA Premier Touring Series is to participate in one of the AMA Grand Tours, presented by Shinko Tires and Fly Street Gear.
There are several to choose from, including the Big Money Rally, Eddie’s Road and Team Strange Airheads Smoke Chasing Grand Tour, and the Tour of Honor Grand Tour. Details are provided on the AMA’s website at www.americanmotorcyclist.com > AMA Premier Touring Series.
Not only do you get in a great ride, but a few lucky participants will win some cool stuff from AMA Grand Tours sponsors Shinko Tires and Fly Street Gear. Find out how on the website.
enthusiast magazines and online owners club forums. Visit a few dealerships, talk to salespeople and grab some brochures. Some brands host demo rides at regional events, such as AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. These give you an opportunity to try several models (bring your license). Make sure the motorcycle matches your physical characteristics and preferences. Is the seating position comfortable?
Sat Jun 1
Above motorcycle manufacturers participated in the 2012 event
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Can you reach and easily operate the controls? Can you suport the bike with your legs? is there enough room for a passenger and cargo, if that’s one of your priorities?
If you buy a motorcycle and it turns out it’s not quite your dream bike, don’t worry—there’s a vibrant resale market for clean, well-maintained used motorcycles, whether you trade it in or sell it.
The new Tour Master iPhone app is here
The high-performance warm-weather mesh jacket that also delivers on-the-road versatility, convenience and protection.
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• Removable, Two-Stage Aqua-Therm® liner is waterproof, windproof and insulated
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Individual member representatives on the AMA Board of Directors will be elected to serve the Northeast and Southwest Regions starting in 2014. For information about obtaining a candidate application, email AMA Director of Administrative Services Sean Maher at smaher@ama-cycle.org or call (614) 856-1900. Southwest Region
A major up to adventure rider training company Xplor-Int for giving an AMA membership to everyone who completes one of their classes. Learn more at www.xplor-int.com. Thanks, guys and gals!
Down to a scammer who posed as a U.S. Army sergeant selling a motorcycle online to rip off a 51-year-old Livingston County, Mich., man for $3,500.
Down to a West Palm Beach, Fla., man who police say stole the same 2004 Suzuki GSX-R 600—twice.
Up to electric motorcycle maker Zero Motorcycles for coming up with what they claim is the first app “with the ability to control the performance characteristics of a production motorcycle.”
Down to a driver in Vista, Calif., who after being pulled over by a motorcycle officer, proceeded to back into him.
Up to former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, who is hosting his 19th motorcycle trek benefiting chronically ill children. The 2013 Kyle Petty Charity Ride goes sidestands up on April 27 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, before finishing in Tempe, Ariz., 2,100 miles later on May 3.
2 Wheels + Motor, A Fine Art Exhibition
More than two dozen artists are celebrating the spirit, excitement and adventure of motorcycling through fine art in a new exhibit at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, titled “2 Wheels + Motor, A Fine Art Exhibition.”
The exhibit, which opened in March,
includes art created by mixed-media specialists, photographers, sculptors, painters, illustrators, jewelers and potters. They’re showcasing some of their finest pieces in what promises to be one of the most heart-stirring and captivating exhibits of motorcycling-related art in the nation.
“Writer Thomas Merton said, ‘Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time,’“ says Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. “Well, the same is true with motorcycling. So the combination of motorcycling, unique images and stunning artworks into a one-of-a-kind motorcycling art exhibit is certain to inspire everyone who sees it.
“We are very fortunate to have so many talented artists taking part in this new exhibit,” Heininger adds. “Several of the artworks have been created specifically for this exhibit, so there will be many fresh interpretations of motorcycling in various art forms. I’m very excited about this new addition to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”
“2 Wheels + Motor, A Fine Art Exhibition” follows the recently concluded “30-Year Ride: Honda’s Ohio-made Motorcycles,” which showcased the 30 years of Honda motorcycle production in Marysville, Ohio, from the CR250 motocrosser to the Gold Wing tourer.
For more information, call the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame at (614) 856-2222 or go to www.motorcyclemuseum.org.
By Rick Wheaton
When there’s a bunch of us on a long ride and we all pull into a turn off to stretch our legs, you can usually divide the riders into two distinct groups. Everyone takes off their helmets, but then some guys and gals pop out their earplugs and start talking normally, while the others walk around shaking their heads, trying to get rid of the nasty buzzing in their ears. They might even spend the next 10 minutes shouting to each other, hoping their hearing soon returns to normal.
I know if you’re a biker in your teens or 20s, the words “long-term hearing damage” will probably bring on a severe attack of the yawns, but here’s a fact: Every time you ride without ear protection, you are damaging your hearing.
have the immediate bonus of muchincreased comfort and reduced fatigue.
The key here is “properly fitted.” The best way to achieve this is to lubricate your foam ear plugs with a little petroleum jelly. I keep my foam plugs under the lid of the smallest jar of Vaseline, and for the cost of a few dollars, I have the perfect container for my plugs and a ready supply of the magic stuff. A smear of jelly helps the plug slip nicely into my ear canal and, because they work so much better when lubricated, I’m guessing the jelly seals some of the gaps that otherwise might let through a trickle of unwanted noise.
By the way, bike shops aren’t the only suppliers. Stores such as Home Depot sell them to guard against chain saw and other machinery noise. Most drug stores sell them, too. Also, be aware that the size and shape of plugs differ among brands. Even though the differences are tiny, it’s worth experimenting until you find the one that suits your own ears best.
Then there’s the upmarket alternative of more expensive, custom-made earplugs.
AIR
- Washable high-flow cotton media - Pleated media provides a large surface area for long service intervals - Designed to increase horsepower and acceleration - Fits directly into your OE air box
Here’s another fact: By the time you notice, you are almost certainly too late.
The good news is it’s so easy to get around this problem. Foam earplugs cost a few bucks and you can pick them up in any bike shop. Once you’ve tried them, they’ll become as indispensable as your sunglasses. Why look after your eyes but not your ears?
If you haven’t experienced properly fitted earplugs, try them. The results will be a revelation: riding in wonderful quiet, the engine a happy burble, wind noise just a whisper. And not only are you protecting yourself against the onset of the dreaded “Eh? What? Please speak up,” but you
A trained specialist will take a mold off the inside of each ear and produce a set of plugs made just for you. The process is quick and easy and your custom plugs will be ready in a day or so. The same specialist will supply an upmarket jelly too, and this may have some antiseptic properties, a useful bonus.
I can’t tell any difference between the two systems, so I choose foam plugs because I can buy them pretty much anywhere. They are cheap, readily available and, especially when lubricated, effective. Remember to give them a quick wash at the end of the day and let them dry thoroughly before re-use. If you’re riding day after day, alternate with a spare pair of plugs, and ditch them after a while. Whether your earplugs cost two dollars or two hundred dollars, please use them every time you ride.
Info: www.bestrestproducts.com
Over Utah’s winter months, cold days and nights in the garage did not do any favors for the air pressure in my motorcycle’s tires. My tires were underinflated by a dismal 20 PSI when I checked.
Thankfully, with the sun out of hiding, 45-degree early spring temperatures and dry roads, I had the perfect opportunity to test out the CyclePump Adventure Combo Package.
The kit includes a compact CyclePump Adventure compressor, an 18-inch braided hose and a quick-release locking air chuck. The compressor is compact, measuring about 2x4x6 inches and weighing less than 34 ounces. Operating instructions are thoughtfully located on the metal casing.
The compressor can accommodate four different power options via the 8-foot power cord: a cigarette lighter adapter, alligator/12-volt battery clips with a 15amp fuse, a two-prong SAE connector, and a BWM-compatible plug.
The accompanying CyclePump EZAir Gauge offers an 11-inch braided hose, the same clip-on, locking air chuck, and an easy-to-read dial with PSI (and European BAR) measurements.
Operating the compressor is a snap. I opted to connect the cigarette lighter adapter to my truck and I was flowing air within seconds. I ran it for about 2 minutes, checked pressure and repeated until both tires were good to go. The CyclePump averaged about 6 PSI of inflation for each minute of compressor run time and was so easy to use, I found myself running around my garage hoping to find a lowpressure tire to inflate.
The braided hoses vastly simplify the air chuck connection process in limited spaces and can handle filling any tire rated up to 80 PSI. The CyclePump EZAir Gauge simplified this process when checking out the tires on all of my vehicles including two bicycles, an ATV trailer and a snowblower. Bumping a low tire up a few PSI is a snap.
I did discover during my marathon tire-inflating session that with repeated use, the metal compressor understandably heats up slightly. This doesn’t occur under normal usage, and in any case, a few moments of cool-down puts you right back in business. The locking jaw air chuck configuration takes some getting used to, but provides an airtight seal when properly connected.
Numerous advantages of the Adventure Combo Package include durability, a oneyear warranty, a Velcro strap for securing wires and hoses, and storage bag for keeping all the pieces together.
The $120 price tag is reasonable for this durable and complete combo. Overall, this product is a very smart purchase. It is lightweight, compact, rugged and versatile.—Marc Sacco
AMA Member Tested
Info: www.shinkotireusa.com
Shinko (Sheen-Koe): Noun: Japanese/ Korean tire manufacturer that produces affordable tires for your ride. Verb: to stick to the ground.
OK, “Shinko” may not really be used
owner’s manual before replacing radial tires with bias-ply and visa versa, if you’re looking for a great tire for the money, give these Shinko 777s a try. You might be amazed how noticeable of a difference they will make.—Dustin Edwards
Info: www.interphone.cellularline.com
as a verb, but it should be. As the owner of a small motorcycle rental shop, I’ve gone through many a tire. For my big cruisers, hard radials have always been a good choice for both price and longevity. Shinko’s combination of ride quality with its soft rubber compound along with the longevity of a harder radial has made Shinko an up-and-coming player in the tire market—and my new brand of tire.
The Shinko 777s soft rubber compound really keeps those tires on track and not sliding around—important for obvious reasons. The softer rubber also helps to absorb vibration and keeps road noise down as well. This greatly increases the riding experience over the harder radials.
The 777s are noticeably softer than the radials, but the tires aren’t so soft that they wear prematurely. So far we have logged 9,000 miles on this set of 777s attached to a Vulcan 1500 with minimal wear on the front tire and a starting-to-square rear tire. I would estimate a total of 12,000 miles on the rear and close to 20,000 on the front based on a mix of long-distance riding and commuting. This is close to the same mileage we get off the harder radials.
If you are looking for a helmet-to-helmet communications system, take a serious look at the Interphone F5 form Cellular Italia S.p.A.
The Interphone F5 performs rider-topassenger, rider-torider and multi-user conference wireless communications. It uses Bluetooth 3.0 technology. The system can allow up to six riders to tie in voice communications with up to 0.80 miles between each rider (under perfect conditions). Although technically the number of users isn’t limited, due to time lag and the inability to manage several communicators, a maximum of six users is recommended.
Some of us won’t admit it while others will, but looks do play a factor in which tire we choose. Let’s face it, radials have many benefits but in the aesthetics category some are far from the top. Compared to many other tire manufacturers, the aggressive tread pattern on the Shinko 777s simply looks cool. To add a little function with fashion, the tread pattern is also great in the rain. The ninja-like cuts in the tread ward off water better than repellant on your visor.
While you should always check your
The Interphone F5 Two Biker Universal Helmet Kit comes with two Bluetooth modules, two stereo earphone and boom microphone rigs, and two stereo earphone and wired microphone rigs. Two different types of mounting brackets are included: a permanent adhesive-backed bracket and a mounting bracket with screws that allows transferring the system to another helmet. One AC charger with a dual cable is included, which allows charging the two Bluetooth modules at the same time. A USB cable is included as well, so not only can you can plug it into a regular wall
outlet, you can use your laptop or USBequipped portable power supply.
The feature set is long and impressive. It includes high-fidelity audio, built-in FM radio with pre-set ability, multiple language choices, Bluetooth connectivity to smart phones or GPS systems, a 2.5 mm jack, voice command menu capability, text-tospeech announcements, voice answer and dial, music remote control, auto music mute for incoming calls, auto volume adjust and mobile phone ring warning.
The modules have CEI IP67-approved dust-proofing and water resistance, and the battery power durations are specified at 700 hours of standby time, and 11 hours of talk time. I have never run out of power during a test period of nine months and charging after each week of use, predominantly listening to music on my cell phone. It is a testament to the module and battery engineering to have such a low power load yet high duration.
In my initial test of the system, I installed one Bluetooth module on a flip-up helmet and used one of the two removable brackets and one of the boom microphone and earphone rigs. The speaker fitment was simple. The earphone speakers are adhesive backed and were easily applied in the best position for me. The cable routes between the EPS foam and the removable liner and is unobtrusive. My wife’s open-face helmet was assigned the same boom microphone set-up.
The Bluetooth modules slide and lock into the brackets with a secure snap and the modules use a water-resistant connection to the microphone/speaker system for a robust, weather-resistant system. The kit comes with a tube of silicone grease for a water-resistant electrical connection.
The modules charge quickly in about two hours, and the Bluetooth pairing is simple. Before you know it, you are riding down the road listening to the music of your choice, audio directions from your GPS, and conversing with your passenger or fellow rider.
The default volume setting appears to be set for use with earplugs. If you don’t ride wearing earplugs, you may find the volume to be a bit loud. Once set, volume adjusts automatically with ambient noise or wind noise. The quality of sound reproduction is exceptional in frequency response and clarity.
My overall experience with the Interphone F5 was highly positive due to every aspect of installation being concise and the operation being relatively easy for a firsttime user. It looks great and is unobtrusive. Whether riding with a passenger, other riders or solo, you may find the Interphone F5 an interesting and addicting
addition to your riding experience. Just remember: Don’t think out loud because the VOX microphone transmits every time you speak.—Michael Korzeniowski
Yamaha’s Last Foray In Dirt-Track Racing
The early 1970s were some of the greatest years for American dirt-track racing, with the venerable HarleyDavidson Motor Company and Yamaha fighting for oval track supremacy.
“King” Kenny Roberts won the AMA Grand National Championship in 1973 and 1974, despite the fact that his Yamahas could not put the power to the ground on the halfmile and mile dirt tracks like the mighty Harley-Davidsons. The future AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer made up the difference with some of the most spectacular riding ever seen on the dirt ovals of America.
In 1975 Yamaha went to extremes to overtake HarleyDavidson, stuffing a TZ750 four-cylinder, two-stroke roadracing engine into a dirt-track frame. At the Indianapolis Mile in August 1975, Roberts managed to wrangle the beast and broadslide wildly out of the final turn to pass Harley racers and future Hall of Famers Jay Springsteen and Corky Keener to win the race.
Roberts admitted that the TZ750 dirt-tracker was intimidating even for him, calling it the wildest ride in his career, and the AMA promptly banned the roadracing engine from dirt-track competition.
Future Hall of Famer and Harley rider Gary Scott won the Grand National Championship in 1975. Springsteen won it in 1976.
Yamaha then created new heads for its XS750 dirt-track racers, like this one, hoping to squeeze every last bit of power out of the machine. But it wasn’t enough. Harley’s Springsteen once again captured the Grand National Championship title in 1977, and Yamaha dropped out of dirt-track racing.
But Roberts’ career was just taking off. He won the 1977 AMA Formula One roadracing championship. He then flew
to Europe to contest the 1978 Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) World 500cc Grand Prix Championship roadracing series.
That year he became the first American to win a World 500 Grand Prix title. He then repeated as champion the following two years.
Hall of Famer
10-Time Hillclimb Champion
Earl Bowlby was a leading AMA hillclimber in the 1970s and ’80s. During his 25-year career, Bowlby earned 10 national hillclimbing titles. He was loyal to the British BSA motorcycle brand, using a highly modified 650cc machine throughout his career.
Bowlby was born in Hocking County, Ohio, in 1933. In 1952, Bowlby bought a 1949 Indian that he rode for pleasure. In the late 1950s, Bowlby bought a used BSA, a purchase that would prove to be pivotal in his life.
In 1960, Bowlby established a BSA dealership in Logan, Ohio. In 1965, he dominated the amateur ranks in hillclimbing aboard a BSA 650cc twin.
He earned his pro license in 1966 at the age of 32 and rode his first national in East Palestine, Ohio. He earned second place in his very first pro climb using his amateur bike, which was shod with rubber tires instead of chained or paddled tires and ran on regular gasoline.
In 1968, Bowlby earned his first National victory in Muskegon, Mich. That day he went out and had a good run on his first
climb and waited the rest of the day to see if someone would beat his time. No one did. Bowlby’s time that year up the Muskegon hill was 7.87 seconds. To illustrate how quickly hillclimbing evolved during Bowlby’s era, 16 years after setting that time at Muskegon, Bowlby came back to set a new hill record in 1984 at 4.71 seconds.
During his career, Bowlby was known for immaculately prepared BSAs, winning 10 AMA national titles in his 25 years of professional racing. The 1984 season stands out. That year, Bowlby won the National invitational at Muskegon, setting a new hill record. He also won the AMA national championship on the points he had accumulated during the season, then polished off the year by winning the Canadian National Hillclimb title—at that time the triple crown of hillclimb competition. He was the only racer ever to accomplish that feat.
Bowlby retired from hillclimbing after the 1990 season. In all, he won more than 80 AMA national hillclimbs and six Canadian national titles. He continued to
run his dealership in Logan, specializing in used British bikes and parts. One of his BSA hillclimbers is on permanent loan to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, where Bowlby was inducted in 1999.
To read more about Earl Bowlby and other members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, go to www.motorcyclemuseum.org.
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is YOUR hall of fame—we couldn’t exist without the generous support of our donors. Now there’s a new way for you to show that support in a very visible way: My Hall of Fame. The idea is simple: A $20 donation gets you a 3-inch-square space on the wall in the Hall of Fame entrance foyer that hangs during the campaign year. Want a bigger space? A 6-inch square is an $80 donation, and a 9-inch square is a $180 donation. You also get an official certificate noting that your picture is on display in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Hang your picture, your kid’s picture, your company logo, almost anything. It’s up to you! Get in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame today!
Motorcyclists are a diverse breed. Some like dirt. Others dig asphalt. There are those who obsess over competition, while others compete only with themselves. Some like speed. Others prefer finesse. Many gravitate toward groups. Some ride alone.
One trait that binds most of us, however, is the thirst for exploring, a craving for discovering the unknown. Whether the mystery is a vista over the horizon or what twisties might snake through the next valley, we just can’t stop until we experience it for ourselves—and then we keep riding to the next one.
This yearning for adventure is the fuel that powers two like-minded AMAsanctioned series that have grown steadily in recent years, regardless of the economic malaise that has tempered other recreational pastimes of late.
The AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series and the AMA Husqvarna National Dual Sport Series feature dozens of rides from Florida to Oregon, covering thousands of miles of backroads and trails that showcase America’s best.
The AMA created the national dual-sport series in 1987 to highlight this amazing way to use a motorcycle. Since then, off-road and street riders alike have turned to dualsport recreation to experience the freedom of two wheels. The 2013 schedule for the AMA Husqvarna National Dual-Sport Series is one of the largest in history, featuring 25 events. The dual-sport series features challenging trail, much of it rivaling an enduro in technical difficulty. Of course, without the extra pressure of competition— dual-sport rides are not races—the offcamber rocky turns and log crosses are a lot less intimidating.
In recent years, recognizing a growing affinity for large-bore adventure bikes— what the Brits call “big trailies”—the AMA and our promoting partners formed the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series. This series boasts 19 events for 2013. National adventure rides are laid out for these larger, more street-oriented motorcycles. They offer incredible rides in some of the most scenic areas in the country. Most include more difficult sections designed to test riders, but those sections are optional.
Both series stay true to the “High Adventure, No Hassles” philosophy. The idea is to provide plenty of thrills without the logistical headaches that come from learning, mapping and planning a ride through America’s backcountry—not to mention one that includes the company of like-minded enthusiasts and a full weekend of riding, eating, camping and camaraderie.
Over the next few pages, you will find more information about dual-sport and adventure riding to get you started in one of motorcycling’s fastest growing categories. Ready to ride? Great! For the full schedules of both series, see page 55.
One of the longest rides in the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series, depending on the route taken, the Sept. 6-9 Autumn Hot Springs Adventure Tour winds for more than 800-1,000 miles through the Sawatch, Mosquito, San Juan and Sangre De Cristo mountain ranges.
The ride is put on by Sean Barr and Michael Brown of Exit Tours M/C (www.coloradodualsport.com) in Salida, Colo., and has a 45-rider capacity for 2013. We caught up with Barr, whose day job is at Mountain Tech Yamaha/Beta in Buena Vista, Colo., to learn more about what riders can expect.
American Motorcyclist: What makes this ride special?
Sean Barr: Well, one is the length. This is a long ride. Plus, because of the length, we can cross a large number of mountain passes. The route we’ll follow crosses the
Some of our 50,000 (and growing) Facebook fans sound off on why they enjoy dual-sport and adventure riding…
Continental Divide eight times and covers 16 different mountain passes. Three of those passes are higher than 12,000 feet, and seven passes are more than 11,000 feet. Three of these paved passes are the highest paved passes in Colorado, and Independence Pass is the second highest continuous paved pass in the United States. That’s a lot of elevation [gain], and is probably what riders will remember most about the experience.
AM: How are the views?
Barr: We go by several 14,000-foot peaks. We start and end in Chaffee County, Colo. Chaffee County has more “14’ers” than any other county in the United States. That makes it pretty easy to find a good visual backdrop for the ride. We go by Mt. Massive twice. It is spectacular. We’ll also cross Cottonwood Pass, the second highest improved pass in Colorado.
AM: You mentioned that some roads
“Getting off the beaten path!”—Mike Bobbitt
are paved. How many are dirt, and what are the conditions?
Barr: For the most part, these passes are historic mining and stage[coach] roads, and railroad grades. They were used to move gold, silver, and other minerals. They also were used by people moving and delivering supplies from the mining towns. The routes wind with the Arkansas, Rio Grande and Colorado rivers. We’re not looking to beat anyone up. The idea is to have fun. Yes, there will be dirt and gravel roads, but we’re not doing single-track or anything like that. If you can ride on gravel, you can handle this ride. In any case, half the route is made up of fun, twisty pavement, so there’s something for everyone.
We’ll try to make fuel stops every
Continued on page 44
“The ability to ride all but the gnarliest single-track trails while carrying all of my camping gear while riding across the country without needing a four-wheeled vehicle to support me.”—Graham Nagi
“Not having to truck the bike to the trail. I leave the house and go wherever the moment takes me, whether 50 miles or 250 miles.”—Donald Butler
“The adventure and the ability to ride anywhere and everywhere!” —Chris White
80 miles or so. A 100-mile range is recommended.
AM: Walk us through the ride.
Barr: Well, it’s basically ride, stop, eat, rest, repeat. Each night there is a relaxing stop and stay at a hot springs pool.
The first day leaves Cottonwood Hot Springs and follows the Arkansas River north toward Leadville. The passes we’ll cross include Weston, Hoosier, Boreas, Kenoshia, Guanella, Loveland and Ute. We’ll then follow the Colorado River to Glenwood.
On the second day, we’ll leave Glenwood and do the three highest passes: Independence, Cottonwood and Cumberland. Next, we’ll continue on over Wuanita, Black Sage, Old Monarch,
Monarch, Cochetopa and Carnero passes to the Sand Dunes hot springs pool.
On Monday, riders can continue back to Buena Vista the short way or the long way. The long way will take us down to Phantom Canyon near Cripple Creek and then take you to Buena Vista.
Tbest parts of this ride aren’t just the scenery, but the history. We’ll follow the same routes that the settlers and miners used. Don’t expect any lectures, though. We’re out there to enjoy our motorcycles, but if we pick up some interesting facts along the way, that’s fine, too.
AM: What about the weather? Any snow on the ground in September?
Barr: We definitely expect it to be clear. September is one of the nicest times of the year in Colorado. Trees are starting to change color. We should see some
afternoon rains, which typically moistens the dirt to the point of perfect traction. You can expect daytime temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s. Nights will usually drop to 40-50 degrees or so.
AM: What’s the cost, and what is included?
Barr: The entry fee is $600, and the ride is open to any AMA member with an adventure-style motorcycle. That fee includes three nights of lodging at the Cottonwood Hot Springs Resort, Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge and the Inn of the Rio Grand.
There will be GPS tracks provided, luggage portage, support riders, a chase truck, three breakfasts, a hoodie, a welcome dinner and hot spring passes. Passengers ride and stay free. You can sign up at www.coloradodualsport.com.
Sean Barr of Exit Tours M/C offers these tips for adventure riders:
Setup: There are a lot of rocks in Colorado, so DOTapproved dual-sport tires are recommended. Because of the elevation change, check your tire pressure where we stage. You’ll want to run it a little higher than normal. This will help prevent pinch flats. With fuel injection so prevalent these days, most bikes can handle the altitude change just fine, but if you do ride a carbureted bike, contact us through www.coloradodualsport.com and we’ll give you some advice.
Safety: We use the buddy system. Simply put, the buddy system can save your life. Although we do our best to keep track of everyone, it is possible to get yourself lost on this or any ride. If you are alone and get hurt, you may not be missed until the end of the day. We insist that riders use the buddy system.
Basically, two or three riders watch each others’ backs the whole ride, and you never, ever leave your buddy. Don’t lose sight of your buddy for more than a turn or two. Don’t make a major turn without making sure your buddy will also—simply seeing your buddy behind you is not good enough. Your buddy might not see you. Wait until you make eye contact or, better yet, you actually see him make the turn. If you get separated, go back to the last place you saw each other.
Maintenance: First of all, these rides always include a large number of friendly, highly experienced riders who are more than willing to lend a hand, but one of the most important tips is to be able to work on your own bike. You should be able to perform basic maintenance, and ideally change your own tires.
Fun: The good thing about fun is it just happens. Bring a good attitude. Plus, we strongly encourage everyone to bring a friend. Not only does this give you a built-in buddy for the ride, but rides are always more fun if you can bench race about them later.
Each time you participate in an AMA Husqvarna National Dual Sport or AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Ride, you earn a chance to win a new motorcycle.
Dual-sport series riders get a chance to win a Husqvarna TE, while adventure series riders get a chance to win a Yamaha Super Ténéré.
Each bike is perfect for its intended purpose, whether that’s blasting down singletrack trail or crossing a 14,000-foot mountain pass.
The best part? Enter all you like. Even if you don’t win, each ride will be a memory you’ll never forget.
Husqvarna TE Lineup: Street Legal Race Bikes
When it comes to motorcycles, “compromise” is a dirty word. We want to ride machines built for performance, not concession.
And Husqvarna’s TE line of dual-sport bikes is all about off-road performance. The bikes are built to the same standards as off-road competition models, and then the bare minimum of equipment—horn, turn signals, etc.—is added to pass muster with federal regulators.
Some of our 50,000 (and growing) Facebook fans sound off on why they enjoy dual-sport and adventure riding…
“The scenery and the challenge of the places we go riding. I really enjoy organized adventure rides and have a blast competing in road enduros in Ohio.”
—Sam Phillips
“While the sportbikes and sport tourers are fighting traffic on our scenic highways, I am unencumbered, riding free through all that nature has to offer.”—David Grey “Freedom!”—Aaron Mosser
These are not casual trailbikes. The TEs feature topshelf Brembo brakes, a hydraulic clutch, Keihin electronic fuel injection, Excel rims, sport-tuned suspension and aggressive ergonomics.
Don’t be mistaken, though. The factory bikes are 50-state legal, which means they can be legally ridden on any public road in America. (And they’re quiet, which means not too many people will notice you riding them on any public road in America—also a good thing!)
Get your chance to win one by riding in a national dual sport near you.
Top 10 Features
As part of Yamaha’s sponsorship of the adventure riding series, riders who participate in the series (that’s you) get a chance to win a Super Ténéré. Never heard of it? Here are the top-10 coolest things about the bike, and why you’ll want one:
No. 10: Compact 1,199cc parallel twin sports a 270-degree crank and kicks out ample and predictable traction.
No. 9: Big intimidating looks that scare less worthy road users out of the way!
No. 8: Fuel injection and fly-by-wire technology makes programming performance tweaks a snap.
No. 7: Six-gallon tank is guaranteed to need fill ups less often than you do.
No. 6: Wide-ratio, six-speed tranny is as versatile as six speeds get.
No. 5: The 2013 model comes in white and red. Fans of 1980s Yamaha motocross star and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Broc Glover rejoice!
No. 4: Adjustable windshield, seat height and suspension mean it never met a rider it couldn’t accommodate.
No. 3: Traction control when you want it, no traction control when you don’t.
No. 2: The Yamaha R1-style turn signals make it instantly faster.
No. 1: Never met a dirt road it didn’t like.
Some rides are like wine. They get better with age.
That’s the case with one of the best rides on the AMA Husqvarna National Dual Sport Series calendar: the Baby Burr. The dualsport is celebrating its 25th anniversary this Oct. 12-13 in McArthur, Ohio.
The Baby Burr is produced and promoted by the Enduro Riders Association, a longtime AMA-chartered club. The ride channels the spirit of the historic Little Burr Enduro that in 1958 was the AMA’s first 250-mile National Enduro. (This was when enduro champions were crowned at singular events and before the advent, four years later, of the stillrunning AMA Grand National Enduro Championship Series.)
All the history of that event is alive and
well today in the Baby Burr—a favorite among dual-sport riders and local enduro racers.
And there’s good reason for that.
The Baby Burr represents southern Ohio dual-sport perfection, with flowing routes, challenging terrain, ample mileage and friendly atmosphere. It’s downright awesome to ride trail that isn’t beat up and to see what surprises the club has dug out of its bag of tricks each year.
Even better, if atmosphere matters to you, most years the Baby Burr falls at the start of fall-color season. The leaves are just starting to change, creating surreal multi-hued backdrops, but the temperatures are still comfortable enough to ride without a jacket.
Another plus about the Baby Burr is
Some of our 50,000 (and growing) Facebook fans sound off on why they enjoy dual-sport and adventure riding…
“Driving down the highway and seeing the side ‘road,’ thinking, ‘Hmmmm, I wonder where that goes?’ and then finding out!”—
Jeromy Williamson
like many other dual-sport rides, it shares trail with the club’s competition events. (The Little Burr is still alive and well.) This means riders can expect miles of tough trail—all optional, of course.
“They aren’t extremely hard, but we might have some places that might be a problem for a small percentage of the riders,” says Enduro Riders Association
President Steve Barber. “We get a wide range of skill levels at these events and want everyone to have a good event.”
For riders who need a break, Barber says bypasses are available for the tougher sections.
“Some riders may not want to enter a section if they are not sure of their skill level,” he says. “I tried to label the enduro loops with brief descriptions of the possible trouble spots. If it’s not labeled, then it’s just several miles of good trail, but if someone is getting tired they may want to skip it.”
Not that you’d ever want to skip it!
The other great thing about AMAsanctioned dual-sport rides? You never ride alone. Sooner or later, and probably sooner, some 17-year-old kid will show up who can ride your bike up that rootinfested hill.
Although it’s one of the oldest, the Baby Burr isn’t the only ride of its kind in the AMA Husqvarna National Dual-Sport Series.
This month will see the second ride in the series—the Hanging Rock 200 in Zaleski, Ohio (www.kaeppnerswoods. com)—before things heat up in a very big way in June.
From June 1-2 through June 29-30, the series will feature seven national dual sports in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Michigan, Oregon, Wisconsin, California and Indiana. And that’s just getting started…
There are three more in July, four in August, five in September, three in October and two in November.
Find one near you on page 55, or see www.americanmotorcyclist.com for the latest.
“Adventure bikes are comfortable, responsive and versatile. They encourage exploration without compromising on long-haul riding.”—Andrew Capone
“The thing I like about dual-sport and adventure riding is they are finally growing and I have more people to take with me into the wilderness.”—Ron Pringle
“When the pavement ends at a single-track dirt trail, keep on ridin’!”—Max Roelen
“The ability to take The Road Less Traveled.”—Chuck Stein
JOIN OR RENEW your AMA membership in 2013 and you could
As the proud sponsor of the AMA Yamaha Super Tenere National Adventure Touring Series, Yamaha is awarding one lucky member a new 2013 Super Tenere! Riders participating in the series will also be automatically entered.
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.
The best part? You’re automatically entered when you join or renew between Jan. 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2013. www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com
when
Watch this space for updates about your valuable benefits as an AMA member.
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A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed on the following pages.
The 2013 AMA Pro Motocross season gets under way with the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, Calif., May 18, followed by the Thunder Valley MX on May 25 in Lakewood, Colo. For the full schedule, see page 52.
5
A great way to ride at your own pace and still take part in the AMA Premier Touring Series is to participate in one of the AMA Grand Tours, presented by Shinko Tires and Fly Street Gear. There are several to choose from, including the Big Money Rally, Eddie’s Road and Team Strange Airheads Smoke Chasing Grand Tour, and the Tour of Honor Grand Tour. For info, see page 55.
6
2
Year after year, the AspenCash Rally— set for May 16-23 this year—dishes out heaps of camaraderie and good times for street riders. AspenCash is an AMA National Touring Rally held in Ruidoso, N.M. Info: www.motorcyclerally.com.
3
Time to break out your dual-sport bike or adventure-tourer and run the roads and trails in the AMA Husqvarna National Dual-Sport Series and the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series. This month, the Husqvarna series features the Hanging Rock 200 in Zaleski, Ohio, on May 18-19, while the Yamaha series features the Yosemite Adventure tour in Buck Meadows, Calif., May 4-5; the West Pennsylvania Adventure Beginner ride in Spring Mills, Pa., May 5; the Hanging Rock 200 in Zaleski, Ohio, May 18-19, and the Berkshire Big Adventure in Tolland, Mass. May 18-19. For the full schedules, see page 55.
4
Join hundreds of other motorcyclists for a scenic ride through Tennessee and support a good cause at the same time at the Middle Tennessee Ride For Kids that starts and ends at Jim Warren Park in Franklin, Tenn., May 19. Registration is 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The escorted ride starts at 10 a.m. rain or shine. Info: www.pbtfus.org/rideforkids.
The Joker Poker Run hosted by the Central Oregon Motorcycle and ATV Club is an offhighway event for bikes and ATVs set for May 4 in Bend, Ore. Info: www.comacclub.org.
If you’re a touring rider and haven’t experienced Americade, plan to be in Lake George, N.Y. June 1-8. This AMA National Convention features motorcycle tours, meals, parties and all the fun you can stand. Info: www.tourexpo.com.
Laconia Motorcycle Week is June 8-16 in Laconia, N.H. This weeklong AMA Gypsy Tour is jam-packed with action, motorcycle racing and motorcycling activities. Info: www.laconiamcweek.com.
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MAY 18: SHERWOOD: DIRT BIKE MIKE LLC, (501) 282-1864, DIRTBIKEMIKE.COM
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MAY 4-5: BUCK MEADOWS: 2-DAY EVENT, FAMILY OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES, (209) 649-3633, FAMILYOFFROADADVENTURES. COM
DUAL-SPORT RIDE
MAY 18-19: STONYFORD: 2-DAY EVENT, OAKLAND MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (510) 5346222, OAKLANDMC.ORG
DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD
MAY 18: IDYLLWILD: ORANGE COUNTY DUALIES, (951) 312-9084, DUALIES.COM
POKER RUN
MAY 5: STOCKTON: STOCKTON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 956-1505, STOCKTONMC.ORG
ROAD RUN
MAY 5: TORRANCE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG
MAY 18-19: (Includes ATVs) PASADENA: 2-DAY EVENT, PASADENA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, PASADENAMC.COM ROAD RALLY
MAY 15: RANCHO CUCAMONGA: RUN FOR THE WALL COMPETITION
CROSS COUNTRY
MAY 26-27: GRIZZLY FLATS: 2-DAY EVENT, EARTHSCAPE CUSTOM DIRT WORKS, (916) 421-7268
ENDURO
MAY 11: OMO RANCH: POLKA DOTS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (530) 644-8567, POLKADOTSMC.COM
EUROPEAN SCRAMBLES
MAY 11-12: (Includes ATVs) RIDGECREST: 2-DAY EVENT, BADGERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (661) 242-2712, BADGERSMC.ORG MOTOCROSS
MAY 16-17: RANCHO CORDOVA: 2-DAY EVENT, DIRT DIGGERS NORTH M.C. INC, HANGTOWNMX.COM
COLORADO
RECREATIONAL POKER RUN
MAY 19: COLORADO SPRINGS: COLORADO SPRINGS TOURING CLUB, (719) 635-0138
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
MAY 27: BRUSH: CACTUS PROMOTIONS LLC, (970) 768-0519, BRUSHMX.COM
DELAWARE
ENDURO
MAY 5: DELAWARE CITY: DELAWARE ENDURO RIDERS, INC., (302) 834-4568, DELAWAREENDURORIDERS.COM
MOTOCROSS
MAY 26: NEW CASTLE: BLUE DIAMOND MX, (302) 834-5867, BDMXPARK.COM
GEORGIA
MAY 18: (Includes ATVs) DALTON: LAZY RIVER MOTOCROSS, (706) 278-1620, LAZYRIVERMOTOCROSS.COM
MAY 19: (Includes ATVs) DALTON : LAZY RIVER MOTOCROSS, (706) 278-1620, LAZYRIVERMOTOCROSS.COM
IDAHO
RECREATIONAL
ROAD RALLY
MAY 4: BOISE: IDAHO COALITION FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY, (208) 941-1689, IDAHOBIKERRIGHTS.COM
MAY 4: IDAHO FALLS: IDAHO COALITION FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY, (208) 5295477, IDAHOBIKERRIGHTS.COM
ILLINOIS
RECREATIONAL
POKER RUN
MAY 19: BARTONVILLE: PEORIA MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (309) 697-4981, PEORIATT.NET
COMPETITION
1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK
MAY 31: SPRINGFIELD: STEVE NACE RACING PROMOTIONS, (270) 442-7532, STEVENACERACING.COM
HILLCLIMB
MAY 4: WHITE CITY: CAHOKIA CREEK DIRT RIDERS, (618) 946-4316, CCDIRT.COM
MAY 25: (Includes ATVs) NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, (217) 317-9278, CENTRALILLIONOISMOTORCYCLECLUB.
ORG
MAY 26: (Includes ATVs) NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, (217) 317-9278, CENTRALILLIONOISMOTORCYCLECLUB. ORG
MILE
MAY 28: SPRINGFIELD: STEVE NACE RACING PROMOTIONS, (270) 442-7532, STEVENACERACING.COM
MOTOCROSS
MAY 5: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM
MAY 17: (Includes ATVs) WOODSTOCK: WOODSTOCK RACING LLC, (815) 3373511, WOODSTOCK-KTM.COM
MAY 18: MT CARROLL: MC MOTOPARK INC., (815) 238-1614, MCMOTOPARK.COM
MAY 18: (ATV only) FOSTERBURG: SPLINTER CREEK DIRT RIDERS INC, (618) 372-4255, SPLINTERCREEK.COM
MAY 19: FOSTERBURG: SPLINTER CREEK DIRT RIDERS INC, (618) 372-4355, SPLINTERCREEK.COM
MAY 19: MT. CARROLL: MC MOTOPARK INC., (815) 238-1614, MCMOTOPARK.COM
MAY 25-26: (ATV only) WALNUT: 2-DAY EVENT, REDBUD RECREATION, INC., (269) 695-6405, REDBUDMX.COM OR SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM
MAY 26: (Includes ATVs) NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, (217) 317-9278, CENTRALILLIONOISMOTORCYCLECLUB. ORG
MAY 27: (Includes ATVs) NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, (217) 317-9278, CENTRALILLIONOISMOTORCYCLECLUB. ORG
MAY 29: SPRINGFIELD : STEVE NACE RACING PROMOTIONS, (270) 442-7532, STEVENACERACING.COM
INDIANA
RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN
MAY 5: COLUMBIA CITY: OLD FORT MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (260) 402-1580
MAY 27: KOKOMO: MIDNIGHT RIDERS MC, (765) 452-7654
COMPETITION
HILLCLIMB
MAY 19: (Includes ATVs) MIDDLEBURY: GOSHEN IRON HORSEMEN, (574) 825-3399
HARE SCRAMBLES
MAY 5: (Includes ATVs) CULVER: PLYMOUTH BLACKHAWKS MC, INC., (574) 259-0103
MOTOCROSS
MAY 26: CROTHERSVILLE: LET’S GO RACING LLC, (812) 374-8228, HIGHFLYMX. COM
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
MAY 4-5: MONTEZUMA: 2-DAY EVENT, FV MOTO X, (641) 623-3456, FVMOTOX.COM
MAY 25: (Includes ATVs) MONTEZUMA: FV MOTO X, (641) 623-3456, FVMOTOX.COM
MAY 26: (Includes ATVs) MONTEZUMA: FV MOTO X, (641) 623-3456, FVMOTOX.COM
LOUISIANA
RECREATIONAL
ROAD RUN
MAY 19: ALEXANDRIA: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG
COMPETITION
ENDURO
MAY 4-5: CRAVENS: 2-DAY EVENT, LOUISIANA TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (225) 444-5502
MASSACHUSETTS
RECREATIONAL
ADVENTURE RIDE
MAY 18: TOLLAND: 2-DAY EVENT, BERKSHIRE TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (845) 729-1715, MUDSLINGER.ORG
ROAD RALLY
MAY 26: WEST WARREN: SPRINGFIELD MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (413) 245-3037, SMCRIDE.COM MICHIGAN
RECREATIONAL
BIKE BLESSING
MAY 19: BALDWIN: PARA-DICE MC, (616) 893-3542
POKER RUN
MAY 26: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM
SHORT TRACK
COMPETITION
MAY 4: BUCHANAN: REDBUD RECREATION, INC., (269) 695-6405, REDBUDMX.COM
MAY 5: BUCHANAN: REDBUD RECREATION, INC., (269) 695-6405, REDBUDMX.COM
MAY 5: (Includes ATVs) PORTLAND: PORTLAND TRAIL RIDERS, (517) 647-7045, PORTLANDTRAILRIDERS.COM
MAY 11: MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 832-8284, POLKADOTSMC.NET
MAY 12: MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 832-8284, POLKADOTSMC.NET
MAY 19: (Includes ATVs) CADILLAC: CADILLAC MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (231) 884-3729, CADILLACMC.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
MAY 5: WHITMORE LAKE: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (517) 8499231, MOTATRIALS.COM
MAY 19: FLUSHING : MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (248) 583-1437, MOTATRIALS.COM
SHORT TRACK
MAY 4: OWOSSO: OWOSSO KART SPEEDWAY, (810) 691-5781, OWOSSOKARTSPEEDWAY.COM
MAY 18: (Includes ATVs) DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMBMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM
TT
MAY 19: (Includes ATVs) DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMBMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM
MINNESOTA
RECREATIONAL
ROAD RUN
MAY 18: MANKATO: KATO CYCLE CLUB, KATOCYCLECLUB.COM
TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL
MAY 18-19: THEILMAN: 2-DAY EVENT, GOLDEN EAGLES CYCLE CLUB, GOLDENEAGLES.ORG
COMPETITION
HILLCLIMB
MAY 25-26: (Includes ATVs) RED WING: 2-DAY EVENT, INDIANHEAD MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (952) 210-8208, INDIANHEADMC. ORG
HARE SCRAMBLES
MAY 5: CAMBRIDGE: NORSEMEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (952) 836-8459
MAY 12: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM MOTOCROSS
MAY 5: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 7532779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM
MAY 11: LITTLE FALLS : RM PROMOTIONS, (612) 919-3457, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COM
MAY 12: LITTLE FALLS: RM PROMOTIONS, (612) 919-3457, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COM
MAY 12: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 244-9996, MOTOKAZIE.COM
MAY 12: (ATV only) MAZEPPA: HURRICANE HILLS MX, (507) 984-3515, HURRICANEHILLS.COM
MAY 19: MAZEPPA: HURRICANE HILLS MX, (507) 984-3515, HURRICANEHILLS.COM
MAY 5: NORTON SHORES: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 733-9856, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM
COMPETITION
HARE SCRAMBLES
MAY 30: SPRINGFIELD: STEVE NACE RACING PROMOTIONS, (270) 442-7532, STEVENACERACING.COM TT
MAY 19: COPEMISH: TWIN BAY TRAIL RIDERS, (231) 645-7905
MOTOCROSS
MAY 19: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 679-2582, BERMBENDERS.COM
MAY 19: BROOKSTON: ECHO VALLEY MOTOCROSS PARK, (218) 348-4754, ECHOVALLEYMOTOCROSS.COM
MAY 26: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM
MAY 27: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
MAY 18: THEILMAN: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 351-9887, UMTA.ORG
MAY 19: THEILMAN: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 351-8879, UMTA.ORG
MISSISSIPPI
RECREATIONAL
TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL
MAY 18: NEW AUGUSTA: MASTERLINKS ENDURO TEAM, (251) 751-5961, SERARACING.COM
COMPETITION
ENDURO
MAY 19: NEW AUGUSTA: MASTERLINKS ENDURO TEAM, (251) 751-5961, SERARACING.COM
COMPETITION
ENDURO
MAY 19: PARK HILLS: MISSOURI
MUDDERS, (636) 639-6373, MOMUDDERS. COM
COMPETITION
GRAND PRIX
MAY 4-5: (Includes ATVs) PRIMM: 2-DAY EVENT, SUNLAND SHAMROCKS, (818) 767-4594 NEW JERSEY COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
MAY 25: (Includes ATVs) ENGLISHTOWN: RACEWAY PARK, (732) 446-7800, RACEWAYPARK.COM
MAY 26: (Includes ATVs) ENGLISHTOWN: RACEWAY PARK, (732) 446-7800, RACEWAYPARK.COM
NEW MEXICO
RECREATIONAL
ROAD RUN
MAY 5: ALBUQUERQUE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG
ROAD RALLY
MAY 15: MESCALERO: CP6 SOLUTIONS, LLC., (575) 973-4977
NEW YORK
RECREATIONAL
BIKE SHOW
MAY 5: AMITYVILLE: SOUTH SHORE MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (631) 335-0493, SOUTHSHOREMC.COM
POKER RUN
MAY 19: SLOATSBURG: RAMAPO MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (201) 767-3594, RAMAPOMC.ORG
ROAD RUN
MAY 25: MELVILLE: IDONTKNOW MC, (641) 715-3900, IDONTKNOWMC.COM
COMPETITION
1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK
MAY 19: (Includes ATVs) MALTA: ELECTRIC CITY RIDERS, (518) 542-2144, ELECTRICCITYRIDERS.COM
HARE SCRAMBLES
MAY 5: (Includes ATVs) VAN ETTEN: DREAM RIDERS, (607) 589-6337, WYNOA.COM
MOTOCROSS
MAY 4: (Includes ATVs) WALLKILL: WALDEN
MX, (845) 895-2537, WALDENMX.COM
MAY 5: (Includes ATVs) WALLKILL: WALDEN MX, (845) 895-2537, WALDENMX.COM
MAY 11: (Includes ATVs) NEW BERLIN: UNADILLA VALLEY SPORTS CENTER, (607) 965-8450, UNADILLAMX.COM
MAY 12: (Includes ATVs) NEW BERLIN: UNADILLA VALLEY SPORTS CENTER, (607) 965-8450, UNADILLAMX.COM
MAY 24: (Includes ATVs) CAROGA LAKE: ROYAL MOUNTAIN SKI AREA, (518) 8356445, ROYALMOUNTAIN.COM
MAY 25: (Includes ATVs) CAROGA LAKE: ROYAL MOUNTAIN SKI AREA, (518) 8356445, ROYALMOUNTAIN.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
MAY 12: PINE CITY: DISTRICT 4
TRIALS COMMITTEE, (607) 368-6661, DISTRICT4TRIALS.ORG
SHORT TRACK
MAY 5: (Includes ATVs) PATTERSONVILLE: ELECTRIC CITY RIDERS, (578) 330-3648, ELECTRICCITYRIDERS.COM
NORTH CAROLINA
RECREATIONAL
ROAD RUN
MAY 5: PITTSBORO: PEDIATRIC BRAIN
TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG
ROAD RALLY
MAY 24: SPARTA: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, , ALLEGHANYINN.COM
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
MAY 19: (Includes ATVs) IRON STATION: IRON STATION MOTORSPORTS, INC., (704) 732-8200, ALLANEMOTORSPORTS.COM OHIO
RECREATIONAL
ADVENTURE RIDE
MAY 18-19: ZALESKI: 2-DAY EVENT, BUCKEYE DUAL SPORTERS, (740) 3803050, LAKEHOPESTATEPARK KAEPPNERSWOOD.COM
DUAL-SPORT RIDE
MAY 18: ZALESKI: BUCKEYE DUAL SPORTERS, (740) 380-3050
POKER RUN
MAY 5: PORTSMOUTH: PORTSMOUTH MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (740) 352-7200, PORTSMOUTHMC.NET
MAY 18: BLOOMINGDALE: ABATE-OH INC, (740) 632-2950, ABATE.COM
ROAD RUN
MAY 4: SUNBURY: ABATE-OH INC, (614) 319-3644, ABATE.COM COMPETITION HILLCLIMB
MAY 18: (Includes ATVs) WATERFORD: PIONEER MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (740) 678-0082, PIONEERMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM
MAY 19: (Includes ATVs) WATERFORD: PIONEER MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (740) 678-0082, PIONEERMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM
HARE SCRAMBLES
MAY 12: (Includes ATVs) LOGAN: HOCKING VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (740) 3857695, HOCKINGVALLEYMC.COM MOTOCROSS
MAY 5: (Includes ATVs) SUGAR GROVE: CENTRAL OHIO COMPETITION RIDERS INC., (740) 983-3937
MAY 19: DAYTON: DAYTON MOTORCYCLE
CLUB INC., (937) 263-9321, DAYTONMC. COM
MAY 25-26: MILLFIELD: 2 DAY EVENT, RUSSELL RACING, INC., (304) 284-0084
MAY 27: (Includes ATVs) MARYSVILLE: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 3582427, AMERICANMX.COM REL-ENDURO - ISDE
MAY 25-26: HAMDEN: 2-DAY EVENT, APPALACHIAN DIRT RIDERS INC, (740) 3846379, ADROHIO.ORG
OKLAHOMA
COMPETITION MOTOCROSS
MAY 4: PONCA CITY: RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM
MAY 5: PONCA CITY: RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM
MAY 25: (ATV only) MUSKOGEE: SD RACING, (832) 877-0800
OREGON
RECREATIONAL
POKER RUN - OFF-ROAD
MAY 4: (Includes ATVs) BEND: CENTRAL OREGON MOTORCYCLE & ATV CLUB, (541) 382-5560, COMACCLUB.ORG PENNSYLVANIA
RECREATIONAL
ADVENTURE RIDE
MAY 5: WENDSVILLE: XPLOR-INT LLC, (610) 470-8897, XPLOR-INT.COM POKER RUN
MAY 5: BUCK: GENTLEMEN MC SPORTSMEN, (717) 284-2270
MAY 12: MARIETTA: AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS PA POST CHAPTER #466, (717) 898-0871
MAY 18: LEBANON: PA MOTOR MAIDS
MAY 19: LEESPORT: CLASSIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON, (610) 916-7777, CLASSICHARLEY.COM
MAY 19: SCHUYLKILL: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 3851460, SCHUYLKILLMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM
MAY 27: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (717) 270-9797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COM ROAD RUN
MAY 4: GLENSIDE: BIKERS FOR JC, (215) 887-2285, PAGOSPELRIDERS.COM
MAY 19: REAMSTOWN: GARDEN SPOT MC, (717) 336-5451
ROAD RALLY
MAY 15: BIRD IN HAND: RETREADS MOTORCYCLE CLUB- MID ATLANTIC REGION, (856) 241-8979, MIDATLANTICRETREADS.COM
COMPETITION
1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK
MAY 4: (Includes ATVs) POTTSVILLE: SHIPPENSBURG MC, (717) 796-0294, BAERMOTORSPORTS.COM
ENDURO
MAY 26: SAINT CLAIR: READING OFF ROAD RIDERS, (570) 754-3310, RORR.ORG
HARE SCRAMBLES
MAY 4: SKIPPACK: BLUE COMET MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 489-1240, BLUECOMETMC.COM
MAY 11-12: (Includes ATVs) SHAMOKIN: 2-DAY EVENT, VALLEY FORGE TRAIL RIDERS, (610) 476-3747, VFTR.ORG
MAY 18: (Includes ATVs) VALLEY VIEW: 2 DAY EVENT, RAUSCH CREEK
POWERSPORTS, (570) 682-4600, RAUSCHCREEKRACING.COM
MOTOCROSS
MAY 11: MT. MORRIS: RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-0084, RACERPRODUCTIONS.COM
MAY 12: MT. MORRIS: RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-0084, RACERPRODUCTIONS.COM
MAY 19: (ATV only) THREE SPRINGS: ROCKET RACEWAY, (717) 574-6590, ROCKETRACEWAY.COM
MAY 19: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMC.ORG
MAY 26: DELMONT: BELLCO INC., (304) 284-0084, RACERPRODUCTIONS.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
MAY 5: SPRING GROVE: WHITE ROSE MC, (717) 229-2621, WHITEROSEMC.COM
SHORT TRACK
MAY 18: (Includes ATVs) HANOVER: TRAILWAY SPEEDWAY, (717) 359-4310, TRAILWAYSPEEDWAY.COM
TT
MAY 12: PARKESBURG: E PA PISTON POPPERS MC INC, (484) 336-9160 SOUTH CAROLINA
RECREATIONAL
DUAL SPORT RIDE
MAY 19: CHESTER: FAMILY RIDERS, (803) 385-8402, CAROLINADUALSPORTERS. COM
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
MAY 4: (Includes ATVs) GASTON: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORYSPORTS.COM
MAY 5: (Includes ATVs) GASTON: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORYSPORTS.COM
TENNESSEE
RECREATIONAL
ROAD RUN
MAY 19: FRANKLIN: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
MAY 11: (Includes ATVs) LIVINGSTON: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM
MAY 12: (Includes ATVs) LIVINGSTON: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
MAY 25-26: SEQUATCHIE: 2-DAY EVENT, SOUTHEASTERN TRIALS RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (423) 942-8688, TRIALSUSGP.COM
TEXAS
COMPETITION
MOTOCROSS
MAY 26: WORTHAM: FREESTONE COUNTY RACEWAY LLC, (713) 962-3386, FREESTONEMX.COM
UTAH
COMPETITION
HARE & HOUND
MAY 4: (Includes ATVs) JERICHO: SAGE RIDERS MC, (435) 660-0430, SAGERIDERSMC.COM
MAY 18: (Includes ATVs) DELTA: SUGARLOAFERS MC, (435) 864-8305, SUGARLOAFERSMC.COM
ROAD RACE
MAY 25-26: TOOELE: 2-DAY EVENT, UTAH SPORT BIKE ASSOCIATION, (435) 277RACE, MILLERMOTORSPORTSPARK.COM
VIRGINIA
COMPETITION GRAND PRIX
MAY 5: MARTINSVILLE: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (276) 252-6801, VCHSS.ORG
MAY 26: DENDRON: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (757) 871-5736, VCHSS.ORG
MOTOCROSS
MAY 11: PETERSBURG: MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (410) 3751059, MAMAMX.COM
MAY 12: PETERSBURG: MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (410) 3751059, WW.MAMAMX.COM
MAY 18-19: (Includes ATVs) DISPUTANIA: 2-DAY EVENT, SOUTH FORK MX CLUB,
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.
July 19-21, Lexington, Ohio: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Information: www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com.
AMA PRO RACING
AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP AMASUPERCROSS.COM
April 13: Minneapolis: Metrodome
April 20: Seattle: Qwest Field
April 27: Salt Lake City: Rice-Eccles Stadium
May 4: Las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium
AMA MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP MXSPORTSPRORACING.COM
May 18: Sacramento, Calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic
May 25: Lakewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley
June 1: Bristol, Tenn.: Tennessee
June 8: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point
June 22: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek
June 29: Southwick, Mass.: Moto X 338
July 6: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud
July 20: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal
(804) 339-8565, SOUTHFORKMX.COM
MAY 25: SUTHERLIN: BIRCH CREEK PROMOTIONS, LLC, BIRCHCREEKMOTORSPORTS.COM
MAY 26: SUTHERLIN: BIRCH CREEK PROMOTIONS, LLC, BIRCHCREEKMOTORSPORTS.COM
WASHINGTON
COMPETITION
SHORT TRACK
MAY 11: (Includes ATVs) CASTLE ROCK: MOUNT ST HELENS MC CLUB INC, (360) 274-8700, MSHMC.ORG
TT
MAY 11: (Includes ATVs) CASTLE ROCK: MOUNT ST HELENS MC CLUB INC, (360) 274-8700, MSHMC.ORG
WISCONSIN
RECREATIONAL ROAD RALLY
MAY 17: SPRING GREEN: MOTORCYCLE
SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, MSTATWISTER.COM
COMPETITION
HARE SCRAMBLES
MAY 5: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 265-1582, AZTALANMX.COM
MAY 19: ADAMS: MADISON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (608) 873-9854, MADISOMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORG
MOTOCROSS
MAY 4: TIGERTON: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-2863, FANTASYMOTO.COM
MAY 5: TIGERTON: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-2863, FANTASYMOTOC.OM
MAY 12: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 265-1582, AZTALANMX. COM
MAY 18: (Includes ATVs) BARABOO: CMJ RACEWAY LLC, (608) 220-6853, CMJRACEWAY.COM
MAY 19: (Includes ATVs) MARSHFIELD:
MARSHFIELD T&T RIDERS, INC., (715) 384-4555, T-N-RIDERS.COM
MAY 26: ATHELSTANE: PINE RIDGE RACEWAY, LLC, (715) 856-6612, PINERIDGERACEWAY.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
MAY 18: WAUZEKA: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRAILS ASSOCIATION, (319) 624-2003, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG
MAY 19: WAUZEKA: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRAILS ASSOCIATION, (319) 624-2003, WISONSINTRIALS.ORG
SCRAMBLES
MAY 19: (Includes ATVs) BURNETT: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB, BEAVERCYCLECLUB.COM
SHORT TRACK
MAY 18: (Includes ATVs) BURNETT: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB, INC.,BEAVERCYCLECLUB. COM
MAY 31: (Includes ATVs) PLYMOUTH: SOUTHEASTERN SHORT TRACKERS, (262) 339-7930, DAIRYLANDCLASSIC.COM
July 27: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek
Aug. 10: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla
Aug. 17: Salt Lake City: Miller Motorsports Park
Aug. 24: Lake Elsinore, Calif.: Lake Elsinore
AMA PRO ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM
April/May: TBD
May 31-June 2: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America
June 21-23: Birmingham, Ala.: Barber Motorsports Park
July 12-14: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
July 19-21: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Aug. 2-4: Tooele, Utah: Miller Motorsports Park
Aug. 16-18: Indianapolis: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Aug./Sept.: TBD
Sept. 13-15: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park
Sept. 27-29: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
AMA PRO FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM
May 4: Ariz.: TBD
May 11: Stockton, Calif.: Half-mile, San Joaquin County Fairgrounds
May 26: Springfield, Ill.: Mile, Illinois State Fairgrounds
June 8: Ohio: TBD
June 29: Lima, Ohio: Half-mile, Lima County Fairgrounds
July 6: Hagerstown, Md.: Half-mile, Hagerstown Speedway
July 20: Elma, Wash.: Half-mile, Grays Harbor Raceway
July 27: Sacramento, Calif.: Mile, Cal Expo
Aug. 3: Castle Rock, Wash.: TT, Castle Rock Race Park
Aug. 11: Peoria, Ill.: TT, PMC Race Park
Aug. 17: Indianapolis: Mile, Indiana State Fairground
Sept. 1: Springfield, Ill.: Mile, Illinois State Fairgrounds
Sept. 29: Santa Rosa, Calif.: Mile, Sonoma County Fairgrounds
Oct. 5: Ariz.: TBD
Oct. 12: Pomona, Calif. Half-mile, LA County Fairplex
AMA PRO HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM
June 2: Jefferson, Pa.
June 9: Freemansburg, Pa.
June 12: Canaan, N.H.
June 22: Oregonia, Ohio
July 14: West Branch, Mich.
July: TBD
August: TBD
Sept. 8: Freemansburg, Pa.
Sept. 29: Jefferson, Pa.
Oct. 13: Oregonia, Ohio
AMA PRO ATV MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP ATVMOTOCROSS.COM
April 13-14: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway
April 27-28: Bowling Green, Ky.: Ballance MX
May 11-12: Rossville, Ind.: Wildcat Creek MX
May 25-26: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge
June 8-9: Danville, Va.: Birch Creek Motorsports
July 6-7: Delmont, Pa.: Steel City
July 13-14: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla
July 27-28: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud
Aug. 10-11: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn’s Ranch
AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
AMA ENDUROCROSS ENDUROCROSS.COM
May 3: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena
June 8: Sacramento, Calif.: Sleep Train Arena
Sept. 21: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Business Bank Arena
Oct. 12: Denver: National Western Complex
Oct. 26: Everett, Wash.: Comcast Arena
Nov. 9: Boise, Idaho: Idaho Center
Nov. 23: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena
AMA NATIONAL ENDURO NATIONALENDURO.COM
April 14: Forest Hill, La.: Tracy Barstow, Acadiana Dirt Riders; (337) 519-2520, www.AcadianaDirtRiders.com
April 28: West Point, Tenn.: Paul Traufler, NATRA; (256) 683-4129, www.NATRA.DirtRider.net
June 9: Marquette, Mich.: Nick Zambon, UP Sandstormers; (906) 228-7010, www. UPSandstormers.com
June 23: Blain, Pa.: Jim Landvater, Susquehanna Off Road Riders, (717) 926-6035, www.sorrmc.org
July 28: Cross Fork, Pa.: Peter Burnett, Brandywine Enduro Riders; (610) 368-7332, www.ber.us
Sept. 15: Lynnville, Ind.: Gil Jochem, IN, IL, KY Enduro Riders; (812) 624-0344, www.blackcoal.org
Oct. 20: Oklahoma City: Chuck Howard, Oklahoma Dirt Riders; (405) 249-6702, www.okiedirtriders.com
AMA VINTAGE DIRT TRACK AMARACING.COM
May 18: Tallassee, Ala.: ST, Monster Mountain MX Park; Tom Brinkman, Monster Action Sports; (334) 318-8475; www.monstermx.com
May 19: Tallassee, Ala.: ST, Monster Mountain MX Park; Tom Brinkman, Monster Action Sports; (334) 318-8475; www.monstermx.com
May 28: Springfield, Ill.: Mile, Steve Nace, Steve Nace Racing; (270) 442-7532; www.stevenaceracing.com
June 28: Harpursville, N.Y.: ST, Square Deal Riders; www.squaredealriders.com
June 29: Harpursville, N.Y.: ST, Square Deal Riders; www.squaredealriders.com
July 20: Ashland, Ohio: Half-mile, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Ashland County Fairgrounds; Ken Saillant, AMA; (800) 262-
5646; www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ racing
Aug. 16: Indianapolis: ST, Mid-America Speedway; Jim Terchila; (317) 871-4392; info@midamspeedway.com
Sept. 21: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: ST, Ron Edlin, Tri-State MC; (845) 566-4956; www. tristateclub.com
Sept. 22: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: ST, Ron Edlin, Tri-State MC; (845) 566-4956; www. tristateclub.com
AMA VINTAGE HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM
May 4-5: Athens, Ohio: Action Moto-Park, www.actionsportsracing.com
June 1-2: Coldwater, Mich.: Log Road Motocross, www.logroadmx.com
June 22-23: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports, www.lincolntrailmotosports.com
July 19-21: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, www.amaracing.com
AMA VINTAGE MOTOCROSS AMARACING.COM
May 4-5: Athens, Ohio: Action Moto-Park, www.actionsportsracing.com
June 1-2: Coldwater, Mich.: Log Road Motocross, www.logroadmx.com
June 22-23: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports, www.lincolntrailmotosports.com
July 19-21: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, www.amaracing.com
AMA EAST HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM
March 23, Amateur and Youth: Berwick, Pa.: Duane Fisher, Evansville MX Park; (570) 759-2841; www.EvansvilleMXPark.com
April 14, Amateur and Youth: Arrington, Va.: Chuck Honeycutt, April Fools Promotions; (757) 375-5665; aprilfools62@ verizon.net
April 27-28, Amateur and Youth Double Youth Round: Plainview, Ill.: Ron Whipple, WFO Promotions; (309) 314-3343; www.WFOPromotions.com
May 18-19, Amateur and Youth: Valley View, Pa.: Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600; www.RauschCreekRacing.com
June 8-9, Amateur and Youth: Virgil, N.Y.: Ken Rose, Greek Peak Trail Riders; (585) 297-2742; GreekPeak.com
AMA WEST HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM
April 13, Youth; April 14, Amateur: Shasta Lake, Calif.: Karl Hankins, Redding Dirt Riders; (530) 953-7272; www.ReddingDirtRiders.com
July 6, Youth and C Amateur; July 7, Pro, A and B Amateur: Elkton, Ore.: Toni Bamford, ETRA Inc.; (541) 505-4511; www.ETRA.net
AMA HARE AND HOUND AMARACING.COM
March 24, Amateur and Youth: Murphy, Idaho: No ATVs. Bill Walsh, Dirt Inc.; (208) 459-6871; www.DirtIncRacing.com
April 13, Youth; April 14, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Justin Shultz, SoCal Motorcycle Club; (949) 981-6776; www.SoCalMC.com
April 27, Youth; April 28, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Steve Williams, Vikings Motorcycle Club; (310) 490-4575; www.VikingsMC.com
May 4, Amateur and Youth: Jericho, Utah: Talisa Flitton, Sage Riders; (435) 660-0430; www.SageRidersMC.com
May 18, Amateur and Youth: Jericho, Utah: KC Bogue, Sugarloafers Motorcycle Club; (435) 864-8305; www. SugarLoafersMC.com
July 13, Amateur: McCarran, Nev.: No ATVs. Erek Kudla, Get-Xtr-Eme; (805) 2365866; www.Get-Xtr-Eme.com
Aug. 24, Amateur and Youth: Panaca, Nev.: Zach Livreri, Silver State Trailriders; (702) 645-2506; desertracer24p@gmail.com
Oct. 12, Youth; Oct. 13, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Ryan Sanders, 100’s Motorcycle Club; (949) 584-9395; www.100sMC.org
AMA NATIONAL MID-AMERICA CROSS COUNTRY SERIES WWW.THEMAXC.COM
April 13: Madison, Ind: Monster Mountain
May 11: Bloomfield, Ind: River Run
June 9: Springville, Ind: Riley Hospital Miracle Trail Race
June 28-30: Nashville, Ind: Big Nasty
July 27: Burnettsville, Ind: Peaceful Valley
Aug. 10: Martinsville,, Ind: Copperhead Row
Sept. 7: Monrovia, Ind: The Bulldog
Sept. 28: Plymouth, Ind: The Blackhawk
Oct. 19: Gosport, Ind: Rally in the Valley
Nov. 2: Freedom, Ind: Coyote Run
AMA ATV MOTOCROSS
ATVMOTOCROSS.COM
April 13-14: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway
April 27-28: Bowling Green, Ky.: Ballance
MX
May 11-12: Rossville, Ind.: Wildcat Creek MX
May 25-26: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge
June 8-9: Danville, Va.: Birch Creek Motorsports
July 6-7: Delmont, Pa.: Steel City
July 13-14: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla
July 27-28: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud
Aug. 10-11: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn’s Ranch
AMA ATV EXTREME DIRT TRACK EDTRACING.COM
May 4: Kinston, N.C.: Ironclad Motorsports, Lenoir County Fairgrounds; (252) 624-9808; ironcladmotorsports@ gmail.com
May 25: Muskogee, Okla.: Outlaw Motor Speedway; (918) 687-9200;
www.outlawmotorspeedway.com
June 14-15: Sioux Falls, S.D.: Sioux Valley Cycle Club; (605) 977-3866; www.siouxvalleycycleclub.com
July 13: Goldsboro, N.C.: Busco Beach; (919) 222-9614; www.buscobeach.com
July 27-28: Ashtabula, Ohio: Bud Fischer, Pine Lake Off-Road Facility; (440) 9974166; williamfischer07@yahoo.com
Aug. 23-24: Batavia, N.Y.: Keith Dawydko, Batavia Motor Speedway; www.bataviamotorspeedway.com
AMA ATV HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM
April 28: Plainview, Ill.: Ron Whipple, WFO Promotions; (309) 314-3343; www.WFOPromotions.com
May 19: Valley View, Pa.: Amateur and Youth, Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600; www.RauschCreekRacing.com
June 9: Virgil, N.Y.: Amateur and Youth, Ken Rose, Greek Peak Trail Riders; (585) 297-2742; www.GreekPeak.com
AMA SPEEDWAY AMARACING.COM
TBA
AMA SWM NATC MOTOTRIALS AMARACING.COM
June 15-16, Rounds 1 and 2: Cayuta, N.Y.: David Reed, District 4 Trials Committee; (607) 796-9558; www.district4trials.org
June 22-23, Rounds 3 and 4: Swanton, Vt.: Denver Wilson, Green Mountain Plonkers Trials Club; (802) 236-7338; www.greenmountainplonkers.org
July 27-28, Rounds 5 and 6: Kingman, Ariz.: Mike Carlton, Central Arizona Trials Inc.; (928) 681-5700; www.mcparks.com
Aug. 3-4, Rounds 7 and 8: Sipapu, N.M.: Lance Butler, New Mexico Trials Association; (505) 332-3172; www.nmtrials.org
Aug. 24-25, Rounds 9 and 10: Duluth, Minn.: Steve Ahleri, Northland MC Riders Association; (218) 349-9578; dam@cpinternet.com
AMA NATC EAST YOUTH TRIALS AMARACING.COM
July 5-7: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Ashley Jackson, South Eastern Trials Riders Association; (423) 942-8688; www.trialstrainingcenter.com
AMA NATC EAST YOUTH TRIALS AMARACING.COM
July 19-21: Howard, Colo.: Bill
Markham, ITS Offroad; (719) 942-3372; www.itsoffroad.com
AMA FEATURED SERIES
AMA WESTERN CHECKPOINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP RIDECHEC.COM
April 13-14: Camp Wood, Ariz.
April 20-21: Red Mountain, Calif.
May 18-19: Gorman, Calif.: 100-mile qualifier
June 1-2: Boise, Idaho: Two-day qualifier
Sept. 13-14: Johnson Valley, Calif.: Two-day qualifier
Sept. 28-29: Toulon, Nev.
Oct. 26-27: Elkins Flat, Calif.
Nov. 9-10: Stoneyford, Calif.
VIRGINA CHAMPIONSHIP HARE SCRAMBLES SERIES VCHSS.ORG
April 14: Arrington, Va.: AMA National
April 28: Bristol, Va.
May 5: Martinsville, Va.
May 26: Surry, Va.
June 9: Ivor, Va.
June 23: Rural Retreat, Va.
July 28: Bristol, Va.
Aug. 11: Martinsville, Va.
Aug. 25: Penhook, Va.
Sept. 8: Sutherlin, Va.
Sept. 22: Spring Grove, Va.
Sept. 29: Chatham, Va.
Oct. 13: Rural Retreat, Va.
Oct. 27: Dillwyn, Va.
Nov. 10: Spring Grove, Va.
AMA HEARTLAND CHALLENGE HEARTLANDCHALLENGE.COM
Aug. 15-17: Carlisle, Iowa
AMA DISTRICT 37 BIG 6 AMA GRAND PRIX SERIES BIG6RACING.COM
May 4-5: Primm, Nev.: Buffalo Bills Casino, Shamrocks MC
June 1-2: Anza, Calif.: The Ranch, So Cal MC
Oct. 5-6: Ridgecrest, Calif.: Ridgecrest Fairgrounds, Viewfinders MC
Nov. 2-3: Gorman, Calif.: Quail Valley,
Prospectors MC
Dec. 7-8: Pala, Calif.: Pala Raceway, Vikings MC
EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION ENDURO SERIES
ECEA.ORG
April 14: Chatsworth, N.J.: Pine Barons Enduro Riders, (609) 654-6300; www.meteormc.com
April 21: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: TriCounty Sportsmen MC, (888) 274-4469; www.teamhammer.org
May 5: Delaware City, Del.: Delaware Enduro Riders, (302) 834-4411; www.delawareenduroriders.com
May 26: St. Clair, Pa.: Reading Off-Road Riders, (610) 921-3592; www.rorr.org
June 9: Deposit, N.Y.: Ridge Riders MC, (973) 919-4780; www.ridgeriders.org
June 16: Grier City, Pa.: High Mountain Dirt Riders, (570) 954-7799; www.hmdr.org
June 23: Blain, Pa.: Susquehanna Off-Road Riders, (717) 533-2242; www.sorrmc.org
July 14: Gillett, Pa.: Southern Tier Enduro Riders, (607) 382-8534; www.ster-mc.org
July 28: Cross Fork, Pa.: Brandywine Enduro Riders, (610) 368-7332; www.ber.us
Aug. 11: Three Springs, Pa.: Green Marble Enduro Riders, (410) 638-9367; www.greenmarbleenduroriders.org
Aug. 18: Berkshire, N.Y.: Ithaca Dirt Riders, (607) 657-8248; www.ithacadirtriders.com
Aug. 25: Mauricetown, N.J.: Competition Dirt Riders, (609) 319-7496; www.competitiondirtriders.org
Sept. 8: Shippensburg, Pa.: South Penn Enduro Riders, (717) 265-6055; www.southpennenduroriders.com
Sept. 15: Brandonville, Pa.: Valley Forge Trail Riders, (484) 948-5361; www.vftr.org
Oct. 20: New Lisbon, N.J.: Ocean County Competition Riders, (609) 7582747; www.occr.net
Nov. 10: Warren Grove, N.J.: Motorcycle Competition Inc., (609) 575-7820; www.ride-mci.com
Nov. 24: New Lisbon, N.J.: Central Jersey Competition Riders, (732) 5586475; www.cjcrmc.org
EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION HARE SCRAMBLES SERIES
ECEA.ORG
April 27-28: New Jersey: 2-Day, Meteor MC, (856) 889-7300
May 11-12: Coal Township, Pa.: 2-Day, Valley Forge Trail Riders, (610) 476-3747
May 18-19: Eagleswood, N.J.: 2-Day, Motorcycle Competition Inc., (609) 575-7820
June 1-2: Paxinos, Pa.: 2-Day, South Penn Enduro Riders, (717) 938-0690
June 29-30: Tamaqua, Pa.: 2-Day, Reading Off-Road Riders, (610) 921-3592
July 20-21: Jefferson Township, Pa.: 2-Day, Ridge Riders MC, (973) 919-4780
Aug. 3-4: Moosic, Pa.: 2-Day, High Mountain Dirt Riders, (570) 954-7799
Sept. 21-22: Plymouth Township, Pa.: 2-Day, High Mountain Dirt Riders, (570) 954-7799
Sept. 28-29: Three Springs, Pa.: 2-Day, Green Marble Enduro Riders, (410) 638-9367
Oct. 5-6: Eagleswood, N.J.: 2-Day, Pine Barons Enduro Riders, (609) 654-6300
Oct. 26-27: Millville, N.J.: 2-Day, Competition Dirt Riders, (609) 319-7496
Nov. 16-17: New Castle, Del.: 2-Day, Delaware Enduro Riders, (302) 834-4411
ALL-STAR NATIONAL FLAT TRACK STEVENACERACING.COM
May 18: Little Rock, Ark.: Half-mile, I-30 Speedway
May 25: Springfield, Ill.: TT, Illinois State Fairgrounds
June 14: Peoria, Ill.: ST, Peoria Speedway
June 16: Peoria, Ill.: TT, Peoria Motorcycle Club
June 21: Ashland, Ohio: Half-mile, Ashland County Fairgrounds
July 4: Frederick, Md.: Half-mile, Al Wilcox Memorial at the 91st Annual Barbara Fritchie Classic
July 5: TBD
July 18: TBD
Aug. 9: Peoria, Ill.: ST, Peoria Speedway
Aug. 31: Springfield, Ill.: ST, Illinois State Fairgrounds
Sept. 27: TBD
Sept. 28: York, Pa.: Half-mile, York Expo Center
AMA IOWA ATV HARE SCRAMBLES IATVHSS.COM
April 20-21: Centerville, Iowa
May 4-5: Kahoka, Mo.
May 25-26: Fort Dodge, Iowa: Mineral City Speedway
June 16: Decatur City, Iowa.: Bobcat Run
July 6-7: Mount Pleasant, Iowa: Greenhurst Farms
Aug. 16-17: Carlisle, Iowa: Heartland Challenge
Sept. 7-8: Beaconsfield, Iowa: Coyote Crossing
Oct. 5-6: Carlisle, Iowa: Blue Ridge Run AMA ASRA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMARACING.COM
May 25-27: Summit Point, W.Va.: Summit Point Circuit
June 15-16: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Speedway
July 6-7: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America
July 20-21: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsport Park
Aug. 17-18: Loudon, N.H.: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Sept. 21-22: South Beloit, Ill.: Blackhawk Farms
Oct. 17-20: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway ASRA TEAM CHALLENGE SERIES AMARACING.COM
April 14: Kershaw, S.C.: Carolina Motorsport Park
April 28: Topeka, Kan.: Heartland ParkTopeka
May 18: South Beloit, Ill.: Blackhawk Farms Raceway
June 15: Alton, Va.: Virginia International
Speedway
Aug. 25: Summit Point, W.Va.: Summit Point Circuit (3 hours, or 200 miles)
Sept. 8: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsport Park
Oct. 19: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway
AMA USGPRU SERIES USGPRU.NET
April 14-15: Kershaw, S.C.: Carolina Motorsport Park
May 25-27: Summit Point, W.Va.: Summit Point Circuit
June 15-16: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Speedway
July 6-7: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America
July 20-21: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsport Park
Aug. 17-18: Loudon, N.H.: New Hampsire Motor Speedway
Sept. 21-22: South Beloit, Ill.: Blackhawk Farms
AMA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL MOTOCROSS MXSPORTS.COM
NORTHEAST AREA QUALIFIERS
April 20-21: Binghamton, N.Y.: BroomeTioga Sports Center; (607) 849-4438
April 27-28: Armagh, Pa.: Pleasure Valley Raceway; (814) 695-2453
May 11-12: Mt. Morris, Pa.: High Point; (304) 284-0084
May 18-19: Winchester, N.H.: Winchester Speed Park; (603) 239-6406
May 25-26: Danville, Va.: Birch Creek Motorsports; (434) 836-7629
NORTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
June 1-2: New Berlin, N.Y.: Youth, Unadilla Valley Sports Center; (607) 965-8450
June 29-30: Danville, Va.: Amateur, Budds Creek; (304) 284-0084
SOUTHEAST AREA QUALIFIERS
April 13-14: Washington, Ga.: Aonia Pass; (706) 678-3737
April 20-21: Henderson, N.C.: North Carolina Motorsports Park; (252) 438-8192
May 4-5: Gaston, S.C.: Palometto Motorsports Complex; (423) 323-5497
May 11-12: Okeechobee, Fla.: Thundercross MX Park; (321) 689-3461
May 18-19: Chatsworth, Ga.: Lazy River MX; (706) 278-1620
SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
June 8-9: Blountville, Tenn.: Amateur, Muddy Creek Raceway; (423) 323-5497
June 22-23: Gainesville, Fla.: Youth, Gatorback; (321) 689-3461
MID-EAST AREA QUALIFIERS
April 13-14: Coldwater, Mich.: Log Road MX; (419) 636-5430
April 20-21: Bowling Green, Ky.: Ballance MX; (423) 323-5497
April 27-28: Crothersville, Ind.: Highfly MX; (812) 374-8228
May 4-5: Buchanan, Mich.: Red Bud MX;
(269) 695-6405
May 11-12: Livingston, Tenn.: Thunder Valley MX; (423) 323-5497
May 11-12: Midland, Mich.: Polka Dots Motorcycle Club; (989) 832-8284
May 18-19: Nelsonville, Ohio: Fast Traxx Motoplex; (740) 767-3740
MID-EAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 25-26: Millfield, Ohio: Youth, Sunday Creek MX; (304) 284-0084
June 22-23: Millington, Mich.: Amateur, Baja Acres; (989) 871-3356
NORTH CENTRAL AREA QUALIFIERS
April 20-21: Richwood, Mo.: Romp MX; (573) 701-8674
April 27-28: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX; (815) 379-9534
May 4-5: Tigerton, Wis.: Motozone; (920) 419-2863
May 4-5: Montezuma, Iowa: Fun Valley Moto X; (641) 623-3456
May 11-12: Little Falls, Minn.: Little Falls Raceway; (612) 919-3457
May 18-19: Mt. Carroll, Ill.: MC Motopark; (815) 238-1614
NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
June 15-16: Millville, Minn.: Amateur, Spring Creek MX; (507) 753-2779
June 29-30: Byron, Ill.: Youth, Byron Motosports Park; (815) 234-2271
SOUTH CENTRAL AREA QUALIFIERS
April 20-21: Edgewood, Texas: Buffalo Creek MX; (214) 939-4321
April 27-28: Carencro, La.: Vay Way Moto Playground; (870) 342-5373
May 4-5: Ponca City, Okla.: Ponca City MX; (580) 762-3635
May 4-5: Lakewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley; (303) 697-1003
May 18-19: Little Rock, Ark.: Tony Wynn MX; (870) 342-5373
SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
June 1-2: Wortham, Texas: Amateur, Freestone; (713) 962-3386
June 15-16: Prentiss, Miss.: Youth, Golden Pine; (601) 506-8669
NORTHWEST AREA QUALIFIERS (MORE MAY BE ADDED)
April 20-21: Milford, Calif.: Honey Lake; (530) 827-2639
May 4-5: Turlock, Calif.: Oatfield Raceway; (740) 297-6686
May 11: Washougal, Wash.: One-day event: Washougal; (360) 601-5347
NORTHWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
June 8-9: Washougal, Wash.: Youth and Amateur, Washougal; (360) 601-5347
SOUTHWEST AREA QUALIFIERS (MORE MAY BE ADDED)
May 4-5: Turlock, Calif.: Oatfield Raceway SOUTHWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 25-26: Anza, Calif.: Youth and Amateur, The Ranch; (949) 276-5153
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 29-Aug. 3: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: National Championship, Loretta Lynn’s Ranch
AMA BIG SKY AMATEUR NATIONAL OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP BIGSKYXC.COM
CLIMB TO BIG SKY QUALIFIERS
April 13-14: Madison, Ind.: AMAMACC, Monster Mountain XC
April 14: Arrington, Va.: AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship
April 20, Youth: Westpoint, Tenn.: AMA SERA Enduro
April 28, Amateur: Westpoint, Tenn.: AMA SERA Enduro
May 5: Van Etten, N.Y..: AMA WNYOA Dream Riders
May 12: Millville, Minn.: AMA D23
July 6-7: Elkton, Ore.: AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship
July 6-7: Blairmore, Alberta, Canada: Shale Shaker XC
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 24-25: Big Sky, Mont.: Jamey Kabisch, Lone Peak Racing; (406) 2230478; www.BigSkyXC.com
AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
AMARACING.COM
May 28-31: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds
AMA HILLCLIMB GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
AMARACING.COM
Aug. 9-11: Monson, Mass.: Jim O’Connell, Quaboag Riders; (413) 267-0332
AMA EXTREME ENDURO GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
TENNESSEEKNOCKOUT ENDURO.COM
Aug. 17-18: Sequatchie, Tenn.: KENDA Tennessee Knockout, Trials Training Center
AMA VINTAGE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARACING.COM
July 19-21: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: U.S. ROUNDS/WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FIM ROAD RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX FIM-LIVE.COM
April 19-21: Austin, Texas: Circuit of The Americas
July 19-21: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Aug. 16-18: Indianapolis, Ind.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
FIM WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP WORLDSBK.COM
Sept. 27-29: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
FIM WORLD TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP TRIALSTRAININGCENTER.COM
May 25-26: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Trials Training Center
FIM TRIAL DES NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM
Sept. 8-9: La Chatre, France
FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM
Sept. 29: Teutschenthal, Germany
FIM INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS OF ENDURO FIM-LIVE.COM
May 25-26: Wellston, Ohio, East Qualifier: William Depue Jr.; Appalachian Dirt Riders; (740) 384-6379; www.ADROhio.org
June 1-2: Idaho City, Idaho, West Qualifier: Peter Reynolds; Boise Ridge Riders; (208) 384-5141; www.ADROhio.org
Sept. 30-Oct.5: 2013 ISDE: Sardegna, Italy
BUB MOTORCYCLE SPEED TRIALS BUBENT.COM
Aug. 25-29: Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats
COOK MOTORSPORTS PRIVATE LAND SPEED SHOOTOUT
SEPT. 12-16: Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats
AMA DUAL-SPORT/ADVENTURE SERIES
Tom Mehren; (206) 329-7808; www.soundrider.com
Aug. 10-11: Columbus, Ind.: Buffaloe 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney Lonesome MC, Nathan Gaskill; (812) 343-9772; www.stoneylonesomemc.com
Aug. 17-18: Tillamook, Ore.: Rat Dog Dual Sport, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www.blackdogdualsport.com
Aug. 17-18: Wolverine, Mich.: Ted’s Chandler Hill Challenge, Great Lakes Dual Sporters, Jeremay Valley; (989) 751-6863; www.gldsmc.org
Aug. 19-23: Various, Idaho: Sasquatch Dual Sport Tour, Sound Rider!, Tom Mehren; (206) 329-7808; www.soundrider.com
Sept. 7-8: Golden Pond, Ky.: Land Between The Lakes 200, KT Riders, Jesse Thomas; (270) 522-3703; www.lbl200.com
Sept. 13-15: Reno, Nev.: Ride Reno 200, Dust Devils MC, Gary Lambert; (775) 2240361; www.dustdevilsmc.com
Sept. 21-22: Logan, Ohio: Nutcracker 200, Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050; www.kaeppnerswoods.com
Sept. 28-29: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Dual Sport, Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borgens; (209) 6493633; www.familyoffroadadventures.com
Sept. 28-29: Kamiah, Idaho: Lewis and Clark Dual Sport Ride, Sound Rider!, Tom Mehren; www.happy-trail.com
8897; www.xplor-int.com
May 18-19: Zaleski, Ohio: Hanging Rock 200, Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050; www.kaeppnerswoods.com
May 18-19: Tolland, Mass.: Berkshire Big Adventure, Berkshire Trail Riders, Ross Mauri; (845) 729-1715
June 1-2: Mill Hall, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Adventure Ride, Durty Dabbers, Nils Mantzoros; (570) 726-3343; www.durtydabbers.com
June 8-13: Odell, Ore.: Black Dog Adventure Ride, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www.blackdogdualsport.com
June 9-13: Atlanta, N.Y.: Thrills in the Hills, Wayne County MC, John Albanese; (315) 946-3082; www.waynecountymc.com
June 29-30: Westpoint, Tenn.: Factory Creek Adventure Ride, NATRA, John Bowling; (256) 810-7229; www.natra.dirtrider.net
Aug. 10-11: Columbus, Ind.: Buffaloe 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney Lonesome MC, Nathan Gaskill; (812) 343-9772; www.stoneylonesomemc.com
Sept. 6-9: Buena Vista, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Autumn Hot Springs Adventure Tour, Exit Tours MC, (719) 207-1189
Sept. 21-22: Logan, Ohio: Nutcracker 200, Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050; www.kaeppnerswoods.com
AMA HUSQVARNA NATIONAL DUALSPORT SERIES, PRESENTED BY FMF AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
May 18-19: Zaleski, Ohio: Hanging Rock 200, Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050; www.kaeppnerswoods.com
June 1-2: Mill Hall, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Adventure Ride, Durty Dabbers, Nils Mantzoros; (570) 726-3343; www.durtydabbers.com
June 1-2: Bixby, Mo.: Show Me 200, Midwest Trail Riders Assn., Robert Kaufman; (314) 434-5095; www.ridemtra.com
June 1-2: Custer, Mich.: Whiskey Creek Classic, Great Lakes Dual Sporters, Jeramey Valley; (989) 751-6863; www.gldsmc.org
June 8-9: Wabeno, Wis.: Ride for Research, Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030; www.widualsportriders.org
June 8-13: Odell, Ore.: Black Dog Adventure Ride, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www.blackdogdualsport.com
June 22-23: Big Bear City, Calif.: Big Bear Run, Big Bear Trail Riders, Robert Burgi; (818) 391-3031; www.bigbeartrailriders.com
June 29-30: Matthews, Ind.: Covered Bridge National Dual Sport, Muddobbers MC, Doug Spense; (765) 998-2236; www.muddobbersmc.org
July 20-27: Gwinn, Mich.: 29th Annual Michael R. Burlingham Memorial Six Days of Michigan, Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan, Lewis Schuler; (517) 416-0126; www.cycleconservationclub.com
July 27-28: Ray, Ohio: Black Bear National Dual Sport, Chillicothe Enduro Riders, Kevin Claytor; (740) 637-2714; www.chillicotheenduro.com
July 31-Aug. 4: Stevenson, Wash.: Dual Sport Northwest, Sound Rider!,
Sept. 28-29: Wabeno, Wis.: Big Woods 200, Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030; www.widualsportriders.org
Oct. 5-6: Mt. Solon, Va.: Shenandoah 500 Dual Sport, Washington Area Trail Riders, Andy Giordano, (540) 379-5631; www.watr.us
Oct. 12-13: McArthur, Ohio: Baby Burr National Dual Sport, Enduro Riders Assn., Steve Barber; (614) 582-7821; www.enduroriders.com
Oct. 26-27: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (623) 826-1092; www.arizonatrailriders.org
Nov. 2-3: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 274-4469 or (856) 7852754; www.teamhammer.org
Nov. 29-30: Palmdale, Calif.: LABarstow to Vegas, AMA Dist-37 DualSport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.dist37ama.org
AMA YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ NATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
April 13-14: Bybee, Tenn.: Slate Creek 500, JB Saki Promotions, John Strange; (865) 322-0193; www.volunteerriders.com
April 28: Spring Mills, Pa.: West Pennsylvania Adventure Beginner Ride, XPLOR Int’l, Alain Kaldewaay; (610) 4708897; www.xplor-int.com
May 4-5: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Adventure Tour, Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borgens; (209) 6493633; www.familyoffroadadventures.com
May 5: Spring Mills, Pa.: West Pennsylvania Adventure Beginner Ride, XPLOR Int’l, Alain Kaldewaay; (610) 470-
Oct. 26-27: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (623) 826-1092; www.arizonatrailriders.org
Nov. 2-3: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 274-4469 or (856) 7852754; www.teamhammer.org
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 DualSport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.dist37ama.org
AMA PREMIER TOURING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS, PRESENTED BY SHINKO TIRES AND FLY STREET GEAR
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Through April 14: The Polar Bear Grand Tour: AMA District 2 of New Jersey, www.polarbeargrandtour.com
Jan. 1-May 25: The Big Money Rally: www.bigmoneyrally.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.
Aug. 30-Sept. 2: SCMA Three Flags Classic Grand Tour: Southern California Motorcycling Association; www.sc-ma.com.
Inside The Process
By R. “Fitz” Fitzhenry
My motorcycling heroes weren’t racers. They were the activists and promoters and trailblazers and moto-journalists who availed both the virtual and the real rides to me. I could have roughed out a route sheet for my life by studying their resumes. If only—if only!—I had known that when I was a kid.
My youth was not misspent, merely unfocused, on a career trail that rode me instead of me riding it. Now I plug away, 9 to 5, in a U.S. Forest Service gig that has nothing at all to do with off-roading. It pays steady; it’s a death sentence. But, it has opened my eyes.
If I had to retread being a Fed, I would have used my civil engineering degree to steward trails on a national forest, Bureau of Land Management district, Army Corps property or similar public place with a top-notch off-highway vehicle network. Some wildfirefighting experience and a recreation, forestry, or most any -ology degree could have put me in the mix for conservation jobs too.
I’d have worked my butt off all day in my job, babying and promoting my super trail network, and then I’d have ridden it until the sun set. Since I would’ve worked my butt off doing a job I loved, for motorcyclists I love, chances are I would have gotten promoted. Actually, that’s a lock, because promotions came anyway, despite doing stuff I hated.
After I’d gotten promoted, opportunity would grow. I wouldn’t have been one lonely ground-pounder anymore, making sure the place I ran was the greatest place to ride in America. I’d be a big cheese, hauling in six figures and expecting all the guys and gals under me to compete for the best trail network in America. They’d compete, too, for the honor of making their county or local town the easiest place around to get a job because of all the riders making it a destination.
If I’m to believe my AMA alerts, my envisaged self couldn’t exist in government. But my daytime boss, President Obama, says his land agencies should get people outside to recreate, and into town to spend. He wants, especially, for kids to enjoy and learn about the outdoors, because they’re tomorrow’s stewards.
For what my path has lacked in focus, it’s taught me a lot about how laws, policy and decisions are made. People who get elected make laws. Former politicians, lawyers and big cheese civil servants make policies that serve laws and politicians, and, less well known, they and lobbyists write legislation for politicians to put forward as bills. Finally, the field decisions are made by government groundpounders who follow law, policy and the monoculture of their agency.
Where a motorcyclist anywhere in the law-policy-decision chain would see opportunities to be inclusive of the riding public, a nonmotorcyclist may be prejudiced, less often through malice than ignorance of our culture. When many culturally ignorant masters get together, things like the lead law result.
I wrote my citizen letters for repeal of the lead law and followed the lobbying of the AMA Kids Just Want to Ride! campaign. I congratulate all involved—they have the hero qualities I’ve always admired. Their trip must not be over, though, because we need them to parlay what they’ve learned to become the people calling the shots down the road.
The collective potential of the lead-law kids will take time to be realized, and they’ll need peers to bring along for their numbers to make a difference. But, a generation ahead, we’ll have thousands of transitioning veterans and young, bilingual Americans who ride. Our veterans have opportunity in their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits and hiring advantages; bilingual skills are a filter for many jobs. By 2018, these riders could be in the rooms where law, policy and decisions get made.
Boomers, Generation X and older Generation Y—these riders have been around the block a few times. Many are restarting careers and businesses shut down by the recession. Restart them for us. If 10 percent find futures that put them in the room when trails, road safety or rider rights are on the table, the pendulum would start to swing.
Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War: “The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands.” I still admire my boyhood heroes, but the world turned out to be a lot bigger than I ever knew. There’s more opportunity for motorcyclists than I ever knew.
Seize yours. Seize ours.
R. “Fitz” Fitzhenry works as a public and legislative affairs liaison for the U.S. Forest Service. He writes here as sole proprietor of Write TTP and as an AMA member.
