American Motorcyclist April 2023

THE ALL-NEW YZ®450F

Fresh off consecutive pro Motocross & Supercross titles, Yamaha took the class leading YZ450F and made it even better—more powerful, lighter, slimmer, and more agile than ever! And with Yamaha’s updated and revolutionary Power Tuner App, the ability to dial in the perfect power delivery is right at your fingertips. Introducing the all-new 2023 Yamaha YZ450F, because the best don’t rest.

TUNED TO PERFECTION WITH ALL-NEW POWER TUNER APP

Professional riders depicted on a closed course. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, gloves and boots. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800-446-9227. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. ©2023 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

8 PERSPECTIVES

Editorial Director Mitch Boehm on this year’s AIMExpo trade show

10 GREATLY EXAGGERATED

American Motorcyclist newcomer John Burns on getting fired

14 BACK IN THE DAY

Where the photos are blurry but the memories are clear!

18 CAN’T-MISS EVENTS 2023

Gotta-attend AMA-centric stuff to do this riding season

28 MALCOLM’S MOMENTS

Selling Huskys was almost as easy as racing them

30 COVER STORY: DESERT DYNAMO

At just 12 years old, Brooklyn Caudillo is already a desert-racing rock star

42 HARLEY-DAVIDSON NOVA

The early 1980s decision that very likely saved the Motor Co. from oblivion

56 MOTORCYCLE LOBBYING 101

Learn how to use your power as an AMA member to effect legislative change

64 EVENT CALENDAR

AMA-sanctioned rides, races and events

72 AMA GARAGE

Tips, tweaks, fixes and facts: The motorcycle ownership experience, explained

74 LAST PAGE

The first XR: Honda’s 1973 XR75

ON THE COVER:

At just two-and-a-half, Brooklyn Caudillo was diagnosed with a rare disorder that required two serious surgeries — a nightmare for Brooklyn and her Dad. But that didn’t stop the now-12-year-old from learning how to ride and, more recently, winning 11 desert-racing championships. Check out her story beginning on page 30. Stunning photo by Mark Kariya.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Published by the American Motorcyclist Association

APRIL 2023 VOLUME 77, NUMBER 4

EDITORIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS

Mitch Boehm Editorial Director

Todd Westover Chief Creative Consultant

Joy Burgess Managing Editor

Kerry Hardin Senior Graphic Designer

Keaton Maisano Associate Editor

Eliza Mertz Digital Content Manager

submissions@ama-cycle.org

Michael Kula Business Development Manager (949) 466-7833, mkula@ama-cycle.org

Lynette Cox Marketing Manager (614) 856-1900, ext. 1223, lcox@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, 2021.

AMA STAFF

EXECUTIVE

Rob Dingman President/Chief Executive Officer

James Holter Chief Operating Officer

Jeff Wolens Chief Financial Officer

Donna Perry Executive Assistant to President/CEO

Danielle Smith Human Resources Manager/Assistant to COO

RACING AND ORGANIZER SERVICES

Mike Pelletier Director of Racing

Bill Cumbow Director of International Competition

Michael Burkeen Deputy Director of Racing

Ken Saillant Track Racing Manager

Michael Jolly Racing Manager

Jeff Canfield Racing Manager

Alexandria Reasoner Program Manager

Connie Fleming Supercross/FIM Coordinator

Olivia Davis Sanctioned Activity Coordinator

Jensen Burkeen Sanctioned Activity Coordinator

Damian George Sanctioned Activity Coordinator

MUSEUM

Paula Schremser Program Specialist

Ricky Shultz Museum Clerk

Kobe Stone Museum Clerk

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at americanmotorcyclist.com/ama-board-of-directors

Russ Ehnes Chair

Great Falls, Mont.

Gary Pontius Vice Chair

Westfield, Ind.

Brad Baumert Assistant Treasurer

Louisville, Ky.

Jerry Abboud Executive Committee Member Thornton, Colo.

Hub Brennan E. Greenwich, R.I.

Christopher Cox Florence, S.C.

Mark Hosbach Franklin, Tenn.

Tom Umphress

Jordan, Minn.

Faisel Zaman Dallas, Texas

Shae Petersen Myrtle Beach, S.C. Clif Koontz Moab, Utah

Steve Drewlo Bismarck, N.D.

(800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) (614) 856-1900 AmericanMotorcyclist.com @AmericanMotorcyclist @ama_riding

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Michael Sayre Director of Government Relations

Nick Haris Western States Representative

Tiffany Cipoletti Government Relations Manager, On-Highway

Peter Stockus Government Relations Manager, Off-Highway

Erin Reda Grassroots Coordinator

MARKETING AND MEMBER SERVICES

Amanda Donchess Director of Membership Marketing and Services

Lauren Kropf Marketing and Advertising Coordinator

Tiffany Pound Member Services Manager

Joe Bromley Program Development Manager

Pam Albright Member Fulfillment Coordinator

Bob Davis Program Volunteer Specialist

Stephanie McCormick Member Services Representative

Vickie Park Member Services Representative

Charles Moore Member Services Representative

Kelly Anders Member Services Representative

Sarah Lockhart Member Services Representative

Taylor Fluck Member Services Representative

Margret Baldwin Member Fulfillment Representative

John Bricker Mailroom Manager

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Shaun Holloway Director of Information Technology

Joey Brown Application Developer

Ed Madden Systems and Database Analyst

Rob Baughman Support Technician

Ever been to an industry trade show? They can be brutal affairs both mentally and physically, where once on site you strain to remember how to set up your booth and then walk a cement convention-center floor for days, flapping your gums and trying to connect with industry colleagues about your product or program. If you’re in sales, marketing or editorial you’ll often take a client or clients to dinner afterward, do a bit more gum-flapping, and almost certainly wake up the following morning sore and dehydrated and maybe even a little headache-y — and then do it all over again.

Luckily, motorcycle trade shows rank much higher on the fun scale. You still do all that tiring aforementioned stuff, but you’re talking motorcycles, and seeing motorcycles and motorcycle products, and talking to motorcycle people…which, of course, totally saves the day. Can you imagine doing all that for, say, port-o-johns? I cannot.

I’ve just returned from four days in Las Vegas attending the AIMExpo (American International Motorcycle Expo), our industry’s big trade show, and as happens every time, I am jacked up about the sport we all love and the coming riding season. I even brought my son Alex along to schlep magazines and sales sheets for us (we called him “Sherpa Alex” all week long), but also to let him see the industry from the inside out on the dealer, distributor, manufacturer and media levels just in case he was interested in getting more involved.

While there I saw and talked to folks I haven’t seen or chatted with for, in some cases, years; I got to see, in the flesh, some of the new bikes and products destined for bike shops and enthusiasts’ garages this coming year;

PERSPECTIVES A taste of things to come

BY MITCH BOEHM

and our AMA crew met with a ton of old, new and potential clients, all of whom seemed plenty excited about this magazine and the AMA’s wide range of events, racing and non-racing activities, and government-relations efforts.

At the end of the four days we were all pretty spent, but it was fun, and plenty energizing…and it reminded me once again of the time I attended my first industry trade show when I was just 13, in Cincinnati, Ohio, in early 1976.

At the time I was coming off a season of motocross aboard a hopped-up Honda XR75, and looking forward to a year of racing a thennew Yamaha YZ100C, and the guy who’d built my XR (and who’d end up building my YZ) — Clevelander Dale Dahlke, who ran a small satellite shop in my hometown of North Ridgeville called Cleveland Motorcycle Supply (the main store exists in Cleveland to this day) — asked my parents if he could haul me down to Cincy for a bike show. They blessed the idea, this being the ’70s and all, and we headed South.

I had no idea what I was in for, but as soon as I got my credential and walked onto the show floor, I’m pretty sure my life’s orbit was altered forever. Row after row of aftermarket companies I’d seen advertising in the magazines, and even some OEs; a few factory (and famous, whoa!) racers signing autographs at their sponsors’ booths; handfuls of cool bikes and parts on display; and maybe best of all, stickers galore! I ended up with a Champion Spark Plug bag that was half-full of every type of sticker I could find — and there were hundreds being given away.

It took me a decade to stick all

those cool moto-industry stickies, but the memories of that weekend, and the realization that motorcycling was an actual industry you could work in and make a living at, stayed with me…and less than a decade later I found myself as a junior staffer at Motorcyclist magazine in Los Angeles. To this day I credit that show and Mr. Dahlke for at least some of the impetus that brought me there — and to the AMA. So thanks, Dale.

Before I sign off, I’d like to welcome Mr. John Burns to our freelance cadre. Burnsie is one of the industry’s most popular and colorful scribes, having written for the likes of Cycle, Cycle World and Motorcyclist over the years, and we’re happy to have him contributing to what we’re doing here at American Motorcyclist.

Director

Mitch Boehm is the Editorial

of the AMA and a long-time member

KTM/Husqvarna/GASGAS/MV Agusta’s introduction of several cool new bikes highlighted this year’s AIMExpo, which featured renewed attendance from OEs, the aftermarket, dealers and distributors.

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Photos: Sebas Romeo, Mitterbauer H.

Dunno if you’ve ever been fired, or laid off from a job, downsized, let go, or any combination thereof — but they say it’s one of life’s biggest traumas. I suppose that’s true. But after it happens to you enough times, you’re

like meh

One hates to toot one’s own horn, but it’s way less gauche to quote other people tooting it. One Tuesday in 2014 I lunched with Peter Egan, who said I should be the guy to take over his beloved monthly column in what called itself the World’s Biggest Motorcycle magazine. No higher praise in my ears, I was truly humbled. That Friday, the then-World’s Biggest Motorcycle magazine fired me. (Not that anybody ever uses the word “fired” except Donald Trump; it’s always one of the above euphemisms.)

A week or two later I was happily re-employed with a big motorcycle website with an actual raise in pay but without a cubicle. We all worked remotely, which is how some of American Motorcyclist’s staff operates, too. So freeing…And that was good for nearly nine years, longer than I’ve held any job, so no complaints. Also, 22 percent of that workforce was let go along with me, which makes it feel slightly less personal.

I was sad for a few days until I reconnected with my old friend Mitch Boehm, who’d fired me in about 2001 from what was then the second-biggest motorcycle magazine in the U.S. There’s no need to rehash the particulars (but we probably will as we rekindle things), but I can admit I may have not been the most responsible person in the world when set free, all-expenses-paid, in Las Vegas for a bike introduction by a major motorcycle manufacturer.

Greatly EXAGGERATED You’re fired!

BY JOHN BURNS

Bear with me…I’m working on a silver lining kind of a theme here: It hurts every time they kick you out of the club, but that just makes it feel all the better when that next door swings open. I mean, if it does. NO! Think positive! It always does.

I know this riding-borrowed-motorcycles and attending-great-press-junkets thing doesn’t sound like work to most people (including me), but there is a big component of gathering information and slaving away over a hot laptop with a cold rice ball that comes with the job — and way more so in the internet era, since the publishing schedule is non-stop. I was fully prepared to keep doing it at least another few years to max out my Social Security check and let my 401(k) recover (cross fingers), even though it was steadily becoming less fun-withmotos and more listicle drudgery at my last job.

After haggling a bit with Mitch and my own brain, we figured out a plan that worked for both of us…and so I’m basically semi-retiring young and beautiful, but still getting to do what I love. And Mitch is getting a bargain, since Social Security only allows him to pay me a fraction of what I was going for on the open market. It feels like a win/win. The obstacle is the way, my children.

I hope nobody reading this will remember I already announced to the world 20 years ago I was retiring from motojournalism when I went to work writing copy for Yamaha’s ad agency. That lasted five years before I got laid off in the Housing Bubble collapse, but those five years in a dark (yet stylish!) cubicle reminded me how much I missed riding motorcycles. Thank God my boy was just getting started on KTM 50s and

California’s known as much for its grapes as its great roads, so celebrate me home at Hatch the Illustrator’s Solvang digs after another great ride on another great motorcycle. Cheers!

Suzuki RM65s and things of that era. I bought a Yamaha TT-R125L, and we had epic battles on various SoCal vet tracks on the weekends.

What’s that? Who’s Peter Egan? (How old are you!?) Think of PE as the Frank Sinatra (or maybe the Tony Bennett, depending on your taste) of motorcycle writers — though he was knocking out plenty of car stuff for Road & Track concurrently. And if you don’t know who Frank Sinatra is, just let me leave you with the gist from his big hit That’s Life: “Each time I find myself layin’ flat on my face, I pick myself up and get back in the raaaaaaace. That’s life.”

That’s Life could’ve been written about motorcycles, too. Let’s all keep riding as long as we can, eh? Thanks for letting me into your excellent club, Mitch — the Biggest Print Motorcycle Magazine in North America!

John Burns is an AMA member and irreverent commentator on all things motorcycling

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BACKFIRES

MORE Z1 MEMORIES

It was so long ago that I was personally involved in the development of the Z1 that I did not realize its 50th anniversary had been reached! (I also just realized I have been an AMA member for 60 years as of this year.) Kudos to the staff for a great and well written article documenting the Z1’s once-secret history…and to my old friend Byron Farnsworth for his part in the bike’s development and this story. I went to Japan in October 1971 for ten days with KMC employee Jim Corpe to test and evaluate the Z. We tested three pre-production bikes that looked just like the one pictured on page 31 of your article; the reason for the black paint and old look was to

attract as little attention as possible, as we’d be riding on public roads in Japan. One day was spent at the Yatabe test facility running around the 3.6-mile oval and the road racing track; I saw an indicated 139 mph on the oval. As Kawasaki’s U.S. race team manager, I was also able to see the new 750cc H2R road racer we would be racing in 1972 in action. Next, we spent a long day riding up and down a two-lane on Morioka mountain, and then riding on city streets back to the factory. There, Jim and I spent two days servicing and working on the Z1 to evaluate the serviceability. We then met with the managers, engineers and technicians involved in the Z1 project to share our thoughts after all this testing, and there were a lot of

LETTER OF THE MONTH

W REMEMBERING THE Z1

ow…How time flies! Seems like just a few years ago I was in Japan sleeping on a Tatami mat and eating fish with rice. Your article was candid and thorough about the birth of the Z1. The first U.S.

cross-country road trip with three bikes, with a chase van and a rental car with the Kawasaki engineering staff, is a chapter worth telling. It was quite an adventure, hosting the engineers and test rider on their first trip to America. We put Honda decals

OH 43147. Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity.

smiles when they heard the translation of our very positive evaluation of what they had created.

Randy Hall

It’s always a treat to hear behindthe-scenes stories by folks directly involved in a project, Randy, so thanks for sharing. —Ed.

Just received the Z1 issue and have to take issue with one statement you made about the bike being the “first superbike.” The Z1 was not the first superbike; the Honda CB750 was. As touted by everyone and their brother, and all the magazines, to boot. True, the Z1 outperformed the CB750 and was more daring and

on the prototypes fuel tanks to try to hide the bike’s identity, along with ugly slime green/blue Honda copy paint job. It fooled some gas-stop lookers, but quite a few said, “That’s not a Honda!” Got stopped a few times by the local and state highway cops. Mostly curious about what brand it was. The good times did roll for Kawasaki because of the Z1! I’m glad I had the opportunity to be a part of it along with many other talented engineers, test riders, marketing staff and forward-thinking management. George Hamawaki, Alan Masek and my boss Sid Saito at KMC, along with advice from Don Graves and Paul Collins, made the concept a reality. But they could not have brought the Z1 to market without the guidance of Sam Tanegashima and “HP” Otsuki at KHI in Japan. Thanks for doing such a great job in bringing back all the memories.

Bryon Farnsworth

Thanks for the help on the story, Bryon! —Ed.

innovative, but it was NOT the first Superbike. BTW, I have two CB750s, a Z1 and a KTM RC8R, which leaves both bikes in the dust.

Todd Haeckel

Lots of ways to slice the whole CB750 vs. Z1 thing, Todd, but it’s probably safe to say that this 50-yearold argument isn’t going to be settled anytime soon! —Ed.

I had been on the fence about getting a 50th Anniversary Kawasaki Z900 until I saw the cover of your February issue featuring the original Z1. That to me was a sign to buy one! So thanks, folks! Now I need to sell a bike to make room for it.

Scott Bunn, Charter Life Member Doylestown, Ohio

Happy to help spend your hardearned bucks for you, Scott! – Ed.

Arkus-Duntovs and maybe the gods will forgive you!

Rob Herrington

My Dad used to always tell me to slow down, not hurry, and to measure twice and cut once. I guess I should have listened more closely! —Ed.

EVEN MORE AUTOMOTIVE MESSINESS

The Z1 50th Anniversary issue is killer, including John Stein’s fine job in highlighting the Harley Sportster’s 65th anniversary. But in stating that the Sportster is “literally America’s most historic vehicle,” John is forgetting the Chevrolet Suburban, which has been in continuous production since the 1935 model year. And the Jeep Wrangler’s lineage and visual profile extend, unbroken, back to the first civilian CJ jeep in 1945—and to 1941 for the WWII original.

Lindsay Brooke

AND FINALLY, SOMETHING POSITIVE!

I’d guess not many consider the challenge you folks face each month putting the magazine together while trying to integrate the massively wide variety of stuff in the motorcycling world — but the February issue does

OF HONDAS, FORDS AND CHEVYS

At the risk of appearing to pick fly poop out of pepper, and being a Ford Blue Oval fan, I have to point out that the truck pictured in the February issue’s Last Page article on Honda’s Pico Blvd. roots is a Chevrolet Apache, not a Ranchero (which is a Ford product). Other than that it was a great article, and right on point as to how Mr. Soichiro Honda would be received in most of today’s workplaces!

Keith Campbell

To the Editor: Your authenticity and qualifications as a four-wheel gearhead are in serious jeopardy. Chevy Ranchero? For penance, say six Louis Chevrolets and five Zora

a pretty good job. In it you have news (new Triumphs and Harleys, Government Relations bits, small club and racing features, AMA awards, etc.), old stuff (the Z1 and Sportster history pieces), off-road racing elements (the Baylor Bros.), plus columns, Back In The Day and AMA Garage – and sometimes even a Malcolm’s Moments feature. It’s a good mix of almost-always compelling stories, so keep up the good work.

C. Miller Columbus, Ohio

Thanks for the note, and especially for mentioning what we feel is the key to the magazine’s popularity and success of late: a mix of almost-always compelling stories. When you boil it all down, stories about motorcycle people, and good storytelling craft in how you portray and communicate those stories to your readership, has always been key to the best sort of motorcycle magazine experiences, and we focus on that as much as we can. We’re hoping off-road fans will like the on-road stuff (and vice-versa), that non-racers will enjoy the racing stuff (ditto), and that boomers will enjoy the more youth-oriented grist (ditto again). If it’s on two wheels, as the late Bruce Brown epitomized so well in On Any Sunday, it’s gotta be good, right?! —Ed.

BACK IN THE DAY

Where the photos are blurry but the memories are clear!

This was my second bike, a 1974 Honda XR75, and the photo was taken around 1977. This shot is when my brother talked me into grabbing another gear before the jump, as evidenced by my expression. Great times and memories. Glad our neighbor was practicing his photography skills!

Geoff Ball

6The first photo is me on my 1972 Yamaha YDS7 250cc (little brother to the R5 350) in 1972. I put over 14,000 miles on that bike in just over a year. The second photo is me on my 2012 Honda ST1300. I have had five ST1300s — three of which I still own — and have put over 396,000 miles on STs since November 2005. My first ST1300 I sold to one of my sons after I put 174.3K miles on it in less than eight years. Most, but not all, of my ST1300 riding has been from commuting 125 miles a day in SoCal, Murrieta to San Diego, 2008 to 2020. In this picture I was heading for a weeklong motorcycle gathering in the Topaz Lake area of Nevada.

Bob Hampton

Attached is a photo taken of me on my 1966 Yamaha 250 Big Bear Scrambler on top of the rock tunnel at Sequoia National Park. It was taken in May 1969 just after I got out of the Marine Corps and back from Vietnam. (Note the boots and jacket.) A Marine friend was heading to Vietnam and wanted a motorcycle trip; he rented a Honda 125 and I had mine. I soon sold my Big Bear due to my preference for my new, just-ordered 1969 Z28 Camaro. I now ride a BMW K1600GTL.

Jim Harris, former Lance Corporal, always a Marine

Thanks for your service, Corporal Harris. —Ed.

6This is me on my 1970 Kawasaki 90 posing for our high school yearbook’s “informal picture.” It’s ironic that it was taken with the school as a backdrop since the school forbade us from parking our bikes in the parking lot, and we were made to park on a strip of grass between the school property and the community tennis courts!

Bob Joyce

Love those bell bottoms, Bob! —Ed.

An XR75 with a header sure made great sounds, eh, Geoff? Mine sure did. —Ed.

My parents were supportive of my brother’s and my obsession with motorcycles in the early ’70s, and my father brought home a couple of very used bikes — a Honda step-thru and CL90 — that we rode on fire roads on Long Island, N.Y., until they were stolen out of our backyard shed. They then got us a brand-new 1972 Honda

SL100 we shared until they could afford a second one. First thing we did was strip off the lights and fenders and replace with Preston Petty plastic ones. We rode those bikes all around the back yard, on fire roads, and on what I recall was a giant dirt track, which may have been the start of a shopping center. We rode there every Sunday for years while my father sat in the van and read the Sunday Times. We would get roosted by the other big-bore bikes and dreamed we were flying over the crest of a hill, even if we were only six inches in the air on those little bikes with no suspension. We graduated to dozens of street bikes over the years, but still have those two little Hondas and boxes of the original lights and fenders wrapped in 1972/73 newspapers.

4Inspired by Fonzie and powered by girl determination, this is me on my second bike, a Honda 200, in Tucson, Ariz., around 1976. I’d moved up from a Honda 125. I was about 20 years old here, and yes, that’s my “riding gear.” I was a college student at the time at the University of Arizona, and motorcycles were my only means of transportation. That meant things like grocery shopping and going to the laundromat were all two-wheeled challenges. Bring it on! Forty-six years, six broken bones and umpteen bikes later, I’m still in the game and wouldn’t change a thing!

Lori Weiniger

Joe and Mike Savino

This was taken in 1970 or ’71 on my first motorcycle, a ’67 Honda 305 scrambler. Got my MC endorsement on it. No written test back then. I was told to just ride over and apply. When I questioned about riding it to the DMV without an endorsement, I was told to not worry about it. Easiest test I ever took. I was out of sight of the examiner for more than half the route. I swear that if you didn’t return in a certain amount of time, you would fail. The rest is history. I called it good on riding some years ago, 40-plus was enough. Made my wife happy. But I’m still a member of AMA…gotta keep my hand in a little.

Paul Landau

You go, girl! —Ed.

This is a photo of me in 1969 with my first “big” bike, a 1947 Norton 500cc single. I added lights so I could ride it legally. It shook like crazy but seemed to me — at the time — to be lightning fast.

Wayne Kuipers

After having had three Cushman scooters to deliver papers, I bought this new 1964 Harley-Davidson 175 BTH Scat when I was 14. I rode it 7 days a week 365 days a year delivering papers. It got around well in snow, and I stopped several times to help push cars that were stuck.

Steve Kruger

Snow? You are a brave man, Steve. —Ed.

BACK IN THE DAY

6This is a photo of my dad in 1972. His favorite hobby has always been riding his motorcycles, and over the years he’s owned many different types, from scooters to big touring bikes. One of his favorites was this Husqvarna 400, which he rode in the woods behind our house in Rhode Island. At 92 he still loves to talk about his riding adventures. I hope you will be able to publish this in Back In The Day. He still reads American Motorcyclist regularly, and it would be a great surprise for him to see it.

Cheryl White Pearson

I really enjoy your Back in the Day section, especially being an old rider. It definitely brings back memories. This is my first ride in the Spring of 1974. My dad said if I paid half, he would pay the other half for my first bike. It came down to the Yamaha YZ80 or the Suzuki TM75. I chose the Suzuki because that’s what Roger DeCoster rode at that time. I’m still riding 48 years later and back on a Suzuki, a DRZ400S. That TM was one tough little bike. We never had a problem with it.

Jeff Phillips

We think Roger would be proud, Jeff! —Ed.

I recently achieved the 25-year AMA Charter Life status and love the Back in the Day throwback section! It inspired me, and I had to dig through boxes of old pics to come up with a few that I hope will make the cut. I grew up in a little river town outside of St. Louis called Washington, Mo., and had go-karts, four wheelers, and my first dirt bike — a Suzuki 100 (couldn’t find a pic, dang it). Here’s my 1981 Kawasaki LTD 440. It was the first street bike I bought when I was 16 in 1986. I actually had it on layaway at the local bike shop (J&W Cycles) because it was $800 and they didn’t want to finance it. I would drive over every week and pay as much cash as I could. When I finally paid it off and went to get it, they couldn’t sell it to me because I wasn’t 18, so I had to “work” on my mom for a few weeks to get her to go sign the title for me. Thanks for all you do for motorcyclists...much appreciated!

Mark Shanks

Me on my 1983 Honda 650 Nighthawk. It was a ritual for us to smoke the rear tire before getting a new one mounted. Ahhh, the good ol’ days…

Chris Baumhauer

That’s me with my brand-new 125 Yamaha Enduro. It was a 1970 model and we’d just unloaded it from my dad’s pickup. I flipped burgers at McDonalds all summer to buy it, just in time for the start of my senior year in high school. I only had a permit, so I could not ride at night, but in California you could ride alone all day on a motorcycle without having a licensed adult along. This made a motorcycle a much better freedom machine than a car as far as I was concerned. I rode this bike everywhere — school, work, dirt trails, you name it!

Jeff Bertrand

Yep, “freedom machine” pretty much nails it, Jeff! —Ed.

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up to speed

News, notes, insight and more from the motorcycling universe

Can’t-Miss Events 2023

A grab bag of AMA-centric events and happenings to put on your calendar

BY JOY BURGESS AND KEATON MAISANO

PERMCO AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS

This summer and fall, Ohio becomes ground zero for some of this year’s best can’t-miss events, including Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and AMA Hall of Fame Days.

Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days takes place July 21-23 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and combines the thrill of amateur racing with North America’s largest swap meet. Additional activities include classic bike shows, motorcycle demo rides, stunt shows, music, vendor displays and a range of experiences for motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages.

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and road, motocross, AMA Supercross and Superbikers racer Steve Wise will be the Grand Marshal. One of the most multi-talented racers in history, Wise is the only National-class motocross winner to ever win an AMA Superbike National (MidOhio in 1983).

To help celebrate Wise’s vast number of achievements, a few Honda 50th and 40th Anniversary motorcycles will be featured at this year’s Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days celebration, including

Honda’s CR250 Elsinore (introduced in 1973) and VF750F Interceptor (introduced in 1983).

“I’m honored to be Grand Marshal,” Wise said, “especially at the track on which I won my first AMA Superbike event … being able to go back there and enjoy such a wide range of racing, historical and justplain-fun motorcycle stuff that happens at VMD will be memorable, and I’m excited about the opportunity!”

Stay tuned to VintageMotorcycleDays. com for more information.

AMA HALL OF FAME DAYS

Something new the AMA will roll out this fall — Sept. 14-17, to be specific — will be a multi-day celebration of motorcycling heritage at the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio. This event will combine the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Induction with AMA Commission meetings, the AMA member meeting, an AMA-sanctioned adventure ride, bike night, exhibition pit bike race, vintage trial competition and a guest reception for the State Motorcycle Safety Association.

Additional details will be available soon on AmericanMotorcyclist. com, AMA social media channels and in American Motorcyclist.

Along with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and AMA Hall of Fame Days, here are a few more AMA-centric events you won’t want to miss.

Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month

The American Motorcyclist Association is proud to announce that May will be Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month. The nationwide campaign aims to cultivate the next generation of passionate riders by giving them a chance to learn skills, boost confidence and grow appreciation for the sport. It’s important to help our young riders become lifelong riders.

The monthlong campaign will include special contests and prizes, stories and videos from some of the AMA’s successful youth riders and racers, and the chance for parents and kids to send in their riding photos to be featured on the AMA’s social media channels, website and in American Motorcyclist.

Special packets will be available to organizers to give out to kids and parents who participate in Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month. For more information and to stay updated, please contact AMA Deputy Director of Communications, Joy Burgess, at jburgess@amacycle.org, and stay tuned to AmericanMotorcyclist. com for additional details.

Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship

T

he Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship has served as the premier amateur flat track event since the mid-1970s, and this year it will return June 14-20 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill. The only race in the country where racers can earn an AMA National No. 1 plate in amateur flat track racing, the AMA is excited to have Mission Foods back for the second year running as the title sponsor.

Providing seven days of the best amateur flat track action in the country, the event includes all four disciplines of flat track racing: Mile, Half-Mile, Short Track and TT. And this year “The Voice of Flat Track” Scottie Deubler will not only be announcing the races, but also serving as Grand Marshal.

Pre-registration is now open, and racers have a chance to enjoy discounted rates when they sign up for the action early. Visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/amaflat-track-grand-championship for more information and to pre-register.

ANNALEICE BIRDSONG

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AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s

F

or the 42nd time since its inception in 1982, the weeklong AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at the late AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mill, Tenn., will host the vast amateur

motocross community.

Including legends such as AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart, the 6,000 acres has hosted approximately 60,000 AMA riders over the years. Hosting motocross’ most impactful

AMA Land Speed Grand Championship at Bonneville

In a setting straight out of a sci-fi movie, the AMA Land Speed Grand Championship — also known as the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials — sees the world’s fastest motorcycles hit breathtaking speeds on the otherworldly Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah.

Ranging from 50cc minibikes to 3,000cc streamliners, participants of varying investments and experiences share the stage as they showcase their enthusiasm for insanely speedy travel. Seeking speeds upward of 400 mph, competitors strive to set AMA national and FIM world records.

After adverse conditions prevented the event from running in 2022, the championship will be back and better than ever Aug. 26-31 Spectators can learn more about the heart-pounding action by going to bonnevillemst.com.

figures over the last four decades, the event is an opportunity to see tomorrow’s stars realize their dreams. Widely known as the largest amateur motocross event in the world, riders will compete in different classes in hopes of capturing an AMA National No. 1 plate.

AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship

Near the end of the summer, the best amateur hillclimbers in the country will converge on the Monson Monster — a hill in Monson, Mass., run by the Quaboag Riders Inc. — to compete in the AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship

A discipline often described as family-friendly, close-knit and competitive, hillclimb is a unique competition that pits riders not only against each other but against unique hills and the clock.

In the Grand Championship event, amateur riders are organized into

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The must-see event runs July 31-Aug. 5, so make sure to clear your calendar so you don’t miss out on this bucket-list event full of racing, camping and more!

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classes defined by age, displacement and bike configuration. Many of AMA Pro Hillclimb’s brightest stars realized their potential at the amateur level.

The 2023 AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship runs Aug. 5-6, so make sure you don’t miss out as the discipline that has existed for more than a century gets its new batch of class champions.

up to speed

RIGHTS Roundup

What’s trending in government relations and legislative affairs

BY AMA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS IN THE BIG APPLE

Two bills have been introduced in the New York State Senate that would seriously impact NYC motorcyclists. First, the good news. New

York State Senator Leroy Comrie has introduced S. 4102, which would require the forthcoming congestion pricing plan for the city’s central business district to charge motorcyclists half of what the plan would charge other vehicles.

While the AMA firmly believes that any congestion pricing plan should fully exempt motorcyclists (as our vehicles inherently reduce congestion), this bill is a step in the right direction. The AMA thanks motorcyclists in New York City, particularly Riders Against Congestion, who have been fighting for motorcyclists to be fully exempted from the congestion pricing plan for years.

The second bill is bad news for dirt bike and ATV riders who live in the city. New York State Senator Liz Krueger has introduced S. 2773, a bill that seeks to ban the sale of off-highway motorcycles and ATVs by dealers or individuals within New York City, and enact a fine of $1,000 for the first offense and $2,000 for each

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority has asked the California Public Utilities Commission to stop issuing new permits to Cruise and Waymo, automated vehicle companies currently testing in the city. The call comes after 92 incidents in seven months, where self-driving test vehicles belonging to both companies came to a stop in traffic causing chaos for other drivers as the automated vehicles sat idle.

In one incident, 60 Cruise “robotaxis” came to a stop in the street one night in July of 2022 over a 90-minute period when the vehicles lost contact with Cruise’s servers, according to a report by Wired. The information cited by Wired comes from a letter sent to the California Public Utilities Commission by an anonymous Cruise employee seemingly blowing the whistle on their employer’s actions.

The letter from San Francisco CTA to the state regulator also cites incidents where Cruise staff have called 911 when passengers in their automated vehicle became unresponsive, only to have police or firefighters respond and find a sleeping passenger each time. The letter complains that these incidents and others (such as when a Cruise robotaxi ran over a fire hose at an active fire scene) are a drain on taxpayer-funded emergency services, and reduce the availability of those services to members of the public in true need.

Cities in California have little ability to regulate automated

subsequent offense. It also allows for any dirt bike or ATV sold in the city to be impounded.

The AMA strongly opposes this bill and will fight vigorously this blatant attempt to stop New York City residents from legally purchasing off-highway vehicles. While the bill’s goal is to address illegal use of OHVs on public roads, this bill needlessly punishes law abiding residents, and will do nothing to address illegal use of off-highway vehicles on city streets.

For New York state residents who want to take action on these bills, check out the AMA’s Action Center for alerts at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/action-center

EXPANSION

vehicles on their own. Permission to test or deploy these vehicles is granted by the Department of Motor Vehicles, and authorization to use those test vehicles as fare-collecting automated taxis is granted by the Public Utilities Commission.

Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, started testing completely driverless cars in San Francisco in 2021, and began its robotic taxi service in 2022 in a portion of the city, though only at night. Waymo, whose parent company is Alphabet, received authorization to pick up passengers in November of 2022. Both companies have asked California regulators to allow them to expand the number of vehicles they are testing, the times of day they can pick up passengers, and expand the area in which they operate within the city.

A quick search of social media will reveal dozens of videos of both Waymo and Cruise automated vehicles struggling with construction zones, becoming confused in intersections, coming to a stop in traffic, and in one case driving away from law enforcement.

The AMA continues to demand state and federal regulators take a more aggressive approach to regulating partially automated vehicle features currently available for purchase. These include Tesla’s autopilot and fully-automated vehicles not yet available for the public to purchase, but which are still being tested on public roads, making all of us unwitting guinea pigs.

SAN FRANCISCO ASKS STATE REGULATOR TO STOP AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE

up to speed

Racing Roundup

What’s what in the world of AMA amateur competition

hey say good things come in threes, and for the Marshall family, the notion certainly rings true.

The Marshall boys, Joel, Micah and Caleb, have followed in both their father and grandfather’s footsteps — or, better yet, tire tracks — and taken to riding and racing motorcycles. In 2022 the brothers proudly represented their family name by collecting four class titles in AMA District 37 desert racing.

“At the beginning of the year it seems like it’s not possible,” Zach Marshall, father of the boys, said, “and at the end of the year, you’re not

sure how it all came together. But it’s impressive to see.”

Zach Marshall picked up his love of riding from his father, Ray Martin. A professional flat tracker in the ’70s, Martin grew up in a Southern California home that was next door to AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bob Hannah, whose father helped Martin learn to ride.

Martin’s passion has since been passed down to his son and grandsons.

“[Zach and I] rode the desert a lot and had a lot of fun sharing that,” Martin said. “He has three kids, and

Marshall Mania

Three brothers — with the help of their grandfather and father — dash through the sand to four class titles

BY KEATON MAISANO

even at an early age, they’re learning how to use the tools, learning how to deal with reality, climb mountains and do all kinds of things.”

Joel, the oldest boy at 11-years old, is described as the analytical one of the bunch. His approach to riding helped him claim the 65 Senior Advanced class title, but it is his approach every day that helps him be a good role model to his younger siblings.

runner-up finish a few years back by winning the 65 Junior Beginner and 50 Senior classes in 2022.

“It was cool [to win],” Micah said. “Last year I got No. 2 and that wasn’t cool.”

The youngest brother at 7-years old is Caleb, and while he might be the smallest, he does not lack a competitive spirit, winning the 50 Junior class in 2022.

“He’s quiet but extremely competitive, and he’s constantly chasing his big brothers,” Zach Marshall said. “He definitely likes to tease them along, like, ‘Hey, I think I’m faster than you were when you were seven. Pretty sure I could beat your 7-year-old self.’”

While the boys love the thrill of race days, it is their willingness to work and ability in the garage that shows their maturity and commitment.

“It’s not really me being a teacher, because my dad’s always teaching us,” Joel said, “but to be like an example for what’s going on and show how it’s done.”

While 10-year-old Micah has followed his brother’s lead, he has done so to the beat of his own drum. A natural talent with an abundance of confidence in his riding, Micah avenged a

“As far as tuning and working on dirt bikes, that’s on the boys,” Zach Marshall said. “If they test on the weekend and they say, ‘My carburetor feels a little sticky,’ or ‘My spark plug needs to be swapped out,’ that’s important for them to take care of.”

With another year comes more growth for the three boys, who will participate in desert, grand prix and flat track racing along with the trail riding they do.

And with further development and opportunity, there are likely a lot more No. 1 plates in their future.

From left to right: Micah (10), Caleb (7) and Joel Marshall (11). The three brothers won a combined four District 37 desert titles in 2022.

up to speed

New AMA Board of Directors Members

The AMA Board of Directors has three new members: Steve Drewlo from KTM, Shae Petersen from Hagerty Insurance, and Clif Koontz, an individual member representing the Southwest Region.

A BSA Here to stay

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Museum is chock-full of tales about motorcycling’s legendary figures and machines.

Thanks to one of hillclimbing’s most important and successful legends, one of these stories will live on in a relic that now has a permanent home.

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Earl Bowlby, who finished his career with a then-record 10 AMA national hillclimb titles (many won on this bike), and his daughter (Christy) visited the museum Feb. 3 to donate his 1967 BSA 650..

“I can’t think of a better place for this bike,” Bowlby said.

We can’t, either. Thanks, Earl, for helping preserve motorcycle history!

—Keaton Maisano

Drewlo, currently KTM’s Strategic Business Manager, has been riding since age 12 and quickly became obsessed with motorcycle racing, competing in motocross, enduros, hillclimb, hare scrambles and endu-

rocross throughout his 31 years of racing. He has 18 years of working for the OEM in various roles and is an AMA Charter Life Member.

For Petersen, who currently is a Customer Support Specialist for Hagerty, riding motorcycles has always been a family affair, and she started riding at the age of 4. In her current position with Hagerty she offers the support that is needed to help a wide range of motorcycle organizations run smooth and efficient motorcycle events.

Koontz got hooked on riding dirt bikes in the ’90s and moved to Utah for the excellent riding opportunities. Currently the Executive Director of Ride with Respect, Koontz also serves as a board member for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) and chairs Grand County’s Motorized Trails Committee.

—Joy Burgess

Pictured left to right: Clif Koontz, Shae Petersen and Steve Drewlo.

Ryan Varnes 68 Memorial Scholarship

n inside track to a finish line of a different kind…” says the Ryan Varnes Foundation website, which just went live in February. Created in memory of American Flat Track rider Ryan Varnes, who passed away at the age of 24 last year from injuries sustained while competing at the New York Short Track, the goal of the foundation is to help racers continuing to pursue their higher education goals.

While racing professionally with American Flat Track, Varnes made his education a priority, and in his honor the foundation will aid other racers in their pursuit to become better students and people. Applications are now available to American Flat Track licensed riders.

For more information on eligibility, criteria and application deadlines, or to find out how to donate, visit Rv68foundation.org. —Joy Burgess

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malcolm’s moments

RACING AND RETAIL

Selling Husqvarnas was every bit as great as racing them

BY MALCOLM SMITH

There were a few twostrokes being raced in the desert in 1966 — Greeves, Cottons, maybe a Bultaco or Montesa or two — but most were big British twins — Triumphs and BSAs, mainly — and

PART ELEVEN

some single-cylinder Gold Stars and Matchlesses. We called ’em Desert Sleds…big, heavy, powerful bikes that traded power for lightness and handling.

They were fast but didn’t work so well in the desert, wallowing through

the sand rather than on top of it. My lightweight Husky, however, was basically a motocross bike with taller gearing, and therefore able to skate across the sand. It accelerated quickly and stopped on a dime, which made it a far better handler, and it

was reliable, too…not something you could say about the other 2-strokes of the day. All in all, a great desert bike.

That first race in the Lucerne Valley went well. I got third overall, the bike’s weight and handling allowing me to ride wide open just about everywhere. I was a pretty aggressive rider normally, but the Husky allowed me to ride even faster through the rough stuff —though on occasion I’d

got close at the end, but I held on for the win. It was a big deal for me, beating my hero. And while I knew Ekins would have won had he been on a Husky, it still felt great.

Edison Dye was obviously happy with the wins and exposure, and with 50 or so crates of Huskys headed to Los Angeles, the timing of all this pro-Husky attention was excellent. Knowing how good the bike was,

just like that I became a Husky dealer — of sorts.

get bucked off the seat, my feet up in the air, and sometimes the bike would swap terribly from side to side. But I’d hang on anyway.

There were no other Huskys in the race, not one, and I distinctly remember thinking halfway though the event that I’d stumbled onto something very special with this motorcycle, and that many riders would eventually want one.

That feeling continued the following weekend at another event in Lucerne. I won the overall, and it felt like cheating the whole race. I was amazed how easy the bike was to ride, and as I watched the other bikes dig and spin and throw sand as I rode by them, I knew this was clearly a very special motorcycle.

I won again in my third race at a place called Texas Canyon. I remember coming up on Bud Ekins, who was leading. I’d never raced against my boyhood hero before. The Husky’s light weight and amazing tractability allowed me to run along the narrow canyon walls and out of the sand, where Ekins’s four-stroke was chugging and struggling. I went by him, but 15 miles from the finish I got a rear flat. There was no way I was going to lose the race, so I kept the throttle pinned, swapping and sliding all over the place. Ekins

and how much sales potential it had, I sensed a business opportunity. Dye had tried to get Kenny and Norm to carry Huskys at their K&N shop, but with Yamaha and Greeves 2-strokes already being sold there, and considering Norm’s relationship with Yamaha (the company would soon sponsor part of K&N’s race team), the guys passed on the Husky opportunity.

When Dye told me this, I saw my opening, and went to Norm with the idea to allow me to sell Huskys on the K&N sales floor — on consignment. After every Husky sale I’d pay the K&N salesman a commission, split the remaining profit with the store, and send Dye a check for the wholesale amount. Norm agreed, and

And it worked! Huskys began to sell right away, weekenders and racers learning quickly that Huskys weren’t only fast and light, but also extremely reliable. And as more and more of them got purchased and ridden and raced, the demand for spare parts began to increase despite the fact that the bikes were so well-engineered. Over time I began to sell parts — pistons, rings, plugs, gaskets, bearings, levers, pegs, etc. — at the races, direct from a straight-six Dodge van I bought for just that purpose. I built cabinets inside the thing and stocked all the parts I could get from Dye, selling them before and after each event. I’d go early and stay late, and things got busier by the month.

Guys would buy parts and then want another bike. And then they’d tell their buddies how good Huskys were, and I’d eventually see them down at the shop. If their bike needed work, I’d take it with me and they’d come get it at the shop once it was fixed. For really good customers, I’d deliver their bikes to the races the following Sunday.

I soon had a waiting list for bikes, most of which were pre-sold. A few crates would arrive, and the bikes would be out the door as soon as I’d assemble them. There were only a handful of dealers in the western U.S. at the time, so business was good. But soon another chapter of the Malcolm Smith and Husqvarna story would be written: International ISDT competition.

Left:

For the complete story of my wonderful and sometimes-crazy life, grab a copy of my 400page autobiography at themalcolmbook.com.

“I distinctly remember thinking halfway though the event that I’d stumbled onto something very special with this motorcycle.”

MALCOLM SMITH

A collection of riding and racing photos from my early days on the Husky 250. The bike was so much better than anything else at the time, it almost felt like cheating.

Desert Dynamo

BY JOY BURGESS

PHOTOS BY MARK KARIYA AND CAUDILLO ARCHIVES

Desert racing phenom Brooklyn Caudillo might only be 12 years old, but she’s already wellknown around California off-road racing circles. She’s been racing the AMA National Hare and Hound and AMA National Grand Prix Series full time for the last two years — and winning.

How many victories are we talking about?

“That’s a hard question to answer,” the young Lancaster, Calif., native told me hesitantly, “because it’s a lot.”

Michael Caudillo, her dad, chuckled and added, “Not sure on the number of wins, but she’s won 11 championships!”

Eleven championships?! At 12? That’s badass

But what’s really amazing is what this very young lady has overcome while winning all those championships. Her story is any parent’s worst nightmare…

Despite some major medical challenges, 12-year-old Brooklyn Caudillo is a desert racing rock star — and she’s just getting started

rooklyn was just two-and-a-half years old,”

BMichael told us, “and we noticed she was going cross-eyed. Doctors initially thought she had a brain tumor, but after several days in the hospital going through tests, she was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari malformation. I’d never heard of it and had no idea what that even was.”

Chiari malformations are conditions that involve brain tissue extending into the spinal canal. In Brooklyn’s case, her skull wasn’t developing as fast as her brain. That caused the cerebellum to push down the back of the spine, disrupting the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid that circulates up and down the spine.

Knowing the condition could be life threatening, doctors operated quickly, shaving down the first and second cervical vertebrae to try to open the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

“That surgery was so scary,” Michael remembered, emotion coloring his voice.

“Here’s our little baby girl, and we had to hand her off to the doctors. I was so scared for her. But surgery went well, and after a few days in

the hospital recovering, we brought her home.”

But just nine days later, Brooklyn started displaying serious symptoms.

“We rushed her back to the hospital,” Michael said, “and after doing a quick CT scan, they found her head was completely full of fluid. They had to shave her head and do emergency surgery. We got her there just in time, and they made the decision to put a medical shunt in the back of her head to drain the fluid.”

“That second surgery was even scarier,” he continued, “and we spent two weeks in the hospital that time. I never left her side.”

Brooklyn remembers being in the hospital and not knowing why she was there. And life after surgery means annual MRIs to check for any fluid building up in the brain and visits to the neurosurgeon.

It’d be understandable for a parent in a situation like this to try to keep their child from doing anything risky after this

sort of medical trauma, but Michael allowed Brooklyn to start riding at just 3 years old.

“I started riding my PW50 with training wheels around my grandpa’s property,” Brooklyn said.

“Actually,” Michael chimed in, “she learned to ride that PW with training wheels and throttle control before she ever learned to ride a bicycle.”

Racing has always been a family affair for the Caudillo family, so it’s no surprise that Brooklyn got the bug at an early age.

“It was my dad and grandpa who inspired me to race,” Brooklyn told us, and it turns out she’s a third-generation racer. Grandpa Mike, who happens to be Brooklyn’s mechanic, got started riding and racing back in the 1960s.

“My Dad, Richard Caudillo, bought me a Tote Goat,” Grandpa told us. “It was like a giant minibike back in the ’60s. It wasn’t fast, but it sure could climb anything. Then he bought a 1966 Bultaco Matador 250, and I just

While both of Brooklyn’s surgeries were nearly a decade ago, regular medical visits and annual MRIs are part of normal life now.

“she learned to ride that PW with training wheels and throttle control before she ever learned to ride a bicycle.”

MICHAEL CAUDILLO

loved that bike. After that he bought me a 250 Husqvarna and would take me out in the desert to ride. One day a friend from high school and I went out to the desert to watch a European Scrambles, and after watching I told my friend I wanted to try that. I entered my first race in 1968, and I was hooked!”

For Brooklyn’s dad Michael, it took a bit longer to get into racing.

“I played baseball from the time I was young,” Michael said, “and I played in college, too. One summer I came home and my brother Eric was racing with AMA District 37. I thought it was the coolest thing, watching those

guys race, so I went back to college in Santa Barbara, got a second job, stopped partying, saved my money and bought a motorcycle.”

“By that fall, I was racing District 37 myself,” he added. “I took a few years off after some broken bones, but got back into it in my early 40s, and I now race District 37 in the Vintage Class, though my main focus is on Brooklyn.”

Like the rest of the family, Brooklyn also started in District 37 off-road desert racing.

“My first race was on a KTM 50 mini,” Brooklyn remembered, “but I didn’t get to finish that race because something mechanical happened to my bike.”

When they started racing D37 events in the 50cc Junior class, Michael was understandably nervous about letting her go out and disappear into the desert on her bike.

“She has a medical shunt in her head, so it was nervewracking for me at first,” Michael told us. “When Brooklyn decided to get more serious about racing, we had a visit with her neurosurgeon. We wanted to ask what she thought of Brooklyn racing motorcycles. She thought it

“When Brooklyn decided to get more serious about racing, we had a visit with her neurosurgeon. We wanted to ask what she thought of Brooklyn racing motorcycles. She thought it was cool and gave it her blessing.”

MICHAEL CAUDILLO

“I followed in case she fell and hit her head out there. I also made sure to find the medical personnel before each race and share her medical conditions with them.”

MICHAEL CAUDILLO

was cool and gave it her blessing.”

In those early racing days, Michael shadowed Brooklyn at the races on his own dirt bike. Desert loops for younger racers are generally 2-3 miles long, and since racers disappear from view, Michael followed. “D37 allows [parental following],” Michael said, “so I followed in case she fell and hit her head out there. I also made sure to find the medical personnel before each race and share her

medical conditions with them.”

These days, Brooklyn is going too fast to have people shadow her, which brings a new worry for Dad.

“My only concern is if she had a bad crash, could she shatter the shunt? What we do have is the very best helmet possible for her shunt, one that fits her head well — she has a small lump on the back of her head — so she, hopefully, doesn’t crush it if she hits her head. Yes, I’m concerned every time she lines up on the starting line, but there are always consequences with dirt bikes and we’ve gotta be able to live with them. But Brooklyn’s really into racing, so we’re going for it and living life one day at a time.”

Race days are pretty typical according to Brooklyn. “We go sign up in the morning,” she said, “I start getting ready, dad is prepping the goggles, and I’m getting warmed up.”

“Really,” Michael added with a laugh, “she’s probably getting yelled at. Where is she? Usually out farting around with her friends.”

“We also go out together and walk the course,” he said, “specifically at the National Hare and Hound races.”

There’s a reason for that…a lesson learned the hard way for Brooklyn.

“At a race in Idaho,” Brooklyn remembered with chagrin, “I didn’t see the sign telling me to keep going and loop around, and I went on the wrong loop and didn’t even get scored for the first lap. I ended up getting fourth

Above: Brooklyn with fellow District 37 rider Laci Olivas, who’s been the district’s top female rider for many years. “She’s mentored Brooklyn both on and off the bike,” Michael said, “and they have an incredible bond.”

Above left: AMA Deputy Director of Racing Mike Burkeen presenting Brooklyn with the No. 1 plate for the AMA Hare and Hound Series in the Junior Girls class. “Brooklyn is always the first person to cheer everyone else on at the podium,” Burkeen said. “Not only is she super fast, but she’s such a great mentor, helping other girls at the track even if they’re racing against her.” Above: Brooklyn with her dad, Michael (left) and her grandfather Mike (right).

“there are always consequences with dirt bikes and we’ve gotta be able to live with them. But Brooklyn’s really into racing, so we’re going for it and living life one day at a time.”

MICHAEL CAUDILLO

place because of that mistake, and that’s why Dad always makes me walk the course now, so it doesn’t ever happen again.”

“We usually walk the start, too,” Michael added, “to find a really good line.”

Despite being an 11-time champ, Brooklyn gets nervous before every race.

“When I’m on the line getting ready to go, the butterflies come,” she said. “But as soon as that banner drops and I take off, they’re gone! Once I’m racing, if I’m in first place, I just ride my race and do my best to get to the finish in the lead.”

Brooklyn’s spent plenty of time “riding her own race” in first place, dominating the Junior Girls class over the past couple years. But instead of staying in that 9-12 class where she’s been so successful, in 2023 she’s racing in the Senior Girls class with girls who are 14 and 15 years old.

“She’s racing up a class this year,” Michael proudly told me, “and I’m so stinkin’ proud of her because she’s right up there with those 14- and 15-year-old girls. She had nothing left to prove in Junior Girls, but now that she has more competition with the older girls, she’s getting a taste of humble pie and learning to accept defeat.”

“This brand-new class I’m in now,” Brooklyn continued, “I haven’t been winning as much, but I’m working to get there.”

Now that she’s getting thirds and fourths, instead of winning all the time, Brooklyn’s a lot more motivated to get to the gym, practice and get more seat time between events. Ultimately, she wants to go pro in National Hare and Hound, and she’s putting in the work to get there — and making Dad and Grandpa proud.

“I always tell Brooklyn, ‘I just want you to be the best that you can be,’” said Dad. “I just want to see her be a great overall female

rider. We’re keeping this fun, and I’m so proud of what she’s already accomplished.”

Grandpa Mike echoed that praise. “I’m so proud of her! When she first starting riding, she practiced day after day, never wanting to stop. Michael would tell her what to do, and she’d always say, ‘But I’m scared.’ But she’d listen, then do what he said, practice and then come back to the garage and say, ‘That was easy!’ When I watch Brooklyn now, it’s amazing how much she has accomplished at an early age and what she’s overcome. Many times my eyes are filled with tears of joy for her. And I don’t think she knows how good she is — to her, this is just what she does.”

Of course, while she’s kicking up dust in the desert and bringing home wins and championships, her medical past continues to be something she deals with on the side. But they recently received some great news.

“Each year we go for those annual MRIs,” Michael said, “and we’ve been tracking a small pocket of fluid in her brain for nine years now, hoping it would go away and not grow larger. It’s been sitting there idle all this time. But at this last visit the MRI showed that the spot of fluid is gone. That was just a hallelujah moment for us — it’s gone! Now we’re just waiting to see the neurosurgeon to talk about Brooklyn’s future.”

“Riding makes me feel happy. If I’m upset or grumpy, I ride my dirt bike and feel better. Riding and racing give me a chance to escape all the real-world stuff I’ve been dealing with.”

BROOKLYN CAUDILLO

Through the years of medical appointments and uncertainty, riding has been Brooklyn’s way to leave the tough stuff behind.

“Riding makes me feel happy,” she told me. “If I’m upset or grumpy, I ride my dirt bike and feel better. Riding and racing give me a chance to escape all the real-world stuff I’ve been dealing with.”

And she hopes her story will inspire other kids with medical conditions, too.

“Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do it — you can,” she exclaimed! “You’ve got this! If riding makes you happy, get out there and do it.”

Good advice…for motorcycling and for life. AMA

Special thanks to

Brooklyn’s sponsors:

Yamaha BluCru

The Wicked Family gear

Team Orbit

Simi Valley Cycles

Wiseco Pistons

Jones Racing

Coyote Trains Adventures

Bray Goggles

Church of Dirt clothing

She Rides clothing

RAD Custom Graphics

BTS Suspension

Dunlop

FMF

Acerbis

Southern Counties

Lubricants

NOVA

BY MITCH BOEHM PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON

THE ROAD

…I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

—Robert Frost (1874–1963)

It wasn’t in a wood where the two roads diverged. More likely it was a boardroom at H-D headquarters in Milwaukee, one filled with cigarette smoke and middle-aged guys in suits and maybe a butt-filled Styrofoam coffee cup or three.

Unlike the suits in that room, the late poet Robert Frost couldn’t have known the gravity of the decision facing that handful of stern-faced company managers — but it was very

In 1981, Harley-Davidson was on the verge of launching an entire range of liquid-cooled V-engined cruisers and tourers — called Nova — in hopes of rejuvenating itself. It never happened, which almost certainly saved the company from extinction — and paved the way for otherworldly success during the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s.

ROAD NOT TAKEN

much a decision for the ages:

Should this newly-purchased-but-legendary company — Harley-Davidson Motor Company, in many ways the Big Daddy and Grand Poobah of motorcycle manufacturers — continue to develop its line of V-Twin motorcycles despite their lackluster performance, functionality, durability and reputation…or build an entirely new line of modern, higher-tech machines that would (hopefully) compete

directly with Japan Inc.?

Money was scarce at that point, the new ownership group having just leveraged itself silly to purchase the company from AMF (American Machine and Foundry, which had purchased H-D in 1969), so it could not do what made the most sense…which was to do both, and thereby create a hedge against the possibility of failure. So they had to choose…V-Twins or higher-tech Novas?

We know what happened, of course. But at the time, in a country struggling through a recession, with bike sales down and Harley’s fortunes at probably an alltime low, the need to do something different, something bold, and something laced with the new technology available at the time — as the Japanese makers were doing to great effect — had to be strong.

There’s little doubt that Harley-Davidson’s Nova project of the late ’70s and early ’80s is one of the most epic what if stories in all of motorcycling. The Motor Co. spent millions during the Nova line’s four-year development window, yet passed when it came time to commit to actual production, and to this day folks in the know debate the decision’s ramifications.

Whether you’re up-to-speed or not on Nova particulars, most motorcyclists of a certain demographic remember pretty clearly the time period in which this mostly unseen drama took place. The mid to late 1970s were very much an anxietyand problem-plagued time for the Motor Company. While Milwaukee struggled with leaky, low-tech and low-output V-Twins, weak engineering, questionable reliability and, at times, out-of-touch AMF leadership (which pushed Harley to build more motorcycles than it could reliably build, with disastrous results), Japan Inc. was about to launch a technological wave of Saturn V rockets in the form of liquid-cooled engines, monoshock suspension, perimeter frames, 16-inch wheels, 100-plus horsepower engines, turbo-charging and 11-second quarter mile times — and all of it blessed with cruiser and sporty styling that would have millions of boomer enthusiasts swooning in a major way.

Those 14 letters on every Harley-Davidson fuel tank still packed a lot of emotional and historical punch, as did the bikes’ bare-knuckle styling. But performance and build quality just didn’t back things up.

Few at the Motor Company were happy with the status quo. Jeff Bleustein, who signed on in the early 1970s, and AMA Hall of Famer Vaughn Beals,

who came aboard in our country’s bicentennial year, understood the company’s dire situation and made plans to help it change direction, setting up a series of strategic meetings at Pinehurst golf resort in North Carolina.

There, a group of engineering, marketing and design heads developed a two-pronged pathway to help rejuvenate the company, one designed to appeal to two different but very important groups in the motorcycling universe: first, traditional Harley customers who understood the history and brand strength of the Motor Company’s products, and secondly, a more performance- and techoriented customer, many of whom had grown up with Japanese machinery, and most who would never consider

Harley-Davidson built some very interesting motorcycles in the 1970s, not least of which was Willie G.’s radical XLCR café racer (left) and the legendary, post-Easy Rider Super Glide (below). But up against the wave of cheap and reliable Japanese machines they didn’t resonate as much as they could have, which made the decade a challenging one in some ways for the Motor Company.

“They were obscenely in debt, the company’s reputation was in tatters, the country was in recession, the company and its dealers were already overstocked with motorcycles they couldn’t sell, and the motorcycle market was in a death spiral.”

DARWIN HOLMSTROM

owning and riding one of Milwaukee’s old-tech V-Twins. The first pathway involved an entirely new V-Twin engine (which would become the legendary Evolution engine of 1983) for traditional customers, and alongside it a range of liquid-cooled, 60-degree, high-tech V-Twins, V-Fours and V-Sixes from 500cc to 1000cc in a range of chassis flavors for the latter group. This was the Nova lineup, designed to expand Milwaukee’s customer base and build a bulwark against the coming wave of techheavy machinery that Beals, Bleustien and Co. knew in their bones was coming.

Despite the uncertainty and malaise of the latter 1970s, which included a crap economy (stagflation, layoffs, and higher-than-ever fuel prices) and a range of other unpleasantness, the Pinehurst group’s dual-track plan seemed pretty solid. Harley would be hedging its bets by diversifying its two-wheeled portfolio, and potentially expanding its customer base.

Development of both projects began soon after, with AMF funding things solidly. “You told AMF what you wanted, and you got it,” Beals told author Darwin

Holmstrom for his Harley-Davidson: The Complete History book. “They invested in major upgrades at Harley and let us hire lots of people.”

On the Nova side of things, Porsche was contracted to help design the new-generation engines (a partnership that would be re-established in the 2000s with the V-Rod powerplant), while chassis and drivetrain development would happen in Milwaukee. One of the more unique design elements the team came up with was the Nova’s underseat radiator system, which AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend Willie G. Davidson’s styling team encouraged so an ugly radiator didn’t muck up the bikes’ looks.

But big change was coming, much of it fostered by the retirement in 1978 of AMF Chief Rodney Gott, who was replaced by W. Thomas York, a financial guy with no real motorcycle experience and a much different take on how to run AMF’s businesses — H-D included. Suddenly, financing this dual-track development got tricky.

“It got harder to get money out of AMF,” Beals told Holmstrom. “York was a bean counter and had hired [an outside] firm to develop a strategic plan. They convinced

THOSE 14 LETTERS ON EVERY HARLEY-DAVIDSON FUEL TANK STILL PACKED A LOT OF EMOTIONAL AND HISTORICAL PUNCH, BUT PERFORMANCE AND BUILD QUALITY JUST DIDN’T BACK THINGS UP.

him AMF should be half industrial and half leisure. At the time, AMF was about two-thirds leisure. [Harley was part of the leisure group. —Ed.] He tried to get to 50/50 by acquisition, leaving no cash. At the time we were one of 40 companies in AMF, but we brought in one-fifth of the revenue.”

Buzz Buzzelli, an ex-Harley-Davidson associate and, later, Editor of American Rider, explained things thusly in the August 2002 issue: “York ordered the expansion of the industrial side, and financed it with profits from the leisure side. Under this plan, Harley-Davidson, AMF’s largest profit generator, would become the cash cow, milked of capital to feed other business interests. The Nova project, considered expensive and risky, fell victim to the bottom line, and was terminated.”

“When York shut off the money,” Beals said, “I knew we were gonna die and take AMF with us.”

Beals felt strongly about Harley-Davidson and the Nova project and proposed to York that AMF get to 50/50 by selling companies (including Harley-Davidson), not acquiring more. York was apparently intrigued, which offered Beals the opportunity to develop a plan in which he and a handful of company execs (thirteen total) would purchase the company from AMF. The group needed a $1 million down payment to satisfy lenders, which was a challenge. But they found the cash, and in June of ’81 AMF sold Harley-Davidson to them for just over $80 million.

The so-called “Gang of 13” staged a celebratory ride from H-D’s York, Pa., assembly plant to Milwaukee to celebrate, but as Holmstrom wrote, “the group was

apprehensive because they knew the reality that awaited them in Milwaukee. They were obscenely in debt, the company’s reputation was in tatters, the country was in recession, the company and its dealers were already overstocked with motorcycles they couldn’t sell, and the motorcycle market was in a death spiral.”

Beals and crew knew they needed to develop new products, be more efficient, and fix a host of other issues if they were to avoid their own death spiral, but developing new motorcycles was insanely costly, and cash was in short supply given the company’s debt situation. So Harley’s options were these: continue developing the Evolution V-Twin, or go Nova. They could not afford to do both, as much as they wanted to. As Buzzelli wrote, “The Nova was the long-range hope, the 10-year promise. But air-cooled twins promised the most immediate cash flow. And so the Nova died yet another death.”

Of course, nearly everyone with a pulse knows what was to come…sales, brand and financial success on a staggering scale, from the middle 1980s to the great economic downturn of 2008. A lot of elements contributed, including Harley’s ability to survive foreclosure during ’81, ’82 and ’83, when sales were ugly, and the effects of the Reagan-imposed over-700cc tariff. Things improved when the reliable, more powerful and no-longer-leaky Evolution Big Twin debuted for 1984. In ’86 sales improved again via the introduction of an Evo-engined Sportster, and the soon-to-be-best-selling Softail models a bit later.

And then, as the ’80s morphed into the ’90s, baby boomers returned to motorcycling in a huge way, many inspired by the two-wheeled experiences of their younger years and a simmering desire to own a certain motorcycle with those fourteen letters on the fuel tank. A continuing wave of Reaganera nationalism didn’t hurt, either, and

this high-tech direction was relatively new to H-D engineering despite Porsche’s assistance, and getting right all the things you’d need to get right to compete with the technically-excellent Japanese would have been an uphill climb.

Early on, a wide range of Novas was envisioned, including sport cruisers (above, left), racebikes (above) and even a longitudinal-engined cruiser (left). By the time the project was killed, only V4 running prototypes had been built, with Porsche’s help. Left: American Rider’s August 2002 cover story.

by the mid-’90s, Harley’s sales, brand image and financial strength were enormous.

So the suits got it right. But what if Milwaukee had built the Nova line and left the V-Twins to die? It’s an interesting question, but one with what many (this author included) feel is an absolutely ironclad answer.

Still, some feel the entire Nova experiment was an opportunity missed, a chance to have stuck it to the Japanese OEs and re-establish the industry dominance

and if it was a key model, as these would have been, the result would have been devastating.

Second, this high-tech direction was relatively new to H-D engineering despite Porsche’s assistance, and getting right all the things you’d need to get right to compete with the technically-excellent Japanese would have been an uphill climb — at least for a while. Japan Inc., remember, had near-unlimited development funds, and was on the verge of introducing world-class chassis

the Motor Co. once held. The end result would’ve set Milwaukee up powerfully in all sectors, they argued, not simply within the heritage/custom/traditional category Harley had traditionally dominated.

But there are chinks in that thinking. First, even without Evo development costs factored in, the company was seriously cash poor at the time, and developing highertech motorcycles, especially a handful of models with different engine displacements and three different cylinder configurations, would have been wildly expensive. Getting something wrong would’ve meant quick death for a model,

and engine technology gleaned from its exposure to Grand Prix and AMA Superbike racing. Harley had basically zero experience here, and its Nova racebike prototype, with its old-school/’70s chassis design, pretty much proves the point.

Third is, well, exactly that: massive competition from Japan Inc., which was about to roll out handfuls of superbly engineered, good looking, fine handling, affordable and wickedly fast motorcycles in sport, sport touring, touring and custom guises during the 1980s. Anyone think that woulda been do-able for Harley right out

“I RODE AND TESTED A V4 NOVA PROTOTYPE. THAT WAS THE ONLY CONFIGURATION EVER BUILT. I CAN’T SEE HOW THE NOVAS WOULD HAVE BEEN SALES SUCCESSES, AND BELIEVE VAUGHN [BEALS] DID THE RIGHT THING SHUTTING THE PROJECT DOWN.”

ERIK BUELL

Styling- and category-wise, the Nova V4 prototypes ran the gamut, from Super Glide-esque (top) to sport-standard (left) to sport-tourer (below). Some interesting tech was in evidence, too; the future-think disc setup up front being a good example.

of the gate in the challenging economy of the middle and late 1980s? Not sure any OE could have pulled it off.

Finally, despite help from Willie G’s styling group, the handful of Nova prototypes in existence are — let’s be honest here — not overwhelming aesthetic successes. Some have called them butt-ugly, and while that’s all purely subjective, the Novas were not going to rival motorcycles like the Yamaha V-Max, Suzuki GS1150, Honda Magnas or Sabres, Kawasaki Eliminators or Ninja

“Harley hit the nail on the head with the Evo,” Burke told me, “and grabbed many of the customers we and Honda had captured in the ’60s and ’70s. They also put the social value back into motorcycling with the HOG chapters. Just brilliant. But I believe strongly that doing the Nova and not the Evo would absolutely have killed the company. Heck, even we had a tough time competing in the 1980s; it was a difficult market, for sure. If I remember correctly, Honda introduced 12 or 15 all-new models in 1983 alone; it was

900, or any number of Japanese streetbikes, for looks or attitude. Sure, Harley-Davidson could have re-styled the Novas once the verdicts were in, but that would have taken more time and money, two things Milwaukee had very little of at the time.

Would the Novas have killed the Motor Company? Many think so, and this author certainly agrees. AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ed Burke, who ran Yamaha’s product-planning for decades and who was responsible for some of the most successful sport, touring and custom motorcycles in history, agrees.

war back then!”

A discussion with Erik Buell, who worked in Harley’s engineering department after his racing career, and who developed and led the Buell Motorcycle effort from 1983 to its demise in 2009, confirmed a lot of this.

“The Nova project got started in 1977, I believe, and I started with Harley in 1979,” Buell said recently. “But there were no running bikes before I was there. As an engineer, I knew that product pretty well even though I wasn’t on the design team. I watched it slide from having some performance potential to being a slug, as it was committeed

into oblivion. I don’t think it would have sold anyway; it wasn’t a Harley to the Harley market, and it couldn’t compete with imports in the performance market.”

“I rode and tested a V4 Nova prototype,” Buell added. “That was the only configuration ever built. The V2 and V6 were on-paper only. Though I wasn’t on the project per se, I was doing vehicle performance testing on all products. There was some innovative stuff in the bike, but the design had been compromised by some Harley-

and history proves it. The decision may have been largely financial, but the old adage of sticking with what you know and doing it right certainly paid dividends — for the Company as well as for Harley-Davidson fans. What’s so interesting — and certainly ironic — about all this are the parallels with today. Once again, just as in the middle and late 1970s, Harley-Davidson finds itself needing to expand its reach and scope to younger, nontraditional buyers, and is doing so in ways that very much

izing of the initial concept, which was why the weight and cornering clearance problems existed, but also the cooling-system concept had some significant flaws. It was not fast. Smooth, yes, but pretty heavy, with very little cornering clearance. I came close to putting one into the Armco while testing on the Talladega road course when the pipes dragged and levered the wheels off the ground. I can’t see how the Novas would have been sales successes, and believe Vaughn [Beals] did the right thing shutting that project down.”

So in the end, Harley-Davidson chose the right path,

mirror what the Pinehurst Plan called for – high-tech, liquidcooled and less-traditional motorcycles like the Pan America adventure tourer and Nightster cruiser. This time, however, the company has the financial and engineering might to do that job.

I think those suits in the boardroom would be proud, and the late Mr. Beals, especially.

…Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. All the difference. AMA

Once again Harley-Davidson finds itself needing to expand its reach and scope to younger, non-traditional buyers, and is doing so in ways that very much mirror what the Pinehurst Plan called for.

There’s irony in the appearance of Harley-Davidson’s very new and very good Revolution Max-engined motorcycles like the Nightster (above) and Pan America adventure tourer (top and left). They’re exactly what the company was after 45 years ago. And just in time, too.

MOTORCYCLE

LOBBYING 1 0 1

BY GR D STAFF WITH JOY BUR GESS

The AMA’s Government Relations Department works hard in Washington, D.C., and around the country to support motorcyclist-friendly legislation and sound the alarm about dangerous or ill-conceived bills. But in the end, legislators care more about your voice than ours because you’re their actual constituents. They answer to you, or are supposed to.

While other groups may let their money do the talking, the AMA has people at the grassroots level — that’s you — that really do make a difference. Dedicated members that answer our calls to action, meet with elected officials, attend planning meetings for public lands, and act as positive and passionate voices for motorcycling.

Recently, some of our Government Relations staff went to Richmond, Va., for what’s become the state’s main lobby day for every group out there, including motorcyclists. This year, AMA Government Relations On-Highway Manager Tiffany Cipoletti and Grassroots

LOBBYING

Learn how to use your as an power

member to effect legislative change

Right: West Virginia Senator Maynard with AMA Government Relations staff members Pete Stockus and Tiffany Cipoletti. Following page: Tiffany gives a presentation at the Virginia lobbying day.

Coordinator Erin Reda made the trip, joining Matt Danielson, the primary lobbyist for the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists. Together they met with key members of the legislature to support and oppose a variety of bills introduced for the 2023 legislative session.

A couple weeks later, Tiffany traveled with AMA Government Relations Off-Highway Manager Pete Stockus to West Virginia’s lobbying day. Between the three of them, the team has generated some tips for AMA members on what this type of lobbying looks like and how you can dive into your own adventure into advocacy for motorcycling.

LOBBYING — NOT WHAT YOU THINK

What is lobbying? For most, the word has a negative connotation, one borne from the idea of some special interest group wielding undue influence over the legislative process, usually with plenty of money involved. But lobbying is essentially advocacy, referring to the action of individuals or groups meeting with their elected officials to advocate on behalf of issues that really matter to them.

YOU CAN HAVE AN IMPACT

Don’t dismiss the idea of lobbying because you don’t think you can have an impact as an average citizen…not true! Our staff has witnessed time and time again how a few citizens or a large group of them — taking time to speak with the elected officials who represent them can be more powerful than many professional lobbyists.

“This is true for one reason,” Tiffany said. “You can vote for these officials. You live in their district, and just by showing up in their office you’ve shown how important this issue is to you. Of course, that impact is lessened a bit the further you go up the food chain. U.S. Senators will listen to your concerns, but your local officials just might be your neighbor or have kids in the same school you do. Just like most people, they want their neighbors to like them…and more importantly, vote for them.”

Remember, meeting with state and local officials probably isn’t as intimidating as you might think. Your state and local officials aren’t cloistered away in an ivory tower of government — they’re usually just average

people who have average jobs in addition to serving as elected officials.

SCHEDULE A MEETING

In some cases, as with Virginia’s unofficial lobby day, you can get access to decision-makers without making appointments. Tiffany and Erin were able to get penciled in for quick chats within a couple of hours, but it’s not always that easy.

When you plan to go meet your elected officials, it’s best to schedule a meeting. In most cases, you can find the contact information for the official you want to meet with online. While you can schedule a meeting at their office at the capital (in the case of state officials), district offices or informal events offer an excellent opportunity to connect in a less-formal setting. Informal events to connect with constituents are generally advertised on the official’s website or social media.

*Insider Tip: It’s always a great idea to follow your local elected officials on social media channels.

A few basics to remember as you work to get a face-to-face meeting on the schedule include:

• Be polite. You’ll probably be talking to a staffer first, as they receive a lot of calls from people who want their boss’ time. Politeness often makes a difference on whether you’ll get any farther in the process.

• Be prepared. Let the staffer know what you want to talk about (often a bill you want to support or oppose).

• Check in. The day before your meeting, email the staffer to confirm. Schedules change all the time for elected officials, so checking in is a good habit.

PREPARATION IS KEY

Now that you have a meeting, don’t waste it by going in unprepared. Develop a presentation that does as much of the work for the legislator as possible. And make sure you’re well informed on the issue you’ll be meeting about.

“If you’re meeting about a specific bill or you want the legislator to introduce a bill or make an amendment to another, bring some suggested language,” Tiffany recommends. “Our AMA Government Relations staff is happy to help you with this, too. Email and we’ll help you prepare.”

“U.S. Senators will listen to your concerns, but your local officials just might be your neighbor or have kids in the same school you do. they want their neighbors to like them and more importantly, vote for them.”

TIFFANY CIPOLETTI

“It’s a good idea to have a simple one-page sheet of bullet points to keep you on track in your meeting,” she continued, “and that opens the door for follow-up after the meeting to provide additional information. Remember, you’re likely one of a dozen meetings that day about wildly different issues, so the more work you do for the legislator, the easier it is for them to work with you.”

In addition, take time to learn a thing or two about your legislator. Check the biography section on their website. You might find out that they worked in law enforcement before being elected, or that you attended the same high school. “Having something in common helps break the ice when you sit down with a legislator,” Tiffany says, “and knowing their background can also help you frame your issue in your meeting.”

remember when your issue is brought up. You just might be the only meeting they had where someone wasn’t yelling at them.

FOLLOW UP

As Erin experienced a lobbying day for the first time, watching the pros at work left her with a few observations. “The two most common phrases I heard from legislators through the day were, ‘I didn’t think of it from that perspective’ and ‘let’s see what we can do.’ Tiffany and Matt explained that you don’t go into a meeting expecting immediate results. You probably won’t get a legislator to commit 100 percent to what you’re asking them to do. That really drove home how important follow up can be. After making your case, you need to remind them that you want to see them follow through.”

Even if your meeting didn’t go well, all is not lost. You shouldn’t let that get in the way of developing a friendly relationship with the official. They’re likely to agree with you on another issue or may come around to your way of thinking in the future.

THE PRESENTATION

Start your meeting on the right foot by arriving a few minutes early. That means planning for plenty of time to park, find the office, and get settled before your meeting. When it’s time to sit down with the legislator or staff member, introduce yourself, be polite, and feel free to break the ice with a little small talk. But it’s important to present your business quickly since you likely only have 5-10 minutes for your meeting.

Here’s a good, basic structure to follow for your presentation:

• Introductions – Who are you? Are you representing yourself or a group?

• Background – Give the basic background on the issue you’re addressing. For example, if you’re trying to get a dead-red law passed (traffic-controlled stop lights that don’t detect motorcycles and leave them stranded), explain the problem — and propose a solution.

• The Specifics – If you’re there to support or oppose a specific bill, mention that up front.

• Stick to the Issue – Avoid getting off topic.

• Ask for Questions – Even if you don’t immediately have an answer, you can always follow up via email.

• Say Thanks! – Leaving them with a good impression by saying thank you for their time can make an impact they

“This is where it’s important to stay polite when engaging with your officials,” Tiffany said. “It’s possible to ruin relationships with powerful officials over disagreements if not handled professionally, while staying respectful and courteous leaves the door open to find common ground on another issue. Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Erin found the ease of interaction and genuine enthusiasm legislators had to speak with their constituents impressive. “As important as it is for citizens to bring their opinions to the table, it’s just as critical for legislators to get facetime in with their constituents to feel the pulse of their issues,” she said. “It was great to see the natural give and take of the democratic process happen within the halls of the state capitol, furthering the truth that politics is by and for the people.”

Your voice matters, and the AMA works to make interactions with elected officials as accessible as possible to our members. Our Government Relations team is standing by, ready to connect you with your representatives and help you bring motorcyclist issues to the table with your local government officials.

Don’t know who represents you? The AMA’s action center at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/action-center has a “find officials” tool. Plug in your address to find your state and federal officials. For additional assistance, email us at grassroots@ama-cycle.org. AMA

“The two most common phrases I heard from legislators through the day were, ‘I didn’t think of it from that perspective’ and ‘let’s see what we can do.’”

ERIN REDA

GYPSY TOUR AMA NATIONAL

...got it’s start more than 100 years ago at places like Weirs Beach near Laconia, N.H., and Harley-Davidson Motor Co. in Milwaukee, Wis. AMA Gypsy Tours have always been about riding and sharing the camaraderie of two wheels with like-minded enthusiasts at great destinations.

And that continues with the 2023 Gypsy Tour schedule, where riders can meet, share experiences and even grab their collectible AMA National Gypsy Tour pin dated with the year.

Americade

MAY 31 - June 4

Laconia Motorcycle Week

JUNE 10-18

Thunder in the Valley

June 22-25

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

July 21-23

Four Corners Motorcycle Rally

Aug. 31 - Sept. 4

MAKE IT YOURS

The AMA offers a variety of card types and designs for members. In addition to our standard card, we offer a number of themed cards that identify you as belonging to a specific group or speak to your passion as a motorcyclist.

Call (800) AMA-JOIN (2625646) to request an affinity card at any time, at no additional cost.

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AMA Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance coverage for eligible members.

Car Rentals

Motorcycle Shipping Call Federal Companies at (877) 518-7376 for at least $40 off standard rates.

call (800) REDROOF and use the code VP+ 503343. To make reservations online use code: VP+ 503343 in the field labeled “VP+/ID#”

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS

AMA

Blendzall AMA members can save 20% at blendzall.com. Use code AMA20 at checkout.

Butler Maps

AMA members receive a 20% discount at butlermaps.com. Use code AMAMEMBER

California Dual Sport

Riders

AMA members save 50 percent off of sign up. Use code AMA. Visit cdsr.us to learn more.

Cardo Systems

20% discount online with valid AMA membership card. Use code AMA20

Colorado

The Dirt Bike Academy 10% exclusive discount on instruction. Learn more at thedirtbikeacademy.com

Use code TDBAAMA10

Up to 25% off at any Avis or Budget. Avis Code: D388100 Budget Code: Z942000

Motorcycle Shippers AMA members receive $50 off each bike one way or $100 off round trip or $50 each, multiple bikes, same addresses. AMA Gear Find patches, pins, T-shirts, hats and more.

EagleRider

For Club EagleRider AMA members receive 2 free rental credits. Use code AMACLUBER

Edelweiss

AMA members save on standard bike tour. Use code 21AMA-EBT03 at checkout.

Evans Cooling System 25% discount on Evans Coolants and Prep Fluid. Use code AMAFUN at evanscoolant.com.

EVS Sports

10% discount and free shipping on all orders. Use code AMAEVS20

Gryphon Moto

AMA members receive a 15 percent discount on Gryphon Moto orders at gryphonmoto. com. Use code AMA at checkout.

Haynes

Save an additional 15% on all Haynes & Clymer print and online repair manuals. Use code AMA15

Heli Bars

Use code AMAM2020 for a 10% AMA Member Exclusive Discount at helibars.com.

Helix Racing Products

AMA members save 20 percent on all products at helixracingproducts.com. Use code AMA20 at checkout.

Helite Moto

AMA members get 15% off every order at helitemoto.com. Use code HELITEAMA

HertzRide

AMA members save 10 percent on rentals in all locations globally at hertzride.com/us/ promo/American-motorcyclistassociation-1065 or use code AMA10

Legacy Track Dayz

15% discount on Legacy Track Dayz events. Use code AMARideLTD

Liberty Sport Eyewear 30% discount on all “motorcycle collection” frames. Discount code AMA30.

MAD Maps Save 15%. Use code AMA15

Matrix Concepts

AMA members receive a 25% discount on most products for shop, garage & track necessities at matrixracingproducts.com Use code AMA25

Medjet

®

Air medical transport and travel security protection – visit Medjet.com/AMACycle or call 1.800.527.7478, referring to American Motorcyclist Association.Annual rates are reduced by 20% and start at $235.

MotoAmerica

20% off 2-day and 3-day passes at select MotoAmerica events. Use discount code AMA20

Motool

AMA members can save 10% at motool.co. Use code AMASAVE20 at checkout.

MX Boot Repair 10% discount. Use code AMADISCOUNT

MX Mounts 10% off on our mounts Use AMADiscount at checkout

MYLAPS

20% discount off MSRP or current sales price on weborders or orders coordinated by the AMA. Use code AMA-789HJK

Nelson Rigg 20% AMA Member Exclusive Discount on all products! Use promo code AMA-NR20

The Quail MC Gathering AMA members recieve a discount on tickets using the code AMA2023

Quin Design Helmets 10% off crash detection, SOS beacon, Bluetooth communication & more with your

For more information and the most recent listing of AMA Member Benefit Partners and discount codes visit americanmotorcyclist.com/deals-and-discounts

Rider Magazine AMA member exclusive discount: $19.99 for 2 years (24 issues) + 2 extra free issues.

Risk Racing 15% off products at riskracing.com. Use code AMA15

Rlink

Rlink offers AMA Members 25% off industry leading GPS Security Systems. Use code ama2020rl

Rockwell Time

Save 20% on select products. Rockwelltime. com. Use code AMA20

Spot LLC

Exclusive service credit on SPOT Gen3, SPOT Trace or SPOT X device

STKR Concepts 15% off products at stkrconcepts.com. Use code AMA15

Street Skills 10% discount on online courses at StreetSkills.net. Use code AMACCOC.

Third Eye Design

10% discount on inView, a wireless brake and signal light. Use code AMA at thirdeyedesigninc.com

US Chrome $30 discount on cylinder plating and dealer pricing on Wiseco, Wossner, ProX and Vertex piston kits.

AMA

COMING EVENTS

Be sure to check the event website or call the organizer for the latest information, including postponements or cancellations.

ALABAMA

Motocross: April 1 - 2. Tallassee. Monster Mountain

MX Park Southeast Area Qualifier, Monster Mountain, 334-415-0415, ride@monstermx.com, www. monstermx.com

Dual Sport: April 21 - 23. Stanton. Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club Tower Run, Perry Mountain M/C Club, 334-327-5086, perrymountainmotorcycleclub@gmail.com, www.perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com

Adventure Ride: April 21 - 23. Stanton. Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club Tower Run, Perry Mountain M/C Club, 334-327-5086, perrymountainmotorcycleclub@gmail.com, www.perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com

ARIZONA

Observed Trials: April 2. Kingman. Hualapai Mtn Park, Central Arizona Trials Inc., 602-370-7546, mike@dirtriderswest.com, centralarizonatrials.org

Motocross: April 7 - 8. Glendale. Supercross

Futures Premier Qualifier, Feld Motorsports, 800844-3545, sxfinfo@feldinc.com, www.supercrossfutures.com

CALIFORNIA

Motocross: April 1. Porterville. Porterville OHV Park

Midwest Area Qualifier, 2X Promotions LLC, 559500-5360, www.2xpromotions.com

Grand Prix: April 1 - 2. 29 Palms. Hilltopper’s Grand Prix NGPC, Hilltoppers MC, Inc., 714-747-1211, plumrdy@aol.com

Hare Scrambles/Cross Country: April 1 - 2. Shasta Lake City. 2023 Shasta Dam Grand Prix, Redding Dirt Riders, 530-710-9336, info@reddingdirtriders. com, reddingdirtriders.com

Motocross: April 2. Porterville. Porterville OHV Park Southwest Area Qualifier, 2X Promotions LLC, 559500-5360, www.2xpromotions.com

Hare Scrambles/Cross Country: April 8 - 9. Chorme. Burrows Ranch Hare Scrambles, Richmond Ramblers MC, 510-761-6115, stonyford70@ sbcglobal.net

Motocross: April 15 - 16. Pala. California

Classic, 2X Promotions LLC, 559-500-5360, www.2xpromotions.com

Hare and Hound: April 15 - 16. Ridgecrest. AMA District 37 Hare and Hound Series, Southern California Motorcycle Club, socalmc.com

Adventure (600cc and above) School: April 15 - 17. Borrego Springs. April California Training, West 38 Moto, 970-581-7402, dusty.wessels@ west38moto.com, west38moto.com

Road Ride/Run: April 21. San Jose.April Club

Ride, BMW Motorcycle Club of Northern California, 408- 464 8094, safetydirector@bmwnorcal.org, bmwnorcal.org/events

Motocross: April 22. Tulare. DT-1 MX Park Midwest Area Qualifier, 2X Promotions LLC, 559-500-5360, www.2xpromotions.com

Motocross: April 23. Tulare. Road to Mammoth Round 4, 2X Promotions LLC, 559-500-5360, www.2xpromotions.com

Road Ride/Run: April 29. Sacramento. Rollin on the River, Capital City Motorcycle Club, 916-442-8242

COLORADO

Observed Trials: April 16. Canon City. RMTA Series Event #1, Rocky Mountain Trials Association, 719-239-1234

FLORIDA

Road Ride/Run: April 14. Fort Walton Beach, 2023 Bunny Run, Sand Dollar MC, Inc., 850-259-0057, d127sandies@embarqmail.com, sandollarmotorcycleclub.com

GEORGIA

Motocross: April 8. Union Point. Durhamtown MX Series, Durhamtown Off Road Park, 706-486-0091, robin@durhamtown.com, www.durhamtown.com

Motocross: April 22. Union Point. Durhamtown MX Series, Durhamtown Off Road Park, 706-486-0091, robin@durhamtown.com, www.durhamtown.com

IDAHO

Motocross: April 29 - 30. Kuna. Skyline MX Park Northwest Area Qualifier, Skyline MX Park and Event Center, 208-407-8006, skylineparkidaho@ gmail.com, www.skylineparkidaho.com

ILLINOIS

Motocross: April 1 - 2. Washington Park. Archview MX Park North Central Area Qualifier, Archview MX Park, LLC, 618-719-3438, info@archviewmxpark. com, www.archviewmxpark.com

Motocross: April 8. Casey. Thor Showdown Series, Lincoln Trail Motosports, 217-932-2041, drew@ lincolntrail.com, www.ridelincolntrail.com

Motocross: April 22 - 23. Walnut. Sunset Ridge MX North Central Area Qualifier, 4P Promotions, Inc., 815-379-9534, jan@sunsetridgemx.com, www. sunsetridgemx.com

Motocross: April 29 - 30. Byron. Byron Motosports Park North Central Area Qualifier, Motosports Enterprises LTD, 815-234-2271, motobyron@mac. com, www.motobyron.com

INDIANA

Motocross: April 8. Akron. Reads Racing Motocross - Night Race, Reads Racing Unlimited, Inc., 574-893-1649, reads1@myfrontiermail.com, www. readsracing.com

Motocross: April 9. Akron. Reads Racing Motocross, Reads Racing Unlimited, Inc., 574-893-1649, reads1@myfrontiermail.com, www.readsracing.com

Motocross: April 15 - 16. Rossville. Wildcat Creek MX Mid-East Area Qualifier, Wildcat Creek MX, 765-379-2482, wildcatcreekmx@hotmail.com, www. wildcatcreekmx.com

KENTUCKY

Motocross: April 2. Lexington. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, www. arenacrossusa.com

Motocross: April 23. Leitchfield. South Fork Motoplex Mini Wars, NXT LVL Sports LLC South Fork Motoplex, 270-230-2005, nxtlvlsports@yahoo.com, www.southforkmotoplex.com

IOWA

Motocross: April 8. Winterset. AMA Iowa State

Championship, Riverside Raceway LLC, 515-3609738, tonywenck@gmail.com, www.riversideraceway.net

Motocross: April 15 - 16. Winterset. Riverside Raceway North Central Area Qualifier, Riverside Raceway LLC, 515-360-9738, tonywenck@gmail. com, www.riversideraceway.net

LOUISIANA

Motocross: April 1 - 2. Grand Cane. Desoto Motorsport Park South Central Area Qualifier, Desoto Motorsport Park, 318-461-9226, desotomotorsportpark@gmail.com, www.desotomotorsportpark.com

MARYLAND

Motocross: April 1. Mechanicsville. ACR Series, Pro Ready Racing LLC, 443-223-9171, ezra@ buddscreek.com, www.buddscreek.com

Motocross: April 2. Mechanicsville. Masters MX Series, Pro Ready Racing LLC, 443-223-9171, ezra@buddscreek.com, www.buddscreek.com

Motocross: April 16. Mechanicsville. Capitol Cup MX Series, Pro Ready Racing LLC, 443-223-9171, ezra@buddscreek.com, www.buddscreek.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Motocross: April 8 - 9. Southwick. The Wick 338 Northeast Area Qualifier, The Wick 338 Promotions LLC, 781-582-5491, info@thewick338.com, www. thewick338.com

MICHIGAN

Motocross: April 1 - 2. Bronson. Log Road MX Mid-East Area Qualifier, Log Road MX/JBMX Motorsports, 419-212-0838, logroad@roadrunner. com, www.logroadmx.com

Motocross: April 2. Millington. District 14 Motocross Series, Bulldog Riders Motorcycle Club, Inc., cchumbo@aol.com

Motocross: April 22. Buchanan. RedBud MX, RedBud Recreation, Inc., 269-695-6405, info@ redbudmx.com, www.redbudmx.com

Motocross: April 23. Buchanan. RedBud MX, RedBud Recreation, Inc, 269-695-6405, info@ redbudmx.com, www.redbudmx.com

MINNESOTA

Motocross: April 16. Brook Park. District 23 Motocross Series, Berm Benders Incorporated, 320-279-2238, bermbendersraceway@outlook.com, www.bermbendersraceway.com

Observed Trials: April 23. Faribault. UMTA 2023 Events, Upper Midwest Trials Association, 651-2615977, bobbywarner@gmail.com, umta.org

Motocross: April 23. Cambridge. District 23 Motocross Series, BCMX Adventure Park, 612-280-8939, bcmxllc@hotmail.com, www.bcmxadventurepark. com

Motocross: April 29. Cambridge. District 23 Quad Series, BCMX Adventure Park, 612-280-8939, bcmxllc@hotmail.com, www.bcmxadventurepark.com

NEVADA

Trail Ride: April 14 - 16 Caliente. Nevada 200 Trailride, Harden Offroad, 951-491-1819, scot.harden@ harden-offroad.com, www.harden-offroad.com

NEW JERSEY

Motocross: April 21 - 22. East Rutherford, Supercross Futures Premier Qualifier, Feld Motorsports, 800-844-3545, sxfinfo@feldinc.com, www.supercrossfutures.com

Motocross: April 29. Englishtown. Raceway Park Motocross, Raceway Park, 732-446-7800, racewaypark1965@gmail.com, www.racewaypark.com

NEW YORK

Motocross: April 2. Wallkill. MSC Championship MX Series, Walden MX, admin@waldenmx.com, www.mxwalden.com

Motocross: April 16. Middletown. MSC Championship MX Series, Metropolitan Sports Committee, 845-554-8717, chairman@mscmotocross.com, www.mscmotocross.com

NORTH CAROLINA

Dual Sport: April 9 - 14. Maggie Valley. Smoky Mountains Tour, MotoVermont, 802-860-6686, info@motovermont.com, motovermont.com/smokymountains-tour

Motocross: April 23. Henderson. North Carolina Motorsports Park Southeast Area Qualifier, Krusty Riders Association, Inc., 252-767-6671, ncmp@ ncmp.net, www.ncmp.net

Enduro: April 29. Lexington. FGSE - RD 3 Sliver Valley MX, Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series, 919-2381627, info@fullgasenduro.com, sprintenduro.com

OHIO

Enduro: April 16. Shade. ACES (Appalachian Championship Enduro Series), Lost In Lodi Enduro Group LLC, kmbarr821@gmail.com, www.lostinlodi. com

Motocross: April 22 - 23. Chillicothe, ChilliTown MX

Mid-East Area Qualifier, Race Ohio MX, 513-266-2866, s.plessinger@yahoo.com, www.chillitownmx.com

OREGON

Hare Scrambles/Cross Country: April 15 - 16. Jacksonville. AMA West Hare Scramblers, Motorcycle Riders Association, 760-834-5006, alexrodriguez_4@msn.com, https://www.motorcycleridersassociation.org/

PENNSYLVANIA

Road Ride/Run: April 1. Oley. Dice Poker Run, Reading Motorcycle Club, Inc., 610-987-6422, ggritt@gmail.com, readingmc.com

Flat Track - Short Track: April 1. Shoemakerville. Short Track, Shippensburg MC, 717-503-8030, candybaer@comcast.net, baermotorsports.com

Motocross: April 1 - 2. Shippensburg. Doublin

Gap MX Northeast Area Qualifier, Doublin Gap Motocross, Inc., 717-249-6036, doublingap@gmail. com, www.doublingap.com

Flat Track - Half-Mile: April 15. Gratz. Half-Mile, Shippensburg MC, 717-503-8030, candybaer@ comcast.net, baermotorsports.com

Flat Track - Half-Mile: April 16. Gratz. Vintage National, Shippensburg MC, 717-503-8030, candybaer@comcast.net, baermotorsports.com

Observed Trials: April 16. Elizabethtown, Candytown Modern Trials, Candytown Motorcycle

COMING EVENTS

Be sure to check the event website or call the organizer for the latest information, including postponements or cancellations.

Club, 717-919-4458, mail@candytownmc.org, www. candytownmc.org

Motocross: April 22 - 23. Mount Morris, High Point Raceway Northeast Area Qualifier/PAMX Fasthouse Spring Championship Series, Racer Productions, Inc., 304-284-0084, info@racerproductions.com, www.highpointmx.com

Flat Track - Short Track: April 29. Bloomsburg. Short Track, Shippensburg MC, 717-503-8030, candybaer@comcast.net, baermotorsports.com

Motocross: April 29 - 30. Shippensburg. MAMA MX Series, Middle Atlantic Motocross Association, Inc., 443-669-3007, secretary@mamamx.com, www. mamamx.com

Motocross: April 29 - 30. Seward, Pleasure Valley Raceway Northeast Area Qualifier, Pleasure Valley Raceway, 814-317-6686, jeffcernic@gmail.com, www.pvrmx.com

Motocross: April 29 - 30. Mount Morris. AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series, Racer Productions, Inc., 304-284-0084, info@atvmotocross.com, www.atvmotocross.com

SOUTH CAROLINA

Hare Scrambles/Cross Country: April 1 - 2. Union. Grand National Cross Country Series - Tiger Run, Racer Productions, Inc., 304-284-0084, info@gnccracing.com, www.gnccracing.com

Motocross: April 2. Hamer. Thor Mega Series, Victory Sports Inc, 423-323-5497, jane@victory-sports. com, www.victory-sports.com

Hare Scrambles/Cross Country: April 15 - 16. Society Hills. Grand National Cross Country Series - Camp Coker Bullet, Racer Productions, Inc., 304-284-0084, info@gnccracing.com, www. gnccracing.com

TEXAS

Enduro: April 1 - 2. Post. Snake Bite U.S. Hard Enduro, Lubbock Trail Riders, 806-781-1524, Motocross: April 15 - 16. Alvord. Oak Hill Raceway South Central Area Qualifier, MX Racer, LLC dba Oak Hill Raceway, 940-577-2225, admin@oakhillmx.com, www.oakhillmx.com

Road Ride/Run: April 29. Stafford. John Walton Memorial Sunshine Kids Ride, Freedom Cruisers Houston Chapter #146, 281-902-8467, djaycutler@ gmail.com

Motocross: April 29 - 30. Tyler. Swan MX Raceway Park South Central Area Qualifier, Omen Promotions, 903-882-4215, info@swanmx.com, www. swanmx.com

UTAH

Hare and Hound: April 1. Jericho. 62nd Annual Cherry Creek NHHA, Sugarloafers MC, 435-6601811, sugarloafersmc.ut@gmail.com

Hare and Hound: April 22. Jericho. Desert Devotiona, Sage Riders MC, 435-650-1250, sageriders@ hotmail.com

VIRGINIA

Motocross: April 1 - 2. Disputanta. MAMA MX Series, Middle Atlantic Motocross Association, Inc., 919-259-4890, secretary@mamamx.com, www. mamamx.com

Motocross: April 29. Sutherlin. District 13 SX

Series, Birch Creek Promotions LLC, 434-253-0505, birchcreekmx@gmail.com, www.birchcreekmotorsportspark.com

Adventure Ride: April 29. Greenville. Mock Rally, Zacker Adventures LLC, 804-929-8079, zackeradventures@gmail.com, mock_rally_za.eventbrite.com

WASHINGTON

Motocross: April 15 - 16. Richland. Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex Northwest Area Qualifier, HRMC, Inc., 509-496-2958, info@hornrapidsmx. com, www.hornrapidsmx.com

WEST VIRGINIA

Motocross: April 16. Hedgesville. MDRA/PAMX Series, Tomahawk MX, LLC, 304-582-8185, www. tomahawkmx.com

Motocross: April 29. Hedgesville. Masters MX Series. Tomahawk MX, LLC, 304-582-8185, www. tomahawkmx.com

WISCONSIN

Motocross: April 2 - 3. Grantsburg. District 23 Motocross Series - Grantsburg MX, Straight Arrow Enduro Riders, mx_chairman@straightarrows.org, www.straightarrows.org

Motocross: April 9. Lake Mills. District 16 Motocross Series, Aztalan Cycle Club, Inc., www. aztalanmx.com

Observed Trials: April 23. Mauston. Smagical Rock MotoTrials, Wisconsin Observed Trials Association, 319-330-8016, nursehuber@aol.com, wisconsintrials.org

SUPERCROSS

2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship supercrosslive.com

Round 12: April 8. Glendale, Ariz. State Farm Stadium

Round 13: April 15. Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta Motor Speedway

Round 14: April 22. East Rutherford, N.J. Metlife Stadium

Round 15: April 29. Nashville, Tenn. Nissan Stadium

Round 16: May 6. Denver, Colo. Empower Field at Mile High

Round 17: May 13. Salt Lake City, Utah. Rice-Eccles Stadium

Supercross Futures AMA National Championship supercrossfutures.com

May 13. Salt Lake City, Utah. Rice-Eccles Stadium

Supercross Futures Premier Qualifying Events supercrossfutures.com

April 8. Glendale, Ariz. State Farm Stadium. April 22. East Rutherford, N.J. MetLife Stadium.

MOTOCROSS

2023 Pro Motocross Championship promotocross.com

Round 1: May 27. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway

Round 2: June 3. Sacramento, Calif. Hangtown Motocross

Round 3: June 10. Lakewood, Colo. Thunder Valley Motocross Park

Round 4: June 17. Mount Morris, Pa. High Point Raceway

Round 5: July 1. Buchanan, Mich. RedBud MX

Round 6: July 8. Southwick, Mass. The Wick 338

Round 7: July 15. Millville, Minn. Spring Creek MX

Park

Round 8: July 22. Washougal, Wash. Washougal

MX Park

Round 9: Aug 12. New Berlin, N.Y.

Unadilla MX

Round 10: Aug 19. Mechanicsville, Md.

Budds Creek Motocross Park

Round 11: Aug 26. Crawfordsville, Ind. Ironman Raceway

SUPERMOTOCROSS

2023 SuperMotocross Championship

https://supermotocross.com

Sept. 9. Charlotte, N.C. zMAX Dragway

Sept. 16. Joliet, Ill. Chicagoland Speedway

Sept. 23. Los Angeles, Calif. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, mxsports.com

July 31-Aug. 5. Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Loretta Lynn Ranch

Northeast Area Qualifiers

April 1-2. Shippensburg, Pa. Doublin Gap MX.

April 8-9. Southwick, Mass. The Wick 338.

April 22-23. Mount Morris, Pa. High Point Raceway.

April 29-30. Seward, Pa. Pleasure Valley Raceway.

May 6-7. Wallkill, N.Y. Walden Motocross.

May 13-14. Birdsboro, Pa. Pagoda MX.

Northeast Regionals

Amateur: June 9-11. Mechanicsville, Md. Budds Creek.

Youth: June 23-25. New Berlin, N.Y. Unadilla MX.

Southeast Area Qualifiers

April 1-2. Tallassee, Ala. Monster Mountain MX Park.

April 22-23. Henderson, N.C. North Carolina Motorsports Park.

April 29-30. Lizella, Ga. Echeconnee MX.

May 6-7. Dalton, Ga. Lazy River MX.

May 13-14. Axton, Va. Lake Sugar Tree Motorsports Park.

Southeast Regionals

Youth: May 26-28. Blountville, Tenn. Muddy Creek.

Amateur: June 2-4. Alachua, Fla. Gatorback Cycle Park.

Mid-East Area Qualifiers

April 1-2. Bronson, Mich. Log Road MX.

April 15-16. Rossville, Ind. Wildcat Creek MX.

April 22-23. Chillicothe, Ohio. ChilliTown MX.

April 29-30. Bloomingdale, Mich. Dutch Sport Park

May 6-7. Nashport, Ohio. Briarcliff MX.

May 13-14. Sebree, Ky. Echo Valley MX.

Mid-East Regionals

Amateur: June 2-4. Buchanan, Mich. RedBud MX. Youth: June 9-11. Millington, Mich. Baja Acres.

North Central Area Qualifiers

April 1-2. Washington Park, Ill. Archview MX Park.

April 15-16. Winterset, Iowa. Riverside Raceway.

April 22-23. Walnut, Ill. Sunset Ridge MX.

April 29-30. Byron, Ill. Byron Motorsports Park.

May 6-7. Tigerton, Wis. Motozone.

May 13-14. Little Falls, Minn. Little Falls Raceway.

May 13-14. Maize, Kan. Bar 2 Bar MX.

May 20-21. Du Quoin, Ill. Indian Hills.

North Central Regionals

Amateur: June 9-11. Millville, Minn. Spring Creek.

Youth: June 23-25. Casey, Ill. Lincoln Trail Motosports.

South Central Area Qualifiers

April 1-2. Grand Cane, La. Desoto Motorsports Park.

April 8-9. Conroe, Texas. 3 Palms Action Sports Park.

April 15-16. Alvord, Texas. Oak Hill Raceway.

April 29-30. Tyler, Texas. Swan MX Raceway Park.

May 6-7. Wellston, Okla. Reynard Raceway.

South Central Regionals

Amateur: May 26-28. Wortham, Texas. Freestone Raceway.

Youth: June 16-18. Ponca City, Okla. Ponca City.

Northwest Area Qualifiers

April 15-16. West Richland, Wash. Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex.

April 22. Tulare, Calif. DT-1 MX Park.

April 29-30. Kuna, Idaho. Skyline MX Park.

Northwest Regional

Youth/Amateur: May 26-28. Washougal, Wash. Washougal MX Park.

Midwest Area Qualifiers

April 1. Porterville, Calif. Porterville OHV Park.

Midwest Regional

Youth/Amateur: June 9-11. Rancho Cordova, Calif.

Prairie City OHV.

Southwest Area Qualifiers

April 2. Porterville, Calif. Porterville OHV Park.

May 13. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway.

May 20-21. Moriarty, N.M. Moriarty MX.

Southwest Regional

Youth/Amateur: June 2-4. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway.

AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series, atvmotocross.com

Round 3: April 8-9. Kemp, Texas. Underground MX Park.

Round 4: April 29-30. Mount Morris, Pa. High Point Raceway.

Round 5: May 13-14. Crawfordsville, Ind. Ironman Raceway.

Round 6: May 27-28. Walnut, Ill. Sunset Ridge MX

Round 7: June 17-18. Mechanicsville, Md. Budds Creek Raceway.

Round 8: July 1-2. Seward, Pa. Pleasure Valley Raceway.

COMING EVENTS

Be sure to check the event website or call the organizer for the latest information, including postponements or cancellations.

Round 9: July 22-23. Nashport, Ohio. Briarcliff MX.

Round 10: Aug. 12-13. Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Loretta Lynn Ranch.

MAJOR EVENTS

Mammoth Motocross

June 16-25. Mammoth Lakes, Calif. Mammoth Mountain. (559) 500-5360. 2xpromotions.com

FEATURED EVENTS OR SERIES

California Classic

April 15-16. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway. (559) 5005360. 2xpromotions.com

Thor Spring Shootout

May 28-29. Casey, Ill. Lincoln Trail Motosports. (217) 932-2041. ridelincolntrail.com

Maine Event

Aug. 26-27. Lyman, Maine. MX 207. (781) 8312207. mx207.com

Baja Brawl

Sept. 1-4. Millington, Mich. Baja Acres. (989) 8713356. bajaacres.com

Yamaha All-Star Pro-Am/Cobra Cup/MDRA Series:

Sept. 9-10. Shippensburg, Pa. Doublin Gap MX Park. (717) 249-6036. doublingap.com

ChilliTown Classic:

Sept. 12-17. Chillicothe, Ohio. ChilliTown MX. (513) 266-2866. chillitownmx.com

47th Annual Race of Champions sponsored by Kawasaki:

Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Englishtown, N.J. Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. (732) 446-7800. racewaypark. com

The Motoplayground Race at Ponca City

Oct. 5-8. Ponca City, Okla. Ponca City MX. (816) 582-4113. poncamx.com

Top Gun Showdown/Mega Series

Oct. 15. Blountville, Tenn. Muddy Creek Raceway. (423) 323-5497. victory-sports.com

Cash for Class Scholarship Race

Nov. 11-12. Cairo, Ga. GPF. (810) 348-8700. gpfmx. com

PRO-AM EVENTS

Pro-Am Schedule

MSC Championship MX Series: April 2. Wallkill, N.Y. Walden MX. mxwalden.com

AMA Iowa State Championship: April 8. Winterset, Iowa. Riverside Raceway. (515) 360-9738. riversideraceway.net

California Classic: April 15-16. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway. (559) 500-5360. 2xpromotions.com

MSC Championship MX Series: April 16. Middletown, N.Y. Orange County Fair Motocross. (845) 554-8717. mscmotocross.com

AMA Area Qualifier: April 22-23. Henderson, N.C. NC Motorsports Park. (252) 767-6671. ncmp.net

Raceway Park Pro-Am: April 30. Englishtown, N.J. Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. (732) 446-7800. racewaypark.com

AMA Area Qualifier *DOUBLE POINTS: May 7. Dalton, Ga. Lazy River MX. (706) 278-2868. lazyrivermx.com

The Corn Belt Battle: May 7. Garwin, Iowa. Oak Ridge MX. (641) 844-4849. oakridgemx.com

Spring Shootout MX Championship: May 28-29. Casey, Ill. Lincoln Trail Motosports. (217) 932-2041. ridelincolntrail.com

MAMA MX Series: June 3-4. Hedgesville, W. Va. Tomahawk MX. (443) 669-3007. mamamx.com

Mid-Minnesota Challenge/District 23 Motocross Series: June 4. Cambridge, Minn. BCMX Adventure Park. (612) 280-8939. bcmxadventurepark.com

Mammoth Motocross: June 16-25. Mammoth Lakes, Calif. Mammoth Mountain. (559) 500-5360. 2xpromotions.com

RedBud Amateur Day: July 2. Buchanan, Mich. RedBud MX. (269) 695-6405. redbudmx.com

Aztalan Cycle Club Pro-Am: July 9. Lake Mills, Wis. Aztalan Cycle Club. aztalanmx.com

AMA Tennessee State Championship/Mega Series: July 16. Blountville, Tenn. Muddy Creek Raceway. (423) 323-5497. victory-sports.com

MSC Championship MX Series: July 23. Carlisle, N.Y. Diamondback MX @ The Ranch at Carlisle (845) 554-8717. diamondback-motocross.com

MDRA Series: Aug. 13. Pine Grove, Pa. Dutchmen MX. (570) 915-4141. dutchmenmxpark.com

Maine Event: Aug. 26-27. Lyman, Maine. MX 207. (781) 831-2207. mx207.com

Baja Brawl: Sept. 1-4. Millington, Mich. Baja Acres. (989) 871-3356. bajaacres.com

Yamaha All-Star Pro-Am/Cobra Cup/MDRA

Series: Sept. 9-10. Shippensburg, Pa. Doublin Gap MX Park. (717) 249-6036. doublingap.com

ChilliTown Classic: Sept. 17. Chillicothe, Ohio. ChilliTown MX. (513) 266-2866. chillitownmx.com

District 17 Motocross Series: Sept. 17. Walnut, Ill. Sunset Ridge MX. (815) 379-9534. sunsetridgemx.com

Travis Pastrana Pro-Am Challenge: Sept. 23-24. Seward, Pa. Pleasure Valley Raceway. (814) 3176686. pvrmx.com

AMA Georgia State Championship/Mega/BIG/ SAS Series *DOUBLE POINTS: Sept. 24. Dalton, Ga. Lazy River MX. (706) 278-2868. lazyrivermx.com

47th Annual Race of Champions sponsored by Kawasaki: Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Englishtown, N.J. Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. (732) 446-7800. racewaypark.com

The Motoplayground Race at Ponca City: Oct. 5-8. Ponca City, Okla. Ponca City MX. (816) 5824113. poncamx.com

Top Gun Showdown/Mega Series: Oct. 15. Blountville, Tenn. Muddy Creek Raceway. (423) 323-5497. victory-sports.com

Tony Miller Memorial Race: Oct. 21-22. Wortham, Texas. Freestone County Raceway LLC. (713) 9623386. freestonemx.com

AMA Texas State Championship: Oct. 28-29. Conroe, Texas. 3 Palms Action Sports Park. (936) 321-8725. threepalmsesp.com

AMA South Carolina State Championship/Mega Series: Nov. 12. Hamer, S.C. South of the Border MX. (423) 323-5497. victory-sports.com

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

AMA Iowa State Championship: April 8. Winterset, Iowa. Riverside Raceway. (515) 360-9738. riversideraceway.net

AMA Maine State Championship: June 4. Lyman, Maine. MX 207. (781) 831-2207. mx207.com

AMA Tennessee State Championship: July 16. Blountville, Tenn. Muddy Creek Raceway. (423) 323-5497. victory-sports.com

AMA New York State Championship: Aug. 19-20. Greig, N.Y. High Voltage Hills MX. (315) 725-0368. highvoltagehillsmx.com

AMA New Jersey State Championship: Aug. 20. Englishtown, N.J. Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. (732) 446-7800. racewaypark.com

AMA New York ATV State Championship: Aug. 26-27. Greig, N.Y. High Voltage Hills MX. (315) 7250368. highvoltagehillsmx.com

AMA Georgia State Championship: Sept. 24. Dalton, Ga. Lazy River MX. (706) 278-2868. lazyrivermx.com

AMA Kentucky State Championship: Sept. 24. Leitchfield, Ky. South Fork Motoplex. (270) 2302005. southforkmotoplex.com

AMA Maryland State Championship: Oct. 8. Mechanicsville, Md. Budds Creek MX. (443) 223-9171. buddscreek.com

AMA West Virginia State Championship: Oct. 22. Hedgesville, W. Va. Tomahawk MX. (304) 582-8185. tomahawkmx.com

AMA Texas State Championship: Oct. 28-29. Conroe, Texas. 3 Palms Action Sports Park. (936) 321-8725. threepalmsesp.com

AMA South Carolina State Championship: Nov. 12. Hamer, S.C. South of the Border MX. (423) 3235497. victory-sports.com

AMA California State Championship Series, 2xpromotions.com

Road to Mammoth Round 4: April 23. Tulare, Calif. DT-1 MX Park.

Road to Mammoth Round 5: May 7. Rancho Cordova, Calif. Prairie City OHV.

Road to Mammoth Round 6 LCQ: May 14. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway.

TRACK RACING

2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship motoamerica.com

Round 1: April 21-23. Atlanta, Ga., Road Atlanta

Round 2: May 19-21. Leeds, Ala. Barber Motorsports Park

Round 3: June 2-4. Elkhart Lake, Wis. Road America

Round 4: June 23-25. Shelton, Wash. Ridge Motorsports Park

Round 5: July 7-9. Monterey, Calif. Weathertech

Raceway Laguna Seca

Round 6: July 28-30. Brainerd, Minn. Brainerd

International Raceway

Round 7: Aug. 18-20. Wampum, Pa. Pittsburgh

International Race Complex

Round 8: Sept. 8-10. Austin, Texas. Circuit of the Americas

Round 9: Sept. 22-24. Millville, N.J. New Jersey Motorsports Park

2023 Progressive American Flat Track americanflattrack.com

Round 4: April 1. Phoenix, Ariz. TBA (Arizona Bike Week) Track type TBA

Round 5: April 22. Mesquite, Texas. Devil’s Bowl Speedway. Half-Mile

Round 6: May 6. Ventura, Calif. Ventura Raceway. Short Track

Round 7: May 13. Sacramento, Calif. Cal Expo. Mile

Round 8: May 27. Lexington, Ky. The Red Mile. Mile

Round 9: June 17. Du Quoin, Ill. Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. Mile

Round 10: June 24. Lima, Ohio. Allen County Fairgrounds. Half-Mile

Round 11: July 1, West Virginia Motor Speedway, Mineral Wells, Va. Half-Mile

Round 12: July 8. Middletown, N.Y. Orange County Fair Speedway. Half-Mile

Round 13: July 22. Bridgeport, N.J. Bridgeport Speedway. Half-Mile

Round 14: July 30. Peoria, Ill. Peoria Motorcycle Club. TT

Round 15: Aug. 6. Sturgis, S.D. Buffalo Chip. TT

Round 16: Aug. 12. Castle Rock, Wash. Castle Rock Race Park. TT

Round 17: Sept. 2. Springfield, Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds. Mile I

Round 18: Sept. 3. Springfield, Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds. Mile II

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 Mission Foods AMA Flat Track

Grand Championship

americanmotorcyclist.com/flat-track-racing

June 14-20. Du Quoin, Ill. Du Quoin State Fairgrounds

AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series, americanmotorcyclist.com/flat-trackracing/

Round 4: April 16. Gratz, Pa. Gratz Fairgrounds (Half-Mile). (717) 503-8030. baermotorsports.com

Round 5: May 6. York Haven, Pa. BAPS Speedway (Short Track). (717) 503-8030. baermotorsports.com

Round 6: May 13. Ballston Spa, N.Y. AlbanySaratoga Speedway (Short Track). (518) 727-0311. albany-saratogaspeedway.com

Round 7: May 14. Ballston Spa, N.Y. AlbanySaratoga Speedway (Short Track). (518) 727-0311. albany-saratogaspeedway.com

Round 8: June 10. Bloomsburg, Pa. Bloomsburg Fairgrounds (Short Track). (717) 503-8030. baermotorsports.com

Round 9: June 16. Harpursville, N.Y. SDR Raceway (Short Track). (607) 725-3069. squaredealriders.com

Round 10: June 17. Harpursville, N.Y. SDR Raceway (Short Track). (607) 725-3069. squaredealriders.com

Round 11: June 23. Greenville, Ohio. Darke County Fairgrounds (Half-Mile). (850) 637-5838. darkecountyfair.com

Round 12: June 25. Greenville, Ohio. Darke County Fairgrounds (Half-Mile). (850) 637-5838. darkecountyfair.com

Round 13: July 22. Ashland, Ohio. Ashland County Fairgrounds (Half-Mile). (614) 856-1900. americanmotorcyclist.com/flat-track-racing/

Round 14: Aug. 12. Salem, Ohio. Western Reserve Motorcycle Club (Short Track). (330) 760-5960. westernreservemc.com

Round 15: Aug. 31. Springfield, Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds (Short Track). 270-442-7532. stevenaceracing.com

Round 16: Sept. 23. Cuddebackville, N.Y. Oakland Valley Race Park (Short Track). (845) 219-1193. tristateclub.net

Round 17: Sept. 24. Cuddebackville, N.Y. Oakland Valley Race Park (Short Track). (845) 219-1193. tristateclub.net

FEATURED EVENTS OR SERIES

AMA AHDRA Featured Series, raceahdra.com

Round 2: April 28-30. Rockingham, N.C. Rockingham Dragway

Round 3: June 9-11. Thompson, Ohio. Kuhnle Motorsports Park

Round 4: July 28-30. Milan, Mich. Milan Dragway

Round 5: Aug. 6-8. Sturgis, S.D. Sturgis Dragway

Round 6: Sept. 8-10. Rising Sun, Md. Cecil County Dragway

Round 7: Oct. 27-29. Rockingham, N.C. Rockingham Dragway

OFF-ROAD

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Grand National Cross Country Championship, gnccracing.com

Round 4: Tiger Run - April 1-2. Union, S.C. Big Buck Farm.

Round 5: Camp Coker Bullet – April 15-16. Society Hill, S.C. Moree’s Sportsman’s Preserve.

Round 6: Hoosier – May 6-7. Crawfordsville, Ind. Ironman Raceway.

Round 7: The John Penton – May 20-21. Millfield, Ohio. Sunday Creek Raceway.

Round 8: Mason-Dixon – June 3-4. Mount Morris, Pa. Mathews Farm.

Round 9: Snowshoe – June 23-25. Snowshoe, W. Va. Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

Round 10: The Mountaineer – Sept. 15-17. Beckley, W. Va. Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Round 11: Buckwheat 100 – Oct. 6-8. Newburg, W. Va. CJ Raceway.

Round 12: Ironman – Oct. 20-22. Crawfordsville, Ind. Ironman Raceway.

AMA National Grand Prix Championship Series, ngpcseries.com

Round 5: April 1-2. 29 Palms, Calif.

Round 6: April 29-30. Primm, Nev.

Round 7: May 19-21. Delta, Utah.

Round 8: Aug. 18-20. Preston, Idaho.

Round 9: Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Ridgecrest, Calif.

Round 10: Nov. 10-12. Lake Havasu, Ariz.

AMA National Hare and Hound Championship Series, nationalhareandhound.com

Round 3: April 1. Jericho, Utah.

Round 4: April 22. Jericho, Utah.

Round 5: Sept. 9. Panaca, Nev.

Round 6: Oct. 21-22. Lucerne Valley, Calif.

AMA National Enduro Championship Series, nationalenduro.com

Round 3: Black Buffalo National – April 23. Kingston, Ark. (479) 841-9174. wildernessrider.com

Round 4: Dragons Back National – May 14. Arrington, Va. (757) 357-5665. oakridgeestate.com

Round 5: Cherokee National – June 11. Greensboro, Ga. (770) 540-2891 cherokeeenduroriders.com

Round 6: Rattlesnake National – July 23. Cross Fork, Pa. (610) 883-7607. ber.us

Round 7: Little Raccoon National – Sept. 10. Wellston, Ohio. (740) 357-0350. adrohio.org

Round 8: Muddobbers National – Oct. 1. Matthews, Ind. (765) 998-2236. muddobbersmc.org

Round 9: Gobbler Better National – Oct. 29. Stanton, Ala. (334) 267-2463. perrymountainmotorcycleclub. com

AMA/NATC National MotoTrials Championship, www.mototrials.com

Rounds 3-4: May 27-28, Canon City, Colo.

Rounds 5-6: June 3-4, Tillamook, Ore.

Rounds 7-8: July 29-30, Exeter, R.I.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

AMA US Sprint Enduro Championship, ussprintenduro.com

Round 5: April 8-9. Arvonia, Va.

Round 6: April 29-30. Oldtown, Md. Promised Land MX.

Round 7: May 27-28. Dilliner, Pa. High Voltage.

Round 8: June 17-18. Bristol, Va. Harleywood.

AMA West Extreme Off-Road Championship, ushardenduro.com

Round 4: April 1-2. Lubbock, Texas.

Round 5: June 17-18. Norden, Calif.

Round 6: June 22-24. Kellogg, Idaho.

AMA East Extreme Off-Road Championship, ushardenduro.com

Round 1: April 22-23. Taylorsville, N.C.

Round 2: May 6-7. Little Hocking, Ohio.

Round 3: May 27-28. Tamaqua, Pa.

Round 4: May 29. Sugarloaf, Pa.

AMA/NATC East Youth/Women’s MotoTrials Championship, trialstrainingcenter.com

June 30–July 2. Sequatchie, Tenn. Trials Training Center.

AMA/NATC West Youth/Women’s MotoTrials Championship, trialstrainingcenter.com

June 16–18. Kingman, Ariz. Hualapai Mountain Park Campground.

COMING EVENTS

Be sure to check the event website or call the organizer for the latest information, including postponements or cancellations.

AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship, westharescramble.com

Round 2: April 15-16. Jacksonville, Ore.

Round 3: May 6-7. Prineville, Ore.

Round 4: June 3-4. Heppner, Ore.

Round 5: June 17-18. Bellingham, Wash.

Round 6: TBD

Round 7: Oct. 7-8 Washougal, Wash.

Round 8: Nov. 18-19. Wilseyville, Calif.

FEATURED EVENTS OR SERIES

AMA Florida Enduro Championship Series floridatrailriders.org

June 4. Greensboro, Ga. Cherokee Enduro Riders, (678) 572-7260, hill6164@bellsouth.net.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

AMA Florida State Hare Scrambles Championship Series floridatrailriders.org

Apr. 1-2. Okeechobee, Fla., Big “O” Trail Riders, (863) 532-1952.

NATIONAL RECREATIONAL

Beach, Fla. Dixie Dual Sport. (727) 919-8299 dixiedualsport.com

Nov. 24-25. LA – Barstow to Vegas. Palmdale, Calif. AMA District 37 Dual Sport. (626) 684-2336 labarstowvegas.com

June 24-25. Baby Burr. New Plymouth, Ohio. Enduro Riders of Ohio. (740) 972-4214. enduroriders.com

June 24-25. Big Bear Run. Big Bear Lake, Calif. Big Bear Trail Riders. (818) 391-3031. bigbeartrailriders. com

July 15-16. Copperhead. Logan, Ohio. Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club. (614) 425-1943 hockingvalleymc.com

Oct. 14-15. Fire Works and Fire Hoses. Langsville, Ohio. Enduro Riders of Ohio. (740) 506-1288. enduroriders.com

2023 Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series americanmotorcyclist.com/national-adventureriding

April 21-23. Perry Mountain Tower Run. Stanton, Ala. Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club. (334) 3275086 perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com

May 5-7. Shasta ADV Rally. Redding, Calif. Redding Dirt Riders. (530) 227-1581 reddingdirtriders.com

May 20-21. Show Me 200. Bixby, Mo. Midwest Trail Riders Association. (314) 409-6936 ridemtra.com

June 3-4. Durty Dabbers Great Adventure. Lock Haven, Pa. Durty Dabbers. (570) 748-9456 durtydabbers.com

June 10-11. Ride for Research. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030 widualsportriders.org

Sept. 9-10. LBL 200. Golden Pond, Ky. Thomas Brothers Promotions (KT Riders). (270) 350-6324. lbl200.com

Sept. 16-17. Buffaloe 500. Columbus, Ind. Stoney Lonesome Motorcycle Club. (812) 342-4411 stoneylonesomemc.com

Sept. 23-24. Mountain Madness. Flagstaff, Ariz. Coconino Trail Riders. (928) 225-5365 coconinotrailriders.org

Sept. 23-24. Big Woods 200. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030 widualsportriders.org

Nov. 4-5. Howlin’ at the Moon. Prescott Valley, Ariz. Arizona Trail Riders. (602) 692-9382 arizonatrailriders. org

Nov. 4-5. Hammer Run. Port Elizabeth, N.J. TriCounty Sportsmen M.C. Inc. teamhammer.org

Nov. 24-25. LA – Barstow to Vegas. Palmdale, Calif. AMA District 37 Dual Sport. (626) 684-2336 labarstowvegas.com

2023 AMA National Adventure Riding Series americanmotorcyclist.com/national-adventureriding

April 21-23. Perry Mountain Tower Run. Stanton, Ala. Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club. (334) 3275086 perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com

May 5-7. Shasta ADV Rally. Redding, Calif. Redding Dirt Riders. (530) 227-1581 reddingdirtriders.com

May 20-21. Show Me 500. Bixby, Mo. Midwest Trail Riders Association. (314) 409-6936 ridemtra.com

June 3-4. Durty Dabbers Great Adventure. Lock Haven, Pa. Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club. (570) 748-9456 durtydabbers.com

June 10-11. Ride for Research. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030 widualsportriders.org

June 24-25. Big Bear Run. Big Bear Lake, Calif. Big Bear Trail Riders. (818) 391-3031. bigbeartrailriders. com

Sept. 9-10. Blue Ridge. Pineola, N.C. Appalachian Trail Riders. (704) 309-3271 carolinadualsporters. com/2023-pineola-blue-ridge-adventure-ride

Sept. 16-17. Buffaloe 500. Columbus, Ind. Stoney Lonesome Motorcycle Club. (812) 342-4411 stoneylonesomemc.com

Sept. 23-24. Big Woods 200. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030 widualsportriders.org

Oct. 14-15. Fire Works and Fire Hoses. Langsville, Ohio. Enduro Riders of Ohio. (740) 506-1288. enduroriders.com

Oct. 28-29. Cross-Florida Adventure. Daytona

MARKETPLACE

AMA Trademarks

The following represents active, registered trademarks,trademarks and service marks of American Motorcyclist Association, Inc. (AMA). Usage of any AMA trademark or registered trademark without our permission is prohibited. Please contact jholter@ama-cycle.org for more information or assistance, (800) AMA-JOIN® • AMA Dragbike® •AMA Endurocross® • AMA Motorhead® • AMA Pro Grand National Championship® • AMA Pro Racing® • AMA Race Center™ • AMA Racer® • AMA Racing® • AMA Racing Land Speed Grand Championships® • AMA Supermoto® • AMA Supercross® AMA SX Lites® •

AMA U.S. ISDE Team™ • AMA U.S. Jr. Motocross Team™ •

AMA U.S. Motocross Team™ Amateur National Motocross Championships® • American Motorcyclist Association®

Arenacross® • ATV Hare Scrambles National Championship Series® • ATV Motocross National Championship Series® •

Flat Track Grand Championships™ • Grand National Enduro Championship® • Gypsy Tour® Hare & Hound National Championship Series® • Hare Scrambles Championship Series® • Hare Scrambles National Championship Series®

• Kids Just Want To Ride® • Motorcycle Hall of Fame® •

Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum® • Motorcyclist of the Year®

• Motostars® • National Adventure Riding Series® • National Dual-Sport Series® National Enduro Championship Series® •

Protect Your Right to Ride® • Protecting Your Right to Ride® • Ride Straight® • Rights. Riding. Racing.® • Road Race Grand Championships® • Vintage Grand Championships® • Vintage Motorcycle Days® • Vote Like A Motorcyclist®

Garage

Tips,Tweaks, Fixes and Facts: The two-wheeled ownership experience, explained

STREET SAVVY

A FOOTFULL OF BRAKE(S)

Learning how to maximize your rear brake can pay dividends

BY JOHN BURNS

If you grew up in the dirt, you already know how important the rear brake can be for adjusting your speed and trajectory. If you weren’t lucky enough to grow up dusty, it’s never too late to learn to use all the brakes your street or ADV bike came with.

It was a Freddie Spencer school in Las Vegas, many moons ago, where the great AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer introduced the class to the idea that when you feel like you’ve just about used up all the grip your front tire has to give, but would still like to decel a tad more to get down to the apex, a great and safe way to do so is to gently squeeze on a bit of back brake. It’s an important enough thing that racers with bad right feet (Mick Doohan, et al) would rig themselves a hand lever to operate the rear brake.

A decade or two later, when matriculating at Colin Edwards’ Texas Tornado school on a fleet of Yamaha TT-R125s, honing rear brake use was again a super-important skill to have when it came to not being run over by Edwards’ hyper-competitive guests and instructors. With the little TT-R’s small and easily-lockable front brake on a dirt surface combined with its lack of horsepower, learning to work both front and rear brakes, smoothly and in conjunction while bending into the corner at the last possible second, was the only way to not be rear-ended and/or run over. Such fun.

SCHOOL IS GOOD. WHO KNEW?

It is strange how attending a really intense training school for only a couple of days can influence your riding for the rest of your life. Once back to riding big street motorcycles around on my native wild and wooly California backroads, I found myself using the rear brake along with the front in all kinds of braking situations, riding smoother and with more safety in reserve as a result. Especially in those situations involving group dynamics, where a corner you’d thought opens up actually tightens up, the ability to look where you want to go and squeeze on a bit of rear brake to tighten your line is sublime. We’ve already known for years that the front brake generates most of the stopping power for all sport and

dirt bikes: It’s the rear’s reduced power and subtle input that makes it so useful for fine adjustments.

BETTER BRAKING THROUGH ELECTRONICS

Fast forward another decade. We’ve all got special attachments to motorcycles that were built before modern electronic aids like ABS and traction control, but if you’re morally opposed to those things it may be time for a rethink. The first motorcycle antilock brakes really were designed to keep you from locking the wheels in a straight line, straight up and down, and it was good, because someone turning left in front of you is where the greatest danger lay, and still does.

If that’s ever happened to you, you know exactly why ABS is a Godsend: In a panic, bug-eye situation like that, it doesn’t matter how many braking drills you’ve been through or how skillful you are: Mr. Lizardbrain takes over and squeezes the lever with nine or ten times your usual strength. The classic “I had no choice but to lay ’er down” actually translates to “I locked up the brakes instantly and she laid herself down.” Sliding down the road is a good way to scrub off speed (and flesh), but using your bike’s full braking power on good tires is much better. That’s what ABS provides.

LEAN ON ME

Now there’s lean-sensitive ABS, which basically works

as the name implies. It sees you when you’re sleeping, it knows when you’re about to crash. Ever since that technology was introduced we joked that we liked it, but have always been afraid to really test it. Last year, riding the new 2022 Yamaha MT-10 around during its South Carolina press introduction, I got a good feel for exactly how good that technology is.

You should never ride over your head, but if you do find yourself chasing Isle of Man veterans and factory test riders down damp, shady unfamiliar backroads, do it with lean-sensitive ABS. In at least one corner that tightened up unexpectedly, I thought I’d hit a diesel patch or maybe some possum grease: Later I realized it was the Yamaha’s ABS releasing brake pressure for a split second to keep me from locking the front wheel at full lean, and testing my trusty Aerostich suit instead of the motorcycle.

THE BOTTOM LINE

We’re not telling you to bin your beloved old motorcycle for a new one. But if you’re on the fence, there’s no better reason than the latest in ABS. In the meantime, don’t forget to use that rear brake. Although non-ABS rear brake systems can be overly sensitive and tricky to use (that’s an issue for another Savvy piece), proper use of the rear brake can definitely have your back.

This is a caption at the prospect of painful skin grafts and ma skin grafts and many, many months ny, many months of painful rehab — and, despite all the

If you didn’t know, this year (or last year, if you’re OCD about math) marks some historic milestones in motorcycling’s — and Honda’s — history. To wit, the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the release of three very important machines: the 1973 CR250 Elsinore, the 1983 VF750F Interceptor, and last but not least the vaunted 1973 XR75 mini-motocrosser.

As you’ll read about in this issue’s Can’t Miss Events 2023 section (page 54), the Elsinore and Interceptor will be featured prominently at this summer’s Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event taking place July 21-23 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The two are foundational motorcycles, for sure, but before we dive headlong into that

The first XR

berm, it’d be a shame to ignore the XR and let its small stature define its place in history.

Prior to the XR75’s launch in early ’73, minibike racing was a bit of a hodge-podge machinery-wise, with Honda’s SL70, Yamaha’s Mini-Enduro and other trail bikes of the day being the go-to machines. But the XR turned the mini-cycle world (and it was a minicycle, not just a minibike, if that makes any sense) on its head.

The XR not only looked right, like a four-fifths-scale Elsinore that would debut at the same time, it was right, with an engine that welcomed a big-bore kit, cam, larger carburetor and megaphone exhaust, and a chassis that responded happily to real shocks, fork upgrades and even monoshock suspension systems.

Mini-class races at local and national tracks in ’73 and ’74 featured a sea of XRs, and while Yamaha’s lighter and equally powerful YZ80 would eventually claim the top spot in minidom, the XR changed minicycle racing forever.

Of course, the XR was a fantastic trail bike, too, with Honda selling a bazillion of the things over the years — and right up to today in the form of the XR-esque CRF80F and CRF100F machines. A good thing never goes out of style, and the XR75 sure fits the bill.

—Mitch Boehm

The iconic, first-year XR featured a grey and red livery with an SL70-spec fuel tank. Following years had narrower tanks and grey-yellow (1974) and red-black (1975) colors. The 72cc engine, sourced from the Asian-only CB50, dealt well with cams and big-bore kits. These three are from Alex Jud at XRMiniRacer.com.

50 years ago, Honda released the 1973 XR75 — the seminal mini of the ’70s

KEVIN WING

A truly epic opportunity to win a bike ridden and signed by AMA Hall of Famer and 1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz? You bet! Raffle tickets give you chances to win a new Suzuki GSX-R1000 painted in Schwantz’s late ’80s Pepsi Racing livery, and also benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Museum — where legends live! A winner will be drawn next July at 2023 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. DON’T MISS THIS!

THE POWER OF THREE

CLASS-LEADING PERFORMANCE, VERSATILITY AND FUN.

The all-new Tiger Sport 660 sets a new benchmark for versatility, with class-leading triple powered performance and specification, head-turning Tiger poise and incredible comfort and capability. Add its category-defining low cost of ownership, competitive price and all of Triumph’s world-renowned finish and detailing, and the Tiger Sport 660 is without doubt the new first choice. From $9,695 MSRP. Find out more at triumphmotorcycles.com