American Motorcyclist March 2023

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8 PERSPECTIVES Editorial Director Mitch Boehm on inattentive driver angst

48 TALES OF THE WIDOWMAKER Widowmaker Hillclimb history from the racers who were there

10 FROM THE PRESIDENT AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman

64 EVENT CALENDAR AMA-sanctioned rides, races and events

12 BACKFIRES Membership feedback on recent issues

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

14 BACK IN THE DAY Where the photos are blurry but the memories are clear!

16 A MILLION MILES AND COUNTING Donald Deuel rides 1 million miles 30 MALCOLM’S MOMENTS Malcolm learns to love Husqvarnas 32 COVER STORY: DESTINATION PAKISTAN Twelve ladies discover the ultimate global motorcyclist destination

74 LAST PAGE Daytona Bike Week: then and now ON THE COVER: That’s AMA Grassroots Coordinator Erin Reda on the cover, with Babusar Pass — the highest vehicle-accessible point in Kaghan Valley — behind her, with just a glimpse of the Passu Cones mountain peak in the distance. Both are in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region administered by Pakistan as an administrative territory.

Shot by Jaime Smith.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com Published by the American Motorcyclist Association

EDITORIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

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. Byron Snider Assistant Treasurer Newbury Park, Calif.

Jerry Abboud Executive Committee Member Thornton, Colo.

Brad Baumert Louisville, Ky.

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.

Hub Brennan E. Greenwich, R.I. Christopher Cox Florence, S.C. Mark Hosbach Franklin, Tenn.

Tom Umphress Jordan, Minn.

Faisel Zaman Dallas, Texas

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AMA STAFF EXECUTIVE

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Rob Dingman President/Chief Executive Officer

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

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

MUSEUM Paula Schremser Program Specialist Ricky Shultz Museum Clerk Kobe Stone Museum Clerk

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

American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly (12 issues) by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2021.

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5

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

7

PERSPECTIVES

HANDS OFF THE WHEEL? WTF?

BY MITCH BOEHM

I

t’s a good question, one that many of us already know the answer to: Are motorcyclists looking at a potential nightmare in the coming years due to all this autonomous-vehicle (AV) technology?

As if the border crisis, out-of-control crime and inflation, pushing adult subject matter on elementary school kids without parental knowledge, 70,000 Fentanyl deaths in the last 12 months, and a whole range of other nasty outcomes weren’t enough, the whole AV thing has reached a point where even the most non-political, non-curious and non-involved person might ask…What the hell is going on in this country?

While watching my Giants get walloped by the hated (by Giants fans, anyway) Eagles last weekend, I was treated to a range of four-wheeled idiocy by the likes of General Motors/ GMC and other automakers: Commercials showing drivers taking their hands off the wheel, singing and clapping and looking around with clueless smiles, and all acting as if piloting a 5,000-pound SUV held the same level of risk to passengers, pedestrians and other drivers as a video game.

Our own Joy Burgess opined about driver inattention in our April 2022 issue, writing: “The facts don’t lie.

Distracted driving and inattentive driving behaviors — like those I’d argue we see in these commercials — are a significant contributor to motor vehicle crashes. In fact, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, ‘Driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near-crashes…Nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention…’”

The other day I was treated to a 8

Mercedes-Benz release on its new DRIVE PILOT technology, which Nevada just approved for use, and which allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel but requires them to “retake control if the system encounters a complicated situation on the road.” In promotional material, Mercedes says the system “gives customers back time so they can focus on certain secondary activities such as communicating with colleagues…browsing the web or relaxing while watching a movie.”

and doing little to control this silliness.

It’s not unlike continuing to allow China-supplied Fentanyl, which kills thousands every year, to gush across the Southern border unchecked — and doing nothing to limit it.

What’s behind the pell-mell rush to autonomous oblivion — or at least unnecessary pain and misery? Are the non-Tesla OEs worried they’ll be looked at as technologically inept by the industry and public if they don’t push the AV envelope? Are the DOT and Congress simply looking at each other, frozen in

Stop paying attention? Browsing the web? Watching movies? All while driving? Are these people on crack?

Do they have any connection to reality at all?

Stop paying attention? Browsing the web? Watching movies? All while driving? Are these people on crack?

Do they have any connection to reality at all?

This sorta stuff is exactly what’s referred to in that NHTSA report, and it’s a subject the AMA has been speaking out about for several years…driver inattention killing thousands of drivers and riders each year.

Safe and responsible driving and riding demands skills and focus, right?

Is this a new concept? Sheesh…

Yet these automakers, with a nod and a wink from some states and the U.S. Department of Transportation, are ramping up for even more autonomous-vehicle surprises for us, as the inertia of this whole AV concept keeps building. I’m not a big government-regulations guy, and neither is the AMA. But if there ever was an area screaming for red-tape attention and oversight, this is it.

Sadly, our bureaucrat class and socalled “leaders” are looking askance

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

place, each expecting the other to move first, with the end result being that nothing happens? And where is the media in all this?

It’s hard to know. But whatever the reasons, this push to encourage distracted driving in the face of so much other helpful safety technology — such as collision-avoidance hardware and software — seems illogical, counterproductive and hugely risky.

Motorcycling is dangerous enough without our four-wheel friends ramping up inattentiveness and mental sloth to historic levels. Let’s hope that some semblance of logic and common sense wins out.

The AMA will keep an eye on all this and report as necessary. But your voice is important, so contact your state and federal representatives and let them know how you feel.

Mitch Boehm is the Editorial Director of the AMA

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • DECEMBER 2022 9

Photo: Francesc Montero

UNMATCHED

F rom the President and CEO

EXISTENTIAL THREATS? YOU BETcha

BY ROB DINGMAN

T

he mission of the American Motorcyclist Association is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.

I want to focus on the latter element for a moment, as I don’t know that I have ever been more concerned about the future of our sport. The threats we face today are not the run-of-the-mill government-knowsbest/nannie-state issues, either.

Rather, they are existential threats to motorcycling.

My fear, however, lies in how this technology continues to be rushed to market, not only without adequate testing but without proving it can detect things that it should be required to recognize and avoid, such as motorcycles and emergency vehicles.

My great concern is that John Q. Public’s desire to watch a movie or surf the web while behind the wheel will override the interests of our relatively small universe of motorcyclists, whose desire is to continue to operate a vehicle with two

If you don’t believe me, at least recognize this: By allowing this untested autonomous-vehicle technology to share the roadways with us, which effectively makes us all beta-testing guinea pigs, we have already been deemed expendable.

For years I have sounded the alarm about motorcyclists sharing our roadways with untested autonomous vehicles (AVs). Editor Boehm’s column this month reflects his growing angst with automakers encouraging inattentive behavior in their marketing, with one company going so far as to suggest you can watch a movie or surf the internet while in the driver’s seat.

We’ve been telling you for a while now that none of this technology has been adequately proven to detect motorcycles on the roadways in realworld situations. In fact, some can’t even detect emergency vehicles, as evidenced by the rash of crashes with emergency vehicles caused last year

by AVs. I have covered this topic several times, going back at least as far as November of 2016, and my concern hasn’t faded one bit. Yes, there is great potential in this technology to save lives and prevent injuries.

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wheels by themselves. Our interests will easily be deemed inconsequential by the bureaucracy, particularly if we become the sole obstacle to a future with fully autonomous vehicles.

If you don’t believe me, at least recognize this: By allowing this untested technology to share the roadways with us, which effectively makes us all beta-testing guinea pigs, we have already been deemed expendable.

As if the AV situation isn’t bad enough, a state legislator in Connecticut whose name is, and I am not making this up, Senator Looney, has put forward a proposal to make any motorcyclist who deigns to ride without a helmet, a practice that is currently perfectly legal in Connecticut, a mandatory organ donor.

When contacted by our government relations department, a legislative aide to the looney Senator told our staff that the bill is intended to “help

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

fix the declining organ donation rates in Connecticut.” The aide added that, “if motorcyclists decide to put their lives at risk by riding without a helmet, we can assume they don’t care where their organs end up.”

The aptly-named Senator Looney apparently has a callous disregard for the sanctity of motorcyclists’ lives. It is abhorrent that his primary motivation for this proposal is to increase organ donation and not to save the lives of motorcyclists. Just so you know, the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization responsible for coordinating organ and tissue donation in New England, is opposed to any legislation that presumes consent for organ donation. Gift law principles typically require a voluntary act.

And for the nitwit that wrote the AMA in response to an alert we sent out on the legislation telling us how much he liked the proposal, you may yourself get the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of presumed consent. You see, since the main goal of the initiative is to increase organ donation, it won’t be long before presumed consent is applied to all motorcyclists, not just the helmetless.

I’ve been at this for over three decades, and I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced threats like these… ones that ignore the interests of motorcyclists and assume we don’t even exist. That alone should tell you that these threats have the potential to wipe out motorcycling altogether, and why a strong, national voice, singularly focused on the motorcycle lifestyle and defending its future, is more important now than ever before.

Rob Dingman is the President and CEO of the AMA, and a Charter Life Member

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • OCTOBER 2022

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BACKFI R E S MORE SIX-CYLINDER STORIES When I read your Perspectives column in the January issue and saw the photo of the Honda CBX in your home, I took the magazine to my wife and said, “Look at this, Hun. Can I bring my motorcycle into the house?”

The look I got from her is the same icy stare that followed other dumb (in her opinion) requests I have made in the past.

Ted Pasche Argyle, Texas Don’t give up hope, Ted! Butter her up. Flowers are always a good tactic!

—Ed.

caretaker for these fine machines.

Bob Iverson Life Member It’s not too late, Bob. I’m working on de-rusting my CBX’s fuel tank and getting the carbs cleaned with help from the CBXperts at TIMS CBX and Jack at OldSchoolCarbs.com. Get with them if you need to, and get that thing running! Put it in your living room when you’re not riding if you can, too.

No sense not looking at something so beautiful on a daily basis, right? —Ed SUBSIDIES ’R’ US In the January 2023 issue on page 15 you are decrying the problem of E15 fuel being foisted upon us by a government that wants to control what fuel we burn, but then, at the bottom of the page, you lament that the government isn’t forcing us and our neighbors to subsidize the purchase

LETTER OF THE MONTH LIVIN’ ROOM MISSUS

Wow! Glad I’m not the only one with bikes in the living room during the winter. This is my 1959 BMW R50 with Hoske tank. Thanks, Mitch, for keeping us normal.

Greg Sproule Love the lamp, too, Greg! —Ed.

Enjoyed the January issue. It was like a time machine that dropped me back 40 years ago. So many great memories of riding my Suzuki RE5 and Honda CBX. Even better was remembering when my jacket size was medium, and I had reason to carry a comb! I do regret not being a better 12

y heart rate quickened when I opened the January 2023 issue and

M spied Mitch Boehm’s Livin’ Room Missus column. The photo of the

red CBX got me, as I owned one in the mid-1980s while living in Jamaica. I have fond memories of the rides I made with two friends who rode a Kawasaki GPZ1100 and a Honda Interceptor — typically an early-morning jaunt from where I lived in a suburb around Kingston, down to the coast, along the Palisades strip and on to Port Royal. I recall that Cycle magazine described the big six as “the automotive equivalent of having a cathedral pipe organ in a living room.” To show off I would lug the engine down to 1500 revs in top gear, then open the throttle…no hesitation, just tractor pull up the rev range with the Kerkers keeping harmony. I miss it.

You’re all doing a fine job with the magazine. Keep it up.

Harold Hirst Life Member Letters to the editor are the opinions of the AMA members who write them. Inclusion here does not imply they reflect the positions of the AMA, its staff or board. Agree? Disagree?

Let us know. Send letters to submissions@ama-cycle.org or mail to American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

of electric motorcycles. A government that is powerful enough to force other people to help you pay for an electric motorcycle is also powerful enough to force you to buy fuel you don’t want, or even to prevent you from buying fuel that you do want. We can’t have it both ways. Subsidies don’t reduce the cost of a vehicle and may not reduce the price of the vehicle either. If an electric vehicle (no matter how many wheels) is not worth the price, then forcing taxpayers to help pay for it is both wrong and wrongheaded. Let the buyer decide if the vehicle is worth the price, and let’s not have the government interfering with the law of supply and demand.

A. Wayne Hinson, Life Member Greensboro, N.C. Apples and oranges for the most part, Wayne. E15 fuel is illegal for motorcycles and power equipment, period. In terms of tax credits for EVs, our beef is with fairness, not whether they should be there in the first place.

If they’re in place for four-wheel EVs, they should be available for two-wheel EVs, too. —Ed. WALKING THE WALK Just wanted to comment on how much we can all relate to you folks and the magazine. I just turned 75, have ridden and raced all types of motorcycles for 60 years, and wanted to tell you how much I enjoy American Motorcyclist and most of the articles.

I feel especially lucky to be part of a group of people that walk the walk. Not everybody races, rides twisty tracks, lane splits, or adventure rides, but your crew does. I am blessed to still ride dirt on my KTM 450 6-day and adventure ride on my KTM 1190. It doesn’t matter what a person rides, it’s the pilot not the plane, but I really enjoyed your BDR write up in the December HOF issue. I don’t think many people can relate to what an unbelievable experience it is to ride 100 miles of freeway and then jump into the dirt and ride into the weeds and back. That’s what my life is all about whenever I can do

it. Keep sharing all the great articles and stories.

Larry Heller NOT SO SOLO Don’t mean to belabor a past subject, but I need to respond to the “Solo or No” opinions written in previous issues. After reading so many like responses, I realize how blessed I am to still have great riding partners.

I’ve been riding and racing dirt bikes for over 50 years…MX, ISDE, cross country, and just good ol’ trail riding… which is all I do now in my advanced age. I can honestly say that I have never in all those years ridden alone, although I highly respect those of you that love the sport so much that you ride solo rather than give it up.

To me, though, it’s flat dangerous.

In all my experiences, my two most serious injuries occurred while trail riding. And if it hadn’t been for great riding buddies, I’m not sure I’d have survived. When these accidents happened, I was not riding out of control or doing anything “crazy.” (Stuff happens, right?) And honestly, if I didn’t have the great riding buds, I wouldn’t be riding. (With the exception of riding my H-D, which is entirely different.)

As my great friend Mike Mather (who passed away several years ago)

once said, “There’s nuthin’ like riding in the woods with your buddies.” RIP, Mike. We love and miss you. I used to just glance at your magazine and then toss it, but with your new format, I look forward to reading it every month. Love Malcolm’s Moments.

Dave Merklin To each his or her own, right, Dave?

Good on ya. BTW, Mike’s quote reminds me of Bruce Brown’s emotional voiceover at the end of On Any Sunday: “There’s something about going riding with your friends…a feeling of freedom, a feeling of joy…that really can’t be put into words. It can only be fully shared by someone who’s done it.” Godspeed Mike, Godspeed, Bruce. —Ed. I am 76 years old and still enjoy riding off-road by myself, and on-road, too. In the 1970s there were 10 of us that would go trail riding, and we always had a great time. Over the years, some quit riding, and some passed away; I am the only one of that group that still rides. Riding motorcycles is a very freeing experience, and I am going to keep riding until I can’t. Stay strong.

Roger McCahill Reedley, Calif.

You go, Roger! —Ed.

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www.edelweissbike.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

13

BA CK IN TH E D A Y

Where the photos are blurry but the memories are clear!

6Riding the deserts in the mid ’70s

aboard my 1972 Honda SL125. It was bored out to 185cc with a stroker crank and cam to match. Lots of power, but the suspension left a lot to desire! That landing about jarred my teeth out! I’m in my 70s now, and I ride a 2007 Honda CRF450X with way better suspension!

Mike Durbin A lot happened between that SL and CRF, eh, Mike?! – Ed.

T

his is a photo of my late grandfather taken in Alabama sometime in the 1930s (best guess). Unfortunately, I never got to meet him as he passed long before I was born. At least I know where my passion for motorcycles came from! If anyone can help identify the exact motorcycle model, I would be most grateful.

P.D. Platt

4In the first picture,

taken in 1971 of me and my sons Matthew and Tim, I am on my first of four Huskies — a 1971 360 8-speed. The second picture is the same guys and the same location in 2022. The bike is my last Husky, a 1976 360 WR. I bought both new from Chuck Boehler Cycles in Jamestown, N.Y.; he gave much better deals than the local dealer here in Pittsburgh, Pa. I have restored my WR as an antique and it received National Senior Award at the AACA show in Hershey, Pa. I rode many enduros, hare scrambles and the Blackwater 100 on them, and never failed to finish an event!

Lanny Liggett

Here I am in the Spring of 1971 with my future wife alongside my 1970 Honda CL175 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Thankfully, I still have the same wife but not the same bike. I do, however, have a fully-restored CL model in my garage to keep the memory alive!

David Hellard

Malcolm would be proud, Lanny! – Ed.

What, not in the living room? What gives, David?! —Ed.

Submit your Back in the Day photos and stories to submissions@ama-cycle.org. Feel free to expound! Hi-rez images are preferred!

14

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

3My first street bike when I was 19

years old — a 1970 Triumph 650cc Bonneville. Today I have a 1999 Yamaha YZR-R1 and a 1986 Yamaha V-Max. Been riding 53 years. Learned on a Harley 250cc Sprint at age 14.

The farm boys all had bikes.

Penny Jackson

6Same brothers, Dale, Myrle and

yours truly (in Bates racing leathers) with the bike, 60 years apart. The bike is a 1959 Triumph TR6, used for scrambles in both Iowa and Minnesota. The leathers were a Christmas present from our dad and were a snug fit last time on, but we still managed. The motorcycle is still owned by my brother Dale. All three brothers are lifetime motorcyclists, and all are still riding.

Wayne S. Frank

This was my first motorcycle, which I purchased the day I turned 18 years old. It was a 1974 Yamaha DT360. I worked at a BSA/Yamaha dealership while in high school. The owner let us ride his dirt bikes in the New Jersey Meadowlands many years before I turned 18, as I couldn’t legally purchase a motorcycle until I turned 18.

After the DT360 many more purchases followed. My current rides are a 1967 BSA 650 Lightning and a 1992 Yamaha TDM850.

Bert Sadonis

This picture was taken of me on my 1941 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead in late summer of 1967 just before I was drafted into the Army in early spring of 1968. I was 18 years old.

This was the first of the chopper type motorcycles in my neighborhood. I traded a pony I used to ride for the bike. When I got it, someone had installed the Hydra Glide front fork. I added the 21-inch front wheel with no front brakes, ape-hanger bars and the seats. It had a hand shift with suicide clutch. I sold the bike to my brother who, when he joined the army, sold it to our uncle. Our uncle parked the bike on his front porch and there it sat until someone stole it a few years later, and it was never recovered. It was a fun old bike to ride, needed a lot of mechanics, and overall, a little dangerous. Now, at 73 years old, I am an AMA Life Member and still riding, and the bikes are a lot safer.

Robert Dry

4This is me in Edinburgh,

Scotland, in 1971 on my first motorcycle, a 1955 AJS 350 that I bought for 20 pounds (about $25) with a cracked alloy cylinder head.

Went to a shop in Edinburgh and bought a scrap cast-iron cylinder head from a 1954 AJS for 5 pounds ($7), bolted it on and it fired right up. My Dad helped me with the engine, and the bike was always a fun ride.

I went to Cornwall on it and had many good times with it. At 72, I’m now back in the saddle on my 2013 Triumph Bonneville and am a regular Sunday rider.

Colin Gillan AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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up t o s pe e d

News, notes, insight and more from the motorcycling universe

A Million Miles and Counting

a goal his dad set but never reached.

“I, of course, changed it when I found out I was going to make more and more as I went on,” Deuel said.

“Once I got up into the low 1990s, I knew I had a chance to make a million miles,” and that’s when I really put forth my efforts.”

The late 1990s marked Deuel’s move from Colorado to Montana, and it was in Montana where he met and began to ride with his friend Hintz, who accompanied Deuel on his million-mile moment.

Over the years, Deuel rode to work, took vacation trips, participated in 35 Iron Butt Association rides — such as

Donald Deuel has dashed up, down and across North America on his way to a million miles B Y K E AT O N M A I S A N O

A

s Donald Deuel hopped off his burgundy 2019 Honda Goldwing 1800 to stop for a frozen treat last September in Wyoming, he was ready to celebrate.

The celebration was not for a birthday, an anniversary or a promotion…but rather, recognition of a milestone the 79-year-old had worked nearly half a century to achieve: to ride a million miles on motorcycles.

“It was about 30 or 40 miles before I had the million,” Deuel recounted, “and I told [my friend Greg Hintz] we’re going to be real close to Rawlins, and I’m going to pull off the road and I’m going to take my picture. It just happened that I pulled off and saw this Department of Transportation sign, and I couldn’t believe it.”

“I almost couldn’t believe I made my goal,” Deuel added. “I was very happy. I went in and had an ice cream cone to celebrate.”

Deuel’s motorcycling odometer began its journey to a million back in the late 1970s aboard a 1977 Suzuki GS750 — the first bike he used to track his miles.

From that point on, his mileage 16

was logged, and Deuel submitted evidence of his hard work when he became a participant in the AMA LongRider program, which rewards riders for hitting annual and lifetime mileage milestones.

Like Deuel, AMA members can participate in the program by filling out the application found at

AmericanMotorcyclist.com/LongRider.

A story familiar to many, Deuel’s itch for motorcycling is stitched into his DNA, as it can be traced back to his father and grandfather.

“My Grandpa had a 1911 Indian, and my dad had a ’43 Harley,” Deuel said. “I’ve got it in my blood.”

Long before his million, Deuel’s first mileage target was 100,000 miles —

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

the Ultimate Coast to Coast and 48 states in 10 days — and did whatever else he could to accumulate miles.

While it is staggering to envision the journey to a million miles, it is equally interesting to understand the makeup of the rider willing to work at accomplishing this feat.

Deuel’s background is one of structure, discipline, and achievement. After serving in the Navy after high school, Deuel turned his sights to getting a college education.

It was during his college experience that the 6-foot-4 Deuel, who entered his high school’s Hall of Fame as a

Spending much of his early life in the heartland, Donald Deuel spent the decades that followed exploring the continental United States on two wheels.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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u p t o s p eed basketball player, played hoops at the College of Southern Idaho for Hall of Fame coach Eddie Sutton. No stranger to success and hard work, Deuel said his background aided him in sticking with and accomplishing his motorcycling goals.

“I usually set goals and try to achieve them as hard as I can,” Deuel said.

What made all the hard work and long journeys worth it? For Deuel, it was the people he met along the way.

“All the scenery and different things are awesome,” Deuel said, “but it’s the people that make me want to

adventure is as strong as ever, and he plans to ride on two wheels as long as possible.

“I started out with a bucket list,” Deuel said. “I think it was probably around 100. I think it’s over 100 now. Every time I go out I add more things that I haven’t seen, or I see something or somebody tells me about it.”

Onto the next million? Could be. keep going. Just meeting different people.”

Like his abundance in miles traveled, Deuel has met his fair share of people during his journeys around the contiguous United States, Alaska, Canada and Mexico.

“The people are so friendly to motorcycle people when you visit their towns,” Deuel added. “They want to look at your bike and know where you’ve been.”

Despite decades of experiences and an 80th birthday in May fast approaching, Deuel’s taste for

Deuel finally hit the 1 million mile mark in Wyoming. “I almost couldn’t believe I made my goal,” he said.

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

What’s Up With “Fast” Freddie Three-time World Champ Spencer is a busy dude, with a MotoGP gig and some teaching on the side been a long time since I t’s three-time GP World Champi-

on and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Freddie Spencer did any instructional racetrack teaching, as his renowned, Las Vegas-based Freddie Spencer High Performance Riding School closed its doors back in 2008.

But lately, Spencer seems to have gotten the bug again, this time with what’s in many ways an offshoot of Spencer’s original school — the Yamaha Champions Riding School, run by ex-Spencer school instructor Nick Ienatsch.

After seeing Spencer at a MotoGP event at COTA a few years back, Ienatsch reminded the champ that he was always welcome at one of the Champ School dates…and recently, Spencer took Ienatsch up on the offer.

“I gave Freddie a call last year,” Ienatsch told us, “and he said, ‘yeah, I think I’d like to do that.’

He’s come out to three events over the winter, at the Streets of Willow, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Homestead, too. The students love it, of course, as Freddie is still a major hero to a lot of motorcyclists. He is aware that “Fast Freddie” Spencer with YCRS instructor (top), and oneven the seemingly small track with students at Willow Springs’ Streets of Willow circuit. things that we teach are vital and is really articulate when he involves some rules enforcement, explains things.” and he’s sometimes the bad guy for “More than that, though, he’s really identifying rule-breakers and enforcappreciative of the fact that we’re car- ing penalties, so this seems to be a rying on the same basic set of skills nice, low-stress change for him.” and teaching that we refined during Spencer will likely attend some all those years at his school, and that future schools during 2023, but check folks are happy to see and hear from with the folks at Champ School for the him! His current job with MotoGP full scoop at ridelikeachampion.com.

HISTORIC

H IS TO R IC

AMA

A M A

GYPSY TOURS ...got their 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.

REMAINING EVENTS

DAYTONA BIKE WEEK MARCH 3-12

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.americanmotorcyclist.com/gypsytour

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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RIDING ROUNDUP

u p t o s p eed

Itchin’ For The Alps? hen come to Europe this

T August for one of three AMA

Alps Challenge Tours…spots are still available!

If an Alpine motorcycle tour remains an unchecked item on your bucket list, or you’re looking to relive what’s arguably one of the very best experiences in all of bikedom, we’re here to help, as there are still some spots available for all three of our 2023 AMA Alps Challenge tours.

When we developed this Alps Challenge concept back in early 2021 along with the Edelweiss folks, we planned for a total of three different tours that would summit the 40 or 50

highest and most dramatic passes in the Alps.

We held the first of these tours, which began in Munich and covered the Austrian, Italian and Swiss Alps, back in 2021 (see our November 2021 issue for the scoop). In 2022 we did that one again, but added a second tour that covered Italy, Switzerland and Eastern France, and which began in Milan, Italy, a couple days later. (See the November 2022 issue for the story).

This year we’ll do three tours, one after another, with Tour 1 launching from Munich on August 3, Tour 2 leaving from Milan on August 12, and Tour 3, which will cover the Italian and (mostly) French Alps, launching from the amazing city of Nice, France, on August 21 and returning on the 29th. Did you know that Monte Carlo is just 25 miles up the street from Nice? We thought you might.

If you’ve been to the region, or know anything about trekking the Alps on a motorcycle, or have read our previous stories (or any of the hundreds that’ve been published over

Looking for adventure?

Look no further than our three Alps Challenge tours with Edelweiss this August.

If you’ve been there, you know. If not, well…you might be missing out!

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

the years), you know what’s involved: absolutely amazing geography and roads; deep levels of history and culture; kick-ass food and drink; friendly people; lots of storytelling (true and made up!); and of course a ton of camaraderie and fun.

It’s often said that life is short and that you’ve gotta get while the gettin’s good…so, what are you waiting for?

—Mitch Boehm

Riding Into History 2023 is now open for the R egistration annual Riding Into History Con-

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cours de’Elegance, which takes place April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. Competition motorcycles are the featured marque this year, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Mary McGee is slated to be Grand Marshal.

RIH is a superb event over and above the world-class concours on Saturday, with a Grand Marshal ride BC_047460_DRI0416P.indd Anthony's benefit logo.indd 1 1 and banquet happening on Friday, great storytelling and camaraderie all weekend long, and a connection to an important and compelling charity called K9s For Warriors, which provides life-saving service dogs for disabled and PTSD-affected veterans.

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purchase tickets for the event and Grand Marshal ride and banquet.

On a sad note, we recently lost one of RIH’s most beloved supporters, Mr. Bill Robinson (above). Bill was a mover and shaker in the RIH orbit and one of the nicest people I have ever met. His smile, smarts and good-natured demeanor will be missed.

Godspeed, Bill.

—Mitch Boehm

Member deals and discounts! americanmotorcyclist.com AMERICAN MO AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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u p t o s p eed

RIGHTS Roundup What’s trending in government relations and legislative affairs

B Y A M A G O V. R E L AT I O N S TEAM

NEW YEAR, NEW LEGISLATION he new year brought a flood of new legislation from every state, and the AMA’s Government Relations Department has already been hard at work reviewing hundreds of bills introduced all over the country.

Here’s just a small sample of some of the most important bills the AMA has identified at press time.

Lane-filtering legislation is once again under consideration in several states, including Washington (HB 1063 and SB 5041), Oregon (SB 422) and Virginia (HB 2127). Each of these bills would allow motorcyclists to filter through slowed or stopped traffic.

Montana’s LC 1511 would increase the fines associated with not following trail-pass laws and would revise codes to deposit half of the fines into the summer motorized recreation trail account, instead of depositing the entirety of the fine into the Montana general fund.

Virginia’s HB 1772 would allow governing bodies of counties, cities and towns to create local ordinances to allow for the seizure, impounding, and disposition of off-road machines used on public roads or private property without the approval of the landowner. The AMA does not endorse off-road vehicle use on-road except in specific instances of trail

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connectivity, but this law unjustly singles out off-road motorcyclists, as similar laws do not apply to other road user groups.

Also in Virginia, SB 982 aims to expand the state’s existing moveover law to include any motor vehicle (including motorcycles) that is stationary on the side of the road with their hazard lights activated. The legislation already passed the Senate and is expected to be sent over to the House for their consideration.

Washington’s HB 1171 would increase the membership of the existing Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board from 5 to 7, and reserve those two additional seats for motorcycle safety instructors. It would also require all members of the board to hold a current two- or threewheeled endorsement and clarify that the two-year terms would continue indefinitely until such time as a successor is appointed.

West Virginia’s SB 229 will strengthen landowner liability laws as they relate to recreation, including motorized recreation. As offroad motorcycle sales continue to grow, protecting riding rights on private property and shielding landowners from legal battles continues to be a major issue around the country.

All of these bills and many more are listed on the AMA’s website at

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

AmericanMotorcyclist.com/bill-tracking, where you can review the good, the bad, and the ugly by state and category to see what legislation might impact your right to ride. Find something you want to work on? Contact the Government Relations Department at grassroots@ama-cycle.org!

COMPROMISED DISTRACTED-DRIVING LAW SIGNED IN OHIO overnor Mike DeWine has signed Senate Bill 288, which strengthens laws in Ohio related to the use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. The bill designates the use of cell phones and other electronic communications devices while driving as a primary traffic offense for all drivers, and allows law enforcement to immediately pull over a distracted driver upon witnessing a violation.

Previously, distracted driving was considered a primary offense only for juvenile drivers, which prevented officers from stopping adult distracted drivers unless those drivers also committed a separate primary traffic violation, such as speeding or running a red light.

However, the bill was amended to include exceptions that should concern motorcyclists. The law allows drivers to hold a phone to their ear

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during a call while driving and allows drivers to hold their phone while stopped at a red light. These exceptions put motorcyclists and other road users at risk, and the AMA — along with a broad coalition fighting for stronger distracted driving laws — will work to close these loopholes.

MORE PARTIALLY AUTOMATED VEHICLES ON THE ROAD n January, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles approved Mercedes-Benz’s application to deploy new partially automated driving features in the state after the automaker completed a self-certification. The feature, called DRIVE PILOT, allows a driver to take their

I

some driving tasks but is designed to allow the driver to stop paying attention to the road as long as they are able to retake control if needed.

In promotional material describing the feature, Mercedes wrote that the system “gives customers back time so they can focus on certain secondary activities such as communicating with colleagues via In-Car Office, browsing the web or relaxing while watching a movie.”

Nevada’s DMV does not issue any permit or license based on an automated vehicle’s level of automation and allows all levels, up to SAE level 6, to operate on public streets.

Instead, Mercedes self-certified that their system meets Nevada’s “minimal risk condition” required for SAE

The law allows drivers to hold a phone to their ear during a call while driving and allows drivers to hold their phone while stopped at a red light. hands off the wheel but requires the driver to retake control if the system encounters a complicated situation on the road.

Unlike features from other manufacturers, such as Tesla’s Autopilot or General Motors’ Super Cruise — which are classified as a SAE Level 2 automated driving system that can handle some driving tasks but require the driver’s attention at all times — the Mercedes DRIVE PILOT system is rated as SAE Level 3, which can handle

Level 3 and higher, which essentially means that a level 3 or higher vehicle will be able to bring itself to a stop if there is a malfunction in the system.

This news highlights the lack of regulation of automated and partially automated vehicles across the country. The AMA continues to advocate for regulations that require new automotive technology to prove that it can safely interact with motorcyclists on the road before being operated on public roads or sold to consumers.

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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u p t o s p eed

Racing Roundup What’s what in the world of AMA amateur competition

B Y K E AT O N M A I S A N O

ryder sigety R ACE R SPOTL I GH T ike Peter Parker, 14-year-old Ryder Sigety leads

L two lives.

Supermoto Superstars hree riders — Lukas Hoellbacher, Josh Mclean

T (shown) and Jeffrey Panelley — emerged with

AMA No.1 plates recently, and became national champions following the conclusion of the AMA Supermoto National Championship Series.

With 175 points — 51 more than second position — Hoellbacher won the 2022 AMA Supermoto Pro Open National Championship. Mclean, who also tallied 175 points in his respective class, claimed the Pro Lites title. In the Amateur class, Panelley won by a narrow 7 points to take home the No. 1 plate.

To go along with his Pro Lites No. 1 plate, Australia native Mclean added to his impressive season with a second overall finish in the Pro Open title race.

“We actually did it,” Mclean said. “It was not easy, but we managed to pull this off.”

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

By morning and early afternoon, Sigety is a normal high school student, strolling from classroom to classroom, turning in homework and chatting with friends.

A model student who takes honors and AP classes, Sigety excels in his studies.

When the end-of-the-day bell rings, however, the New Jersey native becomes something else entirely.

But instead of putting on a red and blue spandex suit like his comic book counterpart, Sigety puts on a helmet and hops on his motorcycle.

“I get to do a lot of fun stuff during the day,” Sigety said, “and when I get home, know I have to do what I have to do. I can just have fun at school and at the races too.”

A successful local racer with more than 20 local and

regional championships by age 10, Sigety turned his sights to the Grand National Cross Country stage in 2020. The transition paid off quickly when Sigety won the 2020 10-11 65cc GNCC Championship.

“When we tried our first GNCC and I won, I kinda saw I could get that

Google tracking shows the many miles traveled by Team Sigety.

championship,” Sigety said. “Once you get into that national level, it’s just a whole different level of work you have to put in, so I tried to keep up with it.”

Two years after his debut GNCC season, the Yamaha factory-supported racer found himself a three-time champion, all while maintaining his status as a public-school student.

On top of the schoolwork, training and racing, Sigety has managed a YouTube channel that documents his racing journey. Often editing on long road trips back from races, Sigety’s dedication and work ethic bleeds into all aspect of his life.

As for the 2023 season, the goal is quite clear for Sigety: win another GNCC title.

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HAZEL KOLB Chris BRIGHTER IMAGE AWARD Real WINNER B Y K E AT O N M A I S A N O

he AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award is bestowed by the AMA Board of Directors upon an individual or organization that has generated excellent publicity for motorcycling. And the 2022 recipient? That would be Chris Real, a man who has dedicated more than four decades of his life to bettering motorcycling and the many areas it impacts.

Real is an acknowledged expert within the transportation industry, focusing on both off-highway and on-highway motorcycles. Active as a technical consultant to many industry associations in North America, including the AMA, Real said he is grateful for the recognition.

“To be recognized by the AMA and the Board is really special,” Real said, “because it’s recognition from my peers and from the industry that I love, so it’s very special to me.”

Defining himself as an environmental actionist, Real has taken action within the specialty motorized industry, specifically in areas dealing with emissions, cleanup, sound reduction and advancing technology.

“We can study this, we can identify the problem, we can talk about the problem, we can point fingers about the problem,” Real said, “but at the end of the day, somebody’s got to bootstrap it and address the problem.

That’s where the actionist comes in.”

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With an emphasis on action, Real has provided technical background, equipment and support for the AMA’s sound meter program. His role in the space has spanned from research and testing to educating riders on responsible sound limits, and his work has been done to hopefully improve the perception of motorcyclists and minimize restrictions on motorcycling.

Serving as the committee chair for the noise elements of the Motorcycle Technical Steering Committee within the Society of Automotive Engineers, Real is responsible for eight different internationally recognized test methods and fully understands the importance of noise control.

“It’s a challenge because it’s technically complex and sound is emotionally complex,” Real said. “If you are a problem in the community, pretty soon the community will have a response and that response is usually non-favorable to our form of transportation and recreation.”

Furthering his focus on action and impact, Real initiated the Off-Highway Vehicle Sound Awareness Program of Educational and Field Activities that includes sound measurement and noise enforcement training for civilians and enforcement authorities.

Additionally, he implemented the “Quiet Bike Challenge” award to help bring user awareness to the OHV noise issue.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

In the emissions space, Real was asked by the AMA and others to oversee emissions testing on off-highway motorcycles at the California Air Resources Board. His expertise and his months of observation of the testing ensured that the motorcycling industry was fairly represented and also prevented any biased information from being propagated.

Additionally, Real implemented reduced-emission lubricant technology back in the 1980s that minimized carbon particulate accumulation and discharge in U.S. Forest Service-approved two-stroke spark-arrestor/ muffler systems.

For Real, his industry work is rooted in his early love for motorcycling.

Recounting his childhood memories of watching the riders in the Greenhorn Enduro racing by his Pasadena, Calif., home, Real desired to ride — a desire that turned him into a “lifelong addict.”

Engrained in motorcycling through racing, riding and his professional career, Real just wants to help make motorcycling better and improve the way it is viewed by the public.

“It’s our responsibility to know where we’ve come from and the hurdles and the reputation that we’ve kind of earned as being outliers and the bad boys and girls of transportation,” he said, “and we have earned that. But then we should be able to learn from that foundation and move forward into the general transportation area and enjoy our form of mobility and fit in. I look back at where we were many years ago and where we are now, and we have made huge steps in the perception of what is a motorcyclist.”

Chris Real founded DPS Technical Inc. nearly three decades ago to work as a consultant to many of the powersports product and vehicle suppliers. The firm performs environmental and sound assessments on vehicles to balance motorized impact and keep areas open.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

THE ARAI DIFFERENCE No matter how good a helmet is, the amount of energy that can be absorbed is inherently limited. Faced with an impact that exceeds that limit, Arai’s belief is that avoiding energy by Glancing Off is essential to keeping that energy away from the inside of the helmet.

Arai is still a small, family-owned company driven by the same mission through three generations – three generations of riders.

We at Arai are motorcycle enthusiasts. We ride. We build each Arai helmet as if we’re creating it for one of our own – a brother, a father, a husband, a mother, a sister.

Arai’s mission has always been the protection and comfort of every person who chooses an Arai helmet. Our foundational principles of protection first, exceptional quality, and rider comfort have never been forgotten in over six decades of helmet design and manufacturing.

This is Arai Helmet.

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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ma lcolm’ s mome n ts EDISON DYE, SWEDISH STEEL How I learned to love Husqvarnas and burgundy-’n’-chrome fuel tanks

BY MALCOLM SMITH

I

may not have known Edison Dye when he walked into my shop, but I did know of Husqvarna.

Most Americans knew little about motocross and the ISDT, but I was very interested in the European scene, and by reading all the English magazines I could get my hands on, I knew of Husky’s excellent reputation on the world’s off-road racing stage.

“I race Greeves,” I told Dye. “I’m sponsored by the U.S. distributor.

He pays me when I win, and I get a price break on bikes and parts.” Dye didn’t seem impressed, so I walked him over to my Greeves racer and pointed out the sturdy cast aluminum frame and front end and mentioned how tough they were. Dye had unloaded a Husky 250 and left it right outside the door, so we walked out to have a look.

I was proud of my Greeves racer, but I had to admit the Husky was impressive. The kickstand alone, which tucked nicely up against the swingarm, was a nice piece of engineering. The Husky just looked right — well-proportioned, lightweight, and with that burgundy and chrome fuel tank, just beautiful.

Still, I wasn’t going to be swayed so easily, and pointed out the Husky’s thin frame tubes. “That’s Swedish steel,” Dye countered. “It doesn’t need to be thick!” I glanced at the Greeves and had to admit it

was sorta crude…more lawnmower than pure-bred racer. Still, I played the game a little longer, maybe negotiating subconsciously a little bit.

“Look, Malcolm,” Dye said, “if you race Huskys here in America, I’ll sponsor you and send you to Europe to race the ISDT. I will pay all your expenses, and the factory will furnish you a bike just like the Swedish team riders will all be riding.”

Whoa. I’d always dreamed of racing the Six Days, but wasn’t making nearly enough money to make that happen. Still, I wasn’t totally sold on the stock Huskies, figuring they had to be different than the bikes being used in the world championships. I told Dye I had to try one first, and 15 minutes later we were on the way to my favorite local practice track with a brand-new Husky 250 in the truck.

When we arrived the Husky lit on the very first kick, unlike my Greeves, which needed to be tickled and finagled. The track had jumps and fast and slow corners, so it was a

PART

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

great venue — especially since I had likely ridden a million laps there on my Greeves.

The Husky was, in word, magic — light, fast, agile and blessed with fantastic handling. Norm had come out to watch with his Greeves in the back of his truck in case I needed to be rescued. I was gone long enough for him to think I’d seized the engine, and he unloaded his bike to come get me. I then rode up with a big smile plastered on my face, and looked right at Dye. “You’ve hired yourself a rider,” I said. I knew that with this magical new motorcycle I would win races. I had the very first one in the country, too, and was already thinking about selling them.

And just like that, my long and successful association with Husqvarna began. I’d ride those burgundy motorcycles for a couple of wonderful decades, and race them the entire time they were made in Sweden.

I cannot tell you how excited I was with the Husky 250 Edison had left

me. I left work early that day, drove home to San Bernardino, and rode my new bike on a local practice track down the street. Once again, the bike’s agility and light weight shocked me, especially compared with my Greeves and the four-strokes I’d ridden and raced previously.

There was a desert race that Sunday in the Lucerne Valley, and I was excited to try the Husky out, as was Edison. It was geared too low for desert work, so I installed the larger countershaft sprocket included in the tool kit, changed the oil, and then went over the thing with a finetoothed comb.

The race was a typical So Cal desert event, and very similar to the

one highlighted in On Any Sunday.

Hundreds of riders would line up along a white line of lime powder, engines off, waiting for the banner (held aloft via poles a half mile away by two guys standing in separate

“I race Greeves,” I told Dye. “I’m sponsored by the U.S. distributor. He pays me when I win, and I get a price break on bikes and parts.” Dye didn’t seem impressed.

MALCOLM SMITH

pickup trucks) to fall as a gun was fired into the air. (Somehow, I doubt it contained blanks.) If you waited for the gunshot’s sound to reach to you, you got off late; the trick was to go the instant you saw the flags move.

The riders would then kickstart their bikes and head wide open toward the “smoke bomb,” which was usually a pile of old tires set aflame two or three miles in the distance. The course wasn’t marked at all prior to the smoke bomb, and because it was a big advantage to get there early so the dust didn’t blind you for the rest of the race, guys went all-out during the “bomb run.” It was usually pure chaos.

I’ll fill you in on how it all went in the next installment.

One of my first rides aboard the Husqvarna 250 Edison Dye (left, above) left with me. That bike, and that marque, would change my life in the coming years.

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

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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TWELVE ADVENTUROUS LADIES DISCOVER THE ULTIMATE GLOBAL MOTORCYCLIST DESTINATION YOU’VE BEEN MISSING OUT ON

D E S T I N AT I O N :

PAKI

BY ERIN REDA P H O T O S : E R I N R E D A , TA L H A S H A R J E E L , A D E E L A M E R , AND JAIME SMITH

O

ne of the greatest joys in life is answering the call to adventure and allowing it to change you for the better. Add riding on some of the world’s most exhilarating roads, surrounded by the earth’s tallest peaks, and you’ve got yourself the trip of a lifetime, right?

This is exactly the experience I and every one of my fellow travelers on A Different Agenda’s (ADA) 2022 “Chickistan” trip had while traveling to Pakistan for two-and-a-half weeks last fall.

Pakistan is a country often only discussed though the lens of political strife or natural disaster. Especially from an Western perspective, Pakistan rarely receives the positive end in conversations. And that’s why I was so eager — and so surprised — when I heard it was the destination that 32

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

STAN

Maggie McNally (previous Chair of the AMA Board), Hayley Bell (2019 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year) and Liza Miller (Friend of the AMA award winner) would be traveling to this September with ADA. Liza was quick to convince me that Pakistan was the ultimate global destination motorcyclists have been missing out on. “If you put every national park in the USA back to back,” she said, “that’s what riding through Pakistan is like. But most people who go there end up saying that the thing they liked most was the culture and people they met along the way.”

ADA is the passion project of Moin Khan, a Pakistani motocross rider and San Francisco State alumni whose goal is to show people the incomparable beauty and hospitality of Pakistan…and change the world’s perspective of his home country, one motorcyclist at a time. In 2011, Moin rode his 2002 Honda CBR600 25,000 miles from San Francisco to Lahore with that goal in mind. The positive reactions and open-mindedness he received from those he met along his around-the-world trip laid the groundwork for building ADA into the full-adventure company it is today.

“Chickistan” is the brainchild of Liza, who after traveling to Pakistan with ADA four times, has become a longtime friend of Moin and shares his passion for dispelling negative stereotypes about the country. After experiencing firsthand how safe and welcoming Pakistan was to women, Liza created Chickistan to encourage female travelers to explore the country’s raw beauty.

Liza has an impressive group to back up these claims. The second Chickistan tour took place several days after U.S. troops pulled out of Afghanistan, an obviously contentious time for that region of the world. Still, the trip was an incredible success, with most of the women going on to spread their stories by speaking at Americade, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Christian Motorcycle Association events, and even on their local news channels. When asked, these women confidently exclaimed that the roads, hospitality, people, and culture were unlike anything they’d experienced before, and that everyone came back with connections that remain strong to this day. About a third of them even returned for the next Chickistan trip.

Enticed by their stories of adventure and the pictures and videos of incredible riding along grand sweeping mountainsides, I decided to trust the judgment of fellow AMA newcomers Hayley and Maggie…and added my 34

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

Our group got to tour the Atlas Honda factory, a Pakistani branch of Honda Motor Co. There, they manufacture Atlas Honda bikes, where 98 percent of the parts are made and assembled in Pakistan.

Jaime (on the bike) looks over the edge of Shimshal Valley road, the world’s second most dangerous road.

When we encountered this beast, I was armed with a good playlist of curated Pakistani music by Moin’s close friend and famous Pakistani musician Jimmy Khan, as well as plenty of “fake it ’til you make it” confidence. Left: The Atlas Honda factory we toured makes 1.2 million bikes a year. A new bike comes off the assembly line every 24 seconds.

I, of course, had my fair share of hesitation about traveling to Pakistan, and tried hard not to allow the gossip about a country I have never been to, by people who have also never been there, get to me.

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Left: Maggie and Lili wait at a check point where we all regroup. Below: Haley Bell’s infectious smile lights a Pakistani bazaar. Right: Jamie, Relda, Erin, Maggie, Arlete, Lili, Liza, Hayley, Rachel, Liv, Tamar, and Christina, all pose at Khunjerab Pass, a point on the Karakorum Highway marking where the northern border of Pakistan and the southwest border of China meet.

name to the list.

I, of course, had my fair share of ignorant hesitation about traveling to Pakistan, and tried hard not to allow the gossip about a country I have never been to, by people who have also never been there, get to me. The stories of everyone’s overprotective friends and family’s reaction to them going to Pakistan (my mother actually looked into buying kidnapping insurance for me!) became a running joke during our trip, as we experienced nothing but the most welcoming, over-the-top hospitality from every Pakistani local that we met.

“Hospitality is a deep part of Pakistani culture,” Moin explained. “When you come to visit, you’re not just my guest, you’re the guest of everyone, and we take this very seriously.”

I got to experience this unique sense of welcome even before arriving. As the only non-south-Asian person on my flight from Abu Dhabi to Pakistan, I was immediately pulled into conversation by the Pakistani university student sitting next to me, who was extremely excited to hear about my trip. He made sure to recommend the best places to stop in every town on my itinerary and told me that if my group had an extra night in Lahore his family would love to have us over for dinner.

From the moment I stepped off the plane, I was instantly struck by how incredibly appreciative everyone was that we, especially Americans, would be traveling to visit Pakistan. Everywhere we went we were bombarded with requests for selfies, invitations to family dinners, and asked how we liked Pakistan. This led to my second discovery, which is that most of the Pakistani population speaks English. With the third largest Englishspeaking population in the world, the ability to communicate in some form with most people helped ease the culture shock and made finding bathrooms a breeze (always important!).

“When you tell them ‘I’m here

from America just to see this country’ and they say thank you, it’s a genuine thank you,” Liza said confidently after experiencing the same reception on all four of her trips.

“They know we have overcome misconceptions, we’re not believing what their story has been painted to be, and have decided to come see Pakistan for ourselves.”

This warm welcome didn’t end once we got on two wheels, either. Immediately identifiable as foreigners due to being the only people in full motorcycle gear and wearing helmets, locals would wave to us as we rode past. The best part was the school children, boys and girls

We followed a trip itinerary, but Moin’s motto is, “there’s always room for cool people and experiences,” so we often went off map.

Moin feels confident letting riders explore Pakistan at their own pace since he’s never had a security risk.

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whose faces lit up and who would reach out their hands for us to high five from our motorcycles. One kid put so much enthusiasm into his high five that it almost knocked Chickistan alum Lili Dobert off her bike.

In addition to the natural interest that seeing any foreigners brought, kids were also excited to see us riding the Atlas Honda CB150F, the very first Pakistani-made motorcycle to have a push-button start and usually the largest engine on the road.

“This is the McLaren of the motorcycle world there,” Liza said, “They weren’t sure if it would succeed because the way the tank is constructed doesn’t allow you to put your children on it — that’s a deal breaker for a lot of families.”

In Pakistan, motorcycles are an everyday part of life.

It’s not unusual to see families of four riding on one bike.

So when the Atlas Honda CB150F’s design was released, and children could not fit their legs between the tank and the handlebars, it changed this bike’s primary purpose Above: The Wagah border ceremony — an elaborate, twice-aday tradition between Pakistan and India celebrating another day of peace — was a highlight. Right: The world’s highest ATM, sitting 15,394 feet high at Khunjerab Pass. Unfortunately, it didn’t work when we tried to take out money.

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from functional to recreational.

Our group got to tour the Atlas Honda factory, a Pakistani branch of Honda Motor Co. There, they manufacture Atlas Honda bikes, where 98 percent of the parts are made and assembled in Pakistan. Because of this hyper localization they can fully assemble a brandnew motorcycle in under 22 minutes. Walking through the assembly process step by step along the conveyer belt was like stepping into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, an absolute giddy delight for any motorcycle fan.

Unsurprisingly, Hondas make up the majority of all the bikes in the country, so much so that Liza started a game called “find the not-Honda!” that we played throughout the trip, where someone would shout out whenever we located

a bike of a different brand. This happened very rarely.

While a 150cc motorcycle might not be an American’s first choice for an adventure vehicle, the Atlas Honda bikes are motorcycles made by and for the Pakistani people. They perfectly fit into the way of life and terrain of this beautifully-mountainous country.

As western riders, we’re often told that anything under 500cc is worthless on the highway. As someone whose first bike was a 500cc Buell Blast, who then in less than a year upgraded to the 998cc Buell XB9S, I never even conceived that riding a 150cc bike would be more than enough power to get around some of the world’s most dangerous roads. But that is exactly what these bikes were designed to do. Absolutely bulletproof, the Atlas Honda CB150Fs are the little bikes that could. This bike fearlessly took me over mountains, across gravel plains, through rivers, and past every car on the road.

“The bike is so rugged and stable, it’ll take any beating you give it,” Rachel Stienstra, another repeat Chickistan attendee, said. “I trust these bikes more than I trust my own riding.”

In addition to the Honda CB150F being vastly underpowered compared to American standards, it is also a street bike. With street tires. Which led to some trepidation when traversing some of the most insane off-road terrain

I had ever seen. As someone who’d only sat on a dirt bike once, the learning curve was steep and instant.

Thankfully our trip included Hayley Bell, a famously talented dirt biker who could act as a readily available expert for any questions that came up, no matter how stupid. Quick dirt bike classes happened anywhere from hotel parking lots to mountain plateaus. While gravel roads that end in sheer cliff drops may not be the safest learning environment, they certainly are a motivating one!

As the pride of Pakistani engineering carried us through the country’s northern mountainous terrain, you couldn’t help but fall in love with everything around you. As we wound with the Indus River between mountains its history unraveled around us. Everywhere we looked we caught glimpses of cultures of centuries past.

“What I love about these trips is that we’re in this window of time in Pakistan, where what you’re seeing is not catered for tourism.” Liza says. “We’re invited into people’s lives and get to experience their history and culture firsthand.”

Every riding day the road was filled with picturesque small villages, twisty roads, and breaks for chai tea. Chats with locals often ended with laughter and selfies, and everywhere we stopped seemed to hold a few magical moments just waiting for us to find them.

While every day seemed to push the bar for “the most

“Everyone you meet so clearly wants the world’s perception changed, And I think us coming helps that cause. We’re taking these stories home and educating our own people, and that’s the most important part of these trips.”

RACHEL STIENSTRA

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beautiful thing I’ve ever seen” category in my head, two locations shown through as the highlights of the trip for me.

The first was Deosai National Park, the second highest plateau in the world, with an average elevation of around 15,000 feet. Nicknamed “the land of giants,” Deosai is a dizzyingly vast alpine plain filled with baby head gravel and beautiful lakes. It’s also where I first learned that standing up while riding over loose rocks isn’t an option — it’s a necessity.

Deosai is one of those locations that will always find a way to challenge you.

As someone who’d never been dirt biking before, this was the first true test for me. I was lucky enough to be riding with Liza, an avid and experienced dirt rider, who set a “comfortable” pace of do or die for us. However, Deosai followed the classic truth that the harder something is, the sweeter the reward will be.

After riding about four hours through Deosai, my legs hurt, my head hurt, and I was silently cursing Moin for making us go through this. Then, right as I was about to vocalize those opinions, the mountains opened up before me to reveal the most jaw dropping view of the sunlit Himalayas. I was instantly hit with a wave of euphoria at the sight, and I hated that it made the past hours of abuse completely worth it.

“Taking on Deosai as a 40-year road rider was definitely the triumph of my trip,” Maggie said, who is also a longtime MSF instructor. “Getting to challenge myself in that way, with Hayley cheering me on — that was a blast.”

There’s a healthy danger to a lot of the roads in Pakistan. Seemingly impossible when you first look at them, and yet in the next moment you’ve made it through.

With faith in your trusty bike and skills, anything became possible.

“Here you challenge the environment as it challenges you, and you grow as a motorcyclist because of it.” Rachel said with a smile.

While Deosai had pushed me to my limits, 40

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the looming reputation of our final destination, Shimshal, floated over our heads the entire trip. Tucked away in the Karakorum mountains, Shimshal is only accessible by the second most dangerous road in the world: Shimshal Valley road. Previously a donkey trail that took 18 years to transform into a dirt road just wide enough for a jeep or truck, it’s not for the faint hearted. Almost daily landslides threaten to erase sections of the road, but when parts slide away, the locals stack rocks underneath the fallen areas until its level again.

Shimshal Valley road is about a three-hour route of barely-there gravel roads giving way to sheer cliff drops into a rushing river below, with numerous suspension bridges, deep sand patches, and water crossings spread throughout. We were told it’s safer to ride on the cliff edge, since hugging the mountain risks having loose rocks knock you off. At the end of the road is Shimshal village, a community of farmers and mountaineers that have been living a simple life mostly untouched by the outside world.

Riding Shimshal was exhilarating and freeing, an

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intoxicating combination of fear and excitement that bleeds its way into any good adventure. Riding on the cliffside lets you see everything with stunning clarity, the miles of road and river that stretch ahead, unobscured by vehicles or signs of human interference. With every turn the sights and excitement just got better and better, a constant “I can’t believe I get to do this!” playing on repeat in my head. Before long my cheeks began to hurt in my helmet from the giddy smile I couldn’t get off my face.

After riding for about three hours the road ends and the mountains open to a deep valley greeting you with a village that looks like it’s right out of a storybook.

Cows, goats, and sheep litter the rolling farmland, while kids run around laughing and playing. It’s a perfect slice of paradise nestled in a mountain range; so picturesque it makes you overlook the harsh reality of the logistical nightmare of having Shimshal valley road be this village’s only access to

Left: Moin (pictured) actually attended 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to speak about the ADA’s mission. News of his incredible trips have spread, and his name and impact has started receiving recognition for his positive influence on Pakistan’s foreign reputation. He’s been a key player in helping the country reestablish a strong tourism sector.

“Hospitality is a deep part of Pakistani culture. When you come to visit, you’re not just my guest, you’re the guest of everyone, and we take this very seriously.”

MOIN KHAN

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Atlas Honda bikes line the streets of Skardu City.

Crime is so low in Pakistan that most people leave their bikes outside with the keys still in them. Right center: Hussn joins the excitement with her students at Shimshal Girls School aboard their new donated Atlas Hondas.

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the outside world. It’s moments like this that the second largest part of Moin’s trips come to light — charity work.

As we were welcomed into the authentic experience of these local villages, Moin makes sure to give back tenfold to the communities that gift us with their hospitality. As beautiful as Shimshal Valley is, it is also a community that struggles to get essential needs met due to its remote and difficult location, only becoming accessible by vehicle two years ago.

On the previous Chickistan trip, Moin took everyone to Shimshal Girls’ Hostel, a boarding school in the closest major town down in the mountain, Karimabad. It was founded by Hussn Bibi, the first girl from Shimshal to

graduate high school and college. She was self-taught and had to hike three days down the mountain to take her tests and pass her grades. After getting her teaching degree, she opened her school so the rest of the girls from her village could have the opportunity to get a competitive education. As of today there are 80 girls living and studying there, with full room and board costing $250 per year.

“She never turns anyone away,” Jaime Smith, another Chickistan alum, says, “she just makes money and food stretch further, and digs into her own pockets — which are not deep.”

Meeting Hussn and hearing her story had a deep impact on all of the women in the previous Chickistan group, and the ones returning wanted to give back. While Jaime and Lily raised $4,300 from friends and family to sponsor the education of 17 girls, Liza decided to pair up her podcast, Motorcycles and Misfits, with Maggie’s organization, Women Riders Now, to donate two brand-

new motorcycles to the girls’ school.

In addition to the bikes, the returning women collected donated motorcycle gear, tool kits, and prepaid for one year of maintenance from a local mechanic to help the girls learn to take care of the motorcycles. Through these bikes, the girls can learn new skills, enjoy the freedom of movement, return to their homes more easily, and have immediate access to transportation in case of an emergency.

Aisha Aslam, a female motorcyclist and vlogger we met during one of our rides and who decided to join us for parts of our trip, has also committed to teaching the girls how to ride their new bikes.

“There’s something very empowering about riding,” Aisha said, “Just because I ride, I get to help these girls from Shimshal, and that’s great in its own way.”

Seeing the girls’ faces light up after receiving the motorcycles reminded me of how I felt the first time I swung a leg over one. We put the bikes in neutral and popped them on the center stand so that the girls could take turns getting a feel for sitting on them and revving the engines. It quickly turned into classic teenage chaos, as every girl wanted to have a turn making the bikes roar.

“This is more than just survival,” Lili said. “We covered their basic needs, and now they get to have some fun.”

On the day we were scheduled to leave Shimshal, Jaime and I decided to depart earlier than the rest of the group so we could spend more time in the village. As we rode our bikes between the houses and fields, we stopped to speak with every person we saw. We got invited into one man’s family wheat mill, where we met his 80-yearold mountaineering father who was still minding the grain.

We also ran into the mother of one of the girls attending Shimshal Girls’ Hostel, who immediately asked us if we were the Americans who donated two motorcycles to her daughter’s school. Our conversation was filled with tears and thanks before she quickly introduced us to the rest of her family.

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Riding through all of Shimshal Valley only took about an hour, even when stopping to speak with every road builder and mountaineer we saw. Each interaction was laced with the same continuing undertone of the trip: “thank you so much for coming and seeing the beauty of Pakistan.”

In addition to riding days, another highlight of the trip was when we were in villages for longer than 24 hours.

My favorite was Karimabad, which is the capital of Hunza District and a beautiful mountain town nestled in the Hunza Valley.

Taking a break from the constant riding allowed us to relax and take our time walking through these historic towns. Shopkeepers would start up their generators as we walked past, clearly excited to meet us and show us their products. Normally, you expect to pay a “tourist tax” when traveling to another country, but often the exact opposite was the case in Pakistan.

“There were times last year where we would go to buy a Coke or a candy bar and they wouldn’t let us pay for it,” Rachel said.

I experienced this same level of generosity multiple times. Once, when I expressed interest in a bag that had a firm price tag on it, the owner of the store refused to take my money, saying that since I was a guest in his country, he couldn’t charge me. Eventually I convinced him to let me give him at least one third of the original price.

“Some places we had meals, it was difficult to pay.” Moin said, “People would be like, they’re your guests. They’re our guests.

They’re Pakistan’s guests, so we can’t take money from you guys.”

After Shimshal, it was a mad dash back to Islamabad so we could make our flights. This is where we experienced the “crazy” traffic most people associate with Delhi or Mumbai. Defensive driving is not an option…if you’re not aggressive your spot quickly gets taken and you’ll get hit. Everyone assumes that others will take the initiative to just GO, which allows you to predict other vehicles’ movements easily. All of this, along with the added fact that honking is simply a regular “Hey! I’m here!” noise in Pakistan, made being in the heart of it surreal and exhilarating.

And if at any point someone was overwhelmed by the roads, Moin had a safety plan in action. Two support trucks followed us our entire journey, with full-time staff 46

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waiting to jump on anyone’s bike to give them a break from riding. Making Pakistan as fun and accessible as possible is Moin’s goal. With the diversity of Pakistan’s roads and nature, he can craft any adventure experience you could possibly want, from a fully paved riding trip to an off-road excursion.

“Pakistan has got to be on your bucket list,” Maggie — who’ll be leading the 2023 Chickistan tour — responded when I asked what she’d like to say to AMA members about the trip. “Plenty of incredible roads. You can go to China and India on paved roads if you don’t want to do dirt. Just get ahold of Moin, tell him what you want, and he’ll take really good care of you.”

Moin’s passion for his country, motorcycles, and the gift of life is infectious, and his mindset rings universally true: “all you need to do is find the motorcyclists, and adventure is inevitable.”

After landing back in the States, I can confidently say that my world view has changed for the better. Over the course of those two-and-a-half weeks I grew into a significantly better rider and traveler. Pakistan truly is the destination we’ve all been missing out on. With breathtaking scenery, exhilarating roads, preserved culture and history, and an incredibly favorable exchange rate to the American dollar, Pakistan is the best kept secret you need to get in on.

“Everyone you meet so clearly wants the world’s perception changed,” Rachel said. “And I think us coming helps that cause. We’re taking these stories home and educating our own people, and that’s the most important part of these trips.”

As someone lucky enough to get to work in the motorcycle world, I am constantly in awe of the power and influence of the motorcycling community.

Motorcyclists are a special breed, all walks of life brought together by the simple joy of sharing a passion for a machine that allows us to fly. From small-town charity events to bolstering the tourism sector and reputation of an entire country, when motorcyclists come together, magic always happens.

Still not convinced about Pakistan’s worthiness as an epic destination? Shoot me an email at grassroots@ ama-cycle.org. If you want to figure out how to take the trip of a lifetime, visit adifferentagenda.com.

Erin Reda is the AMA’s Grassroots Coordinator in the AMA’s Government Relations Department in Washington, D.C. AMA

“If you put every national park in the USA back to back, that’s what riding through Pakistan is like. But most people who go there end up saying that the thing they liked most was the culture and people they met along the way.”

LIZA MILLER

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f you find yourself driving by the “Point of the Mountain” on I-15 in Draper, Utah, these days, you’d have a hard time discerning what happened on the massive, 1,000-foot-tall hillside just east of the freeway during the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

I

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But if you know where to look, you can still trace a handful of semi-overgrown vertical grooves running up the 45-degree, milewide hillside that, for more than two decades, hosted the legendary Widowmaker Hillclimb. Widowmaker was ground zero for a movement that stretched back to the earliest

days of motorcycling and motorcycle competition — and was recorded so wonderfully in Bruce Brown’s epic moto documentary On Any Sunday back in 1970.

“It’s Sunday, and we’re about 20 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah. There’s a hill there called Widowmaker; it’s 600 feet high, and

the angle up the face is 89 percent, roughly 45 degrees. It’s the site of the annual Widowmaker Hillclimb.

No one’s ever made it over the top, and they’ve been trying for seven years. Riders come from all over the country to compete in yet another highly specialized form of motorcycle competition. As I said, no one’s ever

made the top, but they give it a helluva try.”

Remember Brown’s voice-over? Of course you do.

DRAPER HILL HISTORY Twenty thousand years ago, even the most imaginative cave dweller couldn’t have conjured it, as the

WIDOW MAKER TA L E S O F T H E

For two-plus decades, the Widowmaker Hillclimb in Draper, Utah, was ground zero for the movement. Utah-based event winners Mel Kimball Jr. and Sr. help tell the tale.

BY MITCH BOEHM P H O T O S B Y T R E N T N E L S O N A N D T H E S A LT L A K E T R I B U N E

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scene at Point of the Mountain was different indeed: Waves crashing onto the terraced shore of what was then Lake Bonneville, a huge, inland lake that, at its peak, covered much of Utah and parts of Nevada and Idaho; a massive glacier forging nearby Little Cottonwood Canyon; and perhaps wooly mammoths or saber-toothed cats foraging or hunting nearby. The Point of the Mountain split is one of the most spectacular shoreline features in the Bonneville basin, and today you can easily see the remnants of those crashing waves along the bottom of the hillside that hosted the Widowmaker.

From my East bench home along the Wasatch front I can actually see that particular Draper hillside, and every time I look that direction from my backyard deck I recall that On Any

Sunday segment on Widowmaker, right along with Malcolm Smith’s recollections of the event as he and I worked on the OAS chapter for his 2015 autobiography.

Looking South also reminds me of the times I attended the event in the early ’80s while in college. My buddies and I would ride our street bikes to the base, grab our 6-pack-infused tank bags, and hike halfway

up the hill with all the other crazies to watch the vehicular fireworks…of which there were plenty. Good times, for sure.

There’s good history here over and above what we know from On Any Sunday, and when I spied a “What Ever Happened To?” piece on Widowmaker in the Salt Lake Tribune from 2016, I figured I’d dig into things a little more, talk to some of the folks who figured prominently in the Widowmaker, and feature some photos and reporting on the event through the years.

The history of the Widowmaker is connected firmly to the history of the Utah Bees Motorcycle Club, which was established in 1960 according to hillclimb racer and longtime Bees member Mel Kimball Sr., who won the event in 1968 and whose sons, Mel Jr., and Kenny, won three times combined.

“The first event in that area

“The Bees club got letters from all over the world once On Any Sunday hit the theaters, and things just blew up from there, with riders coming in from all over the country, and even the world.”

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happened on the South side of that hill, on the Provo side,” Kimball Sr. told us for this story. “I was not a member of the Bees then. But then in ’62 or ’63, Bees officers J.D. Thurgood and Mick Allred took a look at the North side of the Point, where the legendary hillclimb ended up running for so many years, one of them saying something like, ‘Now that’s a widowmaker!’ — probably a reference to the dangerous mining equipment that killed so many through the decades. In all the years I did this, my kids included, we never heard of a hillclimb-racing death, but the name stuck anyway.”

And boy, did it.

Given its mountainous geography, Salt Lake City’s Wasatch front was a hotbed of sorts for hill climbing sport, and there are numerous

Top to bottom: Bees Motorcycle Club members in the early 1960s in Park City, Utah.

Bulldogging a bike down the mountain, before Malcolm Smith showed ’em how it’s done.

Mel Kimball Sr., spicing up an event poster from 1975.

A casualty of the heavy partying that was part and parcel of the Widowmaker during its later years.

reports of formal and informal meets happening in the late 1940s and ’50s in Salt Lake’s Millcreek Canyon, and also in nearby Park City. But none had the pure vertical or visceral chutzpah of the Draper hill once it was discovered and established, and none had the promotional benefit of On Any Sunday, which made the hill a worldwide phenomenon when the documentary debuted in the summer of 1971.

From there, hill climbing in Draper took on a whole new persona. “The Bees club got letters from all over the world once On Any Sunday hit the theaters,” Kimball Sr. told us, “and

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things just blew up from there, with riders coming in from all over the country, and even the world. I thought that was great, especially after realizing I was actually in the movie!

[True story, as Kimball Sr., in a redwhite-and-blue flag helmet and purple Bees vest, can be seen wrestling his Triumph down the hill right after Malcolm Smith finished his second run — and then rode his Husky down the hill.] I could never get enough of that event and couldn’t wait until the next year rolled around.”

Cycle World magazine wrote this back in mid 1970 about that particular event:

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Utah’s 1970 Widowmaker Hillclimbs started on a bright sunny Sunday morning in April, and ran again the following Sunday. In a snowstorm. For seven years the Sportsman riders have been narrowing the gap between the high-run marks and the crest, and this was the year it happened: Just at dusk, after a long, long day of constant assaults by more than 250 riders, Mike Gibbon of Grants Pass, Oregon, reached the top; the first rider in the history of this event to have ever crossed the 600-ft. hill-top line, thus winning numerous prizes from intermountain donators and

“Just at dusk, after a long, long day of constant assaults by more than 250 riders, Mike Gibbon of Grants Pass, Oregon, reached the top; the first rider in the history of this event to have ever crossed the 600-ft. hill-top line” CYCLE WORLD MAGAZINE 1970

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“By the late ’80s, the Draper City Council and Draper police had had enough of the rambunctious hill-climbing crowds. Those who watched the event still remember the mass of people partying as the riders took their marks.”

SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

stealing the coveted 6-ft. “Hill Top” trophy that had been waiting to be claimed since 1964.

Mike was unsuccessful in reaching the top on his second run in the exhibition class, but was followed by two other riders who reached the top once only. They were Larry Huber of Indiana on his Harley and Larry Brisbin of Minnesota who, like Gibbon, rode a Triumph.

On the following snowy Sunday, Widowmaker was again conquered by one rider only, who astounded the crowd by performing the feat twice on both of his exhibition-class runs with chains and gasoline. He is 54

Bob Kopp of Mica, Wash., who rode a 650 Triumph with a 4-inch frame extension. Bob also placed first in the 650 A class on the same machine with a run of 550 ft. and first in the 500 A class on a smaller Triumph with a distance of 341 feet.

Over 250 riders, 75 from other states, competed for eight hours before 4,000 to 5,000 spectators. The exhibition class didn’t finish until dusk.

The Bee’s Motorcycle Club of Salt Lake City claim that the Widowmaker

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is the most ideal climbing hill in the West. The Club allows no practice runs and has the hill locked up except for the annual events.

HILLSIDE HEROICS As motorcycles got lighter, more powerful and better-suspended during the 1970s and into the early

Here, and left: During the 1980s, open-class motocrossers with long-travel suspension and extended swingarms became a staple at Widowmaker due to the increasingly demanding course layouts, which featured turns, ledges, jumps and other obstacles. Utah’s Travis Whitlock (left) demonstrates.

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Things were getting crazy in other ways during those 1980s events.

Crowds ballooned, and there just wasn’t the infrastructure in place to deal with the thousands of spectators who wanted in on the action.

’80s, especially off-road machines, hillclimb motorcycles followed suit — and the 600-foot, straight-run hill that Mike Gibbon from Grants Pass, Ore., first summited in 1970 (and so famously in On Any Sunday) became a little too easy. Promoters shifted the route to a longer and steeper section of the Draper hill, but within a few years it, too, proved too easily

summitable, so they moved it again, adding length, ledges and S-turns to make things more challenging.

“Once a section proved beatable,” two-time (’86 and ’88) winner Mel Kimball Jr. told us for this story, “they’d work hard to make it more difficult the following year. Once Jim True won in the early ’80s on his Harley, which I think was the last

year the course went straight up the mountain, they moved it to the right by 25 feet and added all sorts of obstacles and ledges and turns. It was a little crazy at times!”

THE END OF THE LINE Things were getting crazy in other ways during those 1980s events.

Crowds ballooned, and there just

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wasn’t the infrastructure in place to deal with the thousands of spectators who wanted in on the action. Getting people off the freeway and to the upper shelf of the Point to park was difficult, as there were private property sections to be traversed, and also a seldom-used railroad crossing that had to be manned for two solid days.

Insurance became superexpensive, too, a $1 million policy necessary for the two days. Security bills were sky-high, and there was

the ever-present rowdiness, which you’d expect from thousands of motorcyclists setting up camp at the base of a mountain for a day’s worth of fun. And eventually came the calls for environmental protection of the hillside, which was being chewed up.

The Salt Lake Tribune put things this way: By the late ’80s, the Draper City Council and Draper police had had enough of the rambunctious hill-climbing crowds. At the 1987 Widowmaker about 30 people

were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, and another 100 people for other alcohol-related offenses. Those who watched the event still remember the mass of people partying as the riders took their marks.

“It was crazy. The first word that comes to mind is just a wall of people,” said Kim Nelson, who watched the 1987 climb. “It was just people laughing and carrying on, and when somebody wrecks you would hear the ‘ohh’ and ‘ahh.’”

Right: That’s Mel Kimball Sr. during an early event at Widowmaker aboard his Triumph Bonneville. Kimball won the overall in 1968, though he didn’t make the summit. That would happen two years later when Mike Gibbon did it for Bruce Brown’s OAS cameras.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

59

Draper Mayor Charles Hoffman had also become concerned about environmental damage on the hillside, scarred through years of biking.

Worried about erosion, Hoffman demanded that the Bees Motorcycle Club replant grass on the hillside after the 1988 run. He was unsatisfied with their effort.

Nineteen-eighty-eight was it, the end of the line for the famed Widowmaker. Mel Kimball Jr. won it, and he values that particular trophy probably more than any other.

“We still talk about the Widowmaker,” Jr. told this author, “and still hang out with friends and Bees members who were involved from Day One, my Dad included. It was a great time to be a motorcyclist and a racer, and when folks drop by and see the bikes and trophies in the garage, it’s always a good conversation. I’m pretty sure the Widowmaker never killed anyone, but it’ll definitely be remembered for decades to come.”

With the famous hill’s location right next to I-15, and On Any Sunday continuing to resonate with motorcyclists the world over, it’s a good bet Kimball Jr. is right. AMA

Widowmaker in the 1980s also featured wildly powerful and customized hillclimbers, with Mel Kimball Jr.’s methanolburning, custom-framed, bighorsepower Honda CB1100F (1219cc) proving the point in dramatic fashion.

Jr.’s other foot is on the left footpeg, if you were wondering if he still had it…

60

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

“We still talk about the Widowmaker...

It was a great time to be a motorcyclist and a racer, and when folks drop by and see the bikes and trophies in the garage, it’s always a good conversation.”

MEL KIMBALL JR

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

61

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.

62

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

DEALS AND DISCOUNTS

Watch this space for updates about your valuable benefits as an AMA member.

THE ESSENTIALS Lodging

Motorcycle Shipping

AMA Roadside Assistance

Save 15% at participating Choice Hotels Properties.

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

Roadside assistance coverage for eligible members.

Up to 10% off at Motel 6.

Use code: M64AMA

Car Rentals

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

20% discount off available rates, call (800) REDROOF and use the code VP+ 503343. To make reservations online use code: VP+ 503343 in the field labeled “VP+/ID#”

Find patches, pins, T-shirts, hats and more.

For details visit jonesbirdsong.com/ramp

Motorcycle Shippers

Cycle Trader

MAD Maps

Rider Magazine

AMA members receive $50 off each bike one way or $100 off round trip or $50 each, multiple bikes, same addresses.

AMA Gear

Rider Accident Medical Plan

10% discount on the BEST package.

Use code AMA10

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS ADVMoto

EagleRider

20% discount.

Use code AMADV20

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

Free admission to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio.

Edelweiss

AMA Supercross Tickets

Evans Cooling System 25% discount on Evans Coolants and Prep Fluid.

Use code AMAFUN at evanscoolant.com.

EVS Sports

Anthony’s Leatherworks

10% discount and free shipping on all orders.

Use code AMAEVS20

10% discount.

Use code AMADISCOUNT

Gryphon Moto

Blendzall

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

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

Bohn Body Armor

Haynes

10% AMA Member Exclusive Discount. Visit bohnarmor. com and use code AMAD22 at checkout.

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

Use code AMA15

Heli Bars

Butler Maps

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

AMA members receive a 20% discount at butlermaps.com.

Use code AMAMEMBER

Helix Racing Products

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 Motorcycle Adventures

10% discount with valid AMA membership card.

The Dirt Bike Academy

10% exclusive discount on instruction. Learn more at thedirtbikeacademy.com Use code TDBAAMA10

Dowco Powersports 20% discount.

Use code AMA20

Matrix Concepts

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

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

Save $5 on up to 8 tickets at supercrosslive.com Use code AMA23

California Dual Sport Riders

Save 15%.

Use code AMA15

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

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.

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 QL22AMA

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

Use code AMAQUIN10

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

Riders Share

AMA members receive a 10% discount on all bookings with discount code AMA2023

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.

Warm & Safe 20% discount.

Use code AMA

XcelerateTV

50% discount on first year’s subscription. Use code XTVAMA50 at XcelerateTV.com.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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

63

COMING EVENTS

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

ARKANSAS Motocross: Mar. 24-25. Little Rock. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, www.arenacrossusa.com Motocross: Mar. 26. Little Rock. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions www.arenacrossusa.com ARIZONA Observed Trials: Mar. 4-5. Dragoon. Triangle T Dragoon, Central Arizona Trials Inc., 602-3707546, mike@dirtriderswest.com, centralarizonatrials.org Hare Scrambles/Cross Country: Mar. 11. San Manuel. San Manuel Copper Classic, Trail Riders of Southern Arizona, 520-235-6703, trailridersofsoaz@gmail.com, trsaz.org Dual Sport: Mar. 25-26. 2 Sun Adventure,Tucson Dual Sport, LLC, 520-979-8398 tucsondualsport@ hotmail.com, www.tucsondualsport.com CALIFORNIA Dual Sport : Mar. 3, Meghan Ride, The Meghan Ride, 310-901-3992 Desert Scrambles: Mar. 4. El Centro. King of the Deser, Roadrunner Off-Road Racing Club, 619787-5502, fentonrace@aol.com Desert Scrambles: Mar. 11. Barstow. Round 1 of 2023 Scrambles Series, Huntington Beach Motorcycle Club, huntingtonbeachmc.com Motocross: Mar. 12. Porterville. Road to Mammoth Round 2, 2X Promotions LLC, 559-500-5360 www.2xpromotions.com Desert Scrambles: Mar. 12. Barstow. Round 2 of 2023 Scramble Series, Huntington Beach Motorcycle Club, huntingtonbeachmc.com Hare Scrambles/Cross Country: Mar. 18-19. Hollister. 24th Annual Phantom Scrambles, Ghostriders MC, 408-265-2122, rickwheeler@earthlink.net, ghostridersmc.net Road Ride/Run: Mar. 19. Stockton, Port Stockton MC Gold Rush Run, Port Stockton Motorcycle Club 209-406-3260, ricky@rickylee209.com, www. portstocktonmc.com Motocross: Mar. 25. Snelling.Oatfield Raceway Southwest Area Qualifier, 2X Promotions LLC, 559500-5360, www.2xpromotions.com Motocross: Mar. 26. Snelling. Road to Mammoth Round 3, 2X Promotions LLC, 559-500-5360, www.2xpromotions.com FLORIDA Dual Sport: Mar. 3-5. Brooksville. Devil’s Creek Dual Sport, Dixie Dual Sport, Inc., 727-919-8299, president@dixiedualsport.com, www.dixiedualsport.com Adventure Ride: Mar. 4-5. Milton. Santa Rosa National Adventure Ride, Appalachian Trail Riders, 704-309-3271, rottenronnie690@yahoo.com, usdualsports.com 64

Observed Trials: Mar. 25. Center Hill. NATC/AMA MotoTrials Series, Don Buckner Promise Ranch Trials, www.mototrials.com Observed Trials: Mar. 26. Center Hill. NATC/AMA MotoTrials Series,Don Buckner Promise Ranch Trials, www.mototrials.com GEORGIA Motocross: Mar. 4. Union Point. Durhamtown MX Series, Durhamtown Off Road Park, 706-4860091, robin@durhamtown.com, www.durhamtown.com Motocross: Mar. 18. Union Point. Durhamtown MX Series, Durhamtown Off Road Park, 706-4860091, robin@durhamtown.com, www.durhamtown.com

OKLAHOMA Motocross: Mar. 10-11. Tulsa, AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, www.arenacrossusa.com Motocross: Mar. 12. Tulsa. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, www.arenacrossusa.com PENNSYLVANIA Motocross: Mar. 19. Shippensburg. Doublin Gap Motocross, Doublin Gap Motocross, Inc., 717-5715824, doublingap@gmail.com, www.doublingap. com

Motocross: Mar. 25-26. Washington. Aonia Pass MX Southeast Area Qualifier, Aonia Pass MX

TENNESSEE Motocross: Mar. 18-19. Altamont. Fast Farms MX Park Mid-East Area Qualifier, Fast Farms MX Park, 931-409-4453, fastfarmsmx@yahoo.com, www.facebook.com/fastfarmsmxpark

IDAHO Hare and Hound: Mar. 18-19. Caldwell. Hare & Hound Dirt Inc., sidraracing.org/pages/dirt-inc

Motocross: Mar. 19. Blountville. Mega Series Opener, Victory Sports Inc, 423-323-5497, jane@ victory-sports.com, www.victory-sports.com

ILLINOIS Motocross: Mar. 4. Mendota. Traxs Winter Series, Moto Pro Inc., 815-884-9361, wardy@mtco. com, www.megatraxs.com Motocross: Mar. 18-19. Casey. Thor Showdown Series, Lincoln Trail Motosports, 217-932-2041, drew@lincolntrail.com, INDIANA Motocross: Mar. 25-26. Kingsbury. Motoland MidEast Area Qualifier, Wildcat Creek MX, wildcatcreekmx@hotmail.com MINNESOTA Motocross: Mar. 26. Brook Park. Berm Benders Raceway, Berm Benders Incorporated, 320-2792238, bermbendersraceway@outlook.com, www. bermbendersraceway.com NORTH CAROLINA Enduro: Mar. 25. Vanceboro. FGSE - RD2 West Craven MX, Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series, 919238-1627, info@fullgasenduro.com, sprintenduro.com NEW JERSEY Enduro: Mar. 12. Port Elizabeth. Greenbrier Enduro, Tri-County Sportsmen MC Inc., 856-7852754, www.teamhammer.org Family Enduro: Mar. 18. Shamong. Squirrelly Fern Jr. Enduro, South Jersey Enduro Riders, Inc., 609-560-1713, whoops101@verizon.net, www.sjer.org Enduro: Mar. 19. Shamong, Curly Fern Enduro, South Jersey Enduro Riders, Inc., 609-268-9272, sjer@sjer.org, www.sjer.org Enduro: Mar. 26. Green Bank. Meteor Motorcycle Sandy Lane Enduro, Meteor MC, meteormc.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

TEXAS Grand Tour: Mar. 1-Nov. 15. Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas, Motorcycle Grand Tour Of Texas LLC., 210-777-1434, davidcanada@mcgttx.com, www.mcgttx.com Motocross: Mar. 3-4. Amarillo. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, www.arenacrossusa.com Motocross: Mar. 4-5. Amarillo. Bowers MX South Central Area Qualifier, Bowers MX, 806-671-7010, info@bowersmx.com, www.bowersmx.com Motocross: Mar. 5. Amarillo. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, www.arenacrossusa.com Motocross: Mar. 9-12. Wortham. James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship, Freestone County Raceway LLC, 713-962-3386, freestonemx@gmail.com, www.freestonemx.com Motocross: Mar. 13-18. Kemp. Spring A Ding Ding, MPG Creative Group LLC, 816-582-4113 layne@mpgcreativegroup.com, www.springadingding.com Motocross: Mar. 25-26. Conroe. 3 Palms Track and Trail Spring Classic, E.S.E. We Make Tracks Inc, 936-321-8725, info@threepalmsesp.com www.threepalmsesp.com VIRGINIA Motocross: Mar. 4. Sutherlin. District 13 SX Series, Birch Creek Promotions LLC, 434-253-0505, birchcreekmx@gmail.com, www.birchcreekmotorsportspark.com Motocross: Mar. 5. Sutherlin. District 13 Motocross/Capitol Cup Series, Birch Creek Promotions LLC, 434-253-0505 birchcreekmx@gmail.com, www.birchcreekmotorsportspark.com Motocross: Mar. 11-12. Sutherlin. Birch Creek

Motorsports Park Northeast Area Qualifier, Birch Creek Promotions LLC, 434-253-0505, birchcreekmx@gmail.com, www.birchcreekmotorsportspark.com Motocross: Mar. 17-18. Salem. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, www.arenacrossusa.com Motocross: Mar. 19. Salem. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, www.arenacrossusa.com WEST VIRGINIA Motocross: Mar. 25-26. Hedgesville, Tomahawk MX Northeast Area Qualifier, Tomahawk MX, LLC, 304-582-8185, tomahawkmotocross@gmail.com, www.tomahawkmx.com SUPERCROSS 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship supercrosslive.com Round 8: March 4. Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona Int’l Speedway Round 9: March 11. Indianapolis, Ind. Lucas Oil Stadium Round 10: March 18. Detroit, Mich. Ford Field Round 11: March 25. Seattle, Wash. Lumen Field 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 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

65

COMING EVENTS

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

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 Arenacross National Championship Series arenacrossusa.com Round 10: March 3-5. Amarillo, Texas.

Round 11: March 10-12. Tulsa, Okla.

Round 12: March 17-19. Salem, Va. Round 13: March 24-26. Little Rock, Ark. Round 14: March 30-April 2. Lexington, Ky. AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, mxsports.com July 31-Aug. 5. Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Loretta Lynn Ranch Northeast Area Qualifiers March 11-12. Sutherlin, Va. Birch Creek Motorsports Park.

March 25-26. Hedgesville, W. Va. Tomahawk MX. 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 March 25-26. Washington, Ga. Aonia Pass MX April 1-2. Tallassee, Ala. Monster Mountain MX Park.

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

66

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 March 18-19. Altamont, Tenn. Fast Farms MX Park.

March 25-26. Kingsbury, Ind. Motoland.

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 March 4-5. Amarillo, Texas. Bowers MX. March 25-26. Lakewood, Colo. Thunder Valley Motocross Park.

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.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

Northwest Area Qualifiers March 19. Delta, Utah. Bunker Hill.

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 March 18. Delta, Utah. Bunker Hill.

April 1. Porterville, Calif. Porterville OHV Park.

Midwest Regional Youth/Amateur: June 9-11. Rancho Cordova, Calif. Prairie City OHV. Southwest Area Qualifiers March 25. Turlock, Calif. Oatfield Raceway.

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 1: March 7. Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona International Speedway.

Round 2: March 18-19. Alachua, Fla. Gatorback Cycle Park.

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.

Round 9: July 22-23. Nashport, Ohio. Briarcliff MX. Round 10: Aug. 12-13. Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Loretta Lynn Ranch.

MAJOR EVENTS James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship March 9-12. Wortham, Texas. Freestone County Raceway. (713) 962-3386. freestonemx.com Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross March 5-6. Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona

International Speedway. (304) 284-0101. racedaytona.com Mammoth Motocross June 16-25. Mammoth Lakes, Calif. Mammoth Mountain. (559) 500-5360. 2xpromotions.com FEATURED EVENTS OR SERIES Spring A Ding Ding Spring A Ding Ding: March 13-18. Kemp, Texas.

Underground MX. (816) 582-4113. springadingding. com 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 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 James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship: March 9-12. Wortham, Texas. Freestone County Raceway. (713) 962-3386. freestonemx.com Spring A Ding Ding: March 13-18. Kemp, Texas.

Underground MX. (816) 582-4113. springadingding. com Mega Series Opener: March 19. Blountville, Tenn.

Muddy Creek Raceway. (423) 323-5497. victorysports.com 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 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

67

COMING EVENTS

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

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 *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) 9322041. 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 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 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 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) 962-3386. freestonemx.com AMA South Carolina State Championship/Mega Series: Nov. 12. Hamer, S.C. South of the Border MX. (423) 323-5497. victory-sports.com 68

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AMA Iowa State Championship: April 8.

Winterset, Iowa. Riverside Raceway. (515) 3609738. 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 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 West Virginia State Championship: Oct. 22. Hedgesville, W. Va. Tomahawk MX. (304) 582-8185. tomahawkmx.com AMA South Carolina State Championship: Nov. 12. Hamer, S.C. South of the Border MX. (423) 323-5497. victory-sports.com AMA California State Championship Series, 2xpromotions.com Road to Mammoth Round 2: March 12.

Porterville, Calif. Porterville OHV Park.

Road to Mammoth Round 3: March 26.

Snelling, Calif. Oatfield Raceway.

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 March 9-11: Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona 200.

Daytona International Speedway 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

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

Motorsports Park 2023 Progressive American Flat Track americanflattrack.com Round 1: March 9. Daytona Beach, Fla. DAYTONA Flat Track I. Short Track Round 2: March 10. Daytona Beach, Fla. DAYTONA Flat Track II. Short Track Round 3: March 25. Senoia, Ga. Senoia Raceway.

Short Track 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 1: March 2. Lake City, Fla. North Florida Speedway (Short Track). (270) 217-6202. northfloridaspeedway.com Round 2: March 4. Lake City, Fla. North Florida Speedway (Half-Mile). (270) 217-6202. northfloridaspeedway.com Round 3: March 6. Ocala, Fla. Bubba Raceway Park (Half-Mile). (270) 217-6202. bubbaracewaypark.com Round 4: April 15. 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) 7270311. albany-saratogaspeedway.com Round 7: May 14. Ballston Spa, N.Y. AlbanySaratoga Speedway (Short Track). (518) 7270311. albany-saratogaspeedway.com Round 8: June 3. Cuddebackville, N.Y. Oakland Valley Race Park (Short Track). (845) 219-1193. tristateclub.net Round 9: June 4. Cuddebackville, N.Y. Oakland Valley Race Park (Short Track). (845) 219-1193. tristateclub.net Round 10: June 10. Bloomsburg, Pa. Bloomsburg Fairgrounds (Short Track). (717) 503-8030. baermotorsports.com Round 11: June 16. Harpursville, N.Y. SDR Raceway (Short Track). (607) 725-3069. squaredealriders.com Round 12: June 17. Harpursville, N.Y. SDR Raceway (Short Track). (607) 725-3069. squaredealriders.com Round 13: June 23. Greenville, Ohio. Darke County Fairgrounds (Half-Mile). (850) 637-5838. darkecountyfair.com Round 14: June 25. Greenville, Ohio. Darke County Fairgrounds (Half-Mile). (850) 637-5838. darkecountyfair.com Round 15: July 22. Ashland, Ohio. Ashland County Fairgrounds (Half-Mile). (614) 856-1900. americanmotorcyclist.com/flat-track-racing/ Round 16: Aug. 12. Salem, Ohio. Western Reserve Motorcycle Club (Short Track). (330) 760-5960. westernreservemc.com Round 17: Aug. 31. Springfield, Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds (Short Track). (270) 217-6202. stevenaceracing.com FEATURED EVENTS OR SERIES AMA All Star National Flat Track Series, stevenaceracing.com March. 3 Lake City, Fla. North Florida Speedway.

Half-Mile.

March 5. Ocala, Fla. Bubba Raceway Park.

Half-Mile.

OFF-ROAD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Grand National Cross Country Championship, gnccracing.com Round 2: Wild Boar – March 4-5. Palatka, Fla. Hog Waller.

Round 3: The General – March 10-12.

Washington, Ga. Aonia Pass MX. 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 4: March 3-5. San Bernardino, Calif.

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 2: March 18-19. Murphy, Idaho.

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 2: Caprock Canyon National – March 19. Turkey, Texas. (806) 679-5737. postenduroassociation.org 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 1-2: March 25-26, Webster, Fla. 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 4: March 25-26. Alton, Va. Virginia International Raceway.

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 2: March 11-12. Haleiwa, Hawaii.

Round 3: March 25-26. Page, Ariz.

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.

AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship, westharescramble.com Round 1: March 11-12. Doyle, Calif.

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 ISDE 3-day Qualifiers March 10-12. Knolls Recreation Area. Utah. raceumora.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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COMING EVENTS

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

AMA Florida Enduro Championship Series floridatrailriders.org March 9. Ormond Beach, Fla. Daytona Dirt Riders (386) 615-0722 , secretary4ddr@gmail.com.

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

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

748-9456 durtydabbers.com

Dirt Riders. (530) 227-1581 reddingdirtriders.com

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

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

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

AMA Florida State Hare Scrambles Championship Series floridatrailriders.org March 18-19. Dade City, Fla., Nature Coast Trail Blazers, (813) 731-0619, rswann222@gmail.com.

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

NATIONAL RECREATIONAL

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

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

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

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

March 4-5. Santa Rosa National Adventure Ride.

Milton, Fla. Appalachian Trail Riders. (704) 3093271, usdualsporters.com April 21-23. Perry Mountain Tower Run. Stanton, Ala. Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club. (334) 3275086 perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com

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

2023 Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series americanmotorcyclist.com/national-adventureriding March 3-5. Devil’s Creek. Brooksville, Fla. Dixie Dual Sport. (727) 919-8299 dixiedualsport.com 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

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

1st

New gear,

downloadable catalog, updated website + more specials online! aerostich.com/ama 70

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

aero ama 07_2022.indd 1

Ord er F R S H I EE PPI NG

Photo of Dave Roper by Bill Burke ©2022

6/30/22 12:31 PM

MARKETPLACE

Visit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame americanmotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame

AMA Trademarks

Buying or selling residential or commercial real estate ANYWHERE in the United States?

Learn how it can benefit the AMA Hall of Fame at NO COST to you!

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

Info: Kristi at (951) 704-6370.

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

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GO TO: americanmotorcyclist.com

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®

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

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Ga r a ge

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

QUICK-’N’-DIRTY

FLAT FIX To plug or not to plug?

That is the question…

W

hether it happens out on the road or overnight while you’re sleeping (and you discover it when you open your

garage to grab your bike to head out for a ride), a flat tire is a bummer.

Unless a leaky valve stem is the culprit, your tubeless tire almost certainly has a hole in it (and typically somewhere on the tread surface), so replacing the tire is really the only proper long-term fix.

But that can take days and will cost you $200$300, or more. So unless you have the time and patience for that, and your air loss is due to a simple and common middle-half-of-the-tread puncture such as that caused by a nail or screw (and not a sidewall or edge-of-tread wound), you’re left with the temporary quick-fix option — which is to plug the tire.

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

Your typical rope-plug installation. Looks messy, works pretty well. Right: Aerostich’s compact “tire repairification” kit, which includes plugs, patches, cement, tools and a handy air compressor for roadside re-inflation duty. $87 at aerostich.com.

ROPE, SPEAR or MUSHROOM? If you haven’t been down this road before, you may well ask yourself, “What sort of plug?” It’s a good question.

If you’re simply looking to temporarily fix the tire without removing it from the wheel, you’re looking at two options: a “rope-type” (or “spear-type”) plug, or a “mushroom” plug.

Both involve inserting a rubber plug of a particular shape (thus the “rope” and “mushroom” descriptors) into the hole created by the nail or screw (or whatever) with a special tool. Keep in mind that a larger or non-linear/jagged hole often renders these two methods ineffective, as the plugs are designed for small, narrow-diameter holes, and not ones caused by tearing or slicing from, say, a piece of sharp steel, etc. In the latter case, a tire replacement is your only option.

Rope- and spear-type plugs are typically pretty similar, with rope plugs getting slathered with some sort of rubber cement goo before being pushed into the tire with the aforementioned special tool per kit instructions.

Once they’re in place and the tool has been removed, the goo dries and bonds the plug to the rubber and belts below the tread surface.

There’s usually some extra plug material sticking out of the tire once the tool is pulled out; you can slice it off at tread level with a razor blade or knife, or leave it alone, as it will wear off pretty quickly once you get back on your bike.

The spear-type plug works basically the same way, but typically uses no bonding agent.

Our experience says to go with the rope-type, which has shown to be more secure and tends to hold more air and for a longer period.

The mushroom-shaped plug goes into the tire in similar fashion, but has a bulbous head on it that ends up — once you’ve yanked on the excess plug material from the

outside — sealing against the inside of the tire, with a little help from the pressure inside the tire. You’d think this type of plug would be ideal, but testing results we’ve seen show this type, like the spear-type, to be less effective than the tried-’n’-true rope-type plug.

BETTER, BUT TRICKIER Don’t confuse mushroom-type plugs with an “internal patch” plug, which is actually the most effective and long-term fix for a small and linear hole because it’s done from the inside of the tire, which means pulling it off the rim, something you can’t do along the side of the road. This method involves a ropeor spear-type plug with a integral patch on the inside that bonds via pressure and adhesive to the inside of the carcass.

And that is the issue here; if you have the time to have the tire pulled off the rim, you’re better off replacing it, as about half of tire manufacturers, when asked, will tell you to never use a plug in a holed tire, with the other half saying it’s okay but only in very limited situations. You’d expect that given the product-liability situation in this country, and in many cases that is good advice. But if you need a quick fix for temporary use, plugs do work if installed correctly in an appropriate hole. Just follow the directions in the kit you’ve purchased for the job.

There are stories galore out there about folks who’ve ridden thousands of miles with a plugged tire. We don’t recommend that, as you’re taking a risk, but this author can report that, when he first purchased his 2013 Ducati Multistrada last summer, its nearly-new Pirelli Angel GT rear tire had a temporary plug in the center of the rear tire — and he rode it for a couple of weeks while waiting for a new set of Michelin Road 6s to arrive…with no issues.

Just be wary out there when you’re pluggin’ away, eh?

—Mitch Boehm AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

73

L A ST P AG E

Daytona Bike Week Then and Now

aytona Bike Week, which traces its roots to the legendary beach races during the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, before the Speedway was built, has been a fixture in Florida for decades, and continues to thrill nearly a half-million motorcycle enthusiasts each year.

Beach activities for motorcyclists may look a little different this year as the area continues to recover after Hurricane Nichole, as only 13 out of Volusia County’s 37 vehicle access ramps to the beach — and just 70 of 141 walkovers — were open to the public at press time.

Still, there’s plenty of action going on in and around Daytona Beach for the 400,000-plus motorcyclists expected to attend, and Daytona Bike Week will undoubtedly provide a boost to the economy of a community

D

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that’s still working towards recovery.

The event takes place this year March 3-12, and we’ve put together a few must-attend events you won’t want to miss.

The AMA will have a tent set up in front of Daytona International Speedway throughout the entire event, so be sure to stop by to join or renew

your membership. You can also enter to win our custom 2018 GSX-R1000 raffle bike, painted in AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Kevin Schwantz’s late’80s Pepsi Racing livery and signed by the man himself…and win cool prizes, too.

Check local schedules for additional events.

—Joy Burgess

• AMA Gypsy Tour – Visit the AMA tent March 3-12 to get your pin • Jam-On Productions 45th Annual Bike Week Swap Meet – March 2-12 • AMA Supercross Round 8 – March 4 • Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross – March 5-7 • RCSX-Vintage/AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series – March 7 • AFT Daytona Short Track I – March 9 • AFT Daytona Short Track II – March 10 • AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series: March 2, March 4, March 6 • MotoAmerica Weekend: Daytona 200, MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Championship, REV’IT! Twins Cup Championship and Mission Super Hooligan National Championship – March 9-11

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2023

THE WORLD’S ® WARMEST BASELAYER

Japanese baselayer brand Zerofit has arrived in North America with a collection of game-changing products that ensure plummeting temperatures won’t stop motorcyclists getting out on the road or track this Fall and Holiday season.

Designed by a passionate team of innovators and baselayer specialists, the Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate is the most technically advanced baselayer on the planet and completely different to any other product you’ve ever worn before.

WHAT MAKES IT SO GOOD?

Five times warmer than a standard baselayer

1. It’s five times warmer than a standard baselayer

3. On bike heating from top to toe

2. Instant warmth the minute you put it on

4. Ride free with fewer layers and greater warmth

That is quite a claim, but it’s a fact. Tested at the iconic Boken Institute in Osaka, the Heatrub Ultimate baselayer recorded a Heat Retention Rating of 0.78; a standard baselayer would have a rating of between 0.1 to 0.14. And for reference, a sweater would typically have a rating of 0.3. The Ultimate performs best in a temperature range of 14° Fahrenheit thru 50° Fahrenheit – so even in the coldest of conditions and most biting of winds, you’ll still be nicely heated.

A standard baselayer traps body heat between your skin and the material, so it takes a little time before you feel the benefits. With Zerofit, five separate fabrics, along with a patented knitting process, create instant warmth as soon as you pull it on. And, because of the construction of the garment, this heat is retained for the duration of your time on the bike, making it an essential piece of clothing for motorcyclists this winter.

No need for multiple additional layers – a gamechanger

The Ultimate is perfect for motorcyclists who hate traditional tight baselayers, because unlike many brands we don’t use ‘compression for heat’ as a technology. Instead, innovative ‘Heat Threads’ on the inside of the garment gently rub against your skin to create positive warmth across your body. We also produce Ultimate Leggings and Socks that are made from the same material and work in the same way, so you can have top-to-toe warmth.

Over the years, you may well have ‘layered up’ in order to combat the effects of cold weather. This is where we are changing the game. The Heatrub Ultimate is so good at keeping you warm, you won’t need multiple additional layers.

In short, fewer layers yet greater warmth.

And unlike other baselayers, because it doesn’t need to be super tight in order to work, it’s incredibly comfortable too on even the longest of trips.

ZEROFIT HEATRUB MOVE - ADAPTABLE WARMTH ON THE GO The Ultimate baselayer is perfect for the coldest of conditions, but it is complemented by the Heatrub Move ($76), which is twice as warm as a standard baselayer and ideal for milder temperatures of between 23° and 53° Fahrenheit. It features a 45% polypropylene construction on the inside of the baselayer and a hollow polyester shell that combine for ‘Adaptable Warmth’, keeping you cosy when you’re at a standstill yet regulating temperature and ensuring you don’t overheat as your ride progresses. The construction removes sweat from the skin and evaporates it off the surface of the baselayer quickly, so that nasty feeling of ‘cold sweat’ never materialises.

Instant warmth the moment you put it on

Comfortable and durable fabric mix

RE A D

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Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate baselayer (available in Black, White, Grey, Green, Navy and Red) – $99 ■ Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate leggings (available in Black) – $99 ■ Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate socks (available in Black) - $27 ■ Zerofit Heatrub Move baselayer (available in black, white and titanium) - $76

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@ZF North America Instagram: @ZEROFITUSA For more details, or for trade and retailer enquiries please contact us at info@zerofitusa.com or call us on +1-760-310-9840

SEE THE FULL RANGE AT WWW.ZEROFITUSA.COM

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