American Motorcyclist March 2016 Street

EUROPEAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES

OFFER ADVICE AS OVERSEAS REGULATIONS LOOM AN END-TO-END MOTORCYCLE TOUR

AMA REWARDS

HOW YOUR AMA MEMBERSHIP PAYS FOR ITSELF

And Motel Discounts (Choice Hotels, Red Roof Inn)

Gear Discounts (BikeBandit.com, EVS, Heat Demon And More)

*must maintain valid credit card and email address on file for coverage to continue

**average cost of $100/night stay – 2 nights

***average $750 per year expenses on gear/parts/accessories

THE ESSENTIALS

AMA Roadside Assistance

The Best Deal In Towing Get peace of mind with AMA Roadside Assistance, which covers all your vehicles, as well as those of your family members living with you. Best of all, you can get this coverage at no additional charge. For details, call (800) 262-5646.

Lodging

Save At Choice Hotels, Motel 6, Red Roof Inn At Choice hotels, save 15% off the best available rates at participating Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay, Rodeway Inn and Econo Lodge hotels. Use the Member Discount code #00947556.

Special discounts at Motel 6 are also available up to 10% off. Use the Member Discount code CP540176.

Plus, get a 20% discount off available rates at Red Roof Inn. For discounts, call (800) RED-ROOF and use the code VP+ 503343. You can also make reservations online at www.redroof. com. Just enter the code VP+ 503343 in the field labeled “VP+/ID#” when making reservations. The discount will be automatically applied.

EagleRider Motorcycle

Rentals

Arrive And Ride

EagleRider offers an AMA member discount of 10% discount on Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW and Polaris rentals and tours. Call (888) 900-9901 or book at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ Membership/EagleRider.aspx, using discount code AMA015.

Motorcycle Shipping

Ride Where You Want

In the United States, call Federal Companies, an agent for Specialized Transportation, Inc., at (877) 518-7376 for at least $60 off standard rates. For international shipments, call Motorcycle Express at (800) 245-8726. To get your discount, be sure to have your AMA number handy. Motorcycle Express also offers temporary international insurance.

Car Rentals

Save Money When You Drive

Get up to 25% off prevailing rates at any Avis or Budget car rental agency. For Avis, enter discount code: D388100. For Budget, enter code: Z942000. AMA Members save up to 25% on year-round Hertz rentals with discount code CDP# 497193.

patches, pins, T-shirts, hats,

and much more at AMAgear.com.

Rider Accident Medical Plan

All members of the AMA are eligible to purchase coverage. Benefits are paid when a covered member is injured. See http:// www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ Membership/Members_Only/ DiscountCodes for details.

Insurance, Credit Card, Finance and Banking

The AMA has joined with Nationwide to bring members-only moneysaving offers on insurance, a cash-back AMA-themed credit card, finance and banking. For more details see, www.nationwide.com/ americanmotorcyclist.

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS

ActionStation/Bohn Body Armor

Save 10% on complete product line—plus bonus. Go to www.actionstation.com/ama/ and use coupon code AMAB4U at checkout.

AMA Members also receive exclusive discounted pricing on the Bohn Bodyguard System at www.bohn-armor-pants.com/ ama/.

ADVMoto

Adventure Motorcycle Magazine offers a 20% discount on all subscriptions through AdventureMotorcycle.com and 20% off

ADVMoto branded items and back issues on ADVMotoShop.com. Enter discount code AMADV20 at checkout.

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

Save $5 on admission to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

AMA Supercross And AMA Arenacross Tickets

Save on advanced tickets; AMA members can get $5 off when they buy tickets online at Supercrossonline.com and use password AMASX16. AMA members can get $5 off when they buy tickets online at Arenacross.com and use password AMA5OFF. Certain restrictions apply, call (800) 262-5646 for details.

Anthony’s Leatherworks

Save 10% on complete motorcycle garment restoration and repair. You can get your motocross boots fixed from MX Boot Resole and Repair. Use code AMADISCOUNT at checkout.

BikeBandit.com

Visit BikeBandit.com for a 10% discounts on motorcycle parts, gear and apparel. Enter your AMA number when checking out to receive your discount. (Discount is not available on tires.)

Biker Rain Chaps

Save 25%. Visit www.bikerrainchaps. com/ama/ and use the code AMA-0116NEWYEAR at checkout to receive your discount.

Black Wolf Mototours

Black Wolf Mototours offers allinclusive dual sport adventure tours in the Northern Rockies. Current AMA members receive 10% off any guided tour. Visit the Members Only section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com for discount code.

Brooks Leather

AMA members receive a 10% discount off all jackets, chaps, vests, rain suits, race suits, and gloves. You can shop online at www.brooksleather.com or at any participating Brooks dealer. Just present the code AMABRO when ordering.

Cardo Systems, Inc.

10% discount for AMA members when presenting their membership card on Cardo’s scala rider® motorcycle communication products at participating authorized dealers only.

Colorado Motorcycle

Adventures

Colorado Motorcycle Adventures offers

AMA Members 10% off all motorcycle rentals and tours! Mention your AMA Membership when reserving your rental or tour. A current AMA Membership card required to receive discount.

Design Engineering, Inc.

DEI is now offering AMA members a 10% discount. Simply enter the discount code AMA10DISCOUNT during checkout.

Dowco Powersports

AMA Members save 20% on Dowco products, an industry leading manufacturer of motorcycle covers and luggage. To take advantage of the discount, use code AMA20 at checkout.

EVS Sports

AMA Members receive 10% off and free shipping on all orders. Simply use the code AMAEVS16 during checkout at www.EVS-Sports.com.

Gear Brake

GEARBRAKE detects when you decelerate, even in instances of downshifting and engine braking where the brake is not applied, and automatically lights your taillight with a flashing alert! AMA members receive a 15% discount at gearbrake.com with the promo code: AMASAFE.

Heat Demon

AMA members receive 10% off all products. Visit www.heatdemon.com/AMA and use the code AMAheat16 at checkout to receive your discount.

International Motorcycle Shows

AMA members save on advanced adult one-day general admission. The promo code is “AMA16” when you buy your tickets online from www. motorcycleshows.com.

MAD Maps

The best routes made easy. Save 20%. Use promo code AMATHXU at www. MADmaps.com.

Medjet

Learn More and Enroll – visit www. MedjetAMA.com or call Medjet at 1.800.527.7478 and reference American Motorcyclist Association. Reduced annual Medjet membership rates for AMA members under age 75 start at $225 – a savings of 16%.

MYLAPS

MYLAPS provides a 20% discount off MSRP or any current sales price on web-orders or orders coordinated by the AMA for all Motorized Products to AMA members. To receive the discount, enter code AMA-789HJK at checkout.

Pagnol Moto

At Pagnol Moto we develop and design extremely high quality gear for riders by riders. Visit www.pagnol-moto.com and use the code 1AMAVIP at checkout to receive your AMA exclusive 10% discount.

Rider Magazine

Members pay only $19.99 for 2 years (24 issues) + 2 extra FREE issues. Visit the Members Only section on www. AmericanMotorcyclist.com for the discount link.

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle

Touring & Travel magazine

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine offers a 20% subscription discount to AMA members. RoadRUNNER is the touring expert of North America, providing information on the best places to ride. AMA discount code is CRIAMA at www.roadrunner. travel/promo/ama.

Sena The Global Leader in Bluetooth and ‘Audio Action Camera’ Innovation for Powersports, Motorsports and Outdoor Sports – is now offering AMA members an exclusive 15% discount on its product lineup. Log into the ‘Members Only’ section on the AMA website to get the code and #RideConnected.

Shark Kage

A multi-functional ramp which adds the functionality of a bed extender, cargo cover, work table, cargo box and sunshade; all-in-one product! Enter code AMA20 to take advantage of the AMA exclusive 20% discount.

Shock Sox Street ~ Dirt ~ Off-Road ~ SHOCK SOX, “The 10-Second Removable Fork Seal Protector.” Get 10% off your order by entering your AMA number during checkout at ShockSox.com. For colors, sizes and model-applications, visit www. ShockSox.com

Spot LLC

AMA Members receive unprecedented and exclusive service credit on SPOT Spot Trace, Gen 3, and Satellite Phone products in addition to existing device promotions. Visit the Members Only section on www.AmericanMotorcyclist. com to view details.

TomTom

TomTom would like to offer you a 10% discount on any TomTom product (excluding accessories). Visit www. tomtom.com to place your order and enter AMA10_TT2016 at check out to receive your discount.

US Chrome

AMA Members save big at US Chrome! We offer a $30.00 discount on cylinder plating and dealer pricing on Wiseco, Wossner, ProX and Vertex piston kits. For more information visit the Members Area of the website.

Warm & Safe

Heated clothing and controllers designed by bikers. To encourage others to join the AMA we offer members an 18% discount. Enter AMA at check out to receive your discount.

NAVIGATION

American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2016. Printed in USA.

Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $19.95 covered in membership dues.

Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices. 8.

March 2016

Volume 70, Number 3

Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com

STREET COVER Are restrictive laws from other countries going to dictate U.S. riders’ rights?

DIRT/COMPETITION COVER

To switch the version you receive, call (800) 262-5646, ask for membership services. Want to read both versions? Call the above number to get both delivered to your home for just $10 more a year. Members can read both versions online at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine for free.

COMMUNICATIONS

American Motorcyclist 13515 Yarmouth Drive Pickerington, OH 43147 (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org

James Holter, Vice President of Communications and Marketing

Jim Witters, Managing Editor

Heather Wilson, Associate Editor

Mark Lapid, Creative Director

Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer Halley Immelt, Graphic Designer

Steve Gotoski, Advertising Director (Western States) (951) 566-5068, sgotoski@ama-cycle.org

Zach Stevens, National Sales Manager (626) 298-3854, zstevens@ama-cycle.org

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ about/board

Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, Chair

Schenectady, N.Y.

Ted Cabral, Vice Chair, Penngrove, Calif.

Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.

Paul Puma, Executive Committee Member, Laguna Beach, Calif.

Jeff Skeen, Executive Committee Member, San Diego, Calif.

Jerry Abboud, Thornton, Colo.

Russ Brenan, Irvine, Calif.

David Foley, Milwaukee, Wis.

Tony Moseley, Fort Worth, Texas

Roger Pattison, Taos Ski Valley, N.M.

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, 2015.

AMA STAFF

EXECUTIVE

Rob Dingman, President/CEO

Jeff Massey, Chief Operations Officer

Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer

Donna Perry, Executive Assistant to President/CEO

Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs

ACCOUNTING/DATA ENTRY

Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager

Lori Cavucci, Data Entry Representative

Deb D’Andrea, Data Entry Representative

Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator

Ed Madden, System Support Specialist

Nicole Weppler, Member Fulfillment Specialist

AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME

Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations

Jordan Cavallaro, Museum Admissions and Collections

Assistant

Paula Schremser, Program Specialist

Katy Wood, Collections Manager

AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES

Bill Cumbow, Director of Racing

Rob Baughman, Assistant Road Riding Manager

Kip Bigelow, Motocross Manager

Joe Bromley, Program Development Manager

Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator

Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations

Alex Hunter, Racing Projects Manager

Michael Jolly, Off Road/Track Assistant Manager

Beth Owen, Off-Road Coordinator

Mike Pelletier, Assistant Motocross Manager

Jessica Robinson, Track Racing Coordinator

Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager

Serena Van Dyke, Recreational Riding Coordinator

Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager

Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager

Robert Pearce, Murrieta, Calif.

Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.

(800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) AmericanMotorcyclist.com

BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS

Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations and Business Member Programs

DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES

John Bricker, Mailroom Manager

Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator

Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations

Nick Haris, Western States Representative

Rick Podliska, Deputy Director

Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager, Off-Highway

Michael Sayre, Grassroots Coordinator

Elizabeth Starek, Staff Assistant

Casey Wright, Government Affairs Manager, On-Highway

STATE CHAPTERS

Marie Wuelleh, State Chapter Manager

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Jennifer Kirkpatrick, IT Director

Dave Coleman, Network Architect

MARKETING

Amanda Donchess, Membership Marketing Manager

Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing Manager

Hannah Saunders, Marketing Coordinator

MEMBER SERVICES

Christina Dolin, Member Services Representative

Tiffany Pound, Member Services Manager

Cristy Wiles, Member Services Representative

MEMBER LETTERS

Letter of the Month SOLID SERVICE

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 your letters to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

I wanted to thank the AMA Roadside Assistance folks for the professional and prompt service that was provided to my wife on Jan. 22, 2016. She was driving home during the evening rush hour and her car became disabled. Being stranded on the interstate during rush-hour traffic is very scary and the service team did an excellent job securing her vehicle and rescuing her from a precarious situation.

As a side note, I’m a transportation engineer at the Ohio Department of Transportation, and I can attest to the dangers of standing on the shoulder of a busy freeway. We routinely park our work vehicle on the shoulder when performing inspections of buried drainage infrastructure. Despite the bright flashing lights and the recent adoption of the “Move Over Ohio” law, many drivers do not move to an adjacent lane when feasible.

I encourage travelers to recognize, apply, and promote this simple act for disabled vehicles in addition to roadside workers, which was the intended group for the law.

Jeffrey E. Syar Columbus, Ohio

ANOTHER TAKE ON ETHANOL

I have been riding for over 50 years and have been an AMA member since 1981. I started riding my first motorcycle in 1965 on a Ducati 90 and thought I had the world by the tail. Over the years, my bride and I have had 13 bikes, including an infamous “Water Buffalo” and the latest, a CanAm Spyder. We’ve toured from Texas to British Columbia to Newfoundland to West Virginia for well over 200,000 miles with tremendous scenery and experiences.

I also currently own seven Massey Ferguson tractors, which I use on our wooded acreage in Wisconsin, most of which are over 50 years old. I currently also own seven chain saws. I have noticed a huge difference in gasoline over the years as the manufacturing process has changed. Years ago the color of gasoline looked like what you would see after a night of consuming large quantities of barley pops. Now gasoline looks just like water and has about the same volatility.

The common thread in these stories is that gasoline has changed dramatically over the years and now has a shelf life of about 30 days, after which it starts to deteriorate. Over the years I have had a lot of carburetor trouble in motorcycles, tractors and small engines. An old time mechanic said years ago to add 1 or 2 oz. of automatic transmission fluid when you fill the gas tank to clean the carburetor. ATF acts as a detergent in transmissions and will do likewise to clean carburetors.

Many times while fueling up at a gas station I will ask the attendant if the fuel has ethanol and the normal response is that they have no idea. In Wisconsin, they

are getting better at labeling pumps, but sometimes even premium fuel contains ethanol.

Recently, due to concerns about using ethanol in ATVs, boat motors and recreational vehicles, more gas stations are carrying premium fuel with no ethanol. Since I started using exclusively premium gasoline and ATF every time I fill a motorcycle, tractor or small engine, I have not had a carburetion problem.

So, in the great ethanol debate, maybe we should be lobbying Congress to go ahead and allow E15, but also encourage gas stations to provide some pumps with no ethanol, providing customer choice. All gas stations may not be equipped to handle a separate tank just for ethanol-free fuel, but in every town there will probably be a least one, and motorcyclists will find it. I will gladly pay more for pure gasoline to avoid engine problems, especially at current fuel prices.

Ed Hass

AMA Charter Life Member Ellsworth, Wis.

Thanks, Ed, for your note. The problem with forcing more E15 into the marketplace is that distributors are virtually eliminating E0 availability. Per the Environmental Protection Agency’s November ruling, the amount of E0 nationally will go from 9.2 billion gallons in 2015 to just 130 million in 2016. We also advise against adding automatic transmission fluid to your fuel. Today’s fuels are formulated with detergents, while ATF was not designed for combustion and will significantly increase harmful exhaust emissions.

RIDING ALONE

In your February issue, Scott Marek presents good reasons why riding solo is more doable these days (more dependable bikes and cell phones).

I have been riding solo since I first sat on a motorcycle. Four years ago, I was 64 years old. Since then I have upgraded from a 1200 Sportster to a Softtail Heritage. By now I count 75,000 miles under my belt. To enjoy solo rides, apart from technicalities, I think is in your personality.

I like to be alone in the seat and on the road. I like it for weeks! I like the unexpected and the newness every day. I like to adapt to weather, accommodations, irregularities and surprises. I like to feel capable and in balance, not only on the wheels, but inside me as well. I like the Zen of solo traveling.

I also like the family-like greetings from bikers everywhere on the road, the gas station, the cafes and the motels.

I want to send my gratitude to all of you who ride for the sake of riding. I really can’t see any other reason to do it.

Mette Helena Elfving Reno, Nev.

AGAINST THE ODDS

In 2003, when my son Braden (Brady) Lee Parker was 4 years old, he informed me that his dad, Robert Douglas (Doug) Parker, was our Walmart parking lot angel and that was the reason we always got such a great parking spot at Walmart. His dad was killed in a motorcycle accident a year prior to that.

At age 10, Brady asked me to buy him a dirtbike. My quick and immediate response was “No, absolutely not.” But after a year of him begging, I reluctantly gave in, only after he promised me that his dad and father in heaven would protect him.

We bought a used inexpensive Roketa bike and he began riding. Since then, it has been an amazing journey. That first bike led to a newer bike, and he then began racing.

I look back and laugh. When we hit the race track, it was a boy and his bike and his little brother, and a mom and her picnic basket. No tools, no spare tires, just a bike, a brother, and a basket.

His first full year racing in 2012 in the Missouri State Championship Series, he placed sixth overall in his 85cc Senior class. The bike that got him there was a 2004 KX85 we bought from Brad Hall of Chesterfield, Ill., and it was as sweet a bike as the guy we got it from.

In 2013, he won his first state championship in the Missouri State Motocross Championship Series on a 125cc Yamaha that his racing friend

Stephen Garner Jr. helped us find.

In 2014, sitting in first place, seventh race of the year, we woke up at our motel to find everything had been stolen overnight. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to finish the championship that year.

This past year, 2015, Brady took a sixth place trophy in the Missouri State series on a 125cc Honda.

His plans for 2016 are to take his 2004 YZ250 two-stroke and race with all he’s got, and beyond that he wants to be racing with the pros someday.

We just want to say thank you to the AMA and all the motocross people we have met along the way. You have made a difference for this single mom and her young motocross racing son’s life.

I also want to encourage those thinking about pursuing motocross, that if we can do it, anyone can! See you in the winner’s circle!

Sandi Bernard Fulton, Mo.

Sound Off!

A roundup of recent comments on Facebook (www. facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist, www.facebook. com/amasupercrosschampionship). Instagram and Twitter (@AMA_Riding, @AMA_Racing).

In response to a motorcycle-themed book giveaway…

Robert Johnson: If you can’t be riding, nothing is better than researching and reading about them. Love to read about various brands’ histories.

In response to Ryan Sipes being named 2015 AMA Athlete of the Year in the national championship category…

@Sweeneyphoto: Well deserved. Congrats @r_sipes

On Branden Walther receiving the 2015 AMA Sportsman of the Year award…

@Hazbeenz: Thanks @ama_racing for recognizing such quality individuals such as Branden and his family!

In response to the Ask the MSF feature from the February issue about whether road riders should be in neutral or first gear when stopped…

Pete Rainwater: I agree with this well-written and well-thought-out response. BTW, I am a former MSF instructor who has provided the same basic instruction to students.

Joe Racine: I almost always keep it in first. Even if you position yourself an escape position, it will take valuable seconds to get the bike in gear and that may take too long. Inexperienced or experienced shouldn’t make a difference in this situation.

Nick Knudt: You can’t get the holeshot if you’re in neutral.

REPRESENTING YOUR INTERESTS

AMA Board Improves Procedures

Over the last several years, the AMA Board of Directors has made numerous improvements to the way it does business. These improvements include the implementation of term limits, improvements to board election procedures and a change in the make-up of the board to provide more individual member seats than business member seats.

By

The effect of those changes has been more apparent in the last couple of years as the first group of term-limited board members reaches the limits of their terms. The most recent member to leave the board due to term limits is Northwest Region individual member representative Perry King.

A well-known actor of stage, screen and television for more than 40 years, Perry is an avid motorcyclist and has served the board tirelessly since 2008. He was originally appointed to fill a vacancy on the board and has been instrumental in bringing about positive change within the AMA. In addition to his AMA Board service, Perry has served with distinction as emcee for the annual AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony since 2009 and has done so free of charge. We hope that Perry will be willing to continue in this role for years to come.

The voting to replace Perry recently concluded with the election of Ted Cabral, who will join the board at its next scheduled meeting in April. Ted, a 38-year member from Penngrove, Calif., began attending AMA-sanctioned flat track races with his father in the early 1970s. He was the general manager of Cycle West Honda/Suzuki in Petaluma, Calif., for more than 20 years. In the

1980s, he held a professional AMA motocross license and later worked as a technician on professional motocross and road racing teams. More recently, in 2013, Ted was appointed to the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission and currently serves as chairman. He also is a member of the California State Parks Transformation Advisory Committee.

One of the unforeseen byproducts of term limits is what to do if qualified candidates do not come forward to contest a vacancy on the AMA Board. This situation occurred in both the Southwest and South Central regions in the previous two election cycles. One of the seats was filled by a special election that yielded only one candidate and the other was filled by appointment by the board.

In addition to Perry King, North Central region individual member Jim Viverito was also set to “term out” in February of this year. While there were two candidates who came forward to run for the Northwest board seat, there were no candidates from the North Central region.

In its last two meetings, the AMA Board of Directors decided to address this lack of interest and has amended the AMA Code of Regulations with respect to term limits. The code previously allowed for individual directors to serve only two consecutive three-year terms. The new language allows a director who has already served two consecutive terms to run for a third term if approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the entire board.

Under the provisions of the new regulation, Jim sought and received the

AMA Board’s approval to run for a third term. The board has authorized a special election for the North Central region’s individual member director position. Candidates interested in running for the board seat should contact the AMA at elections@ama-cycle.org or (614) 856-1900 to request an application. Applications will be accepted through March 31.

Additionally, the AMA Board has abolished the requirement that a candidate for the board obtain the signatures of at least 50 current AMA members from the candidate’s region. The board felt that the signature requirement was a barrier to those otherwise interested in running for office and that the current candidate evaluation process conducted by the board’s Nominating Committee negated the need for the signature process.

The ability for a candidate to overcome not being selected by the Nominating Committee to run for the board, however, remains intact. Candidates for the board not selected by the Nominating Committee may still be placed on the ballot if they obtain at least 250 signatures of current AMA members.

There is no compensation for serving on the AMA Board of Directors, but it can certainly be very rewarding if you are willing to dedicate your time to the organization and our mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. Yes, at times it can also be a thankless task, but a strong AMA Board made up of representatives of the membership is essential for good governance.

MOTORCYCLISTS GET TWO BUDGET WINS

Congress Extends Breaks For Tracks, Electric Motorcycles

In its $1.8 trillion federal spending bill approved Dec. 18, Congress included two provisions likely to benefit motorcyclists during the coming year.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 – PATH Act – extends a tax break for motorsport entertainment complexes that allows owners to depreciate the cost of renovations or construction over seven years instead of the 39 years for most other owners of nonresidential property.

The extension applies to construction or renovations that are placed in service during 2015 and 2016.

“This provision benefits track owners, race promoters, workers and the communities that are home to motorsports facilities,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations. “The shorter time frame for recovering their investment serves as incentive for track owners to move forward with expansion plans and upgrades.”

Also included in the PATH Act is an extension through 2016 of the federal tax credit for buying an electric motorcycle. The credit is 10 percent of the purchase price to a maximum of $2,500. However, the new law excludes three-wheeled electric motorcycles from the tax credit.

President Obama signed the bill Dec. 18.

“This provision benefits track owners, race promoters, workers and the communities that are home to motorsports facilities. The shorter time frame for recovering their investment serves as incentive for track owners to move forward with expansion plans and upgrades.”

— Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations

OHIO CITY RESTRICTS OHV RIDING

Macedonia Riders Avoid Ban

The Macedonia, Ohio, City Council passed an ordinance in October restricting off-highwayvehicle use on private property within the city limits. But riders say the law is a compromise that prevented much more stringent restrictions from being enacted.

AMA member and Macedonia resident Mike Hawkins was one of the OHV riders who met with city officials after introduction of an ordinance so restrictive that some residents thought OHV use would be illegal in the city. City officials say the new law will not prevent people from using their OHVs, but it will prevent abuse.

The original proposal called for a 500-foot setback from nearby homes and a 250-foot setback from homes on the same property. Riders would have been required to stay at least 100 feet away from sidewalks and streets. And no riding would have been permitted on lots of less than an acre.

Hawkins says he owns four acres, but probably would not have been able to ride on his property under the proposed regulations.

Under the adopted ordinance, riders can come within 10 feet of sidewalks, streets and property lines. Vehicles can be ridden for two hours a day between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. or dusk, whichever is earlier.

The city also requires landowners to buy a $5 permit for using their land to ride on. If riders violate the city’s rules, the permit can be revoked for a year. Reinstatement carries an additional $25 fee. The penalty for not buying a permit is $10. Violations of the ordinance also can be cited as misdemeanors. The ordinance also outlaws the use of competition vehicles and allows only “unaltered stock mufflers.”

“We tried to come up with a solution that would still let parents teach their kids to ride in their backyard, but, at the same time, have some respect for their neighbors,” Hawkins says.

NOHVCC ‘GREAT TRAILS’ GUIDE RELEASED Provides Resource For The OHV Industry

“Great Trails: Providing Quality OHV Trails and Experiences,” a 350-page book for trail managers, has been released by the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council.

The AMA is one of 11 organizations that funded the project.

Written by U.S. Forest Service veteran Dick Dufourd, the guide includes information about the design, planning, construction, maintenance and management of OHV trail systems that are sustainable and fun to ride.

The initial printing of 200 copies was a limited edition that included the NOHVCC 25th Anniversary logo on the cover. The next printing will be available for about $30, to cover the cost of production.

More information is available at www. greatohvtrails.com.

NATURE CONSERVANCY BUYS

WASHINGTON LAND Group Pledges To Maintain Existing Uses

The Nature Conservancy announced its plan for 48,000 acres it bought in Kittitas County, Wash., (approximately 100 miles southeast of Seattle) and assured recreational access will be permitted that is “consistent with historic, legal use.”

All of the land, known as the Central Cascade Forest, will be open to nonmotorized uses, such as hunting and bird-watching. But there are 29.5 miles of single-track motorcycle trails on the land, as well.

The Nature Conservancy property is interspersed with U.S. Forest Service lands, so those using the trails are likely to pass through the Nature Conservancy holdings without noticing.

However, under the land’s previous owners – Plum Creek Timber –unapproved ATV riding occurred, according to a report in the Yakima Herald. ATVs will not be allowed on The Nature Conservancy lands.

HOUSE HOLDS HEARING ON OHV BILLS

Measures A ect Numerous California Riding Areas

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Federal Lands conducted a hearing in December on the Clear Creek National Recreation Area and Conservation Act (H.R. 1838) and the California Minerals, OffRoad Recreation, and Conservation Act (H.R. 3668), both of which are of great significance to off-road enthusiasts from California and nearby states.

H.R. 1838, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.), would allow offroad vehicles to return to the 75,000-acre Clear Creek Management Area southeast of Hollister, Calif., and establish the 21,000-acre Joaquin Rocks Wilderness area, a compromise proposal that has bipartisan support among California’s congressional delegation.

Clear Creek, which offers about 240 miles of trails, was closed to motorized vehicles by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in 2008 after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency raised concerns about naturally occurring asbestos. Asbestos is a known carcinogen. The EPA claims that the dust kicked up by dirt bikes and allterrain vehicles presents a health hazard for riders and others.

But studies by the International Environmental Research Foundation found that the lifetime risk from asbestos for those riding at Clear Creek five days a year was about the same as for someone who smokes less than one cigarette a day for that same year.

Under the Resource Management Plan adopted by the BLM in 2014, the

Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern was opened to some motorized traffic on a very limited basis.

H.R. 3668 would designate 965,000 acres of the Mojave Trails area in the Mojave Desert as a special management area that would be closed to renewable energy development. The bill also would designate 1,200 miles of roads and trails for OHV use and include a “no net loss” provision for trails and roads to prevent closures.

The bill also would designate six National OffHighway Vehicle Recreation Areas at Spangler Hills, El Mirage, Stoddard Valley, Rasor, Dumont Dunes and Johnson Valley. El Mirage, Spangler Hills and Johnson Valley would be expanded.

H.R. 3668 also would transfer 4,600 acres to the city of Apple Valley for creation of an OHV park. The bill would prohibit the president from designating any national monuments on land that is part of an OHV area or special management area.

H.R. 3668, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.), is similar to the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act (S.B. 434) sponsored by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Feinstein has been battling unsuccessfully since 2009 to get Congress to pass her bill, and in late 2015 asked President Obama to sidestep Congress and designate the Mojave Trails National Monument, the Sand to Snow National Monument and the Castle Mountains National Monument through the American Antiquities Act of 1906.

Up to motorcyclists everywhere for being better auto drivers. A report from the British insurance company Equity Red Star finds that motorcyclists are 23 percent less likely, on average, to make a claim on their car policy, indicating that riders are safer than other drivers behind the wheel of a car. Even after adjusting the figures to account for differences in the age of car drivers and motorcyclists, the company still reports riders are 21 percent better behind the wheel. The insurer examined 200 million policies between 2007 and 2012. ERS is a Lloyd’s underwriting business that has been a motor insurer for more than 60 years.

Down to Reddit founder and CEO Steve Huffman for being a lessthan-attentive motorcyclist. Huffman was asked in the November issue of Atlantic Monthly magazine whether he owns an Apple Watch. His response: “No, but I have a Pebble Time and love it. I can finally read texts while driving my motorcycle.”

Down to the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area visitors who are destroying the “pumpkins” at the Pumpkin Patch site. The pumpkins are “globular sandstone concretions” resulting from wind and water erosion over perhaps millions of years. The destructive visitors are depriving others of the enjoyment of this unique feature.

president of government relations, with Amy Showalter of The Showalter Group Inc.

COLORADO COUNTY HALTS TRACK PLANS

Six-month Moratorium, Restrictions In Place

Officials in Douglas County, Colo., placed a six-month moratorium on the construction of motorsports facilities on residential properties of less than 4.5 acres and enacted temporary restrictions on existing tracks in rural residential and agricultural areas.

The restrictions include:

Group Recognizes Grassroots Innovation

AMA WINS NATIONAL AWARD Showalter

The AMA won first place in the 2015 Showalter Political Involvement Program Innovation Award competition, announced Dec. 11 in Naples, Fla., at the annual Innovate to Motivate conference. Winning organizations must demonstrate innovative programs and results from their innovations.

During 2015, the AMA revamped its advocacy outreach to strengthen its position as the voice of the motorcycle community before national, state and local legislatures. That effort included the creation of a fully integrated advocacy resource center that serves as an information storehouse for all issues related to motorcycling and government.

“At the core is the belief that AMA

members and motorcycling advocates should be informed of the processes of government relations,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations. “The changes affected real-world outcomes, such as preventing unfair dirt-bike bans in select counties.”

The Showalter Innovation Award recognizes innovations and results in the grassroots and political action committee profession. Among the past winners are companies like Pfizer, International Paper, Southwest Airlines, Kraft Foods, and New York Life. Past nonprofit winners include The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Citizens for a Sound Economy and the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network.

• A maximum of two vehicles on a track at one time

• Tracks must be situated on a 1-acre area at least 100 feet from all property lines

• Riding is limited to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Dennis Larratt, an AMA member and co-founder of the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition, says the regulations are “arbitrary and rigid,” but believes some compromises can be achieved.

County officials say they want to strike a balance between residents who use their land for recreation and others who come to rural areas for solitude.

MINNESOTA COUNTY EYES OHV PARK

272-Acre Site Considered Near River

The Renville County, Minn., Board of Commissioners heard a consultant’s recommendation to proceed with an environmental assessment and storm

water mitigation plan for an off-highwayvehicle park on 272 acres near the Minnesota River.

The consultant, I+S Group, worked with Great Outdoors Consultants of Fort Collins, Colo., and the National Off-Highway Vehicle

STATEWATCH

ALABAMA

Buck’s Pocket State Park received a $526,996 grant through the federal Recreational Trails Program for 15 to 25 miles of off-highway-vehicle trails along a section of Sand Mountain in Jackson, DeKalb and Marshall counties. The grant is part of $1.6 million the state awarded for 15 trails projects. The remainder of the grant from the Federal Highway Administration will go to the state’s parks, public trust lands and city parks.

CONNECTICUT

Conservation Council on the report.

The cost of acquiring the property and developing OHV trails is estimated at $1.3 million.

Residents near the proposed park have told county officials that sound, dust and other issues cannot be mitigated, and they want the county to stop spending money on the project.

recreational uses. The lawsuit claims the Forest Service failed to follow federal guidelines for recommended Wilderness areas and failed to provide adequate opportunity for public comment.

PENNSYLVANIA

The cost of a basic rider course through the Connecticut Rider Education Program run by the state Department of Transportation is increasing from $200 to $220 in 2016. The intermediate rider course rose to $130 from $115, and the experienced rider course is now $100, up from $85. The cost of the sidecar, trike, three-wheeled course increased to $220 from $200. State law requires prospective riders to pass a training course conducted by CONREP or a private school to obtain a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s licenses.

MISSOURI

A bill filed by state Rep. Rocky Miller (R-Lake Ozark) would make the failure to wear a motorcycle helmet a secondary offense. Under current law, motorcyclists may be stopped by a law enforcement officer for failing to wear a helmet while riding. If Miller’s bill is enacted, a helmet citation could be issued only if the motorcyclist is pulled over for another violation first.

MONTANA

The BlueRibbon Coalition and other advocacy groups are suing the U.S. Forest Service over a plan that bars motorized access to some areas of the Kootenai National Forest. The plan designates 115,000 acres as recommended Wilderness and eliminates mechanized and motorized

S.B. 1058, introduced by 14 senators, would prohibit law enforcement agencies from engaging in motorcyclist profiling, would require training of officers concerning conduct that constitutes profiling and would provide that a victim of profiling could bring a private lawsuit against any police officer or police department that engages in motorcyclist profiling. In the action, the victim may be awarded injunctive relief, actual damages, punitive damages and reasonable attorney fees and costs.

WEST VIRGINIA

H.B. 2150, sponsored by 11 delegates, would make it illegal for anyone to modify a motorcycle exhaust system in a way that makes it louder than 95 decibels as measured under SAE Standard J1169. At the same time, H.B. 2251, introduced by Delegate Ralph M. Rodighiero (D-Logan) includes loud exhaust notes, engine revving and vehicle stereo systems in its prohibitions on disturbing the peace.

WISCONSIN

Two bills that would create a state off-road motorcycle program are under consideration by the state Assembly. A.B. 470, sponsored by state Rep. Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz) and S.B. 395, introduced by state Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon), would create the Off-Highway Motorcycle Council to make recommendations to the state Department of Natural Resources on matters related to trails, routes and other OHM issues. The motorcycle program would be operated in a manner similar to the state’s ATV program.

SISTERS’ CENTENNIAL MOTORCYCLE RIDE

Celebrating History By Alisa Clickenger

This year marks the 100th anniversary of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Adeline and Augusta Van Buren’s history-making crosscountry motorcycle ride. The Van Buren sisters were the first two women to cross the continental United States, each on her own motorcycle, and were the first women to ride to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak.

We plan on making history again, and in their memory I have organized the AMA-sanctioned Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride July 3-24 to follow in their footsteps. The idea is simple: 100 years later we will have 100 women riders crossing the United States from Brooklyn to San Francisco.

The Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride will honor the Van Buren’s achievements and promote the growth of the modern-day women’s motorcycle market, as well as the motorcycle community at large. Descendants of the Van Buren sisters will be on the entire ride.

Record numbers of women are now riding motorcycles, and with this event we have the opportunity to not only highlight the Van Buren sister’s accomplishments, but also entice nonriding women to join our ranks. Community events and meet-and-greets are planned across the country, including at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, and at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at MidOhio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Scheduled community events include:

• Brooklyn, N.Y.: Ride Launch Party (July 3)

• Springfield, Mass.: Launch Party (July 4-5)

• Latrobe, Pa.: Lincoln Highway Experience event (July 7)

• Pickerington, Ohio, and Lexington, Ohio: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and AMA Vintage Days (July 8-9)

• Anamosa, Iowa: National Motorcycle Museum (July 11)

• McCook, Neb.: Community event (July 13)

• Pikes Peak, Colo.: Pikes Peak event (July 15)

• San Francisco, Calif.: Grand Finale Party with emcee Erin Hunter Sills, the 2014 AMA Female Racer of the Year (July 23)

The ride will follow the Van Burens’ 1916 route as closely as possible. Register at www.sistersmotorcycleride.com.

AMA Member Tested WARM & SAFE HEATED JACKET

Info: www.warmnsafe.com/ generation-4-womens-heated-liner/ MSRP: $239.95

plugs for adding heated pants and heated gloves to the jacket if you feel like you need more warmth when riding in extreme cold. For me, these add a little bulk to the jacket, but if I were in Alaska or Canada, I wouldn’t complain about them and would probably use them regularly!

By Lisa Malachowsky

I’ve been riding for over 30 years, and I have lived in areas where riding with heated clothing was a requirement if you wanted to extend your riding season. When I moved from Northern California to Arizona, I packed my heated gear in storage. That was almost six years ago, and I’ve only used it once when I was riding in Montana at altitude. Come this past December, some of our mornings in Arizona dipped down to 37 degrees, which gave me the opportunity to put Warm & Safe’s Generation 4 Women’s Heated Liner to the test.

Years ago, my first heated gear was a vest, but my arms always got quite cold, and there was little to no adjustment on the amount of heat it delivered. In the early 2000s, I graduated to a FirstGear jacket designed by Warm & Safe.

This Generation 4 Jacket proved that it is a piece of equipment that has gone through testing and time in the saddle. It generates 90 watts of heat using something the company calls “Soft Heat Pure Science Heating Method.” It has reflective piping to be seen better at night and reflective material at the neck.

When you size this jacket, you will want it to be snug so that the antibacterial stretch panels will keep heat against your body as intended. It is a breathable shell with wind stop and moisture block.

It is intended to be used with the Warm & Safe “Heat-troller,” which is a controller designed to regulate the temperature delivered to the jacket. The Heat-troller was easy to use. I stuck it in the top of my tank bag so I could easily reach it with my left hand and adjust the temperature while riding.

There is polar fleece inside the neck to keep your neck area comfortable and avoid chafing with the jacket fully zipped while riding. There are several zippered panels that hide

You will feel more heat generated in the front of the jacket. This is intentional because this jacket is made for riding. I adjusted my windscreen all the way down so I could get a cold burst of air on me while riding and turned the Heat-troller up a little when testing it. It’s also recommended that you wear a moisture-wicking layer underneath, so that if you do perspire, it will evaporate better.

The coolest thing about this jacket is its versatility. It can be used both on and off the bike. For off-the-bike power, you get a 7.4-volt, 7.8-amp battery and an adapter cable allows you to hook 12-volt motorcycle jacket products to the remote battery. I tested this while walking my dogs in the morning on another 38-degree day. The battery is a little bigger than an iPhone and won’t fit in its own pocket easily, but it does come with a handy belt clip. The battery lasted a solid hour (specifications state it should last at least three hours). It will not, however, heat to 90 watts, as it would when the jacket is running off the 12-volt source of a motorcycle battery.

Warm & Safe offers a wide variety of jackets, pants, gloves, glove liners and socks that are all heated. Their size ranges are well defined and also include tall offerings. As you can

imagine, it is a product line up that covers motorcycling in cold, inclement weather very well and also stretches the value of your product purchase to uses beyond just motorcycling.

Ask the MSF

ACCOMMODATING PASSENGERS

Q: What is the best guidance for a first-time motorcycle passenger?

A: Riding two-up can be a great way to share the joys of motorcycling. But two-up riding can be challenging, and it requires cooperation between the rider and the passenger.

A passenger who does not understand how to move with a motorcycle can impair handling and even contribute to a crash.

Fully gear up before mounting the motorcycle. The rider mounts first, and the bike should be supported by the rider’s legs (not the side stand or center stand).

The passenger should not put weight on the left footrest and expect the rider to keep the bike from tipping. Instead, the passenger should throw a leg over the saddle and promptly center the passenger’s weight over the bike.

Once on the bike, the passenger’s feet should be kept on the footrests at all times, including at stops. The passenger should hold on to the rider’s waist or the bike’s seat strap or handholds, and anticipate the need to brace occasionally for acceleration and braking.

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When going through turns, looking over the rider’s inside shoulder in the direction of the turn will help the passenger naturally lean with the bike. Passengers should not lean away from the turn, as this will make cornering more challenging for the rider.

Riders need to master basic skills before considering taking on a passenger. Speeds and lean angles should be kept modest, and riders should maintain plenty of safety margin to avoid having to brake hard

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MEDJET AIR TRANSPORT

Consider Air Medical Transport Protection For Peace Of Mind

Traveling includes a number of risks and costs that many never consider. Take, for example, the enormous costs of air medical transport, something that may or may not be covered by your personal health insurance policy.

AMA member benefit partner Medjet’s air medical transport membership program and its supplemental motorcycle transfer protection can protect AMA members during personal and business travel. The service can cover your transport from one hospital to the one of your choice.

Medjet membership can help you avoid monumental out-of-pocket costs, and

there are no adventure travel exclusions with a Medjet membership, nor are there any health questions for those under age 75, no deductibles, co-payments or claim forms.

The cost for AMA members under age 75 is $225, $45 off the normal rate, with family memberships available. Motorcycle protection is available for an additional $35 per membership, per bike.

For more information about the benefit and Medjet’s services, visit www.medjetama.com or call (800) 5277478. Mention that you are an AMA member and provide your AMA number to receive the special discounted rates.

SPECIAL BOARD ELECTION PLANNED AMA Board Updates Term Limits

At its October 2015 meeting, the AMA Board of Directors modified board term limit rules and made it easier for members to apply to run for a seat on the board.

Individual member representatives now may run for a third consecutive term if approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the board. Also, potential candidates no longer have to submit 50 signatures of current AMA members from their region with their candidate application.

In addition, it was decided that a special election will be held for the individual member representative from the North Central Region.

AMA Board Member Jim Viverito’s final term on the board expired in February 2016, but no qualified candidates applied to run for his seat in the regularly scheduled election.

Viverito was approved by the board to run for a third term under the new rules and will serve at least until the election. Candidates must meet requirements in the AMA Code of Regulations.

Members interested in running for the open seat can request an application at elections@ama-cycle.org or by calling (614) 856-1900. The deadline for candidate applications is March 31.

AMA STAFF CHANGES Government Relations, Marketing Get New Hires

Members who are politically active in their communities will have a new AMA staffer to call on for support. Michael Sayre has joined the AMA government relations office in Washington, D.C., as grassroots coordinator.

Sayre comes to the AMA from the University of Michigan, where he was program assistant for the Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research Summer Program in Quantitative Methods.

Sayre has been riding motorcycles for six years and has been an AMA member for four. His current bike is a 2012 Yamaha FZ8.

“As grassroots coordinator, I hope to empower AMA members to defend the right to ride,” Sayre says. “In particular, I hope to join the fight against E-15 fuels, as well as support lane splitting proposals at the state level.”

Communications And Marketing

Hannah Saunders is the new AMA marketing coordinator. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications.

Saunders previously interned with the Ohio offices of the American Red Cross, Fairfield Medical Center and the Office of Energy and Environment at Ohio State.

Stay connected to the most thrilling indoor motorsport on Earth.

Search in iTunes or on Google Play for “AMA Pro SX” or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com for details.

As a child, she spent most weekends at motocross and AMA Supercross events, watching family members race.

“My younger brother, uncle and cousins all race, so it is a family sport that is close to my heart,” she says.

“I am excited to work with AMA and learn more about the motorcycling community.”

In addition, James Holter was promoted to vice president of communications and marketing. He is responsible for the communications, marketing, sales and creative departments.

Previously, Holter was AMA director of communications and managing editor of American Motorcyclist. Holter joined the AMA staff in 2005. He is a 19year member of the AMA.

Jim Witters replaces Holter as the managing editor for American Motorcyclist. Witters joined the AMA staff in January 2014 as the government affairs editor. He has been an AMA member for eight years and is a lifelong motorcyclist.

FROM END TO END

Sometimes, A Road’s

True Beauty Is Hidden In Its Entirety

By Douglas Weir

As a serious rider of U.S. roads, I have thought for decades about riding a two-lane U.S. highway from end to end. Although I have ridden long stretches of U.S. highways such as U.S. 20 and U.S. 50, I had never done an end-to-end ride, until now.

Decision Time

The accompanying sidebar, “EndTo-End Options” (page 24) lists a large number of end-to-end rides that you can do. In general, whenever most riders discuss these rides, they immediately think of east-to-west or west-to-east options.

A popular one, obviously, is U.S. Route 66. However, most of Route 66 is a boring motorcycle road. Except for a short distance west of Seligman, Ariz., it is flat and dead straight. So, unless you are a big fan of art-deco neon signs and funky motels or a history buff seeking out the notable portions designated as National Scenic Byways, Route 66 would not be my first choice. Documentation of this particular route is great, however. So, which U.S. route to choose?

Where you live is obviously a big factor. If you have to commute hundreds of miles just to get to the start of a particular highway, you might look at a different option. Because we are riders, topography can play a large part in our selection, and also scenery. Perhaps historic significance might be a factor? The Lincoln Highway (mostly U.S. Routes 30 and 40) comes to mind. It was the first transcontinental route.

My first choice was the north-tosouth U.S. Route 89, the so-called “National Park Highway.” It goes through or near Glacier, Yellowstone, Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks.

It also has some pretty memorable topography, and is fairly close to where I live.

Research

It is amazing what information you can get about each highway from the Internet (or books). Just key in the highway number you are considering. There is info from trade associations, Wikipedia pages, state guides, etc. For U.S. 89, there are many pages of search hits, including several books.

Practical Considerations

There are many practical considerations, given the time and distance involved in an end-to-end tour. The ideal setup would be to travel two highways on one very long ride, having similar starting and ending points. For example, U.S. 40 and 50 both end (or did end) near San Francisco. They both start fairly close to each other in Atlantic City, N.J., and Ocean City, Md., respectively. For a one-way ride you could buy a bike at one end, and ride it home.

Another plan might be to ride one way and have your bike shipped home. You also can have a bike shipped from almost anywhere to your home for less than $1,000. (Federal Companies offers an AMA member discount.) You could then fly home, or for even more fun, take Amtrak. (Unfortunately, Amtrak does not take motorcycles, but they do take bicycles.)

Another plan would be to split the ride in half, perhaps over two years? For example, you could start in central Utah on U.S. Route 191/666 and head north in July or August and return on U.S. 89 back to your start. The next year, you could start at the same spot heading south in May/June or September/October. Another practical consideration would be that many U.S. highways start in or pass through

the centers of major cities. It might be extremely annoying or downright dangerous to do that, so a modern beltway around major cities might make more sense.

Weather can be another reason to split the ride, especially when riding north/ south. It can be risky to head north on U.S. Routes 89 or 191 before July. Glacier National Park is rarely fully open before mid-July. On the other hand, Nogales in July/August, with its 100-plus daytime temperatures, might be life-threatening. Do your research and use your best judgment.

My End To End

I was thinking it was about time to replace my long-in-the-tooth Suzuki V-Strom. So, I went to CycleTrader.com to consider potential models. It was then that I had a eureka moment. Here was my chance to update my motorcycle on an end-to-end tour without having to backtrack or find another route home.

Despite the June weather considerations, I started to look in the Phoenix area. However, I didn’t find what I was looking for there. So, I expanded my search. One bike to replace the V-Strom that came up over and over was Yamaha’s Super Ténéré. I then checked some of my recent motorcycle mags. Most of my riding buddies are on BMW GSs but the Ténéré appeared to be a perfect fit for me. I found one, just outside of Chicago, that was set up for long distance touring. And the price was right.

I checked my end-to-end table and found U.S. Route 14. It starts in Chicago and ends at the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park. I then did further research. Although most of the eastern end is flat and straight, it passes by the Black Hills of South Dakota and crosses the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. And I always enjoy visiting Yellowstone, our first national park. Perfect! So, I sent a deposit to BBK Motorsports in Elgin, Ill., and got a midJune airline ticket to Chicago’s Midway Airport. The nice BBK folks picked me up at Midway.

Because I live in the boonies of northern Idaho, I had forgotten how bad city traffic can be. It took two hours to travel the few miles to Elgin from Midway. This convinced me that although U.S. 14 technically begins on Lake Shore Drive in downtown Chicago, there was no way I was going to ride there that afternoon in the 95-degree heat. (If you want to read about that part of the 25 miles or so that I missed, Wikipedia has an excellent article that says that U.S. 14 used to start on Route 66.)

I am not going to give you a blow-byblow diary of my ride. Southern Wisconsin has some nice rolling hills and farms. I crossed the Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wis. Minnesota also has pleasant farm country. I took the beltways around Madison, Wis., and Rochester, Minn. South Dakota is flatter still, but the recent heavy rains made everything very green. I crossed the Missouri River at Pierre, S.D.

The long section of U.S. 14 between Pierre and Wall, S.D., has no services, so I made sure I gassed up in Pierre. Speaking of services, there are very few motels still left on two-lane U.S. highways. I stayed in motels that were near interstate highway crossings.

Wall is the entrance to the Badlands National Park. The colorful rock formations are certainly worth the diversion.

When you get to Rapid City, S.D., the fun begins. The Black Hills have some great riding! Iron Mountain Road (16A), the Needles Highway (SD 87) and Spearfish Canyon (14A) are narrow, twisty roads. Some are just like the slot car roads of the Alps, but get out early before the cars and motor homes spoil the ride. Just off U.S. 14, near Sundance, Wyo., is Devil’s Tower, which is always worth a visit.

10 best motorcycle roads in the U.S., but it should be. The combination of elevation gain and great roadway engineering make it worthy of riding it twice. When you get to the junction near the highest point in the Big Horn Mountains, you have a choice between 14 and 14A. Although both choices are great riding, the pavement quality on the western descent of 14A is poor. U.S. 14 also passes by the nice Shell Creek Falls.

Then comes Cody, Wyo., with its Western kitsch, and finally the eastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

The biggest disappointment? There was no sign that said: “END U.S. 14.”

Was U.S. 14 a good choice, and was the Super Ténéré a good long distance ride? Yes and yes. I logged 1,466 miles vs. the table’s value of 1,500.

END-TO-END OPTIONS

This table of U.S. highways can help you decide what route to take for an end-to-end tour. Note that not all highways are included. Some U.S. highways are too short to make a worthy trip. For example, U.S. Route 4 goes between Portsmouth, N.H., and East Greenbush, N.Y.—a distance of only 250 miles. A nice day ride, perhaps, but not worthy of an end-to-end tour.

Many of the old U.S. highways have been vaporized by the Interstate Highway system. For example, the original, continuous U.S. 99 and U.S. 66 designations are no longer used. So, I was fortunate in that my aunt had given me a road atlas from 1940. The only super highway in existence then was about half of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, now I-70. Because highways are always changing route names, I obtained most of the “From” and “To” columns from the 1940 version. In a few cases the current highways go farther now than they did then. In all cases, I tried to include the longest route possible. An example is U.S. 89 heading south. Today, it ends at Flagstaff, Ariz. It used to follow the road that stretches all the way to Nogales, Ariz., on the border with Mexico.

The final column in the table is what I call “Minimum Distance.” Because this is based mainly on current interstate travel, the mileage is probably somewhat low and doesn’t include side trips or deviations. For example, actual U.S. Route 6 mileage is almost 3,700 miles vs. the minimum distance listed here, which is 3,200.

There are several quirks in the table. Route 200 is not a U.S. highway. It is several state highways strung together. Also, U.S. 666 (The Devil’s Highway) has been re-numbered to U.S. 191.

Richmond, Va. Benton Harbor, Mich. 800

Chicago, Ill. Granby, Colo. 1100

Uhrichsville, Ohio Estes Park, Colo. 1500

Atlantic City, N.J. San Francisco, Calif. 3100

Copper Harbor, Mich. Miami, Fla. 1900

Ontonagon, Mich. Mobile, Ala. 1400

Ocean City, Md. Oakland, Calif. 3100

Hurley, Wis. La Place, La. 1400

Charleston, S.C. Portal, N.D. 2000

Pittsfield, Ill. El Paso, Texas 1500

Kansas City, Kan. Springer, N.M. 900

Lancaster, Minn. Laredo, Texas 1800

Virginia Beach, Va. Los Angeles, Calif. 2900

Grand Portage, Mich. New Orleans, La. 1600

Niagara Falls, N.Y. El Paso, Texas 2100

Wis. Memphis, Tenn. 1000

Head, N.C. Farmington, N.M. 2300

Minn. New Orleans, La. 1400

Ill. Los Angeles, Calif. 2100

1 Fort Kent, Maine Key West, Fla. 2200

2 Houlton, Maine Everett, Wash. 3400

6 Provincetown, Mass. Long Beach, Calif. 3200

10 Detroit, Mich. Seattle, Wash. 2400

11 Champlain, N.Y. New Orleans, La. 1700

12 Detroit, Mich. Aberdeen, Wash. 2500

14 Chicago, Ill. Yellowstone, Wyo. 1500

15 Rochester, N.Y. Walterboro, S.C. 1000

16 Detroit, Mich. Yellowstone, Wyo. 1800

17 Winchester, Va. Punta Gorda, Fla. 1100

18 Milwaukee, Wis. Douglas, Wyo. 1200

19 Erie, Pa. St. Petersburg, Fla. 1300

20 Boston, Mass. Newport, Ore. 3300

21 Cleveland, Ohio Beaufort, S.C. 800

23 Mackinaw, Mich. Kingsport, Tenn. 900

24 Pontiac, Mich. Grand Junction, Colo. 1600

25 Cincinnati, Ohio Brunswick, Ga. 800

26 Ogallala, Neb. Astoria, Ore. 1500

S.D. Brownsville, Texas 1700

Ga. San Diego, Calif. 2600

N.D. Laredo, Texas 1800

Ga. Alamogordo, N.M. 1900

Westhope, N.D. Brownsville, Texas 2100

Ga. Pagosa Springs, Colo. 2000

N.D. El Paso, Texas 1700

Havre, Mont. Port Lavaca, Texas 2100

Glacier, Mont. Nogales, Ariz. 1700

Jacksonville, Fla. Van Horn, Texas 1700

Sweetgrass, Mont. Barstow, Calif. 1400

Eureka, Mont. Wickenburg, Ariz. 1500

Eastport, Idaho San Luis, Ariz. 1700

Oroville, Wash. Weed, Calif. 900

Blaine, Wash. Los Angeles, Calif. 1400

Olympia, Wash. Los Angeles, Calif. 1200

Presho, S.D. Refugio, Texas 1100

Malta, Mont. Douglas, Ariz. 1700 **200 Duluth, Minn. Sandpoint, Idaho 1600

Minneapolis, Minn. Yellowstone, Wyo. 1100

Ind. Panama City, Fla. 1000

27 Mackinaw, Mich. Miami, Fla. 1700

29 Baltimore, Md. Pensacola, Fla. 1100

30 Atlantic City, N.J. Astoria, Ore. 3100

31 Mackinaw, Mich. Mobile, Ala. 1300

Colo. Sanderson, Texas

Mont. Port Arthur, Texas 2200

Del. Bradenton, Fla.

*U.S. 666 (The Devil’s Highway) has been re-numbered to U.S. 191. **Route 200 is several state highways strung together.

2016 AMA SWEEPSTAKESMEMBER

Members who join or renew their AMA membership from Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2016, are automatically entered to win one of these

2000 YZ250

Je Emig’s Last Winning Bike

The track for the 1999 U.S. Open of Supercross had two defining qualities: a brutal whoop section and an extremely short start. AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeff Emig and his team focused on setting up Emig’s 2000 Yamaha YZ250 so it could attack those obstacles with perfection.

Enzo Racing worked on the chassis and suspension setup for the event, held in Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, and Emig was able to dial in the bike with just a few compression and rebound adjustments the night of the race.

For the power, Emig’s team, Strategic 3 Motosports, enlisted FMF Racing and Terry

Varner to build the engines. The design worked, and Emig was able to dominate both nights of competition.

Essentially competing as a privateer that year, Emig’s 1999 U.S. Open of Supercross win was not only a classic example of an under-funded rider beating the world’s best factory teams, it was also Emig’s final win as a professional racer.

The U.S. Open triumph capped a successful AMA Motocross and Supercross career for Emig. In all, Emig won four AMA national championships, an FIM World Supercross title and was a six-time member of the U.S. Motocross des Nations team.

During his 11-year professional career, Emig earned 37 AMA national wins. When he retired, he was fourth on the all-time AMA 250 National Motocross wins list, sixth on the all-time AMA 125 motocross list and tied for seventh on the combined AMA Motocross/Supercross wins list. He also was the 1997 AMA Pro Athlete of the Year.

Following the 1999 win, Emig was poised to make a return to pro competition, but practice injuries slowed his comeback and he decided to retire. He

continued to be active as a team owner and later became an ambassador for motocross by making appearances at amateur racing events across the country. Today, he’s a well-known commentator on AMA Supercross broadcasts.

Emig’s YZ250 is on loan from Yamaha Motor Corp. USA. To see it and many other motorcycles that helped shape the history of motorcycling in America, visit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, features the people and machines that have defined the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling in America. The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that receives support from the AMA and from the motorcycling community. For info and directions, visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org, or call (614) 856-2222.

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Famer

DAVID BAILEY: 1990s MOTOCROSS ICON

David Bailey was a leading AMA Motocross and Supercross racer in the 1980s. He won the AMA 250cc National Motocross Championship and AMA Supercross Championship in 1983 and went on to win the AMA 500cc National Motocross Championship in 1984 and 1986.

Bailey tallied 30 AMA national race victories during his eight-year professional career, which was cut short in his prime after a practice crash left him paralyzed just before the start of the 1987 season. After his injury, Bailey reemerged in the early 1990s as an expert motocross television commentator.

Bailey was born on Dec. 31, 1961, in San Diego. When he was 10, he started traveling the country with his stepfather, Gary Bailey, a motocross star of the 1960s who ran a traveling racing school. David started racing mini-bikes about that time.

At first, David Bailey’s results were not noteworthy, but eventually his practice paid off. By the time he was in his late

teens, he started winning on the amateur level.

Bailey turned pro in 1979, riding Bultacos. His best finish in his rookie season was a 14th overall in the 250cc outdoor national at Mount Morris, Pennsylvania.

In 1980, Bailey became one of the first Team Green Kawasaki support riders. His results improved rapidly. He cracked the top 10 at a couple 250 nationals and one Supercross.

After finishing seventh in the final standings of the AMA 250 Motocross Championship in 1981, Bailey earned a factory ride with Honda for the 1982 season and began to turn in some consistently strong performances. He earned five podium finishes in the 250 outdoor series and one in Supercross.

Bailey finished runner-up to Jeff Ward by a single point in the AMA Supercross series in 1984. Honda wanted to spread its talent around in motocross and moved Bailey to the 500cc series, where he dominated, winning eight straight races in the 10-race season.

The 1983 season was a turning point for Bailey. His off-season training paid off and he opened the year with his first AMA national victory in the Anaheim Supercross. Bailey went on to win the AMA Supercross title. He then won the 1983 AMA 250 National Motocross title as well, after tallying three national victories.

The 1986 season was a busy one for Bailey. He competed in three series: Supercross, and 250cc and 500cc motocross. He won the 500cc title over Honda teammate Ricky Johnson, but was runner-up to Johnson in both the 250 Motocross and Supercross championships.

Following his injury, Bailey remained athletically competitive. He later became a leading chair marathon triathlete.

David Bailey was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2004.

Put yourself in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is YOUR hall of fame—we couldn’t exist without the generous support of our donors. Now there’s a new way for you to show that support in a very visible way: My Hall of Fame. The idea is simple: A $20 charitable donation gets you a 3-inch-square space on the wall in the Hall of Fame entrance foyer that hangs during the campaign year. Want a bigger space? A 6-inch square is an $80 donation, and an 8-inch square is a $180 donation. You also get an official certificate noting that your picture is on display in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Hang your picture, your kid’s picture, your company logo, almost anything. It’s up to you! Get in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame today!

INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE

MANY MEASURES, ONE GOAL? SOME SAY EFFORT TO REDUCE MOTORCYCLE USE IS AFOOT.

By Jim Witters

Mandatory helmet laws, graduated licensing, antitampering regulations and even bans on older bikes are among the dozens of restrictions motorcyclists in other nations deal with daily, and their governments are trying to tighten the rules even further.

European and Asian nations enacted mandatory helmet laws in the 1970s, and motorcyclists in those countries accepted the laws as a way to make riding safer. But they didn’t suspect then that those laws were individual governments’ and international organizations’ first steps toward marginalizing motorcycles under the guise of “safety.”

In the intervening years, the United Nations, the European Union, international philanthropies and public/private partnerships have developed agendas that include standardizing motorcycle equipment and motorcyclists’ behavior worldwide.

U.S. agencies, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are part of these efforts and have been pushing for new laws and regulations that directly affect American motorcyclists’ right to ride and their right to decide the amount of risk they are willing to accept.

In 1976, the U.S. Department of Transportation stopped assessing financial penalties on states that did not have universal helmet laws, and many states repealed or modified their requirements, allowing riders to make this personal decision on their own. The federal penalty was reenacted in 1991, but was elilminated in 1995.

But the agencies did not stop efforts to convince states to return to universal mandatory motorcycle helmet laws.

“These rules, regulations and requirements are being put in place under

the guise of increased safety,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations. “But the underlying concept is actually the reduction of risk, no matter what level Americans are willing to accept. And now the ultimate goal appears to be the reduction of motorcycle use, period.

“If we allow governments to determine the amount of risk that is acceptable and to force us into ‘safer’ and ‘safer’ options, how long will it be before motorcycles are banned altogether as the ‘less safe’ alternative to cars?” Allard asks.

Reports from the World Health Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s International Transport Forum call for all nations to adopt similar motorcycling provisions, with no regard for the wishes of stakeholders.

Public/private partnerships, such as the Global Road Safety Partnership, and private groups, such as the Bloomberg

AUSTRALIA

Some areas of Australia allow motorcycle and scooter parking on sidewalks, as long as pedestrian traffic is not impeded.

TAIWAN

Taiwan and other Asian nations are considering separate lanes for motorcycles to ease the extreme congestion and reduce the number of car-motorcycle crashes.

SWEDEN

Motorcyclists, such as these assembled during a Swedish rally, are facing increased restrictions, including a plan to reduce speed limits for powered two-wheelers.

Philanthropies, have entered the discussion, also recommending uniform regulations, especially in developing countries.

U.S. agencies then cite these trends and reports to justify their attempts to enact stricter regulations on American motorcyclists.

INTERNATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

It could happen here.

The United Nations’ World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations and, specifically, United Nations Working Party 29’s proposals for Europe and Asia could be adopted throughout the United States.

The 1958 agreement, signed by the United States, calls for reciprocal approval of vehicle systems, parts and equipment.

Among the items under consideration for worldwide standardization: mandatory anti-lock braking systems, stricter exhaust emissions standards, sound emissions

restrictions, turn signal visibility standards and the location and identification of operating controls.

“While standardizing the location of turn-signal indicators or the symbol for a high-beam headlight may seem insignificant or even desirable to riders, in the longer term, agreements such as these could mean much more important decisions will be taken out of the hands of U.S. voters and motorcyclists,” Allard says.

The 2015 WHO report targets three key “risk factors” for stronger laws and increased enforcement that affect motorcyclists:

• Use of motorcycle helmets: mandatory helmet use by all riders, with a helmet-quality standard;

• Speed: a national urban maximum speed limit of about 30 mph;

• Drunk driving: driving laws with a blood alcohol content of less than or equal to 0.05 percent, as well as

lower limits of less than or equal to 0.02 percent for young and novice drivers. The U.S. standard in most jurisdictions is 0.08 percent BAC.

The OECD’s research report, titled Improving Safety for Motorcycle, Scooter and Moped Riders, also calls for compulsory helmet use.

In Australia, the government adopted laws that forbid certain types of visors and bans mounting a camera on motorcycle helmets, reports Mark Hinchliffe, publisher of MotorbikeWriter.com.

Paris banned cars and motorcycles registered before 2000 from major areas of the city during certain hours as a way to curb pollution. And other French cities are considering even harsher bans.

The Fédération Française des Motards en Colère (French Federation of Angry Bikers) protested the move, flooding the streets with thousands of riders using the slogan that “The PTW (powered twowheeler) is a solution, not pollution.”

In Sweden, the government’s current focus is on reducing the speed of motorcyclists. And the European Union has made obtaining a motorcycle license complicated and prohibitively expensive, according to some critics.

SWEDISH BATTLES

Maria Nordqvist, who handles consumer issues, traffic management and other issues for the Sveriges MotorCyklister (SMC, the Swedish Motorcyclist organization), says her group is one of the stakeholders working on the third version of Sweden’s motorcycle safety strategy. Work began in January 2015.

A 2015 effort collected 30,000 signatures and convinced Trafikverket, the Swedish Transport Administration, to discard its 30-point plan to reduce motorcyclists’ speed. However, the speed theme continues to dominate discussions.

“The one and only thing that is pushed forward from the Swedish Transport Administration is speed,” Nordqvist says. “Most of the things that we bring to the table are rejected. The other stakeholders state that we need something that is as efficient in reducing accidents as ABS. Having a valid A license [the highest motorcyclist classification in Europe], riding sober, safer barriers, safer roads, conspicuity are examples that are not seen as something that can reduce motorcycle fatalities—only better (i.e. lower, ed.) speed adaptation from riders is seen as a measure to reduce fatalities.”

Nordqvist says European regulations have not reduced traffic crashes.

“It is a combination of things: Safer

bikes, safer roads, older riders, improved education,” she says.

Motorcycle licensing also has a big impact on crashes and fatalities, she says.

SMC is translating and publishing a study that compares licensed and unlicensed riders who are injured or killed in traffic crashes.

“This is a huge problem in Sweden,” she says. “Thirty percent of all those killed on a motorcycle neither have a valid license nor own a bike. They aren’t motorcyclists, but their deaths affect us in terms of new restrictions and laws.”

At the same time, European drivers’ license requirements in effect since 2013 have resulted in a 50 percent drop in the number of new licensed riders in some countries.

“The scheme means that you must take a test three times to get A1, A2 and then A license at 16-18, 18-20 and 20-22 years of age, depending on the national laws,” Nordqvist says. “If you don’t have a license for bikes and want to ride a Harley or sportbike, you have to wait until 24 years to get a license.

“The costs are extreme,” she continues. “Administration costs and compulsory tests in Sweden would cost $800!”

EUROPEAN FOCUS

Dolf Willigers, general secretary of

the

Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations, says the impetus behind Europe’s proposals is the focus on vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists.

“For the European Commission, road safety is an important policy item,” he says. “The goal is to have a reduction of casualties of 50 percent by 2020,” starting with 2009.

While the numbers for car drivers are on schedule to meet that goal, the numbers for vulnerable road users are not.

“For motorcyclists this means, for example, a focus on personal protection equipment, including helmets,” Willigers says. “In every E.U. country, wearing an approved (UNECE) helmet is mandatory and in most E.U. countries up to 100 percent of the riders do wear a helmet.

“Other items the E.C. focuses on are improving awareness of PTW riders by other road users, encouraging research and technical developments aimed at increasing PTW safety and safer infrastructure—for example, safer guardrails,” he explains.

“Finally, better enforcement. But that is a national matter and not an E.U. thing, although they initiated cross-border enforcement for road-safety-related matters like drunk driving, speeding.”

The technical developments include intelligent transportation systems, road

worthiness testing, advanced braking systems and anti-tampering measures. And the focus on personal protective equipment involves new standards for the equipment, not mandatory equipment use, Willigers says.

“The European motorcyclists have asked the EC to focus more on good and affordable initial training for riders,” Willigers says, “because we see that as the best thing to increase road safety for motorcyclists.”

AMA ACTIONS

Allard says American motorcyclists would be wise to pay close attention to the European developments, in particular, because U.S. agencies are following Europe’s lead, instead of taking the lead in response to American voters.

Déjà vu? The AMA and other motorcyclist rights groups overcame an effort led by the insurance industry to ban sportbikes in the United States in the 1980s. Cities, such as Myrtle Beach, S.C., have tried to limit the number of motorcyclists on the streets by enacting tough laws with stiff penalties.

In 2013, the AMA discovered a draft PowerPoint presentation from a CDC committee that included “potential for reduced motorcycle use” in its analytic framework for reducing crashes, injuries

WILLIGERS

The European approach includes protective gear, motorist education, safer infrastructure and better enforcement.

NORDQVIST

In Sweden, new motorcyclists face a tiered licensing system that requires three separate tests with combined costs of nearly $800.

SOME GOOD IDEAS IN THE DISCUSSION

Not all ideas originating from foreign countries are bad for motorcyclists, especially where motorcycles figure prominently in traffic.

The OECD also proposed changes in the way motorcycles interact with other vehicles on the road, including:

• Promote appropriate behavior among riders and road users in general

• Improve vehicle safety features

and fatalities.

The AMA scored a major victory in 2015 with the passing of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, which prohibits federal funding of motorcycle-only checkpoints and reestablishes the Motorcyclist Advisory Council for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

But federal agencies and state legislatures—often urged by insuranceindustry lobbyists—continue their pursuit of mandatory helmet laws for all riders, mandatory anti-lock braking systems on all motorcycles–including dual-sport and dirt bikes–and other legislation and regulations that restrict rider’s rights and choices.

“Only the vigilance, dedication, hard work and political savvy of motorcyclists who have joined together with the AMA and state motorcycle rights organizations can turn back these misguided Washington bureaucrats,” Allard says. “The types of regulations they are proposing and enacting do not help prevent motorcycle crashes or injuries. Yet they clearly infringe on our riding freedoms and inhibit our enjoyment of our roads and trails.”

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

All motorcyclists should become AMA members to support our efforts to stand up to unfair and discriminatory laws and regulations. So recruit your riding buddies, your club members and enlist your family and friends.

All motorcycle enthusiasts should sign up for AMA Action Alerts and take action when called upon. Pass AMA Alerts along to other riders and encourage them to take action, too.

Get to know your local officials, let them know you and your motorcycling friends vote, and explain how their actions directly affect motorcyclists.

And Vote Like A Motorcyclist!

• Introduce “self-explaining” and “forgiving” roads—roads that guide drivers and riders to adopt appropriate speed and behavior, along with traffic-calming measures

• Conduct more research to extend understanding of powered two-wheeler mobility and crash mechanisms.

“Some OECD recommendations are a step in the right direction,” Allard says. “The safety and needs of motorcyclists must be a part of the overall transportation discussion. And efforts to educate other road users and make them more aware of motorcyclists in their midst will help make the roadways safer for everyone.”

Some countries already are trying to better accommodate riders.

Mark Hinchliffe, who publishes MotorbikeWriter.com in Australia, says some jurisdictions are undertaking pilot projects that allow motorcycles and scooters to park on sidewalks in areas where they do not disrupt the flow of foot traffic.

Australian governments also are recognizing the benefits of lane splitting to alleviate congestion and reduce the number of rear-end collisions, he says.

In Taiwan and Malaysia, where a high percentage of all fatal crashes involve a motorcycle, a pilot project has established motorcycle-only traffic lanes. Preliminary results indicate a 39 percent reduction in the number of crashes.

“We encourage the United States and other countries to be responsive and creative in approaching vehicle and rider safety issues,” Allard says. “Rather than banning equipment or behavior that carries some degree of risk, elected officials and government agencies should listen to their constituents and focus their attention on measures that reduce the number and severity of crashes.”

A few of the AMA-sanctioned events this month, listed on the following pages.

1

Dixie Dual Sport Inc. will kick off the first event of the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series and the Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series, March 4-6, in Brooksville, Fla. Info: www.dixiedualsport.com

2

Pasadena Motorcycle Club will operate a Poker Run on March 13 in Pasadena, Calif. Info: www.pasadenamc.com

3

The Pagoda Motorcycle Club is hosting a motocross race on March 20 in Birdsboro, Pa. Info: www.pagodamc.org

4On March 13, in Ellerbe, N.C., Windy Hill Sports will host a motocross race. Info: www. windyhillsportsmx.com

5

In Tucson, Ariz., Tucson Dual Sport LLC is hosting a dual sport and adventure ride on March 19-20. It’s a round of the Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series and the Yamaha Super Ténéré AMA National Adventure Riding Series. Info: www.tucsondualsport.com

The eighth round of the Arizona Motorcycle Riders Association Off-Road Championship Series will be a Grand Prix at Canyon MX in Peoria, Ariz., on April 3. It’s hosted by Off Camber MC. Info: www.amraracing.com

MARCH EVENTS

ALABAMA

COMPETITION

ENDURO

MAR 20: STANTON: PERRY MOUNTAIN M/C CLUB, (205) 340-4298 ARIZONA

RECREATIONAL

DUAL SPORT RIDE

MAR 19: TUCSON: 2 DAY EVENT, TUCSON DUAL SPORT LLC, (520) 979-8398, TUCSONDUALSPORT.COM

CALIFORNIA

RECREATIONAL

POKER RUN

MAR 13: PASADENA: PASADENA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (626) 807-9268, PASADENAMC.COM

COMPETITION

CROSS COUNTRY

MAR 27: GRIZZLY FLATS: 2 DAY EVENT, EARTHSCAPE CUSTOM DIRT WORKS, (916) 320-0687

DESERT SCRAMBLES

MAR 26: (Includes ATVs) RED MOUNTAIN: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DIRT DIGGERS, (310) 913-1362, DISTRICT37AMA.ORG

ENDURO

MAR 5: HOLLISTER: TIMEKEEPERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (650) 823-3034, TIMEKEEPERSMC.COM

EUROPEAN SCRAMBLES

MAR 12: (Includes ATVs) BARSTOW: 2 DAY EVENT, HUNTINGTON BEACH MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (661) 510-3245, HUNTINGBEACHMC.COM

HARE SCRAMBLES

MAR 19: HOLLISTER: 2 DAY EVENT, GHOSTRIDERS MC, (408) 265-2122, GHOSTRIDERSMC.COM FLORIDA

RECREATIONAL

ADVENTURE RIDE

MAR 4: BROOKSVILLE: DIXIE DUAL SPORT, INC., (727) 919-8299, DIXIEDUALSPORT.COM

DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD

MAR 4: BROOKSVILLE: DIXIE DUAL SPORT, INC., (727) 919-8299, DIXIEDUALSPORT.COM

LOUISIANA

COMPETITION: ARENACROSS

MAR 12: LAFAYETTE: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM

NEBRASKA

COMPETITION: ARENACROSS

MAR 5: OMAHA: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM

NEVADA

COMPETITION: CROSS COUNTRY

MAR 12: TOULON: 2 DAY EVENT, WESTERN STATES RACING ASSOCIATION, (775) 853-6911, WESTERNSTATESRACING.COM

NEW JERSEY

COMPETITION: ENDURO

MAR 20: SHAMONG: SOUTH JERSEY ENDURO RIDERS, INC., (609) 268-9272, SJER.ORG NORTH CAROLINA

COMPETITION: MOTOCROSS

MAR 13: (Includes ATVs) ELLERBE: WINDY HILL SPORTS, (910) 895-5438, WINDYHILLSPORTSMX.COM OHIO

RECREATIONAL: SWAP MEETS

MAR 13: BRILLIANT: ABATE OF OHIO, INC., (740) 219-2716, ABATE.COM

PENNSYLVANIA

COMPETITION: MOTOCROSS

MAR 20: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMC.ORG

VIRGINIA

COMPETITION: GRAND PRIX

MAR 20: SANDY LEVEL: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (434) 509-9363, VCHSS.ORG

CLUB1924

Daytona Bike Week March 4-13

Rolling Thunder Run May 27-30

Americade Motorcycle Rally June 7-11

Laconia Motorcycle Week June 11-19

Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally June 23-26

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days July 8-10

Bu alo Chip Sturgis August 8-14

Ray Price Bikefest September 23-25 Sponsored

The AMA Beta National Dual-Sport Series features the country’s best organized dual-sport rides. Events include miles of well marked, challenging trail connected by scenic backcountry roads. The challenging, national caliber terrain is designed to bring out the best in each rider.

2016 EVENTS

MOTOCROSS

FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS www.fim-live.com

Sept. 25: Maggiora, Italy

FIM JUNIOR MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP www.fim-live.com

Aug. 21: Orlyonok, Russia

MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS www.amasupercross.com

Feb. 20: Arlington, Texas: AT&T Stadium

Feb. 27: Atlanta, Ga.: Georgia Dome

March 5: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway (note: not a Feld Motor Sports produced race)

March 12: Toronto, Canada: Rogers Centre

AmericanMotorcyclist.com a Riding a Dual Sport

March 19: Detroit, Mich.: Ford Field

April 2: Santa Clara, Calif.: Levi’s Stadium

WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP (WMX) www.racewmx.com

March 7: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona Amateur Supercross

March 19: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Spring Championship

April 9: San Diego, Calif.: California Classic Motocross Championship

May 20: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Hangtown Classic

June 19: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway

Aug. 28: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman Raceway

Sept. 3: Millington, Mich.: Baja Brawl

Oct. 2: Englishtown, N.J.: Kawasaki Race of Champions

Oct. 9: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek MX

Nov. 26: Alachua, Fla.: Winter Olympics

National Championship

AMA ATV MOTOCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY CST www.atvmotocross.com

March 8: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway (Pro points only)

April 9: Indianapolis, Ind.: Lucas Oil Stadium

April 16: St. Louis, Mo.: Edward Jones Dome

April 23: Foxboro, Mass.: Gillette Stadium

April 30: East Rutherford, N.J.: MetLife Stadium

May 7: Las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium

LUCAS OIL AMA PRO MOTOCROSS www.promotocross.com

May 21: Sacramento, Calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic

May 28: San Bernardino, Calif.: Glen Helen National

June 4: Laktewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley National

June 18: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point National

June 25: Blountville, Tenn.: Tennessee National

July 2: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National

July 9: Southwick, Mass.: Southwick National

July 16: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek National

July 23: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal National

Aug. 13: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla National

Aug. 20: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek National

Aug. 27: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman National

April 9-10: Kemp, Texas: Underground MX Park

April 23-24: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway

May 7-8: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman Raceway

May 21-22: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway

June 4-5: Tallassee, Ala. Monster Mountain

June 18-19: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX

July 2-3: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek MX Park

July 16-17: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX

July 30-31: Buchanan, Mich.: Redbud MX

Aug. 13-14: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn Ranch National Championship AMA AMSOIL ARENACROSS SERIES www.arenacross.com

Feb. 20-21: Tampa, Fla.: Amalie Arena

March 5-6: Omaha, Neb.: CenturyLink Center

March 12-13: Lafayette, La.: Cajondome

April 1-3: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Business Bank Arena

April 9-10: Salinas, Calif.: Salinas Sports Complex

April 16-17: Tacoma, Wash.: Tacoma Dome

April 22-24: Nampa, Idaho: Ford Idaho Center

May 6-8: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena (Amateur National Championship)

National Championship

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV/MC AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP, PRESENTED BY AMSOIL www.mxsports.com

Aug. 1-6: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn Ranch

Northeast Area Qualifiers

March 5-6: Elizabeth City, N.C.: Elizabeth City MX

March 12-13: Hedgesville, W.V.: Tomahawk MX

April 9-10: Englishtown, N.J.: Englishtown

April 16-17: Dillwyn, Va.: Actiontown MX Park

April 23-24: Fredericksburg, Pa.: Sleepy Hollow MX

May 7-8: Seward, Pa.: Pleasure Valley

May 14-15: Winchester, N.H.: Winchester Speedpark

May 21-22: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX

Northeast Regional Championships

June 4-5: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway (Amateur)

June 11-12: Shippensburg, Pa.: Doublin Gap MX Park (Youth)

Southeast Area Qualifiers

Feb. 27-28: Jacksonville, Fla.: WW Ranch MX Park

March 19-20: Sutherlin, Va.: Birch Creek Motorsports Park

April 2-3: Okeechobee, Fla.: Florida Cycle Park

April 9-10: Hamer, S.C.: South of the Border MX Park

April 16-17: Tallassee, Ala.: Monster Mountain MX Park

April 23-24: Reynolds, Ga.: Silver Dollar Raceway

April 30-May 1: Wytheville, Va.: Pro Sport Motocross

May 14-15: Dalton, Ga.: Lazy River MX

Southeast Regional Championships

May 28-29: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway (Amateur)

June 18-19: Henderson, N.C.: North Carolina Motorsports Park (Youth)

Mid-East Area Qualifiers

March 19-20: Altamont, Tenn.: Fast Farms MX Park

April 2-3: Waynesburg, Ohio: Malvern Motocross Park

April 16-17: Rossville, Ind.: Wildcat Creek MX

2016 EVENTS

April 23-24: Chillicothe, Ohio: ChilliTown MX

April 30-May 1: Bronson, Mich.: Log Road MX

May 7-8: Nashport, Ohio: Briarcliff Motocross

May 14-15: Bloomingdale, Mich.: Dutch Sport Park

May 21-22: Livingston, Tenn.: Thunder Valley MX

Mid-East Regional Championships

June 4-5: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud MX (Youth)

June 25-26: Millington, Mich.: Baja Acres (Amateur)

North Central Area Qualifiers

March 12-13: Richwoods, Mo.: Romp MX

April 2-3: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports

April 9-10: Garwin, Iowa: Oak Ridge MX

April 23-24: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX

April 30-May 1: Maize, Kan.: Bar 2 Bar MX Park

May 14-15: Little Falls, Minn.: Little Falls Raceway

May 21-22: Mount Carroll, Ill.: McMotopark

May 28-29: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway

North Central Regional Championships

June 11-12: Byron, Ill.: Byron Motorsports Park (Amateur)

June 18-19: Tigerton, Wis.: Motozone (Youth)

South Central Area Qualifiers

March 5-6: Conroe, Texas: 3 Palms Action Sports Park

April 2-3: Fulton, Miss.: Veterans MX Park

April 9-10: Grand Cane, La.: Desoto Motorsports Park

April 16-17: Wellston, Okla.: Reynard Raceway

April 23-24: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Raceway

April 30-May 1: Amarillo, Texas: Bowers MX

May 21-22: Yantis, Texas: Johnsonville MX Farm

May 29-30: Brush, Colo.: Sweney Cycle Park (Sunday / Monday races)

South Central Regional Championships

June 11-12: Lakewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley Motocross Park (Amateur)

June 25-26: Alvord, Texas: Oak Hill Raceway (Youth)

Northwest Area Qualifiers

March 19-20: West Richland, Wash.: Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex

May 7-8: Junction City, Ore.: Eugene MX Park

May 14: Billings, Mont.: Billings MX (Saturday only)

2016 EVENTS

Northwest Regional Championship

May 28-29: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal MX Park (Youth/Amateur)

Mid-West Area Qualifiers

Feb. 20-21: St. George, Utah: Saint George MX

April 2-3: Turlock, Calif.: Oatfield Raceway

April 16-17: California City, Calif.: Cal City MX Park

May 14-15: Hollister, Calif.: Hollister Hills SVRA

May 21-22: Rocksprings, Wyo.: Rock Springs MX

Mid-West Regional Championship

June 4-5: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Prairie City OHV (Youth/Amateur)

Southwest Area Qualifiers

March 5-6: Buckeye, Ariz.: Arizona Cycle Park

March 12-13: Bakersfield, Calif.: Kern County Raceway Park

March 19-20: Haleiwa, Hawaii: Kahuku Motocross

April 2-3: Anza, Calif.: Cahuilla Creek MX

April 9-10: Moriarty, N.M.: Sandia MX at Moriarty

April 16-17: California City, Calif.: Cal City MX Park

Southwest Regional Championship

June 11-12: Pala, Calif.: Pala Raceway (Youth/Amateur)

National Championship

AMA VINTAGE MOTOCROSS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.americanmotorcyclist.com

July 9-10: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Major Event

JAMES STEWART FREESTONE SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP www.freestonemx.com

March 15-19: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Raceway

Major Event

RICKY CARMICHAEL DAYTONA AMATEUR SUPERCROSS www.racedaytona.com

March 6-8: Daytona Beach, Fla: MX Sports Featured Series

16TH ANNUAL FMF AMA TEXAS WINTER SERIES (PROAM) www.freestonemx.com

Feb. 27-28: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Raceway

Featured Series

KING OF THE WEST SERIES www.2xpromotions.com

Feb. 28: Palmdale, Calif.: LACR Raceway

March 6: Tulare, Calif.: DT1 MX Park

March 20: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Prairie City SVRA (Hangtown MX)

April 7-10: Pala, Calif.: Pala Raceway (California Classic)

April 24: Snelling, Calif.: Oatfield Raceway

April 30-May 1: Lake Elsinore, Calif.: Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park Featured Event CALIFORNIA CLASSIC www.2xpromotions.com

April 7-10: Pala, Calif.: Pala Raceway

DIRT TRACK

AMA PRO FLAT TRACK www.amaproracing.com

March 10: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway

March 11: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway

April 9: Austin, Texas: Circuit of the Americas

May 14: Phoenix, Ariz.: Turf Paradise

May 21: Sacramento, Calif.: California Expo Fair

May 29: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds

June 18: Oklahoma City, Okla.: Remington Park

June 25: Lima, Ohio: Allen County Fairgrounds

July 30: Charlotte, N.C.: Charlotte Motor Speedway

Aug. 9: Rapid City, S.D.: Black Hills Speedway

Aug. 14: Peoria, Ill.: Peoria Motorcycle Club

Aug. 20: TBA

Sept. 4: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds

Sept. 17: TBA

Oct. TBA: TBA

March 5: Savannah, Ga.: Oglethorpe Speedway (Half Mile)

March 7: Barberville, Fla.: Volusia County Speedway (Half Mile)

March 8: Barberville, Fla.: Volusia County Speedway (Short Track)

April 30: Henry, Ill. (Half Mile)

May 1: Henry, Ill. (Half Mile)

June 17: Harpursville, N.Y. (Short Track)

June 18: Harpursville, N.Y. (Short Track)

July 2: Oshkosh, Wis.: Oshkosh Speedzone (3/8 Mile)

July 3: Oshkosh, Wis.: Oshkosh Speedzone (3/8 Mile)

July 9: Ashland, Ohio: Ashland County Fairgrounds (Half Mile)

Aug. 12: Indianapolis, Ind.: Marion County Fairgrounds (Short Track)

Aug. 13: Indianapolis, Ind.: Marion County Fairgrounds (Short Track)

Sept. 24: Cuddebackville, N.Y. (Short Track)

Sept. 25: Cuddebackville, N.Y. (Short Track)

March 5: Savannah, Ga.: Oglethorpe Speedway Park

March 7-8: Barberville, Fla.: Volusia Speedway Park

March 4: Savannah, Ga.: Oglethorpe Speedway (Half Mile)

March 6: Barberville, Fla.: Volusia Speedway (Half Mile)

May 22: Peoria, Ill.: Peoria Speedway (Short Track)

May 23: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds (TT)

June 13: Bucyrus, Ohio: Crawford County Fairgrounds (Half Mile)

July 4: Frederick, Md.: Frederick Fairgrounds (Half Mile)

July 25: Ashland, Ohio: Ashland County Fairgrounds (Half Mile)

Aug. 5: Sturgis, S.D.: Sturgis Fairgrounds (Half Mile)

Aug. 14: Lewistown, Ill.: Spoon River Speedway (Short Track)

Sept. 5: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds (Short Track)

Sept. 26: York, Pa.: York Expo Center (Half Mile)

ROAD RACE

FIM MOTOGP www.motogp.com

April 8-10: Circuit of the Americas

FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP www.worldsbk.com

July 8-10: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

MOTOAMERICA ROAD RACING SERIES www.motoamerica.com

April 8-10: Austin, Texas: Circuit of the Americas

April 15-17: Braselton, Ga.: Road Atlanta

April 29-May 1: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

May 13-15: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway

June 3-5: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America

June 10-12: Birmingham, Ala.: Barber Motorsports Park

June 23-25: Tooele, Utah: Utah Motorsports Park

July 8-10: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Sept. 9-11: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

National Championship

AMA ROAD RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.asraracing.com

July 1-3: Plymouth, Wis.: Road America

National Championship

AMA VINTAGE ROAD RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.americanmotorcyclist.com

July 9-10: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Featured Series

AMERICAN SPORTBIKE RACING ASSOCIATION (SPRINT SERIES) www.asraracing.com

March 10-13: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway

April 16-17: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

May 28-30: Summit Point, W. Va.: Summit Point Circuit

June 11-12: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway

July 1-3: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America

Aug. 13-14: Joliet, Ill.: Autobahn Country Club

Sept. 24-25: South Beloit, Ill.: Blackhawk Farms Raceway

Oct.14-16: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway

AMERICAN SPORTBIKE RACING ASSOCIATION (TEAM CHALLENGE) www.asraracing.com

April 10: Kershaw, S.C.: Carolina Motorsports Park

May 21: South Beloit, Ill.: Blackhawk Farms Raceway

June 16-19: Loudon, N.H.: New Hampshire Motor Speedway

July 1: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America

2016 EVENTS

July 17: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

Aug. 21: Summit Point, W. Va.: Summit Point Circuit

Sept. 18: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway

Oct. 15: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway Featured Series AMERICAN SPORTBIKE RACING ASSOCIATION (USGPRU SERIES) www.asraracing.com

April 9-10: Kershaw, S.C.: Carolina Motorsports Park

April 16-17: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

May 28-30: Summit Point, W. Va.: Summit Point Circuit

June 11-12: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway

July 1-3: Elkhart Lake, Wis: Road America

Aug. 13-14: Joliet, Ill.: Autobahn Country Club

Aug. 27-28: Bloomingdale, Ga.: Roebling Road Raceway

Sept. 24-25: South Beloit, Ill.: Blackhawk Farms Raceway

OFF-ROAD

AMA INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS ENDURO QUALIFIERS www.americanmotorcyclist.com

April 23-24: Romney, W. Va.: Full Gas Sprint Enduro

June 4-5: Idaho City, Idaho: Boise Ridge Riders National Championship AMSOIL GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES PRESENTED BY MAXXIS www.gnccracing.com

March 5-6: Palatka, Fla.: Rodman Plantation

March 12-13: Sparta, Ga.: Hill Family Farm

April 2-3: Morganton, N.C.: Steele Creek Campground

April 16-17: Union, S.C.: Big Buck Farm

April 30-May 1: Society Hills, S.C.: Moree’s Hunting Preserve

May 14-15: Springville, Ind.: Lawrence Co. Recreational Park

May 28-29: Millfield, Ohio: Sunday Creek Raceway

June 11-12: Odessa, N.Y.: Seneca Highland

June 25-26: Snowshoe, W. Va.: Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Sept. 10-11: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX

Sept. 24-25: Masontown, W. Va.: Marvin’s Mountain Top

Oct. 1-2: St. Clairsville, Ohio: Powerline Park

Oct. 29-30: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman Raceway

National Championship

KENDA AMA NATIONAL ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.nationalenduro.com

April 10: Forest Hill, La.: Acadiana Dirt Riders

May 22: Greensboro, Ga.: Cherokee Cycle Club

June 19: Huntersville, Minn.: River Valley Enduro Riders

July 24: Cross Fork, Pa.: Brandywine Enduro Riders

Aug. 28: Chandlersville, Ohio: Ohio Woods Riders

Sept. 18: Park Hills, Mo.: Missouri Mudders

Oct. 23: Skiatook, Okla.: Oklahoma Trail Riders

National Championship

AMA ENDUROCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.endurocross.com

Aug. 27: Atlanta, Ga.

Sept. 3: Sioux Falls, S.D.

Sept. 10: Salt Lake City, Utah

Sept. 24: Phoenix, Arix.

Oct. 1: Denver, Colo.

Oct. 22: Everett, Wash.

Nov. 5: Boise, Idaho

Nov. 19: Ontario, Calif.

National Championship

KENDA SRT AMA HARE AND HOUND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.nationalhareandhound.com

April 2 (Youth) | 3 (Amateur) No ATVs: Murphy, Idaho: Dirt Inc.

May 14 (ATV/Youth) | 15 (Amateur): Delta, Utah: Sage Riders Motorcycle Club

June 11: TBA

Aug. 27 (Amateur/Youth) No ATVs: Panaca, Nev.: Silver State Trailblazers

Sept. 3-4: TBA

Sept. 24 (No ATVs): Yerington, Nev.: GetXtr-Eme

Oct. 22 (Youth) | 23 (Amateur): Lucerne Valley, Calif: 100’s MC

National Championship

AIReS AMA/NATC MotoTrials National Championship Series www.mototrials.com

May 21-22: Ocala, Fla.: Florida Trials Association

May 28-29: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Southeastern Trials Riders Association

June 18-19: Tillamook, Ore.: Columbia Observed Trials Association

June 25-26: Canon City, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Trials Association

National Championship

AMA VINTAGE HARE SCRAMBLE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.americanmotorcyclist.com

July 8: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

National Championship

AMA VINTAGE TRIALS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.americanmotorcyclist.com

July 10: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

National Championship

TENNESSEE KNOCKOUT EXTREME ENDURO www.tennesseeknockoutenduro.com

Aug. 20-21: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Trials Training Center

Regional Series

AMA/NATC Youth MotoTrials Regional Championship www.mototrials.com

June 22-24: Canon City, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Trials Association (West)

June 30-July 2: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Southeastern Trials Riders Association (East) Regional Series

AMA EAST HARE SCRAMBLE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.americanmotorcyclist.com

March 20: Chatham, Va.: Rivers Edge

April 16 (Youth Bikes) | April 17 (Amateur Bikes): Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen

May 7 (Youth Bikes/Youth ATV) | May 8 (Amateur Bikes/Amateur ATV): Clifford, Pa.: District 6 Sports Association

July 16 (Youth Bikes) | July 17 (Amateur Bikes): Mahanoy City, Pa.: Valley Forge Trail Riders

July 30 (Youth Bikes) | July 31 (Amateur Bikes): Catawissa, Pa.: High Mountain Dirt Riders

Aug. 28 (Bikes/ATV): Speedsville, N.Y.: Cross Country Customs

Oct. 9 (Youth Bikes/Amateur Bikes): Rural Retreat, Va.: Rattlesnake Riders Regional Series

KENDA SRT AMA WEST HARE SCRAMBLE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.westharescramble.com

March 19 (ATV/Youth) | 20 (Amateur): Gorman, Calif: Prospectors MC

April 9 (Amateur) | 10 (Youth): Shasta Lake City, Calif.: Redding Dirt Riders

April 23 (Youth) | 24 (Amateur): Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Vikings Motorcycle Club

May 21 (Amateur/Youth): Caliente, Nev.: Silver State Trailblazers

Sept. 17 (ATV/Youth) | 18 (Amateur): Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Desert Motorcycle Club

Oct. 1 (Amateur/ATV/Youth): El Centro, Calif.: RoadRunners Motorcycle Club

Nov. 5 (Youth) | 6 (Amateur): Longdale, Nev.: Darkside Motorcycle Club

Regional Series

KENDA FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.sprintenduro.com

Feb. 13-14: Gaston, S.C.

March 2-3: Daytona Beach, Fla.

April 23-24: Romney, W. Va.: ISDE Qualifier

June 4-5: Altamont, Tenn.

July 9-10: Connelly Springs, N.C.

July 30-31: Brazil, Ind.

Aug. 13-14: Young Harris, Ga.

Nov. 12-13: Union, S.C.

Regional Series

AMA DISTRICT 37 BIG 6 GRAND PRIX SERIES www.big6racing.com

March 5-7: Devore, Calif.: Glen Helen Raceway

April 2-3: 29 Palms, Calif.: 29 Palms Motorsports

April 30-May 1: State Line/Primm NV: Primm Casino Resort

Oct. 1-2: Ridgecrest, Calif.: Desert Empire Fairgrounds

Nov. 5-6: Gorman, Calif.: Quail Canyon MX

Dec. 3-4: TBA

Regional Series

KENDA SRT AMA WEST ATV CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.americanmotorcyclist.com

March 19: Gorman, Calif.: Prospectors M/C

April 23: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Vikings M/C

May 14: Delta, Utah: Sage Riders MC

Sept. 17: Red Mountain, Calif.: NHHA

Oct. 1: Ocatillo Wells, Calif.: RoadRunners M/C

Oct. 22: Lucerne Valley, Calif: 100’s MC Featured Series

APPALACHIAN CHAMPIONSHIP ENDURO SERIES www.aces-races.com

March 13: Ray, Ohio: Chillicothe Enduro Riders Association

April 3: New Straitsville, Ohio: New Straitsville Enduro Riders

April 10: Shade, Ohio: Lodi Township Enduro

June 5: Wellston, Ohio: Appalachian Dirt Riders

July 17: McArthur, Ohio: Enduro Riders Association

Aug. 7: Three Springs, Pa.: Green Marble Enduro Riders

Aug. 14: Logan, Ohio: Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club

Aug. 28: Chandlersville, Ohio: Ohio Woods Riders (In conjunction with National Enduro)

Sept. 4: Athens, Ohio: Athens Motorcycle Club

UPDATED: Sept. 18: Bergholz, Ohio: Ohio Valley Trail Riders

Oct. 9: Matthews, Ind.: Muddobbers Motorcycle Club

Nov. 13: Treaty City, Ohio: Treaty City Motorcycle Club

Featured Series CROSSROADS RACING SERIES www.crossroadsracingseries.com

Feb. 20: Bedford, Ky.: Nikota Motorsports Park

April 2: Salem, Ind.: High Fly MX Park

April 23: Staunton, Ind.: Staunton MX Park

June 4: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports

June 10: Springville, Ind.: LCRP

July 9: Bedford, Ind.: Bedford Rock

July 30: TBA

Aug. 13: Oden, Ind.: Parsons MX Compound

Sept. 3: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports

Oct. 15: Bedford, Ky.: Saddleback East

Oct. 22: Staunton, Ind.: Staunton MX Park

Featured Series EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION (ENDUROS) www.ecea.org

March 13: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen Motorcycle Club

March 20: Shamong, N.J.: South Jersey Enduro Riders

April 3: Greenbank, N.J.: Meteor Motorcycle Club

April 10: Chatsworth, N.J.: Pine Barons Enduro Riders

May 1: Delaware City, Del.: Delaware Enduro Riders

May 29: Heckscherville, Pa.: Reading OffRoad Riders

June 12: Deposit, N.Y.: Ridge Riders Motorcycle Club

June 26: Blain, Pa.: Susquehanna Off Road Riders

July 10: Gillett, Pa.: Southern Tier Enduro Riders

July 24: Cross Fork, Pa.: Brandywine Enduro Riders

Aug. 7: Three Springs, Pa.: Green Marble Enduro Riders

Aug. 14: Berkshire, N.Y.: Ithaca Dirt Riders

Aug. 28: Mauricetown, N.J.: Competition Dirt Riders

Sept. 11: Shippensburg, Pa.: South Penn Enduro Riders

Sept. 25: Mahanoy City, Pa.: High Mountain Dirt Riders / Valley Forge Trail Riders

Oct. 16: Warren Grove, N.J.: Motorcycle Competition Inc.

2016 EVENTS

Oct. 30: New Lisbon, N.J.: Ocean City Competition Riders

Nov. 20: New Lisbon, N.J.: Central Jersey Competition Riders

Featured Series

EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION (HARE SCRAMBLES) www.ecea.org

April 16-17: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen Motorcycle Club

April 23-24: Millville, N.J.: Competition Dirt Riders

May 14-15: Sahara Sands, N.J.: Motorcycle Competition Inc.

May 22-23: Berwick, Pa.: South Penn Enduro Riders

June 4-5: Three Springs, Pa.: Rocket Raceway

June 18-19: Tamaqua, Pa.: Reading Off Road Riders

July 16-17: Mahoney City, Pa.: Valley Forge Trail Riders

July 30-31: Catawissa, Pa.: High Mountain Dirt Riders

Aug. 20-21: Clifford, Pa.: Meteor Motorcycle Club

Sept. 17-18: Mount Cobb, Pa.: Ridge Riders Motorcycle Club

Oct. 1-2: Wellsboro, Pa.: Southern Tier Enduro Riders

Oct. 22-23: Sahara Sands, N.J.: Pine Barrons Enduro Riders

Nov. 12-13: New Castle, Del.: Delaware Enduro Riders

Series

ATV HARE SCRAMBLE SERIES www.iatvhss.com

April 30-May 1: Centerville, Iowa

May 28-29: Mt Pleasant, Iowa

June 18-19: Kahoka, Mo.

July 9-10: St Charles, Iowa

July 30-31: Thurman, Iowa

Sept. 18-19: Beaconsfield, Iowa

Oct. 8-9: Carlisle, Iowa

Aug. 19-20: Carlisle, Iowa: Heartland Challenge

Feb. 28: Port Crane, N.Y.: Square Deal Riders

Series MOTORCYCLE RACING ASSOCIATION OF NEVADA (DESERT SERIES) www.mranracing.org

March 26: Pahroc Summit, Nev.: Yucca Chuckers

April 9: Murphy’s Gap, Nev.: SNDR

April 30: Caliente, Nev.: Groundshakers

May 21: Panaca, Nev.: Silver State Trailblazers

2016 EVENTS

July 30: Ely, Nev.: Coyotes

Aug. 27: Caliente, Nev.: Silver State Trailblazers

Sept. 17: Pioche, Nev.: Bushwackers

Nov. 5: Logandale, Nev.: Darkside

Featured Series

MOTORCYCLE RACING ASSOCIATION OF NEVADA (GRAND PRIX SERIES) www.mranracing.org

March 5: St. George, Utah: Groundshakers

Sept. 3: Cedar City, Utah: Jackrabbits

Oct. 8: Mesquite, Nev.: Wildbunch

Oct. 22: Mesquite, Nev.: Gamblers

Featured Series

MOTORCYCLE RACING ASSOCIATION OF NEVADA (NIGHT TEAM RACE SERIES) www.mranracing.org

June 4: Jean, Nev.: Wild Bunch

June 25: Jean, Nev.: MRAN

July 9: Jean, Nev: MRAN

July 22-23: Searchlight, Nev: Bushwackers

Featured Series

TRIALS INC. www.trialsinc.org

April 16-17: Fly, Ohio: Trail Run Trial (17th is Vintage Cup Series Round)

April 23-24: Southington, Ohio: Cleveland

May 14-15: Tippecanoe, Ohio: Tippecanoe

June 4-5: Sidell, Ill.: Illinois

June 18-19: Toronto, Ohio: Toronto (19th is Vintage Cup Series Round)

July 23-24: Canfield, Ohio: Canfield

Aug. 20-21: Little Hocking, Ohio: Wildwood

Sept. 3-4: Newark, Ohio: Newark (4th is Vintage Cup Series Round)

Sept. 17-18: Columbus, Ind.: Stoney (18th is Vintage Cup Series Round)

Oct. 1-2: Bedford, Ky.: Saddleback (2nd is Vintage Cup Series Round)

Oct. 15-16: Taylorsville, Ky.: Vintage Cup Finals

Featured Series

VIRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HARE SCRAMBLE SERIES www.vchss.org

March 20: Sandy Level, Va.: River’s Edge

April 3: Dillwyn, Va.: CVTR

April 17: Arrington, Va.: April Fools

May 1: Martinsville, Va.: Blue Ridge 1

May 15: Bristol, Va.: Harleywood

May 29: Dendron, Va.: Reddy Hole

June 12: Spring Grove, Va.: TDR, Eastover

June 26: Rural Retreat, Va.: Hillbilly

Aug. 7: Martinsville, Va.: Blue Ridge 2

Aug. 21: Penhook, Va.: Sandy Bottom

Sept. 4: Rural Retreat, Va.: Coyote Run

Sept. 11: Spring Grove, Va.: Peninsula

Sept. 25: Rural Retreat, Va.: Iron Mountain

Oct. 9: Rural Retreat, Va.: Rattlesnake

Oct. 30: Spring Grove, Va.: Pipsico Featured Series

WESTERN CHECKPOINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP www.westchec.org

May 1: Georgetown, Calif.: CERA - D36

June 23-24: South Fork, Colo.: SFPRRMEC

Sept. 20: Campwood, Ariz.: ATR - AMRA

Oct. 15: Chimney Rock, Utah: Sageriders MC - USRA

Oct. 30: Elkins Flat, Calif.: Polka Dots MC - D36

Nov. 5: Upperlake, Calif.: Hayward MC - D36

Nov. 13: Stoneyford, Calif.: Valley Climbers MC - D36

Featured Series

WESTERN NEW YORK OFFROAD ASSOCIATION www.wnyoa.net

April 24: Newfield, N.Y.: Dream Riders

May 8: Odessa, N.Y.: Tompkins Trail Riders / Seneca Highland

May 22: Newark Valley, N.Y.: Valley View Dirt Riders

May 29: Richford, N.Y.: Broome-Tioga Sports Center

June 12: Odessa, N.Y.: GNCC at Tomahawk

June 19: Colesville, N.Y.: Full Action Cycles

June 26: South Edmeston, N.Y.: Thunder Ridge

July 10: Newark Valley, N.Y.: Conover Racing

July 24: Homer, N.Y.: Knobby Acres

Aug. 7: TBD: Scooters

Aug. 14: Newark Valley, N.Y.: Victory Mountain Dirt Riders

Aug. 28: Speedville, N.Y.: Cross Country Customs

Sept. 10-11: New Berlin, N.Y.: GNCC at Unadilla

Sept. 18: Moravia, N.Y.: Twisted Fence at Sand Hill

Oct. 9: Hapursville, N.Y.: The Finale

SPECIALTY

National Championship

AMA ICE RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.americanmotorcyclist.com

Feb. 13-14: Waterford, Mich.: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

AMA YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES www.americanmotorcyclist.com

March 4-6: Brooksville, Fla.: Dixie Dual Sport, Inc. - Devil’s Creek Adventure Ride

March 19-20: Tucson, Ariz.: Tuscson Dual Sport, LLC. - 2 Sun Adventure 2016

April 16-17: Bybee, Tenn.: Appalachian Trail Riders - Slate Creek Adventure Ride

June 4-5: Odell, Ore.: Northwest Tour & TrailBlack Dog Adventure Ride

June 4-5: Bixby, Mo.: Midwest Trail Riders Association - Show Me 200 Adventure Ride

June 4-5: Lock Haven, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club - Durty Dabbers Adventure Ride

June 11-12: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, Inc. - 2016 Ride for Research

June 27-July 1: Colorado Springs, Colo.: Exit Tours M/C - Pikes Peak Region Adventure Tour

Aug. 20-21: Tillamook, Ore: Northwest Tour & Trail - Rat Dog Adventure Ride

Sept. 10-11: Pineola, N.C.: Appalachian Trail Riders - Blue Ridge National Adventure Ride

Sept. 17-18: Logan, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters - Buckeye Dual Sporters

Sept. 24-25: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, Inc. - Big Woods 200

Sept. 24-25: Boyce, La.: Acadiana Dirt Riders - Acadiana Adventure 400

Oct. 22-23: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Arizona Trail Riders - Howlin’ at the Moon

BETA AMA NATIONAL DUAL SPORT SERIES www.americanmotorcyclist.com

March 4-6: Brooksville, Fla.: Dixie Dual Sport, Inc. - Devil’s Creek Adventure Ride

March 19-20: Tucson, Ariz.: Tuscson Dual Sport, LLC. - 2 Sun Adventure 2016

June 4-5: Bixby, Mo.: Midwest Trail Riders Association - Show Me 500 Adventure Ride

June 4-5: Odell, Ore.: Northwest Tour & TrailBlack Dog Adventure Ride

June 4-5: Lock Haven, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club - Durty Dabbers

June 11-12: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, Inc. - 2016 Ride for Research

Aug. 12-14: Salida, Colo.: Exit Tours M/CColorado 2-Day

Aug. 13-14: Columbus, Ind.: Stoney Lonesome M/C - Buffalo 500

Aug. 20-21: Tillamook, Ore: Northwest Tour & Trail - Rat Dog Dual Sport Ride

Sept. 10-11: McArthur, Ohio: Enduro Riders Association - Baby Burr National Dual Sport

Sept. 10-11: Golden Pond, Ky.: KT RidersLand Between Lakes 200

Sept. 17-18: Logan, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters - Nut Cracker 200

Sept. 24-25: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Family Off-Road Adventures - Yosemite Dual Sport Adventure

Sept. 24-25: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, Inc. - Big Woods 200

Oct. 1-2: Mt. Solon, Va.: Washington Area Trail Riders - Shenandoah 500

Oct. 22-23: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Arizona Trail Riders - Howlin’ at the Moon

Nov. 5-6: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen M/C - Hammer Run

Nov. 12-13: Oracle, Ariz.: Trail Riders Of Southern Arizona - There Will Be Dust

AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS www.americanmotorcyclist.com

Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Southern California Motorcycle Association 15 Best Roads: sc-ma.com, scmariskmanager@gmail.com, (602) 705-4902

Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Southern California Motorcycle Association USA Four Corners Tour: sc-ma.com, scmariskmanager@gmail. com, (602) 705-4902

July 3-24: Sister’s Centennial Motorcycle Ride: SistersMotorcycleRide.com, alisa@ motoadventuregal.com, (562) 395-3830

Sept. 2-6: Southern California Motorcycle Association Three Flags Classic: sc-ma. com, scmariskmanager@gmail.com, (602) 705-4902

AMA NATIONAL GYPSY TOUR www.americanmotorcyclist.com

Thunder in the Valley (FIM North America Rally)

June 23-26: Johnstown, Pa.: JohnstownThunder.com, jstcvb@ visitjohnstownpa.com, (800) 237-8590

AMA PREMIER POKER RUN www.americanmotorcyclist.com

Corn Roast Poker Run

Aug. 20: Mansfield, Ohio: MansfieldMotorcycleClub.com, karlae1764@ embarqmail.com, (419) 526-5964

AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS www.americanmotorcyclist.com

March of Dimes - Bikers for Babies (events nationwide): BikerForBabies.org

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation - Ride for Kids (events nationwide): RideForKids.org

HALL OF FAME EXHIBITS AND EVENTS

AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME www.motorcyclemuseum.org

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: The main floor of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame celebrates Hall of Fame inductees, the heroes of the track, road, trails and halls of government who have elevated the sport to new heights. Now featuring the 2015 inductees.

Founder’s Hall: Honoring the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s generous contributors.

The Birth of a Hurricane: How AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Craig Vetter reimagined BSA for an American market.

Sam Swope: Philanthropist, Motorcyclist: Motorcycles that represent the generous, charitable giving of Sam Swope.

Motorcycle Toys and Collectibles Exhibit: A collection of more than 1,000 motorcycleinspired toys.

AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com

July 8-10: Lexington, Ohio: Demo. bikes from manufacturers, visit the swap meet, watch or compete in vintage racing, meet AMA Hall of Famers, attend seminars and more.

AMA Trademarks

The following represents active, registered trademarks, trademarks and service marks of American Motorcyclist Association, Inc. (AMA). Usage of any AMA trademark or registered trademark without our permission is prohibited. Please contact smaher@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®

GUEST COLUMN

A DANGEROUS HEAVEN

Shaking O The Shackles Of Fear

I stood in the parking lot that midSeptember, staring uneasily at my heavily loaded bike. I had qualms.

Two days earlier, I’d awakened to sun streaming over me in the Sky Hook Motel in Mitchell, Ore.—a cheering sight, given the previous day’s rain and my plan to reach Prineville by way of NF-27. My maps disagreed as to whether this mountain backroad was paved, but just south of the Ochoco Divide Campground on U.S. Highway 26, a ribbon of tarmac disappeared into the trees so I turned right and began a winding climb.

By Suzanne Shafer

I didn’t sit long. A pickup broke the silence and the couple in it stopped to help. Bike upright and reloaded, I canceled my SOS, returned to U.S. 26, and headed to the Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond for a weekend with a friend.

Two days later, as I prepared to continue my journey, I recalled the spill and hesitated by my bike. I felt fear rising. Encountering a situation I couldn’t handle by myself raised a question that shook me.

Am I too old to ride alone?

Pine needles carpeting the curves discouraged deep lean angles, but vast forests, crystal-clear in the crisp alpine air, inspired a grin that grew with each new vista. Three miles or so in, I rounded a bend and saw a bright yellow sign announcing, “Pavement Ends.”

Fueled by endorphins, I rode onto the sketchy gravel road. A few hundred feet in, my squirming bike broke the natural high. My Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS Adventure was up to the challenge but, with little offasphalt experience, I wasn’t.

“Don’t be stupid,” I told myself and reluctantly began a U-turn. Precarious balance gave gravity the upper hand and my top-heavy Strom (and I) went down. I hit rocky dirt muttering, “Dammit, I’m in trouble now!”

I’d watched videos of women hoisting bikes heavier than mine, but never in gravel. I suspected that mattered.

Uninjured but annoyed, I crawled out from under the bike. I’d planned to explore Smith Rock State Park, but I might be going nowhere for hours if I couldn’t right my bike alone. After several failures that added scratches and weakened my legs, I gave up and signaled for road service with my SPOT device, then unfolded my chair.

I’m well-acquainted with fear. My father’s fears molded his life and set the direction of mine. Dad loved flying more than anything. He qualified as an instructor and earned every rating he needed to become a commercial pilot. But fear convinced him he couldn’t live this dream and enslaved him to a profession he loathed. I followed his example and fear became what I knew, until his final stories.

I nursed my father through his last weeks of life and he repeatedly told me tales I already knew. In particular, there were two—one about flying, the other about dancing— and I listened more attentively, realizing that each revealed joy lost to fear. They expressed a dying man’s grief for a life lived without soaring or swirling.

With Dad’s last laments in mind, I vowed that my final stories would ring with celebration, not regret.

I began facing fears that had, for 40 years, chained me to work that I despised. I asked myself what made me happy and followed the answers. At 63, when I inexplicably fell in love with a well-used 2001 Honda Shadow VLX, I learned to ride and discovered a joy unlike any I’d known.

I chose state Highway 242, a 36-mile jaunt over the McKenzie Pass, simply because my map designated it a scenic route. It proved challenging. Tight blind bends link the short straight stretches and I white-knuckled the bars each time I passed courteous cyclists who pedaled single file to let me by. Riding east to west,

terra firma dropped away precipitously a few feet to my right, tempting me to hug the double yellow.

Climbing the pass with my eyes on the road, majestic panoramas slipped by unappreciated. Jagged lava spires, arising within reach at the pavement’s edge, accentuated the eeriness of the black flows draping the summit. Gliding through hair-pin turns under the sunflecked canopy of the west descent, the air was moist, soothing and richly fragrant. The ride was perilous, yet glorious—a dangerous heaven.

Leaving the pass, I cruised north on state Highway 126 then headed for the Pacific Ocean on U.S. Highway 20. I rode through forests and fields under brilliant blueness, reveling in all but the Albany and Corvallis traffic.

Late in the day, with 70 miles of U.S. Highway 101 yet to cover, I paused in Newport. Fog, rain and the settling darkness made the last 30 miles treacherous.

Only a neighboring campfire was visible as I pulled into the Cape Lookout Campground. I lit a small candle lantern and pitched my tent as mosquitoes sampled my face and hands, then crawled into my down bag, grateful for the ocean rhythms carrying me into sleep.

My father’s deathbed regrets taught me that joy has a price. We pay it by risking the dangers of our particular heaven, having come to terms with the reality that we may not always beat them. My heaven of solitary rides on lonely roads is becoming more challenging as I age, but I’m not ready to give it up. I prepare for the difficulties I can envision, and I turn back when I realize I should.

That’s the best I can do, for it’s in my nature to ride solo as long as I can. My heaven is dangerous, after all, and it’s worth that risk.

Suzanne Shafer is an AMA member from Milton Freewater, Ore.