American Motorcyclist 04 2014 Dirt Version

Off-Highway Trails Help Rescue Local Economies

Focus On Safety: Make This The Year You Become A Better Rider

NAVIGATION

Navigation Photo Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, chair of the AMA board of directors, participated in the ABATE of Pennsylvania Leadership & Legislative Seminar in Grantville, Pa., on Jan. 24-25. Pictured here with Mike Myers of ABATE of Illinois, and Tom Christofes of ABATE of Pennsylvania, she receives a 5-pound Hershey’s chocolate bar as thanks for her contributions.

Photography

8. LETTERS

You write, we read.

10. WAYNE ALLARD

The cost of safety.

12. RIGHTS

Discussing land use with U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, protecting motorcyclist privacy in a “black box” bill, how Michigan might limit permit renewals, and how the Agricultural Act of 2014 affects ethanol in fuel.

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 2014. 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.

April 2014

Volume 68, Number 4

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

20. RIDING

The latest news, rides, interviews and more from the world of motorcycling.

30. HALL OF FAME

The motocross bike that launched the G.O.A.T., Hall of Famer Wells Bennett and “The Devil’s Staircase.”

40. TUNE UP, GET OUT, GO RIDE!

As the weather warms, motorcyclists in the cooler climes are preparing for the riding season by finishing up needed repairs and tuning their engines, but spring also is a great time to consider a rider tune-up. Here are some suggestions.

47. EVENTS CALENDAR

What to do, where to go.

58. DENNIS LANGE

Political influence 101.

COMMUNICATIONS

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

Grant Parsons, Director of Communications

James Holter, Managing Editor

Jim Witters, Government Affairs Editor

Mark Lapid, Creative Director

Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer

Halley Miller, Graphic Designer

Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing/Communications Specialist

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

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

All trademarks used herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned by the AMA and may only be used with the express, written permission of the AMA.

American Motorcyclist is the monthly publication of the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents motorcyclists nationwide. For information on AMA membership benefits, call (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2014.

AMA StAff

EXECUTIVE

Rob Dingman, President/CEO

Rhonda Hixon, Administrative Asst./Litigation Manager

Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer

Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations

Bob Chaddock, Vice President, Administration

Jeff Massey, Vice President, Operations

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

Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs

ACCOUNTING

Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager

Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator

Ed Madden, System Support Specialist

Peg Tuvell, Member Fulfillment Specialist

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Sean Maher, Director

AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME

Jordan Brannan, Museum Admissions and Collections Assistant

Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations

Beth Owen, Receptionist/Donor Relations Specialist

Paula Schremser, Program Specialist

Katy Wood, Collections Manager

AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES

Kip Bigelow, Amateur MX Manager

Joe Bromley, District Relations Manager

Jacki Burris, Organizer Services Coordinator

Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator

Lana Cox, Administrative Assistant

Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations

Bill Cumbow, Director of Special Projects

Sandi Dunphy, Road Riding Coordinator

Dave Hembroff, Road Riding Manager

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, Chair Albany, N.Y.

Russ Brenan, Vice Chair Irvine, Calif.

Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.

Perry King, Executive Committee Member Northern California

John Ulrich, Executive Committee Member

Lake Elsinore, Calif.

Sean Hilbert, Hillsdale, Mich.

Scott Miller, Milwaukee, Wis.

Art More, Sun City West, Ariz.

Stan Simpson, Cibolo, Texas

Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.

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

AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES (continued)

Alex Hunter, MX Operational Coordinator

Tamra Jones, Racing Coordinator

D’Andra Myers, Organizer Services Coordinator

Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager

Cherie Schlatter, Organizer Services Manager

Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator

Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager

Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager

DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES

John Bricker, Mailroom Manager

Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator

Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Marie Esselstein, Government Affairs Assistant

Danielle Fowles, Grassroots Coordinator

Nick Haris, Western States Representative

Sean Hutson, Legislative Assistant

Sharon Long, Legislative Coordinator

Rick Podliska, Deputy Director

Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager - Off-Highway

Imre Szauter, Government Affairs Manager - On-Highway

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Rob Baughman, Network Administrator

John Boker, Developer

Dave Coleman, Network Architect

Amy Hyman, Senior Programmer/Analyst

Bill Miller, Enterprise Architect

MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY

Lori Cavucci, Member Services Representative

Deb D’Andrea, Member Services Representative

Linda Hembroff, Member Services Representative

Darcel Higgins, Member Services Manager

Kimberly Jude, Member Services Representative

Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative

Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative

MEMBER LETTERS

Letter of the Month FREEDOMS, PLEASE

I would like to respectfully, but strongly disagree with Mr. Van Deusen [“Cost of Freedom,” Letters, March issue] who believes the government will “allow us to ride forever if....”

Send your letters (and a high-resolution photo) to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

Have you seen our government at work? One-hundred percent of the reason I am still a member of the AMA is the government will grab and take any rights they can, at any time they can.

If you give them an inch, sir, they will try to take a yard.

I wish I could live in 1950s utopian America where the government may have actually worked for the people. Nowadays? Not so much. At almost every example and opportunity, when given some power, they have grabbed more.

Helmets and mufflers? Sure, I wear my helmet every ride, and agree that rational sound restriction is great. Please let that be my choice, not something I will have to fight to regain.

What comes next? The “safety bike”? Do any AMA members remember fighting that one? Reflective vests are a good idea, but don’t let the government mandate that we have to wear those. Say, a separate tax on bikes would work wonders for generating more revenues, wouldn’t it? Look, we have these rather large funds the OHV rider taxes have provided. Let’s raid those to pay for other things.

The AMA works with government agencies to find compromises, and save some of our rights and freedoms. Don’t be so quick to give them up, blindly, thinking the government will be satisfied.

Charles Statman San Jose, Calif.

SAFETY FORWARD

I have been riding for more years than I will admit to. Back in the day of Norton, Triumph and BSA, I built a Kawasaki 9 with turbo from the ground up. I rode it for many years. One time I went into a turn too hot. I locked the rear brake up, which stood the bike up. Luckily, the turbo kicked in, which allowed me to square off the turn and let me make it. I rode a new bike with all the bells, whistle and gadgets. I could not seem to turn everything off to slide the rear tire. Maybe it was me. A buddy has one just like it, and he could not do it either. Are the new safety devices hurting riders by not teaching them how to get by on skill? Don’t get me wrong. I hear they may replace [ignition] points with some kind of newfangled thing. I do like seeing new improvements like electronic ignition without a battery. But are we losing our basics? What is your opinion?

Tim Stephens Belpre, Ohio

Thanks for the note, Tim. Our opinion

is it’s far better to not lock up either wheel in the first place when street riding. While rider skill is paramount to manage the unexpected, the benefits from safety technology such as ABS and traction control are overwhelmingly positive. Still, we prefer riders have a choice of whether or not to have these systems on their bikes—or if they are so equipped, the option to turn them off. By the way, doing away with ignition points was a big step forward, in our opinion!

IN MEMORIAM

It is with great sadness that I share the passing of fellow Trials Inc. member Royce Klein. Royce, being one of the sons of the founding fathers group that started Trials Inc., has been involved with motorcycling from a very early age. As a member, Royce has held every

one of the club’s officer positions, but it was the non-titled positions where Royce shined the brightest. Every sport needs its enthusiasts, a “spark plug,” if you will, that no matter how big the challenge, can energize everyone around them. Royce did that time and time again, motivating people with his work ethic, calm demeanor and his loyalty to his family and friends.

He was the trials master of all of northern Ohio since the 1970s, including Nationals, local events, modern and vintage events, motorcycle rallies, reliability runs and off-road competitions. His experience is what made Trials Inc., the premier trials club in the U.S. He was on every committee and subcommittee the club had, a mechanic for anyone who showed up to an event with problems, club historian, photo organizer—the list goes on. When not volunteering his time, he would compete in trials events, always with a smile. What I will remember the most of Royce Klein is the sense of calmness he possessed at all times. He could make even the most excited people become calm just by talking to them.

Godspeed, my friend.

Jim Zuroske President Trials Inc.

FLIPPED OUT

I totally agree with Rick Wheaton’s “In Praise of the Flip Up” in the March issue on what he calls flip-up helmets, or as they are also known, “modular helmets.” I have only been riding three years, and the only helmet I will ever purchase is a modular helmet. I picked the Scorpion EXO900 Transformer, which is a great helmet. It does cost more than other brands, but the company stands behind their products.

I love my helmet. On hot days, you can leave the helmet open, or on cold days you can close it and keep your face warm. Not only is there all the functionality of the flipup helmet, but I have to say it looks pretty cool, too, and works great with my Scala Rider intercom system.

Anthony Santoro Lakewood, California

ANTI-FLIP

In response to Rick Wheaton’s “In Praise of the Flip Up,” I must bring up a point of concern.

As someone who wears glasses, I have used and enjoyed a flip-up helmet for

years. One day the “jaw” of my helmet fell off on one side. Although this was a brand with a very good reputation, the pivot of the jaw piece was supported by a small bolt and a nut imbedded into the fiberglass shell. The hardware had worked its way out of the shell and could no longer stay in place.

Luke Bartkiewicz Ocean Springs, Miss.

HANG UP AND DRIVE

I just finished reading the “What are you looking at?” article by David Kinaan in the February issue—a well-written and informative piece with good information.

The part about distracted drivers is sadly all too true. I have been riding for 44 years and have seen many changes in all aspects of motorcycling and driving in general. As I drive on my bike or in my truck, I see more and more of this behavior.

I like my cell phone as much as the next guy and carry it with me all the time. I don’t call or text while driving. If it is that important, then I pull over or wait until my next stop.

How many more people must suffer or die before something meaningful is done to stop this behavior?

Douglas Randall Marshalltown, Iowa

Sound Off!

A roundup of recent comments on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist

On vehicle-to-vehicle communication:

Scott Sebenaler: I would be worried about this technology since not every motorcycle would have this available, depending on the model year. Harsher fines for distracted driving and making people more responsible would be more beneficial than a false sense of security.

Berry J. Griffin: BMW had an article about this a few years back. With the system in place, it would make it impossible for a driver to turn left in front on an oncoming motorcycle. IF the system is functioning.

On ferry-service tips:

Michael Moon: The last coal burning ferry on the Great Lakes! Ride the Badger to Ludington.

Luis Diaz: One of the highlights of riding the Colonial Parkway in

Virginia is crossing the James River on the ferries between James City and Scotland Landing in Surry County. Short and wonderful!

On signing a petition to keep public land open:

Jim Hannon: Remember, this is YOUR land that the government wants to keep you from accessing.

Jack Johnson: Done!

On the best bike you could have bought but didn’t:

Stephen Johnson: Honda RC51

Robert Swiatkowski Jr.: ’06 R1 Anniversary Edition. Yellow.

Paul Billings: Didn’t make that mistake. Bought ’em all. Really regret selling my 2004 Road King though. That was really dumb.

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SAFETY, SECURITY, PRIVACY

New Technologies Offer Hope For Safety, But We Must Proceed With Caution

With new technology emerging every day, communication between vehicles (V2V) and measurement of vehicle performance such as maintenance, location, and mileage parameters (black-box technology) have a safety as well as a privacy component.

By

The AMA believes that the vehicle owner should have the freedom to determine the proper balance. That is why we continually push for an on-off switch on each motorcycle and for owner control of any information gathered and stored by these devices. These are individual choices the motorcyclist should be making.

Ensuring safety

We have been in direct contact with automobile manufacturers to help ensure that, as they develop the V2V technology, it will be sensitive and responsive to the motorcycles’ electronic profile on the highway.

This technology broadcasts a data stream that will tell road users that you have one or more other vehicles approaching in a manner that could be hazardous. As demonstrated in automobiles, the vehicle responds with flashing lights, an audible sound and, in some cases, a vibrating seat as a warning. Examples of where V2V technology can work include blind spots, intersections, turns across traffic and a vehicle going the wrong way.

How the system will perform on a motorcycle has yet to be revealed, but we have been in contact with the regulators in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about V2V systems being sensitive enough to recognize

motorcycles. This technology could enhance motorcycle awareness on our highways, but there may be a down side: It could become yet another distraction to the driver. In addition, these high-tech vehicle control features could lull drivers into a false sense of security, causing them to lose their focus on the roadway and other nearby drivers and riders.

To help ensure that V2V technology is practical for motorcycles, we have told the Federal Communications Commission that they need to reserve sufficient bandwidth to ensure the system works as designed. The agency should not let the bandwidth for V2V be swallowed-up by cell phone usage or some other competing technology, such as interference from other Wi-Fi systems in close proximity.

Protecting information

Although data event recorders—the so called black boxes in your cars—have not made their way onto motorcycles so far, we are urging Congress to specifically include motorcycles in legislation designed to protect private information that these devices could contain.

Black box technology is useful because it can notify the owner when engine maintenance is required and then track whether the operator follows through with the warranty maintenance requirements. This can benefit the owner by establishing proof of maintenance. But it could also result in negation of warranty provisions if the black box malfunctions.

The black box may also contain information about where your bike is, where it has been and when. If the vehicle

is stolen, such information can be used to retrieve it quickly. But, if it has been parked in a time-limited zone and you let the parking meter expire, the black box could give the enforcing agency a tight case against you.

At the AMA, we take these potential—or real—invasions of privacy very seriously.

I have property in the Rocky Mountains where Google, Garmin and cell-phone technology does not accurately identify location points. If the GPS system in a black box is inaccurate in certain locations, it could indicate that the vehicle operator wandered into closed or restricted areas or trespassed on private property. If a public lands agency gained access to the data, it may try to prosecute you, when in reality there has been no violation.

Some attorneys feel that granting government agencies, including law enforcement, open access to the information held inside a black box is unreasonable search and seizure, which brings constitutional arguments into play. The AMA believes the best approach is to leave control of the data with the vehicle owner. That is why we urge that an on-off switch be installed on any black box, and why we have endorsed legislation by U.S. Reps. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) that clearly states that the motorcycle owner controls the information stored on his or her bike.

Wayne Allard is a former U.S. senator and U.S. representative who is now the AMA vice president for government relations.

DISCUSSING LAND USE WITH…

U.S.

Rep. Rob Bishop

U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) is the chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and the Environment. Along with two other congressmen, the Utah governor and others, he has launched a campaign to strike a balance between protecting sensitive lands and opening other areas for outdoor recreation and energy development.

Called the Utah Public Lands Initiative, Bishop’s proposal is based on the concept that the future of the state depends on a responsible balance of both conservation and development. The AMA supports the initiative because it supports sustainable off-highway vehicle access to public lands.

Here are some of the key points:

What is the Utah Public Lands Initiative?

The initiative is a collaborative effort to bring resolution to some of the most challenging land disputes in the state of Utah. The initiative is rooted in the belief that conservation and economic development can coexist.

For decades, unsettled land-use designations, such as wilderness study areas, have fueled distrust and acrimony in Utah, the congressman said. The uncertainty surrounding the future of these lands has created confl ict among those favoring diff ering uses. The diverse use of public lands has an important role in making Utah healthy, viable, and inviting.

What are the goals?

Conservation: Create permanent conservation designations that will protect Utah’s most pristine and beautiful ecosystems as wilderness and/or other suitable conservation designations.

A positive reception

Bishop said that most local leaders and organizations agreed the existing land use approach did not work.

Multi-county support and interest in participating separated the Public Lands Initiative from past lands bills.

meaningful opportunities to participate in the process and are provided the flexibility to manage local affairs.

Certainty: Create certainty for local communities and land-users by resolving long-standing public lands disputes.

Economic opportunity: Accelerate energy development and boost outdoor recreation and tourism in appropriate locations.

OHV benefits

Bishop believes his initiative will provide greater certainty to motorcycle and ATV riders regarding the lands available for motorized recreation.

The initiative calls for protecting OHV areas from encroachment by further restrictive designations while ensuring that areas worthy of conservation are permanently protected, he said.

Who is behind the effort?

The initiative resulted from discussions Bishop had with, U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah), Gov. Gary R. Herbert, local and state elected officials, tribal leaders, advocacy groups, and the public.

Local participation: Facilitate greater local involvement, land management, and in some instances, ownership, to ensure that those most affected by federal land management decisions are given

After more than 100 meetings with these groups, Bishop said he recognized a commonality between the frustrations of all parties— the need for greater certainty in the way public lands are managed and used.

To gauge interest in the formation of the Public Lands Initiative, Bishop sent letters to all 22 public lands counties in Utah, more than 20 advocacy groups, the Ute Tribe and the Navajo Nation.

A list of the groups involved can be found at http://robbishop.house.gov/ uploadedfiles/120913_stakeholders_and_ interested_parties.pdf

“When you consider the diverse backgrounds and constituencies of the groups involved, it’s remarkable to see the type of collaboration taking place,” Bishop said.

Convincing Congress

Bishop said the mentality in Washington is that the federal government and Congress know what is best, and that type of thinking is “hurting our communities.”

He advocates building programs on the local level, then taking those initiatives to Congress. Empowering those closest to the problem is the best way to find a solution, Bishop said.

The local angle

Bishop’s initiative is “completely driven by the participants at the local levels,” while the current approach is for direction to flow from Washington outward.

But for this approach to succeed, the Utah participants must reach agreement on land use through compromise. Legislation will flow from agreement.

While empowering locals, the Utah Public Lands Initiative keeps track of the big picture, too. In the past, land bills focused on specific geographic areas within one county. The approach produced unbalanced bills and failed to generate the momentum to move a bill through the legislative process, Bishop said.

The range of initiative participants will help alleviate those problems, he said, and the new process ensures that local voices are heard before the process in Washington precludes local involvement.

What’s next?

During the spring and summer, initiative participants will conduct field trips for the public to observe the status of the lands.

Utah counties will continue to schedule public meetings, where discussion of local priorities will begin to shape proposals.

Initiative participants are planning the release of a draft proposal in the fall. The proposal will be posted online to provide opportunities for public review and comment.

Plan Could Close More PubliC lands

Public Input Stifled By Process

President Barack Obama intends to use executive orders to create more national monuments, which could further restrict or end access to millions of acres of public lands by motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle riders.

In his State of the Union address on Jan. 28, the president pledged to use executive orders to bypass a gridlocked Congress and “protect more of our pristine federal lands for future generations.”

The president’s authority to do this comes from the American Antiquities Act of 1906.

May is MotorCyCle awareness Month

Watch For Motorcycles

Now is the time to start lobbying your local and state governments to declare May as Motorcycle Awareness Month within their jurisdictions.

State, county, municipal and other local legislative and administrative agencies have issued resolutions or proclamations in past years recognizing the spring safety awareness campaign for motorcyclists.

The initiative, supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, encourages drivers to watch for motorcycles and understand that motorcycle riders enjoy the same rights and privileges as operators of other vehicles.

Copies of past resolutions and proclamations adopted by government entities can be found at www. americanmotorcyclist. com/Rights/ MotorcycleAwareness. aspx).

Contacting officials early can help ensure your resolution gets adopted in time for the May campaign.

Just last year, the administration proposed new monument designations that would lock up at least 13 million acres of public land.

A Washington Post story identified two of the sites under consideration by the president for designation: the nearly 500,000acre Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area near Las Cruces, N.M., and about 1,600 acres on California’s central coast known as the Point ArenaStornetta Public Lands.

Large designations, such as the one in New Mexico, clearly overreach the intent of the act, which states, “the limits … in all cases shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected.”

The AMA believes these designations

A CTI on In F o

You can add your voice to those asking President Obama to include the insights of local stakeholders and user groups when designating a national monument by signing the AMA “Public Lands Should Have a Public Voice” petition. Scan the QR code above or see the link on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ americanmotorcyclist.

should be made in accord with the act and with input from affected user groups and local and state elected and appponted officials.

Public lands should be open to all who enjoy them.

blaCk box bill should ProteCt MotorCyClist PrivaCy

AMA Working To Ensure Motorcycles Among Covered Vehicles

While motorcycles are excluded from a proposed Senate bill designed to protect the information collected by event data recorders, commonly known as black boxes, the Senate is now working with the AMA to modify the bill so motorcyclists are afforded the same protection as other road users.

The Driver Privacy Act, S. 1925, introduced Jan. 14 by U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) would classify the collected information as the property of the person who owns or leases the vehicle.

The AMA believes it is important to clarify who owns the data collected.

Only 14 states have laws relating to ownership of information collected and stored in an event data recorder.

Sen. Hoeven said on the floor of the U.S. Senate: “There are no limitations or restrictions or guidelines or requirements on what manufacturers can have the event data recorder do.”

The black boxes are not required for motorcycles, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration already requires all passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses to be equipped with them.

The U.S. House of Representatives’ H.R. 2414, the Black Box Privacy Protection Act, covers motorcycles, and the AMA fully supports that bipartisan bill.

The AMA wants the protections of S. 1925 extended to motorcyclists, as well.

U.S. HOUSE QUESTIONS NYSP ON CHECKPOINTS

Money Was Intended For Safety Training

During a Jan. 28 meeting of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, the New York State Police came under scrutiny for using money intended for training programs to instead conduct motorcycle-only checkpoints.

U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.), vice chairman of the subcommittee, described himself as a motorcycle rider and enthusiast as he began to question Sgt. Thomas Fuller of the New York State Police about MOCs.

Ribble asked Fuller whether the federal grant money could be better spent on training and other strategies that would help prevent crashes.

The congressman said that he did not believe motorcycle checkpoints do much “to make me a safer rider.”

Fuller responded that the MOCs fall under the traffic safety division of the state police and not his program.

MICHIGAN BILL WOULD LIMIT PERMIT RENEWALS

Only Two Permits In 10-Year Period

A Michigan highway bill would limit the number of times motorcyclists could

PENNSYLVANIA CHANGES MOTORCYCLE TRAINING PROVIDER

Cape Fox Professional Services Takes Over April 1

After 15 years of providing motorcycle rider training for the state of Pennsylvania, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has been replaced by another vendor.

Cape Fox Professional Services, based in Manassas, Va., takes over the training programs on April 1.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which oversees the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program, advertised for contract bids in September.

The new contract provides for $20.74 million in funding for a contract term through Jan. 28, 2018.

state’s skills test to receive a motorcycle endorsement.

House Bill 4781, introduced by State Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R-Oxford), would limit riders to two permits within 10 years. Vince Consiglio, president of ABATE of Michigan, says the state “has a

“PennDOT will work closely with Cape Fox Professional Services LLC to identify enhancements and innovative ideas throughout the life of the contract to further the reach and effectiveness of this important motorcycle safety program,” says spokesman Rich Kirkpatrick.

Free training through PAMSP has been available to residents with motorcycle licenses or permits since 1985. In recent years, the PAMSP has trained more than 20,000 residents a year.

The MSF was disappointed to lose the contract.

“We have enjoyed our 15-year tenure with PAMSP, and we are truly sorry to see it end. We wish them well,” MSF President and CEO Tim Buche wrote in a letter to PennDOT.

Police found that 58 percent of Michigan motorcycle fatalities had no endorsement.

“ABATE of Michigan supports the immediate passage of this legislation as the first step to reduce the large percentage of fatalities among unlicensed motorcyclists,” Consiglio states in written testimony to the state House Transportation Committee.

ACTION INFO

Michigan residents can find their elected representatives at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/rights/ issueslegislation.

Welcome to Life Member Plus!

For more than 25 years, Al Holtsberry has supported the AMA. Now we’re offering something special for him and all other AMA Life Members.

We designed the new Life Member Plus program to stay connected with our Life Members and reward them for their years of dedication to the AMA. Offering up a package that includes American Motorcyclist magazine and AMA Roadside Assistance at a special discounted rate, Life Member Plus is a money-saving value.

The new program is 100 percent optional, so if you choose not to enroll, you still receive all the current benefits of life membership—a voice on behalf of motorcycling in the halls of government, the ability to sign up for AMA-sanctioned events, money-saving benefits and more.

With Life Member Plus, you get all that, plus AMA Roadside Assistance and American Motorcyclist magazine. And stay tuned for additional Life Member benefits to come.

AMA Life Member Plus Includes:

•

• 12 issues of

• AMA Life Member Plus Membership card, pin (first year), and decal with your renewal

• A voice protecting motorcyclists’ rights at the

state and local levels

• Continued access to AMA Rights, Riding, Racing and Rewards—including money-saving discounts

STATEWATCH

MARYLAND

Vehicle owners would not be subject to government tracking and taxation for the number of miles they drive under House Bill 277, sponsored by Delegate Justin Ready (R-Westminster). The proposal would prohibit the state or any local jurisdiction from imposing or levying a vehicle-miles-traveled tax. It would also prohibit requiring the installation of a device in or on a privately owned vehicle

to facilitate the reporting of the number of vehicle-miles traveled.

MASSACHUSETTS

The Massachusetts OHV Advisory Committee is considering new rules for off-road events that could severely curtail participation by out-of-state competitors.

The proposed rules would require the event organizer to collect a vast amount of information from participants and the owner of the event site and submit it for review at least 15 days before the event.

MINNESOTA

Strict standards for the collection and use of motor vehicle event data—stored in recorders commonly known as black boxes—would be implemented under House File 2017, sponsored by Rep. Brian Johnson (R-Cambridge).

The bill declares the data recorded on an event data recorder are the personal data of the motor vehicle’s owner and shall not be downloaded or retrieved by a person who is not the owner, with several exceptions.

The provision would eliminate the possibility of late or same-day registration by event participants.

Members of the New England Trail Rider Association oppose the proposed rules.

PRESIDENT SIGNS AGRICULTURAL ACT THAT LIMITS E15 DISTRIBUTION

Ends Subsidy For Ethanol Blender Pumps

The Agricultural Act of 2014 signed into law by President Barack Obama on Feb. 7 contains a provision that helps deter distribution of E15 fuels into the U.S. marketplace.

The AMA considers this farm-bill provision a major victory for the owners and riders of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles currently in operation.

Those vehicles could be damaged by the use of E15 fuel, a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume. Also, use of E15 can void owners’ vehicle warranties.

The Agricultural Act of 2014, which extends through 2018, prohibits the use of Rural Energy for America Program grant money to purchase and install ethanol blender pumps to dispense E15 at the retail level. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack intended to use REAP funding to install 10,000 blender pumps by 2016.

“It is gratifying to see our efforts on behalf of U.S. motorcyclists and ATV riders achieve this level of success,”

MISSISSIPPI

Under Senate Bill 2400, sponsored by Sen. Chris Massey (R-Nesbit), motorcyclists could “proceed with due caution” through intersections controlled by traffic-actuated signals if the operator

says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. “We plan to continue to monitor the E15 issue, including the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to reduce the 2014 requirements under its Renewable Fuel Standard.”

The AMA has worked since 2011 to prevent the distribution of E15 fuels, seeking independent scientific tests on their effect on motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle engines and fuel systems. After the introduction of E15 into the marketplace, the AMA fought its spread, because of concerns about inadvertent misfueling at blender pumps.

Although the EPA has approved E15 use in 2001-and-newer light-duty vehicles, which include cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles, the EPA has not approved its use in any motorcycles or ATVs.

believes the detection device didn’t recognize the motorcycle.

The law would require the operator to come to a complete and full stop and exercise due care before proceeding.

MISSOURI

House Bill 1368, sponsored by Rep. Kurt Bahr (R-O’Fallon), would prohibit the use of any global positioning system or other technology that identifies and records a person’s location for monitoring mileage traveled by any motor vehicle on any road, highway, or street in the state for the purpose of imposing any tax on the mileage traveled.

NEW JERSEY

Prospective owners and operators of off-highway training or recreation facilities for motocross bikes, all-terrain vehicles, or both, would be required to obtain a license from the Department of Law and Public Safety under Senate Bill 895, sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank).

The bill also prohibits the department from issuing a license for the location and operation of an off-highway training or recreation facility to be located within five miles of an area zoned for residential purposes.

OHIO

House Bill 406, sponsored by Rep. Doug Green (R-Mt. Orab), would create a motorcycle road-guard training and certification program to allow qualified individuals to function as traffic controllers while escorting a motorcycle group ride, under certain conditions.

VERMONT

Three bills introduced in the Vermont state legislature would alter the requirements for helmet use by motorcycle riders.

HB 721, introduced by State Rep. Teo Zagar (D-Windsor), and SB 172, introduced by State Sen. Joe Benning (R-Caledonia), would eliminate the helmet requirement for riders 21 and older who are “properly maintaining financial responsibility,” who have completed a motorcycle safety course and who have held a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license for at least three years.

The bills also would designate enforcement of the helmet law to secondary status.

HB 798, introduced by State Rep. Carolyn W. Partridge (D-Windham), would require helmets only for riders and passengers younger than 18.

ADVANCING SAFETY

Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO, met with Raymond P. Martinez, chair and chief administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, in January. The two discussed issues related to motorcycle safety in the Garden State before Dingman continued to a meeting of New Jersey rider safety instructors.

GIANTS OF HERITAGE, RECREATIONAL RIDING, PROMOTIONS HONORED

AMA Announces 2014 Special Award Recipients

Tireless supporters of motorcycling heritage. A lifelong industry leader, racer and pioneer. Groundbreaking films that showcase the greatest sport on Earth. Safety advocates. Freedom warriors.

The 2014 AMA Awards recipients, chosen by the AMA Board of Directors, have made outstanding contributions to the world of motorcycling and support of the AMA mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.

The most prestigious of the awards, the AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award, is given to Mike and Margaret Wilson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for their lifelong commitment to fostering the growth and acceptance of motorcycling, and their dedication to the AMA and its Hall of Fame.

Other 2014 award recipients include:

• AMA Bessie Stringfield Award—Scot Harden, Zero Motorcycles vice president

of global marketing and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer.

• AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award—James Walker, producer, Bryan H. Carroll, producer/director, and Chris Hampel, writer/co-producer, of the feature film “Why We Ride”; also, Matt Greenstone, writer/director, of feature film “Road Warriors, The Bleeding Edge of Motorcycle Racing.”

• AMA Outstanding Road Rider Award—Donald L. Green, Kentucky Army Traffic Safety Training Program Office lead instructor (Fort Knox) and Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach with the Kentucky Motorcycle Rider Education Program.

• AMA Outstanding Off-Road Rider Award—Jim Pilon and Paul Flanders, AMA District 37 Dual Sport organizers and promoters of the LA-Barstow-Vegas desert event.

• Friend of the AMA Award—Roy Garrett, AMA Life Member, ABATE of Indiana and Discover Indiana Riding Trails (DIRT).

Continued on page 22

Melbourne “Mike” J. Wilson and Margaret Wilson, AMA Life Members and inductees into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, were awarded the 2014 AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award for their many decades of service to the AMA. The award pays tribute to its namesake, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Dud Perkins.

are enthralled by the acceleration, ease of operation, environmental benefits and magic carpet ride-like experience our products offer.”

Mike and Margaret Wilson have both served with distinction on the board of directors of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which raises funds for the Hall of Fame, and are among the foundation’s principal benefactors. The Wilsons commissioned and donated the beautiful bronze sculpture, “Glory Days,” which graces the Hall of Fame’s display area and serves as its official logo. Mike has also contributed in the design and development of displays at the museum.

Margaret, a longtime member of the Motor Maids, has ridden her motorcycles over 550,000 miles and is an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of women’s motorcycling clubs and events. She was awarded the AMA Bessie Stringfield Award in 2003.

“This is wonderful news!” says Mike. “Dud Perkins was a good friend of ours. He did a lot for motorcycling, he treated us as equals and to be remembered in his name like this is fantastic.”

Adds Margaret: “Mike and I have been lucky to have each other all these years, we’ve done so many things with the AMA and made so many friends, and we are just thankful to be remembered like this.”

The AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award honors its namesake, Hall of Famer Hazel Kolb, and salutes individuals who have generated positive publicity for motorcycling. For 2014, it is given to the production and directorial teams of two remarkable motorcycling films: “Why We Ride” and “Road Warriors, The Bleeding Edge of Motorcycle Racing.”

The 2014 AMA Outstanding Road Rider Award recipient, AMA Life Member Donald L. Green, was honored for his tireless efforts to train armed forces personnel at Fort Knox in Kentucky and his commitment to the Kentucky Motorcycle Rider Education Program. Green has successfully trained more than 3,000 students, conducted 111 Basic RiderCourses, 51 Basic RiderCourses2, 19 Military Sportsbike RiderCourses and five Advance RiderCourses.

The AMA Bessie Stringfield Award memorializes the accomplishments of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bessie Stringfield and recognizes efforts to introduce motorcycling to new or underserved markets. For 2014, the award is given to Scot Harden and Zero Motorcycles for their pioneering work in the field of electric motorcycles. Harden has been instrumental in reaching out to motorcyclists young and old, experienced and novice, to gain acceptance of the newest way to get around on two wheels.

“I’m humbled and honored to receive this award on behalf of the passionate and dedicated team of motorcycling pioneers here at Zero Motorcycles,” says Harden, a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. “We’ve opened the sport up to a whole host of new and returning riders, not to mention many current enthusiasts who

The AMA Outstanding Off-Road Rider Award highlights the achievements of an individual who has contributed to the promotion of the motorcycling lifestyle and the protection of off-highway motorcycling. For 2014, the award is presented to two members of AMA District 37 in southern California: AMA Life Members Jim Pilon and Paul Flanders. Their dual-sport committee successfully organized and now maintains and promotes one of the world’s best known dual-sport events, the LA-Barstow to Vegas Dual Sport Tour, or LA-Bto-V. Launched in 1984, the 400 mile-plus tour typically starts after Thanksgiving and has routes for dual sport, adventure touring, vintage bikes, sidehacks and small displacement machines, so long as they are street legal.

The 2014 Friend of the AMA Award recognizes the innovative work of Plainfield, Ind.’s Roy Garrett. As an AMA Life Member and member of ABATE of Indiana DIRT, Garrett has been a fixture in the off-highway riding community for promoting responsible off-highway recreation.

For more about the AMA Awards Program, to see past recipients and learn how to nominate individuals, please visit www. americanmotorcyclist.com/ about/amaawardsprogram.

KTM RACER KEN ROCZEN

A few short years ago, Ken Roczen, at age 15, became the youngest rider ever to win a World Motocross Championship race in his home country of Germany. Two years later, he became the 2011 World Motocross 250 class champion. Then Roczen fulfilled his dream of coming to America and won his first AMA Championship, the 2013 250SX West AMA Supercross title.

Now racing the 450SX class, Roczen won the opening round of the 2014 AMA Supercross Championship, giving credence to those who claim he is the next big thing.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST: Kenny, let’s hear about your very first win in the 450SX class at Anaheim I

KEN ROCZEN: Yeah, it was great. I couldn’t believe it. Winning that race was very big for me. To get through the first race jitters was nice, and then especially to win, there was just such a great feeling. It definitely motivated me, and has helped me a lot for the rest of the series. It’s always a bit different to come into a new class, and especially a class that includes the best riders in the world.

By Jim Kimball

AM: What has been the biggest transition from the 250SX class to the 450SX class?

KR: Obviously, the big difference is the engine with how much more power that it has. You need to train harder to be able to ride the bike, and maintain your race speed for the full 20 laps. You know, it’s a bike that is a little bigger, and heavier, with a lot more power—so you definitely have to be in shape, and ride smart.

AM: Is that why you teamed up with trainer Aldon Baker?

KR: Yes, for sure. Aldon has trained so many great riders, and champions. I had always had a lot of help with my training from my dad, and the guys at Red Bull. This built up a good base for me, and Aldon has increased my strength for what it takes to win 450 races.

AM: How does it feel to be at the top of the points just a few races in?

KR: Oh yeah, it feels great. But of course the championship is not won yet. All I can do is be happy where I am at right now, and try my best to be consistent, and in position to be up front at every race. I still

ride like I am racing my 250, meaning that I attack at every race, and try to win. If you think too much about the points battle, you lose your racing edge. But you don’t really go for the kill at every race to where you either win or crash—you have to keep that consistency. Every point counts, and you need to keep yourself on the podium.

The country’s best amateur motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle racers were honored at the AMA Championship Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Aladdin Event & Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio. The event recognized the top racers from 2013 national championship series and AMA Grand Championship events.

Laurette Nicoll and Greg White emceed the banquet, which awarded national championship trophies, placement medals and AMA No. 1 plates. Special awards included AMA Athlete of the Year honors.

AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman congratulated the attendees and thanked them for their contributions to the sport of motorcycling.

The AMA’s highest competitive honors, the AMA Athlete of the Year Awards, recognize a rider from each of the two categories of national championship competition: AMA National Championship Series and AMA Grand Championships.

“Each of you is here tonight because you love competition,” said Dingman, addressing a crowd of more than 700 competitors, family and fans. “You, and the hundreds of thousands of AMA racers who came before you, make this sport what it is today. Since 1924, racers of all skill levels have competed in AMAsanctioned events and have contributed to the collective wisdom, passion and talent that has shaped our sport.”

AMA Championship Banquet Awards

The late Kurt Caselli, the overall champion of the 2013 AMA FMF/GPR Hare & Hound National Championship Series, won the AMA National Championship Series Athlete of the Year Award. The 2013 title was Caselli’s third overall AMA Hare & Hound National Championship. Caselli, who was poised to transition to world motorcycle rally racing in 2014, passed away while competing in the Baja 1000 in November 2013.

“On behalf of myself and the family, we

In addition to the AMA Athlete of the Year honors, other special awards included: AMA Media Award: Mark Kariya Motocross Organizer of the Year: Feld Motor Sports

Off-Road Organizer of the Year: East Coast Enduro Association Track Racing Organizer of the Year: American Sportbike Racing Association

AMA WELCOMES TEXAS GNC MOTOCROSS IN 2014

Texas Series Includes Premier Events

For more than 40 years, Texas racers have been competing in GNC motocross. In 2014 these events, held at Oak Hill Raceway in Decatur, Texas, will be AMA sanctioned.

“These are some of the best-run motocross events in the country, and with years of experience behind them, the team at Oak Hill Raceway just keeps

ATV Organizer of the Year: Michael Coburn Racing

Recreational Road Riding Organizer of the Year: Laconia Motorcycle Week

Recreational

Off-Road Organizer of the Year: Tri County MC

AMA Club of the Year: Polka Dots Michigan

getting better,” says AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow. “Many racers who have honed their skills at this venue have gone on to successful pro careers, and we are excited to see these events join the AMA sanctioning calendar for 2014.”

After kicking off with the GNC Warm Up Race on Feb. 9-10, the season hits full stride with the 38th Annual FMF GNC Motocross Final, presented by Dunlop, March 12-16.

“Joining forces with the AMA will make racing stronger and provide for a more

want to say thank you so much for all the support we’ve been getting, and thank you so much for selecting Kurt for the AMA National Championship Series Athlete of the Year,” said Sarah Jean White, Caselli’s fiancée, who accepted the award on his behalf on a recorded video message.

Jeffery Lowery won the AMA Grand Championship Athlete of the Year Award. Lowery, from Newark, Ohio, was the AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award Winner in 2013.

“It’s great to get the recognition for everything that we do and all the great racing that goes on in dirt track racing,” Lowery said.

Hannah Hodges was the AMA Female Rider of the Year. Hodges, from DeLand, Fla., was the Girls Sr. (12-16) class champion at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship.

“This award is really cool,” Hodges said. “AMA is really big, with so many different disciplines. There’s a bunch of competition, so to be a part of it and win this award is really cool.”

Aiden Tijero was the AMA Youth Rider of the Year. The Ripon, Calif., resident was the 65cc (10-11) Limited class champion at the 2013 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. Tijero also was the 65cc World Champion at the 2013 FIM Jr. Motocross World Championships, where he competed for the U.S. team.

“This is one of the biggest awards you could get,” Tijero said. “I want to remember everything about this. I love this sport. It’s my favorite sport.”

BANQUET SUPPORTERS »

Sponsors who helped honor the 2013 AMA Champions at the banquet included Traveline Travel, and a number of companies who generously donated raffle prizes and other items for the champions: FMF, Motul, Matrix, Atlas, Bell Helmets, Motion Pro, WPS/Fly Racing and Barnett.

The AMA ATV Athlete of the Year Award was won by Brett Musick, the 2013 Pro-Am champion in the AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series. The Verdunille, W.Va., resident finished on top of a highly competitive field to win the 2013 title.

AMA Veteran/Senior Rider of the Year was Steve Ellis. Ellis, from Irvine, Calif., was the Vintage Super Senior A and the Vintage 201-250cc A class champion in the AMA Vintage Motocross National Championship Series.

High precision accurate to ±

• Precise digital readout to 0.1

• Billet aluminum trapezoid body

• High flow push button bleeder valve for precise pressure adjustment

• 18 inch long high pressure hose with dual swivels and brass ball type air chuck

The 2013 AMA Sportsman of the Year Award, which recognizes a racer or crew member whose efforts have transcended their role for the betterment of the sport, was presented to longtime AMA International Six Days Enduro Team volunteer Richard “Gunny” Claypoole. Claypoole recently retired from a decadeslong commitment to put the United States on top of the world’s most prestigious off-road team championship.

uniform approach to amateur motocross racing in our state,” says Jeff and Dawn Oldenburg, owners of Oak Hill Raceway and GNC. “Our goal is to help grow the sport of motocross racing. Making this an AMA-sanctioned event is just the first step. The yearlong GNC Texas series, with a 40-year tradition, will also be AMA sanctioned. We look forward to a long relationship with the AMA and are excited about the future.”

For more information on the events, see www.gncmxracing.com.

AMA WelcoMes 13-Round Gncc seRies As nAtionAl chAMpionship

Round 1 Is March 8-9 In Florida

The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis will be an AMA-sanctioned national championship series for 2014.

With classes for a wide range of skill levels and courses designed to be both fun and challenging, the popular offroad racing series draws well over 1,000 off-highway motorcycle and ATV racers at each round and enjoys significant media exposure in print, on the web and on television. The series’ top classes, XC1 and XC2, attract some of the best off-road racing talent in not just America but internationally.

“We are proud to see the GNCCs return as an AMA-sanctioned series, and we look forward to supporting Racer Productions and honoring GNCC class champions with AMA national No. 1 plates,” says AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. “American offroad motorcycle competition is stronger when we together.”

Racer Productions President Rita Coombs, who founded the GNCC series with her husband, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Dave Coombs Sr., in 1975, says that she is eager to work with the AMA going forward.

“Our family and the AMA go back to 1972, working together on countless events in both off-road and road, including the Blackwater 100, the Grand National Cross Country Series, the AMA National Dual Sports Series, the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships and many more great races,” says Coombs, an AMA Life

Member. “Now is the time for the AMA and the GNCC Series to renew our mutual commitment to promoting the sport of motorcycle racing, while showcasing the most prestigious offroad championship in the country. We look forward to many more years of hosting AMA-sanctioned races for our athletes and race teams, and of course all of the fans who follow the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series.”

As with all members, riders in the GNCC series receive access to the online AMA Race Center and all benefits of AMA membership, including the street or off-road and competition version of American Motorcyclist magazine. In addition, full AMA members who elect to autorenew their AMA memberships receive AMA Roadside Assistance for no additional charge. They also are eligible to purchase rider accident medical insurance through the AMA.

As AMA-sanctioned events, GNCCs have access to the AMA Competition Rulebook, which dates to 1924 and is updated annually by AMA Congress, the elected rulemaking body that represents riders, clubs and promoters from across America. Most of the racing disciplines popular in America today were defined in the AMA Competition Rulebook.

In addition, the AMA provides a rider appeal process, risk management guidelines and facilitates event insurance. Each GNCC also will be supported by an AMA referee and AMA administrative staff, when needed.

AMA superMoto nAtionAl chAMpionship series feAtures six rounDs

AMA No. 1 Plates On The Line In 2014

If you’re a fan of supermoto, you’ll be able to put your passion to the test in the 2014 AMA Supermoto National Championship, a six-round series that kicked off at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 7.

“Supermoto is an amazing sport to watch and a thrilling discipline for our amateur competitors,” says AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. “Since the beginning, supermoto has needed a true grass-roots U.S. network to help sustain the top level of competition. This series will help accomplish that goal by giving today’s amateur and sportsman-level competitors a place to race, feeding the sport with expert-level talent going forward, and providing a showcase for sponsors and teams active in the discipline.”

The AMA Supermoto National Championship Series will include novice, youth, intermediate, age- and displacement-based classes as well as classes that will feature some of the best supermoto talent in the country. Online registration will be available soon at www.amanationalsupermoto.com.

“We had a great inaugural season in 2013, and we’re excited to step up our program for the new season as an AMA National Championship Series,” says Matt Stewart, president of USA Supermoto, the AMA’s promoting partner for the series. “We have been working with the AMA for some time to strengthen supermoto racing in the United States, and everything has been positive. We’re looking forward to watching our racers compete for AMA national No. 1 plates in 2014.”

Supermoto combines exciting elements of motocross, dirt track and road racing into one dynamic discipline. It features jumps, high-speed straights and both dirt and asphalt surfaces.

See page 52 for the full schedule.

AMA Dirt trAck GrAnD chAMpionship returns to sprinGfielD, ill. Mark The

The country’s fastest amateur dirt-track racers, who one day will dominate the professional ranks, will go head to head this June 23-26 at the 2014 AMA Dirt Track Grand Championship in Springfield, Ill.

“Since 1975, the AMA Dirt Track Grand Championship has recognized the best amateur dirt-track racers in the country with national titles,” says AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “This event is one of the oldest and most prestigious amateur motorsports championships in America, and we’re thrilled to once again return to Springfield, Ill., the home of many historic moments in American dirt track.”

Steve Nace of Steve Nace Racing will promote the event.

“With the rich history of AMA Grand National Championship motorcycle racing and the talent we have seen in the past year in the up-and-coming younger racers, it will be an exciting week of racing as each rider will aspire to be called an AMA Grand Champion,” Nace says.

The AMA Dirt Track Grand Championship crowns amateur and youth champions in individual dirt-track disciplines, including mile, half-mile, TT and short-track events.

Monday, June 23, will see competition on the mile. On Tuesday, June 24, racers head to the short track during the day, while youth riders will compete on the TT that evening. On Wednesday, June 25, all racers will have a turn on the TT course. Then, on Thursday, June 26, the half mile will take center stage.

Date: June 23-26

Online entry is available at www.stevenaceracing.com.

In addition to championships in individual disciplines, AMA Grand Championships are awarded to the riders in each class who have the highest point totals across all four types of dirt-track racing. The fastest riders in premier classes also compete for the AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award, which honors the amateur racer poised for success on the pro level.

NEVADA CLUB DELIVERS FUN, THRILLS

Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada

Founded in 1968 by Casey Folks, the Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada has provided safe, fun, family-oriented and affordable off-road racing events in southern Nevada for thousands of families over the years.

An AMA-chartered organization, MRAN is hosting three sanctioned series in 2014.

“Over the years, MRAN has hosted hundreds of events of all types,” says Michael Collins, club treasurer and longtime member. “Riders keep coming back for our friendly environment, the quality of our events and that we work

hard to keep racing our events affordable. We’re looking forward to really stepping up to provide the best year yet.”

The Desert Series will include 10 races, a mix of hare scrambles and hare & hound style courses. Two of them will be AMA National Hare & Hound Championship events.

The Grand Prix Series will include six races and have a balanced mix of motocross and desert terrain.

For something a bit different, there’s the Night Race Series. Four summertime races after dark give riders an opportunity

to have some fun without facing the brutal southern Nevada sun.

The terrain in southern Nevada is extremely versatile, Collins says, rather than the flat desert that many Easterners might expect to find.

“You will ride courses that range from 2,000 feet above sea level to 8,000 feet,” Collins says. “There are traditional desert routes through cactus and creosote bushes, and then singletrack trails through the juniper and pine trees.

Races are scored electronically, and all of the member clubs use GPS devices to plot race routes.

To learn more about MRAN, see www.mranracing.com.

COLOR IT RIGHT

AMA Members Get 15 Percent Off From ColorRite

ColorRite, known for its extensive line of color-matched paints for motorcycles, is the AMA’s newest member benefit partner, offering a 15 percent exclusive discount on products to AMA members.

With a full range of products for motorcycles, ATVs, marine and more ranging from touch-up pens and bottles to aerosol sprays and professional-size cans, ColorRite makes it easy to find the right color for your bike.

“We’re excited to partner with the AMA in 2014 and beyond,” says ColorRite General Manager Marty Estes. “We’ve produced OEM-matched paints for over 25 years and are confident AMA members will enjoy the discount and appreciate our quality products.”

The company’s website at www. colorrite.com offers a complete database of OEM color-matched paint for body parts and frames, which users can narrow by entering the year, make and model of their machine. The website also features how-to tips, tricks and videos.

AMA members can access this new discount by entering the code found on page 35 of this magazine during ColorRite’s online checkout process.

THE BIKE THAT LAUNCHED THE G.O.A.T.

Ricky Carmichael’s 1997 Kawasaki KX125

All stories have a beginning, and for Hall of Famer Ricky Carmichael’s professional AMA Motocross career, the beginning starts with this Kawasaki KX125.

After all, Carmichael wasn’t always the G.O.A.T.—The “Greatest Of All Time” —in combined AMA Motocross and Supercross competition. In 1997, he was “just” an amazingly talented up-andcoming amateur who was ready to join the elite ranks of riders in AMA Motocross and AMA Supercross. And this is the bike that launched his pro career.

At the time, Carmichael was only 15 years old, and though he came out of the AMA Amateur Motocross Championships that summer as clearly the most dominant rider, the leap to the pros can be difficult. Plenty of other promising riders have found the leap to the next level difficult, or took a season or two to come up to speed.

Not so with Carmichael. Thanks to his amazing talent, passion for hard work and drive to succeed—and this motorcycle—the rider who would one day earn MX’s most exalted nickname wasted no time in letting the world know he was ready.

Having been sponsored by Kawasaki Team Green throughout his amateur career, it only made sense for him to continue with Kawasaki as a pro. This Pro-Circuit-built KX, tuned by Chad Watts, was the racing weapon he was handed when he arrived.

As a 17-year-old rookie in 1997, Carmichael won eight AMA Motocross Nationals to win the AMA 125 Championship—a feat all the more amazing because it was his first year riding many of the National tracks. He followed that up in 1998 with a dominating performance in the 125cc Eastern Region Supercross Championship, winning not just the title, but every race on the calendar.

Of course, from there Carmichael would go on to completely tear up and re-write the record books.

He became the most dominant rider ever in AMA Motocross, winning at least one championship every season he raced, and never failing to defend a title when he was able to ride the entire season.

In total, he earned 15 National Championship titles in AMA Motocross and AMA Supercross, three team world championships in the Motocross of Nations, and one individual Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Supercross World Championship. He won titles on two-stroke and four-stroke motorcycles, notched perfect undefeated seasons three times and was an X-Games gold medalist.

And it all started on this bike. You can see Carmichael’s KX125, on loan from Pro Circuit’s Mitch Payton, himself an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer, at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

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.

1920s TRANSCONTINENTAL ACE

Wells Bennett Raced Dirt Track, Board Tracks And Braved Perilous Roads To Become One Of The Greatest Cross-Country Riders Of All Time

Wells Bennett was a leading racer, hillclimber and crosscountry specialist of the 1910s and early 1920s. He is best known for his 24-hour, transcontinental and “Three-Flag” Canada-to-Mexico record runs of the early 1920s, while riding for Henderson.

William Wells Bennett was born in Wichita, Kansas, on June 24, 1891. From an early age he showed a keen sense of adventure and exploration that would lead him to become one of the best-known motorcyclists of his era.

Bennett got his start on motorcycles by hanging around the local bicycle/motorcycle shop, offering to clean motorcycles or run errands for the owners in hopes of being offered a ride. When he finally got the opportunity to ride one, motorcycles became his youthful obsession. Although he was still a teen, Bennett was soon assembling and selling motorcycles.

By the time he was 21, Bennett was well established as one of the leading dirt-track racers in Kansas. In 1912, he entered his first board-track race, in Denver, and won. Soon he was traveling the country racing board-track events and making as much as $200 to $300 per week, a princely sum in those days. In 1914, Bennett signed with Excelsior.

On Display At The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

‘THE DEVIL’S STAIRCASE’ BY ROGER WILLIAMS

What it is: A “deconstructivist” takes on a motorcycle hillclimb, by Ohio painter Roger Williams, with layers of images that express the complexity of the subject in overlapping symbolism.

What the artist says: “Chad Disbennett, the 2004 AMA National Hillclimb Champion, is a relative of mine, and I wanted to do a painting of Chad with his 800cc Triumph, No. 17. The painting is deconstructed images, layers and overlaps in bright pop colors. Deconstructivist art is on-edge art that came after Postmodern art. Conceptually, you see gears, a hurricane, a stick of dynamite, tattoos and just profiles of things and movement while airborne.”

See it: “The Devil’s Staircase” is currently on display at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame as part of the exhibit “2 wheels + Motor: An International Fine Art Exhibition.” Plan your visit at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

During the war years, racing slowed to a crawl. Bennett began running in various cross-country and city-to-city timed events that were popular during that time. He had a contract with Excelsior and set numerous city-to-city records.

Bennett also became involved in stunt riding for Hollywood movies. He was in charge of the 200-plus motorcycle squadron in the film “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.”

After the war, when board track races were waning in popularity, Bennett adapted. In April 1922, Excelsior sent him to the prestigious San Juan Capistrano Hillclimb in Southern California. He won the hillclimb, dethroning the dominant Dudley Perkins (who would go on to become a fellow AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer).

The next month a Henderson factory team was assembled to set records on the creaky and deteriorating board track in Tacoma, Washington. There, Bennett rode a Henderson Four (by then owned by Excelsior) to a new 24-hour record of 1,562.54 miles, breaking the mark held by Indian and Erwin “Cannonball” Baker by more than 28 miles.

Bennett ended the year by breaking the transcontinental record on a Henderson, making the coast-to-coast trip from Los Angeles to New York in 6 days, 16 hours and 13 minutes, bettering a record set by Baker on an Ace just one month earlier. Soon, such runs were considered too dangerous, but that didn’t stop Bennett from setting the final record for the classic Three-Flags Run (Mexico to Canada or vice versa) with a time of 42 hours, 24 minutes.

By the mid 1920s, Bennett scaled back his racing to run his Excelsior/Henderson motorcycle dealership in Portland, Oregon. He sold his motorcycle business in 1930 and took a position as a service rep for Ford Motor Co. He retired to his ranch at the foot of Mt. Hood, near Hood River, Oregon.

Wells Bennett died in 1969 and was posthumously inducted in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.

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FOLLOWING THE MONEY TRAIL

Off-Highway Vehicle Riders

Produce Billions In Annual Revenue For Cities, Counties, States

BY JIM WITTERS

Communities across America are reaping economic rewards from both new and longestablished trail systems—directly, through purchases of motorcycles, ATVs, fuel, food and gear, and indirectly, by means of a “ripple effect” as off-highway vehicle riders' money is spent again and again throughout local economies.

But despite the obvious benefits, transforming logging land or reclaimed strip mines into revenueproducing acreage crisscrossed by OHV trails requires patience, partnership and perseverance.

Here are the stories of five trail systems that show how public and private entities can work together to provide wholesome recreational opportunities as well as a local economic boost.

or Larry Lodato, the opening of two major trail systems for off-highway vehicles in Boone County, W.Va., has been a godsend.

Lodato, executive director of the Boone County Community and Economic Development Corp., is coping with a years-long slump in the coal-mining industry that has cost his state 17,000 jobs since 1983.

“I’m not saying tourism is going to be the savior, but these trails are going to help support the local economy during this coal slump,” Lodato says. “With the coal industry in decline, the landowners see the trails as a way to reuse the land.

“The trails have been a big economic boom here.”

The trails in Boone County are part of West Virginia’s Hatfield-McCoy Trails system, which provides more than 700 miles of trails over about a million acres of coal country.

In addition to providing outdoor recreational opportunities for tens of thousands of off-road enthusiasts, OHV trails have proved themselves to be viable economic engines, encouraging increased investment from entrepreneurs chasing those tourism dollars. That increased investment means more jobs, which pumps even more money back into the state’s economy.

Since the Hatfield-McCoy system opened 13 years ago, ridership and revenue have increased each year, says Jeff Lusk, who serves as executive director of Hatfield-McCoy Trails and is a member of the state’s tourism board.

The rural areas are benefitting.

During 2013, 81 percent of Hatfield-McCoy’s 36,000 off-highwayvehicle operators visited from out of state, spending money on lodging, food, fuel and parts.

Revenue and ridership were up about 16.5 percent for the year, Lusk says.

Since the trails system debuted, 44 new lodgings have sprung up to serve the influx of riders. Even that pace of construction is not enough, Lusk says.

“We need more lodging,” he says.

“The construction of new facilities is not keeping up with rider growth. We need more entrepreneurs. Because of the rural nature of this land, it takes longer to get our legs under us. It could take two-and-a-half or three years to get the infrastructure in place and get some development. But once things are open, it has been a sustaining economic influence.”

Boone County is home to two trailheads—the Little Coal River Trail System, a family-friendly system that opened in 2002, and the Ivy Branch Trail System, which opened in November 2013 and is accessible to Jeeps, Hummers and other larger vehicles. It also has, near the Little Coal River system, a half-milliondollar welcome center on U.S. 119, along with the people to staff it.

In addition, parts stores and a powersports dealership have opened up nearby, Lodato says.

Boone County is expecting a third trail system to open in 2015 along the Big Coal River near Madison.

“I feel like we are primed for this to really take off,” Lodato said.

Clamoring For Access

The power of economic success is strong. Once the trails are open and the riders begin streaming in, even onceskeptical business and community leaders get on board, says Chris Gamache, chief of the New Hampshire Bureau Of Trails.

In June 2013, New Hampshire tied together its 1,000 miles of existing trails

systems under the Ride the Wilds banner and began connecting the trails to nearby communities.

The response has been overwhelming.

“We saw a rapid increase in trail development and designation of gravel and some paved roads for OHRV use to connect to services and communities this past summer,” Gamache says. “We had several trail riding areas, but they were not connected together. This past summer those connections opened up rapidly and communities near the riding areas or the connection routes requested to be tied into the system for economic development.”

The town managers in several communities that tied into the trails system credited OHV riders for doubledigit revenue increases at local businesses in August, Gamache says.

“Several local [off-highway recreational vehicle] dealers had record sales years, and rental agents had business increases much higher than anticipated,” he says.

Businesses that were not interested in being connected to the trails have seen what it has done for other businesses in their community and are now asking to be connected.

Although the Ride the Wilds project has not resulted in a huge increase in full-time jobs, Gamache says with confidence that many jobs were saved because of it.

Many small businesses that were facing closure were able to remain open because of the increase in the trail riders in their areas, he says.

No Easy Path

Most western states are home to large tracts of accessible public lands that are

crisscrossed by trails and by timber and mining roads.

But east of the Mississippi River, OHV trails must be pieced together through bargaining with private landowners concerned about granting access to strangers who may damage their property. There also is the question of who might be liable for any mishaps.

Essential to the success of these trail programs are public/private partnerships that focus on providing a solution to the liability problem, which landowners face whether they grant access or not.

A 2006 study by Marshall University's Center for Business and Economic Research in Huntington, W.Va., concluded that “professional trail management also reduces illegal use of private property and improves access and infrastructure.”

According to Hatfield-McCoy’s Lusk, landowners who historically prohibited OHV use can be persuaded to participate when a state or county agency—often through an independent recreation authority—assumes responsibility for management, law enforcement and liability insurance.

Gamache points out that negotiations with landowners can be slow.

“We have a few more connections to be made this summer. Several were approved last year but trail construction delays and some landowner negotiations took a little longer than originally anticipated,” he says.

“We have actually been working on the connections for a number of years and many of the approval processes were in place before the Ride the Wilds initiative was named. However, the swell of support from local, regional, state and federal levels certainly catapulted our ability to make the connections quickly this past summer.”

Repeated Successes

The Spearhead Trails in Virginia and the Appleton Area Recreational ORV Park in Minnesota provide two more examples of the economic advantages that come with OHV trail development and fostering a welcoming environment for riders.

The Spearhead Trails include the 75mile Mountain View OHV/ATV Trail System that has contributed to an economic surge in the small town of St. Paul, Va.

Andrea Hicks, assistant marketing director for Virginia’s Southwest Regional Recreation Authority, says downtown St. Paul has attracted more than $500,000 in private investment since the trail system opened in June 2013.

Two ATV rental companies, a trailside assistance business and additional lodging facilities have sprung up in this town of about 1,000 residents.

One local retailer converted apartments above his store into overnight lodging for OHV riders. The retailer also converted a house on this property into a “lovely overnight cottage,” Hicks says.

A 12-room motel is undergoing renovations with the expectation that it will open by spring, she says.

A local gas station doubles its staff on weekends, and a local restaurant reports “a significant increase in sales” when the OHV riders are in town.

As a sign of the influx of the off-highway vehicle culture, a couple of mechanical horse rides for kids have been converted to ATV rides, she says.

“Everybody is getting on board,” Hicks says.

Dave Halsey, a writer for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council and founder of the Woodtick Wheelers ATV/OHM Club in Minnesota, says the Appleton park is a small-town success.

The park brings “demand from riders for vehicles, gear, food and lodging,” and local businesses “are responding to it and benefitting from it,” he says.

Park users spent an average of $189 a day per group, according to a study completed by the University of Minnesota, Morris Center for Small Towns.

A Long-Term Approach

Although many communities in the eastern United States are only recently realizing the economic benefits of off-highway vehicle tourism dollars, one state has embraced the sport for decades.

The Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan organized in 1968 when the state’s Department of Natural Resources intended to close state game areas in southern Michigan, says Lewis Shuler, the club’s executive director.

Eventually, the opponents became allies, with the CCC joining the DNR in a partnership to manage and expand the OHV trail systems throughout the state.

By 1975, the club had won a promise from the state for 1,500 miles of trails in the lower portion of the state.

That was only the beginning, however. Gradually, the system grew to encompass 5,400 miles of roads in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas that are open to licensed and unlicensed vehicles.

Trails are still being added. Since 2004, the system has grown by 25 percent,

Numbe RS Te LL The S T o Ry

OHV trails attract visitors who contribute significantly to local and state economies.

Here are some numbers:

• “The total output impact, sales generated from OHV recreation at the [Croom Motorcycle Area in Florida], is estimated at over $21 million. This output resulted in the creation of 318 full and part-time jobs and $9.38 million income for labor," according to a study by the University of Florida.

• In Colorado, motorized recreational enthusiasts spent more than $602 million while taking trips using their motorized vehicle for recreational purposes during the 2012-13 season, according to a

Shuler says, and more trails are planned.

“In the original 1975 legislation, we were promised an ORV [off-road vehicle] park in southeastern Michigan, but we still don’t have it,” Shuler says.

The DNR and the CCC are pursuing opportunities in that area to assemble tracts of land that could be used for the park, he says.

At the same time, the CCC also is starting to reach out to private landowners with the hope of negotiating leases and adding new trails, Shuler says.

Because of the partnership with the state DNR and the persistence of the CCC, the Michigan trails system has experienced continued growth, and the benefits continue to spill over to communities near the trails.

As Michigan transitions from its heavy reliance on manufacturing, tourism—and especially outdoor recreation—presents an attractive opportunity.

“There are lots of communities here that only survive because of the ORV trails,” Shuler says.

“The Silver Lake State Park (near Mears)

report from the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition.

Motorized recreation in Colorado is directly or indirectly responsible for almost 9,000 jobs and $373 million in labor income.

• An analysis by Ohio University concluded that OHV recreation and tourism in southeastern Ohio generated $1.39 million in direct spending and $656,980 in labor income, creating 26 full-timeequivalent jobs in 2008.

• The Western Governors’ Association found in 2012 that outdoor recreation accounted for $646 billion in total spending, supporting more than 6 million jobs.

The association includes 22 governors.

is dedicated to ORV use, and it is a gold mine for the state,” Shuler says.

Campgrounds, grocery stores, service stations and other businesses benefit directly from the OHV riders.

“Some of the biggest ATV dealerships in Michigan are located near the riding activity, not near the population centers,” Shuler says. “One of the biggest dealerships in the state is in one of the traditionally poorest counties.”

No Panacea

While trail development and the resulting economic benefits help local economies expand and diversify, the OHV tourism boom isn’t likely to become the type of dominant industry that can sustain a region on its own.

“The trails system isn’t a driver for an entire economy, but it provides revenue and entrepreneurial opportunity,” says Hatfield-McCoy’s Lusk. “It helps to diversify the economy by adding a layer of economic development that didn’t exist before.”

There also are unexpected consequences. In the counties that are home to the Hatfield-McCoy systems, there has been a real estate boom, of sorts.

Property values are rising, Lusk says. But the land is going to “buy-and-hold” speculators, rather than to “buy-andbuild” investors.

Shuler says the Michigan trails are subject to many of the same economic fluctuations as other industries, with use and revenue lagging during lean times.

Ti P s For r iders

Laws and regulations covering OHV use on both public and private land vary from state to state. So, riders should check with the agency that manages their local trails for specific requirements. All of the trails systems listed here require use of DOT or Snell approved helmets. In addition, all trails are patrolled by park rangers that enforce the rules.

W es T V ir G i N i A

The HatfieldMcCoy Trails

Phone: (800) 592-2217

Email: info@ trailsheaven.com

Website: www. trailsheaven.com

Description: More than 700 miles of trails across eight systems in coal country.

Cost: $26.50 for West Virginia residents; $50 for non-residents.

Permit is valid until Dec. 31 of the year in which it was purchased.

o H io

Wayne National Forest Phone: Monday Creek ATV/OHM Trail System, (740) 753-0101; Hanging Rock ATV/OHM Trail System, (740) 534-6500; Pine Creek ATV/OHM Trail System, (740) 534-6500

Website: www. waynenational forest.com/ wayneatv.htm

Description: More than 100 miles of ATV and off-highway motorcycle trails. Trail systems may be open to more than one type of use, so please yield to others.

Cost: $12 per day; $24 for a three-day permit; $45 for a season

Ne W H A m P s H ire Ride the Wilds

Phone: (603) 788-2700

Email: nhtrails@ dred.state.nh.us

Website: www. nhstateparks.org/ explore/bureauof-trails/

Description: More than 1,000 miles of interconnected trails.

Cost: All OHVs must be registered if operated off the owner’s property. There are no additional trail user fees. ATV registration is $55 for residents and $74 for nonresidents. For motorcycles, it’s $46 for residents and $65 for nonresidents.

mi CH i GAN Michigan OffRoad Vehicle (ORV) Trails

Phone: (517) 373-1204

Website: www. michigan.gov/dnr

Description: More than 3,700 miles of roads and trails open to offhighway vehicles on public land

Cost: $26.25 annual license for operation on public roads, plus a $10 annual ORV Trail Permit is required when on designated ORV routes.

“We are seeing less use and shorter trips, because people just don’t have the money to spend in this economy,” he says.

But the number of trail permits issued by the Michigan DNR has held steady at 200,000 a year for the past four

Wis C o N si N Appleton Area

Recreational orV Park

Phone: (320) 843-5341

Email: info.dnr@ state.mn.us

Website: www. dnr.state.mn.us/ ohv/trail_detail. html?id=4

Description: Once a gravel mine, the Appleton Area

Recreational Park covers 330 acres and has 18 miles of trails.

Cost: $25 annual vehicle permit; $20 annual motorcycle permit; $5 one-day vehicle permit.

V ir G i N i A Spearhead Trails

Phone: (276) 220-9875

Website: www. spearheadtrails. com

Description: The 75-mile Mountain View OHV/ATV Trail System opened in 2013. Spearhead Trails plans to have more than 500 miles of ATV and equestrian trails for every skill level by the end of 2016.

Cost: $50 for an annual permit

Ke NT u CK y Black Mountain Off-Road

Adventure Area

Phone: (606) 837-3205

Email: info@ harlancountytrails. com

Website: www. harlancountytrails. com/

blackmountaintrails.php

Description: 150 miles of trails across nearly 8,000 acres of rugged mountain terrain. Created from strip mining roads and logging roads, trails offer a variety of experiences and levels of difficulty.

Cost: $40 for an annual single vehicle pass. Annual family passes are $40 for the first vehicle, $35 for the second vehicle and $30 for each additional vehicle. See website for other pass options.

This is just a sample of the riding opportunities available across the country. To find a location near you, see the AMA Trails Atlas at www. AmericanMotorcyclist. com > Members Only Area > Trails Atlas.

years, and as each new trail opens, the riders arrive and local businesses report increased sales, plans for expansion and new jobs.

By all accounts, the OHV programs have proved beneficial to the riders, the communities and the states.

Get Out And Ride

For most of the country, spring is the start of the riding season—when the snow thaws, the road salt washes away and the temperatures remain bearable. AMA Go Ride! Month celebrates the kickoff to the riding season the best way we know how: by highlighting the awesome things you can do on your motorcycle throughout the year.

This year, we remind you of all the fun things to do, but we also take a thorough look at the state of safety training. After all, while you should make sure your bike is good to go for the new riding season, it’s even more critical to tune up the most important machine of all: you!

Tune Up, Get Out, Go Ride!

Fresh Training Can Help Make This Your Best Riding Season Yet By Jim Witters

As the weather warms, motorcyclists in the cooler climes are preparing for the riding season by finishing up needed repairs and modifications and tuning those engines, but spring also is a great time to consider a rider tune-up.

Refresher courses and advanced-rider training provide a great way to ensure that you get the most enjoyment from the weather, the roads, the bikes and yourself.

“It’s hard to get people to return for more training,” says Bill Seltzer, marketing director and rider coach for TEAM Arizona, which trains 800 to 1,000 experienced riders each year “But the typical response I get from someone completing the advanced courses is, ‘I can’t believe how much I learned.’ ”

A Return To Riding

Don Rocha, a 59-year-old AMA member from Fort Collins, Colo., didn’t need much persuasion to take a refresher course at T3RG Motorcycle Schools in Denver.

“I had taken a beginner course when I was in college in Canada in the 1970s, but I didn’t do much with it,” Rocha says. “Then one of my neighbors showed up with a sport tourer, and I decided to look

into motorcycles again.”

In 2006, Rocha bought a 2002 Ducati ST2. Then he got nervous.

“I thought maybe I had gotten in over my head, with the Ducati and all,” he says. “So I took a refresher course from a guy in Denver before I even rode it.”

Since then, Rocha has added a Triumph XC and a KTM supermoto to his garage. He has continued his training, with a course for experienced riders, basic and advanced Total Control courses at T3RG Motorcycle Schools and a track course.

“I learned useful things about riding alone and in groups, how to position myself and what to

watch out for,” Rocha says. “The Total Control classes are really geared more toward the sport tourer bikes and our type of riding, which is a lot faster.

“The training is more performance oriented. It’s just short of a track course.”

Rocha says his initial nervousness has subsided, largely due to the formal advanced training he received.

“My intention is to do more of that,” he says.

Experienced Rider Welcomed

A common perception is that younger riders acting irresponsibly account for the highest number of crashes, injuries and fatalities involving motorcycles.

However, a study by the Ohio Department of Transportation showed that “the highest number of at fault crashes resulting in death and serious injuries involved males between the ages of 41 and 50.”

Motorcycle Ohio, a state-supported agency that oversees motorcycle training, says 75 percent of motorcycle crashes involve “experienced” riders.

“Advanced training provides riders and co-riders the opportunity to increase their understanding of safe riding techniques and to practice these techniques on their motorcycles,” the agency’s website says.

Age range of males involved in highest number of at-fault crashes that resulted in death or serious injury (Ohio DOT)

Motorcycle safety schools provide a

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APR 27: ALTAIR: TRAIL RIDERS OF HOUSTON, (832) 465-7790, TRAILRIDERSOFHOUSTON.COM

HALL OF FAME EXHIBITS AND EVENTS

AMA M OTO rcycLE H ALL OF FAME MotorcycleMuseuM.org

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

Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Recognizing those who have made significant contributions to all aspects of motorcycling.

Dirt-Track! All-American Motorcycle r acing: Celebrating the storied history of the dirt oval.

2 Wheels + Motor, A Fine Art Exhibition: The spirit, excitement and adventure of motorcycling is expressed through fine art.

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

July 11-13, Lexington, Ohio: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Information: www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com.

AMA PrO r AcI N g

AMA PrO FLAT Tr Ack

a M aproracing.co M

Mar. 13: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona Flat Track I

Mar. 14: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona Flat Track II

May 25: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile

June 15: k noxville, Ia.: Knoxville Half Mile

uTAH

cOMPETITION

MOTOcrOSS

APR 5: ST GEORGE: 2 DAY EVENT, ST GEORGE MX, (435) 705-4125, WWW.STGEORGEMX.COM

VIrgINIA

cOMPETITION

grAND PrIX

APR 13: DILLWYN: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (434) 245-8599, VCHSS.ORG

MOTOcrOSS

APR 26: DILLWYN: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOPROMO, LLC, (434) 548-6043, ACTIONTOWNMX.COM

SuPErMOTO

APR 13: ALTON: SUPER MOTO EAST COAST, SUPERMOTOEASTCOAST.COM

WEST VIrgINIA

cOMPETITION

MOTOcrOSS

APR 13: HEDGESVILLE: TOMAHAWK MX, LLC, (304) 229-6682, WWW.TOMAHAWKMX.COM

APR 19: HEDGESVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, WWW.TOMAHAWKMX.COM

2014 eVents

June 28: Lima, Oh.: Lima Half Mile

July 5: Hagerstown, Md.: Hagerstown Half Mile

July 19: Elma, Wa.: Grays Harbor Raceway

July 26: Sacramento, calif.: Sacramento Mile

Aug. 2: castle rock, Wa.: Castle Rock TT

Aug. 5: r apid city, S.D.: Sturgis Half Mile

Aug. 8: Indianapolis, Ind.: Indy Mile

Aug. 17: Peoria, Ill.: Peoria TT

Aug. 23: New kent, Va.: Colonia Downs MIle

Aug. 31: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile II

Sept. 28: Santa rosa, calif.: Santa Rosa Mile

Oct. 11: Pomona, calif.: Flat Track Season Finale

AMA PrO H ILLcLIMB a M aproracing.co M

June 1: Spring g rove, Pa.: White Rose MC

June 8: Freemansburg, Pa.: Bushkill Valley MC

June 18: canaan, N.H.: Ridge Runner/Laconia Bike Week

July 13: West Branch, Mich.: Ogemaw Hills Bike Week

Aug. 3: Muskegon, Mich.: Muskegon MC *All Star Challenge

Sept. 21: Spring g rove, Pa.: White Rose MC

Sept. 28: Freemansburg, Pa.: Bushkill Valley MC

cOMPETITION

WIScONSIN

HArE ScrAMBLES

APR 27: ADAMS: MADISON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (262) 424-9361, MADISONMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORG

MOTOcrOSS

APR 13: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 265-1582, AZTALANMX.COM

APR 13: GRANTSBURG: STRAIGHT ARROW ENDURO RIDERS, (651) 738-7433, STRAIGHTARROW.ORG

APR 20: (Includes ATVs) HILLPOINT: SUGAR MAPLE MX LLC, (608) 393-8812, SUGARMAPLEMX.COM

APR 27: NEKOOSA: RAPID ANGELS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (715) 451-1168, RAPIDANGELS.COM

OBSErVED TrIALS

APR 13: MAUSTON: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (319) 624-2003, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG

Oct. 12: Oregonia, Oh.: Dayton MC

LucAS O IL AMA PrO M OTO crOSS proMotocross.coM

May 24: San Bernardino, calif.: Glen Helen National

May 31: Sacramento, calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic

June 7: Lakewood, c olo.: Thunder Valley National

June 14: Mt. Morris, Pa.: High Point National

June 28: Blountville, Tenn.: Tennessee National

Jul. 5: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National

Jul. 12: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek National

Jul. 19: Millville, Minn: Spring Creek National

Jul. 26: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal National

Aug. 9: New Berlin, N.y.: Unadila National

Aug. 16: c rawfordsville, Ind.: Indiana National

Aug. 23: Tooele, u tah: Utah National

AMA PrO rOAD r AcIN g a M aproracing.co M

Mar. 13-15: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway

May 30: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America

June 21-22: Birmingham, Ala.: Barber Motorsports Park

July 19-20: Lexington, Oh.: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Sept. 13-14: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

MoNS ter eN ergy AMA SupercroSS AMASUPERCROSS.COM

Mar. 15: Detroit: Ford Field

Mar. 22: toronto: Rogers Centre

Mar. 29: St. Louis: Edward Jones Dome

Apr. 5: Houston: Reliant Stadium

Apr. 12: Seattle: Century Link Field

Apr. 26: e ast r therford, N.J.: MetLife Stadium

May 3: Las Vegas: Sam Boyd Stadium AMA pro -AM co M petitio N

March 15-16: Hamer, S.c.: South of the Border, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.victory-sports.com

March 16: porterville, calif.: Porterville OHV Park, Road to Mammoth-King of the West Rnd 3; www.2xpromotions.com

March 18-22: Wortham, texas: Freestone Raceway, James Stewart Spring Championship; www.freestonemx.com

March 22-23: r ichland, Wash.: Horn Rapids MX, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.hornrapidsmx.com

March 30: e nglishtown, N.J.: Raceway Park; www.racewaypark.com

March 30: turlock, calif.: Oatfield Raceway, Road to Mammoth-King of the West Rnd 4; www.2xpromotions.com

April 6: Birdsboro, pa.: Pagoda Motorcycle Club; www.pagodamc.com

April 6: Sanford, N.c.: Devil’s Ridge Motocross; www.devilsridgemotox.com

April 5-6: St. g eorge, u tah.: St. George MX, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.stgeorgemx.com

April 9-13: San Bernardino, calif.: Glen Helen Raceway, California Classic; www.2xpromotions.com

April 12-13: Manheim, pa.: Sleepy Hollow MX Park, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.sleepymx.com

April 13: Blountville, tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway, Thor United States Mega Series; www.victory-sports.com

April 20: casey, i ll.: Lincoln Trails Motosports, JM Racing Suspension Spring-Shootout; www.lincolntrailmotosports.com

April 26-27: Livingston, tenn.: Thunder Valley, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.victory-sports.com

May 3-4: Bloomingdale, Mich.: Dutch Sport Park, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.dutchsportsparkmx.com

May 4: Wallkill, N.y.: Walden MX, Walden MX Spring Pro-Am; www.mamamx.com

May 11: Hedgeville, W.Va.: Tomahawk MX, MAMA MX Series; www.mamamx.com

May 11: Walnut, i ll.: Sunset Ridge; www.sunsetridgemx.com

May 10-11: Little Falls, Minn.: MotoCity Raceway, AMA Amateur National Area Qualifier; www.motocityraceway.com

2014 EVENTS

May 11: pala, calif.: Pala Raceway, Road to Mammoth-King of the West Rnd 6; www.2xpromotions.com

May 18: Kellogg, Minn.: Motokazie Motocross; www.motokazie.com

May 24-25: Southwick, Mass.: Moto 338, Motocross League of American; www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com

May 25: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway; www.pineridgeraceway.com

May 26: Brush, c olo.: Sweney Cycle Park; www.sweneycyclepark.com

May 29-30: r ancho c ordova, calif.: Hangtown Motocross, Pro National Amateur Day; www.hangtownmx.com

May 31: pecatonica, i ll.: Stateline MX; www.statelinemx.com

June 1: Mt. carroll, i ll.: MC Motopark; www.mcmotopark.com

June 1: Berwick, pa.: Evansville Motocross Park; www.evansvillemxpark.com

June 8: Nashville, i ll.: Holzhauers MX, Mid-America MX Series; www.thetrackatholzhauers.com

June 28-29: Mammoth Lakes, calif.: Mammoth Moutain, Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross; www.2xpromotions.com

June 29: Blountville, tenn: Muddy Creek Raceway, Thor United States Mega Series-Pro National Amateur Day; www.victory-sports.com

July 6: Clifford, Pa.: Hurrican Hills MX; www.hhmotocross.com

July 6: Altamont, tenn.: Fast Farms MX; www.midsouthraceproductions.com

July 6: Buchanan, Mich.: Red Bud Motocross, Pro National Amateur Day; www.redbudmx.com

July 13: Blountville, tenn.: Muddy Creek, Thor United States Mega Series; www.victory-sports.com

July 19-24: ponca, o kla.: Ponca City MX, Ponca City Amateur Championship (MLA); www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com

Aug. 10: c rystal Falls, Mich.: Valley Raceway MX; www.valleyracewaymx.com

Aug. 10: Malvern, o h.: Malven Motocross, Battle of Ohio; www.omxa.net

Aug. 24: Nashport, o h.: Briarclif MX, Battle of Ohio; www.omxa.net

Aug. 24: edgewood, tex.: Buffalo Creek; www.buffalocreekmx.com

Aug. 24: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek, Viking Clash; www.springcreekmx.com

Aug. 30-31: Millington, Mich.: Baja Acres, Baja Brawl; www.bajaacres.com

Aug. 31: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway; www.pineridgeraceway.com

Sept. 7: Seward, pa.: Pleasure Valley Raceway; www.pvrmx.com

Sept. 7: Mason, i ll.: Crossroads MX, World of Powersports Crossroads Cup; www.crossroadsmx.com

Sept. 13-14: reynolds, g a.: Silver Dollar MX, Vurb Classic; www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com

Sept. 21: New castle, Del.: Blue DIamond MX, Delaware State Championship; www.bdmxpark.com

Sept. 21: t igerton, Wis.: Fantasy Moto, Midwest Mega Series; www.fantasymoto.com

Sept. 20-21: g arwin, i a.: Oak Ridge MX, Motocross League of America (MLA); www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com

Sept. 28: Dalton, g a.: Lazy River MX, Thor United States Mega Series; www.victory-sports.com

o ct. 5: e nglishtown, N.J.: Raceway Park; www.racewaypark.com

o ct. 12: tallassee, Ala.: Monster Mountain MX Park; www.monstermx.com

o ct. 11-12: Duquoin, i ll.: Indian Hills Motocross, Motocross League of America (MLA); www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com

o ct. 19: Blountville, tenn.: Muddy Creek, Thor United States Mega Series; www.victory-sports.com

o ct. 26: Buckeye, Ariz.: Arizona Cycle Park, Western Pro-Am; www.arizonacyclepark.com

Nov. 1-2: pell c ity, Ala.: Mill Creek MX, Motocross League of America (MLA); www.motocrossleagueofamerica.com

Nov. 23-26: g ainsville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park, Mini Olympics-Supercross; www.unlimitedsportsmx.com

Nov. 27-29: g ainsville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park, Mini Olympics-Motocross; www.unlimitedsportsmx.com

Nov. 30: St. g eorge, u tah: St. George MX; www.stgeorgemxw.com

AMA NAtio NAL cHAM pio NSH ip S erie S

AMS oi L AMA Are NAcro SS ARENACROSS.COM

Mar. 14-16: Hidalgo, texas: State Farm Arena

Mar. 29-30: Salt Lake c ity : EnergySolutions Arena

A MS oi L AMA g r AND N Atio NAL cro SS cou Ntry Serie S gNCCRACiNg.COM

Mar. 15-16: Washington, g a.: The Maxxis General

Mar. 29-30: Morganton, N.c.: FMF Steele Creek

Apr. 12-13: u nion, S.c : VP Racing Fuels Big Buck

Apr. 26-27: Springville, i nd.: Dunlop Limestone 100

May 10-11: Hurricane Mills, tenn.: Parts Unlimited Loretta Lynn’s

May 24-25: Morgantown, W.V.: Rocky Moutain ATV*MC Mountaineer Run

June 7-8: Millfield, Oh.: Wiseco John Penton

June 21-22: Snowshoe, W.V.: AMSOIL Snowshoe

Sept. 6-7: New Berlin, N.Y.: Can-Am Uandilla

Sept. 20-21: TBA, Pa.: Car-Mate TBA

Oct. 4-5: St Clairsville, Oh.: ITP Powerline Park

Oct. 25-26: Crawfordsville, Ind.: AMSOIL Ironman

Ge ICO AMA e N durOCrOSS

Ch AMPIONS h IP ENdurocroSS.com

May 2: Las Vegas: The Orleans Arena

May 15: Austin, Texas: Circuit of the America’s

June 21: Sacramento, Calif.: Sleep Train Arena

Aug. 23: Atlanta: Gwinnett Center

Oct. 4: d enver, Colo.: National Western Complex

Oct. 11: Salt Lake City, u tah: Energy Solutions Arena

Oct. 18: everett, Wash.: Comcast Arena

Nov. 15: Boise, Idaho.: Idaho Center

Nov. 22: Ontario, Calif.: Citizen Business Bank Arena

Ke N dA AMA N ATIONAL e N durO

Ch AMPIONS h IP

N aTioN alENduro.com

Mar. 23: Blackwell, Texas: Joseph Roberts, Ross Creek Trail Riders; (325) 669-8866, RossCreekTrailRiders.com

Apr. 6: West Point, Tenn.: TJ Kennedy, NATRA; (972) 977-4112, natra-westpoint.net

May 18: Park h ills, Mo.: Michael Silger, Missouri Mudders; (636) 639-6373, MOMudders.com

June 1: Arrington, Va.: Chuck Honeycutt, April Fools Promotions; (757) 375-5665, VCHSS.org

June 29: Marquette, Mich.: Nick Zambon, UP Sandstormers; (906) 228-7010, UPSandstormers.com

2014 EVENTS

July 27: Cross Fork, Pa.: Peter Burnett, Brandywine Enduro Riders; (610) 883-7607, BER.us

Aug. 10: Grand Junction, Colo.: Thomas Jundtoft, Bookcliff Rattlers MC; (970) 250-9942, bookcliffrattlersmc.com

Aug. 31: u nion, S.C.: Duane Wellington, Greenville Enduro Riders; (864) 908-6109, GreenvilleEnduroRiders.com

Sept. 14: Matthews, Ind.: Doug Spence, Muddobbers; (765) 998-2236, MuddobbersMC.com

AMA eAST hA re S Cr AMBLe S amaraciNg.com

Mar. 23, Youth & Amateur: Park h ills, Mo.: Gregory Kinkelaar, Missouri Dirt Riders; (314) 5047287, MODirtRiders.com

June 14, Youth Bikes & ATV; June 15, Amateur Bikes & ATV: Berwick, Pa.: Duane Fisher, Evansville MX Park; (570) 759-2841, EvansvilleMXPark.com

July 13, Youth & Amateur: Battle Creek, Mich.: Byron Kibby, Battle Creek Motorcycle Club; (269) 209-8184, BattleCreekMotorcycleClub.com

Aug. 16, Youth; Aug. 17, Amateur: Athens, Ohio: Kevin Brown, Athens Motorcycle Club; (740) 5903490, AthensMotorcycleClub.com

Sept. 20, Youth; Sept. 21, Amateur: Bartow, Fla.: Keith Finnerty, Central Florida Trail Riders; (407) 774-9090, CFTRiders.com

Oct. 4, Youth; Oct. 5, Amateur: Plainview, Ill.: Ron Whipple, WFO Promotions; (309) 314-3343, WFOPromotions.com

AMA Su PerMOTO NATIONAL

Ch AMPIONS h IP S er I e S amaraciNg.com

Apr. 19-20: Lake h avasu City, Ariz.: SARA Park

May 30-June 1: e lkhart Lake, Wis.: In conjuction with AMA Pro Racing Road Race Championship

July 5-6: d enver, Colo.: In conjuction with NASCAR event

July 26-27: Salt Lake City, u tah: During Bike Jam at Miller Motorsports Park

Sept. 13-14: Sturgis, S. d.: downtown street race

AMA We ST hA re S Cr AMBLe S amaraciNg.com

Mar. 15, Amateur; Mar. 16, ATV & Youth: Anza, Calif.: Erek Kudla, Get-Xtr-Eme; (805) 236-5866, Get-Xtr-Eme.com

Apr. 12, Youth; Apr. 13, Amateur: Chappie-Shasta O h V Area-Shasta Lake, Calif.: Russel Smith, Redding Dirt Riders; (530) 921-1233, reddingdirtriders.com

May 3, Youth; May 4, Amateur: Primm, Nev.: Ronald Maas, Sunland Shamrocks MC/Big 6 GP; (818) 767-4594, ShamrocksMC.com

June 14, Youth & C Amateur; June 15, Pro, A & B Amateur: e lkton, Ore.: Jared Achepohl, ETRA, Inc.; (541) 912-8296, ETRA.net

Sept. 6, Youth; Sept. 7, Amateur: Anza, Calif.: Justin Shultz, SoCal MC/Big 6 GP; (949) 981-6776, SoCalMC.com

Oct. 4, Youth; Oct. 5, Amateur: r idgecrest, Calif.: Chris Cory, Viewfinders MC/Big 6 GP; (661) 450-8150, ViewfindersMC.com

S rT AMA hA re AN d hOu N d amaraciNg.com

Mar. 22, Youth; Mar. 23, Amateur: Murphy, Idaho: No ATVs. Bill Walsh, Dirt Inc. (208) 459-6871, DirtIncRacing.com

Apr. 12, Youth; Apr. 13, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Justin Shultz, SOCal MC; (949) 981-6776, SoCalMC.com

Apr. 26, Youth; Apr. 27, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Gary Alspaugh, Vikings MC; (805) 680-6336, VikingsMC.org

May 3, Amateur and Youth: Jerico, u tah: Neil Dansie, Sage Riders; (801) 369-5939, SageRidersMC.com

May 17, Amateur and Youth: Caliente, Nev.: Zack Livreri, Silver State Trailblazers; (702) 994-6823, http://sites.google.com/site/silverstatetrailblazers/ Aug. 23, Amateur and Youth: Caliente, Nev.: Zack Livreri, Silver State Trailblazers; (702) 994-6823, http://sites.google.com/site/silverstatetrailblazers/ Sept. 20, Youth; Sept. 21, Amateur: Yerington, Nev.: Erek Kudla, Get-Xtr-Eme; (805) 236-5866, Get-Xtr-Eme.com

Oct. 11, Youth; Oct. 12, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Darren Moen, 100s MC; (714) 863-7170, www.100sMC.org

AI reS AMA / NATC MOTOTr IALS amaraciNg.com

May 24 -25: Texas Creek, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Trials Association; (719) 564-6476, RockyMountainTrials.org

May 31-June 1: Sedan, Kan.: Ark Valley Trials Assocation; (316) 644-7774, AVTATrials.com

June 21-22: Tremont, Pa.: Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600, RauschCreekRacing.com

June 28-29: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Ashley Jackson, South Eastern Trials Riders Association; (423) 9428688, TrialsTrainingCenter.com

AMA / NATC e AST YOuTh MOTOTr IALS amaraciNg.com

July 4-6: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Ashley Jackson, South Eastern Trials Riders Association; (423) 9428688, TrialsTrainingCenter.com

High Adventure. No Hassle. The best routes, roads and twotrack, mapped by local experts. A great challenge with like-minded riders. A full weekend’s activities, with camping, campfires, food and prizes. For more information visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Riding

THE ADVENTURE is out there

Get comeit

2014 EVENTS

Nov. 15-16: Delaware Hare Scrambles, Delaware Enduro Riders; (302) 834-4411

EAST COAST ENDURO RIDERS DUAL SPORT SERIES

ECEA.ORG

Oct 12: Pine Grove, Pa.: Rorr Dual Sport, Reading Off Road Riders; (610) 921-3592, rorr.org

Oct. 25-26: Chatsworth, N.J.: Meteor Dual Sport, Meteor Motorcycle Club; (856) 889-7300, www.meteormc.com

Nov. 1-2: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: TCSMC National Dual Sport, Tri-County Sportsmen MC; 1 (888) 2744469, teamhammer.org

WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS MXSPORTS.COM

Mar. 9-10: Daytona Beach, Fla.: RCSX Daytona; (304) 284-0101

Mar. 22: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Spring Championship; (713) 962-3386

Apr. 13: San Bernardino, Calif.: California Classic; (559) 761-0887

June 29: Mammoth Lakes, Calif.: Mammoth Mountain; (559) 761-0887

Aug. 31: Millington, Mich.: Baja Brawl; (989) 8713356

Oct. 5: Englishtown, N.J.: KROC Raceway Park; (732) 446-7800

Oct. 19: Blountville, Tenn.: Top Gun Showdown; (423) 323-5497

Nov. 29: Gainesville, Fla.: Winter Olympics; (312) 689-3461

AMA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV/MC AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP MXSPORTS.COM

NORTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

June 21-22: Armagh, Pa: Pleasure Valley Raceway (Youth)

June 28-29: Mt. Morris, Pa.: High Point (Amateur) SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

June 7-8: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway (Youth)

June 14-15: Chatsworth, Ga.: Lazy River (Youth) MID-EAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

May 31-June 1: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman (Amateur)

June 7-8: Buchanan, Mich.: Redbud (Youth) NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

June 14-15: Mt. Carroll, Ill.: MC Motopark (Amateur)

June 21-22: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX (Youth)

SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

June 14-15: Wortham, Texas: Freestone MX (Youth)

June 14-15: Houston, Texas: Three Palms (Amateur)

NORTHWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

June 7-8: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Prairie City MX (Youth, Amateur)

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

May 31-June 1: Hesperia, Calif.: Competitive Edge (Youth, Amateur)

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

July 27-Aug. 2: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: National Championship, Loretta Lynn’s Ranch

AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

STEVENACERACING.COM

June 23-26: Springfi eld, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds

AMA HILLCLIMB GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP VALLEYSPRING HILLCLIMB.COM

Aug. 15-17: Bay City, Wis.: Mike Bronk, Valley Springs Motorcycle Club; (715) 594-3726

AMSOIL AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL ARENACROSS ARENACROSS.COM

May 3-4: Las Vegas: South Point Arena

KENDA AMA TENNESSEE KNOCKOUT GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

TENNESSEEKNOCKOUTENDURO.COM

Aug. 17: Sequatchie, Tennessee

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: U.S. ROUNDS/WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

FIM ROAD RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX FIM-LIVE.COM

April 13: Austin, Texas: Circuit of The Americas

Aug. 10: Indianapolis: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

FIM ROAD RACING SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIM-LIVE.COM

July 13: Monterey, Calif: Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca

FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM

Sept. 28: Kegums, Latvia

FIM JUNIOR MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIM-LIVE.COM

Aug. 10: Bastogne, Belgium

FIM INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS OF ENDURO FIM-LIVE.COM

May 31-June1: Idaho City, Id., West Qualifi er: Peter Reynolds, Boise Ridge Riders; (208) 384-5141, BoiseRidgeIdaho.org

June 14-15: Wellston, Ohio, East Qualifi er: William Depue Jr., Appalachian Dirt Riders; (740) 384-6379, ADROhio.org

Nov. 3-8: 2014 ISDE: San Juan, Argentina

FIM TRIAL DES NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM

Sept. 13-14: St. Julia., Andorra

AMA DUAL-SPORT/ADVENTURE SERIES

AMA HUSQVARNA NATIONAL DUAL-SPORT SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Mar. 15-16: Bartow, Fla.: Cross-Florida Adventure Ride, Dixie Dual Sport, Inc, Robert Frey; 727-9198299; www.dixiedualsport.com

Mar. 29-30: Tucson, Ariz.: 2 Sun Adventure, Tucson Dual Sport, LLC, Chris Dodds; 520-9798398; www.tucsondualsport.com

Apr. 26-27: Brooksville, Fla.: Devil’s Creek DS/ ADV Ride, Dixie Dual Sport, Inc, Robert Frey; 727919-8299; www.dixiedualsport.com

May 17-18: McArthur, Ohio: Hanging Rock 200 , Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 3803050; www.kaeppnerswoods.com

June 7-8: Mill Hall, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Great Adventure, Durty Dabbers, Nils Mantzoros; (570) 726-3343; www.durtydabbers.com

June 7-8: Bixby, Mo.: Show Me 200, Midwest Trail Riders Assoc., Robert Kaufman; (314) 434-5095; www.ridemtra.com

June 7-8: Wabeno, Wis.: Ride For Research, Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030; www.widualsportriders.org

June 14-15: Odell, Ore.: Black Dog Adventure Ride, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www.blackdogdualsport.com

June 21-22: Big Bear City, Calif.: Big Bear Run, Big Bear Trail Riders, Jim Nicholson; (818) 391-3083; www.bigbeartrailriders.com

June 28-29: Fort Rock, Ore.: Fort Rock National Dual Sport, Lobos MC, Billy Toman; (503) 656-5801; www.lobosmc.com/

July 19-26: Gwinn, Mich.: 30th Annual “Michael R Burlingham Memorial” Six Days of Michigan, Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan, Lewis Schuler; (517) 781-4805; www.cycleconservationclub.org

2014 EVENTS

Aug. 2-3: Walden, Colo.: Moose Run Dual Sport Rally, Front Range Riders, Deborah Nielsen; none; www.frontrangeriders.com

Aug. 16-17: Tillamook, Ore.: Rat Dog Dual Sport, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www. blackdogdualsport.com

Aug. 29-Sept. 1: Hood River, Ore.: Dual Sport Northwest, Sound Rider!, Tom Mehren; (206) 6509102; www.soundrider.com

Sept. 6-7: Golden Pond, Ky.: Land Between the Lakes 200, KT Riders, Jesse Thomas; (270) 5223703; www.lbl200.com

Sept. 13-14: Columbus, Ind.: Buffaloe 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney Lonesome MC, Nathan Gaskill; (812) 343-9772; www.stoneylonesomemc. com

Sept. 13-15: Reno, Nev.: Ride Reno 200, Dust Devils MC, Gary Lambert; (775) 224-0361; www. dustdevilsmc.com

Sept. 27-28: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Dual Sport , Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borgens; (209) 649-3633; www. familyoff roadadventures.com

Sep 27-28: Wabeno, Wis.: Big Woods 200, Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030; www.widualsportriders.org

Oct. 11-12: McArthur, Ohio: Baby Burr National Dual Sport, Enduro Riders Association, Steve Barber; (614) 582-7821; www.enduroriders.com

Oct. 25-26: Chatsworth, N.J.: Meteor Ride in the Pines, Meteor MC, Jeff Fitzpatrick; (609) 654-5015; www.meteormc.com

Nov. 1-2: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, TriCounty Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 2744469 (856) 785-2754; www.teamhammer.org

Nov. 8-9: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (623) 8261092; www.arizonatrailriders.org

Nov. 28-29: Palmdale, Calif.: LA-Barstow to Vegas, AMA D37 Dual Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.district37ama.org

AMA YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ NATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Mar. 15-16: Bartow, Fla.: Cross-Florida Adventure Ride, Dixie Dual Sport, Inc, Robert Frey; 727-9198299; www.dixiedualsport.com

Mar. 29-30: Tucson, Ariz.: 2 Sun Adventure, Tucson Dual Sport, LLC, Chris Dodds; 520-9798398; www.tucsondualsport.com

Apr. 12-13: Bybee, Tenn.: Slate Creek 500, Appalachian Trail Riders, John Strange; 865-3220193; www.volunteerriders.com

Apr. 26-27: Brooksville, Fla.: Devil’s Creek DS/ADV Ride, Dixie Dual Sport, Inc, Robert Frey; 727-9198299; www.dixiedualsport.com

May 3-4: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Adventure Tour, Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borgens; (209) 649-3633; www. familyoff roadadventures.com

May 17-18: McArthur, Ohio: Hanging Rock 200 , Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 3803050; www.kaeppnerswoods.com

May 17-18: Tolland, Mass.: Berkshire Big Adventure, Berkshire Trail Riders, David Seften; 860-201-4416; www.mudslinger.org

May 24-25: Westpoint, Tenn.: Factory Creek Adventure Ride, NATRA, John Bowling; 256-8107229; www.natra-westpoint.net

June 1: Atlanta, N.Y.: Thrills in the Hills, Wayne County MC Club, John Albanese; 315-946-3082; www.waynecountymc.com

June 14-15: Odell, Ore.: Black Dog Adventure Ride, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www. blackdogdualsport.com

Aug. 16-17: Tillamook, Ore.: Rat Dog Dual Sport, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www. blackdogdualsport.com

Sept. 5-9: Buena Vista, Colo.: Continental Divide Adv Tour, Exit Tours, Michael Brown; (719) 207-1189; www.coloradodualsport.com

YOU CAN HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

AMA members do it all—long-distance rides, off-road races, cruising main street, vintage dirt track... To better serve our broad membership base, American Motorcyclist magazine is now published in two versions. The dirt version includes more off-highway and racing content. The street version includes more articles for road riders.

To switch, call (800) 262-5646, ask for membership services and tell them which version you want.

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 online at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine for free.

Product Comparo: Bohn Armor Pants vs Kevlar Jeans

ActionStations Boss Paul English talks about the differences in lower body protection options

Kevlar reinforced jeans are popular with riders of all kinds of bikes.

Draggin Jeans were among the first on the market, and there are now many similar versions available.

Many riders are interested in how these compare to the Bohn Pants.

Q: Paul, please explain the differences between Kevlar riding Jeans and the Bohn Pants

PE: In short kevlar has great abrasion resistance and is excellent for gravel rash when you’re sliding down the road. With the Bohn System we’re focusing more on Impact Protection - the vulnerable ‘corners’ you land on and damage - knees, hips, and elbows and shoulders with the shirts. An unprotected impact in these places can put you in the ER and off work. And hurts!

Q: But won’t your armor grind through in a wreck?

PE: Actually in over 15 years, we’ve never seen our armor significantly damaged at all! This is because in a crash, we tend to bounce and slide, scrubbing the speed off.

Q:The Bohn System has to be worn under jeans as an extra layer, isn’t that hot and a hassle?

PE: Positioning armor snugly against your body is the best way of providing comfortable and discrete protection so that it ’s in the right place if you have a fall. Yes, it ’s definitely an extra step compared to jeans - but on the other hand you can then wear your own jeans, or whatever pants you choose It gives you a lot more options

Q: But isn’t it hot?

PE: The only time you notice the Bohn Pants being hot is in the heat of the summer when you’re a standstill, say sitting on your bike at a light At that time of year eveything’s hot! Otherwise they breathe really well in all seasons; and we do have options of a mesh shell material and also a winter thermal solution.

Q: What about putting armor into kevlar jeans?

PE: Some companies do have this option, which on first impressions is a good idea But what actually happens is the armor ‘flops’ around the outside of your leg as it ’s attached to the jeans - so you can imagine that it won’t be in the right place if you actually do hit the ground.

Q: So do I need to upsize your jeans for the Bohn Pants?

PE: Surprisingly most people find that their existing regular-fit, or relaxed jeans fit perfectly over the Adventure Pants - that ’s because the armor mainly fits where your jeans are loose.

Q: Don’t the Bohn Pants make your jeans look bulky?

PE: No one can see you have anything but your jeans on!

Q: And you make armored shirts too?

PE: We think of the pants and shirts as ‘A System’ that protects you without having to wear full armored gear - specially in the heat.

Q: So what’s the best choice?

PE: As a lifelong rider myself - I love to have choices in bikes, accessories and gear. Many riders are happy with kevlar jeans, and most are very well made. We’re proud o Adventure Pants and the amazing customer we get, but everyone has different priorities

My suggestion is to give us a trywe’ve a great Can’t-Lose 90 Day Trial Offer! And they ’re made in the USA too

YOUR PERSONAL PROTEC

OUT

There’s n othin g beer than cr on the weekend Been doing the sa and it never gets old - there’s alwa going on or a place to go. And this we ride, jeans and denim jacket - u it’s winter any way.

But now we wear this Bohn gear underneath. Yes it’s underneath You can’t see it, and we can’t fee

I just feel happier when I have som p y though I’m sure we ’ re not going to have a spill. Check it out - read their testimonials - that’s what I did And Rid Rel

They comf forg on, fit great, and it's great knowing I have the protection under my jeans. Thanks so much

ter I cras week inju re work the im swell not a Tha n since to report my mored pants save my n a crash ast week-Thanks, product er this a nial to eness liered with alked away t a scratch, bike was not lucky. I just anted to say hank you and et you know that your roduct saved a lot of pain

...your product has made a bel out of me and the select few w my kamikaze flight through an only imagine the nume uries that luckily avoided wearing the armor.