American Motorcyclist September 2015 Street

FUN TIMES ON OLD BIKES

AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS

LANE SPLITTING IN AMERICA

75th annual DAYTONA BEACH BIKE WEEK

March

NAVIGATION

American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2015. 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.

September 2015

Volume 69, Number 9

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

Thousands of happy, smiling faces were on location at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. See more of them, starting on page 40.

STREET COVER

Jamie Valentine brought this gorgeous Bultaco all the way from Wisconsin for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. We’re glad he did!

PAGE 28. More ideas to get more women riding motorcycles.

DIRT COVER

Why is Toni Roach so happy? She just won another AMA No. 1 plate in vintage trials at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

32. Want to go faster than anyone else has before? Land speed racing is for you.

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

• More Amp hours for more accessories • Factory activated, AGM, maintenance-free • Large heavy-duty flush terminals with multiple connections and built in brass nuts (GYZ32HL, GYZ20H,

WHAT’S IN YOUR TOOLBOX?

MAKE IT MOTION PRO

COMMUNICATIONS

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

James Holter, Director of Communications/Managing Editor

Jim Witters, Government Affairs Editor

Heather Wilson, Associate Editor

Mark Lapid, Creative Director

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

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

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

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, Chair

Schenectady, N.Y.

Perry King, Vice Chair, Northern California

Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.

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

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

Jerry Abboud, Thornton, Colo.

Russ Brenan, Irvine, Calif.

David Foley, Milwaukee, Wis.

All trademarks used herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned by the AMA and may only be used with the express, written permission of the AMA. American Motorcyclist is the monthly publication of the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents motorcyclists nationwide. For information on AMA membership benefits, call (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2015.

Tony Moseley, Fort Worth, Texas

Roger Pattison, Taos Ski Valley, N.M.

Robert Pearce, Murrieta, Calif.

Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.

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

AMA STAFF

EXECUTIVE

Rob Dingman, President/CEO

Jeff Massey, Chief Operations Officer

Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer

Donna Perry, Executive Assistant to President/CEO

Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs

ACCOUNTING

Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager

Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator

Ed Madden, System Support Specialist

Peg Tuvell, Member Fulfillment Specialist

AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME

Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations

Jordan Cavallaro, Museum Admissions and Collections

Assistant

Paula Schremser, Program Specialist

Katy Wood, Collections Manager

AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES

Bill Cumbow, Director of Racing

Rob Baughman, Road Riding Coordinator

Kip Bigelow, MX Manager

Joe Bromley, District Relations Manager

Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator

Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations

Marcy Day, Racing Administrative Assistant

Chris Harrison, Road Riding Manager

Alex Hunter, MX Assistant Manager

Michael Jolly, Off Road/Track Assistant Manager

Beth Owen, Racing Coordinator

Jessica Robinson, Racing Coordinator

Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager

Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator

Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager

Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager

BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS

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

DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES

John Bricker, Mailroom Manager

Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator

Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations

Joshua Habursky, Grassroots Coordinator

Nick Haris, Western States Representative

Sean Hutson, Government Affairs Manager, On-Highway

Rick Podliska, Deputy Director

Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager, Off-Highway

Elizabeth Starek, Staff Assistant

STATE CHAPTERS

Marie Wuelleh, State Chapter Manager

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Jennifer Kirkpatrick, IT Director

Dave Coleman, Network Architect

MARKETING

Mark Christian, Director of Marketing

Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing Specialist

MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY

Jeremiah Hassler, Call Center Manager

Lori Cavucci, Member Services Representative

Christina Dolin, Member Services Representative

Deb D’Andrea, Member Services Representative

Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative

MEMBER LETTERS

Letter of the Month

WHAT A TRIP!

Letters to the editor are the opinions of the AMA members who write them. Inclusion here does not imply they reflect the positions of the AMA, its staff or board. Agree? Disagree? Let us know! Send your letters to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

The May issue had an article mentioning dogs in sidecars. The July issue had information about women and motorcycles. My wife had me put a platform on her CanAm Spyder to allow her to carry her dog Precious. Therefore, we cover dogs, sidecars and women riders.

Carol got her motorcycle license a month before she turned 64 by taking an ABATE class over a weekend. The next Tuesday we got her the Spyder. She will be 70 soon. When we ride she always leads, so we go at her pace. We have CBs so we can chat bike to bike. I used to watch onlookers’ heads turn, at the [sight of the] then-rare Spyder. Now I watch people look at Precious, in her goggles, and take pictures from their cars.

Carol used to ride behind me, but complained I accelerated and braked too hard. She is much happier being in control of her own ride. She also enjoys how much more she sees from the bike and that she is more a part of the environment. I guess I am just bragging, because I am so lucky to have a wife who shares something I love to do.

Carol and I believe in what the AMA is doing to keep off-road riding open and protecting our rights in many other ways too. Reducing the noise of loud pipes is one of the most important things we can do to alleviate the bad attitude toward riding by the non-riding public. We do not believe that loud pipes save lives, but they do anger us, and we ride. Riding is therapeutic and good for us all. Keep up the good work so we can keep riding.

Jeff and Carol Laux Longmont, Colo.

THEFT CONTROL

I just wanted the AMA and my fellow members to be aware that Feld Motor Sports, the promoter of Supercross events, stepped up last season to make a bad situation much better.

At the Atlanta, Ga., round in February, my Honda CRF450 and another bike were stolen from my locked trailer while parked inside the pro pit area at night. I contacted local authorities and the other bike was recovered. Mine was not.

I contacted Dave Prater at Feld Motor Sports and after a few conversations and emails, my CRF was replaced by them.

We as motocross riders and privateers are fortunate to have companies like Feld Motor Sports behind us. Thank you, Dave Prater and Feld Motor Sports.

Konnor Buffis Pittsfield, Mass.

COUNTER CLAIMS?

I read and hear endless ranting regarding ethanol. (I get it; I believe that ethanol is a problem for us all. I put Startron in my cycles’ tanks.) Because I subscribe to several cycle magazines, I read lots of articles and letters on the subject.

What I never see is the “other side of the story.” Outside of the corn-growing

farmers and their representatives, who benefits from the inclusion of this stuff in our fuel? If it is true that ethanol is a net loss in terms of energy and that it increases greenhouse gases, why is it in the fuel? If these things are not true, why are they published so often, and without any editorial disclaimers?

I find often that the older I get, the less I know. This is another instance. Are we truly being sold out? Can you get anyone in Congress to write an article telling us all why ethanol is in our fuel?

Richard Axelberg Jacksonville, Fla.

Good question, Richard. Ethanol is present

in our fuel as a result of the Renewable Fuel Standard, a federal program that requires fuel sold in the U.S. to contain a minimum volume of renewables. Intended to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, the RFS—which dates to 2005—has had many unintended consequences. There is growing consensus that the RFS must be reformed or eliminated.

SAFETY IN NUMBERS

I have researched online until I’m blue in the face, and every single thing I read says to ride in a staggered formation. The intent is to discourage riding side-by-side, but if a person didn’t know better, a person could actually think that riding in staggered formation is somehow recommended. Staying away from people is a better idea. [Riding in single file, with] a fivesecond separation from your buddies is more relaxing, safer and more responsible. I know full well that being visible is good, and riding staggered may help that, but at what expense? It’s easy to list a hundred dangers of riding in our own traffic jam. Please help me tell people to try to be visible some other way, or at least not to use safety as an excuse for violating conventional rules of the road.

Alan Stephenson Sedona, Ariz.

ENOUGH ON NOISE

Loud pipes, loud pipes, loud pipes, loud pipes, loud pipes! Are you tired of me saying that? Well I am tired of beating the dead horse over the recent years and I am just about ready to stop reading the member letters section of our magazine.

There are hundreds of thousands of riders out there, and they’re going to do what they want. Our little forum is not going to stop people from changing out stock exhaust systems. There are currently laws on the books everywhere that govern this issue; let’s let the laws do what they were designed to do. Punish those who violate the statutes!

I have been a member of the AMA since 1982. My 1991 low rider has had

NICE RIDE

I wanted to share this photograph of my 2011 Victory on a day ride I did on Highway 103 in Colorado last year. What a lucky guy I am to live this close to some of the best mountain views and twisty roads in the world.

Ron Pennington Denver, Colo.

aftermarket exhaust from day one. My 2009 Street Glide has a Vance & Hines aftermarket exhaust. Neither is excessively loud unless I choose to ride hard in an appropriate place.

None of this has to do with maturity, civic duty or any of the other crap that I have been reading about this topic. Those of you who do the most whining about this topic need to go fire up your bike and go ride!

Paul Barry Pelham, N.H.

Thanks for the note, Paul. We understand that it can seem like we’re fighting the same rights battles over and over again, but that’s why we can’t let our guard down. Moderation is the key when it comes to excessive motorcycle sound, which is why the AMA endorses the SAE J2825 motorcycle sound standard. There are those who would like to eliminate all aftermarket exhausts; they’re not going to rest. Neither are we.

CORRECTION

The incorrect website address was provided for www.pure-gas.org in the August issue.

Sound Off!

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

In response a bike photo posted for ‪#‎MotorcycleMonday‬ from #AMAVMD...

John Bolitho: I learned to ride on one of these in Johannesburg South Africa in 1965! It was very tired, and it was not pristine like this one.

In response to a call to action to sign the E15 petition…

Keith Finnerty: Please share and sign this petition! Keep ethanol out of our fuel!

Denis Cammerato Jr.: Signed!

In response to Trevor Kline capturing the AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand Championship at #AMAVMD on his Bultaco...

@rumblebeedave: Love old Buls!

In response to the swap meet at #AMAVMD being full of vintage motorcycle treasures…

@daisyrossi2011: One of my favorite events every year. Make sure you check out our friend’s booth Speedcult. You will love their metal work!

SUPPORTING HISTORY

Advancing The Cause

Somebody asked me at this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to name my favorite part of the event. My response was that I really liked the sidecar road racing, the off-road racing, the trials, the motocross, the swap meet and the Wall of Death… and don’t forget the dirt track racing at the fairgrounds in Ashland. Before I knew it, I had listed nearly everything that goes on at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days! It really is hard to say what I like best because there truly is something for everyone at this annual event benefitting the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

By

Although Friday threatened rain, and it did rain most of Sunday, this year’s attendees were treated to spectacular weather on Saturday. I can’t recall a larger one-day crowd at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days than what we saw on Saturday of this year’s event.

Vintage bikes are cool, and while you can spend a fortune acquiring and restoring a classic, the cost of entry to become a vintage motorcycle enthusiast can be quite affordable. The atmosphere is a mix of old, new, excitement, relaxation and a little bit otherworldly. If you have never been, put AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days on your bucket list. The camaraderie among motorcyclists at this event is nothing short of amazing.

At AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days each year, we see a lot of families that are experiencing vintage bikes for the first time together. Many participate in the numerous types of vintage racing available, while others spend time shopping at the swap meet for an elusive part for a project bike. This year, a couple of AMA staff members got in on the fun and competed in the hare scrambles.

Perhaps the best part is that all the activities at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days contribute to a good cause. The event is the most significant fundraiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and museum. All of the money earned (after expenses and MidOhio Sports Car Course gets its share) goes to the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the AMA tasked with raising money for the Hall of Fame and museum.

Because of this, the companies that financially support AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days deserve our gratitude for contributing to the mission of the Hall of Fame, which is to celebrate and preserve the rich tradition of motorcycling in America. They include, in no particular order, Moto Armory, Federal Motorcycle Transport, Nationwide Insurance, MAD Maps, the American International Motorcycle Expo, Hagerty Insurance, KTM and BMW.

A legion of volunteers and partners also support this event. Many are compensated, typically by sharing in the revenue generated by the activity they are supporting, but some help simply for altruistic reasons—to support the Hall of Fame. These include many Hall of Famers, one of whom is, of course, the grand marshal. This year David Aldana filled that role admirably. Aldana, a dirt tracker and road racer, remains one of

the most engaging personalities in racing. As usual, he went the extra mile to make everyone he met feel special. In typical Aldana fashion, he didn’t pass up an opportunity to race either, lining up for Saturday night’s half mile in Ashland.

Another supporter I would like to thank is Hall of Famer Tom White. Tom donates long hours each year, in whatever weather Mother Nature serves up, announcing two days of motocross. He even presents the podium awards. It’s a real treat for the racers to have an icon of motorcycling involved in this event. Thanks, Tom!

There are many others (such as Hall of Famer Jeff Fredette, who races the vintage hare scrambles and helps score the post-vintage event). Suffice it to say that we are thankful for all those who support AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and the AMHF.

Recently, the AMA Board of Directors has improved several aspects of the Hall of Fame induction process and the AMHF. AMA board members are in the process of adding members to the AMHF board who can assist with fundraising. This effort is critical, because the AMA and its members pay the bills for the AMHF— with both direct payments and indirectly through organizing and staffing events like AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. It is crucial that we identify additional funding sources for the Hall of Fame.

Another change that has taken place is to make the annual AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony more accessible to motorcycling fans while upholding the show’s high standards. Although the event has always been open to the public, the ticket price necessary to cover the cost of the elegant dinner at a Las Vegas venue made the ceremony seem overly exclusive.

Last year the induction ceremony moved to Orlando, Fla., to be held in conjunction with the American International Motorcycle Expo at the Orange County Convention Center. You can buy tickets to the ceremony at www.motorcyclemuseum.org. Regular entry is just $25 a person. VIP tickets that include a reception, reserved seating and AIMExpo admission are $90 a person.

While the ceremony format remains much the same, the setting is “academy awards style” in the Chapin Theater. Everyone is invited and the tickets are affordable. And just as with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, all proceeds benefit the Hall of Fame.

This year’s inductee class includes road racing champion John Kocinski, former Harley-Davidson CEO Richard Teerlink, off-road racing champion Rodney Smith, entrepreneur and industry patron John Parham, dirt tracker Alex Jorgensen and longtime Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. race team manager Keith McCarty.

In addition, we’re honoring the career of Hall of Famer and threetime world champion road racer Wayne Rainey as our annual Hall of Fame Legend. Hall of Fame Legends are selected from existing Hall of Famers to have their lifetime accomplishments showcased as part of the annual induction ceremony of a new class.

Many years ago, the AMA took on the responsibility for preserving the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. To that end, one of the strategic goals of the AMA is to contemporize and advance the AMHF and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony are critical to the AMA’s pursuit of this goal.

Rob Dingman is AMA President and CEO.

RICO WEST DOLORES LAWSUIT DISMISSED

Motorized Access To 14 Trails Remains Open

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged motorized access to 14 trails in the Rico West Dolores area of the San Juan National Forest in Colorado.

Judge Neil Gorsuch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ordered the case dismissed because the complainant, the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, had no standing to file the lawsuit.

The Colorado chapter of Backcountry

Hunters and Anglers filed the lawsuit in 2012 with support from several other groups. The groups challenged the use of the trails by motorcyclists.

Recreation groups joining the U.S. Forest Service in defending the motorized trail use were the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition, the Trails Preservation Alliance, the San Juan Trail Riders, the Public Access Preservation Alliance and the Blue Ribbon Coalition.

BITTERROOT TRAVEL PLAN DRAWS 23 OBJECTIONS

O -road Group Says Motorized Recreation Derided

The Ravalli County Off Road User Association is one of 23 groups objecting to a travel management plan proposed by the U.S. Forest Service for the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana.

The plan calls for closing about 355 miles of road on the 1.6 million forest acres.

While the Forest Service plan states that there are 644 miles of roads for allterrain vehicles, Ravalli off-roader Dan Thompson’s objection letter says only 26.6 miles of ATV trails are designated.

The plan also calls for 743,000 acres designated for use by “quiet visitors” and 891 miles of non-motorized trails. But Thompson says the proposal fails to acknowledge a study that shows “relatively few visitors are intolerant to encounters with motor vehicles.”

LOBBYING CLAUSE STRUCK FROM TRANSPORTATION BILL

With Provision, NHTSA Could Have Sought Checkpoints, Helmet Mandates

AMA FIGHTS EPA ON ETHANOL MANDATES

AMA Sta Testifies At Kansas City Hearing

Nearly 300 people testified in Kansas City, Kan., during a June 25 hearing on ethanol fuel mandates conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The vast majority of those testifying in the middle of corn country approved of the EPA’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standards, which would increase by more than 9 percent the ethanol in nation’s fuel supply by 2017. In fact, corn growers want even higher content.

illegal and potentially harmful for America’s 22 million motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles to use fuel blends with more than 10 percent ethanol.

The EPA proposed setting the renewable fuel standard for 2015, the standard at 16.3 billion gallons. For 2016, the total increases again, to 17.4 billion gallons.

The AMA, represented by Deputy Director of Government Relations Rick Podliska, was able to counter arguments for higher-ethanol fuel blends by pointing out that it is

Podliska told the EPA that by increasing the amounts of ethanol in the gasoline marketplace, the agency will exceed the “blend wall” by hundreds of millions of gallons.

The blend wall is the point at which no more ethanol can be blended without creating higher blends like E15.

An amendment to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act killed a provision that would have reinstated the ability of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to spend federal tax money to lobby for motorcycle-only checkpoints and state motorcycle helmet laws.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), an avid motorcyclist, introduced the amendment. If the section had remained, it would have overturned the NHTSA lobby ban that has been in effect since 1998.

In 1998, the House Science Committee included a provision in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to prohibit the NHTSA from using taxpayers’ money to lobby states and to manipulate state and local legislators.

NEW HEALTHCARE CODING PLAN COULD AFFECT CRASH REPORTING

May Change Classification Of Motorcyclist Injuries

The federal government is changing to a new healthcare coding system (ICD10) that could affect future reporting of crash, injury and fatality statistics for motorcyclists.

ICD-10 is the new coding system for healthcare professionals to code diseases, signs and symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is scheduled to implement the system by Oct. 1. And the Federal Highway Administration is required to establish measures for state transportation departments to use a medical record injury outcome reporting system that links injury outcomes from medical records to crash reports.

Those mandates create potential problems, because there currently is no

method for using ICD-10 coded data to compute injury severity for administrative reporting. The ICD-10 website states that converting ICD-9 codes to ICD-10 codes “may require clinical interpretation,” which means someone will have to examine the case and make a determination.

With the validity of the data potentially in question, the AMA is concerned because the data will be used “to understand injury trends, set injury prevention priorities, identify high risk populations and geographic areas, and develop targeted injury prevention strategies.”

VIRGINIA

MOTOCROSS FACILITY REJECTED

County Supervisors Bow To Neighbors’ Unfounded Noise Concerns

A planned 44-acre motocross training facility and track in Hanover County, Va., was rejected by the county supervisors in June, even though the Planning Commission recommended approval.

County officials bowed to worries from residents of the area, who said they feared heavy traffic, dust and noise from the facility. And they said they wanted a business on the proposed site that would generate more revenue, create more jobs and raise the taxable value of the land.

The facility’s developer, former AMA professional motocross racer Randall Everett, presented documentation from a sound engineer and a civil engineer that the track would

produce sound levels less than other businesses operating nearby. The Planning Commission report determined there would be no increase in traffic created by the facility.

The AMA supported Everett’s efforts by issuing alerts to motorcyclists, writing letters of support and attending the Planning Commission meeting and the meeting of county supervisors.

Everett says he is working with county officials to find another location more acceptable to county residents.

MOTORCYCLISTS TURN OUT FOR ROAST & RIDE

Senator’s First Event A Success

The inaugural Roast & Ride fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s political action committee drew more than 1,500 people, including hundreds of motorcyclists.

The widelyattended event included a motorcycle ride in honor of the nation’s veterans and a barbecue, in addition to political discussions.

SHAHEEN SEEKS CHECKPOINT LANGUAGE IN TRANSPORTATION BILL

To Quaker Steak & Lube’s corporate offices for advising franchise owners to ban motorcycle patches and insignia on their properties, even during designated bike night events. The ban encompasses all motorcycle clubs and organizations, including religious clubs, veterans groups, brand clubs such as the Harley Owners Group and even the AMA. A TV report from Omaha, Neb., showed members of a Christian biker club being stopped at the edge of a Quaker Steak & Lube property and turning their T-shirts inside out before being allowed to proceed.

To individuals in Boston and San Francisco who ride dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles and unregistered motorcycles on the streets and sidewalks. The riders are disrupting traffic, endangering the public and harming the reputation of responsible motorcyclists everywhere. These two cities join Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Miami and Baltimore in seeking a solution to the problem of illegal vehicles and reckless stunt-riding on public roadways.

Letter To Senators Calls MOCs ‘Unfair’

Ernst, elected in November, is a motorcyclists herself and led the veterans’ ride.

“It was a highly successful event, and the motorcyclists really enjoyed meeting politicians who they only read about in the news,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations.

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) called the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to include protections for motorcyclists in the surface transportation authorization bill.

In a letter to Sens. John Thune (R-N.D), chairman, and ranking member Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Shaheen urged including her Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act in the transportation bill. The act would stop the government from issuing grants to fund motorcycle-only checkpoints.

To the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for “suggesting” as a “best practice” the banning of motorcycle club patches, insignia and paraphernalia in establishments licensed by the agency. A press release from the TABC cites the May motorcycle club shootings in Waco, Texas, as the impetus behind the advisory.

“In order to allow the heated climate to subside, we are asking our permit holders to voluntarily limit the display of motorcycle club patches and colors,” the release states.

TABC does not have the authority to order bars to refuse service to certain segments of the population.

POLITICIANS OPPOSE CARNEGIE OHV EXPANSION

Alameda County Supervisors Dislike State Park’s General Plan

The proposed expansion of the 1,500acre Carnegie off-highway-vehicle area near Livermore, Calif., drew unanimous opposition from the Alameda County supervisors, who say the project would conflict with county plans for wildlife habitat management and environmental controls.

The county vote is largely symbolic because the state will make the final determination.

“This important state vehicle recreation area has been part of the California State Parks system since 1980, when the site was purchased by the California Department of Parks and Recreation,” says Nick Haris, AMA western states representative. “Prior to that, it was run as a private motorcycle park and enjoyed by generations of local residents and visitors.”

The 3,400-acre expansion site was purchased nearly 20 years ago exclusively using OHV Trust Fund monies. The intent was specifically to provide expanded OHV recreation opportunities and was reviewed and approved by the state legislature at that time.

“Additional opportunities for OHV recreation at the Carnegie SVRA enjoy

widespread support from the majority of the local citizens, and we are confident State Parks will continue its excellent record of stewardship and service to the general public,” Haris says.

OHIO GRANTS SKILLS TEST WAIVER FOR BRC-2 COMPLETION

Permit Holders Allowed To Take Advanced Class

Beginning July 1, Motorcycle Ohio—the state’s motorcyclist training program—began allowing motorcycle learner’s permit holders to take the Basic RiderCourse-2 and obtain a motorcycle endorsement after course completion.

Previously, riders had to possess a valid motorcycle endorsement to register for the BRC-2.

A skills test has been added to the BRC-2 curriculum, and instructors must complete a BRC-2 update.

The change is intended to appeal to experienced riders who have been riding on their permits for years.

STATEWATCH

LOUISIANA

H.C.R. 191, sponsored by state Rep. Eddie J. Lambert (R-Gonzales), would request that the state Department of Transportation and Development undertake a study regarding flashing yellow left-turn arrows at intersections. The bill cites a Federal Highway Administration study that found that such arrows helped prevent crashes. The intent is to reduce the number of crashes caused by motorists failing to yield the right of way while making left turns. The bill passed the state House and Senate.

MAINE

Gov. Paul R. LePage signed into law S.P. 466, which requires driver education courses to include instruction about operating motor vehicles in situations in which a “vulnerable user”—which includes motorcyclists—is sharing the road with a car or truck.

MICHIGAN

H.B. 4651, sponsored by state Rep. Julie Plawecki (D-Dearborn Heights) would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code by increasing the fine for riding a motorcycle without an endorsement. Under current law, the penalty is a fine of up to a $100 and/or 90 days in jail. This proposal would raise the maximum fine to $500, with up to 90 days in jail for a first violation, and up to

CALIFORNIA MOTORISTS CAN CHALLENGE TICKETS BEFORE PAYING FINE

Judicial Council Bans Unpopular Longtime Practice

The Judicial Council ruled that county courts in California cannot require motorists to pay traffic fines before challenging their tickets.

The ruling came amid concern that traffic fines and penalties were unfairly affecting poor and minority road users. But some also criticized the practice because it required a penalty before adjudication of the alleged violation.

$1,000 and/or a one-year sentence for a subsequent violation.

S.R. 31, adopted by the state Senate, calls for adoption of intelligent transportation system technology throughout the state, additional research into vehicle communication systems and the testing and operation of connected and automated vehicles.

NEW JERSEY

A.B. 4541, introduced by Assemblymen Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris County) and Declan J. O’Scanlon Jr. (R-Red Bank), would eliminate the registration renewal requirements for passenger cars, motorcycles and noncommercial trucks. Registration would be required only for transfer of ownership.

PICK A CARD, ANY CARD

No matter what or how you ride, the AMA has a special card for you. Want one? Just let us know by renewing early, or telling us when you renew via our online signup form at AmericanMotorcyclist.com, or calling (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646).

TEXAS

S.B. 1918, which allows ground-effects LED lighting on the body of motorcycles, has been approved by the state legislature and sent to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. The bill would permit amber or white lights that do not flash.

S.B. 449, which went into effect in May, creates the “autocycle” category for vehicles with no more than three wheels on the ground, seats instead of saddles and steering wheels in place of the handlebars. The autocycles are designed to meet federal safety requirements for motorcycles. Operators do not have to complete motorcycle training, but they must comply with state motorcycle helmet laws.

AMA REWARDS

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

HOW YOUR AMA MEMBERSHIP PAYS FOR ITSELF

Hotel And Motel Discounts (Choice Hotels, Red Roof Inn)

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

*with membership automatic renewal

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

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

THE ESSENTIALS

AMA Roadside Assistance

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

Lodging

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

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

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

EagleRider Motorcycle

Rentals

Arrive And Ride

EagleRider offers an AMA member discount of 10% (May through Oct) or 15% (Nov. through April) discount on Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW and Polaris rentals and tours. Call (888) 900-9901 or book at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ Membership/EagleRider.aspx, using discount code AMA015.

Motorcycle Shipping

Ride Where You Want

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

Car Rentals

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

AMA Gear Buy AMA Stuff Online Find unique patches, pins, posters, T-shirts and books at AmericanMotorcyclist.com and at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio. Details at www. MotorcycleMuseum.org.

Rider Accident Medical Plan

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

Insurance, Credit Card, Finance and Banking

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

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS

ActionStation/Bohn Body Armor

Save 10% on complete product line—plus bonus. Go to www.actionstation.com/ ama/ and use coupon code AMAB4U at checkout. AMA Members also receive exclusive discounted pricing on the Bohn Bodyguard System at www.bohn-armorpants.com/ama/.

ADVMoto

Adventure Motorcycle Magazine offers a 20% discount on all subscriptions through AdventureMotorcycle.com and 20% off ADVMoto branded items and back issues on ADVMotoShop.com. Enter discount code AMADV20 at checkout.

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

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

powered by AMA/Sprocketlist Online Classifieds

AMA members can place free ads in the AMA member classifieds at AMA.Sprocketlist.com or AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Classifieds.

AMA Supercross And AMA Arenacross Tickets

Save on advanced tickets; AMA members can get $5 off when they buy tickets online at Supercrossonline.com and use password SXAMA5. AMA members can get $5 off when they buy tickets online at Arenacross.com and use password AMA5OFF. Certain restrictions apply, call (800) 262-5646 for details.

Anthony’s Leatherworks

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

Biker Rain Chaps

Save 25%. Visit www.bikerrainchaps. com/ama/ and use the code AMA0815-RIDEDRY at checkout to receive your discount.

Black Wolf Mototours

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

Brooks Leather

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

Cardo Systems, Inc.

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

Colorado Motorcycle Adventures

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

Design Engineering, Inc.

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

Dowco Powersports

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

EVS Sports

AMA Members receive 10% off and free shipping on all orders. Simply use the code AMAEVS15 during checkout at www.EVS-Sports.com.

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle

Touring & Travel magazine

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

Sam’s Club

As an AMA Member, you can join or renew your Sam’s Club membership and receive a $10 gift card (for a Sam’s Savings membership) or a $25 gift card (for a Plus membership) using a special members-only certificate. Visit the Members Only section on www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com to download the coupon.

Gear Brake

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

Heat Demon

AMA members receive 10% off all products. Visit www.heatdemon.com/AMA and use the code AMAheat15 at checkout to receive your discount.

International Motorcycle Shows

AMA members save on advanced adult one-day general admission. The promo code is “AMA15” when you buy your tickets online from www. motorcycleshows.com.

LifeLock Identity Theft Protection

Get 30 free days and 10% off. Use promo code AMACYCLE at www. LifeLock.com or by calling (800) 543-3562.

MAD Maps

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

Medjet

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

MYLAPS

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

Powertye Tie-Downs

Save 10%. Enter code TYES4AMA at checkout from www.powertye. com/ama.

Rider Magazine

Schampa Cold-Weather Gear

Save 15%. Enter SCHAMA during checkout at www.Schampa.com.

Sena

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

Shark Kage

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

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

Spot LLC

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

TomTom

TomTom would like to offer you a 10% discount on any TomTom product (excluding accessories). Visit www. tomtom.com to place your order and enter AMA10_TT2015 at check out to receive your discount.

US Chrome

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

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

Warm & Safe

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

Lessons Learned MAKING MOTORCYCLISTS SAFER

Pennsylvania’s Steve Zurl Seeks To Solve Problems

The key issue for AMA member Steve Zurl is motorcyclist safety.

But Zurl, the state membership adviser for ABATE of Pennsylvania and a lifelong political activist, says elected officials too often believe they can legislate safety into motorcycling.

“New laws are passed each day, but rarely solve problems,” Zurl says. “The reality is enforcement or compliance has never been 100 percent. I doubt there is a law that can be the silver bullet to reduce collisions and fatalities. There has to be a better solution than legislation.”

Zurl has participated in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Motorcycle Safety Steering Committee meetings to tackle issues such as distracted driving, motorcyclist licensing and impaired riding. He has joined other motorcyclists to address such issues as funding the state Motorcycle Safety Program, reducing turnpike tolls, proper vehicle registration, passenger age restrictions, parking restrictions and equipment laws.

Zurl took some time recently to share his experiences in an effort to encourage

more AMA members to become involved at the local and state levels.

AM: Which issue have you achieved the most success with?

STEVE ZURL: As a result of the repeated safety messages to motorcyclists, and the availability of free rider safety courses, Pennsylvania has experienced significant reductions in motorcycle fatalities during a time when the number of motorcycle registrations has risen. We’ve even seen an increase in the number of motorcyclists getting properly licensed though the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program.

AM: What prompted you to become involved?

SZ: I’ve been active in local community and political issues most of my life. I’ve held several elected and appointed government positions. I learned at an early age that complaining at the diner counter accomplishes nothing. I realized I needed to have open discussions with the legislators, take action and offer solutions. Most of the state and federal

legislators are unfamiliar with motorcycling or motorcycling issues, and look to riders for answers. From my experience, they appreciate the input.

AM: What strategies have you employed in pursuing your goals?

SZ: The strategy is fairly simple: Identify the issues, understand them and present them to the legislators. When an “unfavorable” piece of legislation is introduced, many times it’s with good intent, but has undesirable consequences for riders. A good example of this was the attempt to remove lead from children’s toys that unintentionally banned youth [dirtbikes and] ATVs due to the lead content. While targeting youth [offhighway vehicles] was not what the legislature wanted to accomplish, youth were adversely affected. Get the decision makers to understand what you’re trying to accomplish, and why it’s important.

AM: What tactic do you find most effective?

SZ: The most effective tactic is to communicate with the legislators through letters and office visits. Supporting organizations, such as the AMA, that have a full-time presence in Washington, D.C., is essential. I depend on the state and D.C. lobbyists to keep me informed of what’s happening, and, sometimes, be my voice while I try to make a living.

AM: Talk about the importance of grassroots activism.

SZ: There are over 30,000 lobbyists in D.C., representing groups involved with every phase of life, from birth to death. Some support motorcycling, while others would love nothing more than to get motorcycles off the roads. If you want to continue to travel freely on your chosen mode of two-wheeled transportation, you need to defend that lifestyle.

AM: What advice would you offer AMA members who want to become involved in an issue?

SZ: You may know the issues and may be able to present one heck of an argument, but you’re acting alone. As part of an organization, such as the AMA, you’re working with a large group of people with common goals to accomplish what you can’t as an individual.

Build relationships in your legislators’ districts. Many of them host regular town hall meetings to address or understand issues important to their constituents. They’re a good opportunity for informal “face time” and to arrange to have an offline conversation.

And sign up for the AMA Action Alerts.

GAINS FROM FURTHER TRAINING

Q: I’m familiar with the Basic RiderCourse as a past student. I now have a couple years of crash-free riding experience, and I feel I’ve developed a lot of strong habits that keep me safe. What, if anything, could I gain from further training?

A: We’re pleased to hear the Basic RiderCourse provided you with a strong foundation for safe and responsible riding. Further training can reinforce your already-developed strategies and skills, as well as provide a “deep dive” into the procedures and techniques for a lifetime of successful riding. And since riding

number of options you have, including online courses such as the MSF’s “The Physics of Motorcycling” via iTunes University, as well as formal handson courses, such as the Ultimate Bike Bonding RiderCourse, the Advanced RiderCourse or the Kevin Schwantz RiderCourse. There are even curriculumin-a-box programs from our Host-AnEvent series that are available to the public for self-study or presentation to groups. Visit our website library to dig into the wealth of safety materials and

the value of lifelong learning. There are a information.

Good riders know it takes mental

Good riders know it takes mental awareness and judgment, as well as good maneuvering skills, for effective motorcycle operation. Further training broadens perceptual awareness and refreshes handling and operation. Formal courses offer the advantage of sharing experiences with other riders.

•

Here are some examples that extend knowledge and skill beyond the basics: In the Ultimate Bike Bonding RiderCourse you practice low-speed maneuvers in a variety of exercises.

You’ll be able to practice many of the techniques that police motorcyclists use to keep themselves ready and sharp.

• The Advanced RiderCourse provides lots of practice in perceiving traps and identifying escape paths using tachistoscope technology. Emphasis is placed on trouble spots such as intersections and curves. Several exercises are used to improve braking and cornering skills.

• Track days are offered by a number of racing professionals. In these sessions you can ride on actual racetracks and learn the fine points of traction management, trail braking, visual awareness and other skills used by experienced riders. skills tend to erode over time, you can renew your basic and emergency skill sets under the watchful eye of a safetyminded RiderCoach.

by location. An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old. Fuel charges are extra. Rental must begin by 12/31/12. 12/31/15 12/31/15. Ask the

• The Kevin Schwantz RiderCourse uses a controlled area larger than the typical Basic RiderCourse range. Here you can practice higher-speed braking in both a straight line and in curves. And the classroom sessions provide time for riders to discuss ways they’ve remained safe.

THE GRANDSON DILEMMA

Sharing The Love By

Rick Wheaton

Jake, my one and only grandson, is about to take the first steps in learning to ride a motorbike. Along with—I suspect— most biking grandparents, here’s my dilemma: I’m torn between encouraging him to embrace the great sport that we love so much, and fearing that one day he may be hurt doing it.

The best-case scenario is that he learns properly and enjoys biking for the rest of his life, all the time treating the road, other road users and his bike with the proper amount of respect. This open letter is my attempt to get that across.

Hi, Jake,

Biking is wonderful. You’re about to enter a world of excitement, and I want to share it with you, but with an old biker’s words of caution. I want you to love the exhilaration of riding twisties through mountains, but be ready for a gravel spill on the next bend. Part of the excitement comes from the dangers, and finding the balance is a challenge you must overcome. Always wear a helmet and gloves. Always look over your shoulder before you change lanes or pull out. Always look after your tires. Always be extra careful in the wet. Every time you throw your leg over the bike and start the engine, know you’re sticking your neck out a bit, and take a moment to say—and mean—the bikers’ first rule: “I Will Come Home.”

On occasion, you’ll get into trouble and be saved by your young eyes and nerves. But don’t rely on them. There will be times when the vision of a hawk and the reflexes

two wheels, gave me this riding advice: “Hope other road users are sensible, but expect them to be idiots.”

After something bad has happened, analyze it, and learn from it. Every now and then you’ll see another biker do something stupid and, hopefully, get away with it. Don’t think this happens every time. It doesn’t. Years ago, I did something extraordinarily stupid and got away with it,

too fast. I lost my line, and drifted onto the wrong side of the road. At that moment, a car came around the corner, and I can still see the look of horror on the driver’s face. In the terrifying millisecond before the head-on collision I screamed “No!” and then my memory goes blank. The next thing I remember is the deafening noise of the road destroying my helmet, and screaming “Yes!” as I knew I was alive.

I was left with a broken collarbone, a dislocated shoulder, half a helmet and resolve to change—forever—how I ride.

This incident made me think about riding the same way an electrician probably thinks about red and blue wires. In my example, I touched the red wire... and I’ll never touch it again.

Motorcycling is a fantastic sport. I can think of no other that offers so many rewards for such little risk, and I’d love to start all over again. Your bike will be a passport to unforgettable experiences; it will open the door to long-lasting friendships; and it could take you to the ends of the Earth.

My last words are: have fun/ride safe.

Your loving Grandfather, Rick

Rick Wheaton is an AMA member who writes about riding routes the world over.

HEAT, MEALS ON THE ROAD AND

SECURITY

Commonsense Ways To

Improve The Ride By

Tom Mehren

Keep Your Skin Wet

Keeping your skin wet when it’s hot outside will help transport excess heat away from your body. To do this you’ll want to be wearing full gear with the vents open and then you can do one of three things. Allow yourself to sweat and if that’s enough to feel comfortable, you’re all set. Some humans need more than that. The old trick was to soak a long sleeve t-shirt in water, but the latest technology is to drape an evaporative cooling vest over your upper body. Some vest options include sleeves, which really help when temps go above 100 degrees.

Too Much Water

Member Tip: Homemade Security

This month’s tip comes from AMA member Randall Beechum. While there are a number of security cables available for purchase on the market, you can also create your own custom cable. Simply visit the local hardware store and purchase the desired length of cable (say, five to six feet) at 1/8-inch thickness or more, along with the correct-size end fitments and a

lock. This allows you to store your gear on the bike. You can keep it all out of site by putting a bike cover over everything.

Tom Mehren is a long-time promoter of AMA-sanctioned events who rides 20,000 miles a year. Have a tip to share? Email tmehren@soundrider.com. If we use it, you’ll receive a copy of Tom’s book, Packing Light/Packing Right.

By Tom Mehren

It’s true, no matter how hot or cold it is outside, you’ll have a better ride when your body is hydrated. During the warmer months the tendency is to drink more water, and you need to do this because you’re expelling it by sweating. But it is also possible to overdo it, and when that happens you’re expelling important electrolytes out of your body every time you go to the bathroom. If you’re not replacing them with an electrolyte substitute (available online or at outdoor stores) you could wind up with a condition similar to sun stroke and cause harm to some of your vital organs. How much water is enough? That will vary by the person, but just know if you’re urinating clear at every stop, you may be leaching yourself of electrolytes.

Eating Light On The Road

Unless you’re off-road adventure riding, multi-day touring doesn’t require a significant amount of energy expense on the body’s part. It’s a great time to give your system a break and reduce your caloric intake. This will help you manage your weight so it remains the same as when you left home or—better yet—you could even shed a pound or two. If you’re riding two up, consider splitting entrees along the way, enjoy whole foods like fruits and nuts at snack time and keep dessert to a maximum of just once a day.

YOUR HOME ON THE ROAD

With all the amenities of a larger motorhome but the added benefit of its smaller size, a Roadtrek is the perfect place to call home after a day of riding the open road. Add in our towing capabilities, ease of driving and tons of storage space and exploring the countryside will never be the same.

There’s no better time than now to start your journey.

Visit us at Sturgis 2015 and step inside the Roadtrek of your dreams.

Contact us today at 1-888-ROADTREK (762-3873) or Roadtrek.com to find out more

ROX SPEED FX

Two-inch Street/Cruiser Pivoting HandleBar Risers

MSRP: $93

Info: www.roxspeedfx.com

These Rox Speed FX pivoting handlebar risers certainly look good, carved out of polished billet aluminum, and just like a beautifully machined triple clamp, they are right where everyone can admire them.

secure your handlebar clamps, snugging and torqueing can be a challenge because of clamp-to-riser clearances. This can be a pain, but it’s not the fault of the riser, but rather a function of working in confined spaces. A variety of angled hex-key wrenches are useful here.

AMA Member Tested

STAR BRITE CLEANERS

Info: www.starbrite.com

The reward is sitting on your bike and rotating the risers and your handlebars up and down/back and forth and finding the sweet spot. You adjust for height, as well as for reach.

By Tom Berry

There is nothing new about handlebar risers. What makes the Rox Speed FX risers different is they are designed to pivot where they mount to the upper triple clamp, offering options in height and proximity to the rider.

For installation on most bikes, the procedure is uncomplicated. If there’s tension or resistance, you will likely need to create some cable and wiring slack, which may include cutting wire ties or rerouting cables. Also, depending on your bike and access to the bolts that

On my Triumph Tiger 1050, with the risers and a Fly Racing Aero Tapered 1-1/8 inch bar (CR high-bend), I gained a half-inch rise and a half-inch closer reach. That translated to relaxed elbows and a less-hunched back compared to stock. I ended up with more comfort and an upgrade in “tricked-out” appearance. Another bike I had excellent results with was a KLR650. Not only did it make for more comfortable riding while seated, when it was time to stand up on the pegs for dirt riding, I just loosened some bolts and rotated the bars up.

If I like a bike enough to keep it for a while, I feel I should customize it to fit me, rather than adapt to an uncomfortable ride. Along with aftermarket seats, levers, etc., the risers from Rox Speed FX are an excellent way to make your bike your own.

By Jim Witters

Three products from Star brite Inc.—the Ultimate Xtreme Clean, Ultimate Water Spot Remover and Ultimate Corrosion Blocker—offer an efficient package for cleaning and preserving your motorcycle, car or bicycle, as well as a variety of other items around the house.

The most versatile of the three is the Ultimate Xtreme Clean all-surface cleaner/ degreaser. This liquid takes the grime off just about any surface (please read the label before use) with no harm to paint, metal finishes or concrete.

I used the cleaner to rid my KLR 650 fairings of greasy handprints, to remove smudges from the edge of the door separating the house from the garage and to erase my grimy fingerprints from the security system keypad. I cleaned hand tools with it and even used it to spot-clean our wood floors when “someone” tracked in a mix of mud and oil.

A welcome companion for the Xtreme Clean is Star brite’s Ultimate Water Spot Remover, plus PTEF protection. PTEF is polytetrafluroethylene, a synthetic fluoropolymer in the family of Teflon.

As the name states, this spray removes water spots. But it also leaves behind a coating of PTEF that helps disperse the water and prevent it from drying in place to create new water spots. Its effect is similar to Rain X, but using different chemicals.

I tried it on glass and plastic, including the fairing on the KLR, and it easily cleared the surfaces of water spots.

I sprayed the Corrosion Blocker on the KLR’s skid plate and crash bars and on the trailer hitch of my Jeep Wrangler and detected no corrosion on the treated areas after four months.

ROKON ACROSS AMERICA

Rider Randy Te t Drops By AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Randy Tefft, the nephew of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Freddie Marsh, stopped by the American Motorcyclist Association campus in Pickerington, Ohio, on July 6, as part of

his cross-country journey to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. The monthlong Rokon Across America effort culminated in an auction of the Rokon at The Rock Store in Cornell, Calif.

RAFFLE BIKE WINNER DRAWN

1965 FLH Given Away

Pete Gabrail from Minneapolis, Minn., was the winner of the fully restored 1965 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide, the 2015 AMA raffle bike benefitting the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

David Aldana, the grand marshal of this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, drew the winning ticket on Sunday, July 12, in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame tent at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

For 2016, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is providing supporters with two opportunities to win a motorcycle—an original condition 1986 Honda CR250R that will be given away at the 2016 AMA Championship Banquet, and a 1947 Indian Chief that will be given away at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days next July.

See www. motorcycle museum. org for raffle tickets and details.

RAFFLE BIKE1986HONDA

GET WOMEN RIDING

Finding Yourself On Two Wheels

By Lori Hoefer

I was fresh out of college in 1981 when an existential crisis took hold of me and I bought my first motorcycle, a used Suzuki GT 380. Of course, buying a motorcycle wasn’t enough to quiet the quest to “find myself,” so I abruptly moved from upstate New York to San Antonio, Texas.

I was immersed in a sea of salsa and weekly fiestas as I soul searched my way around the streets and deserts of the southwest on board my trusty two-wheeler. The attention I attracted as a female rider left me feeling even more alone and separate than the loneliness I had been evading.

There seemed to be no other women riding motorcycles and I was even told that “women don’t ride motorcycles” by a checkout clerk at the grocery store.

I stayed in San Antonio for about a year before returning to the Northeast. I sold my beloved bike to a middle-aged man who beamed with joy as he rode away with my salvation.

I didn’t find the answer to why I existed, but I did learn that the motorcycle was the only place I had complete peace and assurance that all was well.

For the next several years, I had a career working in mental health. I was passionate about my job, enjoyed the work and felt a great deal of gratitude to be given the opportunity to work with extraordinary people. A used Kawasaki 400 was my daily commuter for a brief period of time but, at the constant urging of my parents, I sold the bike and became “cage bound.”

bicycle industry and found the golden key I had been seeking.

For the last 20 years, I’ve worked in the bicycle industry, and owned and raced dozens of custom bicycles. I’ve also owned three more motorcycles: a Honda Magna 750, a Harley Davidson Dyna Low Rider and a Triumph America. A perfect day is a morning bicycle ride, then an afternoon motorcycle ride—indescribable bliss.

Being raised Irish Catholic meant conforming to norms and rules—or suffering the penalty of severe guilt. On a motorcycle I feel like I’m getting away with something. Freedom, confidence, excitement and a sense of wholeness are things that can escape me on a normal day, but on a bike they are all mine. I see a similar transformation in my female friends who ride.

Nevertheless, both the bicycle and motorcycle industries struggle to capture and cultivate the potential of the women’s market. Uncomfortable retail experiences, lack of knowledge and skill, difficulty finding other women to ride with, and fewer product selections are all barriers for female consumers in both industries.

A big issue is fit. I was on the founding team of the first Bicycle Fitting School. We developed standards for bicycle fit and trained more than 1,000 bicycle retailers using a detailed curriculum.

“On a motorcycle I feel like I’m getting away with something. Freedom, confidence, excitement and a sense of wholeness are things that can evade me on a normal day, but on a bike they are all mine!”

Then health care reform hit and dramatically changed the way services were delivered. Hospital stays were decreased, documentation was increased, budgets were cut, staff was reduced and the good feeling of making a difference and helping people evaporated.

Two wheels rescued me again, although this time it was in the form of a bicycle. I bought a bicycle in an attempt to quit smoking and get back in shape. From the very first ride I was hooked. Within 6 months I began racing, took a job in the

The industry responded. While there is still great need to attract and retain more women bicycle riders, there have been movements in the right direction.

The motorcycle industry could learn from this. HarleyDavidson is one motorcycle manufacturer that does a good job by hosting events designed for women, providing womenspecific online content, paying attention to fit, employing women, and training retailers not to ignore the female market. Still, more could be done.

The numbers don’t lie. Only 13 percent of motorcycles are purchased by women, while 51 percent of bicycles are owned by women. There’s a lot of room for growth.

In both industries the need for more women in the workforce is great. It agitates me to walk into a dealership and find that all the women who work there are greeters or in the clothing or finance departments.

Today, I ride my motorcycle weekly with a group of seven women all over the age of 50. I thank my lucky stars that I found these ladies. I am entirely satiated each time I ride—and each time I help another woman find her confidence, comfort and joy on two wheels.

Lori Hoefer is an AMA member from Fairfield, Conn. Her submission is part of the AMA Get Women Riding Campaign (www.womenandmotorcycling.com).

AMA Monitors Bills In Five States This Year; None Passed

By Jim Witters

LANE-SPLITTING: SLOW

Five state legislatures considered bills this year that, in one form or another, would have legalized and regulated lane splitting, the practice of riding motorcycles and scooters between lanes of traffic to ease congestion and improve rider safety.

Yet not one bill made it to a governor’s desk.

By mid-July, the only lane-splitting bill that remained alive was A.B. 51 in California – a state where the practice already is tacitly legal, but unregulated. In other words, there is no law against it.

An Assembly floor vote on May 28 produced 58 “yes” votes and 14 “noes.” But then the bill’s sponsor, Assembly Member Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), decided to hold the bill, which faced a July 17 deadline to clear a Senate committee.

Quirk says he plans to continue to work with stakeholders before bringing the bill back in the second half of the Legislature’s two-year session.

In Tennessee, state Rep. Timothy Hill (R-Blountville) made a similar move with his lane-splitting bill.

“The bill was rolled to next year to give time to educate members as to the benefits and definition of the process,” Hill says. “I’m hopeful we will be able to gain the support necessary to see this legislation pass in 2016.”

And in Washington State, the lane-splitting bill was held in the Senate Rules Committee.

Meanwhile, state legislators in Oregon and Texas killed lanesplitting bills based on what appear to be unsubstantiated fears

LANE-SPLITTING: BUT FORWARD

and anecdotal commentary, which they accepted over scientific research conducted at a highly regarded university.

The bills in those states failed to make it out of committee, despite the growing body of authoritative evidence demonstrating that lane splitting offers benefits to riders and motorists, alike. The tactic eases traffic congestion, shortens commuting times and reduces the motorcyclists’ risk of a rear-end collision.

Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, traveled to Oregon and testified in favor of the lane-splitting legislation there. He said lawmakers seemed to favor the bill, but bowed to opposition from the police and transportation officials.

Research on lane splitting, including two studies from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that riders splitting lanes are at least as safe as those who are not.

Researchers, led by Dr. Thomas Rice of the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC), reviewed nearly 6,000 motorcycle-involved traffic collisions between June 2012 and August 2013, including 997 in which the riders were splitting lanes at the time of the crash.

ROUNDUP OF 2015 BILLS

California

Bill, Sponsor: A.B. 51, Assembly member Bill Quirk (D-Hayward). Assembly member Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), a former California Highway Patrol officer, is a joint author.

Summary: Would officially authorize lane-splitting, but limit it to maximum speeds of 50 mph for the motorcyclist, with a maximum speed differential, or “delta,” of 15 mph. For example, if traffic is moving at 10 mph, the splitting motorcyclist could ride 25 mph. But if traffic is moving at 40 mph, lane-splitting motorcyclists could not ride faster than 50 mph.

A.B. 51 is more liberal than the guidelines offered in 2013 by the California Highway Patrol. Those recommendations—deleted from the CHP and other websites in 2014 after a citizen complaint—called for traveling no more than 10 mph faster than other traffic and limiting lane splitting to 30 mph or less.

Status: Tabled until 2016 legislative session.

Among the U.C. Berkeley findings:

• 69 percent of lane-splitting motorcyclists involved in crashes were exceeding the traffic speed by 15 mph or less; speed differentials up to 15 mph were not associated with changes in the frequency of injury;

• Compared to riders who were not splitting lanes, lane-splitting motorcyclists were markedly less likely to suffer head injury (9 percent vs. 17 percent), torso injury (19 percent vs. 29 percent) or fatal injury (1.2 percent vs. 3 percent);

• Lane-splitting riders were significantly less likely to be rearended than non-lane-splitting riders (2.6 percent vs. 4.6 percent);

• Lane-splitting riders were less likely to have been using alcohol.

California motorcyclists have been permitted to split lanes at any speed – and with any speed differential over other traffic –subject only to other applicable laws, such as speed limits and reckless driving statutes.

No other state allows the practice.

bill will be implemented in real life,” Quirk says. “Rather than rushing the bill through the process, I have decided to hold the bill in the Senate to allow for more discussion with stakeholders. I will be working to resolve these during the fall.”

AMA position: Oppose, as drafted Sponsor comment: “There are some concerns about how the provision of the

Rider comment: “We would like to see this legislation amended to more accurately reflect the recommendations of the Berkeley study,” says Nick Haris, AMA western states representative. “The delta—the difference in speed between traffic and the lane-splitting motorcyclist— is much more important, in terms of safety, than the actual speed of the rider, to a point. As per the study’s findings we believe lane splitting should be permitted when traffic is moving at 50 mph or less, with a 15 mph maximum delta.”

Oregon

Bill, Sponsor: S.B. 694, Sen. Jeff Kruse (R-Roseburg)

Summary: Would permit lane splitting when traffic is moving 10 mph or slower. Motorcycle travel would be no more than 20 mph. Splitting would be permitted only on highways with speed limits of 50 mph or higher.

Status: Died in House Committee on Transportation and Economic Development

AMA position: Supported Sponsor comment: “I have never been given a good reason why it failed in the House, but one could assume because it never came out of committee the Speaker had something to do with it,” Kruse says. “I would be willing to draft legislation again, but probably not until the 2017 Session. The reason being bill drafts in the short Session are very limited.”

Rider comment: Allard describes the failed Oregon bill as a “reasonable compromise” with lower speeds than riders desired, but that still would create “a safe framework for responsible, legal lane splitting.”

Tennessee

Bill, Sponsor: H.B. 1102, Rep. Timothy Hill (R-Blountville)

Summary: Would permit lane splitting when traffic is traveling at 45 mph or less and the motorcyclist does not exceed posted speed limits. Lane splitting would not be permitted in marked school zones when a warning flasher is in operation.

Status: In Transportation Subcommittee

AMA position: Supported Sponsor comment: H.B.1102 is important to Tennesseans because it will provide a safe alternative to stopping in traffic and relieve traffic pressure,” says

AMA POSITION

The AMA supports responsible lane splitting and backs the efforts of local riders who want to convince their state to make the practice legal.

“Reducing a motorcyclist’s exposure to vehicles that are frequently accelerating and decelerating on congested roadways can be one way to reduce front- and rear-end collisions for those most vulnerable in traffic,” says Nick Haris, AMA western states representative.

Rep. Hill. “Lane splitting is common practice seemingly throughout the world and could be a good fit in Tennessee.

“My encouragement to the members of the AMA is to be involved with your local and state officials. Constant contact will bring safety changes and protect motorcycle riding and recreation for future riders.”

Rider comment: “The lane splitting bill is not dead,” says Tony Dabbs, legislative officer for CMT/ABATE Inc. “We rolled it to the 2016 session. The reason behind that was to find out what the actual opposition is and make whatever changes are needed to the bill. We have to deal with state and federal fiscal notes and also local financial impact statements on every bill. The only way to know what these will be is to have a bill on the calendar.”

Texas

Bill, Sponsor: H.B. 813, Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. (D-Palmview)

Summary: Would allow motorcycle riders to ride between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, if traffic is traveling 20 mph or slower, and if the motorcyclist is not traveling more than 5 mph faster than other traffic. Lane splitting would be prohibited in school zones and in areas where the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less. And riders and passengers would have to wear helmets.

Status: Referred to Transportation Committee

AMA position: Opposed

Sponsor comment: Muñoz did not respond to inquiries about the bill.

Rider comment: The Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association opposes this

Other potential benefits include an increase in conspicuity, because the motorcyclist is moving relative to other traffic; a reduction in motorcyclist fatigue from constant shifting and braking in stop-and-go traffic; a reduction in motorcyclists’ exposure to ambient heat in the summer and car exhaust year-round due to less time spent in traffic.

Permitting lane splitting is not the same as requiring it.

bill because of the mandatory helmet provision.

Bill, Sponsor: S.B. 442, Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin)

Summary: Same as H.B. 813, but omits the helmet requirement and restricts lane splitting to limited-access or controlledaccess highways.

Status: Referred to Transportation Committee

AMA position: Supported

Sponsor comment: Watson did not respond to inquiries about the bill.

Rider comment: “We are in support of a form of legal lane splitting independently of any helmet legislation,” says Jerry L. Garner, second vice president of the Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association. “Presently, we have made inquiries to Sen. Watson’s office about the proposed legislation to no avail. We are optimistic that the state legislature will move in a positive way to support the rights of Texas motorcyclists.”

Washington State

Bill, Sponsors: S.B. 5623, Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-Potlatch), Jan Angel (R-Port Orchard), Mark Miloscia (R- Federal Way), Randi Becker (R-Eatonville), Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake), and Steve Conway (D-Tacoma)

Summary: Originally, this bill would have permitted splitting lanes if motorcyclists maintained 3 feet of clearance when overtaking other vehicles, traveled no more than 10 mph faster than traffic and kept their speed at or below 25 mph. However, the bill was amended in March to prohibit traveling between lanes and to limit lane sharing to the farthest lane to the left on state

highways and interstates. Motorcyclists would have to pass on the left.

Status: The Senate by resolution reintroduced and retained the bill.

AMA position: Supported

Sponsor comment: “I plan to keep going with this,” Sheldon says. “We did get it through the Senate, and for something that is controversial like this, that is pretty good. I am not totally committed to some of the amendments. But I think this is an effort at education to bring the other legislators aboard.

“Right now, the bill resides in the Senate Rules Committee. It would go from there to the House.”

Rider comment: “The modifications made in the Senate were done merely to get the bill out of that chamber, thereby keeping it alive,” says “Texas” Larry Walker, government relations specialist for the Washington Road Riders Association. “Those were the compromises that were necessary just to garner enough votes to move it, as the majority of the senators were overly spooked by the concept of motorcycles moving between lines of traffic, in spite of the U.C. Berkley study. Most opposition was based on assumptions or singular experiences where they had motorcycles pass them while they were vacationing in California.

“The version that arrived at the House was universally disliked, especially by the chair of the House Transportation Committee. She was not enthusiastic about the original version either, having declined to give the house version a hearing. To add to the difficulties, politics between the two chambers came into play. We could not generate enough support to move the issue forward.”

2015 AMA SWEEPSTAKESMEMBER

The 2015 AMA member sweepstakes is better than ever! Members who join or renew their AMA membership from Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015, are automatically entered to win one of these awesome motorcycling prizes! Only new and renewing members are eligible, so don’t delay!

• 2 – New motorcycles. Two lucky AMA members who renew or join in 2015 will win a new bike! There’s one drawing for a Yamaha Super Ténére and another drawing for a Suzuki Boulevard 109R!

• 4 – TomTom Rider GPS Units, navigation tools designed specifically for motorcyclists.

• 1 – Cardo Systems/Scala Rider G9 Communication Set. Bluetooth intercom and communication system lets you connect with up to eight other riders.

• 1 – Shark Kage Ramp. This 6-in-one multi-use ramp is the ultimate truck accessory.

• 12 – Brooks Leather gear package.

• 12 – Guardian Weatherall Plus motorcycle cover.

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Membership/RenewSweeps_Rules.aspx. Don’t let your membership lapse! AmericanMotorcyclist.com (800)

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.

BIRTH OF A HURRICANE

Craig Vetter Re-Invents BSA’s Rocket 3

In the late-1960s, British motorcycles were losing favor with American motorcyclists. U.S. riders’ interests were captured by the svelte, racy figures of Japanese imports.

This was a big challenge for Birmingham Small Arms of England, which owned the BSA and Triumph brands. In 1968, they launched their new 750cc triples in the United States— two months before the Honda 750 Four—and BSA Director of Marketing Don Brown knew he needed help.

He found it in Craig Vetter.

Brown contacted Vetter, a designer and

fairing maker in Illinois, with a clandestine plan to redesign the Rocket 3.

Over the summer of 1969, Vetter completed the bike and delivered the finished prototype to BSA’s U.S. headquarters in New Jersey on Oct. 31, 1969. Over the next couple years, the Vetter Rocket 3, as it was known then, was copied and factories were prepped for production.

Vetter had Americanized the Rocket 3—which was rebranded the Triumph Hurricane when the BSA dealer network was dissolved in October 1972—but it was not a commercial success. Only 1,170 Hurricanes were produced in 1973. By then, the Honda 750cc Four had been available for four years. It was more reliable and less expensive, and Honda was seen as the more stable company. In England, Triumph was unraveling as the workers took over the Meriden Factory in September, locking out its owners.

The Vetter Rocket 3/Triumph Hurricane story highlights the challenges England’s bike manufacturers faced in a changing market. Despite the styling accolades of the time—it was called the “first factory chopper,” “the sexiest motorcycle ever made” and one of the top motorcycle designs ever—the Triumph Hurricane couldn’t overcome the business realities that smothered Triumph’s attempt to compete with the popular Honda 750 Four.

You can see these bikes, and many more that have helped shape motorcycling in America, at the Hall of Fame on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio.

HAP ALZINA: A CONSUMMATE AMBASSADOR

L.R. “Hap” Alzina spent 56 years devoting his life to motorcycling. Involved from the early years of the sport, Alzina is best known for being the western states distributor for Indian and, later, BSA. He oversaw the sales of those brands during the height of their popularity. Alzina—who earned the nickname “Hap” for his goodnatured attitude—also sponsored many of the top AMA professional racers.

Born on Sept. 14, 1894, Alzina’s interest in motorcycling began early in life. As a boy he bought his first motorcycle, a ReadingStandard, for $50. In 1909, Alzina’s family moved from Santa Cruz, Calif., to San Francisco. There, he bought his first Indian from C.C. Hopkins, who was the Indian distributor for Northern California.

In the early 1910s, racing was becoming increasing popular and Alzina tried his hand in competition. Alzina raced in many of the early desert city-to-city runs that were popular at the time. In 1919, Alzina edged well-known racers Wells Bennett and Cannonball Baker to win the prestigious San Francisco Motorcycle Club Two-Day Endurance Run.

In 1916, Alzina opened his own dealership, selling Reading-Standard and Cleveland motorcycles. That enterprise was short-lived due to the onset on World War I. In 1922, Alzina saw a golden opportunity across the Bay in Oakland and purchased the dealership of E.S. Rose, turning the shop into a successful business.

In 1925, Indian assigned Alzina all of Northern California’s distribution. The next year, he was given the entire state, and

by 1927 his territory expanded to include Nevada, Arizona and Washington. By 1948, Indian sales in Alzina’s territory represented more than 20 percent of Indian’s worldwide volume.

But Indian’s business overall had fallen on hard times. During the late 1940s, Alzina did all he could to keep the company afloat. At one point, he was shipping parts back to the manufacturing plant in Springfield, Mass., so Indian could fill police and dealer orders. Despite the efforts of Alzina and others, Indian went bankrupt in 1953.

Alzina had prepared, though. In 1949, he bought the western states distribution rights for BSA motorcycles from Alf “Rich” Child. The growth in motorcycling over the next 15 years was explosive. Under Alzina’s direction, BSA’s western distribution went from three dealerships to almost 250 in 19 states.

Alzina also was an enthusiastic supporter of racing. Many racing stars and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers such as Ed Kretz, Al Gunter, Dick Mann, Kenny Eggers and Sammy Tanner credited Alzina for being a big part of their success.

Alzina retired in 1965, receiving an award of recognition from the AMA at the time.

Alzina died on July 21, 1970, at the age of 75. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.

MALCOLM!

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Malcolm Smith Autobiography Available This Fall

The official autobiography of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith is finally complete. It will be available for shipping in October 2015.

The 400-page, large-format hardbound book will be available initially from the Malcolm Smith Motorsports store in Riverside, Calif., and at www.themalcolmbook. com. Malcolm, as he is known to his legion of fans, will sign all books purchased online before Sept. 1.

Tucker Rocky also will distribute the $49.95 book, making it available

at motorcycle dealers around the country.

The book covers Smith’s early days along Canada’s Pacific coast; his childhood in San Bernardino, Calif.; his first bikes; his racing efforts in the United States, Baja, Europe and Asia; his business life; the iconic movie “On Any Sunday”; and his family life.

For the book, Smith, 74, teamed with longtime motojournalist Mitch Boehm, a 30-year industry insider who ran Motorcyclist magazine for 15 years, and who’s worked at Cycle World and American Honda.

Faces In The Crowd

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Brings Riders Together

by Heather Wilson and Jim Witters

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days isn’t about vintage motorcycles. It’s about people—people who happen to, for the most part, ride old motorcycles. They are racers, restorers, buyers, sellers, lookers and dreamers. They come to the event to do all the things these people love to do. What most of them have in common is how the event affects them. Nearly to the person, those who experience AMA

ANDREA BUCCASSO

Columbus, Ohio

“I’ve always been into motorcycles, but getting into vintage bikes – no joke – started at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days three years ago,” Andrea

Vintage Motorcycle Days feel a little more like motorcyclists than before they arrived.

On these pages, we introduce you to a few of the people who helped make this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, held July 10-13 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, one of the coolest yet. To read about the activities that took place at the event, see www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com.

Buccasso says. “I bought my 1975 Kawasaki KE 125 dual sport engine and some other parts from the swap meet and the body of the bike came from Craigslist. A friend of mine, who owns Jake Smith Motor Works in Columbus, built it for me.”

Although she has her own bikes, Buccasso cruised around AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days aboard her family friend’s 1965 Honda Sport 65. Besides the Honda and her dual sport, she enjoys riding her 1981 Kawasaki KZ440.

“I just like the look of vintage bikes and appreciate their aesthetics,” she says. “For me, just starting out riding, they felt a little bit safer to me. They aren’t as fast as the modern bikes.”

AMA Life Member Dean DeRolph owns the Sport 65. He is the second owner.

“It’s a funny story—I bought it with my then 8-year-old son in 1988 at the Mopar Nationals, held at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio,” DeRolph says. “A guy was riding it around as a pit bike, and I asked if it was for sale. He said he’d take $500 for it. I said that I only had $417 in my wallet, but could go get him the rest of the money, as I lived close. The seller replied that he’d take $400 and told me to go buy my son a hamburger and fries with the remaining $17.”

DeRolph has 18 vintage bikes, but says the ’65 Honda is entirely original. It even has original tires on it.

“The only thing I’ve changed is the clutch cable, and the bike has about 1,500 miles on it,” he says. “Out of all my bikes, it’s usually the one that gets the most attention out in public. My daughter even rode it 400 miles in a two-day ride in the mountains of Maine for a MotoGiro event a few years back.”

Buccasso says because she’s been getting into riding, it was really cool to watch the off-road racing at the event.

JACK AND SANDY MOFFITT

Harper, Texas

The 1960 Triumph Bonneville 650 sidecar rig that Jack Moffitt rode to a National No.1 plate in 1970 sat in the garage for 45 years before he and his wife, Sandy, decided to haul it 1,400 miles to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. They intended to race the rig on the MidOhio Sports Car Course.

“When I went over to register to race, they

just smiled at me,” Jack says. “I didn’t have any safety bolts or anything else that they require nowadays.”

Turned away from the races, the Moffitts opted for Plan B, the Lap for History. Sitting in line awaiting the start of the lap, Jack reminisces about his racing days.

“We raced in Hopetown and Elsinore and a bunch of others I can’t even remember,” he says. “This is the bike that started it all.”

THE BECKERT FAMILY

Zanesville, Ohio

The vintage racing bug bit the Beckert family—Larry, Fred and Cope—in 2012 at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

While they have been racing off-road for most of their lives, it wasn’t until Larry bought a Yamaha TY250 trials bike—he thinks a 1973 or ’74—in the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days swap meet that first year that the family’s interest in vintage racing took off.

“I bought it for $200, and the following year Cope [his grandson] raced it in the trials

event here,” Larry says. “We probably put more than $500 in getting it fixed up to race.”

The Beckerts said they have always had old bikes, but they really didn’t start acquiring vintage bikes to race until discovering AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

“It’s the one event we all ride together as a family,” Larry says. “It’s about spending time with my family and having friendly competition.”

This year, Larry raced a 1972 Suzuki TS400 in the vintage hare scramble, while Fred raced a 1982 Honda XR350 in the post-

vintage hare scramble.

Cope raced a 1982 Yamaha IT175 in the post-vintage hare scramble, as well as a 1982 Suzuki RM125 and a 1996 Honda CR250 in motocross.

When asked why he loves to race vintage bikes, Cope replies: “I gotta beat my old man… Nah, I just like riding vintage bikes. It’s a bigger challenge just learning how to ride the older bikes. You have to learn that you can’t ride them all-out the entire race. The goal is to keep the bike running and finish the race.”

ZAC BILBERSTINE AND KIM WATERMAN

Indianapolis, Ind.

For Zac Biberstine and Kim Waterman of Indianapolis, the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days swap meet is a blooming tradition that epitomizes the motorcycle lifestyle.

“I want everything,” says Waterman. “All the dirt bikes, especially.”

Biberstine has been attending the event for five years.

He says he likes to search “for things that have a good story—what something’s been through or where a part came from or how a bike was built.”

“You realize that there are so many things that happen every day here that you can never see it all,” Biberstine says.

MARTYN ALLISON

Williamsburg, Ky.

A road race instructor at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Martyn Allison says he knowns the track “really, really well.”

He’s been attending AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for six years, and races a 2005 Triumph Thruxton for Mike Well Racing out of Lexington, Ky., in the Stars Thruxton class.

“These are real enthusiasts who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and fix bikes,” Allison says. “Having money isn’t as critical in this style of racing as compared to modern road racing.

Money won’t buy you a win in vintage racing, but riding skills will.”

RICK SALANDRO

Latrobe, Pa.

When asked why he attends AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Rick Salandro’s reply is “everything.” When pressed, he says he spends a lot of his time watching the racing and browsing the swap meet aboard his 1972 Hodaka Wombat.

“My mom found the bike at a garage sale,” Salandro says.

“I thought it was unique, because it was all chrome.

So I bought it and just did a mild restore on it. It was sitting for about 25 years before I bought it.”

“I saw AMA Vintage

Motorcycle Days on some flyers last year and made plans to go,” Salandro says. “This year, I saw the Wall of Death. I really enjoyed that.”

He says he spent a lot of time at the swap meet.

“I didn’t buy too much,” Salandro says. “I just bought a few things for other projects I’m working on—a 1972 Honda CT70H and a 1973 Honda CB500 four. I’ve had a couple bikes for 10 years and have just been playing with them. The Honda 70 is meant to ride around campsites and the 500 is for the street.”

Right now, his collection is just vintage bikes, but he used to race motocross in the past.

ANDREW RAITZ

Louisville, Ky.

For Andrew Raitz and Tayler Glover, motorcycling is more than a way of life. It provides a life-changing experience.

The couple attended 2015 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days a year after finding each other online.

“A little more than a year ago, I was on the Facebook page for the Japanese Vintage Bike Club, when I saw a picture of this cute girl on a ’76 (Kawasaki) KZ400 amid the amber waves of grain,” Raitz says. “I commented on the photo, and we started communicating. I realized that she was just an hour-and-a-half away in Bloomington, Ind.”

That “cute girl” was Glover. The couple began dating in July 2014.

Raitz views motorcycles as a means to bring people together in other ways, as well.

He is a member of the Louisville Vintage Motorcycle Club. He values the friendships his interest in motorcycles has brought.

“Motorcycles are symbols that make connections,” Raitz says. “If someone says something simple, like, ‘Hey, that’s a nice bike,’ it is one of the most amazing feelings you can have as a human being.”

Raitz likens AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to a music festival, but one that you can re-experience every day by riding your motorcycle.

“Without us, motorcycles are just machines,” he says. “But with us, they become the focus of a wonderful community.”

GO RIDE

1

On Sept. 12-13, the Golden Eagles Cycle Club is hosting their fall trail ride in Theilman, Minn. Info: www. GoldenEaglesMC.org

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

2

The Galesburg Motorcycle Club Inc. will host a motocross race in Galesburg, Ill., on Sept. 20. It’s the state championship and is a District 17 event. Info: www. GalesburgMC.com

4

The Green Marble Enduro Riders are hosting a hare scramble for ATVs, bikes and youth on Sept. 5-6. The “Broken Anvil” hare scramble is located in Three Springs, Pa., and sanctioned with Districts 6 and 7. Info: www.gmer.us

3

5 Forever Friends Motorcycle Awareness has organized a road run, Sept. 26-27, in Augusta, N.J. The group’s goal is to educate new drivers and make the public more aware of motorcycles. Info: www.foreverfriends motorcycleawareness.org

Motomarathon will host a road run in Boulder, Colo., Sept. 11-14. The fourday rally features many twisty and scenic roads. The routes are kept secret until the night before each event, and riders go through a series of self-recorded checkpoints. Info: www. motomarathon.com

6

Speedway bikes run on methanol, have one speed and are not fitted with brakes. That adds up to some intense racing action! Fast Fridays Speedway will host the AMA Speedway Long Track National Championship on Sept. 11 in Auburn, Calif., and on Sept. 18 the track will host the final round of the 2015 AMA Speedway National Championship Series. Info: www. FastFridays.com

COMING UP

Each year, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony welcomes new members into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. On Oct. 17, in conjunction with AIMExpo in Orlando, Fla., six inductees will join the ranks of motorcycling’s greatest advocates and champions. Tickets are $25 for a reserved seat or $90 for a reserved seat and access to the VIP Reception before the ceremony. Info: www.motorcyclemuseum.org

ALABAMA

RECREATIONAL

ROAD RUN

SEP 13: LEEDS: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG ARIZONA

COMPETITION

OBSERVED TRIALS

SEP 6: CLINT WELLS: CENTRAL ARIZONA TRIALS INC, (602) 370-7546, CENTRALARIZONATRIALS.ORG CALIFORNIA

RECREATIONAL

DUAL SPORT RIDE

SEP 19: MOJAVE: 2 DAY EVENT, CHAPARRALS MC, (562) 667-6039

SEP 26: DOWNNIEVILLE : NEVADA COUNTY WOODS RIDERS, INC., (530) 362-1202, NEVADACOUNTYWOODSRIDERS. ORG

SEP 26: BUCK MEADOWS: 2 DAY EVENT, FAMILY OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES, (209) 649-3633, FAMILYOFFROADADVENTURES. COM

GRAND TOUR

SEP 3: SAN DIEGO: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLING ASSN, (562) 298-6236, SC-MA.COM ROAD RUN

SEP 2: SAN DIEGO: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLING ASSN, (562) 298-6236, SC-MA.COM

SEP 20: CARDIFF: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG ROAD RALLY

SEP 3: BISHOP: THE GS GIANTS, GSGIANTS.COM

COMPETITION

ENDUROCROSS

SEP 26: SACRAMENTO: TEN: THE ENTHUSIAST NETWORK, INC., (916) 928-3600, ENDUROCROSS.COM SPEEDWAY

SEP 4: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223, FASTFRIDAYS.COM

SEP 11: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223, FASTFRIDAYS.COM

SEP 18: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223, FASTFRIDAYS.COM

SHORT TRACK

SEP 12: (Includes ATVs) LEMOORE: CALIFORNIA FLAT TRACK ASSOCIATION, (415) 320-7889, CALIFORNIAFLATTRACK.COM

TTS

SEP 5: (Includes ATVs) LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 3687182, LODICYCLEBOWL.COM

SEP 19: (Includes ATVs) LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 3687182, LODICYCLEBOWL.COM COLORADO

RECREATIONAL

DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD

SEP 13: SOUTH FORK: SIDEWINDERS M/C, (210) 861-4993, COLORADO600.ORG

ROAD RUN

SEP 11: BOULDER: MOTOMARATHON ASSOCIATION, (303) 641-1062,

MOTOMARATHON.COM

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

SEP 6: STERLING: MILE HIGH MX, (303) 748-9417, PAWNEECYCLECLUB.COM

SEP 20: DACONO: IMI

MOTORSPORTS INC, (303) 3884949, IMIMOTORSPORTS.COM

DELAWARE

RECREATIONAL

POKER RUN

SEP 26: : MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT VICTIMS FOUNDATION, (302) 740-1204, MOTORCYCLEACCIDENTVICTIMS. ORG

FLORIDA

COMPETITION

HARE SCRAMBLES

SEP 26: (Includes ATVs) BARTOW: 2 DAY EVENT, CENTRAL FLORIDA TRAIL RIDERS, (407) 527-9901

MOTOCROSS

SEP 20: ALACHUA: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC, (321) 303-1002, UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM

SEP 27: JACKSONVILLE : UNLIMITED SPORTS MX INC., (321) 303-1002, UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM

RECREATIONAL

ADVENTURE RIDE

SEP 26: 2 DAY EVENT, DIXIE DUAL SPORT, INC., DIXIEDUALSPORT.COM

GEORGIA

RECREATIONAL ROAD RALLY

SEP 19: TUCKER: TEAM STRANGE AIRHEADS, TEAMSTRANGE.COM

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

SEP 12: REYNOLDS: 2 DAY EVENT, RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM

SEP 27: DALTON: LAZY RIVER MOTOCROSS, (706) 278-1620, LAZYRIVERMOTOCROSS.COM

ILLINOIS

RECREATIONAL

POKER RUN - OFF-ROAD

SEP 13: (Includes ATVs) OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 434-3669, VARIETYRIDERS.COM

COMPETITION

CROSS COUNTRY

SEP 5: (Includes ATVs) CASEY: 2 DAY EVENT, CROSSROADS RACING SERIES, (317) 610-1163

GRAND PRIX

SEP 27: OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 434-3669, VARIETYRIDERS.COM

HILLCLIMB

SEP 5: (Includes ATVs) MATTOON: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, (217) 273-8672

SEP 6: (Includes ATVs) MATTOON: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, (217) 273-8672

HARE SCRAMBLES

SEP 6: WHITE CITY: CAHOKIA CREEK DIRT RIDERS, (217) 529-4636, CAHOKIACREEKDIRTRIDERS.COM

SEP 27: OAKLEY: DIRT RIDERS,

INC., (217) 685-1969, DIRT-RIDER.ORG MOTOCROSS

SEP 5: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271

SEP 19: (Includes ATVs) BELLEVILLE: BELLEVILLE ENDURO TEAM INC, (618) 277-3478, BETDIRT.COM

SEP 20: GALESBURG: GALESBURG MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (309) 344-1714, GALESBURGMC.COM

SEP 26: BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM

SEP 26: (Includes ATVs) WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 379-9534, SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM

SEP 26: CASEY: 2 DAY EVENT, RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM

SEP 27: (Includes ATVs) WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 379-9534, SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM

STADIUM CROSS

SEP 11: WOODSTOCK: WOODSTOCK RACING LLC, (815) 337-3511, WOODSTOCKMX.COM TTS

SEP 6: (Includes ATVs) MATTOON: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, (217) 246-7154

SEP 7: (Includes ATVs) MATTOON: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, (217) 246-7154

SEP 12: (Includes ATVs) BELLEVILLE: BELLEVILLE ENDURO TEAM INC., (618) 277-3478, BETDIRT.COM

INDIANA

RECREATIONAL

ROAD RUN

SEP 13: COLUMBIA CITY: OLD FORT MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (260) 504-6388

COMPETITION

ENDURO

SEP 27: LYNNVILLE: LYNNVILLE AREA DIRT RIDERS INC., (812) 631-0609

HILLCLIMB

SEP 12: (Includes ATVs) CAYUGA: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (217) 3048704, PLEASURERIDERS.NET

SEP 13: (Includes ATVs) CAYUGA: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (217) 3048704, PLEASURERIDERS.NET

MOTOCROSS

SEP 6: (Includes ATVs) AKRON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) PIERCETON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM

SEP 27: (Includes ATVs) LAOTTO: G & S RACING, (260) 637-5416, GANDSRACING.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

SEP 19: COLUMBUS: 2 DAY EVENT, STONEY LONESOME M/C, (317) 861-6275, TRIALSINC.ORG

HILLCLIMB

SEP 13: ANAMOSA: MIDWEST HILLCLIMBERS ASSOCIATION, (329) 489-2361, ANAMOSAHILLCLIMB.COM

HARE SCRAMBLES

SEP 20: SHELL ROCK: NEW HARTFORD RACING INC, (319) 8856469, NEWHARTFORDRACING.COM

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

MOTOCROSS

SEP 12: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 775-0893, CVTR.ORG

SEP 19: (Includes ATVs) WATERLOO: SEVEN FOUR PROMOTIONS, SEVENFOURPROMOTIONS.COM

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) MONTEZUMA: FV MOTO X, (641) 623-3456, FVMOTOX.COM

KANSAS

RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN

SEP 20: KANSAS CITY: MARCH OF DIMES-KS, (913) 469-3611, BIKERSFORBABIESKC.ORG

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

SEP 5: MAIZE: 2 DAY EVENT, RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM

KENTUCKY

RECREATIONAL

BIKE SHOW

SEP 11: BURLINGTON: CLASSIC BRITISH MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (513) 378-2959

DUAL SPORT RIDE

SEP 12: GOLDEN POND: 2 DAY EVENT, KT RIDERS, (270) 522-3703

ROAD RUN

SEP 11: FRANKFORT: BLUEGRASS BEEMERS, (859) 223-5459, BLUEGRASSBEEMERS.ORG

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

SEP 6: (Includes ATVs) PRINCETON: MID SOUTH RACE PRODUCTIONS, (931) 235-2776, FASTFARMSMX.COM

MARYLAND

RECREATIONAL

ROAD RUN

SEP 27: ELLICOT CITY: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

SEP 19: BUDDS CREEK: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (301) 475-2000, MAMAMX.COM

MICHIGAN

RECREATIONAL

BIKE SHOW

SEP 13: MILFORD: METRO TRIUMPH RIDERS, (586) 744-7456, METROTRIUMPHRIDERS.COM

POKER RUN

SEP 27: CRUMP: TRI-CITY TRAVELERS MC, (989) 501-0911

SEP 27: GRAND RAPIDS: PARADICE MC, (616) 893-3542

COMPETITION

DIRT DRAG

SEP 11: GRANT: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 834-5349, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM

1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK

SEP 19: (Includes ATVs) AUBURN: 2 DAY EVENT, TRI-CITY MOTOR SPEEDWAY, (989) 316-6804, TRICITYRACETRACK.COM

HILLCLIMB

SEP 12: GRANT: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 834-5349, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM

SEP 12: GRANT: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 834-5349, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM

SEP 13: GRANT: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 834-5349, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM

HARE SCRAMBLES

SEP 13: VASSAR: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 450-9676, POLKADOTSMC.NET

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) BENTLEY: VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS, (989) 890-1411 MOTOCROSS

SEP 5: MILLINGTON: BAJA MX INC, (989) 871-3356, BAJAACRES.COM

SEP 13: (Includes ATVs) CADILLAC: CADILLAC MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (231) 884-3729, CADILLACMC.COM

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) PORTLAND: PORTLAND TRAIL RIDERS, (517) 647-7045, PORTLANDTRAILRIDERS.COM

SEP 26: NEWAYGO: 2 DAY EVENT, BIG AIR MOTOCROSS, (231) 652-5225, WW.BIGAIRMOTOCROSS.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

SEP 13: METAMORA : MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (248) 634-2184, MOTATRIALS.COM

SEP 20: WHITMORE LAKE : MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (517) 849-9231, MOTATRIALS.COM

SEP 27: FLUSHING: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (810) 252-2627, MOTATRIALS.COM

SHORT TRACK

SEP 5: (Includes ATVs) OWOSSO: OWOSSO MOTORSPORTS PARK, (810) 691-5781, OWOSSOKARTSPEEDWAY.COM

TTS

SEP 6: (Includes ATVs) OWOSSO: OWOSSO MOTORSPORTS PARK, (810) 691-5781, OWOSSOKARTSPEEDWAY.COM

MINNESOTA

RECREATIONAL

TRAIL

SEP 12: (Includes ATVs) THEILMAN: 2 DAY EVENT, GOLDEN EAGLES CYCLE CLUB, (507) 254-7471, GOLDENEAGLESMC.ORG

SEP 19: MANKATO: 2 DAY EVENT, KATO CYCLE CLUB, (507) 381-1951, KATOCYCLECLUB.COM

SEP 26: HUNTERSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, TWIN CITIES TRAIL RIDERS, (612) 965-8619, TCTRAILRIDERS.ORG

COMPETITION

1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK

SEP 19: (Includes ATVs) NEW ULM: FLYING DUTCHMEN CYCLE CLUB, (507) 354-2306, FLYINGDUTCHMEN MOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) NEW ULM: FLYING DUTCHMEN CYCLE CLUB, (507) 354-2306, FLYINGDUTCHMEN MOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

HILLCLIMB

SEP 19: (Includes ATVs) RED WING: INDIANHEAD MOTORCYCLE CLUB,

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

(651) 764-1220, INDIANHEADMC.ORG

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) RED WING: INDIANHEAD MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (651) 764-1220, INDIANHEADMC.ORG

MOTOCROSS

SEP 6: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC., (952) 601-1169, MOTOKAZIE.COM

SEP 6: BROOK PARK: 2 DAY EVENT, BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 679-2582, BERMBENDERSRACEWAY.COM

SEP 13: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX. COM

SEP 13: BROOKSTON: ECHO VALLEY MOTOCROSS PARK, (218) 348-4754, ECHOVALLEYMOTOCROSS.COM

SEP 19: BROOK PARK: 2 DAY EVENT, BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 679-2582, BERMBENDERSRACEWAY.COM

SEP 26: MILLVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

SEP 19: THEILMAN: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (612) 730-1770, UMTA.ORG

SEP 20: THEILMAN: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (612) 730-1770, UMTA.ORG TTS

SEP 13: CAMBRIDGE: NORSEMEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (612) 8652661, NORSEMENMC.ORG

MISSISSIPPI

COMPETITION

ENDURO

SEP 19: LAUREL: 2 DAY EVENT, RIDGE RUNNERS ENDURO TEAM OF MISSISSIPPI, (601) 480-2390

MISSOURI

RECREATIONAL

ROAD RUN

SEP 12: ST JOSEPH: MARCH OF DIMES-MO, (314) 513-9968, BIKERSFORBABIES.ORG

ROAD RALLY

SEP 11: THEODOSIA: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, (417) 273-4444

SEP 16: BRANSON: ROAD RIDERS FOR JESUS, (636) 285-9005

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

SEP 6: KAHOKA: MIDWEST

MOTOSPORT, (319) 795-3139

SEP 7: KAHOKA: MIDWEST MOTOSPORT, (319) 795-3139 NEVADA

RECREATIONAL

DUAL SPORT RIDE

SEP 19: VERDI: 2 DAY EVENT, NEVADA TRAIL STEWARDS, (775) 345-6000

ROAD RUN

SEP 27: LAS VEGAS: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG

COMPETITION

ENDURO

SEP 26: TOULON: 2 DAY EVENT, WESTERN STATES RACING ASSOCIATION, (775) 750-1923

HARE & HOUND

SEP 19: PIOCHE: BUSHWACKERS MC, (702) 277-1576, MRANRACING.COM

NEW HAMPSHIRE

COMPETITION

ROAD RACE

SEP 7: LOUDON: UNITED STATES CLASSIC RACING ASSOCIATION, (413) 498-4433, RACE-USCRA.COM

NEW JERSEY

RECREATIONAL

FUN RUN

SEP 6: BRIDGEWATER: DAWN PATROL MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (908) 722-2662

POKER RUN

SEP 19: PARSIPPANY: IRON HORSE CALVARY MC, (973) 714-2259

ROAD RUN

SEP 26: AUGUSTA: 2 DAY EVENT, FOREVER FRIENDS MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS, (973) 670-0591, FOREVERFRIENDS MOTORCYCLEAWARENESS.ORG

COMPETITION

ROAD RACE

SEP 19: MILLVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, UNITED STATES CLASSIC RACING ASSOCIATION, (413) 498-4433,

RACE-USCRA.COM

NEW MEXICO

COMPETITION

OBSERVED TRIALS

SEP 5: SIPAPU: 2 DAY EVENT, NEW MEXICO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (505) 780-2551, NEWMEXICOTRIALS.COM

NEW YORK

RECREATIONAL

DUAL SPORT RIDE

SEP 13: FAIRVILLE: WAYNE COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (315) 331-4764, WAYNECOUNTYMC.COM

FUN RUN

SEP 13: CLARENCE: REGENT RIDERS, (716) 937-9524, REGENTRIDERS.ORG

FIELD MEET - OFF-ROAD

SEP 26: BALDWIN: 2 DAY EVENT, QUEENSBORO MC, (646) 789-5750

TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL

SEP 13: E QUOGUE: LONG ISLAND RECREATIONAL TRAILS

CONSERVANCY, (631) 928-1153

COMPETITION

CROSS COUNTRY

SEP 19: (Includes ATVs) NEW BERLIN: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-0084, GNCCRACING.COM

HARE SCRAMBLES

SEP 13: (Includes ATVs) MORAVIA: TWISTED FENCE AT SAND HILL HARESCRAMBLE, (607) 423-4621,

WNYOA.NET

MOTOCROSS

SEP 13: (Includes ATVs) AUBURN: FROZEN OCEAN MOTOCROSS INC., (315) 784-5466, FROZEN-OCEAN.COM

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) MAPLE VIEW: SMX ASSOCIATES LLC, (315) 480-7733, MOTOMASTERS.COM

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) WALLKILL: WALDEN MX, (845) 895-2537, MXWALDEN.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

SEP 27: CAYUTA: DISTRICT 4 TRIALS COMMITTEE, (607) 7960560, DISTRIC4TRIALS.COM

SHORT TRACK

SEP 12: (Includes ATVs) PORT CRANE: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 725-3069, SQUAREDEALRIDERS.COM

SEP 26: (Includes ATVs) PORT CRANE: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 725-3069, SQUAREDEALRIDERS.COM

SEP 26: (Includes ATVs)

CUDDEBACKVILLE: TRI-STATE MC LTD, (845) 219-1193, TRISTATECLUB.COM

SEP 27: (Includes ATVs)

CUDDEBACKVILLE: TRI-STATE MC LTD, (845) 219-1193, TRISTATECLUB.COM

NORTH CAROLINA

RECREATIONAL

ADVENTURE RIDE

SEP 12: PINEOLA: 2 DAY EVENT,

APPALACHIAN TRAIL RIDERS, (704) 309-3271 OHIO

RECREATIONAL

DUAL SPORT RIDE

SEP 19: LOGAN: 2 DAY EVENT, BUCKEYE DUAL SPORTERS, (740) 380-3050, KAEPPNERSWOODS.COM

POKER RUN

SEP 19: COMMERCIAL POINT: ABATE OF OHIO, INC., (614) 306-2570, ABATE.COM

SEP 27: GREENVILLE: TREATY CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (937) 459-0508, TREATYCITYMC.COM

ROAD RUN

SEP 18: POMERY: FUR PEACE MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (303) 3580172, FURPEACERANCH.COM

ROAD RALLY

SEP 10: NEW STRAITSVILLE: THE GS GIANTS, GSGIANTS.COM COMPETITION

ENDURO

SEP 20: ATHENS: ATHENS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (740) 5903490, ACES-RACES.COM

HILLCLIMB

SEP 19: (Includes ATVs)

WATERFORD: PIONEER MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (740) 678-0082, PIONEERMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) WATERFORD: PIONEER MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (740) 678-0082, PIONEERMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM

MOTOCROSS

SEP 13: (Includes ATVs) SUGAR GROVE: CENTRAL OHIO COMPETITION RIDERS INC., (740) 983-3937, COCRMX.COM

SEP 20: GREENVILLE: TREATY CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (937) 459-0508, TREATYCITYMC.COM

SEP 27: BLANCHESTER: DIRT COUNTRY, (513) 625-7350, DIRTCOUNTRYMX.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

SEP 5: NEWARK: 2 DAY EVENT, TRIALS INC, (740) 467-2910, BRADB@RYPUSA.COM

PENNSYLVANIA

RECREATIONAL

ADVENTURE RIDE

SEP 27: SPRING MILLS: XPLORINT LLC, (610) 470-8897, XPLOR-INT.COM

BIKE SHOW

SEP 12: LANSDALE: BLUE COMET MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (267) 2613580, BLUECOMETMC.COM

CRUISE-IN

SEP 11: HONSHAM: MOTORCYCLISTS FOR JESUS MINISTRIES, PA CHAPTER, (215) 234-8611

SEP 20: LIVE LEXINGTON: MOTORCYCLISTS FOR JESUS MINISTRIES, PA CHAPTER, (215) 234-8611

FIELD MEET

SEP 7: SCHUYLKILL HAVEN: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB,

(570) 385-1460

POKER RUN - OFF-ROAD

SEP 12: VALLEY VIEW: RAUSCH CREEK POWERSPORTS, (570) 682-1075, RAUSCHCREEKRACING.COM

POKER RUN

SEP 13: COLUMBIA: THUNDERBIRD MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (717) 898-0871

SEP 20: KRESGEVILLE: ZINC CITY MC, (570) 992-4214

SEP 20: MARIETTA: AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS PA POST CHAPTER #466, (717) 898-0871

SEP 27: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (717) 279-9797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COM

SEP 27: KRESGEVILLE: ZINC CITY MC, (570) 992-4214

ROAD RUN

SEP 13: PHOENIXVILLE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG

TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL

SEP 19: SKIPPACK: BLUE COMET MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 4891240, BLUECOMETMC.COM

COMPETITION

ENDURO

SEP 13: SHIPPENSBURG: SOUTH PENN ENDURO RIDERS, (717) 226-3257

SEP 20: MAHANOY TOWNSHIP: VALLEY FORGE TRAIL RIDERS, (484) 948-5361, VFTR.ORG HARE SCRAMBLES

SEP 5: (Includes ATVs) THREE SPRINGS: 2 DAY EVENT, GREEN MARBLE ENDURO RIDERS, (301) 865-0779, GMER.US

SEP 26: JEFFERSON: 2 DAY EVENT, RIDGE RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (973) 919-4780, ECEA.ORG

MOTOCROSS

SEP 13: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMC.ORG

SEP 13: MT MORRIS: RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 2840084, RACERPRODUCTIONS.COM

SEP 20: (ATV only)

FREDERICKSBURG: SLEEPY HOLLOW MOTO CROSS, (717) 639-5988, SLEEPYMX.COM

SEP 26: FREDERICKSBURG: 2 DAY EVENT, SLEEPY HOLLOW MOTO CROSS, (717) 639-5988,

SLEEPYMX.COM

SEP 27: MT MORRIS: RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 2840084, RACERPRODUCTIONS.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

SEP 13: FARRANDSVILLE: DURTY DABBERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 748-9456, DURTYDABBERS.COM

SEP 13: MILLERTON: DISTRICT 4 TRIALS COMMITTEE, (570) 5492297, DISTRIC4TRIALS.COM

SHORT TRACK

SEP 12: (Includes ATVs) HANOVER: TRAIL-WAY SPEEDWAY, (717) 3594310, TRAIL-WAYSPEEDWAY.COM

TTS

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) PARKESBURG: E PA PISTON POPPERS MC INC, (484) 336-9160, PISTONPOPPERSMC.COM

SOUTH CAROLINA

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) HAMER: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 3235497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM

TENNESSEE

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

SEP 13: (Includes ATVs)

BLOUNTVILLE: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) ALTAMONT: MID SOUTH RACE PRODUCTIONS, (931) 235-2776, FASTFARMSMX.COM

TEXAS

RECREATIONAL

ROAD RALLY

SEP 10: : NORTH TEXAS NORTON OWNERS ASSOCIATION, (817) 707-4330, NTNOA.ORG

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

SEP 6: AMARILLO: BOWERS MX, (806) 671-7010, BOWERSMX.COM

UTAH

GRAND PRIX

SEP 12: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR CITY: SOUTHERN NEVADA JACKRABBITS MC, (702) 738-4936, MRANRACING.COM

VIRGINIA

RECREATIONAL

POKER RUN

SEP 26: ASHLAND: HANDS OF RESCUE, LLC.

COMPETITION GRAND PRIX

SEP 13: SPRING GROVE: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (757) 365-0347, VCHSS.ORG

VALLEYSPRINGSHILLCLIMB.COM

RAPIDANGELS.COM

SEP 20: DRESSER: NORSEMEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (651) 4622588, NORSEMENMC.ORG

SEP 27: SANDY LEVEL: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (434) 509-9363, VCHSS.ORG

MOTOCROSS

SEP 6: (Includes ATVs) WYTHEVILLE: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM

SEP 27: (Includes ATVs) SUTHERLIN: BIRCH CREEK PROMOTIONS, LLC, (434) 8367629, BIRCHCREEKMXPARK.COM WASHINGTON

RECREATIONAL POKER RUN - OFF-ROAD

SEP 19: BELFAIR: TACOMA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (253) 606-0171, TACOMAMC.COM

ROAD RUN

SEP 13: CARNATION: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG

WEST VIRGINIA

RECREATIONAL ROAD RALLY

SEP 25: LEWISBURG: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION

WISCONSIN

RECREATIONAL

ADVENTURE RIDE

SEP 26: WABENO: 2 DAY EVENT, WISCONSIN DUAL SPORT RIDERS, (262) 894-2040, WIDUALSPORTRIDERS.ORG

DUAL SPORT RIDE

SEP 26: WABENO: 2 DAY EVENT, WISCONSIN DUAL SPORT RIDERS, (920) 350-2030, WIDUALSPORTRIDERS.ORG

COMPETITION

ENDURO

SEP 13: ADAMS: SOUTH EASTERN WISCONSIN ENDURO RIDERS, (262) 930-0358, SEWERMC.ORG

HILLCLIMB

SEP 6: BAY CITY: VALLEY SPRINGS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (715) 594-3726,

MOTOCROSS

SEP 12: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 790-6211, AZTALANMX.COM

SEP 13: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 790-6211, AZTALANMX.COM

SEP 27: HILLPOINT: SUGAR MAPLE MX LLC, (608) 393-8812, SUGARMAPLEMX.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

SEP 12: MAUSTON: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG

SEP 13: MAUSTON: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG

SEP 26: BLACK RIVER FALLS: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG

SEP 27: BLACK RIVER FALLS: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG

SHORT TRACK

SEP 12: (Includes ATVs) BURNETT: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB, INC., (920) 319-6889, BEAVERCYCLECLUB.COM

SEP 19: (Includes ATVs) LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 531-3945, AZTALANMX.COM

SEP 20: (Includes ATVs) LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 531-3945, AZTALANMX.COM

TTS

SEP 13: (Includes ATVs) BURNETT: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB, INC., (920) 319-6889, BEAVERCYCLECLUB.COM

WYOMING

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

SEP 12: (Includes ATVs)

2015 EVENTS

MOTOCROSS

MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM

Ernee, France

FIM MXGP / MX2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIM-LIVE.COM

Sept. 20: San Bernardino, Calif.:

MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS AMASUPERCROSS.COM MONSTER ENERGY CUP

Oct. 17: Las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium

LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP PROMOTOCROSS.COM

Aug. 22: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Indiana National WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP RACEWMX.COM

Aug. 21: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman National

AMA PROAM MOTOCROSS EVENTS AMARACING.COM

Sept. 5-7: Millington, Mich.: Baja Acres (Pro-Am Classes race only on Sunday), BajaAcres.com, (989) 871-3356

September 5-6: Maize, Kansas: Bar 2 Bar Mx, MotocrossLeagueOf America.com, (205) 699-8857

Sept. 6: Wytheville, Va.: Pro Sport Motocross, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497

Sept.12-13: Reynolds, Ga.: Silver Dollar MX, MotocrossLeague OfAmerica.com, (205) 699-8857

Sept. 13: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497

Sept. 13: Lake Hills, Wis.: Aztalan Cycle Club, AztalanMX.com, (815) 790-6211

Sept. 19-20: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek Motocross, MamaMX. com

Sept. 20: Hamer, S.C.: South of the Border, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497

Sept. 26-27: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek, SpringCreekMX.com, (507) 753-2779

Sept. 27: Dalton, Ga.: Lazy River Motocross, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497

Sept. 27: Shippensburg, Pa.: Doublin Gap, Doublingap.com, (717) 249-6036

Sept. 27: Millville, N.J.: njmpfod. com, (856) 765-3799

Sept. 30-Oct. 4: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Prairie City MX, AmpGFImotocross.com, (209) 656-9683

Oct. 3-4: Englishtown, N.J.: Raceway Park, RacewayPark.com, (732) 446-7800

Oct. 10-11: Duquoin, Ill.: Indian Hills Motocross, MotocrossLeague OfAmerica.com, (205) 699-8857

Oct. 10-11: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497

Oct. 10-11: Tallassee, Ala.: Monster Mountain, MonsterMX.com, (334) 318-8475

Oct. 11: Birdsboro, Pa.: Pagoda Motorcycle Club, PagodaMC.org, (610) 582-3717

Oct. 26-27: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trails Motocross, MotocrossLeague OfAmerica.com, (205) 699-8857

Nov. 7: Pell City, Ala.: Mill Creek Motocross Park, RPMSportsOnline. com, (205) 699-8857

Nov. 23-25: Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park, UnlimitedSportsMX.com, (312) 689-3461

Nov. 26-28: Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park, UnlimitedSportsMX.com, (312) 689-3461

Dec. 5-6: Buckeye, Ariz.: Arizona Cycle Park, AZopen.com, (623) 853-0750

DIRT TRACK

AMA PRO FLAT TRACK AMAPRORACING.COM

Aug. 29: Charlotte, N.C.: Don Tilley Memorial Charlotte Half-Mile

Sept. 6: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile II

Sept. 19: Delmar, Del.: Roar on the Shore Half-Mile

Sept. 26: Calistoga, Calif.: Calistoga Half-Mile

UPDATED: Nov. 20: Las Vegas, Nev.: Flat Track Season Finale AMA VINTAGE DIRT TRACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMARACING.COM

Aug. 29: Oshkosh, Wis.: Oshkosh Speedzone, 3/8 Mile

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

Sept. 26: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: Short Track

Sept. 27: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: Short Track

AMA SPEEDWAY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Sept. 18: Auburn, Calif.: Fast Fridays Motorcycle

Oct. 11: Matthews, Ind.: Muddobbers MC, MuddobbersMC. org

GEICO AMA ENDUROCROSS ENDUROCROSS.COM

Sept. 26: Sacramento, Calif.: Sleep Train Arena

Oct. 3: Denver, Colo.: National Western Complex

Oct. 17: Everett, Wash.: XFINITY Arena

Nov. 7: Boise, Idaho: Ford Idaho Center

Nov. 21-22: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Business Bank Arena

AMSOIL AMA GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES GNCCRACING.COM

Sept. 19-20: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla

Oct. 3-4: Somerset, Pa.: Moutain Ridge

Oct. 17-18: St. Clairsville, Ohio: Powerline Park

Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman

KENDA SRT AMA NATIONAL HARE AND HOUND CHAMPIONSHIP NATIONALHAREANDHOUND.COM

Aug. 22: Panaca, Nev.: Silver State Trail Blazers

Oct. 24-25: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: 100s MC, 100smc.com

AMA EAST HARE SCRAMBLES CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMARACING.COM

Aug. 30 (Amateur, Youth): Battle Creek, Mich.: Battle Creek Motorcycle Club, BattleCreekMotorcycle Club.com (Rescheduled from May 31 rainout)

Nov. 7 (ATV) | Nov. 8 (Amateur, Youth): Kohoka, Mo.: Midwest Motorsports

KENDA SRT AMA WEST HARE SCRAMBLES CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMARACING.COM

Oct. 24 (Amateur, ATV, Youth): Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Desert MC

Nov. 7 (ATV, Youth) | Nov. 8 (Amateur): Searchlight, Nev.: GetXtr-Eme.com

FEATURED SERIES: APPALACHIAN CHAMPIONSHIP ENDURO SERIES ACES-RACES.COM

Aug. 30: McArthur, Ohio: Little Burr Enduro, Enduro Riders Association

Sept. 13: Londonderry, Ohio: Art Mitchell Memorial Enduro, Chillicothe Enduro Riders Association

UPDATED: Sept. 20: Athens, Ohio: Milk Run Enduro, Athens Motorcycle Club

Oct. 11: Matthews, Indiana: Muddobbers Enduro, Muddobbers Motorcycle Club

Nov. 8: Greenville, Ohio: Peace Pipe Enduro, Treaty City Motorcycle Club

FEATURED SERIES: BIG 6 AMA WEST COAST GRAND PRIX SERIES BIG6RACING.COM

Oct. 3-4: Ridgecrest, Calif.: Viewfinders MC, Ridgecrest Fairgrounds

Oct. 31 - Nov. 1: Gorman, Calif.: Prospectors MC

Dec. 5-6: Location TBA: Vikings MC

FEATURED SERIES: EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION (ECEA) - ENDUROS ECEA.ORG

Aug. 30: Mauricetown, N.J.: Beehive Enduro, Competition Dirt Riders, CompetitionDirtRiders.org

Sept. 13: Shippensburg, Pa.: Michaux Enduro, South Penn Enduro Riders, SouthPennEnduroRiders. com

Sept. 20: Brandonville, Pa.: Moonshine Enduro, High Mountain Dirt Riders/Valley Forge Trail Riders, vftr.org

Oct. 25: New Lisbon, N.J.: Scrub Pine Enduro, Ocean County Competition Riders, OCCR.net

Nov. 8: Warren Grove, N.J.: Stumpjumper Enduro, Motorcycle Competition Inc., Ride-MCI.com

Nov. 22: New Lisbon, N.J.: Pine Hill Enduro, Central Jersey Competition Riders, CJCRmc.org

FEATURED SERIES: EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION (ECEA) - HARE SCRAMBLES

ECEA.ORG

Aug. 22-23: Hurricane Lane Hare Scrambles, Meteor Motorcycle Club

Sept. 26-27: Big Bass Hare Scrambles, Ridge Riders MC

Oct. 10-11: Sahara Sands Hare Scrambles, Pine Barons Enduro Riders/South Jersey Enduro Riders

Oct. 17-18: Ormond Farms Hare Scrambles, Competition Dirt Riders

Nov. 14-15: Delaware Hare Scrambles, Delaware Enduro Riders

FEATURED SERIES: IOWA ATV HARE SCRAMBLE SERIES IATVHSS.COM

Aug. 21 (UTVs) | Aug. 22 (ATVs): Carlisle, Iowa - Heartland Challenge

Sept. 12 (Youth & UTVs) | Sept. 13 (Adult ATVs): Beaconsfield, Iowa

Oct. 10 (Youth & UTVs) | Oct. 11 (Adult ATVs): Carlisle, Iowa

2015 EVENTS

FEATURED SERIES: AMA KENDA FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO SERIES FULLGASENDURO.COM

Nov. 14-15: Union, S.C.: Big Buck Sprint Enduro

FEATURED SERIES: VIRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HARE SCRAMBLES SERIES VCHSS.ORG

Aug. 30: Rural Retreat, Va.: Coyote Run

Sept. 13: Spring Grove, Va.: Peninsula at Southwark

Sept. 27: Chatham, Va.: Joe Lloyd Memorial

Oct. 11: Rural Retreat, Va.: Rattlesnake

Nov. 1: Spring Grove, Va.: Pipsico

Nov. 8: Rural Retreat, Va.: The Hillbilly Hare Scramble

FEATURED SERIES: WESTERN CHECKPOINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP RIDECHEC.COM

Oct. 3: Chimney Rock, Utah: Sageriders MC

Oct. 18: Red Mountain, Calif.: Training Wheels MC

Oct. 25: Elkins Flat, Calif.: Polka Dots MC

Nov. 15: Stoneyford, Calif.: Valley Climbers MC

FEATURED SERIES: WESTERN NEW YORK OFF-ROAD ASSOCIATION WNYOA.NET

Aug. 23: South Edmeston, N.Y.: Thunder Ridge

Aug. 30: Speedsville, N.Y.: Cross Country Customs

Sept. 13: Moravia, N.Y.: Twisted Fence

Sept. 19-20: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla

Sept. 27: Jasper, N.Y.: STER

Oct. 11: Location TBD: The Finale

July 19: West Branch, Mich.: Ogemaw Hills

Sept. 13: Freemansburg, Pa.: Bushkill Valley

High Adventure. No Hassle. The best routes, roads and two-track, 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

2015 EVENTS

Sept. 27: Jefferson, Pa.: White Rose Motorcycle Club Oct. 11: Oregonia, Ohio: Dayton Motorcycle Club

Sept. 18-20: Sturgis, S.D.: Downtown Sturgis

Nov. 6-8: Tucson, Ariz.: Muscle Man Honda

Aug. 29-Sept. 3: Wendover, Utah

Sept. 17-21: Wendover, Utah

RECREATION

BETA AMA NATIONAL DUAL SPORT SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Sept. 12-13: Golden Pond, Ky.: KT Riders

Sept. 19-20: Logan, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters

Sept. 26-27: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Family Off-Road Adventures

Sept. 26-27: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders

Oct. 3-4: McArthur, Ohio: Enduro Riders Association

Oct. 3-4: Mount Solon, Va.: Washington Area Trail Riders, Inc.

Oct. 24-25: Payson, Ariz.: Arizona Trail Riders

Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen MC Inc.

UPDATED: Nov. 21-22: Amado, Ariz.: Trail Riders of Southern Arizona

Nov. 27-28: Palmdale, Calif.: AMA District 37 Dual Sport

Dec. 12: Tucson, Ariz.: Tucson Dual Sport LLC

AMA NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Take a photo of yourself at eligible events and send it to the AMA Road Riding Department to earn points and be entered to win prizes.

This tour takes place in conjunction with AMA Oasis locations, which are key spots at major motorcycling events where the AMA offers members a chance to get a drink and relax amid the commotion.

Visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > SENA AMA Flash Tour to view eligible events and get more information.

AMA VINTAGE GRAND TOUR AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Road riders can earn points by attending events that are part of the AMA Vintage Grand Tour.

Visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > AMA Vintage Grand Tour to view eligible events, download the registration form, and get more information.

HALL OF FAME EXHIBITS AND EVENTS

AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME

YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES

Sept. 12-13: Pineola, N.C.: Appalachian Trail Riders

Sept. 19-20: Logan, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters

Sept. 26-27: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders

Oct. 24-25: Payson, Ariz.: Arizona Trail Riders

Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen MC Inc.

Nov. 13-15: Hammonton, N.J.: BMW of Manhattan Motorcycles

UPDATED: Nov. 21-22: Amado, Ariz.: Trail Riders of Southern Arizona

Nov. 27-28: Palmdale, Calif.: AMA District 37 Dual Sport

The Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally

Sept. 16-20: Ruidoso, N.M.: MotorcycleRally.com

AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS

AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Jan. 1-Dec. 15: Best 15 U.S. Roads Challenge: SC-MA.com, steve_ howe@sc-ma.com, (562) 298-6236

Jan. 1-Dec. 15: USA Four Corners Tour: SC-MA.com, steve_howe@ sc-ma.com, (562) 298-6236

April 1-Oct. 31: Tour of Honor: TourOfHonor.com

Sept. 3-7: Three Flags Classic: SCMA.com, steve_howe@sc-ma.com, (562) 298-6236

AMA NATIONAL GYPSY TOURS

AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Killington Classic

Aug. 27-30: Killington, Vt.: KillingtonClassic.com

AMA NATIONAL TOURING RALLIES

AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Rally In The Gorge

MOTORCYCLEMUSEUM.ORG

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

Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: The main floor of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame celebrates Hall of Fame inductees, the heroes of the track, road, trails and halls of government who have elevated the sport to new heights. Now featuring the 2014 inductees.

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

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

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

Aug. 26-30: Hood River, Ore.: soundrider.com/rally

AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS

AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

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

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

SENA AMA FLASH TOUR

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

AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY AT AIMEXPO

MOTORCYCLEMUSEUM.ORG

Oct. 17: Orlando, Fla.: Held in conjunction with AIMExpo. Tickets are $25 per person. VIP tickets are $90 per person and include an exclusive reception, reserved seating and AIMExpo admission.

Sound RIDER!

MY COMMUTE

A Ride Is What You Make It

By Sam Phillips

You probably won’t hear many folks say this, but “I am blessed to have a 120-mile roundtrip commute to work.”

When people hear me say that, they usually ask why I don’t move closer to work, or express that they’d never be able to do it. However, as a motorcyclist, I consider the distance I get to ride every day a blessing.

A lot of that has to do with where I live: beautiful southern Ohio. I live in an area that has an overabundance of great routes to ride with amazing scenery. It’s breathtaking here, especially in the spring. Sure, my commute can be a bit boring in the winter months, but when consistently good riding weather is here for the season, I’m ready to ride.

My bike is a 2005 Yamaha Royal Star Venture. I’ve learned that a great touring bike can be a great commuter bike, especially if you commute as far as I do, and that’s definitely the case with my Yamaha. The bike is loaded, and it has enough storage that I can carry a variety of gear for weather changes. My favorite feature is the electronic cruise control. This is my first bike with this feature and, though I was leery of it at first, I have learned how to use it safely and rely on it a lot.

I have updated the OEM lights with aftermarket bright white driving lights, which helps with visibility in the dark morning hours. I installed a Clear View windshield, which is larger with the same height as stock. It does a great job of blocking inclement weather and wind.

My mornings start off just like those of most working folks. I wake, wash up, make some coffee, pack my lunch, check the weather, and prep for my commute. However everything changes once I head to the garage.

After 37 years of riding, I’m a firm believer in All The Gear, All The Time. If it’s cold (40 degrees to 60 degrees) I’ll wear chaps, a heated vest, cold weather gloves, and a jacket with liner. If it’s warmer, my gear isn’t much different, although I have variations more suited to higher temperatures. I always wear a helmet, eye protection and boots. One of my favorite additions to my riding gear is a vented jacket for hot weather riding. If you don’t own one, get one. They make riding in the summer much more comfortable and safer. After gearing up and warming up my

Yamaha, my commute begins. Starting at my house, I head down a county road and turn north on S.R. 93 toward Jackson, Ohio. S.R. 93 is a great road from end to end, but for my commute, I ride just a short portion of it. Once I reach Jackson, I head west on S.R. 32.

At this point in my commute, I usually take the four-lane highway in the morning for two reasons. One is due to the white tail deer activity. They move about a lot in the mornings, and the four-lane provides more visibility to spot them before they cross the road. Two, I love coffee. I have a Cruiser Kaddy installed on my bike and an insulated coffee mug that fits in it. Once I get on the highway and set the cruise control, I can relax for the ride and safely drink my coffee.

I will ride S.R. 32 for about 42 miles before turning south onto S.R. 73. I will only be on 73 for three miles before turning into the county road that will take me to the plant where I work, Peebles Test Operations. The morning commute is always nice, but the best ride is on my way home.

After work, I gear up according to the weather and head back out to S.R. 73. Once there, I turn south and ride to Otway. This takes me through the Brush Creek area, which is a great backdrop for a late afternoon ride. There, I turn east onto S.R. 348 and ride it to Lucasville. At Lucasville,

I cross Route 23 at the intersection and follow Lucasville-Minford Road. It is a county road, but it is well kept and a scenic ride all the way to Muletown.

At Muletown, I cross S.R. 335 and take a county road to Route 139. I head north until it meets up with S.R. 279. I take this to my home in Oak Hill. Both Routes 139 and 279 are amazing roads with seemingly endless scenery and winding curves that can test your cornering abilities. A nice plus is that I can pack my fishing pole and stop at Jackson Lake on Route 279 as I enter Oak Hill.

Hopefully it’s clear why I feel blessed to have a 120-mile commute. Of the 12,000 miles I average a year, most of that is my commute to work and back. But I wouldn’t change it for the world, and it never gets boring to me. Even though the route may rarely change, every day offers something new to see or experience—wildlife, other motorcyclists, amazing sunrises, cloud formations, the list goes on. For even more variety, several county roads and state routes are available for detours.

Life is what you make it. For me, my motorcycle is a wonderful tool that allows me to turn a 120-mile commute into a highlight of my day.

Sam Phillips is an AMA member from Oak Hill, Ohio. He’s a member of the AMAchartered Appalachian Dirt Riders.

IT’S IN THE DETAILS.

You know every inch of your bike. Not just the engine size, or the color code of the paint. It’s the special details that only you know about. Like the way the exhaust opens up just right at 3,200rpm. Or that scuff on the footpeg you picked up while riding through Deal’s Gap.

It’s the details that make your bike unique, and no one knows this more than GEICO. With GEICO Motorcycle insurance, you’ll get coverage specific to your bike, and a team of people who love motorcycles as much as you do.

When it comes to insurance, it’s the little things that make a big difference. Trust the details to GEICO Motorcycle.