American Motorcyclist May 2015 Street (preview version)

MAY 2015

ADVOCATING FOR MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS

Photo Matthew James Photographers

REMEMBERING A CONTINENTAL, COLD WAR TOUR

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riding has evolved. ©2015 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. Some models depicted may include optional equipment. Always ride responsibly and safely. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Don’t drink and drive.

T MO RIDES E E M P A W S SHOWS, DE S R A N I M E S , G BIKE N I C RA

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2015 AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS July 10-12, 2015 • Lexington, Ohio Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com Facebook.com/AMAVintageMotorcycleDays #AMAVMD

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PAGE 26. Updates from the world of racing.

10. LETTERS 12. VIEWPOINT 14. RIGHTS 34. HALL OF FAME 42. EVENTS CALENDAR y!

54. GUEST COLUMN

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May 2015 Volume 69, Number 5 Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com

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Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147.

Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices.

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DIRT COVER Andrew Putt is riding the U.S. round of the World Trial Championship this July 25-26 when the event returns to its inaguaral location of 40 years ago.

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.

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PAGE 22. Motorcycles and mutts—a perfect combination.

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Vintage racing, bike shows, a swap meet and more—it’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 10-12 in Lexington, Ohio.

This and more must-do motorcycling events are in our calendar section, starting on page 42.

STREET COVER Surj Gish chooses to split lanes. He wants you to have the freedom to make that choice as well.

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.

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AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Contact any member of the AMA Board of

Directors at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ about/board

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

Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, Chair

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

Paul Puma, Executive Committee Member,

Schenectady, N.Y.

Perry King, Vice Chair, Northern California Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.

Laguna Beach, Calif.

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

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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.

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AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES (continued) Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager

Bob Chaddock, Vice President, Administration Sean Maher, Director AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations Jordan Cavallaro, Museum Admissions and Collections Assistant Beth Owen, Receptionist/Donor Relations Specialist Paula Schremser, Program Specialist Katy Wood, Collections Manager AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES

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Scott Miller, Milwaukee, Wis.

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

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Jeff Skeen, Executive Committee Member,

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 Tamra Jones, Racing Coordinator Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager Cherie Schlatter, Organizer Services Manager Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator

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 Sharon Long, Legislative Affairs Coordinator Rick Podliska, Deputy Director Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager, Off-Highway Marie Wuelleh, Government Affairs Specialist INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Jennifer Kirkpatrick, IT Director Dave Coleman, Network Architect MARKETING Mark Christian, Director of Marketing Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing Specialist MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY Lori Cavucci, Member Services Representative Christina Dolin, Member Services Representative Deb D’Andrea, Member Services Representative Jeremiah Hassler, Call Center Manager Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative

MEMBER LETTERS

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.

Letter of the Month

RIDER FUNDS Thank you for your article in the March issue regarding the diversion of state motorcycle safety training funds away from their intended purpose. Please add Nebraska to your list of states where this “bait and switch” plundering has begun.

The Nebraska Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund was self-funded by motorcyclists through fees on registration and licenses, and generated around $270,000 per year to help underwrite student tuition for Motorcycle Safety Foundation-certified safety training. In 2011, our legislature raided this fund and diverted current and future funds to the Nebraska Highway Trust Fund for highway construction.

The amount of money involved, while modest compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars that flows through the trust fund from other sources, was a significant incentive for broadening safe rider training and thus reducing accidents and fatalities in our state.

This rapacious action gives new, literal meaning to the term “highway robbery.” Given the power of those involved in this shortsighted and disingenuous raid on our own money, I am not confident it can be reversed, but I thank the AMA for exposing these practices in other states, and for standing ready to assist.

Dave Fischer AMA Life Member Lincoln, Neb.

MAKING IT RIGHT When the AMA first adopted the policy of including its Roadside Assistance Program free with the automatic annual membership plan, I jumped right on board. Over those years, I have used this service three times, two of these with incidents involving my automobile.

I was always impressed with the service provided, especially since it was free.

Several weeks ago, I was stuck away from home with a dead battery in my bike.

No problem. I just whipped out my AMA Membership card, looked on the backside and dialed the number for Roadside Assistance. I was kept on hold for 20 minutes with the same cheerful recording looping over and over again. Thinking that perhaps this number had changed, or that AMA might have contracted with a new towing service, I dialed the AMA headquarters and explained my problem.

The lady at the other end of the line immediately dialed the correct number and patched me in. Same recording as before. After another 15 minutes of waiting, I hung up and contacted a local motorcycle towing service that got us to the nearest dealer for my brand. The cost for this service was $93.

Several days later, I dialed the AMA Roadside Assistance number and was immediately connected with customer service. When I explained my experience, no explanation for why I had this communication problem could be determined. It was suggested that I could

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plead my case in writing and file a claim for reimbursement. I had a “yeah, sure” attitude about recovering this cost.

In about three weeks, I received a letter from Road America. Thinking that it was probably a solicitation for travel insurance or some such thing, I almost tossed it in the trash. However, I took the time to open it and—oh-ma’-gosh!—it was a short letter and a check for $93, from the contractor for the AMA Roadside Service.

Thank you AMA and Road America for coming through, and providing exemplary customer service.

Gary Prickett AMA Charter Life Member Thanks for the note, Gary. Unfortunately, mistakes can happen. But we’re happy to make it right when they do—and we insist the partners we work with do the same.

WORK TO BE DONE As a motorcyclist and AMA member, I am proud of the work we all do for the motorcycling community. There are two things I would like to touch on.

One is insurance. In New York state, motorcyclists are not covered under New York’s no-fault insurance laws, which means if you get hurt in an accident your insurance company will not pay for any medical whatsoever. So your only recourse is to get a lawyer and sue the other driver—if there was another vehicle involved. I find this appalling. Plus, not

many riders are even aware of it, so they pay insurance and think they are covered.

This needs to be changed.

On the subject of E15, we can fight a good fight, but it will happen eventually, so shouldn’t we pressure motorcycle manufacturers to produce cycles capable of running on E85 now so if E15 becomes a reality, there will at least be some bikes on the road that won’t have an issue?

Doug Attridge Mattituck, N.Y. Thanks for the note, Doug, we share your sentiments about insurance.

Regarding E15 and the pressure to roll it out nationally, market forces will dictate what the manufacturers do. Our objections revolve around the absence of any testing for motorcycles and ATVs and the very real possibility that inadvertent misfueling will cause significant damage to a number of the 22 million motorcycles and ATVs currently in operation. The best recourse is to pressure those in government to pass motorcyclist-friendly legislation rather than laws that hurt or ignore us.

DRIVER COMPLIANCE I have been working for the military and living overseas for over 10 years now in both Germany and Italy. I will admit that riding in Italy took awhile to get used to because of their very aggressive style of driving. But in time I was able to adjust.

I will attest to what many readers have said thus far that lane splitting in Europe is a norm, and when you follow the local news, most accidents are not from lane splitting.

While driving to Germany from Italy, I had encountered a couple of traffic jams or “staus” as they are called in Germany. A stau is quite common in Germany and you plan your trips to include this wait, which can sometimes last for 5-10 kilometers if not more. I was in my lane waiting for traffic to move when I started to see the cars in front of me part like the Red Sea did for Moses. Then there was a line of motorcycles that slowly moved between them, navigating the stau. I joined them, and it was amazing to see the cars actually move out of the way to let the motorcycles move forward.

The key to lane splitting is to get both parties, the car driver and motorcyclists, to understand the concept and drive responsibly, thus creating a safe environment for traffic to flow. In the end, it is always about all parties involved driving safely regardless of their mode of transportation—something I hope to

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

in response to the second round of voting for March #MotorcycleMadness between a 1942 Harley-davidson WlA and a 1988 Buell rr1200 …

Greg Willis

John W faulconbridge: This one was tough.

Both are iconic for different reasons. Had to go with the WLA, but the Buell was pretty amazing.

continue when it is my turn to rotate back to the good ol’ USA! Safe travels, my friends.

Corey Kerzmann, President GKMMC Chapter 93 Good Benefit A few months back, I read a letter from a member about the great service he received from AMA Roadside Assistance.

It prompted me to write about my dealings with a company that provides an AMA member discount, Anthony’s Leatherworks.

I race speedway and have no sponsors, so I am always looking for the best quality at the best price, and that is exactly what I got from Anthony’s Leather Works. I walked in without calling ahead and was treated as if I had been dealing with them for years. I was looking to get my race suit repaired and my last name and rider number sewn on.

The picture I included doesn’t fully show the craftsmanship because I went with a single color instead of the popular twocolor because speedway racing can be very hard on leathers. (A 500cc methanolburning motorcycle with no brakes that launches 0 to 60 in under 3 seconds tends to throw you more often than we like.)

I didn’t like the first mockup, and in less time than it took me to decide which one I liked, they revised the design and emailed a winner back to me. I approved it, and in two days the leathers were ready. The total time for the repairs and embroidery was less than two weeks.

They do repairs, re-dying, alterations, laser-cut lettering and more. They are true professionals at their craft and just a pleasure to do business with. If you need work done I would recommend them, and will be having more work done as they are altering and lettering my Bates Leathers next. This is a great member benefit.

Greg Willis West Covina, Calif.

Thanks, Greg. For the record, the AMA member discount from Anthony’s

in response to #WorldBookday giveaway…

Sue A rutherford: I’ve been riding a Yamaha on dirt for a year and now a Harley on the street. I’m convincing more women to try riding every day. I love to share with potential riders. We need more women out there.

in response to a callout for old daytona Bike Week photos… patty nale davis: My father-in-law and his ‘51 Panhead on Daytona Beach during Bike Week 1954. He and my motherin-law also camped on the beach.

Leatherworks is 10 percent. They also do boots and road gear.

CluB Support It was our honor to meet with Rob Baughman, road riding coordinator for the AMA, at our clubhouse during Daytona Bike Week. It was good to see that the AMA has recognized that the members who are road riders make up an important part of the AMA. We are a large part of the AMA membership and are most often seen by the non-riding public.

Our club, the Daytona 200 MC (www.daytona200mc.com), was established in 1943 by Daytona Beach locals who offered to be the flagmen for the AMA when they first began the Daytona 200 races on the beach. In the beginning, they called themselves the Daytona Beach Motorcycle Club and were mentioned in the 1947 AMA magazine that they chartered with them that February.

We began as a dirt and street club and founded the Alligator Enduro in 1949 and ran it for over 20 years until the two interests split when the Daytona Dirt

Riders was formed.

Today, we at the Daytona 200 MC hold the Alligator Rob Baughman Road Tour on the Wednesday of Bike Week each year where we take visitors on a guided ride throughout the Florida countryside.

Many of the people who choose to camp with us during Bike Week and Biketoberfest events do so because we are an AMA Club, and we hope to continue to work with the AMA for many years into the future.

Once again, thanks to the AMA and Rob Baughman for taking the time to come and visit with us during the Daytona Bike Week. It really meant a lot to quite a few of us. Included is a picture of Rob standing next to one of our early historic flags.

Fred Martz, President Daytona 200 MC

May 2015

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VIEWPOINT

BENEFITS OF AMA MEMBERSHIP Supplementing Your Support

The AMA’s greatest resource is our members. Whether it is your membership dues or your grassroots efforts to fight for our motorcycling freedoms, you are the lifeblood of this organization.

Members are without question the AMA’s most essential

By Bruce Moffat constituency, bound by our support of the common mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.

Many partners that share our goals support the AMA as well. Some companies have joined the association as business members. Other organizations are chartered as event promoters. Chartered clubs are not-for-profit groups that bring together like-minded motorcyclists under the AMA umbrella.

Then there are companies with which we have established financial relationships that benefit our members and are an asset to our association. Some of these may also be business members or chartered organizations, but all are important to our success. They advertise in this magazine, sponsor our events and the events of our partners, and they contribute to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. When you do business with these companies, by association, you also demonstrate your support for the AMA and your commitment to protecting your freedom to ride and race.

In turn, these relationships can benefit you financially.

Many of these same businesses are AMA member-benefit providers. These are companies that have established formal agreements with the AMA to give you, our members, discounts on their products or services.

One of those companies is Nationwide Insurance.

The AMA negotiated significant benefit opportunities with Nationwide on your behalf so you can save money on insurance, financial services and more. As a result of our agreement, AMA members will be contacted directly by Nationwide to explain these new benefits.

Some of you have already received communication from Nationwide and others of you will receive these notices over the next few months.

Insurance products for motorcycle/powersports,

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auto, property, life and pets are covered by the new Nationwide partnership. Banking services, including loans for motorcycle and powersports purchases, also will be available with various incentives.

In addition, a new cash-back AMA-themed credit card will be available. As many of you know, an AMA-themed credit card from another provider was recently discontinued. We heard from members who were disappointed in losing that benefit and asked for a replacement. This new card is available with nine motorcycle-themed images. You also can create your own card with an image you provide.

Details about the new AMA member discounts and special benefits from Nationwide will be forthcoming in the communications that Nationwide sends you about these products. We are confident that you will be pleased with the advantages you will receive as an AMA member.

As with any AMA member benefit, you are under no obligation whatsoever to purchase these services. They are simply provided to you if you are interested.

I’m also pleased to add that there is more to our relationship with Nationwide than simply saving money on insurance or banking. When you take advantage of these benefits from Nationwide, the company will further contribute financially to the AMA and support our efforts to protect the motorcycle lifestyle and promote the future of motorcycling. These contributions include royalties, advertising, event sponsorship and donations.

In fact, as you ride around this beautiful country of ours this spring, summer and fall attending AMA events, you may encounter Nationwide Insurance representatives explaining these latest member benefits. We encourage you to learn more from them about the special benefits you can receive as an AMA member.

Your AMA membership dues will always be the most important resource for our association. But it’s also important that the AMA pursue additional avenues of revenue to further strengthen our hand against the forces that oppose the motorcycle lifestyle. The full scope of our relationship with Nationwide is one example of the AMA working hard to supplement your support of our mission.

No other motorcycling organization is in a position to lobby the federal government on our members’ behalf as effectively as the AMA. A stronger AMA ultimately means more and better riding and racing opportunities for all of us. And more resources make us stronger.

Thank you again for your support. Your membership dues, and your support of the companies that support the AMA, are critical to our motorcycling future.

Bruce Moffat is the chief financial officer of the AMA.

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Visit Federal Public Lands for Free

The federal government has announced the list of days when the public can access the nation’s land without paying fees.

The AMA urges you to take advantage of these fee-free days to explore public lands across the United States.

Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees for federal lands. Other fees, such

APRIL 18-19

Opening Weekend of National Park Week, fee free at National Park Service properties.

JUNE 13

National Get Outdoors Day, a fee-free day through the U.S Forest Service properties.

AUG. 25

National Park Service Birthday, fee free at National Park Service properties.

as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties, are not included, unless stated otherwise.

Certain sites may require additional entrance fees applied to trail maintenance. Please contact your local field office in order to determine if this specific fee will be waived.

The days on which there will be no fees on federal lands are:

SEPT. 26

For National Public Lands Day, fees will be waived at lands managed by the National Park Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service.

AMA SUPPORTS LANE-SPLITTING BILLS IN FOUR STATES

Responsible Technique Reduces Congestion, Protects Riders The AMA supports the efforts of motorcyclists and legislators in four states who are working to protect riders while reducing traffic congestion by permitting lane splitting in their states.

Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Washington state have considered bills this session that would legalize and regulate the practice.

Lane splitting or lane filtering occurs when a motorcyclist uses the space between cars to pass slowly moving or stopped traffic.

Numerous studies, including two released in October 2014, show that lane-splitting riders were less likely than other

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motorcyclists to be the victims of rearend collisions and were less likely to suffer injury when crashes occurred.

The AMA position statement on lane splitting can be found here: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ Rights/PositionStatements/ LaneSplitting.aspx.

OCT. 11

In honor of National Wildlife Refuge Week, all amenity fees will be waived at properties managed by the Fish & Wildlife Service.

NOV. 11

In honor of our nation’s veterans, the DOI will waive amenity fees on all of America’s public lands.

AMA SUPPORTS BILL TO PROTECT RIDERS FROM UNSAFE FUEL

Bipartisan Senate Legislation Seeks End To Corn Ethanol Mandate

The AMA supports S. 577, the Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015, which would help curtail the spread of potentially harmful E15 gasoline blends to service stations across the country.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)

Fuel blends containing higher than 10 percent ethanol by volume are not approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles. And using E15 or higher blends can cause damage to engines and fuel systems, as well as void a manufacturer’s warranty.

The widespread availability of E15 would increase the chances for misfueling.

S. 577 was introduced by U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.).

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BLINDSPOT MONITORING SYSTEMS SLOW TO SPOT BIKES

Study Says Motorcycles Detected 26 Percent Slower A study of motor-vehicle safety systems by AAA found that motorcycles are detected 26 percent more slowly than a typical car, indicating that drivers should not rely on blind spot detection devices or lane-departure warnings.

The study carries implications for riders and motorists alike, as the auto industry increases the use of vehicleto-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure technology and testing continues on autonomous cars.

The AMA has urged national and state lawmakers and regulatory agencies to consider motorcycles

when drafting legislation governing new technology. And the AMA has encouraged carmakers and aftermarket manufacturers to include motorcycles when testing their systems.

Reliance on technology to avoid crashes may lull drivers into a false sense of security, further jeopardizing motorcyclists in traffic situations.

Motorcyclists must place themselves in the best position to be seen by drivers. Also, drivers must continue to use proven techniques—such as a quick glance over the shoulder—before attempting maneuvers.

SENATE REPORT EXPOSES V2V VULNERABILITIES Hackers Can Unlock Doors, Take Control Of Cars

A congressional study rise of navigation and other features that record and send overseen by U.S. Sen. Ed location or driving history Markey (D-Mass.) showed that vehicle monitoring and information.”

The AMA has urged U.S. control systems are subject to attacks that could jeopardize lawmakers and regulatory agencies to delay introduction the safety of the vehicle owner and fellow motorists. of additional vehicle U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.)

Vehicle systems are technology until it can be made safe and secure. vulnerable to manipulation through wireless networks, smartphones, The AMA is concerned about motorcyclists’ safety as they ride near infotainment systems and malicious vehicles vulnerable to hacking. And the CDs, the report concludes.

Hackers were able to control cars, AMA wants the private data collected “causing them to suddenly accelerate, by monitoring and control systems to turn, kill the brakes, activate the horn, remain secure.

“Drivers have come to rely on these control the headlights, and modify the new technologies, but the automakers speedometer and gas gauge readings.

Additional concerns came from the haven’t done their part,” Markey says.

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In 2013, several auto manufacturers assured the AMA that their detection systems would spot motorcycles, as well as other vehicles.

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. acknowledged that larger vehicles, such as cars, are more easily detected than motorcycles and even larger motorcycles are detected more readily than smaller motorcycles.

BMW Group, Ford Motor Co. and Mercedes-Benz USA LLC said their systems were tested with motorcycles and were designed to detect them.

CONGRESS MEMBERS PUSH VEHICLE WIFI Measures Would Require Untested Tech

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced S.B. 424, the Wi-Fi Innovation Act, which would require the Federal Communications Commission to open the upper 5.8 GHz and lower 5.9 GHz band spectrum to unlicensed devices.

The senators’ bill would eliminate the FCC and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ability to ensure the technology is free from interference.

The AMA opposes the bill on the grounds that more testing U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is needed.

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NHTSA SAYS HELMET USE INCREASED IN 2014 Highway Riders, Southern States Showed Largest Increases

Helmet use among all motorcyclists rose from 60 percent in 2013 to 64 percent in 2014, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Overall helmet use peaked at 71 percent in 2000 and fell to 48 percent in 2005. But helmet use typically has been between 58 percent and 65 percent since 1994, according to the NHTSA report.

Helmet use among motorcyclists on expressways increased significantly to 81 percent, up from 64 percent in 2013, the study shows.

Helmet use among motorcyclists in the southern states also increased significantly to 78 percent, up from 65

percent in 2013, according to the NHTSA. The study, conducted by the National Occupant Protection Use Survey, included observation of 684 motorcycles and 806 motorcyclists.

Helmet use in states with universal mandatory helmet laws was 89 percent, just 1 percentage point higher than in 2013, the study shows. Use in states without universal mandatory helmet laws was 48 percent in 2014, compared to 49 percent the year before.

Use of non-DOT-compliant helmets fell to 5 percent from 7 percent in 2013.

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Senator Would Limit Presidential Authority

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U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has introduced a bill that would require the president to obtain U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo congressional (R-Idaho) approval and certify compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 before designating federal land as a national monument.

S. 228, the National Monument Designation Transparency and Accountability Act of 2015, also would require that the president determine that the state in which the proposed national monument would be located has enacted legislation approving the designation.

The AMA has objected to presidential designation of national monuments without congressional approval and in the absence of input from state and local jurisdictions and from those who use federal lands for motorized and other recreation.

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STATEWATCH CALIFORNIA A.B. 334, introduced by Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova), would require the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to ensure that the profiling of motorcycle riders is addressed in the course of basic law enforcement training and offered to law enforcement officers in conjunction with existing training regarding profiling and would require all local law enforcement agencies to adopt a written policy designed to condemn and prevent the profiling of motorcycle riders and to review and audit any existing policies to ensure that those policies do not enable or foster the practice of profiling motorcycle riders.

CONNECTICUT Proposed Bill 517, introduced by state Sen. L. Scott Frantz (R- Riverside), would eliminate the requirement that an operator of a three-wheeled vehicle obtain a special license or endorsement, as is required for motorcycles, provided the operator has received training provided by a dealership.

MARYLAND H.B. 917, introduced by state Delegate Benjamin Kramer (D-Montgomery County), would prohibit a police officer at a motor vehicle checkpoint from targeting only motorcycles for inspection or evaluation, unless the stop is part of an investigation.

brooksleather-onesixth-vert.ai Please refer production questions Allen Hanford allenhanford@yahoo.com 267-312-1645 AMA

Members Call for Discount

H.B. 918, also introduced by Kramer, would require the Police Training Commission to issue a written statement that condemns motorcyclist profiling by police officers and develop a course of study on motorcyclist profiling. The to: companion bill, S.B. 717, was introduced by state Sen. Wayne Norman (R- Bel Air).

H.B. 16, introduced by state Delegate Cheryl Glenn (D-Baltimore), would prohibit in Baltimore City the sale of any vehicle that

is prohibited from use in the city under any state or local law. This law would ban the sale of off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles inside the city limits.

NEW MEXICO H.B. 2, sponsored by state Rep. Larry A. Larrañaga (R- Albuquerque), would transfer $500,000 from the state’s dedicated OffHighway-Vehicle Trail Safety Fund to the state parks budget. The trail safety fund, established by the 2005 OHV Act, receives revenue from OHV registration fees.

NEW YORK S.B. 2381, introduced by state Sen. Mike Nozzolio (R-Fayette), would exempt motorcyclists over the age of 21 from the requirement to wear a helmet when operating or riding a motorcycle.

S.B. 3574, introduced by state Sen. Adriano Espaillat (D- Manhattan) would prohibit more than 50 motorcyclists from gathering and riding as a group unless they obtain a permit from the New York City Department of Transportation.

S.B 3076, introduced by state Sen. Catherine Young (R- Olean), would exempt all-terrain vehicles from registration requirements if the vehicle is operated on the owner’s land or land owned by a private club or association and no payments are made by the owner of the ATV. OREGON S. 424, introduced by state Sen. Jeff Kruse (R-Roseburg), provides that a retail dealer, non-retail dealer or wholesale dealer may sell or offer for sale gasoline that is not blended with ethanol if the gasoline is for use in motorcycles.

Also, H.B. 2512, introduced by state Rep. Brian L. Clem (D-Salem), would allow motorcycle and moped riders to ride on the road shoulder when traffic has stopped

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PENNSYLVANIA WOMAN DENIED SENTENCE REDUCTION Motorcycle Passenger Killed In Crash

A Bensalem, Pa., woman was denied reconsideration of her sentence in connection with a 2011 crash that killed 30-year-old motorcycle passenger Janel Cook and severely injured motorcyclist Michael Martell.

Pauline Redonggo-Beffert, 48, pleaded guilty in 2013 to involuntary manslaughter, vehicular homicide and related crimes.

She admitted to driving drunk at a speed of 92 mph in a 40-mph zone.

She also ran a red light before striking

the motorcycle from behind.

Bucks County, Pa., Judge Wallace H. Bateman sentenced Redonggo-Beffert to 12 years in state prison.

Redonggo-Beffert’s lawyer argued that the sentence exceeded the state’s mandatory minimum of three years to six years for vehicular homicide while driving under the influence.

By pleading guilty, Redonggo-Beffert had “accepted responsibility” and has been well behaved while incarcerated, her attorney said.

Keep informed on state legislation with AMA Action Alerts at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/rights. or slowed to 25 mph or less and the motorcyclist is traveling less than 30 mph.

TENNESSEE H.B. 1102, introduced by state Rep. Timothy Hill (R-Blountville), 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 a marked school zone when a warning flasher or flashers are in operation.

VERMONT H. 166, introduced by state Reps. Alison H. Clarkson (D-Woodstock) and Bill Frank (D-Underhill), would prohibit from street use any motorcycle with a muffler lacking interior baffle plates or other effective muffling devices or a device or modification that amplifies the noise emitted by the vehicle. Fines for violating the statue would range from $100 for a first offense to $350 for the third or subsequent offenses.

WASHINGTON H.B. 1244, co-sponsored by state Reps.

Matt Shea (R-Spokane Valley), Elizabeth Scott (R-Monroe) and seven others, would reduce motorcycle rider liability for actions required of helmet manufacturers.

Specifically, the bill would absolve

CHARGES LODGED AGAINST WOMAN ACCUSED IN FATAL CRASH North Carolina Prosecutors Seek Felony Conviction

Wake County, N.C., prosecutors have filed charges of second-degree murder and aggravated felony death by vehicle against a Raleigh woman accused of driving drunk at an excessive speed and killing a Cary motorcyclist.

Kiera Jo Sprouse, 23, is accused in connection with the death of Thomas John Anstey, 50.

Prosecutors say Sprouse’s car was traveling at 113 mph when she hit the back of Antsey’s Honda motorcycle in January. Sprouse had a pending DWI motorcycle helmet retail purchasers from responsibility for assuring that their helmets meet federal standards.

Also, S. 5198, introduced by state Sen. Don Benton (R-Vancouver), would require motorcycle helmets only for riders and passengers younger than age 18.

WEST VIRGINIA S. 17, authored by state Sen. Ron Stollings (D–Boone), would allow the

charge in Pitt County, N.C., when the crash occurred and had an alcoholrelated conviction in New York, they say.

Sprouse also faces charges of felony hit and run causing death, failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision, no operator’s license, no insurance, expired registration plate, and driving while impaired.

Police found Sprouse’s car abandoned on the highway and arrested her later at her home. governing body of a municipality located within a county participating in the HatfieldMcCoy recreational trail project to regulate the use of unlicensed off-road motorcycles operated in compliance with legislative rules established by the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority on any street, road or avenue within the municipal corporate limits. The bill also would grant counties in the Hatfield-McCoy area permission to do the same.

MOTORCYCLES, MOVIES AND MUTTS

Eric Ristau Combines Three American Favorites Into Heartwarming Film

by Jim Witters

We’ve all seen them, riders who tote evening. It was my first 20 minutes on a canines in sidecars. They cruise slowly mid-1980s Honda Sabre VF1100, which along the beach during Bike Week in was by far the most powerful bike I Daytona Beach. They show up at car and had ever ridden. I took in a long series bike shows, puttering through of perfectly paved sweepers the parking lot. through ponderosa pine forests And, pretty much everywhere and then jetted out onto an open they go, they garner a lot of plateau of wheat fields on a attention. Some folks swing by to 5-mile-long piece of pavement. chat about the sidecar rigs. And I felt perfectly comfortable with the rest want to talk about, pet my riding skills, and I knew that and ogle the pooch. particular road like the back of Eric Ristau and his wife, my hand, and with the additional Geneva Liimatta, became power of the V65, I was, for the Eric Ristau and Geneva Liimatta intrigued with the phenomenon, first time, entirely one with the turned to Kickstarter to raise bike and the environment. some cash and created a documentary AM: What is your favorite motorcycle about these loveable creatures and their human chaffeurs. scene in a movie—your movie or someone else’s?

“Sit Stay Ride: The Story of America’s ER: I have a laundry list of favorite scenes Sidecar Dogs” introduces us to 15 dogs and 18 riders who will make you smile, and moments in motorcycle films. But sigh and seriously consider a sidecar, all in there is something incredibly special a space of about 80 minutes. about writing a scene based on a personal The movie is available at experience, working to re-create that www.sidecardogs.com. scene with actors, and commit it to film in Ristau, a 38-year-old resident of the context of a greater story.

Missoula, Mont., agreed to share with Several years ago, my brother, Damon, AMA members some insights about his life and I produced a feature-length narrative film called “The Best Bar in America.” The and profession. story followed a writer, traveling the West AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST: What was your on a 1960 BMW R60/2 with a Velorex sidecar. It was a low-budget film created first motorcycle? And when did you as a labor of love. We wanted to produce start riding?

ERIC RISTAU: A 1982 Yamaha Vision [XZ a film together that would contain many of the things we love most—motorcycling 550] passed from an uncle, to cousins, to my brother, to me. on the open highways of the West, It wasn’t until I was in my late teens remote roadhouses filled with interesting that I first rode a motorcycle—my dad’s characters, sleeping on the ground next to a campfire and the journey of self Honda Nighthawk. However, many years discovery that solo travel can sometimes before, on a second-grade field trip to a farm owned by one of my classmates, I provide. had my first glimpse of a TrailSport Buffalo AM: Do you think your films promote minibike. As soon as our class got off the bus, my friend raced out of the barn on motorcycling and the motorcycle it and out across the fields. It was a very lifestyle? Was that your intent?

ER: When my brother and I set out to dramatic entrance, and it blew my mind.

Fifteen years later, my dad and brother acquired motorcycles about the same time, providing the opportunity for all of us to learn the art and science of riding.

AM: ER:

What do you ride now?

A 1974 BMW R75/6.

AM: What is your favorite motorcycle memory?

ER: To this day, my favorite motorcycle memory is of a ride on the outskirts of Spokane, Wash., on a gorgeous summer

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

make “The Best Bar in America,” we didn’t set out to make a motorcycle movie. We wanted to make a film that reflected our own experiences, including those on motorcycles, in an artistic and authentic way. In the end, it has been the motorcycling community that has embraced the film and made it a much greater success than we ever could’ve expected. Winning the grand prize at the 2013 New York Motorcycle Film Festival really gave us a sense for the number of people who share our passions and understand what we were trying to relate.

In the case of “Sit Stay Ride: The Story of America’s Sidecar Dogs,” Geneva and I found that listening to 18 people describe the most enjoyable journeys of their life—with their best friend along in the sidecar—definitely promotes a positive image of motorcycling.

AM: What else would you like to say to AMA members?

ER: I spent many years as a broadcast journalist interacting with elected officials and reporting a huge variety of stories on public interest topics. My No.1 takeaway from those years is how easy it is to let our rights slip away. Being a busy person, I know how it is to assume that someone else will speak up for me—to write their representative or attend the city council meeting. We all have lots to do and can easily rationalize not getting involved, even with the issues we feel passionately about. However, I will never forget how quickly I saw laws enacted and restrictions implemented. I admire the members of the AMA for taking part in the conversation in favor of our rights as motorcyclists. Those who speak up are those who are heard.

FROM THE ARCTIC TO SAHARA A Continental, Cold War Tour Thirty years ago, my bike inhospitable to outsiders and was a Honda VFR750, a superb “The Wall” would not come sportbike, very much not a down for another five years. tourer, and while I’d enjoyed Farther south, Czechoslovakia, some long rides on the Honda, Hungary, Yugoslavia and this one would turn out to be Bulgaria were all under the 15,201 miles, the equivalent of control of the USSR. Politically, halfway round the planet. as well as practically, this could Plus, my partner, Eve, be difficult and not that long wanted very much to be part of ago I had read George Orwell’s

By Rick Wheaton it. Not only would we be riding 1984. two up through 20 countries on Would “Big Brother” agree to three continents, but our finances meant let us ride behind the Iron Curtain? we’d be camping all the way. Our VFR was I got so caught up in organizing the going to be loaded to the max. paperwork and drawing dotted lines It started when I read that the northernthrough countries that had said “yes”— most tip of Europe was the North Cape, or only Romania refused—I had no answer in Norwegian, the Nordkapp. A few days when Eve pointed to Crete and asked, “I later, I read that the southern-most tip of see where we’re aiming for, but how are Europe was Cape Khania, a rocky point we getting home?” that sticks out into the Mediterranean from Thankfully, Eve also had the solution. the island of Crete.

Seeing how close we’d be to Africa, I unfolded my big Hallwag map of she suggested we come home through Europe and found the Nordkapp, about Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. I loved the 500 kilometers above the Arctic Circle. idea, but as well as three more visas, our There was a line of longitude running kit now had to cope with conditions as through it, 25E, and I followed this line varied as Arctic snow and desert sand. south until 25E ran smack through the We set off on June 14 from the United middle of Crete.

Kingdom for the long first leg to the Now I had a plan: A straight line on a Nordkapp—2,700 miles on the road plus map linked the two extreme points of an 600 miles on the ferry across the North entire continent and I was going to ride the Sea. We landed in Bergen in a state of length of it. It lacked detail, but it had the maximum anticipation and were not let virtue of simplicity and, above all, purpose. down. Norway’s coastline is gorgeous.

This direct north-south route would take We rode along deep fjords and past pretty us through large bits of Eastern Europe wooden houses, with snow-covered and this was 1984, the height of the mountains as the ever-present backdrop.

Cold War. East Germany was notoriously Sadly, it rained the six days it took us to ride up the coast, but once at the Nordkapp, we hit a clear spell and got our first proper look at an endless Arctic night.

By a happy coincidence, we arrived in the middle of celebrations for the longest day.

As midnight approached, the sun dropped toward the horizon, a Boy Scout band struck up, and cannons were fired.

We joined in the fun, and it was half an hour or so before we realized, with some shock, that the Arctic sun had merely kissed the horizon and was now climbing back into the sky. By the time we got back to our campsite at 2 a.m., it was hot enough to sunbathe, people were throwing Frisbees and sitting about in deck chairs.

It all felt very strange, and sleep was nearly impossible.

Next morning, slightly groggy, we started our journey into Finland, detouring to the Russian border where we waved at the guards. They didn’t wave back.

Sweden was next, and the long run down the Baltic coast, racing a thunderstorm into Stockholm. After a day here to dry out, we were on the short ferry crossing to Denmark and Copenhagen. We were only just through Scandinavia, and we already had 4,402 miles on the road.

Next stop was the East German port of Rostock and our first brush with Sovietstyle paranoia as tight-lipped border police X-rayed our helmets.

We entered East Germany and were depressed by the dull towns, the grey streets and the drab people. Everyone stared open-mouthed at our Honda, and when we left and returned, we’d find it surrounded by a silent crowd. This added to our sadness. It wasn’t admiration. It was envy for something unattainable.

We continued south into West Berlin.

We visited the Brandenburg Gate, The Wall and Checkpoint Charlie, where a sign in Russian, English and French told us we were about to leave the American Sector.

We were careful not to.

Meeting an old friend there, we had a relaxing day in this vibrant metropolis while a Honda dealer changed our oil and fitted a new rear tire. Freshly shod, we aimed south again and crossed into Czechoslovakia, a country so gloomy it made East Germany seem like Disneyland.

We were encouraged not to loiter in Czechoslovakia, having only a transit visa, but we couldn’t ignore Prague. We

Eve enjoying an Arctic summer night

24

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On the road to the Nordkapp fines and food.

Although very much a Russian enclave, we’d been told Hungary was the “happiest hut in the camp” and certainly we were bowled over by the sophistication and architecture of Budapest. There was some color in the streets and music in the bars.

Next, was Yugoslavia—at that time a dull, grubby Soviet satellite containing some of Europe’s most dangerous roads.

West Germany’s economy was booming and Turkey provided most of the “guest workers.” No hardworking Turk was going to waste his Deutsche marks on airfare, so the main road through Yugoslavia, only a two-lane blacktop, was treacherously Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie

rode in illegally, and emerged stunned by its beauty. We met some nice people who invited us to share their campsite and hid us when the police made their evening check. Outside Prague we had already encountered the police, who would stop us, check our papers and fine us on the spot for no explicit reason. We did not want to meet them under these circumstances.

Luckily, we did not. The next morning, vowing we’d return in happier times we continued south, stopping only for fuel,

26

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

overcrowded, packed with returning Turks.

Bulgaria was an eye opener. We needed fuel shortly after crossing the border, but ran into an enormous queue of stationary traffic that stretched for miles across the hills as far as we could see. On the bike, of course, it was easy to keep moving. When we got to the front, we realized these thousands of vehicles—no exaggeration— were queuing for gas, an astonishing sight.

We were waved up to the pumps by a crowd of smiling locals, hands eager to touch our beautiful red, white and blue machine. In this country, it seemed, our Honda was beyond unattainable. it was a spaceship from another planet.

Out of Bulgaria, we zipped through the top right hand corner of mainland Greece and headed for Turkey. We were excited to be leaving Europe and entering Asia, crossing the enormous suspension bridge across the Bosphorous, the only bridge on Earth that linked two continents.

The freeway into Istanbul was interesting, the overtaking lane solid with traffic, its inside lane empty. For a while we crept along with the crowd, expecting a problem up ahead, but none emerged.

We slipped into the clear and swooped past the crawling traffic at a comfortable 40 mph. An hour later we stopped at a turn out. The overtaking lane was still jammed, and I asked a Turkish driver what the problem was. “Bah!” he said, with a dismissive wave. “Inside lane for women!”

This sad view toward half the world’s population notwithstanding, we had a great time in Turkey. It was obvious we were immersed in a very different culture.

The first time we stopped for gas, a kid came out from his hut, and as he served us his gaze ran over our Honda, staring into the speedometer. I waited for the inevitable two questions: “How fast does it go?” and “How much does it cost?”

Instead, he pointed behind us and asked, “Where you come?” We told him, and he paused, pointed ahead and asked, “Where you go?” before inviting us into his hut for mint tea. We were treated so frequently to this culture of hospitality, and had such interest shown in our journey, that Turkey became the highlight of our journey so far.

Istanbul was astonishing. We walked a street of scribes (a dozen white-robed

men sitting cross-legged on the sidewalk), each in front of an old typewriter. We saw a child leading a bear on a chain. We shopped in a covered market seemingly the size of Maine.

We continued south to Marmaris, to island hop across the Mediterranean to Crete. Annoyingly, a glitch put us on pause for a week (see “The Wrong Island” in the January 2015 issue) but hey, don’t these interruptions make the journey?

Reaching Crete after our unplanned interlude, we spent a day in Heraklion before aligning ourselves with 25E and riding toward Cape Khania. We covered the last few miles thoughtfully, and stood at last at the southern tip of Europe, a ride of 8,180 miles behind us: L.A. to New York three times. Anywhere else we might have experienced a feeling of anti-climax, but we were captivated by the amazing landscape, and the next day walked the gorge of Samaria where sheer walls fall 900 feet to “The Gates” only 12 feet wide.

We turned north, reached the coast of this fascinating island, and ferried to the Greek mainland. We rode across the mountains to the Adriatic and ferried to southern Italy, a poor region of old vineyards and dilapidated churches. Next stop was Africa and, keen to catch up some lost time, we pressed on to Naples to take our last European ferry for the long haul to Tunisia.

We were among returning workers again, this time hundreds of north Africans going home after their shift in Western Europe. They were a cheerfully noisy bunch, but despite our quiet spot on deck we could scarcely sleep for thinking that tomorrow we’d dock in Tunis, and soon be riding the dusty roads of a new continent.

North Africa was an important part of the old Roman Empire, and as we rode out of Tunis we passed some mighty ruins— the amphitheater at Sfax could hold 3,500 spectators—the dry air obviously a good preservative. Camping was difficult with poorly equipped sites, far between, and for a few nights we slept out in the desert spending the bitterly cold nights looking forward to the heat of the day.

By African standards Tunisia is small, about the size of Florida, and after a few days we reached the border with Algeria.

We’d met some travelers who’d taken this route and knew it could be unfriendly, but we needed to cross the Chott El Jerid, the largest salt flats in the Sahara.

Our tires were no good for sand. These enormous salt flats were our only route into Algeria. This was going to be exciting, but we were nervous. They occasionally flooded, and the guidebook described daytime temperatures as “scorching,” the solar radiation as “dense” and the salt

crust as “not always firm.”

But first, the border.

Here we ran into a problem that threatened to derail the rest of the trip.

Despite all our pre-journey inquiries that assured us the crossing was free, the border officials demanded a hefty purchase of Algerian dinars, the equivalent of $2,000. Our checkbook was scorned, our leftover Tunisian cash was ridiculed, and our emergency fund of English notes was greeted with derision. Turning back was out of the question—our Tunisian visas had been canceled. We sat all day in the hot and dusty border At the Arctic post with little prospect of Circle a reprieve.

Sometimes you can talk your way out of a jam, but not with sign language. Happily, a change of guard brought a French-speaking officer who looked more kindly on us. We

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pocketing our emergency pounds, he handed us a small bundle of dinars, waved us through, and politely refused to stamp our passports.

We were in Algeria, but any passport check would be a serious problem, as was our lack of money. That evening we haggled for a melon at a market, and realized the currency we’d “bought” at the border would just about buy us enough gas to get us to Morocco.

We slept rough that night, breakfasted off melon, and set off across the Chott.

The route was marked with poles and ran arrow straight for a couple hundred miles.

This was an easy run, but we stopped, drinking plenty of water and wanting to feel what it was like to stand in the middle

of 2,300 square miles of flattened salt. The lack of life was complete. Not a blade of grass stirred, no bird flew, and no insect buzzed.

We were in a universe of white and blue, salt and sky, and the only sound was the ticking of the cooling Honda.

If we were going to break down anywhere, Murphy’s Law said it would be here, but our marvelous V4 purred into life instantly. Our ride across the northeastern Sahara turned out to be as uneventful as a run to the shops.

Once across the Chott, in Algeria proper, we took stock. We’d illegally entered a police state, had spent our emergency fund, and had only enough cash for fuel. We were sleeping out in the open without proper papers. We needed to get to Algiers, and the safe haven of the British Embassy. Surely this outpost of the empire would be sympathetic. We’d be offered sandwiches, tea, maybe a bed for the night. Instead, a bored young man gave us a letter, decorated it with a halfdozen rubber stamps—“They love these,” he said—and promised should we end up in prison, he’d come and visit.

Somewhat disappointed, and hungrier than we’d ever been in our lives, we rode along the coast in “fast but economical” mode, hoping to reach Morocco before we ran out of gas or starved to death. At the border, we paused, dreading the inevitable passport check, but hilariously the man in the black uniform didn’t even glance at our paperwork. He was arguing with someone on the phone and waved us through with a scowl. A minute later we were across the border. Eve leaned forward and I pulled the only wheelie of the entire ride.

Morocco was as different as West Germany was from East. We immediately felt a lifting of tension. The people were friendly, the long years of French occupation showed in language and food, and it was

great fun to be able to eat and converse once more in a familiar way. On excellent roads again, it only took us two days to reach Melilla, the tiny Spanish colony on the North African coast. We bought our ferry ticket to Almeria, and the next day we were in Europe, heading north. We still had 1,250 miles to go, but I knew these roads and was comfortable with the traffic. It would be a doddle.

We headed up the Mediterranean coast, made a quick stop in Barcelona and took a short inland detour to Andorra before riding over the Pyrenees and into France.

Once at the Channel port of Roscoff we bought our ticket to Plymouth, stood for a minute in the pouring rain and knew we were a scant 23 miles from home.

That night in France we oiled the Honda’s chain for the last time, patted her tank in thanks and worked out some stats over a blow-out meal: 98 days door to door, twice across the Arctic circle, riding on three continents, through 20 countries and a soon-to-be 15,200 miles on the road. Wrong islands: one. Front tires: two.

Rear tires: three. Weeks in an Algerian prison: zero.

Next day, we rode the last few miles very carefully, keen to add “accidents: zero” to our list, and when we pulled up outside our home, which of course looked just the same, I checked the mileage and we’d done one more.

The last mile home made it fifteen thousand two hundred and one. I knew I’d remember them for a very long time.

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

Hot and dusty in Turkey

Northeast Sahara Desert

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

MALCOLM SMITH DONATES HUSQVARNA TO AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME ‘On Any Sunday’ Bike Added To Permanent Collection

One of America’s most famous motorcycles has been added to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s permanent collection: the 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross that AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend Malcolm Smith rode in the iconic motorcycling movie, “On Any Sunday.”

The motorcycle, previously on loan for display at the Hall of Fame, was donated

by Smith, who is known affectionately as “Malcolm” by his legions of fans.

“A true legend of motorcycling, Malcolm Smith is one of the Hall of Fame’s most recognizable members,” says AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman.

“This Husqvarna has launched many motorcycling dreams, and we’re honored to give it a permanent home in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

Smith said that he was moved to donate the bike so it would continue to promote motorcycling as a fun pastime.

“Many remember ‘On Any Sunday’ as the reason they started riding,” Smith says.

“Whenever I’m at a motorcycle event, people always tell me that watching me enjoy riding so much in the movie was the reason they got into bikes, and they’re so happy they did. I always ask them what their lives would have been like if they hadn’t discovered motorcycles. They can’t imagine it!

“I’m happy to donate my ‘On Any Sunday’ Husky to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, where it can continue to inspire people about motorcycling and remind everyone how

much fun it is,” Smith says.

Now, those who remember this Husqvarna as the motorcycle that inspired them to ride can admire it as a part of the permanent collection of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Fans will be able to learn more about Malcolm in the upcoming book Malcolm!

The Autobiography, which will include an entire chapter on “On Any Sunday.”

For information, see www.themalcolmbook.com.

May 2015

29

AMA REWARDS

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

HOW YOUR AMA MEMBERSHIP PAYS FOR ITSELF Are You Covered?

Value

Your Cost

AMA Roadside Assistance

$104

Included*

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$40

Included

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$19

Included

$19.95

American Motorcyclist magazine

AMA Member-Only Website Hotel And Motel Discounts (Choice Hotels, Red Roof Inn) Gear Discounts (BikeBandit.com, Schampa, Heat Demon And More) Protecting Your Right To Ride Your Membership Dues

Total Membership Value

Included

$75

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$40**

Up To 20% Off

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*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 percent 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 percent off.

Use the Member Discount code CP540176.

Plus, get a 20 percent 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 a 15 percent 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 AMA014.

Motorcycle Shipping

Ride Where You Want In the United States, call Federal Companies, an agent for Specialized Transportation, Inc., at (877) 5187376 for at least $60 off standard rates. For international shipments, call Motorcycle Express at (800) 2458726. 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 percent 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 membersonly money-saving offers on insurance, a cash-back AMAthemed credit card, finance and banking. For more details see, www.nationwide.com/ americanmotorcyclist.

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS ActionStation/Bohn Body Armor

Save 10 percent 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.bohnarmor-pants.com/ama/.

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

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

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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) 2625646 for details.

Anthony’s Leatherworks

Save 10 percent on complete motorcycle garment restoration and repair. You can get your motocross boots fixed from MX Boot Resole and Repair.

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ADD INTELLIGENCE TO YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS

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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 percent discount at gearbrake.com with the promo code: AMASAFE.

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

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.

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

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

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AMA members receive a 10 percent 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.

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

EVS Sports

AMA Members receive 10 percent off and free shipping on all orders.

Simply use the code AMAEVS15 during checkout at www.EVSSports.com.

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

Sena International Motorcycle Shows

MYLAPS provides a 20 percent 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 AMA789HJK at checkout.

Save 25 percent. Visit www. bikerrainchaps.com/ama/ and use the code AMA-0415-EASTER at checkout to receive your discount.

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.

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

Rider Magazine

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

AmericanMotorcyclist.com for the discount link.

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine offers a 20 percent 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.

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

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

Shock Sox

Street ~ Dirt ~ Off-Road ~ SHOCK SOX, “The 10-Second Removable Fork Seal Protector.”

Get 10 percent off your order by entering your AMA number during checkout at ShockSox. com. For colors, sizes and model-applications, visit www.

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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.

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TomTom would like to offer you a 10 percent 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.

SIDI IS the OffIcIal BOOt Of aMa RIDIng SeRIeS Participants Can Win A Pair

Sidi, makers of top-of-the-line footwear for motorcyclists, is the official boot of the Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series, the Yamaha Super Ténéré AMA National Adventure Riding Series and the AMA Premier Touring Series.

“Sidi is well known in the market for producing extremely comfortable boots of the highest quality with many safety features,” says AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey. “Sidi Crossfire, Adventure and Sidi’s Gore Tex boots perfectly match the riding conditions and performance demands that AMA members encounter in our recreational riding series. We warmly welcome the company’s support, and we trust that series participants will do so, as well.”

AMA members who participate in the Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series,

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

the Yamaha Super Ténéré AMA National Adventure Riding Series and in AMA Premier Touring Series events will earn chances to win one of two pairs of SIDI boots being given away.

“The AMA has been doing a great job for a very long time providing riders with more and more riding opportunities for all motorcyclists, and Sidi is very proud to be a part of their program for many years to come,” says Bill Berroth with Sidi’s USA importer Motonation.

The Beta AMA National DualSport Series, created by the AMA in 1987, has become increasingly popular as offroad and street riders alike

have turned to dual-sport recreation to experience the freedom of two wheels.

When larger adventure bikes grew in popularity, the AMA started the Yamaha Super Ténéré AMA National Adventure Series to appeal to riders of these bikes.

This series also has grown and now boasts rounds in all regions of the continental United States.

The AMA Premier Touring Series includes the premier road riding events and challenges that are on the AMA recreational calendar.

It includes AMA Grand Tours, AMA National Rallies, AMA Gypsy Tours, AMA Road Riding Conventions and more.

To find an AMA-sanctioned recreational riding event near you, see the calendar section of this magazine, or visit the AMA website at www.american motorcyclist. com/riding/.

AMA BOARD ACCEPTING CANDIDATE APPLICATIONS

Northwest and North Central Regions Individual member representatives on the AMA Board of Directors will be elected to serve the Northwest and North Central Regions beginning in 2016.

For information about obtaining a candidate application, email elections@ama-cycle.org or call (614) 856-1900.

The candidate application deadline is Aug. 1.

POLARIS INDUSTRIES JOINS AS AMA BUSINESS MEMBER Victory And Indian Motorcycle Owners Can Choose Themed Affinity Cards

Polaris Industries has become an AMA business member, and owners of Victory or Indian brand motorcycles can opt into a new AMA affinity program that includes Victoryor Indian-themed membership cards.

“Victory and Indian Motorcycle are proud to be a top-tier Business Member of the AMA,” says Steve Menneto, Polaris’ vice president for motorcycles. “Supporting this organization aligns with our values of protecting our riders’ rights to ensure they have the best

possible experience on the road.

It is important to our organization to endorse and promote the motorcycling lifestyle.”

Other available AMA affinity membership cards include the following themes: KTM, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Star, U.S. Armed Forces, Woman Rider, Scooter and ATV. Companies that are interested in establishing an affinity relationship with the AMA are invited to contact the AMA Member Services at (800) 262-5646.

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Offer good only in the US. For Canada, add $24 for additional postage, all other countries add $48.

The 1970s saw a number of iconic muscle bikes from Japan, including Honda’s CB750 and CB900 as well as Yamaha’s XS11 and Suzuki’s GS1000. These bikes were fast, comfortable, reliable and relatively inexpensive, and American riders purchased them in droves.

Kawasaki’s entry into this class was the mighty Z1. Over the decade, the bike evolved into the Z1000, or Z1-R—a striking model that introduced an unapologetic sport fairing to the Japanese muscle bike motif.

This 1978 Kawasaki Z1-R, donated to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame by Ed and Mary Holland, was a limited-edition variant of Kawasaki’s original Z-1 superbike. With its distinctive squared-off looks, sport fairing and silver-blue paint, it turned plenty of heads in the late ’70s. But that styling, plus a premium price tag, meant that it didn’t exactly leap off showroom floors.

But it could certainly leap down the asphalt. The Z1-R’s 1,016cc dual-overhead cam, inline four-cylinder engine produced a claimed 90 horsepower and pushed the Z1-R to a top speed of 130 mph.

What it boasted in power, though, it in some ways lacked in grace.

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Although relatively light for its class at 541 pounds, the Z1-R had a reputation for dubious handling and harsh suspension.

Holland bought his bike at the end of the season, when dealers were offering discounts, and held on to it for a quarter-century before donating it to the Hall of Fame.

The Kawasaki is in stellar condition. It got its initial 500-mile service and a few minor parts were replaced, but today it still rolls on its original tires and looks much the way it did when it was uncrated at the dealership back in 1978.

You can see this vintage Kawasaki muscle bike, and other motorcycles representing the history of motorcycling in America, at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio. For times and directions, see www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

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.

Photos Alison Grogan

1978 KAWASAKI Z1-R A Muscle Bike With Style

May 2015

35

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Famer

SAM ARENA Versatile Champion Sam Arena was a top motorcycle racer from the mid-1930s to the early 1950s. Arena excelled in multiple forms of motorcycle racing: dirt track, road racing, speedway and hillclimbing.

Arena was born on Oct. 30, 1912, in San Jose, Calif. As he got older, he began working at a local motorcycle dealership and took up racing on the dirt ovals of Northern California.

After making a name for himself in California competition, Arena was invited to race the 1935 Jacksonville, Fla.,

200-Mile Road Race National for Pitts Harley-Davidson of Miami. He had a massive lead with just eight laps to go.

Wanting to be safe, his crew called him in for gas, but fueling problems stranded him in the pits for 8 minutes. Arena finished a disappointing fifth, but everyone knew that he was a contender.

Following his breakout performance, Arena would race as part of the famous Putt Mossman U.S. speedway team in Australia, New Zealand and England.

Perhaps his best-known victory was at

2015 RAFFLE BIKE

RESTORATION IN PROGRESS

the AMA Pacific Coast Championship at Oakland, Calif., in 1938. Arena shocked the star-studded field in that race and not only won, but broke the old record by more than 17 minutes.

Following a long layoff from racing due to World War II and starting his own dealership, Arena returned to the thrill of competition—this time in professional hillclimbing.

There, too, Arena proved one of the best, winning four AMA National Hillclimb Championships from 1946 to 1950.

Sam Arena was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998. He passed away in 2002.

#AMARaffleRestore

1965 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide

Buy a Ticket and Follow the Build at www.MotorcycleMuseum.org (800)342-5464

Proceeds benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

VINTAGE MATCHLESS, AJS, RICKMAN PARTS AVAILABLE World-Class Collection Vern Phillips was one of the most accomplished collectors of Matchless and AJS competition vintage motorcycles. Over several years, he assembled an impressive cache of racing parts, expertly restored engines, Rickman racing frames and a wide selection of new-old-stock parts.

A professional engineer, Phillips was a master builder of vintage race bikes and put great care into purchasing, restoring and assembling top-quality motorcycles.

Vern Phillips passed away in 2009. His wife, Rose Phillips, donated a significant portion of his collection to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame to be sold to further its mission.

“Many of these parts are in excellent or like-new condition, and nearly all of them are very good quality,” said Bruce Moffat, chief financial officer of the AMA, which manages the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

“The engines are quite possibly the cleanest competition-worthy examples of their kind in the world.”

Parts in the collection include numerous engines, frames, frame parts, carburetors, fasteners, controls of all kinds, bearings, bushings, seals, magneto parts, chassis

parts, sprockets, shock absorbers, fork legs, tachometers and speedometers, air cleaners, alternators, seat pans and tail pieces, fenders, wheels and more.

Some of the more valuable pieces include original Rickman Metisse MK 3 frames, a race-modified G80CS engine in excellent/like-new condition, a G3C trials engine, and a Matchless G80S rolling chassis. Many more parts are of similar quality and value.

Moffat says that the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame welcomes inquiries about Mr. Phillips’ parts from collectors, vintage racers and other motorcycle aficionados.

“True lovers of history, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips intended for this donation to benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and it’s our duty to carry out their wishes and make this collection available to fellow enthusiasts,” Moffat says.

To inquire about items in the Vern Phillips’ collection, email bmoffat@ ama-cycle.org or call (614) 856-1900, ext.

1296.

Put yourself in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is YOUR hall of fame—we couldn’t exist without the generous support of our donors. Now there’s a new way for you to show that support in a very visible way: My Hall of Fame. The idea is simple: A $20 charitable donation gets you a 3-inch-square space on the wall in the Hall of Fame entrance foyer that hangs during the campaign year.

Want a bigger space? A 6-inch square is an $80 donation, and an 8-inch square is a $180 donation. You also get an official certificate noting that your picture is on display in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

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

8” 6” 3” 3”

$20

donation

6”

$80

donation

www.motorcyclemuseum.org/myhalloffame or call 1-800-342-5464 for assistance

8”

$180

donation

D

aniel Gallatin rode his

RIDE AWARE, BE NOTICED, STAY SAFE. Motorcycle Awareness Month Campaign Alerts Motorists, Encourages Rider Safety

By Jim Witters

2009 Kawasaki Vulcan just

about everywhere, weather

permitting.

So when the 68-year-old volunteer

firefighter, member of the local honor guard and 20-year AMA member

headed for his daughter’s Hickory

Township, Pa., home in May 2013, it seemed like a routine trip.

But, as Gallatin turned into his

daughter’s driveway, 43-year-old Laura Gargiulo drove her Toyota

Sequoia into the rear of his Vulcan,

tossing Gallatin and the bike to the

street and dragging him for 100 feet.

According to the criminal complaint, Gargiulo told police that she failed to see the motorcycle turn into the driveway because she was texting on her phone.

It’s a scene that unfolds far too often, killing or injuring innocent people and devastating families and communities.

Nearly 80 percent of crashes involve some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event, according to a report from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

“Distracted driving is one of the top issues facing all roadway users, but particularly motorcyclists, who are more vulnerable,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations.

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Tiffany Wolfe

Mary Lou Gallatin and her daughter, Michelle GallatinBaughman, hold a photo of Dan Gallatin, who died in a 2013 motorcycle crash.

Awareness Campaign

Motorcycle Awareness Month, launched by the AMA in the early 1980s and picked up by many state motorcycle-rights organizations and AMA-sanctioned clubs, is observed every May. The designation presents an opportunity to educate the non-riding public about issues that affect motorcyclists every time we roll out of the driveway or onto a trail.

While the majority of legislative changes that pertain to awareness apply only to highway users, off-road riders can benefit greatly from increased awareness on the trails, as well.

The AMA Government Relations Department is monitoring more than 900 bills in state legislatures that would affect motorcycling safety or rights.

The AMA issues alerts to motorcyclists to share information and call for action in support or opposition to government proposals. The association also writes directly to state and federal elected officials and agency chiefs on behalf of the motorcycling community and initiates and responds to press coverage of topics of interest to riders.

Three issues that are garnering the attention of road riders this year are distracted driving, lane splitting and motorist-awareness training.

Here is an update on the efforts underway, along with some off-road advice from the National Forest Service.

Distracted Driving

Daniel Gallatin’s death left a huge void.

For his family, there was the loss of a father and husband. Gallatin’s son, Brian, said during Gargiulo’s trial, “What struck me hardest was that there would be no new memories.”

But Gargiulo also removed a valuable asset from the community. Gallatin served as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for more than 40 years.

He donated to local charities, participated in blood drives and performed at military funerals as a member of the New Castle Area Honor Guard.

He is gone because Gargiulo was texting while behind the wheel of her SUV. Court records show that Gargiulo’s fine for texting while driving was $50. Including the penalties for the other charges she pleaded guilty to, Gargiulo was sentenced to nine to 23-1/2 months in jail (with work release); was allowed to petition for release after four months of incarceration; received three years probation; paid an additional $200 fine, and restitution to Mary Lou Gallatin of $6,523.

Gargiulo was paroled Sept. 14.

The Gallatin family believes the penalties for killing someone should be

much harsher. The AMA agrees.

Nationally, at any given moment during daylight hours, more than 660,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone, according to www.distraction.gov, the federal government’s website dedicated to reducing distracted driving.

But using a cell phone or smartphone to talk or text is just one distraction. The website also lists: • Eating and drinking • Grooming • Reading, including maps • Using a navigation system • Adjusting a radio But, because text messaging requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Five seconds is the average time a driver’s eyes are off the road while texting.

At 55 mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field. Texting drivers cover that distance virtually blindfolded.

Sean Hutson, AMA’s government affairs manager for on-highway issues, says state legislatures are considering nearly 140 bills that deal with distracted driving.

“These bills range from prohibiting minors from using personal electronic devices to a general prohibition of everyone using personal electronic devices,” Hutson says. “Additionally, there are 69 bills that we have labeled under the term ‘traffic offense.’ These bills include everything from allowing a motorcyclist to proceed through a stoplight that has not recognized the motorcycle to enhanced penalties for vehicular homicide.”

Bills in Texas and Florida also would treat motorcyclists as “vulnerable road users,” affording extra protections and enacting harsher penalties for violations that result in harm to riders.

The Gallatin family—Brian, his sister, Michelle Gallatin-Baughman and their mother, Mary Lou Gallatin—is slowly healing. And they are working to ensure that fewer families have to hear the news that a loved one has been lost.

“We won’t let it destroy us,” says Mary Lou. “It made us stronger and so determined to fight for stricter laws involving texting and distracted driving.

“Dan loved God, and he loved his family. And I know he would be so very proud of Michelle, Brian and myself for working to get the laws changed.”

The Gallatin family is working with state Rep. Jaret Gibbons to increase the penalties for distracted driving incidents that result in severe injuries or death.

“The higher penalties in my bill, which will be titled ‘Daniel’s Law’ after Mr.

Gallatin, will be on par with those currently provided for injuring or killing another person while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” Gibbons says. “It is my hope that these increased penalties will help people to understand the seriousness of the danger created to other motorists and pedestrians by distracted driving.”

The AMA supports legislation that would enhance such penalties.

“This approach is promising, because enhanced penalties for violations resulting in injury or death to other roadway users hold violators more accountable for their actions,” Allard says.

Lane-splitting Legislation

In other nations, particularly in Europe and Asia, lane splitting, also called lane filtering, is an accepted—and expected— riding technique. California is the only state where lane splitting is currently allowed and routinely practiced.

Now, California and four other states—Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington—are considering some form of formal, legalized lane splitting in 2015.

The legislation is intended to establish maximum speeds and acceptable speed differentials between the motorcyclist splitting lanes and other traffic.

Surj Gish, AMA member, editor in chief at CityBike Magazine in the San Francisco Bay Area and “lane splitting advocate guy” at LaneSplittingIsLegal.com, has been splitting lanes since he began riding motorcycles on the street.

“I’m a year-round moto-commuter, so I reckon I take at least 50 percent of my commute time back for living life,” Gish says. “I’ve driven my commute—Oakland to San Francisco—three times in the last three years, and it was never less than 60 minutes. Once, it was 90 minutes. On my bike, it’s always about 25 minutes.”

But every time the lane splitting idea is floated—even among motorcyclists—two big concerns arise: 1) It’s not considered safe; 2) Riders are cutting in line.

“Splitting is safer than not splitting,” Gish says. “Sure, if you’re splitting badly—too high of a delta, or at excessive speeds—the safety equation starts to get negative. But at a reasonable delta, say 10 to 15 mph, and at reasonable speeds, the data is pretty convincing. Splitting helps keep riders safe. The risks of various types of serious injuries—and most importantly, fatalities—drop by about half.”

A 2014 University of California Berkeley study found that lane splitting is no more risky than motorcycling in general. In fact, motorcyclists are less likely to suffer head or torso injury or be killed while lane splitting than other motorcyclists.

The study also found that lane-splitting

May 2015

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Matthew James Photographers

Surj Gish of LaneSplittingIsLegal.com believes lane splitting is safer and more efficient for all motorists. motorcyclists are less vulnerable to rearend collisions, spend less time in traffic jams and improve the overall traffic flow.

The AMA emphasizes that when lane splitting is made legal, it remains an option for motorcyclists, not a mandate.

Only those who feel safe and comfortable splitting lanes should use this technique.

“I’m disappointed when I hear things like ‘splitting lanes is stupid’ from some of my fellow riders,” Gish says. “If you don’t live somewhere with congestion, or if you’re not comfortable splitting, no worries—don’t do it. But don’t insult riders who get it and therefore choose to utilize the excellent tool that lane splitting is.”

Gish also discounts the argument that lane-splitting riders are selfish, unwilling to wait their turn.

“The cutting in line thing is simply false,” Gish says. “Splitting takes bikes out of the traffic mix—we go by and essentially disappear from traffic patterns.

We don’t slow down drivers.”

Gish has been working with AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris and other supporters of lane splitting to ensure that the proposed California legislation accomplishes its intent and does not morph into a bill with unreasonable restrictions.

The AMA Board of Directors adopted a position statement that cites California’s ongoing success with the practice and “endorses these practices.” The AMA will assist groups and individuals working to bring legal lane splitting to their states.

Gish says riders who would like lane splitting in their states should be prepared for some hard work.

“Pay attention to legalization efforts in other states, and copy those playbooks,” he says. “Two years ago, in Nevada, AB 236 almost passed. The process that bill went through is worth looking at.”

Gish’s website offers resources, including studies and data, to help the effort. And the AMA stands ready to assist

motorcyclists and groups seeking to change the laws.

“Get a lot of folks involved, get a sympathetic legislator to first listen, then eventually propose a bill,” Gish advises.

And, after lane splitting becomes law, significant efforts will be required to educate the law enforcement community and the general motoring public on the benefits of the technique and the need to be alert for lane-splitting riders, Haris says.

Such a campaign could make use of public service announcements and campaigns, traditional broadcast and print media, social media and other forms of information sharing, Haris says.

Making Motorists Aware

“I didn’t see him.”

It’s perhaps the most common excuse motorists utter after a crash with a motorcyclist.

The Hurt Report, the most comprehensive motorcycle crash causation study to date, stated in 1981 that the most common cause of motorcycle crashes is another vehicle violating the motorcyclist’s right-of-way.

Tammy Bower of Peck, Mich., lost her 19-year-old son, Nathan, when a woman failed to double check traffic before pulling out of a side street in 2009.

She drove directly into Nathan’s motorcycle. The impact killed him instantly.

“She hit him so hard that it knocked his helmet off,” Bower says. “It took the sole off his shoe.”

The woman whose car killed Nathan was not charged.

“The police said it was just an accident, that she just didn’t see him coming,” Bower says.

Bower family friend Lisa Cook-Gordon was determined that Nathan’s death

Conspicuity—being seen—is a key component to your safety.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s approach is termed “strategic conspicuity,” which the organization describes as “a rider-based solution that challenges a rider to be aware, use judgment, have a strategy, and selfreflect on the many possible responses to hazards that are under the control of the motorcyclist.”

Sherry Williams—past director of quality assurance and research for the MSF and now chair of the Motorcycles and Mopeds Standing Committee for the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies—explained the concept during a presentation to the AMA International

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Women’s Conference Carson City, Nev., in July 2012.

Here are some suggestions: • T shapes are more easily seen and recognized than stock headlights during daytime riding. Auxiliary lighting on the hand guards, front forks and the helmet help other motorists see motorcyclists.

• White reflective helmets are 24 percent more visible than black helmets.

Reflective or fluorescent gear increases conspicuity 37 percent.

• Reflective materials on panniers or trunks/bags increase rearward visibility.

• When assessing your riding environment, be aware of traffic controls and roadway features, escape paths, other highway users and surface conditions.

SW-MOTECH

Motorcycle Awareness: What You Can Do

Auxiliary lights are one way to increase conspicuity.

would not be in vain. With the Bowers’ consent, she approached a Michigan state legislator with the idea of using drivertraining courses as a way to increase awareness of motorcyclists on the roads.

“It’s a no-brainer, “ Cook-Gordon says.

“It doesn’t cost anything.”

The law, called Nathan’s Law or Nathan’s Act and signed by Gov. Rick Snyder in October, includes motorcycleawareness and safety instruction in all of the state’s courses for new drivers.

“This law informs young drivers about how to drive around motorcycles,” CookGordon says. “Once word got out, we got support from ABATE [of Michigan Inc.], from the bicyclist groups and from a group representing people with disabilities.”

Cook-Gordon already has been

contacted by ABATE of Indiana and by families in Iowa and Ohio seeking advice on bringing Nathan’s Law to their states.

The Bowers, meanwhile, have turned their attention to efforts to ensure that drivers whose actions cause motorcyclist deaths face severe penalties.

“She got no ticket, nothing,” Bower says of the woman who hit Nathan.

The Bowers also are launching a foundation to promote Nathan’s Law in other states. Bower says she would like a portion of the funding to come from fines paid by drivers who violate motorcyclists’ rights of way.

“The next step is to educate all drivers, whether through relicensing tests or through information distributed when people renew their licenses,” Cook-

The Bower family attended the ceremony during which Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed Nathan’s Law, which requires motorcycle-awareness training for drivers.

Ask the All the brightcolored clothing, reflective tape and auxiliary lighting won’t be enough to protect you unless motorists are attentive.

“Don’t count on your efforts to be conspicuous to guarantee others will see you. They must still be looking for you,” says Dr. Ray Ochs, vice president of training systems for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. “Ride as if invisible.”

This month’s “Ask the MSF” provides more detail about that.

Q: My uncle was a long-time rider.

Gordon says. The goal is to alert every driver to the presence of motorcycles and teach them proper techniques for safely traveling with them.

“It’s overwhelming to lose a son, then to have something like this law get passed,” Bower says. “It means so much. It gives us a sense of why he was taken from us.

And it gives us a sense of purpose.

“It’s like Nathan is still out there, saving lives.”

Off-Road Awareness

Awareness also plays an important role when riding off road.

Chad Wilberger, forest recreation program manager at Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio, says mishaps occur when riders fail to respect other trail users, leave designated trails and encounter unexpected hazards, and when riders operate their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In national forests and other riding areas where the trails support two-way traffic and are wide enough for all-terrain vehicles or even Jeeps, meeting oncoming traffic can pose a danger.

“The Wayne National Forest does not have a posted speed limit on its motorized trail system,” Wilberger says. “These trails allow riders of all skill and experience levels on them. Therefore, we ask riders to be cognizant of this fact and ride safely, always being considerate of other riders that may also be using the trails.”

Leaving the trails to avoid such encounters is unacceptable, he says.

Off-trail riding harms the water, soil, vegetation and wildlife, as does riding through streams and wet areas.

“These trails belong to the riders. If they take care of them and use them responsibly, the trails will remain open for them and future generations.”

Ride 'Invisible’ concept for years.

Here’s why: Every rider eventually realizes that car drivers don’t always notice ...and what the driver sees.

Reality... motorcyclists.

He always said his accident-free record During the quick glance that drivers make was because he rides “like I’m invisible.” before turning or changing lanes, they might Uncle was big on short sayings but notice the car or truck behind you, but the wasn’t much for scientific explanations. narrow profile of a motorcycle may get lost.

What’s the logic behind this advice?

To compensate for the limitations of other A: Safe motorcycling is a dynamic blend motorists, maximize your conspicuity and of physical skills and mental strategies. The pretend you’re invisible. If you assume that MSF and other rider safety organizations others on the road can’t see you, you will have taught the “ride like you’re invisible” develop a more aware mindset.

May 2015

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GO RIDE

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

1

On May 17, Berm Benders Raceway is hosting a motocross race in Brook Park, Minn. The race is a round of the 2015 Civil Series. Info: www. bermbendersraceway.com

6

The Idaho Coalition For Motorcycle Safety is conducting a road rally on May 2 in Boise, Idaho. Info: www. idahobikerrights.com

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6

2

The Middle Tennessee Ride for Kids takes place on May 17 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The event is one of dozens held across the country every year to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s mission to eliminate the challenges of childhood brain tumors by funding medical research and family support programs. Info: www.rideforkids.org

3 4 2

5

The Wisconsin Observed Trials Association is hosting an observed trials competition on May 16-17 in Wauzeka, Wis. Info: www.wisconsintrials.org

4

Check out the speedway racing action at the Industry Hills Expo Center hosted by Industry Racing on May 27. The event is located in City of Industry, Calif., and includes youth and amateur entries. Info: www. industryracing.com

COMING UP

3

The ďŹ nal round of AMA Arenacross, promoted by Feld Motor Sports, takes place in Las Vegas, Nev. on May 1-3. Pros race on Friday and Saturday, and amateurs race on Sunday. Ricky Carmichael will be available for fans to meet at the track party on Friday. Info: www.arenacross.com

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AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is approaching quickly! Join thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts July 10-12 in Lexington, Ohio. Participate in demo bike rides from manufacturers, a giant swap meet or compete in vintage racing. Info: www. amavintagemotorcycledays.com

MAY EVENTS ARKANSAS RECREATIONAL ROAD RALLY MAY 15: MARBLE FALLS: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, (870) 743-4062, HUBINFO.COM CALIFORNIA RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE MAY 2: BUCK MEADOWS: 2 DAY EVENT, FAMILY OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES, (209) 649-3633, FAMILYOFFROAD ADVENTURES.COM DUAL SPORT RIDE MAY 16: STONYFORD: 2 DAY EVENT, OAKLAND MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (510) 534-6222, OAKLANDMC.ORG FAMILY ENDURO-OFF ROAD MAY 9: AMADOR: POLKA DOTS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, POLKADOTSMC.COM ROAD RUN MAY 3: TORRANCE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG MAY 12: ONTARIO: RUN FOR THE WALL, RFTW.ORG COMPETITION ENDURO MAY 3: GEORGETOWN: CALIFORNIA ENDURO RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (925) 413-2434 MAY 9: OMO RANCH: POLKA DOTS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (916) 538-1550, POLKADOTSMC.COM EUROPEAN SCRAMBLES MAY 9: (Includes ATVs) RIDGECREST: BADGERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (661) 242-2712, BADGERSMC.ORG MOTOCROSS MAY 9: HOLLISTER: 2 DAY EVENT, A.M.P. RACING, LLC, (209) 656-9682, AMPFGFIMOTOCROSS.COM MAY 14: RANCHO CORDOVA: 2 DAY EVENT, DIRT DIGGERS NORTH M.C. INC, (800) hangtow, HANGTOWNMX.COM MAY 22: (Includes ATVs) SAN BERNARDINO: GLEN HELEN RACEWAY, INC., (909) 384-9342, GLENHELEN.COM MAY 30: SAN BERNARDINO: 2 DAY EVENT, GLEN HELEN RACEWAY, INC., (909) 384-9342, GLENHELEN.COM SPEEDWAY MAY 8: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS MOTORCYCLE SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223, FASTFRIDAYS.COM MAY 15: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS MOTORCYCLE SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223, FASTFRIDAYS.COM MAY 22: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS MOTORCYCLE SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223,

FASTFRIDAYS.COM

ISDE QUALIFIER

MOTOCROSS

MAY 27: CITY OF INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY HILLS EXPO CENTER DBA: INDUSTRY RACING, (626) 330-0324, INDUSTRYRACING.COM

MAY 30-31: IDAHO CITY: BOISE RIDGE RIDERS: BOISERIDGERIDERS.ORG

MAY 3: (Includes ATVs) AKRON: READS RACING, (574) 8931649, READSRACING.COM

RECREATIONAL

MAY 24: (Includes ATVs) PIERCETON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING. COM

MAY 29: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS MOTORCYCLE SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223, FASTFRIDAYS.COM COLORADO RECREATIONAL POKER RUN MAY 18: COLORADO SPRINGS: COLORADO SPRINGS TOURING CLUB, (719) 635-0138

ROAD RALLY MAY 2: BOISE: IDAHO COALITION FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY, (208) 941-1689, IDAHOBIKERRIGHTS.ORG MAY 2: COEUR D’ALENE: ABATE OF NORTH IDAHO, (208) 771-1774, ABATEOFNORTHIDAHO BIKERS.ORG ILLINOIS RECREATIONAL

TRAIL RIDE MAY 29: BOULDER: MOTOMARATHON ASSOCIATION, (303) 641-1062, MOTOMARATHON.COM COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 3: MILLIKEN: TWO RIVERS RACING LLC, (970) 587-5770

POKER RUN MAY 17: BARTONVILLE: PEORIA MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (309) 697-4981, PEORIAMOTORCYCLE CLUB.NET COMPETITION GRAND PRIX

MAY 25: BRUSH: CACTUS PROMOTIONS LLC, (970) 7680519, BRUSHMX.COM

MAY 31: LASALLE: MIDWEST OFF ROAD RIDERS,

OBSERVED TRIALS

MAY 16: WHITE CITY: CAHOKIA CREEK DIRT RIDERS, (217) 2482839, CAHOKIACREEK DIRTRIDERS.COM

MAY 16: COTOPAXI: 2 DAY EVENT, ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRIALS ASSN, (719) 239-1234, ROCKYMOUNTAIN TRIALS.ORG DELAWARE COMPETITION ENDURO MAY 3: DELAWARE CITY: DELAWARE ENDURO RIDERS, INC., (302) 229-1805, DELAWAREENDURORIDERS. COM MOTOCROSS MAY 2: SEAFORD: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (443) 359-1089 FLORIDA RECREATIONAL POKER RUN MAY 3: SARASOTA: JOHN EDWARD TRIBUTE, (941) 650-1457 MAY 16: JACKSONVILLE: PEDIATRIC CANCER TREATMENT FOUNDATION, (828) 329-9250, PCTFFOUNDATION.ORG GEORGIA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 2: WASHINGTON: 2 DAY EVENT, AONIA PASS M.X., (706) 678-3737 MAY 24: (Includes ATVs) DALTON: LAZY RIVER MOTOCROSS, (706) 278-1620, LAZYRIVER MOTOCROSS.COM IDAHO COMPETITION

HILLCLIMB

MOTOCROSS MAY 9: (Includes ATVs) BELLEVILLE: BELLEVILLE ENDURO TEAM INC, (618) 2773478, BETDIRT.COM

MAY 30: (ATV only) CRAWFORDSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, MX SPORTS, INC., (304) 284-0084, ATVMOTOCROSS. COM IOWA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 2: SHELL ROCK: NEW HARTFORD RACING INC, (319) 885-6469, NEWHARTFORDRACING.COM MAY 3: SHELL ROCK: NEW HARTFORD RACING INC, (319) 885-6469, NEWHARTFORDRACING.COM MAY 9: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 775-0893, CVTR.ORG MAY 16: GARWIN: 2 DAY EVENT, RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM

RECREATIONAL POKER RUN MAY 17: COLUMBIA CITY: OLD FORT MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (260) 504-6388

KENTUCKY MOTOCROSS

MAY 9: LONDON: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTO-VATED SPORTS, (606) 401-6640, DANIELBOONE MOTOCROSS.COM LOUISIANA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 17: BREAUX BRIDGE: EVO MX, (832) 646-2455, GRAVITYALLEY MOTOCROSS.COM MARYLAND RECREATIONAL

ROAD RUN

ADVENTURE RIDE

MAY 25: KOKOMO: MIDNIGHT RIDERS MC, (765) 452-7654, MIDNIGHT-RIDERS-MC.COM

MAY 3: LITTLE ORLEANS: WESTERN MARYLAND MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION, (443) 695-2793

COMPETITION HILLCLIMB MAY 17: (Includes ATVs) MIDDLEBURY: GOSHEN IRON HORSEMEN, (574) 825-3399 HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 3: (Includes ATVs) CULVER : PLYMOUTH BLACKHAWKS MC, INC., (574) 259-0103

MAY 17: BALDWIN: PARA-DICE MC, (616) 893-3542 COMPETITION 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK MAY 9: (Includes ATVs) LAKE ODESSA: I-96 SPEEDWAY LLC, (616) 642-0555, I96SPEEDWAY. COM MOTOCROSS MAY 2: MILLINGTON: 2 DAY EVENT, BAJA MX INC, (989) 871-3356, BAJAACRES.COM MAY 10: (Includes ATVs) CADILLAC: CADILLAC MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (231) 884-3729, CADILLACMC.COM MAY 10: (Includes ATVs) PORTLAND: PORTLAND TRAIL RIDERS, (517) 647-7045, PORTLANDTRAILRIDERS.COM

MAY 30: BELDING: 2 DAY EVENT, GRATTAN RACEWAY, (616) 691-7221, GRAHAMMX. COM

MAY 3: (Includes ATVs) BEDFORD: NICKOTA MOTORSPORTS PARK LLC, (502) 525-1167, NICKOTAMOTOR SPORTS.COM

INDIANA

MAY 16: ST JOHNS: ROAD RIDERS FOR JESUS, (517) 930-0338

MAY 23: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 775-0893, CVTR.ORG

MAY 23: BYRON: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM

MAY 2: (Includes ATVs) BELLEVILLE: BELLEVILLE ENDURO TEAM INC, (618) 2773478, BETDIRT.COM

BIKE BLESSING

MAY 16: NEWAYGO: 2 DAY EVENT, BIG AIR MOTOCROSS, (231) 652-5225, BIGAIRMOTOCROSS.COM

COMPETITION

SCRAMBLES

MICHIGAN RECREATIONAL

MAY 16: GARWIN: 2 DAY EVENT, RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE.COM

MAY 10: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271

MAY 31: CASEY: LINCOLN TRAIL MOTOSPORTS, (217) 932-2041, LINCOLNTRAIL MOTOSPORTS.COM

MAY 3: WRENTHAM: KING PHILIP TRAIL RIDERS, (508) 479-5681

MAY 31: MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 832-8284, POLKADOTSMC.NET OBSERVED TRIALS MAY 3: FLUSHING: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (810) 252-2627, MOTATRIALS.COM MAY 17: WHITMORE LAKE: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (517) 849-9231, MOTOATRIALS.COM MAY 31: METAMORA: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (248) 634-2184, MOTATRIALS.COM SHORT TRACK MAY 16: (Includes ATVs) DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMB MOTORCYCLECLUB.COM TTS MAY 17: (Includes ATVs) DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMB MOTORCYCLECLUB.COM MINNESOTA

DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD

COMPETITION

MAY 3: LITTLE ORLEANS: WESTERN MARYLAND MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION, (443) 695-2793

ENDURO

MASSACHUSETTS COMPETITION OBSERVED TRIALS

MAY 30: HUNTERSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, RIVER VALLEY ENDURO RIDERS, (612) 247-2039 HILLCLIMB MAY 31: (Includes ATVs) RED WING: INDIANHEAD May 2015

43

MAY EVENTS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (651) 764-1220, INDIANHEADMC. ORG MAY 31: (Includes ATVs) RED WING: INDIANHEAD MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (651) 764-1220, INDIANHEADMC. ORG HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 3: CAMBRIDGE: NORSEMEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (763) 263-0385, NORSEMENMC.ORG MOTOCROSS MAY 3: MILLVILLE: HIWINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM MAY 3: BROWERVILLE: MOTO CITY RACEWAY & RECREATION INC, (218) 894-2826, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COM MAY 9: LITTLE FALLS: 2 DAY EVENT, RM PROMOTIONS, (218) 894-2826, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COM MAY 10: MILLVILLE: HIWINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM MAY 17: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 6011169, MOTOKAZIE.COM MAY 17: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 9802680, BERMBENDERS RACEWAY.COM MAY 24: MILLVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, HI-WINDERS, (507) 7532779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM MAY 31: MANKATO: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 6011169, MOTOKAZIE.COM OBSERVED TRIALS MAY 23: GILBERT: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (612) 730-1770, UMTA.ORG MAY 24: GILBERT: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (612) 730-1770, UMTA.ORG MISSOURI COMPETITION ENDURO MAY 17: PARK HILLS: MISSOURI MUDDERS, (636) 639-6373, MOMUDDERS.COM HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 3: BIXBY: MIDWEST TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (314) 434-5095, RIDEMTRA.COM MONTANA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 16: BILLINGS: 2 DAY EVENT, BILLINGS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (406) 671-5151, BILLINGSMOTORCYCLE CLUB.US NEVADA COMPETITION ARENACROSS MAY 1: LAS VEGAS: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-

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7482, ARENACROSS.COM MAY 2: LAS VEGAS: 2 DAY EVENT, FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS. COM ENDUROCROSS MAY 1: LAS VEGAS: TEN: THE ENTHUSIAST NETWORK, INC., (888) 234-2334, ENDUROCROSS.COM GRAND PRIX MAY 2: (Includes ATVs) PRIMM STATE LINE: 2 DAY EVENT, SUNLAND SHAMROCKS, (818) 767-4594 HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 16: LAS VEGAS: SILVER STATE TRAILBLAZERS, (702) 994-6823 NEW JERSEY COMPETITION ROAD RACE MAY 3: MILLVILLE: AMERICAN SPORTBIKE RACING ASSOCIATION, (817) 246-1127, ASRARACING.COM NEW MEXICO COMPETITION

MAY 3: (Includes ATVs) WALLKILL: WALDEN MX, (845) 895-2537, WALDENMX.COM MAY 23: (Includes ATVs) CAROGA LAKE: ROYAL MOUNTAIN SKI AREA, (518) 835-6445, ROYALMOUNTAIN. COM MAY 24: (Includes ATVs) CAROGA LAKE: ROYAL MOUNTAIN SKI AREA, (518) 835-6445, ROYALMOUNTAIN. COM MAY 31: (Includes ATVs) AUBURN: FROZEN OCEAN MOTOCROSS INC, (315) 7845466, FROZEN-OCEAN.COM OBSERVED TRIALS

OHIO RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE

POKER RUN

MAY 2: (Includes ATVs) PORT CRANE: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 725-3069, SQUAREDEALRIDERS.COM

MAY 3: PORTSMOUTH: PORTSMOUTH MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (740) 353-0972

MAY 16: (Includes ATVs) PORT CRANE: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 725-3069, SQUAREDEALRIDERS.COM NORTH CAROLINA ROAD RUN

MAY 31: ATLANTA: WAYNE COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (315) 946-3082

MAY 22: (ATV only) WADESBORO: 2 DAY EVENT, PERIMETER PARK MOTORSPORTS, , PERIMETERPARK MOTORSPORTS.COM

SHORT TRACK

RECREATIONAL

ADVENTURE RIDE

TTS

MAY 31: ALMA: DISTRICT 4 TRIALS COMMITTEE, (716) 0372457, DISTRIC4TRIALS.COM

MAY 16: LAS CRUCES: 2 DAY EVENT, AERODYNE PROMOTIONS, LLC/ GAS-IT OFF ROAD RACING, (575) 6496677, GASITOFFROAD.COM RECREATIONAL

MAY 10: TAR HEEL: TAR HEEL SPEEDWAY, LLC, (910) 2582272, TARHEELSPEEDWAY. WIX.COM

MAY 16: MCARTHUR: 2 DAY EVENT, BUCKEYE DUAL SPORTERS, (740) 380-3050, KAEPPNERSWOODS.COM

HARE SCRAMBLES

NEW YORK

2272, TARHEELSPEEDWAY. WIX.COM

MAY 3: APEX: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG ROAD RALLY MAY 3: CARUSO: CONCOURS OWNERS GROUP, (828) 2358350, BLUERIDGE MOTORCYCLECAMP.COM

MAY 16: DOVER: ABATE OF OHIO, INC., (330) 340-8882, ABATE.COM MAY 30: GREENVILLE: TREATY CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (937) 459-0508, TREATYCITYMC.COM ROAD RUN MAY 2: SUNBURY: ABATE OF OHIO, INC., (614) 319-3644, ABATE.COM ROAD RALLY MAY 16: ARCHBOLD: ABATE OF OHIO, INC., (419) 579-0018, ABATE.COM COMPETITION

SCHOOLS - ROAD

ENDURO

MAY 2: BREVARD: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 637-0947, MOTOMARK1.

COM

MAY 31: CHANDLERSVILLE: OHIO WOODS RIDERS, (614) 204-1438, OHIOWOODSRIDERS.COM HILLCLIMB

ROAD RUN

MAY 9: BURLINGTON: MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 6370947, MOTOMARK1.COM

MAY 23: HUNTINGTON: IDON’TKNOWMC, (631) 6765159, IDONTKNOWMC.COM

MAY 16: WILKESBORO: MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 6370947, MOTOMARK1.COM

TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL

MAY 16: CHARLOTTE: MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 6370947, MOTOMARK1.COM

POKER RUN MAY 17: SLOATSBURG: RAMAPO MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (201) 767-3594, RAMAPO.ORG

MAY 16: HANCOCK: 2 DAY EVENT, BEAR CREEK SPORTSMEN, , BEARCREEK SPORTSMEN.COM COMPETITION CROSS COUNTRY MAY 9: (Includes ATVs) ODESSA: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 2840084, GNCCRACING.COM 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK MAY 31: (Includes ATVs) MALTA: ELECTRIC CITY RIDERS, (518) 542-2144, ELECTRICCITYRIDERS.COM ENDURO MAY 31: WINDSOR: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 7253069, SQUAREDEALRIDERS. COM MOTOCROSS

COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 9: MAYSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, JIMMY WEINERT RIDING PARK, (845) 313-6590, JWTFMX.COM

MAY 9: (Includes ATVs) WATERFORD: PIONEER MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (740) 678-0082, PIONEERMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM MAY 10: (Includes ATVs) WATERFORD: PIONEER MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (740) 678-0082, PIONEERMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM MOTOCROSS

MAY 9: ELIZABETH CITY: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOPROMO, LLC,

MAY 3: (Includes ATVs) SUGAR GROVE: CENTRAL OHIO COMPETITION RIDERS INC., (740) 983-3937, COCRMX.COM

MAY 16: HENDERSON: 2 DAY EVENT, KRUSTY RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (252) 767-6671, NCMP.NET

MAY 23: NASHPORT: 2 DAY EVENT, OHIO MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (740) 763-0935, BRIARCLIFFMX.COM

MAY 22: SPARTA: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, (336) 372-2501, ALLEGHANEYINN. COM

MAY 16: TIPPECANOE: 2 DAY EVENT, TRIALS INC, (330) 3431676, TRIALSINC.ORG

SHORT TRACK MAY 9: TAR HEEL: TAR HEEL SPEEDWAY, LLC, (910) 258-

OBSERVED TRIALS

OKLAHOMA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS

MAY 2: PONCA CITY: 2 DAY EVENT, RPM SPORTS, (205) 699-8857, RPMSPORTSONLINE. COM OREGON RECREATIONAL DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD MAY 24: JOSEPH: PLATED 4 DIRT LLC., (541) 263-1665, PLATED4DIRT.COM POKER RUN - OFF-ROAD MAY 3: JACKSONVILLE: MOTORCYCLE RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (541) 531-9697 POKER RUN MAY 9: TIGARD: ROSE CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (503) 706-3969, ROSE-CITY-MC.ORG ROAD ENDURO MAY 9: TIGARD: ROSE CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (503) 706-3969, ROSE-CITY-MC.ORG PENNSYLVANIA RECREATIONAL DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD MAY 17: LAWTON: BACK MOUNTAIN ENDURO RIDERS, (570) 675-1814, BMER.ORG POKER RUN - OFF-ROAD MAY 17: HARRISBURG: ARMED FORCES BROTHERHOOD, INC., (717) 774-7911 POKER RUN MAY 3: NEW PROVIDENCE: GENTLEMEN MC SPORTSMEN, (717) 284-2270 MAY 9: RED HILL: FREEDOM RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (215) 262-0578, FREEDOMRIDERSPA.COM MAY 16: LEBANON: PA MOTOR MAIDS, (610) 275-2634 MAY 16: SKIPPACK: BLUE COMET MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 489-1240, BLUECOMETMC.COM MAY 17: KRESGEVILLE: ZINC CITY MC, (570) 992-4214 MAY 17: OLEY: READING MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (610) 987-6422, READINGMC. COM MAY 24: SCHUYLKILL HAVEN: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 385-1460 MAY 25: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (717) 270-9797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COM ROAD RUN MAY 2: GLENSIDE: MOTORCYCLISTS FOR JESUS MINISTRIES, PA CHAPTER, (215) 234-8611 MAY 17: WILLOW STREET: KENNETH A NEIDINGER MEMORIAL RIDE, (717) 9517665, KENNYSMEMORIALRIDE. COM MAY 31: DANVILLE: MOTORCYCLE MIRACLE TOUR, (570) 745-3835

MAY EVENTS ROAD RALLY

MOTOCROSS

MAY 15: BEDFORD: 2 DAY EVENT, CONCOURS OWNERS GROUP, (814) 623-9006, TRAVELLODGE. COM

MAY 17: (Includes ATVs) LIVINGSTON: THUNDER VALLEY MOTOCROSS, (931) 498-6686, THUNDERVALLEYMOTOCROSS. COM

COMPETITION ENDURO MAY 24: POTTSVILLE: READING OFF ROAD RIDERS, (610) 9213592, RORR.ORG GRAND PRIX MAY 3: BETHLEHEM: BUSHKILL VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 258-3208, BIKEHILLCLIMB. COM HARE SCRAMBLES

TEXAS

MAY 15: BRENHAM: BRI TISH MOTORCYCLE OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF HOUSTON, (832) 804-6097, BMOAONLINE.COM

POKER RUN

COMPETITION

ROAD RALLY

MOTOCROSS

MAY 15: SPRING GREEN: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, (608) 588-2568, MSTATWISTAR.INFO

COMPETITION

MAY 16: HANOVER: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (717) 698-5635, HAPPYRAMBLERS.ORG MAY 17: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 5823717, PAGODAMC.ORG MAY 23: FREDERICKSBURG: 2 DAY EVENT, SLEEPY HOLLOW MOTO CROSS, (717) 639-5988, SLEEPYMX.COM OBSERVED TRIALS MAY 3: SPRING GROVE: WHITE ROSE MC, (717) 229-2621, WHITEROSE.ORG

UTAH HARE & HOUND MAY 2: (Includes ATVs) JERICHO: SAGE RIDERS MC, (435) 650-1250, SAGERIDERSMC.COM MOTOCROSS MAY 23: TOOELE: 2 DAY EVENT, MILLER MOTORSPORTS PARK, (435) 277-8000, MILLERMOTORSPORTSPARK. COM VIRGINIA COMPETITION GRAND PRIX MAY 3: MARTINSVILLE: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (276) 632-5931, VCHSS.ORG MAY 24: DENDRON: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (757) 871-5736, VCHSS.ORG MOTOCROSS

MAY 17: VALLEY VIEW: RAUSCH CREEK POWERSPORTS, (570) 682-1075, RAUSCHCREEKRACING.COM

MAY 24: SUTHERLIN: BIRCH CREEK PROMOTIONS, LLC, (434) 836-7629, BIRCHCREEKMXPARK. COM

TTS

MAY 30: SUTHERLIN: 2 DAY EVENT, BIRCH CREEK PROMOTIONS, LLC, (434) 8367629, BIRCHCREEKMXPARK

MAY 10: (Includes ATVs) PARKESBURG: E PA PISTON POPPERS MC INC, (484) 336-9160, PISTONPOPPERSMC.COM SOUTH CAROLINA

WASHINGTON COMPETITION

RECREATIONAL

MOTOCROSS

DUAL SPORT RIDE

MAY 9: WASHOUGAL: 2 DAY EVENT, WASHOUGAL MX PARK, LLC, (360) 601-5347, WASHOUGALMXPK

MAY 17: CHESTER: FAMILY RIDERS MTC, (803) 385-8402 COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 2: (ATV only) : 2 DAY EVENT, VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 3235497, VICTORY-SPORTS.OCM TENNESSEE RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN MAY 17: MURFREESBORO: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG COMPETITION

WISCONSIN RECREATIONAL

MAY 30: 2 DAY EVENT, SOUTH PENN ENDURO RIDERS,

MAY 10: FREDERICKSBURG: SLEEPY HOLLOW MOTO CROSS, (717) 639-5988, SLEEPYMX.COM

MAY 2: GRAFTON: 2 DAY EVENT, TRIALS INC, (304) 592-3442, TRIALSINC.ORG

ROAD RALLY

MAY 2: SKIPPACK: BLUE COMET MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 4891240, BLUECOMETMC.COM

MAY 2: MT MORRIS: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-0084, RACERPRODUCTIONS. COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

RECREATIONAL

MAY 30: WORTHAM: 2 DAY EVENT, FREESTONE COUNTY RACEWAY, LLC., (713) 962-3386, FREESTONEMX.COM

MOTOCROSS

TOMAHAWK MX, LLC, (304) 5828185, TOMAHAWKMX.COM

WEST VIRGINIA COMPETITION CROSS COUNTRY MAY 23: (Includes ATVs) MASONTOWN: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-0084, GNCCRACING.COM ISDE QUALIFIER MAY 2-3: NEWBURG: FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO SERIES: FULLGASENDURO.COM MOTOCROSS MAY 9: HEDGESVILLE:

MAY 17: WEST BEND: KETTLE MORAINE SPORT RIDERS

COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 3: ADAMS: MADISON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (262) 424-9361, MADISONMOTORCYCLECLUB. ORG MOTOCROSS MAY 10: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 790-6211, AZTALANMX.COM

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

MAY 17: (Includes ATVs) MARSHFIELD: MARSHFIELD T&T RIDERS, INC., (715) 384-4555, T-NTRIDERS.COM MAY 24: ATHELSTANE: PINE RIDGE RACEWAY, LLC, (920) 4347015, PINERIDGERACEWAY.COM MAY 31: HIXTON: CMJ RACEWAY LLC, (608) 220-6853, CMJRACEWAY.COM OBSERVED TRIALS MAY 16: WAUZEKA: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG

AmericanMotorcyclist.com a Riding a Dual Sport

MAY 17: WAUZEKA: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG SHORT TRACK MAY 16: (Includes ATVs) BURNETT: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB, INC., (920) 319-6889, BEAVERCYCLECLUB. COM MAY 29: (Includes ATVs) PLYMOUTH: SOUTHEASTERN SHORT TRACKERS, LTD, (262) 339-7430, DAIRYLANDCLASSIC.COM TTS MAY 17: (Includes ATVs) BURNETT: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB, INC., (920) 319-6889, BEAVERCYCLECLUB. COM

Supporting Sponsors

Official Boot

WYOMING COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 9: ROCKSPRINGS: 2 DAY EVENT, RSMX LLC., (307) 3891477, ROCKSPRINGSMX.COM

Facebook.com/AMADualSport #AMADualSport May 2015 0515_AMA_Beta_Natl_Dual_Sport_Series.indd 1

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3/19/15 1:14 PM

2015 EVENTS July 4: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National July 18: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek National

Motocross Motocross of NatioNs FIM-lIve.coM

sept. 26-27: Ernee, France fiM JuNior Motocross world chaMpioNship FIM-lIve.coM

July 19: El Molar, Spain MoNster eNergy aMa supercross AMAsupercross.coM

april 18: san francisco, calif.: Levi’s Stadium (West) april 25: east rutherford, N.J.: MetLife Stadium (East) May 2: las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium MoNster eNergy cup

oct. 17: las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium lucas oil pro Motocross chaMpioNship proMotocross.coM

May 16: sacramento, calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic May 23: san Bernardino, calif.: Glen Helen National May 30: lakewood, colo.: Thunder Valley National June 6: Blountville, tenn.: Tennessee National June 13: Mount Morris, pa.: High Point National June 27: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek National

46

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

august 8-9: hurricane Mills, tenn.: Loretta Lynn’s aMsoil aMa areNacross ArenAcross.coM

July 25: washougal, wash.: Washougal National

april 18-19: tacoma, wash.: Tacoma Dome

aug. 8: New Berlin, N.y.: Unadilla National

april 25-26: fresno, calif.: Save Mart Center

aug. 15: tooele, utah: Utah National

May 1-3: las Vegas, Nev.: South Point Arena

aug. 22: crawfordsville, ind.: Indiana National woMeN’s Motocross chaMpioNship rAcewMx.coM May 15: sacramento, calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic June 7: Blountville, tenn.: Tennessee National June 12: Mt. Morris, pa.: High Point National July 5: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National aug. 21: crawfordsville, ind.: Ironman National MtN. dew aMa atV NatioNal Motocross AtvMotocross.coM

april 18-19: Kemp, texas: Underground May 2-3: Blountville, tenn.: Muddy Creek May 16-17: Morris, pa.: High Point May 30-31: crawfordsville, ind.: Ironman June 13-14: walnut, ill.: Sunset Ridge June 27-28: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek July 11-12: New Berlin, N.y.: Unadilla July 25-26: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud

aMa proaM Motocross eVeNts aMaraciNg.coM april 19: Mount carroll, ill.: MC Motopark, MCmotopark.com, (815) 238-1614 april 25-26: livingston, tenn.: The United States Mega Series - Thunder Valley, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497 april 26: rancho cordova, calif.: King of the West Prairie City, 2xPromotions. com, (559) 761-0897 rocKy MouNtaiN atV/ Mc aMa aMateur NatioNal Motocross chaMpioNship Mxsports.coM Northeast Area Qualifier

Southeast Area Qualifier

april 18-19: tallassee, ala.: Monster Mountain, (334) 318-8475 May 2-3: washington, ga.: aonia pass, (706) 678-3737 May 16-17: henderson, N.c.: North carolina Motorsports park, (252) 438-8192 southeast regional

June 13-14: gainesville, fla.: gatorback (amateur), (407) 453-2056 June 20-21: hamer, s.c.: south of the Border (youth), (423) 323-5497 Mid-East Area Qualifier

april 18-19: rossville, ind.: wild cat creek MX, (765) 379-2482 april 25-26: livingston, tenn.: thunder Valley, (423) 323-5497 May 2-3: Millington, Mich.: Baja acres, (989) 871-3356 May 9-10: london, Ky.: daniel Boone MX, (606) 231-2313

april 18-19: armagh, pa.: pleasure Valley raceway, (814) 695-2453

May 16-17: Newaygo, Mich.: Big air MX, (231) 652-5225

May 2-3: Mount Morris, pa.: high point, (304) 284-0084

May 23-24: Nashport, Ohio: Briarcliff MX, (740) 763-0935

May 16-17: winchester, N.h.: winchester speed park, (603) 239-6406 Northeast regional

May 30-31: danville, Va.: Birch creek Motorsports (youth), (434) 836-7629 June 20-21: New Berlin, N.y.: unadilla Valley sports center - amateur, (607) 965-8450

Mid-east regional

June 6-7: Buchanan, Mich.: red Bud MX (amateur), (269) 695-6405 June 27-28: Millfield, ohio: sunday creek raceway (youth), (304) 284-0084 North central area Qualifier

april 25-26: casey, ill.: lincoln trail Motorsports, (217) 9322041 May 2-3: tigerton, wis.: Motozone, (920) 419-2863 May 9-10: little falls, Minn.: little falls raceway, (612) 919-3457 May 16-17: garwin, iowa: Oak Ridge Motocross, (205) 699-8857 May 23-24: Byron, ill.: Byron Motosports park, (815) 234-2271 North central regional

June 13-14: deQuoin, ill.: indian hills (youth), (205) 699-8857 June 20-21: Millville, Minn.: spring creek MX park (amateur), (507) 753-2779 south central area Qualifier

april 18-19: alvord, texas: oak hill raceway, (940) 577-2225 april 25-26: edgewood, Texas: Buffalo Creek MX, (214) 939-4321 May 2-3: Ponca City, okla.: ponca city MX, (580) 762-3635 May 16-17: lakewood, colo.: thunder Valley MX, (303) 697-1003 south central regional

May 30-31: wortham, texas: freestone MX (amateur), (713) 962-3386 June 20-21: prentiss, Miss.: golden pines (youth), (985) 273-1317 Northwest Area Qualifier

May 9-10: washougal, wash.: washougal MX park, (360) 601-5347

2015 EVENTS May 16-17: Billings, Mont.: Billings MX, (406) 671-5151 May 23-24: Tooele, Utah: Miller Motorsports Northwest Regional

June 6-7: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal MX Park (Youth/Amateur), (360) 601-5347 Mid-West Area Qualifier

April 18-19: California City, Calif.: Cal City MX Park, (760) 977-9774 May 9-10: Hollister Hills, Calif.: Hollister Hills SVRA, (740) 297-6686 May 9-10: Rocksprings, Wyo.: Rock Springs MX, (307) 389-1477

May 23-24: Tooele, Utah: Miller Motorsports Park Mid-West Regional

June 13-14: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Prairie City OHV (Youth/ Amateur), (740) 297-6686 Southwest Area Qualifier

May 23-24: Tooele, Utah: Miller Motorsports Park Southwest Area Regional

May 30-31: San Bernardino, Calif.: Glen Helen Raceway (Youth/ Amateur), (909) 384-9342

June 11: Vojens, Denmark June 13: Vojens, Denmark AMA PRO FLAT TRACK AMAPRORACING.COM May 24: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile I May 30: Sacramento, Calif.: Sacramento Mile June 20: Hagerstown, Md.: Hagerstown Half-Mile June 27: Lima, Ohio: Lima Half-Mile Aug. 1: Castle Rock, Wash.: Castle Rock TT

MONSTER ENERGY FIM SPEEDWAY WORLD CUP FIM-LIVE.COM | SPEEDWAYGP.COM

June 8: King’s Lynn, England

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

THE ADVENTURE is out there

Sept. 27: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: Short Track FEATURED SERIES: AMA ALL-STAR NATIONAL FLAT TRACK SERIES

STEVENACERACING.COM

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

comteit Ge

High Adventure. No Hassle.

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

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.

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

June 19: Ashland, Ohio: Ashland County Fairgrounds, Half Mile

For more information visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ Riding.

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

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

Oct. 3: Calistoga, Calif.: Calistoga Half-Mile

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

Aug. 4: Rapid City, S.D.: Black Hills Half-Mile Aug. 16: Peoria, Ill.: Peoria TT

Oct. 10: Pomona, Calif.: Flat Track Season Finale AMA VINTAGE DIRT TRACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMARACING.COM

May 2: Henry, Ill.: Volusia Speedway Park, Half Mile May 9: Tar Heel, N.C.: Tar Heel Speedway, Short Track May 10: Tar Heel, N.C.: Tar Heel Speedway, Short Track

DIRT TRACK

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

June 12: Harpursville, N.Y.: Short Track

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

Aug. 15: Lewistown, Ill.: Spoon River Speedway, Short Track Sept. 5: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds, Short Track Sept. 26: York, Pa.: York Expo Center, Half Mile

JOIN THE AMA TODAY (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646)

Supporting Sponsors

June 13: Harpursville, N.Y.: Short Track July 11: Ashland, Ohio: Ashland County Fairgrounds, Half Mile

Facebook.com/AMAAdventureRiding @ama_riding, #AMAadv

0515_AMA_NARS_Ad.indd 1

47

May 2015 3/19/15 9:19 AM

2015 EVENTS oct. 11: Matthews, Ind.: Muddobbers MC, MuddobbersMC.org

ROAD RACE

OFF-ROAD

FIM Road RacIng WoRld chaMpIonshIp gRand pRIx (Motogp) FIM-lIve.coM MotoGP.coM

InteRnatIonal sIx days enduRo (Isde) FIM-lIve.coM

aug. 7-9: Indianapolis, Ind.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway FIM WoRld supeRbIke chaMpIonshIp FIM-lIve.coM | WorldSBK.coM

July 17-19: Monterey, calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca MotoaMeRIca Road RacIng seRIes MotoAMerIcA.coM

april 17-19: braselton, ga.: Road Atlanta May 15-17: alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway May 29-31: elkhart lake, Wis.: Road America June 12-14: birmingham, ala.: Barber Motorsports Park June 26-28: toole, utah: Miller Motorsports Park

InteRnatIonal sIx days enduRo (Isde) QualIFIeRs

AMerIcAnMotorcyclISt.coM

May 2-3: newburg, W.V.: Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series, FullGasEnduro.com

May 30-31: Idaho city, Idaho: Boise Ridge Riders, BoiseRidgeRiders.org FIM tRIal des natIons FIM-lIve.coM

sept. 19-20: Tarragona, Spain FIM tRIal WoRld chaMpIonshIp FIM-lIve.coM

July 25-26: West greenwich, R.I.: Steppingstone Ranch kenda aMa natIonal enduRo, pResented

by Moose RacIng nAtIonAlenduro.coM

July 17-19: Monterey, calif.: Laguna Seca – WSBK support races

april 19: West point, tenn.: NATRA, NATRA-westpoint.net

august 7-9: Indianapolis, Ind.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway - MotoGP support races

May 17: park hills, Mo.: Missouri Mudders, MOmudders.com

sept. 11-13: Millville, n.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park aMeRIcan spoRtbIke RacIng assocIatIon chaMpIonshIp ASrArAcInG.coM

May 3: Millville, n.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

48

sept. 7-12: Kosice, Slovakia

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

June 14: upton, Wyo.: Inyan Kara Riders, pauld@rtconnect.net

geIco aMa enduRocRoss endurocroSS.coM

May 2: delta, utah: Sage Riders MC, SageRidersMC. com June 6-7: snowville, utah: Big Nasty Hillclimb LLC, X12Events.com

May 1: las Vegas, nev.: Orleans Arena

aug. 22: panaca, nev.: Silver State Trail Blazers

June 5: austin, texas: X Games, Circuit of the Americas

oct. 24-25: lucerne Valley, calif.: 100s MC, 100smc.com

sept. 26: sacramento, calif.: Sleep Train Arena

aIRes aMa/natc MototRIals natIonal chaMpIonshIp seRIes AMArAcInG.coM | MototrIAlS.coM

oct. 3: denver, colo.: National Western Complex oct. 17: everett, Wash.: XFINITY Arena

april 18-19: kingman, ariz. (West)

nov. 7: boise, Idaho: Ford Idaho Center

June 13-14: nehawka, neb.: mwta-trials.com (East)

nov. 21-22: ontario, calif.: Citizens Business Bank Arena

June 20-21: toronto, ohio: trialsinc.org (East)

aMsoIl aMa gRand natIonal cRoss countRy seRIes GnccrAcInG.coM april 25-26: springville, Ind.: Limestone 100 May 9-10: odessa, n.y.: The Tomahawk May 23-24: Masontown, W. Va.: Mountaineer Run June 6-7: Millfield, Ohio: John Penton June 20-21: snowshoe, W. Va.: Snowshoe sept. 19-20: new berlin, n.y.: Unadilla oct. 3-4: somerset, pa.: Moutain Ridge oct. 17-18: st. clairsville, ohio: Powerline Park

aug. 8-9: casper, Wyo. (West) youth nationals and Women’s open

July 3-5: sequatchie, tenn.: TrialsTrainingCenter. com (East) aug. 11-13: howard, colo.: ItsOffroad.com (West) kenda aMa tennessee knockout extReMe enduRo tenneSSeeKnocKoutenduro.coM

aug. 15-16: sequatchie, tenn. aMa east haRe scRaMbles seRIes aMaRacIng.coM

May 31 (amateur, youth): battle creek, Mich.: Battle Creek Motorcycle Club, BattleCreekMotorcycle Club.com

aug. 2 (amateur, youth): catawissa, pa.: High Mountain Dirt Riders, HMDR.com nov. 7 (atV) | nov.

8 (amateur, youth): kohoka, Mo.: Midwest Motorsports kenda sRt aMa West haRe scRaMbles seRIes AMArAcInG.coM

May 16 (youth, amateur): caliente, nev.: Silver State Trail Blazers June 20 (youth) | June 21 (amateur): elkton, ore.: ETRA, Inc., ETRA.net oct. 24 (amateur, atV, youth): lucerne Valley, calif.: Desert MC nov. 7 (atV, youth) | nov.

8 (amateur): searchlight, nev.: Get-Xtr-Eme.com FeatuRed seRIes: appalachIan chaMpIonshIp enduRo seRIes AceS-rAceS.coM

updated: May 31: chandersville, ohio: Grassman Enduro, Ohio Woods Riders June 28: athens, ohio: Milk Run Enduro, Athens Motorcycle Club July 19: bergholz, ohio: Lumberjack 100 Enduro, Ohio Valley Trail Riders aug. 2: logan, ohio: Jake-Tom Enduro, Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club aug. 9: thring springs, pa.: Three Springs Enduro, Green Marble Enduro Riders aug. 30: Mcarthur, ohio: Little Burr Enduro, Enduro Riders Association

July 26: cross Fork, pa.: Brandywine Enduro Riders, BER.us

oct. 31-nov. 1: crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman

aug. 23: Moorestown, Mich.: Lansing Motorcycle Club, LansingMotorcycleClub.org

kenda sRt aMa natIonal haRe and hound chaMpIonshIp

July 11 (youth bikes) | July 12 (amateur bikes & atV): berwick, pa., Evansville MX Park, EvansvilleMXpark.com

sept. 13: londonderry, ohio: Art Mitchell Memorial Enduro, Chillicothe Enduro Riders Association

sept. 27: lynnville, Ind.: Lynnville Area Dirt Riders Inc., LADirtRiders.com

april 25-26: Johnson Valley, calif.: Vikings MC, VikingsMC.com

July 19 (amateur, youth): Mahoney city, pa.: Valley Forge Trail Riders, VFTR.org

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

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2015 EVENTS Nov. 8: Greenville, Ohio: Peace Pipe Enduro, Treaty City Motorcycle Club Featured SerieS: BiG 6 aMa WeSt COaSt GraNd PriX SerieS Big6Racing.com

May 2-3: Primm, Nev.: Shamrocks MC, Buffalo Bills Casino 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 april 19: Port elizabeth, N.J.: Greenbrier Enduro, Tri-County Sportsmen Motorcycle Club, TeamHammer.org May 3: delaware City, del.: Delaware State Enduro, Delaware Enduro Riders, DelawareEnduroRiders. com May 24: Heckscherville, Pa.: Broad Mountain Enduro, Reading Off Road Riders, RORR.org June 14: deposit, N.Y.: Ridge Run Enduro, Ridge Riders Motorcycle Club, RidgeRiders.org June 28: Blain, Pa.: Foggy Mountain Enduro, Susquehanna Off Road Riders, SORRmc.org July 12: Gillett, Pa.: Barbed Wire Enduro, Southern Tier Enduro Riders July 26: Cross Fork, Pa.: Rattlesnake National Enduro, Brandywine Enduro Riders, BER.us aug. 9: three Springs, Pa.: Three Springs Enduro, Green Marble Enduro Riders, GreenMarbleEnduroRiders .org

aug. 16: Berkshire, N.Y.: Speedsville Enduro, Ithaca Dirt Riders, IthacaDirtRiders.com 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 May 16-17: Stumpjumper Hare Scrambles, Motorcycle Competition Inc. May 30-31: Oxbo Hare Scrambles, South Penn Enduro Riders June 6-7: Dogtown 50 National Hare Scrambles, Green Marble Enduro Riders June 20-21: Reading Hare Scrambles, Reading Off Road Riders July 18-19: Mountain Top National Hare Scrambles, Valley Forge Trail Riders aug. 1-2: Shotgun National Hare Scrambles, High Mountain Dirt Riders aug. 22-23: Hurricane Lane Hare Scrambles, Meteor Motorcycle Club

Sept. 26-27: Big Bass Hare Scrambles, Ridge Riders MC uPdated: Oct. 1011: 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: VirGiNia CHaMPiONSHiP Hare SCraMBLeS SerieS vchss.oRg

april 19: dillwyn, Va.: Central Virginia May 3: Martinsville, Va.: Blue Ridge May 24: Surry, Va.: Reddy Hole June 7: Location tBa: Tidewater June 21: Bristol, Va.: Harleywood

Oct. 3: Chimney rock, utah: Sageriders MC Oct. 18: red Mountain, Calif.: Training Wheels MC Oct. 25: elkins Flat, Calif.: Polka Dots MC

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

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Featured SerieS: WeSterN NeW YOrk OFF-rOad aSSOCiatiON wnyoa.nEt May 3: Newfield, N.Y.: Dream Riders May 10: Odessa, N.Y.: GNCC May 24: richford, N.Y.: Broome-Tioga Sports Center May 31: Newark Valley, N.Y.: Victory Mountain Dirt Riders June 7: Palermo, N.Y.: Arcadia Bark Busters June 14: Lowman, N.Y.: Full Action Cycles

aug. 16: Martinsville, Va.: Blue Ridge II

June 28: Newark Valley, N.Y.: Valley View Dirt Riders

aug. 30: rural retreat, Va.: Coyote Run

July 12: Fassett, Pa.: Barbed Wire (STER)

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

July 19: Odessa, N.Y.: Seneca Highland

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

July 26: Homer, N.Y.: Knobby Acres aug. 2: Location tBa: Scooters 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

april 19: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: United MC

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

June 6: upton, Wyo.: Inyan Kara Riders

Oct. 11: Location tBd: The Finale

May 30: Cookville, tenn.: Middle Tennessee Dragway June 7: Jefferson, Pa.: White Rose Motorcycle Club June 14: Freemansburg, Pa.: Bushkill Valley June 17: Canaan, N.H.: Ridge Runner July 19: West Branch, Mich.: Ogemaw Hills Sept. 13: Freemansburg, Pa.: Bushkill Valley Sept. 27: Jefferson, Pa.: White Rose Motorcycle Club Oct. 11: Oregonia, Ohio: Dayton Motorcycle Club aMa SuPerMOtO NatiONaL CHaMPiONSHiP

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May 29-30: Plymouth, Wis.: Road America uPdated: June 19-20: Loudon, N.H.: New Hampshire July 3-4: denver, Colo.: Colorado National Speedway uPdated: aug 1-2: Sturgis, S.d.: Sturgis City Park aug. 14-15: Salt Lake City, utah: Miller Motorsports Park Sept. 18-20: Sturgis, S.d.: Downtown Sturgis uPdated: Nov. 6-8: tucson, ariz.: Muscle Man Honda

May 2015

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2015 EVENTS Sept. 19-20: Logan, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters

June 27-28: Big Bear City, Calif.: Big Bear Trail Riders, Inc.

Americade June 1-6: Lake George, N.Y.: Americade.com

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

Aug. 15-16: Columbus, Ind.: Stoney Lonesome M/C

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

Aug. 15-16: Tillamook, Ore.: Northwest Tour & Trail

The Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally Sept. 16-20: Ruidoso, N.M.: MotorcycleRally.com

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

UPDATED: Sept. 12-15: Golden Pond, Ky.: KT Riders

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

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

May 2-3: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Family Off-Road Adventures

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

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

Republic of Texas (R.O.T.) Rally June 11-14: Austin, Texas: ROTrally.com

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

Laconia Motorcycle Week June 13-21: Laconia, N.H.: LaconiaMCweek.com

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

Thunder in the Valley June 25-28: Johnstown, P.a.: VisitJohnstownPA. com/thunderinthevalley/

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May 16-17: McArthur, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters May 31: Atlanta, N.Y.: Wayne County Motorcycle Club June 6-7: Odell, Ore.: Northwest Tour & Trail June 6-7: Lock Haven, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club June 6-7: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders Aug. 15-16: Tillamook, Ore.: Northwest Tour & Trail Sept. 12-13: Pineola, N.C.: Appalachian Trail Riders

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June 6-7: Bixby, Mo.: Midwest Trail Riders Association June 6-7: Odell, Ore.: Northwest Tour & Trail June 6-7: Lock Haven, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club June 6-7: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders

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

AMA NATIONAL GYPSY TOURS

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Laughlin River Run April 22-26: Laughlin, Nev.: LaughlinRiverRun. com

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

37th Annual National Bikers Roundup Aug. 5-9: Hartsville, S.C.: nbrkcmo.com

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

Sturgis Aug. 3-9: Sturgis, S.D.: SturgisMotorcycleRally.com

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

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

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AMA NATIONAL RALLIES

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AspenCash Rally May 14-17: Ruidoso, N.M.: MotorcycleRally.com STAR 2015 June 21-25: Springdale, Ark.: RideMSTA.com/ srblog/star/ RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel Annual Touring Weekend July 16-19: WinstonSalem, N.C.: RoadRUNNER.travel/ events/touring-weekend/ Rally In The Gorge Aug. 26-30: Hood River, Ore.: soundrider.com/rally AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS

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March of Dimes Bikers for Babies (events nationwide): BikerForBabies.org Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation - Ride for Kids (events nationwide): RideForKids.org AMA VINTAGE GRAND TOUR

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

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July 10-12: Lexington, Ohio: The largest annual fund-raiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. See AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event for more details.

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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.

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July 10-12: Lexington, Ohio: Demo. bikes from manufacturers, visit the swap meet, watch or compete in vintage racing, meet AMA Hall of Famers, attend seminars and more.

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AMA Trademarks The following represents active, registered trademarks, trademarks and service marks of American Motorcyclist Association, Inc. (AMA).

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GUEST COLUMN

ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLING Expanding Your Options by Chris Roher

I started riding adventure bikes in the late 1980s before they were routinely called that. I had a 1989 Honda Transalp that I rode in dual-sport events around central Pennsylvania before it was typical for organized rides to offer both a “dual sport” and an “adventure bike” route.

Back then, you signed the waiver, checked your insurance and headed in, regardless of the size of your motorcycle.

Some of these rides were enduro trails and singletrack, and others were rocky and graveled forest roads. Either way I loved it. I couldn’t believe the places I could ride a 400- to 500-pound motorcycle.

Momentum was my friend!

Today, I still participate in dual-sport rides, currently on a BMW R1200GSW or X-Challenge. I get in over my head and sometimes wish I had a smaller bike, but I still prefer adventure-class motorcycles.

Tires seem to be my limiting factor. If the event is wet, it can be treacherous on street-rated tires. If it’s dry, it’s no problem.

One cool thing is that I can ride to these events and back home without hauling the bike (and gear) in the back of a truck or on the bed of a trailer. The big adventure bikes are made for this. In fact, the ride to and from the events often can be as much fun as the event itself.

It’s now common for most dual-sport events to include an adventure route that uses less, if any, singletrack and more gravel roads. We take groups of riders from Velocity Cycles, our shop in Mechanicsburg, Pa., to ride these events.

We even have an AMAchartered club (www. adventureriders.net) and host sanctioned events and attend others. I am also a member of a local off-road club called PaTRA that organizes the

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annual Seven Mountains Dual Sport. To find a great adventure ride is as easy as looking up the calendar for the Yamaha Super Ténéré AMA National Adventure Riding Series in the calendar section of this magazine. The national series includes the best rides in the country.

As you can tell, I’m hooked on adventure riding. So, I’m not surprised that adventure bikes are the fastest-growing segment in motorcycling. A friend of mine, Chris Cuomo, once asked me how long I think the adventure trend will be popular.

Without hesitation I answered, “forever.”

I don’t see this as a short-term trend. To me, adventure riding is the ultimate form of motorcycling. Who wouldn’t want to be comfortable, have nice luggage and possess the ability to explore dirt roads or carve twisty asphalt?

While it may be that 80 percent of the Earth’s roads are dirt, in my part of Pennsylvania, dirt roads are rare, other than some highly regulated forest routes.

However, for me, this underscores the versatility of the adventure bike. While you can take them off-road, they are otherwise superb street bikes. I’ve spent many hours exploring mountain passes in the western United States, and adventure bikes are perfect for this. There is some wide-open country to explore, and these bikes can cover great distances. You can pack lots of gear for riding and camping, and there is no better way to go on a cross-country trip, especially when you wake up to see

beautiful snow-capped mountains that you had no idea were there when you pitched your tent in darkness the night before.

Many new adventure riders fear that if they don’t have any off-road experience that they are bound to flounder. Adventure riding isn’t as difficult as it might seem.

The strange feeling of the bike moving around is odd at first, but soon you will trust the bike’s capabilities. You’ll develop a feeling for riding “loose” and avoiding a white-knuckled death grip (and the propensity to underreact or overcorrect that comes with it).

It’s important to recognize that an adventure ride is not a race. Off-road racers often ride at the edge of their abilities, so when something goes wrong a crash is more likely. When you are on a casual adventure ride, you ride far below your potential. That way, if there’s trouble, such as an unexpected loss of traction, you will be able to correct yourself safely.

A beginner adventure riding class is an important step, as well. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll improve from just a day of instruction. For experienced riders, there are classes for you too. Even better, many schools follow up the training with a one- or two-day adventure ride, which is a great way to practice your new skills.

You are doing your part as a member of the AMA. Advocate that your friends join as well, so we can all support our freedom to ride. Also, I highly recommend joining a local club. Clubs promote and expand riding opportunities, and we all should support them. After all, it’s those opportunities that turn into the adventures that become the memories of a lifetime.

Chris Roher is an AMA member and chartered organizer. Reach him at advriders@yahoo.com or at www.adventureriders.net.

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UNITED BY INDEPENDENTS

Allstate Agent and rider Rusty Creed with a warning sign he helped install at the intersection of Greenway Road and 32nd Street in Phoenix, AZ.

DOING NOTHING IS DANGEROUS. THREE MOTORCYCLISTS DIE AT INTERSECTIONS EVERY DAY. So Allstate is taking action by working with local municipalities to put up hundreds of Watch for Motorcycles signs across the country. If you know an intersection that needs a warning, tell us and spread the word at facebook.com/AllstateMotorcycle.

Together, let’s keep riders riding.

LOCAL AGENT 888-ALLSTATE ALLSTATE.COM To learn more about Allstate Motorcycle Insurance, contact your local agent.

Based on U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System averages. Allstate Indemnity Company, Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL and Allstate New Jersey Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Bridgewater, NJ. © 2014 Allstate Insurance Company