American Motorcyclist May 2016 Dirt

MAY 2016

FIRST TIME RACING: KNOW YOU’RE READY

Photo Ed Carlo Garcia

SEEING AND BEING SEEN DURING MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH

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

American Motorcyclist magazine

$19.95

Included

AMA Roadside Assistance (When Enrolled In Auto-Renew Program)

$104

Included*

AMA Online Road And Trail Guide

$19

Included

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

Your Cost

$75

Included

$40**

Up To 20% Off

$187.50***

Up To 25% Off

Priceless

Included

Your Membership Dues

$49

Total Membership Value

$450.45

*must maintain valid credit card and email address on file for coverage to continue **average cost of $100/night stay – 2 nights ***average $750 per year expenses on gear/parts/accessories

THE ESSENTIALS AMA Roadside Assistance

The Best Deal In Towing Get peace of mind with AMA Roadside Assistance, which covers all your vehicles, as well as those of your family members living with you.

Best of all, you can get this coverage at no additional charge. For details, call (800) 262-5646.

EagleRider Motorcycle Rentals

Arrive And Ride EagleRider offers an AMA member discount of 10% discount on Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW and Polaris rentals and tours.

Call (888) 900-9901 or book at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ Membership/EagleRider.aspx, using discount code AMA015.

Lodging

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

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

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

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.

Car Rentals

Save Money When You Drive Get up to 25% off prevailing rates at any Avis or Budget car rental agency.

For Avis, enter discount code: D388100. For Budget, enter code: Z942000. AMA Members save up to 25% on year-round Hertz rentals with discount code CDP# 497193.

AMA Gear

Official Online Store for AMA Merchandise Find patches, pins, T-shirts, hats, coolers and much more at AMAgear.com.

Rider Accident Medical Plan All members of the AMA are eligible to purchase coverage.

Benefits are paid when a covered member is injured. See http:// www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ Membership/Members_Only/ DiscountCodes for details.

Insurance, Credit Card, Finance and Banking

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

Cycle Trader

Visit CycleTrader.com for access to nearly 400,000 motorcycles and power sports vehicles across the country. If interested in trading up, click on “Sell for Free” on the homepage and use promo code “AMACT20” at checkout for 20% off the top-of-the-line package.

For more info, visit www.

CycleTrader.com.

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS ActionStation/Bohn Body Armor

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

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

Colorado Motorcycle Adventures

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

Pagnol Moto

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

Rider Magazine ADVMoto

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

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

Design Engineering, Inc.

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

Dowco Powersports

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

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

AMA Supercross And AMA Arenacross Tickets

EVS Sports

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

Anthony’s Leatherworks

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

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

Gear Brake

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

Heat Demon BikeBandit.com

Visit BikeBandit.com for a 10% discounts on motorcycle parts, gear and apparel. Enter your AMA number when checking out to receive your discount.

(Discount is not available on tires.)

Biker Rain Chaps

Save 25%. Visit www.bikerrainchaps. com/ama/ and use the code AMA-0416EASTER at checkout to receive your discount.

Black Wolf Mototours

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

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

International Motorcycle Shows

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

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

Just present the code AMABRO when ordering.

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine offers a 20% subscription discount to AMA members.

RoadRUNNER is the touring expert of North America, providing information on the best places to ride. AMA discount code is CRIAMA at www.roadrunner. travel/promo/ama.

Sena

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

Shark Kage

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

Shock Sox

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

ShockSox.com

Spot LLC

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

MAD Maps

The best routes made easy. Save 20%.

Use promo code AMATHXU at www.

MADmaps.com.

Medjet Brooks Leather

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.

Learn More and Enroll – visit www.

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

TomTom

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

US Chrome

AMA Members save big at US Chrome!

We offer a $30.00 discount on cylinder plating and dealer pricing on Wiseco, Wossner, ProX and Vertex piston kits.

For more information visit the Members Area of the website.

MYLAPS Cardo Systems, Inc.

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

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

Warm & Safe

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

Kevin Wing

NAVIGATION

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, when we focus on strategies that make riders more visible to other road and trail users.

Read more on page 36.

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LETTERS VIEWPOINT RIGHTS HALL OF FAME EVENTS CALENDAR GUEST COLUMN

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

Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2016.

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

STREET COVER AMA member Bill Tillman is going on a lot of group rides in 2016. How are you enjoying your motorcycle this year?

DIRT/COMPETITION COVER Remember your first time racing? Jackson Adams sure does. He offers some fresh perspective on getting started in a great sport.

PAGE 28. AMA member Tom Mehren takes you along on a hot tub tour of the Northwest United States.

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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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.

Ken Hill

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PAGE 22. Daytona Bike Week round up—all the racing from the year’s first big week of competition.

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May 2016 Volume 70, 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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Always maintain, inspect and wear protective motorcycle riding gear. No gear can offer complete protection from all situations. Obey all speed and safety laws. Riding and alcohol or other drugs don’t mix.

ENJOY THE

ADVENTURE COMMUNICATIONS

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

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James Holter, Vice President of Communications and Marketing Jim Witters, Managing Editor Heather Wilson, Associate Editor Mark Lapid, Creative Services Director Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer Halley Immelt, Graphic Designer Steve Gotoski, Advertising Director (Western States) (951) 566-5068, sgotoski@ama-cycle.org

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, Chair Schenectady, N.Y. Russ Brenan, Vice Chair, Irvine, Calif.

Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla. Paul Puma, Executive Committee Member, Laguna Beach, Calif.

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

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

Jerry Abboud, Thornton, Colo.

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, 2016.

Ted Cabral, Penngrove, Calif.

David Foley, Milwaukee, Wis. Tony Moseley, Fort Worth, Texas Roger Pattison, Taos Ski Valley, N.M. Robert Pearce, Murrieta, Calif.

Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.

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

AMA STAFF EXECUTIVE

DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES

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

John Bricker, Mailroom Manager Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk

ACCOUNTING/DATA ENTRY Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager Lori Cavucci, Data Entry Representative Deb D’Andrea, Data Entry Representative Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator Ed Madden, System Support Specialist Nicole Weppler, Member Fulfillment Specialist AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES Bill Cumbow, Director of Racing Kip Bigelow, Motocross Manager Joe Bromley, Program Development Manager Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations Alex Hunter, Racing Projects Manager Michael Jolly, Off Road/Track Assistant Manager Beth Owen, Off-Road Coordinator Mike Pelletier, Assistant Motocross Manager Jessica Robinson, Track Racing Coordinator Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager Cristy Wiles, Motocross Coordinator Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS

MOTION PRO, INC. I MOTIONPRO.COM I 650-594-9600

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

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

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations Nick Haris, Western States Representative Rick Podliska, Deputy Director Steve Salisbury, Government Affairs Manager, Off-Highway Michael Sayre, Grassroots Coordinator Elizabeth Starek, Staff Assistant Casey Wright, Government Affairs Manager, On-Highway STATE CHAPTERS AND RECREATIONAL RIDING Marie Wuelleh, Recreational Riding and Volunteer Manager Rob Baughman, Assistant Manager, Recreational Road Riding Serena Van Dyke, Recreational Riding Coordinator INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Jennifer Kirkpatrick, IT Director Dave Coleman, Network Architect MARKETING AND EVENTS Jordan Cavallaro, Collections Assistant Amanda Donchess, Membership Marketing Manager Connie Fleming, Events Manager Hannah Saunders, Marketing Coordinator Paula Schremser, Program Specialist Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing Manager MEMBER SERVICES Tiffany Pound, Member Services Manager Christina Dolin, Member Services Representative Amy Edwards, Member Services Representative Lydia Moss, Receptionist

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No gear can offer complete protection from all situations. Obey all speed and safety laws. Riding and alcohol or other drugs don’t mix.

MEMBER LETTERS Letter of the Month RIDE ON “A Dangerous Heaven” (March issue) by Suzanne Shafer hit the nail on the head! At my age (62) more and more folks question why I still ride—“it’s crazy out there, man”—and, of course, they are right.

But what is the alternative?

Riding has been my passion for over 45 years, and as long as I am physically fit enough to safely ride, I will continue to do so.

Mark Harrigan Danville, Calif.

FOLLOW THE SUN Most of us have seen “Wild Hogs,” a movie about a riding club trying to recapture their past and coming across a biker gang. The movie helped create a tourist attraction for the little-known town of Madrid, N.M. The town was an anthracite mining town dating back to the early 1800s and, prior to the movie, had recently developed into an artistic community (similar to New Paltz, N.Y.). I recently did a ride there from Roswell, north of Clines Corner, on Route 285. It had some nice twisties once in the mountains. It was a nice ride, even with the brief cold front and snow flurries.

When we searched for Maggie’s Diner— which is not really a diner but a building that was built for the movie and left behind for the sole purpose of selling movie memorabilia—less than a hundred yards past it we found a great little restaurant.

On the return to Roswell, we went south through a string of little towns, including Corona, N.M. I moved to New Mexico for the reason that it affords me the ability to ride year round. I ride with friends or by myself if no one wants to come.

Lee De Leonard Jr. Roswell, N.M.

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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.

GOOD READ The April 2016 issue really slowed me down.

1) J.R. Clark of Oakland, Calif., had an excellent letter about lane splitting realities of a Bay Area commute; 2) Rob Dingman’s “No Excuse Needed” was a welcome prod to get outside; 3) The update concerning three new national monuments in California was very interesting. (Absent any real House+Senate+Executive Branch cooperation, I’m siding with the President erring on the side of nature; sorry, but there you go.); 4) The E15/ethanol labeling article wisely reminds me to pay more attention at the pump; 5) A great feature on a new wave of helmet technology and challenges of head injury prevention (“Helmet Tech Aims High”); and finally, 6) Kudos to Ron Daigle’s terrific essay explaining the physics and expressing the pleasure of taking a curve—his writing also found just the right balance.

Good stuff, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you. Future issues of American Motorcyclist will get the closer look your efforts deserve.

Sean Coleman New York, N.Y. SALT MATTERS Congratulations to the AMA for joining the Save the Salt Coalition!

My forthcoming book, “The Unlikely 1,” includes specific mention of the AMA’s essential work in making amateur motorcycle racing safe, accessible and, well, possible. Without the AMA and its capable staff and its support, it is unlikely that events like the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, where I fulfilled a life-long dream of capturing an AMA No. 1 plate, could even happen, let alone flourish.

I will definitely update the manuscript to include recognition of the AMA in this important effort to save the Bonneville Salt Flats.

I have also taken up this cause and work to encourage others to do the same in the motorcycling community: “Bonneville Salt Flats in Jeopardy,” RideApart, November 2015 (www. rideapart.com/articles/bonneville-saltflats-jeopardy).

All the best for much continued success!

Gary Ilminen Lone Rock, Wis.

SIGNS POINT THE WAY Like Douglas Weir (“From End To End,” March issue), I have enjoyed riding a few national roads from end to end. I figured if I just follow the signs, there’s no need to look at a map while en route. I live near Detroit, Mich., and I’ve traveled U.S. 27 from Fort Wayne, Ind., to Miami, Fla. Then I returned via U.S. 441 from Miami to Lake City, Tenn. The following year I took U.S. 322 from Cleveland to Atlantic City, N.J. There are several other great roads I’d like to take that begin (or end) in my home state.

Dave Raetz Rochester Hills, Mich.

ENJOYING END TO END RIDES The March issue really hit home with me. “From End To End” reminded me of some trips I’ve taken. I’ve done U.S. 2 from Everett, Wash., to Superior, Wis. I’ve also ridden U.S. 50 from Sacramento to Ocean City, Md. Both rides had some high points and some not-so-high points. U.S. 2 is pretty nice until you leave Glacier National Park and then it gets a bit straight and flat.

U.S. 50 is spectacular through Colorado.

Utah and Nevada are cool because of the scenery, and West Virginia is great. Now I want to ride U.S. 99 but need to do more research.

Also, “A Dangerous Heaven” hit home with me. I just turned 68 and sometimes wonder if I’m getting too old. Nah, I think I’ll ride from the Washington coast this spring to Washington, D.C., for Rolling Thunder. You don’t quit riding because you got old, you got old because you quit riding.

Michael Preston Ocean Shores, Wash.

CROSS COUNTRY TOUR Thank you for the entertaining and informative article in the March issue by Douglas Weir. My wife and I are also great fans of end-to-end travel on our Harley Tri-Glide. Our first end-to-end ride was in 2012 on U.S. 20 From Boston to Newport, Ore. It took a couple of trips to do it all, but we made it. Signage is a little iffy in Albany, N.Y., and we had to zig and zag to re-find it. Once in Boston as you get past Harvard Yard, it just turns into city streets.

And there’s no “end” sign on either end of U.S. 20, either.

After reaching Oregon, we turned south on U.S. 101, rode to northern California and picked up U.S. 50 just outside of Reno, Nev. We stayed with U.S. 50 to St.

Louis before turning the handlebars toward home.

Our next end to end was U.S. 2 from Maine to Washington State. Route 2 disappears at the New York/Vermont border and reappears again at the western end of the Mackinaw Bridge in St. Ignace, Mich.

We detoured to Glacier National Park and the Going to the Sun Road.

We again detoured onto My wife, Mary, and our Harley TriWashington Glide during a U.S. 20 detour to the state route Iron Mountain Road in the Black 20, which is Hills of South Dakota. the Cascades Scenic Byway, ending our westward travel at the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park.

We rode state highways home this time, covering the Columbia River Gorge, Snake River Gorge, the Beartooth and Chief Joseph Highways and the Route 14A alluded to by Mr. Weir. He’s right. It should be considered one of the 10 best motorcycle roads in America.

Lester Hayward Lodi, N.Y.

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

In response to counting down to Daytona Bike Week and being asked how many years members have attended...

John Keith Wynn: Have not missed a year since 1965. My favorite memory is racing every night at Memorial Stadium until 11 or 12 then going to Lester’s Diner for the giant cups of coffee and lying about how you could have won if you had one more lap.

Michael Herrold: Lost count... Many in my younger years, but it has been over 25 years.... See ya’ll March 5...

In response to an AMA press release about the AMA sanctioning the Daytona 200 this year…

Abel Rivas (@Bikernole): @ama_ racing @DISupdates Fantastic news!

Getting my tickets today! #bikeweek #AMA #Daytona200

In response to a historic photo from a Daytona Bike Week flat track event… @Movinon: Cool picture! From 1980 to 1987, I was AMA class A speedway rider No. 254. And one of these years soon I’m going to make it to Bike Week! Thanks, AMA, for all you do for us motorcyclists!

TRIM SAFETY

VIEWPOINT

SPREADING THE WORD Take Control Of Your Visibility On The Road

Wayne Allard

The purpose of Motorcycle Awareness Month is to remind car, truck and SUV drivers that there are other more vulnerable users on the road, namely motorcycle riders. Each year with the approach of summer, travelers start their vacations, newly licensed operators enjoy the freedom of driving and commercial truckers log more miles thanks to longer daylight hours.

It is a time to encourage greater awareness and practice defensive driving on the part of all vehicle operators.

In addition to supporting Motorcycle Awareness Month proclamations and publicity in cities and states throughout the country, the AMA has advocated for policies at every level of government to increase awareness of motorcycles.

• We pushed the federal government to install awareness signs on the interstate highway system, reversing their policy to only allow directional signage.

• We are engaging cities and counties that are adopting the goal of zero road deaths— Vision Zero—to include motorcycles in all of their plans.

• We have been working with industry and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop enhanced electronic infrastructure that identifies the presence of motorcycles in vehicle warning and crash avoidance systems, such as automatic braking systems.

It almost goes without saying that the increasing presence of systems designed to better detect motorcycles is not a guarantee of safety. Both riders and drivers will need to continue to use caution and not become complacent or dependent on these new technologies.

The bottom line? Motorcycle Awareness Month is all about watching for motorcycles, but the responsibility still rests with drivers and riders to share the road. The promise of emerging technologies and enhanced efforts to stress careful driving on our nation’s public thoroughfares can’t replace good driving habits and defensive driving skills.

The value of Motorcycle Awareness Month is in the elevation and repetition of our message.

When we remind all drivers on our nation’s roads and highways that the summer months experience the highest use and crash rates, driving carefully and responsibly—and looking for motorcycles—just makes good sense.

Nick Fancher

Wayne Allard is the AMA’s vice president of government relations.

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AMA SUPPORTS CARNEGIE EXPANSION

HOUSE PASSES ‘SUE-AND-SETTLE’ BILL

California OHV Area Would Gain 3,100 Acres The AMA supports the proposed expansion of the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area in California and has cautioned state authorities not to bow to public pressure to restrict or prohibit responsible offhighway-vehicle recreation.

“The expansion lands were bought nearly 20 years ago with OHV Trust Fund money,” says Nick Haris, AMA western states representative. “Any attempt to classify the current planning process as an opportunity to determine if motorized recreation will be allowed on these lands is misleading and disingenuous.”

The purchase of the 3,100 acres next to Carnegie SVRA was done specifically to expand offhighway-vehicle recreation and was reviewed and approved by the state legislature at that time.

“The OHV community has long enjoyed this important SVRA, which has been part of the California State Parks system since 1980, when the site was

Law Would Halt Regulation By Litigation

purchased by the California Department of Parks and Recreation,” Haris says.

“Before that, the 1,500-plus acres were privately owned and enjoyed by generations of motorized recreationists, including a period when it was operated as a private motorcycle park.

“Members of the public wishing to restrict or prohibit OHV recreation were heard from by the legislature at the time of the purchase,” Haris says, “and should not be allowed to mislead the council at this time regarding this matter.”

The Carnegie expansion complies with existing statutes that direct California State Parks to implement and administer a program to manage and enhance off-highway motor vehicle recreational uses. This plan will not only meet the increasing regional demand for quality and sustainable OHV recreation, but also will provide new opportunities for increasingly popular touring and backcountry experiences for larger vehicles, Haris adds.

A bill to curb suepublic comment and-settle strategies and public by environmental hearings on the groups has passed proposal. the U.S. House.

“This legislation The sue-and-settle is of interest to strategy comes our western state into play when an off-road members, environmental group especially, U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) files a lawsuit against because of the a federal agency alleging apparent cooperation between failure to meet regulatory environmental groups and U.S. deadlines or follow proper Forest service managers,” procedures. The group then says Wayne Allard, AMA vice offers to settle the lawsuit if president of government the agency agrees to certain relations. “Environmental conditions. groups file lawsuits that are These out-of-court excessive against the U.S. settlements—which are not Forest Service. Then the Forest subject to public comment Service and environmental or scrutiny—can result in degroups say they have settled facto rules and regulations. their differences, and the The tactic puts decisioncompromise is close to what making in the hands of one the environmental groups special interest group. wanted all along.”

H.R. 712, the Sunshine for The AMA supports Regulations and Regulatory responsible recreational Decrees and Settlements Act access to public lands of 2016, sponsored by U.S. for the use of off-highway Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), motorcycles, dual-sport would require federal agencies motorcycles and all-terrain that are seeking to enter into a vehicles. consent decree or settlement This access should be agreement to publish the administered by professional proposed agreement in the land managers to meet Federal Register and online at the needs of participants, least 60 days before it is filed protect the land and promote with the court and provide for responsible use.

ARKANSAS CITIES SUED OVER SOUND

David Duffin

Former Cop Wants Rally Crackdown

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A former Texas law enforcement officer has sued officials of Fort Smith, Ark., and Fayetteville, Ark., in federal court for what he says is their failure to regulate the sound of motorcycles at the Steel Horse Rally and the Bikes, Blues & BBQ festival.

Rickey Holtsclaw, of Uniontown, Ark., claims that law enforcement in the two cities are not enforcing laws against excessive noise or laws regarding the types of mufflers that may be legally

used on motorcycles.

Officials from the Steel Horse Rally in Fort Smith told the local newspaper that the municipal code provides exceptions for excessive sound, and the rally obtained a permit under that exception.

The Bikes, Blues & BBQ organizer says his permit allowing louder sound during the festival generally has applied to music during the event, not to motorcycles. He says most of the bikes at the event sport legal mufflers.

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Always ride responsibly and safely. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Don’t drink and drive.

INYO, SEQUOIA, SIERRA FOREST PLANS

FEINSTEIN REINTRODUCES DESERT BILL

AMA Opposes Wilderness Recommendations

• Wilderness recommendations reduce volunteerism by disenfranchising the OHV community; • Wilderness designations harm forest health in the form of deteriorating conditions, wildfires and damage to watersheds and wildlife habitats; • OHV and mountain bikers have a right to seek primitive solitude; and • Wilderness recommendations create unsustainable conditions that violate the Forest Service’s priority of stewardship.

Bill Would Designate Five OHV Areas in California

Chris Horgan

The AMA joined 54 other groups in a letter to the National Forest Service opposing Wilderness designations for lands in the Inyo, Sequoia and Sierra National Forests.

The Forest Service issued a Draft Wilderness Evaluation in January that claimed resource damage, but staff members were unable to substantiate the claims when challenged.

The opposition letter states that this calls into question the entire evaluation.

The letter further points out that: • The Forest Service lacks resources to manage current Wilderness;

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U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation that would designate five existing off-highwayvehicle recreation areas encompassing 142,000 acres in the California desert as permanent OHV Recreation Areas.

The Desert Conservation, Off-Road Recreation and Renewable Energy Act is a revised version of desert legislation the senator introduced in 2015, which also included the designation of three new national monuments.

President Barack Obama used his authority under the American Antiquities U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)

Act of 1906 to designate the Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains national monuments covering more than 1.8 million acres of California desert. Following the president’s executive action, Feinstein pledged to introduce legislation to address the aspects of her 2015 bill that Obama did not include in his monument designations.

U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.), whose district includes the affected desert area, introduced a similar bill, H.R. 3668, the California Minerals, Off-Road Recreation, and Conservation Act. It, too, would set aside areas for responsible OHV activity.

Feinstein says her bill, introduced Feb. 23, “includes all of the carefully negotiated provisions from the bill introduced last year, minus the three monuments.... Of note, the legislation includes permanent protection for five off-highway recreation areas covering 142,000 acres.”

Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, says that the Feinstein bill is under review. The AMA currently supports the Cook bill in the House of Representatives.

In addition to creating the OHV riding areas, the Feinstein bill would: • Designate five new Bureau of Land Management wilderness areas covering 230,000 acres; • Designate 18,610 acres of BLM land in Inyo County as the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, preserving it for continued recreational use; • Designate 77 miles of waterways as Wild and Scenic Rivers; • Add 39,000 acres to Death Valley National Park and 4,500 acres to Joshua Tree National Park.

STATEWATCH ARIZONA H.B. 2052, introduced by state Rep. Randall Friese (D-Tucson), would require motorcycle riders to wear helmets unless they pay a fee when registering their bikes.

The fee would be determined by the state Department of Transportation. Failure to wear a helmet while riding would be a secondary offense.

Riders cited under the law would be fined $500, $200 of which would go to the Highway User Revenue Fund, and $300 would go to the Spinal and Head Injuries Trust Fund. Currently, only riders younger than 18 are required to wear helmets in Arizona.

ILLINOIS H.B. 6080, introduced by state Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), would prohibit the state from using federal Recreational Trails Program money for the construction of highways and from placing RTP money in the Road Fund in the State Treasury.

KANSAS H.B. 2436, introduced by state Rep. and Speaker of the House Ray Merrick (R-Stilwell), would allow applicants for a motorcycle license endorsement to complete their test on a three-wheeled

motorcycle. Those applicants who pass the test on a trike would receive a license restricting them to riding three-wheeled motorcycles. The licensing would not apply to autocycles.

MARYLAND H.B. 559, sponsored by 31 delegates, would allow motorcyclists 21 or older to ride without a helmet if the rider has held a motorcycle endorsement for at least two years and has completed a motorcycle rider safety course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Passengers may ride without a helmet if the operator of the motorcycle meets the criteria for riding helmetless.

Also, S.B. 233 would require the state Police Training Commission to include a statement in its policies condemning the profiling of motorcyclists and include antiprofiling training in courses of study for law enforcement officers.

MICHIGAN H.B. 4853, introduced by 14 state representatives, would double the fee for the state-required motorcycle safety course to $50. Fees from the courses may be used only for funding the administration and implementation of the motorcycle safety

education program.

Also, H.B. 4651, sponsored by state Rep. Julie Plawecki (D-Dearborn Heights), would raise the $100 fine for riding a motorcycle without the proper endorsement to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second offense.

MISSISSIPPI H.B. 109, introduced by state Rep. William Tracy Arnold (R-Booneville), would allow motorcyclists to use the shoulder of the road to proceed around “stalled traffic,� if the traffic is moving at a speed of less than 30 mph and the motorcycle travels no more than 10 mph faster than other traffic. The bill also would prohibit other motorists from impeding motorcyclists engaging in this maneuver.

MISSOURI H.B. 1464, sponsored by state Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield), would allow motorcyclists 21 and older to ride without a helmet. The bill also would require motorcyclists to take a two-day training course, prove they have two years of riding experience and carry vehicle and medical insurance if they want to ride without a helmet. Burlison is a member of Freedom of Road Riders of Missouri.

AMENDMENT WOULD ELIMINATE RFS Senator Says Mandate Is Outdated

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L-R: The AMA’s Wayne Allard, Sen. Jim Inhofe, Sen. Ben Cardin

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) has introduced an amendment to the Energy Policy Modernization Act (S. 2012) that would repeal the U.S. Sen. Bill federal Renewable Cassidy (R-La.) Fuel Standard.

Cassidy says the RFS is outdated.

Under current RFS rules from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. market will experience an increase in the amount of ethanol blended into motor fuels, which increases the risk that motorcycle and all-terrain-vehicle owners may inadvertently misfuel and damage their vehicles.

None of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles in use in the United States is approved by the EPA to operate on ethanol blends higher than 10 percent. Using higher-ethanol blends in those vehicles is illegal and may cause engine and fuel system damage and void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Yet the RFS mandates issued in November by the EPA would require more E15 or higher-ethanol fuel blends at retail outlets.

At this time, the AMA favors a revision of the RFS, but not a repeal of the law. The AMA supports H.R. 704, the RFS Reform Act of 2015, introduced by U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).

AMA Attends RFS Hearing Meanwhile, Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations, attended the February hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on “Oversight of the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

In addition, the AMA submitted a letter to U.S. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), the chairman of the committee, and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), ranking member of the committee, thanking participants for the hearing and voicing the concerns of motorcyclists about the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The AMA’s comments stated: • The Renewable Fuel Standard volume requirements announced in November by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency increase the risk of inadvertent misfueling for motorcyclists and U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) all-terrain-vehicle owners by mandating the widespread availability of higher-ethanol fuel blends, such as E15.

• E15 fuel is a blend of 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent ethanol and represents a 50 percent increase in ethanol over the common E10 blend most Americans currently use in their vehicles.

• The practical effect of the EPA’s action is that ethanol production will exceed the “blend wall.” That means more E15 and less E10 on the market. And, there will be a substantial reduction of E0, which is crucial to the safe operation of popular older and vintage motorcycles.

• The EPA has made it illegal for motorcyclists and ATV users to use E15 fuel, and yet seems to have little interest in the misfueling issue. It appears that the EPA does not consider the concerns of motorcyclists and ATV owners, despite knowing that none of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and ATVs in use in the United States is approved to use E15 or higher ethanol blends.

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GARTRA VOLUNTEERS HELP KEEP TRAILS OPEN Sam Shaw: Fighting For What You Enjoy When Georgia motorcyclists learned in 1992 that the U.S. Forest Service was considering closing the Chattahoochee National Forest off-highway-vehicle recreation area north of metro Atlanta, they got together to discuss their options.

At that meeting in Dahlonega between the Forest Service and concerned riders, the Georgia Recreational Trail Riders Association was formed.

AMA Life Member Sam Shaw, currently the GARTRA treasurer, attended that meeting and decided to help find a way to keep those trails open.

Shaw is one of GARTRA’s 41 members. A large part of the club’s advocacy effort is focused on trail maintenance. Here, Shaw shares some of his and GARTRA’s experiences.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST: What tactics worked best for you in protecting access to public lands?

SAM SHAW: The Forest Service was considering closing the Whissenhunt OHV riding area in 1992. Their resources were limited, and there was no local organization helping them. GARTRA was formed to address the issue.

Later, we volunteered to add the Town Creek OHV area near Greensboro, the Oakey Mountain OHV area near Lake Burton, and the Locust Stake OHV area near Toccoa to our responsibilities.

Our president, Mark Carpenter, went to work to marshal industry support of our efforts. Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha either gave us an ATV or offered us one at a fraction of its normal cost. The National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council gave us a grant to help us purchase an enclosed trailer.

After a trail evaluation by the Forest Service that was prompted by an environmental activist group, the Locust Stake OHV area near Toccoa was closed in January 2012. Some unfortunate trail

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placement many years prior to GARTRA’s involvement led to some erosion problems that could not be repaired with hand tools.

In April 2014, a few trails were reopened, but some of the trails still remained closed.

The Forest Service then closed those trails again in order to do some trail repair work and further assess runoff water passing through the OHV area. That trail repair work has not yet been done, so all the trails remain closed.

The lesson here is that there is an art and a science to laying out sustainable trails in hilly terrain. GARTRA Trail Captain, Frank Spencer, has continued to conduct monthly volunteer work days there, even while the OHV area has been closed.

One other issue is ensuring OHV trails get a fair share of the trail maintenance funds available from the Recreational Trails Program. Bruce Dreher, GARTRA’s secretary, is also the off-road-vehicle user representative on the Volunteer Advisory Committee of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which advises the state DNR on how to divide available funds among grant applications.

AM: How would you describe the riders’ relationship with government officials and other community groups?

SS: During the two years that we were working our way out of the hurricane damage, the local Forest Service Ranger, Tony Rider, worked right alongside us running a chain saw. He was one of the hardest working men we have met.

A cooperative effort also is required among the other trail user groups, the U.S. Forest Service and the state DNR to work through the trail maintenance fund grant application process.

AM: How important is rider participation in such things as trail maintenance, construction and other volunteer efforts?

SS: RTP grants are made based upon 80 percent RTP funds and 20 percent matching contributions from other sources. For every volunteer hour of trail maintenance labor contributed, the club is credited with $11 to $13. Materials and equipment contributed by the club also are accounted for. Each dollar in club contributions is matched with $4 from the RTP funds.

AM: What advice would you offer AMA members who want to be involved?

SS: Find your local club and show up for their next trail work day. If there is no club, talk to the government agency who oversees the trails on public land near you and investigate starting a support club.

Amy Arrington

Lessons Learned

Back row (l-r): James Wascher, Whissenhunt OHV Area trail captain; Sam Shaw, treasurer, risk management officer; Mark Carpenter, president; John Medicus, vice president, chairman of Dual Sport Event Organizing Committee. Front row (l-r): Bruce Dreher, secretary, newsletter editor, OHV representative on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Trails Advisory Committee; Chris Fowler, Town Creek OHV Area trail captain.

AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME CREATES NEW CATEGORY AMA Life Members With 25 Years Or More To Vote

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame has made changes that will increase the Hall of Fame’s inclusiveness and expand the population of eligible voters.

A Highly Qualified Candidate category allows the independent Hall of Fame Selection Committees to nominate candidates whose accomplishments have taken place outside the public eye but have played a significant role in motorcycling.

Also, starting with the Hall of Fame Class of 2016, all AMA Life Members with at least 25 consecutive years of membership can vote for Hall of Fame inductees. This includes all AMA Charter Life Members and paid AMA Life Members who have at least 25 consecutive years of membership.

“Over the past few years, we have implemented changes to improve the management of the museum and bring transparency to the selection process, and now we are proud to

do even more to expand the inclusiveness of motorcycling’s Hall of Fame — for nominees and for voters,” says AMA Board Chair Maggie McNally-Bradshaw.

The Highly Qualified Candidate category gives the independent Hall of Fame Selection Committees a tool to recognize advocates and other behind-the-scenes workers whose accomplishments have played a major role in motorcycling.

To participate in the Class of 2016 vote, AMA Life Members with at least 25 consecutive years of membership must have have a valid email address on file with the AMA. Eligible voters with a valid email address on file will be contacted to vote in May. AMA Life Members with at least 25 consecutive years of membership who believe they do not have updated information on file with the AMA are invited to update their information now by emailing their

AMA Members Get Free Museum Admission In addition to the improvements to the Hall of Fame voting process, the AMA also announced a big benefit for AMA members: free entry into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame museum.

The museum, located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, showcases motorcycles and memorabilia related to AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers. Whether you’re a street rider, engineering buff or a dirt track or racing fan, there’s something for you to enjoy.

In announcing the change, the AMA said the free entry for members, who previously paid $5 to visit the museum, was in recognition of the past and ongoing financial support that the AMA contributes to the preservation of the Hall of Fame and the facility.

Members should bring a valid AMA card to ensure free entry.

AMA number, name, postal address, phone number and email address to lifemembers@ama-cycle.org.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, see www.motorcycle museum.org.

NEW ONLINE AMA CLASSIFIEDS AMA Partners With CycleTrader.com

AMA members will receive a 20 percent discount at CycleTrader.com on top-ofthe-line classified ads to sell or trade their motorcycles.

AMA members can take advantage of the discount by using a promo code found in the members-only section of the AMA website. Additionally, powersports enthusiasts can search bikes for sale on Cycle Trader through the Classifieds link at www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

The partnership also includes a new

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resource page on CycleTrader.com, showcasing information on the AMA for potential new members. CycleTrader.com features nearly 400,000 units for sale and attracts more than 2 million visitors each month. This provides greater exposure for the AMA to recruit new powersports enthusiasts to become AMA members.

“CycleTrader.com is excited to work with the AMA to showcase the value of becoming an AMA member to those enthusiasts shopping on our sites every

day,” says Tim Custer, director of strategic initiatives for CycleTrader.com. “AMA is known as the place to go for events, benefits, riding, racing and more. We want enthusiasts visiting CycleTrader.com to learn more about the benefits of AMA membership.”

For information about all AMA-member discounts and how to take advantage of them, see www.americanmotorcyclist. com > Membership Info > Benefits of Membership.

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RACE RECAPS

DAYTONA BIKE WEEK ROUNDUP

Daytona Bike Week is not only home to one of the largest road riding rallies, it’s also a hot bed for racing. The Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., hosted Bike Week events for AMA-sanctioned amateur Supercross, dirt track, and professional Supercross riders. Additionally, off-road and track races took place at locations not far from Daytona. Here’s a recap of some of the races and champions who were named.

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AMATEUR SX CROWNS 36 CLASS WINNERS

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Some of the top amateur motocross racers took to a modified AMA Supercross track March 6-7 to do battle. Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki’s Austin Forkner grabbed the Open Pro Sport win, in addition to the 250 A win, while Kylie Fasnacht took the win of the Women’s Motocross Championship season opener.

More info: www.racedaytona.com.

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WALKER FOWLER DOUBLES UP

N-Fab/Maxxis/AmPro’s Walker Fowler claimed the season opener win in Palatka, Fla., on March 5 and captured another overall ATV GNCC win on March 13 in Sparta, Ga. The reigning champ is looking to capture yet another championship.

Coastal Racing/MSR/Maxxis’ Brycen Neal and Maxxis/Fly Racing’s Chris Borich are tied for second in the point standings.

More info: www.gnccracing.com.

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JOSH STRANG GETS TWO IN GNCCs

Josh Strang, backed by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, claimed the win of Round 1 of the 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series in Palatka, Fla., on March 6.

N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Daniel Milner took second; and FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell rounded out the podium. The following weekend on March 13, Strang once again claimed the win.

He was followed by Russell and JCR/ Honda’s Trevor Bollinger. More info: www. gnccracing.com.

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CHAD WIENEN WINS ATV SUPERCROSS

Reigning ATV Supercross Champion Chad Wienen, backed by Wienen Motorsports/Yamaha, secured the FLY Racing ATV Supercross win on March 8 at Daytona International Speedway.

JB Racing/Root River Racing’s Jeffrey Rastrelli took second; and Maxxis/ Root River Racing/JB Racing’s Thomas Brown captured the last podium spot in Round 1 of the ATV Motocross National Championship, presented by CST Tires.

More info: www.atvmotocross.com.

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AMA AMATEUR DIRT TRACK GETS ROLLING

The AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series kicked off the 2016 season with three rounds: March 5, 7-8.

After three rounds of competition, Caleb Parshall leads the points for the 1980s Vintage 500cc class. More info: www. americanmotorcyclist.com.

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Photos 1: Christian Muno; 2-4: Ken Hill; 5: Brian J. Nelson

MICHAEL BARNES CAPTURES DAYTONA 200

Product Comparo: Bohn Armor Pants vs Kevlar Jeans

C O O L

the Case for

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

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

Draggin Jeans were among the first on the market, and there are now many similar versions available. Many riders are interested in how these compare to the Bohn Pants.

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

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

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

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

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

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

It gives you a lot more options.

Q: But isn’t it hot?

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

Q: What about putting armor into kevlar jeans?

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

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

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

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

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

Q: And you make armored shirts too?

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

Q: OK. so what’s the best choice?

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

My suggestion is to give us a try we’ve a Great Can’t Lose 90 Day Trial Offer!

And they’reGet made Full in the USA too!

Info

www.GetRidePants.com

M Ost Of us think that 1: i’M never gOnna Crash 2: P rOteCtiOn is wOrn On the Outside , Like Leather jaCkets and suits .

a nd

But i want

that ’ s

Ok.

to tell you aBout

a diffeRent way of thinkinG .

and

foR many RideRs like me ,

it makes a

lot moRe sense.

But fiRst heRe’s the PRoBlem. i dont Ride fast, am caReful and usually consideRate. But its the otheRs - tRaffic, tRucks, doGs and deeR, GRavel and diesel sPills. fact is i’m moRe neRvous than i was.

But i Really like RidinG in jeans

and my favoRite jacket and don’t

want to Get all suited uP every time i Ride. sPecially in the summeR when

most of us Ride.

so

when

GeaR

i

heaRd aBout this Bohn

- it’s

like aRmoRed lonG

john’s, it Got me thinkinG.

GOOD VIDeo ONLIne www.GetRidePants.com

i usually weaR a Base layeR any way, comfoRtaBle undeR my jeans, and feels Good on toP. so this Bohn BodyGuaRd system is like that But with slim Pads set into Pockets all aRound.

Basically wheRe you’d land if you wRecked. once i have them on you can BaRely see oR feel it’s theRe, and my noRmal jeans fit RiGht oveR. so they’Re comfoRtaBle to weaR all day on the Bike, and aRe cool which is imPoRtant. theRe’s lots of imPRessive cRash RePoRts on the site, But i haven’t Been down myself. thankfully. it woRks foR me, i feel secuRe. you should check it out online, and i’d say Give ‘em a tRy, as you Get 90 days to actually use them without hassle. i Got the Pants fiRst, But theRe’s aGood deal foR the Pants/shiRt comBo. made in the usofa too.

CheCk Them here: www .GETR idE P anTs . com

Phone 530 898 9269

INAUGURAL AMA MASTER REFEREE TRAINING HELD AMA Educates Organizers On Event Procedures

Mike Barton

Six AMA members, each representing a chartered promoter or club, completed the inaugural AMA Master Referee training at the AMA headquarters on Feb. 10.

Ed Hoeffken, Kevin Bailey, Jared Bolton, Charlie Kline, D.J. Johnson and Jeremy Holbert also received AMA EAGLES Training from Marie Wuelleh, AMA recreational road riding and volunteer manager. The training is a volunteer certification program offered by the AMA. The referee volunteers learned the details of their role as the principal officer of an AMA-sanctioned meet and how to carry out those duties.

“The AMA created the referee program to provide training to a wide range of referees in multiple disciplines,” says AMA Director of Racing Bill Cumbow.

“The Master Referee Training is the first hands-on training that we have provided, and we are pleased to get the program off the ground. This training prepares our top level referees to not only enforce our rules in a fair and equitable manner, but also be more knowledgeable regarding the protest and appeal process.”

AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant, Off-Road Racing Manager Chuck Weir, AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow and Assistant Motocross Manager Mike Pelletier led the referee training that included: • Technical inspection, taught by FIM Senior Technical Steward Curtis Smith • Rule writing and application • Referee responsibilities • Protests and appeals • Discussion of real-world scenarios “This course proves to be extremely valuable to race promoters and referees who are looking to take the next step in their training,” says Jared Bolton, series administrator and AMA referee for the Grand National Cross Country Series.

Details about future AMA Master Referee training sessions will be announced at a later date.

REPEAT WINNER IS 2016 AMA YOUTH ICE RACER OF THE YEAR Christopher Blackmer Likes The Ice

Christopher Blackmer of Fruitport, Mich., was named the 2016 AMA Youth Ice Racer of the Year at the AMA Ice Race Grand Championship on Feb. 27 at Mitchell State Park in Cadillac, Mich.

Blackmer also was the 2014 AMA Youth Ice Racer of the Year.

“It means a lot to me, because all the hard work I put in came out so well,” Blackmer says. “This is my second time getting the award. I got it two years ago.

I’m proud of myself, because I’ve been working hard.”

This year, Blackmer captured the 85 modified, ages 12 to 15, and 85 modified, ages 9 to 13, national championships on his Yamaha 85.

“I like going fast,” Blackmer says.

“I’m looking forward to doing a little flat tracking this year...I’m also looking forward to coming back next year to get another title.”

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SLACKER DIGITAL SAG SCALE

Ed Carlo Garcia

Info: www.motool.co/product-p/ slacker.htm MSRP: $139.99

FIRST TIME RACER

6-Year-Old Competes In Hare Scrambles By Heather Wilson Many of us started riding when we were young, but in most cases that was a long time ago. As we guide others getting started in the sport, it’s helpful to gather some fresh perspective about what it means to race for the first time.

We caught up with 6-year-old AMA member Jackson Adams and his dad, Mike, to learn more about Jackson’s first time racing.

On Jan. 16, Jackson had his first race at the season opener of the AMA West Hare Scramble Regional Championship Series.

The race was hosted by the Polka Dot MC in Prairie City, Calif. He competed in the C-50, ages 4-6, class.

Parent’s Perspective Mike says his son essentially learned to walk by riding a bicycle.

“He sure does love riding,” Mike says. “It’s in everything he draws and everything he thinks about. It’s also a great tool for school and behavior.”

Mike says he raced years ago and got Jackson into riding motorcycles when he was 2 years old.

“I wasn’t surprised when he wanted to race,” he says. “But I was nervous.”

26

In Jackson’s Words Jackson took a few minutes to tell us about his experience.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST:

JACKSON ADAMS Because my other buddies were racing and I wanted to race too, so I could get trophies. I was riding good on my trials bike, so I thought I’d do good in mud.

AM: What were you feeling on the starting line?

JA: I felt like I was going to get 20th place. I was waiting for all the fast kids to go, but then I just started going.

AM:

About Jackson Age: 6 Hometown: San Carlos, Calif.

Disciplines Raced: Hare Scrambles Bike: 2009 KTM 50cc Junior

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Why did you

want to race?

What was the scariest part?

JA: When there was this really pointy hill… When I looked down, it looked like a cliff.

AM: What is your favorite piece of riding gear?

JA: My chest protector that is connected to my neck brace, it’s like new technology or something.

AM: What would you tell other kids about racing?

JA: I would say I had fun racing. You should try it, too.

Checking the suspension sag on a dirt bike can be an awkward and timeconsuming

By Luke Seigler process, especially without assistance.

To ease the process, particularly for individuals working alone, Motool has created a tool that makes it simple to do yourself.

Motool’s Slacker Digital Sag Scale requires two AAA batteries. It includes easy-to-follow instructions, with a comprehensive overview that describes every feature.

One end of the measuring device mounts to the bike’s axle with a strong, built-in magnet. The other hooks into a universal mounting bracket that attaches to the number plate or back fender.

Calibrating, or zeroing in, the device is simple and done with the push of a button. This allows quick and accurate measurements.

The digital display is bright and easy to read with a built-in backlight on the device and the remote display.

The remote display mounts to the handlebars, allowing you to read your sag measurement. The display does have to attach to the device itself using an auxiliary cable, which can possibly snag while you are getting on your bike.

The Slacker is an innovative device that allows you to check your bike’s suspension sag quickly and accurately.

AMATEUR HILLCLIMBERS WILL COMPETE FOR TITLES IN ILLINOIS

Zayne Watson

2016 AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship: July 29-31

Pleasure Riders Motorcycle Club will host hundreds of amateur motorcycle and ATV hill climbers at the 2016 AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship, July 2931, in Neoga, Ill. “AMA Hillclimbers wait all year for the chance to conquer the hill,” says AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “Only the elite will become AMA National Champions and prove they are best of the best.”

In addition to chasing AMA National Champion status, racers will contest for AMA Hillclimb Racer of the Year, AMA ATV Hillclimb Racer of the Year and Youth Hillclimb Racer of the Year.

The King of the Hill award also will be given to the fastest competitor in a runoff. To receive the honor, riders with the 10 fastest times during the weekend will compete in a one-run class at the end of

the program on Sunday.

Tech inspection and rider checkin is noon to 6 p.m. Friday, July 29.

Competition begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31.

No entries will be accepted the day of the event. Registration opened March 1

at www.pleasureriders.net and is available through July 1.

For more information about this event, visit www.pleasureriders.net.

View interviews of last year’s Hillclimb Racer of the Year winners at www. youtube.com/americanmotorcyclist.

2

3

Mechanic’s Corner

BIKE MAINTENANCE 101: TOP 10 TASKS

Keeping Your Bike Race Ready By Heather Wilson Maintaining a bike can be a daunting task. There are so many working parts on a motorcycle that sometimes it’s tough to know where to begin. A quick check of the outside of the bike isn’t always going to cut it. Often, you need to take a few things apart and look inside.

While it may take some time to go through your bike before each race, it could spare you a breakdown on the course that results in a DNF. Maintaining your bike also could save you money in the long run. It’s always cheaper to run a clean air filter than repair the damage caused by dirt getting sucked into your engine.

Tyler Vrba, one of the mechanics for Team Babbitt’s/Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki’s AMA AMSOIL Arenacross team, shares some tasks to keep your bike in good working order. And he also explains what you’ll have to do if you encounter a part that isn’t functioning as it should.

“A general service manual can easily walk you through each of these steps,” Vrba says.

“If you’re a weekend warrior, you should still be able to accomplish these.”

Here’s his list of motorcycle maintenance basics:

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

1 Check the oil and oil filter on fourstrokes, and change gear oil on twostrokes. The oil filter should be replaced to keep clean oil flowing to the engine.

Dirty filters can restrict oil flow and cause engine damage.

2 Clean the air filter. Some racers use mineral spirits to get oil and dirt off the air filter, and then use soap and water to get the remaining dirt off of the filter. Dirty air filters can restrict air flow, which causes your engine to run poorly.

3 Correct tire pressure. There’s a range of pressures that will work. Racers usually set their tire pressure according to the terrain they will be riding. Vrba says that tire pressure affects traction and handling.

For a starting point, consult your owner’s manual.

4 The right chain tension. Your chain shouldn’t be too slack or too tight. An excessively used chain can skip teeth or come off the sprocket. A chain that’s too tight will bind the suspension because the chain becomes tighter as the swingarm compresses. A good rule of thumb, according to Vrba, is a width of three fingers (about 45mm) between the chain and the swingarm, measured at the back of the chain slide. The slide is a rubber piece that fits on the swingarm to prevent the chain from rubbing the swingarm.

5 Check the coolant level if your engine is liquid-cooled. Make sure you have the right amount of coolant to prevent overheating. If you can’t see the coolant when you take off the radiator cap, then chances are you need to add more.

5

Jeff Guciardo

1

4 6

Enjoy a fun ride, food and entertainment with fellow enthusiasts.

Fundraise to earn great incentives including T-shirts, jackets, electronics and more.

6 Inspect the brake pads. Your brakes won’t be of much use to you if the pads are worn out. Check the thickness of the pads per your owner’s manual. If they are getting thin, it’s time to replace them. You don’t want to be in the middle of a race or ride and have the metal backing grinding away on your brake rotors.

Every ride gives away a new Honda motorcycle and other prizes.

Events span the country from April – October and all bikes are welcome.

Find your ride at

rideforkids.org

May 2016

29

8

7 7

9

Check the front forks and rear shock.

First, you want to make sure your forks aren’t leaking oil. If they are, the loss of oil could compromise performance, not just of the suspension but oil could get on your front brake pads. Further, if your bike is fitted with air forks, you’ll also need to make sure you are running the correct air pressure according to the owner’s manual.

For the rear shock, you will want to set the sag. This term refers to the amount your shock compresses when you sit on the bike (fully geared) vs. no compression when measured with your rear wheel off the ground. Your owner’s manual tells you how to set the sag. It also will provide recommended starting points for the compression and rebound damping.

Cables and controls. Check your clutch lever, throttle, brake levers and shift levers to ensure they are all functioning as they should—not too much resistance and not too lose.

Tighten nuts and bolts, and check your spokes. With all the vibration and wear and tear a bike endures, it’s no surprise that nuts and bolts loosen over time. Quickly run through all the nuts and bolts on your bike before every race. The last thing you want is to have your seat come off while riding – and it’s a sight seen all too often! Your spokes should also be checked individually with a spoke wrench every few rides. Use a specially made spoke torque wrench if you have one. In a pinch, tap the spoke with a conventional wrench. If it makes a “thud” sound rather than a “ping,” tighten it.

These tips cover the basics of keeping your bike running well. There’s much more to consider, including engine maintenance. Consult your owner’s manual for specifics, and remember that your local dealer is a great resource if you’re in over your head.

9

10 A special thank you to Wheelsports' service technician Marty Kehlmeier for demonstrating the routine maintenance on a KTM 250 XCF-W at the dealership.

TYLER VRBA

Vrba got his start as a mechanic in a dealership in Nebraska during high school. He’s now a Motorcycle Mechanics Institute grad who has been wrenching for about eight years. He is in his first year working fulltime with Team Babbitt’s/Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki.

Josh Rud

8

10 Examine the sprocket. Make sure the teeth of your sprocket are not hooked, and if they are, it’s time to replace it. Replace the front and rear sprockets as a set, and replace the chain at the same time.

Bonus tip: After each ride, be sure to wash your bike thoroughly, as mud left sitting on the bike can corrode the metal parts. Don’t be afraid to remove the plastic for a deep clean.

The Official Online Store of the American Motorcyclist Association

For info and directions, visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org, or call (614) 856-2222.

32

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Photos Alison Grogan

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, features the people and machines that have deďŹ ned the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling in America. The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-proďŹ t corporation that receives support from the AMA and from the motorcycling community.

1991 YAMAHA YZR500 Wayne Rainey’s Favorite Grand Prix Bike

Wayne Rainey was the top World Championship 500cc Grand Prix rider of the early 1990s, winning three consecutive world titles riding for Yamaha in 1990, 1991 and 1992. He was also a star of AMA Superbike racing during the 1980s, winning that championship in 1983 with Kawasaki and again for Honda in 1987.

His greatest triumphs, of course, were his world titles, and Rainey says this bike, his 1991 Yamaha YZR500 factory racebike, was his favorite from all of his Grand Prix campaigns.

Powered by a V4 two-stroke, this Grand Prix racer wasn’t based on a production street motorcycle. It was custom built by Yamaha to be a pure competition machine.

The engine and frame are prototype, custom-designed Yamaha parts, while the forks and shock are specially valved Ohlins.

The wheels sport Marchesini rims, and the brakes are made by Brembo. Power is delivered through a dry clutch and a six-speed

cassette-type transmission.

Out of 15 rounds in 1991, Rainey garnered six wins, four second-place finishes, three third-place showings and a ninth.

There was one race he did not start.

Rainey successfully defended his world title in 1992, but experienced a career-ending injury while leading the Italian Grand Prix during his 1993 campaign. He returned to the sport the next year as a team owner and manager, retiring from that role following the 1998 season. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and named a Hall of Fame Legend in 2015.

Today, Rainey is the president of MotoAmerica, which is the AMA and FIM North America championship road racing series.

The favorite race bike of one of America’s greatest racers, this YZR500 is currently on loan by Rainey to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio.

May 2016

33

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Famer David Hough is a longtime motorcyclist and journalist. For more than 30 years, his daily motorcycle commutes through city traffic provided an ongoing stream of experiences from which he wrote articles about riding skills and accidentavoidance tactics. His work has appeared in numerous motorcycle publications, but he is perhaps best known for the monthly skills series “Proficient Motorcycling” in Motorcycle Consumer News.

Hough first started riding a motorcycle in 1965 as a straightforward mode of transportation for his daily commute, but his natural curiosity about all things mechanical made him wonder about the behavior of two-wheelers. He realized that, “riding motorcycles involved not only mechanics but also the dynamics of how to control them.”

In the mid-1970s, while working full-time in the Flight Training Center at Boeing, Hough started writing about his riding experiences and occasionally contributed to Road Rider, a small Southern California magazine. He also offered safety tips at local motorcycle

club meetings and taught several “road survival” courses. When the Motorcycle Safety Foundation came into existence, he became an MSF-certified RiderCoach.

The “Proficient Motorcycling” column debuted in the May 1984 issue of Road Rider, after editor Bob Carpenter asked Hough to write a six-part skills series, which he intended to publish every other month for one year. Hough didn’t want to label it as a safety column, because he didn’t think people rode motorcycles to be safe. But he figured readers might rise to the challenge of becoming more proficient.

Hough wrote that his original commute to work aboard a motorcycle “extended to a 40-year passion. I absorbed more than a few lessons about motorcycle dynamics and experienced the joys and challenges of long-distance touring, group riding, foreign

travel, three-wheeled motorcycling, offpavement riding, fighting for motorcyclists’ rights, rider training, and, yes, writing about it all.”

David Hough’s best-known book is probably “Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well.” It is a winner of the American Library Association’s Gold Seal Award. Hough wrote four books in all, including one that focused on the skills to safely operate a motorcycle/ sidecar combination.

Hough is also a twotime winner of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s National Award for Excellence in Motorcycle Safety Journalism.

For his contributions to motorcycle safety and advocacy, Hough was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

it’s about the journey and the destination

MotorcycleMuseum.org 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147 Facebook.com/AMAHallofFame • #AMAHoF

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Motorcycle Awareness Month Seeing And Being Seen Help Ensure You Enjoy The Ride

T

By Jim Witters

here is a big difference between knowing that motorcycles share the roadways and being truly aware of nearby motorcycles and other vehicles at all times.

Not surprisingly, a 2012 British study found that drivers’ attitudes about motorcyclists affect how they interact with motorcyclists on the road.

According to “Public Attitudes Towards Motorcyclists’ Safety: A Qualitative Study From The United Kingdom,” car drivers tend to view the roadway as a space for cars and view motorcycles—and pedestrians and bicycles—as intruders. Three researchers at the University of the West of England authored the study.

This mindset leads to a competitive atmosphere on the roads, “particularly in urban areas where a ‘survival of the fittest’ mindset prevailed,” the researchers wrote.

U.S. motorcyclists certainly can attest that the same attitude prevails on American roadways.

“THE GREATEST EMPATHY TOWARDS MOTORCYCLISTS COMES FROM DRIVERS WHO ARE MOTORCYCLISTS THEMSELVES.” “The most negative attitudes towards motorcyclists on the road tend to come from the least experienced drivers, and this group, in turn, also has poorer skills in dealing with motorcyclists on the road,” the study found. “The greatest empathy towards motorcyclists comes from drivers who are motorcyclists themselves…. Car drivers who are also motorcyclists have fewer accidents with motorcyclists when driving than drivers with little or no motorcycling experience.

Drivers who have family members or close friends who ride motorcycles are less likely to collide with motorcycles, and showed better observation of motorcycles than drivers who did not. It is suggested that they are mentally prepared for motorcyclists and this is as a result of empathy rather than just experience alone.”

Motorcyclists are working across the United States to spread that empathetic message.

The AMA, AMA-chartered clubs and state motorcyclist rights organizations work year-round to call attention to motorcyclists, both on and off the highway. And those same groups encourage motorcyclists to ride responsibly and practice the skills that help them detect and avoid situations that place them in jeopardy.

Motorcycle Awareness Month, launched with the AMA’s assistance in the early 1980s and adopted by many state motorcyclist rights organizations, government entities and AMA-chartered clubs, is observed each May.

36

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Jeff Kardas

— Public Attitudes Towards Motorcyclists’ Safety: A Qualitative Study From The United Kingdom, 2012

Nick Fancher

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acknowledges that “motorcyclists have all the same rights and privileges as any motor vehicle driver on the roadway.” The agency operates a campaign that focuses on motorcycle safety to remind drivers that they share the road with motorcyclists.

On the trails, several states have established Trail Ambassador programs that provide volunteers along the trails and at trailheads to monitor riding areas, offer assistance to other riders, spot and report hazards, and alert law enforcement to riders who are operating illegally or unsafely.

Here is a look at some of the activities designed to increase awareness of motorcyclists, on-road and off.

On The Trail For off-road riding, motorcyclists and all-terrainvehicle riders need to observe many of the same courtesies as street riders, says Steve Salisbury, AMA government affairs manager for off-highway issues.

Being aware of other riders, the nature of the terrain where you’re riding and other forms of outdoor recreation that are active in the area is essential, he says.

“Many off-highway motorcyclists are involved in other outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking or boating,” Salisbury says. “Their involvement in those groups should include a conscious effort to represent the motorized community as well, including educating non-motorized folks on responsible motorized practices and shared use of roads and trails.”

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council warns against riding a dirt bike or ATV on paved surfaces, except when crossing a road and where permitted by law.

Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.

And be familiar with local rules, paying special attention to trail widths and whether trails carry oneway or two-way traffic.

Chad Wilberger, forest recreation program manager at Wayne National Forest in Ohio, says trail users should understand that “riders of all ages and skill levels visit the forest to ride the trails and camp at the trailheads.”

“Motorized trail riding is a popular outdoor activity that the entire family may participate in and enjoy,” Wilberger says. “For these reasons, we ask that riders follow some simple rules and riding tips to keep the trails safe and enjoyable for all visitors.”

Among the guidelines at the Wayne National Forest: • Respect Other Riders: Be courteous. Ride at a safe distance and speed. Trails are two-way, so watch for oncoming traffic.

• Respect The Land: Ride only on designated trails and implement the “Pack-it-in/Packit-out” principle. Cross streams only at designated crossings, such as bridges.

• Respect The Rules: This means you must first know the rules, so take the initiative to learn what’s in place where you ride.

Salisbury adds these general tips: • Ride as quietly as possible using the right exhaust and silencer and slowing down near homes, other recreationists, etc. Resist the urge to wheelie past onlookers, no matter how cool you may think you look.

• Respect trail designs for your vehicle type, widths and especially for bridge weight limits.

• Be sure you have landowner permission if planning to ride on private property. Also, be aware of landowner liability laws in the state in which you’ll be riding.

• Be a good influence and promote safe and responsible riding to other riders. Their negative actions can reflect poorly on all of us.

States such as Arizona, Minnesota, New Mexico and Wisconsin have Trail Ambassador programs that provide volunteers along the trails and at trailheads to monitor riding areas, offer assistance to other riders, spot and report hazards, and alert law enforcement about riders who are operating illegally or unsafely.

Christopher E. Johnson, an AMA Life Member and off-highway vehicle education coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, says common sense goes a long way toward making a day on the trails successful.

As on the street, excessive speed increases the chances of a crash by shortening reaction time and reducing line of sight, he says.

And be courteous to fellow riders, as well as those enjoying the day who may not be OHV enthusiasts

On The Road Many highway campaigns rely on messages on billboards and bumper stickers that implore

“EDUCATING OUR FELLOW MOTORCYCLISTS IS A MAJOR PART OF MAKING AWARENESS WORK. …

TRAINING RIDERS IS THE FIRST STEP IN MAKING THE ROADS SAFE.” — Mike Stock, Safety and education director, ABATE of Ohio

BELOW: Motorcycle awareness posters from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Jeff Kardas

motorists to stay alert, watch for motorcyclists and check twice before turning or changing lanes. Within the past few years, similar messages that discourage distracted driving have appeared, whether due to texting, talking on the phone, reading, eating or applying makeup behind the wheel.

ABATE of Ohio, for example, has been promoting May as Motorcycle Awareness Month for 30 years, says Mike Stock, an AMA Life Member and ABATE’s safety and education director.

“We believe education and awareness are the best ways to lower crashes and save lives,” Stock says.

In addition to placing yard signs with the “Look Twice Save a Life” message, erecting signs around the state and sponsoring billboards, ABATE stages a Motorcycle Awareness Rally in the spring that includes a run to the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, and the reading of proclamations from the governor and from mayors across the state.

“The ‘Look Twice Save a Life’ slogan has been our biggest attention getter, with the sign being put in thousands of yards,” Stock says. “We have produced 4,696 to date, and they are sold at ABATE functions, online, in retail stores and from ABATE members to support Motorcycle Awareness.”

ABATE of Ohio also has carried its message to younger drivers and riders.

“For 11 years, we have been going into drivers’ education schools and talking to the new drivers about motorcycle awareness in a one-hour presentation, using videos and using a script to cover all meaningful information,” Stock says.

ABATE of Ohio also works closely with Motorcycle Ohio, the state’s rider training and education agency.

“Educating our fellow motorcyclists is a major part of making awareness work,” Stock says. “Supporting Motorcycle Ohio is a big part of what we do. Training riders is the first step in making the roads safe.”

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has its own outline of key messages for drivers, with an eye toward protecting one particular vulnerable party—motorcyclists: Look out for motorcyclists; focus on driving, use turn signals, give twowheelers some room and take your time.

“All these principles can be boiled down to this paraphrase of the Golden Rule: Drive near others as you would have others drive near you,” says Ken Glaser, MSF director of special projects.

State Efforts Awareness campaigns also try to capture the attention of state and federal agencies and legislators, who have the power to effect changes in driver and rider training and education policies as well as increase the sentencing guidelines and options for judges in cases where distracted driving results in a crash.

The AMA advocates legislation that includes enhanced penalty options to be determined by the courts in cases where

distracted driving results in a crash.

In addition, the AMA supports training programs for motorcyclists—including advanced skills courses—and more thorough education for motorists.

Allstate Insurance sponsored a crosscountry trip in 2015 by motorcyclist Nate Hudson, who visited the capital of each state to lobby for a new question on state automobile driver’s license tests to increase awareness about sharing the road with motorcycles.

Thirty-three states participated in the program by sending representatives to meet Hudson. In all, Hudson met with 136 state officials during his 111-day, 21,000mile excursion.

Whether spurred to action by Hudson’s visit or by constituent motorcyclists, legislators in several states are taking steps to increase awareness of motorcyclists on the roads.

A new law in Michigan, for example, requires motorcycle- and bicycleawareness and safety instruction in all of the state’s courses for new drivers.

California, Colorado, Ohio, Texas and other states have ongoing campaigns to help motorcyclists and motorists better understand each other’s perspective.

The keys to riding safely off-road include an awareness of weather and trail conditions, controlling speed and exhibiting common courtesy to others enjoying the great outdoors.

Here are some tips: • Know where you can ride. On National Forest lands, a Motor Vehicle Use Map is the legal authority for roads, trails, and areas open to off-highway vehicles. Having an experienced guide—someone who knows the area—is a really good idea to keep you on the right path and to help if trouble arises.

• Slow down! Trails are not racetracks, unless they have been closed for a permitted event such as an enduro.

• Other users probably are going to

hear you before they see you. How early they hear you will affect how much respect you are going to get. If your machine is too loud, all respect will be gone long before you arrive at the scene.

• Just like riding on the street, riding too fast for conditions and line of sight is a really bad idea.

• Most trails and roads have twoway traffic, so expect it. Blind corners and hills require that you slow down so you can be sure the

path is clear.

• Some trails may suddenly get really technical— having the time and space to react to a downed tree, tumbled rock or a newly eroded rut can make the difference between a clean ride and a crash.

• Even if you know a trail well, conditions change. Be prepared to adjust to change.

Source: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

38

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Maddie McGarvey

Tips For The Trail

Proceeds benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

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July 8-10, 2016

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

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MAY EVENTS ARIZONA COMPETITION OBSERVED TRIALS MAY 15: KINGMAN: CENTRAL ARIZONA TRIALS INC, (602) 370-7546, CENTRALARIZONATRILAS.ORG ARKANSAS

MOTORSPORTS PROMOTIONS LLC, (303) 909-7003, TVMX.COM

MAY 28: (Includes ATVs) NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C

MAY 15: DACONA: IMI MOTORSPORTS INC, (303) 833-4949, IMIMOTORSPORTS.COM

MAY 29: (Includes ATVs) NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C

MAY 22: MILLIKEN: TWO RIVERS RACING LLC

MOTOCROSS

CONNECTICUT COMPETITION

RECREATIONAL

OBSERVED TRIALS

ROAD RUN

MAY 15: MERIDEN: MERIDEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, NEWENGLANDTRIALS.COM

MAY 13: MARBLE FALLS: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, (870) 743-4062, HUBINFO.COM CALIFORNIA RECREATIONAL DUAL SPORT RIDE MAY 14: BANNING: ORANGE COUNTY DUALIES, (714) 335-9810, DUALIES.COM MAY 21: STONYFORD: 2 DAY EVENT, OAKLAND MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (510) 5346222, OAKLANDMOTORCYCLECLUB.CAMP9.

ORG/EVENT-2147772 POKER RUN MAY 14: PASADENA: 2 DAY EVENT, PASADENA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (626) 844-7157, PASADENAMC.COM ROAD RUN MAY 18: ONTARIO: RUN FOR THE WALL, (432) 288-1958, RFTW.ORG

DELAWARE COMPETITION ENDURO MAY 1: DELAWARE CITY: DELAWARE ENDURO RIDERS, INC., (302) 229-1805, DELAWAREENDURORIDERS.COM FLORIDA

ENDURO MAY 1: GEORGETOWN: CALIFORNIA ENDURO RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (925) 413-2434, AMA-D36.ORG MAY 7: AMADOR: POLKA DOTS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (916) 606-5108, POLKADOTSMC.COM EUROPEAN SCRAMBLES MAY 7: (Includes ATVs) RIDGECREST: BADGERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (661) 242-2712, BADGERSMC.COM HARE & HOUND MAY 14: (Includes ATVs) JOHNSON VALLEY: 2 DAY EVENT, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (760) 220-6484, SOCALMC.COM HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 14: TRACY: 2 DAY EVENT, RED NECK ROOSTERS, (925) 787-9810, AMA-D36.ORG/OLD-CROW/ MILE MAY 22: SACRAMENTO: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 368-7182, LODICYCLEBOWL.COM MOTOCROSS

MAY 1: (Includes ATVs) GALESBURG: GALESBURG MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (309) 344-1714, GALESBURGMC.COM MAY 1: WASHINGTON PARK: ARCHVIEW MX PARK, LLC, (618) 719-3438, ARCHVIEWMXPARK.COM MAY 8: (Includes ATVs) WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 379-8534, SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM MAY 15: BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-4227, MOTOBYRON.COM

POKER RUN

MAY 21: MOUNT CARROLL: 2 DAY EVENT, MC MOTOPARK INC., (815) 238-1614, MCMOTOPARK.COM

MAY 21: JACKSONVILLE: PEDIATRIC CANCER TREATMENT FOUNDATION, (828) 329-9250, PCTF-FOUNDATION.ORG

MAY 28: BYRON: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM

COMPETITION

OBSERVED TRIALS

OBSERVED TRIALS

MAY 14: OREGON: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISCONTRIALS.ORG

RECREATIONAL

MAY 21: OCALA : 2 DAY EVENT, FLORIDA TRAILS ASSOCIATION MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (941) 735-0220, FLORIDATRIALS.NET MAY 21: OCALA: 2 DAY EVENT, FLORIDA TRAILS ASSOCIATION MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (941) 735-0220, FLORIDATRIALS.NET

COMPETITION

MAY 1: BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-4227, MOTOBYRON.COM

GEORGIA ENDURO MAY 22: GREENSBORO: CHEROKEE CYCLE CLUB INC., (404) 256-2189, CHEROKEEENDURORIDERS.COM MOTOCROSS MAY 1: (Includes ATVs) DALTON: LAZY RIVER MOTOCROSS, (706) 278-1620, LAZYRIVERMOTOCROSS MAY 14: (Includes ATVs) DALTON: LAZY RIVER MOTOCROSS, (706) 278-1602, LAZYRIVERMOTOCROSS.COM IDAHO RECREATIONAL

MAY 15: OREGON: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISCONTRIALS.ORG TTS MAY 14: (Includes ATVs) BELLEVILLE: BELLEVILLE ENDURO TEAM INC, (618) 277-3478, BETDIRT.COM MAY 21: (Includes ATVs) BELLEVILLE: BELLEVILLE ENDURO TEAM INC, (618) 277-3478, BETDIRT.COM MAY 29: (Includes ATVs) NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C MAY 30: (Includes ATVs) NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C INDIANA RECREATIONAL FUN RUN MAY 15: COLUMBIA CITY: OLD FORT MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (260) 504-6388

ROAD RALLY MAY 7: COEUR D’ALENE: ABATE OF NORTH IDAHO, (928) 710-1640, ABATEOFNORTHIDAHOBIKERS.ORG

ROAD RUN

MAY 7: SANDY POINT PARK: IDAHO COALITION FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY, (208) 941-1689, IDAHOBIKERSNIGHT.COM

COMPETITION

ILLINOIS

MAY 8: JUNCTIONCITY: 2X PROMOTIONS LLC, (740) 297-6686, 2XPROMOTIONS.COM

TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL

MAY 19: RANCHO CORDOVA: 2 DAY EVENT, DIRT DIGGERS NORTH M.C. INC, (800) HANGTOWN, HANGTOWNMX.COM

MAY 15: (Includes ATVs) OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 434-3669, VARIETYRIDERS.COM

MAY 30: KOKOMO : MIDNIGHT RIDERS MC, (765) 452-7654 CROSS COUNTRY MAY 14: SPRINGVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC HILLCLIMB MAY 15: (Includes ATVs) MIDDLEBURY: GOSHEN IRON HORSEMEN, (574) 825-3399

COMPETITION

MOTOCROSS

COMPETITION

HILLCLIMB

MOTOCROSS

MAY 7: WHITE CITY: CAHOKIA CREEK DIRT RIDERS, (314) 805-6306, CAHOKIACREEKDIRTRIDERS.COM

MAY 7: (ATV only) CRAWFORDSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, MX SPORTS, INC., (304) 284-0084, ATVMOTOCROSS.COM

COLORADO

MAY 1: LAKEWOOD: COLORADO

OBSERVED TRIALS

2016 SCHEDULE Rolling Thunder Run May 27-30 Americade Motorcycle Rally June 7-11 Laconia Motorcycle Week June 11-19 Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally June 23-26 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days July 8-10 Buffalo Chip Sturgis August 8-14 Ray Price Bikefest September 23-25 Schedule tentative.

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MAY EVENTS MAY 1: LIGONIER: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (574) 596-5346, MOTATRIALS.COM IOWA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 7: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 775-0893, CVTR.ORG MAY 14: SHELL ROCK: NEW HARTFORD RACING INC, (319) 885-6469, NEWHARTFORDRACING.COM MAY 15: SHELL ROCK: NEW HARTFORD RACING INC, (319) 885-6469, NEWHARTFORDRACING.COM KENTUCKY COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 8: (Includes ATVs) BEDFORD: NICKOTA MOTORSPORTS PARK LLC, (502) 525-1167, NICKOTAMOTORSPORTS.COM LOUISIANA COMPETITION ENDURO MAY 15: CRAVENS: LOUISIANA TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (225) 572-8399, SERARACING MARYLAND

BERBENDERSRACEWAY.COM

HARE SCRAMBLES

MAY 21: MANKATO: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 601-1116, MOTOKAZIE.COM

MAY 15: COPEMISH: TWIN BAY TRAIL RIDERS, (231) 645-7905 MAY 22: JEROME: TOLEDO TRAIL RIDERS, INC., (517) 917-0493, BUNDYHILLOFFROAD. COM

OBSERVED TRIALS MAY 7: THEILMAN: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (612) 730-1770, UMTA.ORG

MAY 8: (Includes ATVs) PORTLAND: PORTLAND TRAIL RIDERS, (517) 243-8404, WWWPORTLANDTRAILRIDERS.COM

MAY 8: THEILMAN: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (612) 730-1770, UMTA.ORG

MAY 14: (Includes ATVs) BLOOMINGDALE: 2 DAY EVENT, DUTCH SPORT PARK, (269) 683-4418, DUTCHSPORTSPARKMX.COM

MAY 22: (Includes ATVs) CADILLAC: CADILLAC MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (231) 884-4099, CADILLACMC.COM

COMPETITION

MAY 28: MILLINGTON: BAJA MX INC, (989) 871-3356, BAJAACRES.COM

MASSACHUSETTS ADVENTURE RIDE MAY 21: TOLLAND: 2 DAY EVENT, BERKSHIRE TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (860) 484-1331, MUDSLINGER.ORG SCHOOLS - ROAD MAY 12: ASHFIELD: RIDING IN THE ZONE MOTORCYCLIST TRAININGRIDER EDUCATION, (413) 522-3323, RIDINGINTHEZONE.COM COMPETITION OBSERVED TRIALS MAY 1: WRENTHAM: KING PHILIP TRAIL RIDERS, (508) 479-5681, KINGPHILIPTRAILRIDERS.COM MICHIGAN

OBSERVED TRIALS

MOTOCROSS

MAY 15: FLUSHING: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (810) 252-2627

MAY 14: BILLINGS: BILLINGS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, BILLINGSMOTORCYCLECLUB.US NEVADA

MAY 15: (Includes ATVs) DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMBMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM MINNESOTA

COMPETITION ARENACROSS MAY 6: LAS VEGAS: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM MAY 8: LAS VEGAS: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, (800) 216-7482, ARENACROSS.COM HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 21: CALLENTE: SILVER STATE TRAILBLAZERS, (702) 994-6823 NEW JERSEY

COMPETITION 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK

COMPETITION

MAY 21: (Includes ATVs) NEW ULM: FLYING DUTCHMEN CYCLE CLUB, (507) 354-2306, FLYINGDUTCHMENMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

HARE SCRAMBLES

MAY 22: (Includes ATVs) NEW ULM: FLYING DUTCHMEN CYCLE CLUB, (507) 354-2306, FLYINGDUTCHMEN MOTORCYCLCECLUB.COM

MAY 14: EAGLESWOOD: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTORCYCLE COMPETITION INCORPORATED, (347) 446-2122, RIDE-MCI.COM MOTOCROSS

HARE SCRAMBLES

MAY 8: (Includes ATVs) MILLIVILLE: FIELD OF DREAMS, (856) 765-3799, NJMPFOD.COM

MAY 8: CAMBRIDGE: NORSEMEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (763) 263-9835, NORSEMENMC.ORG/EVENTS/CAMBRIDGE. HTM

RECREATIONAL

MOTOCROSS MAY 1: MILLIVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-3277, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM

BIKE BLESSING MAY 14: SAINT JOHNS: ROAD RIDERS FOR JESUS, (517) 930-0338, MICHIGANRRJ.WEEBLY.COM

MAY 14: LITTLE FALLS: 2 DAY EVENT, RM PROMOTIONS, (218) 894-2826, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COM

MAY 15: BALDWIN: PARA-DICE MC, (616) 893-3542

MAY 15: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 980-0268,

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 21: WINIFRED: 2 DAY EVENT, INSECTO INC, DBA:BURNT TIMBER CROSS COUNTRY, (403) 366-2916, BRAWLINTHEBREAKS.COM

MAY 8: BROWERVILLE: MOTO CITY RACEWAY & RECREATION INC, (218) 894-2826, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COM

RECREATIONAL

MONTANA

MAY 29: MILLINGTON: BAJA MX INC, (989) 871-3356, BAJAACRES.COM

TTS

RECREATIONAL

HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 22: PARK HILLS: MISSOURI MUDDERS, (636) 639-6373, MHSCRACING.COM

MAY 14: (Includes ATVs) DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMBMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

MAY 21: MECHANICSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (443) 669-3007, MAMAMX.COM

MISSOURI COMPETITION

MAY 22: MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 832-2828, POLKADOTSMC.NET

SHORT TRACK

MOTOCROSS

MAY 30: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-3277, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM

MAY 1: MILLINGTON: BULLDOG RIDERS MC, INC., (810) 241-1774

DUAL SPORT RIDE

COMPETITION

MAY 29: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-3277, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM

MOTOCROSS

RECREATIONAL MAY 1: LITTLE ORLEANS: WESTERN MARYLAND MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION, (443) 695-2793

42

COMPETITION

NEW MEXICO POKER RUN MAY 19: MESCALERO: GOLDEN ASPEN RALLY ASSOCIATION, (575) 973-4977, MOTORCYCLERALLY.COM COMPETITION OBSERVED TRIALS MAY 1: SAN YSIDRO: NEW MEXICO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (505) 780-2551, NEWMEXICOTRIALS.COM ROAD RACE MAY 8: ALBUQUERQUE: SANDIA

MAY EVENTS MOTORCYCLE ROADRACING, INC., (800) 647-5028, SMRI-RACING.ORG

MAY 29: N WILKESBORO: UNIFOUR TRAIL BIKE CLUB OHIO

NEW YORK RECREATIONAL

RECREATIONAL

CRUISE-IN

ADVENTURE RIDE

MAY 14: NEW ROCHELLE: EMPIRE CHAPTER OF THE HARLEY OWNERS GROUP, (914) 525-3409, EMPIREHOG.COM

MAY 21: MCARTHUR: BUCKEYE DUAL SPORTERS, (585) 356-9088, KAEPPNERSWOODS.COM

DICE RUN

DUAL SPORT RIDE

MAY 15: SLOATSBURG: RAMAPO MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (201) 767-3594, RAMAPOMC.COM

MAY 21: MCARTHUR: BUCKEYE DUAL SPORTERS, (585) 356-9088, KAEPPNERSWOODS.COM

FUN RUN

POKER RUN

MAY 1: ALBANY: ROAMERS MC, (518) 9610250, FACEBOOK.COM/ROAMERSMC

MAY 21: NORTH CANTON: ABATE OF OHIO, INC., (614) 314-3644, ABATE.COM

ROAD RALLY

ROAD RUN

MAY 16: CASTLETON: ABATE OF NY, INC., (315) 367-3356, HTTP://ABATENY.ORG

MAY 1: PORTSMOUTH: PORTSMOUTH MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (606) 922-0972, PORTSMOUTHMOTORCYCLECLUB.NET

TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL MAY 14: HANCOCK: 2 DAY EVENT, BEAR CREEK SPORTSMEN, (908) 334-1637, BEARCREEKSPORTSMEN.COM COMPETITION ENDURO

ROAD RALLY

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 21: WESTERVILLE: OHIO 12-1 COMBAT VETERANS MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION, (334) 447-1292, OHIOCVMA.ORG/ FISHERHOUSE.ASPX COMPETITION

MAY 1: FULTON: ARCADIA BARK BUSTER, (315) 359-3435, ARCADIABARKBUSTERSINC HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 8: (Includes ATVs) ODESSA: TOMPKINS TRAIL RIDERS, (607) 592-5138, WYNOA.NET MOTOCROSS MAY 8: (Includes ATVs) NEW BERLIN: UNADILLA ENTERPRISES, LLC., (607) 965-8450, UNADILLAMX.COM MAY 15: (Includes ATVs) CAROGA LAKE : ROYAL MOUNTAIN SKI AREA, (518) 835-6445, ROYALMOUNTAIN.COM MAY 21: NEW BERLIN: 2 DAY EVENT, UNADILLA ENTERPRISES, LLC., (607) 965-8450, UNADILLAMX.COM MAY 22: (Includes ATVs) WALLKILL: 2 DAY EVENT, WALDEN MX, (845) 399-1533, MXWALDEN.COM MAY 22: NEW BERLIN: UNADILLA ENTERPRISES, LLC., (607) 965-5845, UNADILLAMX.COM MAY 28: (Includes ATVs) CAROGA LAKE: 2 DAY EVENT, ROYAL MOUNTAIN SKI AREA, (518) 835-6445, ROYALMOUNTAIN.COM NORTH CAROLINA

CROSS COUNTRY MAY 28: (Includes ATVs) MILLFIELD: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-0084, GNCCRACING.COM MAY 7: NASHPORT: 2 DAY EVENT, BRIARCLIFF MX LLC, (740) 763-0935, BRIARCLIFFMX.COM OBSERVED TRIALS

OKLAHOMA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 8: NORMAN: OKLAHOMA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, (405) 579-2777, OKLAHOMAMOTORSPORTSCOMPLEX.COM MAY 22: EL RENO: OKLAHOMA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, (405) 570-1736, ANGELRIDGERACEPARK.COM OREGON RECREATIONAL MAY 1: (Includes ATVs) JACKSONVILLE: MOTORCYCLE RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (541) 531-9697, MOTORCYCLERIDERSASSOCIATION.ORG

TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL MAY 23: PIGSAH FOREST: 2 DAY EVENT, MOTOMARK1, LLC, (919) 698-6349, MOTOMARK1.COM COMPETITION

/AMADualSport

MAY 15: TIPPECANOE: TRIALS INC, (502) 515-6514, TRIALSINC.ORG

POKER RUN - OFF-ROAD

MAY 27: SPARTA: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, (888) 372-2501

#AMADualSport

MAY 14: TIPPECANOE: TRIALS INC, (502) 515-6514, TRIALSINC.ORG

ROAD RUN MAY 1: APEX: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORTHEKIDS.ORG

AmericanMotorcyclist.com  Riding  Dual Sport

MOTOCROSS

RECREATIONAL

ENDURO

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ROAD ENDURO MAY 7: TIGARD: ROSE CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (503) 706-3969, ROSE-CITY-MC.ORG

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TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL MAY 14: (Includes ATVs) BEND: OFF ROAD RIDERS FOR VETERANS, (206) 999-3426

OFFICIAL BOOT

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0516_AMA_Beta_Natl_Dual_Sport_Series.indd 1

3/21/16 11:32 AM

MAY EVENTS DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD

OBSERVED TRIALS

MAY 22: LAWTON: BACK MOUNTAIN ENDURO RIDERS, (570) 696-4838, BMER.ORG

MAY 1: SPRING GROVE: WHITE ROSE MC, (717) 229-2621, WHITEROSE.ORG

POKER RUN

SHORT TRACK

MAY 1: GENTLEMEN MC SPORTSMEN, (717) 284-2270, GENTLEMENMCSPORTSMEN.COM

MAY 28: DELTA: BALTIMORE COUNTY TRAIL RIDERS ASSOC., BCTRA.COM

MAY 7: GLENSIDE: MOTORCYCLISTS FOR JESUS MINISTRIES, PA CHAPTER, (215) 8854474, MJMRIDERSFORTHESON.COM

TTS

MAY 7: RED HILL: FREEDOM RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (215) 262-0578, FREEDOMRIDERSPA.COM

MAY 8: (Includes ATVs) PARKERSBURG: E PA PISTON POPPERS MC INC, (484) 336-9160, PISTONPOPPERSMC.COM SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATIONAL

MAY 15: LANDISVILLE: KENNETH A NEIDINGER MEMORIAL RIDE, (717) 951-7665, KENNYSMEMORIALRIDE.COM

MAY 15: CHESTER: FAMILY RIDERS MTC, (803) 385-8402, CAROLINADUALSPORTERS.COM

MAY 15: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717

RECREATIONAL

COMPETITION

MAY 15: HARISBURG: ARMED FORCES BROTHERHOOD, INC., (484) 331-1066

MOTOCROSS

SCAVENGER HUNT MAY 14: NEW HOLLAND: MASON DIXON 20-20 RIDERS CLUB, (818) 326-3783 COMPETITION

MAY 28: BLOUNTVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM OBSERVED TRIALS MAY 28: SEQUATCHIE: SOUTHEASTERN TRIALS RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (423) 942-8688, TRIALSTRAININGCENTER.COM MAY 29: SEQUATCHIE: SOUTHEASTERN TRIALS RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (423) 942-8688, TRIALSTRAININGCENTER.COM TEXAS

MAY 1: BETHLEHEM: BUSHKILL VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 428-1231, RACE4AREASON.WIX.COM11RACE4AREASON

COMPETITION

MAY 29: POTTSVILLE: READING OFF ROAD RIDERS, (844) 440-7677, RORR.ORG

MAY 21: YANTIS: 2 DAY EVENT, JOHNSONVILLE MX FARM, (903) 217-7965

MOTOCROSS

UTAH

HARE SCRAMBLES

MAY 21: FRACKVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, SOUTH PENN ENDURO RIDERS, (717) 269-7922, SOUTHPENNENDURORIDERS.COM MOTOCROSS MAY 1: HANOVER: HAPPY RAMBLERS, (717) 554-5095, MXMOM@COMCAST.NET MAY 1: SUGAR GROVE: MAPLE SHADE MX, (814) 489-3266, MAPLESHADEMX.COM MAY 7: HANOVER: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (443) 669-3007, WWWMAMAMX.COM

HARE & HOUND MAY 14: (Includes ATVs) JERICHO: 2 DAY EVENT, SAGE RIDERS MC, (435) 650-1250, SAGERIDERSMC.COM

MAY 26: MARTINSBURG: 2 DAY EVENT, MASON DIXON 20-20 RIDERS CLUB, (410) 9786374, MASONDIXON20-20.ORG WISCONSIN

ROAD RUN MAY 7: TBA: KETTLE MORAINE SPORT RIDERS, (920) 904-0881, KETTLEMORAINESPORTRIDERS.COM

VIRGINIA

HARE SCRAMBLES MAY 1: ADAMS: MADISON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (414) 659-2684, MADISONMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORG MOTOCROSS MAY 8: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 790-6211, AZTALANMX.COM MAY 15: (Includes ATVs) MARSHFIELD: MARSHFIELD T&T RIDERS, INC., (715) 384-4555, T-N-TRIDERS.COM MAY 20: TIGERTON: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-9286, FANTASYMOTO.COM MAY 22: TIGERTON: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-9286, FANTASYMOTO.COM MAY 28: ATHELSTANE: 2 DAY EVENT, PINE RIDGE RACEWAY, LLC, (920) 434-7015, PINERIDGERACEWAY.COM SHORT TRACK MAY 14: (Includes ATVs) BURNETT: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB, INC., (920) 319-6889, FACEBOOK/BEAVERCYCLECLUB MAY 21: (Includes ATVs) LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (262) 754-0686, AZTALANMX.COM

RECREATIONAL

TTS

POKER RUN

MAY 15: (Includes ATVs) BURNETT: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB, INC., (920) 319-6889, FACEBOOK/BEAVERCYCLECLUB

MAY 1: RICHMOND: RICHMOND RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (804) 389-3052, HTTP:// RICHMONDRIDERS.COM/2016-POKER-RUN/ COMPETITION GRAND PRIX

MAY 15: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMC.ORG

MAY 1: MARTINSVILLE: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (276) 252-6801, VCHSS.ORG

MAY 21: (ATV only) MOUNT MORRIS: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 2840084, ATVMOTOCROSS.COM

MAY 15: BRISTOL: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (276) 669-0981, VCHSS.ORG

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

WEST VIRGINIA RECREATIONAL

COMPETITION

MAY 21: LIVINGSTON: 2 DAY EVENT, VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORYSPORTS.COM

ENDURO

MAY 14: SKIPPACK: BLUE COMET MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 489-1240, BLUECOMETMC.COM

MAY 28: WASHOUGAL: 2 DAY EVENT, WASHOUGAL MX PARK, LLC, (360) 601-5347, WASHOUGALMXPK.COM

RECREATIONAL

ROAD RUN

ROAD RUN

MAY 20: WILLIAMSPORT: 2 DAY EVENT, CONCOURS OWNERS GROUP, (863) 646-2653, GENETTIHOTEL.COM

MOTOCROSS

TENNESSEE

MAY 30: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (717) 270-9797

MAY 19: BIRD IN HAND: RETREADS MOTORCYCLE CLUB - MID ATLANTIC REGION, (717) 818-5482, MIDATLANTICRETREADS.COM

COMPETITION

SCAVENGER HUNT

DUAL SPORT RIDE

MAY 15: MURFREESBORO: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORTHEKIDS.ORG

ROAD RALLY

44

WASHINGTON

MAY 14: LEBANON: PA MOTOR MAIDS, (610) 275-2634

MAY 22: SCHUYLKILL HAVEN: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 385-1460

MAY 29: DENDRON: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (757) 871-5736, VCHSS.ORG

WYOMING COMPETITION MOTOCROSS MAY 21: ROCK SPRINGS: 2 DAY EVENT, RSMX LLC., (307) 389-1477, ROCKSPRINGSMX.COM MAY 22: CHEYENNE: LARAMIE COUNTY RIDERS ASSOCIATION INC, (307) 421-1825, LCRAMX.COM

2016 EVENTS WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP (WMX) www.racewmx.com

MOTOCROSS FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS www.fim-live.com Sept. 25: Maggiora, Italy FIM JUNIOR MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP www.fim-live.com Aug. 21: Orlyonok, Russia MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS www.amasupercross.com April 23: Foxboro, Mass.: Gillette Stadium April 30: East Rutherford, N.J.: MetLife Stadium May 7: Las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium LUCAS OIL AMA PRO MOTOCROSS www.promotocross.com May 21: Sacramento, Calif.: Hangtown Motocross Classic May 28: San Bernardino, Calif.: Glen Helen National June 4: Laktewood, Colo.: Thunder Valley National June 18: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point National June 25: Blountville, Tenn.: Tennessee National July 2: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud National July 9: Southwick, Mass.: Southwick National July 16: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek National July 23: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal National Aug. 13: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla National Aug. 20: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek National Aug. 27: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman National

May 20: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Hangtown Classic June 19: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway Aug. 28: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman Raceway Sept. 3: Millington, Mich.: Baja Brawl Oct. 2: Englishtown, N.J.: Kawasaki Race of Champions Oct. 9: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek MX Nov. 26: Alachua, Fla.: Winter Olympics 2016 NATIONAL

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

CHAMPION

National Championship AMA ATV MOTOCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY CST www.atvmotocross.com April 23-24: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway May 7-8: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman Raceway

2016 NATIONAL

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

CHAMPION

National Championship ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV/MC AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP, PRESENTED

BY AMSOIL www.mxsports.com Aug. 1-6: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn Ranch NORTHEAST AREA QUALIFIERS April 23-24: Fredericksburg, Pa.: Sleepy Hollow MX May 7-8: Seward, Pa.: Pleasure Valley May 14-15: Winchester, N.H.: Winchester Speedpark May 21-22: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX

June 4-5: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway (Amateur) June 11-12: Shippensburg, Pa.: Doublin Gap MX Park (Youth) SOUTHEAST AREA QUALIFIERS April 23-24: Reynolds, Ga.: Silver Dollar Raceway

June 4-5: Tallassee, Ala. Monster Mountain

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

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

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

July 2-3: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek MX Park July 16-17: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla MX July 30-31: Buchanan, Mich.: Redbud MX Aug. 13-14: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn Ranch 2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

CHAMPION

National Championship AMA AMSOIL ARENACROSS SERIES www.arenacross.com April 22-24: Nampa, Idaho: Ford Idaho Center May 6-8: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena (Amateur National Championship)

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May 28-29: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway (Amateur) June 18-19: Henderson, N.C.: North Carolina Motorsports Park (Youth)

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UPDATED: April 30-May 1: Turlock, Calif.: Incase Amp

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

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

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

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

North Central Area Qualifiers April 23-24: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX

Southwest Regional Championship

May 28-29: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway North Central Regional Championships June 11-12: Byron, Ill.: Byron Motorsports Park (Amateur) June 18-19: Tigerton, Wis.: Motozone (Youth) South Central Area Qualifiers April 23-24: Wortham, Texas: Freestone Raceway

AMA VINTAGE MOTOCROSS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.americanmotorcyclist.com July 9-10: Lexington, Ohio: MidOhio Sports Car Course Featured Series KING OF THE WEST SERIES www.2xpromotions.com April 24: Snelling, Calif.: Oatfield Raceway April 30-May 1: Lake Elsinore, Calif.: Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park

South Central Regional Championships

AMA PRO FLAT TRACK www.amaproracing.com

May 14: Billings, Mont.: Billings MX (Saturday only) Northwest Regional Championship May 28-29: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal MX Park (Youth/ Amateur) Mid-West Area Qualifiers

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

National Championship

46

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP www.worldsbk.com

May 1: Henry, Ill. (Half Mile) June 17: Harpursville, N.Y. (Short Track)

May 14: Phoenix, Ariz.: Turf Paradise May 21: Sacramento, Calif.: California Expo Fair May 29: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds

July 8-10: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca MOTOAMERICA ROAD RACING SERIES www.motoamerica.com

June 18: Harpursville, N.Y. (Short Track) July 2: Oshkosh, Wis.: Oshkosh Speedzone (3/8 Mile) July 3: Oshkosh, Wis.: Oshkosh Speedzone (3/8 Mile) July 9: Ashland, Ohio: Ashland County Fairgrounds (Half Mile) Aug. 12: Indianapolis, Ind.: Marion County Fairgrounds (Short Track)

April 29-May 1: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park May 13-15: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway June 3-5: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America June 10-12: Birmingham, Ala.: Barber Motorsports Park June 23-25: Tooele, Utah: Utah Motorsports Park

Sept. 24: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: Oakland Valley Race Park (Short Track)

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

Sept. 25: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: Oakland Valley Race Park (Short Track)

Sept. 9-11: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park 2016 NATIONAL

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

CHAMPION

National Championship

Featured Series AMA ROAD RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.asraracing.com

AMA ALL-STAR NATIONAL FLAT TRACK SERIES www.stevenaceracing.com

June 18: Oklahoma City, Okla.: Remington Park

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

June 25: Lima, Ohio: Allen County Fairgrounds

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

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

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

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

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

July 1-3: Plymouth, Wis.: Road America 2016 NATIONAL

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

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

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

Aug. 20: TBA April 16-17: California City, Calif.: Cal City MX Park

ROAD RACE

April 30: Henry, Ill. (Half Mile)

Aug. 28: Jerseyville, Ill.: (Half Mile)

DIRT TRACK

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

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

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

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

Northwest Area Qualifiers

July 1-6: Du Quoin, Ill.

2016 NATIONAL

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

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

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

AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.amaracing.com

CHAMPION

National Championship

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

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

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

AMA VINTAGE DIRT TRACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.amaracing.com

June 11-12: Pala, Calif.: Pala Raceway (Youth/Amateur) 2016 NATIONAL

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

National Championship

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

CHAMPION

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

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

Oct. TBA: TBA 2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

Mid-West Regional Championship

April 30-May 1: Maize, Kan.: Bar 2 Bar MX Park May 14-15: Little Falls, Minn.: Little Falls Raceway

Sept. 17: TBA

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

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

CHAMPION

National Championship AMA VINTAGE ROAD RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.americanmotorcyclist.com July 9-10: Lexington, Ohio: MidOhio Sports Car Course Featured Series AMERICAN SPORTBIKE RACING ASSOCIATION (SPRINT SERIES) www.asraracing.com

2016 EVENTS July 17: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

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

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

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

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

OFF-ROAD

Oct. 15: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway

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

Featured Series

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

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

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

FIM INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS ENDURO www.fim-live.com Oct. 11-16: Circuito de Navarra, Spain

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

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

June 11-12: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway July 1-3: Elkhart Lake, Wis: Road America

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

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

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

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

July 1: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America

AMA INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS ENDURO QUALIFIERS www.americanmotorcyclist.com April 23-24: Romney, W. Va.: Full Gas Sprint Enduro June 4-5: Idaho City, Idaho: Boise Ridge Riders FIM TRIALS DES NATIONS www.fim-live.com Sept. 10-11: Isola 2000, France

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2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

National Championship AMSOIL GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES PRESENTED BY MAXXIS www.gnccracing.com

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

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

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

2016 EVENTS 2016 NATIONAL

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

CHAMPION

National Championship KENDA AMA NATIONAL ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.nationalenduro.com May 22: Greensboro, Ga.: Cherokee Cycle Club June 19: Huntersville, Minn.: River Valley Enduro Riders July 24: Cross Fork, Pa.: Brandywine Enduro Riders

May 21-22: Ocala, Fla.: Florida Trials Association May 28-29: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Southeastern Trials Riders Association

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

National Championship AMA VINTAGE HARE SCRAMBLE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.americanmotorcyclist.com July 8: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

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

2016 NATIONAL

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

CHAMPION

AMA VINTAGE TRIALS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.americanmotorcyclist.com

AMA ENDUROCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.endurocross.com

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

Aug. 27: Atlanta, Ga. Sept. 3: Sioux Falls, S.D.

2016 NATIONAL

TENNESSEE KNOCKOUT EXTREME ENDURO www.tennesseeknockoutenduro.com

Oct. 1: Denver, Colo.

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

Oct. 22: Everett, Wash.

Nov. 5: Boise, Idaho

Regional Series

Nov. 19: Ontario, Calif.

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

National Championship

May 14 (ATV/Youth) | 15 (Amateur): Delta, Utah: Sage Riders Motorcycle Club UPDATED: June 11: Plymouth, Utah: Big Nasty LLC

June 30-July 2: Sequatchie, Tenn.: Southeastern Trials Riders Association (East) Regional Series AMA EAST HARE SCRAMBLE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.americanmotorcyclist.com

Aug. 27 (Amateur/Youth) No ATVs: Panaca, Nev.: Silver State Trailblazers UPDATED: Sept. 17: Red Mountain, Calif: JackRabbits MC Sept. 24 (No ATVs): Yerington, Nev.: Get-Xtr-Eme

May 7 (Youth Bikes/Youth ATV) | May 8 (Amateur Bikes/Amateur ATV): Clifford, Pa.: District 6 Sports Association July 16 (Youth Bikes) | July 17 (Amateur Bikes): Mahanoy City, Pa.: Valley Forge Trail Riders

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

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

AIReS AMA/NATC MOTOTRIALS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES www.mototrials.com

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

2016 NATIONAL

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

48

AMA/NATC YOUTH MOTOTRIALS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP www.mototrials.com June 22-24: Canon City, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Trials Association (West)

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

CHAMPION

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Updated: Sept. 3 (Bikes/ATV/ Youth): Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Vikings Motorcycle Club Sept. 3 (ATV/Youth/Amateur): Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Vikings Motorcycle Club UPDATED: Oct. 1 (ATV/Youth) | 2 (Amateur): Plaster City, Calif.: RoadRunners Motorcycle Club UPDATED: Nov. 5 (Youth/ Amateur): Longdale, Nev.: Darkside Motorcycle Club Regional Series

CHAMPION

National Championship

Sept. 24: Phoenix, Arix.

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

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

Sept. 10: Salt Lake City, Utah

2016 NATIONAL

CHAMPION

National Championship

2016 NATIONAL

National Championship

CHAMPION

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

June 25-26: Canon City, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Trials Association 2016 NATIONAL

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

CHAMPION

Regional Series

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

CHAMPION

Aug. 28: Chandlersville, Ohio: Ohio Woods Riders

2016 NATIONAL

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

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

Sept. 17: Red Mountain, Calif.: NHHA Oct. 1: Ocatillo Wells, Calif.: RoadRunners M/C Oct. 22: Lucerne Valley, Calif: 100’s MC Featured Series APPALACHIAN CHAMPIONSHIP ENDURO SERIES www.aces-races.com June 5: Wellston, Ohio: Appalachian Dirt Riders UPDATED: June 19: New Straitsville, Ohio: New Straitsville Enduro Riders July 17: McArthur, Ohio: Enduro Riders Association Aug. 7: Three Springs, Pa.: Green Marble Enduro Riders Aug. 14: Logan, Ohio: Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club Aug. 28: Chandlersville, Ohio: Ohio Woods Riders (In conjunction with National Enduro) Sept. 4: Athens, Ohio: Athens Motorcycle Club Sept. 18: Bergholz, Ohio: Ohio Valley Trail Riders

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

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

June 4-5: Altamont, Tenn.

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

July 9-10: Connelly Springs, N.C. July 30-31: Brazil, Ind. Aug. 13-14: Young Harris, Ga. Nov. 12-13: Union, S.C. Regional Series AMA DISTRICT 37 BIG 6 GRAND PRIX SERIES www.big6racing.com April 30-May 1: State Line/Primm NV: Primm Casino Resort Oct. 1-2: Ridgecrest, Calif.: Desert Empire Fairgrounds Nov. 5-6: Gorman, Calif.: Quail Canyon MX Dec. 3-4: TBA

Featured Series CROSSROADS RACING SERIES www.crossroadsracingseries.com UPDATED: April 23: Odon, Ind.: Parsons MX Compound UPDATED: June 4-5: Bedford, Ky.: Saddleback East UPDATED: June 11-12: Springville, Ind.: Lawrence County Recreational Park UPDATED: July 2-3: Staunton, Ind.: Staunton MX Park UPDATED: July 23-24: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports UPDATED: Aug. 13-14: Bedford, Ind.: Stone City Ranch

Regional Series

UPDATED: Sept. 3-4: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trail Motorsports

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

UPDATED: Oct. 22-23: Staunton, Ind.: Staunton MX Park

April 23: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Vikings M/C May 14: Delta, Utah: Sage Riders MC

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

2016 EVENTS May 1: Delaware City, Del.: Delaware Enduro Riders

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

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

May 29: Heckscherville, Pa.: Reading Off-Road Riders

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

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

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

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

June 26: Blain, Pa.: Susquehanna Off Road Riders July 10: Gillett, Pa.: Southern Tier Enduro Riders

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct. 22-23: Sahara Sands, N.J.: Pine Barrons Enduro Riders Nov. 12-13: New Castle, Del.: Delaware Enduro Riders Featured Series IOWA ATV HARE SCRAMBLE SERIES www.iatvhss.com April 30-May 1: Centerville, Iowa May 28-29: Mount Pleasant, Iowa

MOTORCYCLE RACING ASSOCIATION OF NEVADA (DESERT SERIES) www.mranracing.org April 30: Caliente, Nev.: Groundshakers May 21: Panaca, Nev.: Silver State Trailblazers July 30: Ely, Nev.: Coyotes Aug. 27: Caliente, Nev.: Silver State Trailblazers Sept. 17: Pioche, Nev.: Bushwackers Nov. 5: Logandale, Nev.: Darkside Featured Series

June 18-19: Kahoka, Mo.

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

July 9-10: St. Charles, Iowa July 30-31: Thurman, Iowa Sept. 18-19: Beaconsfield, Iowa Oct. 8-9: Carlisle, Iowa

Sept. 3: Cedar City, Utah: Jackrabbits

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

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2016 EVENTS MOTORCYCLE RACING ASSOCIATION OF NEVADA (NIGHT TEAM RACE SERIES) www.mranracing.org June 4: Jean, Nev.: Wild Bunch June 25: Jean, Nev.: MRAN July 9: Jean, Nev: MRAN July 22-23: Searchlight, Nev: Bushwackers Featured Series TRIALS INC. www.trialsinc.org April 23-24: Southington, Ohio: Cleveland

Oct. 30: Spring Grove, Va.: Pipsico

WESTERN CHECKPOINT ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP www.westchec.org

June 23-24: South Fork, Colo.: SFPR - RMEC Sept. 20: Campwood, Ariz.: ATR - AMRA

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

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

Nov. 5: Upperlake, Calif.: Hayward MC - D36 Nov. 13: Stoneyford, Calif.: Valley Climbers MC - D36 Featured Series WESTERN NEW YORK OFFROAD ASSOCIATION www.wnyoa.net

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

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

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

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

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

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

Featured Series

May 29: Richford, N.Y.: BroomeTioga Sports Center

VIRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HARE SCRAMBLE SERIES www.vchss.org

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

May 1: Martinsville, Va.: Blue Ridge 1 May 15: Bristol, Va.: Harleywood May 29: Dendron, Va.: Reddy Hole June 12: Spring Grove, Va.: TDR, Eastover

June 19: Colesville, N.Y.: Full Action Cycles June 26: South Edmeston, N.Y.: Thunder Ridge July 10: Newark Valley, N.Y.: Conover Racing July 24: Homer, N.Y.: Knobby Acres

June 26: Rural Retreat, Va.: Hillbilly

Aug. 7: TBD: Scooters

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

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

Aug. 21: Penhook, Va.: Sandy Bottom

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

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

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

Sept. 11: Spring Grove, Va.: Peninsula

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

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May 1: Georgetown, Calif.: CERA - D36

June 4-5: Sidell, Ill.: Illinois

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

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Aug. 27-Sept. 1: Wendover, Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats (AMA national records and FIM world records) 2016 NATIONAL

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Aug. 20-21: Tillamook, Ore: Northwest Tour & Trail - Rat Dog Adventure Ride Sept. 10-11: Pineola, N.C.: Appalachian Trail Riders - Blue Ridge National Adventure Ride

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

July 23-24: Canfield, Ohio: Canfield

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

Oct. 9: Rural Retreat, Va.: Rattlesnake

May 14-15: Tippecanoe, Ohio: Tippecanoe

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

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National Championship AMA HILLCLIMB GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP www.americanmotorcyclist.com

Sept. 17-18: Logan, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters - Buckeye Dual Sporters Sept. 24-25: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, Inc. Big Woods 200 Sept. 24-25: Boyce, La.: Acadiana Dirt Riders - Acadiana Adventure 400 Oct. 22-23: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Arizona Trail Riders - Howlin’ at the Moon Nov. 25-26: Palmdale, Calif.: District 37 Dual Sport - L.A. Barstow to Vegas

July 29-31: Neoga, Ill. Featured Event MIKE COOK’S BONNEVILLE SHOOTOUT www.landspeedevents.com Sept. 15-20: Wendover, Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats

BETA AMA NATIONAL DUAL SPORT SERIES www.americanmotorcyclist.com June 4-5: Bixby, Mo.: Midwest Trail Riders Association - Show Me 200 Dual Sport Ride

RECREATION

June 4-5: Odell, Ore.: Northwest Tour & Trail - Black Dog Adventure Ride June 4-5: Lock Haven, Pa.: Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club - Durty Dabbers

AMA YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES www.americanmotorcyclist.com June 4-5: Odell, Ore.: Northwest Tour & Trail - Black Dog Adventure Ride

June 11-12: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, Inc. 2016 Ride for Research Aug. 12-14: Salida, Colo.: Exit Tours M/C - Colorado 2-Day Aug. 13-14: Columbus, Ind.: Stoney Lonesome M/C - Buffalo 500

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sept. 17-18: Logan, Ohio: Buckeye Dual Sporters - Nut Cracker 200 Sept. 24-25: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Family Off-Road Adventures Yosemite Dual Sport Adventure

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AMA NATIONAL ROAD RIDING CONVENTION www.americade.com June 7-11: Lake George, N.Y.: Americade. Americade attracts thousands of riders and is a laidback, road-riding touring destination with a family friendly atmosphere.

Nov. 25-26: Palmdale, Calif.: District 37 Dual Sport - L.A. Barstow to Vegas Nov. 5-6: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: TriCounty Sportsmen M/C - Hammer Run Nov. 12-13: Oracle, Ariz.: Trail Riders Of Southern Arizona - There Will Be Dust AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS www.americanmotorcyclist.com Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Southern California Motorcycle Association 15 Best Roads: sc-ma.com, scmariskmanager@gmail.com, (602) 705-4902 Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Southern California Motorcycle Association USA Four Corners Tour: sc-ma. com, scmariskmanager@gmail.com, (602) 705-4902 July 3-24: Sister’s Centennial Motorcycle Ride: SistersMotorcycleRide.com, alisa@ motoadventuregal.com, (562) 3953830 Sept. 2-6: Southern California Motorcycle Association Three Flags Classic: sc-ma.com, scmariskmanager@gmail.com, (602) 705-4902 AMA NATIONAL GYPSY TOUR www.americanmotorcyclist.com Thunder in the Valley (FIM North America Rally) June 23-26: Johnstown, Pa.: JohnstownThunder.com, jstcvb@ visitjohnstownpa.com, (800) 2378590 AMA PREMIER POKER RUN www.americanmotorcyclist.com Corn Roast Poker Run Aug. 20: Mansfield, Ohio: MansfieldMotorcycleClub.com, karlae1764@embarqmail.com, (419) 526-5964 AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS www.americanmotorcyclist.com Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation - Ride for Kids (events nationwide): RideForKids.org

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AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME www.motorcyclemuseum.org The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: The main floor of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame celebrates Hall of Fame inductees, the heroes of the track, road, trails and halls of government who have elevated the sport to new heights. Now featuring the 2015 inductees.

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

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

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

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

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

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GUEST COLUMN

ACCEPTING CHANGE

Adjusting Attitude And Equipment To Keep Riding Longer by James Mullin

54

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

I get to ride and tour for a while longer.

The effort to keep riding is ongoing, though: • The tractor seats I have mounted so my sciatic nerve doesn’t get crushed; • The auxiliary lights built and mounted aid night driving; • The charging system added to the scooter powers a battery for the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure machine) so I can sleep comfortably where there is no electricity; • Windshield modifications to increase my comfort, so I can ride more miles in a day.

Coming up with the ideas and making these aids to riding comfort has made several winters pass more quickly.

Ohio has a lot of great motorcycle roads. I am fortunate to live in the glacial moraines, and the county and township roads are fabulous. That means steep hills to climb and descend, combined with sharp, tight curves from time to time.

My favorite long day-to-overnight-trip

roads are found south of U.S. 30 and east of State Route 3. This area transitions from the moraines to the foot hills of the Appalachian Mountains.

There is a large Amish community there, and there are a lot of back roads with no utility lines. They are challenging to ride and are so quiet and tranquil when you stop to rest, or simply soak in the scenery.

This is why I ride—and have for the last five decades. Unencumbered views, the scents of the passing countryside, the feel of the sun, rain, temperature and wind, the magical feel of the machine as I dive into a curve, climb a hill and head for the horizon.

Look for me on my maxi-scooter running the moraines of northeastern Ohio, the Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio, down through West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and into the North Carolina mountains, pushing a smile down the road.

James Mullin is an AMA member from Wadsworth, Ohio.

Palmedes Photography

My limitations are health related. I’ll be 70 in a few weeks, and I am starting preparations for the coming riding season here in northeastern Ohio.

According to the Merriman Webster dictionary, passion is defined as “a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.”

My passion for motorcycles and touring continues, even though, along with advancing age came several chronic health issues that limit my mobility, endurance, and strength.

To keep riding and touring I have to accommodate my limits.

Sometimes passion can be ignited by a simple passing event.

I was 11 in 1957 when a couple of my older brother’s friends dropped by.

One was on a Triumph, the other on a Cushman Eagle. They didn’t stay long.

When my brother got into his car, away they went, with the V8 roar of the car, the sound of a parallel-twin exhaust, and the thump-thump-thump of a single at full throttle.

To add to it, my brother and the Triumph rider did a drag race out of the driveway.

I was hooked.

Seven years later, I was still hooked.

My friend had a homemade rolling chassis made of hay rake caster wheels, gas pipe and angle iron for sale. A sprocket, chain, antique lawn mower motor and a centrifugal clutch later and I was in seventh heaven running the township roads at 12 mph.

There have been gaps in my riding since then due to raising children and financial issues, but the passion remained.

Around 55 to 60 years old, various issues started to intrude on my riding.

The hips hurt when mounting and dismounting a motorcycle. As time passed, it got worse and was followed by cramps after I mounted.

Next it was pain in the left hand from frequent manipulation of the clutch lever, followed by my ankle and toes hurting while shifting gears.

It was looking bad before I discovered maxi scooters.

Step-through frame, automatic transmission, 400cc to 650cc motors.

Enough power to easily cruise at 70 to 80plus mph uphill into a head wind, and top speeds in excess of 100 mph.

Woot!

WANT MOMENTS TO REMEMBER,

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IT’S NOT MONEY THAT MAKES YOU RICH. IT’S THE EXPERIENCES YOU MAKE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER THE MOST. IT’S THE THRILLS AND ADVENTURES THAT BUILD YOUR LIFE STORY. HOW BIG DO YOU WANT YOURS TO BE?

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