American Motorcyclist 08 2011

AUGUST 2011

KIDS JUST WANT TO RIDE Young MXers Rally In Washington

THE JOURNAL OF THE

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

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NAVIGATION

Cover

Chase Yentzer may not look like a lobbyist, but he spent a day on Capitol Hill telling lawmakers that “Kids Just Want to Ride!” as part of the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb. Read about the impact that Chase and other AMA members had in efforts to change the lead law, beginning on page 32.

Photo by Morten Aigeltinger.

Navigation Photo

Young riders turned out in force for the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb on May 26 in Washington, D.C., to urge federal lawmakers to change the lead law so that kids’ bikes and all-terrain vehicles can be legally sold next year.

Photo by Morten Aigeltinger.

8. LETTERS

You write, we read.

10. IMRE SZAUTER

Alcohol and motorcycles don’t mix.

12. RIGHTS

U.S. Interior secretary changes direction on Wild Lands, pursues Wilderness.

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 2011.

Printed in USA. Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $10 covered in membership dues; $15 a year for non-members.

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

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

August 2011 Volume 65, Number 8 Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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18. RIDING

Dispatch from South America, and master the pre-ride check.

24. RACING

Chad Reed stacks outdoor wins, and Junior Motocross Team eyes Italy.

28. HALL OF FAME

Daytona winner Gene Romero, Stan Simpson and an 1885 Daimler Replica.

32. KIDS JUST WANT TO RIDE!

Young motocrossers rally In Washington against youth motorcycle sales ban.

37. ALL THINGS VINTAGE

The smell of two-stroke race gas. The sound of classic twins at speed. Fields of dreams and every bike you ever owned. What are you waiting for?

41. GO RIDE

What to do, where to go.

50. WAYNE DANIELSEN Protecting the passion.

EDITORIAL OFFICES

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

E THE ADVENTUR

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

Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at www.AmericanMotorcyclist. com/about/board Stan Simpson, Chairman Cibolo, Texas

Grant Parsons, Director of Communications James Holter, Managing Editor Bill Kresnak, Government Affairs Editor Mark Lapid, Creative Director Jen Muecke, Designer Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer

Jon-Erik Burleson, Assistant Treasurer Murrietta, Calif.

Perry King, Assistant Secretary Northern California John Ulrich, Executive Committee Member Lake Elsinore, Calif.

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

Dwight Conant, Kearsarge, N.H. Charles Goman, Winder, Ga.

Misty Walker, Advertising Assistant (614) 856-1900, ext. 1267, mwalker@ama-cycle.org

Maggie McNally, Albany, N.Y. Scott Miller, Milwaukee, Wis. Art More, Surprise, Ariz.

Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.

is out there

coGetmite

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, 2011.

JH

WAYNE DANIELSEN, Guest Columnist Proving that you don’t have to be a life-long motorcyclist to make an impact on the motorcycle lifestyle, Wayne doesn’t let his late start slow down his activism.

GRANT PARSONS, Director of Communications While cleaning the basement (well, really just rearranging the clutter), Grant discovered his ancient Hein Gericke V-Pilot jacket. Wonder how long it will be before that style comes back around?

re High Adventu o, roads and tw The best routes ts. by local exper track, mapped inded nge with like-m A great challe ities, eekend’s activ riders. A full w campfires, food with camping, ll information at and prizes. Fu iding orcyclist.com/R AmericanMot

Rob Dingman, Pickerington, Ohio

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

CONTRIBUTORS AND STAFF

WD

. No Hassle.

AMA PRESIDENT AND CEO

JAMES HOLTER, Managing Editor At a recent staff off-road ride, James had the foresight to bring a GoPro. Naturally, as soon as he turned it on, people started crashing in front of him. Amazing, the power of a videocam.

BILL KRESNAK, Government Affairs Editor Here’s the thing about craigslist ads: They all sound awesome, but when you start emailing people about that sweetlooking PE250, there’s aways a catch. No title. Worse shape than advertised. Bike’s too far away. Seller is a flake. Just once, Krez would like to close a deal.

BK

ML

MARK LAPID, Creative Director After four days of bombing around the roads of Michigan with his buds, Mark is just now able to unlock from his Honda Hawk GT-induced crouch. A small price to pay for that much fun.

JEN MUECKE, Designer How did this happen?

With race tires and track plastic on the 600RR, lights removed from the DRZ, and the Ducati in dry storage in the living room, Jen finds herself with zero street-legal motorcycles. Shopping time!

JEFF GUCIARDO, Production Manager/Designer Know what happens when you try to sign up for an MSF class in the height of the riding season? Jeff does—they’re all full. Now he’s reduced to showing up for already-scheduled classes, sitting around and hoping for a no-show. A guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do.

Other contributors include: Mark Kariya, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Jeff Kardas, Morten Aigeltinger, Kyle Holloway, Jim Kimball.

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MEMBER LETTERS LETTER OF THE MONTH WOMEN RIDERS

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

Karl Kunkel

Thank you for putting a woman cyclist on the cover of your magazine (July), as well as a meaningful story to complement the photo.

I’m a new AMA member, returning to the cycling world after a 30-year absence. If women represent a growing percentage of riders and buyers, as I understand they do, I wonder if the other cycle magazines on the stands devote a representative number of their covers and cover stories to women subjects—other than in eye-candy poses.

I’ve started subscribing to some of these magazines. I think I’ll ask them.

Karl Kunkel High Point, N.C. GET INVOLVED I just read Rob Dingman’s column in the July issue about motorcyclists becoming more politically effective. Rob urged AMA members to contact their congressional representatives about supporting funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP).

I was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2010 largely for the work I did in the early 1990s to get that program legislated and funded. AMA members need to know that Rob Dingman played a key role in that effort. He was working for the Motorcycle Industry Council in their Washington, D.C., office at the time and was instrumental in that successful legislative effort. He was still wet behind the ears, and I was the leader of the BlueRibbon Coalition, an organization that was still wet behind the ears at the time. Rob and I put out many political fires together to get that job done, and the

Clark Collins

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AMA played a key role as well. I’m really glad to see Rob at the helm of the AMA at this critical time.

Political effectiveness requires persistence above all. I’ve been politically active in Idaho since our governor told me in 1985 that OHV [off-highway vehicle]recreationists were “politically ineffective.” I resolved to correct that situation.

Rob mentioned that many of our self-funded programs are being raided in these tough economic times. I live in a small population state, Idaho, and our legislature attempted to raid our fuel-tax-funded OHV program last year.

Our governor supported the raid as well. Due to our pressure, the governor changed his position, and the legislature delayed its vote on it until this year. OHV representatives statewide lobbied our legislators in opposition to their plan, and in this last legislative session they unanimously, in both houses, voted to retain our program intact.

Sandra Mitchell, with the Idaho Recreation Council, led the effort with OHV riders statewide heavily involved.

Granted, in a small state there is more potential to affect the political process, but the key is to never give up.

Follow Rob’s lead on political effectiveness and, above all else, stick together. OHV riders and street riders need to work together on all issues that affect either group. Support the TEAM: Together Everyone Accomplishes More.

Clark Collins AMA Charter Life Member 2010 Inductee, Motorcycle Hall of Fame

15 BEST? REALLY? I just returned from a trip down the Natchez Trace Parkway with four other riders. I planned the trip after seeing it listed as one of the 15 best roads in America in American Motorcyclist magazine. We were all left wondering why this road made a list of even the top 500.

With the exception of both ends, the road was relatively straight with unchanged scenery unless you got off of the Parkway.

The surrounding roads and towns were nice but we thought the Parkway itself lacked the punch to be named one of America’s 15 best.

We traveled more scenic and more fun roads (back roads and byways with almost no highways) from Pennsylvania through Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and Virginia just getting to and from the Parkway. The standouts being from Rt. 9 (near Martinsburg, W.Va.) to Rt. 29 to Rt. 50 to Rt. 28 to Rt. 92 (all in West Virginia) and then Rt. 42 from Glade Spring, Va., to Woodstock, Va. (stops here and there but resumes further up).

We met some great people, ate some good food (were even treated to some moonshine in Tennessee) and rode some killer roads. All in all, we had a blast. We just thought the Trace did not have the credentials to be on the 15 best list.

Erick Anderson Germansville, Pa. Thanks for the note, Erick. The list was the result of a two-step democratic process—nominations then voting. It was created by AMA members for AMA members. Apparently, the laid-back, nostalgic feel and historical significance of the Trace appeals to enough of your fellow AMA members to warrant a spot on the list. That said, we’re glad you found some roads you enjoyed not far off the main route—and definitely thanks for the tips!

OFF-ROADERS MATTER As a fellow motorcycle enthusiast and father of two young dirtbikers, I have to take exception to the apparent double standard comment of J. Hoover in the letters section of the June issue of American Motorcyclist.

Like John, I am glad to be a member of an organization supporting all motorcyclists no matter where they are or what they ride. The thing I didn’t like is the comment against off-roaders. I hope John can realize that off-road riders/racers along with organizations like the AMA are fighting a battle to preserve the little bit of land that remains to be ridden on.

Peggy Zaring

Although I currently use a KTM dualsport, I’m certain that dirt-riding skills make anyone on two wheels a better rider, and children like my two boys will be the next generation to enjoy motorcycles and defend all motorcycle users in the future.

If we have to guzzle a gallon of gas for over four hours of exercise, skill building and a shared state of mind, so be it.

Brett Powell McKinleyville, Calif.

RACING MEMORIES Wow! I can’t believe what I just read. I picked up the AMA magazine (that I rarely get to see because my husband hogs it), and there in the letters section, a letter from Tony Fiore from Niagara Falls caught

my attention.

I grew up in Clarence, N.Y. I know I must have known him, as my younger brother, Roy Fleck, and I were friends with the Bobby and Ronnie he mentioned.

We raced together. I raced 100cc class until I convinced my mom I could get the holeshot and not get squished around the first corner in the 125cc class. I raced from 1971–77, on the same tracks, I’m sure, as there weren’t that many—Zoar, Bluemont, Dansville, Cherry Hill.

I’ve lost touch with most all of my racing brothers but always thought it would be great if we could do a reunion some day.

I now ride a dual sport (although not any technical stuff) and a K 1200 GT on the street. I think often of the days on the racetrack where we had more moms and dads than we could ever want as teenagers but loved them all. We had so many brothers and a few sisters, I think there were three of us girls—myself, Kim and Shelly. I, for one, painted my helmet and number plates pink so I could rub it in.

I loved racing, and I loved the people.

Thanks, AMA, for connecting old riders, even if it is just through a letter to the editor.

Peggy (Fleck) Zaring Dusty, Wash.

NO APOLOGY NECESSARY Concerning your “From The President”

George Brown

letter regarding Arnold Schwarzenegger as Motorcyclist of the Year (MOTY) in the June issue of American Motorcyclist, if you consider it “good business” to apologize to us members for what I consider a job well done, then I accept your apology, but I personally felt the Schwarzenegger-asMOTY idea was brilliant! The decision was controversial and invigorating, and that is exactly what the AMA membership needs in this new era you are guiding us through.

The recent AMA MOTY decision also shed a tremendous amount of light on the loud pipes issue that will eventually affect us all.

Thank you, Rob Dingman, for bringing new life to the AMA. No apology necessary!

George Brown Middlesex Co., N.J.

On Facebook? Us, too! Like the fan page of the American Motorcyclist Association and you could leave comments like these: www.facebook.com/AmericanMotorcyclist Thank you for your magazine. I am a rookie rider in my third season of riding in N.W. Ohio. I started off on the totally cool retro-look Suzuki TU250X (superb starter bike!), which has now been passed onto another rookie, and now am riding a Suzuki GS500F. I appreciate the articles/contributions on how and where to ride, what to look for, etc. They’ve been very helpful! I look forward to seeing where all the racing is taking place in the surrounding areas, too! I am pretty blessed to be in a rich racing area! Thanks, AMA!—Sue Parker Like the flying V-twin it is, just like it did the day it left the factory.—Charles Hood, answering the question “What does your motorcycle sound like?”

Brrrrraaaaaaaaaaaap!—Mark Fowler, answering the same question.

I must say to all who love vintage motorcycles, this is a super fun event. There are lots of things to do and see. Every year, it gets better, so if you have the time, come to AMA Vintage Motorcycle

Days in 2011. I am a proud member of the AMA, and I want to thank you all for all the time and effort it takes to put such a huge event together. On behalf of myself, ZL-OA members and all motorcyclists out there, thanks!—Chris Ludlow Took a German exchange student on a 350-mile ride Sunday up the Great River Road from St. Louis to Hannibal then back home via the Illinois River Road. She was able to experience a small bit of America on two wheels and visit the historic sites at Hannibal.

For a first time co-rider, she did great and had fun.—Barb Detmer Johnson, answering the question, “Where did you ride this weekend?”

White Rose Motorcycle Club, Spring Grove, Pa., for the AMA Class A Professional Hill Climb.—Bruce Lefever, answering the same question.

Some great riders on our team this year! Go USA!—Ross Mauri, offering words of support for the U.S. International Six Days Enduro team.

You can connect with fellow AMA members on Facebook. You can also always find more information at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

August 2011

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VIEWPOINT

ALCOHOL AND MOTORCYCLES DON’T MIX

Late last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a new gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent alcohol by volume, also known as E15.

Never heard of it? In the coming months you probably will, as ethanol-based E15 will become an important issue for the on- and off-highway motorcycling and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) communities.

In a nutshell, E15 may appear at a fueling station near you and you need to be careful—in fact very careful— where you use this new fuel.

In October 2010, the EPA approved E15 for use in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks and mediumduty passenger vehicles). In January 2011, it added model year 2001-06 light-duty vehicles to the approved list. Because flexible-fuel vehicles are approved to use E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), they may also use E15.

By Imre Szauter More important to riders, though, are the vehicles and engines that are not approved for E15, which currently include all motorcycles and ATVs. Also on the unapproved list are vehicles with heavy-duty engines, such as school buses, transit buses and delivery trucks; off-road vehicles, such as boats and snowmobiles; small engines, such as lawnmowers and chain saws; and all cars older than 2001.

While the AMA applauds efforts to make our nation more eneergy efficient, the problem is that E15 burns hotter than gasoline that contains a lesser amount of ethanol. In engines not designed to dissipate that extra heat, damage in the form of premature wear can result.

Although this is a concern in all motorcycles, it’s particularly problematic for air-cooled engines found in many bikes.

When you consider everything in your garage, storage shed and basement that runs on gasoline, you may discover you have more E15 non-approved vehicles and engines than approved ones.

To double-check whether an engine shouldn’t use E15, review the owner’s manual for anything you own that runs on gasoline.

Check the fuel requirements—it’s likely that you’ll find a statement that you should only use gasoline with no more than 10 percent ethanol by volume or you’ll void the warranty.

So, what should you do?

Keep an eye out for E15, and avoid it. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind: • Don’t dispense E15 into unmarked containers, as you’ll likely forget in a week what’s in the can.

• Don’t store any ethanol-blended gasoline for long periods, as it absorbs water from the air. Make sure you use a quality gasoline

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stabilizer if your vehicle or engine won’t be started for some time.

• Don’t siphon gasoline from a light-duty vehicle for use in any other gasoline-fueled motors, as you may be introducing E15 into an unapproved vehicle or engine.

• Do use the internet to locate and patronize fueling stations that dispense E0—gasoline with no added ethanol. Many marinas still sell E0, so consider bodies of water as R&R (rest and refuel) stops when you travel. Check pure-gas.org for more information.

If you want to take it to another level, there are opportunities to get involved in shaping the E15 issue.

• Contact the fueling stations you visit to let them know your concerns about E15. If a retail location gets enough pushback from customers, they may choose to keep their current fuel offerings, instead of replacing one choice with E15.

• Follow the issue—a good consumer is an informed consumer. Search the Web for articles on ethanol-blended fuels, but carefully note the source of any information you read.

Some with a financial interest in ethanol are quick to say we have nothing to worry about. Don’t take their word for it—read and decide for yourself.

• Read the science—the Oak Ridge National Laboratory has published “Effects of Intermediate Ethanol Blends on Legacy Vehicles and Small Non-Road Engines, Report 1 – Updated.” Although it’s quite technical, it’s still a good resource on the use of ethanol-blended gasoline on older vehicles and engines. Visit http://www.ornl.gov/sci/bioenergy/pdfs/ EffectsIntermediateEthanolBlends.pdf to download a copy.

• Ask your federal lawmakers to support H.R. 748, introduced

by U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.). H.R. 748 would prohibit the EPA from allowing the sale of gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol in light-duty vehicles.

• Go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Get Involved to contact your federal elected officials and for additional ideas.

Sharing your personal experiences with ethanol in gasoline can affect their position on the issue.

The bottom line on E15 for motorcyclists and ATV riders?

At this time, you shouldn’t use it in your vehicle. Even if E15 is eventually authorized for use in newer motorcycles and ATVs, pay careful attention to the manufacturer’s warnings.

Finally, when it comes to alcohol and motorcycling, alcohol in our gas tank shouldn’t be our only concern. A large number of motorcycle crashes resulting in serious injury or death reveal that alcohol consumption was involved with riders and/or the drivers in the other vehicles.

When it comes to alcohol and motorcycles, they just don’t mix.

Imre Szauter is the AMA government affairs manager for onhighway issues.

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INTERIOR SECRETARY CHANGES DIRECTION ON WILD LANDS, PURSUES WILDERNESS Salazar Vows To Push For Restrictive Wilderness Land-Use Designations U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has reversed his position on his controversial Wild Lands policy.

But at the same time, Salazar vowed to work with Congress to impose restrictive Wilderness land-use designations on millions of acres of public land.

And days after making that announcement, he cited an omnibus public lands bill that was ramrodded through Congress as an example of what can be done if the Obama administration and members of Congress work together.

That unfortunate measure designated 2 million acres of public land as Wilderness, which banned off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding with the stroke of a pen when it was signed into law.

The legislation—the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009—was a

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combination of more than 160 bills, and some federal lawmakers complained that they had never even seen almost half of them, let alone debated them, nor did they have time to get constituent input.

Salazar’s pronouncements portend an epic battle in Congress this year between anti-access forces, who want to keep people off public land, and responsible off-highway riders, who believe that public land should remain available to the public.

A congressionally authorized Wilderness designation makes nearly all forms of non-pedestrian recreation illegal.

The AMA supports appropriate Wilderness designations that meet the criteria established by Congress in 1964, but anti-access advocates have been abusing the legislative and administrative processes to ban responsible OHV

recreation on public land.

On June 1, Salazar said the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would not designate any Wild Lands, which would have been managed as if they had received the highly restrictive Wilderness land-use designation from Congress.

Instead, Salazar said the BLM, which is a part of the Interior Department, will work in collaboration with members of Congress and others to identify public land that may be appropriate candidates for congressional Wilderness protection.

“We will focus our effort on building consensus around locally supported initiatives and working with members [of Congress] to advance their priorities for Wilderness designations in their states and districts,” he said.

Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO, said he was pleased that Salazar reversed himself on Wild Lands but cautioned that OHV riders must remain on guard, given these new developments.

“This is a major victory for motorcyclists, all-terrain vehicle riders

Photo Jeff Kardas

RIGHTS

ALLSTATE URGES DRIVERS TO WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES Caution Signs Going Up In 25 Cities Allstate Insurance Company is putting signs at intersections in 25 cities to get drivers to look for motorcycles.

The diamond-shaped, yellow caution signs, feature a motorcycle silhouette and are inscribed with the word “LOOK.” They are part of Allstate’s Once is Never Enough (ONE) motorcycle awareness campaign.

and others concerned about appropriate access to public land,” Dingman said.

“But we must remain vigilant. Anti-access groups will continue pushing for legislation to inappropriately close off millions of acres of public land to OHVs. Not only are BLM lands under attack by these groups, but U.S. Forest Service lands as well.

“I want to thank all the AMA members and others who attended meetings and contacted their federal lawmakers to oppose the Wild Lands policy,” he added.

“Your voices helped put pressure on Secretary Salazar to persuade him to abandon his Wild Lands policy.”

In December, the AMA and OHV enthusiasts won an important battle for responsible riding on public land when U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) dropped his effort to pass another massive omnibus public lands bill that would have inappropriately designated even more millions of acres of public land as Wilderness, barring OHVs. But then, just days later, on Dec. 22, Salazar signed Secretarial Order 3310 creating the Wild Lands land-use designation that essentially allowed BLM officials to manage public land as if it had received a Wilderness designation from Congress, but without requiring congressional approval.

This new Wild Lands policy was widely expected to restrict or eliminate responsible OHV use in the affected areas, and it appeared to be orchestrated by anti-access groups to pull an end-run around Congress.

It also was expected to have a far-reaching impact because the BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land nationwide.

On June 10, Salazar sent a letter to members of Congress saying the Interior Department will send Congress a list by Oct. 15 of areas “that we believe are ready for immediate Wilderness designation...”

To stay abreast of this, sign up for AMA Action Alerts at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Action Alerts.

LOOK

The signs are designed to increase awareness of motorcycle collisions with motorists at intersections and to help remind drivers and riders alike that they should scan for cross traffic more than once.

“In the time it takes to blink an eye, a life could be saved,” says Keith Rutman, vice president of Allstate’s consumer household unit. “Taking one extra second at an intersection to look left, right—and left again—for motorcyclists can help

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NEW HAMPSHIRE POLICE: ‘LOUD NOISE ANNOYS’ Decibel-Limit Violators Could Lose Bike Registrations With the riding season in full swing, law enforcement agencies along New Hampshire’s seacoast are taking aim at excessively loud motorcycles.

The most egregious offenders of the state’s 106 decibel-limit sound law could see their motorcycle registrations suspended.

The police chiefs of several towns—New Castle, Rye, Portsmouth, Hampton and North Hampton—as well as a state police sergeant, held a news conference at the Seacoast Harley-Davidson dealership on May 20.

With the slogan “Loud Noise Annoys,” they declared that motorcyclists are welcome but that officers will be educating riders about the state’s sound law.

This will be done through what they described as “free” sound testing at roadside checkpoints where motorcyclists and other motor vehicle operators will be checked for possible motor vehicle violations.

Violators of the state’s sound law face fines of $84. Repeat offenders, or those with extremely loud bikes, could see their motorcycle registrations suspended until the violation is corrected.

“We’re keeping records. At least five law enforcement agencies on the seacoast will be cooperating,” said North Hampton Police Chief Brian Page in an interview. “If we stop a particular motorcycle for a sound violation on two or three occasions, we may go a little harder on the enforcement and ask the Division of Motor Vehicles for a hearing to suspend the registration.

“That seems to be a big deterrent,” Page added. “That seems to be bringing a lot of people around. I think we’re seeing a reduction in loud motorcycles.”

Page says he is hopeful that the effort will be an educational experience not only for motorcyclists, but also for critics who complain that almost all motorcycles are excessively loud.

That’s because police will have information on things such as how many motorcycles were tested and how many were, in fact, in violation of the sound law.

AMA HAS MODEL LEGISLATION FOR SOUND LAWS Offers Simple Way To Deal With Sound Complaints

The AMA has long maintained a position of strong opposition to excessive motorcycle sound.

In September 2009, the AMA developed model legislation for use by cities and states seeking a simple, consistent and economical way to deal with sound complaints related to onhighway motorcycles within the larger context of excessive sound from all sources.

The model legislation offers an objective method to evaluate motorcycle sound based on the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) J2825 standard, “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles,” which is a stationary test.

The model legislation’s decibel limits range from 92 to 100, depending on the test procedure used.

For information on the AMA’s model legislation, go to AmericanMotorcyclist. com > Rights > Resources > Model OnHighway Motorcycle Exhaust System Sound Emissions Ordinance.

To read the AMA’s position on sound, go to AmericanMotorcyclist. com > Rights > PositionStatements > ExcessiveMotorcycleSound.

8 REASONS TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT RIDING A MOTORCYCLE It’s Good For The Environment, And The Nation We all know there are a lot of great reasons to ride a motorcycle. Here are eight more: In the wake of skyrocketing gas prices, motorcyclists have emerged relatively unscathed. A typical motorcycle can provide fuel mileage that exceeds that of most fuel-efficient automobiles. Many motorcycles return more than 50 miles per gallon, and many scooters can deliver nearly twice that.

In addition to using less gasoline, motorcycles require less oil and other chemicals to operate.

The recent introduction of electric motorcycles provides an added benefit for the environment.

Motorcycles take up less space than cars and trucks both during operation and when parked. They reduce traffic congestion and, in so doing, help increase the efficiency of traffic flow on the road.

Significantly fewer raw materials are used to produce motorcycles and scooters compared to cars and trucks. By some measures, it requires thousands of pounds less metal and plastic per vehicle to produce a motorcycle. The environmental benefits are realized both during production as well as at the end of the vehicle’s useful life.

Because motorcycles and scooters are so much more compact and lighter than cars and trucks, they cause far less wear and tear on highways, reducing the cost and environmental impact of infrastructure repairs.

Because of their size, many more motorcycles can be transported from factory to consumer using the same or less energy.

Riding a motorcycle engages riders’ bodies and brains in ways that driving a car can’t match. For most riders this means arriving at destinations energized and inspired.

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MOTORCYCLES GRANTED EQUAL ACCESS IN ARIZONA Three Roads Now Open To Street-Legal Bikes The Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona has reversed an unwritten policy and is now allowing street-legal motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on certain roads.

After being alerted by AMA member Keith Dishong that street-legal motorcycles were barred from three public access roads while trucks and other

street-legal vehicles were allowed, AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris and Brian Hawthorne of the BlueRibbon Coalition contacted officials at the refuge, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Haris noted that the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan allows street-legal

vehicles to use three access roads, so there was no reason to bar street-legal motorcycles and ATVs from those routes.

After investigating, refuge officials agreed that it couldn’t bar street-legal motorcycles and ATVs. The officials announced on May 18 that street-legal motorcycles and ATVs are now allowed on three public access roads: the El Camino del Diablo, Christmas Pass and Charlie Bell roads, which are outside designated Wilderness areas.

No other roads or trails in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge are open to motorized use.

“This action does not open the refuge to unrestricted off-road vehicle activity,” refuge officials said in a news release.

“Only the three public access roads already open to 4x4 vehicles are open to street-legal motorcycles and ATVs. These vehicles must abide by the same rules and restrictions as all other vehicles that access the refuge.”

Haris praised the USFWS for investigating the issue and reversing its ban. He urges all appreciative motorcyclists and ATV riders to send notes of thanks to Slone by going to http:// capwiz.com/amacycle/go/Cabeza.

That’s Tren t Young wit h his wife A Last summ va. er a buddy turned Tren to S100 Tota t on l Cycle Clean er. Then he wrote us: “I was absolu tely floored watched th as I e road grim e, bugs and I didn’t even dirt know was th ere…Now I don’t have to be afraid of the rain.

I am absolu tely enthralle d on how well your pr oduct works .” What Tren saw was S10 t 0’s amazing penetrating power gettin g the dirt th at other cleaners m iss, especial ly in the plac he couldn’t es see or reac h. That’s whe corrosion ca re n start! Love your bike?

Want to prot ect your inve stment and do it all in le ss time? Ask your dealer to set you up with some S 100 Total Cycle Clean er. Read Tren t’s entire m and lear n m ail ore at www .s100.com or call us at 20 3-488-6569 .

Photo U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

RIGHTS

STATEWAT C H CALIFORNIA Off-highway vehicle organizations are applauding a recent legal ruling involving the Eldorado National Forest. Senior U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton issued a ruling on May 26 that largely upholds the Eldorado Forest’s travel management decisions. But the ruling finds the Forest Service violated the Endangered Species Act and certain Forest Plan standards in authorizing access through certain places because of alleged impacts to red-legged frog habitat. The frog-related claims involve only a handful of routes in the roughly 1,200-mile road/trail network approved by the agency. Groups that were defendant intervenors in the case include the California Association of 4WD Clubs, California Enduro Riders Association, AMA District 36 (Northern California, Northwestern Nevada) and the BlueRibbon Coalition.

LOUISIANA House Bill 583, sponsored by Rep. Tom Willmott (R-Kenner), would prohibit the installation of any head lamp, auxiliary or fog lamp, rear lamp, signal lamp, or reflector on a motor vehicle, or operation of a motor vehicle equipped with any type of lamp or reflector that changes the original design or

RIGHTS

performance unless it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108.

MARYLAND A new law that takes effect July 1 requires vehicle-parking facilities that are owned, leased or operated by the state or a political subdivision of the state, or that receive funding from the state or a political subdivision of the state, to allow motorcycles to park in the facilities, subject to certain charges. The bill that led to the law—House Bill 1282—was sponsored by Delegate Cheryl Glenn (D-Baltimore).

NEW HAMPSHIRE A new law that takes effect July 15 prohibits law enforcement agencies of the state or a political subdivision of the state from accepting federal funding to establish motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints.

Reps. Frank Holden (R-Lyndeborough) and Sherman Packard (R-Londonderry) sponsored the bill, House Bill 148, that ultimately became the law.

NEW YORK Assembly Bill 7247, sponsored

by Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun (R-Washingtonville), would permit a

motorcycle operator to proceed with due caution through a steady red signal at an intersection after waiting no less than 60 seconds if the traffic control device is inoperative and fails to recognize the motorcycle.

SOUTH CAROLINA A new law prohibits parents or legal guardians from knowingly permitting a child under the age of 6 to operate an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The law also requires riders under the age of 16 to take a “hands-on” rider safety course and to wear a helmet and eye protection. The enacted legislation is available at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > State Alerts.

TEXAS House Bill 2470, which would have defined “sport bikes” as a separate class of motorcycle and placed special restrictions on the operators of those motorcycles, died in a Senate committee. The bill, which had passed the House, included an arbitrary definition and would have established a dangerous precedent of regulating motorcycles and motorcyclists differently based on its ill-conceived definition.

RIDING

p TOP “Went to Moab, Utah, for the first time this week. On the way there we even stopped at the [Motorcycle Hall of Fame] and thought these pictures would be good for the magazine.

The views in Moab were incredible. I was riding with a group of Quigley 4x4 vans as a trail spotter or crowd spotter. So I had time to stop and enjoy the many views. The rocks out there are unbelievably sticky, which made any obstacle rideable.” — Michael McClane of York, Pa. p ABOVE “The photo is of my friend, Les Baker, riding his 1955 Moto Guzzi Falcome 500cc single at Ebbett’s Pass, Calif., at 8,500 feet, 75 degrees outside and snow drifts everywhere on June 13, 2011! Gorgeous riding.” — Craig Howell t “Daytona Bike Week—a little rain can’t keep the riders away.” — Anthony Barbitta

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RIDING

STURGIS AND THE AMA CLUB THAT STARTED IT ALL The Jackpine Gypsies Did Something Cool Long Ago And It Stuck It all began in motorcycles to work and a rural farming ride them to club events AMA’s Sturgis Schedule region during the and different towns on 9th Annual Mayor’s Ride: Aug. 8, registration Great Depression, the weekends, and, of 8:30-10 a.m. Ride leaves at 10:30 a.m. from when the Jackpine course, get ready for the back parking lot of the Motorcycle Expo off Gypsies, a fledgling the annual event each Lazelle St. AMA Booth: Aug. 8-14, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sturgis AMA-chartered August.”

Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame on Junction club founded by Hultman says the Ave. Visit the AMA booth for a free gift. seven members in rally’s growth benefited January 1937, saw from early AMA support. an opportunity.

“The race was a sanctioned event At the time, nearby Mount Rushmore from the beginning,” he says. “The was nearing completion and the Sturgis AMA supported us, and we supported Chamber of Commerce had its eye on the AMA. It worked well for both of our attracting a share of the anticipated organizations.” crowds. That sparked the Jackpine Throughout the ’50s, Sturgis kept Gypsies to ask the Chamber to front growing, adding hillclimb and scrambles money for a motorcycle race. City leaders races. The event even became a stop agreed, and the second weekend of on the AMA’s new Grand National August 1938 was set as the date for the first AMA race meet in Sturgis, S.D. After a successful first year, club president and Sturgis Indian dealer J.C. “Pappy” Hoel, now a Motorcycle Hall of Famer, added tours and other events to the weekend and called it the Black Hills Motor Classic. And the rest is history.

Neil Hultman, an active charter member of the Jackpine Gypsies since 1947, says the club has changed significantly from those early days.

“When I got in, it was a small club— we had nine members at the most,” Hultman remembers. “Motorcycles were our life and entertainment. We’d ride our

Championship in 1954 and ’55.

Rally crowds grew to 30,000 through the 1970s, and to 300,000 by 1990. By then, the Black Hills Motor Classic had become two events: the club’s activities, and the massive gathering of motorcyclists that accompanies them. With limited volunteers, club officials asked the Sturgis Chamber to take over the rally program.

A key part of Sturgis’ growth was the support of the townspeople.

“The best thing that happened for getting the town behind the event was when the churches got involved and started serving breakfast,” he says. “They learned that motorcyclists were regular people. They dressed a little different, but once you got to know them, they were no different than your next-door neighbor.”

The 2011 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally takes place Aug. 8-14. It features hundreds of events and attractions, including an AMA Gypsy Tour on Aug. 8—the 9th Annual Mayor’s Ride.

Info: SturgisMotorcycleRally.com.

RIDING

DISPATCH FROM SOUTH AMERICA Two Wheels: The Best Way To Travel By Kyle Holloway The motorcycle bug bit me hard in the fall of 2008. I was finishing up my senior year of college at a small school in the Midwest. I was a good student, but the economy wasn’t doing well, and job prospects were slim.

My roommate and I devised an alternative plan. We decided to postpone the school-work-marriage-mortgage-kids cycle and ride motorcycles around the country for the summer. We shrugged off the fact that neither of us had any motorcycling experience, bought an old pair of cruisers we found on Craigslist,

and the day after graduation we set off on a 13,000-mile, three-month journey to explore our homeland.

The trip was spectacular, and we had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people along the way. We fished rivers, climbed mountains and rode some great routes. It was a road trip with unlimited legroom, and when the chapter finally came to a close, I knew it would be hard to travel any other way…two-wheel travel syndrome had set in.

Fast-forward two years. I had taken a job teaching at a university in Cuenca,

Ecuador. The pay wasn’t anything to write home about, but I loved living, working and experiencing culture in South America. As my visa and work responsibilities came to a close, I decided I wanted to see more.

I saved my pennies and waited for the opportunity. A month later, that opportunity arrived at my door—in the form of a red, adventure-outfitted KLR 650 with just over 40,000 miles on the clock that I found while taking a weekend visit to a university in neighboring Colombia.

The plan: With less that $2,000 in my pocket, I would ride the bike from Medellin, Colombia, across six countries and arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, before winter. Three months, 11 borders, and 10,000 miles later, I arrived at my destination, “el Fin del Mundo” (“the End of the World”).

The trip was a blast, and I enjoyed meeting locals, making new friends, practicing my Spanish, trying traditional foods, camping in secluded spots and riding some pretty wild roads. With $25 to spare, I sold the bike and came home.

Where will the next trip on two wheels lead me? I’m not sure, but one thing I do know, there’s no better way to travel—in this country or outside of it.

Read Kyle’s blog at www.EmptyAndFill. com. For more on his South America ride, see ElBurroTerco.com.

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RIDING Ask the MSF

MASTER THE PRE-RIDE CHECK Down to South Florida SunSentinal writer Nicole Brochu for this comment about the lead law: “The restriction may have been unintended, but I have a hard time losing sleep over a measure that would limit kids’ access to ATVs and motorcycles.”

Up to the Washington State Patrol for launching a safety outreach campaign to reduce motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities during prime riding season in the state.

Down to Arlington, Va., for conducting a motorcycle-only checkpoint during Rolling Thunder over Memorial Day weekend, and to New York state for continuing its motorcycle-only checkpoints.

Up to Ewan McGregor, film star and motorcycle adventurer of “Long Way ’Round” fame, for buying a Ural motorcycle to take his dog Sid out on rides.

Down to a Marine from North Carolina who contributed to a negative image of motorcyclists by riding drunk, with a passenger, and crashing, while both of them were naked.

Q: “Can you recommend a good checklist for going over my streetbike before each ride? My guess is I’m pretty lax, and I think a checklist would help.

Thanks!”

A: For a thorough checklist, print out the T-CLOCS Inspection Checklist from our website’s library (msf-usa.org).

T-CLOCS stands for “Tires and wheels, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis and Stands.”

Some items only require a visual inspection (lights/turn signals, tire surface); some require a measurement (chain slack, tire pressure); others require a functional check (brake lever/pedal, throttle grip). All the items on the checklist are important, but we strongly recommend giving extra attention to your tires because they’re your sole connection to the road.

Proper air pressure is critical for optimal performance and tire life. Under-inflation can cause sluggish handling, higher steering forces, and internal damage due to overflexing, and can cause the tire to separate from the rim. Over-inflation can reduce both the contact area and available traction, and can make the motorcycle react harshly to bumps.

Set the pressure according to your motorcycle owner’s manual or the tire information label on the motorcycle’s chain guard or swingarm. Note that there may be two sets of recommendations: one for solo riding and one for riding with a passenger

and/or cargo.

Glance over the tires’ surface for any evidence of uneven wear, cuts, embedded objects, bulges or sidewall cracks.

Inspect the tire tread depth to ensure that adequate tread remains. Tires have small wear bars molded into the tread grooves (see photo). When the tread is worn down to the level of the wear bars, the wear bars become exposed and the tire should be replaced.

Although it may look like there is a sufficient amount of tread, it won’t be enough to maintain traction in wet conditions (the deep grooves in fresh tires help channel water away from the contact patch), and worn tires are thinner and easier to puncture. Lack of periodic inspection can result in disaster.

Find more info about the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at MSF-USA.org.

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MEMBER T E S T E D AMA MEMBER TESTED GoPro HD Helmet HERO MSRP: 299.99 GoPro’s HD Helmet HERO kit includes the camera, a battery, a waterproof housing, various mounting equipment and straps, a USB cable, a component cable and a composite video cable, and comes with a 1-year warranty. You’ll need to provide your own SD card.

With the introduction of high-definition in the Hero helmet cam, GoPro has met the expectations of extreme sports enthusiasts everywhere. The 180-degree angle camera captures an amazingly broad perspective of all the action, and it’s all in high-definition, which makes it clear and crisp.

The camera can be attached in a number of ways, but the simplest is to use the stick-on helmet mounts. Just clip on the camera, hit the shutter button and ride.

The battery is upgraded from the old version, which uses a rechargeable battery instead of lithium AAAs. A four-hour charge is good for a couple hours of use, which, you’ll find out your first time using

Want to be an AMA tester?

E-mail submissions@ama-cycle.org for an application.

this camera, will be way more footage than you’ll want or need!

Audio quality is great, but you won’t capture much sound when the camera is housed in the plastic case. But that case is extremely tough. Also, high-def video takes up tons of space, so you’ll need a big SD card.

This is a great little camera that no doubt will live up to its billing—making you look like a hero. Just make sure your computer hard drive has hero status as well. With all that high-def video, you’re going to need it!—Jason Frank, Eustis, Fla. I have to admit, when I first started using the Go Pro HD Hero, I was a little overwhelmed. It came with a variety of mounting options and two pages of instructions. After some testing and experimenting, I found the wide-angle view that seemed to work well for my street-riding videos.

I also played with the different stems and mounting plates that the camera could attach to, not to mention all the ways and places to attach the camera to the bike or rider. My favorite location was using an adhesive side-mount bracket on the fairing of one of my bikes.

The camera clicked securely into the

RIDING

side mount on the fairing, and I really had no worries about it coming loose.

The suction cup mount did slip off one time—after I had just waxed the bike—but performed well on many other occasions. When the camera did come off, I was really impressed by the case’s durability. The camera bounced off the road and was dragged a few feet. The case only got a tiny scratch, and the camera was fine.

I did have some trouble getting the videos off the camera. One computer I used would not retrieve the videos directly from the camera using the USB port, so I used an SD card reader. It also helps to have some understanding of video editing software and its use if you want to turn your raw clips into something more engaging.

The camera is very durable and has great video and picture quality, a long battery life and many mounting options.—Debra Heisler, Prospect Park, Pa.

CHAD REED STACKS OUTDOOR WINS Wins California, Texas Nationals Australian Chad Reed’s late-season momentum fell short in the AMA Supercross Series, but the TwoTwo Motorsports/Bell-Ray Racing rider has gone two for two in the opening rounds of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

“We were better prepared than we were at the start of the Supercross season, and I am feeling the fittest I ever have,” Reed said.

Defending outdoor champ Ryan

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Dungey, who races for Rockstar/Makita Suzuki, has been Reed’s biggest rival, but a speedy Reed and some bad luck have kept Dungey from keeping pace with the more experienced veteran.

Indeed, Dungey was on pace to claim the overall win with a 2-1 finish in Texas until a mechanical failure ended his moto.

“It is what it is,” Dungey said after the race. “We just had a little bit of a problem.

We aren’t sure what it is, but we’ve got a great team here and we’ll get to the

bottom of it.”

Despite the fortunate circumstances, Reed was confident after the moto.

“I saw him on the side of the track, which was a bummer for him. You don’t want to win like that, but I felt like I had the pace until I threw it away in that second one,” said Reed, referring to an earlier crash he had in the second moto while he was gaining on Dungey.

With Dungey’s DNF, recently crowned AMA Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto, who rides for Monster Energy Kawasaki, moved into second in the points race, 21 points behind Reed. Muscle Milk/Toyota/ JGR’s Davi Millsaps was third.

Photos Reed: Jeff Kardas; Speedway: Brian Kirby

RACING

FAST, FASTER AND FASTEST A Speed-Read On AMA Racing

Speedway

Billy Janniro has been the man to beat at Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway, taking the win three rounds out of the first four. The fourth round on June 3 at Auburn’s Gold Country Fairgrounds was typical of the season—a two-man battle between Janniro and Auburn’s Bart Bast, who won the scratch main opening night and has finished second to Janniro each week since.

East Hare Scrambles

With rain pounding the course all morning, Beta factory rider Chris Bach took a tough win in round four of the AMA Racing East Hare Scrambles Championship Series held in Casey, Ill., on June 5. Adam Bonneur from Morrison, Ill., took second while Derick Allen from Veedersburg, Ind., came in third.

AMA Pro SuperBike

At the AMA Pro Racing Superbike round at Road America on June 3-5 in Elkhart Lake, Wis., it was nearly an allYamaha affair.

Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha rider Josh Herrin won both rounds of the Daytona SportBike doubleheader, taking the series points lead in the process.

Herrin now leads Vesrah Suzuki’s Cory West 127-115.

Herrin’s teammate Josh Hayes, defending American SuperBike champion, finished the first race second to Rockstar/ Makita Suzuki rider Blake Young and won the second day’s SuperBike event. Hayes leads Young in championship points, 191-181.

In SuperSport, Team LTD Racing Yamaha’s David Gaviria won the first

race to pad his series points lead, while Yamaha-mounted Travis Wyman got his first professional win on the second day.

Hare & Hound

FMF/KTM’s Kurt Caselli started in second, soon passed early leader and JCR Honda rider Kendall Norman then raced on to win the seventh round of the AMA Racing Kenda National Hare & Hound Championship Series in Cherry Creek near the Little Sahara Sand Dunes area in Utah on May 21.

It wasn’t all easy for Caselli, though, who had to battle with Norman, who finished second, and third-place rider, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott, to take the win in the 51st Annual Cherry Creek race, hosted by the Sugarloafers MC. With six wins in seven rounds, Caselli leads the points race with 187 to Honda rider David Pearson’s 159.

Flat Track

The first Twins event of 2011, the legendary Springfield Mile on May 30, provided the background, while Rogers Lake Racing/Blue Springs HarleyDavidson’s Jared Mees brought the comeback. Mees won his first Grand National since 2007.

The final laps played out like a typical Springfield main event, with several riders drafting for the lead. A three-rider pack raced to the finish line on the last lap, with Mees pullng around Kings Kustom/ LZ Racing’s Sammy Halbert. Defending Grand National Champion and Zanotti Racing rider Jake Johnson finished third.

Halbert leads the combined GNC points race with 145 to Johnson’s 138.

JUNIOR MOTOCROSS TEAM EYES ITALY U.S. Team Looks To Repeat As World Champs Last year, the U.S. team took the world title at the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Junior Motocross Championships. This year, the team and riders expect no less than a full-on defense of that crown when the best junior motocrossers in the world line up in Cingoli, Italy, on Aug. 13-14.

Gabriel Jairala from San Antonio, Texas, and Derek Drake from San Luis Obispo, Calif., will compete in the 65cc class riding KTM 65s. Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green riders Mark Worth from Queen Creek, Ariz., and Chase Bell from Cairo, Ga., will race 85cc bikes.

Gabriel Jairala In the 125cc class, the United States will be represented by Rockstar Energy Suzuki rider Joey Savatgy from Thomasville, Ga., and Yamaha amateur support rider Chris Alldredge from Powell Derek Drake Butte, Ore. Kawasaki Team Green Motocross Supervisor Ryan Holiday will coordinate the U.S. team’s efforts as team manager.

Savatgy is the lone rider returning from the 2010 team, when Joey Savatgy he finished runner-up in the 125cc division.

Savatgy says he has some unfinished business for 2011.

“Last year was incredible,” Savatgy

says. “It was sick to be part of the winning team. I got to hang out with some pretty cool people last year and I’m hoping to see them again this year.

Racing against the top competitors in the Chris Alldredge world really opened my eyes to the level of talent that is out there.

I am looking forward to working with the other members of the U.S. Junior Team to defend our gold medal this year in Italy.”

Josh Mosiman In addition to the official team riders, other Americans will also compete, including Josh and Michael Mosiman from Sebastopol, Calif.

“Standing on the podium with ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ playing, realizing that the United States had just fielded the best youth amateur motocross team in the world, was an experience like no other,” says AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow.

“I had no doubt in my mind that we would find the support to defend our title this year. Thanks to backing from the AMA and FIM North America, this will be another fantastic adventure for these riders.”

Chase Bell

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Dick Burleson

RACING

TWO QUESTIONS WITH… Scottish-born Dean Wilson, who was raised in Canada, is quickly earning a reputation as one of the most likeable racers in AMA Supercross and motocross.

His performance on the track hasn’t hurt.

At the second round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Wortham, Texas, Wilson took second to his Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammate Tyla Rattray, but also slipped into the 250 class points lead.

THROWBACK: WHEN THE AMA MADE MX OFFICIAL The 1970 Trans-AMA Series Broke New Ground One of America’s greatest woods racers was America’s first national motocross champion.

In 1970, the AMA established its first national motocross championship.

Recognized by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the international governing body for motorcycle sport, the 1970 Trans-AMA series featured considerable talent.

World stars, such as Gunnar Lindstrom, Joel Robert and Jeff Smith, and top U.S. upstarts like Brad Lackey, Jimmy Weinert and Jim Pomeroy contested the series.

These Motorcycle Hall of Famers, and many more, raced at venues across the country, from Unadilla, N.Y., to Irvine, Calif.

When the mud cleared in Seattle on Dec. 29, two champions were crowned, one from the international contingent and one from among the U.S. riders. The international—and overall—champion was Dave Nicoll, a Cambridge, England, rider and member of the factory BSA team.

Surprising many today, the top pointgetter for the U.S. side was off-road racing legend Dick Burleson. As such, Burleson is the AMA’s first recognized national motocross champion.

A few years later, Burleson remembered his foray into motocross. “It was just a logical step,” he said. “Motocross was just like scrambles, only longer and rougher.”

His focus quickly shifted, however.

The next year, Burleson raced for the Penton team in the 1971 International Six Days Trial—now the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), the world’s premier off-road race. That event launched one of the greatest off-road racing careers in history. Starting in 1974, Burleson won eight straight AMA National Enduro Championships and cemented his position in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

American Motorcyclist: Dean, with a year under your belt, how would you sum up your experience as an AMA pro rider?

Dean Wilson: I think that my first year as a rookie went pretty well. Each weekend I felt that I was getting closer to a win, but then I had visa issues and was detained in Canada and missed two rounds—so that was a shame. Still, I felt that I rode quite well in Supercross before moving into the motocross series.

At the beginning, I was nervous and may have been a bit shaky but almost won the second round. Then two rounds later at Budds Creek I won my first National.

From that point on I was usually up near the front of the pack, but did have a couple races near the end where I crashed and lost lots of points. But then I won the last National at Pala Raceway. Overall, it was a good year.

AM: Is there more pressure to win this year?

DW: Racing can be very mental at times, and there can be lots of pressure.

That easily could be something that has happened to me this year. I really felt a need to be winning.

I tried to take a step back and make it a bit more fun and enjoyable. Sometimes if I take things too seriously, it just doesn’t work that well. Just before Jacksonville, I worked on having more fun, and it worked out well—I finished second overall.

I still am the same person who likes to have fun and enjoy myself with everything that I do. Many have told me that I am the guy this year, so maybe that is why I put some pressure on myself. Maybe at the couple of races so far this year I just tried too hard, and put too much pressure on myself—that just doesn’t work for me.

I’ll keep working on my fitness and conditioning, and doing everything that I can to win races. I just will try not to get too stressed out mentally on it. When I am out having fun and riding is when I race at my best!

Dean Wilson

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Photo Jeff Kardas

Dean Wilson On Pressure By Jim Kimball

HALL OF FAME

Gottlieb Daimler probably didn’t have a clue that his 1885 test bed for a fourstroke engine would become a classic in the world of motorcycling.

In the late 1800s, several inventors were hard at work creating motorized

bicycles and small internal combustion engines. Daimler was one of them, and his early attempts to produce a working four-stroke engine powered by coal gas led to an engine burning liquid fuel.

The German inventor had dreams

of powering a four-wheeled horseless carriage with his engine. In reality, however, the engine produced only onehalf horsepower, which wouldn’t move a carriage.

So he built a smaller one-track chassis

Hall of Fame features the machines and people of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio. The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that receives support from the AMA and from motorcycling enthusiasts. For info and directions, visit MotorcycleMuseum.org, or call (614) 856-2222.

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Photos Grogan Studios

1885 DAIMLER REPLICA An Enduring Classic

to test his concept.

The test bed was crude, but it incorporated design features that can be found on motorcycles even today, including a centrally located engine, cradle frame and a float-type carburetor.

Daimler’s son rode the odd, woodenframed motorcycle on its maiden voyage, and despite Daimler’s indifference toward further refinement of his two-wheeled

test bed, his 1885 creation would inspire generations of motorcycle designers.

Sadly, Daimler’s original prototype was destroyed in a fire in 1903.

But around the time of the 100th anniversary of Daimler’s creation, Jim Carlton and brothers Roy and Ray Behner of Ohio crafted a replica.

They produced a remarkable copy based on photos of Daimler’s test bed,

only to discover that their replica was somewhat larger than the original. So they built another.

This 1885 Daimler replica, the first one they built, is now part of the permanent collection of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio—a reminder of the humble beginnings of the modern motorcycle.

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HALL OF FAME Hall of Famer

GENE ROMERO Grand National Champion And Daytona 200 Winner Gene Romero—one of the best-known motorcycle racers in the United States in the late 1960s and early ’70s—proved to be a top contender in all forms of Grand National Championship racing.

Romero won Nationals on miles, half-miles, roadracing circuits and on TT tracks. He won the AMA Grand National Championship in 1970 riding for Triumph.

The biggest win of Romero’s career came at the 1975 Daytona 200. Romero, who had been racing in the 200 since 1967, came close to winning in 1970 and again in 1971, when he was the runner up.

Romero came through in 1975 with an excellent ride aboard a factory Yamaha.

He rode in fourth for most of the race and then, midway through, began to pour on the speed.

After passing future Motorcycle Hall of Famers Giacomo Agostini and Steve Baker, he eventually took the lead when future Hall of Famer Steve McLaughlin crashed under Romero’s relentless pressure.

Romero cruised home to victory. It would prove to be his only win in the Daytona 200 in 14 starts, which is still one more than many other equally talented racers.

Born on May 22, 1947, in Martinez, Calif., Romero honed his racing skills on the dirt-

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track and scrambles tracks of the central valley of California.

According to Romero, Johnny LaManto was a major influence on his desire to race.

He described LaManto as a bigger-thanlife local legend who lived on a ranch that bordered Romero’s grandfather’s ranch near Hollister, Calif.

As an amateur, Romero used his scrambles skills to become a top TT Steeplechase rider. Not surprisingly, Romero’s first pro finish came at the Castle Rock, Wash., TT in July 1966.

His first National win came two years later, again on a TT course, this time in Lincoln, Neb., when he rode a Triumph to victory.

Romero won 12 AMA Nationals during his 16-year racing career. He became known as one of the first riders to bring sponsorship into the sport from outside the motorcycling industry.

One year, the famous motorcycle stuntman Evel Knievel was Romero’s primary sponsor.

In 1970, Romero won the prestigious AMA Most Popular Rider of the Year Award.

Romero raced motorcycles until 1981.

After a short auto-racing career, he became the manager of Honda’s AMA Grand

National dirt-track racing program, and was at its helm from 1982 to 1985.

From there, Romero formed a promotions company and today is involved in numerous projects, from a motorcycle racing series to town fairs and festivals.

Romero was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.

WASHINGTON TOWN

HALL OF FAME BOARD MEMBER PROFILE Stan Simpson Born: Columbus, Ind., a few years after Christopher Columbus discovered America and before we started getting involved in World War II. First motorcycle ride: My first ride was on my dad’s Indian, which he always said I could ride when I could start it! I was about 12 or 13, and I sure thought that thing was big and powerful! I had a few old parts bikes I put together and rode some, but I think the first real bike I owned and raced was an H-D 165 two-stroke. I also got to ride a few of the older guys’ bikes around the local scrambles track.

My early favorites were, of course, the bikes that belonged to the fastest guys in the club!

Motorcycling experience: I have been a full-time rider since I was a teenager. It seemed that the folks I liked to be around all rode bikes. I started out riding in the woods, and the longer I rode and raced, the more I looked at the types of riding that allowed me to ride more each day. I was growing up when Husky and Penton were changing how and what we rode and raced. In the mid-’70s, I realized that I liked the people as much as the racing.

Many guys influenced my transformation from a racer to a rider who cared.

Work experience: I have spent most of my adult life (read that to mean laterin-life!) working in the technical field of engineering and machine design.

I gravitated toward the production of military products when the slow-down of commercial construction machinery came about in the early 1980s. I was fortunate to be involved in the design and supply of the world’s first rough-terrain container handler, which we designed and supplied to the U.S. Defense Department in 1998.

I was really fortunate to be surrounded by great-performing staff members for many of the last years of my business career. I retired from the day-to-day running of a multimillion-dollar military supplier in 2009, and I currently do consulting.

Why I ride: Back in ’96, an injury ended my racing career. Luckily, I found I liked recreational riding just as much. I ride a lot (both on- and off-road) because I am more convinced than ever that you really do meet the nicest people around motorcycling. It is the best form of relaxation and camaraderie that you can find!

& COUNTRY FAIR Favorite bike: I have two. Off-road, I like the new KTM EXC four-strokes a lot.

For my longer road rides, I feel the Honda Gold Wing is the best there is for a guy built (or put back together) like me.

Best bike ever: I don’t know how to answer this question. I could say the Kawasaki H-1 that brought high performance to the average street biker, I could say it was the early four-cylinder Honda 750s that revolutionized what a streetbike should be. Or perhaps it might be the latest series of KTM Adventure bikes. Probably, I’d say, “The one I just rode today!”

AMA Member since: 1957. I joined in February so I could enter a cross-country race in central Kentucky. That was a long time ago.

Why I’m an American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF) Board Member: The longer I am involved in motorcycling, the more I recognize how important it is to collect and preserve the history of how we got to where we are, and who the heroes are who kept us all coming back for the next great thing. All of us who have been successful in our riding must help keep the heritage alive so we can share it with others after we are gone.

The biggest challenge facing the Hall of Fame: The biggest issue we have is the lack of folks joining us as volunteers and participants in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Every one of us should be telling the story every time we get a willing ear.

Washington, Missouri

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Win These Bikes!

ONE TO RULE TO RIDE Support The Motorcycle Hall Of Fame The coolest bike on the road in the early 1970s? The fire-breathing Kawasaki Z1, the machine that took the four-cylinder Superbike to new levels, with a 903cc, dualoverhead-cam engine and muscle-bike styling that re-wrote streetbike rules for decades.

The Z1’s DNA lives on today in the Kawasaki Z1000—a modern interpretation of the muscle bike, with a fuelinjected,1,043cc, dual-overhead-cam motor that can take you anywhere you want to go.

A minimum donation of $5 per ticket or $20 for five tickets is suggested, but larger donations are encouraged.

See the complete rules at MotorcycleMuseum.org or call (614) 856-2222.

U.S. Rep Denny Rehberg, sponsor of the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, explains why banning the sale of youth dirtbikes is a bad idea.

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Kids Just

Want To

Ride!

Young Motocrossers Rally In Washington, D.C., Against Youth Motorcycle Sales Ban The AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb Delivers A Strong Message To Lawmakers Words: Grant Parsons Photos: Morten Aigeltinger

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t was an amazing scene in the normally staid Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.: Hundreds of AMA members, parents and kids wearing colorful off-road riding gear, rallying in support of a bill that could halt the most serious threat to youth motorcycling in decades.

Packed into a hearing room that usually houses suit-clad lawmakers and other officials, the riders and supporters heard from AMA officials and five members of the House of Representatives, all working toward the same goal: passage of H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want To Ride Act, which would amend a law aimed at lead in children’s toys that inadvertently blocked the sale of kids’ dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

And as U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) spoke, the amazing scene just got more incredible. With kids gathered on all sides, including youngsters sitting in chairs normally reserved for elected officials in the crowded hearing room, Rehberg looked around and smiled.

“For the first time ever—because I don’t think anyone’s ever done this—everyone just stand up on the desk,” he said. For a moment, the kids seemed unsure, but as Rehburg encouraged them, kids in MX gear climbed atop the main hearing-room desk, literally elevating their cause as the rally went on.

As any parent knows, the youngest voices often carry the most weight. And that was true whether the youngest AMA members were standing in support of changing the

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“

Kids were everywhere, There were kids in the halls, kids in the cafeteria, kids in offices, everywhere you looked. You couldn’t walk around and not see those kids in riding gear and wonder what was going on. We raised a lot of awareness for this. We made a point.”

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law, circulating the House office building and drawing interest from congressional staffers or visiting their elected representatives to ask them to support the Kids Just Want to Ride Act. “It was just awesome,” says Rod Yentzer, whose 8-year-old son, Chase, was making his second visit to Washington in an effort to end the sales ban. “I think we definitely made a statement with all the kids attending. The kids had a ball, and it was great for them to get involved and go there and be part of the political process.

“Kids were everywhere,” he says. “There were kids in the halls, kids in the cafeteria, kids in offices, everywhere you looked. You couldn’t walk around and not see those kids in riding gear and wonder what was going on. We raised a lot of awareness for this. We made a point.”

Families from 20 states and as far away as Colorado were part of the event—the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb on May 26— organized by the AMA in support of H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want To Ride Act. The bill is intended to exclude kidsized machines that were ensnared in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008. The CPSIA was intended to ban small toys with high lead content, but because of broadly written language, it has been interpreted to apply to all products for kids 12 and under,

including dirtbikes, ATVs, bicycles, clothing and books.

“It’s been clear from the start that motorcycles should never have been part of this ban, and nobody delivers that message better than AMA members— young riders and their parents for whom off-road riding is an important family activity,” says AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “We helped bring them together, but it is their voices, and the voices of thousands of other motorcyclists from across the country, that are crucial to ending the ban.”

In response to the outcry from AMA members and others, officials issued a stay of enforcement of the lead-content portion of the CPSIA, but did not eliminate the ban entirely. The stay is set to expire at the end of the year. The AMA and its members, as well as many other motorcycling groups, have urged passage of the Kids Just Want To Ride Act to fully exempt kid-sized machines.

Speaking at the rally, Rehberg urged action by his fellow legislators to stop the ban. Not only does the ban hurt small businesses and jobs, but it forces kids to ride motorcycles and ATVs that are physically too large for their small statures.

“I feel pretty confident that we’re on the right side of the issue,” Rehberg said. “People say to me, ‘This just lacks common sense—what is going on here?’

This is what gives Congress a bad name...

You’re putting our children at risk, and we’re not going to allow you to do that.”

He also thanked everyone for their efforts on behalf of the bill.

“To Rob [Dingman], thank you,” he said.

“Thanks to the American Motorcyclist Association. I couldn’t do it without the partnership that has been created. And thanks to the parents for taking the time to bring their kids out to Washington for something that’s so important.”

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) noted that parents, not government, know best how to make sure their kids stay safe.

“This is a great instance of where the government just doesn’t get it,” West said. “These kids are the responsibility of the parents. If the parents can make sure these kids are safe, and if parents can make sure they go out and enjoy a little bit of something that’s part of who we are in America—enjoying these little dirtbikes— then let the parents decide.”

Motorcycling is a healthy activity that should be encouraged, not curtailed by over-reaching government laws, said bill

Real Riders Make All The Difference The Best Kind Of Lobbyist? Kids!

by Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO

co-sponsor Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.).

“That’s what I’d rather have my kids do, to get outdoors and get some exercise... and ride their bikes,” he said.

Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.), another cosponsor of the bill, said that stopping a law that shouldn’t have ensnared dirtbikes in the first place only makes sense.

“It’s one of those very simple things to take on,” Schilling said. “It’s another thing where the government wants to intrude in our daily lives, and this is a simple thing for me to jump on. I just really appreciate that everyone came out here to show support for the bill.”

Ashley Nash-Hahn, appearing on behalf of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who is co-chair of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, spoke in support of the kids and parents who made the trek.

“I’m so excited to tell her that we have all these young motorcycle riders here learning how to be safe,” Nash-Hahn said.

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), an AMA Life Member, said it was time to end the ban: “For government to step in, in non-commonsensical ways, and not even consider what legislation might do to families who want to spend time together, to businesses that want to provide products and services for them...now, to ratchet that back, is the wrong way to go.”

Among the kids and parents attending were Erin, 11, Adi, 7, and Carter, 5, Malcolm of Littleton, Colo., who, along with their parents, Danny and Peggy, won a trip to Washington, D.C., in the AMA’s “Kids Just Want To Ride” video contest.

Dingman noted that demonstrations of support like the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb are vital in making the case to Congress that the CPSIA should not include motorcycles and ATVs. “It’s AMA members like those here today, and the thousands of others who have made their feelings known to

For the first time in its history, the AMA organized a gathering of hundreds of young motorcyclists, their parents and concerned riders on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to demonstrate support for fixing a federal law that unfairly bans the sale of youth-model motorcycles and ATVs. Sure, we’ve had a steady stream of AMA members visit their elected officials in our nation’s capital over the years, but this was the first time we have brought together so many affected young riders and their families.

Every day, the halls of the U.S. Congress bustle with professional lobbyists in skirts and suits on their way to meetings with legislators and staff to persuade them to support or oppose the issue of the day. Never before, however, have members of Congress and their staff seen hundreds of young motorcyclists and their families descend upon Capitol Hill clad in riding jerseys and motocross boots.

During a rally in a House of Representatives committee room, organized with the help of Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), sponsor of H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, several members of Congress got to see first-hand the depth of support for this issue that is so vitally important to so many motorcycling families.

It was at that rally that I witnessed something that I have never before seen in any legislative venue, let alone in Congress. When Congressman Rehberg began to speak in front of a rostrum with a youth-model Cobra motorcycle staged on top of it, he invited all the kids to stand behind him up on the rostrum with the bike, motocross boots and all.

I tried to imagine any member of Congress inviting a stuffy group of middle-aged lobbyists in suits to stand on a table behind him or her while giving a speech. That just shows the potential power and effectiveness of motorcyclists’ grassroots efforts. We have the ability to be so much more effective than those professional lobbyists because we are the real people who are affected by the decisions of policymakers—not paid lobbyists “rented” to make the case.

And it is proof positive that we can be even more effective if the AMA becomes a bigger organization. That part is up to millions of riders who are not yet AMA members—and each of us. I would like to thank everyone who participated in this effort, whether in person or by contacting your elected representatives to state your concerns. Please help us grow the AMA and continue to let your local officials know that Kids Just Want to Ride!

For more information about how you can get involved, please contact AMA Grassroots Coordinator Jessica Irving at grassroots@ama-cycle.org.

AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman (left) and the winners of the AMA’s Kids Just Want to Ride! video contest, Erin, 11, Adi, 7, and Carter, 5, Malcolm of Littleton, Colo., and their parents, Danny and Peggy.

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their congressional representatives, that help make real change occur,” Dingman said. “All motorcyclists owe a debt of gratitude to the people in this room—kids, parents, congressional representatives who support this legislation, and more. We are making a very real difference here today.”

For their part, the parents involved say it was a great opportunity not only to fight for something they believe in, but also the best kind of learning opportunity for the kids.

“It was a great event,” says Robert Dalby, who brought his sons, Wyatt,

Stop The Ban! Legislative Efforts Need Support There are various efforts now under way in Congress to end the ban on the sale of kid-sized dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) nationwide.

The most promising is a measure introduced by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.)—H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act—which would exempt kids’ off-highway vehicles from the lead-content portion of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, which created the de facto ban.

The CPSIA bans the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under that contains more than a specified amount of lead in any accessible part. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is responsible for implementing the law,

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6, and Tallon, 8, to the rally, and also met with their elected representative afterward. “It was very educational for them, not only to learn the lawmaking process, but to see what the AMA does for them beyond just paying your $39 and getting a card.”

It was impressive, he says, to see what kids can accomplish simply by their presence.

“They had a huge impact,” he says. “Not only when we met with our congressman, but just walking around the building in their riding gear. People would ask what they were there for,

has delayed enforcing key portions of the law until after the end of the year.

In addition to introducing H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, in June Rep. Rehberg got language inserted into the House Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill that would prohibit the CPSC from using federal funds to implement the lead-content portion of the CPSIA for kids off-highway vehicles (OHVs).

The Financial Services bill provides funding for key federal agencies.

On another front, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce is considering H.R. 1939, the Enhancing CPSC Authority and Discretion Act (ECADA) of 2011.

The ECADA would exempt kids’ dirtbike and ATV battery terminals from the leadcontent limits of the CPSIA. It may also allow exemptions to the lead-content

and we would explain how we needed to fix the law, and people would get it.

They’d understand.”

To date, more than 70 members of Congress have signed on to cosponsor H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, but its passage is by no means assured. That’s why the AMA continues to rally motorcyclists, and urge others to tell their lawmakers to support Congressman Rehberg’s bill. Easy-to-use tools to contact members of Congress are available at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation.

portion of the law for OHV parts under certain conditions.

Plus, the bill would impose slightly more lenient lead-content limits on products intended for use by children 7 to 12 years old, while products for kids 6 and younger would still need to meet the stricter leadlimit requirements.

“The ECADA is a step in the right direction,” says Sheila Andrews, AMA senior legislative assistant in Washington, D.C. “However, we are hopeful that the final legislation will fully address the problem by granting an outright exemption, like the one in H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act.” To urge your federal lawmakers to support legislation supported by the AMA, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com. > Rights > Issues & Legislation.

A

n off-ro ad lege n the cou ntry’s la d, vintage rac rgest m ing, swap m otorcyc more eet and le highligh much, much t AMA Motorc yc Mid-Oh le Days, July 2 Vintage 2 io Spor ts Car C -24, at Here’s ou a look a t what y rse. find wh ou’ll en you arrive.

ALL THIN G S VINT AGE

he Smell Of Two-Stroke Race Gas. The Sound Of Classic Twins At Speed.

Every Bike You Ever Owned In A Field Of Dreams. What Are You Waiting For? It’s A Green World Kawasaki Will Be Honored As AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2011 Marque Of The Year Motorcycle Hall of Famers Jeff Fredette, Yvon Duhamel, Gary Nixon, Jimmy Weinert, Eddie Lawson, Jeff Ward, Mike Kiedrowski.

The list of riders who became famous racing Kawasaki motorcycles is long and distinguished—as is the number of regular enthusiasts who have grown to love the brand and all of its renditions, from the incredible Mach III 500cc two-stroke in 1969 to the modern Ninja sportbike.

That history will take center stage on July 22-24 at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, featuring Kawasaki, Marque of the Year, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

“Kawasaki put the ‘Good Times’ in motorcycling from the very beginning, and has become a world icon,” says AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “We are pleased that attendees at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will see firsthand the company and the people that brought us incredible machines like the Samurai and Avenger models, then the Mach III triple and the 900cc Z1, all the way to today’s Ninjas, Concours 1400s and Vulcans.”

Kawasaki, known as a leader in the

Jeff Fredette

performance category for the past 45 years in the United States, has won numerous AMA racing championships on pavement as well as dirt. The recognition as AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Marque of the Year will include a chance for attendees to learn the brand’s history, as well as provide a chance for riders to demo current bikes.

Hosting a “Kawasaki City” at the MidOhio venue for the event, the company will exhibit many of its groundbreaking models, including the famed 500cc Mach III triple and the 900cc Z1, recognized as one of the industry’s first true superbikes.

Off-Road Legend Jeff Fredette Is Grand Marshal No One In The World Has Competed In More International Six Days Enduros In 1978, a nervous rookie off-roader lined up in the rural Swedish countryside at the biggest off-road race in the world, the International Six Days Trial (ISDT).

Six days later, Jeff Fredette was credited with a gold-medal finish, launching what has become one of the most enduring international motorcycle racing careers of all time.

And now, Fredette, a Motorcycle Hall of Famer and the guy who holds the record for number of ISDE (International Six

Days Enduro) finishes, will be honored as grand marshal for this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. It’s only fitting, since Fredette made his name aboard Kawasakis.

“I’m excited about this opportunity to really experience all the things going on at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days,” Fredette says. “Last year was my first at the event, and my schedule only allowed me to see the hare scrambles. I’m looking forward to the swap meet, the flat track, the bike shows and taking in the vintage scene.

“Plus, I’m not going to miss out on the racing,” he says. “I want to compete in the trials, the hare scrambles, the motocross and the flat track. It should be a great time all around.”

Fredette, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002, lives to compete. In addition to his 30 ISDE finishes Fredette’s race résumé includes two AMA Racing National Championships last year: the Senior 40+ A class title in the AMA Racing Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, and the 86cc-200cc Modern class No. 1 plate at the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships.

Prior to that, he won the 2004 Senior 40+ and 1989 126-200 A class national enduro titles, as well as 15 Ice Race National titles.

Fredette, who has competed on KDX Kawasakis since 1983, says the partnership with the company began simply.

“It was the year after Suzuki pulled out of off-road, and I didn’t have a ride,” Fredette remembers. “Kawasaki came along with some bikes and support, and things just started to click. Kawasakis have always been great bikes, and I’m pretty loyal, so from then on, as long as everything worked, I had no reason to change.”

Fredette says he enjoys all types of motorcycle competition, but the nature of the ISDE will always make it special.

“The ISDE has become such a big thing in the off-road community because it’s grueling,” he says. “It’s not a one-day deal, or a two-day deal. It’s six days long.

Ever since I saw [Motorcycle Hall of Famer] Malcolm Smith in “On Any Sunday,” I knew that’s what I wanted to do. You have to be a mechanic, you have to be able to ride fast, and you have to be able to keep going no matter what.”

Photos Jeff Fredette: AMA; Inset: Mark Kariya; Bike Show: Open Image Studio; Aermacchi courtesy Aermacchi/Harley Davidson Club; Craig Vetter: Ken Frick Opening Page Road Race: Dan Focht Motorsports Photography; Bike Show: Open Image Studio; Pins: Ken Frick; Flag: Ken Frick

T

out its product line with small-bore machines that were about as different from the company’s big V-twins as they could be.

And this year, that unique era in The Motor Company’s history will be celebrated with the Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson Club hosted as AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Classic Club.

“Motorcycling history is rich with distinctive relationships that produced some interesting examples of motorcycle technology,” notes Jack Penton, AMA director of operations and a Motorcycle Hall of Famer. “The Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson line fits that description.”

Better. Farther. Older?

Can You Get Better Fuel Economy Than Craig Vetter?

Motorcycle Hall of Famer Craig Vetter has always been looking to do more with less, from his wind-cheating Windjammer fairings and fuel-economy runs back in the day, to his innovative scooter designs today.

And now, he’s looking to revive those high-mileage-motorcycle contests at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days with a special event that involves a real-world ride on realworld bikes.

“The goal of the Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge is to discover the least amount of energy—in dollars and cents—it takes to travel the way we really ride,” Vetter says. “Not only do entered

motorcycles have to produce excellent mileage, but they must be comfortable, attractive and be able to carry a reasonable load—such as four bags of groceries.”

Vetter said that the route will be roughly 100 miles, with awards for the overall winner, the best electric bike and the best performing vintage motorcycle.

“My Brit buddies are sure their BSA singles from the ’60s got 100 mpg. And who knows? Maybe they did,” Vetter says.

“At the AMA Vintage Days Vetter Challenge, we will learn the truth.”

When Milwaukee Went Italian Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson Club Will Be Showcased There was a time when Harley-Davidson, that venerable American brand, branched

Marques Of Distinction There’s A Place For Every Kind Of Motorcycle Club Kawasaki and Aermacchi may get the headlines, but plenty of other great motorcycling brands will also get their due at America’s grandest display of motorcycle heritage.

The always-popular AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Club Corral will feature a place for marque-specific clubs to show off their best machines and memorabilia.

Currently on tap to appear in the Club Corral at this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days are: The Bridgestone Motorcycle Club; the International CBX Owners Association; the Cincinnati Classic British Motorcycle Owners; the Kawasaki ZL Owners

Full info at AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com

a Senior class rider will be honored as the AMA Senior Off-Road Vintage Grand Champion for his or her performance in designated A classes in motocross, hare scrambles and trials.

If You Need It, You Can Find It At The Swap Meet

But Wait! There’s More!

Acres And Acres Of Treasure Hunting There are few things cooler than a sweet vintage ride—except for an impossibleto-find sweet vintage ride that you just discovered at North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet.

And this year it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest swap meets ever, as hundreds of vendors and thousands of buyers are expected to converge on the grounds of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

“The swap meet is about 20 acres of new-old-stock pistons, crank seals, fork boots, wheels, complete running bikes, not-so-complete and not-so-running bikes, shocks, fenders—the list goes on and on,” notes Penton.

If It Races, It’s Here The Widest Selection Of Vintage Racing On The Planet Whether you live for the thrill of competition or just like to kick back on the grass on a nice summer day to watch great old bikes duke it out, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days has you covered.

Seminars, Displays, Demo Rides And More Pack The Weekend

“Vintage racers are some of the most dedicated, enthusiastic motorcyclists in the world,” says AMA Racing Director Joe Bromley. “The AMA is proud to give these competitors the national recognition they deserve with the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships.”

The AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships crown vintage class AMA Racing National Champions in motocross, hare scrambles, trials and road racing.

The event also includes a round of the AMA Racing Vintage Dirt Track National Championships.

Riders in motocross, hare scrambles, trials and road racing will compete for AMA Racing national No. 1 plates. Dirt-track racers will earn points toward series awards.

Designated A classes in each discipline earn points toward the event’s two highest honors: AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand Champion and AMA Off-Road Racing Vintage Grand Champion. In addition,

There’s more going on at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days than will fit in these pages, but here’s a quick roundup of what else you’ll find.

Seminars: Craig Vetter on high-mileage bikes. Jeff Fredette on ISDE exploits. A panel of experts on Kawasaki history.

Presentations on bike restoration, Triumph motorcycle technicalities. And much more.

All free for attendees.

AMA Partners: A chance to meet with, and enjoy special perks from, the AMA and its benefit partners at the AMA tent.

Life Member Recognition: Perks available only to AMA Life Members at the AMA Tent.

AMA Gear: Event shirts and other gear on sale at the AMA Tent.

Demo Rides: Ride the latest bikes from many makers.

Bike Shows: Both general machines and cafe racers at the Cafe Racer Magazine tent.

Gear Check: A special place to check your stuff so you don’t have to lug it around.

Member Gifts: At the AMA Tent.•

Full info at AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com

Photos Racing: Cassandra Bergman; Swap Meet: Ken Frick

Association; Ohio Norton Clubs; the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC) and the North American Kawasaki Triples Club.

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

GO RIDE

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1

You won’t want to miss the 150mile fun rides planned as part of the Dualsport Northwest Adventure Rally set for July 27-31 in Stevenson, Wash. The event is part of the popular AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series. Info: Soundrider.com.

2

The Roundup Committee always puts on a rockin’ good time with its National Bikers Roundup. The 34th edition will be held Aug. 3-7 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev. Info: (702) 522-9043.

3

The all-American sport of AMA Pro Racing Flat Track features racers battling on the dirt oval this month in Castle Rock, Wash., Aug. 6; Peoria, Ill., Aug. 21; and Indianapolis Aug. 27. For the full schedule, see page 46.

4

The 13th annual Quarry Run Dual Sport Ride will be held Aug. 6-7 in Hancock, N.Y. The event features singletrack and two-track trails and prime woods roads nestled in the hills and valleys around Hancock. This event is part of the prestigious AMA KTM National Dual Sport Trail Riding Series. Info: BearCreekSportsmen.com.

5

Defending AMA Motocross champ Ryan Dungey, AMA Supercross champ Ryan Villopoto and Chad Reed are in a real dog fight in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship Series, which heads to New Berlin, N.Y., on Aug. 13 and Southwick, Mass., Aug. 27. See the full schedule on page 46.

6

The Utah Ride for Kids road ride offers a great time with hundreds of other motorcyclists on Aug. 13 starting and ending in Salt Lake City. Enjoy a scenic

ride through Utah’s countryside while helping raise funds for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Info: RideforKids.org.

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The fastest racers on the planet will be at it once again at the AMA Racing Land Speed Grand Championships— BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials Aug. 27-Sept. 1 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The current motorcycle land speed record is 376.156 mph, set by rider Rocky Robinson in the Top 1 Ack Attack streamliner. Info: BUBRacing.com.

COMING UP The AMA Legends & Champions Weekend is set for Nov. 18-20 in Las Vegas, Nev. The weekend kicks off with the 2011 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Nov. 18. The Concours d’Elegance is on Nov. 19. The AMA Racing Championship Banquet is Nov. 20. Info: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

August 2011

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CALIFORNIA RECREATIONAL

(309) 231-4945, PEKINMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

IOWA

HILL CLIMB

ROAD RUN AUG 20: SAN FRANCISCO: SAN FRANCISCO MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (415) 863-1930

AUG 20: WHITE CITY: CAHOKIA CREEK DIRT RIDERS, (618) 946-4316, CCDIRT.COM MOTOCROSS

AUG 21: SAN JOSE: SAN JOSE DONS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (408) 509-6396

AUG 6: WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 3799953, SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM

DUAL SPORT RIDE

AUG 7: WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 3799953, WSUNSETRIDGEMX.COM

AUG 20-21: BERRY CREEK: 2 DAY EVENT, IRONMAN DUAL SPORT, (530) 680-6019, IRONMANDUALSPORT.COM

AUG 7: BYRON: MOTORSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD., (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM

AUG 27-28: MCCLOUD: 2 DAY EVENT, MCCLOUD DUAL-SPORT ADVENTURES, (530) 925-5015, MCCLOUDDUALSPORTADVENTURES.COM

AUG 12: GEORGETOWN: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (309) 838-5062, PLEASURERIDERS.NET

COMPETITION

AUG 13: PECATONICA: PRO SHOW INC, (815) 2756686, STATELINEMX.COM

SCRAMBLES AUG 6: LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 368-8718 AUG 13: LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 368-8718 AUG 28: LUCERNE VALLEY: INVADERS MC, (951) 492-1896 SHORT TRACK AUG 20: LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 368-8718 AUG 27: LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 368-8718 COLORADO RECREATIONAL ROAD RALLY

AUG 18: PECATONICA: PRO SHOW INC, (815) 2756686, STATELINEMX.COM AUG 20: FOSTERBURG: SPLINTER CREEK DIRT RIDERS INC, (618) 372-4355, SPLINTERCREEK. COM AUG 21: BYRON: MOTORSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD., (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS AUG 28: OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 434-3669, VARIETYRIDERS.COM INDIANA

MOTOCROSS

AUG 20-21: COLUMBUS: 2 DAY EVENT, STONEY LONESOME M/C, (812) 343-9772, STONEYLONESOMEMC.COM

CONNECTICUT RECREATIONAL

DUAL SPORT RIDE AUG 20-21: COLUMBUS: 2 DAY EVENT, STONEY LONESOME M/C, (812) 343-9772, STONEYLONESOMEMC.COM ROAD RUN AUG 27: INDIANAPOLIS: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 2536530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG COMPETITION

BIKE SHOW AUG 21: EAST HAMPTON: BRITISH IRON ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT, (860) 585-5510, CTBRITIRON.ORG ILLINOIS RECREATIONAL TRAIL RIDE AUG 14: OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 434-3669, VARIETYRIDERS.COM

ENDURO AUG 13: ROSE LAWN: HILL AND GULLY RIDERS ENDURO TEAM, (708) 567-1999, MIDWESTENDUROS.COM AUG 14: ROSE LAWN: HILL AND GULLY RIDERS ENDURO TEAM, (708) 424-1969, MIDWESTENDUROS.COM ENDUROCROSS

COMPETITION

AUG 26: INDIANAPOLIS: SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, (317) 927-7750, INDIANASTATEFAIRGROUNDS.COM

1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK

HARE SCRAMBLES

AUG 6: PETERSBURG: PEKIN MOTORCYCLE,

AUG 14: COLUMBUS: STONEY LONESOME M/C,

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

COMPETITION MOTOCROSS AUG 6: MONTEZUMA: FV MOTO X, (641) 623-3456, FVMOTOX.COM AUG 20-21: MONTEZUMA: FV MOTO X, (641) 6233456, FVMOTO.COM AUG 27: CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 363-7800, CVTR.ORG MARYLAND COMPETITION MOTOCROSS AUG 27-28: MECHANICSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (410) 375-5105, MAMAMX.COM MASSACHUSETTS

AUG 21: FISKDALE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG

ADVENTURE RIDE

AUG 28: LAKEWOOD: COLORADO MOTORSPORTS PROMOTIONS LLC, (303) 6977100, MXTHUNDERVALLEY.COM

AUG 28: MT PLEASANT: EASTERN IOWA TRAIL TAMERS, (319) 821-1472

AUG 28: WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 379-9953, WSUNSETRIDGEMX.COM

COMPETITION

AUG 28: LAKEWOOD: COLORADO MOTORSPORTS PROMOTIONS LLC, (303) 6971003

POKER RUN - OFF-ROAD

AUG 21: FOSTERBURG: SPLINTER CREEK DIRT RIDERS INC, (618) 372-4355, SPLINTERCREEK. COM

RECREATIONAL

AUG 14: DACONO: IMI MOTORSPORTS INC, (303) 833-4949, IMIMOTORSPORTS.COM

RECREATIONAL

RECREATIONAL

AUG 26: FT. COLLINS: FRONT RANGE RIDERS, (970) 221-1014, FRONTRANGERIDERS.COM

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(812) 350-0573

ROAD RUN

AUG 28: GLOUCESTER: PAUL W COTE, (978) 5355822, MASSMSF.ORG COMPETITION HILL CLIMB AUG 21: MONSON: QUABOAG RIDERS INC, (413) 267-4414, QUABOAGRIDERSMC.COM MICHIGAN RECREATIONAL DUAL SPORT RIDE AUG 28: ANN ARBOR: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG POKER RUN AUG 21: FARMINGTON HILLS: SOARING CHICKENS, (248) 473-7433 ROAD RUN AUG 28: ANN ARBOR: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG COMPETITION MOTOCROSS AUG 14: CRYSTAL FALLS: VALLEY RACEWAY, (906) 367-7060, VALLEYRACEWAY.COM DIRT DRAG AUG 5: BRIDGETON TWP: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 726-6937, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK AUG 13: CROSWELL: PORT HURON MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (810) 327-1062, PHMCUSA.COM

AUG 14: CROSWELL: PORT HURON MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (810) 327-1062, PHMCUSA.COM

COMPETITION

AUG 30: FOWLERVILLE: BOULIS RACING, (810) 686-7083

AUG 13-14: AKELEY: 2 DAY EVENT, PAUL BUNYAN FOREST RIDER MC, (218) 739-5525, PAULBUNYANFORESTRIDERS.COM

ENDURO AUG 21: SHERIDAN: KNUCKLE BUSTERS RIDERS CLUB, (989) 287-0120 HILL CLIMB AUG 6-7: BRIDGETOWN TWP: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 726-6937, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

ENDURO

AUG 20-21: DUQUETTE: 2 DAY EVENT, STRAIGHT ARROW ENDURO RIDERS, (651) 456-0224, STRAIGHTARROWS.ORG AUG 27: WOODLAND: NORSEMEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (763) 753-0737, NORSEMENMC.ORG HILL CLIMB

HARE SCRAMBLES

AUG 27: MANKATO: KATO CYCLE CLUB, , KATOCYCLECLUB.COM

AUG 7: CHIPPEWA LAKE: PORTLAND TRAIL RIDERS, (517) 647-7045, PORTLANDTRAILRIDERS. COM

AUG 28: NEW ULM: FLYING DUTCHMEN CYCLE CLUB INC, (507) 354-2306, FLYINGDUTCHMENMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

AUG 28: MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 8328284, POLKADOTSMC.NCT

HARE SCRAMBLES

MOTOCROSS AUG 6: ATLANTIC MINE: 2 DAY EVENT, RANGE MOTO X, (906) 482-9333, RANGESNOWMOBILECLUB.COM AUG 6-7: BELDING: GRATTAN RACEWAY MOTOCROSS, (616) 691-7221 AUG 7: CADILLAC: CADILLAC MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (231) 884-3729, CADILLAC.MC.COM AUG 13: CRYSTAL FALLS: VALLEY RACEWAY, (906) 367-0600, VALLEYRACEWAY.COM AUG 14: BATTLECREEK: BATTLE CREEK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (269) 729-9691, BATTLECREEKMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM AUG 20-21: BIRCH RUN: NORTH AMERICA ACTION SPORTS, LLC., (989) 871-3356, NAACTIONSPORTS.COM AUG 20-21: NEWAYGO: 2 DAY EVENT, BIG AIR MOTOCROSS, (231) 652-2522, BIGAIRMOTOCROSS.COM AUG 26: BARK RIVER: 2 DAY EVENT, DEGRAVE MOTORSPORTS PARK, (906) 466-7272 AUG 27-28: BELDING: GRATTAN RACEWAY MOTOCROSS, (616) 691-7221 OBSERVED TRIALS AUG 6-7: ROSE CITY: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (810) 417-7289, MOTATRIALS.COM SHORT TRACK AUG 6: MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 8328284, POLKADOTSMC.NET AUG 20: DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MC, (989) 635-2219

AUG 7: HILL CITY: RANGE RIDERS MC, (218) 3275336, RANGERIDERSMC.ORG MOTOCROSS AUG 7: MILLVILLE : HI WINDERS, (507) 753-3277, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM AUG 7: CAMBRIDGE: RTW RACE PROMOTIONS, (218) 894-2826, CAMBRIDGEMX.COM AUG 14: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 679-9258, BERMBENDERS.COM AUG 14: BROWERVILLE: MOTO CITY RACEWAY & RECREATION INC, (612) 919-9345, MOTORCITYRACEWAY.COM AUG 14: MAZEPPA: HURRICANE HILLS MX PARK INC, (507) 843-5154, HURRICANEHILLS.COM AUG 21: BROWERVILLE: MOTO CITY RACEWAY & RECREATION INC, (612) 919-9345, MOTORCITYRACEWAY.COM AUG 21: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC, (953) 2449996, MOTOKAZIE.COM AUG 28: LITTLE FALLS: MOTO CITY RACEWAY & RECREATION INC, (612) 919-9345, MOTORCITYRACEWAY.COM AUG 28: MILLVILLE: HI WINDERS, (507) 753-3277, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM OBSERVED TRIALS AUG 13: GOOD THUNDER: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 351-8879

Killington, VT Sept. 8-11

AUG 14: N MANKATO: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 351-8879

brought to you by

MONTANA COMPETITION

www.killingtonclassic.com

518-798-7888

HARE SCRAMBLES

TT AUG 7: MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 8328284, POLKADOTSMC.NCT AUG 21: DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MC, (989) 635-2219 MINNESOTA RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN AUG 12-13: ONAMIA: 2 DAY EVENT, MINNESOTA WINGS INC, (800) 472-6321

AUG 27-28: BIG SKY: LONE PEAK RACING LLC, (406) 223-3047, BIGSKYXC.COM

BIKE SHOW

RECREATIONAL

AUG 20: MT HOLLY: MOTORCYCLISTS FOR JESUS MINISTRIES, (215) 234-4861, BIKEGATHING.COM

ROAD RALLY

ROAD RUN

AUG 11: BEATRICE: NEBRASKA BMW NIGHTRIDERS, (402) 499-4876

AUG 28: LEBANON: AMA-DIST 02 OF NEW JERSEY, (732) 603-8434, WILLIAMSHD.COM

NEBRASKA

NEW JERSEY RECREATIONAL

COMPETITION ENDURO

AUG 28: MAURICETOWN: COMPETITION DIRT RIDERS, (856) 696-6478, COMPETITIONDIRTRIDERS.ORG NEW MEXICO COMPETITION OBSERVED TRIALS AUG 6: TAOS SKI VALLEY: ITS OFF ROAD, (719) 942-3372 NEW YORK RECREATIONAL BINGO RUN AUG 7: QUEENSBURG AREA: ADIRONDACK RIDERS OF GLENS FALLS NY INC, (518) 792-2171, ADIRONDACKRIDERS.COM

AUG 7: AUBURN: FROZEN OCEAN MOTOCROSS INC, (315) 784-5466, FROZEN-OCEAN.COM AUG 12: NEW BERLIN: UNADILLA VALLEY SPORTS CENTER, (607) 965-5845, UNADILLAMX. COM AUG 14: NEW BERLIN: UNADILLA VALLEY SPORTS CENTER, (607) 965-5845, UNADILLAMX. COM AUG 20: SOUTH EDMESTON: THUNDER RIDGE SPORTS, (607) 847-7652, THUNDERRIDGE.BIZ AUG 20: YAPHANK: LONG ISLAND MOTOCROSS INC, (631) 286-9411, ISLANDMOTOCROSS.COM AUG 20-21: RICHFORD: BROOME TIOGA SPORTS CENTER INC, (607) 849-4438, BROOME-TIOGA. COM

DUAL SPORT RIDE

AUG 21: NEW BERLIN: THUNDER RIDGE SPORTS, (607) 847-7652, THUNDERRIDGE.BIZ

AUG 6-7: HANCOCK: 2 DAY EVENT, BEAR CREEK SPORTSMEN, , BEARCREEKSPORTSMEN.COM

AUG 28: MAPLE VIEW: SMX ASSOCIATES LLC, (315) 480-7733, MOTOMASTERS.COM

FIELD MEET

OBSERVED TRIALS

AUG 6-7: WANTAGH: 2 DAY EVENT, QUEENSBORO MC, (718) 350-9856, QUEENSBOROMC.COM

AUG 14: DUNDEE: AMA-DIST 04 TRIALS COMMITTEE,

OBS/QUIZ RUN

AUG 28: CUBA: AMA-DIST 04 TRIALS COMMITTEE, (585) 247-5508

AUG 21: MINEOLA: NASSAU WINGS, (516) 2485555, POPRUN.ORG POKER RUN AUG 14: ONEONTA: RETREADS - NEW YORK REGION, AUG 28: YONKERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (914) 930-0669, YONKERSMOTORCYCLECLUB.NET ROAD RUN AUG 7: CENTRAL VALLEY: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (828) 6656891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG AUG 14: EAST MEADOW: ALLIANCE MC, (516) 509-8143, ALLIANCEMC.COM AUG 28: CLARENCE: REGENT RIDERS, (716) 937-9524 TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL AUG 14: E. QUOGUE: LONG ISLAND RECREATIONAL TRAILS CONSERVANCY, , LIRTC. ORG COMPETITION 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK AUG 6-7: DUNDEE: 2 DAY EVENT, DUNDEE MOTORSPORTS AKA BLACKROCK SPEEDWAY, (607) 243-8686, BLACKROCKSPEEDWAY.COM AUG 14: W. LEBANON: ELECTRIC CITY RIDERS, (518) 542-2144, ELECTRICCITYRIDERS.COM ENDURO AUG 14: BERKSHIRE: ITHACA DIRT RIDERS INC, (607) 657-8248, ITHACADIRTRIDERS.COM HARE SCRAMBLES AUG 6-7: KING FERRY: 2 DAY EVENT, CAYUGA COUNTY RIDERS INC, (607) 533-7553 AUG 28: CORTLAND: FULLACTION RACING PROMOTIOINS, (585) 297-2742, STATEHARESCRAMBLECHAMPIONSHIP.COM MOTOCROSS

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

SHORT TRACK AUG 6-7: DUNDEE: 2 DAY EVENT, DUNDEE MOTORSPORTS AKA BLACKROCK SPEEDWAY, (607) 243-8686 AUG 7: PATTERSONVILLE: ELECTRIC CITY RIDERS, (518) 542-2144, ELECTRICCITYRIDERS. COM AUG 21: PATTERSONVILLE: ELECTRIC CITY RIDERS, (518) 542-2144, ELECTRICCITYRIDERS. COM NORTH CAROLINA RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN AUG 28: ASHEVILLE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG COMPETITION

COM COMPETITION ENDURO AUG 14: MCARTHUR: ENDURO RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (614) 582-2782, ENDURORIDERS. COM AUG 28: CHANDLERSVILLE: ZANESVILLE TRAIL RIDERS, (614) 204-4143, ZANESVILLETRAILRIDERS.COM GRAND PRIX AUG 14: ATHENS: ACTION SPORTS PROMOTIONS INC, (740) 591-7223, ACTIONSPORTSRACING. COM HARE SCRAMBLES AUG 21: ATHENS: ATHENS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (740) 592-6480, ATHENSMOTORCYCLCECLUB. COM MOTOCROSS AUG 3: GALLIPOLIS: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM AUG 7: MARYSVILLE: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM AUG 11: CROTON: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM AUG 12: CHILLICOTHE: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM AUG 14: GREENVILLE: TREATY CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (937) 548-7197, TREATYCITYMC.COM AUG 21: MARYSVILLE: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM AUG 21: UHRICHSVILLE: AES PROMOTIONS LLC, (740) 922-6655, CROWCANYON.COM AUG 28: DAYTON: DAYTON MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (937) 263-9321, DAYTONMC.COM AUG 28: MILLFIELD: PLEASURE VALLEY RACEWAY, (304) 284-0084, SUNDAYCREEKRACEWAY.COM AUG 31: MT GILEAD: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM OBSERVED TRIALS

MOTOCROSS AUG 21: IRON STATION: IRON STATION MOTORSPORTS, INC., (704) 732-2820, TOPGUNMX.NET OHIO

AUG 6-7: DAYTON: 2 DAY EVENT, TRIALS INC, (937) 294-7957, TRIALSINC.ORG OREGON RECREATIONAL

RECREATIONAL

DUAL SPORT RIDE

DUAL SPORT RIDE

AUG 6: TILLAMOOK: NORTHWEST TOUR & TRAIL, (503) 681-8881, BLACKDOGDUALSPORT.COM

AUG 6: TORONTO: OHIO VALLEY BSA OWNERS CLUB, (724) 945-6018, BSA-CLUB-OV.HAILWOOD. COM POKER RUN AUG 14: AKRON: GREATER AKRON M/C, (330) 322-2150

ROAD RALLY AUG 2: JOSEPH: AMERICAN VOYAGER ASSOCIATION, (208) 746-3530, AMERVOYASSOC. ORG PENNSYLVANIA

ROAD RALLY

RECREATIONAL

AUG 19: MARIETTA: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION, (740) 374-9660

CARNIVAL RUN

SWAP MEETS

AUG 21: COLUMBIA: THUNDERBIRD MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (717) 898-0871

AUG 5: TORONTO: OHIO VALLEY BSA OWNERS CLUB, (724) 945-6018, BSA-CLUB-OV.HAILWOOD.

AUG 28: BUCK: GENTLEMEN MC SPORTSMEN, (717) 285-5371

DISTRICT TOUR AUG 21: DALLAS: BACK MOUNTAIN ENDURO RIDERS, (570) 477-3461 POKER RUN

AUG 14: MARYSVILLE: TRICKY TRYALERS MC, (717) 580-0127 AUG 27-28: HILLSGROVE: 2 DAY EVENT, PENNSYLVANIA TRIALS RIDERS, (570) 998-2927 SOUTH DAKOTA

AUG 7: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (717) 270-9797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COM

RECREATIONAL

AUG 14: SCHUYLKILL HAVEN: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 385-5146, SCHUYLKILLCOUNTYMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

AUG 8: STURGIS: STURGIS MAYOR’S RIDE, (605) 720-0800, STURGISMOTORCYCLERALLY.COM

AUG 20: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (717) 270-9797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COM AUG 21: KREGSGEVILLE: ZINC CITY MC, (610) 681-9903, ZINCCITYMC.ORG ROAD RUN AUG 7: CRANBERRY TWP: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 2536530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG AUG 14: YORK: YORK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, YORKMOTORCYCLE.COM AUG 27: POTTSTOWN: MOTORCYCLISTS FOR JESUS MINISTRIES, (215) 234-4861, PAGOSPELRIDERS.COM AUG 27: LEESPORT: CLASSIC HARLEYDAVIDSON, (610) 916-7777, CLASSICHARLEY. COM SWAP MEETS AUG 19-21: SPRING GROVE: WHITE ROSE MC

ROAD RUN

COMPETITION

AUG 27-28: SEQUATCHIE: 2 DAY EVENT, SOUTHEASTERN TRIALS RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (423) 942-8688, TENNESSEEKNOCKOUTENDURO. COM

AUG 13-14: HURRICANE MILLS: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-4008, RACERPRODUCTIONS.COM UTAH

AUG 7: HEDGESVILLE: TOMAHAWK MX LLC, (304) 229-9668, TOMAHAWKMX.COM AUG 13: HEDGEVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (410) 3751059, MAMAMX.COM

RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN AUG 7: MIDDLETON: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG COMPETITION

RECREATIONAL

1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK

ROAD RUN AUG 13: SALT LAKE CITY: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 2536530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG VERMONT

AUG 13: ANTIGO: RIB MOUNTAIN RIDERS HARE SCRAMBLES AUG 28: STONE LAKE: MIDWEST OFFROAD TRAIL RIDERS, (715) 834-2793, MOTRWEB.WEBS.COM MOTOCROSS

AUG 8: WEST DOVER: CONCOURS OWNERS GROUP INC, (802) 464-6647, MOUNTSNOW.COM VIRGINIA COMPETITION

AUG 28: NEELYTON: FT OF MOUNTAIN, (814) 259-9387

CROSS COUNTRY

MOTOCROSS

AUG 20-21: DILLWYN: LONE RIDER PRODUCTIONS, (804) 920-2529, VXCS.ORG

AUG 7: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

GRAND PRIX AUG 14: MARTINSVILLE: VIRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HS SERIES, (757) 871-1573, VCHSS.ORG AUG 28: PENHOOK: VIRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HS SERIES, (757) 871-1573, VCHSS.ORG MOTOCROSS

AUG 14: NEW ALEXANDRIA: PITTSBURGH RACEWAY PARK, (724) 668-7600, PITTSBURGHRACEWAYPARK

AUG 20-21: AMELIA: 2 DAY EVENT, AMR MX, (804) 221-1368, AMRMX.COM

AUG 21: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

AUG 27-28: SUTHERLIN: 2 DAY EVENT, BIRCHCREEK PROMOTIONS, LLC, (434) 836-7629, BIRCHCREEKMXPARK.COM

AUG 21: JOHNSTOWN: PLEASURE VALLEY RACEWAY, (814) 539-9411, PURMX.COM

ROAD RACE

OBSERVED TRIALS

COMPETITION

WISCONSIN

AUG 1-7: HURRICANE MILLS: MX SPORTS LLC, (304) 284-4010, MXSPORTS.COM

ROAD RALLY

AUG 28: SHIPPENSBURG: DOUBLIN GAP MX PARK INC, (717) 249-6036, DOUBLINGAP.COM

AUG 13: TEAYS VALLEY: ROAD RIDERS FOR JESUS, (304) 549-9182

MOTOCROSS

RECREATIONAL

AUG 21: ELKLAND: MILES MOUNTAIN MX, (814) 258-0204, MILESMOUNTAINMX.COM

WEST VIRGINIA

MOTOCROSS

ENDURO

AUG 6-7: DUPONT: 2 DAY EVENT, HIGH MOUNTAIN DIRT RIDERS, (570) 954-7799, HMDR. ORG

AUG 14: HANOVER : HAPPY RAMBLERS, HAPPYRAMBLERS.COM

AUG 13: EVERETT: SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, (425) 322-2260, COMCASTARENAEVERETT.COM

ROAD RALLY

TENNESSEE

HARE SCRAMBLES

AUG 7: BOSWELL: DREAM PROMOTIONS INC./FIELD OF DREAMS, (814) 629-9677, FIELDOFDREAMSMX.COM

ENDUROCROSS

RECREATIONAL

COMPETITION

AUG 21: MARKLEYSBURG: BRADDOCK’S TRAIL RACEWAY, (724) 880-5536, BRADDOCKSTRAILRACEWAY.COM

COMPETITION

AUG 6: HILLPOINT: SUGAR MAPLE MX LLC, (608) 393-8812, SUGARMAPLEMX.COM AUG 7: HILLPOINT: SUGAR MAPLE MX LLC, (608) 393-8812, SUGARMAPLEMX.COM AUG 14: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 297-9367, AZTALANCYCLE.COM AUG 26-27: HUSTLER: 2 DAY EVENT, CMJ RACEWAY LLC, (608) 220-6853, CMJRACEWAY. COM AUG 28: TIGERTON: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-9286, FANTASYMOTO.COM OBSERVED TRIALS AUG 20-21: DICKYVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (608) 434-4553, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG AUG 28: ELLSWORTH: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 351-8879, UMTA.ORG SHORT TRACK AUG 6: BURNETT: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB INC, (920) 319-6889, BEAVERCYCLECLUB.COM AUG 20-21: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (262) 754-0686, AZTALANCYCLE.COM WYOMING

AUG 13-14: ALTON: 2 DAY EVENT, TTXGP LIMITED WASHINGTON

COMPETITION

RECREATIONAL

MOTOCROSS

ROAD RUN

AUG 21: CHEYENNE: LARAMIE COUNTY RIDERS ASSOCIATION INC, (307) 421-1228, LARAMIECOUNTYMX.COM

AUG 7: SUMNER: TACOMA M/C, (253) 531-4408

August 2011

45

HALL OF FAME EXHIBITS MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME MOTORCYCLEMUSEUM.ORG The Hall of Fame is on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Main Hall: Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Recognizing those who have made significant contributions to all aspects of motorcycling.

Dirt-Track! All-American Motorcycle Racing: Celebrating the storied history of the men and machines who battle on the dirt oval.

30-Year Ride: Honda’s Ohio-made Motorcycles: Gold Wings aren’t the only bikes that Honda produced at its plant in Marysville, Ohio. This exhibit showcases the 30 years of production, from the CR250 to the Rune.

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

AMA PRO RACING AMA PRO SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM July 8-10: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course July 22-24: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Aug. 12-14: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway Aug. 27-28: Indianapolis: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sept. 2-4: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park AMA PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP MXSPORTSPRORACING.COM

Sept. 24: Minneapolis: Canterbury Park Mile, Canterbury Park

Lone Peak Racing; (406) 223-0478, BigSkyXC.com

Oct. 1: Calistoga, Calif.: Calistoga Speedway Half-Mile, Calistoga Speedway

AMA RACING EAST HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM

Oct. 9: Prescott, Ariz.: Yavapai Downs Mile, Yavapai Downs

July 10 (Youth & Amateur): Millfield, Ohio: Rita Coombs, Racer Productions; (304) 284-0084, GNCCRacing.com

AMA PRO HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING. COM July 10: West Branch, Mich.

July 24: Jefferson (York County), Pa. July 31: Canaan, N.H. Aug. 21: Dansville, N.Y. Sept. 11: Freemansburg, Pa. Sept. 25: Jefferson (York County), Pa. Oct. 9: Oregonia, Ohio AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES CAN-AM GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY GNCCRACING.COM July 9-10: Millfield, Ohio: Sunday Creek Raceway Sept. 10-11: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla Raceway Sept. 24-25: TBD Oct. 8-9: St. Clairsville, Ohio: Powerline Park Oct. 22-23: Crawfordsville, Ind: Tom’s Marine Polaris AMA RACING NATIONAL HARE & HOUND NATIONALHAREANDHOUND.COM Oct. 9: Johnson Valley, Calif.: Justin Shultz, SoCal MC; (949) 981-6776, SoCalMC.com

July 16: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek

Oct. 23: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Ryan Sanders, 100’s MC; (949) 584-9395, 100sMC.org

July 23: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal

AMA NATIONAL ENDURO NATIONALENDURO.COM

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

July 17: Moorestown, Mich.: Jeff Hunt, Lansing Motorcycle Club; (231) 267-9534, LansingMotorcycleClub.org

Aug. 27: Southwick, Mass.: Moto-X 338 Sept. 3: Delmont, Pa.: Steel City Raceway Sept. 10: San Diego, Calif.: Pala Raceway AMA PRO GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM July 9: Hagerstown, Md.: Hagerstown Half-Mile, Hagerstown Speedway July 23: Lake Odessa, Mich.: I-96 Half-Mile, I-96 Speedway July 30: Sacramento, Calif.: Cal Expo Fair Mile, Cal Expo Fair

July 31: Cross Fork, Pa.: Peter Burnett, Brandywine Enduro Riders; (610) 368-7332, BER.us Aug. 28: Chandlersville, Ohio: Kory Young, Zanesville Trail Riders; (614) 204-1438, ZanesvilleTrailriders.com Oct. 1: Matthews, Ind.: Doug Spence, Muddobbers MC; (765) 998-2236, MuddobbersMC.org ENDUROCROSS ENDUROCROSS.COM Aug. 13: Everett, Wash.: Comcast Arena Aug. 26: Indianapolis: Pepsi Coliseum

Aug. 6: Castle Rock, Wash.: Castle Rock TT, Castle Rock Race Park

Sept. 17: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Bank Arena

Aug. 21: Peoria, Ill.: Peoria TT, Peoria Race Park

Oct. 1: Denver: National Western Complex

Aug. 27: Indianapolis: Indy Mile, Indiana State Fairgrounds

Oct. 22: Boise, Idaho: Idaho Center

Sept. 3: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield ST, Illinois State Fairgrounds

Nov 19: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena

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

AMA RACING WEST HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM

Sept. 10: Knoxville, Iowa: Knoxville Half-Mile, Knoxville Raceway

Aug. 27 (Youth) Aug. 28 (Amateur): Big Sky, Mont.: Jamey Kabisch,

46

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

July 23 (Youth & Amateur): Valley View, Pa.: Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600, RauschCreekRacing.com Aug. 20 (Youth) Aug. 21 (Amateur): S. Edmeston, N.Y.: Jim Simmons, Thunder Ridge Sports; (607) 847-6520, ThunderRidge.biz Sept. 18 (Youth & Amateur): Lynnville, Ind.: Kenny Moore, IN IL KY Enduro Riders; (812) 549-8385, BlackCoal.org Oct. 15 (Youth) Oct. 16 (Amateur): Westfield, Mass.: Scott Fontaine, Knox Trail Riders; (508) 864-7316, WNYOA.net Oct. 30 (Youth & Amateur): Gosport, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084, TheMAXC.com Nov. 5 (Youth) Nov. 6 (Amateur): Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Rita Coombs, Racer Productions; (304) 284-0084 AMA RACING ATV HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM July 24: Valley View, Pa.: Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600, RauschCreekRacing. com Aug. 20: S. Edmeston, N.Y.: Jim Simmons, Thunder Ridge Sports; (607) 847-6520, Thunderridge.biz Oct. 29: TBD: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084, TheMAXC. com ATV EXTREME DIRT TRACK AMARACING.COM July 9: Danville, Va.: Birch Creek Motorsports July 23-24: Ashtabula, Ohio: Pine Lake Aug. 6: Franklin, Pa.: Tri-City Speedway Aug. 20: Souix Falls, S.D.: Sioux Valley Cycle Club Sept. 3: Goldsboro, N.C.: Busco Beach AMA RACING PRO-AM MOTOCROSS AMARACING.COM July 10: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway, Victory Sports Inc.; (423) 323-5497, VictorySportsRacing. com July 17: Carrollton, Ohio: Area 330 Action Complex, Area 330 Action Complex LLC; (330) 863-6056, Area330.com July 17: Bloomingdale, Mich.: Dutch Sport Park, Dutch Sport Park; (269) 521-7800, DutchSportParkMX.com July 21-22: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal MX Park; (360) 837-3975, WashougalMXPark.com July 31: Taylorville, Ill.: South Fork Dirt Riders, South Fork Dirt Riders; (217) 237-4752, SouthForkDirtRiders.com Aug. 12-14: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla

Valley Sports Center, Unadilla Valley Sports Center; (607) 965-8784, UnadillaMX.com Aug. 14: Crystal Falls, Mich.: Valley Raceway, Valley Raceway; (906) 0600, ValleyRaceway.com Aug. 21: Armaugh, Pa.: Pleasure Valley Raceway, Pleasure Valley Raceway; (814) 695-2453, Cernics.com Aug. 28: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek MX Park, Hi-Winders; (507) 753-2779, SpringCreekMX.com Sept. 3-5: Millington, Mich.: Baja MX, Baja MX Inc.; (989) 871-3356, BajaMX. com Sept. 4: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway, Pine Ridge Raceway; (715) 856-6612, PineRidgeRaceway.com Sept. 4: Delmont, Pa.: Steel City Raceway, Bellco Inc.; (304) 284-0800, RacerProductions.com Sept. 11: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX, 4P Promotions Inc.; (815) 3799534, SunsetRidgeMX.com Sept. 17-18: Richford, N.Y.: BroomeTioga, Broome-Tioga Sports Center; (607) 849-4438, Broome-Tioga.com Sept. 18: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud, RedBud; (269) 695-6405, RedBudMX. com Sept. 24-25: New Castle, Del.: Blue Diamond MX Park, Baltimore County Trail Riders; (302) 834-5867, BCTRA. com Sept. 25: Canton, Texas: Buffalo Creek Motocross Park, , Kingdom Motorsports; (214) 939-4321, Buffalocreekmx.com Oct. 2: Gaylord, Mich.: Baja MX, Baja MX Inc.; (989) 871-3356, BajaMX.com Oct. 2: Englishtown, N.J.: Raceway Park, K.R.O.C.; (734) 446-7800, Racewaypark.com Oct. 2: Danville, Va.: Birch Creek Motorsports, Birch Creek Motorsports; (434) 836-7629, BirchCreekMotorsports.com Oct. 9: Birdsboro, Pa.: Pagoda Motorcycle Club, Pagoda Motorcycle Club; (610) 582-3717, PagodaMotorcycleClub.com Oct. 16: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway, Victory Sports Inc.; (423) 323-5497, VictorySportsRacing. com Oct. 29-30: Leonardtown, Md.: Budds Creek Motocross Park, Budds Creek Motocross Park; (301) 481-6148; Buddscreek.com Oct. 30: Prentiss, Mich.: Golden Pine Raceway, Golden Pine Raceway; (601) 506-8669, GoldenPineRaceway.com Nov. 6: Pell City, Ala.: Mill Creek, RPM Sports; (205) 699-8857, RPMSportsonline.com Nov. 13: Musella, Ga.: Hillbilly Hills, LLQ; RPM Sports, (205) 699-8857, RPMSports.online.com Nov. 21-23, Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park, Unlimited Sports MX; (813) 470-7498, UnlimitedSportsMX.com Nov. 24-26: Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park, Unlimited Sports MX; (813) 470-7498, UnlimitedSportsMX.com

AMA AMATEUR GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL MOTOCROSS MXSPORTS.COM Aug. 1-6: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: AMA National Motocross Championship (final), Loretta Lynn’s Ranch AMA RACING VINTAGE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMAVINTAGEMOTORCYCLEDAYS.COM July 22-24: Lexington, Ohio: AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships - Round 1, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course July 22: Ashland, Ohio: AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships - Round 2, Ashland County Fairgrounds

751-6863; GLDSMC.org Oct. 1-2: Mt. Solon, Va.: Shenandoah 500 Dual Sport, NVTA, Detter Merz; (703) 505-9123; NVTR.org Oct. 8-9: McArthur, Ohio: Baby Burr National Dual Sport, Enduro Riders Association, Steve Barber; (614) 5827821; Enduroriders.com Oct. 22-23: Study Butte, Texas: 14th Annual Terlingua National DS, Trail Riders of Houston, Jack Jennings; (713) 248-7222; TRH-Cycle.org Oct. 29-30: Chatsworth, N.J.: Meteor Ride in the Pines, Meteor MC, Jeff Fitzpatrick; (609) 654-5015; MeteorMC. com

AMA RACING DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARACING.COM

Nov. 5-6: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, E. Polhaumas; (856) 785-2754; TeamHammer.org

July 25-31: Du Quoin, Ill.: AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds

Nov. 5-6: Wickenburg, Ariz: Howlin’ at the Moon Rally, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (602) 692-9382

AMA RACING HILLCLIMB GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARACING.COM

Nov. 25-26: Palmdale, Calif.: LABarstow to Vegas, AMA D37 Dual Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 792-7384; District37AMA.org

Aug. 13-14: Oregonia, Ohio: AMA Racing Hillclimb Grand Championships AMA/NATC YOUTH MOTOTRIALS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARACING.COM Aug. 6-8: Taos Ski Valley, N.M.: AMA/NATC West Youth MotoTrials Championships, International Trials School, Bill Markham; (719) 942-3372, ITSTrials.com AMA DUAL-SPORT/ADVENTURE SERIES AMA KTM NATIONAL DUAL SPORT TRAIL RIDING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM July 15-17: Walden, Colo.: Moose Run Dual Sport Rally, Front Range Riders, Steve Eddins; (970) 221-1014; FrontRangeRiders.com July 23-30: Newberry, Mich.: Six Days of Michigan, Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan, Lewis Schuler; (517) 4160126; CycleConservationClub.org Aug. 6-7: Hancock, N.Y.: Hancock National Dual Sport, Bear Creek Sportsmen, Mike Goetz; BearCreekSportsmen.com Aug. 20-21: Columbus Ind.: Buffalo 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney Lonesome MC, Nathan Gaskill; (812) 343-9772; StoneyLonesomeMC.com Sept. 3-4: New Straightsville, Ohio: Black Diamonds: New Straightsville Enduro Riders, Steve Wheeler; (740) 394-2220; NSEnduro.com Sep 10-11: Golden Pond, Ky.: LBL 200, KT Riders, Jesse Thomas, (270) 522-3703, ginny42211@yahoo.com Sept. 24-25: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Dual Sport Adventure, Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borge; (209) 649-3633; FamilyOffRoadAdventures.com Sept. 24-25: Wabeno, Wis.: Big Woods 200, Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030; WiDualSportRiders.org Sept. 24-25: Wolverine, Mich.: Ted’s Chandler Hill Challenge, Great Lakes Dual Sporters, Jeramy Valley; (989)

AMA YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM July 16-17: McCloud, Calif.: McCloud Adventure Ride, McCloud Dualsport Adventures, Michael Lingsch; (530) 925-0151; McCloudDualsportAdventures.com July 20: Bloomsburg, Pa.: Giant Look Adventure Ride, AltRider, Christina Olson; (206) 922-3618; Altrider.com July 27-31: Stevenson, Wash.: Dualsport Northwest Adventure Rally, Soundrider, Tom Mehren; (206) 3299808; SoundRider.com Aug. 20-21: Columbus, Ind.: Buffalo 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney Lonesome MC, Nathan Gaskill, (812) 343-9772; StoneyLonesomeMC.com

McCloud Dualsport Adventures, Michael Lingsch; (530) 925-0151; McCloudDualsportAdventures.com

July 17: White Bear Lake, Minn.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org

Nov. 5-6: Wickensburg, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon Rally, AZ Trail Riders, Don Hood; (602) 692-9382; ArizonaTrailRiders.org

July 17: Elgin, Ill.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org

Nov 5-6: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, E. Polhaumus; (856) 785-2754 Nov 25-26: Palmdale, Calif.: LA-Barstow to Vegas, AMA D-37, Paul Flanders; (626) 792-7384; District37AMA.org AMA PREMIER TOURING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM/ ROADRIDE/TOURING AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS AMAVINATGEMOTORCYCLEDAYS.COM July 22-24: Lexington, Ohio: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, AMA, Connie Fleming, (614) 856-1900 ext. 1258, AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com NATIONAL CONVENTIONS June 6-11: Lake George, N.Y.: Americade & TourExpo, Bill Dutcher, (518) 798-7888, TourExpo.com Sept. 14-18: Ruidoso, N.M.: Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally; Golden Aspen Rally Assn; Patric Pearson, (800) 4528045, Motorcyclerally.com NATIONAL GYPSY TOURS Aug. 3-7: Las Vegas, Nev.: National Bikers Roundup, National Bikers Roundup, (702) 522-9043, NBRKCMO. com Aug. 8: Sturgis, S.D.: Ninth Annual Mayor’s Ride; SturgisMotorcycleRally. com Oct. 7-9: Redding, Calif.: Big Bike Weekend; BigBikeWeekend.com GRAND TOURS Jan. 1 - Dec. 31: USA Four Corners Tour, SCMA, (909) 271-0137, USA4Corners.org

Aug. 26-28: Seattle: Ride the Hoh Rain Forest, AltRider, Christina Olson; (206) 922-3618; Altrider.com

March 25 - Oct. 1: Smoke Chasing 2011, Eddie’s Road, smokechasing@ teamstrange.com, SmokeChasing.com

Aug. 27-28: McCloud, Calif.: McCloud Adventure Ride, McCloud Dualsport Adventures, Michael Lingsch; (530) 925-0151; McCloudDualsportAdventures.com

April 1 - Nov. 30: Ride For Your Rights Grand Tour, AMA, Dave Hembroff, (614) 856-1900 ext. 1202, AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Roadride/ Touring.com

Sep 15-19: Pendenton, Wash.: Sasquatch Dualsport Adventure Tour, Soundrider, Tom Mehren; (206) 3297808; SoundRider.com

April 1 - Nov. 30: Travel the USA with KOA, Midnight Riders MC, (765) 5663807, Midnight-Riders-MC.com

Sep 17-18: Logan, Ohio: Nutcracker 200, Buckeye Dualsporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050; KaeppnersWoods.com Sept. 17-18: Morganton, N.C.: Blue Ridge Adventure Ride, JB SAKI Promotions, Ron Miller; (704) 309-3271 Sept. 17-18: Taos Ski Valley, N.M.: New Mexico Natl Adventure Ride, Aerostich Tours, Roger Pattison; (575) 776-8785; AerostichTours.com Oct. 1-2: McCloud, Calif.: McCloud Adventure Ride, McCloud Dualsport Adventures, Michael Lingsch; (530) 925-0151; McCloudDualsportAdventures.com Oct. 15-16: McCloud, Calif.: McCloud Adventure Ride,

Jan. 1 - Dec. 31: California Parks Adven-ture, SCMA, (760) 985-7660, SC-MA.com

July 23: Marysville, Ohio: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org July 31: Knoxville, Tenn.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Aug. 7: Central Valley, N.Y.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Aug. 7: Middleton, Wis.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Aug. 7: Cranberry Township, Pa.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Aug. 13: Salt Lake City: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Aug. 21: Fiskdale, Mass.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Aug. 28: Ashville, N.C.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Aug. 28: Ann Arbor, Mich.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride and dualsport), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Sept. 11: Carnation, Wash.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Sept. 11: Leeds, Ala.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Sept. 11: Indianapolis: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Sept. 18: Cottleville, Mo.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Sept. 18: Phoenixville, Pa.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Sept. 25: Lido Beach, N.Y.: 9th Annual Dee Snider Ride (road ride), March of Dimes, (561) 496-8442, BikersforBabies. org Sept. 25: Ellicott City, Md.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Oct. 2: Las Vegas, Nev.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Oct. 2: Grapevine Texas: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org Oct. 2: Fairfield, Calif.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org

Jan. 1 - Dec. 31: California Mission Tour, SCMA, (760) 985-7660, SC-MA. com

Oct. 16: Mesa, Ariz.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids. org

Jan. 1 - Dec. 31: Three Flags Classic, SCMA, (626) 274-2237, SC-MA.com

Oct. 16: Cardiff, Calif.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Oct. 23: Lafayette, La.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids. org

July 10: Sound Bend, Ind.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org July 10: Overland Park, Kan.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org July 17: Deerfield, N.Y.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids.org

Nov. 6: Lithia, Fla.: Charity Ride for Kids (road ride), PBTFUS, RideforKids. org STATE RALLIES July 14-16: Alvarado, Texas: Bikers Adult Rally, Bikers Adult Rally, (972) 5510024, BikersAdultRally.com

August 2011

47

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PROTECTING THE PASSION Delivering The Message That Kids Just Want To Ride

When I was a child, I never rode a motorcycle. Motorcycles didn’t come into my life until sometime after I was married. My wife won a moped in a contest, and we rode that little guy everywhere.

The fun we had on the moped inspired me to want a streetbike. I borrowed my brother’s Yamaha DT400 for practice. My wife didn’t want to be left out, so we both learned to ride.

New to the sport, we weren’t aware of Motorcycle Safety Foundation classes at that time. We did take our own training seriously, however. We spent hours starting, stopping, turning and doing figure eights. A year later, I took up dirt biking. I started on a Honda XL350 to see if I’d like it. The following year, I got a KDX200 and have been on one ever since.

One of the neighborhood kids was interested in riding, and his parents bought him a Honda XR100. The parents didn’t know anything about riding, so my wife and I taught him to ride. I had watched a guy at an enduro trying to get his girlfriend to ride his dirtbike. He was showing her how to operate the throttle and clutch to get the bike going. My first thought was if she does get going, how is she going to stop? I remembered that when teaching my neighbor to ride. So we taught him all the controls first, and had him practice stopping a rolling bike. After that, the motor was started and throttle/clutch work began. It was quite a joy seeing him succeed in learning how to ride. He was able to teach his brother to ride, and now they have taught their own children.

Whenever I trail ride with children, I keep a special eye out for them. If I am leading, I don’t race ahead. I keep a watch for them in my rearview mirror and try to ride their pace. That way, they don’t feel like they are riding alone. I am also able to lend immediate assistance if an issue arises, such as getting stuck on a root going up a hill. If I am following, I observe and make suggestions. Once, a beginner kept pumping the throttle in an attempt to go faster. I showed him how to use clutch control and explained about riding smoother. His pace picked up immediately, and I received a smile and thanks after the ride was over. It has always been rewarding for me to help riders of all ages learn how to ride.

Along the way, I have learned about, and gotten involved in, trail maintenance. I had never given much thought about trees falling across trail and that they had to be removed. I now have a motorcycle setup to carry my chainsaw, loppers and other tools necessary to maintain a trail. I’ve also helped build decking over wetlands. I work with two different clubs in different states.

Several years ago, I signed up on the AMA website for AMA Action Alerts and AMA News & Notes. I recently received an email from the AMA grassroots team urging me to meet with my U.S. representative regarding H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act. The purpose of the act is to exempt child-sized off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) from the lead law. The email gave me the details of a town hall meeting my representative was holding. I’d never met any of my representatives before and didn’t know what to expect. I went to his website and learned that

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this particular meeting would be held in a coffee house. I figured I had a good chance to speak with him personally at this sort of small event, so I decided to go.

When I arrived, there was the representative, two aides and about 20 other people. The format was to let people bring up issues/questions, and then hear his response, with the aides taking notes. I heard topics about terrorism, Afghanistan, taxes, the economy, the housing crisis, Republicans vs. Democrats and more.

I started to feel out of place because I was just looking for kids to be able to ride an age-appropriate-size machine. I tried to gauge whether or not he’d be receptive to supporting H.R. 412. I was thinking that maybe I should just tell what I wanted to one of the aides and leave.

But I hung around until the Q&A format was over. The representative said he’d stay awhile longer for individual discussions. I saw my opportunity and quickly moved in, getting second place in line. I introduced myself as an off-road motorcycle rider who works on maintaining trails. I brought up the issue of the lead law. He said someone else had also talked to him about it a few weeks earlier and asked me about its current status. I informed him that there was a stay of enforcement until the end of the year. I gave him a note asking him to co-sponsor H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act. He enthusiastically agreed to be a co-sponsor.

For a few hours of my time, a couple of bucks in gas, and about three minutes of actual talk, I was able to increase my representative’s awareness of the need to support kids and families who enjoy off-road riding. That, in some small way, could help save the future of off-road riding in America. All of us need to go that extra mile, however insignificant it may seem, to fight for what we believe in. Every effort counts. It could be yours that makes the difference.

Wayne Danielsen is an AMA member from Illinois.

Photo Courtesy Wayne Danielsen

By Wayne Danielsen