American Motorcyclist January 2024

Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. & affiliates.

I hear music.

Like PHANTOM TELEPHONES THE PATTERN-LOVING BRAIN, SEEKING SIGNALS in the noise, RAISES ACOUSTIC GHOSTS OUT of the wind’s ROAR. ALL HIDDEN IN THE AIR and RELEASED by SPEED.

from Season of the Bike

by Dave Karlotski

America’s #1 MOTORCYCLE INSURER 1-800-PROGRESSIVE | PROGRESSIVE.COM Quote in as little as 3 minutes

70

J A N U A RY

52

2o

2 0 2 4

V O L U M E

6 PERSPECTIVES Editorial Director Mitch Boehm on AMA benefits 8 FROM THE PRESIDENT AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman on MOTY and the AMA’s 100th anniversary 10 BACKFIRES Membership feedback on recent issues 12 BACK IN THE DAY Where the photos are blurry but the memories are clear!

14 RIGHTS REFRESH A look back and forward in government relations 20 COVER STORY: 100 YEARS OF THE AMA Setting the stage for our organization, from the 1860s to the 1920s 40 TO THE END OF THE WORLD …AND BACK! PART II One very big continental adventure on one very small adventure bike

7 8 ,

N U M B E R

1

52 2023 AMA MOTORCYCLIST OF THE YEAR From AMA Supercross to the outdoor Nationals, Jett Lawrence did it all in 2023 58 THE COMEBACK KID After an ugly injury, AMA Arenacross champ Kyle Peters rebounded big-time 70 AMA GARAGE Tips, tweaks, fixes and facts: The motorcycle ownership experience, explained 74 AMA BEHIND THE SCENES Meet John Bricker, the AMA’s de-facto historian ON THE COVER: Centennial celebrations are truly special occurrences, and the AMA’s 100th birthday in 2024 is no different. This month we feature the very roots of the AMA. In doing so we chart the advent of the sport of motorcycling itself, from the rise of steam- and internal-combustion engines to the creation of bicycles…and the inevitable mixing of both.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com Published by the American Motorcyclist Association

EDITORIAL

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mitch Boehm Editorial Director Todd Westover Chief Creative Consultant Keaton Maisano Managing Editor Kerry Hardin Senior Graphic Designer John Burns Contributing Editor Aaron Frank Contributing Editor

Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at americanmotorcyclist.com/ama-board-of-directors

Russ Ehnes Chair Great Falls, Mont.

Gary Pontius Vice Chair Westfield, Ind. Brad Baumert Assistant Treasurer Louisville, Ky. Mark Hosbach Executive Committee Member Franklin, Tenn.

Contact the Editorial Team at: submissions@ama-cycle.org Michael Kula Business Development Manager (949) 466-7833, mkula@ama-cycle.org Alex Boehm Sales and Events Specialist (614) 729-7949, aboehm@ama-cycle.org

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

Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2021.

Hub Brennan E. Greenwich, R.I. Christopher Cox Greenville, Ohio Steve Drewlo Bismarck, N.D. Clif Koontz Moab, Utah

Maggie McNally Albany, N.Y. Shae Petersen Greenville, S.C. Tom Umphress Jordan, Minn.

Faisel Zaman Dallas, Texas

(800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) (614) 856-1900 AmericanMotorcyclist.com @AmericanMotorcyclist @ama_riding

AMA STAFF EXECUTIVE

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Rob Dingman President/Chief Executive Officer James Holter Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wolens Chief Financial Officer Donna Perry Executive Assistant to President/CEO Danielle Smith Human Resources Manager/Assistant to COO

Joy Burgess Marketing & Communications Director Joe Bromley Program Development Manager Makenzi Martin Membership Event and Program Manager Lauren Kropf Marketing and Communications Specialist Bob Davis Program Volunteer Specialist Jack Emerson Corporate Communications Specialist

RACING AND ORGANIZER SERVICES Mike Pelletier Director of Racing Bill Cumbow Director of International Competition Michael Burkeen Deputy Director of Racing Ken Saillant Track Racing Manager Michael Jolly Racing Manager Jeff Canfield Racing Manager Connie Fleming Supercross/FIM Coordinator Olivia Schlabach Racing Program Manager Jensen Burkeen Sanctioned Activity Coordinator Damian George Sanctioned Activity Coordinator Michael Gailher Sanctioned Activity Coordinator

MUSEUM Paula Schremser Program Specialist Ricky Shultz Museum Clerk Kobe Stone Museum Clerk

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Nick Haris Government Relations Director/ Western States Rep. Zach Farmer Government Relations, Washington Rep. Nick Sands Government Relations, Central States Rep. Shayna Fritz Government Relations, Eastern States Rep.

MEMBER SERVICES Amanda Donchess Director of Membership Lynette Cox Membership Manager Tiffany Pound Member Services Manager Pam Albright Member Fulfillment Coordinator Carolyn Vaughan Member Fulfillment Representative Zoe Anders Member Services Representative Vickie Park Member Services Representative Charles Moore Member Services Representative Kelly Anders Member Services Representative Sarah Lockhart Member Services Representative John Bricker Mailroom Manager

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Shaun Holloway Director of Information Technology Jarrod Gilliland Application Developer Ed Madden Systems and Database Analyst Leah Mattas Web Manager Rob Baughman Support Technician

American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly (12 issues) by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2021.

Printed in USA. Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $39.95 covered in membership dues.

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

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

4

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

Now Including

dealer-level memberships!

business Member

Help carry on the mission!

AMA business Member benefits: THE AMA LEADS THE WAY TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT MOTORCYCLING — AND WITH OUR BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAM, TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS THRIVE.

u Exposure in American Motorcyclist magazine u Discounted ad rates u Board position availability u Consumer data from AMA member surveys u Updates on Government Relations activities u AMA reports from events and consumer activities u AMA newsletters u Magazine copies for company, dealership, etc. u And more!

“For over half a century, Kawasaki has supported the AMA’s mission to promote, preserve and grow the motorcycle industry. As a supporting Business Member, Kawasaki works together with the AMA to help build a bright future for motorcyclists, including safety, legislation for rider rights and land use, promoting riding and racing, and supporting the heritage of the AMA Hall of Fame. Supporting the AMA is essential to preserving the positive growth of motorcycling and the powersports industry.”

—Eigo Konya, President & CEO Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

Apply here https://form.jotform.com/amatech/business-member-app For more information contact Michael Kula at mkula@ama-cycle.org • (949) 466-7833 or Alex Boehm at aboehm@ama-cycle.org • (310) 662-1724

PERSPECTIVES

BENEFITS ’R’ US

BY MITCH BOEHM

L

ike a lot of Boomers, I don’t spend a lot of time on social media, and for a whole bunch of reasons.

But once in a while I am forced to log on for some work-related or family stuff, and the other day stumbled onto a conversation about AMA benefits I found interesting.

A gentleman had asked about specific benefits the AMA offered, and the answers he got were pretty spot-on.

One guy mentioned discounts on accessories, event tickets, bike shipping, rentals, performance parts and the like, and based simply on the substantial cost-savings potential there, one could completely pay for his or her entire AMA membership each year with a single large purchase, or at least a few smaller ones.

The company partners listed in the magazine or online [AmericanMotorcyclist.com/deals-and-discounts] and the products and services they offer are pretty impressive. You’re gonna buy that gear or part or those event tickets anyway, right? You might as well pay for your AMA membership while you’re at it…and then keep on saving money.

Total no brainer.

Another gent posted that American Motorcyclist magazine — another primary AMA benefit — has gotten “really good” of late, and I couldn’t agree more, though I might be a bit biased. Our goal for the last few years has been to offer a thoroughly informative and entertaining read each month, one melding current events, historical features, touring stories, AMA-centric elements, thoughtful columns, important government relations information and much more.

We can’t please everyone, and we hear about it when we don’t, but we’re trying to give folks what I call the 6

traditional moto-magazine experience that’s gone mostly missing in internet-based storytelling. Many members tell me they’ve gone from leafing through the magazine and tossing it, to waiting impatiently for it to drop into the mailbox. That’s a seismic shift.

AMA membership also gives enthusiasts access to AMA-sanctioned amateur racing all over the country, on dirt, asphalt and ice, and there’s similar access for all sorts of recreational

for their yearly dues of 50 cents.

Some riders seem to be under the impression that the M&ATA should confer all sorts of benefits on its members without any cooperation on their part.

They [think] the 50-cent registration fee, which hardly pays the postage on the mail they receive from the Chariman, should pay for everything from legal assistance when arrested for speeding to theft, accident and life insurance, and everything in between. The M&ATA

AMA MEMBERSHIP ALSO GIVES ENTHUSIASTS ACCESS TO AMA-SANCTIONED AMATEUR RACING AND RECREATIONAL RIDES AND EVENTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY...AND THEN THERE ARE OUR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS EFFORTS, WHICH HAVE PROVEN MONUMENTALLY IMPORTANT OVER THE YEARS, BUT WHICH DON’T ALWAYS GET THE EXPOSURE AND GRATITUDE THEY DESERVE. rides and events. And then there are our government relations efforts, which are substantial and have proven monumentally important over the years, but which don’t always get the exposure and gratitude they deserve.

Over and above all this, however, is the intangible/altruistic value that comes from being part of the world’s largest motorcycle-oriented member organization. With membership you are supporting the entire industry, from advertisers in our pages and at our events, to our aforementioned government-relations efforts, to local and regional event, recreation and competition promoters and clubs, all of whom organize things for us to do and enjoy on our motorcycles.

In September of 1923, less than a year before the AMA was created by the M&ATA (Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association), Bicycle and Motorcycle Illustrated magazine editors wrote the following about folks asking about what benefits they could expect

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

really is a benefit association, but it is a mutual benefit, and this means the obligation is mutual. Every member benefits in proportion to the service he or she renders. Among the things every rider may do to help are to observe the rules of the road, consider the rights of others, dress neatly, act like a gentleman and always respond when asked in combating adverse legislation. Do your share and you won’t have to ask, ‘what do I get for my fifty cents?’

Quaint and old-fashioned, for sure, but true nonetheless, and it’s something I think every one of you understand— and the AMA thanks you for your support! If you’ll spread the word among friends and fellow riders, all the better.

Because as Joy Burgess wrote in her column last month, we are definitely stronger together.

Mitch Boehm is the Editorial Director of the AMA and a long-time member.

Feeling lucky? Looking to win a true two-wheeled legend? This special-edition, 1997-spec KTM 200 Jackpiner raffle bike — built to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first Penton motorcycles sold back in the late 1960s and named after the Penton 175 that used the first full-sized engine KTM built — will absolutely do the trick.

Only 133 were built, and to make the package even more special, each is numbered and has a John Penton-signed sticker on the front fender.

Get your tickets — $5 per, or 5 for $20.

Don’t miss this!

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

7

www.americanmotorcyclist.com/raffle-bike

F rom the President and CEO

SPECIAL MOMENTS AND MOTORCYCLISTS

BY ROB DINGMAN

S

omething I find myself saying frequently is that if the AMA did not exist, it would have to be invented. That appears to have been the sentiment 100 years ago when the AMA was first formed from the Motorcycle & Allied Trades Association’s Competition Committee that was established in 1919 to make rules and regulations necessary for the proper control of motorcycle competition in the United States.

In the wake of the demise of the original motorcycle organization—the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) — the M&ATA had already been registering clubs to share information about motorcycle events and activities, and rider registration became an integral component of the Committee’s work. It was envisioned at the time that the system of rider registration would provide the basis for a strong riders’ association. These efforts would eventually give way in 1924 to the creation of the American Motorcycle Association.

The American Motorcycle Association, by the way, is the official name of the organization. The American Motorcyclist Association was created as a DBA years later to reflect the fact that the organization is comprised of and run by motorcyclists!

When I joined the AMA as a member in 1994, the AMA was celebrating its 70th anniversary. I joined the AMA staff as the Association’s Washington representative that same year. It is hard to believe that was 30 years ago.

I left the AMA staff in 1998 and returned in the fall of 2006 as AMA president, and became president and CEO in the spring of 2007. I have served on the staff for over 20 years and been a member for over 30 years.

8

Honda’s Jett Lawrence: 2023 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year This means that I have been a part of the organization for nearly a third of its existence, and been a part of guiding the association for 20 percent of it.

I have spent a significant portion of my adult life as part of this great organization. As we celebrate this 100year milestone in the coming months, I hope to elaborate more on my involvement with the organization and what it has meant to me over the years.

You can read more about the AMA’s origins and its history on page 20 of this issue, and in upcoming issues throughout 2024.

It seems that over the last few years the most significant accomplishments in motorcycling have been achieved by racers, or at least those involved in some facet of motorcycle racing.

Being recognized as the AMA Motorcyclist of the Year is not necessarily intended to recognize racers per se, but the achievements of several racers over the last few years have been so significant that they could not be ignored.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

For 2022, the honor went to the winning U.S. Motocross of Nations Team of Eli Tomac, Chase Sexton and Justin Cooper, managed by AMA Hall of Famer Roger DeCoster. The year before, it went to International Six Days Enduro Team USA member Brandy Richards for winning every single test in her class for the entire six-day event.

Before that, it went to members of the Safe-To-Race Task Force, who helped us all get back to racing in the face of the global pandemic.

The AMA Motorcyclist of the Year is a recognition bestowed by the AMA Board of Directors for the profound impact an individual has had on motorcycling over the last year. All of the aforementioned MOTY honorees certainly had quite an impact on motorcycling because their accomplishments were so historically significant.

In 2023, one motorcyclist distinguished himself above all others through his incredible and historic success on the racetrack. This motorcycle racer won the 2023 Supercross 250 West Championship, became the first rookie-in-class to have a perfect moto-win season going 22-0 on his way to winning the 2023 AMA Pro Motocross 450 Championship, and won the first ever SuperMotocross Championship.

In recognition of these amazing and first-ever accomplishments, the AMA Board of Directors has chosen AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross racer Jett Lawrence as the 2023 Motorcyclist of the Year! You can read more about Jett Lawrence’s many accomplishments on page 52.

Congratulations, Jett!

Rob Dingman is the President and CEO of the AMA, and a Charter Life Member

2023 HALL OF FAMERS ASK YOU TO SUPPORT

THE AMA HALL OF FAME B

eing inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame as the Class of 2023 was an honor and thrill, but that’s only part of the reason we’re such big fans and supporters of the Hall of Fame.

We understand that the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s mission to preserve and promote the heritage of American motorcycling is alive, well and vitally important.

But what if our greatest racers, riders, ambassadors and

1.375”

SUPPORTER PIN

visionaries were lost to history? What if their very important achievements were forgotten? Would tomorrow’s riders chase their motorcycling dreams if they had no one to inspire them?

That’s not something we’d like to chance, and we’re certain you agree, so here’s our question to you: Will you please make a financial contribution to the Hall of Fame?

1 111999922224444

1924

SUND SUNDAY AY

A CENTURY OF MOTORCYCLING—AND MORE!

2024 HALL OF FAME CALENDAR

JACKET SIGNED PULL-UP BANNERS

LEVELS

GIVING

2023 Commemorative AMHF HOF Appeal Sticker

TUMBLER

JANUAR JAN UARYY2024 2024

Gold Metal Black Fill

$0-$49: Decal

$50-$74: Decal and Pin

$75-$149: Decal, Pin, Calendar $150-$399: Decal, Pin, Calendar, Tumbler

2 222000022224444

2024

SUPPORTER HAT

MON M O N D A YD A Y

7 7

4 4 1111

15 15

22

29

THUR T H U R S D ASYD A Y

3 3 10 10

14 14

28

WEDN W E D N E S DEAS D A Y Y

2 2 9 9

21 21

28

TUES T U E S D A YD A Y

1 1 8 8

22

29

16 16

23

30

23

30

17 17

24

31

24

FRID FRIDAY AY

5 5

SATU S A T U R D ARYD A Y

6 6

1212

1313

1818

1919

2020

25

26 26

27 27

25

31

BB

1969SUZUKI SUZUKI 1969

en Spies, en Spies, bornborn July 11, 1984, is July 11, 1984, is considered considered oneone of the greatest of the greatest American American roadroad racers in the history of the sport. The racers in the history Texan, who earned of the sport.

The Texan, the nickname “Elbowz” who earned the nickname “Elbowz” due to a riding style due that kept his elbows to a riding style that kept his elbows protruded, protruded, wonwon five AMA national five titles — AMA national 2008, 2007 titles — the the 2008, 2007 and 2006 AMA Superbike titles, and 2006 AMA the 2007 Superbike titles, the 2007 AMA Superstock title, and the 2003 AMA Superstock AMA title, Formula Xtreme and the 2003 AMA title — and raced Formula Xtreme to 44 title — and raced national to 44 national winswins during his career. Spies during his career. also captured Spies also 2009 World Superbike captured the the 2009 World Superbike title to bolster an impressive title to resume that earned bolster an impressive resume that earned him a spot in the AMA him a spot in Motorcycle Hall the of Fame Class AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of of 2022.

2022.

SIGNED HELMET

$400-$999: Decal, Pin, Calendar, Tumbler, Hat, Jacket $1000-$2499: Decal, Pin, Calendar, Tumbler, Hat, Jacket, HOF Days Experience $2500-$4999: Decal, Pin, Calendar, Tumbler, Hat, Jacket, HOF Days Experience, VMD VIP Experience

DECAL

HOF DAYS AND/OR VMD VIP EXPERIENCE

$5000-$7499: Decal, Pin, Calendar, Tumbler, Hat, Jacket, HOF Days Experience, VMD VIP Experience, Signed Helmet $7500+: Decal, Pin, Calendar, Tumbler, Hat, Jacket, HOF Days Experience, VMD VIP Experience, Signed Pull-up Banner of your choice

https://americanmotorcyclist.com/support-the-hof

Your tax-deductible donation goes to the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) that funds the Hall of Fame’s mission.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • OCTOBER 2022

9

BACKFI R E S OF RAFFLES AND R90Ss The smoke/black R90S was the first BMW I ever wanted. Before it, Beemers were — as pointed out in your November-issue piece — thought to be stodgy, reliable transportation for old people. The beautiful S changed that. If I should happen to win your 2023/’24 raffle bike, there will be no need to call a transportation company to get it to California. I’ll fly to Ohio, check the bike’s tire pressures and oil, and ride it home. As I have often found over the last 40 years, Peter Egan and I agree on this: the R90S is one of the few older classic bikes that I would ride cross-country.

Peter Swanson, AMA Life Member Cambria, Calif.

I would say, and I think Bob Lutz would agree, that pre-R90S BMWs weren’t thought to be stodgy and boring, they very much were. Good luck with those raffle tickets! – Ed. YAMAHAS AT VMD Per your AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days coverage in the October 2024 issue, good job Alex Boehm! It’s cool that you were aboard a 1980 YZ250G, because I bought one of those new in 1980. At 27, you should be in your prime physically for vintage MX…but ain’t it funny that, even at your young age, moto is still a great workout? Me and my buddies still race in the plus60 class…we’re still having fun in the dirt, and I’m glad you are, too!

Ron DeFonce STEVE JOHNSON, WE MISS YA Another great issue (November 2024). The comparo feature by John Burns was enjoyable reading, as he has a style that makes such stories enjoyable and interesting. The Last Page photo of Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson was extra special to me (and to a lot of industry folks, I would 10

imagine), as it showed notable race bike tuner, builder and team manager Steve Johnson standing between those two AMA Hall of Famers.

Johnson was one of the most important race-team members ever at Kawasaki.

He built and maintained winning MX bikes for Brad Lackey, Jimmy Wein-

LETTER OF THE MONTH

ARGENTINA TO AMERICA, VIA LAVERDA aron Frank’s South America

A touring piece (American

Motorcyclist, November 2023) was for me a blast from my past. I did a similar ride, though in 1980, which meant no cell phones, GPS, computers, credit cards or digital camera…I used a Kodak 103 Instamatic. And no EFI, either, which means I got pretty good at fine-tuning the Dellorto carbs on my well-used 1974 Laverda (which had over 50,000 miles on it at the beginning of the trip) at high altitude.

I rode many of the same roads as Aaron, and even had a similar experience crossing the Andes from Chile to Argentina and getting stranded and seeking refuge in a tunnel because of snow. I still have my collection of Bartholomew paper fold-up maps

and my compass, and would love to put them to use again.

For me the trek was Levis and a Belstaff, lace-up work boots and that old Laverda, as ADV bikes were not a thing yet. And I only met four other riders in the nine months I was in South America.

But I had one hell of an adventure. Really looking forward to part 2 (and maybe part 3) of Aaron’s adventure. I loved every mile of it, and thanks for sharing.

David Peel, Palm Desert, Calif.

Your wish is our command, David, as part II of Aaron’s adventure is included in this edition. Have to say, we’re all pretty amazed you did such a trip on that old Laverda…impressive! Thanks for sharing. – Ed.

Letters to the editor are the opinions of the AMA members who write them. Inclusion here does not imply they reflect the positions of the AMA, its staff or board. Agree? Disagree?

Let us know. Send letters to submissions@ama-cycle.org or mail to American Motorcyclist Association,13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

ert and Gary Semics, and did the same on the AMA Superbike squad for Lawson and Rainey. Steve was arguably one of the best and most innovative technicians at Kawasaki during the 1970s and 1980s, right alongside guys like Roy Turner and Jim Felt. Later in his career, Steve helped Muzzy build his winning Kawasaki Superbike program, and had a lot to do with Lawson’s amazing win in the Daytona 200 in 1993 on the Vance & Hines Yamaha. Johnson was also instrumental in Phil Read’s 250cc world championship in 1971, when Johnson was just 20 years old.

Steve passed away in June of 2021, but his contributions to Team Green and the motorcycle racing world are still remembered today. RIP, buddy.

Bryon Farnsworth

WHOOPSIE! Nice presentation of Yamaha’s XS1100 in my November-issue

column, but I was surprised you didn’t use the photo I sent you of me on the bike at Polson, Mont., as I thought it was a great vintage shot.

B. J. Montana

sary, I think it would be cool to publish different covers from through the years, and maybe list some important issues that occurred over the decades.

Robert Horsch

It is, B.J., but I somehow didn’t see the attachment when you emailed me. Here’s the shot in all its, er, glory!

– Ed.

It’s coming, Robert. (Are you somehow listening in on our editorial meetings?) – Ed.

NO WONDER! I’m a bit late with my comment on the September issue’s Garage Gear That Works piece. Almost every motorcycle garage is missing JIS screwdrivers. Almost every “Phillips” screw head in North America used in a car or motorcycle is actually a JIS screw. Using a standard Phillips screwdriver on a JIS head damages the head. JIS-spec screwdrivers do not damage these screw heads, and yet they also work on standard Phillips head screws quite well. Using a JIS screwdriver on a JIS head is almost magic. Give it a try.

Ian Beales Parksville, British Columbia I have earned world-championship status over the decades stripping Phillips-head fasteners, and I finally know why! Thanks for the tip. – Ed. MIND READER? Since it’s the AMA’s 100th anniver-

ISDT REUNION RIDE I had the privilege of riding the ISDT Reunion ride in Vermont in September 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Dalton Six Days. We rode past lots of classic New England scenes like the one of Malcolm Smith portrayed on page 24. What amazed me with that shot is when I looked twice, I spotted a couple of kids behind the stone wall, watching the riders go by!

That was an element of the ’73 event, and it was the same last year as families came to the end of the driveway to wave as riders passed. Very cool.

Mike O’Reilly, Charter Life Member Constance Bay, Ontario

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

11

BA CK IN TH E D A Y

Where the photos are blurry but the memories are clear!

T

he first photo is me on my first bike, a 1965 Honda Cub 50 in front of our family home. I rode it 3,000 miles in one year. Many times during high school I’d carry a gym bag and violin case on it, and then pick up my friend Carl, who’d hold his briefcase in one hand and his French horn case in the other…and away we’d go. After I got married, riding wasn’t practical, and I was out of riding for 17 years until 1986, when I was introduced to real motorcycling when I got my present bike for $550 — a used 1980 Honda CB400T with 1,920 miles on it. I commuted to work and took rides with friends, especially on Wisconsin’s rustic roads. At 75, I’m an AMA Life Member. The Hawk in the second photo is 43 years old (35,987 miles), runs like new, and is my last bike. I LOVE IT. Alan Magayne-Roshak My dad traveled in the summertime for work while employed by the Department of Agriculture, and in the summer of 1976 we drove from Nebraska to California…and he made a custom rack on our camper so I could take my Honda XL250 along (cool dad move!). Having read about Saddleback Park and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Marty Smith, Bob Hannah and Roger DeCoster in the pages of Motocross Action, I was super excited! Of course, as I rode at Saddleback for this photo, I was – in my teenage mind, at least – neck-and-neck with all three in an epic race. Although I’ve had over a dozen motorcycles throughout my life, that XL250 carries most of my best memories — something about the stage of life I was in and discovery of both the machine and myself.

Great memories!

John Holmes

My first motorcycle was a 1982 Honda CX500.

It was a bulletproof little machine but had short legs on the highway, so I upsized to a 1983 Honda CB1000. In 2003, I rode my 2002 BMW R1150GS from Phoenix to Denali National Park in Alaska.

It took me 17 days and covered 7,945 miles. I’m currently riding a 2015 Yamaha Super Tenere, and at 67 years old may have to downsize soon. Down but not out.

Peter Baker

Lookin’ good, John. You’re even sporting a Scott facemask, though you’ve pulled it down. Did Hannah or Smith roost you? – Ed. Submit your Back in the Day photos and stories to submissions@ama-cycle.org. Feel free to expound! Hi-rez images are preferred!

12

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

As a teenager (not counting a Whizzer that only ever ran once) I started my motorcycle experience with a 1949 Cushman Motor Scooter, and worked through 59 years with both on and off-road motorcycles. After owning a 2012 Gold Wing, I’ve come full circle with my current ride – a Suzuki 650 Burgman scooter. This photo is of me on my early ’70s Suzuki 90cc trail bike. It had a four-speed transmission with a high/low gear range selector, and in low range it could almost climb a tree! It took me through the back roads and trails in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Great memories! Love your Back in the Day articles.

I wonder if any of your readers rode Cushmans?

Robert Muir

The first picture (from 1975) is, left to right, me on my 1973 Kawasaki H2 750, my 1970 Greeves 250, my wife Claire on her 1970 Kawasaki H1 500, her 1975 Yamaha 100 Enduro, and our 5-year-old son Mark on his 1975 Honda MR50 Elsinore. The second photo was taken in Novem-

ber of 2022 during a trip to Cedar Key, Fla. I’m on the left with my 2019 Yamaha Bolt, Claire with her 2018 Honda Rebel 500, Mark’s girlfriend Angelie with her 2002 Kawasaki Eliminator 125, and Mark with his 2012 Triumph Tiger 800. Mark also has a 1992 Harley Softail Custom

Here’s me landing from a jump on my 1970 Suzuki TS250 in San Antonio at the Olmos Basin, where me and my college buddies would ride when not in class.

We were inspired by Bruce Brown’s 1970 classic On Any Sunday, which led a half dozen of us to buy and ride motorcycles.

I am still riding today, along with my wife.

Between us we own and continue to ride nine motorcycles!

Ned Thanhouser

that he’s been riding for about 25 years. Forty-seven years and still riding together.

Ron Andersen Gotta say, that’s quite a collection in ’75, Ron! Two strokes to the moon!

WooooHooooo! – Ed.

This photo is from Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J. in ’85. I’m on the Honda CR500, and that’s my brother Dan who’s just about to jump aboard for his moto. We shared that bike for the entire season; it never shut down between races and ran all season with no troubles. Wish we’d never sold it!

Dan and I still ride dirt bikes every chance we get. Last year I got vintage fever and bought an ’83 Honda CR480. I made the trip out to the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in July and had a blast riding that beast. I had such a good time that I plan to make it an annual trip.

Lou Green We will see you there, Lou, and I’ll tell you all about my CR480 experiences, one of which involves a little procedure called a ‘chest tube’! Aside from that, I loved my 480 while I had it. – Ed. AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

13

up t o s pe e d

News, notes, insight and more from the motorcycling universe

2023 REVIEW

RIGHTS REFRESH The revamped AMA Government Relations Department hit the ground running in 2023, and is primed to successfully defend motorcyclists’ rights in 2024 B Y K E AT O N M A I S A N O

T

he past 12 months brought about a bolstering of the AMA’s Government Relations Department, and new faces and a refreshed approach emphasized the main mission: protecting motorcyclists’ rights.

In 2023, the AMA set out to reimagine how it approached regional representation, allowing the team to more efficiently and effectively operate. This change led to the creation and staffing of Washington D.C., Eastern states and Central states representatives. Nick Haris, who remained in his role as the Western states representative, took over as director of the department.

The trio of Zach Farmer (Washington D.C. representative), Nick Sands (Central states representative) and Shayna Fritz (Eastern states representative) joined the team in 2023 to help champion motorcyclists’ rights throughout the country.

The new-look GRD team hit the ground running as it monitored and engaged several issues throughout 2023, and the staff is looking ahead to another year of serving AMA members and motorcycling in 2024.

RIGHT TO REPAIR In the fall of 2023, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing and markup of H.R. 906, the REPAIR ACT, which provides flexibility for consumers to diagnose, maintain, repair and modify their vehicles.

14

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

Legislation protecting the right to repair is gaining momentum at the federal and state levels, with more than 20 states introducing or signing into law proposals that support one’s right to repair. The Biden Administration issued an Executive Order directing federal agencies to take steps to “make it easier and cheaper to repair items you own by limiting manufacturers ability to bar selfrepairs or third-party repairs of their products.”

Congress is considering proposals, which include the right to repair, to enhance product safety and transparency.

The AMA supports motorcyclists’ right to repair their own motorcycles or seek out the services of an independent shop.

E15 FUEL A growing number of bipartisan lawmakers and organizations continue to push for the year-round sale of E15 — which has been shown to damage carbureted and fuel-injected motorcycles, decrease gas mileage and reduce the shelf life of gasoline. The fuel is often illegal for use in motorcycles, and inconsistent and unenforced labeling at the pump leaves motorcyclists susceptible to confusion.

The Consumer and Fuel Retainer Choice Act of 2023 would enable the year-round nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10 percent. Furthermore, the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan

continue to issue temporary summertime emergency fuel waivers that allow the sale of E15.

None of these efforts lead to satisfactory labeling at the pump that highlights the potential dangers of E15 for motorcycles. The AMA continues to oppose efforts that overlook necessary and essential labeling at the pump.

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES Autonomous vehicles (AVs) were once again a hotbutton issue for federal lawmakers in 2023.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Department of Transportation are increasing their efforts to monitor semi-autonomous vehicle developments. Along with releasing crash data and developing a comprehensive AV plan, NHTSA is engaged in the federal rulemaking process to ensure advancements in AV technology do not impact the safety of all road users.

Back in March 2022, NHTSA proposed a rule that vehicles with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) technology must continue to provide the same high levels of safety.

The AMA continues to voice its concern regarding AVs, as shortcomings in development and regulation can lead to dangerous and deadly outcomes for motorcyclists, who are often left out of necessary testing of AV technology.

Cruise, the autonomous vehicle startup owned by General Motors, paused all driverless operations in 2023 after collisions led to investigations and a suspension of its licenses in California. Federal regulators have also opened an investigation into the company as it looks into pedestrian safety concerns.

DISTRACTED DRIVING The AMA recognizes the dangers of distracted driving, especially as it pertains to the motorcycling community. In 2023, 19 states introduced legislation to address distracted driving; as of publication, 34 states prohibit drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving.

LANE FILTERING/SPLITTING At publication, four states — California, Utah, Montana and Arizona — have lane filtering laws, which allow varying flexibility for motorcyclists to filter between lanes. In 2023, seven states introduced lane filtering related legislation.

The AMA continues support of such legislation as part of a comprehensive effort to reduce a motorcyclist’s risk exposure in heavy stop-and-go traffic conditions. In the past year, the AMA supported bills such as H.B. 1755 in Arkansas, Missouri’s H.B. 1046 and H.B. 1454 in Tennessee.

MOTORCYCLIST PROFILING The House (2018) and Senate (2022) passed resolutions promoting awareness of motorcyclist profiling and encouraging collaboration between the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling. Furthermore, eight states introduced profiling related legislation in 2023.

The AMA opposes motorcyclist profiling, discriminatory enforcement action that targets motorcyclists, by law enforcement. The AMA supports law enforcement that focuses on stops implemented through reasonable suspicion in a nondiscriminatory manner.

OUTDOOR RECREATION The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) has funded more than 25,000 projects across the country since 1993. Funding for the program has remained just north of $80 million a year for the past decade, but there have been recent efforts to increase this number, which is pulled from an estimated pool of more than $270 million from the eligible gas tax revenue.

The RTP has been re-authorized multiple times, and there is a push to re-authorize the funding again soon.

2024: WHAT TO WATCH

• Senator Nick Hinrichsen (D-Pueblo) will introduce lane splitting legislation in Colorado in the 2024 legislative session. The legislation will be modeled after Montana’s statute.

• Right to repair will continue to be an important topic in 2024, and the GRD team will remain steadfast in defending and informing motorcyclists on the matter.

• The Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) — which advises and works with the Secretary of Transportation, the NHTSA Administrator and the Federal Highway Administration Administrator on motorcycle related issues — is currently being formed for a two-year period at the end of 2023. The 13 members that make up the MAC must provide a report to the Secretary no later than Oct. 31, 2024.

HOW YOU CAN HELP The members of the AMA Government Relations team will relentlessly work for your rights in 2024 and into the future, but there are also ways you can help defend motorcycling. Remain vigilant and updated on issues in your area, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the appropriate government officials. Furthermore, you can sign up for action alerts at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ action-center/.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

15

u p t o s p eed

RiGHTS ROUNDUP

READ ALL ABbOUD IT

Jerry Abboud steps away after illustrious run with AMA Board of Directors; Tom Umphress elevated to Rights and Advocacy Committee Chairman

BY JACK EMERSON

or the past several years, the American Motorcyclist Board of Directors relied on the mind of Jerry Abboud.

Now, Abboud is set to retire from the Board after several years of service with the AMA, but his impact will leave a lasting impression on his fellow board members and the AMA as a whole. Abboud wore many hats while on the AMA Board of Directors, serving as Chairman of the Board Rights and Advocacy Committee and as a member of the AMA Board’s Executive Committee.

“Jerry Abboud was a tremendous asset to the AMA as a member of the Board of Directors,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “Jerry’s knowledge of government relations issues is unsurpassed, and this proved extremely valuable as Jerry served as Chairman of the Board’s Rights and Advocacy Committee. His years of experience with nonprofit organizations and in the motorcycle industry also made him invaluable as a member of the AMA Board’s Executive Committee.”

Abboud brought a new perspective in his time with the AMA Board of Directors, one rooted in advocacy, which came as a result of his grassroots work in his home state of Colorado. As an attorney, Abboud also heightened the

F

Board’s capabilities with his knowledge and expertise in several areas, most notably land usage issues and offhighway vehicle recreation.

“I’ve known my friend Jerry Abboud for over 30 years and have been amazed by his perseverance as an advocate for all forms of motorcycling and off-highway vehicle recreation,” AMA Board of Directors Chairman Russ Ehnes said. “We all owe Jerry a big debt because his work has not only had an enormous positive impact on motorcycling in Colorado, but also nationwide.”

As Abboud transitions out of his role as the Chairman of the Board Rights and Advocacy Committee, Tom Umphress will step into the vacant position. Like Abboud, Umphress has plenty of advocacy experience, especially when it comes to promoting responsible recreational riding. While Umphress elevates to a higher position, former Board Chairwoman Maggie McNally will return to the Board to fill in the vacancy.

“As Jerry rotates off the Board, he is succeeded as Chair of the Rights and Advocacy Committee by Tom Umphress who also brings a great deal of government relations experience to the position,” Dingman said, “and although Jerry leaves some tough shoes to fill, Tom will certainly rise to the challenge.”

AMA BOARD MEMBERS BAUMERT AND ZAMAN RETAIN SEATS MA Board of Directors members

A Brad Baumert (Assistant

Treasurer) and Faisel Zaman both retained their seats after no qualified candidates challenged them before the Sept. 1 deadline.

Baumert represents the Southeast 16

Region, which includes Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Zaman represents the South Central Region, which encompasses Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas,

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

Louisiana and Mississippi.

The AMA Board of Directors includes 12 members — six elected by AMA members, four elected by business members, and two at-large members appointed and ratified at the annual national AMA member meeting.

AMA AND BDR PARTNER FOR 2024 he AMA and Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) recently entered a partnership for 2024 designed to promote BDR’s mission to create and promote dual-sport and adventure recreation as well as AMA membership. At a point when

T

dual-sport and adventure riding continue to see significant growth, it’s an important partnership that will also support the AMA’s mission — promoting and protecting the motorcycle lifestyle.

BDR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that creates off-highway

routes for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel. Since 2010 BDR has introduced a new route with free GPS tracks for the community each year, except for 2021 due to the global pandemic.

To learn more about Backcountry Discover Routes, visit ridebdr.com.

watch America’s best!

Stream multiple classes of MotoAmerica LIVE and on demand on your web browser, Roku, Android, iOS or Apple TV! Sign up today: MotoAmericaLivePlus.com

Options starting as low as $12.99!

MotoAmerica.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

17

Racing

up t o s p eed

ROUNDUP

FOUR-WHEEL DOMINANCE The United States ATVMX Team earns fifth world title at 2023 Quadcross of Nations

BY JACK EMERSON

n recent years, the United States has produced unparalleled success over its peers in the Quadcross of Nations, and 2023 was no exception.

Team USA ATVMX successfully defended its title as world champions during the 2023 Quadcross of Nations in Cingoli, Italy, on Oct. 7-8, earning their fifth overall victory at the event since 2017. The trio of Bryce Ford, Joel Hetrick and Chad Wienen pushed the United States to victory in 2023, earning perfect scores in their respective motos during the competition.

Leading the charge for the United States was Hetrick, who went 1-1 and collected victories in the first and third

I

motos, while Ford went 2-1 with a win in the second moto.

Wienen, the only member of the 2023 team to participate in all five American Quadcross of Nations victories, produced a 2-2 outing during the international competition.

“The team did an incredible job in Italy against 17 other teams and 54 other riders,” said team manager Mark Baldwin of Baldwin Motorsports. “It takes Bryce, Joel and Chad working together to collectively bring home the gold, and they did that flawlessly. We are proud to bring home a fifth championship to the United States.”

The trio of Hetrick, Ford and Wienen led the United States to just seven points across the three motos, finishing well ahead of second-place Italy (44) and third-place Argentina (46).

KING KEESEE

Trenton Keesee earns Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award at 2023 AMA Road Race Grand Championship amazing feeling to have my hard work and renton Keesee made the Florida

T crowd proud during the 2023 AMA

Road Race Grand Championship.

Traveling just an hour and a half north from his hometown of Melbourne, Fla., to Daytona Beach, Fla., for the 2023 AMA Road Race Grand Championship, Keesee produced several impressive outings en route to multiple AMA No. 1 plates and the ultimate prize — the Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award.

It was an accomplishment years in 18

Keese and family

MATT DEXTER

BY JACK EMERSON

the making, with Keesee elevating his name alongside his childhood idol’s.

“I am humbled and honored to have received this award,” Keesee said. “Nicky Hayden has been one of my heroes since I was little. It is an

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

effort acknowledged. I am going to put in maximum effort on and off the track to make sure that I live up to this award.”

Keesee claimed victories in the 400 GP Expert and ASRA 400 Expert classes, while also earning podium finishes in the 400 GT Expert, AMA 400 Expert, 400 Superbike Expert and 400 Supersport Expert categories.

“This weekend had some challenges, but I just kept my head down and didn’t give up,” Keesee said. “I have learned that hard work and persistence are key factors in being successful in racing.”

Now holding the crown jewel of his

WE REPAIR AND RESOLE MOST BRANDS LIKE: Alpinestars,SIDI, Gaerne, Fox and more!

ALSO FACTORY RESOLE OF TECH 3, 7, & 10 BOOTS FREE Return Shipping

1-949-791-8009

www.mxbootrepair.com

BC_047460_DRI0416P.indd Anthony's benefit logo.indd 1 1

1/11/16 7/28/16 3:13 3:04PM PM

LEATHER

REPAIR

AS THE PREFERRED REPAIR COMPANY FOR DAINESE, ALPINESTARS, REV’IT, SPIDI, AVG SPORT AND MITHOS, ANTHONY’S LEATHERWORKS ENSURES FIT AND FUNCTION FOR ANY TYPE OF LEATHER APPAREL.

ANTHONYSLEATHERWORKS.COM | 949-486-9000 AUTHORIZED REPAIR CENTER

amateur efforts, Keesee is set to break into the professional ranks next year as a full-time member of the Junior Cup. Three other special awards were presented at the conclusion of the event. Taking home the Expert Racer of the Year Award was Southwest Ranches, Fla., native, and previous Amateur Racer of the Year winner, Chyler Weatherford.

Claiming Vet/Senior Racer of the Year honors was Antal Halasz of College Point, N.Y., and Dave West of Palm City, Fla., secured the Amateur Racer of the Year award.

Member deals and discounts! americanmotorcyclist.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

19

100

YEARS

OF

THE

AMA

BY MITCH BOEHM PHOTOS: AMA ARCHIVE

“When my grandfather’s brother Arthur and his friend Bill Harley decided [in 1902] to motorize a bicycle…they didn’t set out to start a big company…and they certainly didn’t dream that motorcycles bearing their names would become globally recognized symbols of American power and freedom. They shared a dream of [a motorized bicycle] that would speed up hills and power through mud.

They were just young guys thinking, ‘We gotta go down the road on two wheels!’”

– Willie G. Davidson, Ride Free, A Memoir

I

t’s not much of a surprise, and maybe it’s where Arthur and Bill got their inspiration in the first place, but the creation and development of bicycles and two-, threeand four-wheeled powered vehicles in the mid-to-late 1800s and very early 1900s had much of that same gotta go down the road sentiment baked into the foundation.

There was work for powered machines to do in those early days, for sure, both wheeled and non-wheeled, and on farms and in factories. But cruising a parallel path to all that pesky and sweaty labor was the desire to move…to go places, to travel, often with friends, and do it at a pace

SETTING THE As the fledgling sport of motorcycling took shape in the early 1900s, the industry saw the need to gather, register, protect and rally motorcyclists to the cause — and the AMA was born

20

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

well beyond that of horse and buggy.

Bicycles (developed during the middle and late 1800s), rudimentary automobiles (of the early 1900s) and motorcycles (basically powered bicycles in those early years) were answers to many of those dreams and desires, and designs for each would improve both quickly and drastically as the 19th Century turned to the 20th.

But while Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson’s “getting down the road on two wheels” thinking could be accomplished on a bicycle, it was motorcycles — “motocycles” at first — that captured the attention and excitement of a population ready to get out on those roads — rough and unpaved as many were at the turn of the century — and go.

The AMA would become an official entity in 1924,

which makes 2024 our 100th anniversary. And while the mainstream motorcycle movement had been a thing for 20 or so years before the AMA’s creation, the root system of our sport, the early manufacturers such as HarleyDavidson and Indian, and this very organization, are inexorably linked.

Motorcycles (and automobiles) altered the very fabric of life in America (and much of the rest of the world) dramatically in those early days of powered travel. The machines advanced quickly to offer more speed, range,

E STAGE

durability and performance, yet there developed an innate need for something more — but something less tangible — than simply travel and movement.

Motorcycles weren’t just transportation in those very early days, as automobiles were. As today, they were exciting, emotional and challenging conveyances, ones that not only demanded a modicum of skill to operate safely and properly (and fully), but ones that generated a powerful thirst among enthusiasts for fun, camaraderie and social connection through shared experiences such as recreational riding, event participation, moto-political activism, and competition.

Quenching those social and competitive thirsts, and harnessing them for the good (and defense) of the sport by gathering, registering, supporting and inspiring like-minded enthusiasts, demanded a decent level of organization. In motorcycling’s earliest days, this organizational effort took the form

Wheels, wheels and more wheels…the late 1800s and early 1900s were full of ’em, and on all sorts of contraptions, too, from early legpowered “running machines” (top middle) to big wheelers (above) to motorized bicycles to board-track racers (far left), sidecars and more. Exciting times, for sure.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

21

100

YEARS

OF

THE

AMA

of a member organization known as the Federation of American Motorcyclists, or FAM, which registered nearly 9,000 enthusiasts before its demise just after WWI. The MMA, or Motorcycle Manufacturers Association, came next, with none other than H-D’s Arthur Davidson as Treasurer, but was soon supplanted by the M&ATA, or Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association, a more manufacturer- and aftermarket-oriented organization that filled the FAM’s social- and competition-oriented voids by establishing the AMA for the very reasons listed above.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. First a little history…

ROOT SYSTEM An obsessive might trace motorcycling’s DNA to 4000 BC and the very first wheels, which are thought to have spun pottery, or maybe the wheels of the wheelbarrows or Roman chariots that came later…or any of the thousands of wheeled mechanisms developed during the industrial revolution of the 1700s and early 1800s.

But many historians place the beginnings of what we know as a motorcycle with the first bicycles of the middle 1800s, with Karl von Drais’ laufmaschine (“running machine”) often recognized as one of the first. The first pedal-crank bicycle is said to have come from Germany’s Philipp Moritz Fischer, who “rode” a leg-propelled Draisine bike as a young man and who is said to have built the first bike powered via pedals, presumably due to sore legs from the laufsmaschine.

Many of those early bikes had pedals connected directly

SMITH MOTOR WHEEL

22

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

to the front wheel, and many of those wheels were of huge diameter, several times larger than the rear wheel, which caused all sorts of safety and control problems until the socalled “safety” bicycles — bikes with similarly sized wheels front and rear — came about in the later 1880s.

By that point, steam engines had been around for well over 100 years (Thomas Newcomen is credited with the concept), and naturally, some were installed onto early bikes, with Frenchman Pierre Michaux and Boston’s own Sylvester Roper getting credit by many for doing it first in the 1860s with their steam velocipedes.

But as internal-combustion engines — first built in commercially successful guise by Etienne Lenoir and, later, Nicolaus Otto — became more common and functional, it was only a matter of time before they found their way between — or onto, or alongside — the frame rails of two-wheelers.

First to do it, of course, were Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach of Germany, who built the DaimlerMaybach Reitwagon in 1885 — a replica of which sits proudly in the AMA’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Their creation was both large and heavy, its thick wood frame and wheels looking more like a farm implement than what we’d consider a motorcycle. But it was the first and it led the way.

BOOM TIMES As the 20th century neared, the motorcycle landscape took a grand leap forward, with many of these new bicycle companies fitting small internal-combustion engines to

JOHNSON MOTOR WHEEL

Motorcycles weren’t just transportation in those very early days, as automobiles were. As today, they were exciting, emotional and challenging conveyances... their designs and offering them for sale to the public on a FIM we know today. far wider scale than ever before.

Between riding and travel and racing and social getFrance’s Peugeot is credited as the first of these, offering togethers and much more, a lot of ground was shifting on a powered model in 1898, and as engine technology the motorcycle landscape in those very early days, with began to improve at a rapid rate, many more new (and old) large numbers of clubs being formed across the country companies followed suit, and all sorts of racing including Royal Enfield and non-racing activities (1901), Hendee/Indian taking place. In fact, it (1901), Triumph (1902) and, was a local club that in 1903, Harley-Davidson, created the spark that just to name a few. ignited the formation of The first motorcycle the FAM, the first national magazine was actually a motorcycle organization. bicycle bi-weekly known as The Bicycle World, first FIRST FAM established in 1877. It Spurred by the first morphed into The Bicycle major legislative problem World and Motocycle to confront motorcyclists Review shortly after the — a New York law turn of the century, and requiring registration of served as the journal motorcycles as motor Above: The first Harley-Davidson, circa 1903, one of just a few built that of the “wheelmen,” as vehicles [imagine that! — year. This one sits in H-D’s factory museum in Milwaukee, Wis. The Daimlerenthusiasts were called in Ed.] — a committee was Maybach Reitwagen (left) of 1885 gets credit as the first internal combustionpowered motorcycle. Though cumbersome and heavy, it led the way to all those early days. formed by the New York sorts of lightweight motorized bicycle designs (below).

Aside from their use in Motorcycle Club in early travel and leisure riding, 1903 to gauge the need these early motorbikes were also used to pace bicycle and desire for a national enthusiasts’ organization, one races, though it didn’t take long for pace riders to realize that would support the sport and enthusiastic adherents. the potential of racing these motorized two-wheelers. As Having found plenty of support for such an early as 1905, motorcycle racing had established itself as organization among club members and the burgeoning a sport with a future. industry, the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) Competition was percolating in Europe, as well, with a was formed that summer, with a constitution that sounds particularly unsafe race near Paris in September of 1904 plenty familiar: causing the participating countries — Austria, Denmark, CONSTITUTION Article 1: The title of this organization France, Germany and Great Britain — to join together shall be the Federation of American Motorcyclists. Its and form the Fédération Internationale des Clubs objectives shall be to encourage the use of motorcycles Motocyclistes (FICM), which would in 1912 become the and to promote the general interests of motorcycling; to

DAYTON MOTOR BICYCLE

CYCLEMOTOR

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

23

100

YEARS

OF

THE

AMA

AS BIKE SALES AND MOTORCYCLE ACTIVITY INCREASED DRAMATICALLY IN THE YEARS AFTER THE FAM’S CREATION, A SIMILAR MOVE TOWARD ORGANIZATION — ONE THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY LEND SHAPE TO THE FUTURE AMA — TOOK PLACE IN THE RISE OF TRADE ORGANIZATIONS. ascertain, defend and protect the rights of motorcyclists; to facilitate touring; to assist in the good roads movement; and to advise and assist in the regulation of motorcycle racing and other competition in which motorcycles engage.

A spirited debate quickly arose on the subject of competition, and whether motorcycle racing should share racetracks with auto racing organizations (it should not, it decided), and whether the FAM should “absolutely control” racing or simply serve in an advisory capacity, with an “advise and assist” role finally decided upon.

From small beginnings, the FAM quickly moved in the direction of encouraging racing and club activity. Board track and motordrome racing emphasized speed, while endurance and road runs were primarily the domain of the clubs. A self-imposed horsepower limit of 5 bhp was a bone of contention, but the biggest issue was funding, with Treasurer E.M. Estabrook stating in 1909 that rebates to

Top: It didn’t take long for enthusiasts to start racing one another and doing speed trials on their bikes. Right: A Cleveland single, with its telltale tank. Right: The cover of The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review from 1912.

24

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

districts should be discontinued because [the districts] could operate without those funds, while the national organization needed the money to continue to build core strength. It’s an element that would be discussed in later decades.

As bike sales and motorcycle activity increased dramatically in the years after the FAM’s creation, a similar move toward organization — one that would eventually lend shape to the future AMA — took place in the rise of trade organizations comprised of

1917 CLEVELAND

100

YEARS

OF

THE

AMA

There is some disagreement on what constitutes the first motorcycle, but it’s pretty hard to argue that AMA Hall of Famer and Massachusetts resident Sylvester Roper’s original velocipede steamer (below) of 1868 doesn’t rank as at least 50% of the very first wave. (French father and son Pierre and Ernest Michaux built something similar a year or so earlier.) Roper’s steamcycle burned charcoal and rolled on wooden wheels, but a powered cycle it was, and if you buy the idea that a steam-powered two-wheeler was indeed a motorcycle (as many do), then these two – Roper and Michaux – beat Daimler and Maybach to the punch by more than a dozen years. Roper built several versions of his steamer over the years, the final iteration of 1896 (above and left) using a productionspec bicycle as a base.

With each stoking of the coals, Roper’s bike would run for seven miles, and reach speeds of 30 mph. While demonstrating it at a local bicycle race, the 73-year-old Roper is said to have died of a heart attack.

26

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

1917 READING STANDARD

1914 HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILLIS

1924 CLEVELAND

1912 INDIAN 8 VALVE

1916 EXCELSIOR TWO-STROKE LIGHTWEIGHT

1911 PIERCE FOUR

1908 INDIAN TWIN

1916 THOR

1914 TRIUMPH TT TYPE G

1905 INDIAN SINGLE

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

27

100

YEARS

OF

THE

AMA

manufacturers, accessory makers and distributors, a primary example being the establishment of the Motorcycle Manufacturers Association, or MMA, in 1908.

These outfits, which included bicycle and motorcycle makers, began to hold shows and conventions demonstrating the growing strength of the two-wheeled industry, and worked in concert with the FAM on a range of pro-industry items — legislation (supporting good, fighting bad), racing rules, and assorted other regulations. It’s noteworthy that a fellow named A.B. Coffman of Consolidated Manufacturing of Toledo, Ohio, was elected president of the MMA in 1911 (remember the name), and that Arthur Davidson of the fledgling Harley-Davidson firm was appointed treasurer.

THE M&ATA By 1915, the FAM boasted a membership of 8,500, but due to mismanagement and the effects on the country and motorcycling of the war in Europe, membership had fallen to just over 3,300 by 1917. Organized motorcycling might have suffered a major blow with the deterioration of the FAM had it not been for a Nov. 15, 1916, meeting of manufacturers and related companies, the result of which was the formation of the Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association (M&ATA).

By 1910, H-D production was more than 3000 units annually, and Harleys were becoming part of American culture, in windows, shipping crates, garages and on the road. Right: H-D Motor Company founders (left to right) Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson, Bill Harley and William Davidson.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

29

100

30

YEARS

OF

THE

AMA

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

Left: Fred West, Indian, promotional photo.

Don Emde Collection.

Above: Joe Wolter leading Excelsior teammates Jake DeRosier and Charles Balke, summer 1912.

Don Emde Collection.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

31

“If every motorcycle club in the country were to adopt a similar resolution, the roads and highways would soon be free of this noisy pest.”

HARLEY-DAVIDSON’S ENTHUSIAST One of that organization’s primary purposes was to revitalize the FAM, but instead, and for a handful of reasons, it quickly became the dominant force in motorcycling, less through its own design than the FAM’s failures and the effects of WWI. Despite its industry control, the M&ATA had in common with the riders of the nation a genuine desire to increase the scope of organized activity. WWI had cut deeply into that activity, and while the war had provided a healthy market for service machines, the post-war era dictated that activity be organized not only for the benefit of riders, but also to generate demand for new and used motorcycles, parts and accessories. Was this industry control self-serving and Capitalistic? Absolutely. But during a time of the sport’s foundational growth, plenty practical.

With the demise of the FAM, the M&ATA quickly went about the business of registering clubs. Noting the wealth of motorcycling activity, including competition events, tours, endurance runs, hillclimbs, race meets and record trials to be enjoyed during the 1919 season, the M&ATA urged clubs to register with its Education Committee, which spread the word about

32

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

events and activities, and offered valuable information on the promotion of club events.

GYPSY TOURS The M&ATA also carried on the competition function of the old FAM with its emphasis on oval track, boardtrack/ motordrome racing and hillclimbing, and also spent considerable time on what was to become an institution in American motorcycling and, later, the AMA — the Gypsy Tours.

The origin of the Gypsy Tours can be traced to 1913 and what was billed as a “Good Fellowship” tour in Milwaukee. By 1920, similar events featuring all sorts of fun and games, skills tests, mileage challenges and more were being held all over the country, with the M&ATA designating them Gypsy Tours and setting a single, coordinated weekend on which all were conducted. That year, some 30,000 riders took part in Gypsy A.B. Coffman Tours, with 50,000 engaging in 1921, and a whopping 75,000 taking part on June 18-19, 1922. The Gypsy Tours became a major membership generator for the M&ATA, and would do the same for the AMA down the road.

COMPETITION COMMITTEE As the M&ATA’s work on the racing side of the ledger became more significant, a Competition Committee was established in 1919. The Committee would “have the authority to act in the name of the M&ATA to make rules and regulations as may be necessary for proper control… for all future motorcycle competition in the U.S.” Rider registration was a key part of the Committee’s work, and the announcement of its founding included this: “Out of this [system of rider registration] we believe that ultimately will come a strong riders’ association which need not and should not be a part of the M&ATA, but which will be affiliated with the M&ATA…” W.H. Parsons, editor of Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated, was named first chairman of the

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

33

100

YEARS

OF

THE

AMA

Committee, and in the first edition of the magazine following his appointment he’d write the following: “This plan of registration is not an organization of a riders’ association, though it is expected that this will be the foundation upon which eventually will be built a strong and efficient rider organization which will be affiliated with the M&ATA.” In just a few years, this would become the AMA. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Racing and Gypsy Tours kept the M&ATA plenty busy, but the group was doing even more on the side. In a statement that rings familiar today, M&ATA President Walter Davidson of Harley-Davidson said, “One of the

most important tasks ahead is to watch and combat in every way possible unfavorable legislation.”

One of the first recorded government-relations activities on behalf of motorcyclists came from the aforementioned A.B. Coffman, by now a general manager at the M&ATA. Coffman sent a letter of protest to U.S. Senator Thomas Watson of Georgia, who had called motorcycles “devilish” in a speech promoting highway regulation.

Coffman’s letter, which pointed out numerous positives of the motorcycle as a practical mode of transportation and its significant role in WWI, was published in the motorcycle magazines of the day, and served notice to politicians that motorcyclists were indeed a large contingent demanding fair treatment. In turn, the letter served as an example to motorcyclists across the country on how to deal with political threats in a respectful and effective manner.

The Committee also fought against excessive noise,

which was as big a problem then as it is now. The New Jersey Motorcycle Club, which would subsequently become the first club chartered by the AMA, went on record in 1922 as opposing further use of the loud, exhaust-system “cut out” (basically a muffler bypass), and indicated it would cooperate with police in running down offenders.

Harley-Davidson’s Enthusiast noted that, “…this resolution is one that all thinking motorcyclists with the good of the sport at heart would like to see grow. If every motorcycle club in the country were to adopt a similar resolution, the roads and highways would soon be free of this noisy pest.”

BIG MOVES Now dealing with racing, excess noise, caustic legislation, membership generation, events such as Gypsy Tours and a host of other initiatives, M&ATA

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

35

36

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

100 Directors met in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 15, 1924, to formulate a major restructuring and re-alignment of the so-called “registered riders division” of the M&ATA — a move spurred by A.B. Coffman, and one that would lead at that very meeting to the creation of the American Motorcycle Association.

From the outset, the creation of the AMA was largely a name change, in that the previous Competition Committee was now the Competition Committee of 1916 HENDERSON the American Motorcycle Association. The stated purpose of the AMA was to assume the responsibility for all rider activity, pure and simple.

Sanctions would be issued, and events such as Gypsy Tours, the National Rally and the new National Six-Days Trial (a road version of the then-new and highly popular European ISDT) were to be run under the auspices of the AMA. All M&ATA-registered riders in good standing automatically became AMA members (and were given an attractive gold and enameled pin) with dues of $1 per year; all M&ATAregistered clubs were immediately chartered (with the New Jersey Motorcycle Club granted AMA charter No. 1); and registered dealers were given a large window sign telling “all rider members of the AMA that this dealer is one of them…” — the latter a precursor to today’s Business Member Program.

The AMA’s new slogan that “An organized minority can always defeat an unorganized majority” was all about strength in numbers, and an indication of the AMA’s dedication to protecting the interests of its riders from unfair legislation.

Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated lent considerable support to the new AMA, editorializing, “Within the next 12 months there should be membership of 25,000 in the AMA. Have you joined? Get on the bandwagon. Be one of the boosters.”

YEARS

OF

THE

AMA

Editor W.H. Parsons (the first chairman of the M&ATA’s Competition Committee, remember) added this: “The AMA was born to succeed the registered riders division of the M&ATA...and while there was no change in personnel, it is hoped that rider interest and initiative will increase until the organization becomes strong enough to stand on its own without financial or administrative assistance from the manufacturers, which has been necessary to keep things going for the last five years.”

And the first Secretary of the AMA, the person tasked with overseeing the new organization?

A.B. Coffman, of course.

Coffman was a visionary in many ways, as he not only saw the need for this specific organizational structure, but understood the need for it to be funded by motorcyclists instead of primarily by manufacturers so that it remained focused on the needs of motorcyclists. He knew that that particular element helped everyone, OEs and aftermarket alike.

Coffman’s position was not full-time in those days, but he dedicated much of his time and effort to promoting the AMA from offices in Chicago.

Coffman wasn’t alone, though. There’d be more visionaries to come.

But for now, our hat’s off to the pioneers of motorcycling and the AMA…from the pottery makers and chariot drivers, to the early bicycle and internal-combustion designers, to the Daimlers and Maybachs and Davidsons and Harleys and Hendees of the world, and others — individuals who saw what motorcycling could be, and laid the groundwork for 100-plus years of fun, excitement and camaraderie.

Look for Part II of motorcycling and the AMA’s history next month, when we cover the craziness of the Roaring ’20s. AMA AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

37

100

38

YEARS

OF

THE

AMA

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

1914 Harley-Davidson Model 10B single.

Owner: Steve Klein.

Photo: Michael Lichter

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

39

TO THE END OF THE WORLD...

PA R T

T W O

WORDS & PHOTOS BY AARON FRANK

T

he first law of adventure touring in

off a thief on a motorcycle had just swiped my iPhone

the developing world is this: There

right out of my hand on the street in Bogota, Colombia.

are always problems. Roadblocks.

His illicit access to my phone — and the

Breakdowns. Getting lost, or stuck, or sick, or

subsequent fraud — set off an avalanche of

scared by something beyond your control.

problems that could only be solved by flying back

The corollary to that first law: There are always solutions. Detours around roadblocks. A helpful mechanic who can fix — or

THE SECOND HALF OF ONE VERY BIG ADVENTURE ON ONE VERY SMALL ADVENTURE BIKE

to the U.S. to have my phone reactivated and my financial accounts secured. Big problems, so I started throwing big money at plane tickets, a replacement

fabricate — anything. A friendly local who will give

iPhone and more. Just one week later and a few

you directions, push you out of the mud, or wait

thousand dollars poorer, I was back on the ground in

patiently while you deploy Google Translate to

Panama and ready to resume my ride.

describe your stomach bug.

The best solutions — especially for an over-

Because there are no roads across the Darien Gap, the thin strip of jungle that separates Central

privileged American like me — often start with

America from South America, I had to fly the

throwing money at the problem. Consider the issue

Versys-X from Bogota to Panama City. I shipped the

of my stolen iPhone. If you read Part 1 about my ride

bike via The Overland Embassy, a supremely helpful

from Argentina to America aboard my daughter Kiva’s

shipping and logistics company based in Panama

Kawasaki Versys-X 300 (in the November 2023 issue

City, and that’s where I stored the bike during my

of American Motorcyclist), you know that when we left

brief trip back to the States.

40

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

AND BACK!

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

41

W

hen I returned to Panama City it felt like I was on a completely different planet. When I last left the motorcycle in Bogota it was late fall (Southern Hemisphere) at 8,600 feet, and a very comfortable 60 degrees. Panama City, at sea level in the peak of summer, couldn’t have been more different. Just packing my saddlebags in the Overland Embassy parking lot I was sweating like I was at a hot yoga class. This would take

Precipitation was my constant companion in Central America. I would be rained on at least once a day for 33 of the next 36 days, and I was about to get a major education in the differences between wet season and dry season roads. some getting used to.

Fortunately, this was also the beginning of the rainy season, and, like clockwork, it rained every single day between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. — ensuring that my boots and riding gear were constantly wet, which meant I was constantly benefitting from evaporative cooling (sarcasm).

Precipitation was my constant companion in Central America. I would be rained on at least once a day for 33 of the next 36 days, and I was about to get a major education in the differences between wet season and dry season roads…

It’s almost comical how little I prepared for this trip. Almost tragic, too.

Case in point: navigation aids. I didn’t use a dedicated GPS unit on this trip, or any other specialized nav device, instead relying nearly exclusively on Google Maps. This worked mostly fine in South America, with a few 42

Central America’s dense jungles — like here in Panama’s Gamboa Rainforest Reserve — were a stark contrast to the wide-open vistas of South America. Far right: The tropical climate was an adjustment as well, as you can tell from my sweat-soaked shirt the day I departed Overland Embassy in Panama City. Center right: Political roadblocks, like this one in Gatun, Panama, are common throughout Latin America.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

exceptions like Valparaiso, Chile, where I was repeatedly routed up and down pedestrian-only stairways. As long as I remembered to download maps for offline use when I didn’t have signal, it was fine.

It was not so fine after I crossed into Central America, however, where Google Maps repeatedly tried to poach me into dangerous situations. The worst was the day I crossed the border from Panama

at Golfito, it began to rain heavily — just that time of day. I passed through the storm quickly but, when I emerged on the other side, the road conditions began to deteriorate.

Paved two-lane turned to paved one-lane and then gravel. Then the gravel road was blocked by a fallen tree. The leaves were quite dry, like it had been there for a while—unusual in these parts, where roads are typically kept clear.

About then I realized I hadn’t seen anyone else in quite some time. Still, Google Maps said I was on the right road, and less than 15 miles from the coast. Onward.

A few miles later, the gravel road

turned to a trail of thick, wet, slippery clay. I considered turning back — but that would require riding through the thunderstorm again, and a 75-mile detour back to the coast. Meanwhile, Google Maps showed I was now just 10 miles from the coast. I clicked the Versys-X into gear and continued ahead.

You know that feeling when you make a bad decision, but you pretend to ignore it instead? That was the feeling I had quarter mile later, when the trail made a hard right and, before I could even check the brakes, I was sliding down a steep hill to the river bottom below. No way I’m riding back

into Costa Rica. Wanting to avoid the chaos of the main Pan-American Highway crossing at Paso Canoas, I instead plotted a route to cross in the mountains at Rio Sereno. That crossing was as quick and calm as could be, but it set into motion a cascade of complications that I could hardly anticipate at the time. I was just excited to get to the pleasantsounding Los Cocos Cabinas at Playa Zancudo — my first time back to the Pacific Coast since I left Peru.

I plugged the destination into Google Maps and started the winding route toward the coast.

The ride started out great, with a long and twisty descent through Campo Dos and toward the coast.

Remember what I wrote in Part 1, how a great morning ride almost always guaranteed a miserable afternoon? As I neared the coast AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

43

up that hill! Like that was an option anyway, with the Versys-X sunk to the hubs in peanut butter-like mud.

I pushed, pulled and dragged for almost an hour, only to move the bike maybe another 100 feet down the trail.

Still, Google Maps told me I was almost there! The map showed a small town just about a mile or so down the trail, with a school and a small store. I wasn’t planning

my bike back up to dry trail. Always problems. Always solutions. Right?

I awoke with the sun, packed up my tent, and set off on foot, leaving the Versys-X buried in the mud.

A few minutes later, right after I made it back to the gravel portion

of the road, I saw what seemed like a hallucination — a massive 4x4 tractor, pulling a trailer, with four young ranchers aboard. I flagged them down and did my best to explain my predicament. “Tengo un problema muy grande. Soy muy estúpido y se me quedó la moto atascada en el barro, junto al río...” These guys

on camping that night, so I was carrying no food and only a half-liter of water. It was about 95 degrees, and I was exhausted and dumping sweat, so I started hiking.

The trail was even worse in that direction. I walked a few hundred yards through jungle so dense I could barely see in front of me before I decided to return to my bike and settle in for the night. After stripping down and lying in the river to cool off — literally naked and afraid — I returned to my tent for a long, sleepless night of strategizing.

This was big trouble. The last village I passed through was at least eight miles back. I figured I would hike there in the morning and find help. I’d probably need a few guys and maybe an ATV, or a tractor, or even a donkey to drag 44

had a good laugh at my expense, explaining that this was a dryseason road only, and I learned a valuable lesson about Google Maps. The five of us had my motorcycle back on the main road in less than 30 minutes. I never made it to Playa Zancudo.

Costa Rica was the most challenging country I rode through on this trip — unexpected, because it’s arguably the most modern country in Latin America. But the rainy season is no joke. I got overconfident in South America, where I would often ride in the backcountry for days at a stretch without any problems. But the Andes were mostly dry. When traction is good you can get a motorcycle — even an anemic Versys-X 300 — through almost anything with a little riding skill and a lot of patience. In the mud, however, all bets are off. And Costa Rica in June is all mud.

More than a good GPS, what I most needed was a good friend.

So many obstacles I encountered

Snaps from a very bad day — and a very long night — when I got the Versys hopelessly stuck miles from nowhere in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle. These four guys, and their 4x4 tractor, totally saved the day. Opposite page: Yet another questionable “road” that Google Maps routed me down.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

would have been easy with a helping hand, but alone they turned me around every time. My third day in Costa Rica, crossing the Guanacaste Peninsula, I encountered a small bridge out. I dropped into the gully, crossed the small stream, and was unable to build enough speed to get over the steep step-up to the pavement on the other side. With a friend to help me push and lift the

You know that feeling when you make a bad decision, but you pretend to ignore it instead? That was the feeling I had quarter mile later, when the trail made a hard right and, before I could even check the brakes, I was sliding down a steep hill to the river bottom below. bike over the top, I would have been through this spot in two minutes.

By myself I wasted 20 minutes, and still had to turn around and make a 60-mile detour. Adventure touring is always better with a friend.

Missing bridges, flooded river crossings, roads to nowhere — Costa Rica felt like one long backtrack, and so I was excited to make it to Nicaragua, where I was looking forward to a few days surfing at San Juan del Sur. But first I had to get into the country — and Peñas Blancas was the most frustrating border crossing yet. I knew it was going to be a long day when I entered the main building and the power was out. Because there was no power, they were unable to process the TIP (temporary import permit) for my motorcycle there. Instead, I was directed to the commercial truck lanes where I was told to queue up — on foot—between two massive 18-wheelers. After a hot and dirty AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

45

30-minute wait, I reached up and passed my TIP paperwork through a window high above my head, at truckwindow height.

Once I had my TIP in hand, I next had to have my bike fumigated. After another long wait amongst the trucks — this time at least I was on my bike — I paid $3 to have my paperwork stamped by the agent who did nothing to treat my bike! Next it was

At the beginning of my trip, in South America, I would purposefully seek out difficult routes and revel in tackling the toughest terrain alone.

Now, even the sight of a simple dirt road would make me uncharacteristically anxious. the mandatory vehicle inspection.

I finally found the police inspector on a lawn chair in an unmarked concrete kiosk in the middle of a massive parking lot. I paid him $3 also and he dutifully stamped my paperwork, without even asking to see my bike. Now that I had all the right stamps in place, it was time to play the photocopy game.

This was not my first border and so I was ready with copies of my passport, driver’s license, bike title, registration and insurance paperwork. Of course, they also needed a copy of my exit stamp from Costa Rica — one photocopy I could not have possibly prepared in advance — and so I had to walk a few blocks to a local tienda to make that copy. Someone at the border must have a relative who owns the copy machine in that store.

Three hours later I had my entrance paperwork completed — or so I thought. I suited up, approached the final checkpoint, 46

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

and handed my pile of papers to the guard. A frown crossed his face and he said I was still missing one signature, from “Hani.” Was that an agency acronym? A person’s name? From his hand gestures, I figured out that Hani was a short, plump woman. I parked the bike and waded back into the border complex, searching for someone who matched the physical description of roughly 92 percent of Nicaragua’s female population. I finally found Hani sitting on a folding chair next to an X-ray machine. She wasn’t wearing any uniform, just a plain blue t-shirt. She diligently studied my paperwork for a full minute before she pulled out a pink pen and scrawled a massive

signature across the top sheet. I’m not convinced Hani’s signature was an official requirement — I’m quite sure it was all a wild goose chase only gringos get sent on — but with her bright-pink blessing I was allowed to enter Nicaragua at last.

But the bureaucratic fun wasn’t over yet. I was stopped by police just 10 minutes beyond the border for passing on a double-yellow line. Never mind that everyone in Latin America passes on the double yellow all the time — even in Nicaragua. I started to protest and

then just pulled out a $20 bill, which instantly made the problem go away.

Not more than five minutes later I was stopped by the next officer up the road, this time for a suspicious “document check.” By this point I had ridden almost 10,000 miles across nine countries, and I had not yet been stopped by the police even once. Now, in Nicaragua, I had been stopped twice during my first 20 minutes in the country. Don’t get me wrong. I love Nicaragua.

The surf breaks in the south are some of the best in Central America.

Colonial cities like Granada and León are impossibly charming. But

A rental Wavestormer and a clean, chest-high “Dad wave” at Playa Remanso in Nicaragua, all washed down with a margarita; rest days don’t get any better. Above, left: The surfboard might have been more useful than a motorcycle for crossing flooded roads in Costa Rica.

the bureaucracy bites.

After Nicaragua, riding Honduras was less stressful; no one cares about traffic laws anywhere in that country, not even the police.

The Mayan ruins at Copán were memorable, more rustic than similar sites in Guatemala and Mexico, with great flocks of wild macaw flashing through the jungle.

I had yet another round of Google Maps trouble during my last day in Honduras, however, attempting a shortcut to the Guatemala border; this time I just turned around when the trail turned into a narrow wooden footbridge, two-hour detour be damned. Fool me once…

Guatemala is another country I had been to a few times before, and it was great to revisit old favorites like Antigua, another gorgeous colonial city in the shadow of the massive Acatenango volcano. I also love the highlands surrounding Lake Atitlán — steep, twisty and well-paved, this is some of the best street riding in the world. But by now you know what a great morning ride means.

Sure enough, descending later that afternoon from Panajachel I encountered road construction and yet another unexpected river crossing. The crossing was about 50 yards wide, and the water was murky and dark. I couldn’t tell if it was three inches or three feet deep, and I didn’t necessarily feel like wading out. An old, familiar dread set in, memories of being stuck, or submerging my bike all alone. I almost felt like crying, and rather than risk it, I got ready to turn around — again. Just then, a small black SUV appeared on the opposite bank and splashed through the crossing without issue — it was only about six inches deep! I

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

47

crossed easily and carried on.

Unpredictable, often-terrible road conditions were really wearing me down, to the point where I was suffering what felt like a form of bad-road post-traumatic stress disorder. At the beginning of my trip, in South America, I would purposefully seek out difficult routes and revel in tackling the toughest terrain alone. Now, even the sight of a simple dirt road would make me uncharacteristically anxious. A few days later, after I had crossed into Mexico, I came across a roadblock on the long bridge into Tuxtla Gutiérrez. No traffic would be allowed to cross until 9 p.m. There

planned route. But I couldn’t help but notice how much my attitude had changed, with me now cringing at the sight of dirt and all but praying for the dull, straight, paved roads.

Mexico is such a rich place to travel on two wheels. The landscapes are stunning, whether it’s the jungles of Chiapas, the Pacific Coast surrounding Mazunte, or the mountains of Oaxaca state.

The many Pueblos Magicos (Magic Towns) — San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Comitan, and 128 Left: Welcome to Chiapas!

This sign in southern Mexico’s Chiapas state is the gateway to some of the best street riding in the world (note the thunderstorm in the background). Below: This small chapel marks the midpoint of the Ogarrio Tunnel, the only road into the Mexican town of Real de Catorce. Right: A scene from Las Pozas, Edward James’ surrealist sculpture garden, in Xilitla, Mexico.

was another bridge further south, roughly a three-hour detour. An alternate route to the north would be faster — just 90 minutes — but I was warned the road was quite bad.

Against my better judgement, I took the northern option.

I regretted that decision almost immediately. With each passing mile the road got worse, from broken pavement to gravel to a deeply rutted dirt trail. A familiar sense of foreboding crept in, as I imagined the inevitable washout, river crossing, or mud hole that would once again force me to turn around — or worse. Fortunately, there were no insurmountable obstacles — just lots of difficult, slow-speed trail riding — and an hour later I was back on my 48

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

other Mexican towns that hold this special designation — are ridiculously quaint. The food is amazing everywhere, and the Mexican people are among the friendliest I’ve met, gracious, accommodating and supremely helpful. Even after exploring 12 new countries, Mexico — a country I have ridden across multiple times — remains my favorite. We’re lucky to have this magical place just across our Southern border, and if you haven’t already ridden there, you should start making plans.

After a few stunning — but sweltering — days riding along the southern coast, I headed north into the mountains to find an escape from the tropic summer heat. First, I hit Oaxaca and then Mexico City — two of the finest culinary destinations in the entire world — where I ate what felt like my body weight in street tacos. From there I traveled north to two of the most magical of all the Pueblos Magicos:

Xilitla and Real de Catorce.

Xilitla is an oasis in San Luis Potosi state, a beautiful village tucked into a tiny cloud forest on the far eastern edge of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. It’s best known for Las Pozas, an otherworldly outpost created by English artist Edward James, a good friend and patron of Salvador Dalí. Featuring towering surrealist sculptures surrounded by waterfalls and crystal-blue pools (pozas), Las

I regretted that decision almost immediately. With each passing mile the road got worse, from broken pavement to gravel to a deeply rutted dirt trail. A familiar sense of foreboding crept in, as I imagined the inevitable washout, river crossing, or mud hole that would once again force me to turn around — or worse.

Pozas is an enchanting spot to wander for a few days.

Real de Catorce is only a day’s ride from Xilitla, but it couldn’t be more different. Leaving behind the lush forests of Las Pozas, Real de Catorce sits at 9,000 feet on a desert plateau in the Sierra de Catorce.

Remote and isolated — there are only two ways to enter Real de Catorce, either the two-mile-long Ogarrio Tunnel or a harrowing jeep road that snakes for miles along a 1,000-foot cliff — Real de Catorce is like stepping 100 years back in time.

The ambiance is pure Old West, with dilapidated buildings and most of the town moving either on horseback or in vintage Willys Jeep Station Wagons, most of which have been plying these ridiculously steep streets AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

49

I had ridden almost 10,000 miles across nine countries, and I had not yet been stopped by the police even once. Now, in Nicaragua, I had been stopped twice during my first 20 minutes in the country.

50

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

for 70 years. Magic City, indeed.

Reentering the United States was anticlimactic. Crossing the border at McAllen, Texas, was merely a formality, and I was reminded once again how broad — and desolate — southern Texas is. Attempting to extend my adventure a little bit longer, I aimed the Versys-X east toward New Orleans to explore the Blues Highway (Highway 61) and The Great River Road along the Mississippi River. After a Sazerac and a shrimp po’ boy in the French Quarter, I set off north toward my home in Milwaukee. Flat, straight, and hot, Highway 61 is not a great motorcycle road, but the cultural history of great blues destinations like Clarksdale, Miss., and Memphis, Tenn., make up for the dullsville ride.

My only excitement during this part of the ride came just north of Springfield, Ill., just a few hours from home. The chain on my Versys-X — installed by my daughter 20,000 miles earlier, in Chile — had been smoked since Mexico, requiring near-constant adjustment and lubrication. I was carrying an extra chain and chain tool, but I didn’t want to ruin a new chain by running it on old sprockets.

One major advantage of a 300cc adventure bike — it’s easy on tires. A single Shinko 705 rear tire went the full 14,000 miles from Argentina back to Milwaukee, and only looked dangerous for the last 500 miles. This drive chain gave up the ghost just 150 miles from home.

last downpour before rolling the little Versys-X back into my driveway, nearly one year to the day after my then-22year-old daughter bought the bike and kicked this entire adventure off.

The Versys-X covered a remarkable 38,000 miles in that year — 24,000 miles on her trip down to Ushuaia, and 14,000 on my more direct route back home — requiring nothing more than oil, tires, brake pads and other

I was trying to limp it home where I had new sprockets waiting, and I managed to limp it within 150 miles of my garage door before it finally broke, balling up between the rear sprocket and swingarm and sending me skidding onto the shoulder.

I repaired the chain on the roadside and rode through one Oaxaca’s Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán at night.

basic maintenance. Kudos, Kawasaki (though two hours to replace the headlight bulb, a process that starts with removing the heel guards, is ridiculous…).

It was a life-changing experience for both of us, and in very different ways. For her, this trip kicked off what I hope will be a lifelong passion for global motorcycle travel; for me, this was a capstone of a remarkable 35-years spent on two wheels, indulging in the challenge, the excitement, and pure freedom two-wheeled overland travel through some of the most remote and remarkable places in the world.

Who would have imagined a tiny little 296cc adventure motorcycle could take us both so far? AMA

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

51

BY JOY BURGESS PHOTOS BY JEFF KARDAS, HONDA AND LAWRENCE ARCHIVES

E

ach year the AMA — its Board of Directors and staff — presents a highly prestigious award to an individual who’s had the most profound impact on the world of motorcycling over the past year.

Looking back at 2023 and the many significant happenings in our sport and industry, it’s pretty hard to ignore the impact of the undisputed No. 1 contender for that honor: AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross racer Jett Lawrence.

Jett’s accomplishments in 2023 were, simply put, astounding. Jett won the 2023 AMA Supercross 250 West Championship.

Then the 2023 AMA Pro Motocross 450 Championship. And finally, the inaugural SuperMotocross Championship.

What’s more, during his outdoor 450 Pro Motocross title run, Jett not only recorded a perfect moto-win season, going 22-0 for the series, he also became the first rookie-in-class to do that. Ever.

It’s something he told ESPN he “never thought was possible.”

To give that a little extra perspective, AMA Hall of Famers Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart also notched perfect seasons, but neither was an in-class rookie. All of which makes Jett’s performance during 2023 positively otherworldly.

Jett Lawrence

Right: Jett claimed the AMA Supercross 250SX West Championship with one race remaining on the schedule and ended that run with a perfect record of podiums.

Above right: AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier presents Jett with the No. 1 plate after he claimed the AMA Pro Motocross 450 title with a perfect season.

“It’s hard to comprehend just how difficult and significant Jett’s 2023 achievement is,” Racer X Editor-inChief and renowned moto-historian Davey Coombs told us. “It’s one thing to rack up a perfect season. But as a rookie? Just amazing.”

“What Jett Lawrence accomplished this year was extraordinary,” said AMA Board of Directors Chairman Russ Ehnes. “The combination of his AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross wins, as well as his perfect rookie season, was worthy of recognition, which is why we selected him as the 2023 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year. We’re proud to have Jett and his brother Hunter as AMA members, and the Lawrence family’s story — transitioning from Australia to Europe to the United States in search of achieving Jett and Hunter’s racing dreams — is truly compelling.”

For a previous story, the AMA sat down with both Jett and Hunter to learn more about their fascinating story.

Both started out in Australia aboard Yamaha PW50s, riding in their back yard on an acre of land that had a small track marked with a stick in the ground with a pink ribbon. Both brothers raced in Australia, but when Hunter made plans to go pro in Australian MX, the door opened for them to go to Europe.

The Lawrences promptly sold their home and used the proceeds to live — and race — on.

It wasn’t easy. “Just trying to afford to eat our next meal was challenging,” Jett told us.

“We figured out how to all eat for only five Euros [about $5.50 —Ed.] per day,” Hunter added. “We were struggling.”

While racing hard and struggling financially in Europe, the ultimate dream for AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

53

the family was for Jett and Hunter to race in America.

“Winning [was] a motivation,” Jett said, “But I think we also had the motivation to succeed so we could live a better life than we did in Europe.”

All their hard work paid off. The family moved to the U.S. in 2018, with Jett having an impressive showing at the 2018 Mini Os that fall, followed by an astounding run in the 2019 AMA Amateur National Championship at Loretta Lynn’s.

The brothers got their AMA Pro licenses in 2019 when Jett was just 16 years old, and it quickly became clear that the duo from “Down Under” would be top contenders in the sport.

Since going pro in the U.S., Jett has won the 2020 Marty Smith Rookie of the Year award in Pro Motocross, two AMA Pro Motocross 250 Championships in 2021 and 2022, was the 2022 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Ricky Carmichael Award winner, two AMA Supercross 250SX titles, and the 2023 SuperMotocross Championship. And he accomplished all that before his 21st birthday.

Jett attributes much of his success to his father’s coaching, and the strong team he has with his father and brother.

“Our father is a lot more involved than I think any other father in the sport,” Jett said. “He points a finger at you and makes you work and do 100 percent each time. He does 100 percent for us, and [that] makes us want to do 100 percent for him. He’s our best coach!”

When Jett was younger, he looked up to AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Carmichael and Ryan Dungey, but his success has shown that he’s on his own path to becoming a legend.

“When [I] was younger,” he said, “I wanted to be like Ricky or Ryan, but now I’m setting my own path. I don’t want to be like Ricky Carmichael…I wanna beat him!”

And the young racer is well on his way. Carmichael himself recently called Jett’s riding “poetry in motion,” and AMA Hall of 54

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

Famers Jeremy McGrath, Travis Pastrana and Ryan Dungey have all weighed in on what a special talent he is.

Despite all the wins, the big-dollar deals and all the press, Jett will tell you that he’s just a normal person, and he hopes that he’ll inspire the future generation of riders with that attitude. “[I want] younger kids to see that [I’m] a normal person who put in the work to get to this level,” Jett told American Motorcyclist previously. Hopefully it’ll get the younger generation to work harder to get where they want to be.” “…an individual who’s had the most profound impact on the world of motorcycling over the past year?”

No question: Jett Lawrence, hands down. AMA

Below left and middle: The Lawrence brothers were into motorcycles from their early years, claiming trophies while still living in Australia. Bottom right: Jett after claiming the 2021 AMA Pro Motocross Championship with brother Hunter, who took third that year.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

55

Kyle Peters is the rejuvenated AMA Arenacross series’ brightest star, but his journey to his fourth consecutive title nearly never happened

THE

CO ME 56

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

J

ust two months removed from claiming his

up against his spinal cord, causing the loss of feeling.

third consecutive title in the AMA Arenacross

Peters later found out from his doctor that this injury

National Championship Series, Phoenix

results in paralysis from the neck down in 80-90 percent

Racing Honda’s Kyle Peters looked to carry some of that winning momentum over to AMA Supercross at the St. Louis round on April 9, 2022.

But what began as a oncepromising night of racing ended up leaving Peters on an operating table rather than a podium.

“In the second main event of the

of cases.

While Peters described the incident as “one of the scariest moments of my life,” he was thankful for all the good fortune that contributed to the best possible outcome.

“Thankfully, my dad is able to travel with me a lot,” Peters said.

“He’s only missed a couple of

Triple Crown, I got off to a great

races of mine, so thank God he

start,” Peters said. “I think I was

was there with me and by my side.

a third or so and just made a little

The hospital was really close to the

mistake. Two lines came together

stadium, too, and it’s one of the best

and I ended up getting clipped by

hospitals in the country, and one

another rider…that was all it took.

of the best doctors did my surgery.

It ended up whiskey throttling me

These are all ‘thank God’ things to

off my bike, landed flat on my back

me. So, as bad as it was, it couldn’t

into the face of a jump, and just

have gone any better.”

knew right away something wasn’t right.”

The surgery involved going in through the back of

“I could move my legs,” Peters added, “but I couldn’t

Peters’ neck to put two rods and 10 screws to fuse six of

feel them. It felt like I slept on my arms wrong and they

his vertebrae. The major surgery kept Peters in the ICU

were asleep. Like I couldn’t really feel anything, but I could

for six days before his mother — who rushed to fly to St.

move everything. I could feel something on my neck was

Louis the day after his injury — and father booked him a

not right.”

flight home to North Carolina.

After being stretchered off the track, the then-29-

Greensboro, N.C., is where Peters has called home for

year-old Peters was taken to the nearby Barnes-Jewish

most his life and where he was raised. Unlike many of

Hospital where it was determined he’d suffered a burst

his racing peers, Peters did not grow up in a household

fracture injury of his C5 and C6 vertebrae, which pushed

with parents or siblings that raced motorcycles. Instead,

BACK K ID B Y K E AT O N M A I S A N O PHOTOS: @HUXONBRAND AND KYLE PETERS’ ARCHIVES

Peters developed the itch to compete on two wheels when his dad took him to an arenacross event.

“My dad ended up taking me to an arenacross when I was about 7 or 8 years old,

and I was hooked ever since,” Peters said. “At that point, I didn’t have a motorbike yet. From that point on I begged my dad and mom every day until Christmas that year, when I was able to get a Yamaha PW50.”

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

57

After getting his first motorcycle it didn’t take long for Peters to get into competition, racing for the first time around 8 years old at Rolling Hills in Reidsville, N.C. Peters spent the first few years of his amateur career feeling out the motorsport lifestyle — one he would eventually adopt.

“Anytime I could race, we went out and raced,” Peters said. “Dad would pretty much take me to the track on the weekends and Mom was at home taking (my two sisters) to games, competitions and whatnot. For a majority of the

team, and they suggested he race AMA Arenacross. While Peters was initially skeptical, as he wanted to focus solely on AMA Supercross, he eventually came around to the idea…and fell in love with the sport.

In his first arenacross season, Peters wasted no time announcing his presence, and promptly won the title.

“The goal was to go win, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure what to expect because the tracks are a lot different and the bike setup is a lot different,” Peters said on the

amateur nationals, they were able to come and spend the week as well, which was really cool.”

Peters’ amateur career culminated in a 250 A class title at the 2011 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s. The title came on the heels of a career filled with second-place finishes and in the midst of dealing with a compression fracture in Peters’ back, an injury he sustained during a 450 Pro Sport class race at Loretta’s.

His career developed into 11 years of AMA Supercross competition and an illustrious AMA Arenacross career that began in 2020.

The 2020 season was Peters’ first with the Phoenix Racing Honda

transition from AMA Supercross to AMA Arenacross. “The team worked really hard getting the bike set up exactly the way I needed it and the way I liked it, and we were able to make it happen the first year.”

Peters followed up his 2020 success with AMA Arenacross titles in each of the next two seasons, setting the stage for a chance to win a fourth consecutive championship in the 2022-2023 season.

But before Peters could focus on another title — or even riding a motorcycle — he had to focus on his rehabilitation, which initially involved a neck brace and plenty of time on the couch.

A month after his injury, his

58

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

doctor in North Carolina gave him the green light to lose the neck brace, and Peters said his focus shifted to attacking physical therapy.

“I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, if I was ever going to race again or ride again or what challenges were ahead, initially,” Peters said.

“My whole goal to start off with was to live a normal life and be able to do the things I wanted to do, whether it be mountain biking, snowboarding, surfing, golf, whatever.”

“As time went on with my trainer, Cory Worf, we started seeing big strides with movement, stability, strength and everything that came along with that,” Peters continued.

“Started thinking about getting back on the bike, and then eventually got on a turn track for a little bit and was like, ‘Oh, maybe I can do this.’”

Worf trained motocross riders in the 1990s, including AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeremy McGrath, Jimmy Button and Ernesto Fonseca. No stranger to helping athletes through rehab, Worf was with Button as he worked on returning from a broken back.

A young Kyle Peters getting a Tyco RC Xtreme Moto-x Cycle Travis Pastrana toy for Christmas. Left: Peters recovering from surgery after he burst fractured his C5 and C6 vertebra. Right: Peters with his parents (Angie and Kevin) and sisters Kinley (left) and Kelly (right).

“The goal was to go win, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure what to expect because the tracks are a lot different and the bike setup is a lot different.”

KYLE PETERS “He knew kind of how to go about things and how hard we could push it to move and whatnot,” Peters said. “Thankfully, I had him to help me and move me along, but also push me to reach that next level.”

Peters said his focus did not shift to racing again until about four months into his rehabilitation.

Despite uneasiness from members

of his family, who were comfortable with Peters hanging up his helmet for good, Peters eventually decided to work toward a return to motorcycle racing.

For Peters, the decision was one based on a desire to live his life in its truest form.

“There are risks to life doing anything, no one’s promised tomorrow,” Peters said. “God has watched over me so far in my life and watched over me through this injury, so I’m going to still do what I can do and do what I love because that’s living to me. I’m going to do it as safely as possible, but there’s risk to anything.”

Incredibly, just 223 days after suffering what could have been a career-ending and life-altering

injury, Peters was back on the bike for the AMA Arenacross 2022-23 season opener in Albany, Ga., on Nov. 18, 2022.

“When I got there for Round 1, I was like ‘alright I remember this feeling. Let’s go’,” Peters said. “I was pumped to be there, and just went out there and had fun.”

And there was plenty of fun to be had for the reigning champion, who won both motos on the night. This would be the first of seven instances all season in which Peters would win both motos in an event victory.

The win marked the beginning of a magical season for Peters, who went on to dominate the standings and position himself to win his fourth consecutive championship.

Shawn Smith — the director of

operations for AX Promotions, the promoter of AMA Arenacross — said Peters’ performance on the track looked as special as ever.

“When KP was on the track, you didn’t see the effects that he had an injury or was coming back from anything,” Smith said. “The intensity level he brought to the track regardless of having that (injury) was above and beyond anyone else.”

While his ability to tally season points looked familiar, the manner in which he rode to do so had evolved to account for his injury.

“With the injury I had, everything had to change,” Peters said. “My riding style had to change a little bit…

I wear a neck brace now that hinders me in a few areas, but for me, it is more of a safety thing than anything.

Also having the rods and screws in In a two-week period in March 2021, Peters capped off a 20-0 season to claim his second AMA Arenacross title and reached an AMA 250SX podium for the third time in his career.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

59

my neck, I can’t really do as much as I used to be able to in terms of training.”

While the return meant a lot to Peters and those close to him, his presence was just as impactful to the sport itself. Since his arrival to AMA Arenacross, Peters has become one of its brightest stars both on and off the track.

Smith said Peters’ importance in building up the sport can be seen in his willingness to engage with fans.

“I don’t care how long the line is, KP is there the whole time for fans, never turns anybody away,” Smith said. “He understands this is not about him or his results…this 60

is about the series, motorcycling, arenacross and all the sponsors.

KP gets it.”

For Peters, spending time with fans is all about giving back and being a good role model to the kids looking up to him.

“It’s so important to me because I was that kid growing up,” Peters said. “I went to my first arenacross race and those guys were superheroes to me.”

Despite all the adversity, Peters entered the Salem, Va., round in

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

March 2023 with a chance to clinch the title two weeks early.

And just two hours from his hometown and less than a year removed from his scary crash in St. Louis, Peters capped off the magical season with a 2-1 mainevent performance to claim his fourth consecutive AMA Arenacross National Championship.

“To be able to do it the way I did it

“I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, if I was ever going to race again or ride again, initially. My whole goal to start off with was to live a normal life and be able to do the things I wanted to do.”

KYLE PETERS

in front of my whole family, and to be able to share that with them and share the victory, share the overcoming of all the obstacles, the adversity,” Peters said. “It was so incredible.”

“My family saw what I went through, all the hard work that went into it,” Peters continued. “Every day doing therapy and them going on walks

with me because that’s all I could do, to them taking care of me on the couch. They saw all the steps through that, which normally no one gets to see and, and to be able to share that with them, it still gets me emotional.”

Now in the midst of his fifth season, Peters is seeking a

fifth title — a feat not many have accomplished in the series’ existence.

“I know Budman [Buddy Antunez] and a few other people have five national arenacross championships,” Peters said. “I’d love to join that club.

I’d love to surpass them. I love this. I love racing and doing what I get to do.

I want to do it as long as I can.” AMA

Top left: Peters receiving his 2022 AMA Athlete of the Year honor from AMA Deputy Director of Racing Mike Burkeen.

Top middle: Biking is one of Peters’ favorite hobbies. Top right: Peters interacting with fans at an AMA Arenacross event.

62

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

A R E N A CR O S S ASCE N T AX Promotions has taken over AMA Arenacross in hopes of raising it to heights it realized decades ago P H O T O S B Y: @ H U X O N B R A N D A N D M AT T H E N S O N obby McQuary, former arenacross rider in the early 2000s and the principal partner of AX Promotions, has a singular focus in stepping in as the lead promoter of the AMA Arenacross National Championship Series: bring it back to its former glory.

“Supercross is amazing, it’s the pinnacle, but there’s kind of a void just below that we’re trying to fill,” McQuary said.

“In those early years of arenacross, it filled that gap…It was so entertaining to see those guys finishing their careers and starting out their careers merge in that space, and that fully influenced what we’re trying to do now.”

In March 2023, the AMA announced a three-year deal with AX Promotions to serve as the promoter of AMA Arenacross.

Revitalizing the sport involved two components: improving the space for both professional and amateur riders, and making the fan experience better than ever.

R

The first part of this two-pronged goal focuses on making professional racing a viable option for riders while also revitalizing the amateur side, which AX Promotions Director of Operations Shawn Smith said had fallen by the wayside over the years.

“We wanted to bring back a true amateur national championship for AMA Arenacross that meant something,” Smith said.

Addressing the fan experience, AX Promotions focused on better video production and live streaming, an immersive atmosphere at the arena, and evolved formats to the actual racing, which included inverted gate picks in the second main event that made racing more competitive.

To involve the fans, each round of the season involves a track party that allows fans to interact with riders. Furthermore, fans can vote through an app for which riders they want to see compete in a head-to-head race. The app also allows fans to financially motivate riders by giving them monetary incentives to finish at a certain position in a race.

Smith and McQuary both admit the process of revitalizing the sport has been more involved than they anticipated, but both they and their team have maintained the vigor and passion to continue moving the sport in the right direction.

As for why fans should tune in for the 2023-24 season, McQuary said the reason is as simple as it gets.

“Fans are going to see great racing,” McQuary said. “That’s arenacross: intensity, aggression and great racing. Who doesn’t want to see that as a fan?”

The AMA Arenacross National Series runs until March 29, with the Round 14 finale in Las Vegas. For more information go to arenacrossusa.com.

Top right: Operations staffer Daniel Forse. Bottom row left to right: Shawn Smith, Robby McQuary, track builder Drew McMillan and Smith again.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

63

Want to personalize your AMA card? We offer a wide variety of options, from our standard, Life Member and 100th Anniversary cards to manufacturer- and aftermarket-themed cards that proudly display your two-wheeled personality.

MAKE IT YOURS...

Call (800) AMA-JOIN

800-262-5646 to request an affinity card at any time, at no additional cost.

64 A M E R I C A N M O T O R C Y C L I S T • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4 2 A M E R I C A N M O T O R C Y C L I S T • M AY 2 0 2 3

...AND SAVE

MONEY! THE

Take advantage of discounts from our quality partners and save

loads of money – and pay for your AMA membership – in just a few keystrokes! From gear, event tickets and rentals to accessories, hotels and performance parts, it really is that simple.

ESSENTIALS

Lodging

Save 15% at participating Choice Hotels Properties.

AMA Roadside Assistance

AMA Gear

Car Rentals

Motorcycle Shipping

Roadside assistance coverage for eligible members.

Up to 10% off at Motel 6.

Use code: M64AMA 20% discount off available rates, call (800) REDROOF and use the code VP+ 503343. To make reservations online use code: VP+ 503343 in the field labeled “VP+/ID#”

Up to 25% off at any Avis or Budget. Avis Code: D388100 Budget Code: Z942000

PRODUCT

DISCOUNTS

ADVMoto

EagleRider

20% discount.

Use code AMADV20

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

Free admission to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio.

AMA Supercross Tickets

Save $5 on up to 8 tickets at supercrosslive.com Use code 4AMA5

Anthony’s Leatherworks

Bugslide

AMA members enjoy 15% off all BugSlide® cleaning products.

Use code AMA2023

Butler Maps

AMA members receive a 20% discount at butlermaps.com.

Use code AMAMEMBER

Members save 50%. Use code AMA. Visit cdsr.us to learn more.

Cardo Systems

20% discount online with valid AMA membership card.

Use code AMA20

Colorado Motorcycle Adventures

10% discount with valid AMA membership card.

The Dirt Bike Academy

10% exclusive discount on instruction. Learn more at thedirtbikeacademy.com Use code TDBAAMA10

Dowco Powersports

20% discount.Use code AMA20

Matrix Concepts

AMA members receive a 25% discount on most products for shop, garage & track necessities at matrixracingproducts.com Use code AMA25

Evans Cooling System

Medjet

25% discount on Evans Coolants and Prep Fluid.

Use code AMAFUN at evanscoolant.com.

EVS Sports

Gryphon Moto

10% AMA Member Exclusive Discount. Visit bohnarmor. com and use code AMAD22 at checkout.

Save 15%.

Use code AMA15

AMA members save on standard bike tour. Use code 21AMA-EBT03 at checkout.

Blendzall

Bohn Body Armor

MAD Maps

Edelweiss

10% discount on repair order Use code AMADISCOUNT

AMA members can save 20% at blendzall.com. Use code AMA20 at checkout.

Call Federal Companies at (877) 518-7376 for at least $40 off standard rates.

For Club EagleRider AMA members receive 2 free rental credits. Use code AMACLUBER

10% discount and free shipping on all orders.

Use code AMAEVS20

California Dual Sport Riders

Find patches, pins, T-shirts, hats and more.

AMA members receive a 15% discount on Gryphon Moto orders at gryphonmoto.com.

Use code AMA at checkout.

Haynes

Save an additional 15% on all Haynes & Clymer print and online repair manuals.

Use code AMA15

Heli Bars

Use code AMAM2020 for a 10% AMA Member Exclusive Discount at helibars.com.

Helix Racing Products

AMA members save 20 on all products at helixracingproducts. com. Use code AMA20 at checkout.

Helite Moto

AMA members get 15% off every order at helitemoto.com.

Use code HELITEAMA

HertzRide

AMA members save 10% on rentals in all locations globally at hertzride.com/us/ promo/American-motorcyclistassociation-1065 or use code AMA10

Legacy Track Dayz 15% discount on Legacy Track Dayz events.

Use code AMARideLTD

Liberty Sport Eyewear

30% discount on all “motorcycle collection” frames.

Discount code AMA30.

®

Air medical transport and travel security protection – visit Medjet.com/AMACycle or call 1.800.527.7478, referring to American Motorcyclist Association. Annual rates reduced by 20% and start at $235.

MotoAmerica

20% off 2-day and 3-day passes at select MotoAmerica events. Use discount code AMA20

Motool

AMA members can save 10% at motool.co. Use code AMASAVE20 at checkout.

MX Boot Repair

10% discount.

Use code AMADISCOUNT

MX Mounts

10% off on our mounts Use AMADiscount at checkout

MYLAPS

20% discount off MSRP or current sales price on weborders or orders coordinated by the AMA. Use code AMA-789HJK

Nationwide Pet Insurance

AMA members save on pet insurance at benefits.petinsurance. com/americanmotorcyclist

Nelson Rigg

Motorcycle Shippers AMA members receive $50 off each bike one way or $100 off round trip or $50 each, multiple bikes, same addresses.

Rider Accident Medical Plan

For details visit jonesbirdsong.com/ramp

Rider Magazine

AMA members receive a discount on a 1-year subscription.

Riders Share

AMA members receive a 10% discount on all bookings with discount code AMA2023

Risk Racing

15% off products at riskracing.com. Use code AMA15

Rlink

Rlink offers AMA Members 25% off industry leading GPS Security Systems.

Use code ama2020rl

Rockwell Time

Save 20% on select products. Rockwelltime. com. Use code AMA20

Spot LLC

Exclusive service credit on SPOT Gen3, SPOT Trace or SPOT X device

STKR Concepts

15% off products at stkrconcepts.com. Use code AMA15

Street Skills

10% discount on online courses at StreetSkills.net.

Use code AMACCOC.

Third Eye Design

10% discount on inView, a wireless brake and signal light. Use code AMA at thirdeyedesigninc.com

US Chrome

$30 discount on cylinder plating and dealer pricing on Wiseco, Wossner, ProX and Vertex piston kits.

20% AMA Member Exclusive Discount on all products!

Use promo code AMA-NR20

Warm & Safe

The Quail MC Gathering

XcelerateTV

AMA members recieve a discount on tickets using the code AMA2023

50% discount on first year’s subscription. Use code XTVAMA50 at XcelerateTV.com.

Quin Design Helmets

Zerofit

40% off all Quin Helmets and accessories. Use code AMAQUIN40 at checkout.

20% discount.

Use code AMA

AMA members save $63 on Head-to-Toe Heating this winter. Use code AMA500

For more information and the most recent listing of AMA Member Benefit Partners and discount codes visit americanmotorcyclist.com/deals-and-discounts

1st O rder

FRE

New gear,

downloadable catalog, updated website + more specials online! aerostich.com/ama

SHI

PPI

E

NG

Be sure to check the event website or call the organizer for the latest information, including postponements or cancellations.

AMA CALIFORNIA Grand Prix Jan. 12 - 14. Delano. NGPC Round 1, Southern California Motorcycle Club, http://www.ngpcseries.com/ Hare Scrambles/Cross Country Jan. 13 - 14. Rancho Cordova. Prairie City Grand Prix, Polka Dots Motorcycle Club, 916-606-5108, prairiecitygrandprix@gmail.com Hare and Hound Jan. 20 -21. Lucerne Valley. Desert MC Winter Classic National Hare and Hound, Desert Motorcycle Club, Inc. Photo of Dave Roper by Bill Burke ©2022 Enduro Jan. 27. Lucerne Valley. 100s MC Sprint Enduro, 100’S MC www.100smc.org Dual Sport Jan. 27. Ridgecrest. Hi Desert 250 Saturday, Countdown, 775-884-0399, Jerry.counts@sbcglobal.net, Dualsportwest.com 6/30/22 12:31 PM Motocross Jan. 27. Anaheim. Supercross Futures Premier Qualifier, Feld Motorsports, 309-314-4879, sxfinfo@ feldinc.com, www.supercrossfutures.com Dual Sport Jan. 28. Ridgecrest. Hi Desert 250 Sunday, Countdown, 775-884-0399, Jerry.counts@sbcglobal.net, DualSportWest.com AMA COLORADO Motocross Jan. 5 - 6. Loveland. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, 970-619-4111, arenacrossusa.com AMA FLORIDA Hare Scrambles/Cross Country Jan. 6 - 7. Brooksville.

Mondon Hill, Florida Suncoast Trail Blazers Motorcycle Club, Inc., 727-213-4399, mxpwrdoc@yahoo.com, www. floridatrailriders.org Observed Trials Jan. 13. Center Hill. Florida Trials Association, Don Buckner Promise Ranch Trials, 717-398Baltimore 4314, 7mdw27@gmail.com, https://floridatrialsassoc.com/ Maryland AMA IDAHO Feb. 9-11 Hare Scrambles/Cross Country Jan. 1. Emmett. Hair of Maryland State Fairgrounds the Dog, Boise Ridge Riders, https://boiseridgeriders.org/ AMA MINNESOTA Road Ride/Run Jan. 1. Minneapolis. I-Cycle Derby, TeamStrange Airheads, Inc., 678-772-8945, lerbes@ gmail.com, www.teamstrange.com AMA NEBRASKA Motocross Jan. 12 - 13. Grand Island. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, 308-382-4515, arenacrossusa.com AMA NEW MEXICO Motocross Jan. 19 - 20 . Guthrie. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, 405-282-3004, arenacrossusa.com Motocross Jan. 26 - 28. Guthrie. AMA Arenacross Amateur Championship, AX Promotions, 405-282-3004, arenacrossusa.com AMA SOUTH CAROLINA Motocross Jan. 19 - 20 . Guthrie. AMA Arenacross Championship Series, AX Promotions, 405-282-3004, arenacrossusa.com Motocross Jan. 26 - 28. Guthrie. AMA Arenacross Amateur Championship, AX Promotions, 405-282-3004, arenacrossusa.com

Jam On Productions

aero ama 07_2022.indd 1

International Motorcycle Show

The Country’s Most Complete Motorcycle Show!!!

New Motorcycles & PowerSports & ATV’s.

Road & Off-Road.

Vintage, Custom & Antique Bike Show.

Indoor Flat Track Race.

SwapMeet.

2 Big Shows Atlantic City New Jersey 3 Big Days.

Feb. 2-4

801 Boardwalk

www.motorcycleswapmeets.com Or call 240-367-7509

MISSED THE AMA TOURS? FIND THEM IN THE NEW EDELWEISS TRAVEL PROGRAM!

SCAN ME

www.edelweissbike.com 66 A M E R I C A N M O T O R C Y C L I S T • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4

SUPERCROSS 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship supercrosslive.com Round 1: Jan 6. Anaheim, Calif. Angel Stadium Round 2: Jan 13. San Francisco, Calif. Oracle Park Round 3: Jan 20. San Diego, Calif. Snapdragon Stadium Round 4: Jan 27. Anaheim, Calif. Angel Stadium Round 5: Feb 3. Detroit, Mich. Ford Field Round 6: Feb 10. Glendale, Ariz. State Farm Stadium Round 7: Feb 24. Arlington, Texas. AT&T Stadium Round 8: March 2. Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona Int’l Speedway Round 9: March 9. Birmingham, Ala. Protective Stadium Round 10: March 16. Indianapolis, Ind. Lucas Oil Stadium

SANCTIONED COMING EVENTS Round 11: March 23. Seattle, Wash. Lumen Field Round 12: March 30. St. Louis, Mo. The Dome at America’s Center Round 13: April 13. Foxborough, Mass. Gillette Stadium Round 14: April 20. Nashville, Tenn. Nissan Stadium Round 15: April 27. Philadelphia, Pa. Lincoln Financial Field Round 16: May 4. Denver, Colo. Empower Field at Mile High Round 17: May 11. Salt Lake City, Utah. Rice-Eccles Stadium 2024 Supercross Futures AMA Championship supercrossfutures.com Supercross Futures Premier Qualifying Events: Round 1: Jan 27. Anaheim, Calif. Angel Stadium Round 2: March 2. Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona Int’l Speedway Round 3: March 30. St. Louis, Mo. The Dome at America’s Center Round 4: April 13. Foxborough, Mass. Gillette Stadium Supercross Futures AMA National Championship May 11. Salt Lake City, Utah. Rice-Eccles Stadium MOTOCROSS Pro Motocross Championship Series promotocross.com Round 1: May 25. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway at Pala Round 2: Jun 1. Sacramento, Calif. Hangtown Classic Round 3: Jun 8. Lakewood, Colo. Thunder Valley Motocross Park Round 4: Jun 15. Mount Morris, Pa. High Point Raceway Round 5: Jun 29. Southwick, Mass. The Wick 338 Round 6: Jul 6. Buchanan, Mich. RedBud MX Round 7: Jul 13. Millville, Minn. Spring Creek MX Park Round 8: Jul 20. Washougal, Wash. Washougal MX Park Round 9: Aug 10. New Berlin, N.Y. Unadilla MX Round 10: Aug 17. Mechanicsville, Md. Budds Creek Motocross Park Round 11: Aug 24. Crawfordsville, Ind. Ironman Raceway NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA Arenacross National Championship Series arenacrossusa.com Round 3: Jan 5-6. Loveland, Colo. Budweiser Events Center.

Round 4: Jan 12-13. Grand Island, Nebraska. Heartland Events Center.

Round 5: Jan 19-20. Guthrie, Okla. Lazy E Arena.

Round 6: Jan 26-27. Guthrie, Okla. Lazy E Arena.

Round 7: Feb 2-3. Prescott Valley, Ariz. Findlay Toyota Center.

Round 9: Mar 8. Fayetteville, N.C. Crown Complex Arena.

Round 10: Mar 15. Salem, Virginia. Salem Civic Center.

Round 11: Mar 22-23. Denver, Colo. Denver Coliseum.

Round 12: Mar 29. Las Vegas, Nevada. Orleans Arena.

FEATURED EVENTS Baja Brawl Aug. 31-Sept 2. Millington, Mich. Baja Acres 871-3356. bajaacres.com Yamaha All Star AMA ProAm Featured Event / MDRA Sep. 14-15. Shippensburg, Pa. Doublin Gap Motocross (717) 249-6036. doublingap.com MAJOR EVENTS James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship March 6-10. Wortham, TX. Freestone County Raceway. freestonemx.com PRO-AM EVENTS AMA Texas Winter Series Round 2: Jan. 5-7. Tyler, Texas. Swan MX.swanmx.com Round 3: Jan. 19-21. Fort Worth, Texas. Village Creek Motocross Park. villagecreekmx.com Round 4: Feb. 2-4. Alvord, Texas. Oak Hill Raceway. oakhillmx.com Round 5: Feb. 16-18. Wortham, Texas. Freestone County Raceway. freestonemx.com

THE AMA NATIONAL ADVENTURE-RIDING SERIES GREAT ROUTES, MAPPED OUT BY LOCAL EXPERTS A GREAT CHALLENGE WITH LIKE-MINDED RIDERS A WEEKEND OF ACTIVITIVES, WITH CAMPING, FOOD AND PRIZES

AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM/NATIONal-ADVENTURE-RIDING A M E R I C A N M O T O R C Y C L I S T • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4 67 #AMAADV

COMING EVENTS TRACK RACING 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship Motoamerica.com March 7-9: Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona 200, Daytona International Speedway Round 1: April 19-21. Braselton, Ga. Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Round 2: May 17-19. Birmingham, Ala. Barber Motorsports Park Round 3: May 31-June 2. Elkhart Lake, Wisc. Road America Round 4: June 14-16. Brainerd, Minn. Brainerd International Raceway Round 5: June 28-30. Shelton, Wash. Ridge Motorsports Park Round 6: July 12-14. Monterey, Calif. Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca Round 7: August 16-18. Lexington, Ohio. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Round 8: Sept. 13-15. Austin, Texas. Circuit of the Americas Round 9: Sep. 27-29. Millville, N.J. New Jersey Motorsports Park 2024 Progressive American Flat Track americanflattrack.com Round 1: March 7. Daytona Beach, Fla. DAYTONA Short Track I. Short Track Round 2: March 8. Daytona Beach, Fla. DAYTONA Flat Track II. Short Track Round 3: March 23. Senoia, Ga. Senoia Raceway.

Short Track Round 4: April 27. Fort Worth, Texas. Texas Motor Speedway. Half-mile Round 5: May 4. Chico, Calif. Silver Dollar Speedway, Short Track Round 6: May 11. Ventura, Calif. Ventura Raceway.

Short Track Round 7: June 15. Middletown, N.Y. Orange County Fairgrounds. Half-mile Round 8: June 22. Swedesboro, N.J. Bridgeport Speedway. Half-mile Round 9: June 29. Lima, Ohio. Allen County Fairgrounds. Half-mile Round 10: July 6. Qu Quoin, Ill. Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. Mile Round 11: July 28. Peoria, Ill. Peoria Motorcycle Club.

TT Round 12: Aug. 6. Rapid City, S.D. Black Hills Speedway. Half-mile Round 13: Aug. 10. TBA. TT Round 14: Aug. 31. Springfield, Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds. Mile I Round 15: Sep. 1. Springfield, Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds. Mile II Round 16: Sep. TBA. Half-mile NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA Ice Race Grand Championship – GP steelshoefund.org

THE BETA AMA NATIONAL DUAL-SPORT SERIES SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S BEST DUAL-SPORT RIDES, INCLUDING MILES OF CHALLENGING, WELL-MARKED TRAILS CONNECTED BY SCENIC BACK-COUNTRY ROADS

68AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM/NATIONal-DUAL-SPORT AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

#AMADUALSPORT

Jan. 21. Fond Du Lac, Wis. Sunset on the Water AMA Ice Race Grand Championship – Oval steelshoefund.org Feb. 10. Fond Du Lac, Wis. Sunset on the Water 2023 Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship americanmotorcyclist.com/flat-track-racing June 30-July 6. Du Quoin, Ill. Du Quoin State Fairground AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship Aug. 2-4. Red Wing, Minn.

OFF-ROAD FEATURED EVENTS OR SERIES AMA Florida Enduro Championship Series floridatrailriders.org Feb. 25. Richloam, Fla. March 7. Favoretta, Fla. June 9. Greensboro, Ga.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA Florida State Hare Scrambles Championship Series floridatrailriders.org Jan. 6-7. Brooksville, Fla. Jan. 20 -21. Okeechobee, Fla. Feb. 3-4. Indiantown, Fla. Feb. 17-18. Ormond Beach, Fla. March 16-17. Dade City, Fla. Apr. 13-14. Punta Gorda, Fla. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS National Grand Prix Championship Series ngpcseries.com Round 1: Jan. 12-14. Delano, Calif.

Round 2: Feb. 2-4. Taft, Calif.

Round 3: March 1-3. Glen Helen Calif.

Round 4: April 5-7. 29 Palms, Calif.

Round 5: April 26-28. Primm, Nev. Round 6: May 24-26. TBD. Round 7: Oct. 4-6. Ridgecrest, Calif.

Round 8: Oct. 25-27. Blythe, Calif.

Round 9: Nov. 8-10. Lake Havasu, Ariz.

Round 10: TBA

m a r k etp l a ce

AMA NATIONAL RECREATIONAL

2024 AMA National Adventure Riding Series americanmotorcyclist.com/ national-adventure-riding April 12-14. Perry Mountain Tower Run Adventure Ride.

Plantersville, Ala. Perry Mtn MC. (334) 327-5086. perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com June 1-2. Durty Dabbers Great Adventure Ride. Lock Haven, Pa. Durty Dabbers. (570) 748-9456. durtydabbers.com June 8-9. Ride For Research. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030. widualsportriders.org June 8-9. MVTR Adventure Bike Ride for Cystic Fibrosis.

Belmont, N.H. Merrimack Valley Trail Riders. (603) 2351087.

Buying or selling residential or commercial real estate ANYWHERE in the United States?

Learn how it can benefit the AMA Hall of Fame at NO COST to you!

Sep. 28-29. Big Woods 200. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030. widualsportriders.org

Info: Kristi at (951) 704-6370.

2024 Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series americanmotorcyclist.com/ national-adventure-riding April 12-14. Perry Mountain Tower Run Dual Sport. Plantersville, Ala. Perry Mtn MC. (334) 327-5086. perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com June 1-2. Durty Dabbers Great Adventure Dual Sport. Lock Haven, Pa. Durty Dabbers. (570) 748-9456. durtydabbers. com June 8-9. Ride For Research. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030. widualsportriders.org June 22-23. Ozark 200. New Blaine, Ark. Arkansas Dirt Riders, Inc. arkansasdirtriders.net Sep. 7-8. LBL 200. Golden Pond, Ky. KT Riders. (270) 350-6324. lbl200.com Sep. 28-29. Big Woods 200. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030. widualsportriders.org Nov. 2-3. Howlin at the Moon. Payson, Ariz. Arizona Trail Riders. (602) 692-9382. arizonatrailriders.com

AMA Trademarks The following represents active, registered trademarks, trade-marks and service marks of American Motorcyclist Association, Inc. (AMA). Usage of any AMA trademark or registered trade- mark without our permission is prohibited. Please contact jholter@ama-cycle.org for more information or assistance, (800) AMA-JOIN®.

• AMA Dragbike® • AMA Endurocross® • AMA Motorhead® • AMA Pro Grand National Championship® • AMA Pro Racing® • AMA Race Center™ • AMA Racer® • AMA Racing® • AMA Racing Land Speed Grand Championships® • AMA Supermoto® • AMA Supercross® AMA SX Lites® • AMA U.S. ISDE Team™ • AMA U.S. Jr. Motocross Team™ • AMA U.S. Motocross Team™ • Amateur National Motocross Championships® • American Motorcyclist Association® Arenacross® • ATV Hare Scrambles National Championship Series® • ATV Motocross National Championship Series® • Flat Track Grand Championships™ • Grand National Enduro Championship® • Gypsy Tour® • Hare & Hound National Championship Series® • Hare Scrambles Championship Series® • Hare Scrambles National Championship Series® • Kids Just Want To Ride® • Motorcycle Hall of Fame® • Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum® • Motorcyclist of the Year® • Motostars® • National Adventure Riding Series® • National Dual-Sport Series® • National Enduro Championship Series® • Protect Your Right to Ride® • Protecting Your Right to Ride® • Ride Straight® • Rights. Riding. Racing.® • Road Race Grand Championships® • Vintage Grand Championships® • Vintage Motorcycle Days® • Vote Like A Motorcyclist®

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

69

Ga r a ge

Tips,Tweaks, Fixes and Facts: The two-wheeled ownership experience, explained

2024 Honda

Transalp 750

Honda dusts off a late 1980s ADV nameplate and scores.

Is Less More? Yes!

BY JOHN BURNS

ownsizing being all the rage these days, here comes Honda right on schedule with an allnew lighter, friendlier, and cheaper ADV bike.

Sure the Africa Twin is a great adventurer, but most of us middle-aged cheapskates aren’t Cyril Despres, and most of our adventures don’t require 100+ horsepower, super long-travel suspension or a foot of ground clearance.

Most of us don’t want to pick up a 500-pound plus motorcycle when it invariably tips over in the most awkward place, either, and I, for one, see no need to shell out 15 or 20 Gs for a motorcycle whose potential mocks my skill set. Especially when Honda invited us to sample the allnew Transalp 750 on Backroad Discovery Route’s Pennsylvania trek.

With its 4.5-gallon tank full (halfa-gallon less than Africa Twin), Honda says the Transalp’s 459-lb. wet weight undercuts

D

FIRST RIDE

70

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

Honda has four Accessory Packages on offer: Adventure, Comfort, Touring, and City. Touring gets you locking hard bags, a 12V accessory kit (the standard bike has a USB port under the seat), the tall windscreen and a centerstand.

Lots of individual accessories are also available.

Most of us don’t want to pick up a 500-pound plus motorcycle when it invariably tips over in the most awkward place, and I, for one, see no need to shell out 15 or 20 gs for a motorcycle whose potential mocks my skill set.

the base AT by 46 lbs. in spite of its steel frame. The Transalp’s seat is 33.7 inches from the ground, but there’s also a low-seat option that takes it down to 33.3 in. My 30-inch legs felt pretty confident on either one, able to get my foot balls down on both sides as the 43mm Showa SFF-CA inverted fork groaned through part of its 7.9-inch travel as my massive mass settled in, and the Pro-Link Showa shock used up more than a little of its 7.5-inch travel.

I’ve toppled over more than once from a standstill on Yamaha Tenere 700s, whose seat height claim is 34.4 in. That extra inch is an angry one indeed. Not only is the Transalp seat lower, it’s also broader and more comfortable than the Tenere’s more dirtbikey one, which is a big reason why the Honda feels considerably “streetier” than the Yamaha.

Speaking of the Tenere, we’ve been singing the praises of its spunky 689cc parallel Twin since the first FZ-07 got here in 2015. With its own all-new parallel twin, Honda takes everything we like about that engine and kicks it up about three notches.

755cc isn’t much bigger than the Yamaha, but the Honda’s Unicam head and more oversquare dimensions conspire to have the Transalp moving out from 2,000 rpm on up with more authority than you expect from a 750.

The engine also spins up more enthusiastically than the Tenere’s.

The U.S. version adheres to sound restrictions that limit horsepower compared to the 90.5 bhp at 9,500 rpm Honda claims for the Euro version, but it doesn’t have much less, and still feels plenty fast. At 4,000 rpm, the engine’s producing serious thrust, and between 6,000 and 8,000

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

71

Ga rag e

rpm the angry animal trapped in the airbox and being poked with the 270-degree crank through the Vortex flow ducts is screaming to get out. If you want to bounce the tach needle off its soft limiter (just past 10k on the analog-looking TFT tach) as you scatter leaves on Pennsylvania dirt roads, you can. The standard up/down quick-

Rain, and a customizable User mode.

In User, you can switch to Off-road ABS, which disables rear ABS, and you can turn off traction control, too (HSTC, Honda calls it). It’s all easy for even a technophobe to operate quickly with the left-thumb button. Personally, I like a little HSTC, of which there are five levels. A couple of too-sideways times

No one much knew what to make of the original XL600V Transalp when it appeared on US shores in 1989 in the midst of the sportbike boom, which probably explains why it was gone after 1990 from American Honda’s lineup. Now, mid-size ADV bikes own the market.

shifter makes it easy to keep things screaming, and especially helps with smooth downshifts on those loose surfaces, too; engine braking is three-way adjustable. (When you do want the clutch, its slip-assist function gives it a really light pull and smooth engagement.)

Alternatively, when you tire of standing on the pegs and trying to keep up with the fast kids, you can just sit down on the cush seat, dial it back to cruise mode, and take in the Pennsylvania BDR’s glorious fall scenery. The Transalp encourages that, as the width of the gas tank makes standing on the pegs slightly awkward. On smoothish gravel roads (most of the BDR), the ride’s impeccable. On the couple of gnarlier rocky sections we encountered, with the rocks mostly invisible under a carpet of leaves, you might wish for the Africa Twin’s more sophisticated suspension and a steering damper.

But it’s all good.

Actually, there is no Cruise mode, but there are Sport, Standard, Gravel, 72

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

out of loose gravelly corners just as my medulla oblongata was seizing up, the Honda brain had already stepped in to slow the rear’s spinning and straighten things out. A man’s got to know his limitations — and when he doesn’t, it’s nice to have a machine that does.

On top of all that, after 1.5 days of riding 80 percent dirt roads, my bike’s computer said it was getting 45 mpg, and the computers on the fastest guys’ bikes, who were flogging their Transalps the whole time, read between 50 and 54 mpg. Not sure how that works, but I like it.

All in all, for $9,999, this is a helluva motorcycle that I alas, cannot wholeheartedly endorse, because they left off my favorite gadget: cruise control. If you’re one of those people who claims to not care about cc (Yamaha sold plenty of Teneres without it), then there’s nothing stopping you. Except that American Honda is only bringing in the Matte Black Metallic, and not the lovely white one available abroad. Those two things aside, I wouldn’t try to talk you down from this one. Very nice.

STAFF RIDES

THE

DR650 DOOFUS

The newer DR650 (closest to camera) has fewer miles and is outfitted way better than the older one.

Live and learn.

Dueling DRs: A perfect example of two not being larger than one

BY MITCH BOEHM

M

onths ago, in the wake of the Neil Fergus cover story (June 2023), I decided I had to have a big dual-sport thumper. I’d helped develop Honda’s XR650L (alongside the late Bruce Ogilvie) during my three-year stint at American Honda in the early 1990s, and thought I had a soft spot for it…but after researching things I settled on a Suzuki DR650, like Neil’s, with about 6K on the clock.

It wasn’t perfect (the jetting was off and it had some funky bolt-ons), but it did have firmer aftermarket suspension from the DR experts at Pro Cycle, which was important, as I’m not 180 pounds anymore. I quickly replaced the not-comfy stock seat with a superb Seat Concepts saddle and added fresh rubber (Kenda K270s), and figured once I swapped the stock exhaust for a reasonably-quiet Leo Vince and added a large-capacity fuel tank (also from Pro Cycle), I’d be ready to roll.

But no. Just two days before leaving for our Alps Challenge tours I was poking around online and found another

DR just 20 miles from home that had all the fixins, including the Leo Vince and biggie tank…but also the Pro Cycle flat-slide Mikuni carb upgrade, Pro Taper bars, billet fork brace, alloy engine bash plate, luggage racks and more. It also somehow had only 700-some miles on the clock. Basically, the guy had outfitted the bike to the teeth, but never really rode it. And he’d just reduced the price.

I had no time and not a lot of cash, having just spent $3,500 on the first DR, but such was my mania (gotta love that quote from A Christmas Story) that I snagged it, knowing that A) someone would snatch it while I was in Europe, and B) I could sell the first DR to make room for the second, physically and financially. It’s a cruel game our minds play when we gotta have something, right?

Now that I’ve done a bit of parts mixing and matching with these two, it’s time to sell No.1. But with winter already here it might be spring before I can sell it. I can deal with that. I just need to make sure I stay off Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I’m a doofus, and it’s obvious I have no control.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

73

Whether organizing shelves of pin boxes, sifting through old racing records, or scanning photos and magazine pages, Bricker keeps busy keeping AMA history in order.

behind the scenes

The Historian

Longtime AMA employee — and unofficial archivist — John Bricker has spent years building, cataloging and organizing AMA history B Y K E AT O N M A I S A N O

A

t first glance, the American Motorcyclist Association’s collection of history appears to be concentrated within the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, which showcases many significant motorcycles, relics and memorabilia.

However, those two floors of history pale in comparison to the 100 years of documents, magazines, photos, film, CDs, VHS tapes and more on the lower floor of the AMA headquarters office in Pickerington, Ohio, which is literally connected to that impressive museum via a walkway.

Archiving and organizing this vast collection of history has become the task of AMA Mailroom Manager John Bricker, who became an AMA employee in 1990 and who, with the advancement of technology over the years (and the subsequent decrease in physical mail), became the defacto historical caretaker of AMA history.

“I’ve always been a historian,” Bricker said. “I do a lot of my genealogy with my family, and I’m the co-founder of the Galena Historic Foundation in Galena, Ohio.”

Bricker has scanned decades of magazines, racing records, documents, photos and more to preserve the information stored within the walls of the AMA headquarters.

In addition to digitizing the archives, he has spent his time 74

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

organizing the physical copies of magazines, pins and other memorabilia.

“The AMA is the American Motorcyclist Association,” Bricker added. “It’s about people, and you find the people in the paperwork. I’m trying to preserve that.”

With a collection of different magazines such as Motorcycle Bicycle that dates to around 1910, the physical records of motorcyclists and the AMA can be traced back to before the AMA’s creation in 1924.

“I have come across paperwork with [AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer] Arthur Davidson mentioning the creation of the AMA,” Bricker said. “In one of them, I found what I believe to be the first mention of an AMA organization.”

Even after years of effort, Bricker estimated he is only 20 percent through the material. Despite the daunting task ahead of him, Bricker keeps chipping away. “People think there’s no way I’ll be able to scan it all,” he said, “but you just get started…one box, then a second box, and after a while, you’re like, ‘Hey, I’m halfway through this pile.’”

“There is so much rich history at the AMA, and so much potential if you just bring it out of the shadows,” Bricker continued.

Some of that rich history will end up on the pages of American Motorcyclist during the coming year as our 100th Anniversary celebration plays out. And Bricker will have had a serious hand in all of it. Thanks, J.B! Preserving and promoting motorcycling’s rich history is the mission of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is funded by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and it is through the generosity of donors that this effort is possible. Donations can be made by going to AmericanMotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame.

Looking for a real chunk of motorcycle history, and one that benefits the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame? Well, this is it, and here’s your chance!

Back in 1972, BMW’s motorcycle division was at a critical crossroads, with some higher-ups advising to close things down. Luckily, Bob Lutz and Hans Muth joined forces to create the now-legendary BMW R90S, a premium, top-shelf motorcycle that could battle the likes of Honda’s CB750 and Kawasaki’s Z1, not in pure performance but in craftsmanship, comfort, and cachet.

Get your tickets — $5 per, or 5 for $20.

Don’t miss this!

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • JANUARY 2024

www.americanmotorcyclist.com/raffle-bike

75

THE WORLD’S ® WARMEST BASELAYER

Japanese baselayer brand Zerofit has created a range of game-changing products to keep you toasty warm and ensure that plummeting temperatures won’t stop you getting out on the road or track this winter. Designed by a passionate team of innovators and baselayer specialists, the Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate is the most technically advanced baselayer on the planet and completely different to any other product you’ve ever worn before.

WHAT MAKES IT SO GOOD? 1. It’s five times warmer than a standard baselayer

3. Heating from top to toe this winter

2. Instant warmth the moment you put it on

4. Ride free with fewer layers and greater warmth

That is quite a claim, but it’s a fact. Tested at the iconic Boken Institute in Osaka, the Heatrub Ultimate baselayer recorded a Heat Retention Rating of 0.78; a standard baselayer would have a rating of between 0.1 to 0.14. And for reference, a jumper would typically have a rating of 0.3. The Ultimate performs best in a temperature range of 14° thru 50° Fahrenheit – so even in the coldest of conditions and most biting of winds, you’ll still be nicely heated.

A standard baselayer traps body heat between your skin and the material, so it takes a little time before you feel the benefits. With Zerofit, five separate fabrics, along with a patented knitting process, create instant warmth as soon as you pull it on. And, because of the construction of the garment, this heat is retained for the duration of your time on the bike, making it an essential piece of kit this winter.

No need for multiple additional layers – a game-changer

Five times warmer than a standard baselayer

Innovative ‘Heat Threads’ positioned on the inside of the garment gently rub against your skin and are activated upon even the smallest of movements, creating positive warmth across your body. We also produce Heatrub Ultimate Leggings, Heatrub Ultimate Socks and a Heatrub Ultimate Neckwarmer, all of which are made from the same material and work in exactly the same way, so you can have top-to-toe warmth on even the longest of journeys with Zerofit.

The Ultimate is the ideal product for bikers who hate traditional tight baselayers. Over the years, you may well have ‘layered up’ in order to combat the effects of cold weather.

This is where we are changing the game. The Heatrub Ultimate is so good at keeping you warm, you won’t need multiple additional layers. And the unique fabric mix means it doesn’t need to rely on compression to keep you warm, making it super comfortable too.

Instant heat the moment you put it on

Heating from top to toe

HEATRUB MOVE BASELAYER ADAPTABLE WARMTH ON THE GO The Ultimate baselayer is complemented by the Heatrub Move ($76), which is twice as warm as a standard baselayer and ideal for milder temperatures of between 23° thru 53° Fahrenheit. It features a 45% polypropylene construction on the inside of the baselayer and a hollow polyester shell that combine for ‘Adaptable Warmth’, keeping you cosy when you’re at a standstill yet regulating temperature and ensuring you don’t overheat as your ride progresses. The construction removes sweat from the skin and evaporates it off the surface of the baselayer quickly, so that nasty feeling of ‘cold sweat’ never materialises.

RE A D

Buy

a ny

Ze

ER O

FFER !

FRE rofit ba wor E NE selaye C th $ 34 u K W r and AR re sin at c g code MER ceive hec a AM k out .

A10 0

Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate Baselayer (available in Black, White, Gray, Green, Navy and Red) – from $90 ■ Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate Leggings (available in Black) - $99 ■ Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate Socks (available in Black) - $27 ■ Zerofit Heatrub Move Baselayer (available in Black, White, Titanium, Dayglo and Navy) – from $76

FOLLOW US!

@ZFNorth America

Instagram: @zerofitUSA FOR MORE DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT info@zerofitusa.com or call +1-760-310-9840

SEE THE FULL RANGE AT WWW.ZEROFITUSA.COM