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The Journal of the AMA Preview Version
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THE JOURNAL OF THE
JANUARY 2010
2009
HOLIDAY SHOPPING MADE EASY: GIVE THE GIFT OF AMA MEMBERSHIP. SEE PAGE 57.
2009Motorcyclists
of the Year...KIDS!
[at the center of the
year’s biggest story]
AM_01_2010_pp001_Cover.indd 1 11/19/09 6:02 PM
THE SPYDER RS. RIDING REINVENTED.
It’s not about where you take the Can-Am™ Spyder® RS roadster. It’s about where it takes you. Equipped with a powerful Rotax® 990 V-Twin engine. Dynamic Power Steering. And a Vehicle Stability System for comfort and control. The RS turns everyday trips into full-blown adventures. Learn more at spyder.brp.com.
MOTION EMOTION
©2009 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates.
Products are distributed in the U.S.A. by BRP US Inc. Always ride responsibly and safely and observe applicable laws. Remember that
riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.
AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 2 11/19/09 6:03 PM
We know things are tight this year ...
But that’s no reason to get the
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Log on to BikeBandit.com now and
make the holidays bright, not tight.
or call 1.877.887.BIKE to get holidays done right.
Get it Fast. Get it Right. Get Riding.Don’t take any chances this year.
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Total parts shipped
AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 3 11/19/09 6:03 PM
16 Protecting The Ride New Bike Test Procedure
Gaining Ground On Sound
20 Living It Buell Motorcycles: 1983-2009
24 Connections A Matter Of Priorities
30 Adrenaline Strange Days: Team USA’s Six
Days Effort
34 Heritage 1940 Triumph Tiger 100
50 Go Ride What To Do, Where To Go
36 2009 AMA Motorcyclists Of The Year: Kids!
Promising not to eat their motorcycles, kids were at the heart of 2009’s biggest story
46 Watching, Waiting And Working
The lead law that threatens to end motorcycling for kids could still destroy the sport
January 2010
Volume 64, Number 1
Published by the
American Motorcyclist Association
13515 Yarmouth Dr.
Pickerington, OH 43147
(800) AMA-JOIN
AmericanMotorcyclist.com
American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2009. Printed in USA. Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $10 covered in membership dues; $15 a year for non-members.
Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offi ces.
Cover They just want to ride: 9-year-old Eli Otterbach and the Torres sisters, Autumn, 9, and Jaden, 6. Like all kids, they found their love of motorcycles threatened when the federal government said it would ban youth bikes and ATVs in 2009 (see page 36). Photo by
Shannon Price
Navigation Photo Erik Buell, back in the day, honing his vision of what a Buell motorcycle could be. Like most riders, we here at American Motorcyclist
were saddened to see the proud brand ride into the sunset (see page 20).
06 Snapshots Your Images, Your World
10 Letters You Write, We Read
12 Rob Dingman Motorcyclists of the Year
58 Davey CoombsHelp Your Kids Have
The Fun You Had
VIEWPOINTS THE LIFE
FEATURES
Navigation
4 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 4 11/19/09 6:04 PM
Bike Week in Daytona Beach, FL is known far and wide asone of the greatest festivals in America that's enjoyed bybikers world-wide. It's a passage and a passion many lookforward to year after year.
With 10 days of fun activities and thousands of things to seeand do, its easy to find yourself in bikers paradise at BikeWeek. Wake up to the bright, crisp Daytona Beach area sun-shine while you take in some of the most spectacular bikesaround and meet the best people from all walks of life.
The manufactures and vendors you know and love will behere too along with a few new surprises and great newevent locations to discover along the way.
Need help planning your stay? No problem. Let our pro-fessional travel staff work with you to find your perfectlodging right here in the Daytona Beach area. We've evengot on-line searches and special event pricing to make iteven easier to fully enjoy your spring Bike Week get-away.
Find out more about this incredible event and all there is to see and do at
www.GetNews.BikerBeach.comYour resource for event information and everything you’ll need to plan your
perfect Bike Week get-away direct from our Daytona Beach area professionals.
Look for us on popular social network sites including
Twitter@BikerBeach and FaceBook.com/bikerbeachfor the most up to the minute event details and announcements.
Or call our toll free Biker Beach Bike Week hot line at
1-866-250-6181 for personalized service your way.
AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 5 11/20/09 11:26 AM
1) L-R: Vernon Markworth, Rob Watt, Kerry Simpson, Stan Simpson, Doc TR, and Will Hendrix riding in Utah. 2)
Phyllis and Dave Hunter. 3) Arnold Rosling of Nampa, Idaho. 4) Ed Henderson and Bob Gregorio with Orange County
Choppers patriarch Paul Teutul in New York. 5) Crosby Grindle of Bend, Ore., just doing what he likes to do. 6) Bay
Area Riders Association of Triumph ride, submitted by Victor Castellanos. 7) Jim Connelly’s Honda Shadow in front
of a Boy Scout building in Union Grove, Wis. 8) Doug Justus and friends in Colorado. 9) Marianne Taylor in the
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. 10) Johnnie Ross. 11) Dell Hickle’s first trip to Deal’s Gap. 12) Krystal Azelkas. 13) L-R: Jim Sheerin, Steve Noyes,
Marty Shaw, Dave Noyes, Jack Burkhard, and Scott Carpenter. 14) Ron and Brenda Glowatcky at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. 15) Martin Twofeather
in Virginia on Memorial Day. 16) Photo by Randy Peterson. 17) Al Bowman. 18) Laura Rodrigues and son, Nicolas, during a two-week family motorcycle
trip from Arizona to Oregon and back via the coast highway. 19) Rose Bromberg shot of Greg Cowan at Cycle Ranch Motocross Park in Floresville, Texas.
2
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Snapshots
Congratulations! You’re the winner this month!
Andy Tawata snapped this shot of his wife, Kalelei,
as the couple rode near Waimea Canyon on the
Hawaiian island of Kauai.
6 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 6 11/19/09 6:05 PM
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Get A Pair Of Dunlop Tires. Got an image that represents what’s cool about motorcyling?
Send your high-resolution photos, name and mailing address to submissions@ama-cycle.
org. We’ll pick one standout photo next month and send the photographer a certificate for
Dunlop tires. Editors decisions are final. No purchase necessary.
January 2010 7
AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 7 11/19/09 6:05 PM
JH
SP
Editorial officES
American Motorcyclist
13515 Yarmouth Drive
Pickerington, OH 43147
(614) 856-1900
Grant Parsons, Managing Editor
James Holter, Associate Editor
Bill Kresnak, Government Affairs Editor
Mitch Boehm, Contributing Editor
Mark Lapid, Creative Director
Nora McDonald, Production Coordinator
Jen Muecke, Designer
advErtiSing
Ray Monroe, Advertising Manager
(815) 885-4445, [email protected]
Misty Walker, Advertising Assistant
(614) 856-1900, ext. 1267, [email protected]
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, 2009.
aMa Board of dirEctorS
Contact any member of the AMA Board of
Directors at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.
com/whatis/trustees.asp
Stan Simpson, Chairman
Cibolo, Texas
Jim Williams, Vice-Chairman
Irvine, Calif.
Jon-Erik Burleson, Assistant Treasurer
Murrietta, Calif.
Bill Werner, Assistant Secretary
Brookfield, Wis.
John Ulrich, Executive Committee Member
Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Erik Buell, East Troy, Wis.
andy goldfine, Duluth, Minn.
charles goman, Winder, Ga.
Perry King, Northern California
Michael lock, Cupertino, Calif.
Maggie Mcnally, Albany, N.Y.
arthur More, Surprise, Ariz.
Monty SoUngPraditH, Photographer Monty is one
of our go-to photographers locally, and his easy-going
nature and get-it-in-one-click style is reflected in this month’s
Heritage spread on page 34. Look for more of his work in
that space going forward.
tHE SUSqUEHanna PHotograPHic, Photographers
Allison and Philip run this small photography group out of
central Pennsylvania. When not photo-blogging about small
towns and businesses, they love to travel around and meet
new people, like Dennis Haggerty this month. You can see
more of their work at SusquehannaPhoto.com.
JEnni HaHn, Photographer Jenni took some great
photos of Bill Hearne for this issue in the foothills of South
Dakota. And the weather was actually perfect! More of her
work can be found at JenniHahnPhotography.com.
davEy cooMBS, guest columnist The publisher of
Racer X and Roadracer X magazines, and a member of the
family that runs the Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National
Motocross Championships as well as MX Sports Pro Racing,
Davey took time out to pen this month’s guest column. And
yes, the bike he’s on in his picture is an exact replica of his
first bike.
nora Mcdonald, Production coordinator The resto
on the CB360 has begun, starting with a clean set of
carbs —just in time for the usual slushy Columbus winter.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Bill KrESnaK, government affairs Editor Bill is one
of the few people who not only owns a set of custom-made
Kevin Schwantz MotoGP-replica leathers from back in the
day, but he keeps them in an unobtainium Corin bag from
Japan.
grant ParSonS, Managing Editor Grant is wrestling
with the eternal question for the bikes in his garage: To
winterize, or not? The safe money is on “not,” for two
reasons: 1) He’s hoping for the occasional riding days
through the winter; and 2) He’s lazy. Tune in in March when
he’s cleaning every carb and throttle body he owns.
MarK laPid, creative director The key to learning to
ride off-road? Covering every inch of the bike you’re riding
with mud, of course. And as Mark discovered, the best way
is to submerge said bike in a giant puddle to a point that is
(thankfully) just below the intake snorkle.
JEn MUEcKE, designer Ah, democracy. It’s been 20
years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Jen celebrated
by going for a ride on a bike that was made in former East
Germany.
JaMES HoltEr, associate Editor After riding the Suzuki
owned by Hollywood Joe’s partner in crime, Tom Desideri,
James suddenly finds himself answering everyone’s question
of “What bike should I buy next” with a shout of “Hayabusa!”
other contributors include: Steve Beckner, Mark Kariya
(800) AMA-JOIN
AmericanMotorcyclist.com
contributors and Staff
JHMS BK
8 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 8 11/20/09 10:24 AM
THEY REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE
If the November issue is an example of the new format, keep up the good work. The cover and article on two old freedom fi ghters for bikers’ rights were right on.
It’s good to see people with that kind of integrity being recognized. These two, Sherm and Bob, show that bikers can and do achieve positions that can directly represent us in the legislature. If only every state could have this caliber of representation.
Thanks for recognizing these two and letting the world know what they do.
Chuck CoulterAMA No. 482961Boise, Idaho
GOOD JOB ON THE SOUND ISSUE
I recently picked up an issue of American
Motorcyclist and read about your efforts to promote motorcycle noise control.
My cycling experiences go back 45 years and yes, I once owned a bike with a megaphone exhaust.
Being older and, hopefully, wiser, I realize that’s not good for my ears or others’ ears as well.
Kudos for taking on this important topic. Good luck!
Chuck PrinceAMA No. 1086758Columbus, Ga.
IMPRESSED WITH DAVID HOUGH
Last weekend I found David Hough’s book, Profi cient
Motorcycling, in the public library.
Today, I found him in your magazine as an inductee into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and I fi nd myself moved to say, “Hip, hip, hooray!” for this wise writer.
A little bit of what he shares isn’t new to me, since I’ve lived on bicycles all my life.
But after teaching myself to ride something with not only two wheels, but also an engine, at age 55, I fi nd Hough’s discussions of such things as countersteering, traction with throttle, decreasing radius turns, and situational awareness to be the next best thing to a motorcycle safety course, which I’m now
committed to taking when they start up again next year.
Thanks for honoring Hough’s work.
Dr. Noel A. TaylorAMA No. 1089614Columbus, Ind.
A SHOUT OUT TO
ONE OF OUR OWN
Karl Duffner, a well-known member of the antique motorcycle community world-wide, has taken ill.
While some AMA members might not recognize Karl by name, many will recognize his
motorcycles: His “People’s Choice”-winning “Dick Mann Special” 1960 BSA Gold Star Café Racer has been on the front cover of more than one big-name magazine, and is prominently featured in the Metro Racing catalog; his ribbon-winning 1954 BMW R68 purchased by Karl for $550 on March 18, 1959, from a friend’s dad, who purchased it new on May 19, 1954; his blue-and-white 1962 Harley Davidson Sportster CH which he bought new in ’62; or his BMW 1974 R90S bought new in 1974 that has 313,000-plus miles.
Karl has attended Daytona for 40-plus years, and at times has chosen to ride the 2,000-mile round trip on a Honda 250 Rebel or on the R90S. Karl is a lifelong enthusiast whose generosity and easy-going manner has touched many fellow riders. We wish him all the best!
On behalf of Karl’s many friends,Steve RooneyAMA No. 648168Williamstown, N.J.
CONGRESS AT WORK
The following letter was received from a
delegate to AMA Congress, the group that
formulates AMA rule-changes for approval
by the AMA Board of Directors.
After attending the AMA Congress meeting in October, I know that the spirit of democracy, and the conduct of representative governing, is alive and well among the members and leaders of the American Motorcyclist Association.
Three days of discussion, disagreement and consensus revealed to this rookie representative the true essence of a democratic society. Issues concerning the past, present and future operation of the
NICE WORK, BOB AND SHERM!
The article in your November issue about New Hampshire state legislators Bob Letourneau and Sherm Packard epitomizes what it means to live in a state whose motto is “Live Free or Die!” These two men stand for and by that pledge.
They stand tall among motorcyclists, legislators, and are truly fi ne examples to us all. If more folks got as involved as these two are, we would have a less diffi cult time passing legislation favorable to motorcycles, as well as enhancing the overall enjoyment and safety of our sport. May their fl ags wave long and proudly!
William DarlingAMA No. 221856Longs, S.C.
Send your letters (and a high-resolution photo) to [email protected];
or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.Member Letters
TELL ME MORE ABOUT
SOUND METERS
I just got around to reading the September issue (loved it, by the way) and had one comment. You told us nothing about the sound measurement device pictured on page 46. Who makes it (or them)? Who can purchase it? Is there training on its use? Are there certifi cations required? Are there periodic recalibrations? Will the manufacturer or AMA be offering tests at upcoming rallies?
Allen HookAMA No. 251555Avon Lake, Ohio
Thanks for the questions, Allen.
We answer a lot of them in this
issue, on page 16, which offers a
simplifi ed view of how to conduct a
sound test, and offers information
on a video we’ve posted on
AmericanMotorcyclist.com. As
for the cost, good “Type 2” sound
meters typically run a couple hundred
dollars. Because of the high price,
the AMA encourages clubs and
promoters to purchase the devices
for use at motorcycle gatherings, and
we offer a grant program. Equipment
info: ChemHelp.com.
Karl Duffner
Dr. Noel Taylor
10 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 10 11/20/09 10:24 AM
American Motorcyclist Association and its component parts were actively sought, thoroughly discussed, and democratically decided upon, in multiple areas and disciplines.
The president and CEO of the AMA, and his staff, were present, and accessible, throughout the conference. This fact alone made the
get-together a successful event for this rookie representative. Committee and subcommittee chairs were highly profi cient in the conduct of meetings…
In addition to my individual points of interest, I was intrigued by, and drawn into, discussions about numerous motorcycle-related subjects that were presented in a highly in-depth manner. From my fi rst-hand observations, I believe the American Motorcyclist Association Congress was, and will continue to be, a
On Facebook? Us, too. Become a fan of the
American Motorcyclist Association and you could be leaving comments like these:
Franklin Marino Even a bad day of riding is better than a good day of sitting around the house.—after a
(hopefully good) ride.
Lisa Thornberry Hettman I conquered doubles, whoops and tabletops at Mt. View MX in Sandy, Ore., this year, and offi cially graduated from newbie to intermediate. Yayyyy!! I love MVMX.—on a
highlight of her year.
Curt Wise Done...times 2—on taking advantage, twice, of the
AMA’s gift-membership program (see page 57).
Frank Pichardo AMA Roadside Assistance is totally awesome. I have used it in Southern California, and the customer service, towing, and everyone is totally cool and a pro. Thanks, AMA!
Ed Nugent I feel, at least in Florida, it is too easy to get a motorcycle endorsement. The three-day MSF class is excellent and remains a foundation of my rider skills, but we need more. Many people seem more inclined to spend $200 for a piece of chrome than putting it toward an advanced riding class.—in a motorcycle safety thread.
Bob Maddocks What I’m trying to articulate is that WE are
fundamentally and ultimately responsible for trying to avoid the legions of caged morons out there trying to kill us. That responsibility includes keeping our motorcycles in sound mechanical condition and wearing appropriate protective gear. We can’t prepare for every contingency, but often I see motorcyclists putting themselves in situations that should have been avoided.—in the same discussion.
Britt Lambert Dennis Manning and Chris Carr, what a team! Might as well go for 425 mph and forget 400! —responding to a video of land-speed racing record
holder (and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer) Denis
Manning, posted on AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Scott Weber Great riding, TEAM USA! Congratulations on winning the FIM Motocross of Nations, making Team USA the 2009 World Champions in the 450, 250 and Open classes and bringing the USA its 20th win!—on MXoN.
Robert Corum IT’S ABOUT TIME!!! I thought we’d NEVER win that thing! (except for the last 50 times we did :x)—joking, in response.
Follow AMA news—and chat with fellow AMA members—
on Facebook. You can also always get the latest info at
AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
www.facebook.com/AmericanMotorcyclist
LETTER OF THE MONTH
Who Needs A Garage?!
The moms and dads of the AMA may think they have it bad with all their kids and their motorcycles, but check out these pictures of my wife, Penny’s fl at-track bike. Honest, that’s where she stores it in our house for the winter.
Terry HeathAMA No. 675652Port Crane, N.Y.
Congratulations Terry,
you’re our letter of the
month, and you win a free
AMA T-shirt!
highly professional and useful vehicle in the initiatives for enhancing the various motorcycling opportunities in North Carolina.
Charles W. SchaeferAMA No. 750721District 29 Off-Road Recreation DelegateWaynesville, N.C.
Charles Schaefer
January 2010 11
AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 11 11/19/09 6:06 PM
The selection of our 2009 AMA Motorcyclist Of The Year
(MOTY) was notable for the number of candidates that we
considered. When we announced the MOTY last year, we
said that the recipient should be someone who has had
the most profound impact on motorcycling, positively or
negatively. In other words, a contribution made—for better
or worse—to motorcycling and its future by an individual
throughout the course of the previous calendar year.
In a year marked by the struggling economy and a
number of not-so-veiled threats to motorcycling, it wasn’t
hard to identify candidates. Some of you had excellent
suggestions, and not all of them were heroes. Early in the
year Congress passed the 1,300-page Omnibus Public
Land Management Act that inappropriately designated
some 2 million acres as Wilderness in several states. The
“bad guys” were easy to spot. Our federal legislators are
not done and, as I write this, efforts are afoot to close off
9.4 million acres of Utah’s public land.
Yet, there was an even bigger story in 2009: the
implementation of the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act (CPSIA), which was signed into law
by former President Bush in August 2008. In a cruel
testament to the “Law of Unintended Consequences,”
the CPSIA was the same bill that the off-highway vehicle
(OHV) manufacturers lobbied Congress to pass in an effort
to codify the voluntary all-terrain vehicle safety design
standards that those companies have observed for two
decades. Apparently unforeseen was that another section
of the same legislation—which mandated the elimination
of lead in children’s toys—would ultimately lead to the
banning of the sale of youth-model motorcycles and ATVs.
Suddenly, it became illegal for dealers to sell kids’
OHVs because regulators feared that parts such as
battery terminals, valve stems, engine cases and controls
might somehow end up in a youngster’s mouth. Just as
suddenly, young riders were exposed to unnecessary
risk because only adult-sized vehicles remained for sale.
Also, no thought was given to the economic hardship
small businesses and their employees would suffer in a
depressed economy. Responding to the immediate threat,
manufacturers, distributors, dealers, the aftermarket
and tens of thousands of families mobilized to pressure
Congress and the Consumer Product Safety Commission
(which was charged with enforcing the law) to exempt
these products from implementation of the CPSIA.
While it’s easy to single out the villains, at the center of
Motorcyclists Of The YearOur Youngest Riders Were At The
Center Of The Year’s Biggest Story
By Rob Dingman
the biggest story in motorcycling of 2009 were the clear
victims—kids. When 6-year-old AMA member Chase
Yentzer spoke at a CPSIA protest rally in the U.S. Capitol
Building in April, his words cut to the heart of the matter.
“I ride dirtbikes with my family. I race dirtbikes. Please
give me my dirtbike back. I promise not to eat it.” On that
day, young Chase spoke for the hundreds of thousands of
youngsters who represent the future of the sport, lifestyle
and pastime that we cherish and defend so passionately.
A future that remains in jeopardy, as you will read about in
one of this month’s features (see page 46).
Because this devastating issue cast aside the hopes and
dreams of thousands of young OHV riders in 2009, it was
only appropriate that we considered bestowing the honor
of MOTY to each and every one of America’s kids who ride
dirtbikes and ATVs. I am therefore very proud to announce
that Kids are the 2009 AMA Motorcyclists Of The Year. In
the spirit of “paying it forward,” it is for them that we toil
today, and it is for their future that we will fi ght tomorrow.
Rob Dingman is the AMA’s president and CEO.
From the President
Ph
oto
Op
en Im
ag
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tud
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12 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 12 11/19/09 6:07 PM
makes sure a flat won’t slow her down.
flat out pushes land speed limits.
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AM_01_2010_pp002-013.indd 13 11/19/09 6:07 PM
Protecting the Ride 16
Living It 20
Connections 24
Adrenaline 30
Heritage 34
The Life
AM_01_2010_pp014-019_Uber_Protect.indd 14 11/20/09 10:32 AM
In some places, the scene doesn’t change much over the decades, and the only difference between the
view back then and the view now is that it’s motorcycles, rather than horses, that are parked in front of the
feed store. It’s never too early to start planning the epic rides that lead you to such places, and the best way
to find the best roads, no matter where you’re headed, is is the AMA’s Good Roads Database, available only
to members. Find it in the Members Only Area of AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Photo: Neale Bayly
January 2010 15
AM_01_2010_pp014-019_Uber_Protect.indd 15 11/20/09 10:33 AM
Conducting an SAE J2825 sound test procedure on an on-highway motorcycle may seem daunting, but it’s easy. Here’s how to do it:
1Find a clear test site. No wall or sign should be within 8 feet of the
motorcycle.
2Decide whether you want to use the idle, set rpm or swept rpm test
procedure. The idle test procedure requires that the motorcycle engine run for at least 5 seconds at idle. The set rpm procedure requires that the motorcycle operator run the engine at the test speed for that motorcycle—5,000 rpm for three- and four-cylinder motors, and 2,000 rpm for all others—for at least two seconds. The swept rpm procedure requires that the engine be slowly accelerated to the test rpm. When the specifi ed engine speed is reached, the throttle is quickly closed. The acceleration should take at least two seconds.
3Have someone sit on the motorcycle
in a normal riding position with one or both feet on the ground. Or you can put the motorcycle up on its center stand, if it has one, or put the front wheel in a restraint so that the bike is vertical. If you are conducting just the “idle” test, you can put the motorcycle on its side stand or center stand without someone sitting on the bike.
4Set the sound meter for an A-weighting and for slow dynamic response. (For
the swept test the meter should be set for a fast dynamic response.) Hold the sound
meter microphone 20 inches from the exhaust outlet at a 45-degree angle to the normal line of travel of the motorcycle and at the same height as the exhaust outlet.
5If the motorcycle has more than one exhaust outlet, test each side of the
motorcycle that has an outlet.
6Take three readings to confi rm your data.
To see a video that shows how to conduct a sound test, go to YouTube.com/AmericanMotorcyclist.
When Chris Real rides his motorcycle near his home in Upland, Calif., he always passes a sign at the border of a private community that upsets him: “No Motorcycles Allowed Beyond This Point.”
“I hate that sign,” said Real, a nationally recognized sound expert and president of DPS Technical (www.ChemHelp.com). “They have dealt with noise by not allowing motorcycles there.”
When there is a sound problem, Real explained in a talk to delegates at the AMA Congress held in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 8-10, people need to understand it, identify it, study it and then control it.
A new Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) sound test procedure—SAE J2825, “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles”—is a tool to be used when dealing with sound issues, said Real, who helped develop the procedure.
“It was developed for roadside sound
measurement and control of excessively loud motorcycles with signifi cantly modifi ed exhaust systems,” he said. Only very loud motorcycle exhausts would fail the procedure, he said.
The new procedure sets a decibel limit of 92 dB(A) at idle for all motorcycles. Motorcycles with three or four cylinders have a decibel limit of 100 dB(A) at 5,000 rpm or 75 percent of maximum engine speed, whichever is less, when using what is known as the “set” rpm test; or for a “swept” test that involves slowly accelerating to the specifi ed rpm.
All other motorcycles have a decibel limit of 96 dB(A) at 2,000 rpm, or 75 percent of maximum engine speed, whichever is less, for the set or swept test.
“The 100 dB(A) is with your ear 20 inches away from the exhaust pipe, not at a sidewalk cafe,” Real said, addressing the source of many citizen complaints about motorcycle sound.
NEW BIKE TEST PROCEDURE GAINING GROUND ON THE ISSUE OF MOTORCYCLE SOUNDSOUND GURU CHRIS REAL EXPLAINS
THE NEW STREETBIKE TEST
Sound expert and motorcyclist Chris
Real is at the forefront of educating
people about motorcycle sound.
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How To Conduct A Sound Test
16 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
The Life | Protecting the Ride
AM_01_2010_pp014-019_Uber_Protect.indd 16 11/19/09 6:10 PM
Check the Yellow Pages – OILS, LUBRICATING – for your nearest Dealer
OFFICIAL OIL
Call for your FREE motorcycle oil report.
1-800-777-8491 or email us at
Ask for our white paper,
A Study of Motorcycle Oils.
Can’t wait? Download it today from www.amsoil.com
Totally updated test results!
Denis Manning of BUB Enterprises
(www.BUBEnt.com) appears to be the fi rst
aftermarket exhaust maker to get pipes
certifi ed by the federal Environmental
Protection Agency for street use.
What’s that mean?
The pipe, the BUB 7 Stealth Muffl ers
for Harley-Davidson touring models,
is stamped to certify that it meets EPA
emissions and sound requirements, just
like stock pipes. Or, in other words, the
exhaust system can be legally used on the
road. Pipes without the stamp are illegal.
In 1972, Congress passed the federal
Noise Control Act, which required the EPA
to set sound standards for a variety of
products.
The EPA set sound standards for
motorcycles beginning in 1983. The limit
started at 83 dB(A) but went to a stricter
80 dB(A) beginning in 1986 using an EPA
drive-by test.
To be able to sell their bikes in the
United States, motorcycle manufacturers
must certify their products meet federal
emissions and sound standards and
stamp a compliance notice on the pipe.
So why have aftermarket exhaust
system makers all these years sold their
pipes “For Competition Use Only” even
if they were made for Harley-Davidson
touring motorcycles, for example, rather
than get the EPA certifi cation?
The necessary research and testing to
get certifi ed is very expensive.
That means that for a small company
trying to make a profi t, the cost can be
prohibitive.
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Aftermarket Exhaust Industry Responds To Need For Quiet Street PipesBUB Enterprises Creates EPA-Approved Aftermarket Muffl er
More than 100,000 people have
stepped up to make their voices heard
in Washington, D.C., this year by using
tools provided by the AMA, said AMA
Washington Representative Rick Podliska.
E-mails sent by riders registered
for Action Alerts through the AMA
website have let federal lawmakers and
government offi cials know how they feel
on a variety of issues.
Those issues range from an
unreasonable law regulating the lead
content allowed
in youth-model
motorcycles
and ATVs to the
inappropriate
designation of
new “Wilderness”
that shuts out
responsible off-
highway vehicle
(OHV) use.
AMA Members Are Making A Difference On Capitol Hill Riders Speak Out,
Lawmakers Listen
Rick Podliska
AM_01_2010_pp014-019_Uber_Protect.indd 17 11/19/09 6:11 PM
Statewatch
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304
72
62
62
51
50
29
28
27
23
2114 10 9
2009 Summary The AMA Government Relations Department monitors around 1,400 pieces of state legislation
in all 50 states each year and takes action when necessary. Those actions include informational mailings to AMA members, news
releases, testimony and providing information to key legislative committees. Here’s a breakdown of the on-highway legislation
followed during the 2009 legislative sessions around the country through Oct. 31. Distracted driving issues are broken out further.
(Off-highway legislation will be featured next month.)
AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Rights
Distracted/Inattentive Vehicle Operation: (304 bills)
Traffic offenses: Vehicular assault/homicide, right-of-way and related violations, seizure, banning motorcycles from public roads, parking, riding two abreast and stunt riding (110)
License plates: Special plates and vertical mounting (72)
Equipment: Sound, exhaust systems, lighting, emissions, fuels and alcohol interlocks (62)
Safety: Rider education programs, safety and awareness, and mandatory training (62)
Vehicle laws: Rebuilt vehicles, registrations, lemon laws, inspections, high-occupancy-vehicle lanes, titles, lane splitting and right to repair (51)
Helmets (50)
Licensing, endorsements and permits (29)
Taxes: Registration and titles, taxes on miles traveled and fuel-efficient vehicles (28)
Tolls (27)
Miscellaneous: Definition of a motorcycle, discrimination, lead, traffic calming, congestion, traffic management and study committees (23)
Insurance: Vehicles, liability and denial of medical benefits (21)
Mopeds (14)
Passengers: Age restrictions (10)
Traffic-actuated signals (9)
• Cellphone usage: Restricting or prohibiting use (95 bills)
• Bans: Text messaging, internet use, drowsy driving (75)
• Hands-free: Use of cellphone (43)
• Distracted/Inattentive driving (29)
• Restricting video displays (12)
• After crash: Police reports to include distracted-driver info, enhanced penalties (8)
• Committees: To study cellphone use (2)
18 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
The Life | Protecting the Ride
AM_01_2010_pp014-019_Uber_Protect.indd 18 11/20/09 10:57 AM
The access group Americans for Recreational Access (ARRA) arranged a meeting Oct. 15 in Washington, D.C., with new U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell to discuss forest trails.
The AMA is part of ARRA and attended the meeting, along with representatives of a number of other outdoor recreation groups: the BlueRibbon Coalition, the Motorcycle Industry Council/Specialty Vehicle institute of America/Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, Specialty Equipment Market Association, Personal Watercraft Industry Association, and the American Council of Snowmobile Associations.
Government Relations Vice President Ed Moreland and Government Affairs Manager Royce Wood represented the AMA. They and the others discussed travel management plans for the forests, planning efforts related to various uses of forest land, and national forest policies.
“Chief Tidwell seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say concerning recreational use of the national forests,” Moreland said. “We’re hopeful that there will be a lot of collaboration between U.S. Forest Service land managers and recreational users of the forests under Tidwell’s leadership.”
The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public land nationwide.
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As motorcyclists, we see it all the time: car drivers talking on, or texting with, cellphones, putting on makeup or even reading while driving.
Those distracted drivers pose a danger not only to motorcyclists but to other road users as well.
Federal officials and lawmakers have decided to tackle the issue head on.
In October alone, President Obama signed an executive order banning federal workers from text-messaging while driving government vehicles, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told federal lawmakers at hearings that he will work to “raise the awareness (of the dangers of distracted driving) and sharpen the consequences.”
Efforts To Fight Distracted Driving Move Into High GearFederal Officials, Lawmakers
Addressing The Problem
AMA, Others Meet With New Forest HeadU.S. Forest Service Chief
Hears Concerns
“One motorcyclist killed on our highways is one too many, so it’s encouraging to see that decision makers at the federal level are taking the dangers of distracted driving seriously,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. “The AMA has adopted a position statement that endorses enhanced penalties for those who injure or kill others while operating a motor vehicle when distracted or inattentive operation is involved. But the goal must be to prevent the crashes.”
To read the AMA’s position statement on distracted and inattentive driving, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Resources > AMA Position Statements.
LaHood hosted a distracted-driving summit involving transportation and other experts from around the nation Sept. 30-Oct. 1 to gain insights into how to battle the problem.
The AMA was an invited guest to the summit and strongly urged that motorcyclists be considered in all future distracted driving discussions. Ed Moreland
The Life | Protecting the Ride
AM_01_2010_pp014-019_Uber_Protect.indd 19 11/19/09 6:11 PM
Buell Motorcycles: 1983-2009RideRs React to H-d Pulling tHe Plug
on Buell MotoRcycles
It was heartbreaking, to say the least. First came news that Buell motorcycles—which saw life when founder Erik Buell built the RW750 in 1983 to compete in AMA Formula 1—would cease production. Then came the video of an obviously crestfallen Buell, saying, “I will always be proud of America’s little sportbike company that took on the world, and with brilliant innovations produced some of the best-handling motorcycles of all time.”
On the AMA’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/AmericanMotorcyclist), we asked Buell owners to sound off about their passion for the brand. Here’s what they had to say:
erin Hunter, land-speed racer: I had the privilege this year to set a land-speed record on Tom “Santa Claus” Anderson’s Buell. My first pass on the Buell was exciting… The motor shut off at every upshift down the 5-mile Bonneville Salt Flats course! I had to reach over the tank to turn the bike back on after every shift. I took her back to the pits, fixed the engine switch, and proceeded to break the record on my next two passes.
Andrew Nightingale, ’08 1125r: The true passion for the Buell brand, in my mind, can be traced to the less tangible things. The owners of Buell motorcycles can find a sense of family in the brand… Erik Buell is a racer and motorcycle enthusiast in the truest sense of those terms, and his company reflects that more
than any other brand.
Mike cobb: I will buy more Buell bikes in the future—even when they don’t exist. I’ll buy it in parts, as Harley has to supply all parts
for seven years. I will do this very thing in a year just to prove you can still get a new Buell, even though they say production is
dead. I might even do it a second time in five years to prove a second point.
They can’t keep Buells—or our drive to have them—down.
tim Peters, XB9sX: In 1987 at the Milwaukee Speedway Indy car race, I stopped a guy who was pushing a Buell to ask a few questions, and after about five minutes of conversation, he held out his hand and said, “Hi, I’m Erik Buell.” Five minutes quickly turned into 25. That conversation, his ideas and his ability to speak honestly with someone he didn’t know really struck me, and I decided that a Buell would definitely be my next road bike… He was a man describing the joys and passions of doing something different and it spoke to me.
The Buell in my garage will always be there, and hopefully, someday, another Erik Buell-designed motorcycle will join it. Thank you, Erik.
Brandon osborne: I have owned three Buells, and I still own two of them. Every one has served me well and been a trustworthy bike. I have always been drawn to innovation, superior performance, diversity, excellence, honor, dedication, devotion, cutting-edge technology, and the ability to stand out. Buell has accomplished all of this and more.
Mark steffy: The game-changer for me came when I noticed that Buell got serious and jettisoned the Harley-Davidson engine for the Rotax power plant. The 1125R is the most amazing thing I’ve ever owned. It is like driving a Formula 1 car on the street.
Jason ecker, XB12s: I have owned my Buell XB12S for one year now, and I will
always own a Buell. This is the 12th bike I have owned, and none has done everything as well as the Buell. I also love the attention this bike gets. I love that people are genuinely
interested in the Buell and walk right past the $30,000 chopper parked right next to it.
Kurt Bennet,
Buell ulysses: I’m saddened at H-D Inc.’s closure of Buell and the company’s unwillingness to sell the brand. My best regards to Erik and the Elves. Their magic is responsible for some truly wonderful sport and adventure bikes. Thank you Buell Motorcycle Company for creating an endless series of smiles.
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20 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
the life | Living It
AM_01_2010_pp020-023_Uber_Living.indd 20 11/20/09 3:32 PM
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Tarmac may not be the first word that springs to mind at the mention of KTM, but three new offerings are nudging the Austrian manufacturer further into the on-road realm.
For 2010, the new top of their performance heap is the RC8 R, a 170-horsepower spinoff of the 2-year-old RC8 superbike. The angular chassis houses a slightly enlarged 1,195cc twin powerplant producing 15 more horsepower than its predecessor. The six-speed gearbox has been revamped for smoother shifting, and a slipper clutch is incorporated for track duty. Top-shelf four-piston Brembo monoblocs also gain 11 percent in thickness to help handle the brutalities of racing.
As substantiated by a day spent lapping Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, KTM has diligently honed the road manners of its new flagship, infusing fatigue-free ergonomics, facile handling, and fierce acceleration into the distinctive superbike. For starters, the seat/peg/handgrip relationship is far more accommodating than the bike’s sharp-edged lines might suggest, and feedback feels intuitive; stiffened WP suspension components with revised geometry and lightweight Marchesinis yield quick turn-in and strong mid-corner stability. Progressive power production peaks at a shrieking 10,250 rpm. Likewise, Brembo binders produce indefatigable stops, while slower speed maneuvers reveal a manageable throttle response, and snarling but unobtrusive notes emanate from the exhaust.
On a milder, but nonetheless compelling, note, KTM’s 990 SM R is an orange-framed supermoto with enough punch to gobble Laguna Seca with
Bike Impression
Road RocketsKTM’s ’10 Street Lineup Shines
alacrity. Tucked in the heart of the naked bike’s athletic outline is a 999cc 75-degree twin that produces 115 horsepower and 71.5 pounds-feet of torque, routing exhaust through twin stainless steel cans. The bike’s chromoly trellis frame weighs a mere 21.6 pounds and merges with WP inverted forks and a rear monoshock that enable the forged Marchesini wheels to travel a generous 160 mm up front, and 180 mm at the rear. Twin-disc four-piston 305 mm Brembos and a single 240 mm unit at the rear effectively counteract the bike’s momentum.
Track time on the 990 SM R reveals an upright posture, which allows for commanding leverage of the shot-peened aluminum handlebar. Though steering is significantly (and unsurprisingly) slower than the RC8 R’s, the SM R proves entirely entertaining on Laguna’s 2.24 mile, 11-turn course. The torquey twin allows for plenty of front-end lightness, and a well-positioned rear brake lever stays true to
the bike’s supermoto DNA.Described by KTM brass as “an
extended-range supermoto,” the new 990 SM T utilizes the same 999cc powerplant as the SM R, but adds an extra gallon of fuel capacity (for a total of 5.02 gallons) and standard soft bags. Adding approximately 16 pounds (for a total of 432 pounds without fuel), the SM T’s cupped saddle offered a comfortable perch during a brief ride on Laureles Grade, a twisting canyon road connecting the racetrack to Carmel Valley. An erect seating position enables revealing perspective from the 33.6-inch tall saddle, and handling feels nimble and flickable, aided by light controls and a slick shifter.
If these three new road offerings are any indication, the same diligence KTM has applied to its dirtbikes is being successfully translated to the street, which should satiate performance enthusiasts looking for distinctive ways to roll down the road.—Basem Wasef
January 2010 21
The Life | Living It
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Bob Parsons, the founder and CEO of Internet domain name registry GoDaddy.com, is so much of a motohead that he had Duff of the TV show “Ace of Cakes” build him a life-size Ducati Monster cake for his recent wedding. We caught up with him to talk motorcycles and passion.
On his zest for bikes: Like most guys, I always liked motorcycles. I used to ride my friend’s Honda 90 when I was a kid, and later, while a Marine in Okinawa, I would ride a buddy’s Honda 750. I actually got my license more than three years ago and have since ridden more than 75,000 miles.
On when he rides: I like to get up early in the morning, often 4:30 a.m., and ride through the desert on one of my sportbikes, when it’s just me and the birds. Often I think about nothing but the ride and the bike. Also, I typically ride a Ducati Hypermotard to work and back every day.
On his best motorcycle
experience: That’s hard to say, since in the past three years there
have been quite a few. I like to take long bike trips. So far, I’ve done big round-trip rides from Scottsdale to Daytona, to Sturgis and Whistler. But the best trip has to be the 5,200-mile ride I took to Baltimore and back last month. I left Scottsdale, headed through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia.
On the craziest thing he’s
done on a motorcycle: I took a run at the land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats on a BMW sport bike in 2007. I missed it by a wide margin. I think I averaged 144 mph for the 1-mile run. Even my mom said that was slow! But it was a thrill going that fast and being legal.
On commissioning a
motorcycle cake: Why not? I love motorcycles, and if there’s any event that is in itself about love, it’s a wedding. So to have a Ducati motorcycle cake at my wedding seemed perfect. There are two things in my life that I simply don’t stop thinking about. First it’s Renee. Next it’s motorcycles. Seems like it just fi ts.
Yes, That’s A Cake!Groom’s Full-Size Ducati Cake Is Edible
What it is: The latest from Arai is claimed to be “the ultimate street helmet,” promising new levels of stability, quiet and comfort.
What it features: A new shell shape offers a wider peripheral view. A new cheekpad shape offers better support and moves away from a “pressure fi t” to what the company calls a “cradle fi t” around the jawline. The same cheekpad also makes for a quieter seal around the helmet opening. The shell’s shape also lowers the center of gravity for more stability.
Which heads it’s aimed at: Those with “intermediate oval” shapes, similar to the current Corsair-V and Vector models, not
Product Impression
A New Luxury LidArai’s RX-Q Aims High
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The Life | Living It
AM_01_2010_pp020-023_Uber_Living.indd 22 11/20/09 3:30 PM
What it is: A Cordura case with a trick: It unfolds. Mounted in the customary position, it offers a 5-inch by 6-inch map window. Unfolded, it quadruples in size, to 12 inches by 18 inches.
What’s good: The problem with tightly folded maps is that you lose the context of what’s been folded under. This offers another way to see the big picture—when you’re stopped, of course—although you’ll need maps for both windows.
Bonus: Inside pockets also hold a pen, a notepad and other items. Extra mounting kits allow switching between bikes.
Get it: $36 from CycoActive.com.
Product Impression
A Smarter Map CaseCycoActive’s BarPack Transforms
Ask The Motorcycle Safety FoundationStay Smart In Cooler Weather
You ask: “It’s the time of year when the riding season starts winding down in some parts of the country. I know I need to be more vigilant against the cold and its effects on my riding, but are there other things to watch out for, as well?”
The MSF responds: Since you already understand the importance of keeping warm and dry to stay comfortable and avoid the debilitating effects of hypothermia, we’ll just provide a short list of things to keep in mind about your bike and the road when riding in cold weather:• Check fl uid level and quality more often,
especially the coolant in liquid-cooled bikes. Change your oil if your owner’s manual calls for a different weight of oil in colder weather.
• Check tire pressure more often because cooler temperatures will lower the pressure. Allow more time/miles for the tires to warm up before attempting maximum braking and cornering.
• Clean your bike more frequently because moisture and the salt used to melt snow may rust and pit metal surfaces.
• If you wear a full-face helmet, you may
fi nd that opening the visor slightly will minimize fogging on cold mornings. Anti-fogging chemicals and visors are also available.
• Search the road surface for patches of snow, slush or ice. There might be a thin, nearly invisible layer of black ice where you least expect it.
• Heed the “Bridge freezes before road” signs. Wind rushing under and over bridges has the effect of cooling the structure more quickly than the asphalt or concrete roads leading up to it.
• Assume that any leaves in the roadway are as slippery as ball bearings.
• If you happen upon an unplowed road, minimize any change in direction or speed and be prepared to use your feet as outriggers.
• Because freezing and thawing stress the road surface, watch out for potholes and loose gravel.
A good winter ride can relieve the boredom of “cabin fever” and keep your skills fresh. Prep your bike and adjust your risk-management strategies according to the seasonal variations in your environment.
the “round oval” shapes of the RX-7 and Quantum series.
Where it’s positioned: Arai considers its Corsair-V its top-of-the-line race helmet, and the new RX-Q the top-of-the-line street helmet. Though the previous Quantum-2 has been discontinued, the new RX-Q is said to come in above the retired helmet.
Info: The RX-Q will be available after Jan. 1. Pricing ranges from $539.95 to $679.95.
The Life | Living It
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A MAtter Of PriOritiesWhat You Get out of RacinG DepenDs on YouR
state of MinD by Dennis haggerty
I’ve been riding dirtbikes for the last six years and have been racing hare scrambles for the last five. Like many of you, I have invested blood, sweat, tears, time, heart, soul and vast amounts of money into this sport. And like most of you, I do it because I love it.
My wife and I recently had our first child, and lately I have been giving a lot of thought to my future in the sport. I didn’t start riding until I was about 23 years old because I played sports growing up, earning two college scholarships in baseball and football. It wasn’t until after I graduated that I started to pursue my lifelong dream of racing a dirtbike.
When I started, I constantly asked myself if I was giving absolutely everything
I had to become the best rider I could be. My goal was to achieve AA status, but with the arrival of Travis, I realize my priorities will change again. In some ways, I feel a little upset, or unsatisfied.
If I had reached the professional level, I could walk away knowing that I did something unbelievable. Instead, I lined up with the 250 A class, one step down. The seriousness and dream was slowly fading away. The realization that I will always do this for fun, and not for money, was a tough understanding to get used to.
Then, one day, I started to think about all the great things I experienced while riding, and I felt grateful and lucky. I’ve made some really good friends and met some really great people. I met X-Games
Legend Travis Pastrana, shook hands with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jack Penton Jr., ate lunch at eight-time National Enduro Champion Mike Lafferty’s house, and picked up 10-time World Trials Champion Geoff Aaron from the airport!
I’ve even raced with some of the greatest riders in the world, riders like Juha Salminen, David Knight and Lafferty. I raced on the world-famous Unadilla motocross track and dropped into Gravity Cavity on my birthday. Four weekends in a row, I raced in four different states.
I share some of the same sponsors as the greatest riders in our sport. I have raced through some of the gnarliest terrain you can think of, and I’ve never DNF’ed a race. I even get to see my dad out on the track, even though he only sees me for a couple of seconds when I pass him.
The best part about all of this is that I experienced it with my dad and close friends. And only we can share these experiences. If I stayed upset because I didn’t know what it felt like to get to the sport’s highest level, then I’m forgetting what we all do this for—the love of riding.
These days, I realize that for most of us—and for me—motorcycling isn’t a job. It’s a part of life.
Dennis Haggerty sr.,
travis and Dennis Jr.
the Life | Connections
24 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp024-027_Uber_Connect.indd 24 11/20/09 3:33 PM
After reading a recent Crash Course, I wanted to share my fi shtail experience.
I was returning home on the freeway at 65 mph in the center lane of heavy traffi c when I felt the back end of my bike start to wobble. I did a quick traffi c check, put on my signal and started to pull over to the shoulder. Closer to the shoulder, I used only my front brake, not wanting to put any extra load on the rear tire.
In just a few seconds I was on the shoulder and stopped, and amazed that the bike did not go down, or I was not hit. The rear tire was completely fl at. I pulled out my wallet and cellphone and called AMA Roadside Assistance, and in about 30 minutes a fl atbed tow truck showed up, complete with AMA stickers on the windows, and I was home before too long.
Needless to say, my experience had a much happier ending than some other Crash Courses I’ve read. But I believe that it was due to all the safety articles I’ve read over the years and participation in Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses that prepared me for this unexpected event.
The bottom line? When something feels weird on the bike, get over and check it out. Don’t keep riding until you are sure what is wrong.
Carl GrahamAMA Life Member No. 785053Morrison, Colo.
Send your experience, and the lesson
learned, to [email protected]
CRASH COURSE SOMETHING STRANGE? CHECK IT IMMEDIATELY
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September 1977 With more than 600
issues of American Motorcyclist available
online for free at Books.Google.com,
there’s plenty of good reading to be found.
Each month, we highlight a past story or
issue.
For much of this magazine’s early existence, it was known by the name “AMA News.” But all that changed in September 1977. That’s when the name—and editorial focus—of the offi cial journal of the AMA became “American Motorcyclist.” As then-communication director Dave Despain (now of Speed TV fame) wrote at the time:
“Given our progress (plus the fact that some people kept confusing AMA NEWS with that doctor book or the American Muscatel Afi cionados…no relation in either case) we felt it was high time the cover caught up with what was going on inside.
“You see, conveying news of the American Motorcyclist Association—i.e. AMA News—to the membership is only one of the things this magazine does. We wanted a title with an additional dimension, addressing not only the magazine it covers, but more importantly the people who read it. You are what this magazine is all about. You are the American Motorcyclist. And from this moment forth, this magazine goes on record as being offi cially and unequivocally yours.”
Search past issues by visiting Books.
Google.com and searching for “American
Motorcyclist.”
Throwback
A Look At Past Issues On...
Come Along For The Ride AMA Ride Guide To America, Volume 2, Shows You The Way
If you can’t ride where you are in the winter—and even if you can—a new book from the AMA and Whitehorse Press will make the chilly months better by offering up
vicarious thrills in the form of 28 great rides in every region of the country.With many of the tours taken from the pages of this magazine over the years, AMA
Ride Guide to America, Volume 2, features well-researached rides that should be on every motorcyclists’ to-do list, from the Oregon coast in the northwest to Florida’s mountains in the southeast, and plenty of stuff in-between, like Death Valley, Calif.,
and the Nachez Trace in Tennessee and Alabama.Get your copy for $24.95, at WhitehorsePress.com.
The Life | Connections
January 2010 25
AM_01_2010_pp024-027_Uber_Connect.indd 25 11/20/09 3:34 PM
If you live in the North Central Region of the U.S., you can vote for a member of the AMA Board of Directors from Dec. 15, 2009, through Jan. 15, 2010.
The election is open for voting for AMA members living in Indiana, Northern Illinois (District 17), Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.
Vote online by visiting http://eballot.
votenet.com/ama-cycle and signing in using your AMA or ATVA number and last name. Votes will be tallied by an independent organization.
At the website, you can read platform statements from the candidates to fill the seat: Bill Werner of Brookfield, Wis., and Jim Viverito of Chicago, Ill. Those statements also are reproduced below.
The electronic election replaces the
previous paper ballots that were distributed in this magazine. Paper ballots are still available for those who request them by calling (866) 476-5650.
The AMA Board of Directors includes 12 members—six elected by corporate members, and six by the general membership. Elections in two of six general-membership regions occur every year.
My name is Jim Viverito, candidate for the North Central Region seat on the AMA Board. I have been involved in motorcycling for the better part of 40 years. My experience in motorcycling is varied and diverse. I have been an AMA member since 1971. I have raced at the pro and amateur level. I have competed in several disciplines of motorcycle competition, including both modern and vintage racing. I have maintained a membership in my local district (17) for over 20 years. I am an avid off-road rider, and I have logged 30-plus years worth of road and touring miles as well.
As an AMA member, I have been involved in motorcyclists’ rights, and the challenges that assault motorcycling and threaten to restrict or eliminate it. I have also been involved at the local level with ABATE of Illinois, Chicago Chapter. I served four terms as chapter president and two terms as the chapter representative to the ABATE of Illinois Board of Directors. During this time, I was a strong advocate of unity in the motorcycle rights community. I also worked closely with AMA personnel both past and present on several issues both local and national, including going to Washington to lobby my congressman on the health insurance discrimination issue. My experience gives me a broad understanding and qualifies me to be your representative on the AMA Board.
One thing that has concerned me is a lack of open and responsive representation of the AMA membership. With your support, I will be your voice. It is of the utmost importance that the members have their concerns addressed and incorporated in the future direction of this Association, especially in these challenging times for motorcycling. Feel free to e-mail me with questions, comments or concerns at [email protected].
Being a life-long motorcyclist, starting in my teens on a Honda step-through 50cc, and having owned many different motorcycles over the years, my passion for motorcycling has not diminished. I presently own six motorcycles, the majority of them for competition. I was fortunate enough to work for Harley-Davidson for 38 years in the racing department, which broadened my knowledge about motorcycling. I have traveled extensively and have seen how other countries use motorcycles for competition and recreation. Upon retirement in 2004, I became chairman of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dirt Track Committee, and I currently hold that position. I was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. I am currently on the AMA Board of Directors, having been appointed to fill a vacancy in the North Central region in 2008.
I would like to continue serving members of the AMA as an elected board member. I think there is still work to do on both the sports side and expanding the AMA’s role in fighting for motorcyclists’ rights. There are constant threats to motorcycling through land closures and road restrictions that need our attention. In my short time on the board, I have learned of the many challenges facing motorcyclists and am anxious to continue working on solving current issues. I also believe my expertise on the sport side has been an asset to the board. I would like to continue on with that work and ask for your support in the upcoming election to be the representative for the North Central region.
North Central Region AMA Members To Vote For Board Of Directors Member
New Online Election System Simpler For Members
Jim Viverito Chicago, Ill.
AMA Members in the following states
are eligible to cast ballots:
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan,
Indiana and District 17 in Northern Illinois.
Bill Werner Brookfield, Wis.
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What it is: The free Moto Museum is the creation of father-son team of collector Steve and curator Zach Smith. Focusing exclusively on seldom-seen European machines, the museum houses about 100 motorcycles from 20 different countries.
What’s inside: The German gallery has brands such as Horex, Adler and Wanderer. In the western European gallery, visitors see a mint Motosacoche (Swiss),
Museums
The Moto Museumwww.themotomuseum.com
Perry King Unopposed In AMA Board ElectionNorthwest Region Incumbent
Will Serve Another Term
Perry King, who serves on the AMA Board of Directors representing the Northwest Region, will serve another term.
King, an actor and avid motorcyclist from Northern California who has served on the Board since December, 2008, received no challengers for the Northwest Region seat in this year’s election and will, therefore, serve a full three-year term.
An avid supporter of the AMA, King has been involved in a number of Association projects, including a series of recently launched public service announcements promoting safe motorcycling.
ShockingBarack.com From Oct. 12 to Oct. 30, two motorcyclists rode Brammo electric motorcycles from Detroit to Washington, D.C., in a bid to generate good press and give Barack Obama an electric bike. They chronicled their entire journey online, of course.
Mavizen.com Speaking of electric bikes, Azhar Hussain, the guy who brought electron-powered motorcycles to the Isle of Man TT and AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, has launched the Mavizen, an electric racebike for which the company is now taking orders.
KillaCycle.com Keeping with the electric theme, you can fi nd out more about a battery-powered motorcycle that can run the quarter-mile in 7.867 seconds with a top speed of 169 mph, at the website of this one-of-a-kind dragracer.O
N T
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a beautiful Gnome et Rhone (France), a rare Sarolea (Belgium) and more. There are galleries for Britain (with a Scott Flying Squirrel) and Italy (with a 1956 Maserati motorcycle). The Eastern Gallery features a 1928 Bohmerland, an MZ-BK 350 (East Germany) and a Polish Junak.
Find it: The Moto Museum is at 3441 Olive St. in St. Louis, about 10 minutes from the Gateway Arch. Admission is free during the week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is attached to the motorcycle-themed Triumph Grill restaurant (www.TriumphGrill.com) so a museum visit can be coupled with a nice meal.
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January 2010 27
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An extraordinary racer on board and dirt tracks, Jim Davis won the fi rst National sanctioned by the AMA. That was the 25-mile AMA National Championship held on a one-mile dirt oval in Toledo, Ohio, on July 26, 1924.
Davis was one of the few who also won titles under the banner of the predecessors to the AMA, the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) and the Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association (M&ATA).
Riding for both the Harley-Davidson and Indian factory racing teams during his career, Davis earned 21 AMA national championships and a reported 50-plus pre-AMA national titles under the auspices of the FAM and M&ATA. In addition to being a great racing champion, Davis went on to become an AMA offi cial, making his mark on both sides of the sport.
Davis was born in Columbus, Ohio, on March 23, 1896. He started riding a Yale
motorcycle in the fi fth grade and raced other neighborhood boys.
In 1915, the 19-year-old Davis happened to be at his neighborhood Indian dealership when Frank Weschler, head of sales for Indian, came to visit. The dealership owner introduced the two, and Weshler was impressed with the 19-year-old’s racing exploits. A few weeks later, a brand-new eight-valve closed-port Indian factory racer arrived at the dealership for Davis.
In 1916, Davis went to Detroit to race in the FAM 100-Mile National. Davis put his Indian fi rst into turn one and never lost the lead for the entire 100 miles. Later, he took a train up to Saratoga, N.Y., to race another National, and won there.
After those high-profi le wins, Davis found himself traveling all across the country racing, drawing a salary of $25 per week plus expenses.
Davis’ employment as a factory Indian
rider came to an abrupt end in 1920, when he dummied up a telegram from MT&A President A.B. Coffman and used it to trick offi cials into letting him ride in an invitation-only race in Phoenix. The following week he was suspended for a year by Coffman, and Indian fi red him.
In less than 24 hours after being fi red by Indian, Harley-Davidson hired him, took care of his suspension, and he continued to race the rest of the season.
Davis raced for Harley-Davidson until 1925. Indian re-hired him for the 1926 season and he immediately rewarded the company by winning three national titles that year on both board tracks and dirt ovals.
He continued to be a top competitor until 1935. After that, he signed on as an AMA offi cial, serving in various capacities, including deputy chairman of competition.
Davis was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.
Jim Davis FROM THE BOARD TRACK
TO THE DIRT TRACK, DAVIS EXCELLED
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The Life | Connections
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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency,
Inc. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Government Employees Insurance Co. • GEICO General Insurance Co. • GEICO Indemnity Co. • GEICO Casualty Co. These companies are subsidiaries of Berkshire
Hathaway Inc. GEICO: Washington, DC 20076. © 2009 GEICO
AM_01_2010_pp028-029_Uber_Connect.indd 29 11/20/09 4:58 PM
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Hamper ama Team usa six days efforT
The 84th running of the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Figueira da Foz, Portugal, Oct. 12-17 was one of AMA Team USA’s best-prepared efforts in recent years. However, mechanical breakdowns, crashes and bad luck undermined an otherwise solid attempt.
The first blow came on Day 1 of competition. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich, the top U.S. finisher at last year’s ISDE, crashed, smashing his exhaust and somehow managing to burn up his clutch in the process.
“When I got going, the clutch just started to fade,” said Dietrich. “By the end of the test there was nothing left.”
With Dietrich out, AMA Team USA lost its throwaway score—only the best five of six finishes on each day count toward the team score. At the end of the first day, the Trophy Team was in fifth.
On Day 2, AMA Team USA suffered
another significant setbacl when veteran Destry Abbott crashed hard. Abbott continued, but lost precious time. The team slipped to sixth in the standings.
The third day was uneventful, with AMA Team USA hanging on in sixth place. On Day 4, the U.S. riders climbed up one spot in the rankings when the Finnish team ran into problems, losing rider Juha Salminen. Then, between Day 4 and Day 5, Trophy Team member Timmy Weigand was bitten by a serious stomach bug, accompanied and a temperature as high as 103 degrees.
“I said to myself that I was starting today no matter what, even though I was still cramping pretty bad when I got up,” Weigand said.
Fate did not reward Weigand well. On an early trail section, the JCR Honda rider crashed hard, seriously injuring his right index finger. The impact split Weigand’s finger to the bone and tore off
his fingernail.Day 5 was also tough for U.S. rider
Damon Huffman, who was nearly sidelined by severe tendonitis in both arms.
At the end of Day 5, AMA Team USA had dropped to seventh. Kurt Caselli, who serves as team co-captain along with Abbott, acknowledged the hard week.
“As it turns out, this year’s Six Days was not one of our best results. But that effort is still moving forward,” Caselli said. “Right now, we have to just finish as a team and get to the final motocross (test).”
The motocross test traditionally is a strong point for the American contingent. This year was no different, with the U.S. riders doing well enough to move ahead of Portugal for sixth overall.
Nor was the U.S. Junior Trophy Team, which ultimately finished third, immune to bad luck. David Kamo had an ignition failure on Day 2. Then, Cory Buttrick’s engine oil plug blew off a work surface while he was servicing his bike. The plug was run over by a passing car. The stopper that Buttrick substituted in its place turned out to be less than perfect.
“I was in near panic mode when I looked down and saw oil all over my boot and the side of the bike,” Buttrick said
In terms of bad luck, the Women’s World Cup Team had the least eventful Six Days in Portugal. U.S. rider Maria Forsburg put on a stellar performance on the world stage. Forsburg finished her Six Days with a second overall. For the event, the Women’s World Cup Team finished fourth.—Steve Berkner
For Damon Huffman and
the rest of team USa, if
it weren’t for bad luck,
they’d have no luck at all
in this year’s ISDe.
the Life | Adrenaline
30 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
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Kawasaki locked up its first Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) overall title in history at the Ironman GNCC finale in Crawfordsville, Ind., Oct. 24-25.
With New Zealander Paul Whibley’s fourth-place finish, the Geico Kawasaki rider clinched Team Green’s first title in what has become the premier AMA Racing-sanctioned off-road series in the eastern United States.
“The (final) race was pretty uneventful for me,” Whibley said. “I didn’t push too much and tried to be smart. I could tell the guys at the front were really pushing it, and I knew what I needed to do to win the championship.”
The GNCC series has crowned a national champion since 1984. KTM has won eight GNCC titles. Both Honda and Suzuki have five. Husky has won four titles, and Yamaha has bagged three.
Whibley Gets Kawi Its FirstGNCCs Go Green
How do you make motorcycles that can go zero to 60 in 3 seconds even cooler? Take away the brakes and race them on ice. That goes down in the AMA Racing-sanctioned Extreme International Ice Racing Series (XIIR.com) run by Anthony and Marlene Barlow. We ran down Anthony, who also races the series, to find out more about these incredible shows.
AM: What happens at an XIIR event?Anthony Barlow: Lots of racing! We
have four guys in a heat. For the main, we have six guys and a six-lap final. The bikes are basically speedway bikes with spikes on the tires, and the top riders might never let off the throttle.
There’s a lot more contact on the ice than what there is on normal speedway racing. If you come into a corner and the guy pulls a locker, you can try to pull the locker but nine times out of 10 you’re going to tag him. Some of the best speedway riders in the world can come over and be absolutely useless.
AM: How has the series grown?AB: We started out with seven rounds.
Then we did 10 rounds. Now we’re doing more than 20, and we get riders from all over the world.
AM: What’s a typical venue like?AB: These are inside arenas that might
have held a concert the previous weekend. It’s also fairly inexpensive. You can buy a ticket for $10. Kids are $5 most places. That’s not a bad deal for a 2- to 2 ½-hour show with normally 20-24 heats.
4 Questions With...
Anthony Barlow,PromoterExtreme On Ice
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Few people can claim as much historical connection to off-road motorcycle racing as Godfrey Runyard. That’s because few people have existed as long as Godfrey Runyard.
The 104-year-old English-born former trials rider (and personal friend of T.E. Shaw, a.k.a, T.E. Lawrence or Lawrence of Arabia) came to the United States in 1947 on the Queen Mary I, and quickly found a home in the U.S. motorcycle industry. Eventually, that path led him to the AMA, where, along with his late wife, Mary, he served as one of the Association’s first motocross technical inspectors.
We caught up with Mr. Runyard, who’s also the father of former nationally ranked motocross racer and amateur national champion Michael Runyard, just before the elder Runyard’s 104th birthday.
AM: When were you originally involved with the AMA?
Godfrey Runyard: I was the tech
3 Questions With...
Godfrey Runyard104 And Counting
inspector with the AMA when the AMA did their first motocross at the old Ontario Speedway. Before that, I was a technical inspector with the ACA (American Cycle Association).
My wife did it with me. She checked to make sure the riders had their blood-type ticket in their pocket, and she checked their numbers to make sure they had the right numbers. She had a can with numbers in it so when the guy came in for tech, he’d pull the ticket out and that would be the number he was called to the racing line.
I made sure that all the spokes in the wheels were tight, made sure the handlebars would move right. All that kind of stuff. They had to have round number plates. They didn’t allow square ones.
The last race I went to was held when Evel Kneivel tried to jump the Snake River Canyon. We did a motocross race then.
AM: How long were you involved in motorcycling?
GR: I rode trials in England and was a rider for Douglas.
The trials then were on old country roads with hillclimbs. The Douglas I rode was a single-cylinder, four-valve head, very similar
to what you see now.I love motorcycles, and it was important
to pass that on to my sons. Michael and Kenneth. They had the same bike. It was a 100cc Italian bike. I bought two of them. They were about the first motocross bike you could buy. It wasn’t a converted street bike, but strictly a motocross bike.
They really enjoyed it until Kenneth came off and broke his collarbone and gave it up because he couldn’t afford to lose time off work. Of course, Michael did very well. He went into the film business as a stunt rider and a stunt coordinator.
AM: Do you get to spend much time around motorcycles now?
GR: A few years ago, my son Michael took me to a park in Ohio. It was a vintage motorcycle meet (AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days). There was everything there—trials, motocross, road racing. It was a beautiful thing.
The thing that amazed me most was the number of Harley-Davidson motorcycles ridden by women. I was shocked to see it.
A new format to crown the country’s top amateur Arenacross champions is just one of the enhancements planned for the 2010 AMA Racing Amateur National Arenacross Championships.
The 2010 Arenacross Championships will be held the day following the final round of the 2010 AMA Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, giving the top amateurs the opportunity to ride on the same track as the world’s best Supercross racers.
Amateur racers will qualify for a spot at the championship Arenacross race based on their finishes in regional events. The top four riders from each of the five regions—North, South, Central, East and West—will be invited to the championship.
Also new for 2010 will be the opportunity for the top eight finishing riders in the Expert class to receive an AMA Supercross Lites endorsement for the following year.
New Arenacross Format For 2009Qualifying To Race In Vegas
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Godfrey and
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The Life | Adrenaline
32 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
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Use AMA member promo code: AMA2009 to save 10%.
Proud supporter of the AMA.
As the 2009 AMA Racing Hare &
Hound Championship Series came to a
close, crowning champion privateer Russ
Pearson, who rides a Pearson Brothers
Construction/Chaparral Motorsports KTM
450XC-F, some big news emerged for 2010
(see page 52 for the series schedule).
The AMA has partnered with the newly
formed National Hare & Hound Association
to promote the series. The partnership is
similar to the arrangement the AMA has
with the National Enduro Promoting Group
for the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro
Championship Series, presented by Moose
Racing. That agreement has paid big
dividends in terms of sponsorship and rider
participation.
“Our goal is to return the AMA Racing
National Hare & Hound Championship
Series to its position as a premier national
championship,” said the NHHA’s Ryan
Sanders. “We intend to do that by securing
sponsorship and working with the clubs to
achieve uniformity. We want our racers to
be greeted by the same format, the same
sign-up procedures, and the same signage
at every event.
“We’ve also teamed up with
accomplished desert racer Chris Blais,”
Sanders continued. “Chris brings his years
of racing experience to help make sure we
keep this a series built for racers and not
necessarily a series built just for profi t.”
Another benefi t? The NHHA has a cool
website with articles, photos, video, and
other series information. Check it out at
NationalHareandHound.com.
Better Desert RacingAMA Racing National
Hare & Hound Championship
Gets Upgrade
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British motorcycle riders of the 1930s
favored the simplicity and performance
of single-cylinder machines, despite the
best efforts of manufacturers to create a
popular twin- or even four-cylinder mount.
Then Triumph engine designer Edward
Turner proved that a twin-cylinder bike
could be as practical and inexpensive as
a single with his 1938 Speed Twin 498cc
touring machine.
When that first Speed Twin proved
extremely popular, Triumph ushered in
the sporting twin-cylinder era in 1939 and
1940 with the 498cc twin-cylinder Tiger
100, so named because its top speed
was said to be in excess of 100 mph.
Proving its name, Freddie Clarke set
a lap record of 118.02 mph at England’s
famed Brooklands circuit on a bored-out
503cc Tiger 100 in 1939. Even the stock
378-pound Tiger 100, complete with full
road equipment, including lights, reached
a top speed of more than 97 mph in
motorcycle magazine testing of the day.
The Tiger 100 boasted forged alloy
pistons and cylinders forged in a single
casting, held in place by eight studs. It
also used gears instead of a chain to
drive the camshaft. Both cylinders were
fed by a single Amal carburetor.
The bike’s looks were striking,
with chrome used throughout the
machine: on the four-gallon gas tank,
wheels, fenders, and even on the front
number plate. The exhaust had special
megaphone mufflers—the ends could
be removed, including the baffles,
leaving racing megaphones.
This 1940 Triumph Tiger 100 was one
of the last bikes to roll out of the Triumph
factory before the facility was destroyed
in the early days of World War II in the
Coventry Blitz, a bombing raid by 515
German bombers on Nov. 14, 1940.
The machine was donated to the
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
by the late Benny Bootle of Greenville,
S.C., and is just one of the many
historic machines that now calls the
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame home.
Heritage
1940 TriumpH Tiger 100A HigH-PerformAnce Twin wiTH STunning LookS
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Heritage features the machines and people of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio. The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profi t corporation
that receives support from the AMA and from motorcycling enthusiasts. For info and directions, visit MotorcycleMuseum.org, or call (614) 856-2222.
January 2010 35
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Who Was At The Center Of The Biggest
Event In Motorcycling In 2009? Kids
2009 AMA MOTOrCyClIsTs Of ThE yEAr
If there was one event that brought
motorcyclists together in 2009, it
was the federal government’s move
that stopped the sale of youth-model
motorcycles and ATVs.
When a law aimed at eliminating
lead in children’s playthings suddenly
made it illegal to sell kids’ motorcycles
and ATVs because of lead in parts like
batteries and valve stems, motorcyclists
everywhere reacted.
Using online tools provided by the
AMA, parents wrote more than 70,000
letters and e-mails to Congress and the
Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC), which was charged with
enforcing the law, called the Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
of 2008.
The AMA worked with—and met
with—members of the CPSC to convince
them of the harm the law would do to
motorcyclists’ way of life. This magazine
and others campaigned for change.
Industry groups like the Motorcycle
Industry Council (MIC) rallied supporters.
Race promoters circulated petitions
among their competitors.
Dealers were moved to action,
with one of them—Malcolm Smith
Motorsports in California—staging a
much-publicized flouting of the law
with seven-time champion and AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeff Ward and
others openly buying bikes in defiance of
the CPSIA.
Motorcyclists even rallied in
Washington, D.C., voicing opposition.
One young rider, 6-year-old AMA member
Chase Yentzer, who took the podium
with AMA Vice President for Government
Relations Ed Moreland at a rally in the
U.S. Capitol Building in April, spoke for
tens of thousands of kids when he said,
“I ride dirtbikes with my family. I race
dirtbikes. Please give me my dirtbike
back. I promise not to eat it.”
The effect of all that pressure?
The CPSC issued a two-year stay of
enforcement that resulted in some level of
sanity being restored to the sale of kids’
bikes and ATVs while efforts continue to
permanently exempt these products from
the CPSIA.
As the dust continues to settle on the
biggest issue impacting motorcycling in
2009, the real victors were our youngest
riders—the riders who the AMA has
named the 2009 AMA Motorcyclists of
the Year: Kids.
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January 2010 37
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It’s a sunny Saturday at the Fox Valley Off-
Road riding park in northern Illinois, and
kids and families are everywhere.
They’re laughing together in the pits,
cheering each other at the racetrack,
practicing their skills on the trails, and
making new friends all around.
The common elements? Smiles. Hugs.
Encouragement. Bonding. And the best
kind of family time you’ll find anywhere.
The event is an end-of-year awards
gathering and riding day at the Wedron-
based track, a fixture of AMA District 17
(Central, Western Illinois). But in most ways
that matter, it’s also a typical Saturday at the
Fox Valley Off-Road riding park, where this
kind of fun, growth and excitement happens
nearly every weekend as families make a
point to spend time with each other doing
something they love.
It’s also the kind of experience that will
evaporate if the federal government’s ban
on the sale of youth-model motorcycles and
ATVs is not lifted for good.
No one knows better how devastating
that would be to families who treasure
motorcycling than the families themselves.
On a recent weekend day, many of them
shared some of their personal insight into
motorcycles, family time and the CPSIA
“lead law.” They also told us very clearly
why it’s so important that the AMA’s 2009
Motorcyclists of the Year—kids—be allowed
to continue to enjoy something as simple as
a relaxing weekend doing what they love.
WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT
Ask a parent, and they’ll tell you that
motorcycle racing and riding is not just
about competitive success.
Families with kids who ride say that
motorcycling builds relationships, teaches
kids responsibility, encourages healthy
activity and allows them to spend time
together that they wouldn’t normally have.
That’s clearly the case for the family
of Bryce, 11, and Eli Otterbach, 9, of
Mendotta, Ill., who are enjoying the day with
their Dad, Kenny. Most weekends, Kenny
says, the family, including mom, Kathy,
can be found at a hare scrambles race
somewhere in District 17. Motorcycle racing
is just a part of their lives.
“It’s a nice family sport for us,” Kenny
says, “We work through the week for
Sundays, the day we go out and ride. It’s
just a great day for us.”
Other families here share that sentiment.
Nick Christman and wife Holly, also from
Mendota, have five kids. Two of them, Kelly,
14, and Nicholas, 12, have joined them
today. It’s a time that is precious to the
family, Nick says.
“Just a couple years from now, Kelly
will go off to college,” he says. “Here and
now is your time to spend it with your kids
because once that time is gone, you can’t
get it back.”
Holly adds that riding “is part of our life
now.”
Jeff Oldenburg, from Ottawa, Ill., has two
granddaughters who ride, Autumn, 9, and
Jaden Torres, 6. Oldenburg says he got
his granddaughters involved in riding so he
could teach them about a sport he loved
growing up. The girls have taken to the
sport well—particularly Autumn, who flies
around the Fox Valley kids’ track. Oldenburg
says they’re hooked.
“If I was ever to go riding alone now—
which I could never do—somebody would
be heartbroken,” he says. “And these two
just got a new little sister four weeks ago,
and it will only be a matter of time before
THe dreAm LIveS On – every Weekend To See Why Motorcycling Is So Important To Kids And Families,
Look No Further Than Your Local Riding Area. By James Holter
“I ride dirtbikes with my family. I race dirtbikes. Please give me my dirtbike back. I promise not to eat it.”Chase yentzer, 6-year-old MX
racer, addressing a crowd of
onlookers at a protest rally in the
U.S. Capitol building.
38 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp036-047_Feature.indd 38 11/19/09 5:38 PM
Clockwise from left: Eli and
Kenny Otterbach; Jeff Oldenburg
and his granddaughters, Jayden
and Autumn Torres; Nick
Christman, his wife, Holly, and
their kids, Nicholas and Kelly.
January 2010 39
AM_01_2010_pp036-047_Feature.indd 39 11/19/09 5:38 PM
she’s riding, too.”
Although many families’ roots in the
sport go back generations, some have just
discovered it. Rob Kelly, who also calls
Mendota home, has two sons who race,
Logan, 14, and Luke, 13. Last year, Kelly
bought a couple used bikes, and the two
kids started playriding. This year, Logan and
Luke started racing hare scrambles. In just
their first year of competition, they’ve raced
in 19 events.
“When I get them out of bed, they always
have smiles on their faces on Sunday,” Kelly
says. “Once we pull into a race, they get
signed up, go put on their gear. They’re
excited about it. It’s great for them.
“This was a great summer of Sundays,”
Kelly says.
REAL BENEFITS
Although quality time is a nearly universal
benefit of riding together, families say there
are a number of other reasons to ride.
“It’s an individual sport,” Kelly says. “On
the track, it’s just the kids and their bikes,
and I think that it gives them a sense of
freedom when they ride.”
Otterbach says his kids have learned how
to build relationships.
“They’ve made a lot of new friends
because we’re traveling all over,” he says.
“They get to know kids from other towns
because they’re with them every weekend.
So, they make a lot of new friends, and I
believe they get a lot out of it.
“They also learn to respect other kids,”
he says. “The camaraderie they share with
the other kids—that’s what I enjoy, because
they make all new friends and they just get
along so well together.”
Kelly says that he’s seen racing bring his
sons closer together.
“They get off the bikes, and I have one
who always finishes ahead of the other one,
so he’s waiting to see where his brother is,”
Kelly says. “Then they’ll talk non-stop for 25
minutes about how they got over a log or
something. Then, all week, they talk about
the race, at least until the next one starts.”
The sportsmanship lessons don’t end
with the kids. Although the families say
that racing, like all sports, is competitive,
everybody knows how challenging off-road
racing is, and a helping hand is nearby
during the races.
“At an off-road kids’ race, all the parents
are usually around the whole track, and
that’s what’s nice about it,” Otterbach says.
“Everybody gets along really well. So if, say,
my son gets stuck in a mud hole, there’s
usually another parent there who will help
him out. Everybody helps each other out.”
Christman says fun is the bottom line.
“You’re not going to get rich, and you’re
not going to get famous doing this,”
Christman says. “It’s all about having fun,
whether that means you beat someone
you’ve never beaten before, just enjoyed
yourself or just finished the race—that was
my goal.”
Kelly adds: “It also teaches you a lot of
responsibility, and not just at the track. It’s
become a bargaining chip. I can get them
to do a little more around the house. If they
want to go race on Sunday, they wash their
bikes, clean them up and change the oil in
them. They’re learning a valuable skill, to
take care of things.”
Brian Doughty, from Utica, Ill., has four
kids. He’s brought two, Donovan, 11,
and Shea, 7, to Fox Valley today. He says
that riding with his kids keeps them out of
trouble and provides “a little stress release.”
In addition to what they get out of it now,
Doughty says riding also prepares his kids
for any motorcycling ambitions they may
have later in life.
“As they get older, if they decide to get
on a motorcycle when they’re adults, they’ll
be more experienced if they’ve ridden and
raced as kids,” Doughty says.
EFFECT OF THE ‘LEAD LAW’
Looking around at all the families having
fun together, it’s chilling to think that all of
this could have begun vanishing when the
CPSIA went into effect in early 2009.
Aimed at eliminating lead from children’s
toys, it also unreasonably ensnared
motorcycles and ATVs because of lead in
motorcycle parts. And for a while, bikes,
ATVs and even replacement parts were
pulled from dealer showrooms.
Ultimately, the voices of tens of
thousands of parents and concerned
motorcyclists prevailed. The enforcement of
the law was delayed for two years, allowing
Brian Doughty and sons,
Donovan and Shea.
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AM_01_2010_pp036-047_Feature.indd 40 11/19/09 5:38 PM
time to permanently revise the CPSIA.
But the threat is still out there. And the
families at Fox Valley are hopeful that the
lead issue will be fully resolved.
All those interviewed for this story were
baffled when motorcycles and ATVs were
suddenly targeted. They figure it must
have been a mistake—an unintended
consequence of good intentions.
“I don’t think they planned on it,”
Oldenburg says. “I think it was a good law
for toys, for babies that chew on toys, but
I don’t think they knew what was coming,
what it was going to do to the motorcycling
community.”
Otterbach saw very real consequences
from the law, when bikes and ATVs were
actually pulled off showroom floors as the
issue was sorted out.
“We already had our bikes for this year
before the law, but there were other families
that were looking for bikes, and they weren’t
able to get them,” he says. “I don’t believe
lead in motorcycles is a problem at all. I
don’t really understand why there would be
an issue with lead in a motorcycle.”
Others faced real difficulties in maintaining
their bikes due to the law.
Terry Virgil is at Fox Valley with his
grandson, Jay Pelka. Jay is 8 years old.
Both Virgil and Pelka, who rides a Yamaha
TTR-50, had to deal with the law this spring.
“It was a nightmare,” Virgil says. “You
couldn’t buy parts. The only place I could
get parts for that Yamaha was in Canada.
Now I can buy parts, but earlier in the year
when there was more of an issue I had to go
through Canada to get OEM Yamaha parts.
“I was real unhappy. I had a brand new
2008 Yamaha, and he couldn’t use it. It shut
down our family time.”
Although the stay on enforcement has
alleviated the problems some families
faced earlier in the year, they are aware that
their pastime is at risk if there isn’t a more
permanent fix.
Otterbach says that his kids’ lives would
be very different without motorcycles.
“The kids would probably sit home and
watch TV,” he says. “They’d just be cooped
up in the house. Racing gets them out, and
it’s a good activity for them—for all of us,
really.”
Virgil’s grandson, Pelka, says videogames
would take over his free time.
“I’d play on my Nintendo DS,” he says.
Grandpa says he’d ultimately get Jay
back on a motorcycle, though.
“I’d go out of the country and buy a bike
if I had to,” Virgil says.
If the lead law isn’t repealed and the stay
expires, Oldenburg says families would be
able to keep riding for a while.
“There would be a lot of old bikes being
rebuilt,” Oldenburg says. “Still, a lot of kids
will miss out, and a lot of companies would
miss out on a lot of money. They’ve already
lost a few dollars.”
Eventually, though, Oldenburg says kids
would have to stop riding.
“We’re not going to be able to rebuild
those old motorcycles forever,” he says.
“We’re going to be doing a lot of bicycle
riding, I guess, but I just can’t imagine no
motorcycles in our family now.”
Oldenburg’s granddaughter, Autumn,
can, and she doesn’t like what she sees.
“I would play something new,” she says.
“And I would try to forget about dirtbikes.”•
Terry Virgil and
his grandson,
Jay Pelka.
January 2010 41
AM_01_2010_pp036-047_Feature.indd 41 11/19/09 5:38 PM
Watching, Waiting and
Working The Lead Law That Threatens To End Motorcycling For Kids
Could Still Destroy The Sport. The AMA And Others Are
Trying To Ensure It Doesn’t. By Bill kresnak
42 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp036-047_Feature.indd 42 11/19/09 5:39 PM
Tim Cotter knows an awful lot about motocross families and kids riding
dirtbikes.And he’s scared.Cotter works for MX Sports in
Morgantown, W.Va. He’s in charge of the long-running Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships, presented by Amsoil. The event crowns the country’s best amateur motocross racers every year at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
It’s the premier amateur national motocross series in the United States, with 20,000 entries, including regional and area qualifiers. MX Sports’ sister company, Racer Productions, runs the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, which sees 15,000 entries a year. So Cotter has a close connection to many of America’s amateur racing families.
“What scares me the most is that Congress passed a law that literally prevents children from riding and racing motorcycles,” Cotter said. “It will take time to affect us, and by that time it will be too late to reverse it. It’s like arthritis. It hurts a little initially and doesn’t cripple you, but then later you’re crippled.”
“We anticipate a huge impact in years to come,” he said.
Cotter is talking about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008—a federal law that went into effect on Feb. 10, 2009, though its enforcement has been delayed until 2011.
Sparked by concerns raised after certain toys imported into the United States from China were found to contain dangerous levels of lead, the law bars businesses from selling any product for kids 12 and under that has a specified amount of lead.
That includes motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), which have trace amounts of lead in the engine, brakes, suspension, battery and other parts.
The Coalition for Safe and Responsible ATV Use, meanwhile, made up of Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Arctic Cat, Bombardier and Polaris, noted as recently as September that “half of the major ATV manufacturers are no longer selling youth-model off-highway vehicles.”
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
Federal lawmakers approved the CPSIA, and President George Bush signed it into law on Aug. 14, 2008, to address dangerous levels of lead found in children’s toys.
It called for a ban on the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under that contained more than 600 parts per million of lead in any accessible part. That threshold then dropped to 300 parts per million after Aug. 14, and will drop to 100 parts per million after Aug. 14, 2011.
With no way to quickly test and certify that their products met those limits, motorcycle and ATV manufacturers told their dealers to stop selling machines meant for kids 12 and under—along with some of the parts to maintain them.
Dealers pulled them from showrooms as motorcyclists and others, including politicians, started speaking out against the law’s unintended consequences.
“Congress didn’t intend ATVs and motorcycles to be a part of the new anti-lead legislation because kids are not going to eat or lick these vehicles,” Missouri state Rep. Tom Self (R-Cole Camp) said at a news conference at the Monster
Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, in St. Louis shortly after the law went into effect.
“The consequences of this ban are serious and have brought a wonderful family outdoor experience for hundreds of thousands of Americans to a near halt,” Self said. “Or, alarmingly, young ATV and motorcycle riders may choose to operate inappropriately sized vehicles since youth-sized vehicles and spare parts are not available. Everyone knows this will lead to unnecessary crashes and injuries.”
A TWO-PRONGED COUNTERATTACK
With bikes and parts off-limits to buyers in February, the motorcycle and ATV industry immediately noted that the economic impact of the new law could be devastating, with estimates pegging the lost revenue at up to $1 billion a year.
“The potential losses for the powersports industry are massive at a time when this country cannot afford additional economic losses,” said Paul Vitrano, general counsel for sister organizations the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), with 300 members in the motorcycle distributing, manufacturing and aftermarket industry.
”With these vehicles sitting in warehouses instead of on showroom floors, the related sales of most protective gear, accessories, parts and services are virtually non-existent,” Vitrano said. “Thousands of small businesses across America are impacted by this ban.”
As a remedy, the SVIA and MIC asked the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is responsible for carrying out the law, for emergency relief—seeking a temporary final rule to exempt motorcycle and ATV parts from the law altogether “to avoid major disruptions to enthusiasts, to the member companies’ businesses, and to the companies’ dealer networks of thousands of small, independent businesses” that employ tens of thousands of Americans.
The AMA acknowledged the economic impact of the law, but as an advocate for
“Half of the major ATV manufacturers are no longer selling youth-model off-highway vehicles.”The Coalition for Safe and
Responsible ATV Use, in a
statement released in September.
“He does not believe that children should be riding motorcycles.”Tim Cotter, MX Sports,
speaking of U.S. Sen. Jay
Rockefeller (D-W.Va.).
January 2010 43
AM_01_2010_pp036-047_Feature.indd 43 11/19/09 5:39 PM
riders, also expressed a deep concern for
the safety of kids.
“Even more alarming than the potential
damage to business and industry are the
potential, unintended safety consequences
for motorcycle and ATV youth riders,”
Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for
government relations, wrote in a letter to the
CPSC supporting efforts to exclude youth-
model motorcycles and ATVs from the ban.
“If emergency relief is not granted
immediately, some consumers will very
likely purchase vehicles that are physically
too large for young riders, exposing them
to unnecessary risk,” Moreland wrote. “In
summary, an unreasonable and rushed
implementation of the CPSIA is unwarranted
and unnecessarily harmful to the motorcycle
and ATV riding communities, and may
negatively affect youth motorcycle and ATV
safety.”
While the AMA fully supported the
industry efforts, the Association also sought
a delay in enforcement of the law, called a
stay, to give everyone involved time to figure
out a reasonable solution.
CPSC REJECTS EXEMPTIONS,
SUPPORTS DELAYED ENFORCEMENT
On Jan. 30, less than two weeks before
the new law was to go into effect, the
CPSC voted to delay the lead testing and
certification requirements of the law for a
year—until Feb. 10, 2010.
That gave the CPSC staff “more time to
finalize our proposed rules, which could
relieve certain materials and products from
lead testing and to issue more guidance on
when testing is required and how it is to be
conducted,” the CPSC said.
On Feb. 5, the CPSC—made up of
acting CPSC Chairwoman Nancy Nord
and Commissioner Thomas Moore at the
time—rejected a request for an emergency
delay of the new law, which was made by
the National Association of Manufacturers’
CPSC Coalition. The MIC and SVIA joined
the coalition in the effort.
The CPSC said it didn’t have the authority
to delay the law.
Months passed as the AMA, riders,
dealers and industry groups kept up the
pressure, while youth-model bikes and ATVs
remained in crates in dealer warehouses.
AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman,
Moreland, a contingent from MX Sports
that included Cotter, Rita Coombs, Carrie
Coombs-Russell and Davey Coombs, as
well as Cobra Motorcycles President Sean
Hilbert, met with Nord on April 3 to convey
the dire consequences of the new law and
ask for relief.
This same group also met with Sen. Jay
Rockefeller (D.-W.Va), chair of the Senate
Commerce Committee, which oversees the
CPSC, and his staff. At that meeting they
were told that there was no way Congress
was going to provide a legislative fix in
time.
On April 17, the CPSC voted to reject a
motorcycle and ATV industry request for an
exclusion for their machines and parts from
the law.
In explaining her vote, Nord said: “I do
this because the clear language of the law
requires this result, not because it advances
consumer safety.
“To the contrary, application of the lead
content mandates of the CPSIA to the
products made by the petitioners may have
the perverse effect of actually endangering
children by forcing youth-sized vehicles off
the market and resulting in children riding
the far-more-dangerous adult-sized ATVs,”
she said.
But Nord and Moore also said they would
support a stay delaying enforcement of the
law in the interest of safety. On May 1 they
voted to approve a stay until May 1, 2011.
Moore, an admitted opponent of allowing
kids 12 and under to ride ATVs, said he
supported a stay so that proper-sized
vehicles would be available for children,
rather than full-sized machines only, and to
give the industry the opportunity to prove
its claim that certain vehicle components
can’t be made with lead below a certain
level without compromising the structural
integrity, or another safety element, of the
component.
SWIFT REACTION
The MIC and SVIA immediately
announced they were “disappointed” by
the CPSC vote to reject their request for an
exclusion from the law and didn’t see the
stay as an answer.
“It is important to note that, even if a stay
of enforcement can be implemented by
the CPSC, this is not a solution and would
only be a temporary reprieve as to the
agency’s enforcement of the ban,” industry
spokesman Vitrano said. “It would not apply
to state attorneys general or address other
unintended consequences of the lead ban.”
The AMA remained hopeful that a stay
would at least allow dealers to sell their
current inventories and allow parents to
purchase the right-sized vehicles for their
kids.
“Clearly, this latest move shows that
the CPSC realizes that youth-model
motorcycles and ATVs have no business
getting caught up in a law aimed at
children’s toys,” Moreland said. “We’re
heartened that both commissioners favor a
stay of enforcement, and it appears that this
could clear the way for dealers to sell youth-
model motorcycles and ATVs—an important
consideration for riders and motorsports
businesses alike as the riding and racing
season ramps up.”
Despite the issuance of the temporary
stay, the industry and AMA noted there was
more work to be done.
Said Moreland: “This vote doesn’t solve
the larger, long-term issue, which is whether
or not youth-model motorcycles and ATVs
will be permanently exempted from the
CPSIA. We believe they should be excluded,
and we will continue to work with our
partners in the industry and our friends in
Congress to make that happen.”
Vitrano said: “With today’s vote, it is now
obvious that the only permanent solution is
for Congress to end the ban once and for all
by amending the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act so parents once again
have access to appropriate-sized-model
ATVs and motorcycles for their children.”
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Motorcycle Dealer Bill Hearne
is still seeing fallout from the
lead law, even with the delay
in enforcement.
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AM_01_2010_pp036-047_Feature.indd 44 11/19/09 5:39 PM
TIME IS RUNNING OUT
Clearly, the stay as it is currently written
only delays the enforcement of the law. It
does not remove the threat. And that makes
people like Cotter worried. The promoter
sees a potentially bleak future for youth
riding under the law, and he also sees that
few families are paying attention.
“The law is devastating,” Cotter said.
“If children 12 and under can’t ride or be
around a motorcycle, then there won’t be
any motorcycle racing. It’s potentially a
death sentence for amateur motorcycling.”
Parents aren’t concerned right now
because it’s not affecting them, he said.
Because of the economy, a lot of racing
families are using their old machines
anyway, rather than buying new equipment,
and because of the stay, parents who want
to buy new machines can find some.
“Every year that goes by we are going to
see an increase in families who can’t ride,”
Cotter warned.
“Some of our families who are politically
savvy understand the issue, but most folks
who aren’t as politically astute don’t know
that it’s an issue,” he said. “They aren’t
concerning themselves with it.”
“Ed Moreland has tried to keep the issue
in front of his constituency but instead of
paying attention, a lot of families went out
racing,” he said.
Carrie Coombs-Russell, vice president
and chief financial officer of MX Sports Pro
Racing, which runs the Lucas Oil AMA Pro
Motocross Championship, said the impact
of the law on professional racing will be
negligible at first.
“It is the trickle-down effect that will be
most worrisome as the years pass and
the quality and experience of new athletes
becomes a concern,” she said. “Most
athletes at the top level started racing when
they were 6, 7, 8 years old, if not earlier.
“If these kids don’t have the opportunity
to experience motorcycle riding because
bikes aren’t available, or they are too
expensive to purchase, they will find another
sport, and we will lose them for good,”
Coombs-Russell said.
“That will have a direct long-term impact
on professional racing, as the sport you
grow up loving as a kid is one you love as
an adult,” she said.
DEALERS FEEL THE EFFECTS
Motorcycle and ATV dealers said they’re
not feeling much of an impact of the law
now, but they certainly did during the period
between when the law went into effect Feb.
10 and when the stay was announced three
months later. That’s because they couldn’t
sell kids’ motorcycles and ATVs.
Bill Hearne, owner and general manager
of Outdoor MotorSports in Spearfish, S.D.,
a multi-brand dealership that sells machines
from Honda, Yamaha, KYMCO, Arctic Cat,
Lehman and Club Car, felt a definite pinch.
“The affected products accounted for
about 6 percent of sales,” Hearne said. “The
timing of the ban was also at the height of
general economic distress, which doubled
the hurt... so you had higher costs with zero
sales. Not a good business model.”
He doesn’t know any dealers who have
gone out of business because of the law,
since youth products are a small percentage
of sales. But “there probably were dealers
that were just barely hanging on financially,
and this loss of income may have been the
final nail in the coffin,” he said.
Hearne also said that his customers
thought the issue was silly, and if they
wanted to trade in a kids’ machine toward
a new one “they were astonished to learn
that it has zero trade-in value” since a dealer
could not resell even used bikes.
Following the issuance of the stay,
Hearne said he is selling youth models and
parts, with a few exceptions.
Jerry Abboud, executive director of
“They were astonished to learn that it has zero trade-in value.”Dealer Bill Hearne on customers who discovered that
dealers couldn’t sell kids’ bikes of any kind, including
used ones.
“If these kids don’t have the opportunity to experience motorcycle riding because bikes aren’t available,
or they are too expensive to purchase, they will find another sport, and we
will lose them for good.”Carrie Coombs-Russell,
MX Sports Pro Racing
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Jerry Abboud of the
Colorado Powersports Dealers
Association says it could take
years to sort out the future
sales of kids’ bikes.
January 2010 45
AM_01_2010_pp036-047_Feature.indd 45 11/19/09 5:39 PM
the Powersports Dealers Association of
Colorado, said the law has had some
impact on his dealers, especially coupled
with the state of the nation’s economy.
And while the stay doesn’t provide
complete relief, it’s enough so that dealers
are willing to sell products “even though the
legal status of some sales remains in limbo,”
Abboud said.
DEALERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT
THE FUTURE
Abboud said Colorado dealers also have
concerns about the manufacturers’ ability to
meet the strict lead requirements of the law,
how long it will take for the requirements of
the law to be clarified, and how quickly the
manufacturers can respond.
“Once the stay is lifted, the law requires
certification, and bikes and parts will have
to be certified (that they meet the lead
requirements) before they can be sold,” he
said.
Dealers also wonder how much it will
cost for manufacturers to meet the law’s
requirements.
“Will the price of the product increase
substantially? Will it simply not be cost
effective to sell to that market? There are no
clear answers at this point,” Abboud said.
Also looking ahead, Abboud said there
didn’t seem to be any communication from
manufacturers to dealers between August of
2008, when the president signed the CPSIA
into law, and before the law went into effect
in February on the issue.
“In the future, when the manufacturers
are facing difficult legislation that will result
in an economic hardship on their dealers, it
is probably in their best interest to solicit the
assistance of their dealers and customers
as early as possible, so they can talk with
their legislators,” Abboud said.
Guido Ebert is a reporter by trade who
has served as a powersports industry
press representative, speaker, analyst and
consultant for businesses in the United
States, Europe and Asia (Blog.GuidoEbert.
com). He believes the manufacturers
didn’t realize the full impact of the law until
October 2008.
Since 2005 ATV manufacturers had been
lobbying for safety standards for ATVs sold
in the United States “to stem the tide of
small displacement powersports vehicles
coming from manufacturers, mostly from
China, who were entering the market in
growing numbers,” Ebert said.
Those standards, including speed
restrictions on youth ATVs and safety
initiatives, were written into the CPSIA that
was signed into law in August 2008.
“On Oct. 16, 2008, the CPSC held a
public meeting regarding the application
of the CPSIA to ATVs,” Ebert said. “In the
presentation it was noted that ATVs would
have to comply with other sections of the
CPSIA beyond the section specifically
labeled for ATVs, including the lead-content
sections.
“That’s when the true impact of the
CPSIA became apparent to industry
“With these vehicles sitting in warehouses instead of on showroom floors, the related sales of most protective gear, accessories, parts and services are virtually nonexistent. Thousands of small businesses across America are impacted by this ban.”Paul Vitrano, general counsel
for the Specialty Vehicle Institute
of America and the Motorcycle
Industry Council, on the economic
impact of the lead law.
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Sean Hilbert of Cobra Motorcycles
says the law, if it stands, could
very likely put him out of business.
46 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
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stakeholders—manufacturers, dealers and
consumers,” he said. “(That realization)
resulted in the same OEMs who had for
years lobbied together for tighter restrictions
governing youth-sized powersports vehicles
to go on the defensive in an effort to turn
back the new (lead) requirements, and the
loss of millions of dollars in revenue, they
had instigated.”
MANUFACTURERS FEELING THE
PRESSURE
Meanwhile, the Coalition for Safe and
Responsible ATV Use said recently that “due
to the risks of selling under the stay, many
manufacturers and dealers are no longer
selling youth model off-highway vehicles,
and there is now a limited availability of
these products for consumers.”
CPSC Commissioner Moore noted in the
Federal Register that manufacturers have
told the CPSC that even if they are able to
make machines that would comply with the
law, it would likely be model year 2011 or
2012 before such machines could be on the
market because of the long time required to
design and manufacture them.
To comply with the law, manufacturers
are taking various steps in addition to not
selling machines at all. Some are re-labeling
their machines designed for kids 12 and
under as machines made for kids older than
12 by removing speed-limiting devices,
Moore noted, considering putting covers
over battery compartments, and making
valve stems inaccessible.
Sean Hilbert, president of Cobra
Motorcycles, which is a producer of
competition-level mini motocross bikes, said
his company “got lucky” because research
and testing shows his machines meet the
lead requirements of the law.
But once Cobra is forced to go through
the required certification procedures, which
will be Feb. 10 unless something is done,
his company will probably be forced to close
its doors. That’s because he estimates it
will cost about two-thirds of the company’s
annual revenue to get certified.
So the law could add several thousands
of dollars to the cost of a kid’s motorcycle.
“I would prefer that powersports products
be exempt from the law because there is no
danger of lead poisoning,” Hilbert said.
“I think there will be a political
compromise along the way.” he said.
UPHILL BATTLE ON CAPITOL HILL
Cotter, who with others at MX Sports has
been working the halls of Washington, D.C.,
with the AMA lobbying to get changes to the
CPSIA, said getting the law changed would
be very difficult because key lawmakers see
the law as a way to get kids off motorcycles.
West Virginia’s members of Congress
didn’t realize the full impact of the law when
they passed it, and now are “flabbergasted,”
Cotter said. “Every congressman wanted to
help” to fix the law, he said.
But he also noted that when you consider
all the important issues that cross their
desks, “it’s hard for them to focus on little
motocross families.”
And then there are the opponents.
“It wasn’t until we went to see Sen.
(Jay) Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), who chairs the
Commerce, Science and Transportation
Committee that this bill comes through, that
we ran into opposition,” Cotter said. “He
was very much against us.
“He does not believe that children should
be riding motorcycles,” Cotter said.
Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), who is the
senior member of the Senate Appropriations
Committee, is also an opponent, Cotter
said, as is Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.),
chairman of the U.S. House Energy and
Commerce Committee that would consider
any proposed changes to the law.
“Byrd and Waxman are the keys, because
when a bill gets to their committees they
can kill it,” Cotter said. “They’re not friends
to motorcyclists.”
ACT NOW TO CHANGE THE LAW
“The law is so bad in so many areas that
lawmakers must act to fix it,” Moreland
said. “We need to ensure that the voice of
youth riding is heard among all the various
interests that will be clamoring for changes.”
You can find contact information for your
elected officials at AmericanMotorcyclist.
com. Go to Rights > Issues & Legislation,
and enter your zip code in the “Find Your
Officials” box.•
“Congress didn’t intend ATVs and motorcycles to be a part of the new anti-
lead legislation because kids are not going to eat
or lick these vehicles.”Missouri state Rep. Tom Self
shortly after the lead
law took effect.
Ph
oto
Jennifer
Bate
s P
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tog
rap
hy
By Ed Moreland, AMA vice
president for government relations
When it comes to the battle over the future availability of kids’ bikes and ATVs, it’s too early to claim victory. Sure, we’ve moved the ball down the field, but the game isn’t over.
What we have now is a timeout. A chance to regroup and take a breath. The real fight looms in front of us. We have to execute our plan. And it has to be a team effort.
The CPSC’s two-year stay of enforcement simply delayed the implementation of that part of the law until May of 2011. It didn’t fix the longer-term issues of testing, certification and manufacturing. By that date, if the manufacturers have not devised a way to comply with the rulemaking, or the riding community hasn’t successfully removed kids’ bikes and ATVs from the CPSIA, we will be right back where we were when the machines were banned.
The AMA is working on a number of options. Among them is our active support of of H.R. 1587, introduced by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), to exempt kids’ motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA. And we are calling on Chairman Henry Waxman and Chairman Jay Rockefeller to hold hearings on the misapplication of the CPSIA on kids’ motorcycles and ATVs.
We’ve gotten this far because of AMA members like you, who, along with other riders, wrote letters, called legislators and made their voices heard. We have to keep up the pressure. Please go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation and urge your member of Congress to support the Rehberg bill, and urge House and Senate leadership to hold hearings on this critically important issue.
It may be halftime, but until the final gun sounds, the battle continues. We have to play every minute like it’s our last—because it could quite literally be.
It’s Not Over Until It’s OverThe AMA Is Continuing To
Fight For Kids’ Bikes and ATVs
January 2010 47
AM_01_2010_pp036-047_Feature.indd 47 11/19/09 5:39 PM
JAMES ABBOTT, DESTRY ABBOTT, JOHNNY ABLE, DARYL ABRAMOVITZ, GORDON ACKLER, RICHARD L ADKINS, STEVEN E AKER, MAX AKINS, DALE ALDRICH, ROBERT W ALDRICH, W C
ALEXANDER, R KEITH ALLEN, PHILIP J AMMENDOLIA, THOMAS R ANDERSEN, VICKI ANDERSEN, MICHAEL J ANDERSON, WILLIAM T ANDERSON, MARSHALL W ANDERSON, DANIEL C
ANDERSON, BLAKE E ANDERSON, JIM ANDRES, STANLEY B ANGLE JR, KARL A ANSTETT, WILLIAM L ARBOGAST, ROBERT T ARCHER, RICHARD D AREND JR, STEVE J ARETZ, RANDY
ARGO, TOM ARMISTEAD, CHRISTOPHER R ASHBROOK, DON ASKEW, VICKI LYNN ATHERTON, DEAN K AUEN, MARK A BADER, THOMAS W BAER, DARRYL L BAER, DALLAS G BAER, RON
BAILEY, RICHARD W BAKER, W J BAKER III, DEAN BALENTINE, TIMOTHY R BALL, ANDREW BALMER, DON R BANKS, JOHN M BARBER, SCOTT W BARINGER, JOE BARKER, THOMAS L
BARNES, PETER R BARNOSKY, JERRY S BARNWELL JR, J C BARR, HANNAH J BARRETT, JIM BARRETT, KEITH D BARRY, PHILLIP F BARTH, JON BARTHOLOW, DENNIS G BARTOLETTI,
PATRICK BARTON, JOHN R BASHAM, ROBERT BASKETT, NANCY I BATON, DAVID BAXTER, CHRIS BAY, THOMAS E BEAN, P BEAN, ANTHONY F BEATTY, ED BECKLEY, MICHAEL D BELLOMO,
WILLIAM BENJAMIN, HEATH BENNETT, ROBERT W BENNETT, LANCE BESLANOWITCH, ROB BIBBINS, JERRY S BIEDERMANN, DAVID L BIELEMA, J BIERSTEKER, KEVIN G BINDER, JOSHUA
BITNER, RUSS BLACKETER, BOBBY L BLACKLEDGE, WILLIAM E BLALACK, TRAY BLANCHARD, WILLIAM G BLOCHER, MICHAEL BLYTHE, CHARLES BOATMAN, DENNIS BOE, S BOLZ,
DARREN L BORCHERDING, CRAIG BORDERS, RICHARD J BORGERSON, JIM D BORKOWSKI, RICHARD BOSS, PAM BOSS, JAMES B BOWEN JR, RAY BOWMAN, DANIEL R BOWSER, DANIEL
R BOYD, ROBERT L BOYLE, BARRY D BRADFORD, JEFFREY P BRADY, LON BRAND, RICHARD A BRANDEIS, JAMES B BRANDER, CLIFF D BRECHT, SONNY BREST, EDDIE BRIGGS, JOYCE
E BRODBECK, DENNY BRODBECK, JEFFREY A BROMLEY, LARRY P BROOKS, JOHN L BROWN, ROBERT L BROWN, JOEL E BROWN, STEPHANIE BROWN, BRUCE BROWN, MITCH BROWN,
GARY D BRUCE, MIKE BRUIJN, CHRIS BRYNILDSEN, PAUL F BUETTNER, NOREEN BURCH, ROBERT T BURGER, CLIFF BURKE, NICK BURKITT, BARBARA S BURKY, JOHN D BURNS, KEVIN
J BURNS, ROBERT M BUSH, KARTER BUSSE, DANNY E BUTLER, SAMUEL T BYRON JR, GARY CAIN, JUDY L CALMAN, ROBERT A CALVIN, JAMES E CAMACK, DOMINIC CAMPANA, JOHN
W CARLSON, GREGORY CASE, MARK CASTILLERO, NEIL K CAVALIER, BILL CAVE, PAUL R CAVONIS, MICHAEL CESARE, GEOFF R CESMAT, LESTER G CHAMPION, DONALD L CHARLTON,
DAVID O CHASE, CURT CHEVLEN, JIM D CHRISTENSEN, DOUG CHRISTENSEN, STEVE CLARK, KENNETH C CLARK, JAY S CLARK, EDWARD CLARK JR, HARLEY S CLARKE, JOE D COATS,
RONALD COCHRAN, JOSEPH COHO, PATRICK D COLEMAN, MARK D COLLEY, ERIC COLVIN, PATRICIA C CONQUEST, JACK A CONRAD, MICHAEL E COOPER, MICHAEL V CORENTTO, GARY
CORLEU, GLEN D CORSELLO, STEVE COTHERMAN, DAVID M COULTER, KIMBERLY COURTNEY, PAUL COVIELLO, GORDON B COYLE, DAVID J CRAWFORD, NICK CRAWFORD, SHANNON
S CRAWFORD JR, BOB CREQUE, ROBERT T CRIMI, R SCOTT CROSSON, SCOTT A CRUCE, LEONARDO M CULOTTA, RALPH M CUNNINGHAM, DONNIE L CURD, BARBARA J CURRIE, JEFF
A CURRY, MONTE GLENN CURTIS, JAMES D CUSHING, MELVA J DAHL, STEVEN R DAHL, JOHN J DANGELO, A BENJAMIN DANIELS, ROBERT K DARPINO, ROBERT DAVENPORT, DAVID M
DAVIDSON, DARRELL L DAVIDSON, THOMAS DAVIS, JEFFREY DEMAIN, JEFF DEMENT, ELLIOTT T DENISON, PETER A DENZER, ROBERT W DERR, MARK DEYO, JOE DIBELLA, J R DICE,
ROBERT M DICKEY, JIM H DICKSON, DANIEL R DIEDRICKSON, RONALD F DIEHL, DAVID DILLINGHAM, KATHLEEN L DILLON, CHARLES J DIPASQUALE, RANDY J DITSCHLER, HAROLD S
DOANE, KARL A DODSON, LARRY DONALDSON, BRIAN DOTTERWICK, JAMES DOUGAN, BRYAN DOUGLAS, JEFF J DOWNS, PAUL A DOWNS, RANDY W DREXLER, MICHAEL E DRUM,
TIMOTHY J DRYER, RICHARD DUDIS, KEITH DUMAINE, HAROLD DUNDORE JR, ROBERT J DUNN, JOE N DUNNING, JANE DUPUIS, JASON M DUTROW, RAYMOND DWENGER, MICHAEL H
DWYER, STEVEN R EAKINS, JAMES EASTLEE, DONALD ECKSTEIN, WILLIAM J EDDY, ROGER D EDINGER, DAVE EGERDAL, DANNY C ELLER, RUSSELL L ELLIS, CRAIG A ENGDAHL, MARK
C ENGEL, RHODA R ENGEL, DAVID A ENGLERT, MICHAEL ERDMANN, AARON ERNST, MICHAEL L EVANS, RAY J FADDIS, PAT W FAHERTY, JOHN FAIRGRIEVE, VICKI FARLEY, STEVE B
FARLEY, WILLIAM D FARMER JR, REGAN W FAUGHT, STUART FERREIRA, JAMES FERRETTI, JOHN M FIGLER, TIM J FILIPPI, EDGAR I FINK JR, TERRY R FINKLE, MARK R FINKLER DVM,
JEFFREY S FISHER, MICHAEL J FISHER, THOMAS J FITZPATRICK, PHIL FLEEMAN, PATRICK T FLETCHER, GREGORY B FOLAND, CURT FOLEY, MIKEY FOLKEN, RAYMOND S FORBES,
WILLIAM Z FORNSHELL, ROBERT FOX, DONNA FRANCIS, BOB FRANCO, ROBERT C FRANKLIN, RONNIE L FRANKS, COLIN J FRASER, WILLIAM N FREEMAN, JEFF FREEMAN, TONI
FRUEHAUF, DAVID G FUNKA, NORMAN E GAINES JR, ALBERT C GALLAGHER, JOHN E GANO, STANLEY J GANTT, T J GARDNER, TODD GARDNER, COOPER T GARZA, JOSEPH R GATHRIGHT,
JEFFREY A GAUL, ROGER A GAY, TED GEERTS, RON GETTE, CHARLES GHILANI, TED A GILFERT, ROY I GILMAN, JOSEPH E GODLEY, TROY GOEHRS, HAROLD L GOODMAN, DAVID H
GORHAM, PAUL G GOYETTE, CHRIS E GRABER, LAODICE A GRANGER SR, FORREST GRANLUND, KEVIN A GREEN, DONALD GREEN, GREGORY GREEN, KEVIN GREENE, AVERY H GREENE,
JAMES R GREIDER, GERALD L GRIBBONS, JIM GRIFFIN, RICHARD A GRILL SR, RODNEY L GRIM, WILLIAM C GROVE III, EILEEN S GUILE, WAYNE HABERMAN, RONALD HAEFNER, STU
HAFEN, W HAGER, SUSAN HAGLEY, KAREN J HAINES, JOHNNY HALE, PAUL HALEY, BILLY D HALL, THOMAS A HALL, AL HALSTEAD, ROD HALVERSON, WILLIAM G HAMILL, DON HAPKE,
BRYAN K HARDIN, DANIEL J HARMON, DAVID S HARNER, ROBERT E HARP, GEORGE F HARP, DOUGLAS L HARRIS, JERRY HARRIS, PHIL L HARRIS, MICHAEL HARRIS, JON HARRISON,
JOHN H HART, JAMES D HART, HUNTER HART, WARREN F HARTZ, STAN HASTINGS, CRAIG HATCH, NATHAN HAUPT, ROBERT O HAUSSER, JOHN C HAWKINS, TED H HEITSCH, MIKE
HELMICK, JAMES K HENEBRY, THOMAS G HENRY, ROBERT F HERL, ROBERT O HERRICK, RICK A HESSER, MARK A HEUSDENS, THOMAS F HILL, GENE HODGE II, DWIGHT HOEGENAUER,
JAY HOENK, LENI HOFFMAN, THOM HOFFNER, JAMES R HOGAN, KENNETH P HOGUE, MARK HOLASEK, JED A HOLLEY, HENRY A HOLMAN, STEVEN HOLT, ELWOOD W HOLZBAUR, JOHN
S HOLZLI JR, JEFFREY B HOMAN, ZOLTAN A HORVATH, JOHN C HOUSLER JR, JOHN HOWLAND JR, ARVID D HOXIE JR, LEONARD E HUBERT, JOHN D HUDDLE, NANCY HUDDLESTON,
STEVEN D HUDDLESTON, DANIEL HUDDLESTON, WILLIAM L HUGHES, MICHAEL HUGHES, MICHAEL A HUMPHREY, GREGORY HUSON, MARK HUTSON, GRAHAM A INNS, LEONARD INZEO
JR, DWIGHT E IRWIN, DONALD L ISHMAEL, ROGER IWERKS, ROBERT M JACKSON, JOSEPH C JANEIRO, MARK JANES, BILL JANITOR, MATT F JAYICH, PATRICK J JEANY, FRANK E JENKINS,
WILL JEWELL, MICHAEL JOBE, MARTHA JOHNSON, MICHAEL JOHNSON, DONALD N JOHNSON, MICHAEL L JOHNSON, GREG JOHNSON, ED JOHNSON JR, RAYMOND C JOHNSTON,
MICHAEL JOHNSTON, WOODROW JONES, MARY JANE JONES, ARLEIGH JONES, KEITH A JONES, JERRY R JONES, PETER J JONSSON, JAMES R JORDEN, GARY JORGENSEN, RODNEY
D JUDSON, RICHARD J KADAR, CARL KAFFEMAN, THOM KAINZ, JACK KAINZ, JIM A KAISER, LARRY KARNES, KEVIN L KASEY, SANDRA KELLER, ARDYS C KELLERMAN, PAUL J KELLEY,
JIM KELLY, STEELE K KENNEDY, DAVID KERR, KIRK P KESSLER, GEORGE P KESTLER, ALEXANDRA KIEFFER, RON KIMBLE, W MICHAEL KIRBY, EVA KIRCHLECHNER, EDWIN B KITNERS,
BRIAN E KLINE, NANCY K KLUNE, DOUG KOLONIA, FRANK J KOPETKO, THOMAS KUDLICK, RUDI KUGLER, RONALD W KUMMERLOWE, JOHN W LANCE, CAROL D LANDIS, DARREN LANE,
PATRICIA S LANE, JAMES E LANG, BILL LANGENBACH, WILLIAM LASCHE, GARY LASHER, THOMAS W LASLEY, N PETER LAVENGOOD, DENNIS D LAW, BRIAN F LAW, DANIEL NATHAN LEE
DD, DAVID J LEIBOLD, KENNETH E LEMLEY, LAWRENCE A LENTINI, CRAIG LENTZ, MICHAEL J LEO, JIM LESLIE, GARY LESTINA, JOEL LEWALLEN, RALPH E LEWIS, ROBERT J LICH, ROBERT
LICHTENSTEIN, DARVON LIGHT, MARY LINDEMAN, STEVEN D LINDEN, DOUGLAS LINVILLE MD, SEAN LISKE, DAVID A LLOYD, MIKE LLOYD, RICHARD C LORENSON, PATRICIA LORENZEN,
CHESTER R LOVE, DAVID B LOVE, DARYL A LUCAS, CHARLES LUEDERS, KRISTIN LUND, GARY LYON, HAROLD F MACDONALD, JACK B MACHUTA JR, BILL M MACQUEEN, ROGER
MAEHLER, RODNEY P MAJOR, JOHN R MANFORD, MICHAEL J MAREK, MARK D MARESCALCO, BOBBY MARKHAM, DHANE B MARQUES, KENNETH MARSTERS, JEREMY MARTENS, VERN
E MARTIN, DEREK L MARTIN, DAVE W MARTIN, JOEL MARTIN, FREDRIC E MARTINSON, MICHAEL A MASON, FRANK MATASKA, BILL MATCHUS, STEVEN E MATTESON, RONALD D
MATTHEWS, ELISSA MATULIS MYERS, CARL R MATZELLE, JOHN C MAUN, DAVID C MCCARTHY, LARRY MCCARTY, JAMES E MCCOY, JAMES MCCULLAH, DONALD R MCCULLOUGH,
TERRY MCDANIEL, CLAUDE MCELVAIN, RICHARD T MCGRATH, JOANN MCINTOSH, KEVIN MCKAY, ROBERT MCKEEVER, RON MCKENZIE, KEVIN MCKILLIP, BRENT H MCKINLAY, GARY E
MCMAHAN, DANIEL MCMANUS, THOMAS E MCNABB, MARK W MCNABNEY, KEN E MCNATT, PAUL MCNAUGHTON, ROBERT B MEASE, KENNETH C MECKING, JOHN P MEDGYESI, KARL S
MEDINGER, PETER E MEEHAN SR, DEAN J MELLOR, MICHAEL B MENAKER, DAVE N MERKLIN, DIANE MERRILL, KEN MEYER, JAMES P MICHIELUTTI, JASON MIDDLETON, ROSELOU MIETZ,
DANIEL J MILLER, VINCENT MILLER, ROBERT W MILLER, DWAIN D MILLER, ROBERT L MILLER, JAMES I MILLER, DALE R MINER, EDWARD M MINNICK, CHRIS J MISSERI, JAMES MITCHELL,
JOHN W MITCHELL, PETER S MOLESKY, ROBERT F MOLT, MIKE MONROE, JOHN P MOORE, MICHAEL R MOORE, NELSON MORENO, JACK MORIN, PAUL E MOSCOSO, LARRY D MOSER,
WILLIAM H MOSES, JOHN A MULLIGAN, PAUL MULLIGAN, PATRICK T MURPHY, RANDY R MURPHY, JOHN BAGLEY MURRAY, MARK C MYERS, STEVE MYERS, JOHN T MYERS, JOHN C
MYRIN, GEORGE NACHAJSKI, SHANE NALLEY, WILLIAM L NEANDER, JOHN NEIDENGARD, DAVID W NELSON, ROBERT NEVOLA, T NEWHARD, BEN NEWHOUSE, MARK NEWMAN, ANGELO
R NICHOLES, NICK NICHOLS, JOANNA NICOLINI, BOB NIENABER, RANDEL NISSEN, MIKE W NIX, AL NOGUCHI, ROBERT A NORDT, DONALD B NORTON, MARK S NOTHOM, JOHN K NOVAK,
BRUCE A NUGENT, GERALD F OBRIEN, JOSEPH ODEN, DAVE K OHLMAN, STEVEN OHLROGGE, JOHN OLEARY, DENNIS L OLSEN, THOMAS J A OLSHARK, KRIS OLSON, K J OMALLEY,
WILLIAM M OMARA, JOHN ONEIL, RICHARD J OPPERMANN, PETER J ORECKINTO, BRIAN M OREILLY, DONALD L ORSINI, BOB OWEN, ERIC OWENS, ANTHONY C PAGGIO, STEVEN
PALESCH, BRADLEY PARFITT, DEREK L PARIS, RICHARD E PARKER, KATHRYN PARKER, BRAD PARKS, JOHN J PARROTT, ELIZABETH PARTON, KRISTIN PARZYCH, DAVID PAULI, ALAN J
PAWLEY, MERRILL PEGG, SCOTT H PEIRCE, CHARLES E PENOYER, LEONARD PERRONE, JON C PETERSON, THOMAS S PETERSON, DAN PETTIGREW, GERALD A PFEIFER, JERRY L
PIEPER, ROBERT A PIERRO, KEVIN PINTO, DAVID PIRNER, RUSSELL POHL, CURTIS D POOLE, GEOFFREY T POOLE, KEVIN S POPAEKO, RICK PORTERFIELD, RUSSELL POUND JR, PAUL
POVEROMO, CHRIS J POWERS, STAN W PRAPOTNIK, ROBERT PRESS, DON PREUSS, CHARLES E PRICE, JEFF PRITCHARD, DAVID K PROELL, JOHN R PROSSER, PHIL PSZENNY, TERRY
E PUFFER, FRED PUYNKO, DIANE RACKOVAN, ROBERT C RANKIN JR, THOMAS A RANNEY, WILLIAM RANSDELL, ANNETTE M RASP, GARY H RATEKIN, HANS P RAUB, DENNIS B RAY,
RONNIE A RAY, THOMAS J READING, TERRY A REAM, LOYAL E REAM, JOHN C REED, NATHAN REICHARD, KERI S REINMAN, BRAD RENSHAW, RUDY L REYNOSA, ROBERT G RICHMOND,
BRUCE RICKARD, CURT RINGGENBERG, MIKE RITCHIE, ALAN ROACH, KENNETH G ROBERTS, BRUCE ROBERTS, JOSEPH ROBINSON, AVIS ROBINSON, WESLEY L ROBISON, GARY H
ROCK, CARLO A RODRIGO, JOSEPH P ROGERS, DANIEL ROHLLF, ROBERT T ROMANS, TODD K ROPER, JOHN L ROQUEMORE, GREGORY A ROTH, EDWARD J ROYALS, FRANKLIN L RUCH,
CLARK N RUNYARD, GARY RUSK, BRUCE D RUST, WARREN K RYAN, PATRICK RYAN, ROGER RYNEARSON, THOMAS L SAIERS, GENE SCHAETTEN, DAVID N SCHANI, LANSING C SCHANTZ,
MARK SCHMIDT, JOHANN SCHNEIDER, MARTIN SCHNEIDER JR, ERICH SCHULER, BRENT S SCHUSTER, TERRY SCHWARK, BOB SCHWEGEL, WADE SCOTT, MARTIN W SCOTT, RUSSELL
W SEIBOLD, DAN SEKELLICK, FORREST A SELMER, ROD SENTELL, ERIK J SHAFER, JAMES J SHANAHAN, DONALD E SHARPE, STEVEN P SHAUM, JOHN E SHAW, JAY SHELTON, CLYDE S
SHERBONDY, DONALD E SHERIDAN SR, STEVE SHERMAN, CURTIS D SHIELDS, ERIC SHIELDS, SCOTT SHIVELY, MATTHEW SHOOK, PAUL SHOOK, GEORGE D SIEGLE JR, ROBERT E SIER,
KURT SIMMERS, MARK J SIMMONS, TOM SIMON, MILAN SIMOVICH, JOHN S J SIMPSON, ANDREW J SITTON, ROBERT S SKINNER, URSULA B SKOUG, ELIZABETH SLADE, JAMES E SLADE,
DAVID R SMITH, DAVID C SMITH, JEFFREY L SMITH, PETER D SMITH, MIKE SMITH, PHILLIP L SMITH, RONALD R SMITH, CHARLIE SMITH, RAYMOND SMITH, RICHARD C SMITH, KEITH
SMITH, BILL F SMITH, RODNEY SMITH, RANDY W SMITH, LOUIS M SMITH JR, JAMES SMITHHISLER, OWEN SOMERFORD, DEBBIE SOUZA, CRAIG SPANGLER, JAMES SPECHT, PHILLIP H
SPRAIN, JOHN L STAEHLI, DAVID STAFFORD, STAN STAGG, MIKE A STAHLMAN, GARY STAMMER, CHARLES H STANLEY, RAYMOND C STEFAN, DENNIS M STEINKE, WAYNE A STELLY,
GERALD STEWART, TED STICKLER, ROY S STIENEKER, LEONARD M STINCHCOMB JR, DAVE L STOCKTON, JERRY A STOECKIGT, JASON STONE, RONALD STORM, BRADLEY STRANG,
ERIK S STRASEL, JACK R STRAW, ROBERT STREETS, JAMES C STRUKE, TED A STULL, MARK SULLIVAN, STEVE SUMNER, KENT SUNDGREN, ALBERT T SUPPLE III, ANGUS SUTHERLAND,
JOHN H SWAFFORD, BRIAN J SWARTWOOD, SANDRA B SWEGMAN, MARK A SWYGERT, LARRY A TACK, MARK TAGLIAMONTE, CLEVELAND TAYLOR, RICHARD TAYLOR, ANDREW TEATES,
TIMOTHY TEVES, PETER THOMANN, KEITH THOMAS, JAMES A THOMAS, GEORGE THOMAS, ROLAND D THOMPSON, MICHAEL THOMPSON, ROD D THURLEY, JACK TIERNEY, JARRETT A
TIPPING, DANIEL TODD, GARY T TOLLEFSON, ANTHONY TOMASELLO, PAUL M TOMSCHE, BILL TRAPP, JEFF TREML, CHARLES L TRYON, DOUG S TSOUHNIKAS, JOHN TULLIS, DEREK R
TURNER, HAROLD A TYNDALL, BRUCE D UNDERWOOD, STEVEN A UNDERWOOD, CECIL UPTON JR, CODIE A VAHSHOLTZ, PAUL A VALENTINE, STEVE VANATTA, JEFF VANDEN BOOGART,
ROY A VANDERVEUR JR, RAYMOND M VANDEVORT, DOLLY VARNES, BOB VERNER, LOUIS VICKERS, THOMAS VIELE, PATTI J VOLLMER, FRANK H VOLLMER III, ART VONROEMER, HARRY
K VROMAN, PERRY M WACKER, DAVID J WADDLE, PATRICK L
WADE, JOE M WADE, A J WAGGONER, RANDALL A WAGNER,
DENNIE R WAGNER, KENNETH L WAGONER, LINDA WALDHEIM,
KRIS WALL, WADE WALLACE, SCOTT WALLACE, LEONARD P
WALLS, BRENDAN L WALSH, SANDRA WALSTROM, JAKE G
WALTERS, LARRY P WAMBOLD JR, JOHN L WARD, CARYL BUD
WARNER, CHADWICK L WARRIX, GARY R WASHBURN, CHADOM WATKINS, RONALD G WATSON, SAM WATSON, GREGORY WAUGH, THOMAS A WEBER, MIKE L WEBSTER, JOHN A
WEDDLETON, ROBERT A WEINDORF, MICHAEL WEINER, MAUREEN WELCH, THOMAS ALLEN WELCH, TODD WENDLE, ROBERT L WENGER, ROBERT M WENTZEL, LYNN E WENZBAUER,
CHRISTINE WERDER, RUSTY WERNER, BILL WERNER, MARTY WERTHEIM, HENRY W WEST, MARTYN J WHEELER, RICHARD WHITMAN, MARCUS P WIELOSINSKI, BARRON L WIGGINS,
STEVE WILBURN, MARIE F WILHELMY, DANIEL C WILLIAMS, JAMES A WILLIAMS, JOHN A WILSON, JANET R WILTSHIRE, JOSHUA WINCHELL, JOBY A WINDMILLER, JOE D WINKLER, RUTH
J WITMAN, TOM WOLF, JACK E WOLF, DEBBIE WOLFE, DALE L WOOD, ROGER B WOOD SR, DON WRAGG, BOB WRIGHT, ROBERT WRIGHT, BRIAN L WUBBEN, SCOTT WUBBENA, RICHARD
WYKOFF, SURESH YADAV, DAVID R YANKUNAS, RODNEY YENTZER, JOHN YORKS, JOSEPH E ZIERMAN, CHERYL L ZIMMERMAN, DAVID ZUNIGA, RICHARD ZUPKO II, RICHARD ZWIEBEL.
Congratulations to everyone who became an AMA Life Member this year, and thank you for your support!
AM_01_2010_pp048-049_LifeMembers.indd 48 11/19/09 5:36 PM
AM_01_2010_pp048-049_LifeMembers.indd 49 11/19/09 5:37 PM
1The battle of the champs takes center stage during the 2010 season of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World championship, when defending champ James Stewart battles Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Champ Chad Reed. But Ryan Villopoto and others are hoping to claim the No. 1 plate for their own. The series begins Jan. 9 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. For the full schedule, see page 52.
2 A little snow, or even a lot of it, doesn’t stop a group of some 550 New Jersey riders from hitting the roads on their scoots in what they call Polar Bear rides. And they want to invite you along. They have planned a series of rides during
the winter months, starting with one Jan. 2 that begins in Lake Hopatcong, N.J. Info: PolarBearGrandTour.com.
3 The AMA Arenacross Series is under way, and this season promises to showcase some of the closest racing action ever. The series will crisscross the country, with events Jan. 8-10 in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Jan. 15-17 in Baltimore; Jan. 22-24 in Hampton, Va.; and Jan. 30-31 in Kansas City, Mo. For the full schedule, see page 52.
4 Get the new year off to a great start with some family fun by taking part in the Family Off-Road Adventures recreational trail ride that will be held Jan. 2 in Ridgecrest, Calif. The ride begins at the Wagon Wheel staging area 5 miles south of Highway 178 on Trona-Red Mountain Rd. Info: FamilyOffroadAdventures.com.
5 Will this be the year that Mike Lafferty wins an unprecedented ninth title in the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing? Or will defending
champion Russell Bobbitt once again dash Lafferty’s dreams? The drama begins when the 10-race series kicks off Jan. 31 at the Manchester State forest in Wedgefield, S.C. Info: SERMAClub.com.
6 The 2010 AMA Racing National Hare & Hound Championship Series kicks off Jan. 24 at the Johnson Valley Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area in Lucerne, Calif., hosted by the Desert Motorcycle Club. Info: DesertMC.com.
7Rain, snow or shine, the Trinity Road Riders will host a Polar Bear Run Jan. 1 with sign up and start from 10 a.m. to noon at Cycle Gear at SE 89th St. and Stark St. in Portland, Ore. Info: PDXPolarBearRun.com.
COMING UP
The South Florida Ride for Kids is Feb. 14 beginning and ending at the Sportsplex in Coral Springs, Fla. Registration for this fund-raising ride for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation begins at 8 a.m. and closes at 9:45 a.m. Info: RideForKids.org.
5
36
7
3
3
1
4
3
2
A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed on the following pages.
Go Ride
50 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
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The following pages list AMA-sanctioned events for this month, up to date at press time. Current listings are in the Riding and Racing sections of www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
The biggest events—pro races,
national-championship amateur competition, and major rides and rallies—are highlighted in color boxes. For these series, we list all of the remaining events for the entire year.
Then there are the local events,
the backbone of the AMA’s riding and racing calendar. These events are listed by state and are broken down by type, so you can quickly fi nd the ones near you.
Here’s a guide to what you’ll fi nd in these local listings:
Event Class (Competition events only)S - Standard (Amateur classes)Y - Youth ClassesT - ATV classesG - ProgressiveM - Pro-Am classes
Type of Event
Date
Sign-in Time
Event PromoterLocation/City
Contact Phone NumberDirections
MOTOCROSS
DEC 6 (S,T,Y): REYNOLDS (D-9): SILVER DOLLAR MX, C/O STEVE JONES; 6 AM;
HWY 96 W/JST W OF TWN; (478) 555-4673
THE GUIDE TO EVENTS
MUSEUM EXHIBITS
AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame MuseumMotorcycleMuseum.org
The Hall of Fame is located on the AMA campus
in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. seven days a week year-round
exceptfor Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and
New Year’s Day.
MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles:
Priceless machines, exclusive memorabilia and
tales from celebrities’ favorite adventures. On
display through April 2010.
Awesome-Ness: The life and art of Arlen Ness:
King of Choppers.
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Bikes and
memorabilia recognizing those who have
made signifi cant contributions to all aspects of
motorcycling.
Founder’s Hall: Honoring the Hall of Fame’s
generous contributors.
CALIFORNIAPOKER RUN
JAN 23 (R,T,Y): LUCERNE VALLEY: UNITED ENDURO ASSOCIATION, GODON GODEL; 1 PM; JOHNSON VALLEY OHV AREA /STAGEING AREA TBA; (818) 237-8396;
REC TRAIL RIDE
JAN 2 (R,T,Y): RIDGECREST: FAMILY OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE, LD BORGENS; WAGON WHEEL STAGING AREA /5 MI S OF HWY 178 ON TRONA-REDMOUNTAIN RD; (209) 649-3633; FAMILYOFFROADADVENTURES.COM
JAN 23 (R,T,Y): LUCERNE VALLEY: UNITED ENDURO ASSOCIATION, GORDON GODEL; 11 AM; JOHNSON VALLEY OHV AREA /STAGEING AREA TBA; (818) 237-8396;
HARE SCRAMBLES
JAN 3 (S,Y): LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, JEFF TAYLOR; 8 AM; LODI CYCLE BOWL/5801 E MORSE /HWY 99 TO 8 MILE/N ON FRONTAGE/R ON MORSE; (209) 368-7182; LODICYCLEBOWL.COM
HARE & HOUND
JAN 24 (S,T,Y): LUCERNE VALLEY: NATIONAL; DESERT MOTORCYCLE CLUB IN, DALE SHUTTLEWORTH; JOHNSON VALLEY OHVA /MARKED FROM INTERSECTION OF HWY 18 & 247; (909) 578-1599; DESERTMC.COM
ENDURO
JAN 24 (S,T,Y): LUCERNE VALLEY: UNITED ENDURO ASSOCIATION, GORDON GODEL; JOHNSON VALLEY OHV AREA /STAGEING AREA TBA; (818) 237-8396;
CROSS COUNTRY
JAN 16 (S,Y): RANCHO CORDOVA: 2 DAY EVENT: POLKA DOTS MOTORCYCLE CLU, BRUCE HENDERSON; 6 AM; 13300 WHITE ROCK RD; (916) 568-0708; POLKADOTSMC.COM
FLORIDAMOTOCROSS
JAN 3 (S,Y): GAINESVILLE: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX, WYN KERR; 6 AM; GATORBACK CYCLE PARK; (813) 470-7498; UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM
JAN 10 (S,Y): REDDICK: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX, WYN KERR; 6 AM; MX OF MARION COUNTY; (813) 470-7498; UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM
JAN 17 (S,Y): DADE CITY: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX, WYN KERR; 6 AM; DADE CITY RACEWAY; (813) 470-7498; UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM
JAN 24 (S,Y): LAKE CITY: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX, WYN KERN; 6 AM; LAKE CITY MX; (813) 470-7498; UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM
JAN 31 (S,Y): ST PETERSBURG: UNLIMITED SPORTS MX, WYN KERR; 6 AM; SUNSHINE MOTOCROSS; (813) 470-7498; UNLIMITEDSPORTSMX.COM
INDIANAROAD RUN
JAN 1 (R): INDIANAPOLIS: MIDWEST MOTORCYCLE CLUB, B SHACKELFORD; 10 AM; 3101 S HARDING /2 MI N OF 465S/HARDING EXIT; (317) 557-2130; MIDWESTMC.COM
KENTUCKYMOTOCROSS
JAN 15 (S,T,Y): CORBIN: INDOOR; VICTORY SPORTS INC, SAM GAMMON; SMG/THE ARENA 455 MARKET ST; (423) 323-5497; VICTORYSPORTSRACING.COM
JAN 16 (S,T,Y): CORBIN: INDOOR; VICTORY SPORTS INC, SAM GAMMON; SMG/THE ARENA 455 MARKET ST; (423) 323-5497; VICTORYSPORTSRACING.COM
MARYLANDMOTOCROSS
JAN 3 (S,T,Y): BUDDS CREEK: BUDDS CREEK MOTOCROSS PAR, JONATHAN BEASLEY; 4 PM; BUDDS CREEK MX PARK /27963 BUDDS CREEK RD; (301) 475-2000; BUDDSCREEK.COM
ARENA CROSS
JAN 15 (S,Y): BALTIMORE: 3 DAY EVENT: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, JAYME DALSING; 10 AM; 1ST MARINER ARENA /201 W BALTIMORE ST; (800) 216-7482; ARENACROSS.COM
MICHIGANICE RACE
JAN 23 (S,T,Y): MOUNT PLEASANT: NATIONAL; 2 DAY EVENT: BAJA MX INC, ROSANNA M GRZEBINSKI; 7 AM; SOARING EAGLE CASINO; (989) 871-3356; BAJAMX.COM
ARENA CROSS
JAN 8 (S,Y): GRAND RAPIDS: 3 DAY EVENT: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, JAYME DALSING; 10 AM; VAN ANDEL ARENA /130 W FULTON; (800) 216-7482; ARENACROSS.COM
MISSOURIARENA CROSS
JAN 30 (S,Y): KANSAS CITY: 2 DAY EVENT: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, JAYME DALSING; 10 AM; KEMPER ARENA; (800) 216-7482; ARENACROSS.COM
NEW JERSEYGRAND TOUR
JAN 2 (R): PEMBERTON: AMA-DIST 02 OF NEW JERSEY, ROBERT D HARTPENCE; POLAR BEAR GRAND TOUR /16 ELIZABETH STREET; (609) 894-9241;
Cycle World InternationalMotorcycle ShowsMotorcycleShows.com
Dec. 11-13: Seattle, Wash.: Qwest Field Event Center; QwestField.com
Jan. 1-3: Novi, Mich.: Rock Financial Showplace; RockFinancialShowplace.com
Jan. 8-10: Greenville, S.C.: Carolina First Center; CarolinaFirstCenter.com
Jan. 15-17: Washington, D.C.: Washington
Convention Center; DCConvention.com
Jan. 22-24: New York, N.Y.: Javits Convention Center; JavitsCenter.com
Jan. 29-31: Cleveland, Ohio: I-X Center; IXCenter.com
Feb. 5-7: Minneapolis, Minn.: Minneapolis Convention Center; MplsConvCtr.org
Feb. 19-21: Chicago, Ill.: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center; Rosemont.com
Mar. 3-10: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Ocean Center; OceanCenter.com
MOTORCYCLE SHOWS
HTTP://POLARBEARGRANDTOUR.COM
NEW YORKSHORT TRACK
JAN 10 (S,T,Y): JAN 24 (S,T,Y): CAIRO: ELECTRIC CITY RIDERS, FRANK CARPINELLO; 9 AM; SKIDMORE LAKE /220 HERVEY SUNSIDE RD; (518) 542-2144; ELECTRICCITYRIDERS.COM
JAN 17 (S,T,Y): JAN 31 (S,T,Y): EAST BERNE: ELECTRIC CITY RIDERS, FRANK CARPINELLO; 9 AM; WARNER’S LAKE /141 WARNERS LAKE ROAD; (518) 542-2144; ELECTRICCITYRIDERS.COM
NORTH CAROLINAMOTOCROSS
JAN 8 (S,T,Y): FLETCHER: INDOOR; VICTORY SPORTS INC, SAM GAMMON; WESTERN NC AG CENTER /I-26 EX 40@ASHEVILLE AIRPORT; (423) 323-5497; VICTORYSPORTSRACING.COM
JAN 9 (S,T,Y): FLETCHER: INDOOR; VICTORY SPORTS INC, SAM GAMMON; WESTERN NC AG CENTER /I-26 EX 40@ASHEVILLE AIRPORT; (423) 323-5497; VICTORYSPORTSRACING.COM
JAN 16 (S,T,Y): HENDERSON: 2 DAY EVENT: KRUSTY RIDERS ASSOCIATION, MARK CZYSZ; 6 AM; 900 CHEEKS QUARTER RD /1.5 MI W OF HWY 401/10 MI N OF LOUISBURGH; (252) 438-8192; NCMP.NET
OREGONROAD RUN
JAN 1 (R): PORTLAND: TRINITY ROAD RIDERS, BRUCE TILLER; 10 AM; CYCLE GEAR /89TH & SE STARK ST; (503) 314-4757; PDXPOLARBEARRUN.COM
SOUTH CAROLINAENDURO
JAN 17 (S): EHRHARDT: FAMILY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE, DOUG R COCHRAN; BROXTON BRIDGE PLANTATION /6 MI S OF TOWN; (843) 572-2008;
JAN 31 (S): WEDGEFIELD: NATIONAL; SUMTER ENDURO RIDERS MC A, JOHNNY MCCOY; OFF HWY 261 BETWEEN PINEWOOD & /WEDGEFIELD SC; (803) 481-5169; SERMACLUB.COM
REL-ENDURO - ISDE
JAN 16 (S): EHRHARDT: FAMILY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE, DOUG R COCHRAN; BROXTON BRIDGE PLANTATION /6 MI S OF TOWN; (843) 572-2008;
TENNESSEEMOTOCROSS
JAN 22 (S,T,Y): SHELBYVILLE: INDOOR; VICTORY SPORTS INC, SAM GAMMON; CALSONIC ARENA /HWY 231 EXIT 41A TOWARDS TULLAHOMA; (423) 323-5497; VICTORYSPORTSRACING.COM
JAN 23 (S,T,Y): SHELBYVILLE: INDOOR; VICTORY SPORTS INC, SAM GAMMON; CALSONIC ARENA /HWY 231 EXIT 41A TOWARDS TULLAHOMA; (423) 323-5497; VICTORYSPORTSRACING.COM
HARE SCRAMBLES
JAN 24 (S,Y): SAULSBURY: WOLF RIVER RACING, DICK MCALVAIN; SAULSBURY FARM /GPS N35 0415.7, W890306.9; (901) 351-8468;
January 2010 51
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AMA Racing National Hare & HoundNationalHareAndHound.com
Jan. 24: Johnson Valley OHVA, Lucerne,
Calif.: Desert M/C, Dale Shuttleworth; (909)
578-1599; [email protected];
DesertMC.com
Feb. 14: Spangler Hills OHV, Ridgecrest,
Calif.: Four Aces MC, Richie Wohlers;
(805) 358-2668; [email protected];
FourAcesMC.org
March 7: Superstition OHVA, El Centro,
Calif.: Roadrunner Off-Road Racing, Kirk
Hester; (760) 275-9852; roadrunneroffroad@
hotmail.com; RoadRunnerOffroad.org
March 21: Murphy, Idaho: Dirt Inc., Bill
Walsh; (208) 459-6871; [email protected];
DirtIncRacing.com
April 10: Jericho, Utah (no ATVs)*:
Sageriders MC, Kari Christman; (435) 851-
1138; [email protected]; Sageriders.com
April 25: Johnson Valley OHVA, Lucerne,
Calif.: Vikings MC, Alex Rodriguez; (760) 834-
5006; [email protected]; VikingsMC.
com
May 15: Jericho, Utah: Sugarloafers, Rob
Davies; (435) 743-4180; [email protected];
SugarloafersMC.com
June 5: Wendover, Nev. (no ATVs)*: Utah
Desert Foxes, Steve Rij; (801) 964-8773; steve.
[email protected]; UtahDesertFoxes.com
Oct. 10: TBA: SoCal MC, Justin Shultz;
(949) 981-6776; [email protected];
SoCalMC.com
Oct. 24: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: 100’s
MC, Ryan Sanders; (949) 584-9395;
[email protected]; 100sMC.org
*The U.S. Bureau of Land Management does not allow
all-terrain vehicle (ATV) competition at these locations.
AMA Racing East Hare Scrambles
AMARacing.com
May 2: Dorchester, N.J.: Dennis McKelvey,
Tri-County Sportsmen; (609) 390-3772;
TeamHammer.org
May 30: Rhinelander, Wis.: Scott Schwalbe,
Sugar Camp Racing; (715) 272-1101;
SugarCampEnt.com
June 13: Elkland, Pa.: Jeremy Richardson,
MilesMountain; (570) 723-8516;
MilesMountainMX.com
July 18: Valley View, Pa.; Tiffany Tobias,
Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600;
RauschCreekRacing.com
Aug. 1: Catawissa, Pa.: Mike Soudas, High
Mountain Dirt Riders; (570) 954-7799; HMDR.org
Aug. 7: Hill City, Minn.: Paul Otto, Range
Riders MC; (763) 229-1177; RangeRidersMC.org
Aug. 29: Cortland, N.Y.: Cindy Davis, Knobby
Acres; (607) 756-5277; WYNOA.org
Sept. 19: Lynnville, Ind.: Kenny Moore, IN, IL,
KY Enduro Riders; (812) 549-8385; Blackcoal.org
AMA Racing East Youth Hare Scrambles
AMARacing.com
April 18 (pending): Berwick, Pa.: Duane
Fisher, Evansville MX Park; (570) 759-2841
May 1: Dorchester, N.J.: Dennis McKelvey,
Tri-County Sportsmen; (609) 390-3772;
TeamHammer.org
May 29: Rhinelander, Wis.: Scott Schwalbe,
Sugar Camp Racing; (715) 272-1101;
SugarCampent.com
June 12: Elkland, Pa.: Jeremy Richardson,
Miles Mountain; (570) 723-8516;
MilesMountainMX.com
July 18: Valley View, Pa.; Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600; RauschCreekRacing.com
July 31: Catawissa, Pa.: Mike Soudas, High Mountain Dirt Riders; (570) 954-7799; HMDR.org
Aug. 8: Hill City, Minn.: Paul Otto, Range Riders MC; (763) 229-1177; RangeRidersMC.org
Aug. 28: Cortland, N.Y.: Cindy Davis, Knobby Acres; (607) 756-5277; WYNOA.org
Sept. 18: Lynnville, Ind.: Kenny Moore, IN, IL, KY Enduro Riders; (812) 549-8385; Blackcoal.org
AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing
NationalEnduro.com
Jan. 31: Wedgefield, S.C.: Johnny McCoy,
SERMA; (803) 481-5169; SERMAClub.com
Feb. 21: Greensboro, Ga.: Garrett McKey,
Cherokee Cycle Club; (678) 231-5858; SETRA.org
March 4: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Steve
Pettenger, Daytona Dirt Riders; (386) 615- 0722
March 28: Kalgary, Texas: Kelly Simmons,
Lubbock Trail Riders; (806) 548-1260;
LubbockTrailRiders.org
April 18: West Point, Tenn.: Paul Traufler,
NATRA; (256) 837-0084; NATRA.DirtRider.net
May 16: Park Hills, Mo.: Michael Silger,
Missouri Mudders; (636) 639-6373;
MOMudders.com
June 20: Upton, Wyo.: Paul Douglas, Inyan
Kara Riders; (307) 468-2840; NationalEnduro.com
July 25: Moorestown, Mich.: Jeff Hunt,
Lansing Motorcycle Club; (231) 267-9534
Aug. 15: North Berwich, Maine: Peter
Anania, Seacoast Trail Riders; (603) 436-4331;
SeacoastTrailRiders.org
Oct. 2: Matthews, Ind.: Brent Floyd,
Muddobbers MC; [email protected];
Muddobbers.org
AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World ChampionshipSupercrossOnline.com
Jan. 9: Anaheim, Calif.; Angel Stadium, TicketMaster.com, (714) 940-2000
Jan. 16: Phoenix, Ariz.; Chase Field, TicketMaster.com, (602) 462-6000
Jan. 23: Anaheim, Calif.; Angel Stadium, TicketMaster.com, (714) 940-2000
Jan. 30: San Francisco, Calif.; AT&T Park, TicketMaster.com, (415) 972-2000
Feb. 6: San Diego, Calif.; Qualcomm Stadium, TicketMaster.com, (619) 525-8266
Feb. 13: Anaheim, Calif.; Angel Stadium, TicketMaster.com, (714) 940-2000
Feb. 20: Indianapolis, Ind.; Lucas Oil Stadium, TicketMaster.com, (317) 262-8600
Feb. 27: Atlanta, Ga.; Georgia Dome, TicketMaster.com, (404) 223-9200
March 6: Daytona, Fla.; Daytona Int’l Speedway, DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com, (800) PITSHOP
March 13: Toronto, Ontario; Rogers Centre, TicketMaster.com, (416) 341-3000
March 20: Arlington, Texas; Cowboy Stadium, TicketMaster.com, (817) 892-4161
March 27: Jacksonville, Fla.; Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, TicketMaster.com, (904) 633-6100
April 10: Houston, Texas; Reliant Stadium, TicketMaster.com, (832) 667-1400
April 17: St. Louis, Mo.; Edward Jones Dome, TicketMaster.com, (314) 342-5036
April 24: Seattle, Wash.; Quest Field, TicketMaster.com, (206) 381-7500
May 1: Salt Lake City, Utah; Rice-Eccles, TicketMaster.com, (801) 581-UTIX
May 8: Las Vegas, Nev.; Sam Boyd Stadium, TicketMaster.com, (702) 895-3761
AMA Arenacross Championship SeriesArenacross.com
Jan. 8-10: Grand Rapids, Mich.; Van Andel Arena, TicketMaster.com, (616) 742-6600
Jan. 15-17: Baltimore, Md.; 1st Mariner Arena, TicketMaster.com, (410) 347-2020
Jan. 22-24: Hampton, Va.; Hampton Coliseum, TicketMaster.com, (757) 838-4203
Jan. 30-31: Kansas City, Mo.; Kemper Arena, TicketMaster.com, (816) 949-7100
Feb. 6-7: Tulsa, Okla.; BOK Center, TicketMaster.com, (918) 596-7177
Feb. 12-14: Youngstown, Ohio; Covelli Center, TicketMaster.com, (330) 746-5600
Feb. 20-21: San Antonio, Texas; Alamo Dome, TicketMaster.com, (800) 884-3663
Feb. 27-28: Fresno, Calif.; Save Mart Center, TicketMaster.com, (559) 347-3401
March 5-7: Reno, Nev.; Livestock Event Center, TicketMaster.com, (775) 688-5750
March 12-14: Council Bluffs, Iowa; Mid America Center, TicketMaster.com, (712) 323-0536
March 20-21: Dayton, Ohio; Ervin J. Nutter Center, TicketMaster.com, (937) 775-2060
March 26-28: Denver, Colo.; Denver Coliseum, TicketMaster.com, (720) 865-4220
AMA PRO RACING
AMA RACING
VIRGINIAARENA CROSS
JAN 22 (S,Y): HAMPTON: 3 DAY EVENT: FELD MOTOR SPORTS, JAYME DALSING; 10 AM; HAMPTON COLISEUM; (800) 216-7482; ARENACROSS.COM
WEST VIRGINIAHARE SCRAMBLES
JAN 2 (S,T): ROMNEY: 2 DAY EVENT: MARYLAND
COMPETITION RIDE, KENNETH SCHAEFER; JR RANNELLS RD; (410) 916-1061; MDCOMPRIDERS.COM
WISCONSINPOKER RUN
JAN 1 (R): MADISON: MADISON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, DAN MANCL; 10 AM; INN ON THE PARK /CAPITAL SQUARE; (608) 219-8967; MADISONMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORG
52 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp050-053_Calendar.indd 52 11/19/09 5:36 PM
MEET MY RIDING
BUDDIES...
IRRESISTIBLE,MIND-BLOWING,EMPOWERING,INDEPENDENT,SUPERSONIC,LIMITLESS,INTIMATE,FREE,DYNAMIC,SPIRITUAL,INCLUSIVE,INTOXICATING,TRAILBLAZING,ENLIGHTENING,INVIGORATING,EXCLUSIVE,HUMBLING,BRILLIANT.
YES...
WE ALL RIDE.
JOIN US.
AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
AM_01_2010_pp050-053_Calendar.indd 53 11/20/09 11:28 AM
Member Benefi tsThank you to our sponsors and partners for your
continued support of the American Motorcyclist Association.
AmericanMotorcyclist.com/joinama
PROFORMANCEUSA.COM
MOTORCYCLEADS.COM
SM
SM
54 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp054_MemberBenefits.indd 54 11/19/09 5:35 PM
January 2010 55
AM_01_2010_pp055-057_Market.indd 55 11/20/09 4:13 PM
56 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AM_01_2010_pp055-057_Market.indd 56 11/19/09 5:34 PM
Adventure New Zealand .............................. 55
Aero Design ................................................. 55
AMA Gift Certifi cates ................................... 57
Americade ................................................... 31
AMSOIL ....................................................... 17
Best Rest Products ..................................... 55
Bike Bandit ................................................... 3
Black & Gray ................................................ 55
Black Book .................................................. 56
Bohn Body Armor ........................................ 55
Can-Am (Spyder) ........................................... 2
Clarke Mfg. .................................................. 56
Cycleworld IMS ........................................... 49
Cycoactive ................................................... 55
Daytona Beach .............................................. 5
Deltran Battery Tender ................................. 19
Draggin’ Jeans ............................................ 56
F2P Technologies ........................................ 33
Federal Co. .................................................... 8
Foremost Insurance ..................................... 60
Geico ........................................................... 29
Gerbing Heating .......................................... 31
JC Motors .................................................... 31
Klempf’s ....................................................... 57
Leader Accessories ..................................... 56
Manic Salamander ...................................... 56
Matrix MotoSports ...................................... 33
MotorcycleRoads.US .................................. 57
Motorcycle Tour Conversions ...................... 55
Parts Unlimited (Moose) .............................. 59
Port-A-Chopper ........................................... 56
Powerlet ...................................................... 57
Progressive Insurance ................................. 13
Super-Visor .................................................. 55
Touratech ..................................................... 33
Undertaker ................................................... 56
Victory ........................................................... 9
Whitehorse Gear .......................................... 56
AMERICAN
MOTORCYCLIST
.COM/RIGHTS
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GET INVOLVED
The gift of an AMA Membership helps protect the future of motorcycling and promotes the motorcycle lifestyle. Plus, there are incredible everyday benefi ts, such as AMA Roadside Assistance, a subscription to American Motorcyclist magazine, and great discounts on riding gear, accessories, lodging, and many other valuable services – all worth far more than the $39 annual membership fee.
So this holiday season, choose an AMA Membership for everyone on your shopping list.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING: long lineHOLIDAY SHOPPING ONLINE: no line
AMA Membership Gift Certificates
GO TO:AmericanMotorcyclist.com/
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download your AMA Membership
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* AMA Roadside Assistance is free when you sign up for online auto-renewal, or when you purchase a 3-year membership. Standard one-year membership is also available.
January 2010 57
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Guest Column
There is a Honda QA50 motorcycle that sits in the lobby
of my offi ce. It’s an eBay authentic: all the cherished
memories of my very fi rst minicycle from more than 35
years ago, only without the wear and tear from countless
laps around the yard. It’s a faux relic of my childhood,
spent in a family where motorcycling has always been the
tie that binds us together. The only difference between my
real fi rst bike and this one is that the original was green
and this one is red. And then there’s this sad coincidence:
the 1974 antique could end up being the last minicycle my
7-year-old son, Vance, gets if the U.S. government doesn’t
do something about the far-reaching Consumer Product
Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), otherwise
known as the lead-limit law.
The idea behind the law was to protect small children
from consuming lead by chewing or mouthing metal
toys, but somewhere along the way, it grew to include
all products for children age 12 and under—including
motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). That led
motorcycle dealerships across the country to pull youth
models and parts from showrooms, just as the spring
sales season—a crucial time for an already struggling
industry—was upon them.
Many of us did not see this coming. What do toddlers
chewing on cheap metal toys have to do with responsible
12-year-old dirt-riding enthusiasts? But when the threat
was apparent, tens of thousands of motorcycle riders of all
ages rallied to seek an exemption for our youth products,
writing letters to their representatives and even heading to
Washington, D.C., to make their voices heard. The thought
of a small child somehow getting into a garage to chew on
a motorcycle’s engine cases or suspension components is
ridiculous.
Turns out the chairman of the Senate committee that
provides oversight for the Consumer Product Safety
Commission is Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia. As
native West Virginians, my family was able to get a foot
in Sen. Rockefeller’s door, along with AMA President Rob
Dingman and the AMA’s top man in Washington, VP for
Government Relations Ed Moreland. We reminded Sen.
Rockefeller that when it comes to ATV accidents involving
children, our state has a terrible track record—actually, it’s
a roads and hunting-trails record—and the new law would
have the reverse effect of its intent, as children unable to
ride size-appropriate units would simply take up riding
adult-sized ATVs and motorcycles.
Add it all up, and a stay of enforcement was issued that
allowed dealerships to begin selling youth models again,
but only through May 2011. Then it’s on again, and our
crippled industry will once more have to stand and fi ght
Help Your Kids Have The Fun You HadOne Rider’s View Of The Lead Law By Davey Coombs
for its very survival, because cutting off the grassroots will
have far-reaching effects on everyone.
My son and your children are counting on us to allow
them the same opportunities to enjoy the safe motorcycle
and ATV riding that we enjoyed. Please take the time
to contact your lawmakers and ask them to revisit the
unintended consequences of the CPSIA. The next time
they ban youth motorcycles and ATVs, our kids may never
have the chance to grow up the way we did.
AMA Charter Life Member Davey Coombs is publisher
of Racer X motorcycle publications and a member of the
family that promotes the Air Nautiques AMA Amateur
Motocross Championships and the AMA Pro Racing MX
Nationals. Information for contacting your representatives
can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Rights.
58 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
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