american motorcyclist august 2015 street
DESCRIPTION
The Journal of the AMA.TRANSCRIPT
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AUGUST 2015
A GRAND TOUR
HONORING AMERICA’S
HEROES
WATCHING YOUR MONEY: TOLLS, FEES
& TAXES
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From leaning into the
tightest curves to riding
up the highest peaks,
the ‘Plan a thril l ’ feature
on the all-new TomTom
Rider lets you create
your perfect adventure.
www.tomtom.com/rider
. . .WHEN YOU CAN LEAN
AN
D S
OA
R?
WH
Y S
IT A
ND
ST
EE
R..
.
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From leaning into the
tightest curves to riding
up the highest peaks,
the ‘Plan a thril l ’ feature
on the all-new TomTom
Rider lets you create
your perfect adventure.
www.tomtom.com/rider
. . .WHEN YOU CAN LEAN
AN
D S
OA
R?
WH
Y S
IT A
ND
ST
EE
R..
.
DIRTSTREETMAIN 54 August 2015AM_08_2015_sec02m_Contents_Letters.indd 5 6/22/15 4:20 PM
August 2015Volume 69, Number 8Published by theAmerican Motorcyclist Association13515 Yarmouth Dr.Pickerington, OH 43147(800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646)www.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 2015. Printed in USA.Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $19.95 covered in membership dues.
Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offi ces.
10. LETTERS12. VIEWPOINT 14. RIGHTS34. HALL OF FAME44. TAXES & FEES: WHERE DOES
YOUR MONEY GO?48. EVENTS CALENDAR58. GUEST COLUMN
PAGE 38. New Zealand is a motorcycling paradise.
NAVIGATION
STREET COVER
Steve Brooks, who organizes the Tour of Honor, hopes you never forget America’s heroes. Read why on page 22.
DIRT COVER
AmPro Yamaha’s Corey MacDonald does more than just spin wrenches. Learn more on page 38.Riders returning from Rolling
Thunder, the annual ride to Washington, D.C., raising
awareness for military members missing in action, visit the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
To switch the version you receive, call (800) 262-5646, ask for membership services.Want to read both versions? Call the above number to get both delivered to your
home for just $10 more a year. Members can read both versions online at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine for free.
Dirt/Com
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Street
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PAGE 23. The Connor Penhall Memorial Cup drew speedway racing’s biggest stars.
MacDonald does more than
Jeff
Guc
iard
o
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DIRTSTREETMAIN 7August 2015 76AM_08_2015_sec02m_Contents_Letters.indd 7 6/22/15 4:20 PM
COMMUNICATIONS
American Motorcyclist13515 Yarmouth DrivePickerington, OH 43147(614) [email protected]
James Holter, Director of Communications/Managing EditorJim Witters, Government Aff airs EditorHeather Wilson, Associate EditorMark Lapid, Creative DirectorJeff Guciardo, Production Manager/DesignerHalley Immelt, Graphic Designer
Steve Gotoski, Advertising Director (Western States)(951) 566-5068, [email protected] Stevens, National Sales Manager(626) 298-3854, [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 benefi ts, call (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2015.
AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/about/board
Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, ChairSchenectady, N.Y.
Perry King, Vice Chair, Northern California
Ken Ford, Assistant TreasurerBartow, Fla.
Paul Puma, Executive Committee Member, Laguna Beach, Calif.
Jeff Skeen, Executive Committee Member, San Diego, Calif.
Jerry Abboud, Thornton, Colo.
Russ Brenan, Irvine, Calif.
David Foley, Milwaukee, Wis.
Tony Moseley, Fort Worth, Texas
Roger Pattison, Taos Ski Valley, N.M.
Robert Pearce, Murrieta, Calif.
Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill.
(800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646)AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AMA STAFFEXECUTIVE
Rob Dingman, President/CEOJeff Massey, Chief Operations Offi cer Bruce Moff at, Chief Financial Offi cerDonna Perry, Executive Assistant to President/CEORob Rasor, Director of International Aff airs
ACCOUNTING
Dawn Becker, Accounting ManagerMelanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll CoordinatorEd Madden, System Support SpecialistPeg Tuvell, Member Fulfi llment Specialist
AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME
Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF OperationsJordan Cavallaro, Museum Admissions and Collections AssistantPaula Schremser, Program SpecialistKaty Wood, Collections Manager
AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES
Bill Cumbow, Director of RacingRob Baughman, Road Riding CoordinatorKip Bigelow, MX ManagerJoe Bromley, District Relations ManagerJane Caston, Racing CoordinatorKevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing RelationsMarcy Day, Racing Administrative AssistantChris Harrison, Road Riding ManagerAlex Hunter, MX Assistant ManagerMichael Jolly, Off Road/Track Assistant ManagerTamra Jones, Racing CoordinatorBeth Owen, Racing CoordinatorKen Saillant, Track Racing ManagerSerena Van Dyke, Organizer Services CoordinatorChuck Weir, Off Road Racing ManagerConrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager
BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS
Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations& Business Member Programs
DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES
John Bricker, Mailroom ManagerHeida Drake, Copy Center OperatorBill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government RelationsJoshua Habursky, Grassroots CoordinatorNick Haris, Western States RepresentativeSean Hutson, Government Aff airs Manager, On-HighwayRick Podliska, Deputy DirectorSteve Salisbury, Government Aff airs Manager, Off -HighwayElizabeth Starek, Staff Assistant
STATE CHAPTERS
Marie Wuelleh, State Chapter Manager
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Jennifer Kirkpatrick, IT DirectorDave Coleman, Network Architect
MARKETING
Mark Christian, Director of MarketingKaitlyn Sesco, Marketing Specialist
MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY
Jeremiah Hassler, Call Center ManagerLori Cavucci, Member Services RepresentativeChristina Dolin, Member Services RepresentativeDeb D’Andrea, Member Services RepresentativeTiff any Pound, Member Services RepresentativeJessica Robinson, Member Services Representative
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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST TRIM: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8” X 10-1/2˝
BLEED: . . . . . . . . . .8-1/4˝ X 10-7/8˝
SAFETY: . . . . . . . . .7-7/8˝ X 10-1/2˝
Client: Progressive
Job No: 14D00226
Created by: Dalon Wolford
Applications: InDesign CS6, Adobe Photoshop CS6, Adobe Illustrator CS6
Fonts(s): Gotham Family
Job Description: Full Page, 4 Color Ad
Document Name: Cobblestone ad / American Motorcyclist
Final Trim Size: 7-1/2˝ x 10-1/8˝
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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST TRIM: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8” X 10-1/2˝
BLEED: . . . . . . . . . .8-1/4˝ X 10-7/8˝
SAFETY: . . . . . . . . .7-7/8˝ X 10-1/2˝
Client: Progressive
Job No: 14D00226
Created by: Dalon Wolford
Applications: InDesign CS6, Adobe Photoshop CS6, Adobe Illustrator CS6
Fonts(s): Gotham Family
Job Description: Full Page, 4 Color Ad
Document Name: Cobblestone ad / American Motorcyclist
Final Trim Size: 7-1/2˝ x 10-1/8˝
Final Bleed: 8-1/8˝ x 10-3/4˝
Safety: 7-7/8˝ x 10-1/2˝
Date Created: 06/16/14
Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Do not attempt.
Helping you save with every mile. Now that’s Progressive.1-800-PROGRESSIVE | PROGRESSIVE.COM
98AM_08_2015_sec02m_Contents_Letters.indd 9 6/22/15 4:21 PM
CHECK YOURSELFI read and enjoyed the article on noise
levels and the possible future legislation to prevent motorcycle noise “pollution,” for lack of a better word (“Loud & Clear,” July issue). I agree that our community needs to police itself if we are to continue to enjoy the freedoms that we now have. Aggressive riding and loud pipes only feed the stereotype that bikers are trouble makers. Thanks for the fi ne article.
Ken KyzerCharlotte, N.C.
BOTH SIDESI have a real problem with those who
believe that “loud pipes save lives.” I have a couple of Sportsters and enjoy
the sound of moderate exhausts on all motorcycles. I also have a Miata and have noted how I have responded to the sounds of “loud pipes” with the top down. Unless the motorcycle with loud pipes is basically right beside me, either coming or going, the loud pipes have no impact on me with respect to making the rider more conspicuous! They have no impact other than to annoy the general public and to potentially impede my rights as a motorcyclist. I have no problem with laws that limit any motor vehicles’ sound levels to reasonable limits (any and all!).
R. W. Simpson Jr.Center Straff ord, N.H.
MATURITY MATTERSI for one am tired of trying to defend
motorcyclists and their motorcycles with loud pipes.
If “loud pipes save lives” were true, sensible cyclists who modify their exhaust systems would turn their exhaust to face forward because, in the majority of cases, the hazards to motorcyclists are ahead of them, not behind them.
Therefore, if you have modifi ed your exhaust system and the noise still is aimed to the back, you are just showing off and trying to be the center of attention, which disgraces us all.
Be adult, show some maturity, and help the sport instead of harming it.
Floyd BeattyAMA Life MemberAuburn, Maine
SOUND MANAGEMENTI readily agree that loud pipes
are hurting us, but I also enjoy a good-sounding bike and I think the Environmental Protection Agency standards are too tight. If factory exhausts could sound a little “better” (yeah, that’s subjective), perhaps the appeal of louder pipes would diminish. I’ve no experience with SAE J2825, but at least it is an easily measurable/enforceable standard. Perhaps the EPA should drop theirs in favor of it.
I’d love to have a set of Norton peashooters on my old Yamaha 650 twin (shoot, I’d like to have a whole Norton again), but...
D. Mark Shiffl ettAMA Life MemberNewton, Kan.
HURRAY FOR VELOCETTE!I was nearly blown over when opening
our June issue’s AMA Motorcycle Hall
of Fame spread in the magazine. I have owned a 1949 Velocette L.E. for well over 40 years now. The museum’s example is splendid!
Mine is Serial No. 1007 and has been cited by the L.E. Velo Club (England) historian, Dennis Frost, as the oldest known in existence.
L.E.s are rare in the States. Its minute engine just wasn’t our thing. It should be mentioned that all L.E.s from 1951 on to 1970 were of 192cc capacity. That was the most they could safely enlarge the capacity without re-engineering.
Thanks for revealing these historic bikes.
Mike GeraldHattiesburg, Miss.
REJECTING ETHANOLIn an eff ort to continue the dialogue
in the ethanol thread, let me say I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Jim Jordan of Maryland who supports a complete rejection and abolishment of the ethanol additive in our conventional fuel supply. There is simply no credible argument to maintain corn in our fuel other than to serve special interests.
Kevin KernahanRed Bank, N.J.
HOW HE REALLY FEELS...Corn-based fuel ethanol is the poster
child for disgusting, in-your-face corrupt, bipartisan crony capitalism. Ethanol produces more greenhouse gas than pure gasoline because it’s net energy negative. (It takes more energy to produce a gallon of ethanol than you get back from burning it.)
It takes a huge amount of water to produce, raises the price of all food across the world, is corrosive to internal combustion engines, and attracts water into your gasoline.
Even Al “the world has a fever” Gore has admitted ethanol is a mistake, yet it not only goes on, but there’s a push to actually increase the amount of ethanol in fuel. Our representatives in Congress continue to keep it in place because that’s what they’re being paid to do by “big agriculture” and the states where corn is a major part of the economy.
Everyone not raising corn for a living should be outraged by this, even the tree huggers. It’s just one more example of an out-of-control government oblivious to the needs and the welfare of the people.
Joe ComfortEustis, Fla.
MEMBER LETTERS
Letter of the Month
WHAT A TRIP!This is my fi rst day back from
my very fi rst extended motorcycle trip, a thrilling and joyful two-week-long adventure up and back down the coast of California via scenic roads, on my large V-twin. I never expected to become interested in long-distance road riding, as I am primarily an avid off -road enduro racer and trail rider, which is why I originally joined the AMA more than 25 years ago. I also participated in off -road clubs, and worked to expand access to public trails.
I used the informative tips on the member portion of the website to prepare for my trip in many ways. Then I used the AMA Roadside Assistance program to get a free tow to a dealership when my drive belt snapped. I also enjoyed a nice lodging discount with the AMA member code. Overall, I had great peace of mind that I (and my passenger) wouldn’t have had without my AMA membership.
Sam KanterAMA Life MemberPhoenix, Ariz.
Letters to the editor are the opinions of the AMA members who write them. Inclusion here does not imply they refl ect the positions of the AMA, its staff or board. Agree? Disagree? Let us know! Send your letters to [email protected]; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.
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PHONE CONTROLI am writing in response to a member
letter I read in the July 2015 article of your magazine.
Someone wrote in that cell-phone GPS technology should be used to prevent functions of the phone while the vehicle is in motion. First of all, this technology would render the phones of every passenger in a car, bus, train or boat from utilizing functions of their cell phones.
Secondly, to quote Ron Paul, “If we are only free to make good decisions, we are not really free.” The last thing we need are more regulations restricting our rights—people need to be educated, not controlled. It’s this kind of thinking that forces us to wear helmets, stops lane splitting, produces motorcycle inspection stations, and countless other regulations.
Let’s stop this before some yahoo legislators make it illegal to drive anything with less than four wheels.
Carl MannHampton Bays, N.Y.
Sound Off!
A roundup of recent comments on Facebook (www.facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist), Instagram and Twitter (@AMA_Racing, @AMA_Riding).
Responding to a post about riding Moab, Utah...
Greg Vammen: Just got back from a week long ride and I already want to go back.
Mike Stewart: No, I haven’t. Now stop rubbing it in cuz I want to.
Commenting on the AMA Oasis at Laconia Bike Week...
James Edward Zeiser: So cool. I gotta get back there one day.
Brian James Ives Sr.: It’s a great time. The people of New Hampshire are great hosts.
In response to a request to sign an AMA petition regarding ethanol...
Joe Bilski: Done. And if you ride a motorcycle you should sign the petition also.
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ON THE ROADMember Outreach At Work
One of my favorite places to ride is the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. I got a chance to ride there again last month when I rode to Americade. It had been a couple of years since I made it back to Lake George for the world’s largest touring rally, and the AMA Oasis hospitality tent that we had on location there for the fi rst time provided an extra incentive to attend this year.
The AMA Oasis off ers a spot where AMA members can get out of the sun, get a cold drink of water and relax—and where non-members can learn more about the many benefi ts of belonging to the AMA. The AMA Oasis is set up and staff ed by AMA Road Riding Department, which includes Road Riding Manager Chris Harrison and Road Riding Coordinator Rob Baughman. In addition to Americade, to date they have hosted the AMA Oasis at Thunder Beach in Panama City Beach, Fla., Rolling Thunder in Washington, D.C., and Laconia in New Hampshire. Looking ahead, the AMA Oasis will be staged at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in Lexington, Ohio, on July 10-12, at the Buff alo Chip in Sturgis, S.D., on Aug. 2-9 and at the Ray Price Bikefest in Capital City, N.C., on Sept. 25-27.
On my way to Americade, I stopped in Harrisburg, Pa., to participate in the annual ABATE of Pennsylvania Rights Rally at the state capitol. I was eager to participate in this year’s rally as I had been invited there to present the 2015 AMA Dud Perkins’ Lifetime Achievement Award to AMA Life Member Charles Umbenhauer.
In January 1970, the AMA created the Dud Perkins Award and presented the inaugural accolade to its namesake, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Dudley Perkins. A champion hillclimber in his younger years who became a successful San Francisco motorcycle dealer, Perkins was one of motorcycling’s most tireless and generous benefactors through volunteerism, fi nancial support and leadership.
The AMA Dud Perkins Award honors Perkin’s memory each year by recognizing the highest level of service to the AMA in any area of activity. The award is bestowed by the AMA Board of Directors and acknowledges a lifetime of dedication and work.
Charles Umbenhauer received the award for his many decades of advocacy on behalf of motorcyclists in the Pennsylvania legislature, with notable victories that safeguarded funding for rider education, reduced tolls for motorcycles, secured motorcycle parking at state-owned facilities and ensured that adult motorcyclists have the freedom to choose to wear a helmet.
The rally was very well-attended, not only by hundreds of motorcyclists but by an impressive number of state legislators who were all there to show their support for the state’s motorcyclists and to associate themselves with Charles.
In my remarks at the rally, I described the reasons I believed Charles has been such an eff ective advocate for motorcyclists over the years. He has long understood the need to develop and maintain strong relationships with elected offi cials and policy makers. Charles
also understands that the best time to develop such relationships is before you need something from them. The number of legislators who showed up to support Charles and motorcyclists at the rally is a true testament to the hard work he has done in Pennsylvania.
Charles has worked behind the scenes for decades, with no expectation of personal reward or recognition, fi ghting injustices that unfairly target motorcyclists. He is a true champion of riders’ rights. Because of his hard work, Pennsylvania motorcyclists enjoy more freedoms, fairer laws and safer roads.
It was an honor and a privilege to present Charles with the 2015 AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award.
While at the rally, I also had the opportunity to meet Mary Lou Gallatin and Michelle Gallatin-Baughman, the widow and daughter of Daniel Gallatin, the 20-year AMA member and namesake for Daniel’s Law, Pennsylvania H.B. 853, that was featured in the May issue of American Motorcyclist. It is truly remarkable what they are trying to accomplish to ensure that other families are not forced to endure the pain of losing a loved one to a distracted driver.
AMA Chief Operations Offi cer Jeff Massey met me in Harrisburg for the ride to New York. It wasn’t long after leaving that it started to rain, and the rain stayed with us most of the way to Lake George. Of course it was raining—after all, we were headed for Americade! I don’t know that I can ever remember an Americade when it didn’t rain at least a little bit. My Triumph Tiger doesn’t provide nearly as much protection from the rain as I used to get from the Gold Wing I sold last summer, but then again, not much does.
The AMA Oasis off ered both Jeff and me the opportunity to interact with current and prospective AMA members. The feedback we get from events like Americade is invaluable to us, as we constantly strive to improve the AMA to better serve you.
I always enjoy attending Americade. The event is excellent, there is great riding in that part of the country, and it is great to catch up with old friends and make new acquaintances. It was encouraging to speak to a number of people who told me how much they appreciated what the AMA does for its members.
In remarks at a Friday evening event, I told Americade attendees about the challenges we constantly face as motorcyclists, such as motorcycle-only checkpoints, unsafe fuels like E15, raids on funding for motorcycle safety programs and the persistent threat from distracted drivers. I talked about how the AMA derives its strength to combat these challenges from its members. I thanked those in attendance who are currently AMA members and asked for their help in recruiting their non-member friends to join the cause of promoting the motorcycle lifestyle and protecting the future of motorcycling.
I’ve said it before and it’s worth repeating: The bigger we are as an organization, the better equipped the AMA will be to overcome the challenges we face as a community. Please encourage your friends to join the AMA. While the best reason to become a member is to join the ranks that protect the future of motorcycling, with your help we have made it more attractive than ever to be a member of the AMA.
If you can, bring your friends by an AMA Oasis to learn fi rsthand what the AMA does to make motorcycling better for all of us.
Rob Dingman is AMA president and chief executive offi cer.
VIEWPOINT
By Rob Dingman
10329334_F6BPage_AmericanMotorcyclist.7.875x10.5.indd5-7-2015 4:14 PM Mitchell, Steven C. (LAN-DLA) / Whitaker, Eric
1
JobClientMedia TypeLiveTrimBleedPubs
10329334HondaPrint7.125” x 9.75”7.875” x 10.5”8.125” x 10.75”American Motorcyclist
Job info
None
Notes
Art DirectorCopywriterAccount MgrStudio ArtistProofreader
R.KimS. PeckinghamS SotoS. MitchellA Almade
Approvals
FontsGotham (Bold, Medium Italic, Book), Helvetica Neue (57 Condensed)
ImagesShot_01_Dinner_Interior_141 5.PAGE_Mat-teSilver.psd (CMYK; 315 ppi; 95%), GL40th_EMBLEM_OFFICIAL_WO_REFLECTION.psd (CMYK; 3157 ppi; 9.5%), HondaBoxed_Wh-tOnRed_2013.ai (16.63%)
Inks Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Fonts & Images
Saved at Nonefrom LANDLA-DMX1196 by Printed At
F6B.Honda.com#RIDERED
F6B.Honda.com
YOUR JOURNEYYOUR JOURNEYCOULD LEAD YOU AROUNDCOULD LEAD YOU AROUNDTHE CORNER OR 300 MILES AWAY.
BE A RESPONSIBLE RIDER. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION & PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. NEVER RIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. AND NEVER USE THE STREET AS A RACETRACK. OBEY THE LAW AND READ YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL THOROUGHLY. Gold Wing F6B® is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2015 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (5/15)
2015 GOLD WING F6B®
STREAMLINED FOR THE CITY AND POWER FOR EVERYTHING ELSE. The F6B takes 40 years of Gold Wing heritage, and gives it a modern twist. The result: a bike that can do it all well. It’s nimble in the city and eats up the open road. Style-wise, its shorty windscreen and sleek, integrated hard bags make sure you’re going to get the thumbs-up wherever you decide to take the 1832cc of fl at-six power.
T:7.875”
T:10.5”
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10329334_F6BPage_AmericanMotorcyclist.7.875x10.5.indd5-7-2015 4:14 PM Mitchell, Steven C. (LAN-DLA) / Whitaker, Eric
1
JobClientMedia TypeLiveTrimBleedPubs
10329334HondaPrint7.125” x 9.75”7.875” x 10.5”8.125” x 10.75”American Motorcyclist
Job info
None
Notes
Art DirectorCopywriterAccount MgrStudio ArtistProofreader
R.KimS. PeckinghamS SotoS. MitchellA Almade
Approvals
FontsGotham (Bold, Medium Italic, Book), Helvetica Neue (57 Condensed)
ImagesShot_01_Dinner_Interior_141 5.PAGE_Mat-teSilver.psd (CMYK; 315 ppi; 95%), GL40th_EMBLEM_OFFICIAL_WO_REFLECTION.psd (CMYK; 3157 ppi; 9.5%), HondaBoxed_Wh-tOnRed_2013.ai (16.63%)
Inks Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Fonts & Images
Saved at Nonefrom LANDLA-DMX1196 by Printed At
F6B.Honda.com#RIDERED
F6B.Honda.com
YOUR JOURNEYYOUR JOURNEYCOULD LEAD YOU AROUNDCOULD LEAD YOU AROUNDTHE CORNER OR 300 MILES AWAY.
BE A RESPONSIBLE RIDER. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION & PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. NEVER RIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. AND NEVER USE THE STREET AS A RACETRACK. OBEY THE LAW AND READ YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL THOROUGHLY. Gold Wing F6B® is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2015 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (5/15)
2015 GOLD WING F6B®
STREAMLINED FOR THE CITY AND POWER FOR EVERYTHING ELSE. The F6B takes 40 years of Gold Wing heritage, and gives it a modern twist. The result: a bike that can do it all well. It’s nimble in the city and eats up the open road. Style-wise, its shorty windscreen and sleek, integrated hard bags make sure you’re going to get the thumbs-up wherever you decide to take the 1832cc of fl at-six power.
T:7.875”T:10.5”
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STUDY SHOWS LANE SPLITTING RIDERS ARE SAFER
IN TRAFFICSpeed Di� erential Cited As Key Factor
Motorcyclists who split lanes in heavy traffi c are signifi cantly less likely to be struck from behind by other motorists, are less likely to suff er head or torso injuries and are less likely to sustain fatal injuries than other riders, according to a study released in late May by researchers at the University of California Berkeley.
The researchers, led by Dr. Thomas Rice of the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC), reviewed nearly 6,000 motorcycle-involved traffi c collisions between June 2012 and August 2013, including 997 in which the riders were splitting lanes at the time of the crash.Among the U.C. Berkeley fi ndings:• 69 percent of lane-splitting
motorcyclists were exceeding the traffi c speed by 15 mph or less; speed diff erentials up to 15 mph were not associated with changes in the frequency of injury;
• Compared to riders who were not splitting lanes, lane-splitting motorcyclists were markedly less likely to suff er head injury (9 percent vs. 17 percent), torso injury (19 percent vs. 29 percent) or fatal injury (1.2 percent vs. 3 percent);
• Lane-splitting riders were signifi cantly less likely to be rear-ended than non-lane-splitting riders (2.6 percent vs. 4.6 percent);
• Lane-splitting motorcyclists were more likely to be wearing a full-face helmet than other motorcyclists (81 percent vs. 67 percent);
• Compared to other motorcyclists, lane-splitting riders were more often riding on weekdays and during commuting hours, were using better helmets and were traveling at slower speeds;
• Lane-splitting riders were less likely to have been using alcohol.
The fi ndings bolster the AMA position that responsible lane-splitting is a safe and eff ective riding technique that can be benefi cial for riders and motorists alike. The AMA formally endorses responsible lane splitting and will continue to assist groups and individuals working to bring legal lane splitting and/or fi ltering to their states. To read the AMA Position Statement on lane splitting, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
AMA SUPPORTS LANE SPLITTING IN OREGONAMA Vice President for Government Relations Wayne Allard Testifi es Before Legislative Committee
Despite direct testimony in May by former U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, and about a dozen motorcyclists and other riding advocates, an Oregon State Legislature committee killed a bill to legalize lane splitting.
AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris also presented written comments in favor of the legislation to the committee.
Allard says speakers from law enforcement agencies and the Oregon Department of Transportation opposed the bill.
But Allard emphasized to the House Committee on Transportation and Economic Development that enacting legislation “would create a safe framework for responsible, legal lane splitting.”
He says Oregon’s S.B. 694 was “a reasonable compromise that would have the potential to reduce crashes and injuries.”
Unfortunately, several committee members changed their votes in late May, and the lane-splitting bill failed to move forward.
S.B. 694 would have limited lane splitting to instances in which traffi c was moving 10 mph or slower and would have allowed motorcyclists to travel no faster than 20 mph. Lane splitting would have been permitted only on highways with speed limits of 50 mph or higher.
Kevi
n W
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MOTORCYCLIST FATALITIES PROJECTED TO DROPPreliminary Data Shows Decrease For Second Straight Year
Motorcyclist fatalities appear to have dropped for the second straight year, according to preliminary 2014 data from the
Governors Highway Safety Association.
GHSA projects the fi nal motorcyclist fatality total for 2014 will be 4,584 – about 1.8 percent less than the 4,668 recorded in 2013.
This will be the second straight year in which the fatality number has decreased, and the third decrease since 1997.
The report includes preliminary data from each
state and the District of Columbia for the fi rst nine months of 2014.
Compared with the fi rst nine months of 2013, motorcyclist fatalities decreased in 27 states, increased in 19, and remained the same in four and the District of Columbia, according to the report by Allan Willams, former chief scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA., CHALLENGES MX TRACKSProposed Plan Would Require Special Permits On Private Land
The Rockingham County, Va., Planning Commission is considering a plan to require special use permits for motocross tracks, even if they are on personal property and used only by friends and family.
Local riders and powersports dealers are concerned that any new restrictions could curtail riding opportunities and hurt business. One business owner told the local television station that people would be less likely to buy dirt bikes if they have no place nearby to ride.
The AMA initiated a petition drive opposing the change, sent alerts to area riders asking for them to oppose the amended ordinance and attended a June 2 meeting to voice opposition.
Steve Salisbury, AMA government aff airs manager for off -highway issues, says the proposal is unfair, but noted a family riding dirt bikes around its property would not be aff ected unless someone were excavating—for example, by creating a jump.
The proposal was formally tabled during that meeting to allow county staff members time to sort through the various objections. The commission has 100 days to act on the tabled item.
Commissioners said there would be no other public meetings before they draft a recommendation for the Board of Supervisors. Public comment will be permitted before a fi nal vote by the supervisors.
said there would said there would be no other public be no other public meetings before meetings before they draft a recommendation for the Board of Supervisors. Public comment will be permitted before a fi nal vote by the supervisors.
AMA LAUNCHES LOCAL ACTION CENTERSite Aimed At Helping Riders Advocate Issues With Local GovernmentsThe AMA has launched its “Local Action
Center” website to provide assistance to members interacting with their local governments on issues important to motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders.
The site (https://cqrcengage.com/amacycle/localaction) provides information about AMA eff orts at the local level, cites
examples of successful campaigns and off ers resources for eff ectively dealing with elected offi cials and government employees in your township, city or county.
A full introduction of the site can be found at http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/blog/15-06-02/All_Politics_is_Local.aspx.
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To Michigan State Police offi cers, who are supplying high-visibility vests to motorcyclists who complete
a rider training class in 2015. The action is part of a pilot project to increase the number of motorcyclists using high-visibility gear.
Funding comes from a federal grant. Only riders completing a publicly sponsored training class are eligible. Those attending private classes are not eligible for the vests.
The state police’s Michigan Offi ce of Highway Safety Planning says it expects about 9,000 riders will receive the vests.
The offi ce says scientifi c studies show a bright yellow-green color is the most noticeable. Only 5 percent of Michigan motorcyclists were wearing high-visibility clothing or gear in 2013.
Along with increased visibility, rider training and the proper endorsement are keys to reducing motorcyclist injuries.
IT’S IN THE DETAILS.
You know every inch of your bike. Not just the engine size, or the color code of the paint. It’s the special details that only you know about. Like the way the exhaust opens up just right at 3,200rpm. Or that scuff on the footpeg you picked up while riding through Deal’s Gap.
It’s the details that make your bike unique, and no one knows this more than GEICO. With GEICO Motorcycle insurance, you’ll get coverage specifi c to your bike, and a team of people who love motorcycles as much as you do.
When it comes to insurance, it’s the little things that make a big difference. Trust the details toGEICO Motorcycle.
Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Motorcycle coverage is underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2015 GEICO.
Motorcyclegeico.com | 1-800-442-9253 | Local Offi ce
To the restaurant chain “Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill,” which generated
some negative social media reaction when a photo circulated of a sign outlining a “corporate dress code” that bans “any patch or insignia denoting affi liation with any motorcycle group.”
This move by the chain goes beyond the increasingly common ban on “colors” to include AMA patches and insignia from police, veterans and religious clubs and others.
Restaurant spokesperson Jackie Pecoraro wrote: “Rather than have our security team review each individual vest and patch, we kindly ask that the vests not be worn into the establishment.”
CALIFORNIA OHV COMMISSION GETS UPDATE ON Q ENDUROS
AMA, Others Attend Forest Service PresentationThe AMA and other groups attended a
meeting in which the U.S. Forest Service clarifi ed for the California State Park Off -Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission the nature of Q Enduro events being staged on public lands.
AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris—along with AMA District 36 Legislative Action Offi cer Dave Pickett
and Don Amador of the BlueRibbon Coalition—explained that the Q enduros are not races.
Q Enduros include timed sections that measure rider skill over the terrain.
Special test sections that encourage a rider to speed or accelerate through a section do not fi t within the parameters allowed under Forest Service policy.
ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE MARKET TO EXPANDStudy Says 55 Million Sales Expected By 2015
Electric motorcycle and scooter sales are expected to total 55 million worldwide between 2015 and 2024, according to a study released by Navigant Research.
The study examined the global markets for the vehicles and the related battery technologies. Navigant reports that increasing interest in electric two-wheelers from large manufacturers, such as Polaris Industries, Harley-Davidson Motor Co. and Yamaha helped raise projections. In addition, technological advances are making batteries more effi cient and less expensive.
The result is an expectation that sales will experience stable and continuous growth for the next 10 years.
MANDATORY TRAINING AFTER TICKETLas Vegas Judge Orders Riders To Complete MSF Course
Chief Judge Bert M. Brown of the Las Vegas Municipal Court has issued a decree that a motorcyclist found guilty of a moving traffi c violation must, in addition to any other penalties, complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse or Basic RiderCourse II.
The off ending rider also must attend a course in basic fi rst aid.
Both required courses come at the rider’s expense. MSF classes at the College of Southern Nevada cost $150 to $250, according to the school’s website.
The state of Nevada does not require rider training courses to obtain a motorcycle endorsement.
Terra
Con
lon
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IT’S IN THE DETAILS.
You know every inch of your bike. Not just the engine size, or the color code of the paint. It’s the special details that only you know about. Like the way the exhaust opens up just right at 3,200rpm. Or that scuff on the footpeg you picked up while riding through Deal’s Gap.
It’s the details that make your bike unique, and no one knows this more than GEICO. With GEICO Motorcycle insurance, you’ll get coverage specifi c to your bike, and a team of people who love motorcycles as much as you do.
When it comes to insurance, it’s the little things that make a big difference. Trust the details toGEICO Motorcycle.
Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Motorcycle coverage is underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2015 GEICO.
Motorcyclegeico.com | 1-800-442-9253 | Local Offi ce
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CALIFORNIAA.B. 346, the “Identity Confi rmation
Act,” would require all motorists to show their full face to law enforcement offi cers during traffi c stops. The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita), would require motorcyclists to remove their helmets during a stop
to allow the law enforcement offi cer to compare the rider’s face to the photograph on the driver’s license.
DELAWAREState Senate Concurrent Resolution
8 would continue the Motorcycle Rider Education Advisory Committee, which must meet at least quarterly to monitor the Motorcycle Rider Education Program, assess future needs and recommend program improvements.
H.B. 114, sponsored by 18 legislators, would permit brake lights on motorcycles, scooters and mopeds to employ an automatic fl ashing system when the brake is applied. The lights may fl ash for no more than fi ve seconds before converting to a continuous light.
GEORGIAS.B. 125, which expands the
state’s authority to collect tolls to regulate traffi c, was signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal in May.
Gov. Deal vetoed S.B. 76, which would have allowed motorcyclists to proceed through an intersection if the signal control failed to detect the vehicle. The bill also would have removed the state’s 15-inch handlebar height restriction.
MARYLANDH.B. 917, prohibiting motorcycle-
only checkpoints, was signed by Gov. Larry Hogan. The bill allows for checkpoints established as a part of police searches or investigations.
MASSACHUSETTSS.B. 1807 would classify motorcyclists
and scooter riders—along with several other categories of individuals and vehicle operators—as “vulnerable” road users.
NEW JERSEYGov. Chris Christie signed into law
A. 3579, which limits access to data recorded by motor vehicle recording devices, commonly called “black boxes.” The owner or lessee of the vehicle retains control of any information stored by an event data recorder on the vehicle, unless a law enforcement offi cer accesses the data under authority of a search warrant; the information is used to improve vehicle safety, security or traffi c management; or a licensed repair facility obtains the data for diagnostics and maintenance.
NEW YORKA.B. 229 would defi ne inattentive driving
as engaging in any non-driving activity that unreasonably interferes with the operation of the vehicle or endangers other people using public highways. Violation of the statute would be considered a traffi c infraction.
NORTH CAROLINAThe state House Rules Committee
voted down a bill that would have given motorcycle riders 21 years and older the choice of wearing a helmet while riding and require passing motorists to allow at least 3 feet of clearance at 30 mph and an additional foot of clearance for each additional 10 mph.
OHIOS.B. 146, sponsored by state Sens.
Jim Hughes (R-Columbus) and Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) would create an enhanced penalty for distracted driving when a driver is stopped for another moving violation. The legislation would require that the person cited for distracted driving pay a fi ne of $100 for each off ense.
S.B. 167, introduced by state Sen. Frank LaRose (R-Copley), would establish the State Recreational Vehicle Fund Advisory Board to advise the state Department of Natural Resources on the use of state recreational vehicle money and study the feasibility of establishing a grant program to
STATEWATCH
MX FACILITY GETS PRELIMINARY OK IN VIRGINIADozens Of Families Show Support For Track
A proposed motocross training and racing facility operated by former racer Randall Everett received approval from the Hanover County, Va., Planning Commission in May, despite protests from some in the area who feared noise from the facility would disrupt the community.
Dozens of families attended the meeting to support the plan for DEFi MX University on a 44-acre property near I-95 and U.S. 1. Supporters included about 20 children wearing t-shirts with the message “Yes to MX.”
The AMA supported Everett’s eff ort by issuing alerts to motorcyclists in the area, writing letters of support to the Planning Commission and attending the May meeting.
If the plan is approved by the county Board of Supervisors, Everett will build a training and race track with 30 recreational-vehicle campsites. The initial approval includes a provision for three races a year.
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HOUSE PASSES LEGISLATION DELAYING SAGE-GROUSE LISTINGNational Defense Authorization Act Contains Provision
A provision in the National Defense Authorization Act for fi scal 2016 would delay the listing of the greater sage-grouse as an endangered species.
The language included in NDAA would prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the bird for 10 years, giving adequate time for eff ective state management plans to be developed and put into eff ect. The bill passed the U.S. House, 269-151.
fund recreational vehicle projects.
PENNSYLVANIAH.B. 853, introduced by state
Rep. Jaret Gibbons (D-Beaver County), would increase the penalties for drivers found guilty of causing the death of another during a traffi c crash in which the driver was texting. The crime would be considered a second-degree felony. If serious bodily harm occurs, but no death, the crime would also be considered a second-degree felony. The law would be called “Daniel’s Law,” after Daniel Gallatin, who was killed by a texting driver in a 2013 crash.
H.B. 198, sponsored by 28 state representatives, would amend the state’s Lemon Law to include motorcycles. The consumer protections enacted under the 1984 Automobile Lemon Law specifi cally excluded motorcycles from the defi nition of “new motor vehicle.”
FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS REEVALUATION OF UTAH TRAILSBLM Has Three Years To Complete Study
A federal judge has given the Bureau of Land Management as long as three years to conduct a phased inventory of 4,000 miles of off -highway-vehicle routes in south central Utah. In a “remedy” order, U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball directed the BLM to conduct a new analysis of archaeological sites and the potential eff ect on them from OHV use.
In November 2013, Kimball rejected parts of the 2008 Richfi eld Resource Management Plan that designated OHV routes through 1.9 million acres, but left the plan in place during court proceedings. Before the 2008 plan, 77 percent of the land had unrestricted access.
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Watch this space for updates about your valuable benefi ts as an AMA member.AMA REWARDS
Are You Covered? Value Your CostAmerican Motorcyclist magazine $19.95 IncludedAMA Roadside Assistance $104 Included*Unlimited Classifi ed Ads On The AMA Website $40 IncludedAMA Online Road And Trail Guide $19 IncludedAMA Member-Only Website $75 IncludedHotel And Motel Discounts (Choice Hotels, Red Roof Inn) $40** Up To 20% Off Gear Discounts (BikeBandit.com, Schampa, Heat Demon And More) $187.50*** Up To 25% Off Protecting Your Right To Ride Priceless IncludedYour Membership Dues $49Total Membership Value $490.45
*with membership automatic renewal**average cost of $100/night stay – 2 nights***average $750 per year expenses on gear/parts/accessories
AMA Roadside AssistanceThe Best Deal In TowingGet peace of mind with AMA Roadside Assistance, which covers all your vehicles, as well as those of your family members living with you. Best of all, you can get this coverage at no additional charge. For details, call (800) 262-5646.
LodgingSave At Choice Hotels, Motel 6, Red Roof InnAt Choice hotels, save 15% off the best available rates at participating Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay, Rodeway Inn and Econo Lodge hotels. Use the Member Discount code #00947556.
Special discounts at Motel 6 are also available up to 10% off . Use the Member Discount code CP540176.
Plus, get a 20% discount off available rates at Red Roof Inn. For discounts, call (800) RED-ROOF and use the code VP+ 503343. You can also make reservations online at www.redroof.com. Just enter the code VP+ 503343 in the fi eld labeled “VP+/ID#” when making reservations. The discount will be automatically applied.
EagleRider Motorcycle RentalsArrive And RideEagleRider off ers an AMA member discount of 10% (May through Oct) or 15% (Nov. through April) discount on Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW and Polaris rentals and tours. Call (888) 900-9901 or book at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Membership/EagleRider.aspx, using discount code AMA015.
Motorcycle ShippingRide Where You WantIn the United States, call Federal Companies, an agent for Specialized Transportation, Inc., at (877) 518-7376 for at least $60 off standard rates. For international shipments, call Motorcycle Express at (800) 245-8726. To get your discount, be sure to have your AMA number handy. Motorcycle Express also off ers temporary international insurance.
Car RentalsSave Money When You DriveGet up to 25% off prevailing rates at any Avis or Budget car rental agency. For Avis, enter discount code: D388100. For Budget, enter code: Z942000. AMA Members save up to 25% on year-round Hertz rentals with discount code CDP# 497193.
AMA Gear Buy AMA Stuff OnlineFind unique patches, pins, posters, T-shirts and books at AmericanMotorcyclist.com and at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio. Details at www.MotorcycleMuseum.org.
Rider Accident Medical PlanAll members of the AMA are eligible to purchase coverage. Benefi ts are paid when a covered member is injured. See http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Membership/Members_Only/DiscountCodes for details.
Insurance, Credit Card, Finance and BankingThe AMA has joined with Nationwide to bring members-only money-saving off ers on insurance, a cash-back AMA-themed credit card, fi nance and banking. For more details see, www.nationwide.com/americanmotorcyclist.
THE ESSENTIALS
HOW YOUR AMA MEMBERSHIP PAYS FOR ITSELF
PRODUCT DISCOUNTS
ActionStation/Bohn Body ArmorSave 10% on complete product line—plus bonus. Go to www.actionstation.com/ama/ and use coupon code AMAB4U at checkout. AMA Members also receive exclusive discounted pricing on the Bohn Bodyguard System at www.bohn-armor-pants.com/ama/.
ADVMotoAdventure Motorcycle Magazine off ers a 20% discount on all subscriptions through AdventureMotorcycle.com and 20% off ADVMoto branded items and back issues on ADVMotoShop.com. Enter discount code AMADV20 at checkout.
AMA Motorcycle Hall Of FameSave $5 on admission to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.
powered by AMA/Sprocketlist Online Classifi edsAMA members can place free ads in the AMA member classifi eds at AMA.Sprocketlist.com or AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Classifi eds.
AMA Supercross And AMA Arenacross TicketsSave on advanced tickets; AMA members can get $5 off when they buy tickets online at Supercrossonline.com and use password SXAMA5. AMA members can get $5 off when they buy tickets online at Arenacross.com and use password AMA5OFF. Certain restrictions apply, call (800) 262-5646 for details.
Anthony’s LeatherworksSave 10% on complete motorcycle garment restoration and repair. You can get your motocross boots fi xed from MX Boot Resole and Repair. Use code AMADISCOUNT at checkout.
Biker Rain ChapsSave 25%. Visit www.bikerrainchaps.com/ama/ and use the code AMA-0715-USA at checkout to receive your discount.
Black Wolf MototoursBlack Wolf Mototours off ers all-inclusive dual sport adventure tours in the Northern Rockies. Current AMA members receive 10% off any guided tour. Visit the Members Only section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com for discount code.
Brooks LeatherAMA members receive a 10% discount off all jackets, chaps, vests, rain suits, race suits, and gloves. You can shop online at www.brooksleather.com or at any participating Brooks dealer. Just present the code AMABRO when ordering.
Cardo Systems, Inc.10% discount for AMA members when presenting their membership card on Cardo’s scala rider® motorcycle communication products at participating authorized dealers only.
Colorado Motorcycle AdventuresColorado Motorcycle Adventures off ers AMA Members 10% off all motorcycle rentals and tours! Mention your AMA Membership when reserving your rental or tour. A current AMA Membership card required to receive discount.
Design Engineering, Inc.DEI is now off ering AMA members a 10% discount. Simply enter the discount code AMA10DISCOUNT during checkout.
NEW BENEFIT
Dowco PowersportsAMA Members save 20% on Dowco products, an industry leading manufacturer of motorcycle covers and luggage. To take advantage of the discount, use code AMA20 at checkout.
EVS SportsAMA Members receive 10% off and free shipping on all orders. Simply use the code AMAEVS15 during checkout at www.EVS-Sports.com.
Gear BrakeGEARBRAKE detects when you decelerate, even in instances of downshifting and engine braking where the brake is not applied, and automatically lights your taillight with a fl ashing alert! AMA members receive a 15% discount at gearbrake.com with the promo code: AMASAFE.
Heat DemonAMA members receive 10% off all products. Visit www.heatdemon.com/AMA and use the code AMAheat15 at checkout to receive your discount.
International Motorcycle ShowsAMA members save on advanced adult one-day general admission. The promo code is “AMA15” when you buy your tickets online from www.motorcycleshows.com.
LifeLock Identity Theft ProtectionGet 30 free days and 10% off . Use promo code AMACYCLE at www.LifeLock.com or by calling (800) 543-3562.
MAD MapsThe best routes made easy. Save 20%. Use promo code AMATHXU at www.MADmaps.com.
MedjetLearn More and Enroll – visit www.MedjetAMA.com or call Medjet at 1.800.527.7478 and reference American Motorcyclist Association. Reduced annual Medjet membership rates for AMA members under age 75 start at $225 – a savings of 16%.
MYLAPSMYLAPS provides a 20% discount off MSRP or any current sales price on web-orders or orders coordinated by the AMA for all Motorized Products to AMA members. To receive the discount, enter code AMA-789HJK at checkout.
Powertye Tie-DownsSave 10%. Enter code TYES4AMA at checkout from www.powertye.com/ama.
Rider MagazineMembers pay only $19.99 for 2 years (24 issues) + 2 extra FREE issues. Visit the Members Only section on www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com for the discount link.
RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazineRoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine off ers a 20% subscription discount to AMA members. RoadRUNNER is the touring expert of North America, providing information on the best places to ride. AMA discount code is CRIAMA at www.roadrunner.travel/promo/ama.
Sam’s ClubAs an AMA Member, you can join or renew your Sam’s Club membership and receive a $10 gift card (for a Sam’s Savings membership) or a $25 gift card (for a Plus membership) using a special members-only certifi cate. Visit the Members Only section on www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com to download the coupon.
Schampa Cold-Weather GearSave 15%. Enter SCHAMA during checkout at www.Schampa.com.
SenaThe Global Leader in Bluetooth and ‘Audio Action Camera’ Innovation for Powersports, Motorsports and Outdoor Sports – is now off ering AMA members an exclusive 15% discount on its product lineup. Log into the ‘Members Only’ section on the AMA website to get the code and #RideConnected.
Shark KageA multi-functional ramp which adds the functionality of a bed extender, cargo cover, work table, cargo box and sunshade; all-in-one product! Enter code AMA20 to take advantage of the AMA exclusive 20% discount.
Shock SoxStreet ~ Dirt ~ Off -Road ~ SHOCK SOX, “The 10-Second Removable Fork Seal Protector.” Get 10% off your order by entering your AMA number during checkout at ShockSox.com. For colors, sizes and model-applications, visit www.ShockSox.com
Spot LLCAMA Members receive unprecedented and exclusive service credit on SPOT Spot Trace, Gen 3, and Satellite Phone products in addition to existing device promotions. Visit the Members Only section on www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com to view details.
TomTomTomTom would like to off er you a 10% discount on any TomTom product (excluding accessories). Visit www.tomtom.com to place your order and enter AMA10_TT2015 at check out to receive your discount.
US ChromeAMA Members save big at US Chrome! We off er a $30.00 discount on cylinder plating and dealer pricing on Wiseco, Wossner, ProX and Vertex piston kits. For more information visit the Members Area of the website.
Warm & SafeHeated clothing and controllers designed by bikers. To encourage others to join the AMA we off er members an 18% discount. Enter AMA at check out to receive your discount.
320815_AMA_Member_Benefits.indd All Pages 6/22/15 10:29 AM
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Watch this space for updates about your valuable benefi ts as an AMA member.AMA REWARDS
Are You Covered? Value Your CostAmerican Motorcyclist magazine $19.95 IncludedAMA Roadside Assistance $104 Included*Unlimited Classifi ed Ads On The AMA Website $40 IncludedAMA Online Road And Trail Guide $19 IncludedAMA Member-Only Website $75 IncludedHotel And Motel Discounts (Choice Hotels, Red Roof Inn) $40** Up To 20% Off Gear Discounts (BikeBandit.com, Schampa, Heat Demon And More) $187.50*** Up To 25% Off Protecting Your Right To Ride Priceless IncludedYour Membership Dues $49Total Membership Value $490.45
*with membership automatic renewal**average cost of $100/night stay – 2 nights***average $750 per year expenses on gear/parts/accessories
AMA Roadside AssistanceThe Best Deal In TowingGet peace of mind with AMA Roadside Assistance, which covers all your vehicles, as well as those of your family members living with you. Best of all, you can get this coverage at no additional charge. For details, call (800) 262-5646.
LodgingSave At Choice Hotels, Motel 6, Red Roof InnAt Choice hotels, save 15% off the best available rates at participating Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay, Rodeway Inn and Econo Lodge hotels. Use the Member Discount code #00947556.
Special discounts at Motel 6 are also available up to 10% off . Use the Member Discount code CP540176.
Plus, get a 20% discount off available rates at Red Roof Inn. For discounts, call (800) RED-ROOF and use the code VP+ 503343. You can also make reservations online at www.redroof.com. Just enter the code VP+ 503343 in the fi eld labeled “VP+/ID#” when making reservations. The discount will be automatically applied.
EagleRider Motorcycle RentalsArrive And RideEagleRider off ers an AMA member discount of 10% (May through Oct) or 15% (Nov. through April) discount on Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW and Polaris rentals and tours. Call (888) 900-9901 or book at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Membership/EagleRider.aspx, using discount code AMA015.
Motorcycle ShippingRide Where You WantIn the United States, call Federal Companies, an agent for Specialized Transportation, Inc., at (877) 518-7376 for at least $60 off standard rates. For international shipments, call Motorcycle Express at (800) 245-8726. To get your discount, be sure to have your AMA number handy. Motorcycle Express also off ers temporary international insurance.
Car RentalsSave Money When You DriveGet up to 25% off prevailing rates at any Avis or Budget car rental agency. For Avis, enter discount code: D388100. For Budget, enter code: Z942000. AMA Members save up to 25% on year-round Hertz rentals with discount code CDP# 497193.
AMA Gear Buy AMA Stuff OnlineFind unique patches, pins, posters, T-shirts and books at AmericanMotorcyclist.com and at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio. Details at www.MotorcycleMuseum.org.
Rider Accident Medical PlanAll members of the AMA are eligible to purchase coverage. Benefi ts are paid when a covered member is injured. See http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Membership/Members_Only/DiscountCodes for details.
Insurance, Credit Card, Finance and BankingThe AMA has joined with Nationwide to bring members-only money-saving off ers on insurance, a cash-back AMA-themed credit card, fi nance and banking. For more details see, www.nationwide.com/americanmotorcyclist.
THE ESSENTIALS
HOW YOUR AMA MEMBERSHIP PAYS FOR ITSELF
PRODUCT DISCOUNTS
ActionStation/Bohn Body ArmorSave 10% on complete product line—plus bonus. Go to www.actionstation.com/ama/ and use coupon code AMAB4U at checkout. AMA Members also receive exclusive discounted pricing on the Bohn Bodyguard System at www.bohn-armor-pants.com/ama/.
ADVMotoAdventure Motorcycle Magazine off ers a 20% discount on all subscriptions through AdventureMotorcycle.com and 20% off ADVMoto branded items and back issues on ADVMotoShop.com. Enter discount code AMADV20 at checkout.
AMA Motorcycle Hall Of FameSave $5 on admission to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.
powered by AMA/Sprocketlist Online Classifi edsAMA members can place free ads in the AMA member classifi eds at AMA.Sprocketlist.com or AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Classifi eds.
AMA Supercross And AMA Arenacross TicketsSave on advanced tickets; AMA members can get $5 off when they buy tickets online at Supercrossonline.com and use password SXAMA5. AMA members can get $5 off when they buy tickets online at Arenacross.com and use password AMA5OFF. Certain restrictions apply, call (800) 262-5646 for details.
Anthony’s LeatherworksSave 10% on complete motorcycle garment restoration and repair. You can get your motocross boots fi xed from MX Boot Resole and Repair. Use code AMADISCOUNT at checkout.
Biker Rain ChapsSave 25%. Visit www.bikerrainchaps.com/ama/ and use the code AMA-0715-USA at checkout to receive your discount.
Black Wolf MototoursBlack Wolf Mototours off ers all-inclusive dual sport adventure tours in the Northern Rockies. Current AMA members receive 10% off any guided tour. Visit the Members Only section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com for discount code.
Brooks LeatherAMA members receive a 10% discount off all jackets, chaps, vests, rain suits, race suits, and gloves. You can shop online at www.brooksleather.com or at any participating Brooks dealer. Just present the code AMABRO when ordering.
Cardo Systems, Inc.10% discount for AMA members when presenting their membership card on Cardo’s scala rider® motorcycle communication products at participating authorized dealers only.
Colorado Motorcycle AdventuresColorado Motorcycle Adventures off ers AMA Members 10% off all motorcycle rentals and tours! Mention your AMA Membership when reserving your rental or tour. A current AMA Membership card required to receive discount.
Design Engineering, Inc.DEI is now off ering AMA members a 10% discount. Simply enter the discount code AMA10DISCOUNT during checkout.
NEW BENEFIT
Dowco PowersportsAMA Members save 20% on Dowco products, an industry leading manufacturer of motorcycle covers and luggage. To take advantage of the discount, use code AMA20 at checkout.
EVS SportsAMA Members receive 10% off and free shipping on all orders. Simply use the code AMAEVS15 during checkout at www.EVS-Sports.com.
Gear BrakeGEARBRAKE detects when you decelerate, even in instances of downshifting and engine braking where the brake is not applied, and automatically lights your taillight with a fl ashing alert! AMA members receive a 15% discount at gearbrake.com with the promo code: AMASAFE.
Heat DemonAMA members receive 10% off all products. Visit www.heatdemon.com/AMA and use the code AMAheat15 at checkout to receive your discount.
International Motorcycle ShowsAMA members save on advanced adult one-day general admission. The promo code is “AMA15” when you buy your tickets online from www.motorcycleshows.com.
LifeLock Identity Theft ProtectionGet 30 free days and 10% off . Use promo code AMACYCLE at www.LifeLock.com or by calling (800) 543-3562.
MAD MapsThe best routes made easy. Save 20%. Use promo code AMATHXU at www.MADmaps.com.
MedjetLearn More and Enroll – visit www.MedjetAMA.com or call Medjet at 1.800.527.7478 and reference American Motorcyclist Association. Reduced annual Medjet membership rates for AMA members under age 75 start at $225 – a savings of 16%.
MYLAPSMYLAPS provides a 20% discount off MSRP or any current sales price on web-orders or orders coordinated by the AMA for all Motorized Products to AMA members. To receive the discount, enter code AMA-789HJK at checkout.
Powertye Tie-DownsSave 10%. Enter code TYES4AMA at checkout from www.powertye.com/ama.
Rider MagazineMembers pay only $19.99 for 2 years (24 issues) + 2 extra FREE issues. Visit the Members Only section on www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com for the discount link.
RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazineRoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine off ers a 20% subscription discount to AMA members. RoadRUNNER is the touring expert of North America, providing information on the best places to ride. AMA discount code is CRIAMA at www.roadrunner.travel/promo/ama.
Sam’s ClubAs an AMA Member, you can join or renew your Sam’s Club membership and receive a $10 gift card (for a Sam’s Savings membership) or a $25 gift card (for a Plus membership) using a special members-only certifi cate. Visit the Members Only section on www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com to download the coupon.
Schampa Cold-Weather GearSave 15%. Enter SCHAMA during checkout at www.Schampa.com.
SenaThe Global Leader in Bluetooth and ‘Audio Action Camera’ Innovation for Powersports, Motorsports and Outdoor Sports – is now off ering AMA members an exclusive 15% discount on its product lineup. Log into the ‘Members Only’ section on the AMA website to get the code and #RideConnected.
Shark KageA multi-functional ramp which adds the functionality of a bed extender, cargo cover, work table, cargo box and sunshade; all-in-one product! Enter code AMA20 to take advantage of the AMA exclusive 20% discount.
Shock SoxStreet ~ Dirt ~ Off -Road ~ SHOCK SOX, “The 10-Second Removable Fork Seal Protector.” Get 10% off your order by entering your AMA number during checkout at ShockSox.com. For colors, sizes and model-applications, visit www.ShockSox.com
Spot LLCAMA Members receive unprecedented and exclusive service credit on SPOT Spot Trace, Gen 3, and Satellite Phone products in addition to existing device promotions. Visit the Members Only section on www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com to view details.
TomTomTomTom would like to off er you a 10% discount on any TomTom product (excluding accessories). Visit www.tomtom.com to place your order and enter AMA10_TT2015 at check out to receive your discount.
US ChromeAMA Members save big at US Chrome! We off er a $30.00 discount on cylinder plating and dealer pricing on Wiseco, Wossner, ProX and Vertex piston kits. For more information visit the Members Area of the website.
Warm & SafeHeated clothing and controllers designed by bikers. To encourage others to join the AMA we off er members an 18% discount. Enter AMA at check out to receive your discount.
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DIRTSTREETMAIN 2120 August 2015AM_08_2015_sec04m_Rights.indd 21 6/22/15 4:30 PM
Save on rentals with your
AMA membership.
Make your reservations today. Visit budget.com
or call 1-800-527-0700.
Get more out of your American Motorcyclist Association
membership. Book a rental with Budget and mention
BCD # Z942000 to save up to 20% on every rental. Plus,
use coupon # UUGZ039 and get a FREE single upgrade.
Budget features Ford and Lincoln vehicles. 21510
©2012 Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. A global system of corporate and licensee-owned locations.
Terms and Conditions: Coupon # UUGZ036 is valid for a one-time, one-car-group upgrade on an intermediate (Group C) through full-size, four-door (group E) car. Maximum upgrade to premium (group G). Offer valid on daily, weekend, weekly, and monthly rates only. The upgraded car is subject to vehicle availability at the time of rental and may not be available on some rates at some times. Coupon valid at participating Budget locations in the U.S. and Canada. One coupon per rental. A 24-hour advance reservation with request for upgrade is required. May not be used in conjunction with any other coupon, promotion or offer. For reservations made on budget.com, upgrade will be applied at time of rental. Renter must meet Budget age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum age may vary by location. An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old. Fuel charges are extra. Rental must begin by 12/31/12.12/31/15.
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12/31/15.
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REMEMBERING SACRIFICEAn AMA Grand Tour Honoring Heroes
Motorcyclists are not ones to easily forget. That quality extends beyond favorite routes from years past or the torque settings you memorized for the head bolts on the 1983 Honda CR125 you had as a teenager. It includes fond memories of friends, good times and bad times, and the sacrifices of those who give more than their fair share.
Motorcyclists also are among the first to acknowledge our country’s heroes—the men and women in uniform who are dedicated to the service of others and the protection of our freedoms.
One way we do that is by paying our respects at various memorials around the country. That’s the concept behind the Tour of Honor (www.tourofhonor.com), an AMA Grand Tour organized by AMA members and brothers Steve and Dave Brooks. The Tour of Honor is now in its fifth year, with ridership growing 30 percent to 50 percent each year.
Steve and Dave are longtime riders. Steve started riding in 1970. He learned about the Iron Butt Association in the 1990s and rode in the 2003 Iron Butt Rally. He credits the IBA’s Mike Kneebone with
contributing to the idea of an AMA Grand Tour created around visiting memorials. Dave is a long-distance rider as well. In 2010, he completed his first Bun Burner ride (1,500 miles in less than 36 hours).
American Motorcyclist caught up with Steve to find out more about the Tour of Honor and how riders can participate.
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST: How does the Tour of Honor work? STEVE BROOKS: The Tour of Honor is a self-directed motorcycle ride, as well as an AMA Grand Tour, from April 1 to Oct. 31, visiting selected memorials around the United States.
Each state is represented, including Alaska and Hawaii. Sites change each year and honor individuals and groups that have sacrificed their own safety and lives to protect American ideals for others, including monuments to patriots, military veterans, police and first responders.
Riders photograph their motorcycles along with their unique flag at each site, and the photos are emailed to scorers and tracked on the website. The first three riders to visit all seven memorials in a state receive a trophy, and riders who visit any seven sites during the year receive a finisher’s certificate and pin.
The goal is to highlight these memorials and to raise funds for veterans, police and fire charities, depending on rider preference.
AM: Do a lot of your participants have a connection to a fallen hero? SB: Stories abound of riders wishing to honor family members and friends who have passed, or are still serving. There are several Gold Star parents as well as sons and daughters of fallen heroes, and the Tour of Honor definitely provides a good excuse to ride and ponder their service.
AM: What’s the most popular memorial stop among ride participants, and why do you think that is? SB: There are several sites that riders mention being extra special to them. Probably the most commented on, and a permanent site on the Tour of Honor, is the National Vietnam Memorial in Angel Fire, N.M. For that matter, I think all of the Vietnam Veteran memorials are meaningful because of the sympathy for those veterans that received such poor treatment when they returned home.
Others that come to mind are the seawall murals in Portsmouth, Ohio. Several 9/11 memorials. Officer down memorials. Of course, we think each one is special and encourage state sponsors to research the sites for the Google Map write-ups.
Tour of Honor’s Steve Brooks at The California Vietnam
Veterans Memorial at Capitol Park in Sacramento.
Car
l Cos
tas
DIRTSTREET 2322 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
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Save on rentals with your
AMA membership.
Make your reservations today. Visit budget.com
or call 1-800-527-0700.
Get more out of your American Motorcyclist Association
membership. Book a rental with Budget and mention
BCD # Z942000 to save up to 20% on every rental. Plus,
use coupon # UUGZ039 and get a FREE single upgrade.
Budget features Ford and Lincoln vehicles. 21510
©2012 Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. A global system of corporate and licensee-owned locations.
Terms and Conditions: Coupon # UUGZ036 is valid for a one-time, one-car-group upgrade on an intermediate (Group C) through full-size, four-door (group E) car. Maximum upgrade to premium (group G). Offer valid on daily, weekend, weekly, and monthly rates only. The upgraded car is subject to vehicle availability at the time of rental and may not be available on some rates at some times. Coupon valid at participating Budget locations in the U.S. and Canada. One coupon per rental. A 24-hour advance reservation with request for upgrade is required. May not be used in conjunction with any other coupon, promotion or offer. For reservations made on budget.com, upgrade will be applied at time of rental. Renter must meet Budget age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum age may vary by location. An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old. Fuel charges are extra. Rental must begin by 12/31/12.12/31/15.
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Ask the MSF
SHARING SAFETYQ: I want to help my non-riding friends better appreciate their role in keeping motorcyclists safe. Any tips?
A: Anything we can do to sensitize car drivers to our presence is a benefit.
Because motorcycles can be hidden in traffic, drivers must look twice before changing lanes or turning left at intersections. Also, some drivers seem to forget that turn signals help prepare other motorists to take evasive action in case they don’t notice us during their maneuvers. To keep safe, all motorists must communicate using proper signals, and not engage in distracted driving.
You could set up a small meeting for your friends using the MSF’s Host-An-Event video kit titled “Intersection.” It’s a fun, interactive way to inform non-riders how to share the road and be safer drivers.
Finally, if drivers had a direct experience with riding a motorcycle—or at least being a passenger—they may be more likely to notice us on the road. Consider taking non-riding friends on their first ride so they can experience first-hand the joy as well as the vulnerability of motorcycling.
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AM: Is there a favorite route that participants talk about? SB: Not so much a favorite route, but new roads that riders wouldn’t ordinarily take. State sponsors are good at picking local motorcycle roads that are off the super-slab. There have been numerous comments from East Coasters about California roads that they weren’t aware of before riding to Tour of Honor destinations.
AM: The ride awards the Jack Shoalmire Achievement Award to the rider who visits the most sites. Tell us a bit about Jack. SB: Jack signed up for the first Tour of Honor and rode it like nobody else. Jack dedicated a large part of his summer riding to every state and visiting every site except in Hawaii. He’d made plans to visit Hawaii, but his tour was cut short when he died in a car accident on Aug. 27, 2011, at the age of 68.
Jack was well-known in the motorcycling community, having won two AMA national motocross championships in his younger years. Later, he became active in the Iron Butt Association, winning a Silver Medal Finish in the 2007 Iron Butt Rally [11,000 miles in 11 days].
Most important, Jack also was a highly-
decorated Vietnam veteran, earning a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Service Medals and many more.
The Jack Shoalmire Achievement Award recognizes the rider who visits the most Tour of Honor sites in a season. It includes a plaque, free Tour of Honor registration and the No. 1 flag in the following year.
His good friend and son-in-law, Barry Bennett, won the first award by riding to every Tour of Honor site the next year, carrying an urn of Jack’s ashes in his tail trunk.
AM: For someone wanting to participate in an AMA Grand Tour for the first time, what’s your advice? SB: Go at your own pace and take some time at each site. Whether riders visit one site, or all of them, we hope to share how riding a motorcycle can enrich your travels.
One recent visit, shared by a rider on the Tour of Honor forum, was at a Japanese internment site. The only other visitor at the time was an elderly Japanese gentleman sharing memories there with his son. A conversation started and a friendship was made, and if the rider were in a cage instead, he claimed it probably wouldn’t have turned out that way.
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STURGIS: THE BEGINNINGAmerica’s Motorcycle Mecca
The Sturgis Rally is not just one of the most successful motorcycle events in the world, but also one of the longest-running.
It traces its origins to the Great Depression—1938, when the Black Hills area of South Dakota was on the verge of becoming a major tourist destination. With work on Mount Rushmore nearing completion, the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce was looking for a way to draw crowds to the monument.
A fledgling AMA club called the Jackpine Gypsies, chartered with seven members in January 1937, had an idea. They asked the chamber to put up money to stage a motorcycle race. City leaders agreed. The second weekend of August
1938 saw the first AMA Sturgis race.For 1939, Clarence “Pappy” Hoel, a
Sturgis Indian dealer and president of the Jackpine Gypsies, added a tour to Mount
Rushmore and other events, billing it all as the Black Hills Motor Classic.
The event grew steadily, receiving a post-World War II jolt from publicity from magazines and word-of-mouth.
Real growth came in the ’70s, a decade that began with about 3,000 riders arriving in Sturgis for Bike Week and ended with 10 times that many. And by 1990, 300,000 celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Sturgis is now a legendary pilgrimage for motorcyclists, with the entire region taking part. The center of it all is right where it began in 1938, the little town of Sturgis.
For more information, see www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com.
BUFFALO CHIP CAMPGROUND GETS ‘TOWN’ STATUS
The new town of Buffalo Chip, S.D., has been created, advertising itself as the “First Town Built By Bikers For Bikers.”
The municipality was created after 43 voters unanimously approved the proposal on the May 7 ballot. Meade County Commissioners certified the vote, town officials were sworn in and the town conducted its first meeting.
The famed Buffalo Chip Campground LLC, sits within the new town’s boundaries.
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Safety Matters
RIDE THE CURVESPutting It All Together By David Kinaan
While planning our longer rides and weekend trips, many of us are looking forward to riding country roads, local foothills or mountains. Eye placement and choosing your lane position will be key to enjoying a safe ride through these twisty routes. Let’s take a quick look at these concepts and how the combination of the two will lead you to the best line.
Eye placement: Keeping a high visual horizon is important whenever you are riding. Riding through curves is no exception. Keeping your visual horizon as far ahead as you can see is the best way to lead your motorcycle through turns.
Remember, your visual horizon is not a fi xed position, but is moving ahead as you travel around the curve. Your eyes are looking for the exit of the curve, to the next curve, and down the road. As you scan the road surface and shoulder to identify debris or poor traction, don’t fi xate on single point and use your peripheral vision to adjust your path of travel.
When a rider does not look through the curve or use peripheral vision eff ectively, he or she must continually adjust their visual horizon, resulting in multiple corrections. As a result, the rider will need to adjust speed repeatedly to negotiate the curve and will not have a smooth line.
Choosing lane position: It’s important to use all of the available lane when cornering. There are two positions you should consider while riding through curves: the left and right portions of the lane. (Of course, you will navigate through the center of your lane as you do this.)
On a two-lane road, with one lane in either direction, choosing the right portion of the lane will put the most space between you and a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. The downside is that
it does not give you a lot of maneuvering room if you fi nd yourself traveling a little too fast for a left-hand curve. You also may encounter more debris from vehicles running onto the shoulder on the outside of the curve. In a right-hand turn, choosing the right side of the lane limits your cornering options.
The left side path will normally keep you free of any road debris, and will give you additional run out room if you enter a left-hand curve a little too fast. (The opposite is true if you are turning right.) The danger of being too close to the centerline is that it may place you in immediate peril if a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction crosses into your lane.
Ideally you want to enter each curve on the outside of the path of travel. On a curve to the left, the right portion of the lane will give you the best view through the curve and allow you to see more of the road ahead. On a curve to the right, the left wheel path will give you the most open line of sight. But these entry positions must be varied if traffi c or road conditions dictate a diff erent lane position.
Ideal line: The smoothest line through a curve is one that maximizes your line of sight and provides a traction cushion to adjust to unexpected hazards. Typically this means entering a curve from the outside of the lane, moving to the inside at the apex of the curve and moving back
to the outside of the lane to exit. Some call this a “performance line.” Use your peripheral vision to make your surface appraisal and pick your line, dipping toward the apex or inside of the curve only after you have sighted the exit. Then countersteer your motorcycle back toward the outside of the curve as you exit.
For example, on a curve to the right, you would enter the curve in the left lane position. Keep your eyes up to fi nd the exit of the curve and lean your motorcycle into the curve. Pick your line and you will cross the center of the lane and enter the right lane position, apexing when you have identifi ed the exit. Move back out toward the left lane position to exit the curve.
If at some point you fi nd yourself drifting toward the outside of the curve, or toward the edge of the road, keep your eyes up on the exit of the turn and use your eyes to lead the motorcycle where you want to go.
Less than max: Never enter a curve at your max speed. You never know what you may encounter on the roadway, and you need time to react and adjust your path of travel. Even a curve you came though recently could have been visited by a driver who left debris in your wheel path. Slow, give yourself a couple of seconds of visual lead as you enter the curve, maintain a steady throttle and don’t accelerate until you see the exit.
Keep your eyes up and have a safe and fun ride!
Sergeant David Kinaan retired in 2012 as the supervisor of the California Highway Patrol Academy Motorcycle Training Unit. He was an active member of the CHP for nearly 30 years.
By David Kinaan
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HIGHER ETHANOL BLENDS ON THE WAYFederal Plans Would Encourage E-15 Availability By Jim Witters
Thanks to the congressionally mandated Renewable Fuel Standard, nearly every gallon
of gas sold in this country contains at least 10 percent ethanol, while fuel containing no ethanol has nearly disappeared from the marketplace, being relegated to a few specialty stations and marinas.
And the Obama administration—along with many potential 2016 presidential candidates—continues to push for wider distribution of higher-ethanol blends, such as E15 and E85, while seemingly ignoring the concerns of motorcyclists and all-terrain-vehicle owners who are legally prohibited from using the higher-ethanol products.
“Just as E10 has pushed E0 fuel out of the marketplace, E15 has the potential to reduce the availability of E10 under the federal mandate to increase the distribution and use of biofuels,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government aff airs. “And the proliferation of these E15 fueling stations increases the risk that motorcyclists and ATV riders will inadvertently fi ll their tanks with the wrong fuel and damage their fuel system or engine.”
This spring brought a double hit for riders, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued its proposed renewable fuel standards for 2014, 2015 and 2016, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $100 million grant program to subsidize the installation of 10,000 new blender pumps to accommodate E15 distribution.
The EPA’s proposal would increase the amount of ethanol from all sources in the nation’s fuel supply to 17.4 billion gallons in 2016, up from 15.93 billion gallons in 2014.
Those increases would come despite the EPA’s acknowledgement that the market cannot absorb these higher ethanol production rates. In
a regulatory announcement released Aug. 6, 2013, “EPA Finalizes Renewable Fuel Standards,” the agency stated that it “does not currently foresee a scenario in which the market could consume enough ethanol sold in blends greater than E10.”
In announcing its new targets for ethanol in May, the EPA acknowledged that “Due to constraints in the fuel market to accommodate increasing volumes of ethanol, along with limits on the availability of non-ethanol renewable fuels, the volume targets specifi ed by Congress in the Clean Air Act for 2014, 2015 and 2016 cannot be achieved.”
The practical eff ect of the EPA’s action is that ethanol production will exceed the “blend wall,” the point at which no more ethanol can be mixed into the nation’s fuel supply without resulting in blends higher than 10 percent. That means more E15 and less E10 on the market.
Misfueling Fears
The EPA has publicly acknowledged that ethanol in gasoline can damage internal combustion engines by
increasing exhaust temperatures and indirectly causing component failures. The statements are found in a 2014 Federal Trade Commission rule proposal about a new label for blender pumps.
Using E15 or higher ethanol blends in motorcycles and ATVs is illegal. The EPA has not certifi ed their use.
Yet, the USDA plan to add blender pumps across the nation will only make it harder for riders to avoid misfueling and breaking that law.
Blender pumps allow customers to select the fuel grade they prefer by pressing a button on the pump that then dispenses the selected product. But research has shown that about one-third of a gallon of fuel from the previous customer’s selection can be left in the hose and inadvertently dispensed into the tank of the next vehicle in line.
For cars and trucks with tanks holding 15 gallons or more, such residual fuels may not become an issue. But for motorcycles and ATVs, with fuel tank capacities of 3 to 5 gallons, even relatively small amounts of E15 could cause major problems.
Experts within the ethanol industry say the number of U.S. gas stations off ering E15 could double by the end
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of 2016. Leading the way are Kum & Go LC and Sheetz Inc., which plan to have a combined 125 stations offering the alternative fuel by the beginning of 2017.
The city of Chicago is considering an ordinance that would require stations to install equipment to dispense E15 and begin selling it.
The ordinance, introduced after a $20,000 political contribution by ethanol giant Archer Daniels Midland Co. to a Chicago alderman, was tabled in December at the request of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The proliferation of E15 in the marketplace, especially through blender pumps, increases the risk that motorcyclists and ATV riders will unknowingly fuel their vehicles with a blend higher than the federally approved E10.
Renewed Interest In E0At the same time the federal
government is forcing higher ethanol blends into the marketplace, data from the federal Energy Information Administration shows that demand for ethanol-free gas, or E0, rose
from 3.4 percent in 2012 to nearly 7 percent in 2014.
Consumers want E0 for their motorcycles, ATVs, boats, lawn mowers and other equipment. Yet, the renewable fuels requirements have marginalized the product in favor of E10.
Websites, such as pure-gas.org, have sprung up to alert consumers about the availability of E0.
At least one retailer has recognized the importance of E0. Stewart’s Shops in New York State has begun offering ethanol-free fuel at some of its stations in 21 counties.
Lawmakers’ Mixed ResponseIn state legislatures across the
country, the reaction to increased ethanol in fuels has been mixed.
Connecticut is considering the formation of a task force on the feasibility of eliminating ethanol from fuel. Hawaii has a bill that would eliminate the requirement that gas sold there contain 10 percent ethanol. Mississippi has a proposal to require stations there to sell E0.
At the same time, Iowa’s H.S.B.
A gas station in upstate New York displays a sign promoting ethanol-free gas during the 2015 Americade Rally.
Rob
Ding
man
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Contact us today at 1-888-ROADTREK (762-3873) or Roadtrek.com to fi nd out more
With all the amenities of a larger motorhome but the added benefi t of its smaller size, a Roadtrek is the perfect place to call home after a day of riding the open road. Add in our towing capabilities, ease of driving and tons of storage space and exploring the countryside will never be the same.
Visit us at Sturgis 2015 and step inside the Roadtrek of your dreams.
There’s no better time than now to start your journey.
YOUR HOME ON THE ROAD
SEN. SHAHEEN: AMA HEROU.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) receives an AMA Hero award from Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. The Hero awards are presented for extraordinary efforts to support motorcyclists and motorcycling. Shaheen joins U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), former Arkansas Rep. and current Arkansas Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin (R) and Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) as the 2015 recipients.
Rob
Ding
man
186 would expand the infrastructure to support E15; Indiana wants to exempt ethanol from its motor vehicle fuel tax; and Missouri has a bill that would eliminate liability for E15 refiners and distributors.
At the federal level, U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) are working to abolish the corn ethanol mandate in the Renewable Fuel Standard. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) is a cosponsor.
U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) introduced H.R. 704, the Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act. The bipartisan bill would reduce the RFS by significant percentages each year, bringing the 2022 mandate to 21 billion gallons from 36 billion gallons. The bill also would rescind the EPA’s E15 waivers and cap the amount of ethanol content in gasoline at E10.
The AMA supports this solution to ensure motorcyclists have access to safe fuels.
Action NeededAccess to safe fuels for
motorcycles remains an AMA priority, and we continue to be a watchdog for our members and for all motorcyclists and ATV riders.
“The AMA believes the federal government is moving in the wrong direction regarding ethanol in our fuel,” Allard says. “The RFS has failed to achieve its goals of reducing pollution and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.”
AMA members also must be vigilant and active on this issue:
• Sign the AMA petition opposing the EPA’s porposed ethanol mandates: http://bit.ly/1J4jGLG.
• Contact state and federal elected officials to urge them to support limiting or eliminating the ethanol content in your fuel.
• Email the AMA at [email protected] when you find examples of mislabeled fuel pumps or inadequate labels.
• Vote for political candidates who support your stance.
• Tell your friends, family and fellow riders about the effects of the ethanol mandate and encourage them to get involved.
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DOWCO MEMBER DISCOUNTGet Cool Covers For Less
Now you can buy a quality cover for your motorcycle for less, thanks to a 20 percent discount and free domestic shipping from Dowco, maker of motorcycle covers, saddlebags and luggage.
The Dowco off er is valid on products purchased online at www.dowcopowersports.com. To access the savings and free shipping to the 48 contiguous states, AMA members must enter the promo code found in the Members Only section of www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
“AMA members love to ride—and they love their motorcycles,” says Dowco’s Angela Lettenberger. “We’re happy to support the AMA and its members with this discount.”
Dowco also is supporting AMA membership by providing a monthly prize available through the AMA membership sweepstakes. Each month, winners are drawn randomly from the AMA membership roster.
In addition, two annual winners each receive a new motorcycle.
AMA Member Tested
SPOT GEN3MSRP: $149.99; plus $99.99 per year for tracking service (includes $50 AMA member discount)Info: www.fi ndmespot.com
I’ve been a fan of this technology for several years and was an early-adopter of Spot’s original GEN1 device and service. The device operates by sending digital signals directly to orbiting satellites from anywhere on the globe. These messages are transmitted back to Spot’s central command center where, if necessary, search and rescue resources are contacted to come fi nd you. They make every eff ort to use the most expedient methods necessary, including helicopters.
One of the most valuable features of this product is the team and expertise that comes with it. While some riders might say they prefer a satellite phone, a phone costs fi ve to 10 times more on an annual basis compared to a Spot GEN3 subscription and isn’t as expedient in connecting you to the right emergency responders.
Often, minutes can mean the diff erence between life and death, and Spot’s team knows exactly who to call immediately. Would you?
The GEN3 has all the features of the original GEN1, including a few extras. The “SOS” button (for life-threatening emergencies) is the most valuable, of course, but it also has a “Help” button (for non-life-threatening situations) as well as the ability to send a customizable message. (The SOS and Help buttons are covered by protective lids to prevent accidental activation.)
You also get real-time tracking, which can be viewed by friends and family on Spot’s website. For an additional fee, you can subscribe to “Extreme Tracking,” which updates the online map more frequently. There’s also an “OK” button that sends a personalized message to family and friends to let them know everything’s fi ne.
The GEN3 is about 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than the GEN1, which allows it to fi t nicely in a jacket or pants pocket. To use the tracking feature, the device needs to have a clear view of the sky.
Another major upgrade is a better user interface. The buttons and fl ashing lights do a much better job of updating you on the device. The unit is quite sturdy and designed to withstand the rigors of riding, even if your adventures occasionally take you under water in a river crossing. The GEN3 also comes with a nifty strap and carabineer vs. the old belt clip, which is not very secure when using it on a motorcycle.
In real-time tests, the elapsed time from pressing the “OK” button to receiving it on a cell phone was less than 10 seconds (assuming a clear view of the sky and good cell coverage). Spot works in cloudy weather too, and location updates to your online tracking map are in the fi ve- to 10-second range.
If you ride in areas where cell service is weak or non-existent, Spot’s direct uplink to satellites provides great peace of mind.
AMA members qualify for special discounts on Spot’s tracking services, and the company often discounts the units themselves. For the latest unit prices, see www.fi ndmespot.com, and for the latest on AMA member Spot service discounts, see the Members Only area of www.americanmotorcyclist.com.—Jim Williams
Saddle up. We’ve got you covered. In the Nation, our custom coverage and superior claims service provide you and your motorcycle the same quality protection you’ve come to expect from our home and auto insurance. Plus, you can get an AMA only auto insurance discount.
We put members first because we don’t have shareholders.SM
Call 1-866-238-1426, visit your local Nationwide agent or go to nationwide.com/AmericanMotorcyclist to get your exclusive discount today!
ADVMOTO MAGAZINE OFFERS AMA MEMBER DISCOUNTDo Big Things On Big Bikes
ADVMoto, or Adventure Motorcycle Magazine, is off ering a 20 percent discount on subscriptions and products to AMA members.
“It’s fun, exciting and addictive to explore parts unknown on two wheels,” says AMA Chief Operations Offi cer Jeff Massey. “ADVMoto is a great window into that world, and we encourage our members who enjoy adventure riding to check it out.”
Since 1999, ADVMoto has featured riders, reviews and reports from America and beyond, spotlighting “ordinary people who do extraordinary things.”
The country’s premier organized adventure rides are part of the Yamaha Super Ténéré, AMA National Adventure Riding Series, presented by Moose Racing. These rides off er the best routes, roads and two-track trail for taking advantage of the capabilities of modern adventure bikes.
For more on this discount, or the national series, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
DIRTSTREET 3332 AmericanMotorcyclist.com
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Saddle up. We’ve got you covered. In the Nation, our custom coverage and superior claims service provide you and your motorcycle the same quality protection you’ve come to expect from our home and auto insurance. Plus, you can get an AMA only auto insurance discount.
We put members first because we don’t have shareholders.SM
Call 1-866-238-1426, visit your local Nationwide agent or go to nationwide.com/AmericanMotorcyclist to get your exclusive discount today!
DIRTSTREET 33August 2015 3332AM_08_2015_sec05s_StreetContent.indd 33 6/22/15 4:43 PM
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, features the people and
machines that have defi ned the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling in America. The
Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profi t corporation that receives support from the AMA and from the motorcycling community. For info and directions,
visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org, or call (614) 856-2222.
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1941 HARLEY-DAVIDSON WLBuilding A War-Time Legacy
When you go to war on a motorcycle, you want a motorcycle that will last.
That’s the legacy of the Harley-Davidson WL line. Introduced in 1929, the 45-cubic-inch, side-valve WLs were known as rugged, reliable machines. They spawned the WLAs, which were used extensively during World War II by American forces (and the WLCs that the Canadian and British military fi elded).
After the war, the WL engine made a comeback, even powering the dirt-track bike that took Jimmy Chann to the AMA Grand National Championship in 1947, ’48 and ’49. After that, Harley introduced the K-series motorcycle engine, but continued making WL engines for its commercial Servi-Cars into the 1970s.
That 45-year production run ranks the WL as one of the most enduring internal-combustion engines of all time. When Harley fi nally stopped
making WLs, the engine design had been in production for nearly two-thirds of Harley’s 71-year history.
This WL was entirely rebuilt using new-old-stock parts and is, essentially, a new motorcycle. It shows only 5 miles on its odometer.
The bike was part of the original collection that established the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum 25 years ago. It was donated to the museum by Martha Smith in honor of her husband, Lawrence “Smitty” Smith, who passed away in July 1988. The couple owned Smitty’s Harley-Davidson, and together they were prolifi c sponsors of AMA professional and amateur dirt-track racers.
To see this and other amazing machines from motorcycling’s past, visit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio.
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That 45-year production run ranks the WL as one of the most enduring internal-combustion engines of all time. When Harley fi nally stopped
To see this and other amazing machines from motorcycling’s past, visit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio.
DIRTSTREETMAIN 35August 2015 3534AM_08_2015_sec06m_HallOfFame.indd 35 6/23/15 8:46 AM
Take your sweetheart on a shopping spree.
July 10-12, 2015 • Lexington, OhioMid-Ohio Sports Car Course
www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.comFacebook.com/AMAVintageMotorcycleDays
#AMAVMD
2015 AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS
Take your sweetheart on a shopping spree.
July 10-12, 2015 • Lexington, OhioMid-Ohio Sports Car Course
www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.comFacebook.com/AMAVintageMotorcycleDays
#AMAVMD
2015 AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS
SWAP MEETBIKE SHOWS, DEMO RIDES
RACING, SEMINARSAMA Motorcycle Hall Of FamerDON CASTRO: RACED THE BEST
Don Castro battled handlebar to handlebar during the 1970s with some of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time.
Many consider the early 1970s as dirt track racing’s greatest era. Castro
competed against famed racers and fellow Hall of Famers Gary Scott, Kenny Roberts, Mert Lawwill, Chuck Palmgren, Gene Romero, Dave Aldana and others.
Born on Dec. 28, 1949, Castro grew up in Hollister, Calif. When
he was almost 16, he got a Honda 90 so he would have a means to get to and from work. But Castro didn’t use the small bike just for transportation—he began racing around town on it. His father bought him a 500 Triumph, and Castro, at the age of 16, began competing in Sportsman TT, as well as hillclimb. Castro turned pro novice in 1968, and then junior in 1969. An off -track ankle injury kept him out of the fi rst four rounds that year, and, despite six consecutive wins after he
returned to competition, Castro still lost out on Junior of the Year honors to Dave Aldana.
In 1970, Castro became a pro expert and got a Triumph factory ride. His fi rst road race was at the famed Daytona track in Florida, where he fi nished third on a three-cylinder Triumph.
In 1971, Castro raced short track, TT, half-mile, mile and road races. He fi nished ninth that year aboard a Triumph. In 1972, Castro was a privateer aboard Triumphs and missed a large part of the season after his van and equipment were stolen.
The next year Castro got a factory contract with Yamaha, teaming with Roberts. At the San Jose, Calif., half-mile during the time
trials, fi ve riders broke the old lap record. In the main event, Castro and Roberts took the lead at the start but Roberts was quickly sidelined on the fi rst lap with ignition problems. Castro went on to win, unchallenged.
In 1974, Castro earned another National win for Yamaha: the 250cc road race at the Daytona International Speedway in a back-and-forth battle with teammate Roberts and Hall of Famer Gary Nixon.
In 1975, Yamaha pulled out of racing and Castro teamed up with Hall of Fame tuner Erv Kanemoto to race Kawasakis.
Castro retired in 1976 following surgery to repair a lingering injury that he sustained in the 1974 season.
Castro, who operates a shop called Racer’s Edge in Tres
Pinos, Calif., was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle
Hall of Fame in 2010.
No matter what or how you ride, the AMA has a special card for you. Want one? Just let us know by renewing early, or telling us when you renew via our online signup form at AmericanMotorcyclist.com, or
calling (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646).
PICK A CARD, ANY CARD
Indian and
Victory
cards now
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AMA Affinity Cards HP 0115.indd 1 11/20/14 10:15 AM
DIRTSTREETMAIN 3736 August 2015AM_08_2015_sec06m_HallOfFame.indd 36 6/22/15 4:51 PM
Take your sweetheart on a shopping spree.
July 10-12, 2015 • Lexington, OhioMid-Ohio Sports Car Course
www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.comFacebook.com/AMAVintageMotorcycleDays
#AMAVMD
2015 AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS
Take your sweetheart on a shopping spree.
July 10-12, 2015 • Lexington, OhioMid-Ohio Sports Car Course
www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.comFacebook.com/AMAVintageMotorcycleDays
#AMAVMD
2015 AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS
SWAP MEETBIKE SHOWS, DEMO RIDES
RACING, SEMINARS
No matter what or how you ride, the AMA has a special card for you. Want one? Just let us know by renewing early, or telling us when you renew via our online signup form at AmericanMotorcyclist.com, or
calling (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646).
PICK A CARD, ANY CARD
Indian and
Victory
cards now
available!
AMA Affinity Cards HP 0115.indd 1 11/20/14 10:15 AM
DIRTSTREETMAIN 3736 August 2015AM_08_2015_sec06m_HallOfFame.indd 37 6/22/15 4:51 PM
On a group ride—if you’re lucky—you’ll get blue skies, interesting roads, and a decent bunch of bikers to ride with. If you’re very lucky you’ll also make lasting friendships, and this was my
bonus when I rode from Brazil to Chile in 2013 (see “South American Adventure,” April 2014).
On that ride—despite the diff erence in our ages—I buddied up with a cool and adventurous young guy from Kuwait—I’ll call him “The Dude” —and an equally adventurous and worldly-wise New Zealander.
As biker buddies do, we had a lot of fun discussing the when and where of another long ride, and New Zealand came
out on top. The indigenous Maoris call it “Aotearoa,” meaning “Land of the Long White Cloud”—is that romantic or what?
It wasn’t long before the New Zealander emailed us an entire package of routes, side trips and accommodations, all in a 14-day time slot, that would take us the length of his staggeringly beautiful country. We tagged him “The Organizer.”
A Motorcycle Tour Of New Zealand Story and Photos by Rick Wheaton
t The Dude and I had to get our rented bikes in Auckland, North Island, meet The Organizer a couple days later, and make our way home from Christchurch in the South Island. Hiring the bikes was easy, we chose Paradise Motorcycle Tours (www.paradisemotorcycletours.co.nz)—New Zealand’s only approved BMW hire company—booked our fl ights, and started counting the days.
Fast forward to February 2015 and Day one. Thanks to our combined 18-hour jet lag, The Dude and I wake up good and early on a cloudless morning—a great start. Busting with excitement, we meet up with Trevor at Paradise’s Auckland depot, and an hour later we are on our way, weaving through the light Saturday traffi c on our beautifully set-up BMWs.
I’m on a F800GS, The Dude on a water-cooled R1200GS, and our bikes have all the sexy trimmings, including GPS.
t We start with an easy 135 mile ride to the Coramandel Loop, and spend the night with old friends in the seaside town of Whitianga. On the way we stop for a late breakfast at the famous Bugger Cafe. One of our Whitianga pals meets us there, complete with his treasured Bonneville.
The next day, The Dude and I ride 200 miles south, still under blue skies, to Lake Taupo where we see our fi rst volcanoes, one instantly recognizable as Mount Doom to anyone who’s seen “Lord of the Rings.” New Zealand is a geothermal hotspot, and both islands are dotted with active volcanoes, steaming hot springs and ever-fascinating pools of boiling mud. Sadly some of this activity can be deadly, and
ON THE OTHER SIDE
Rick
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ˇ The southwest corner of the South Island is a nearly impenetrable mass of deep fjords, so the main road turns inland here, but we stick to the coast and make a 60-mile detour to the single tiny cafe at Jackson Bay. This is possibly the furthest I have ever traveled in my life for fi sh and chips, but the Bay is gorgeous, our meal is delicious, and when we can eat no more, we ride our bikes onto the splendid pier and pull in our stomachs for the camera.
ˇ We ride back, past miles of sandy beaches, rejoin the main road and head inland to climb the Haast Pass. The landscape has so far been quite lovely, but around here it starts to defy superlatives. Narrow, fast fl owing rivers pour out of snow covered mountains, and craggy hills are buried under ancient forests.
ON THE OTHER SIDE
more than one New Zealand city has been laid to waste by earthquakes. t
T Continuing south, we ride across the high desert road of the interior. We take it easy. Both Paradise Trevor and my pal with the Bonnie have told us how serious the New Zealand police are about speed limits. The maximum on any road, freeway included, is 60 mph.
About 230 miles later we’re in the windy city of Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. The Organizer rides out to meet us on his BMW R1200R, and that night we enjoy his hospitality. The next day we catch the ferry across the Cook Straits to the South Island. The straits can be bumpy, but our luck with the weather holds and we make the four-hour crossing in a fl at calm.
Once off the ferry, and riding to the very top of the South Island, the pace slows.
New Zealand’s population is a little over
4 million, and because nearly 3 million live in just fi ve cities, there are no more than a million people inhabiting the rest of the country. This means New Zealand is generally very quiet, and at times the South Island seems deserted. As the roads are usually in superb condition, and mostly hilly or mountainous—long straights are rare—it makes for world-class motorcycling.
The three of us have SENA helmet
intercoms, and the Bluetooth system works perfectly.
I don’t know who speaks the little voice alerts, but we grow to love her perky “Hello” when we switch on, and her gentle “Goodbye” as we switch off . She even manages to make “Low Battery” sound interesting.
Now the long ride down the beautiful west coast, 400 miles without a single traffi c light and still in gorgeous sunshine. There are more than 3,000 glaciers on the South Island, and the blue skies make a perfect backdrop for our helicopter fl ight onto one of the biggest, the eight-mile-long Franz Joseph glacier. We fi nd that motorcycle boots are perfect for stomping about in the snow. †
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The Organizer calls in a favor from a power company executive, and as the entire place is run by two men on site, 50 percent of the work force, Paul, gives us a private tour. This includes a 4x4 drive to see the outfl ow discharge into the 500-foot deep “Doubtful Sound,” one of New Zealand’s most beautiful. It’s so narrow that even Captain Cook, the great 18th century explorer, didn’t sail in, doubtful he’d ever be able to sail out. †
We ride past huge lakes, the Southern Alps refl ected in their still waters, and head to Queenstown, the self-proclaimed adventure capital of the world. Catering almost exclusively to the New Zealander’s love of cutting-edge excitement, it’s the home of enormous bungee jumps, rocket propelled jet boats and extreme paragliding, pretty much anything that can induce heart failure in an old gent. T
t Foolishly putting aside my fears about motion sickness, The Dude and I take a ride on the Shotover Jet Boat. It careens down a twisting gorge, inches from the rock face, all at what feels like 1,000 mph. The Dude loves it, and wonders if the engines could be tweaked for more power. I’m ashamed that I have to be let off the boat half way round. This amuses my fellow bikers who give me “rough sea” hand signals the rest of the ride.
T Now south again to Te Anau, for a superb side trip across Lake Manapouri to the underwater power station that supplies 15 percent of the islands’ electricity. The station is a triumph of engineering and ingenuity. Water drops to a turbine hall carved out of solid rock some 800 feet below the surface of the lake, and a pair of six-mile long run-off tunnels carry the spent water to the nearest fjord.
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t The following morning, we ride early to Milford Sound, possibly the most revered and photogenic spot in the whole of New Zealand. Up at dark (we must return the same day) and anxious for good weather here in particular, we climb the twisty road to the infamous one-way Homer Tunnel: narrow, permanently wet and unlit. Until recently the tunnel contained an enormous pothole, and I imagine bikers yelling “Doh!” as they swerve around it or possibly fall into it.
Down the other side now, in the early light, our first view of Milford Sound is breath-taking, the iconic 5,500-foot Mitre Peak reflecting in water as smooth as glass. The brilliant weather has held, and as Fjord-land averages 600 inches of rain a year, we’re especially grateful for yet another glorious day.
T Exhilarated by this fabulous landscape, our ride back to Te Anau is enormous fun. There’s something special about riding a powerful motorbike on twisty, hilly roads: growling up the hairpins and sweeping down through the bends. Our BMWs relish these nearly empty roads, and our intercoms add to the fun: The Dude mostly comments on my cornering and singing (poor to awful) while The Organizer—as befits a local citizen—regales us with terrifying road stories. We’ll be on some spectacular twisty section when his voice will cut in with a story about how a landslide—at the very next bend—swept a truck down into the river, or a campervan ran off the road. These stories inevitably end—in a doom-laden voice—“...and the bodies were never found.”
We’re right at the bottom of the island now, Invercargill, one of the most southerly cities on the planet, and we ride alongside the great Southern Ocean, next stop Antarctica. That morning we’d woken to drizzle and for the first time on the ride, happy to be extra warm and dry, I gladly pulled on my Aerostich one-piece suit. The Organizer scoffs, denying this tiny amount of precipitation could be called rain. “When it’s so wet you aquaplane in a straight line,” he says, “that’s when you know it’s raining.”
The next 24 hours were as perfect a New Zealand day as anyone could wish. First we enjoy some splendid hospitality, staying overnight with more of The Organizer’s family, and the next
morning we ride to a sheep farm, run by his nephew Tony, who treats us to a demonstration of dog handling. Up to this point we’d not seen any sheep on the road, and no sooner had I expressed my disappointment than a couple of his dogs expertly round up a mob, and my bike is quickly surrounded by 250 of the woolly monsters. †
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• 2 – New motorcycles. Two lucky AMA members who renew or join in 2015 will win a new bike! There’s one
drawing for a Yamaha Super Ténére and another drawing for a Suzuki Boulevard 109R!
• 4 – TomTom Rider GPS Units, navigation tools designed specifi cally for motorcyclists.
• 1 – Cardo Systems/Scala Rider G9 Communication Set. Bluetooth intercom
and communication system lets you connect with up to eight other riders.
• 1 – Shark Kage Ramp. This 6-in-one multi-use ramp is the ultimate truck accessory.
• 12 – Brooks Leather gear package.
• 12 – Guardian Weatherall Plus motorcycle cover
Don’t let your membership lapse!
AmericanMotorcyclist.com
(800) AMA-JOIN
The 2015 AMA member sweepstakes is better than ever!
Members who join or renew their AMA membership from
Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015, are automatically entered to win
one of these awesome motorcycling prizes!
Only new and renewing members are eligible, so don’t delay!
JOIN
TH E A M A T O DAY
W
H E R E R I D E R S B E L ON
G
No purchase necessary. For complete rules, terms and conditions
visit http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Membership/RenewSweeps_Rules.aspx.
Quarterly Drawings!2015 AMA MEMBER SWEEPSTAKES
Monthly Drawings!
0815_AMA_2015MemberSweepsAd_SPREAD.indd All Pages 6/18/15 1:38 PM
DIRT 4342 August 2015AM_08_2015_sec07d_Pit_Crew Feature.indd 42 6/22/15 5:13 PM
• 2 – New motorcycles. Two lucky AMA members who renew or join in 2015 will win a new bike! There’s one
drawing for a Yamaha Super Ténére and another drawing for a Suzuki Boulevard 109R!
• 4 – TomTom Rider GPS Units, navigation tools designed specifi cally for motorcyclists.
• 1 – Cardo Systems/Scala Rider G9 Communication Set. Bluetooth intercom
and communication system lets you connect with up to eight other riders.
• 1 – Shark Kage Ramp. This 6-in-one multi-use ramp is the ultimate truck accessory.
• 12 – Brooks Leather gear package.
• 12 – Guardian Weatherall Plus motorcycle cover
Don’t let your membership lapse!
AmericanMotorcyclist.com
(800) AMA-JOIN
The 2015 AMA member sweepstakes is better than ever!
Members who join or renew their AMA membership from
Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015, are automatically entered to win
one of these awesome motorcycling prizes!
Only new and renewing members are eligible, so don’t delay!
JOIN
TH E A M A T O DAY
W
H E R E R I D E R S B E L ON
G
No purchase necessary. For complete rules, terms and conditions
visit http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Membership/RenewSweeps_Rules.aspx.
Quarterly Drawings!2015 AMA MEMBER SWEEPSTAKES
Monthly Drawings!
0815_AMA_2015MemberSweepsAd_SPREAD.indd All Pages 6/18/15 1:38 PM
DIRT 4342 August 2015AM_08_2015_sec07d_Pit_Crew Feature.indd 43 6/22/15 5:13 PM
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Governments faced with shrinking revenue are targeting motorcyclists, among other groups, as a source of funds, often skating along the edge of the law in an eff ort to balance their books.
Across the country, agencies have cut funding for road and trail maintenance and shut down access to public lands, while continuing to
collect fees and taxes that were put in place to ensure responsible riders would be able to enjoy their freedom to ride.
At the same time, as gains in fuel effi ciency and reduced driving result in less revenue from gasoline taxes, some state and federal lawmakers are looking for new ways to tax riders and other motorists to pay for necessary road maintenance and construction.
Other times, state offi cials simply park the money collected from motorcyclists and ATV riders in a special fund and refuse to spend it. The lingering balance off sets annual shortfalls in other parts of the state’s budget.
“The AMA is keeping an eye on all these actions and proposals to make sure that motorcyclists and ATV riders are not being unfairly burdened,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. “Our Washington, D.C., staff is in constant contact with federal agencies and Congress. And we are working with AMA members and other motorcyclists at the state level to encourage legislation benefi cial to riders while battling against bad measures.”
Tolls And Special LanesMotorcyclists in the state of Washington
were shocked in March when they were told they would have to obtain transponders for their bikes and deposit money in a state account if they wanted to keep using the high-occupancy-vehicle lanes on I-405.
The state was converting the HOV lanes into HOT lanes, high-occupancy-toll lanes, which allow solo drivers to pay a fee and use the lanes otherwise reserved for motorcycles and other vehicles with two or more occupants.
Federal law bans states from charging motorcyclists for using HOV lanes.
Washington state offi cials say they have no intention of charging motorcyclists who use the HOT lanes in their state. At the same time, a rider must fork over a minimum of $30 to open an account with the state’s Good To Go! Program and mount a transponder on the vehicle.
A similar program in Georgia requires motorcyclists to carry a Peach Pass to ride in the HOT lanes along I-85 in Atlanta. But the I-495 Express Lanes on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway near Washington, D.C., do not require transponders for motorcycles.
“When this came up several years ago on I-405 with the HOV lanes, motorcycles did get access, so we thought we were cool,” says “Texas” Larry
Walker, government relations specialist for the Washington [State] Road Riders Association. “But, in the implementation of the HOT lanes, the government agency decided it needed a way to inventory motorcycles using the lanes.”
In the absence of a transponder, the system photographs the license plate of the vehicle, then routes it through an identifi cation system to determine whether the vehicle owner should be billed.
The Washington state transportation department has off ered riders free transponders (while supplies last), but still wants them to open a Good To Go! account. And many riders view that requirement as paying to use the lanes.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, responding to inquiries by U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), says that the state’s plan meets federal standards, “as, at the end of the day, motorcyclists with proper identifi cation will not be charged tolls on I-405.”
The U.S. DOT says the state may use its choice of technology to implement the HOV/HOT program and the “off er of free motorcycle passes while they last is a fair off er to allay what may seem an initial inconvenience.”
But that answer hasn’t convinced Washington’s riders.
“Some are taking a wait-and-see approach, but some are madder than
Governments Seek New Ways To Shore Up Budgets By Jim Witters
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wet hens,” Walker says. “And there are some who want to file a class action lawsuit against the government. We at the Washington Road Riders Association are asking to be in the room when these issues are discussed again.”
The Washington program has not been fully implemented, Walker says.
“Maybe by the end of the summer,” he says. “We are going to look at how it goes.”
When HOV lanes were created decades ago, motorcycles were banned from them. The AMA and other motorcyclist rights organizations fought for, and won, the right for motorcyclists to use them.
“The AMA continues to work to ensure free motorcycle access to HOV and HOT lanes as more jurisdictions consider changing HOV lanes to toll express lanes,” Allard says. “We need to continue to work to educate elected officials and bureaucrats to ensure motorcyclists are considered when new tolls are proposed.”
On The TrailsMany off-road riders are willing to
pay a fee to ride a trail on public lands, if the proceeds will be used to pay for trail construction and maintenance, says Steve Salisbury, AMA government affairs manager for off-highway issues.
“But there also are those in the off-highway community who view any
trail-use fees on public lands as double taxation,” he says. “It is fuel taxes paid by the motorized community that funds the federally based Recreational Trails Program.”
The Recreational Trails Program is funded by a tax on fuel bought by OHV owners. Yet the funding is used for projects that benefit non-motorized recreation, as well. OHV users are contributing an estimated $234 million annually to the trust fund. Of that total, just one-third of $85 million, plus a percentage of another one-third, is allocated to motorized recreation projects annually.
“Most off-highway riders recognize that trail management costs and strained budgets require fees,” Salisbury says. “But we don’t believe we should be paying more than our fair share.
“OHV riders pitch in on volunteer projects, including trail maintenance and construction, that benefit all trail users,” he explains. “But we are the only group that may be paying three times—through the taxes that established the park, through the RTP and, again, through daily or annual fees to ride.”
Public Access FeesWhen officials at the 131 national
parks monuments, historic sites and recreation areas that charge entrance fees considered raising those fees this year,
“When this came up several years ago on I-405 with the HOV lanes, motorcycles did get access, so
we thought we were cool. But, in the
implementation of the HOT lanes, the government agency decided it needed a way to inventory motorcycles using
the lanes.”— “Texas” Larry Walker,
government relations specialist for the
Washington Road Riders Association
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many of them proposed larger increases for motorcyclists than for visitors using other types of entry.
For example, Yosemite National Park proposed raising the motorcycle fee to $25 per bike, instead of $10 per person.
The AMA considered that fee hike far out of proportion to the proposed increases for cars and urged its members to contact the National Parks Service, parks in their area and elected officials to highlight the unfairness of this plan.
During its civic engagement period, the park received 2,430 e-mails, 1,222 comments on the its Facebook page, and 16 mailed letters. This public input led to significant changes to the fee proposal, according to a park press release.
The fees for Yosemite are $15 per motorcycle this year, rising to $20 per motorcycle in 2016. Those fees, though higher than 2014 fees, are more in line with the increases implemented for cars.
Similar scenarios played out at other national parks and recreation areas.
“While we understand the importance of raising fees to allow the National Park Service to continue to provide clean, safe and accessible parks, the AMA does not believe motorcyclists should pay a disproportionate share,” Allard says.
Following The MoneyOne key to ensuring motorcyclists
are treated fairly by taxing authorities is monitoring the spending of funds collected.
Money supposedly dedicated to rider education or trail projects often is channeled to other uses. Other funds are simply never spent.
For years, the Illinois governor swept special state set-aside accounts – including a rider training fund – to balance a shaky budget. And when ABATE of Illinois challenged the tactic, the courts sided with the governor.
In California, the state redirected OHV funds and borrowed from OHV recreation accounts to the tune of about $220 million. Most of that money has not been repaid.
In Texas, the state has not spent a dime from its motorcycle training and safety account since 2005, accumulating more than $16.5 million that it combines with other unspent money to balance its budget every year.
The AMA is working with state motorcycle rights organizations to correct the motorcycle safety fund issue.
As a result, state Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin) introduced S.B. 754, a bill that would increase the revenue dedicated to motorcycle education and push other legislators to end the practice of
using motorcycle training funds to hide budgetary shortfalls.
New Mexico riders faced a different problem.
The New Mexico Off-Highway and Motor Vehicle Act of 2005 specifically earmarks for OHV programs the fees collected through OHV registrations.
But this year’s 200-page appropriations act included a transfer of $500,000 to the conservation services program of the New Mexico State Park system.
As the New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance states, “This is especially ironic (and wrong) because by current law, OHVs are not even allowed in any state park!”
“The motorcycling community does not expect a free lunch, and lawmakers tend to respect that fact,” Allard says. “We want rider training, increased motorist awareness and accessible trails, and we are willing to chip in our personal resources to make those needs a reality—even agreeing to additional fees for special accounts intended to enhance the experiences of motorcyclists.
“But we also demand accountability.”
New Tax StrategyIncreasing fuel efficiency, a shift toward
hybrid and electric vehicles and higher motorcycle ridership all have combined during the past several years to reduce the
revenue that government agencies receive from gasoline taxes.
That tax money funds road construction, maintenance and improvements. So, replacing that revenue is a high priority for governments.
One idea being floated at both the state and federal levels is a vehicle-miles-traveled tax that records how far a vehicle is driven each year, then assesses a certain amount for each mile.
Oregon launched an $8.4 million pilot program called OreGo in July that will monitor the driving of as many as 5,000 volunteers who agree to pay 1.5 cents for each mile driven on the state’s public roads. They will be reimbursed for the fuel taxes paid at the pump.
Private vendors provide drivers with digital devices to track mileage, raising concerns in some circles about the privacy of data and the potential for government surveillance.
Oregon officials say they built protections to address those issues, including an option that tracks odometer readings without using GPS. Those who opt for GPS tracking are assured that their data will be destroyed after 30 days.
California, Washington State and Indiana are studying alternatives to the traditional gasoline tax to raise money for infrastructure.
When Yosemite National Park proposed raising the motorcycle fee to $25 per bike, instead of
$10 per person, the park received thousands of comments during its civic engagement period. The fees for Yosemite are $15 per motorcycle this year, rising to $20 per motorcycle in 2016.
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A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed on the following pages. GO RIDE
1
2
3
4
5
6
Each year, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony welcomes new members into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. On Oct. 17, in conjunction with AIMExpo in Orlando, Fla., six inductees will join the ranks of motorcycling’s greatest advocates and champions in a gala celebration. Tickets are $25 for a reserved seat or $90 for a reserved seat and access to the VIP Reception before the ceremony. Info: www.MotorcycleHallofFame.org
COMING UP
1 The AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Riding Series
boasts 17 events throughout the year. On Aug. 15-16 in Tillamook, Ore., Northwest Tour & Trail will host the Black Dog Adventure Ride, one of the national caliber adventure rides that’s sure to impress. Info: www.BlackDogDualSport.com 4 On Aug. 8, Freestone County Raceway in
Wortham, Texas, is hosting a motocross round of the Main Event Series. Info: www.
FreestoneMX.com
2 The Fort Knox Buff alo Soldiers Motorcycle Club in Lexington,
Ky., is hosting a road rally on Aug. 15. Info: www.BSMCFortKnox.org
6 The Door County Fair Association is hosting a half-mile dirt track race on Aug. 1 during the fair
in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Info: www.DoorCountyFair.com
5 In Howard, Colo., an observed trials competition is being
held by It’s Off Road LLC on Aug. 11-13. Info: www.ItsOff Road.com
3 A poker run is being hosted on Aug. 2 by the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club in Lebanon, Pa.
Info: www.LebanonValleyMC.com
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A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed on the following pages.
ALABAMACOMPETITION
MOTOCROSSAUG 23: (Includes ATVs) TALLASSEE: MONSTER ACTION SPORTS, LLC, (334) 318-8475, MONSTERMX.COM
CALIFORNIARECREATIONAL
POKER RUNAUG 1: SAN JOSE: SAN JOSE DONS MC, (408) 293-4501, SANJOSEDONSMC.COMCOMPETITION
MOTOCROSSAUG 2: (Includes ATVs) PALMDALE: ROVERS MC, (661) 247-8746AUG 9: (Includes ATVs) SAN BERNARDINO: UNITED MOTORCYCLE CLUB SPEEDWAYAUG 7: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223, FASTFRIDAYS.COMAUG 8: CITY OF INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY HILLS EXPO CENTER DBA: INDUSTRY RACING, (626) 330-0324, INDUSTRYRACING.COMAUG 9: CITY OF INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY HILLS EXPO CENTER DBA: INDUSTRY RACING, (626) 330-0324, INDUSTRYRACING.COMAUG 14: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223, FASTFRIDAYS.COMAUG 19: CITY OF INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY HILLS EXPO CENTER DBA: INDUSTRY RACING, (626) 330-0324, INDUSTRYRACING.COMAUG 21: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223, FASTFRIDAYS.COMAUG 26: CITY OF INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY HILLS EXPO CENTER DBA: INDUSTRY RACING, (626) 330-0324, INDUSTRYRACING.COMAUG 28: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-7223, FASTFRIDAYS.COMSHORT TRACKAUG 8: (Includes ATVs) LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 368-7182, LODICYCLEBOWL.COMAUG 8: (Includes ATVs) CHOWCHILLA: CALIFORNIA FLAT TRACK ASSOCIATION, (415) 320-7889, CALIFORNIAFLATTRACK.COMAUG 12: CITY OF INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY HILLS EXPO CENTER DBA: INDUSTRY RACING, (626) 330-0324, INDUSTRYRACING.COMAUG 22: (Includes ATVs) LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 368-7182, LODICYCLEBOWL.COMTTSAUG 1: (Includes ATVs) LODI: LODI MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (209) 368-7182, LODICYCLEBOWL.COM
COLORADOMOTOCROSSAUG 9: MILLIKEN: TWO RIVERS RACING LLC, (970) 587-5770AUG 16: DACONO: IMI MOTORSPORTS INC, (303) 388-4949, IMIMOTORSPORTS.COMOBSERVED TRIALSAUG 11: HOWARD: ITS OFFROAD LLC,
(719) 942-3372, ITSOFFROAD.COMCONNECTICUT
RECREATIONAL
BIKE SHOWAUG 16: EAST HAMPTON: BRITISH IRON ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT, (860) 305-0171, CTBRITIRON.ORG
GEORGIACOMPETITION
ENDUROAUG 8: MACON: 2 DAY EVENT, FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO SERIES, (304) 276-0188, FULLGASENDURO.COM
ILLINOISRECREATIONAL
POKER RUN - OFF-ROADAUG 9: (Includes ATVs) OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 434-3669, VARIETYRIDERS.COMCOMPETITION
GRAND PRIXAUG 15: (Includes ATVs) COAL VALLEY: TRI CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (309) 799-9449, TRICITYMC.COMHILLCLIMBAUG 29: WHITE CITY: CAHOKIA CREEK DIRT RIDERS, (217) 248-2839, CAHOKIACREEKDIRTRIDERS.COMHARE SCRAMBLESAUG 30: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271MOTOCROSSAUG 2: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271AUG 7: (Includes ATVs) GEORGETOWN: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (217) 304-8704, PLEASURERIDERS.NETAUG 16: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271AUG 16: (Includes ATVs) COAL VALLEY: TRI CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (309) 799-9449, TRICITYMC.COMAUG 23: MT CARROLL: MC MOTOPARK INC., (815) 238-1614, MCMOTOPARK.COMAUG 29: BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COMOBSERVED TRIALSAUG 30: OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 434-3669, VARIETYRIDERS.COMSHORT TRACKAUG 15: GALESBURG: GALESBURG MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (309) 344-1714, GALESBURGMC.COMSTADIUM CROSSAUG 7: WOODSTOCK: WOODSTOCK RACING LLC, (815) 337-3511, WOODSTOCKMX.COMAUG 28: WOODSTOCK: WOODSTOCK RACING LLC, (815) 337-3511, WOODSTOCKMX.COM
INDIANARECREATIONAL
DUAL SPORT RIDEAUG 15: COLUMBUS: 2 DAY EVENT, STONEY LONESOME M/C, (812) 343-9772, STONEYLONESOMEMC.COM
COMPETITION
1/2 MILE DIRT TRACKAUG 1: (Includes ATVs) GOSHEN: GOSHEN IRON HORSEMEN, (574) 825-3399ENDUROAUG 8: ROSELAWN: HILL & GULLY ENDURO RIDERS, (708) 261-3433, MIDWESTENDUROS.COMAUG 9: ROSE LAWN: HILL & GULLY ENDURO RIDERS, (708) 261-3433, [email protected] SCRAMBLESAUG 2: COLUMBUS: STONEY LONESOME M/C, (812) 343-2716, STONEYLONESOMEMC.COMAUG 30: COLUMBUS: STONEY LONESOME M/C, (812) 343-2716, STONEYLONESOMEMC.COMMOTOCROSSAUG 9: (Includes ATVs) SCOTTSBURG: LET’S GO RACING LLC, (812) 350-3243, HIGHFLYMX.COMAUG 21: CRAWFORDSVILLE: MX SPORTS, INC., (304) 284-0101, MXSPORTS.COMAUG 23: CRAWFORDSVILLE: MX SPORTS, INC., (304) 284-0101, MXSPORTS.COMAUG 30: (Includes ATVs) LAUREL: MORGAN RACE PROMOTIONS, (513) 551-9661, HASPINACRES.COM
IOWAENDUROAUG 15: DAYTON: CENTRAL IOWA ENDURO RIDERS, (402) 980-6574, IERA22.COMAUG 16: DAYTON: CENTRAL IOWA ENDURO RIDERS, (402) 980-6574, IERA22.COMHARE SCRAMBLESAUG 30: MOUNT PLEASANT: BURLINGTON VALLEY DUSTERS, (319) 759-6979, IERA22.COMMOTOCROSSAUG 1: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 775-0893, CVTR.ORGAUG 15: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 775-0893, CVTR.ORGAUG 22: (Includes ATVs) WATERLOO: SEVEN FOUR PROMOTIONS, SEVENFOURPROMOTIONS.COMAUG 22: (Includes ATVs) MONTEZUMA: FV MOTO X, (641) 623-3456, FVMOTOX.COMAUG 22: (Includes ATVs) HINTON: JOE DIRT MOTOCROSS PARK, (712) 540-3511, JOEDIRTMOTOCROSSPARK.COMAUG 23: (Includes ATVs) MONTEZUMA: FV MOTO X, (641) 623-3456, FVMOTOX.COM
KENTUCKYRECREATIONAL
ROAD RALLYAUG 15: LEXINGTON: FORT KNOX BUFFALO SOLDIERS MC, (502) 509-1124, BSMCFORTKNOX.ORGCOMPETITION
MOTOCROSSAUG 16: (Includes ATVs) BEDFORD: NICKOTA MOTORSPORTS PARK LLC, (502) 525-1167, NICKOTAMOTORSPORTS.COMOBSERVED TRIALSAUG 22: BEDFORD: 2 DAY EVENT, TRIALS INC, (502) 767-5062, TRIALSINC.ORG
MARYLANDMOTOCROSSAUG 29: MECHANICSVILLE: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (301) 475-2000, BUDDSCREEK.COMMASSACHUSETTSRECREATIONAL
ROAD RUNAUG 23: FARMINGHAM: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORGCOMPETITION
HILLCLIMBAUG 30: MONSON: QUABOAG RIDERS INC, (413) 267-4414, MONSONMONSTER.COM
MICHIGANRECREATIONAL
FAMILY ENDURO-OFF ROADAUG 22: LAKE CITY: LANSING MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 631-6669, LANSINGMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORGDUAL SPORT-OFF ROADAUG 2: ANN ARBOR: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORGROAD RUNAUG 2: ANN ARBOR: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORGTRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL
AUG 1: BENTLEY: VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS, (989) 890-1411COMPETITION
DIRT DRAGAUG 21: (Includes ATVs) GRANT: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 834-5349, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COMAUG 22: GRANT: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 834-5349, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM1/2 MILE DIRT TRACKAUG 22: (Includes ATVs) STANDISH: VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS, (989) 890-1411AUG 29: (Includes ATVs) CROSWELL: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMBMOTORCYCLECLUB.COMENDUROAUG 2: BENTLEY: VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS, (989) 329-2830AUG 23: MOORESTOWN: LANSING MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 631-6669, LANSINGMOTORCYCLECLUB.ORGHILLCLIMBAUG 9: (Includes ATVs) WEST BRANCH: PORT HURON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 327-1062, PHMC-USA.COMAUG 22: GRANT: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 834-5349, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COMAUG 23: GRANT: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 834-5349, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COMHARE SCRAMBLESAUG 9: (Includes ATVs) ROSE CITY: BENT WHEELS COMPETITION CLUB, INC., BENTWHEELS.COMAUG 16: MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 832-8284, POLKADOTSMC.NETAUG 30: (Includes ATVs) BATTLE CREEK:
AUGUST EVENTS
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BATTLE CREEK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, BATTLECREEKMOTORCYCLECLUB.COMMOTOCROSSAUG 1: NEWAYGO: 2 DAY EVENT, BIG AIR MOTOCROSS, (231) 652-5225, BIGAIRMOTOCROSS.COMAUG 1: (Includes ATVs) CHRISTMAS: X-MAS FAMILY MOTORSPORTS PARK, (906) 202-2681, X-MASFAMILYMOTORSPORTSPARK.COMAUG 2: (Includes ATVs) CHRISTMAS: X-MAS FAMILY MOTORSPORTS PARK, (906) 202-2681, X-MASFAMILYMOTORSPORTSPARK.COMAUG 8: CRYSTAL FALLS: VALLEY RACEWAY, (906) 236-3265, VALLEYRACEWAYMX.COMAUG 9: CRYSTAL FALLS: VALLEY RACEWAY, (906) 236-3265, VALLEYRACEWAYMX.COMAUG 29: BELDING: 2 DAY EVENT, GRATTAN RACEWAY, (616) 691-7221, GRAHAMMX.COMOBSERVED TRIALSAUG 2: OXFORD: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (810) 417-2892, MOTATRIALS.COMAUG 23: ROSE CITY: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (810) 417-2892, MOTATRIALS.COMSHORT TRACKAUG 1: (Includes ATVs) MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 832-8284, POLKADOTSMC.NETAUG 8: (Includes ATVs) DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMBMOTORCYCLECLUB.COMTTSAUG 2: (Includes ATVs) MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 832-8284, POLKADOTSMC.NETAUG 9: (Includes ATVs) DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMBMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM
MINNESOTARECREATIONAL
ROAD RUNAUG 15: SAVAGE: MS RIVER ROAD RUN, (320) 558-4393COMPETITION
ENDUROAUG 8: AKELEY: 2 DAY EVENT, PAUL BUNYAN FOREST RIDER MC, (218) 770-3175, PAULBUNYANFORESTRIDERS.COMAUG 22: DUQUETTE: 2 DAY EVENT, STRAIGHT ARROW ENDURO RIDERS, (651) 456-0224, STRAIGHTARROWS.ORGHILLCLIMBAUG 22: (Includes ATVs) MANKATO: KATO CYCLE CLUB, (507) 381-1951, KATOCYCLECLUB.COMAUG 23: (Includes ATVs) NEW ULM: FLYING DUTCHMEN CYCLE CLUB, (507) 354-2306, FLYINGDUTCHMENMOTORCYCLECLUB.COMHARE SCRAMBLESAUG 2: BROOKSTON: RANGE RIDERS MC, (218) 576-5970MOTOCROSSAUG 2: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC,
(952) 601-1169, MOTOKAZIE.COMAUG 2: BROWERVILLE: MOTO CITY RACEWAY & RECREATION INC, (218) 894-2826, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COMAUG 9: MANKATO: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 601-1169, MOTOKAZIE.COMAUG 16: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COMAUG 16: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 679-2582, BERMBENDERSRACEWAY.COMAUG 23: BROOKSTON: ECHO VALLEY MOTOCROSS PARK, (218) 348-4754, ECHOVALLEYMOTOCROSS.COMAUG 30: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COMAUG 30: LITTLE FALLS: MOTO CITY RACEWAY & RECREATION INC, (218) 894-2826, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COMOBSERVED TRIALSAUG 15: GILBERT: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (612) 730-1770, UMTA.ORGAUG 16: GILBERT: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (612) 730-1770, UMTA.ORG
MISSOURIRECREATIONAL
ROAD RUNAUG 16: COTTLEVILLE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORGCOMPETITION
MOTOCROSSAUG 30: OLD APPLETON: SKY HIGH MX LLC, (573) 768-9289, SKYHIGHMX.COM
MONTANAAUG 9: BILLINGS: BILLINGS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, BILLINGSMOTORCYCLECLUB.US
NEBRASKARECREATIONAL
ROAD RALLYAUG 6: FRANKLIN: NEBRASKA BMW NIGHT RIDERS, (402) 499-4876
NEVADACOMPETITION
HARE & HOUNDAUG 22: LAS VEGAS: SILVER STATE TRAILBLAZERS, (702) 994-6823
NEW HAMPSHIRERECREATIONAL
ROAD RALLYAUG 20: LINCOLN: WESTCHESTER BEEMERS MC, (203) 912-2794, TRIOTOUR.ORG
NEW JERSEYPOKER RUNAUG 9: HOPE: KNIGHTS OF FIRE 3 NEW JERSEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (908) 459-4101ROAD RALLYAUG 9: MIDDLESEX: AMERICAN LEGION POST #306 SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, (908) 482-1559COMPETITION
ENDUROAUG 30: MAURICETOWN: COMPETITION DIRT RIDERS, (609) 319-7496, ECEA.ORG
NEW MEXICOHARE SCRAMBLES
AUG 22: CUBA: 2 DAY EVENT, AERODYNE PROMOTIONS, LLC/ GAS-IT OFF ROAD RACING, (505) 250-7270, GASITOFFROAD.COM
NEW YORKRECREATIONAL
DICE RUNAUG 9: HAVERSTON: SECOND GENERATION MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION, INC., (914) 393-7770, SECONDGENERATIONMA.ORGDUAL SPORT RIDEAUG 1: HANCOCK: 2 DAY EVENT, BEAR CREEK SPORTSMEN, BEARCREEKSPORTSMEN.COMPOKER RUNAUG 9: HOPEWELL JUNCTION: YONKERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (914) 906-5290, YONKERSMOTORCYCLECLUB.NETAUG 9: HOPEWELL JUNCTION: YONKERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (914) 906-5290, YONKERMOTORCYCLE.NETAUG 23: GENESEO: CONESUS LAKE RIDERS MC, (585) 261-3205ROAD RUNAUG 2: CENTRAL VALLEY: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORGAUG 9: BRONX: BLUE KNIGHTS INTERNATIONAL LE MC CHAPTER NY 2, (917) 295-8845, BLUEKNIGHTSNY2.ORGROAD RALLYAUG 15: 2 DAY EVENT, CELTIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (914) 924-2170, CELTICMCC.COMTRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL
AUG 16: E QUOGUE: LONG ISLAND RECREATIONAL TRAILS CONSERVANCY, (631) 928-1153COMPETITION
ENDUROAUG 15: BERKSHIRE: ITHACA DIRT RIDERS INC., (607) 657-8248, ITHACADIRTRIDERS.COMAUG 16: BERKSHIRE: ITHACA DIRT RIDERS INC., (607) 657-8248, ITHACADIRTRIDERS.COMHARE SCRAMBLESAUG 22: ANDOVER: 2 DAY EVENT, ARCADIA BARK BUSTER, (315) 359-3435, ARCADIABARKBUSTERS.COMMOTOCROSSAUG 7: NEW BERLIN: UNADILLA ENTERPRISES, LLC., (607) 965-8450, UNADILLAMX.COMAUG 16: (Includes ATVs) AUBURN: FROZEN OCEAN MOTOCROSS INC, (315) 784-5466, FROZEN-OCEAN.COMAUG 23: (Includes ATVs) MAPLE VIEW: SMX ASSOCIATES LLC, (315) 480-7733, MOTOMASTERS.COMOBSERVED TRIALSAUG 2: LAKEMONT: DISTRICT 4 TRIALS COMMITTEE, (315) 945-2866, DISTRIC4TRIALS.COMAUG 16: LOCKE: DISTRICT 4 TRIALS COMMITTEE, (315) 497-3268, DISTRIC4TRIALS.COMSHORT TRACKAUG 15: (Includes ATVs) PORT CRANE: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 725-3069, SQUAREDEALRIDERS.COM
NORTH CAROLINA
RECREATIONAL
ROAD RUNAUG 23: FLETCHER: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORGCOMPETITION
MOTOCROSSAUG 23: (Includes ATVs) SANFORD: DEVILS RIDGE MX, (919) 776-1767, DEVILSRIDGEMOTOX.COMAUG 30: (Includes ATVs) IRON STATION: IRON STATION MOTORSPORTS, INC., ALLANEMOTORSPORTS.COM
OHIORECREATIONAL
CRUISE-INAUG 1: WILMINGTON: ABATE OF OHIO, INC., (937) 302-6232, ABATE.COMDUAL SPORT RIDEAUG 9: ZANESVILLE: ZANESVILLE TRAIL RIDERS, (740) 819-6416, ZANESVILLETRAILRIDERS.COMDUAL SPORT-OFF ROADAUG 2: LOGAN: HOCKING VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (740) 385-7695, HOCKINGVALLEYMC.COMAUG 8: TORONTO: OHIO VALLEY BSA OWNERS CLUB, (724) 945-6018POKER RUNAUG 8: FAIRBORN: ABATE OF OHIO, INC., (937) 626-6958, ABATE.COMROAD RUNAUG 8: GALLOWAY: ABATE OF OHIO, INC., (614) 332-0189, ABATE.COMROAD RALLYAUG 28: MARIETTA: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION SWAP MEETSAUG 7: TORONTO: OHIO VALLEY BSA OWNERS CLUB, (724) 945-6018COMPETITION
ENDUROAUG 2: LOGAN: HOCKING VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (740) 385-7695, HOCKINGVALLEYMC.COMAUG 30: MCARTHUR: ENDURO RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (614) 582-7821, ENDURORIDERS.COMHILLCLIMBAUG 7: (Includes ATVs) WATERFORD: PIONEER MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (740) 678-0082, PIONEERMOTORCYCLECLUB.COMMOTOCROSSAUG 2: BLANCHESTER: DIRT COUNTRY, (513) 625-7350, DIRTCOUNTRYMX.COMAUG 9: DAYTON: DAYTON MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., DAYTONMC.COMAUG 23: DAYTON: DAYTON MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., DAYTONMC.COM
OKLAHOMA1/2 MILE DIRT TRACKAUG 28: (Includes ATVs) MUSKOGEE: 2 DAY EVENT, SD RACING, (832) 877-0800, EDTRACING.COM
OREGONRECREATIONAL
ADVENTURE RIDEAUG 15: TILLAMOOK: 2 DAY EVENT,
AUGUST EVENTS
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AUGUST EVENTS
The AMA Beta National Dual-Sport Series features the country’s best organized dual-sport rides. Events include miles of well marked, challenging trail connected by scenic backcountry roads. The challenging, national caliber terrain is designed to bring out the best in each rider.
/AMADualSport
AmericanMotorcyclist.com aRiding a Dual Sport
Official Boot
Supporting Sponsors
Presented by
#AMADualSport
0615_AMA_Beta_Natl_Dual_Sport_Series.indd 1 4/21/15 10:52 AM
NORTHWEST TOUR & TRAIL, (503) 681-8881, BLACKDOGDUALSPORT.COMDUAL SPORT RIDEAUG 15: TILLAMOOK: 2 DAY EVENT, NORTHWEST TOUR & TRAIL, (503) 681-8881, BLACKDOGDUALSPORT.COM
PENNSYLVANIACARNIVAL RUNAUG 16: SCHUYLKILL HAVEN: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 385-1460AUG 16: YORK: YORK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, YORKMOTORCYCLE.COMAUG 23: NEW PROVIDENCE: GENTLEMEN MC SPORTSMEN, (717) 284-2270POKER RUNAUG 2: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (717) 270-9797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COMAUG 16: KRESGEVILLE: ZINC CITY MC, (570) 992-4214AUG 23: REAMSTOWN: GARDEN SPOT MC, (717) 336-5451, GARDENSPOTMC.COMROAD RUNAUG 2: HARMONY: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION, (828) 665-6891, RIDEFORKIDS.ORGROAD RALLYAUG 14: SPRING GROVE: WHITE ROSE MC, (717) 229-2621, WHITEROSE.ORGCOMPETITION
ENDUROAUG 9: THREE SPRINGS: GREEN MARBLE ENDURO RIDERS, (301) 865-0779, GMER.USHARE SCRAMBLESAUG 1: CATAWISSA: 2 DAY EVENT, HIGH MOUNTAIN DIRT RIDERS, (570) 954-7799, HMDR.ORGAUG 16: (Includes ATVs) PLYMOUTH: BACK MOUNTAIN ENDURO RIDERS, (570) 675-1814, BMER.ORGMOTOCROSSAUG 15: BIRDSBORO: 2 DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMC.ORGAUG 16: SEWARD: PLEASURE VALLEY RACEWAY, (814) 317-6686, PVRMX.COMAUG 23: FREDERICKSBURG: SLEEPY HOLLOW MOTO CROSS, (717) 639-5988, SLEEPYMX.COMAUG 30: BERWICK: EVANSVILLE MOTOCROSS PARK, LLC., (570) 759-2841, EVANSVILLEMXPARK.COMOBSERVED TRIALSAUG 2: MARYSVILLE: TRICKY TRYALERS MC, (717) 580-1272SHORT TRACKAUG 1: (Includes ATVs) SPRING RUN: PATH VALLEY SPEEDWAY, (717) 368-5902, PATHVALLEY.COMAUG 8: (Includes ATVs) READING: SHIPPENSBURG MC, (717) 796-0294, BAERMOTORSPORTS.COM
SOUTH DAKOTA
RECREATIONAL
ROAD RUNAUG 3: STURGIS: CITY OF STURGIS RALLY DEPARTMENT, (605) 720-0800, STURGISMOTORCYCLERALLY.COMAUG 5: STURGIS: CITY OF STURGIS RALLY DEPARTMENT, (605) 720-0800, STURGISMOTORCYCLERALLY.COMDUAL SPORT RIDEAUG 1: VICINITY OF PIONEER: 2 DAY EVENT, RACERS UNDER THE SON NORTH (RUTS-NORTH), (916) 276-7226, RUTSNORTH.ORG
TENNESSEECOMPETITION
ENDUROAUG 15: SEQUATCHIE: 2 DAY EVENT, SOUTHEASTERN TRIALS RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (423) 942-8688, TENNESSEEKNOCKOUTENDURO.COMMOTOCROSSAUG 8: (ATV only) HURRICANE MILLS: 2 DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-0084, ATVMOTOCROSS.COM
TEXASAUG 8: WORTHAM: FREESTONE COUNTY RACEWAY, LLC., (713) 962-3386, FREESTONEMX.COM
UTAHAUG 14: (Includes ATVs) TOOELE: MILLER MOTORSPORTS PARK, (435) 277-8000, MILLERMOTORSPORTSPARK.COMRECORD TRIALSAUG 30: WENDOVER: DELICIATE PROMOTIONS LLC, (530) 263-7276, BONNEVILLESPEEDTRIALS.COM
VIRGINIAGRAND PRIXAUG 16: MARTINSVILLE: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (276) 632-5931, VCHSS.ORGAUG 30: RURAL RETREAT: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (276) 613-1239, VCHSS.ORG
WASHINGTONRECREATIONAL
POKER RUNAUG 1: SPOKANE VALLEY: NORTHWEST CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (509) 294-1249ROAD RALLYAUG 14: CLAYTON: NORTHWEST CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (508) 294-1249
WEST VIRGINIACOMPETITION
MOTOCROSSAUG 22: HEDGESVILLE: TOMAHAWK MX, LLC, (304) 582-8185, TOMAHAWKMX.COM
WISCONSINRECREATIONAL
ROAD RALLYAUG 13: DODGEVILLE: RETREAD MOTORCYCLE INTERNATIONAL
INC. NORTH CENTRAL, (651) 459-4664
COMPETITION
1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK
AUG 1: (Includes ATVs) STURGEON BAY: DOOR COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION, (920) 743-5304, DOORCOUNTYFAIR.COM
AUG 8: (Includes ATVs) JUNEAU: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB, INC., (920) 885-3586, DODGECOUNTYFAIRGROUNDS.COM
AUG 22: (Includes ATVs) UNITY: RIB MOUNTAIN RIDERS MC, INC., (715) 693-3856, RACECWR.COM
AUG 23: WAUSAU: 525 SPORTS, (715) 571-0540, AUGUSTOHFEST.COM
AUG 29: OSHKOSH: SOUTHEASTERN SHORT TRACKERS, LTD, (414) 303-1331, DAIRYLANDCLASSIC.COM/OSHKOSH
HILLCLIMB
AUG 2: (Includes ATVs) HIXTON: CMJ RACEWAY LLC, (608) 220-6853, CMJRACEWAY.COM
HARE SCRAMBLES
AUG 2: HIXTON: CMJ RACEWAY LLC, (608) 220-6853, CMJRACEWAY.COM
AUG 29: HUSTLER: CMJ RACEWAY LLC, (608) 220-6853, CMJRACEWAY.COM
AUG 30: KETTLE MORAINE SPORT RIDERS
MOTOCROSS
AUG 9: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 790-6211, AZTALANMX.COM
AUG 22: TIGERTON: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-2863, FANTASYMOTO.COM
AUG 28: HIXTON: CMJ RACEWAY LLC, (608) 220-6853, CMJRACEWAY.COM
AUG 29: HIXTON: CMJ RACEWAY LLC, (608) 220-6853, CMJRACEWAY.COM
AUG 30: WITTENBERBER: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-2863, FANTASYMOTO.COM
OBSERVED TRIALS
AUG 15: CUBA CITY: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG
AUG 16: CUBA CITY: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (920) 229-5365, WISCONSINTRIALS.ORG
SHORT TRACK
AUG 15: (Includes ATVs) LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 531-3945, AZTALANMX.COM
AUG 16: (Includes ATVs) LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 531-3945, AZTALANMX.COM
WYOMING
OBSERVED TRIALS
AUG 8: MIDWEST: 2 DAY EVENT, WYOMING MOTORCYCLE TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (307) 247-1820, WMTA.US
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MOTOCROSS
MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS
FIM-LIVE.COM
Sept. 26-27: Ernee, France
FIM MXGP / MX2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
FIM-LIVE.COM
Sept. 20: San Bernardino, Calif.: Glen Helen Raceway
FIM JUNIOR MOTOCROSS WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP FIM-LIVE.COM
July 19: El Molar, Spain
MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS
AMASUPERCROSS.COM
MONSTER ENERGY CUP
Oct. 17: Las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium
LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS
CHAMPIONSHIPPROMOTOCROSS.COM
July 18: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek National
July 25: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal National
Aug. 8: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla National
Aug. 15: Tooele, Utah: Utah National
Aug. 22: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Indiana National
WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
RACEWMX.COM
Aug. 21: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman National
MTN. DEW AMA ATV NATIONAL MOTOCROSS
ATVMOTOCROSS.COM
July 25-26: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud
August 8-9: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn’s
AMA PROAM MOTOCROSS EVENTS
AMARACING.COM
July 18-22: Ponca City, Okla.: Ponca City MX, MotocrossLeagueOf America.com, (205) 699-8857
July 19: Wytheville, Va.: Pro Sport Motocross, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497
Sept. 5-7: Millington, Mich.: Baja Acres (Pro-Am Classes race only on Sunday), BajaAcres.com, (989) 871-3356
September 5-6: Maize, Kansas: Bar 2 Bar Mx, MotocrossLeagueOf America.com, (205) 699-8857
Sept. 6: Wytheville, Va.: Pro Sport Motocross, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497
Sept.12-13: Reynolds, Ga.: Silver Dollar MX, MotocrossLeague OfAmerica.com, (205) 699-8857
Sept. 13: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497
Sept. 13: Lake Hills, Wis.: Aztalan Cycle Club, AztalanMX.com, (815) 790-6211
Sept. 19-20: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek Motocross, MamaMX.com
Sept. 20: Hamer, S.C.: South of the Border, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497
Sept. 26-27: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek, SpringCreekMX.com, (507) 753-2779
Sept. 27: Dalton, Ga.: Lazy River Motocross, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497
Sept. 27: Shippensburg, Pa.: Doublin Gap, Doublingap.com, (717) 249-6036
Sept. 27: Millville, N.J.: njmpfod.com, (856) 765-3799
Sept. 30-Oct. 4: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Prairie City MX, AmpGFImotocross.com, (209) 656-9683
Oct. 3-4: Englishtown, N.J.: Raceway Park, RacewayPark.com, (732) 446-7800
Oct. 10-11: Duquoin, Ill.: Indian Hills Motocross, MotocrossLeague OfAmerica.com, (205) 699-8857
Oct. 10-11: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek, Victory-Sports.com, (423) 323-5497
Oct. 10-11: Tallassee, Ala.: Monster Mountain, MonsterMX.com, (334) 318-8475
Oct. 11: Birdsboro, Pa.: Pagoda Motorcycle Club, PagodaMC.org, (610) 582-3717
Oct. 26-27: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trails Motocross, MotocrossLeague OfAmerica.com, (205) 699-8857
Nov. 7: Pell City, Ala.: Mill Creek Motocross Park, RPMSportsOnline.com, (205) 699-8857
Nov. 23-25: Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park, UnlimitedSportsMX.com, (312) 689-3461
Nov. 26-28: Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park, UnlimitedSportsMX.com, (312) 689-3461
Dec. 5-6: Buckeye, Ariz.: Arizona Cycle Park, AZopen.com, (623) 853-0750
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV/MC
AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL MOTOCROSS
CHAMPIONSHIPMXSPORTS.COM
July 26-Aug. 1: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
DIRT TRACK
AMA PRO FLAT TRACKAMAPRORACING.COM
Aug. 1: Castle Rock, Wash.: Castle Rock TT
Aug. 4: Rapid City, S.D.: Black Hills Half-Mile
Aug. 16: Peoria, Ill.: Peoria TT
Aug. 29: Charlotte, N.C.: Don Tilley Memorial Charlotte Half-Mile
Sept. 6: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile II
Sept. 19: Delmar, Del.: Roar on the Shore Half-Mile
Sept. 26: Calistoga, Calif.: Calistoga Half-Mile
Oct. 10: Pomona, Calif.: Flat Track Season Finale
AMA VINTAGE DIRT TRACK NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIESAMARACING.COM
Aug. 8: Indianapolis, Ind.: Marion County Fairgrounds, Short Track
Aug. 29: Oshkosh, Wis.: Oshkosh Speedzone, 3/8 Mile
Sept. 5: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds, Short Track
Sept. 26: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: Short Track
Sept. 27: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: Short Track
AMA SPEEDWAY NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIESAMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Aug. 8: City of Industry, Calif.: Industry Hills Expo Center
Sept. 18: Auburn, Calif.: Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway
FEATURED SERIES:
AMA ALL-STAR NATIONAL FLAT TRACK
SERIESSTEVENACERACING.COM
Aug. 5: Sturgis, S.D.: Sturgis Fairgrounds, Half Mile
Aug. 15: Lewistown, Ill.: Spoon River Speedway, Short Track
Sept. 5: Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Fairgrounds, Short Track
Sept. 26: York, Pa.: York Expo Center, Half Mile
ROAD RACE
FIM ROAD RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX (MOTOGP)
FIM-LIVE.COMMOTOGP.COM
Aug. 7-9: Indianapolis, Ind.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
2015 EVENTS
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2015 EVENTS
FIM WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
FIM-LIVE.COM | WORLDSBK.COM
July 17-19: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
MOTOAMERICA ROAD RACING SERIESMOTOAMERICA.COM
July 17-19: Monterey, Calif.: Laguna Seca – WSBK support races
August 7-9: Indianapolis, Ind.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway - MotoGP support races
Sept. 11-13: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park
AMA ROAD RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPAMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM
Sept. 19-20: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway
OFF-ROAD
INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS ENDURO (ISDE)
FIM-LIVE.COM
Sept. 7-12: Kosice, Slovakia
FIM TRIAL DES NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM
Sept. 19-20: Tarragona, Spain
FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
FIM-LIVE.COM
July 25-26: West Greenwich, R.I.: Steppingstone Ranch
KENDA AMA NATIONAL ENDURO, PRESENTED
BY MOOSE RACINGNATIONALENDURO.COM
July 26: Cross Fork, Pa.: Brandywine Enduro Riders, BER.us
Aug. 23: Moorestown, Mich.: Lansing Motorcycle Club, LansingMotorcycleClub.org
Sept. 27: Lynnville, Ind.: Lynnville Area Dirt Riders Inc., LADirtRiders.com
Oct. 11: Matthews, Ind.: Muddobbers MC, MuddobbersMC.org
GEICO AMA ENDUROCROSSENDUROCROSS.COM
Sept. 26: Sacramento, Calif.: Sleep Train Arena
Oct. 3: Denver, Colo.: National Western Complex
Oct. 17: Everett, Wash.: XFINITY Arena
Nov. 7: Boise, Idaho: Ford Idaho Center
Nov. 21-22: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Business Bank Arena
AMSOIL AMA GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES
GNCCRACING.COM
Sept. 19-20: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla
Oct. 3-4: Somerset, Pa.: Moutain Ridge
Oct. 17-18: St. Clairsville, Ohio: Powerline Park
Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Crawfordsville, Ind.: Ironman
KENDA SRT AMA NATIONAL HARE AND
HOUND CHAMPIONSHIP NATIONALHAREANDHOUND.COM
Aug. 22: Panaca, Nev.: Silver State Trail Blazers
Oct. 24-25: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: 100s MC, 100smc.com
AIRES AMA/NATC MOTOTRIALS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
AMARACING.COM | MOTOTRIALS.COM
Aug. 8-9: Casper, Wyo. (West)
Youth Nationals and Women’s Open
Aug. 11-13: Howard, Colo.: ItsOffroad.com (West)
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Aug. 1 (Youth & UTVs) | Aug. 2 (Adult ATVs): Eddyville, Iowa
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July 19: Odessa, N.Y.: Seneca Highland
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Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen MC Inc.
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2015 EVENTS
Sept. 26-27: Wabeno, Wis.: Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders
Oct. 3-4: McArthur, Ohio: Enduro Riders Association
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Oct. 24-25: Payson, Ariz.: Arizona Trail Riders
Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Tri-County Sportsmen MC Inc.
Nov. 27-28: Palmdale, Calif.: AMA District 37 Dual Sport
Dec. 12: Tucson, Ariz.: Tucson Dual Sport LLC
AMA NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
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The Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally Sept. 16-20: Ruidoso, N.M.: MotorcycleRally.com
AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS
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Jan. 1-Dec. 15: Best 15 U.S. Roads Challenge: SC-MA.com, [email protected], (562) 298-6236
Jan. 1-Dec. 15: USA Four Corners Tour: SC-MA.com, [email protected], (562) 298-6236
April 1-Oct. 31: Tour of Honor: TourOfHonor.com
Sept. 3-7: Three Flags Classic: SC-MA.com, [email protected], (562) 298-6236
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37th Annual National Bikers Roundup Aug. 5-9: Hartsville, S.C.: nbrkcmo.com
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The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
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Founder’s Hall: Honoring the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s generous contributors.
The Birth of a Hurricane: How AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Craig Vetter reimagined BSA for an American market.
Sam Swope: Philanthropist, Motorcyclist: Motorcycles that represent the generous, charitable giving of Sam Swope.
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GUEST COLUMN
NATURAL EXPOSURE
Woods Riding Revitalizes, Recharges
by Jason Ledbetter The canopy of the old growth forest was
so thick, making it so dark, that my KTM’s headlight actually was useful for lighting the trail during the middle of the day. Huge moss-covered rocks, the size of small cars, lay deposited around the forest by ancient glaciers. A few rays of light were beaming through the leaves. It had rained the day before, and the forest was lush and green, accentuated by occasional spots of vivid oranges and yellows from mushrooms, and fl ashes of purple and white wildfl owers.
The natural beauty distracted me from concentrating on riding the trail. My body was worn and sore from riding, but I felt fantastic. It was a formative moment.
That was on the fourth day of riding at the 2014 Six Days of Michigan, just east of Newberry, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I’m sure many other riders saw the same thing that day. Maybe some riders also noticed the vivid forest.
On other occasions after I’ve been woods riding, I have felt really great. I just cannot say the same for just riding at home on open land. Riding off -road motorcycles is always exhilarating, but practicing in a fi eld hasn’t ever made me feel fantastic the same way that riding on deep, dark forest trails has.
A few weeks ago, hectic schedules and kids caused me to miss the gym. Normally, I like to run on a treadmill so I can quantify my time and distance. It was then my lovely wife said to me, “Why don’t you just do your running in the neighbor’s woods? It’s supposed to be healthier than running on a treadmill. You breathe in the natural chemicals from the trees. I heard it on the radio.” My initial reaction was that was hogwash, but I tried it since I couldn’t make the gym. Anyway, it saved me the $12 gym fee.
Afterward, I felt fantastic.Thinking back to my experience in the
old growth forest in the Upper Peninsula, and how great I felt then, I started thinking that maybe that’s why it feels so awesome to go woods riding. Maybe there’s something more to being in a forest.
The Japanese already have a word for healthy forest immersion: shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. The working theory
is that trees emit gaseous chemicals called phytoncides also known as wood essential oils. Trees use these anti-microbial chemicals as a natural defense against disease and insects. The eff ects arguably do not stop with the trees. In humans, exposure to these volatile organic compounds supposedly causes a signifi cant increase in the activity of immune system cells.
Researchers in Japan have studied the eff ects of phytoncides, and have found benefi cial eff ects. Some have even exposed people to phytoncides artifi cially, using humidifi ers, and have confi rmed the results. (Many of these studies can be found in January 2010 volume of The Journal of Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, or simply search online for “phytoncides.”)
Further, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has an online article titled “Immerse Yourself in a Forest for Better Health,” and they have published wide-ranging health benefi ts of forest immersion and links to the supporting studies. Various eff ects cited include: boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, improving mood, increasing focus, accelerating recovery, increased energy level and improved sleep.
One of my favorite studies is from our home peninsula. The University of Michigan found that cognitive abilities increased from being surrounded by a forest or by looking at pictures of nature. Researchers controlled for every possibility: they tried happy people, sad people, warm weather, cold weather, pictures of cities, pictures of cities with trees (like Ann Arbor), testing at diff erent times of day and night, diff erent seasons and so on. What they determined is that exposure to the forest and nature causes an increase in cognitive ability.
Humans can sense the benefi ts of being in the forest. We experience those benefi ts as a great feeling. That’s why it feels so great to be out woods riding. I believe it’s not only the physical and mental challenge of riding the motorcycle, or the complex technical challenge of preparing the motorcycle that draws us to this sport, but also the forest itself.
Regardless of the reason, I am convinced. This is not hogwash. I can say confi dently that riding my dirt bike in forests has a defi nite health benefi t. Now, would anyone like to join me for a therapy session?
Jason Ledbetter is an AMA member from Ypsilanti, Mich.
2015 INDUCTION CEREMONY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015ORLANDO, FLORIDA
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2015 INDUCTION CEREMONY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Buy your tickets now at www.MotorcycleMuseum.org
or call (800) 262-5646
Kenny Roberts 2011 Hall of Fame Legend
Bob Fox (Fox Racing Shox) and Geoff Fox (Fox Racing)
Class of 2009
Ricky Carmichael Class of 2013
Willie G. Davidson 2014 Hall of Fame Legend
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101490_H01_AHMO0213Leo BurnettFebruary 18, 2014 12:10 PMGM
Client: AllstateCampaign: 2014 Moto Print Agency Job #: 610-ALMOTMG4001AD #/AD ID: AHMO0213Date Modifi ed: 02/18/14 12:10 PMCR: AD Round:
Bleed: 9.25” x 11.875”Trim: 7.625” x 10.5”Live: 6.75” x 9.25”
Keyline Scale: 1”= 1”Output at: 100%Page: 1 of 1
Region: USLanguage: EnglishNotes: None
ECD: C. Wickman CD: S. Block AD: A. Prewozniak P: D. Varichak AM: L. Hunter BM: D. Block CW: J. Tisser, B. Jenkins, J. Regan
NOT TO BE USED FOR COLOR APPROVAL
People say riding a motorcycle is dangerous. But for those who can’t imaginelife without two wheels, NOT RIDING A MOTORCYCLE IS DANGEROUS.That’s why Allstate offers protection with one purpose: to keep riders riding.
LOCAL AGENT
877-361-BIKE
ALLSTATE.COM
Subject to terms, conditions, availability and qualifi cations. New Motorcycle Replacement is an optional coverage. Claims will be settled based on customer choice to obtain original equipment manufacturer parts for their bike make and model. Actual savings will vary and may depend on coverages selected. Allstate Indemnity Company, Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL and Allstate New Jersey Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Bridgewater, NJ. © 2014 Allstate Insurance Company
James Claeys, Seattle, member of the Bad Chickens Motorcycle Club,on a 2014 Indian® Chief® Vintage through Lebec, CA
STAYCATIONSAREDANGEROUS.
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