American Motorcyclist March 2022 by American Motorcyclist Association

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V O L U M E

6 PERSPECTIVES Editorial Director Mitch Boehm on the Spring recharge 10 AMA INSIDER Two-stroke tweaking on AMA COO James Holter’s Yamaha YZ125 14 BACK IN THE DAY Where the photos are blurry but the memories are clear! 16 PERIL AT THE PUMP Ethanol-based fuels: Harmful to your bike and very often mislabeled 22 MALCOLM’S MOMENTS Malcolm Smith discovers the art of “bulldozer borrowage” in San Bernardino 26 COVER STORY: 2-STROKE SUPERBIKES OF THE 1970s Celebrating 50 years of Kawasaki’s 1972 Mach IV H2, plus fond looks back at Kawasaki’s H1, Suzuki’s GT750 LeMans and Yamaha’s RD350

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N U M B E R

44 CAN’T-MISS EVENTS 2022 17 things you just gotta do this coming season 56 STRIDER BIKES CEO RYAN McFARLAND The AMA’s 2021 Bessie Stringfield Award winner 70 AMA GARAGE Tips, tweaks, fixes and facts: The motorcycle ownership experience, explained 74 LAST PAGE The Sturgis Rally: The Way We Were ON THE COVER: We are not sure at all what the rider of Kawasaki’s 1972 Mach IV was wearing while flying through space in this original brochure image (a plastic rainsuit, perhaps?), but it’s riveting nonetheless — and is the perfect launch for this issue’s 2-Stroke Superbikes of the ’70s cover story. The ring-ding bluesmoke fun begins on page 26!

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AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mitch Boehm Editorial Director Todd Westover Creative Director Joy Burgess Managing Editor Kali Kotoski Editor-at-Large Keaton Maisano Communications Associate Chad Fulton Graphic Designer Alice Sexton Graphic Designer submissions@ama-cycle.org

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Russ Ehnes Chair Great Falls, Mont. Gary Pontius Vice Chair Westfield, Ind. Byron Snider Assistant Treasurer Newbury Park, Calif. Jerry Abboud Executive Committee Member Thornton, Colo. Brad Baumert Louisville, Ky.

Steve Gotoski Director of Industry Relations and Business Memberships (951) 491-1910, sgotoski@ama-cycle.org Forrest Hayashi Advertising Manager (562) 766-9061, fhayashi@ama-cycle.org Lynette Cox Marketing Manager (614) 856-1900, ext. 1223, lcox@ama-cycle.org All trademarks used herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned by the AMA and may only be used with the express, written permission of the AMA. American Motorcyclist is the monthly publication of the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents motorcyclists nationwide. For information on AMA membership benefits, call (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2021.

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MUSEUM RACING AND ORGANIZER SERVICES Mike Pelletier Director of Racing Bill Cumbow Director of International Competition Michael Burkeen Deputy Director of Racing Erek Kudla Off-Road Racing Manager Ken Saillant Track Racing Manager Alexandria Kovacs Program Manager Connie Fleming Supercross/FIM Coordinator Olivia Davis Racing Coordinator

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American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly (12 issues) by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147. Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2021. Printed in USA. Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $19.95 covered in membership dues. Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147. Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices. AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

PERSPECTIVES

BACK IN THE DAY, BABY BY MITCH BOEHM

ack in 1976, the year I jumped from minis to the then-popular 100cc division on a Yamaha YZ100C monoshocker, I somehow ended up on the cover of a little black-and-white regional motocross newspaper called Ohio Cycle. It wasn’t me they were featuring, but a local — and very fast — racer named Harold Robison who’d just passed me for the lead on a track called Dusty’s Trails. But there I was, leg out and leaned over and looking good in my Scott Facemask, beige Karsmakers-replica Bates leathers and perforated yellow Yamaha jersey with my sponsor — Cleveland Motorcycle Supply — heat-transferred on the front. Despite the paper’s tiny circulation, being a cover boy was thrilling for me, and even more so than the Elyria Chronicle Telegram clipping I’d appeared in the year before that showed me flying through the air on my XR75 while practicing at a local industrial park near my home in nearby North Ridgeville, Ohio. The bottom lines on all this are these: One, it’s thrilling to appear in just about any sort of publication this side of a Most Wanted poster; and two, with the advent of social media, we can post and share all those back-in-the-day images with friends and family and personal networks as much as we want — all of which keeps those wonderful formative 6

experiences and golden motorcycling years alive and well and breathing. Current moto stuff is cool, for sure. But that old-school shot of you on that Honda Trail 70 in your backyard, or that image of you on the back of your dad’s Yamaha 650 chopper? Simply epic. And that pretty much explains the impetus behind our new Back In The Day section, which appears on page 14. Managing Editor Joy B. has been seeding our social media channels for this sort of BITD stuff for a while now, and the number

of responses we’ve been getting is stunning…so we figured if we liked it on Facebook and Instagram, members and readers would enjoy some of it in the pages of American Motorcyclist. And we’re quite sure you will, so be sure to check it out. Spring is coming, folks, along with the riding season. Can you feel it? We know you can! Enjoy the issue.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Need caption dozen of Hall of Famers. L to R: Bill Werner, Steve Morehead, Gunnar Lindstrom, Dave Zein, Chris Carr, Rita Coombs, Ryan Villopoto, Kenny Tolbert, Scott Plessinger, Anthony Bruno (Loretty Lynn’s grand

Mitch Boehm is the Editorial Director of the AMA

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INSIDER

DON’T FIGHT THE FEELING J A M E S H O LT E R

here are many reasons to ride motorcycles. The most memorable involve feelings…feelings of freedom, of nostalgia, of conquest, of companionship and serenity. Possibly even feelings of athletic heroism. This is why some of the bikes you’ve ridden you remember — just like some of the people you’ve met — more than others. They made you feel something. Want to feel like a pro? Race a pit bike. It requires line selection at full-throttle, conserving momentum, finding traction, hitting the lip, and timing to clear a measly 12-foot tabletop. Few have the skills to execute those decisions on a 450cc motocrosser. On a 110cc pit bike it’s reasonably achievable, and once you do it’s an unforgettable feeling. Last month we introduced a new section in these pages called, simply, “AMA Garage,” which will become a staple in American Motorcyclist going forward. In the section we’ll cover bikes (among other things) that make us feel a particular way. Most will not be techno-wonders, and maybe not even the best-in-class. Some might be old — vintage! — and others might even be slow, subjectively ugly or questionably sound. What these bikes do achieve are remarkable, unforgettable feelings, anything from humility to grandeur, and they do so in abundance. But we can always feel more, right? As motorcyclists, we know that part of the fun is defining that “more” in our own way — and making it happen. In AMA Garage we’ll cover practical ways to unlock more of the feelings that drew us to these bikes in the first place. 10

In my personal garage I have a few bikes, some runners and some projects. The two that get ridden the most are an adventure bike and a vintage enduro bike. Each inspires a particular feeling, and that’s why I keep them. One of the projects they share space with is a 2005 YZ125. This YZ never really was my motorcycle. I bought it for my secondoldest well before he became a Marine — and his service has been over for about a year. My fourtholdest rode it some, but mostly the bike has sat, taking up space. I never sold it because I stubbornly refused to divest myself of what many consider the representative standard of a bygone era: 125cc two-stroke motocross. As a runner, the YZ, sadly, was generally overlooked. And then came the pandemic. After moving into a new home this summer, my plan was to get a new off-road bike, probably a YZ250FX or a CRF250RX — maybe a Beta 390 RR-S. I’ve had modern four-strokes. They’re easy to ride, versatile and enormously capable. I was ready for another. Then, I went shopping, and realized that the supply chain issues we’ve read about were real. How real? The motorcycles I wanted to buy were nowhere to be bought. That’s serious! Just like that, I found myself looking squarely at that once-overlooked YZ. I bought this bike used. The previous owner had it, somewhat surprisingly, set up for off-road. It had a large fuel tank, skid plate and some other trail-friendly bolt-ons. Other than regular maintenance, I hadn’t done much. (My biggest mod was bolting on the forks and shock from

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Holter’s Yamaha YZ125: Before pic

a 2006 YZ250F, the year Yamaha introduced its much-lauded SSS technology.) I decided, for a fraction of the price of a new bike, I could give this YZ everything it needed so it could give me a feeling I remembered fondly: banging through gears, burning through clutch plates, chasing RPMs on a mission to achieve moto-hero status, if even only in my mind. Since that decision, my parts buys have included modern plastic, exhaust, silencer, graphics, a tall seat, handlebars, tires, sprockets, a chain, brake pads, a pipe guard, jets, grips, air filter and much more. Not sure if you’ll see my now-notso-overlooked YZ in AMA Garage (Pretty sure you will. —Ed.), but you will read about a range of other bikes from a lot of different corners of our sport — along with the parts and modifications that make them more exiting to ride. And that’s the feeling that really matters. James Holter is a Charter Life Member and the AMA’s chief operating officer.

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BACKFIRE S GARAGE LOVE Loved Mitch’s Garage Love column in the February issue. Those early’70s days in my shed at 12 years old with my QA50…an 80cc Yamaha… then a DT3 250…that’s where you learned what was what tinkering with your bikes. Fifty-plus years later, with a few years in between without a bike, my barn is my motorcycle haven. Just finished a 1980 Yamaha XS650 and am working on a Bultaco Alpina. And a few years ago I found a DT3, which is a constant reminder of the fun I had and continue to have learning and working on these pieces of art. My Dad was a mechanic and I learned a lot from him; I also wish he was still around to sit, watch and talk to while I work. My new KTM 350 is an awesome bike, but nothing compares to those late-’60s and early-’70s vintage bikes. My barn is where I can make sure they last so future generations can appreciate their beauty. Bill Charamut Wethersfield, Conn.

YOU ARE DEFINITELY NOT, DON! Okay, I can’t be the only one that digs American Motorcyclist now! You went all legit on us. Stepped up, and now we have a damn nice publication. Well done! Keep adding more! Don Wann Whittier, Calif.

PRESTON AND BAD BRAD With the recent passing of AMA Hall of Famer and legend Preston Petty, I wanted to share a candid shot he and fellow Hall of Famer Brad Lackey honored me with at the 50th anniversary Hodaka Days celebration in Athena, Ore. Brad was there as Grand Marshal, I believe, but the two of them were hanging out. I was with a childhood friend who had two parts Hodakas for swap

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LETTER OF THE MONTH SURVIVING THE RIDE erry King’s Survive The Ride column in your February issue was very much appreciated and needed as a constant reminder to the practicalities of motorcycle safety. I had the pleasure of working with this man many years ago on a small film

entitled Switch…he’s a true industry professional and early inspiration to my wanting to ride. Anyone who’s seen the movie Lords of Flatbush will remember his sequence with a young Sylvester Stallone on a rooftop where Chico (King, who rode a Harley Division Electra Glide throughout the film) states out loud, “I got a bike, I can go places, I can go places!” Boy did that stick with me and help send me on my way years later riding throughout the U.S. Thanks for sharing that piece. If everyone on the road (not just bikers) followed King’s advice, the world would be a safer place. Remember, “Anything that happens (out there on the road) is your fault.” Joe Zimmerman Sherman Oaks, Calif. Letters to the editor are the opinions of the AMA members who write them. Inclusion here does not imply they reflect the positions of the AMA, its staff or board. Agree? Disagree? Let us know. Send letters to submissions@ama-cycle.org or mail to American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147. Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity.

meet consideration, and Preston was happy to throw a leg over. Brad and Preston were an absolute hoot to visit with. Ben Getz

pleasure of watching him on and off the track. He was a great ambassador for the sport, and the last time I saw him at Barber Motorsports Park — where he was Grand Marshal — it was fun seeing him enjoy old friends and being around the racetrack once again. BTW, I love the new format of the magazine and I now look forward once again to receiving a motorcycle magazine in the mail. Larry Coleman, HOF Inductee 2010 Chico, Calif.

RIP WES COOLEY We knew Wes was going to be a racer. Here we are on my dad’s bikes at Cotati Raceway in about 1959. Wes is on No. 28, with me on the other bike. Sad to hear of his passing. John Willburn Cayucos, Calif.. Thanks for remembering Wes Cooley in your January issue. I had the pleasure of getting to know Wes when I worked for Kal-Gard lubricants in the early eighties. I was also both sponsored by Kal-Gard and had the

FACTS MATTER You did it again! The January issue is another nostalgia issue. Two of the articles were about Wes Cooley and old Suzuki motocrossers. There is an old saying: Those that focus on the past have no future. Motorcycling has many serious problems, but especially that bikes are way too expensive. You need to cover these issues, and what to do about them. Doug Weir, AMA Life Member Hayden, Idaho

With all due respect, Doug, we do cover current and important events, lots of them, many in the magazine, but also on the website and on social media. BTW, the high price of motorcycles is not something we — or you — can do much about. If you want a cheap motorcycle, buy a used bike. Over the last few months, in the magazine alone, we have covered the issues of autonomous vehicles not seeing emergency vehicles (and motorcycles) and causing crashes; the great helmet debate; getting foreign riders into the country during COVID for Supercross racing that millions care about; the great Lead Uprising re: minibikes (which could have wiped out kids’ bikes totally); the battle for lane-sharing in several states; the Bonneville Salt Flats in peril; poorlysensored Red Traffic Lights being a hazard to motorcyclists; coaching training for new riders; and a wide range of other tidbits from our hardworking Government Relations crew. If that’s ignoring current issues, then I don’t know what planet we’re all on. Venus, maybe! Thanks for the note, btw. —Ed

BA CK IN TH E D A Y

Where the photos are blurry but the memories are clear!

t was midsummer 1979 and the gas shortage was in full swing. My girlfriend and I decided to ride my 1971 Norton Commando 200 miles north to Marriot’s Great America amusement park for the day and return that evening. It would be cheaper than driving the car, more fun, and her first time on a motorcycle.

The trip up was uneventful and the park was fun, but when we left that evening we couldn’t find any gas station in San Jose with fuel or without two-hour wait times to get fuel. We decided to try to make it to Salinas. We ran out of gas about 5 miles north of a town called Prunedale. We pushed/coasted it into town arriving about 10 p.m. Obviously, no gas stations opened until morning, so we found a motel for the night, chained the bike to the door (not the best neighborhood), called her parents (that was fun) and called it a night. After a trip like that all my girlfriend could say was how much fun she had; she was hooked on motorcycles! We got married the next year and a few years later she got her license and her own bike, a 1981 Yamaha Virago. We’re celebrating our 42nd wedding anniversary this year, we

are both AMA Charter Life Members, and we’re both still riding, though nowadays it is touring two-up on a Kawasaki Nomad or adventure riding on a Ural Gear Up. And we still have the Norton out in the garage next to the Virago. Ray Hull

Pics of my sweet 1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo, circa 1986, when I was trying to learn to lean. Ben Getz

My early riding experiences were in my teens (mid-1970s), well before any license was achieved. In rural upstate New York we’d take advantage of the short summers to grab a bike and just head out into the fields. I’d visit my pals Stan and Mel, and we’d take turns on their trail bikes. This photo was sometime around 1978 or ’79. These days (at 62) I’m content keeping both wheels on the ground. Alex Damon

Here, I’m getting ready for my first race. They called it the “Oh My God 100,” and you definitely said those words several times during the ride across the New Mexico desert. This would have been ’84 or ’85; I can’t remember now. I rode it every year for four years and for three of those I was the only female. Didn’t ever really place with the guys but I did manage to beat quite a few of them. I rode dirt for many years even after getting my street bike. I miss it but don’t think the bones would take a beating like they used to, Ha! Cynthia Warner

The year was 1974 and I had saved my lawn mowing money for this brand-new Harley-Davidson X90. I was 12 years old, so my dad had to make the purchase for me. What’s really hard to see in the picture is this is the exact moment my life changed forever! I’ve been riding ever since and have ridden more miles than I can count. Although my hair isn’t as long and my jeans aren’t quite as flared at the bottom, I still feel like that 12-year-old kid when I ride my motorcycles! Jeff Maddox

Submit your Back in the Day photos and stories to submissions@ama-cycle.org. Feel free to expound! Hi-rez images are preferred!

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Riding dirt bikes with Tommy Lee of Motley Crue late ’80s. Jerry Ledsinger

This is my mother back in 1973! I was 4 years old. Robb Elmore

My dad and uncle bought new Honda Mini Trails in 1969. The first picture is of my grandma JuNelle (red coat) and great grandma Goldie taking them for a spin. The second picture is of the same Mini Trail in 1983 with me on the front, my dad driving and my sister on the back. We all learned to ride on those Z50s. They were our “gateway drug” in many ways, and my brother and I both ride still and own multiple bikes. Amanda Hutcheson

Back in the day…here’s AMA Board of Directors member Christopher Cox in 1978. He’s 17 years old and pictured here in small engines class at Montgomery County Joint Vocational School. Eileen Cox

I first started riding at 8 years old, and this was my pride and joy — a 1975 Yamaha TY80. I earned all the money for it mowing lawns. Still love to do wheelies! Brad Chamberlain

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

up t o spe e d

News, notes, insight and more from the motorcycling universe

JEFF KARDAS

Peril at the Pump Ethanol-based fuels are not only harmful to motorcycle engines and the environment, they are often purposely mislabeled to keep consumers in the dark BY KALI KOTOSKI

ife is full of choices, but even at the gas station there can be bad ones if you’re not an informed motorcyclist. For carbureted motorcycles and bikes manufactured before 2001, ethanol-laced gasoline can have negative effects on the motorcycle’s fuel system without proper maintenance and storage. But it can lead to costly mishaps for more modern fuel-injected motorcycles, too. The big problem is that ethanollaced gasoline is virtually everywhere, as it’s found in 98 percent of the country, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Typically blended in at 10 percent ethanol, or E10, virtually every octane rating contains ethanol unless it is clearly 16

marked as NO ETHANOL ADDED or ETHANOL FREE or NON-ETHANOL. The labeling of ethanol-boosted and regular gas varies from state to state and supplier to supplier, making it even more confusing for the average citizen. Many would say that’s deliberately so, especially when talking about its polyonymous juiced-up cousin E15/Unleaded 88/88 Octane, which contains 15 percent ethanol and is illegal to be used in motorcycles, boat engines, lawn mowers and chainsaws, to name a few. Derived from corn primarily from the nation’s heartland, ethanolblended gasoline first gained prominence as an octane booster during fuel shortages during World

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

War II and, later, the 1970s oil crisis. But E10 wasn’t enshrined into the energy mix until the mid-2000s with the Energy and Policy Act of 2005, which established the Renewable Fuel Standard and, later, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. In 2009 E15 was approved to be sold only in winter months, and as of 2020 is available in 30 states at 2,300 fueling stations, according to federal data. The impetus for blending ethanol into gasoline is primarily twofold: shore up America’s energy independence and security following 9/11, and limit greenhouse-gas emissions. Today, the nearly $20 billion ethanol industry is a political dogfight, with politicians opposed

claiming it contributes to a loss of taxes due to generous incentives, while proponents say it has lowered prices at the pump. Meanwhile, environmentalists hate it and even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concluded in a 2019 report that it is making the air dirtier. Luckily, a 2019 EPA waiver to aid struggling farmers and allow E15 to be sold year-round — which the AMA fought against — was struck down by the courts, but only after the market was flooded with the stuff. The AMA argued that E15 could lead to misfuelling, void motorcycle warranties and cause engine failure and overheating, concerns that the EPA recognized as valid. While E15 is a whole can of worms politically and economically, and can be directly harmful to motorcycle engines, E10 still may damage motorcycles according to Chris Real, owner of DPS Technical, Inc. Real pointed out that fueling up with E10 isn’t a catastrophe for newer, fuel-injected motorcycles, but the danger for motorcycles burning any form of ethanol boils down to water. “The ethanol fuels are pretty good absorbers of water and that is where our root problem lies,” Real told

American Motorcyclist. “The corrosive effect that water has leaves the components open to degradation and deposits, which are especially bad for carbureted bikes.” Because gasoline has a volumetric expansion of 15 to 20 percent when it gets hot, it brings air and humidity into the tank — which finds its way into the fuel system — when it cools. While carburetors aren’t as

actually be very dangerous,” Real said. “Imagine you are coming off a stop light and the bike stalls because some crud blocked the nozzle.” Besides that, fuel pumps and fuel filters can also be damaged by a buildup of deposits. To mitigate the chance of a failure here, Real advises using a fuel stabilizer additive when parking any bike, or using non-ethanol fuel (available at

The labeling of ethanol-boosted and regular gas varies... making it even more confusing for the average citizen. Many would say that’s deliberately so, especially when talking about E15, which contains 15 percent ethanol and is illegal to be used in motorcycles. common as they once were, plenty of motorcycles still use them and motorcyclists know all too well how much of a pain they are to rebuild, and how expensive it is to have them rebuilt. But even for fuel-injected motorcycles, deposits from ethanol gasoline can have bad outcomes. “Mainly, for fuel injection systems, the sprayer nozzles are these tiny little holes that, if clogged, can

some stations) or even prepackaged ethanol-free chainsaw gasoline that can be found at hardware or home improvement stores. The prepackaged fuel is especially useful for vintage and carbureted bikes. Another concern with ethanollaced fuel is shelf life. Typically, corn gas has a shelf life of two to three months, while non-ethanol fuel is rated for six months. Besides using a fuel additive to keep the gas healthy,

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

u p t o s p eed Real advised keeping the tank filled to limit headspace for air and humidity to get in. Ethanol-laced fuels also drastically reduce fuel economy by 15 to 20 percent because they don’t have the same amount of latent stored energy, which results in substantially less power potential per volume. “Fuel economy is one of the main tradeoffs with ethanol fuel,” Real said. “We are being force-fed these fuels and we will have to contend with them.” Basically, he explained, for consumers to safeguard their motorcycles, they need to be aware of what they fill up with at the pump, of engine gasoline requirements, and also practice good storage and maintenance habits.

pump to better educate and warn consumers of what they’re putting in their bikes, and the data bears out that concern. Proponents of ethanolblended fuels who have clashed with the AMA claim that because it’s not approved for motorcycles, there is no concern. However, marketing gimmicks increased those concerns. Sure, unless the pump says no ethanol added, consumers are guaranteed to get an E10-level corn additive. But in recent years, that juiced-up cousin E15 has been deliberately labeled as

Above: A perfect example of misleading pump identification. The “Unleaded 88” option (blue panel) has higher octane and a lower price than the 87 octane stuff next to it (“Martha! Look at this great deal I found!”), but nowhere does it say it’s actually E15, or 15% ethanol, which is prohibited for motorcycle use and harmful to bikes. Right: Some stations sell ethanol-free fuel; get it when you can. Top: What you’ll get if you leave ethanol-laced fuel in your carbs for too long.

“If the manufacturer says the bike is all good on E10, groovy…until you store it. Definitely don’t use E15, and for sure don’t use that E85 flex-fuel stuff because that can park you,” he said, adding that consumers should be aware that E85 is 85 percent ethanol and commonly confused with E15. The AMA has been steadfast in its stance for proper labeling at the fuel 18

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST •

Unleaded 88 or 88 Octane (while E85 flex fuel is not clearly differentiated). Most of the time warning labels for gasoline with 15 or 85 percent ethanol are either missing, obscured, prone to falling off, or misleading. There is no reason whatsoever to label illegal and harmful E15 as “Unleaded 88” unless you’re actively trying to hide what it is from consumers. MARCH 2022

“No consistency. No clarity. No protection for the consumer,” the National Marine Manufacturers Association has said about these marketing gimmicks. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute has called it “disingenuous,” citing concerns of misfuelling and the need for improvements in pump labeling. A 2020 consumer study by the organization found that only 22 percent of consumers knew Unleaded 88 or 88 Octane was E15 in disguise! It also found that 64 percent of consumers assume that gas sold at the pump is safe for any engine. So, when filling up at the pump and storing your motorcycle, here are some general rules to follow: • Research the recommended fuel for your bike. If it says E10 is not recommended, don’t use it if you can help it (sometimes you can’t). • Pay attention to the labels. If it doesn’t say ethanol-free, you are getting 10 percent corn regardless of the octane level. • Never use the E85 flex fuel approved for certain passenger vehicles. • If it says 88 anywhere and is cheaper, remember that’s really just E15 with makeup. • Store your bike properly. Use fuel stabilizers, empty the carb bowls if possible, and keep a full tank for carbureted bikes. Pour in prepackaged ethanol-free fuel for fuel injected bikes. You can join the AMA’s fight to improve labeling and have warnings prominently displayed. Subscribe to the AMA’s Action Alerts at www. AmericanMotorcyclist.com/subscriberights.

TRAILBLAZIN’ LADIES All-woman off-road racing club aims to support female racers B Y K E AT O N M A I S A N O

elly Gouldthread didn’t have a lot of female racers to look up to growing up. But thanks to her current efforts, her daughters won’t face that same reality. Hoping to support female riders, Gouldthread established the Women’s Dirt Bike Racing Association in 2021. Chartered by the AMA, it is currently the only chartered all-woman off-road racing club in the U.S. Gouldthread, who’s involved with her local racing district in Northern California, has worked with District 36 President Katie Pond to help open more classes and

make women’s racing more beginner friendly. The club will keep points for races they do and offer the opportunity to gain additional points through volunteering, which is meant to get women more involved in racing and leadership roles. The group also aims to make things easier for female racers by constructing a step-by-step tip sheet. “I was surprised there wasn’t another women’s competition club,” she said, “and that shows me that there’s a huge need. And now, everybody has a group to support each other, people to ride with and connect with.”

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u p t o s p eed

INDIAN SCOUT ROGUE

American OEs On The Gas Harley-Davidson doubles down on bread and butter, while Indian aims to capture new riders BY KALI KOTOSKI

merica’s V-Twin manufacturers continue to ratchet up their efforts, with Harley-Davidson offering its largest factory powerplant straight out of the box in eight new models, and Indian Motorcycle leveraging the success of its popular and affordable Scout. Harley-Davidson’s move, which infused a bit of the racing knowledge gained from its participation in MotoAmerica’s King Of The Baggers race series, appears poised to deliver what many fans dream of: as much V-Twin muscle as possible in a stock motorcycle. This is most recognized in the new Low Rider ST cruiser, which features the Milwaukee-Eight 117 powertrain — an engine previously reserved more for its touring collection. “As part of our focus on stronghold segments…the 2022 product line is designed for power and performance,” said Jochen Zeitz, H-D Chairman, President and CEO. “Each 20

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST •

of these new models feature the unrivalled power of the Milwaukee-Eight 117, for those who want nothing but the biggest and the best.” By focusing on performance, Harley-Davidson is betting that power and style will attract both new and existing customers. But we may be waiting ’til 2023 to see what’s next for its Revolution Max platform currently outfitted in the Pan America and Sportster S models. For its part, Indian Motorcycle is betting on a reasonable price point for its new Indian Scout Rogue and Indian Scout Rogue Sixty, the most aggressive iterations of the iconic Scout platform to date. The Scout Rogue features an edgy combination of iconic design and contemporary style, including a quarter fairing and mini ape-hanger handlebars. “For so many motorcyclists,” said Aaron Jax, Indian Motorcycle Vice President, MARCH 2022

“riding carries a rogue spirit — a bold statement of freedom and individuality that brings riders together — and the Scout Rogue delivers that in spades.” Starting at a very reasonable $11,499 for the Scout Rogue and $9,999 for the Scout Rogue Sixty, the bikes cater to newer riders and are aimed to inspire confidence, with low seat heights and centers of gravity. While each manufacturer is leveraging different market segments, each are devoted to meeting consumer appetite and stepping up the options to keep competition boiling. It’s a good thing.

H-D LOW RIDER ST

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he Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports are separately developing safeguard rating systems for semi-autonomous vehicle technology following mounting concerns that without a viable driver monitoring system drivers may drop their guard at the wheel — leading to increased distraction and less attention to driving conditions and traffic — as has been seen in a recent slew of crashes www.mxbootrepair.com that have prompted a federal investigation. To earn a good rating from the IIHS, systems will need to ensure that the driver’s eyes are directed at the road and their hands BC_047460_DRI0416P.indd benefit logo.indd 1 1 are either on the wheel or ready to grab Anthony's it at all times. Escalating alerts and appropriate emergency procedures when the driver ® does not meet those conditions will also be required, the institute said in a press release. IIHS expects to issue the first set of • Crash Damage Repair ratings in 2022, although supply chain woes • Section & Zipper Replacement & Repair in the auto industry have made it difficult to • Custom Lazer Engraving & Cutting procure vehicles for testing. Consumer Reports will only award safety • Alteration, Cleaning & Dyeing points if the semi-autonomous systems Authorized Repair Center for Dainese, Alpinestars, already have adequate driver monitoring REV’IT, MITHOS, and SPIDI systems installed. The IIHS rating system aims to dispell • misleading messaging from certain manufacturers that some vehicles have “selfdriving” technology when in fact they are only partially automated. “While most partial automation systems have some safeguards in place to help ensure drivers are focused and ready, none of them meets all the pending IIHS criteria,” IIHS said. The AMA has long advocated for enhanced safety requirements for semiautonomous vehicles to protect all users of the road, especially motorcyclists.

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Supreme Court Rejects E15 Appeal he Supreme Court declined to consider an appeal of a lower court decision to vacate a 2019 EPA rule that allowed for year-round sales of 15 percent ethanol-blended gasoline known as E15. The Trump-era EPA rule was first vacated by U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia last year, agreeing with the oil and gas industry that the EPA exceeded its authority in allowing for the sales. The AMA joined with the oil and gas industry in opposing the rule. Currently, the sale of E15 is prohibited in the summer months. Bipartisan legislation for summertime E15 sales has currently stalled in the Senate.

Member deals and discounts! americanmotorcyclist.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST •

MARCH 2022

ma lcol m’s mome n ts

Messing around with a coaster kart with a couple of friends. With no brakes except the soles of your shoes and sketchy steering (use your feet!) the thing was really scary, especially on steeper hills. Right: One of the ’dozers we “borrowed” on occasion. To get a copy of my autobiography, just visit www.themalcolmbook.com 22

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

PART

TWO

SOUTHERN CAL, HERE I COME

Growing up in San Bernardino, bicycles and go-karts take center stage BY MALCOLM SMITH

y mother and father wanted to buy and run a motel in Palm Springs when we moved to Southern California, but there wasn’t nearly enough money. So when we settled in San Bernardino they went to work — mom teaching elementary school and dad working odd jobs. For me, San Bernardino was pretty close to heaven on earth. Instead of the ocean being right outside the door, and the weather typically cold and wet, there were mountains — big ones! — right in our back yard. And the weather was usually warm and dry, too. There were also citrus groves, trails, canyons, flood-control ponds, fire roads, lakes, snowy peaks higher up and, beyond them, the amazing Mojave Desert, which I’d come to know and love intimately in later years. After school and during the summer there was plenty of adventure to be had, and 99% of it was outdoors. Always outdoors. Whether it was Cub Scout outings, little league baseball, horseback riding, canoeing in the flood-control ponds, fishing the local canyons, riding bicycles or building go-karts with my friends, we spent every waking moment we could outdoors. I have very few recollections of sitting in front of a TV, at least during daylight hours. By the time I was 10 or 11 vehicular pursuits became a much bigger deal. Bicycles came first…fat-tire onespeeders, mostly, which could take a lot of abuse. One day my friend John Moreland figured out that, if you pedaled hard enough, you could put some air under your tires if you hit the berm on the edge of the road just right. We both got really excited about this new discovery, and after pedaling up the hill to get a good run at the

berm, I was able to get some air, too. We immediately wanted more… more air, more speed, and more distance. We found nirvana in a nearby flood control area, where we built a jump that got us 10 and, later, 20 feet of distance! We ended up breaking our bike frames at the crank housing, but it was great fun. One time a bunch of girls was

watching us. Wanting to show off, I pedaled furiously and sailed into space…just in time to see my front wheel fall off and the fork legs plunge into the soft soil. Scrapes and bruises did not compare to the thrill of impressing girls, and I was hooked. We built several plank-and-wheel push karts during those years, none of which had brakes (except for our feet!) and most of which put our lives in danger at the bottom of some pretty big hills. But it was our bulldozer exploits that really took the cake for living dangerously. The nearby flood-control dikes were in a constant state of construction, and there were always earthmoving vehicles there — with

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

M A L C O L M ’ S M O M EN T S

no one using or watching them on weekends. After an always-hungover operator taught me to start and run his one day so he could sleep in his car, I had enough knowledge to begin “borrowing” various ’dozers on weekends…which me and my friends did, pushing dirt around, building jumps and messing around. One Sunday my mother heard one of these heavies “working” in an adjacent area and walked over to check things out — and discovered

our secret fun. She was not amused, and I was warned to never play with big diesels again. I disobeyed, of course, and a while later got into trouble when a D7 Cat I tried to start began running backwards and belching black smoke. I jumped off and ran away, but a neighbor saw and reported me, and I was busted the following week when the cops visited my school. My mother and father ended up divorcing when I was 13, which was

very hard on me. I was depressed and began to not care about school or anything besides being outdoors, and moving around and changing schools was traumatic. Luckily, Mom was a rock, working hard to help me see that things were going to turn out okay. And she was right. Because little did she or I know, but very soon something quite special was about to happen to me, something that would change and focus my life in a wonderfully positive way. AMA

Top: Me in sixth grade in 1953. Mom made sure everyone knew which was me — in ink! Hanging with my friend Ken Brink. Below: Push karts turned into motorized go karts, and we made the most of parts and engines we could scrounge.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

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ident and CEO] Rob [Dingman] and his team have so much credibility and loyalty to us, and we all need to be involved in the AMA to help carry on the mission.” 25OWNER CHRIS CARTER, MOTION PRO, INC.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

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The Misunderstood Mach IV Celebrating 50 years of Kawasaki’s 1972 Mach IV H2, and the debunking of the “widowmaker” myth

BY MITCH BOEHM PHOTOS: KMC ARCHIVE

eeling misunderstood can be painful. It can leave one feeling helpless, impatient and angry. If you’re a motorcycle, none of that matters…unless, of course, the properties of plastic, rubber, steel and aluminum have yet to be completely understood. Still, motorcycles can be misunderstood, or at least mischaracterized, with one of the best examples being Kawasaki’s 1972 Mach IV (or H2), which celebrates its gold-tinged 50-year

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

“Finally Kawasaki had something to sell to folks wanting a big, fast and nasty streetbike, a bike that could outrun anything out there. it was all about acceleration and top speed.” STEVE JOHNSON

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

anniversary this year. Many of you have heard the stories of the H2 through the years, either in print, online or from the mouths of those without a lot of firsthand knowledge. Like the 500cc H1 that came before it, the collective lore says, the 750cc H2 was a brute — a big, blow-your-head-off engine wrapped in a spindly frame that delivered wobbly, toss-you-off handling, uncontrollable third- and fourth-gear wheelies, 150-mph top speeds, and a saddlebag’s worth of ways to throw you down the road every time you jumped aboard. “This guy pulls alongside me,” you’re bound to hear if you listen long enough, “shifts into fourth and yanks a big stonkin’ wheelie!” And then there’s the infamous “widowmaker” moniker, routinely applied to the big Kaw. But really, it’s all BS. It is true that Kawasaki’s 1972 H2 was shockingly quick for its day, faster than most street riders could wrap their heads around. It ran low

Performance-wise, there was nothing in the Mach IV’s league, a fact that was highlighted by magazine coverage of the day, including Cycle World and Motorcyclist as well as Cycle and Cycle Guide (shown here). Cycle’s cover (left) screamed “World’s quickest bike, by far!” and it wasn’t a joke.

12s at the strip, quicker than any streetbike in history, wheelied too easily in first gear, surged and shook like a wet dog at certain revs, got lousy fuel mileage, was loud, was not all that reliable, and it smoked like a chimney. Even racers and hard-core enthusiasts of the day were anxious about the H2, especially those who’d ridden its peaky and twitchy 500cc little brother — Kawasaki’s 1969 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Mach III H1. “Many of us,” old school club-racer and good friend Jack Seaver told me once, “heard the rumors of a 750cc H1 and asked, ‘are you kidding?’” But anticipation and reputation were not reality. The H2, it turned out, was not the inherently dangerous motorcycle popular moto-culture so often says it was. Heck, the thing only made about 70 horsepower at the rear wheel — about what a Suzuki SV650 makes. What the H2 was, actually, was a reasonably competent — for its time — open-class 2-stroke streetbike that just happened to be the undisputed Speed King of the motorcycling universe, at least in ’72. Nothing went stoplight-to-stoplight harder or faster, or with as much visceral, mind-bending thrill, and that sort of performance made folks forget — or 30

“The H2 makes me smile every time I ride one, It’s ridiculous! The thing had such a massive impact when it debuted. I just had to own one.” RICK BRETT

forgive — a lot of negatives. Which is exactly what happened in the H2’s case. Because besides its raft of idiosyncrasies, the H2 was not only wildly popular in its day (and largely helped forge Kawasaki’s performance-bike reputation) but has cemented itself over the years as one of the most desirable classics on earth.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

The story of the 1972 Kawasaki Mach IV H2 750 begins, of course, with the Mach III H1 of 1969, a 500cc 2-stroke triple conceived, designed and built during the latter 1960s — a time when Kawasaki was new to the U.S. market and looking to elbow its way more forcefully into the mix. The peaky-yet-fast H1 did its job well, catapulting Kawasaki — which had only 250 and 350cc 2-stroke twins prior to that point, plus a BSA 650 clone and a range of small-bore 2-strokes — to the top of the performance heap despite the appearance of Honda’s smooth and refined — but heavier and slightly slower — CB750 Four that same year. “The Mach III,” wrote longtime motojournalist Charles Everitt in 2008, “was pure Kentucky bourbon,

straight up and without a beer chaser … designed to pack the best powerto-weight ratio available and be an absolute menace at the dragstrip, cornering performance be damned.” And the H1’s cornering performance was damned… damned bad! “It wobbled at speed,” remembered the late Kawasaki test rider and race-team mechanic/ manager Steve Johnson, “and dragged its undercarriage in fast corners.” Still, the Kawasaki crew didn’t worry all that much, as they were out to build a performance reputation — and at the time, brutish, armstraightening power was the quickest way there. “Finally,” Johnson told me, “Kawasaki had something to sell to folks wanting a big, fast and nasty streetbike, a bike that could outrun

anything out there. Kawasaki didn’t even hint at handling or cornering; it was all about acceleration and top speed. When the [H1s] came out they were instantly all over the dragstrips.” Focusing on speed (and not refinement or handling, which the CB750 had in spades) was a bit of a risk, but Kawasaki happily took the chance. “Kawasaki was a big company and could afford to be risky,” longtime U.S. Suzuki manager Jim Kirkland told me a decade ago. “A friend at Kawasaki back then told me they built crazy bikes like the H1 and H2 strictly for the publicity, and to ‘get our name out there.’” Of course, with motorcycle sales exploding and larger-bore

bikes becoming more popular with buyers during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Kawasaki was already looking for the next big thing. Or things, as it would turn out. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves there… Despite Honda’s refined and successful 4-stroke 750 Four, Kawasaki knew 2-strokes — and especially 2-stroke triples — still made sense. They were narrower than fours, made more power per cc, were lighter than similarly displaced

A distinctly high handlebar helped give the H2 roomy ergonomics, but the waffle grips and severe vibration transmitted through that handlebar made longer treks — especially higher-speed ones — extra painful. Still, one could live with the H2 as an everyday ride.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

four strokes, cost less to build, and the EPA had yet to clamp down. Time to strike, then… Kawasaki engineers conceived of a bigger H1 even during that bike’s development in 1968, and within months, 650cc versions began circulating in Japan. Test mules were refined, with modified frames, disc brakes and as much suspension tuning as engineers could muster. And by late 1970 a couple prototypes made their way to California for some serious testing. As Kawasaki’s primary test rider at the time, Steve Johnson remembered that first H2 prototype well. “It was a 650,” Johnson said, “and it arrived with a small team of test riders and engineers. We developed a plan and headed north on California Route 395 with a chase van full of parts and a spare bike.

Right off the bat, the Japanese test rider wanted to show me how fast the bike was and quickly got pulled over for doing 120 mph plus. The cop was highly pissed and wanted to haul him away, but was frustrated by his near-

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

total lack of English. I somehow talked the officer out of arresting him, and he let us go.” A day later the group tested on a curvy part of Interstate 80 in western Nevada (Nevada, according to Johnson, chosen for its legal brothels, which the Japanese wanted to sample). “The guy in charge,” Johnson said, “told me, ‘Steve-san, we will use this section for high-speed cornering test, and we will film you. Please ride as fast as possible!’ I’m thinking ‘you’re nuts!’ but began doing laps anyway, cutting across the median to turn around, as the nearest on-ramp was miles behind us.” “The thing had a super-tall first gear and was peaky,” Johnson continued, “not as bad as the 500, but close. It wobbled at speed

“The guy in charge told me, ‘Steve-san, we will use this section for high-speed cornering test, and we will film you. Please ride as fast as possible!’ I’m thinking ‘you’re nuts!’” STEVE JOHNSON every time through, too; I just sorta hung on and prayed. After several runs, I came in. ‘Very good,’ they told me; ‘now we do shock testing!’ This went on all day. At night, we headed to some cat ranch in Winnemucca. I was only 19 at the time and couldn’t get in, but the girls would come out front and offer me drinks!” Once back at Kawasaki’s R&D headquarters in Santa Ana, all agreed that high-speed stability was unacceptable; power delivery was too abrupt; first gear was too tall; and the brakes could be better. Six months later, another bike arrived, only this time it was a final-spec preproduction machine, not a hand-built

prototype. It was also a 750. “It was much better,” Johnson told me, “and more refined. Power was up and the delivery was smoother; gearing and brakes were better, too, and the wobbles were mostly gone. The team did a really good job. I guess maybe they were extra relaxed when they got back!” The magazines received test units in the fall of 1971, and the promotional results were both explosive and immediate. The bike was instantly faster in terms of quarter-mile ET and top speed than anything available, and reasonably functional — the vibration, noise, surging and mileage issues

notwithstanding. Longtime Motorcyclist Editor Art Friedman tested a first-year H2 while working for Cycle News, and found it funky yet functional. “It was actually a pretty good sporting streetbike despite its quirks,” Friedman told me. “It was no tourer, but it handled well and had good brakes, even when ridden hard in the twisties…and boy was it fast! “All that made you forget about the vibes, smoking and surging,” Friedman continued. “It was also a great production racer. I raced several H2s during the 1970s, and won a lot of races on them, even finishing sixth in an early Superbike

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

event at Laguna Seca. It was bone stock except for Dunlop K81s, Koni shocks and a swingarm bushing kit.” Motorcyclist agreed with its future Editor in its January 1972 road test, chronicling the bike’s many bothersome quirks but reveling in its breathtaking speed, great brakes and secure handling, even when ridden hard. “Handling is far better than expected and a vast improvement over the sometimes-snaky Mach III,” the editors wrote. “Thankfully, the 750’s geometry and suspension are up to the job. With this engine a rider can be over his head with alarming frequency, yet the chassis will save him by rifling through turns without any scraping or undue waver.” Although ambivalent about the H2 in many ways, the magazine ended its review this way: “A 12-second 750

“Kawasaki was a big company and could afford to be risky. A friend at Kawasaki back then told me they built crazy bikes like the H1 and H2 strictly for the publicity, and to ‘get our name out there.’” JIM KIRKLAND for $1,395? So what if it shakes?” And therein lies the enduring magic of the H2, both today and back in the day: People love the thing despite its warts. As much as any early generation CB750, Yamaha TZ750 or Suzuki Trail Hopper, the H2

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

generates an emotional connection with baby boomer acolytes that’s as fierce and memorable as any smoky, tire-squealing launch down the strip on one of the things. Suzuki’s GT750 LeMans, for instance, introduced the same year as the H2, packed far more smoothness, civility and touring capability into its 2-stroke triple package, but didn’t sell as well as the H2, and isn’t nearly as desirable or collectable today despite being a popular and enduring classic itself. Functional perfection (or something close to it) isn’t always what endures. Attitude, impact and a visceral connection usually do, and the H2 had those in spades. And still does. Rick Brett is one of the world’s premier H2 experts and collectors,

with upwards of 30 examples, as well as at least one of every triple Kawasaki ever made. “The H2 makes me smile every time I ride one,” he told me some years ago. “It’s ridiculous! The thing had such a massive impact when it debuted…we all read about it and were amazed. I just had to own one.” Dan Mazzoncini, who owns a blue, 250-original-mile ’72-spec H2, agrees. “I was 15 in ’72,” he said, “and known as the neighborhood motorcycle maniac. For some reason a neighbor who’d just bought a brand-new H2 let me ride it, and it literally changed my life! I bought one a year later and loved every second. I got back into them in about 1990, and have been collecting original, low-mile triples ever since. They’re amazing bikes.”

The H2 lasted just four years, from ’72 to ’75. Those years were truly a golden era for motorcycling, with unreal sales and some pretty amazing advancements in performance and reliability — though one in which the twowheeled environment would morph radically. To wit: Kawasaki launched its mighty, 4-stroke 903cc Z1 in ’73 (the other next big thing referred to earlier…); smog laws laid the groundwork for the end of the 2-stroke streetbike era; the Arab oil embargo of late ‘73 tripled the cost of oil; and more importantly, the big streetbikes of the day were becoming fast and civil, a combination that the H2 could not even dream to possess. And then, in ’76, came the stellar Suzuki GS750, which would

change the streetbike status quo forever. Still, the legacy and impact of the H2 and its four-year run lingers strongly, like blue-tinged tire smoke hovering above Orange County Raceway in ’72 or ’73. During those crazy, On Any Sunday-flavored 1970s, the H2 was fast, daring, emotional, and yeah, full of quirks. It remains that way today, wholly fascinating in just about every way, a raw, unfiltered throwback to a time when many of us were reveling in the discovery of what were then truly mind-bending motorcycles. But a “widowmaker” it was not — unless, of course, you twisted the throttle too much and too often without the skills to back it up. And that’d be on you. AMA

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Kawasaki H2R

When Team Green shoehorned a hot-rodded, 100-plus-horse H2 engine into a lightweight racing chassis, it seemed like a can’t-lose proposition… BY MITCH BOEHM

PHOTO COURTESY KMC/NORM BIGELOW

t certainly made sense at the time… Take a modified version of your H1R racebike frame (which morphed from a 250-class racer’s chassis), jam a ported, polished and otherwise hot-rodded 2-stroke powerplant from your new king-hell H2 streetbike into it, add lightweight wheels, grippy slicks and the best brakes you can find, wrap it all in swoopy fiberglass,

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

call it the H2R and hire fast guys like AMA Hall of Famers Gary Nixon and Yvon DuHamel, as well as Hurley Wilvert to ride ’em in AMA Championship road races at places like Daytona, Talladega and Ontario Motor Speedway. The competition at the time was 750-class 4-strokes (British triples

and Honda 750 Fours, mostly) and 350-class Yamaha twins, so on paper, at least, there wasn’t much of it. But as they say so often in endurance racing, you gotta be there at the end — and very often the trick-and-fastbut-oh-so-fragile H2Rs were not.

They shredded tires, which were way behind the times as these new 2-stroke, high-horsepower hot-rods from Kawasaki and Suzuki (which brought a GT750-powered racer to Daytona in ’72) appeared on the scene. Being air-cooled, the H2R also ran super-hot, which caused all sorts of seizure-related problems. “At Talladega in 1973,” wrote Cycle’s Kevin Cameron, “something had broken in Yvon’s engine, up on the banking at 170 mph. Oil from the shattered crankcase ignited on the hot exhaust pipes and the bike became a 30-foot comet of fire. ‘I feel somet’ing hot on my leg an’ I look down.

Fire! So I slow down, down on the apron, an’ when I t’ink I’m stopped I step off. But I’m going 40 miles an hour! Dat bike go on, falls over, and it’s burning up. I had to rap on the window of the fire truck there — the two guys are sleeping in there with the air conditioning on.’” When they didn’t seize or melt tires or become 170-mph comets on the bankings, H2Rs won a handful of races. But their time in the Daytona and Talladega sun was short-lived. As soon as Yamaha’s legendary TZ700/750 appeared on the scene in ’74, all bets on this greener shade of lime were off — even if Wilvert did finish third on an H2R that year at Daytona behind Giacomo Agostini and Kenny Roberts. But that’s a story for another time. AMA

“At Talladega in 1973, something had broken in Yvon’s engine, up on the banking at 170 mph. Oil from the shattered crankcase ignited on the hot exhaust pipes and the bike became a 30-foot comet of fire.” KEVIN CAMERON

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Kawasaki H1

1969 saw some serious mind-blowers: men on the moon, Woodstock, the Jets over the Colts in Super Bowl III — and the launch of Kawasaki’s 500cc Mach III BY MITCH BOEHM PHOTOS: KEVIN WING

nto what had become by the late 1960s a staid, predictable and somewhat boring big-streetbike category dominated mainly by old-school British and European twins — with a smattering of small-bore 2- and 4-stroke Asian bikes beginning to generate noises of their own — came Mitsubishi Zero cannon blasts in the form of two all-new Japanese motorcycles: Honda’s ultra-refined CB750 Four and Kawasaki’s audacious Mach III 500cc triple, also known as the H1. The H1 was light, loud, funky and fast, a true two-wheeled hot rod, a bike that stretched both credulity and riders’ arms — and one that definitely got you noticed. Could the “H” in H1 have stood for Hellacious? You betcha. “Kawasaki,” wrote the late Gordon Jennings for Cycle in early ’69, “has thrown together one of the most devastating two-wheelers ever to happen on the scene.” Introduced in early ’69, the Mach III was a 500cc 2-stroke triple designed to pack the best power-to-weight ratio available and be an absolute menace at the dragstrip, cornering performance be damned. “The H1 was for the power-hungry American market,” wrote classic-bike journalist Frank Melling, “where straight-line power ruled the day.” “I was a test rider for Kawasaki when the H1 came along,” longtime Kawasaki R&D/raceteam member Steve Johnson told me. “We got a pre-production bike, and it was a big deal. Before that, Kawasaki only made 250 and 350cc twins. The bike was advanced, with a CDI [capacitive discharge ignition], though it leaked so much energy and ran so hot that if you ran it in a dark garage you’d see sparks flying everywhere! Johnson found the bike frighteningly fast, but it was by no means a handler. “It wobbled like crazy,” he says, laughing. “It also had very little cornering clearance; it wobbled and dragged and scraped like you wouldn’t believe! It was pretty far advanced from the W1 and W2 (Kawasaki’s BSA twin copies) we’d been selling, so finally, Kawasaki had something to sell to folks wanting a big, fast and nasty streetbike, a big bike that could outrun anything out there. And it did. Kawasaki didn’t even hint at handling or cornering; it was all about acceleration and top speed. When the things came out they were instantly all over the dragstrips.” “Back then it was all about horsepower,” Johnson added. “I mean, the H2 and Z1 [launched in ’72 and ’73, respectively] are perfect examples. It really was, ‘Let the good times roll!’” AMA AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Suzuki GT750

Suzuki’s 750cc, liquid-cooled LeMans wasn’t the Kaw-beater many wanted, but its do-everything demeanor served Suzuki well as it pivoted from 2-strokes to 4 in the ’70s BY MITCH BOEHM PHOTOS: FRAN KUHN

hings in life are often not what they seem, and such was the case for industry watchers and motorcycle fans at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show, where Suzuki debuted its all-new and thoroughly shocking GT750 2-stroke prototype. At the time, Suzuki’s reputation was that of a maker of reliable and all-around capable streetbikes. Still, no one in attendance would have dared describe the GT750 prototype as merely “competent,” or its styling as “stodgy,” as the candy lavender GT was easily the hit of the show. Cycle World described it as “one of the eye-poppingist machines to be seen in a long time.” England’s Motor Cycle was similarly exuberant, writing, “Suzuki has stepped into the big league with what must be the most complex super sporting roadster ever built.” Visions of performance grandeur made plenty of sense to show-goers and magazine readers — and also to Suzuki insiders. Here was a motorcycle powered by a liquid-cooled 750cc triple built by a company with plenty of Grand Prix heritage. How could the GT750 not be a barn-burner? “Speculation was that it would be a hot rod, an H1-beater,” remembers longtime U.S. Suzuki manager Jim Kirkland. “We heard about the water-cooling, and we knew the GP success the company had in the ’60s. So yeah, expectations were high. But then we heard from Japan staff that the new 750 would be more of an all’rounder, which didn’t really compute. I mean, it was a water-cooled 2-stroke 750 triple! Watercooling was magic. We wanted an H1-beater, wanted a bike that would generate excitement.” Despite all that desire for what amounted to an H1-beater, Suzuki Japan’s more conservative streak won out, helped no doubt by the success Honda was having by building a wide range of broadly capable motorcycles with top-shelf quality and engineering. Imitating Honda’s sober, mainstream approach, even with a line of 2-strokes, had to seem like Suzuki’s best bet for the American market, already the world’s most important. “Looking back,” Kirkland added, “the do-everything direction was surely the right one, as it established Suzuki as a serious builder of really good all-around motorcycles.” And the GT750 was surely one of those. It was quiet, smooth, comfortable, plenty fast and very, very refined…and so different than the Kawasakis. Despite some grumbling, it was well accepted by dealers and, soon enough, by owners. You could ride the thing all day and not get fatigued. The LeMans may not have been the barn-burner many wanted, but it helped set the stage for the 4-stroke GS line that would put Suzuki at the forefront of the entire sporting motorcycle universe in 1976. AMA AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

The RD350 appeared in 1973 and was an immediate hit with street riders and racers, both of whom used it to run circles around supposedly more “super” street-going superbikes. The reed-valve-inducted two-stroke twin made decent power (and lots more when hot-rodded), and the chassis (which came from successful Yamaha roadracers) was plenty capable. The Daytona Special of 1979 (center) was the best of the bunch, and a last hurrah for air-cooled Yamaha RDs. 42

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Yamaha RD350 Whether you call it a “Pocket Rocket” or “Giant Killer,” Yamaha’s legendary RD350 fit the bill BY MITCH BOEHM PHOTOS: KEVIN WING

t’s strange to think about in this day and age of nearly 200-horsepower sportbikes…the idea that a sport motorcycle with half the displacement of a full-on street-going superbike could outperform said superbike on a twisty road or racetrack — and very nearly in dragstrip performance. But back in the 1970s it was a real thing — and that thing’s name was RD350. Produced between 1973 and 1975 and based on the groundbreaking R5 model built from 1970 through 1972, Yamaha’s RD350 2-stroke twin established a performance reputation during the decade that far outdistanced its 347cc powerplant and 349-pound weight. The RD was devastatingly capable on a twisty backroad, and with specific mods was a hellacious roadracer, too, whether in its class or punching upward into the open-class ranks. It was nearly as fast point-to-point as the heavier 4-stroke superbikes of the day, its reed-valve-equipped twin pushing it from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds, and recording quarter-mile times just over a second slower than Kawasaki’s very rapid H1 — which sold for over a thousand bucks. The RD’s MSRP? A paltry $839. The RD stopped faster, too. No other streetbike in history did so much to disrupt the performance-bike pecking order of that crazy decade. A Giant Killer, indeed. Still, all those race wins, all that streetbike sales success (some 26,000 were sold in 1975 alone…think about that for a minute) and that well-earned reputation as a Giant Killer could not save the RD from extinction. As the 1970s ticked by it became clear that 2-stroke streetbike engines didn’t have a future in America. Almost in defiance, though, Yamaha gave the RD400 (which replaced the 350 in 1976) a complete facelift for 1979 in the form of the RD400F Daytona Special. It was in many ways a completely new model, with Cycle Guide’s Dain Gingerelli writing in its June 1979 issue, “The RD400F doesn’t look like a motorcycle with one wheel in extinction and the other on an oil slick. It looks like a roadracer, a Yamaha roadracer, as a matter of fact…” Yamaha offered its RD350LC to American buyers in the form of the 1984 and ’85 RZ350, but with bikes like the 20-valve FZ750 and Suzuki GSX-R750 debuting, it didn’t make much of an impact and never developed the chutzpa and charisma of the original RD — the original Giant Killer. AMA AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Can’t

Miss events 2022 R

eady to attend as many cool motorcycle

some two-wheel fun.

events as possible in 2022? You’re not

The great news is that 2022 is already packed with

alone! Not only is winter — hopefully —

tons of great moto events to add to your calendar. And

coming to an end, but after the last couple of years of

while we could never fit all the exciting options in our

event cancellations and uncertainty it’s pretty much

pages, we’ve put together some of the big ones you

a given that we’re all ready to get out there and have

won’t want to miss.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

oming July 22-24 is AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, America’s largest — and most exciting — vintage motorcycle event. It’s got the biggest motorcycle swap meet you’ll ever lay eyes on in the U.S., national championship vintage racing in multiple disciplines and, maybe most importantly, plenty of family-friendly fun. Held on over 300 acres at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course near Lexington,

Ohio, there’s riding, and racing, bike buying, parts swapping, camping, AMA Hall of Fame displays, bike shows and more. Beyond the bikes you’re pretty much guaranteed to leave with more friends than you came with, and there’s nothing quite like enjoying all the two-wheel fun with thousands — usually over 40,000 — of people who love motorcycles just as much as you do. Add to all that some evening

shenanigans — think impromptu barrel racing, burnout contests, popup bands, and some adult libations (or so we hear) — and you’ve got yourself one heckuva party! Don’t miss out on AMA VMD 2022…we hear it’s gonna be bigger and better than ever! Learn more and purchase your tickets at www. vintagemotorcycledays.com. —Joy Burgess

AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS July 22-24, 2022 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

he 81st Annual Daytona Bike Week — dubbed the World’s Largest Motorcycle Event — roars to life March 4 and the party continues ’til March 13 in Daytona Beach, Fla. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s cruising Main Street (and stopping at one of the local bars for a cold one, which is pretty darn welcome on some of the hot days Florida serves up), attending one of the many bike

shows that pop up across the area, or heading to Daytona International Speedway for some racing. During those 10 days you can see nearly every type of racing you can think of at the Speedway or other racing venues in the area. AMA Supercross riders take on the special AMA Hall of Famer Ricky Carmichael-designed track at the Speedway on March 5, while American Flat Track kicks off its bar-banging season at the nearby Volusia Speedway Park with the Volusia Half-Mile doubleheader March 10-11. AMA/FIM North America partner MotoAmerica joined forces with the Daytona International Speedway this year to host the 80th running of the Daytona 200 — arguably America’s most legendary motorcycle race — March 10-12. Along with the Daytona 200, the MotoAmerica weekend will also include the opening round of the 2022 MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Championship — the very first time Baggers have raced on those legendary high banks — and the opening round of the Twins Cup Championship. The AMA will be at Daytona Bike Week, so be sure to stop by and say hello at the AMA booth. —Joy Burgess 46

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

LISA THEOBALD

Daytona Bike Week

AMA Supercross Finale s the AMA Supercross season continues to kick up dirt in cities across the country, the finale is starting to come into focus. Don’t miss the sport’s brightest stars concluding their season-long pursuit of greatness May 7 at RiceEccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. One of motorsports’ greatest spectacles, the AMA Supercross finale is the last chance for this year’s class of riders to reach the podium and make a case for the crown. Along with the conclusion of the AMA Supercross season, the stage will be set for both the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Showdown races and the KTM Junior AMA Supercross finale. The AMA Supercross Futures National Championship riders will also battle it out in Utah to become the 250SX Futures Class Champion. Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www. amasupercross.com/schedule-andtickets/. —Keaton Maisano

JEFF KARDAS

American Flat Track

The Springfield Mile T

SCOTT HUNTER

he dasher of dreams and the makers of champions, the history of the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds could fill volumes of flat track racing history.

Held this year on Sept. 4-5 and hosting a doubleheader, the American Flat Track Springfield Mile I and II is a can’t miss race on sacred motorcycle ground. Dubbed the “World’s Fastest Mile,” the track has produced legendary winners like AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Chris Carr, Ricky Graham, Gary Nixon, Scott Parker, Bubba Shobert and Jay Springsteen. But the current crop of speed demons in the AFT SuperTwins and AFT Production Twins classes is what brings out legions of fans to hear and feel the roar of 140 mph straightaway speeds and 90 mph in the corners. The Springfield Mile is now being put on by Mees Promotions, owned by husband-and-wife racing duo Jared and Nichole Mees. For more information visit www. americanflattrack.com. —Kali Kotoski

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Pro Motocross Championship t’s hard to believe, but Pro Motocross is officially 50 years old! First introduced back in 1972 as an AMA championship, Pro Motocross has evolved into a global competition that brings the best riders from around the world to compete on some of the most hallowed motocross grounds. For the first time ever, two international riders will be coming into the Pro Motocross Championship with red plates — Australian Jett Lawrence in the 250 Class and Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis in the 450 Class. But while they’ll be starting with the red plates, there’s a whole pack of riders in each class who’ll be fighting to grab them, along with the 2022 championships.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Talent isn’t the only thing outstanding about Pro Motocross. The 2022 schedule packs in races at some of the most legendary and historic motocross tracks in America. From the Hangtown Classic in California, which was founded back in 1968, to the iconic High Point Raceway in Pennsylvania, to Unadilla MX in New York, many of the tracks are held on dirt that’s seen decades of motocross history. The season kicks off on May 28 at Fox Raceway in Pala, Calif, and there’ll be plenty of opportunities to see your favorite motocrossers take on whoops and tabletops across the country. Check the schedule at https:// promotocross.com/schedule to find an event near you. —Joy Burgess

ALIGN MEDIA GROUP

Lucas Oil

Thor Mini O’s otocross lovers rejoice! Thor Mini O’s — an AMA Pro-Am Motocross event — takes place Nov. 19-26, and it’s the biggest amateur motocross event in the world. “We are very excited to see how the Mini O’s continues in 2022,” said promoter Wyn Kern. Amazingly, 2020 was a record year, with Mini O’s being the largest motocross race in the history of motocross. Then 2021 came around and it topped 2020. The sport of motocross is very healthy right now! We are seeing the 51cc, 65cc, and younger 85cc classes as our biggest ones, and that’s very healthy for the growth of the sport.” Wondering about that November date? Never fear! Mini O’s takes place at Gatorback Cycle Park in Alachua, Fla., where temperatures are mild and you’ll probably need your sunscreen. While it’s possible to stay right at the track with one of the Park’s RV Hookups, you’ll want to reserve your spot early. Get the latest information at www.unlimitedsportsmx.com. —Joy Burgess

MOTOPLAYGROUND

AMA Amateur

National Motocross Championship W

for almost all of motocross’ greatest riders in the last quarter-century. This year’s event runs Aug. 1-6, so

make your plans today to witness one of the greatest events in motorsports. —Keaton Maisano

SHAN MOORE

hile more than four months away from the conclusion of the amateur motocross season, the song “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is becoming louder with every passing day. The song, which echoes throughout AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., every morning during the weeklong AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, has become a staple of one of the largest amateur motocross events in the world. With four decades of history, the annual event is a bucket list item for all those that love motorsports. The 6,000 acres of hallowed ground has welcomed approximately 60,000 AMA riders over the years and has become a rite of passage

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

AMA Flat Track

Grand Championship he AMA Flat Track Grand Championship is the most prestigious amateur flat track event in the U.S., putting top amateur flat trackers bar-to-bar to see who comes out on top by the end of the multi-day, multi-track event. And this year it’s bound to be bigger and better than ever, with the AMA organizing the event in Du Quoin, Ill. Taking place July 7-13 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, the event offers multiple classes, so amateurs of every age have the chance to get involved. For racers, it’s the adrenaline, the thrill of going fast, and the chance to get in multiple days of flat track racing that keeps them coming back each year. Even if you’re not competing, you’ll have plenty of barbanging action to enjoy as you watch all types of flat track races with the four-race format — Short Track, TT, Mile and Half Mile. Stay tuned to www.americanmotorcyclist.com for the latest updates. —Joy Burgess 50

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

JENN MOLISANI

AMA Pro Hillclimb

Devil’s Staircase ew places can boast a history like that of Devil’s Staircase. The site of AMA Pro Hillclimb’s season finale, the 2022 event will mark the 73rd time Oregonia, Ohio, has played host to hillclimbers. The AMA Pro Hillclimb is scheduled for Oct. 9, but the weekend of festivities and fun begins the day prior. The family-friendly event includes camping, live music and more. All the festivities lead up to the culmination of

ALEXANDRIA KOVACS

the AMA Pro Hillclimb season, which typically determines the sport’s champions that year. In 2021, the hill — and everyone in its presence — saw John Koester claim his 11th AMA Pro Hillclimb title, which broke AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Earl Bowlby’s record. Don’t miss out on this year’s chance to witness history and secure your tickets at www.amaprohillclimb.com! —Keaton Maisano

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Induction Ceremony magine this: a stage full of motorcycling royalty. Seems too good to be true, right? However, this very toogood-to-be-true moment happens every year at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Always a night to remember, the AMA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is a chance to honor the legendary figures that have greatly impacted the world of motorcycling. And the best part? You can be there to witness it for yourself! From tickets to attend the ceremony to meet-and-greet opportunities at the AMA Hall of Fame museum with the newly inducted AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers, there are many ways

to take in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The event is set to be held Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at the Violet Township Event Center in Pickerington,

Ohio, so stay tuned to www. americanmotorcyclist.com and the AMA’s various social platforms for updates on the 2022 event. —Keaton Maisano

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

SCOOTER GRUBB

AMA Land Speed

Grand Championship ne of the most unique settings in motorsports will once again host the fastest show on…salt. The world’s fastest motorcycles return Aug. 27 – Sept. 1 for the AMA Land Speed Grand Championship — also known as the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials. A variety of machines will speed across the breathtaking Bonneville Salt Flats toward national and

FIM world records, making it a must-see spectacle for any motorcyclist enthusiast. “We are excited to continue to provide the platform for motorcyclists to achieve their land speed racing goals, whether it be world and national records, or having a shot at seeing how fast your bike can go in the Run Watcha Brung category,” said BMST promoter Delvene Reber of Delicate Promotions LLC. From 50cc minibikes

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

to 3,000cc streamliners, spectators can witness a collection of riders with different investments and experience all striving for the same thing: to ride fast. “We anticipate a strong showing from all of our top contenders vying to be the fastest in history,” Reber said. “Coming back stronger than ever in 2021 after missing 2020 due to COVID-19, we are excited as we see the preparations

our participants are making for the 2022 event for the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, the AMA Land Speed Grand Championship.” Whether you are riding, spectating or volunteering, don’t miss out on one of 2022’s most electrifying events, and once you’re there, don’t blink or you might miss a world record! Learn more at https:// bonnevillemst.com. —Keaton Maisano

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering

osted on the lush golf course grasses at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club located in Carmel, Calif., the Quail Motorcycle Gathering is a celebration of motorcycles like no other. Each year it brings together over 350 vintage and modern motorcycles, as well as bicycles and scooters, making it a virtual smorgasbord of two-wheel eye candy. Along with the main attraction — the motorcycles — the gathering features local brews and wines, gourmet lunch options, and even a family-friendly kid’s area to keep children entertained. The 2022 event takes place May 14, and along with traditional classes like Choppers, British, Competition and Custom/Modified bikes, special featured classes this year include Two-Stroke “Braaaps,” Harley-Davidson’s XR750, minibikes/BIG FUN and BMW/5 Series. Learn more at www.peninsula.com/en/signature-events/ events/motorcycle. —Joy Burgess

ANDREW WHEELER

JOE BONELLO

MotoGP at COTA ften dubbed the “Formula 1” of motorcycle racing — though we’d argue that it’s a heckuva lot better — the FIM World Championship Grand Prix (MotoGP) is the premier class for road racing competition in the world. And while you can get your MotoGP fix on TV, there’s nothing like watching it all happen in person.

This year the MotoGP schedule includes Italy, Germany, Argentina, Qatar, Austria, Japan, Malaysia and more. But if traveling overseas to take in the sport doesn’t fit into your budget, there’s the Grand Prix of the Americas that takes place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, April 8-10. The entire weekend is packed

with plenty of on-track and off-track excitement, and there are ticket options to fit nearly any budget. Don’t miss your chance to watch the best racers in the world — such as Marc Marquez, Fabio Quartararo and Francesco Bagnaia — on American soil. Tickets and pricing are available at http://circuitoftheamericas.com/ motogp/tickets. —Joy Burgess

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

AMA National Dual Sport and Adventure Bike Ride

LA-Barstow-to-Vegas ide like it’s the 1960s this November and be part of the LABarstow-to-Vegas AMA National Dual Sport and Adventure Bike Ride. Inspired by the famous Barstow-to-Vegas race held in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, the Barstow ride provides 450 miles of scenic riding that can satisfy both easy-going and challenge-hungry riders. With the 2022 event set for Nov. 25-26, this year’s ride marks the 39th rendition of the event put on by District 37 Dual Sport. The two-day ride is broken up by a night’s stay in Barstow, Calif., before finishing at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. While the riding may be done on Nov. 26, the festivities are not. Reap the rewards of your hard work with an awards party! Event entries open in July, and additional information can be found by visiting LABarstowVegas.com. Don’t miss out! —Keaton Maisano

GEOFF COBUILT

Grand National Cross Country Series

hile some may still be wringing water out of their clothes from the last — and very wet – Ironman GNCC, the 2022 event aims to bring yet another memorable conclusion to the Grand National Cross Country Series. The can’t-miss weekend of racing finds its home in Crawfordsville, Ind.

With a course that features technical hillclimbs, creeks and many other obstacles, spectators are sure to witness a cross-country racer’s full range of skills. Those that execute the best at the October event will not only position themselves to win the event, but claim the GNCC National

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

SHAN MOORE

Ironman

Championship. Racing for the 2022 Ironman GNCC begins Oct. 22 and concludes the following day. Make sure to attend this year as another — and hopefully much drier — chapter in GNCC history is written. Learn more at https://gnccracing.com. —Keaton Maisano

Americade eld on the green shores of Lake George in upstate New York and surrounded by the lush old growth forests of the Adirondack Mountains, Americade is billed as the world’s largest touring rally, and this year will be held from June 7-11. Bringing in an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 visitors over the course of the event, this year’s Americade is back to its regular schedule of being held in the first full week of June. Besides the amazing riding in the Adirondack Mountains and the nearby Green Mountains of Vermont, there are sunset boat cruises on Lake George, one of the largest demo fleets in the country, an expo that’s over 300,000 square feet, bands, comedy shows and a huge fireworks show. There are also free seminars by MSF instructors. Alonzo Bodden, winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and a motorcyclist, will once again be putting on two solo shows. Learn more at www.americade.com. —Kali Kotoski

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Sturgis Rally egendary, massive, and combining some of best riding in the country with some of the world’s most popular bands, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the Black Hills of South Dakota is a pilgrimage for the devoted and birthright for the uninitiated. The 82nd iteration of Sturgis will be held from September 5-14, and it pulls in dizzying numbers of motorcyclists to run some of the best loops in the country. There’s the Mount Rushmore Loop, the Devil’s Tower Loop, a ride through Bear Butte and the surface of Mars in the Badlands. Not to mention the Needles and Crazy Horse Loop and a ride through Spearfish Canyon. Bands are still being locked down at the infamous Buffalo Chip, a private campground and festival grounds, but headliners already include Snoop Dog, Rob Zombie, Buckcherry, Travis Tritt, Painkillers and Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners. There’s a good reason why motorcyclists from around the country are drawn to Sturgis Rally every year, and if you don’t know why… well, it may be time to learn. For more information visit www.rallysturgis. com and www.buffalochip.com. —Kali Kotoski

THE BUFFALO CHIP

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • FEBRUARY 2022

BESSIE STRINGFIELD AWARD WINNER

RYAN MCFARLAND BY JOY BURGESS

he AMA Bessie Stringfield Award — which acknowledges an individual who has been instrumental in introducing or promoting motorcycling to emerging markets — is one of the AMA Board of Directors Awards designed to honor those who show uncommon dedication, excellence and leadership in pursuit of the AMA’s mission to promote the motorcycling lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. For 2021, the AMA Board of Directors chose to honor Strider Bikes Founder and CEO Ryan McFarland with this award, whose work with Strider Bikes and the All Kids Bike program has been instrumental in introducing children — potential motorcyclists of the future — to the two-wheel lifestyle. For McFarland, motorcycles have been a life-long love affair. “I don’t work directly in the motorcycle industry,” McFarland told American Motorcyclist, “but I’m a motorcycle enthusiast. I grew up around them. My dad had a dealership when I was little, so they’ve always been a part of my life.” While life took him away from motorcycles for a short time, around 2003 he purchased AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

two Yamaha WR450s and started riding again. And that passion for riding was rekindled. “I rediscovered my love of motorcycles around the same time I became a father,” McFarland said. “I wanted to get my son Bode riding as soon as possible. I bought him everything — tricycles, four-wheel scoot toys, etc. — but I realized that three and four wheels didn’t help with learning the essence of riding, which is balancing, riding and steering on two wheels.” Out of his frustration, the very first Strider was born. “I started by stripping something down to two wheels so Bode could learn how to balance,” McFarland explained. “I ended up with a stripped-down 12-inch bike with no pedals, and I painted it blue and put Yamaha stickers on it. Bode referred to it as ‘his motorcycle’ and would park it in the garage by my WR450. Like magic, when he rode it he had good control and his confidence went way up faster than I anticipated. That got me excited!” That original prototype, built in McFarland’s garage, led to the creation of Strider Bikes, as he realized kids everywhere could benefit from this accessible way to get on two wheels. By 2018, over 2 million Striders had been sold, and those numbers continue to rise. McFarland quickly saw how starting on a Strider led to the next step of riding motorcycles in his own sons. “Both my sons started on Striders,” he said. “Bode started at 2, had an electric trials bike, a PW50 after that and was racing motocross at 4. My second son was fully independent on two wheels before his third birthday. Both are better riders than I am because it’s so intuitive for them. That’s the big difference! When kids start on two wheels so young, learning to ride almost becomes like learning to walk and run…it’s a fundamental skill they develop.” Another story that shows what’s possible is that of Dave, a young 58

man with Down Syndrome. “Dave’s parents had been told he’d never ride a bicycle,” McFarland mentioned, “but when we ran into him at a Special Olympics-based trade show I said, ‘Let’s let him sit on a Strider.’ Before we knew it he was zipping around and loving it. Later he came to Strider headquarters, where we geared him up, gave him a few lessons, and he was off tearing around the field on a TTR110. That essence of riding!” The number of kids riding bicycles has declined rapidly over the past couple of decades. Kids aren’t learning those essential skills

anymore, and for motorcycling to remain healthy, it’s important that they learn them. “When you see the decline,” McFarland told us, “you think, ‘Whoa! There’s going to be no base for motorcycling,’ and that it doesn’t bode well for the industry.” “What we need is a drastic, urgent response,” he continued. “We’ve gotta reach the greatest number of kids in the shortest amount of time at the youngest age possible. That’s the answer. And that’s what we’re focusing on with the Strider Education Foundation and All Kids Bike… shifting the paradigm of what

McFarland riding the famous Slickrock Trail in Moab (above left), where he came across a family with a young child out on the trail aboard his Strider. “Had to stop for a high five,” McFarland said. Above right: McFarland teaching a young man with Down Syndrome to ride a dirt bike. Below: One of the All Kids Bike kindergarten programs.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

kindergarten P.E. consists of and making riding a priority that every kid learns. That’s a gamechanger, and it’ll change the long-term health of the motorcycle industry.” Currently, All Kids Bike has kindergarten P.E. programs in all 50 states and 500-plus schools.That number will double by the end of 2022, especially with heavy hitters like the NASCAR Foundation and Coca-Cola donating programs. “Ryan McFarland’s work with

Strider Bikes and the All Kids Bike program is all about introducing two wheels to one of the greatest emerging markets we have — our children,” said AMA Board of Directors Chairman Russ Ehnes. “Creating a robust base of kids who learn basic riding skills while they’re young is critical for the future of motorcycling, and we’re proud to have him as an AMA member and to honor his passion and efforts with the 2021 AMA Bessie Stringfield Award.” For McFarland, the award came as a surprise — one

that means a great deal to him. “Many people don’t make the connection between what we’re doing at Strider and All Kids Bike and motorcycling,” McFarland said. “We’re not directly in the motorcycle industry, but our heart is there, and we’ve seen tons of little Strider graduates on motorcycles.” “This award was so cool, and it feels like all our hard work trying to encourage kids and point them to this great life on two wheels has been recognized. I’m honored that what we’ve been doing on the fringes has been recognized by the AMA.” AMA

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

MAKE IT YOURS The AMA offers a variety of card types and designs for members. In addition to our standard card, we offer a number of themed cards that identify you as belonging to a specific group or speak to your passion as a motorcyclist. Call (800) AMA-JOIN (2625646) to request an affinity card at any time, at no additional cost.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

DEALS AND DISCOUNTS

Watch this space for updates about your valuable benefits as an AMA member.

THE ESSENTIALS Lodging

Motorcycle Shipping

AMA Roadside Assistance

Save 15% at participating Choice Hotels Properties.

Call Federal Companies at (877) 518-7376 for at least $60 off standard rates.

Roadside assistance coverage for eligible members.

Up to 10% off at Motel 6. Use code: M64AMA

Car Rentals

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

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

Motorcycle Shippers AMA members receive $25 off each bike one way or $100 off round trip or $50 each, multiple bikes, same addresses.

AMA Gear

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

Rider Accident Medical Plan

For details visit jonesbirdsong.com/ramp

Cycle Trader

10% discount on the BEST package. Use code AMA10

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS Edelweiss

ADVMoto

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

20% discount. Use code AMADV20

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

Evans Cooling System

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

25% discount on Evans Coolants and Prep Fluid. Use code AMAFUN at evanscoolant.com.

AMA Supercross Tickets

EVS Sports

10% discount on tickets at supercrosslive.com Use code 5AMASX

10% discount and free shipping on all orders. Use code AMAEVS20

Anthony’s Leatherworks

Haynes

10% discount. Use code AMADISCOUNT

Save an additional 15% on all Haynes & Clymer print and online repair manuals. Use code AMA15

Blendzall

Heli Bars

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

Bohn Body Armor

10% AMA Member Exclusive Discount. Visit bohnarmor. com and use code AMA18 at checkout.

Helite Moto

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

Butler Maps

AMA members receive a 20% discount at butlermaps.com. Use code AMAMEMBER

20% discount online with valid AMA membership card.

Legacy Track Dayz

10% discount with valid AMA membership card.

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

Dowco Powersports 20% discount. Use code AMA20

EagleRider

For Club EagleRider AMA members receive 2 free rental credits

International Motorcycle Shows

Save on advanced adult oneday general admission. Use code AMA20

Cardo Systems

The Dirt Bike Academy

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

MotoAmerica

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

Motool

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

MX Boot Repair

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

Colorado Motorcycle Adventures

Medjet

15% discount on Legacy Track Dayz events. Use code AMARideLTD

Liberty Sport Eyewear

30% discount on all “motorcycle collection” frames. Discount code AMA30.

MAD Maps

Save 15%. Use code AMA15

Matrix Concepts

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

10% discount. Use code AMADISCOUNT

MX Mounts

10% off on our mounts Use AMADiscount at checkout

MYLAPS

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

Nelson Rigg

20% AMA Member Exclusive Discount on all products! Use promo code AMA-NR20

Powercases

15% discount on all products. Use code AMA15 at powercases.com.

Risk Racing

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

Rlink

Rlink offers AMA Members 25% off industry leading GPS Security Systems. Use code ama2020rl

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine 20% discount. Use code CRIAMA

Rockwell Time

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

Spot LLC

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

STKR Concepts

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

Street Skills

10% discount on online courses at StreetSkills.net. Use code AMACCOC.

Third Eye Design

$25 discount on inView, a wireless brake and signal light. Use code AMA at thirdeyedesigninc.com

US Chrome

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

Quin Design Helmets 10% off crash detection, SOS beacon, Bluetooth communication & more with your new intelligent helmet.

Rider Magazine

AMA member exclusive discount: $19.99 for 2 years (24 issues) + 2 extra free issues.

Warm & Safe 20% discount. Use code AMA

XcelerateTV

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

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

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

COMING EVENTS

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

ARIZIONA

Motosports North Central Area Qualifier, Lincoln Trail Motosports, 217-932-2041, lincolntrailmotosports@ gmail.com, www.lincolntrailmotosports.com.

CALIFORNIA

Motocross: March 27. Brook Park. Berm Benders Incorporated, Berm Benders Raceway, 612-9190993, bermbendersraceway@outlook.com, www. bermbendersraceway.com

Enduro: Feb. 26. Page. Grinding Stone Hard Enduro, Rockstars MC, 602-999-8004, garrettlwichmann@gmail.com Dual Sport: March 5. Cinco. Quarterly Club Cruise, California Dual Sport Riders, 805-540-8179, californiadualsportriders@gmail.com, https://cdsr.us/quarterly-club-cruise/ Desert Scrambles: March 12-13. Barstow. District 37 Desert Scramble Series, Near: Slash X Ranch, Huntington Beach Motorcycle Club, 626-483-5164, janine.grabow@icloud.com, www. huntingtonbeachmc.com Hare Scrambles/Cross Country: March 19. Hollister. Phantom Hare Scrambles, Ghostriders MC, Hollister Hills SVRA, 408-265-2122, rickwheeler@earthlink.net, ghostridersmc.net Dual Sport: March 26-27. Trona, Trek through Death Valley Dual Sport, Family Off-Road Adventures, 209-993-7306, benjamin@familyoffroadadventures.com, familyoffroadadventures.com

FLORIDA

Flat Track - Short Track: March 3. Lake City. AMA Daytona Bike Week Flat Track Championship Series/ AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series, North Florida Speedway, Steve Nace Racing Promotions, 386-754-8800, lizspeedway@yahoo.com, www. northfloridaspeedway.com. Flat Track - Half-Mile: March 4. Lake City. AMA All Star National Flat Track Series, Steve Nace Racing Promotions, North Florida Speedway, 386-754-8800, lizspeedway@yahoo.com, www.northfloridaspeedway.com. Dual Sport: March 4-6. Brooksville. Devil’s Creek National Dual Sport, Dixie Dual Sport, Inc., 727-919-8299, president@dixiedualsport.com, http://dixiedualsport.com Adventure Ride: March 5-6. Santa Rosa Adventure Ride, Appalachian Trail Riders, Krul Lake Recreation & Campground, 704-309-3271, rottenronnie690@ yahoo.com Flat Track - Half-Mile: March 5. Lake City. AMA Daytona Bike Week Flat Track Championship Series/ AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series, North Florida Speedway, Steve Nace Racing Promotions, 386-754-8800, lizspeedway@yahoo. com, www.northfloridaspeedway.com. Flat Track - Half-Mile: March 6. De Leon Springs. AMA All Star National Flat Track Series Steve Nace Racing Promotions, Volusia Speedway Park, 386-985-4402, volusiaspeedway@dirtcar.com, volusiaspeedwaypark.com. Flat Track - Half-Mile: March 7. De Leon Springs. AMA Daytona Bike Week Flat Track Championship Series/ AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series, Steve Nace Racing Promotions, Volusia Speedway Park, 386-985-4402, volusiaspeedway@dirtcar.com, volusiaspeedwaypark.com.

INDIANA

Hare and Hound: March 19-20. Murphy. Rabbit Creek 100, Dirt Inc., 208-614-7346.

ILLINOIS

Motocross: March 5. Mendota. Traxs Winter Series, Moto Pro Inc., 815-884-9361, www.megatraxs.com Motocross: March 26-27. Casey. Lincoln Trail 62

MINNESOTA

NEW JERSEY

Motocross: March 6. Millville. Opening Day/NJ Championship Series, Field of Dreams MX, LLC., NJ Field of Dreams, 856-765-3799, info@njmpfod. com, www.njmpfod.com Enduro: March 13. Port Elizabeth. Greenbrier Enduro, Tri-County Sportsmen MC Inc., 856-2653911, epolhamus@comcast.net Flat Track - Short Track: March 19. New Egypt. Shippensburg MC, New Egypt Speedway, candybaer@comcast.net, baermotorsports.com Enduro: March 19. Shamong. Squirrelly Fern JR Family Enduro. South Jersey Enduro Riders, Inc., Indian Mills Deer Club, 609-560-1713, whoops101@ verizon.net, http://www.sjer.org Motocross: March 20. Englishtown. Raceway Park Motocross, Raceway Park, 732-446-7800, rtrevelise@racewaypark.com, www.etownraceway. com Enduro: March 20. Shamong. Curly Fern Enduro, South Jersey Enduro Riders, Inc., Indian Mills Deer Club, 609-268-9272, sjer@sjer.org, www.sjer.org Enduro: March 27. Green Bank. Sandy Lane Enduro, Meteor MC, Interboro Gun Club, meteormc.com

NORTH CAROLINA

Motocross: March 13. Henderson. South East Winter MX Series, Krusty Riders Association, North Carolina Motorsports Park, 252-767-6671, ncmp@ ncmp.net, www.ncmp.net

NEW MEXICO

Road Race: March 5-6. Arroyo Seco. ASMA Championship Series, Motorcyclist Association, Arroyo Seco Raceway, roger@asmaracing.com, asmaracing.com Observed Trials: March 6. San Ysidro. NMTA #2, New Mexico Trials Association, San Ysidro Trials Area, 505-780-2551, newmexicotrials@gmail.com, newmexicotrials.com Motocross: March 20. Moriarty. Moriarty MX Southwest Area Qualifier, J-Land MX, LLC., Moriarty MX, 505-306-7269, moriartymx@yahoo.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Motocross: March 13. Shippensburg. Doublin Gap - Season Opener, Doublin Gap Motocross, Inc., Doublin Gap MX Park, 717-571-5824, doublingap@ gmail.com, www.doublingap.com Flat Track - Short Track: March 27. Hanover. Happy Ramblers MC, 717-554-2783, happyramblersmx@gmail.com, happyramblersmx.com Motocross: March 27. Birdsboro. District 6 Ultimate Quad Series, Pagoda Motorcycle Club, Pagoda MC, 610-582-3717, pagodamc@gmail.com, www.pagodamc.org

SOUTH CAROLINA

Enduro: March 19-20. Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series RD 2, GTR Complex, 919-238-1627, contact@fullgasenduro.com, fullgasenduro.com Motocross: March 26. Gray Court. Carolina Elite Series, Travelers Rest Motorsports Park 850-251-9698, www.sc-moto.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

TENNESSEE

Motocross: March 26-27. Livingston. Thunder Valley MX Mid-East Area Qualifier, Thunder Valley Motocross, 931-498-6686, thundervalleymx761@ yahoo.com, www.thundervalleymotocross.com

TEXAS

Motocross: March 5-6. Yantis. Johnsonville MX Farm South Central Area Qualifier, Johnsonville MX Farm, LLC., Johnsonville MX Farm, 903-217-7965. Motocross: March 9-13. Wortham. James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship, Freestone County Raceway LLC., Freestone County Raceway, 713962-3386, freestonemx@gmail.com, www.freestonemx.com Motocross: March 16-19. Kemp. Spring A Ding Ding, MPG Creative Group LLC., Underground MX, 816-582-4113, layne@mpgcreativegroup.com, www.springadingding.com

WEST VIRGINIA

Motocross: March 6. Hedgesville. District 6 Henrietta Classic Series, Tomahawk MX, LLC., Tomahawk MX, 304-582-8185, tomahawkmotocross@gmail.com, www.tomahawkmx.com Motocross: March 20. Hedgesville. PAMX/MDRA Series, Tomahawk MX, LLC., Tomahawk MX, 304582-8185, tomahawkmotocross@gmail.com, www.tomahawkmx.com Motocross: March 26-27. Hedgesville. Tomahawk MX Northeast Area Qualifier, Tomahawk MX, LLC., Tomahawk MX, 304-582-8185, tomahawkmotocross@gmail.com, www.tomahawkmx.com

SUPERCROSS 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross supercrosslive.com Round 9: March 5. Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona International Speedway Round 10: March 12. Detroit, Mich. Ford Field Round 11: March 19. Indianapolis, Ind. Lucas Oil Stadium Round 12: March 26. Seattle, Wash. Lumen Field Round 13: April 9. St. Louis, Mo. Dome of America’s Center Round 14: April 16. Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta Motor Speedway Round 15: April 23. Foxborough, Mass. Gillette Stadium Round 16: April 30. Denver, Colo. Empower Field at Mile High Round 17: May 7. Salt Lake City, Utah. Rice-Eccles Stadium

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Supercross Future, an AMA National Championship supercrossfutures.com May 7: Salt Lake City, Utah. Rice-Eccles Stadium Supercross Futures Premier Qualifiers South: April 16. Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta Motor Speedway. Northeast: April 23. Foxborough, Mass. Gillette Stadium.

#AMAADV

MOTOCROSS 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship promotocross.com Round 1: May 28. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway Round 2: June 4. Sacramento, Calif. Hangtown Motocross Round 3: June 11. Lakewood, Colo. Thunder Valley Motocross Park Round 4: June 18. Mount Morris, Pa. High Point Raceway Round 5: July 2. Buchanan, Mich. RedBud MX Round 6: July 9. Southwick, Mass. The Wick 338 Round 7: July 16. Millville, Minn. Spring Creek MX Park Round 8: July 23. Washougal, Wash. Washougal MX Park Round 9: Aug. 13. New Berlin, N.Y. Unadilla MX Round 10: Aug. 20. Mechanicsville, Md. Budds Creek Motocross Park Round 11: Aug. 27. Crawfordsville, Ind. Ironman Raceway Round 12: Sept. 3. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Kicker AMA Arenacross National Championship Series arenacrossusa.com Round 7: Feb. 4. Reno, Nev. RS Livestock Event Center. Round 8: Feb. 5. Reno, Nev. RS Livestock Event Center. Round 9: Feb. 11. Denver, Colo. National Western Event Center. Round 10: Feb. 12. Denver, Colo. National Western Event Center. National Championship: AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, mxsports.com Aug. 1-6. Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Loretta Lynn Ranch Northeast Area Qualifiers March 12-13. Mechanicsville, Md. Budds Creek. March 19-20. Sutherlin, Va. Birch Creek Motorsports Park. March 26-27. Hedgesville, W. Va. Tomahawk MX. April 16-17. Southwick, Mass. The Wick 338. April 23-24. Birdsboro, Pa. Pagoda MX. April 30-May 1. Wallkill, N.Y. Walden Motocross. May 7-8. Englishtown, N.J. Englishtown. May 14-15. Sugar Grove, Pa. Maple Shade MX. Northeast Regionals Amateur: May 27-29. Mount Morris, Pa. High Point Raceway. Youth: June 3-5. Shippensburg, Pa. Doublin Gap MX. Vet: June 10-12. Seward, Pa. Pleasure Valley Raceway. Southeast Area Qualifiers March 19-20. Washington, Ga. Aonia Pass MX. April 2-3. Pell City, Ala. Mill Creek MX. April 9-10. Blountville, Tenn. Muddy Creek. April 23-24. Hamer, S.C. South of the Border MX. April 30-May 1. Henderson, N.C. North Carolina Motorsports Park. May 7-8. Dalton, Ga. Lazy River MX. May 14-15. Wytheville, Va. Pro Sport Motocross. Southeast Regionals Youth: May 27-29. Jacksonville, Fla. WW Ranch Motocross Park.

SOME OF THE BEST ROUTES MAPPED BY LOCAL EXPERTS. A GREAT CHALLENGE WITH LIKE-MINDED RIDERS. A FULL WEEKEND OF ACTIVITIES, WITH CAMPING, FOOD AND PRIZES. AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM/NATIONAL-ADVENTURE-RIDING SUPPORTING SPONSORS

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

COMING EVENTS

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

Amateur: June 10-12. Reynolds, Ga. Silver Dollar Raceway. Vet: June 17-19. Axton, Va. Lake Sugar Tree Motorsports Park. Mid-East Area Qualifiers March 26-27. Livingston, Tenn. Thunder Valley MX. April 2-3. Rossville, Ind. Wildcat Creek MX. April 9-10. Bronson, Mich. Log Road MX. April 23-24. Buchanan, Mich. RedBud MX. April 30-May 1. Bloomingdale, Mich. Dutch Sport Park May 7-8. Millington, Mich. Baja Acres. May 14-15. Waynesburg, Ohio. Malvern MX. May 21-22. Sebree, Ky. Echo Valley MX. Mid-East Regionals Amateur: June 3-5. Rossville, Ind. Wildcat Creek MX. Youth: June 10-12. Chillicothe, Ohio. ChilliTown MX. Vet: June 24-26. Nashport, Ohio. Briarcliff MX. North Central Area Qualifiers March 26-27. Casey, Ill. Lincoln Trail Motosports. April 2-3. Washington Park, Ill. Archview MX Park. April 16-17. Maize, Kan. Bar 2 Bar MX. April 23-24. Winterset, Iowa. Riverside Raceway. April 30-May 1. Mountain, Wis. Motosplat. May 7-8. Byron, Ill. Byron Motorsports Park. May 14-15. Walnut, Ill. Sunset Ridge MX. May 21-22. Little Falls, Minn. Little Falls Raceway. North Central Regionals Vet: June 10-12. Garwin, Iowa. Oak Ridge MX. Youth: June 17-19. Tigerton, Wis. Motozone. Amateur: June 24-26. Mount Carroll, Ill. MC Moto Park. South Central Area Qualifiers March 5-6. Yantis, Texas. Johnsonville MX Farm. March 26-27. Lakewood, Colo. Thunder Valley Motocross Park. April 2-3. Kemp, Texas. Underground MX. April 9-10. Grand Cane, La. Desoto Motorsports Park. April 23-24. Ponca City, Okla. Ponca City. May 14-15. Wellston, Okla. Reynard Raceway. South Central Regionals Amateur: June 3-5. Conroe, Texas. 3 Palms Action Sports Park. Vet: June 17-19. Alvord, Texas. Oak Hill Raceway. Youth: June 24-26. Tyler, Texas. Swan MX Raceway Park. Northwest Area Qualifiers

Southwest Area Qualifiers March 5-6. Littlefield, Ariz. Mesquite Motocross Park. March 19-20. Moriarty, N.M. Moriarty MX. March 26-27. Turlock, Calif. Oatfield Raceway. April 2-3. Porterville, Calif. Porterville OHV Park. May 14-15. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway.

2022 AMA Pro-Am Schedule James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship: March 9-13. Wortham, Texas. Freestone County Raceway. (713) 962-3386. freestonemx.com South East Winter MX Series: March 13. Henderson, N.C. North Carolina Motorsports Park. (252) 767-6671. ncmp.net Spring A Ding Ding: March 16-19. Kemp, Texas. Underground MX. (816) 582-4113. springadingding.com AMA North Carolina State Championship: April 3. Sanford, N.C. Devils Ridge Motocross. (919) 776-1767. devilsridgemotox.com MAMA Race #2: April 16-17. Hedgesville, W.V. Tomahawk MX. (304) 582-8185. tomahawkmx.com Area Qualifier/MEGA/SAS/BIG Series Pro-Am *DOUBLE POINTS: May 8. Dalton, Ga. Lazy River MX. (706) 278-2868. lazyrivermx.com Dylan Slusser Memorial Pro-Am: May 22. Seward, Pa. Pleasure Valley Raceway. (814) 317-6686. pvrmx.com Fly Racing Spring Shootout: May 29-30. Casey, Ill. Lincoln Trail Motosports. (217) 932-2041. lincolntrailmotosports.com Mid Minnesota Challenge: June 5. Cambridge, Minn. BCMX Adventure Park. (612) 280-8939. bcmxadventurepark.com Raceway Park Pro-Am: June 26. Englishtown, N.J. Raceway Park. (732) 446-7800. etownraceway.com ChilliTown Classic: July 6-10. Chillicothe, Ohio. ChilliTown MX. (513) 266-2866. chillitownmx.com Aztalan Cycle Club Pro-Am: July 10. Lake Mills, Wis. Aztalan Cycle Club. (414) 265-1582. aztalanmx.com Baja Brawl: Sept. 2-5. Millington, Mich. Baja Acres. (989) 871-3356. bajaacres.com MSC Championship MX Series: Sept. 3-4. Carlisle, N.Y. Diamondback MX @ The Ranch at Carlisle. (845) 554-8717. diamondback-mx.com Yamaha All-Star Pro-Am/Cobra Cup: Sept. 10-11. Shippensburg, Pa. Doublin Gap MX Park. (717) 571-5824. doublingap.com Megacross Shootout Series: Sept. 17. Mendota, Ill. Megacross. (815) 539-9021. megacross.com Beast in the East/New Jersey Championship Series Pro-Am: Sept. 18. Millville, N.J. NJ Field of Dreams. (856) 765-3799. njmpfod.com Sunset Ridge MX Pro-Am: Sept. 18. Walnut, Ill. Sunset Ridge MX. (815) 379-9534. sunsetridgemx.com AMA Georgia State Championship/MEGA/SAS/ BIG Series *DOUBLE POINTS: Sept. 25. Dalton, Ga. Lazy River MX. (706) 278-2868. lazyrivermx.com 46th Annual Kawasaki Race of Champions: Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Englishtown, N.J. Raceway Park. (732) 446-7800. etownraceway.com Big Bucks Pro-Am: Oct. 9. Birdsboro, Pa. Pagoda MC. (610) 582-3717. pagodamc.org MSC Championship MX Series: Oct. 16. Middletown, N.Y. Orange County Fair Motocross. (845) 342-2573. orangecountyfairspeedway.net Travis Pastrana Pro-Am Challenge: Oct. 22-23. Seward, Pa. Pleasure Valley Raceway. (814) 317-6686. pvrmx.com AMA South Carolina State Championship: Nov. 13.

AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series atvmotocross.com Round 1: March 8. Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona International Speedway. Round 2: April 2-3. Conroe, Texas. Three Palms Action Sports Park. Round 3: April 16-17. Washington, Ga. Aonia Pass MX. Round 4: April 30-May 1. Mount Morris, Pa. High Point Raceway. Round 5: May 14-15. Crawfordsville, Ind. Ironman Raceway. Round 6: May 28-29. Walnut, Ill. Sunset Ridge MX. Round 7: June 11-12. Nashport, Ohio. Briarcliff MX. Round 8: July 2-3. Seward, Pa. Pleasure Valley Raceway. Round 9: July 30-31. Buchanan, Mich. RedBud MX. Round 10: Aug. 13-14. Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Loretta Lynn Ranch. AMA Vintage Motocross Grand Championship amavintagemotorcycledays.com July 23-24. Lexington, Ohio. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

MAJOR EVENTS James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship freestonemx.com March 9-13. Wortham, Texas. Freestone County Raceway. (713) 962-3386. Thor Mini O’s, presented by Pro Circuit unlimitedsportsmx.com SX: Nov. 19-22. Alachua, Fla. Gatorback Cycle Park. (321) 689-3461. MX: Nov. 23-26. Alachua, Fla. Gatorback Cycle Park. (321) 689-3461. FEATURED EVENTS OR SERIES Spring A Ding Ding springadingding.com March 16-19. Kemp, Texas. Underground MX. (816) 582-4113.

Northwest Regional

ChilliTown Classic chillitownmx.com

March 5-6. Littlefield, Ariz. Mesquite Motocross Park. March 12-13. Tulare, Calif. DT-1 MX Park. April 2-3. Porterville, Calif. Porterville OHV Park. April 9-10. Delta, Utah. Bunker Hill. Midwest Regional Youth/Amateur/Vet: June 10-12. Delta, Utah. Bunker Hill. 64

PRO-AM EVENTS

Youth/Amateur/Vet: June 3-5. Pala, Calif. Fox Raceway.

Fly Racing Spring Shootout lincolntrailmotosports.com

Midwest Area Qualifiers

Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Englishtown, N.J. Raceway Park. (732) 446-7800. etownraceway.com

Southwest Regional

April 9-10. Delta, Utah. Bunker Hill. April 9-10. West Richland, Wash. Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex. May 7-8. Washougal, Wash. Washougal MX Park. Youth/Amateur/Vet: May 27-29. Washougal, Wash. Washougal MX Park.

46th Annual Kawasaki Race of Champions etownraceway.com

May 29-30. Casey, Ill. Lincoln Trail Motosports. (217) 932-2041. July 6-10. Chillicothe, Ohio. ChilliTown MX. (513) 266-2866. Baja Brawl bajaacres.com Sept. 2-5. Millington, Mich. Baja Acres. (989) 871-3356. Yamaha All-Star Pro-Am/Cobra Cup doublingap.com Sept. 10-11. Shippensburg, Pa. Doublin Gap MX Park. (717) 571-5824.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Hamer, S.C. South of the Border MX. (423) 323-5497. victory-sports.com Thor Mini O’s, presented by Pro Circuit – SX: Nov. 19-22. Alachua, Fla. Gatorback Cycle Park. (321) 689-3461. unlimitedsportsmx.com Thor Mini O’s, presented by Pro Circuit – MX: Nov. 23-26. Alachua, Fla. Gatorback Cycle Park. (321) 689-3461. unlimitedsportsmx.com

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA North Carolina State Championship: April 3. Sanford, N.C. Devils Ridge Motocross. (919) 7761767. devilsridgemotox.com AMA New Jersey State Championship: Aug. 21. Englishtown, N.J. Raceway Park. (732) 446-7800. etownraceway.com AMA Georgia State Championship: Sept. 25. Dalton, Ga. Lazy River MX. (706) 278-2868. lazyrivermx.com AMA Kentucky State Championship: Oct. 16. Sebree, Ky. Echo Valley MX LLC. (270) 339-6704. evmxllc.com AMA South Carolina State Championship: Nov. 13. Hamer, S.C. South of the Border MX. (423) 3235497. victory-sports.com

TRACK RACING 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship motoamerica.com Round 1: March 10-12. Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona International Speedway, Daytona 200 Round 2: April 8-10. Austin, Texas. Circuit of the Americas Round 3: April 22-24. Atlanta, Ga. Road Atlanta Round 4: May 20-22. Alton, Va. Virginia International Raceway Round 5: June 3-5. Elkhart Lake, Wis. Road America Round 6: June 24-26. Shelton, Wash. The Ridge Motorsports Park Round 7: July 8-10. Monterey, Calif. Laguna Seca Raceway Round 8: July 29-31. Brainerd, Minn. Brainerd International Raceway Round 9: Aug. 19-21. Wampum, Pa. Pittsburgh International Race Complex Round 10: Sept. 9-11. Millville, N.J. New Jersey Motorsports Park Round 11: Sept. 23-25. Leeds, Ala. Barber Motorsports Park AMA Pro Hillclimb amaprohillclimb.com Round 1: June 5. Jefferson, Pa. White Rose Motorcycle Club. Round 2: June 12. Freemansburg, Pa. Bushkill Valley Motorcycle Club. Round 3: Aug. 7. Muskegon, Mich. Muskegon Motorcycle Club. Round 4: Sept. 17. Jefferson, Pa. White Rose Motorcycle Club. Round 5: Sept. 25. Freemansburg, Pa. Bushkill Valley Motorcycle Club. Round 6: Oct. 9. Oregonia, Ohio. Dayton Motorcycle Club. Progressive American Flat Track americanflattrack.com Round 1: March 10. Barberville, Fla. Volusia Speedway Park. Half-mile. Round 2: March 11. Barberville, Fla. AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

COMING EVENTS

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

Volusia Speedway Park. Half-mile. Round 3: March 19. Fort Worth, Texas. Texas Motor Speedway. Half-mile. Round 4: April 23. Odessa, Mo. I-70 Motorsports Park. Half-mile. Round 5: May 28. Lexington, Ky. The Red Mile. Mile. Round 6: May 29. Lexington, Ky. The Red Mile. Mile. Round 7: June 11. Loudon, N.H. New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Short Track. Round 8: June 25. Lima, Ohio. Allen County Fairgrounds. Half-mile. Round 9: July 2. Weedsport, N.Y., Weedsport Speedway. Short Track. Round 10: July 16. Port Royal, Pa. Port Royal Speedway. Half-mile. Round 11: July 30. Peoria, Ill. Peoria Motorcycle Club. TT. Round 12: Aug. 6. Rapid City, S.D. Black Hills Speedway. Half-mile. Round 13: Aug. 13. Castle Rock, Wash. Castle Rock Race Park. TT. Round 14: Aug. 20. Sacramento, Calif. Cal Expo. Mile. Round 15: Sept. 3. Springfield, Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds. Mile. Round 16: Sept. 4. Springfield Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds. Mile. Round 17: Sept. 24. New Richmond, Wis. Cedar Lake Speedway. Short Track. Round 18: Oct. 15. Barberville, Fla. Volusia Speedway Park. Half-mile.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA Vintage Road Race Grand Championship amavintagemotorcycledays.com July 23-24: Lexington, Ohio. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, americanmotorcylist.com/flat-track-racing July 7-13. Du Quoin, Ill. Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series americanmotorcyclist.com/flat-track-racing/ Round 1: March 3. Lake City, Fla. North Florida Speedway (Short Track). (386) 754-8800. northfloridaspeedway.com Round 2: March 5. Lake City, Fla. North Florida Speedway (Half Mile). (386) 754-8800. northfloridaspeedway.com. Round 3: March 7. De Leon Springs, Fla. Volusia Speedway (Half Mile). (386) 985-4402. volusiaspeedwaypark.com. Round 4: May 1. Gratz, Pa. Gratz Fairgrounds (Half Mile). (717) 796-0294. baermotorsports.com. Round 5: May 14. Duanesburg, N.Y. Electric City Raceway (Short Track). (518) 727-0311. Round 6: May 15. Duanesburg, N.Y. Electric City Raceway (Short Track). (518) 727-0311. Round 7: June 17. Harpursville, N.Y. SDR Raceway (Short Track). (607) 725-3069. squaredealriders.com. Round 8: June 18. Harpursville, N.Y. SDR Raceway (Short Track). (607) 725-3069. squaredealriders.com. Round 9: June 24. Greenville, Ohio. Darke County Fairgrounds (Half Mile). (937) 518-5044. darkecountyfair.com. Round 10: June 26. Greenville, Ohio. Darke County Fairgrounds (Half Mile). (937) 518-5044. darkecountyfair.com. Round 11: July 9. Du Quoin, Ill. Du Quoin State Fairgrounds (Mile). (614) 856-1900. Round 12: July 23. Ashland, Ohio. Ashland 66

County Fairgrounds (Half Mile). (614) 856-1900. amavintagemotorcycledays.com. Round 13: Sept. 1. Springfield, Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds (Short Track). (270) 442-7532. Round 14: Sept. 17. Cuddebackville, N.Y. Oakland Valley Race Park (Short Track). (845) 219-1193. tristateclub.net. Round 15: Sept. 18. Cuddebackville, N.Y. Oakland Valley Race Park (Short Track). (845) 219-1193. tristateclub.net. AMA Land Speed Grand Championship bonnevillemst.com Aug. 28-Sept. 1. Tooele, Utah. Bonneville Salt Flat. AMA Supermoto National Championship Series drtracinginc.com April 1-3: Anthony Hart Memorial Race – Stateline Supermoto Challenge. Prime, Nev. June 9-11: Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally. Austin, Texas. Aug. 9: Jackpine Gypsies MX Track. Sturgis, S.D. Aug. 12-14: TBD Nov. 4-6: Musselman Honda Circuit. Tucson, Ariz.

MAJOR EVENTS AMA Daytona Bike Week Flat Track Championship Series stevenaceracing.com March 3: Short Track. Lake City, Fla. North Florida Speedway. March 5: Half Mile. Lake City, Fla. North Florida Speedway March 7: Half Mile. De Leon Springs, Fla. Volusia Speedway Park.

FEATURED EVENTS OR SERIES AMA All-Star National Flat Track Series stevenaceracing.com March 4: Half Mile. Lake City, Fla. North Florida Speedway. March 6: Half Mile. De Leon Springs, Fla. Volusia Speedway Park. April 16: Half Mile. Ashland, Ohio. Ashland County Fairgrounds. July 4: Half Mile. Frederick, Md. The Great Frederick Fairgrounds. Sept. 2: Short Track. Springfield, Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds.

OFF-ROAD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Grand National Cross Country gnccracing.com Round 2: Wild Boar – March 5-6. Palatka, Fla. Hog Waller. Round 3: The General – March 12-13. Washington, Ga. Aonia Pass MX. Round 4: TBA Round 5: Camp Coker Bullet – Apr 9-10. Society Hill, S.C. Moree’s Sportsman’s Preserve. Round 6: Hoosier – May 7-8. Crawfordsville, Ind. Ironman Raceway. Round 7: The John Penton – May 21-22. Millfield, Ohio. Sunday Creek Raceway. Round 8: Mason-Dixon – Jun 4-5. Mount Morris, Pa. Mathews Farm. Round 9: Snowshoe – Jun 25-26. Showshoe, W. Va. Showshoe Mountain Resort. Loretta Lynn’s – eMTB Only – July 30. Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Loretta Lynn Ranch.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

Round 10: The Mountaineer – Sept. 10-11. Beckley, W. Va. Summit Bechtel Reserve. Round 11: Burr Oak – Sept. 24-25. Millfield, Ohio. Sunday Creek Raceway. Round 12: Buckwheat 100 – Oct. 8-9. Newburg, W. Va. CJ Raceway. Round 13: Ironman – Oct. 22-23. Crawfordsville, Ind. Ironman Raceway. AMA National Enduro Championship nationalenduro.com Round 2: Dragons Back National – May 1. Arrington, Va. (757) 357-5665 oakridgeestate.com Round 3: Lead Belt National – May 15. Park Hills, Mo. (636) 639-6373 momudders.com Round 4: Cherokee National – June 12. Greensboro, Ga. (678) 572-7260 cherokeeenduroriders.com Round 5: Rattlesnake National – July 24. Cross Fork, Pa. (610) 883-7607 ber.us Round 6: Grassman National – Aug. 21. Chandlersville, Ohio. (614) 204-1438 ohiowoodsriders.com Round 7: Loose Moose National – Sept. 18. Marquette, Mich. (906) 250-3616 upsandstormers.com Round 8: Muddobbers National – Oct. 2. Matthews, Ind. (765) 998-2236 muddobbermc.org Round 9: Zink Ranch National – Oct. 16. Sand Spring, Okla. tulsatrailriders.com Round 10: Gobbler Getter National –Nov. 6. Stanton, Ala. (205) 340-4298 perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com AMA National Hare and Hound Championship nationalhareandhound.com Round 2: March 19-20. Murphy, Idaho. Round 3: April 9. Jericho, Utah. Round 4: April 30. Jericho, Utah Round 5: May 28-29. Ridgecrest, Calif. Round 6: Sept. 10. Panaca, Nev. Round 7: Oct. 8-9. Lovelock, Nev. Round 8: Oct. 22-23. Lucerne Valley, Calif. AMA National Grand Prix Championship ngpcseries.com Round 3: March 5-6. Glen Helen, Calif. Round 4: April 2-3. 29 Palms, Calif. Round 5: April 23-24. Primm, Nev. Round 6: May 14. Delta, Utah Round 7: Aug. 20-21. Preston, Idaho Round 8: Oct. 1-2. Ridgecrest, Calif. Round 9: Oct. 29-30. Blythe, Calif. Round 10: Nov. 12-13. Havasu, Ariz. AMA/NATC National MotoTrials Championship mmototrials.com Round 1: April 2. Sequatchie, Tenn. Trials Training Center. Round 2: April 3. Sequatchie, Tenn. Trials Training Center. Round 3: May 14. Wilseyville, Calif. Sactopits. Round 4: May 15. Wilseyville, Calif. Sactopits. Round 5: May 21. Canon City, Colo. RMTA. Round 6: May 22. Canon City, Colo. RMTA. Round 7: June 11. Gilbert, Minn. UMTA. Round 8: June 12. Gilbert, Minn. UMTA. AMA Extreme Off-Road Grand Championship tennesseeknockoutenduro.com Red Bull Tennessee Knockout: Aug. 12-14. Sequatchie, Tenn. Trials Training Center. AMA Vintage Hare Scramble Grand Championship amavintagemotorcycledays.com July 22. Lexington, Ohio. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

AMA Vintage Observed Trials Grand Championship amavintagemotorcycledays.com July 24. Lexington, Ohio. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA West Hare Scramble Championship westharescramble.com Round 1: March 12-13. Doyle, Calif. Round 2: March 26-27. Jacksonville, Ore. Round 3: May 21-22. La Pine, Ore. Round 4: June 18-19. Bellingham, Wash. Round 5: July 9-10. Washougal, Wash. Round 6: Oct. 15-16. Boise, Idaho Round 7: Nov. 5-6. Toutle, Wash. Round 8: Nov. 19-20. Wilseyville, Calif.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA Florida State Hare Scramble Championship Series floridatrailriders.org Round 9: March 19-20 Dade City, Fla. Nature Coast Trail Blazers (813) 731-0619 Round 10: April 2-3 TBD Apollo Motorcycle Club (321) 794-0993 Round 11: April 16-17 TBD Big Scrub Trail Riders (386) 679-8201 Round 12: April 30-May 1TBD River City Dirt Riders (904) 509-4383 Round 13: May 14-15 Bartow, Fla. Sunrunners RECREATIONAL NATIONAL

AMA East Hare Scramble Championship amaeastharescrambles.com Round 3: March 20. Martinsville, Va. VXCS. Round 4: May 14-15. Eagleswood, N.J. MCI. Round 5: May 29. Lisle, N.Y. NYOA. Round 6: July 31. Millville, N.J. NJFOD. Round 7: Sept. 18. Bath, N.Y. Full Action Cycles. AMA US Sprint Enduro Championship ussprintenduro.com Round 4: March 19-20. Greensboro, Ga. Boswell Farm. Round 5: April 2-3. TBA. Round 6: April 23-24. Fairmont, W. Va. Track 93. Round 7: May 28-29. TBA. Round 8: June 18-19. Bristol, Va. Harleywood

AMA National Adventure Riding Series americanmotorcyclist.com/nationaladventure-riding March 5-6. Santa Rosa. Milton, Fla. Appalachian Trail Riders. (704) 309-3271 April 29-May 1. Scull Shoals. Union Point, Ga. GA Dual Sport Riders. (706) 622-4108 scullshoals.com May 21-22. Berkshire Big Adventure. Colebrook, Conn. Berkshire Trail Riders. (203) 725-8439 mudslinger.org

AMA Extreme Off-Road Championship amaextremechampionship.com

April 30-May 1. Yosemite Adventure Tour. Buck Meadows, Calif. Family Off-Road Adventures. (209) 993-7306. familyoffroadadventures.com June 4-5. Durty Dabbers Great Adventure. Lock Haven, Pa. Durty Dabbers. (570) 748-9456 durtydabbers.com June 11-12. Ride for Research. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030 widualsportriders.org June 25-26. Big Bear Run. Big Bear, Calif. Big Bear Trail Riders. (818) 391-3031 bigbeartrailriders.com Sept. 10-11. Blue Ridge. Pineola, N.C. AppalachianTrail Riders. (704) 309-3271 carolinadualsporters.com Sept. 17-18. Buffaloe 500. Columbus, Ind. Stoney Lonesome Motorcycle Club. (812) 342-4411 stoneylonesomemc.com Sept. 24-25. Show Me 500. Bixby, Mo. Midwest Trail Riders Association. (314) 434-5095 ridemtra.com Sept. 24-25. Big Woods 200. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030 widualsportriders.org Oct. 1-2. Perry Mountain Tower Run. Stanton, Ala. Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club. (334) 327-5086 perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com Oct. 22-23. Cross-Florida Adventure. Saint Augustine, Fla. Dixie Dual Sport. (727) 919-8299 dixiedualsport.com Nov. 25-26. L.A. – Barstow to Vegas. Palmdale, Calif. District 37 Dual Sport. (626) 446-7386 labarstowvegas.com

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AMA US Hard Enduro West Championship

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Round 1: March 26. Page, Ariz. Round 2: April 23. Ridgecrest, Calif. Round 3: May 1. TBA. Round 4: June 11. Norden, Calif. Round 5: June 18-19. Kellogg, Idaho.

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AMA US Hard Enduro East Championship Round 1: May 21-22. Spraugville, Iowa. Round 2: May 28-29. Little Hocking, Ohio. Round 3: July 2-3. Tamaqua, Pa. Round 4: July 16-17. Sugarloaf, Pa. Round 5: Aug. 6-7. Taylorsville, N.C. AMA ISDE QUALIFIER SERIES americanmotorcyclist.com/isde

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AMA West ISDE Qualifiers Round 1: March 19-20. Ridgecrest, Calif. Round 2: April 9-10. Campwood, Ariz. Round 3: April 30-May 1. Blackfoot, Idaho AMA East ISDE Qualifiers. Round 3: April 23-24. Vasar, Mich.

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FEATURED EVENTS OR SERIES

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AMA Florida Enduro Championship Series floridatrailriders.org

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Round 6: March 10 Ormond Beach, Fla. Daytona Dirt Riders (386) 852-3330 Round 7: June 5 Greensboro, Ga. Cherokee Enduro Riders (678) 572-7260

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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

COMING EVENTS

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

Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series americanmotorcyclist.com/national-dual-sport March 4-6. Devil’s Creek. Brooksville, Fla. Dixie Dual Sport. (727) 919-8299 dixiedualsport.com April 29-May 1. Scull Shoals. Union Point, Ga. GA Dual Sport Riders. (706) 622-4108 scullshoals.com June 4-5. Durty Dabbers Great Adventure. Lock Haven, Pa. Durty Dabbers. (570) 748-9456 durtydabbers.com June 11-12. Ride for Research. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030 widualsportriders.org June 11-12. Ozark 200. New Blaine, Ark. Arkansas Dirt Riders, Inc. (501) 539-3361 arkansas-dirt-riders. spruz.com June 25-26. Big Bear Run. Big Bear, Calif. Big Bear Trail Riders. (818) 391-3031 bigbeartrailriders.com July 16-17. Copperhead. Logan, Ohio. Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club. (740) 385-7695 hockingvalleymc.com Aug. 6-7. Mountain Madness. Flagstaff, Ariz. Coconino Trail Riders. (602) 391-8107 coconinotrailriders.org Sept. 10-11. Baby Burr. New Plymouth, Ohio. Enduro Riders of Ohio. (740) 972-4214 enduroriders.com Sept. 10-11. LBL 200. Golden Pond, Ky. KT Riders. (270) 350-6324 lbl200.com Sept. 17-18. Buffaloe 500. Columbus, Ind. Stoney Lonesome Motorcycle Club. (812) 342-4411 stoneylonesomemc.com

Sept. 17-18. Yosemite Dual Sport Adventure. Groveland, Calif. Family Off-Road Adventures. (209) 993-7306. familyoffroadadventures.com Sept. 24-25. Show Me 200. Bixby, Mo. Midwest Trail Riders Association. (314) 434-5095 ridemtra.com Sept. 24-25. Big Woods 200. Wabeno, Wis. Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders. (920) 350-2030 widualsportriders.org Oct. 1-2. Perry Mountain Tower Run. Stanton, Ala. Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club. (334) 327-5086 perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com Oct. 1-2. Shenandoah 500. Natural Chimneys, Va. Washington Area Trail Riders. watr.us Oct. 7-9. Eastern Sierra Dual Sport. Lone Pine, Calif. Family Off Road Adventures. (209) 993-7306. familyoffroadadventures.com Nov. 5-6. The Hammer Run. Port Elizabeth, N.J. TriCounty Sportsmen M.C. Inc. teamhammer.org Nov. 5-6. Howlin’ at the Moon. Payson, Ariz. Arizona Trail Riders. (602) 692-9382 arizonatrailriders.org Nov. 25-26. L.A. – Barstow to Vegas. Palmdale, Calif. District 37 Dual Sport. (626) 446-7386 labarstowbegas.com

AMA National Gypsy Tour. americanmotorcyclist.com/gypsytour Laconia Motorcycle Week. June 11-19. Laconia, New Hampshire

AMA Vintage Motorcyle Days https://vintagemotorcycledays.com/page/racing AMA Vintage Motorcyle Days July 22-24. Lexington, Ohio

AMA Grand Tours https://americanmotorcyclist.com/grandtours Great Lakes Cabot Trail Tour. Jan.15 - Nov. 30. Southern California Motorcycling Association, 330-857-8131, cabottrail@sc-ma.com, sc-ma.com USA Four Corners Tour. Jan.15 - Nov. 30. Southern California Motorcycling Association, 805-889-5220, usa4c@sc-ma.com, sc-ma.com Best 15 US Roads Challenge. Jan.15 - Nov. 30. Southern California Motorcycling Association, 330-857-8131, best15us@sc-ma.com, sc-ma.com California Adventure Series. Jan.15 - Nov. 30. Southern California Motorcycling Association, 330-857-8131, adventures@sc-ma.com, sc-ma.com Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas. March 1-Nov. 15. MC Grand Tour of Texas, LLC, 210-777-1434, davidcanada@mcgttx.com, www.mcgttx.com Tour of Honor. April 1- Nov. 30. Tour of Honor, 208740-0899, admin@tourofhonor.com, tourofhonor.com.

It’s about the journey and the destination

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

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

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Giving Riders More Freedom to Enjoy the Bikes they Love

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

April 29-May 1, 2022

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

Info: Kristi at (951) 704-6370. AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

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

STREET

SAVVY

The Scan

A Springtime review of proper scan technique — a vital part of every rider’s skill repertoire BY MITCH BOEHM

or anyone who rides their motorcycle in the presence of our four-wheel — or 18-wheel — friends, you know it can be ugly out there. It’s ugly inherently, as riding on the street on a relatively unprotected vehicle like a motorcycle surrounded by 4,000-pound (or more) cars and trucks has obvious downsides. But these days, with cell phones and touch screens forming such a significant (and unfortunate) part of the experience, it’s extra ugly. Street riders have a lot to watch for: cars and trucks going every which way (including turning left in front of us, a scenario that remains a top killer of motorcyclists); pedestrians crossing the street where

they aren’t supposed to; and all manner of side streets, alleys and sidewalks from where danger (kids, cages, dogs, Bigfoot) can suddenly spring. There’s also moisture, gravel, oil and other slippery concoctions, and don’t forget those pesky potholes, speed bumps, railroad tracks and Armco barriers. Of course, you’ve also got to monitor your bike’s mirrors and instruments, which means you’ve got stuff ahead, behind and below you. And that’s precisely why proper scan technique can pay huge dividends. The key to keeping all this motorized craziness at bay? Do not dwell too long on any one zone! Ideally, your eyes and attention will move systematically from what’s ahead to what’s behind

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

you, and then to your instruments. Obviously, you want to spend the majority of your time analyzing what’s directly ahead, with a smaller portion checking behind you. If one complete scan cycle takes, say, 6 or 8 seconds (how you divvy this up will depend on what seems best for

again — with a glance at your instruments every third or fourth front-to-back scan checking for speed, fuel level, brights on/off, and maybe even a forgotten turn-signal flasher. In traffic, you’ll want to speed up your scan, while on a lonely road it might be 20 (or more) seconds before you look behind you.

Do not dwell too long on any one zone! Ideally, your eyes and attention will move systematically from what’s ahead to what’s behind you, and then to your instruments. your particular road/traffic situation), you might spend 3 to 4 seconds looking ahead, and a couple/three seconds behind before checking what’s ahead

Learn to do this effectively and you will have gone a long way toward making your street miles far safer than ever before.

Staff Rides

Boehm: 2008 YAMAHA YZ450F

Facing the realization that a 450 motocrosser is too much bike for me ’m at a crossroads with the low-hour Yamaha YZ450F I bought a couple years ago. It’s clean and basically unmolested, and it has Enzo Racing-fettled suspension front and rear that meshes really well with my old, fat and arm-pump-susceptible ass. (I’m good for about five laps

at a time these days, and then it’s recovery time.) But it’s a 450, after all, which means any sort of I’m still 22! behavior (which I am prone to, as I’m an expert at forgetting I’ll be 60 this year) can land me in the trauma center for a multi-night stay. (Been

there, done that, courtesy of my old Honda CR480 vintage racer.) So I think that, despite the 450F’s pristine-ness, I’m due not only for an off-road bike that’s lighter and friendlier than a 450 motocrosser, but one that’s more trail-oriented. I enjoy going to the track, but trail riding is a bit more my speed these days. It’s like me riding my e-MTB…I can go longer and enjoy it more than a pedal-only bike and still get a great workout. And I probably won’t get landed on. I love 2-strokes, their sound and their light weight, so a Beta 200 RR enduro makes a lot of sense. But then I start looking at (and reading about) the topselling and ever-popular KTM 300XC (and Husqvarna TE300), and I start salivating anew. Yes, I am fickle. It’s winter in Utah as I write this, so skiing is at the top of my activity agenda. But Spring — and riding season — is coming…

Kotoski: 2004 Honda Shadow 1100

Burgess: 2013 Yamaha XT250

American-cruiser aesthetic meets Honda R&D refinement

First rides aboard what just might be the perfect bike for me

purchased this 2004 Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit in early 2009 for a nearly year-long, cross-country, border-to-border trip I took that year with my brother. It’s my second bike after I failed miserably at rebuilding a 1984 Suzuki GS700ES in my early twenties. (Details of said rebuild are ugly and cast doubt on my mechanical skills, such as they are, so please don’t ask.) When I purchased the Shadow I wanted something completely reliable — and I got that. I’ve put nearly 25,000 miles on it, on that trip and commuting/ touring around my home state of Minnesota, and the only service item I can report is a dry and sticky ignition switch. At this point I’m patiently waiting for my Minneapolis winter to let up a bit so I can get back on the thing. It might be a while, but fingers and toes are crossed.

he few days it took for my new-to-me Yamaha XT250 to get to Florida (thanks, Federal Motorcycle Transport!) seemed like forever, and when it arrived I was way beyond excited. But Boehm is a slavedriver — and it was ship week — so I didn’t get a ride ’til that evening. First impression? Electric start is the best thing ever! If you’ve owned a bike requiring double-digit kicks to light, you know. I geared up, hit the button and took off…brilliant! The XT weighs nearly twice as much as my little XR80, and that took some getting used to, particularly on sandy stretches. But that first ride put a huge grin on my face…instant stress relief! I’ll admit to dumping it on that first ride. But I picked it up myself and rode on, grin only slightly diminished. I’ve ridden it nearly every day since, and I’m loving life. More soon.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • FEBRUARY 2022

Baxley’s LA Chock (here) and Sport Chock (below) are must-haves for the enthusiast or garage mechanic.

G arag e

AM TESTED

Baxley Wheel Chocks The high-quality, front end stands you can’t live without

BY MITCH BOEHM

ike stands come in a lot of shapes, sizes and designs, but one of the very best — and most versatile — is the Baxley Sport Chock, which is just one part of the company’s line of wheel chocks. Built in the U.S. and offering a lifetime warranty, the Sport Chock — and heavierduty LA Chock, which I have used for a dozen years — mix burly construction and clever design into a product we’ve literally come to lean on over the years. Whether you’re using the stand in your garage for bike storage or maintenance, or in the bed of your pickup or trailer when transporting your scoot, the Baxley chock is

an amazingly versatile and functional tool. It’s super easy to use, too. Just position the chock where you want it and roll your motorcycle’s front wheel into the cup-shaped

cradle, which pivots as the front wheel contacts the V-shaped brace and squeezes the tire for added security. Once the tire contacts the front brace the bike is locked into place,

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

and you can literally walk away from it. (There’s also a flip lock, which locks the pivot assembly and adds extra security.) The chock is a godsend when transporting bikes in my pickup, too. Just position it so the grippy rubber feet are up against the front wall of your pickup’s bed, roll you bike into place and cinch your tie downs. The combo is significantly more secure than tie downs alone, and the chock offers so much stability by itself you could almost drive around without using tie downs at all. This isn’t smart, of course, but it does say a lot about how secure this chock holds your bike. You

can also bolt the chock to the floor of a trailer. “The Sport Chock is the industry standard and is used by OEMs and industry professionals everywhere,” Baxley writes on its website. “You will wonder how you ever lived without it!” Marketing blather is everywhere in this world of ours, but the Baxley folks are definitely not blowing smoke. The Sport Chock retails for a very reasonable $220 and comes in several colors, while the LA Chock is $299 and comes in wrinkle-black only. There’s also an MX/ Drag/Classic Chock for larger-diameter tires (and a narrower MX/Drag cradle, which converts the Sport Chock into one that’s largertire friendly. Trust us on this one. Baxleycompanies.com

Motor Oil Basics

Understanding the basic differences between synthetic and mineral-based motor oils

B Y K E AT O N M A I S A N O

e all know motorcycles are key to a happy life, so making sure our two-wheel companions are well-maintained is essential. And part of that crucial maintenance is maximizing the health of our bikes’ engines through proper oilchanging practices. While timely oil changes, fresh filtering and proper oil levels are by far the most important factors in all of this, there are some key differences in the type of oil you can use to lubricate your engine. In this overview we’ll tackle the two basic types — mineral-based (or petroleum-based) oils, and synthetics. Motor oils are made up of either petroleum or synthetic base stocks (approximately 75 percent) and additive packages (approximately 25 percent), which include things like antimolecular-shear agents, detergent additives and more. Traditional oils are mineral-/petroleumbased and have been pumped out of the ground and refined forever. While they are relatively inexpensive to produce, the process of being refined from crude oil leaves the mineral-based option less pure and thus less chemically stable. This instability leads

to easier oxidization and acidification, both of which contribute to the degradation of an oil’s effectiveness over time. The breakdown of mineral-based oil happens more quickly and easily in situations of high heat, high revs and high load. Option number two is synthetic-based motor oil, which is synthesized in a lab and therefore offers higher purity and more molecular stability and breakdown resistance — but which costs about three times as much as the petroleum stuff. The upsides to the higher price are that you can a) run synthetics much longer before you need to change oil, and

While they are relatively inexpensive to produce, the process of being refined from crude oil leaves the mineral-based option less pure and thus less chemically stable. b) they do a slightly better job of protecting vital engine parts on ultra-highperformance (and racing) engines. While the two options provide different pros and cons, there is a hybrid option known as semi-

synthetic oil, which contains a mixture of petroleum and synthetics. These oils offer some of the benefits of synthetic oil at a lower cost, which is an appealing combination to many consumers. The bottom line, really, is this: We happily use cheaper, petroleum-based oils in our engines, though we’re careful to change them more frequently — which their low price makes easy. For higherend (or racing) use we often opt for a full synthetic or a semi blend. Whichever option you decide is best for your bike or budget, be sure to educate yourself on your bike and oil manufacturer’s recommendations. Happy oiling! AMA Like many companies, Maxima Racing Oils offers lines of high-quality petroleum- and synthetic-based motor oils.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

L A ST P A G E

Sturgis: The Way We Were BY KALI KOTOSKI

t’s hard to imagine what the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was really like in its infancy, especially as time passes and fewer folks than ever are around to recall the early days of what has become a seminal event in American motorcycling. But this photographic gem — circa 1953 — from the AMA Archive gives us a pretty cool glimpse of the past. Just as the Ponderosa pines lining the roads in the Black Hills have grown fatter and taller, so has the Sturgis Rally as it has taken root in motorcyclist culture. The first rally held near Mount Rushmore actually happened before the 74

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

colossal sculpture honoring America was even completed. The founder of the Sturgis Rally, Clarence “Pappy” Hoel, started the event called the “Black Hills Classic” in 1938. It consisted of just nine Indian Motorcycle riders and friends competing in a single race with a small crowd of spectators. But it wasn’t until the 1970s and ’80s that Sturgis exploded, propelling the motorcycle bonanza into what it is today, drawing in nearly half a million riders each year to revel in and bond over the motorcycle life. So, Pappy…thank you! You built something really big and really fun, something that will endure for as long as there’s pavement. Talk about a visionary! AMA

Win this 1975

BMW R90/6 in the AMA’s Hall Of Fame Retro Raffle!

$5 per Ticket $20 for Five

Such a deal on such a classic motorcycle! Raffle tickets not only give you chances to win this restored, retro-classic Monza-blue Boxer, it benefits the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Museum – where motorcycle legends live! A winner will be drawn next July at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2022 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Don’t miss your chance! https://AmericanMotorcyclist.com/raffle-bike/ AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • MARCH 2022

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • APRIL 2022

Switch to GEICO and see how easy it could be to save money on motorcycle insurance. Simply visit geico.com/cycle to get started.

geico.com/cycle | 1-800-442-9253 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2021 GEICO 21_ 550729928

American Motorcyclist March 2022

Articles inside

LAST PAGE

PERIL AT THE PUMP

COVER STORY 2-STROKE SUPERBIKES OF THE 1970s

STRIDER BIKES CEO RYAN McFARLAND

CAN’T-MISS EVENTS 2022

AMA INSIDER

AMA GARAGE

MALCOLM’S MOMENTS

PERSPECTIVES