Life Member News

Comedian and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jay Leno is probably the most famous celebrity motorcyclist known to AMA members. But there are scores of other celebrities who share a passion for motorcycling.

Some, like Leno, still ride while others, like actor George Clooney, are former riders. Here’s a look at some celebrity motorcyclists as well some motorcycling ties to celebrities that may surprise you.

Kawasaki is bringing back its KLR650 big-bore dual-sport machine for 2022.

The all-new bike features a fuel-injected 652cc single-cylinder engine that promises to be a reliable performer. Kawasaki says the engine features a flat power curve that is well suited for tackling challenging roads or cruising at freeway speeds while also boasting increased mid-range power and torque.

Honda is offering new CRF300L and CRF300L Rally dual-sport machines beginning in March 2021.

The bikes are billed as upgrades to Honda’s smallest dual-sport models, the CRF250Ls, and feature a 15 percent increase in engine displacement, lower weight and increased suspension travel. The Rally also boasts a larger fuel tank. Both bikes are also offered in ABS versions and feature updated bodywork and styling based on Honda’s CRF450R motocross bikes.

Imagine you’re far from home on a great ride and suddenly your bike breaks down. What would you do?

You could be in a real jam. But a little thought before you hit the road could get you out of trouble. Hopefully the problem that stalled your bike can be corrected quickly with the right tools.

Do you have the right tools with you for roadside repairs? It’s better to find out while you’re at home and your bike is running than on the side of the road when it isn’t.

Fire engulfed a motorcycle museum high in the Austrian Alps on Jan. 18, destroying more than 300 rare and significant machines.

When it’s time to plan your next motorcycle road trip, be sure to use your 15 percent AMA member discount to get MAD Maps that guide you to some of the best riding in America.

Whether you want to explore a state or several states, make a cross-country trip or do some riding outside big cities, MAD Maps has you covered. Mad Maps can even put together custom maps.

he Rock Run Recreation Area in west-central Pennsylvania offers more than 140 miles of trails for a weekend of off-road riding fun.

The trails offer a lot of diversity and great riding in the scenic Allegheny Mountains, past mining activity and different areas of vegetation. You can be riding in a dark, dense, cool forest of tall trees then stop at one of many streams to relax and even stop to listen to a waterfall.

The area was originally heavily mined for coal and clay. The old remains of some of the buildings, air shafts and other mining-related activities can be visited if you take time to look around.

What makes the Tiger 850 Sport special, Triumph says, is that it offers “a new ‘tailor-made’ performance and specification set-up designed to deliver an even more manageable, accessible and intuitive road-focused adventure riding capability.”

Have you ever wanted to compete in the world-famous Dakar Rally, pilot a MotoGP bike at a historic European race track or go wheel-to-wheel against some of the best Speedway racers on the planet?

You can. Sort of.

Right now, riders are stuck at home due to the COVID-19 virus or because of winter weather and are looking for ways to feed their motorcycle jones. One of the easiest ways is to play motorcycling-related computer video games. You don’t need a high-powered gaming rig to conquer the virtual motorcycle racing world, especially if you choose to play and older (and cheaper) game.

American Honda Motor Co. reports that its popular Gold Wing long-distance touring machine gets several improvements for 2021, including a larger trunk that can hold two full-faced helmets.

he Safe-to-Race Task Force members are named 2020 AMA Motorcyclists of the Year, seven riders give their impressions of BMW’s 2021 R 18 cruiser and a motorcyclist explains her role as a federal highway safety specialist in the January 2021 issue of American Motorcyclist magazine.

The all-new 2021 Benelli TRK502 and TRK502X mid-sized adventure-tourers are being sold in the United States.

Offered by Benelli Motorcycles USA and SSR Motorsports, the TRK502 retails for $5,999 while the TRK502X sells for $6,399. A full set of EVO aluminum cases consisting of a top case and two side cases retails for $999.

A Christmas Day fire destroyed historic collectibles and souvenirs at the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association office in Laconia, N.H., WMUR-TV reports.

Mary McGee, who learned to ride a motorcycle on a 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub in 1957, was one of the first women motocrossers and road racers in the United States.

She started her off-road career by riding a 1962 250cc Honda Scrambler in an AMA District 37 enduro. She began riding Baja events in 1967 and, in 1975, rode solo in the Baja 500. Also in the 1970s she competed with three men on a team in a 24-hour road race aboard a 650cc Suzuki.

For her contributions to motorcycling, McGee has been inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. She supports the Hall of Fame and would like you to join her.

Suzuki’s Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. (Blacked Out Special Suzuki) performance cruiser comes in two new paint schemes in 2021 and sits at the top of the company’s Boulevard line, which includes the C50T touring bike and the C50 standard cruiser.

The 2021 Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. sports an aggressive look with slash-cut mufflers, drag bars, blacked-out engine covers and a distinctive headlight. A tail cowl can replace passenger seat for an even more aggressive look. The choice of colors for 2021: Candy Daring Red and Glass Sparkle Black or Metallic Triton Blue and Glass Sparkle Black.