AMA Seeks To Protect Access

Urges support for protecting access to youth-model off-highway vehicles.

Pickerington, OH - The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is urging all motorcyclists and ATV riders to ask their U.S. senators and representatives to support language in an appropriations bill that would allow kids' dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to continue to be sold. The language, written by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) and included in the House fiscal year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations bill, would bar the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from spending money to implement or enforce a section of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) that relates to youth-model off-highway motorcycles and ATVs.

The CPSIA limits the amount of lead allowed in products meant for children 12-years old and younger. While aimed at toys originating in China, the law also covers youth-model off-highway motorcycles and ATVs because certain parts, including batteries and valve stems, may contain lead.

When the law took effect, off-highway motorcycle and ATV manufacturers told their dealers to stop selling machines meant for kids 12 and under, as well as some of the parts to maintain them. That's because no new or used kids' machines or certain parts for those machines could be sold unless they were tested and certified at government-approved labs to meet the new federal lead-level requirements.

"Unfortunately, while Washington bureaucrats bicker over the meaning of words, the intent of Congress to protect kids from dangerous toys is being ignored," said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "The federal government is now forcing children to ride adult-sized motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles -- a serious danger that's much more real than the invented threat of chewing on a battery cable or valve stem.

"I don't know of anyone in the House or Senate who intended this, and it's important to off-road enthusiasts and American families that we work together to fix it once and for all," Rehberg said.

Earlier this year, the CPSC said it would not enforce the ban on the sale of kids' dirt bikes and ATVs until May 1, 2011.

While the Rehberg language is in the House bill that was approved by the full House and sent to the Senate for consideration, there is no similar language in any Senate appropriations bill. Therefore, the AMA is asking concerned motorcyclists and ATV riders to urge their senators and representatives to include the Rehberg language in the final version of the fiscal year 2010 Financial Services appropriations bill or the Omnibus Appropriations bill, whichever passes the full Senate.

The most effective way to contact your senators and representative is to call them. To obtain contact information for elected officials, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation. Additionally, a prewritten e-mail is available immediately to send to lawmakers by following the "Take Action" option and entering the constituent information.

"AMA members and motorcyclists everywhere have shown that we can make a difference when we pull together and act as a group," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "Now is the time to work with your elected senators and representative to get them to include the Rehberg language in the appropriations bill that comes out of the Senate. Let them know how important it is to continue to allow responsible and safe family enjoyment in riding dirtbikes and ATVs."

KTM Announces 2010 Models

Six new street models introduced.

Murrieta, CA - KTM North America, Inc. concluded a successful two-week launch of its 2010 street model line to media and dealer members at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with the help of track day partner Skip Barber. KTM North America, Inc. has made a strategic move to increase its presence in the street bike segment starting with adding a new leader to their initiative with the announcement of Brad Hagi as Vice President of the new street bike division and weeks later announcing 6 new street models to its already powerful line up.

New to the US for 2010 are the KTM 690 Duke R, 990 SM T, 990 SM R, 1190 RC8 R, 1190 RC8 R IDM Red Bull Limited Edition and the 1190 RC8 R Akrapovic Limited Edition. Media and dealer members were given the opportunity to ride these new bikes around the legendary race track, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The first half of the day the riders went through a brief introduction of the Skip Barber Superbike School Powered by KTM with lead instructor Jeff Haney. The second half of the day was spent putting in as many laps as they could on the new models.

Starting with the KTM 690 Duke R, this 690cc displacement single-cylinder bike makes an impressive 70hp and is equipped with all of the KTM ‘R’ model upgrades including upgraded suspension with race settings, orange powder-coated frame, carbon front fender and more.

If longer rides are in your future, hop aboard the new KTM 990 SM T. This popular European Supermoto motorcycle is equipped to travel with stock Brembo brakes, detachable soft touring bags, touring windshield, 5 gallon fuel tank and a comfortable seat for extra long trips.

The KTM 990 SM R is the ultimate large displacement Supermoto bike which is as much fun on the race track as it is on the road. This model features upgraded suspension, monobloc Brembo front brakes, forged Marchesini aluminum wheels, and KTM ‘R’ optics including the orange powder-coated frame, ‘R’ graphics, and blacked out components.

The showstopper at the event had to be the release of the KTM 1190 RC8 R and its two limited editions. This 1195cc, 75º V-twin, 170hp, ‘R’ model includes a host of engine upgrades. The engineers started with super light pistons and increased the compression ratio, reworked the combustion chamber, and added adjustable camshafts. Its chassis features a revised geometry, race spec suspension and adjustable pegs, shifter, sub frame and ride height.

Excitement heightened once the two 1190 RC8 R limited edition bikes were revealed. These bikes will come in the IDM Red Bull and Akrapovic Edition. Both models come with a limited edition number plate, special edition body work, and an optional closed course race kit which includes an Akrapovic titanium exhaust system, thinner head gaskets, improved air filter and a tool for adjusting the camshafts for race specifications.

Returning for 2010, is the 690 Enduro R, 690 Duke, 690 SMC, 990 Super Duke R, 990 Adventure, 990 Adventure R and 1190 RC8. To learn more about these models please go to www.ktmusa.com or visit your nearest KTM dealer.

Fighting Distracted Driving

Efforts to fight distracted driving move into high gear.

Pickerington, OH - President Obama's administration and federal lawmakers are making it clear that they are serious about reducing distracted driving on the nation's roads, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports. In October alone, Obama signed an executive order banning federal workers from text-messaging on cell phones while driving government vehicles, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told federal lawmakers at hearings that he will work to "raise the awareness (of the dangers of distracted driving) and sharpen the consequences," and U.S. House and Senate committees held hearings on the issue.

"One motorcyclist killed on our highways is one too many, so it's encouraging to see that decision-makers at the federal level are taking the dangers of distracted driving seriously," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "The AMA has adopted a position statement that endorses enhanced penalties for those who injure or kill others while operating a motor vehicle when distracted or inattentive operation is involved. But the goal must be to prevent the crashes from occurring in the first place."

To read the AMA's position statement on distracted and inattentive driving, please go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com/legisltn/positions/distracted.asp.

LaHood hosted a distracted-driving summit involving transportation and other experts from around the nation Sept. 30-Oct. 1 to gain insights into how to battle the problem. The AMA was an invited guest to the summit and strongly urged that motorcyclists be considered in all future discussions about the impacts of distracted driving.

The AMA also attended hearings held by federal lawmakers on the issue.

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on Oct. 29, "Addressing the Problem of Distracted Driving." At the hearing, LaHood said education and awareness campaigns are essential for getting people to stop texting or engaging in other distracting activities while driving.

"We are still researching the effectiveness of combining high-visibility (law) enforcement with outreach campaigns in the distracted-driving context," LaHood said. "But we are hopeful that such efforts may prove effective in the same way that we've been able to use them to reduce drunk driving and increase seatbelt use."

He also said that while cell-phone texting gets a lot of attention, there are many distractions for drivers.

"I think any distraction is a problem," he testified. "I think eating a hamburger, putting your makeup on, shaving, texting, talking on a cell phone, these are all distractions. But the epidemic is really with people texting. But all of these other things are distractions too."

LaHood also mentioned Greg Zaffke II, who is taking steps to educate Americans about distracted driving after his mother, Anita Zaffke, was killed in May on her motorcycle. She was stopped at a stoplight in Lake Zurich, Ill., when a woman driver allegedly painting her fingernails while driving crashed into the back of Anita, killing her.

"Now he has an organization called the Black Nail Brigade where he paints the fingernails on one hand and wears a T-shirt called the Black Nail Brigade and travels all over the country trying to persuade people not to text, not to paint your nails, not to shave, not to put on makeup, not to eat a McDonalds hamburger," LaHood said.

To view an archived video of the House subcommittee hearing, please go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com/news/story.asp?id=1482.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation also held a hearing on Oct. 28, "Combating Distracted Driving: Managing Behavioral and Technological Risks." To view an archived video of the hearing, please go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com/news/story.asp?id=1480.

Riders can contact their U.S. senators and representatives to thank them for having these hearings on combating distracted driving and urge them to include the motorcycle community in the ongoing discussions on legislation and development of technologies. To find contact information for elected officials, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation.

Provided by the American Motorcyclist Association.

2010 Championship Schedule

2010 AMA ATV Motocross Championship dates announced.

Morgantown, WV - MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., in conjunction with the ATVA, formally announced the 2010 schedule for the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited. The 2010 series will kick off March 27-28 at Millcreek Raceway in Pell City, Ala. and conclude at Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. August 14-15. New to the series is longtime AMA Pro Motocross Championship facility Spring Creek Motocross Park scheduled to host their first ATV national in Millville, Minn., June 12-13. “We’re excited to host our very first ATV Motocross National at Spring Creek,” said seasoned AMA National Motocross promoter John Martin. “Minnesota and Wisconsin have an active community of quad participation, so once riders find out the top Pro and amateur riders are coming to town, it’s going to draw an amazing group of local talent and fans.”

Another addition to the schedule is an eleventh points-paying amateur round. Last year’s season consisted of 10 amateur rounds and 11 pro rounds – the difference being the pro-only opening round in Glen Helen, San Bernardino, CA. For the first time in years, the tour will not open in California.

“Since 2004, Glen Helen Raceway has hosted the opening round of the Championship Series and we hope to return when the economy for our motorsports industry rebounds,” said ATVPG Director, Sam Gammon.

With the addition of the 11th amateur round, the amateurs will have one more throw-away, i.e., the best 8 out of 11 races will count towards series championship points. All rounds will continue to count towards the Pro and Pro-Am class championships.

2010 ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship Schedule

• Rd 1 March 27-28 Millcreek Raceway Pell City, AL
• Rd 2 April 17-18 Ballance Moto X Bowling Green, KY
• Rd 3 May 1-2 Birch Creek Danville, VA
• Rd 4 May 15-16 Sunset Ridge MX Walnut, IL
• Rd 5 May 29-30 Steel City Raceway Delmont, PA
• Rd 6 June 12-13 Spring Creek Motocross Park Millville, MN
• Rd 7 June 19-20 Muddy Creek Blountville, TN
• Rd 8 July 3-4 Pleasure Valley Armagh, PA
• Rd 9 July 17-18 Unadilla New Berlin, NY
• Rd 10 July 31-Aug 1 RedBud Buchanan, MI
• Rd 11 August 14-15 Loretta Lynn Ranch Hurricane Mills, TN

For more information about the series, visit www.ATVMotocross.com, or email info@atvmotocross.com.

Reprinted with permission from ATV Magazine Online.