The constitution protects our right to "the pursuit to happiness." So, if you can say that or put that into some kind of letter and send that to congress about our riding areas being shut down... Something might happen.
What has the AMA done for you lately?
Started by Murphys25, Mar 13 2009 10:46 AM
67 replies to this topic
Posted 03 November 2009 - 10:31 AM
I consider myself to be "the AMA". I started out as a rider of Dualsport events here in CA 8 years ago and am now President of AMA D-37 Dualsport Committee. I was in Washington D.C. last week lobbying for a piece of legislation that would give us unprecedented designation to off highway riding areas. I met with AMA Legislative leaders during my visit. I was given direction and guidence before my meetings during my visit. The AMA legislative folks do the behind the scenes work all year long, year in and year out. They flew a legislative analyst out a few months ago to help us on the ground in California.
The AMA has a Grassroots Coordinator to help you at the grass roots level in your state, county or region. Get involved and quit waiting for someone else to do it, someone else to be your voice. The AMA can and will help you, but they can't do it all, no single organization can.
The AMA has a Grassroots Coordinator to help you at the grass roots level in your state, county or region. Get involved and quit waiting for someone else to do it, someone else to be your voice. The AMA can and will help you, but they can't do it all, no single organization can.
Posted 03 November 2009 - 10:49 AM
The AMA does have insurance protection to offer land owners who might not otherwise let an event occur on their land for fear of being sued. They are viewed as haveing deep enough pockets to offer protection against law suits. So if you have raced an AMA event on private land right their is your benefit.
BTW I'm not a member - I was told this by a friend who organizes trials events.
BTW I'm not a member - I was told this by a friend who organizes trials events.
Posted 03 November 2009 - 07:43 PM
kiethco said:
The AMA has a Grassroots Coordinator to help you at the grass roots level in your state, county or region. Get involved and quit waiting for someone else to do it, someone else to be your voice. The AMA can and will help you, but they can't do it all, no single organization can.
Exactly!!
People are so close minded and form opinions that prevent them from knowing what goes on.
Dirt bikers never seem to sign petitions on land issues etc.
There is a solid core of dirt bikers in this country that put in long hours volunteering for a good cause. For you guys, I say THANK YOU.
Our club has organized trail work days where we build bridges and clear trails. The turn out for these are pitiful.
I know I've given up many weekends to do trail work, put on enduros etc. I can sleep at night knowing I have done my part to keep trails open here in Texas.
We have become a "me" society. "Me" is the only person that matters.
Posted 04 November 2009 - 02:14 AM
Um charged me $39.00 a year to qualify for contigencys and compete at their events? Thats pretty much it.
Posted 04 November 2009 - 07:14 AM
Home Skillet said:
Exactly!!
People are so close minded and form opinions that prevent them from knowing what goes on.
Dirt bikers never seem to sign petitions on land issues etc.
There is a solid core of dirt bikers in this country that put in long hours volunteering for a good cause. For you guys, I say THANK YOU.
Our club has organized trail work days where we build bridges and clear trails. The turn out for these are pitiful.
I know I've given up many weekends to do trail work, put on enduros etc. I can sleep at night knowing I have done my part to keep trails open here in Texas.
We have become a "me" society. "Me" is the only person that matters.
People are so close minded and form opinions that prevent them from knowing what goes on.
Dirt bikers never seem to sign petitions on land issues etc.
There is a solid core of dirt bikers in this country that put in long hours volunteering for a good cause. For you guys, I say THANK YOU.
Our club has organized trail work days where we build bridges and clear trails. The turn out for these are pitiful.
I know I've given up many weekends to do trail work, put on enduros etc. I can sleep at night knowing I have done my part to keep trails open here in Texas.
We have become a "me" society. "Me" is the only person that matters.
from my point of view, the sad truth is not as you portray it. We are the victim in this. It's our money being taken and misappropriated, it's our public land resource that we are being told we can no longer use. There has always been a vocal, hard core group of offroaders...they just are not listened to. We aren't in majority. Every year a new group of enthusiasts start up the learning curve.
Where we are organized, we aren't organized effectively. If anything, split the AMA into two separate resources..."AMA-2 Wheels" and "AMA-Other." Or "AMA-PublicLand" and "AMA-Racing"
I don't think the AMA can be effective if it encompasses all motorcycles, that's a mighty big spread.
Posted 04 November 2009 - 01:39 PM
YdogsflY said:
The only thing the AMA has done for me is take my money. Other than federal forest land, all dirt bike riding is illegal on public land in this state. ATV's have trails on State Forest land but, dirt bikes are not allowed. Where was the AMA when this BS legislation was passed. All MX tracks and trails are on private land in PA and the AMA seems to be ok with that (hint hint). Hope all of you that have public land trails fair better with teh AMA than we did here in PA.
I dunno where the hell u ride but when i am in PA we have tons of places to ride, just gotta know where buddy.
Posted 04 November 2009 - 03:00 PM
abs600fzrr said:
I dunno where the hell u ride but when i am in PA we have tons of places to ride, just gotta know where buddy.
I have plenty of places to ride as well. It's called private land. Even the big riding areas like rausch creek is private land. If you have trails going through game lands or State Forest you are riding illegally. There are vast sections of forest that is owned by oil companies, timber companies, and paper mills but there again, that is private land. Please name a State owned property that is legal to ride a Dirt Bike on. I would be very happy to know of it. I have been working for the last few years with some State officials. I have been trying to get them to allow bikes on the atv trails in the state forests. So far, it hasn't worked.
Posted 04 November 2009 - 03:23 PM
AMA hasn't done much for me. They're the reason we have "wars of the strokes" so much.
I doubt anybody that REALLY loves the sport would mind 2 strokes and 4 strokes (equal displacement) racing against each other.
I doubt anybody that REALLY loves the sport would mind 2 strokes and 4 strokes (equal displacement) racing against each other.
Posted 04 November 2009 - 04:45 PM
rusky said:
AMA hasn't done much for me. They're the reason we have "wars of the strokes" so much.
I doubt anybody that REALLY loves the sport would mind 2 strokes and 4 strokes (equal displacement) racing against each other.
I doubt anybody that REALLY loves the sport would mind 2 strokes and 4 strokes (equal displacement) racing against each other.
Not to get way off topic, but then the 4-strokes would disappear.
Posted 05 November 2009 - 11:20 AM
Take my money. I hate the fact that it takes 6 weeks to get a card.
The ONLY reason I join is beacuse I HAVE TO to race. They must take in about a billion a year from membership fees. :foul:
The ONLY reason I join is beacuse I HAVE TO to race. They must take in about a billion a year from membership fees. :foul:
Posted 05 November 2009 - 01:20 PM
A grassroots "uprising" should not be needed now that we are past that point - we have a national organization, the AMA. However, all I see is the AMA's hand outstretched each year asking for money. I expect leadership - I expect to be told what I need to do to locally support my AMA district riding rights and privileges. And I see no leadership. I don't know about you but that is exactly what I am paying for. But I only get a fairly useless AMA card each year. An expensive little piece of plastic, for sure. That is, if I am expected to provide leadership for my district, then what am I paying the AMA for?!?
Posted 06 November 2009 - 04:42 AM
brp2004 said:
So the government is paying you not to use your land, but then you want to complain when you actually cannot use it? What did you expect the AMA to do? No one is forcing you to take government subsidies.
It's not that you can't USE the land, you can't generate income from that land. The idea behind the program is to remove some of the poorer quality land from the tillable acreage, and in exchange, give the landowner a small payment to NOT grow a crop on it (contrary to popular belief, the American farmer is too productive for his own good).
I too have dealt with the CRP program and overzealous 'crats in that system. My father had some land in the CRP program for years, and the STATE FUNDED snowmobile trail crossed a piece of that ground. As a way of saying "thanks" the snowmobile club maintained that trail would host a summer barbecue for the landowners.
The CRP 'crat saw this as "revenue" (two burgers and some baked beans?) and took note of all who attended and had CRP land.....then demanded that the landowners repay ALL monies to CRP for ALL acreages enrolled (not just the offending acreage).
Well, in the end, the 'crat got shuffled around somewhere else, and it was all dropped, but what a fiasco......just because people were riding a snowmobile across some vacant snow covered set-aside land and some old farmer was getting a burnt weenie for it. :rolleyes:
Oh, and if you buy property that is in the CRP program, you're stuck with it in the CRP program. If you want it out, you have to repay every dime ever paid out on that acreage, including that paid to prior owners of the ground.
But, nowhere in the CRP program does it state that you cannot recreate on the land, even motorized recreation.
Posted 06 November 2009 - 10:50 AM
While I am unable to exactly follow the net results of my continued general AMA membership, until someone proves to me otherwise I will assume my off road motorcycle world is better because of them. I look at it as paying for the advocacy since I can't do it myself.
While AMA "corporate" follows more national issues (I would guess), like some of you I think it is the Districts that should be bringing it home. Since I don't race any more, I am no longer a member of my local district 37. That said, I feel fortunate here in what's left of California to have the local advocacy of CORVA.
They are something I can better measure, and therefore I am extremely happy to support them since again, I cannot do it myself. In combination with the even more local efforts of the City of California City, this little local postage stamp of national off road access is nice to have.
Support of the AMA is obviously up to you. If in your state or local area you are as lucky as I to have a more local and specific organization, be sure to at least support them and be invlolved that way. We need more of them.
www.corva.org
While AMA "corporate" follows more national issues (I would guess), like some of you I think it is the Districts that should be bringing it home. Since I don't race any more, I am no longer a member of my local district 37. That said, I feel fortunate here in what's left of California to have the local advocacy of CORVA.
They are something I can better measure, and therefore I am extremely happy to support them since again, I cannot do it myself. In combination with the even more local efforts of the City of California City, this little local postage stamp of national off road access is nice to have.
Support of the AMA is obviously up to you. If in your state or local area you are as lucky as I to have a more local and specific organization, be sure to at least support them and be invlolved that way. We need more of them.
www.corva.org
Posted 08 November 2009 - 03:35 PM
When Al Gore stops eating meat....maybe just maybe I'll think about giving up riding.
Sike!!
You can pry my 2 stoke from my cold dead hands!!
:moon:
Sike!!
You can pry my 2 stoke from my cold dead hands!!
:moon:
Posted 11 November 2009 - 12:01 PM
Slackkinhard said:
from my point of view, the sad truth is not as you portray it. We are the victim in this. It's our money being taken and misappropriated, it's our public land resource that we are being told we can no longer use. There has always been a vocal, hard core group of offroaders...they just are not listened to. We aren't in majority. Every year a new group of enthusiasts start up the learning curve.
Where we are organized, we aren't organized effectively. If anything, split the AMA into two separate resources..."AMA-2 Wheels" and "AMA-Other." Or "AMA-PublicLand" and "AMA-Racing"
I don't think the AMA can be effective if it encompasses all motorcycles, that's a mighty big spread.
Where we are organized, we aren't organized effectively. If anything, split the AMA into two separate resources..."AMA-2 Wheels" and "AMA-Other." Or "AMA-PublicLand" and "AMA-Racing"
I don't think the AMA can be effective if it encompasses all motorcycles, that's a mighty big spread.
I'm kinda curious if you've attended any meetings with land managers or groups and represented your interests Slakkin'? You're missing the big picture. Public lands are still there for our use, just not to be used for motorized recreation. That happened because more numbers of voters influenced lawmakers to shut down a riding area. When we fill a room with "votes" we have an impact, and to a greater degree, influence on an issue. So no matter how many people jon AMA, CORVA, Blue Ribbon or whatever, if we don't back it up with a presence, we're doomed.
When I was in D.C. for the first time in 2005, the AMA made calls ahead of time and helped me set appointments to talk to my Representatives. Doors literally flew open for me. I know not everyone can take time to travel to meet with Reps, but part of your AMA membership goes to help keep those tools in place for those that can. The apathy amoung OHV recreationalists is defeating. We cant get 20 people in a room to represent us here in California, yet we get 700 people for a weekend desert race.
Posted 11 November 2009 - 12:04 PM
they sent me a membership thing years ago, i threw it away. thats all they did for me haha.
Posted 12 November 2009 - 08:54 PM
When I was in D.C. for the first time in 2005, the AMA made calls ahead of time and helped me set appointments to talk to my Representatives. Doors literally flew open for me. I know not everyone can take time to travel to meet with Reps, but part of your AMA membership goes to help keep those tools in place for those that can. The apathy amoung OHV recreationalists is defeating. We cant get 20 people in a room to represent us here in California, yet we get 700 people for a weekend desert race.[/QUOTE]
It is a reciprocal relationship. Or it should be. They are supposed to show active support for us because we pay them. If they asked us to show up to a meeting...at this point with their disappointing history, most district members wouldn't show. "Why waste our time?", most would retort aloud.
Many AMA members lost faith YEARS ago when we paid our dues and the ridable land kept dwindling - with no feedback/updates from the AMA.
Point is, it seems that if you "get in their face" (as you did), they respond. Otherwise they take our money and publish a monthly little magazine - just to let us know they exist, I suppose.
We pay them money - they have an obligation to DO something for us. For example, I don't talk to my electric company but they provide a pretty darn good service. I expect (at least) something similar from the AMA.
Two years ago, I did indeed suggest our District president invite an AMA representative to our yearly awards ceremony - with two months notice - and they declined to even ask the AMA! Why? Most of us already know why. The rep wouldn't come because he could not stand the heated questions from the audience.
If the vote came up in our District 38, asking if we should ever pay AMA dues again - just so we can host a National - I would vote that we turn away the National so we never bother paying the $50 again - ever.
It is a reciprocal relationship. Or it should be. They are supposed to show active support for us because we pay them. If they asked us to show up to a meeting...at this point with their disappointing history, most district members wouldn't show. "Why waste our time?", most would retort aloud.
Many AMA members lost faith YEARS ago when we paid our dues and the ridable land kept dwindling - with no feedback/updates from the AMA.
Point is, it seems that if you "get in their face" (as you did), they respond. Otherwise they take our money and publish a monthly little magazine - just to let us know they exist, I suppose.
We pay them money - they have an obligation to DO something for us. For example, I don't talk to my electric company but they provide a pretty darn good service. I expect (at least) something similar from the AMA.
Two years ago, I did indeed suggest our District president invite an AMA representative to our yearly awards ceremony - with two months notice - and they declined to even ask the AMA! Why? Most of us already know why. The rep wouldn't come because he could not stand the heated questions from the audience.
If the vote came up in our District 38, asking if we should ever pay AMA dues again - just so we can host a National - I would vote that we turn away the National so we never bother paying the $50 again - ever.
Posted 13 November 2009 - 08:02 PM
ive seen the ama raise lots of money for sick kids .....thats enough for me.
i like my club, i love riding. no big deal.
i wonder where all the neg stuff comes from sometimes.
its 2 cases of beer a year.
get over it and ride.
i like my club, i love riding. no big deal.
i wonder where all the neg stuff comes from sometimes.
its 2 cases of beer a year.
get over it and ride.
Posted 14 November 2009 - 05:56 AM
kiethco said:
I'm kinda curious if you've attended any meetings with land managers or groups and represented your interests Slakkin'? You're missing the big picture. Public lands are still there for our use, just not to be used for motorized recreation. That happened because more numbers of voters influenced lawmakers to shut down a riding area. When we fill a room with "votes" we have an impact, and to a greater degree, influence on an issue. So no matter how many people jon AMA, CORVA, Blue Ribbon or whatever, if we don't back it up with a presence, we're doomed.
When I was in D.C. for the first time in 2005, the AMA made calls ahead of time and helped me set appointments to talk to my Representatives. Doors literally flew open for me. I know not everyone can take time to travel to meet with Reps, but part of your AMA membership goes to help keep those tools in place for those that can. The apathy amoung OHV recreationalists is defeating. We cant get 20 people in a room to represent us here in California, yet we get 700 people for a weekend desert race.
When I was in D.C. for the first time in 2005, the AMA made calls ahead of time and helped me set appointments to talk to my Representatives. Doors literally flew open for me. I know not everyone can take time to travel to meet with Reps, but part of your AMA membership goes to help keep those tools in place for those that can. The apathy amoung OHV recreationalists is defeating. We cant get 20 people in a room to represent us here in California, yet we get 700 people for a weekend desert race.
Been there, done that. Former Dist 38 rider, I went thru all this in CA 20yrs ago. Nothing seems to have changed at all. It's such a circular argument, one that WE are in the right, but NOT in the majority. For $50, I expect more. But since they aren't organized right, they aren't effective. I pay it cuz resistance is futile. Like the guy says...beer costs more, but I get a lot more outta the beer.
Why is it apathy? ...seems to me the proof is right there to be seen by all. For 40+yrs, 700+ people out every weekend for a desert race should be obvious to an elected public official. Anyone can see the economic strength of the group, LOTS of money being spent, LOTS of families. How much taller does one have to stand? We're already the elephant in the room. Shouldn't have to be introduced...been here since day one. Only leaders that support our sport will be able to help us. IMHO, the AMA has become a political pet.
