Author Topic: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?  (Read 7852 times)

Offline sign216

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The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« on: July 04, 2016, 06:30:44 PM »
I was talking w some other cyclists and the AMA (Amer. Motorcyclists Assn.) came up.  I was struck by the negative feelings.  Essentially people thought the AMA was corrupt, Harley-centric, and a poor reflection of the sport.

I belong, but I've never paid attention to it.  Are they right?
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Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2016, 06:36:39 PM »
I used to feel that way about the AMA but belong to it now.  I don't like the fact the AMA supports riding w/o a helmet but let the idiots that do kill themselves.  If I never voted for a politician that said something I disagreed with then I'd never vote either.  The AMA does a lot of good for us bikers, like fight E15 in our gas, etc.

Offline Idontwantapickle

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2016, 06:45:47 PM »
It's overall a pretty good organization.  The museum works at preserving the history and,  as Wayne pointed out, they try to keep the rules from running over us. I'm not a fan of the efforts to fight helmet laws.  Seems like they could spend that time on other matters but I think it "fires up the base" as they say.
They do three things really.  The museum,  event sanctioning/organizing and lobbying.
I take the last one with a grain of salt but the first two are well worth it.
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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2016, 06:57:12 PM »
They have had their ups and downs over the years, but overall, I think it is a good organization. 

I have been a Life-AMA member for many years...and motorcyclists need a voice in Washington and among the states to further protect our right to RIDE, so in that light, they serve a worthy purpose (IMHO) :thumb: :cool:
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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2016, 06:57:12 PM »

Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2016, 07:23:06 PM »
I was a member during my AHRMA days because I had to be but I'm not now. Never really saw much value. I always have 2nd thoughts about an organization that will have me👍
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Offline nbags

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2016, 08:01:33 PM »
i'm a member and i think AMA loves to waste money,they been beating this e15 horse for long time let the big boys fight that battle(GM,Ford,Toyota ) no car company want anything to do with e15,AMA should use budget a little better try to get some roads patched up,make sure that roads are safe for motorcycle use during construction,provide support if an accident occurs with no fault from member,go after texing and driving offender that cause an accident.

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2016, 08:03:10 PM »
I was a member during my AHRMA days because I had to be but I'm not now. Never really saw much value. I always have 2nd thoughts about an organization that will have me👍

 Me too , which does cast doubt on the wonderfullness of this place  :shocked: :grin:

  Dusty

Offline Rich A

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2016, 08:13:26 PM »
I've used their towing service twice (for a pickup and a car).

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Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2016, 08:18:11 PM »
Me too , which does cast doubt on the wonderfullness of this place  :shocked: :grin:

  Dusty


If nothing else they have a great towing service for ALL your vehicles,  not just MCs.   Compare that to any other tow service.  :wink:

Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2016, 08:19:22 PM »
I've used their towing service twice (for a pickup and a car).

Rich A

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Offline wrbix

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #10 on: July 04, 2016, 08:23:06 PM »
As an admitted tree-hugger, I've never been in favor of the AMA's agenda of opening all wild public lands to off road motorcycle use, protection of natural resources be damned......and therefore never a member.
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Offline handyandy

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #11 on: July 04, 2016, 09:07:35 PM »
Y'all forgot how AMA screwed DR John out of business when he was whupping Honda and the ujms buts.

Offline Roebling3

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #12 on: July 04, 2016, 10:13:14 PM »
Cripes, I thought for sure, at the time, AMA would step in when hd couldn't win @ Daytona. I'm recalling the flat track rule changes whenever a challenge came from a /British or Japanese bike.  Or (running and ducking), when they managed to get high tariffs on Japanese mc imports to protect the Milwaukee collective, with their development heads secure where the sun doesn't shine. Plus 1 on the helmet and noise thing, btw. I don't believe the AMA have played any roll in the ethanol debacle. Can anyone seriously think the AMA gets consideration when lobbyists for the corn production industry have way more savvy, money and interest in the status quo, - - - or worse. R3~ 

Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #13 on: July 04, 2016, 11:13:31 PM »
. I don't believe the AMA have played any roll in the ethanol debacle. Can anyone seriously think the AMA gets consideration when lobbyists for the corn production industry have way more savvy, money and interest in the status quo, - - - or worse. R3~


That's because you don't belong to the AMA so don't get any up to date info. on what they are doing in Wash. DC. like us subscribers do.  They are fighting it as best they can.  Auto. mfg.s could care less because they have already made their newer vehicles compliant to E15 use.
« Last Edit: July 04, 2016, 11:20:37 PM by Arizona Wayne »

Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #14 on: July 04, 2016, 11:15:11 PM »
Y'all forgot how AMA screwed DR John out of business when he was whupping Honda and the ujms buts.



Not familiar with that 1 and how many decades ago was that?

Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #15 on: July 04, 2016, 11:19:10 PM »
As an admitted tree-hugger, I've never been in favor of the AMA's agenda of opening all wild public lands to off road motorcycle use, protection of natural resources be damned......and therefore never a member.


"AMA's agenda of opening ALL wild public lands to off road MC use"................... .not true............you've been drinking too much Sierra Club kool aid.   :boxing:

Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #16 on: July 04, 2016, 11:39:09 PM »
I read that they'll pick you up for a breakdown but not a crash. Kinda kickin' a man when he's down don't you think?


Never heard that 1.  So if you hit ice and crash into a tree or a deer jumps out in front of you they will not assist?  I don't believe this.   :rolleyes:

Offline O

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #17 on: July 05, 2016, 09:11:59 AM »

Never heard that 1.  So if you hit ice and crash into a tree or a deer jumps out in front of you they will not assist?  I don't believe this.   :rolleyes:

Believe it or not, that's their policy. They only assist for breakdowns, not accidents.
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Offline LowRyter

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #18 on: July 05, 2016, 09:24:13 AM »
I've not seen much value to the AMA. I've been a member on and off, usually for some gimmick, tow service or calendar. 

Like most lobbying groups, they have to generate some type of fear to mobilize membership, whether it's E15, anti helmet laws, or dirt tracking all over the forests and deserts.   I really don't care and think for myself in the first place. 

Luckily I lost a credit card a few years ago and automatic membership went away with the card.  So no AMA, so no cash to a guy in Kansas.

The one thing I like is motorcycle racing.  And this is where the AMA has always dropped the ball.
« Last Edit: July 05, 2016, 11:04:40 AM by LowRyter »
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Offline sbaker

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #19 on: July 05, 2016, 09:48:09 AM »
Its simple.. If you have an issue that they are involved in, whether for or against, you'll have an opinion. If not, they don't matter to you.. It's really simple.
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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #20 on: July 05, 2016, 11:09:42 AM »
I had 18 years of continuous membership before I dropped it.  It had something to do about a "reformer" chairperson who became somewhat of a demigod. The quality of the magazine when down from professional to an amateur newsletter. That was years ago. Don't know what the state of the organization is now.

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Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #21 on: July 05, 2016, 01:03:25 PM »
Believe it or not, that's their policy. They only assist for breakdowns, not accidents.


Now that I think about it more maybe that's because an ambulance will probably come for you and a tow truck covered by your insurance if you have full coverage.

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #22 on: July 05, 2016, 01:57:26 PM »
My '13 Stone came covered by a 1-year roadside assistance plan.  When that expired I joined AMA only for the roadside assistance.  When I sold the '13 and got my current '16 Stone, again it came with a 1-year roadside assistance plan, so I didn't renew with AMA.  When that year expired I once again joined AMA.  I don't think much of AMA's stances on most things, so I'd like to drop it again but I can't find a competitively priced roadside assistance plan.
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Offline Sheepdog

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #23 on: July 05, 2016, 02:02:15 PM »
The AMA screwed up American Motorcycle racing something awful. The last Class C event I attended had all the pageantry of a small church fair and the rules were skewed so much in HD's favor that the event rivaled professional wrestling for authenticity. Then there is roadracing...the once prestigeous Daytona 200 is now a 600cc Superbike race that serves as a backdrop for Sturgis-like strip shows and burnout contests.

Add in the fact that they have taken to supporting causes at the ridiculous extreme of the sport, and I got to feeling that riders like me were not a priority to the AMA. I had a membership in the past, but no more...
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Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #24 on: July 05, 2016, 02:23:38 PM »
The AMA screwed up American Motorcycle racing something awful. The last Class C event I attended had all the pageantry of a small church fair and the rules were skewed so much in HD's favor that the event rivaled professional wrestling for authenticity. Then there is roadracing...the once prestigeous Daytona 200 is now a 600cc Superbike race that serves as a backdrop for Sturgis-like strip shows and burnout contests.

Add in the fact that they have taken to supporting causes at the ridiculous extreme of the sport, and I got to feeling that riders like me were not a priority to the AMA. I had a membership in the past, but no more...


The AMA went from superbikes to 600s on the Daytona 200 because racing tires were coming apart and riders were getting hurt and they were afraid possibly some would get killed. In other words, the AMA was concerned about the safety of the riders.

Then the AMA handed over the roadracing to DMG and Bill France COMPLETELY screwed that up being a stock car racing guy.

Now MotoAmerica is under the good hands of Wayne Rainey and road racing is again good with WSBK rules.

Now AMA only operates amateur racing and let's the pros run the professional racing.

Offline Rusnak_322

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #25 on: July 05, 2016, 03:35:02 PM »
AMA sucks.
I had to be a member when I was racing. It got me nothing but the ability to enter races and a crappy magazine.

I hate the no helmet agenda. Don't want to wear a helmet? Fine by me, but I don't want my dues going to lobbying to change those laws. And you cant tell me that insurance isn't more expensive in states that don't require helmets. it is just logical that they would jack them up.

And like others have said - they screwed up roadracing something awful. I loves AMA superbike and Mid-Ohio would get 50,000 people for race day. Now there are more racers then fans.
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Offline ITSec

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #26 on: July 05, 2016, 03:59:08 PM »
I'm not antagonistic towards the AMA, I just don't see much value in their offerings. As others have noted, they use member funds for some advocacy I can't agree with, and don't work on issues that are important to me (but maybe not to their members). AMA seems too aligned with ABATE / MRF and similar groups; I prefer a balance of rider rights and responsibility that has a bit more weight on the responsibility side of the scale.

If the AMA were to do more to support the MSF approach and less the MRF, I might join again.
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Offline vf84pc

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #27 on: July 05, 2016, 06:24:05 PM »
I agree the Datone 200 is now a side show and  racing in the US is considered a joke by  the Europeans. Flat track racing was a huge sport in the 60's and 70's  now the only track near the  North East is Lima Ohio.
I always felt they tilted the rules toward Japanese bimes, but maybe they changed to HD.
The mag was oka but they use the same old line to sighn you up, just like the NRA .With all the money they take I. Why is it no law gets passed or changed? No money In the solution only the problem.

Offline Lannis

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #28 on: July 05, 2016, 06:32:49 PM »
They have had their ups and downs over the years, but overall, I think it is a good organization. 

I have been a Life-AMA member for many years...and motorcyclists need a voice in Washington and among the states to further protect our right to RIDE, so in that light, they serve a worthy purpose (IMHO) :thumb: :cool:

I'm sort of the same way.  Besides, if you re-up automatically every year, you get the full breakdown service.   Never had to use it for a bike but have used it 3 times for the junk cars I used to drive .... !   Also good for discounts at a few motels, like AAA and AARP are, neither of which I belong to.

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Re: The AMA - a valuable voice or a crooked tool?
« Reply #29 on: July 05, 2016, 09:09:17 PM »
I was a member for many years, but over time the AMA has dropped motorcycle activities I was interested in to concentrate on the towing and motel discount business.  In the end, I dropped AMA and jointed AAA because AAA seemed better for that.  Now, I don't carry either - modern motorcycles and cars are so reliable. 

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