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Powersports Business • December 2024 • 25

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inducted five new members during its 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony . The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 includes Mike Lafferty , Debbie Matthews , Mat Mladin , Rob Rasor and Kevin Windham .

“ This evening , we honor a special class of motorcyclists who have excelled in various areas within our industry ,” says Rob Dingman , president and CEO of the AMA . “ From world-class racers to inspiring advocates and pioneers , these individuals have left an indelible mark on our sport . The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is more than just a museum . It is a living testament to the achievements and contributions of motorcycling legends . Events such as tonight ’ s ceremony help preserve their stories and ensure that their legacy continues to inspire and educate .”

Established actor , director and motorcycle enthusiast Perry King and motocross rider , sidecar aficionado and sideline reporter Laurette Nicoll led the ceremony as emcees , taking the audience through the accomplishments of the inductees . The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame also honored and recognized the Hall of Famers who recently passed away : T . C . Christenson , Ed Youngblood , Sammy Tanner , Tom Heiniger , Larry Huffman and Ed Lojak .

Supporters and partners for the 2024 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony included Yamaha , Suzuki and Powersports World TV .

MIKE LAFFERTY Mike Lafferty , bitten by the enduro racing bug in 1982 when he was seven years old , turned this passion into one of the most successful off-road careers ever . Lafferty broke through when he won back-to-back East Coast Enduro Association championships as a teenager in 1993 and 1994 . With growing success , Lafferty became a full-time member of the Factory KTM Off-Road Team . Lafferty hit a launching point in 1997 , when he claimed his first

AMA National Enduro Championship . From 1997 through 2007 , Lafferty would claim a total of 71 wins and eight titles racing national enduros . His 71 wins put him second all-time . Lafferty ’ s eight titles has him tied for the most all-time .

“ Having this happen and being inducted to the AMA Hall of Fame is such a huge honor and it ’ s still kind of surreal ,” he remarks . “ I ’ m extremely grateful for everyone at KTM — being a part of that family . It ’ s everything I ’ ve ever dreamed of , and I couldn ’ t have done this without them .”

DEBBIE MATTHEWS Debbie Matthews has spent her life contributing to motorcycling by serving and excelling in almost every role the sport has to offer to increase opportunities for women riders .

Known for her smooth and effortless racing style , Matthews set the record for the longest consecutive pro and amateur career in women ’ s motocross when she raced for 27 years . During her career , she set an additional record for placing in the top 15 of the national rankings for women ’ s professional motocross every year from 1977 through 1997 .

In 1996 , she co-founded the Women ’ s Motocross League and further worked on behalf of women riders when she met with AMA Congress and drove the change to give women “ A ” Rider classification for the first time in history . In 2012 , Matthews was awarded the Lifetime Appreciation Award for her commitment as a women ’ s advocate and in 2021 she was inducted into the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame . In 2014 , Matthews founded the Professional Organization of Women ’ s Racing ( POWR ), which generated the largest Women ’ s Pro Purse & Bonus program in the history of women ’ s motocross .

“ I ’ m thrilled to be inducted during the 100th Anniversary of the AMA and the 50th Anniversary of Women ’ s Motocross ,” she shares . “ Motorcycling creates lifelong friends and stories spanning generations . Each of us is part of that great legacy , making motorcycling exciting , fun , addictive and glorious ! Thank you for the blessing and privilege to be part of the most exciting sport on Earth !”

MAT MLADIN In a 10−year span from 1999 to 2009 that continues to defy belief in hindsight , Mat Mladin notched seven AMA Superbike titles and won 82 AMA Superbike nationals in the process — each more than anyone in history .

Mladin won the Daytona 200 three times during that period , achievements that have him tied for third all-time behind AMA Hall of Famers and multi-time D200 winners Scott Russell ( 5 ) and Miguel Duhamel ( 4 ). In 1999 , he won his first of seven AMA Superbike titles , making him , according to MotoAmerica , “ the most dominant rider in the history of the AMA Superbike Championship .”

“ I ’ d like to thank the AMA , the Hall of Fame and everyone that voted for me to get my little place here amongst so many legends of the motorcycle racing world ,” he says .

ROB RASOR For decades , Rob Rasor was instrumental in carrying out the AMA ’ s mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling . Hired in 1973 as part of the AMA ’ s Government Relations Department , Rasor helped ward off a federal “ superbike ” ban , helmet requirements and bike bans in several states and cities , and aided in the

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 includes Mike Lafferty , Debbie Matthews , Mat Mladin , Rob Rasor and Kevin Windham . Photo courtesy of Willie Browning

fight to ban healthcare discrimination against motorcyclists . He was also an off-road riding champion and assisted in the AMA ’ s efforts to accommodate off-road riders on public lands . Rasor ’ s efforts extended beyond the U . S . and he was awarded the FIM Nicolas Rodil Del Valle Gold Medal in 2019 .

“ I like to think I fulfilled my love of motorcycling as a contributor ,” he says . “ Today , I am honored to be inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame at the same time as these heroes of our sport !”

KEVIN WINDHAM Kevin Windham ’ s 19−year AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross career is one for the history books . During his illustrious career , Windham raced to 47 total AMA Pro wins and collected the third-most starts ( 325 ), thirdmost points ( 9,070 ) and the seventh-most podiums ( 130 ). While Windham saw success domestically , he thrived in international competition , winning the 1999 FIM United States Grand Prix and 2005 Motocross of Nations as a member of the American team . Windham retired from AMA Pro Racing in 2013 , marking the end of a dominant career .

“ Thank you to AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Broc Glover , Rob Buydos , the committees and lifetime members who voted me into the Hall of Fame ,” he says . “ And thank you to the AMA for working to control of the chaos of we racers , and for protecting our rights as motorcyclists . I ’ m very proud to be a Life Member of the AMA .”

Thousands of street-legal motorcycles have been released over the past 50 years and Rider Magazine has ridden many of them . The magazine touts that many of the bikes have been good and some have been great , but few have achieved “ icon status .” With the introduction of the 2024 R 1300 GS , BMW ’ s R-series GS has now won Rider ’ s 1995 , 2005 and 2024 Motorcycle of the Year award . Rider says :

In 1980 , BMW launched the R 80 G / S , the first motorcycle to offer on-road comfort and performance and off-road capability in equal measure . The R-series GS has evolved , with engine displacement increasing , new technology being added , and market share growing .

The R-series GS is BMW ’ s bestselling model , and the one-millionth boxer-powered GS was built in mid−2023 . Last September , on the 100th anniversary of BMW Motorrad ’ s first production motorcycle , the new R 1300

GS was unveiled . Development of the R 1300 GS started seven years ago , two years before the R 1250 GS was introduced .

Having squeezed as much as possible out of the existing platform , which started with the R 1200 GS introduced in 2004 , BMW took the R-series GS into the future and maintained its position in the market with a cleansheet design . Only the butterfly valves and a few bolts and connectors carry over from the R 1250 GS . The R 1300 GS weighs 26 pounds less than the R 1250 GS , displacement increased from 1,254cc to 1,300cc , peak horsepower was boosted from 136 to 145 , and peak torque increased from 105 to 110 lb-ft . The R 1300 GS has new electronic rider aids , a new frame , and upgraded EVO Telelever and EVO Paralever suspension with optional adaptive vehicle height control . The GS ’ s controversial styling sets it apart from predecessors

With the introduction of the R 1300 GS for 2024 , BMW ’ s R-series GS can add a third Rider MOTY title to its long list of awards and accolades . Photo courtesy of Rider Magazine

with its more aerodynamic bodywork and X-shaped matrix headlight .

After riding the R 1300 GS on- and offroad , Rider says , “ Hands down , the R 1300 GS is the best GS yet . The traits that the boxerpowered GS is known for , engine character , balance , comfort , and versatility , are better than ever . It looks and feels much slimmer than before , and the increased power and torque are impressive .”