The AMA: This Lost Motorcyclist is Back in the Fold Hot

In numerous recent articles, I have quoted or referenced the opinions and research of the American Motorcyclist Association.  There is good reason for this – the AMA is an organization that works completely and tirelessly to promote and protect our sport.  That being said, I have a confession to make.  I have only recently rekindled my membership in the organization.  I was an AMA member for years, and then I let that membership lapse.  Years back, I had a couple of minor complaints about the AMA’s oversight of racing…and I was poor, so I just didn’t renew.

Recently, as I was reading an article on some piece of motorcycle-unfriendly legislation that the AMA was actively fighting, it hit me.  I was a hypocrite.  As a motorcyclist, I was reaping the benefits of the organization, but I was not contributing.  That same hour, I went online and paid my membership dues.  I was again a part of “world’s largest motorcycling advocacy organization.”

There are a plethora of philosophical reasons to join the AMA.  Most of those revolve around the AMA’s mission of responsibly preserving the right to ride.  There are also practical reasons including the fact that the AMA is a major race sanctioning and organizing body.  Further, there are serious personal financial incentives.  Your membership can include emergency road service, and substantial retail discounts.  As a matter of fact, the AMA discount applied to a recent one-night’s stay in a New York motel almost single-handedly offset my $39 yearly membership.

Here is one example of the service that this writer recently received from the AMA.  While on a trip, I realized that I had forgotten my AMA membership card.  On a late Friday afternoon, I called the AMA 800 number.  The first thing that impressed me was that I actually got to talk to a real live person.  After hearing my dilemma, the helpful and friendly AMA staffer instantly emailed me a temporary card that I could use for another AMA discount.  That’s pretty impressive service.

I may not always agree with every AMA stance, and I may again have qualms about some aspects of their race oversight.  However, those are small potatoes compared to the overall good of the association.  In these times of repeated legislative attacks both on where we ride and what we ride, it’s nice to know the AMA is on our side. This motorcyclist will not let that membership lapse again.