Motorcycle Safety Author to Join AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

By: ChrisWorden

Posted: 06/02/09

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PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce another member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2009: David Hough, acclaimed author of several well-known books on riding techniques. Hough will be among the motorcycling heroes honored at the 2009 induction ceremony at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this Dec. 5.

"For many new motorcyclists, before they take a training course or even buy a motorcycle, they are introduced to proper riding through the books and columns of David Hough," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "His comprehensive approach to proper riding technique has pointed many motorcyclists -- novice and veteran alike -- down the right path, and has helped riders learn the skills they need to be safer on the road."

Don Rosene, chairman of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Committee, added: "Since the first motorcycle was produced for commercial sale, there's been a need for someone to teach the owner how to ride. David Hough's articles on how to ride motorcycles safely have been honored by special awards from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. His books should be a mandatory read for every motorcyclist, from novice to expert."

Hough is a long-time motorcycle journalist who turned 25 years of experience commuting through city traffic into articles about riding skills and crash avoidance. He is best known for his series, "Proficient Motorcycling," in Motorcycle Consumer News, which has been honored with awards by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. His books include Street Strategies: A Survival Guide for Motorcyclists, Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well, and More Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride.

"By the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame giving me this honor, it's good for me and I appreciate this recognition, but it's bigger than that," Hough said. "It's honoring all the people who write and teach about motorcycle skills and safety, as well as the dealers in the sport who make safety awareness an integral part of selling a motorcycle."

Hough said that one of his main messages is that managing risks is critical regardless of how or where your ride.

"Teaching this idea of safety has been my mission for years. Very few journalists write about riding skills. They write about machines," Hough said. "The secret to riding quickly is don't crash, because crashing ruins your time. It doesn't matter if you want to go out for a putt-putt joy ride or go fast on the racetrack. I think it would be great if all motorcycle organizations, associations and publications would have riding skill seminars and columns on how to manage the risks of riding and how to become a more skillful rider."

Hough is the sixth member announced for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2009. He joins off-road racer Randy Hawkins, suspension pioneer Gilles Vaillancourt, off-highway rights activist Mona Ehnes, and industry entrepreneurs and technological trailblazers Geoff and Bob Fox.

Hough, and the other members of the class of 2009, will officially be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame this Dec. 5 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Impressive even by Las Vegas standards, with an 84-foot guitar marking the entrance and all the glitz and memorabilia that fans have come to expect at Hard Rock Café locations around the world, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has been recently renovated with new rooms, a new convention space and a new concert venue. Ticket information will be announced shortly on the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum website at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

Located on the park-like campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum honors individuals who have made lasting contributions to protecting and promoting the motorcycle lifestyle. Its members include those who have excelled in racing, road- and off-road riding, pushed the envelope in motorcycle design, engineering and safety, and championed the rights of riders in both the halls of government and the court of public opinion.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Committee includes 11 members in addition to the chairman. There are 10 committees, each representing a different aspect of motorcycling. Five represent various racing disciplines, and five represent non-racing interests.

More information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame can be found at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.