Triumphrat

SlowPocono

EXCELLENT points BonnieBlack.
I feel the same way but my analysis is that their positive advocacy for motorcyling has made a difference and far outweighs the significance of aspects that I don't fully agree with.

leemadinger

I am a member, and joined to support their lobbying activities and get the roadside assistance. Their magazine had an article a few months ago featuring some guy named Lee from New Mexico whom I strongly suspect to be a member of this forum.


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Lee

brgsprint

I've belonged for 16 or 17 years. Lots of perks listed already for a few bucks a year. I think it's worth it.

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"Anyone going slower than me is a stupid bastard. Anyone going faster than me is a crazy son of a bitch." -George Carlin-

Boldor

I guess in your AMA, one of the A's stands for America which rules me out. We have an AMA here too - Australian Medical Assoc. I am not a member of that either.

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Carmelo Ezpleleta is the CEO of Dorna.
Dorna owns MotoGP and SBK

SlowPocono

Yeah. Sometimes when I inquire about an AMA discount, it's assumed that I'm an MD.

BonnieBlack

I spent some time going through the AMA news articles, legislative stuff and so on. From what I've looked at I guess I agree.

I suppose the political system isn't comprised of reasonable people logically agreeing on reasonable compromises. It's an advocacy system where everyone argues for their specific point of view, and it's left to legislatures and government processes to meld all that into a compromise. And the motorcycle interests would be pretty easy to discount without a clear lobby. And the AMA positions don't seem so radical at all.

There's plenty of people lobbying to keep wilderness areas and USFS land motor free, so it's only fair someone should be lobbying to keep some motorcycle trails open as well.

Ethanol, mandatory-ABS, keeping dirt bikes legal for kids and more are things someone should be keeping an eye on, even if I'm not panicked about them.

I gave em my credit card number, I can always quit them later if I want. Plus, I get yet another magazine!

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I used to be disgusted, but now I try to be amused.

"A fella could pretty much eat his car keys, if they were deep-fried". Billy

SlowPocono

It isn't just legislative advocacy.

They employ attorneys to bring suits against unlawful and discriminatory actions against motorcyclists.

Baltobonneville

AMA is useful as a clearinghouse for all kinds of motorcycle-related issues. For example, I found out from the magazine that Maryland passed a law in 2010 that forbids any parking garage that has received any kind of direct or indirect financial assistance from the state or any local jurisdiction (bonds, construction loans, direct subsidies, etc) is not allowed to bar motorcycles from parking in it.

AMA is also working on the ridiculous E15 gasoline-related minimum-purchase (four gallons!) mandate.

I don't agree with the organization's attitude that we should be allowed to ride motorcycles anywhere we please on all public land. I'm happy to have my breakdown coverage and Bike Bandit discount.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Uni filter, no snorkel, 118/40/NBZT "Thruxton" needles/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s, Ricor Intiminators, Dunlop GT501s, D9 gauge panel.

Junipero

AMA is OK. Y'all make some good points above. I don't always agree with them either. Their efforts with the kids motorcycles was a good one.

Plus, through the magazine, I found out that in Virginia they passed a law recently that after a reasonable amount of time I can safely proceed through a red light if my bike doesn't trigger the sensor. Which is nice...

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"The views expressed here are my own and do not represent my employer's position or opinion."

Capri142

As stated previously, it is a lobbying,support/advocacy group for motorcyclists and the only one out there that I know of. That is a good enough reason to support it. If you concerned about what YOU re going to get, there are various discounts available that will quickly pay for the member ship fee. The best one is that when you purchase anything thru BikerBandit.Com, you get a 10% discount on their already good prices.

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