2017- A Look Back

 

2017 was an eventful year in American motorcycling. Reflecting over the previous 12 months, clearly much has transpired in the two-wheeled world. Its been both exciting and discouraging. There were a great many stories from 2017 in motorcycling, but these are a few of the ones I most readily remember-

The Demise of Victory Motorcycles- After 17 years, Polaris scuttled the Victory line, a JD Power & Associates quality-leading motorcycle brand. The move shocked the industry, and those of us in moto-journalism. The move was understandable, with Polaris planning to focus greater efforts on the highly successful Indian line, but I was stunned, nonetheless.
*Oh, and within weeks, Erik Buell Racing shut down operations...again.

The Death of Nicky Hayden- One of America's great motorcycle racers, Nicky was beloved the world over, not just here in the States. The "Kentucky Kid" was an AMA Flat Track champion, AMA SuperBike champ, and 2006 MotoGP World Champion. His cycling accident and sudden death in Rimini, Italy horrified the motorcycling world, as millions grieved his passing. I personally sat and wept at the news. Nicky will be sorely missed.

Harley Davidson's Sweeping Changes- Late summer, H-D announced and debuted radical changes in their lineup, dropping the venerable Dyna line completely after 27 years. The all-new Softail line saw several Dyna models redesigned and dovetailed in, as well as some brand new models- most notably, the Fat Bob, all with the new "Milwaukee Eight" powerplant. I had opportunity to ride a couple of them, the Heritage and Road King, and was very impressed.

American Flat Track & MotoAmerica- AFT exploded in popularity in its first year away from the AMA, and MotoAmerica dramatically expanded its reach in its 4th season. I'm very glad both are back, and I hope these signal a revival of interest in American motorcycle racing.
*Interesting note- the most talked-about American motorcycle of 2017 wasn't even a production bike- the Indian FTR1200, a factory-modified Scout based on their highly successful (and AFT-winning) flat track racer.

The Revival of Retro- All the major brands have trotted out spectacular bikes combining modern amenities with retro (60s-80s era) styling. BMW's RnineT bikes, Triumph's entire Bonneville line, Honda's CBR1000R Blade, Yamaha's XSR900, Kawasaki's Z900, Ducati's Scrambler line,...I could go on. Us old guys love the nod to the bikes we grew up riding and loving, and the younger crowd clearly revels in the nostalgia these bikes recall. Its a great time to be riding!

With all the concern over the flagging bike sales in America, and companies seeking new riders among the younger generation, 2017 was a year of reassessment in the industry. These are but a few of the events and developments of the past year, the ones I most remember. I hope 2018 will see even more in the way of good news.

Goodbye, Nicky

The motorcycling world was rocked recently with the shocking news of racer Nicky Hayden’s tragic cycling accident and subsequent death. Fans the world over mourned the passing of an American icon in motorcycle racing. Nicky had excelled in AMA flat track and road racing, winning championships in each across the late 90s and early 2000s, then left his mark internationally by taking the 2006 MotoGP World Superbike Championship. The past couple of years saw Nicky move to WSBK, World Superbike, already challenging the lead riders and teams there. In an age that currently sees few Americans competing on the international stage, not only was Nicky there representing us all, he was winning races and winning fans. As well as his achievements, Nicky was beloved the world over with his chiseled good looks, broad smile, affable Kentucky personality, and Southern drawl. His popularity arguably rivaled that of the world renowned Valentino Rossi, his friend, former teammate and rival on the track.
And in an instant, he was gone, felled in an unlikely accident, hit by a car while on a bicycle, of all things.
I had followed his career and been a “Kentucky Kid” fan since his first days of moving up from AMA to MotoGP in 2003. I met his “kid brother” Roger Lee recently, himself competing successfully in MotoAmerica. From all I’ve seen and read, the Haydens are a close-knit, loving, down-to-earth Southern family, morally upright and all-American. The whole Hayden clan has been steeped in motorcycle racing practically since diapers, with parents Earl “The Squirrel” and Rose instilling a love of motorcycles and racing in each of their five children (3 boys and 2 girls). The “First Family of Racing” made American race fans proud and excited about the sport, whether in road racing, flat track, or motocross, as sons Tommy, Nicky, and in American and international competition.

Nicky’s achievements particularly have been truly legendary:
Multiple AMA Grand National Flat Track winner- 1999-2002
AMA Supersport National Champion- 1999
Daytona 200 Champion- 2002
AMA Superbike Champion- 2002
MotoGP World Superbike Champion- 2006
WSBK World Superbike winner, Sepang GP- 2016

Nicky Hayden’s passing reminds me of several truths. First, life is fragile. We humans, for all our intelligence, creativity and industriousness, are still so easily broken, so easily disabled, so easily killed. The strongest person on the planet can still be vanquished with something as simple and small as a river stone (see the beloved “David & Goliath” story). I’ve come to grips with my own fragility, as age and health issues have altered my life in recent years.

Which brings me to the second truth- life is fleeting. We are only here for a short time, and nothing modern science and medicine achieves will lengthen our days. The good Lord set our time here to be no longer than 120 years (see Genesis 6:3), and even that is only rarely attained. Time flies by, like a breath vapor on a winter’s day or a morning mist over the mountains in summer. Ask any senior adult, and they’ll attest to this. Here one day, gone the next.

Lastly, to quote from the movie “Gladiator”, “What we do in life, echoes in eternity.” As a person of faith, the Bible teaches me that human length of days and level of achievement are all for naught apart from the things I do that honor God, and better the lives of my fellow man. Nicky and the whole Hayden family have been selfless, humble philanthropists, supporting many meaningful causes stateside and across the globe. A true, lasting legacy beyond racing.

Life is fragile, life is fleeting, and life is best lived selflessly. Nicky Hayden reached the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. He was a fierce competitor, and beloved icon in the sport. But even more important, Nicky was a good man, with a big heart for people, and a generous, open hand to those in need. To me, that’s the highest tribute.