By Heather Rader
Posted On: May 20, 2022
Located in Pickerington, on the American Motorcycle Association campus, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame welcomes motorcycling enthusiasts of all genres to explore the history and people that have made American motorcycling what it is today.
A must-visit for any motorcycle enthusiast, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame chronicles the history of the industry throughout two floors of exhibits. Featuring a sprawling collection of bikes, educational posters, and portraits of famed riders, visitors are in for an exciting walk through the history of American motorcycling.
The upper-level exhibits showcase the history of motorcycle design and engineering, and displays motorcycles and famed motorcyclists of the dirt-track, roadracing, motocross and supercross, specialty competition, and off-road genres. Along with an exhibit which honors the lives and careers of AMA Hall of Famers.
1930 Henderson Four
Highlights of the upper-level exhibits include a collection of early motorcycles with a replica of the 1885 world's first gasoline-powered motorcycle, a 1914 Harley-Davidson Pocket Valve Factory Racer, a 1930 Henderson Four and more early rides which shaped today's cycles. Along with motorcycles of every genre, the exhibit highlights the men and women who excelled in racing and the motorcycle industry.
The lower-level exhibits include a Terminator 2 movie stunt bike, details about the 1971 significant motorcycle film, On Any Sunday, Craig Vetter's X75 BSA Hurricane which later became the Triumph Hurricane, and a 1958 Harley-Davidson FL with Sidecar - the only bike in the museum's collection that visitors can touch and sit on to get a feel for the open road.
While I enjoyed learning about the history of the industry, the creative design and engineering of all motorcycles, and seeing the achievements of great riders, my personal favorites are the displays of early bikes. From the 1914 Triumph TT, the 1919 Cleveland Lightweight (made by the Cleveland Motorcycle Manufacturing Co. in Cleveland), the 1928 Indian Hillclimber, the 1926 Harley-Davison Peashooter, the 1930 Indian Traffic Car, the 1940 Indian Scout and the 1947 Indian Chief - I can only imagine the excitement of the men and women who were at the forefront of this great industry!
Seeing these early motorcycles makes me appreciate the comfort and design of my husband and mine's 2021 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Limited.
While the sprawling collection of motorcycles is impressive, the celebration of the men and women who shaped the industry makes the museum more personal - sharing not only the story of the motorcycle, but the people who made the industry what it is today. One thing motorcyclists of all genres can agree upon, is the love for the open road and the freedom of two-wheels!
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame exhibits are self-guided and expect your visit to take 1-2 hours. AMA members can visit the museum for free, while non-members rates are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $3 for students. Children under 11 are free with an accompanying adult.
For more museums and motorsport attractions, check out #OhioFindItHere at Ohio.org.
