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The united sport bike association took form in May of 1999.
It started, strange enough, over a conversation with fellow sport bike enthusiast on how to get riders at functions such as weekend rides, sport bike nite, track events and races. There wasn't real direction until the Buell Homecoming in the summer of '98. At this event it became clear that we just had to do something to get fellow riders together because there was great fun in large numbers. At the Homecoming we found there was great excitement in the masses, going from event to event over four day's. Eventually ending up on a road-course at Black Hawk Farms to test and improve our ability and skills was the highlight of the event. Upon returning home there was a fantastic feel for what sport bikes were about or what they could be. With a smile on our face and pumped up with pleasure from riding along with the Track experience still fresh in our head, we thought "this is way cool and everyone who owns a sport bike should enjoy riding like this". We don't know maybe they do, but there had to be a way to get those who love to ride together and share this passion. That, my friends, was the actual seed of the association.
Along with some friends, who's love for motorcycles are as real and natural as skin, we started to kick around ideas on "HOW" can we get more people involved. Bigger groups and larger events were the goal! All the while spending more time with sport bike enthusiast and gaining greater respect for the riders and their unique sense of motorcycling.
A good friend and brother, George Lee, was stoked about the idea of a sport bike organization and jumped right in with ideas and ability. Another was Alan Schulteti who came in, as consultant, to give some professional guidance with his insight on the motorcycle industry which has been his whole life. We had assistance from others such as Jeff Marshall, who brought business sense to our passion along with Debi Hess whose management skills gave us organization. These conversations, goals and ideas became the foundation of the united sport bike association.
At this point we registered as a small business and went about being a formal organization. Now, a few years later some are not involved but still support us as best they can. By the same token we have new people involved doing different duties to ensure the association continues to grow in a healthy and manageable way. You see it takes more than just ideas and passion to pull off something like this. It means help from many people, business groups, dealerships and organizations. It takes a great deal of energy and resources to keep things going. From the Speedway Racing, Newsletters, T-shirt's, Event Mailer's, Charity Raffle's, Event Productions and Promotions, Insurance, Track Day and Sportbike Nite they are all costly and risky ventures.
At the united sport bike association we started as a Buell specific organization, but are not Buell exclusive. Simply meaning, we have a vast membership of enthusiast who ride all makes and models of motorcycles, from Aprilia, Buell, and Ducati to Suzuki. We have found that there is a passion in sport bikes no matter what you ride. It really makes no difference what you're on as long as you enjoy what you are riding and those whom you are with. This is our philosophy at the association and we only hope everyone can accept that. We do not hold prejudice or bias regardless of what anyone rides because we know what riding is all about. The joy of being free, in the wind, the rush of speed while improving our skills and doing it with those whom are as dedicated is the true passion! These ideas and beliefs are what the association is all about.
We invite you to join the united sport bike association. Join us every chance you get to share in the activities we put together and ask only for your support in our efforts to enjoy sport biking in a safe and fun manner wherever and whenever possible on whatever you ride. Thank you and Ride Safe.
Ron Hess, Founder usba
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