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 technique. 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.

Mr. Hough is also a regular contributor to the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and its monthly magazine, the BMW Owners News.

"BMW riders view themselves as having a strong curiosity about riding better and safer. I believe much of this has come from the long association between MOA members and David," explains David Swider, President of the BMW MOA. "I've seen him talk about motorcycle safety at rallies for years and have read his books and columns in ON. This award is not only a wonderful recognition of David's strengths, but also a wonderful opportunity for riders of all types of motorcycles. The AMA has wisely recognized that everybody that rides a motorcycle owes some debt to David's ongoing efforts to educate to save lives."

BMW MOA Foundation President Eric Simon echoed Swider's comments. "The BMW MOA Foundation applauds the AMA for their recognition of an icon in the "smart rider" community," says Mr. Simon. "David Hough has always been generous with his time in resources and dedicated both to making motorcycling more enjoyable - and safe - for riders of all marques. Mr. Hough has been especially generous to the MOA Foundation with his time and wisdom, a fact for which all riders should forever be grateful."

"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."

"David L. Hough has perhaps done more to advance the concept of ' the thinking motorcyclist' than any motorcycle-safety scribe in recent memory," says Roger Wiles, BMW MOA Foundation 'MotoSafe' Editor and a safe riding instructor. "His tireless and selfless work has introduced hundreds of thousand of riders to the concept of using one's brain and mind to predict and avoid painful riding-errors, so that these riders are not solely dependent on superior physical riding skills to save themselves; at the same time, David's precise analytical thinking and writing have helped legions of riders discover the path to these higher-level riding skills and proficiencies. David, our everlasting thanks and deep appreciation!".

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 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."

"I am very happy to see David Hough honored by the AMA by induction to the Motorcycling Hall of Fame. David has been a great friend to the motorcycling community. Not just to the BMW MOA, the BMW MOA Foundation, but to all riders as he shares his knowledge and thoughts on safety but also the joy of motorcycling," explains Brad Benn, Vice President of the BMW MOA Foundation.

"One of my favorite David Hough stories happened at the West Bend Rally. I was sitting at Camp GEARs talking with Paul and Voni [Glaves]; I had not yet met David, but having read many of his books and articles, was aware of who he is. A friendly gentleman joins us at the picnic table, after a little while he asked if we would like a sandwich as he was hungry. So after breaking bread and talking about motorcycles, riding techniques, and other thing; I finally formally introduced myself as did David. I then realized that he and I were disagreeing on some riding techniques. While it would have been very easy for him to dismiss my thoughts rather we were able to have a good conversation and each of us learning from each other. To this day, this story is still one of my favorite rally stories."

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 www.MotorcycleMuseum.org.