The American Motorcycle Association
Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

by Rick Brown

One crisp fall day a good friend of mine and I headed out to…uh…Pickerington, Ohio…to a motorcycle museum. I found it peculiar that it was located in this suburb until I learned later that it used to be in Westerville…which arguably makes even less sense. But like many things in life…common sense be damned. My friend had found some ½ price coupons so it was a mere 5 bucks to get in! This immediately put me in a good mood. Not that 10 dollars for anything is unreasonable these days. I just had no idea how good this best kept secret of a museum is.

I won’t claim to know anything about motorcycles…because I do not. Counting sitting on a stationary display model on this day, I’ve probably only been on one 3…maybe 4 times. Like my parental instilled fear of New York City, my anxiety runs deep. And everyone I have known who owned a bike eventually laid it down. But danger is part of the allure I suppose. Motorcycles will always be a part of not just America…but many cultures. I guess it’s just too much fun despite the risks.

 

The collection in the A.M.A. museum is pretty extensive. The history is displayed well and there seems to be an acknowledgement of every type of motorcycling. The place even has a nice little Hall of Fame Room and a tribute to women riders. Of course Harley Davidson is well represented, as is Honda. I had no idea Honda built motorcycles in Ohio. There is an entire room of beautiful Honda motorcycles.

So check the place out. If you live in Central Ohio it is pleasant way to spend an afternoon. And if you visit the this area for a more extended time, a visit to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum would be a great addition to your vacation plans, I highly recommend it.

For more information go to: http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org