American Moto Co. Weekly 505

TLDR: Rallys to visit | A ninja for everyone | The GA dragon | A story from a Vietnam hospital

Hey riders,

This issue is dedicated to the moderators of the subreddit r/motorcycles who banned me for asking for feedback about American Moto Co. Then proceeded to mute me when I asked why.

For the rest of you, I am taking you on a short journey with Mike Moxley, but he will certainly be back for more longer stories. Mike is a man of many miles and stories about them all. I could have talked to him for hours, hopefully you will all enjoy his story as much as I did.

-Zach

RALLY DATES AND LOCATIONS FOR 2026

AIMExpo
_{Anaheim, CA / Jan 7-9, 2026}
Colorado Motorcycle Expo _{Denver, CO / Jan 31-Feb 1, 2026}
Thunder By The Bay
_{Sarasota, FL / Feb 13-15, 2026}
Daytona Bike Week
_{Daytona Beach, FL / Feb 27-Mar 8, 2026}
Arizona Bike Week
_{Scottsdale, AZ / Apr 8-12, 2026}

Laconia Motorcycle Week _{Laconia, NH / June 13-21, 2026}
Myrtle Beach Bike Week
_{Myrtle Beach, SC / May 8-17, 2026}
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
_{Sturgis, SD / Aug 7-16, 2026}
Biketoberfest
_{Daytona Beach, FL / Oct 15-18, 2026}
Lone Star Rally
_{Galveston, TX / Nov 5-8, 2026}

Reviews for Riders: Kawaski Ninja 650

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 has always lived in an interesting space. It wears the Ninja name, carries sport bike looks, and shows up in plenty of garage dreams, but it’s never been about chasing lap times or redline heroics. Instead, it’s built for the rider who actually rides. A lot. Read more….

Don Vesco was the first to exceed 300 mph on a motorcycle in ______

He was piloting his custom Yamaha-powered "Silver Bird" streamliner, which used twin TZ750 engines for a record average of over 302 mph.

Epic Rides : Georgia’s Dragon

(Don’t tell anyone! It’s that good)

The loop we’re talking about stitches together US-19, GA-60, and GA-180 and runs through the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest. It’s not long. You won’t need a hotel reservation or a hydration strategy. What you will need is attention, a bike you trust, and a willingness to let the road set the pace instead of your ego.

Most people start in Dahlonega, which feels appropriate. It’s historic, a little touristy, and just calm enough to lull you into thinking this ride might be relaxing. You roll out of town and within minutes the road tightens, the trees close in, and the corners start linking together in that way that makes your shoulders drop and your brain click into riding mode. Read more…

Safety and Performance: Slipper Clutch

Keeping with the theme of our ride review, the slipper clutch is one of those upgrades that transforms how a sport bike like the Ninja 650 feels on the road.

Designed to reduce rear-wheel hop and chatter during aggressive downshifts, it works by allowing the clutch to partially slip under high back-torque, keeping the bike stable and more controllable. The result is smoother deceleration, less stress on the drive train, and a more confident riding experience, especially in corners or on twisty roads.

Popular among riders who push their bikes harder than usual, aftermarket slipper clutches for the Ninja 650 combine precision engineering with a simple principle: let the clutch slip when it needs to, and lock up when it counts.

Community Spotlight: Mike Moxley

Mike Moxley called me from Thailand, propped up on a bed with the kind of calmness you only get after a decade of wandering the world on two wheels.

I will let him tell you the whole story.

Vietnam, a Scooter, and 56 Days on the Fourth Floor…