AMSOIL Helps Motorcyclist Set Guinness World Record
In the April 2017 issue of the AMSOIL Dealer Magazine (only available to AMSOIL Independent Dealers) we had a great interview with a Guinness record holder Danell Lynn. We wanted to publish this story, because it was an interesting journey not only across North America but also a journey to learn about how AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants truly outshine conventional and other brands of synthetic oils.
Nearly everyone has dreamed of hitting the open road on a motorcycle, but most lack the courage t
o do it. Not Danell Lynn. Learn more about Danell at danelllynn.com/
On Sept. 19, 2014, Lynn departed Tucson, Ariz. alone aboard her Triumph Bonneville. After nearly one year and 48,600 miles, she returned, the proud owner of a new Guinness World Record:
“Longest Journey by Motorcycle in Single Country.”
She’s also the first solo woman motorcyclist to hold this record. Her journey took her though 48 states
and parts of Canada, and she credits AMSOIL products for helping keep her bike running strong. Here’s her story.
AMSOIL Magazine: How long have you been riding a motorcycle? And what was your first bike?
Danell Lynn: I was first on a bike in utero, riding along with my mom and dad. But then we did not have bikes for many years, and about 15 years ago I got into pillion riding again [riding as a passenger]. Then about six or seven years ago, I decided I wanted to drive and take journeys on my own. When I bought my first bike I wanted to purchase a Bonneville, but was told from all my family of riders that you do not
start with your dream bike because you will drop it – you will go down, which I have learned even after 50,000+ miles. Sometimes you still just drop it. I had three drops (tip-overs) during my year on the road. So I bought a great starter for just $1,200 and learned my wrenching and riding skills on that 1982 Virago and then bought my dream bike – the bike I would take for a year on the road – my Triumph Bonneville.
AMSOIL Magazine: Tell us more about your Bonneville.
Lynn: When selecting my choice bike for such a trip, I simply went to where my heart was and selected a 2006 Triumph Bonneville, named her “Amelia” and took off to ride around my native country and into Canada, ensuring a great experience and adventure.
AMSOIL Magazine: Throughout your journey, did you ever feel like giving up?
Lynn: People often ask for my worst experience or scariest time on this journey, and I really don’t have one. If the weather was bad and re-routed me, it always led to a unique experience I would not have
had otherwise.
My biggest lows were at the start of the trip. In the first two days I had a swarm of emotions, from wondering, ‘what am I doing,’ to the thrill of taking off on an adventure, to body aches and pains and
forgetting my backpack at a gas station on day two with my wallet, camera and all the important stuff for the trip. (I did go back and recover it.) It was a whirlwind that put me in tears at my second stop, breaking down into the arms of a friend. As she let me cry, I worked through the bag setup and got rid of the backpack, putting all necessary stuff right on the bike and my water pack directly into my jacket, which helped get rid of my back pain. A good cry, a deep breath, a hug of hope and I was off again.
This was the closest I got to giving up, but I never doubted that I would complete it – just the momentary breakdowns that you rise from stronger.
AMSOIL Magazine: Did you face any dangerous situations?
Lynn: I guess the biggest danger I faced was before I threw my leg over the bike on day one. I was more fearful of not going than anything that might occur out on the road. Before I departed, I wrote a blog on that exact subject. I am scared of living the typical nine-to-five life because it is what you are supposed to do. I fear the monotony of routines to just get the job done. I am scared to not live life to the fullest.
AMSOIL Magazine: What does that mean to you?
Lynn: Everyone living their life to the fullest is different. For me, if I ask myself, ‘Will I regret not going?’ the answer is always ‘yes,’ so I always must go. I don’t believe in regrets, and I do believe in trusting
your gut. If I feel nervous fear (this is the good fear – fight or flight), then I walk away from situations. If I stop to camp and the woods in that spot are creeping me out, then I drive on until the next great spot.
On day two it was fitting to pass through Why, Ariz. before continuing through Nice, Calif.; New Hope, Ariz.; Many, La. and Goodnight, Texas. Seeing the signs for cities like Whynot, Miss.; You Bet, Calif. and
Hope, La., one cannot help but pull out the inspiration from the road itself standing behind you and cheering you on. It was within happenstance moments like these that life taught its lessons, unexpected
and at times lifesaving, featuring both the low and high points into one.
AMSOIL Magazine: Can you provide an example?
Lynn: For example, when I crashed at slow speed on the ice, this gave me a chance to meet a driver coming around the corner to warn me about the blind curve ahead that met a steep downward hill with no guardrail and was covered in sheet ice. I would take my mini-crash over the possibilities of that hill any day. Three moments like this occurred during my year and became my most profound, even in their simplicity, because they taught me there is more out there in the universe and it will take care of you if you are open to it. I cannot think of a better word than to say, at times, this trip was magical in so many ways.
AMSOIL Magazine: How did you come to choose AMSOIL products for your bike?
Lynn: I had heard of AMSOIL previously, but just ran a non-synthetic in my bikes (I was one of those who would buy a good oil, but one on sale for my oil changes), but that all changed during one fateful
dealership stop during my first month on the road. It was after a fateful flat tire and a needed stop for service in California. I was chatting about my journey with some of the shop guys and a man approached. This is when I met John Madri, independent AMSOIL Dealer from Roseville, and a new love affair with
synthetics began. He happened to be at the shop that day and let the shop know that he was supporting my journey by providing me AMSOIL products at my service, and I noticed a difference those first weeks in the bike and the ride. Amelia loved it, so we were hooked. She ran smoother, I could go longer between oil changes and could do an oil and chain change at the same time (which makes a huge difference
when you are on a long haul).
~End of Interview
AMSOIL manufactures a wide range of products for your motorcycle. From Synthetic engine oil to transmission, gear oil (shaft drives) to chain lube, fork oil and brake fluid. AMSOIL Ea Motorcycle Oil Filters are designed to remove 98% of contaminant particles down to 20 microns. These filters are the highest rated filters for motorcycle on the market.
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You can look up the right products for your motorcycle by using the AMSOIL Online Lookup guide. amsoil.com/lookup/motorcycle
AMSOIL products are sold through independent Dealers – people willing to invest time and effort into building a successful business. AMSOIL provides training materials, administrative assistance, technical support and everything needed to build a successful Dealership. Own your own business, be your own boss and earn extra income.
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