AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Margaret Wilson dies

News Release

The American Motorcyclist Association expresses its condolences to the friends and family of Margaret M. Wilson, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and longtime patron of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Mrs. Wilson passed away July 23 after a short illness. She was 98.

“Margaret Wilson was not just a role model for women motorcyclists, but all motorcyclists, setting an immeasurable example of dedication, grace, humility and generosity,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “On behalf of AMA staff, our members and the boards of directors of the AMA and American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, I express our deepest condolences to her family and friends, and particularly her husband, Mike Wilson, who along with Margaret has provided unequaled support to the Hall of Fame, where their contributions and accomplishments will live on in perpetuity.”

Mrs. Wilson was among the first of a generation of female motorcyclists in post-World War II America who took up the sport and began changing the image of motorcycling as the exclusive domain of men. Her many accomplishments include becoming a Golden Life Member of the Motor Maids, being voted America’s Most Popular and Typical Girl Rider for 1958, and logging more than half-a-million miles riding throughout the United States and Canada.

Along with Mike, Margaret ran Wilson’s Motorcycle Sales of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the couple was instrumental in helping establish the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Services were held Sunday, July 27, and Monday, July 28.