Sammy Miller - A Motorcycling Legend
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- Опубліковано 3 кві 2023
- In this special episode we pay tribute to the impact that Sammy Miller has made and continues to make to the motorcycling. Many of you will be familiar with him, but some may not. Either way, I think you will be interested to hear his story.
I’m going to go as far as suggesting his achievements and the extent of his contribution to the world of motorcycling - past, present and future - are unparalleled. Stick around to hear why and let me know politely in the comments if you agree or not.
Samuel Hamilton Miller, MBE was born on 11th November 1933 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has won multiple racing championships and titles in virtually all disciplines including Trials, Enduro, Motocross, Road and circuit racing. Known simply as ‘Sammy Miller’, he’s also a writer, engineer, designer, curator, developer, ambassador, businessman and brand. All these achievements have one thing in common - motorcycles.
The word ‘Legend’ is often too easily awarded but this is not the case with Sammy Miller. The level and longevity of his passion, dedication and achievements in the motorcycle world are possibly unsurpassed. Others have achieved great things in motorcycling within their specific ability and influence but Sammy has almost independently done a lot more.
In particular, what started as a private collection of his own has now become one of the greatest collections of motorcycles in the world. Notably, for the number of extremely rare and in many cases unique machines that he has managed to bring together in one place. In the second part of this special series we will be taking a look around the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum. In this first part, we will be giving you an insight to the legend himself and having a short impromptu chat with Sammy in his workshop.
Frustrated by the degree to which winning depended on the performance and reliability of the machine and a growing concern for the risks, in 1958, with three successive 250cc North West 200 wins under his belt, Sammy Miller left motorcycle road racing behind to concentrate his effort on the sport that was to make his name, trials.
In his early years, Sammy mainly rode Ariel Motorcycles, including both trials events and the Isle of Man TT races. The best known being his 500cc Ariel HT5 Trials bike that he lightened considerably from standard. The bike was famously known by its UK registration mark, GOV 132. It is now an exhibit in the museum.
In 1964, Sammy partnered with then unknown Spanish firm, Bultaco that had been recently formed by Paco Bultó. Sammy went on to become the lead developer of modern two-stroke trials motorcycles. The bike he created was the Sherpa T, Bultaco’s most famous and successful motorcycle. Sammy created the bike in 12 days, realizing his success when he finally cleaned a section on the Sherpa that was uncleanable on his famous Ariel.
Between them, Miller and Señor Bulto were instrumental in revolutionising the sport in the 1960s. They not only created more capable machines but widened it’s appeal from what was almost exclusively a British sport.
Sammy won the grueling Scottish Six Days Trial in 1965, and then repeated the feat with wins in 1967 and 1968. He also claimed the European Trials Championship (that was in effect the world championship) in 1968 and 1970. This coincided with and, perhaps, stimulated the growth in the popularity of trials in Europe and later the USA, which provided a lucrative market for Bultaco in the years to come. Bultaco dominated the World Trials Championship in the 1970s, winning the title eight times, and winning the Scottish Six Days Trial four times.
In 1970, Sammy returned to 4 strokes and designed Honda’s World Championship winning ‘TL’ trials bike. He later designed and produced his own competition trials bike, ‘The Miller’.
In 2007 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. In 2014 he was named FIM legend.
The partnership with Bultaco was what brought Sammy to New Milton in Hampshire where he set up his own motorcycle parts business in 1964 and put a few of his old racing motorcycles in the corner! In 1980 he opened the museum and these and other bikes became the first exhibits. Today, there are nearly 500 of the world’s rarest motorcycles under one roof.
We will be returning to the museum in a separate episode where we will take you on a tour.
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Some content with the permission of Sammy Miller - Авто та транспорт
A TRUE Legend. I remember Sammy racing NSUs in the 1950s on the Wicklow Road Circuit in Ireland.
He certainly is and very underrated in my opinion.
We All Have Dreams & One Of Mine Is To Visit His Museum! What A Great Ambassador To Motorcycling! Thank You.
He's got some very interesting and rare machines.
Great showing Sammy as he was. He was such a friendly guy, willing to talk to people and take time because he loved motorcycles so much
Hi Tom, thanks for your comment. With the use of past tense, I had to check if he was still with us!😪
Thankfully, it appears he is 😁
Nigh on impossible to counter your assertion that Mr Miller has probably made a greater contribution to the world of motorcycling than any other. I've been lucky enough to see him run his magnificent V4 AJS & Guzzi V8 at Pukekohe in the 1990's. Gold standard legend indeed.
Thank you Graham.
Fascinating, what a gent. Thanks for documenting this for us.
Pleased you enjoyed it.
I was aware of Sammy as often visit the museum but didn’t know he’d be so successful 🎉 Kickstart, the best 80’s TV programme, I can hear the theme tune in my head right now 💚
He is truly a motorcycle legend! Kickstart did for trials what Pot Black did for snooker! Dare I say, better days for the BBC.
My hero sammey Miller, since 1961 when I had a trials BSA Bantam, a flat cap and goggles on top of my head and a Belstaff trials jacket. What a great man.
Yes, and still going strong! Really good to hear from you Anthony.
I'm enjoying your video's, bring back childhood memories. Sammy is a legend.
Hi Alex, good to hear from you and so glad you're enjoying our videos. Thanks for commenting. It would be great to hear what you think of our other videos as well.
Brilliant 🤩
Thanks Philip🙂
Omg I've got the same book 👍
😄
People have been Knighted for a lot less.
Absolutely, trouble is Sammy is one of us!
Sammy Miller and John Surtees.
Sir Elton John, Sir Rod Stewart, Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Paul McCartney, why is it that people who ride motorcycles, never get the same recognition that people who sing a few songs do.
Completely agree but we all know there's a lot more to any awards ceremony than merit.
Trials has gone the same as road racing down hill in door events man made and not as good as the Scottish 6 day trial proper trials.
Good point. When indoor trials first made an appearance I was, like most people, taken with it. But, as time has passed traditional trials is better. Same with road racing, can't beat the atmosphere at somewhere like Cookstown 100.
The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum channel on here is excellent.
Certainly is, Sammy is a real entertainer.