He was the main reason I wore MSR during my racing days. I met him at a Supercross when I was young and got his autograph. Seemed like a great man. May he Ride In Peace.
Message from MSM - Malcolm Smith (1941 – 2024), who many consider to be America’s most-renowned and best-loved motorcyclist, has died from complications of Parkinson’s disease, which he battled for more than two decades. He was 83.
Smith passed away at home in Riverside, Calif., on November 26, peacefully and surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Louise and Ashley, sons Joel and Alexander, granddaughters Evie, Adeline, Amelie, Miley and Claire, and grandsons Ethan, Malcolm and Conrad.
In his final year he welcomed his newest grandchildren, Malcolm, Conrad and Claire, and was thrilled to watch his granddaughters learn to ride motorcycles.
During his 83 years, Smith did it all: Rider. Racer. ISDT gold medalist. Shop tech. Service manager. Repair shop owner. Aftermarket distributor. Retail store owner. Actor. Sponsor. Philanthropist. Pro-motorcycling advocate. Father. Grandfather. Friend. And much more.
But over and above all that, Malcolm Smith was everyman’s motorcyclist, an enthusiastic, fun-loving, driven and talented example of what motorcycling could do and be for the everyday enthusiast, and how the sport could affect our lives in unimaginable ways.
Funeral and memorial services are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Malcolm’s favorite charity, the Malcolm Smith Motorsports Foundation, which supports the children of Baja.
More than decade ago. Malcolm Smith wrote these words for the final chapter of his acclaimed 2015 autobiography: “It all started for me on March 9, 1941, in a small rural hospital in the village of Ganges, on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada… “Where it will end, no one knows. But you can be sure I’m going to enjoy every minute I have left, with a smile on my face, and my family nearby. Can’t ask for more than that.”
You can’t, and he didn’t…and the world’s motorcycling fans are better for it.
Godspeed, Malcolm.
I had the honor of designing MSR gear back in the early 2010s.
GodSpeed Malcolm.
RIP to an absolute legend.
Such an icon. Godspeed Malcolm, it was a hell of a ride.
RIP to a legend. Will make sure to watch on any Sunday this holiday weekend.
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Dammit.
What an absolute LEGEND and a great human being.
Godspeed my friend. 😢
What a wonderful guy who made a positive impact on our sport.
Thank you Malcolm for all your contributions to our great sport. Rest easy sir.
One of, if not, the biggest legends in the sport. My dad did an MSR dealer ride with him in Calabogie in 2000 and to this day talks about it as one of the coolest days of his life.
Rest in peace!
When I was a kid, in the 70’s, he was already a legend. RIP, Sir Malcolm.
Larger than life. RIP
Quite possibly the largest moto influence in my childhood. RIP Malcolm
Him...on the beach...in Baja...that's the reason...the cause of all my Baja escapades.
A legend.
Good bye..great man.
Thank you Malcolm.
what a legend the SMILE loved it RIP
Along with Roger DeCoster...Malcolm Smith was on my short list of real Moto-heroes. He will be missed.
Rest easy, Malcolm.
I worked for Malcolm shortly after high school when he had his distribution business in Riverside. Back then he had an apartment upstairs in the warehouse, and occasionally Bud Feldkamp (who Malcolm would co-drive off-road races with in a buggy) would come by the warehouse and do some derbying on the dirt roads that bordered the back of the warehouse.
While pulling orders in the warehouse we'd use shopping carts with handlebars attached, along with skateboards. You could fairly well fly around the warehouse...unless you had an order with a bunch of chains, or a load of tires.
Malcolm was a cool cat and one-of-a kind who could ride the wheels off of anything. He'll be missed for sure.
Met him briefly about 20 years ago, he talked to me like we'd known each other for years.
RIP, legend.
Absolute Legend. RIP Sir.
Pit Row
what a legend.
I doubt anybody ever said anything bad about him.
too nice maybe?
that is a life well lived.
RIP
MX would have never been the same without him. RIP Malcolm and peace to the family.
Rest In Peace Malcolm.
Legend
My first job was sweeping the mechanics area at his first shop on La Cadena in Riverside when I was in high school. Thought I was working for Elvis Presley! Then went on with the first two locations for Malcolm Smith Distributing. This was from 1972 to 1976. Great times and great memories.
Vios con dios Malcolm.
I think everyone here has seen On Any Sunday and idolized how dedicated Malcolm was to the sport. Not just motocross, but any form of two wheeled action. Godspeed to an icon of our sport.
After bending my chain guide mount and derailing my chain about 30 times through the 2019 Tecate Enduro it sure was the cherry on top to cross the finish line with Malcolm waving the checkered flag. Rest in peace Legend.
Truly a life well lived.
I saw him a few times in person and have seen a ton of pictures. He always had the biggest cheese smile of anyone I have ever seen.
Rest in peace Malcolm.
Got to meet him at a dealer show in Indianapolis a while back. Felt like I was meeting royalty! Great guy- he will be missed but his legacy will live on indefinitely!
If you get a chance read this book. Was a great person. He set the stage for dirt bikes as you know it. He signed a hat and a original On any Sunday VHS for me. RIP, Race In Peace.
I did not personally know Malcolm Smith, but just over a year ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson's, and someone on Vital mentioned to me that Malcolm Smith had lived with Parkinson's for many years. Newly diagnosed, I was scared and feeling like life as I knew it was over. I decided to look up some articles on Malcolm Smith and seeing that he remained active and continued to live a full life brought me considerable hope and comfort. Now, I am acclimated to my diagnosis and managing my symptoms fairly well. I know it will get worse - none of us get better as we age. But if I can have several quality decades despite this disease, as it appears Malcolm Smith did, then I can be quite content. If like Malcolm Smith, I can live in a way that gives hope to someone else who goes through the shock of a Parkinson's diagnosis, I will be very pleased. Godspeed my good man.
Damn….RIP to a legend and true pioneer of the sport. Nick Wey or Albee come to mind when I think of MSR, this ‘04 set up was cleannnn
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