Cycle News Staff | March 31, 2022
Motorcycle Industry Council – Remembering Mel Harris
The following is a press release from Motorcycle Industry Council…
Irvine, CA (March 31, 2022) – Mel Harris was part of the foundation, the bedrock of the modern-day powersports industry. His passing in March has many in the business recalling his many contributions during a long and successful career, and remembering the man that he was in person. Harris’s LinkedIn page chronicles his nearly 30 years with Suzuki, climbing to vice president of the motorcycle division in the U.S., and his most recent executive position with SSR Motorsports as VP of operations.
Harris went beyond brands with his efforts at the MIC, as a board member and as a longtime subcommittee member of Discover Today’s Motorcycling, the media and influencer focused image-enhancement and market-expansion program. His work at the association, while not as well known to many across the industry, benefited the entire world of powersports and riders everywhere.
Mel Harris memorial, open to all:
Pole Position Raceway
1594 E. Bentley Drive, Corona, California 92879
April 24, 10 am to 2 pm – or longer if needed
Donations can be made in memory of Mel Harris to the American Cancer Society
But Harris himself was known, very well, to many colleagues across the years, as well as dealerships, district and regional sales managers, racing organizations, teams, and dozens of top-ranked and aspiring racers on both pavement and dirt.
Just a few of them share their thoughts below:
Jeff Li – General Manager, SSR Motorsports
“Over the last seven years, I saw Mel lead SSR by laughter, iron fist, and fatherly love. Most notable is his devotion to his work in the industry. In good health, he worked long hours and kept an open door policy to the staff and dealers 24/7. When he fought cancer, he talked more about selling motorcycles on the phone than his health from the hospital bed. As an industry professional, I wish others to remember Mel’s big heart and work ethic and to honor his dedication to this industry. As a friend, I wish him a well deserved rest and will forever remember the influences he’s had in my life.”
Kerry Graeber – Vice President, Division Manager
Motorcycle/ATV Sales and Marketing Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
“There wasn’t anybody like Mel Harris in our industry. He was passionate about the motorcycle business and had a tireless work ethic. Mel and I shared a common love for motorcycle racing and motorcycling in general and worked together over many years. Mel was first and foremost a salesman and was absolutely committed to Suzuki’s success. He will be missed.”
Tim Buche – Former MIC President and CEO
“I was fortunate to work with Mel starting in 1984 and I am grateful for his friendship, support, and all the memories. He was a leader, friend, advocate, competitor, and family man. Mel made friends and kept them. He was quick to ask about your family and provide updates on his. He could also tell you about ‘his’ dealers’ families, their kids, their sales figures, and more. His advocacy for ‘his’ dealers, teammates, brands, race teams, and our industry is legendary. His competitiveness extended from racing circuits to retail sales goals, and even to local softball league tournaments. The powersports business benefited greatly from Mel’s work on the industry’s collective efforts.”
Larry Little – Former executive, Cycle World, and former MIC Chairman
“Mel was both a genuine character in the best possible way, as well as being very serious about the overall business of powersports. I got to witness both while serving together on the MIC Board of Directors over a number of years. He had a passion for racing, and many champions across a spectrum of motorcycle racing wore the yellow and blue of Suzuki under his leadership. He also had a remarkable relationship with Suzuki dealers that is legacy to this day. There’s no question that the business of motorcycling and powersports was a genuinely better place because of Mel Harris. Godspeed, Mel.”
Gary Christopher – Former executive, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Chairman of the Discover Today’s Motorcycling Subcommittee
“Perhaps best known for his sales and marketing expertise, Mel also had a keen understanding of all facets of the business from product development to production, and on through the supply chain from wholesale to retail. He had a strong kinship with the dealers and advocated for them. His work with the MIC and its sister organizations was crucial for the protection and success of the industry. Mel was a true motorcycle enthusiast and loved racing. He had a keen eye for emerging talent and helped scores of young racers move from amateur to the professional ranks – and many on to championships. I had the privilege to work with Mel on several MIC projects and I’ll always remember his keen industry insight along with his cheer and good humor. Mel was a treasured colleague and he was my friend.”
The following was posted on March 23, 2022:
Mel Harris, best known for his years heading up the motorcycle division of Suzuki in America, died on Sunday, March 20, 2022, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 76.
Part of Suzuki’s racing success in the 2000s was because of this man, Mel Harris, who passed away at the age of 76.
Harris moved up the ladder at Suzuki, starting with the company in 1981 as a district sales manager in New England, then to regional manager in Chicago, before becoming an assistant national sales manager, national sales manager, marketing director, and finally VP of motorcycle/marine operations.
After leaving American Suzuki at the end of 2008, Harris worked for Quantya Electric Motorcycles, ATK, and most recently for SSR Motorsports as Vice President of Operations.
Under Harris’ direction, Suzuki had some of its biggest successes, both in the showroom and on the track.
Harris was a major believer in racing and as such, during his term heading up American Suzuki, he was largely responsible for hiring one of the most impressive rosters of racers in the history of American motorcycle racing.
Travis Pastrana, Ryan Dungey, Jeremy McGrath, Nicky Hayden, Mat Mladin, Ben Spies, Aaron Yates, Greg Albertyn and John Hopkins were just a few of the riders Harris helped bring on board at Suzuki.
By far the biggest coup for Harris came in 2005, when he hired Ricky Carmichael away from Honda. Carmichael was coming off a serious knee injury and many wondered if he would continue to be the racer he was before the injury. With Suzuki Carmichael won every outdoor national in 2005, en route to totally dominating the premier class in the AMA Motocross Championship.
“Mel will be deeply missed,” Carmichael said. “I really enjoyed my time working with Mel, he was so kind and really put his neck on the line for me personally when I came to Suzuki. I will forever be grateful to him for that. Aside from me, he was always so respectful to everyone he was around and worked with. He never singled anyone out and always made each individual feel like they were just as important as the next person, no matter their position. It takes a special person to have that approach in life, and he was that guy! He loved his family so much and my deepest condolences go out to them.”
Kevin Schwantz remembers the anguish he felt after crashing out of the lead of the 1987 Daytona 200 and how Mel did his best to make him feel better afterwards.
“I had a huge lead about three-quarters of the way through the race when I crashed,” Schwantz recalled. “I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself in it. Mel came up and put his arm around me and said, ‘You showed them what you had. You were the fastest guy out there. Don’t beat yourself up over trying to win a race. You’ll come back and get them next year.’
“So one of my all-time favorite photos is from the winner’s circle when I won it the next year, and there’s Mel in the picture with the biggest ear-to-ear grin you’ve ever seen.”
Kevin Schwantz celebrates the victory at the Daytona 200 in 1988, Harris can be seen behind Schwantz (to the right) on the podium.
Harris’ son-in-law Ken Faught echoed what so many people thought of Mel. “You couldn’t meet a nicer guy,” Faught said. “He someone who was always encouraging and looking on the bright side of things. He was a great man and we are going to miss him.”
During his career, Harris served on the Board for Trustees for the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), as well as serving as Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC).
He is survived by wife Gail, sons Scott and Shawn, daughters Kimberly and Amy and his brother Ray as well as six grandchildren.
A celebration of life for Mel will be held on April 24 from 10 am-2 pm at Pole Position Raceway, 1594 E. Bentley Dr, Corona, CA 92883. The public is welcome.
Larry Lawrence
Suzuki issued this statement:
Suzuki joins the rest of the powersports industry in remembering former executive Mel Harris who passed away Sunday after a long battle with cancer. Mel was a long-time Suzuki employee, first joining the company in June, 1981 and remaining with Suzuki through December, 2008.
During his long tenure with Suzuki, Mel held many sales positions ranging from Regional Sales Manager to his last position as VP, Sales and Marketing. Mel was also Suzuki’s representative on the AMA Board of Directors.
Perhaps Mel’s greatest strength was his relationship with Suzuki dealers. He knew many on a personal level and took pride in being a strong advocate for their businesses. Mel was also a passionate supporter of racing and was involved in many Suzuki championships in the past.
Many will remember the Suzuki dealer meetings that Mel oversaw. Determined to entertain dealers at all costs, Mel loved to try and top himself year after year. Whether he came on-stage astride an elephant, by jetpack, or suited up as “Melvis” (Elvis Presley) Mel loved to put a smile on dealers’ faces while delivering important product and sales information.
Mel was truly one of a kind and will be sadly missed. Please join Suzuki in offering our thoughts and prayers to Mel’s wife Gail and the rest of his family.
