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Leah Orloff is a Harley-Davidson engineer, certified motorcycle mechanic, vintage racer, and mentor who turned a passion for two wheels into a full-throttle career—proving that you can wrench on bikes all day and still have the guts to race them on the weekend.

EARLY YEARS

Leah got into motorcycles at 19, starting with a 500 Honda Interceptor—a solid first bike that set the tone for everything that followed. She wasn’t content just to ride; she wanted to understand how the machine worked. That curiosity led her to the American Motorcycle Institute in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she became a certified motorcycle mechanic. From there, it was only a matter of time before she combined her mechanical knowledge with her need for speed.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond racing and engineering, Leah is deeply invested in mentorship. She’s a key figure in the Iron Angels, a program that teaches young women hands-on mechanical skills, confidence, and problem-solving. Her focus isn’t just on building bikes—it’s on building the next generation of women who aren’t afraid to pick up a wrench. She’s also been known to take on ice racing, because apparently regular racing wasn’t adventurous enough. Leah has participated in motorcycle ice racing events alongside other local women riders in Wisconsin, adding yet another dimension to her already impressive skill set.

EARLY SUCCESS

Leah joined the vintage racing ranks in 2003 with an aging Yamaha FZR400, cutting her teeth in the AHRMA circuit. It was at the Battle of the Twins during Bike Week in 2004 that she met fellow racer and Harley-Davidson engineer Wes Orloff—he later called it their “first date.” The two bonded over a shared love of old bikes and fast laps, and eventually married. Together, they became a formidable racing duo. She quickly proved she could hold her own on the track, racing everything from a 1967 Honda CB450 to a Moto Guzzi LeMans Superbike. Her fearless riding style and technical expertise made her a standout in the vintage racing community.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2003: Entered vintage racing with a Yamaha FZR400, marking her debut in AHRMA competition[1].
• 2004: Met future husband Wes Orloff at the Battle of the Twins during Bike Week—a meeting that would define both their personal and racing lives[2].
• 2018: Competed in the Harley-Davidson 115th Anniversary Beach Races on Bradford Beach in Milwaukee, one of the most unique racing venues in the country[3].
• 2019: Received the AHRMA Lady Roadracer Award, recognizing outstanding performance by a female racer in the organization[4].
• Multiple years: Consistently competed in AHRMA events at tracks including Gingerman Raceway, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, and Barber Motorsports Park[5][6].

INSPIRATIONS

Information about Leah’s specific inspirations is not available in the research provided.

REPUTATION

Leah is known in the vintage racing community as fearless, technically skilled, and approachable. Fellow racers describe her as someone who races hard but also takes time to help others—whether that’s mentoring young women through the Iron Angels program or sharing track knowledge with newer riders. She and Wes are both Ohio State University graduates and work together as Harley-Davidson engineers, making them one of the most well-rounded racing couples in the paddock. She’s respected not just for her speed, but for her ability to balance engineering expertise, hands-on wrenching, racing, and motherhood—she and Wes have a son named Wynn. Her commitment to empowering other women in motorsports has made her a role model in a traditionally male-dominated space.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Information about Leah’s future goals or plans for 2025 and beyond is not available in the research provided.

REFERENCES

[1] Racer Profile: Wes and Leah Orloff – Motorcycle Classics
[2] Motorcycle ManiacsMag – Home
[3] Behind the Handlebars – Harley 115th Beach Races – YouTube
[4] AHRMA Perpetual & Special Awards
[5] AHRMA: Race Results From This Past Weekend’s Event At Gingerman Raceway
[6] AHRMA: Race Results From Blackhawk Farms Raceway
Wrenching and Fabbing: The Iron Angels – Xena Workwear
“Mama Tried,” but local ice bikers ride anyway – OnMilwaukee
The Crazy Mid-Ohio Motorcycle Build Attempt (MOMBA), Revisited