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Samuel Hamilton Miller MBE (born 11 November 1933) is a Northern Ireland championship winning motorcycle racer, in both road racing and Observed Trials. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to motorcycle heritage.United Kingdom In 2013, Miller was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements.
Miller rode mainly Ariel Motorcycles, including both trials events and the Isle of Man TT races. When Ariel were absorbed by BSA in 1964, he formed a partnership with a Spain firm, Bultaco, and went on to become the lead developer of modern two-stroke Observed Trials motorcycles. The bike he created was the Sherpa T. This was done in 12 days, realizing his success when he finally cleaned a section on the Sherpa that was uncleanable on his famous Ariel. In his later professional racing career, Miller was involved with Honda.Sammy Miller joins Honda. Motorcycle News, 10 April 1974, p.1 (front cover). Accessed 11 March 2022
Miller is best known for the 500cc Ariel HT5 that he lightened considerably from standard ex-factory condition. The bike was famously known by its UK registration mark, GOV 132. TWN Club Zürich: Ariel HT5 It is now an exhibit in the Sammy Miller Museum (see below).
Miller parted from Ariel at the end of 1964, moving to Bultaco motorcycles, then newly imported by the Rickman brothers, a press photo-call with Ariel executive Ken Whistance and competition manager Ernie Smith ending his seven years of association.Motor Cyclist Illustrated, January 1965, p. 48 Farewell handshake. Accessed 19 October 2015
During the 1960s he won the Scott Trial six times, twice on an Ariel and four times on a Bultaco.The Scott Trial Souvenir Programme, 24 October 2009. Pages 60, 61.
He set up his own motorcycle parts business in 1964 in New Milton, Hampshire, and put a few of his old racing motorcycles in the corner, later to become the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum. As of 2004, the museum had a collection of hundreds of bikes. In 2007 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He sold his parts business as Sammy Miller Products in 2007.
Today, Miller still rides in demonstration events.
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