Or should I say
Willkommen!
Quick Links: Blog – Rides – Gear – About – 690 – 950
Why the funny title for a website?
Are you going to write everything auf Deutsch?
Very simply, a very long time ago I had the inkling to get an Adventure bike.
At the time there were only two options to choose from, the BMW GS1200 or the KTM 950. If you know bikes, you know they are very different from each other. The BMW is much more road going while the KTM is geared more for the dirt. As I was sitting in my office dreaming I started thing of the vanity plate I would get. (all my vehicles have vanity plates). I started thinking of cool puns but they were all taken. That’s when this idea hit me…
It was available! So I bought it without even having a bike yet.
In German AUF means ON or IN but is pronounced much like OFF.
OFF / ON seemed perfect for a teutonic dual sport bike.
Of course the domain name was available too, so I bought that too.
I headed out on a 10 day trip zig zagging across the southwest with some buddies. We rode a whole lot of road, some highway and yes, a bunch of dirt! I rode a borrowed 2006 Kawasaki KLR 650 (thanks Tom!) and figured this would be the best way to document the trip.
I now have the bike I always wanted, it’s a 2006 KTM 950 Adventure.
UPDATE: I’m longing for something lighter, smaller and easier to pick up after dropping. The Honda CRF250L Rally might just be that bike, but we shall see.
UPDATE II: I’ve always been on 2 wheels. My bicycling hasn’t shown up here yet but it is going to be now. When I say bicycling, I’ve been riding both Road and Mountain for a while now but I’m looking at adding “BikePacking” to the mix (think backpacking but with a bike). I started a page to help me better decipher what I need at AufRoad.com/Terra but blog post are coming too!
UPDATE III: I’ve been wanting to do more Backcountry Discovery Ride stuff. Dirt trails that cross and entire state with minimal paved road riding. While I love my 950, my new 690 Enduro is going to be even better suited for that.
UPDATE IV: While I had big bicycling plans for 2020, it all fell apart due to a combination of COVID and my hurting my knee. I may not be able to do much bicycling in the future. Ugh! Oh and I got a new plate ordered for the 690. It’s perfect!
Head on over to the blog to check out the latest posts.
He's an avid hockey fan, rides a mountain bike, sometimes rides a road bike, has a few motorcycles (he had a really fast one, bought a cool orange one, rode a really slow one, and is currently building a perfect "BDR Weapon"). If that isn't enough, he makes cheese and sourdough bread, loves strong beer and good red wine, and poorly plays the Mandolin.
- Adding a Garmin Zumo XT - March 7, 2023
- Update #2 on my Mosko Moto Reckless 80 - February 26, 2023
- Replacing / Upgrading My Side Stand Foot - February 26, 2023