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?
No. 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, 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.
I sold the 950. It was time. I just wasn’t riding it.
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 Back country 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.
LAB2V 2024
It was Day 2 of the 2024 LAB2V and we had one goal – to do Red Rock Canyon (HARD) for the very first time!
PRE LAB2V Prep
The bikes had a few issues to address before LAB2V this year and I could not believe the condition of my water pump!
The NORCAL BDR (part 3)
Riding Solo. The final chapter in my 3 part series of doing the NorCalBDR. I was challenged by snow and weather but everything fell neatly into place (this time).
The NORCAL BDR (part 2)
TL;DR: What should have been a single event over 10 days turned into three separate “sessions” for me where I would pick up exactly where I had abandoned the week before. Once where I had mechanical issues (clutch) and the other because of time constraints. https://youtu.be/WHHdcYaS3V4?si=105mtPOoTJ1ZO45q Read Part 1 and Part 3. START MILES: 23,000…
The NORCAL BDR (part 1)
A blow by blow recap of my ill fated attempt at the Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route.
My Pre Nor Cal BDR Settings
Just a quick post to document the various suspension settings I am going to start the Nor Cal BDR with.
New Pump, No Pressure, What Did I Do?
Warning: This post contains three kinky pictures. I installed a new fuel pump but the bike wouldn’t start. It had to be one of three things. Well, really, it was me. Just me.
Studs > Bolts for the Rear Rack
One of the more challenging tasks I’ve had was putting the rear rack and assorted attachments back together. Swapping the bolts for studs made it so much easier.
Just part of the reason I am not running Safari Tanks
Beside a Rocky Mountain ATV break down, there’s a few other reasons why I decided to go with my current set up for the Nor Cal BDR.
Read on Dude… Just part of the reason I am not running Safari Tanks
The Taco Moto 3,000 Hour Fuel Pump
Replacing my old fuel pump and filter with the best one on the market – the TacoMoto 3,k hour fuel pump!
New (proper) Shock Spring
Upgrading my shock spring to the correct weight based on my fully loaded bike and my fully loaded me.
New (proper) Fork Springs and Seals
Just the first in a series of projects on the 690 is to upgrade the fork springs. While I was in there I did the seals too.
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, had a big 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.
- LAB2V 2024 - December 2, 2024
- PRE LAB2V Prep - November 11, 2024
- The NORCAL BDR (part 3) - October 29, 2024