Or should I say…
Willkommen!
Quick Links: Blog – Rides – Gear – About – 690
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.
DAS BLOG
The Michelin Ultra Heavy Duty 4mm Inner Tube
I ran too low of pressure on my rear tire without a rim lock and paid the price. Here’s why the Michelin UHD 4mm Butyl Tube is the best tube for my riding.
HOW TO: Bracket Your Clickers
Suspension is all about the feels. Here’s how to better dial in the right “feels” even if you are like me, and are comfortably numb.
CLICK Suspension
Everyone should have a “wine guy”, a “fish guy” and if you’re a moto guy you need to have a “suspension guy”. I found mine!
How to put the Lost Coast BDRx on Your Garmin
With the launch of the Lost Coast BDRx it was a perfect opportunity to publish this post. You can now master your GPS!
ASV Brake Lever for the 690
Adding one of the best brake levers you can buy to a KTM 690 Enduro is simple but there’s a few things to make sure you do it right
How to Diagnose Fuel Issues on a KTM 690 (INTERACTIVE)
A complete and systematic way to diagnose fuel issues on a KTM 690 or similar bike with simple tools and logical steps.
Read on Dude… How to Diagnose Fuel Issues on a KTM 690 (INTERACTIVE)
Checking and Replacing a Stator on a KTM 690
When my KTM 690 died it was likely either the Stator or the Voltage Regulator Rectifier – here’s how to test them both and how to replace your Stator.
Happy 5th Birthday to my 690!
It’s the 5 year “gotcha” date for my 2014 KTM 690 Enduro with a look back at what I’ve done, what I’ve spent so far…
Helicopter Insurance
I examine the Pros and Cons of Helicopter Insurance or Helicopter Membership Plans and why you might not need it at all.
Installing an XTRIG
An XTRIG on your shock body will give you the ability to pin point your sag settings in just a few minutes. They aren’t cheap but they are worth it.
Cherry Lake / Yosemite Area
What was supposed to be mild forest service roads turned out to be the opposite but we made it to Cherry Lake, in and around Yosemite
Flatland Racing Disk Guard
Gearing added 10% more torque to my bike so Charles made sure to take 10% of my new wheelie ability away.
New DID Chain, JT Countershaft and Dirt Tricks Sprocket
After limping 200 miles home on a badly worn sprocket it was time to refresh the chain and sprockets.
Read on Dude… New DID Chain, JT Countershaft and Dirt Tricks Sprocket
Lake Pillsbury – Mendo
Just Mike T and myself up to Lake Pillsbury and then to Stonyford but we switched plans and headed to the coast for a real great time!
Safari Tank Adapter Plate O-Ring
Another piece of the Safari Tank puzzle has been solved. I found the right o-ring for the adapter plate!
The Atlas Throttle Lock
I’ve long wanted to give the Atlas Throttle Lock a try. It’s a quality product and works great! But here’s why I took it off.
TacoMoto Fuel Pump Issues
The Taco Moto 3,k Fuel Pump is the best – but that doesn’t mean something can’t go wrong. Here’s what happened to mine.
Motion Pro BeadPro Bead Breakers
Somewhere on a dusty trail in Death Valley is my old set of Motion Pro Levers. Had to buy new ones and here’s how I improved the mounting of them
The Mosko Moto Gnoblin
When I had to replace a few straps on my Mosko Moto Recless 80, the smart choice was adding a Gnoblin – and oh so easy!
4 DAYS IN DEATH VALLEY / Panamint Springs Basecamp
We spent 4 glorious days in Death Valley riding some gnarly trails, meeting some great people and riding the poop out of our bikes!
Read on Dude… 4 DAYS IN DEATH VALLEY / Panamint Springs Basecamp
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.
Upgrading KTM 690 Rocker Arms and Shafts
One of the known weaknesses in the 690 is failed rocker arms. Here’s how to replace them and adjust the valves at the same time.
Following the Garberville Spa Enduro
Sort of. Mike T wanted to head up the coast for a 3 day ride. He’s one of the rare people who loves Garmin Basecamp so I sent him the GPX for a ride I had done a few years prior that was titled the Garberville Spa Enduro – not to do the same ride,…
Installing Twinpegs on a KTM 690
Installing Twin Pegs on your KTM 690 Enduro, Husky 701, or even your Gas Gas 700 ES is super easy. Here’s what you need to know, and the one super important thing to check for!
My 2006 KTM 950 is SOLD!
Well, that’s the end of a chapter in my story. The 950 has been sold is on it’s way to it’s new owner in West Virginia!
The Bay Area Adventure Rally
It was a great idea – toss out 10 different waypoints, give everyone 4 weeks to hit at least 4 to enter a contest and give away some prizes. Here’s what we did.
What to Pack on a BDR Trip
Here’s a run down on what to pack for a typical BDR trip and more importantly why.
I’m selling my 2006 KTM 950 Adventure!
The time has come to sell my beloved 2006 KTM 950 Adventure.
ASV Clutch Lever for the 690
Just a quick update on my clutch lever – installing ASV! They are high quality, smooth operation, expensive but I would say totally worth it. Nice Job ASV!
Oberon Clutch Slave Cylinder
Trying to get a better clutch release and fix an oil leak, I replaced the stock clutch slave with an Oberon. I also found out that the aftermarket levers on the bike had a bunch of play.
LAB2V 2023
A very long summary of our LA to Barstow to Vegas adventure for 2023. It didn’t turn out like we had planned but nothing rarely does.
Tour de Fresno 2023
A ride report on the Inaugural Tour de Fresno – which didn’t go all exactly as planned. The good news is that Mark is going to be just fine and we should all be better prepared moving forward. Also – I found a bunch of new great roads to ride!
Being Better Prepared
A recent ride with an accident has had me thinking about how to ride with others and be better prepared – just in case. I identified three things that could make a difference.
Follow Me
I may have fixed the things my faulty brain caused before. Maybe – the jacket on the freeway, the oil leak and putting the front tire on backwards – keyword: Maybe
New Helmet, New Paint, Who Dis?
It took a while but I finally got around to painting my new helmet. It’s now a 3 year old Bell MX-9 that just came out of the box. Here’s that story on that!
Unfollow Me
You shouldn’t trust me and you certainly shouldn’t do what I do. To be perfectly safe, you should just unfollow me right now. Here’s why.
Replacing the Shock Lower Bearing
Luckily, when I found a little play in my 2014 KTM 690Enduro’s Swing Arm, it was a simple fix and only the lower shock bearings. Here’s how.
Setting My Rear Sag
I set my rear sag. That’s not something I’ll probably be saying again anytime soon, but for today, it’s true. I set my rear sag.
The Father’s Day Lost Coast Ride
4 days of great riding, a few horrible cocktails, and some great fun roads I had not been on. I like the Lost Coast a lot!
The Summer of Mike has been Cancelled
Not a pity party, just the facts. Here’s why “The Summer of Mike” has been cancelled. Obvious Seinfeld references included!
The Mosko Moto Reckless 80 Franken-Fix
After both Mosko Moto and a local Shoe Tailor let me down it was up to me to fix my torn strap on my Reckless 80s. Here’s my barbaric fix.
Adding a Rottweiler Performance Intake System to my 690
I blame Tomm for everything I can. In this case he challenged my manhood and put the idea into my head. So now I have a Rottweiler Intake and soon I’ll have a little more storage too!
Read on Dude… Adding a Rottweiler Performance Intake System to my 690
GPS Mount on the 690: Option 3
When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. A reader, much smarter than I, posed an alternate solution to my Gammin GPS Mount. Check it out!
Adding a Centech AP-1 Auxiliary Fuse Panel to my 690
Explain a Fuse Block to me like I was a 3rd grader! I added a Centech Fuse Block to the bike and now run all my accessories through it
Read on Dude… Adding a Centech AP-1 Auxiliary Fuse Panel to my 690
Adding a Garmin Zumo XT: Attempt #2
It took a few tries but I think I have the mount where I like it, and structurally strong enough to last. Here’s what I did.
Adding a Garmin Zumo XT: FAIL
With the decision to go with a Garmin Zumo XT, the next items is to find a way to securely mount it. My first idea went down in flames.
Update #2 on my Mosko Moto Reckless 80
The final chapter on my fixing a torn strap on my Mosko Moto Reckless 80 luggage. It’s been a full 3 months in the process but I’m ready to go camping again!
Replacing / Upgrading My Side Stand Foot
I’ve gone through a few side stand feet and it was time to replace my Tusk as it was a rattly piece of clack. I also need a taller stand. Having a little extra HDPE, I adapted part of the old and made it all better!
Adding a Ruby R7 Headlight
With MotoMinded out of the picture, it was up to me to create what I needed to mount a Ruby R7 and use it as a headlight on the 690 – here’s what I did.
Gear Position O-Ring Leak FIXED
Fixing the minor oil leak was easy, finding the part a little harder – but it’s fixed now and no leaks – also clean oil!
Updates on Mosko Moto
As big of a fan as I am, Mosko Moto let me down and can’t fix my straps so I’m looking for ways to fix it, or replace the bags – any ideas?
Fixing What Broke / and Updates
So I got home from the CABDR, took a little time to reflect in THE RECAP, and now it’s time to fix what I broke. Luckily, and amazingly it’s not much. The first thing I did was take the bike down to the local car wash and give it a good spray. MOSKO MOTO I…
CA BDR: The RECAP
It’s the Bee Line home where I pause and reflect on what it was, what it could have been and what’s next
Day 5 CA BDR
It’s Day 5 for us on the BDR and we’re trying to salvage whatever we can of Section 7 and 8. The weather cooperates for a while, but it’s my bike that makes us turn around
DAY 4 CA BDR
It’s a total scratch for us doing Section 5 as pretty much everything we want to do in Death Valley is closed. But we skirt the issue (and park boundary) and make our way up and over Cerro Gordo into Lone Pine.
DAY 3 CA BDR
It’s Day 3 on the CA BDR as we make our way from Primm, NV to Furnace Creek in Death Valley. This day included a few closures and hence a few audibles.
Day 2 CA BDR
Day 2 of our CA BDR Trip and we finish up what we have left of Section 2 and then all of Section 3 into Primm, NV for a shower and bed.
Day 1 CA BDR
It’s Day one of the CA BDR which means we have to navigate the tough Indian Pass Rd but there was a few other things that gave us a tough time instead.
LAB2V 2022, The Day(s) After
It the Day after LAB2V and while everyone else is heading home, I’m slabbing it down to Yuma to meet up with Mike and start the CABDR!
LAB2V Day 2, 2022
Day 2 of LAB2V and I head out alone. I ride some of the Hard route and had a great surprise at the finish.
LAB2V Day 1, 2022
A blow by blow look at my Day 1 of the 39th annual L.A. to Barstow to Vegas Dual Sport ride put on by AMA District 37.
LAB2V Day 0, 2022
With a nagging overheating issue, I make my way down to the start of LAB2V in Palmdale.
ADV to the rescue!
It’s the last item I needed to sort out and if you’re trying to ride in the dark, it’s the most important. Here’s the answer – a Motominded / Baja Designs headlight! Let there be light!
The Story of 702
What’s with this number I keep seeing pop up everywhere, you ask? Here’s the story behind #702 and why it’s so important to me.
Adding a Rekluse Manual Clutch
Installing a Rekluse clutch is easy, until it isn’t. Here’s my tale of woe on replacing the stock unit in my 690 to a Rekluse Manual Clutch.
Pre LAB2V and BDR Prep Part 2
Part 2 of my mega prep on the KTM 690 to get it ready for LAB2V and then the CABDR. In this one I cover the graphics, radiator, brakes and a few peripherals.
a Tale of Two Spark Plugs
Who would have guessed the ordeal I was going to have replacing 2 little spark plugs in a mass produced bike. No I didn’t cross thread it!
Pre LAB2V and BDR Prep Part 1
Part 1 of my BDR Prep. This post I’ll cover just the tires, wheel bearings, chain, sprockets and a few other small things. There’s so much more for next post!
What if… a BDR thought
So I am committed to doing the AMA District 37 Dual Sport ride LA Barstow to Vegas over Thanksgiving Weekend. The other day I was thinking… The Southern California BDR starts in Yuma, Az. I’ll be in Vegas at the end of the dual sport ride.I wonder how far it is to Yuma from there?…
I’m going to ride LA B 2 V!
There, I said it. Now, I’m going to have to do it, right? Back in the 60s or so there was this very popular desert race called Barstow to Vegas or simply B2V. In the mid 80’s Ernie and I were looking for something a little different to do other than road racing – we…
My New Minimalist Toolkit
With the recent loss of all of my tools, it was time to rebuild. Here’s how I managed to go minimal.
I’m done with Tool Tubes!
My friend Tomm’s motto is to always ride with someone who’s carrying tools. That would be me. For my bikes I have a nicely assembled tool kit. I also accumulated a nice tire changing set of tools too. It seemed to me that the two were always going to be separate. You either needed one…
Winter Mod Project(s)
“While you’re in there…” is a disease. It’s something I fight all the time. It recently attacked my 690. It all started one day when I went to replace the blown LED headlight. I had ordered a new one from Cyclops and was ready to put it in. To do so means that you need…
RIDE BDR
I’m one of those guys that likes personalized plates. Heck this website is named after the plate for my 950. So when I got the 690 I was naturally looking for something that would go along with AUFROAD. I tried to substitute the letter O for the number 0 but DMV won’t allow that. (see…
Hwy 50 to 80: Part 2 + Henness Pass Rd return
It’s 5:00 PM on a Friday evening. Amazingly I’m sitting with the wife and ask her what we’re doing this weekend. She says we’re doing nothing, and I should go riding. So I did. I had already mapped out my failed attempt to connect the two major highways via dirt (not failed, just abandoned when…
Truckee to Pollock Pines Part 1
So, I have this thing. I want to connect Hwy 50 to Hwy 80 somewhere in the mountains, mostly dirt if at all possible. I bought GPS Kevin’s Route for what he calls the Great Pacific Divide Route and if you zoom in close enough it appears that it could be done! I had a…
Molecule Skid Plate and CNC Brake Lever
Molecule Motorsports / Vanasche UHMW Skid Plate After riding Adalto’s Honda 450 in Moab, I was struck by how much quieter his bike was. The little pings and big dings of rocks hitting my KTM PowerParts Aluminum skid plate didn’t happen on his bike. He had a new styled “rubber” skid plate that wrapped around…
Vanasche Gas Filler Neck, Pivot Pegz, Wings Silent Kit
Three more mods for the 690. We’re getting there. Vanasche Gas Filler Neck I chose this one over the other option (CJ Designs) for the simple reason this one has a cable that ties the cap to the filler neck. They both do exactly the same thing in the same way. There’s two reasons you…
Read on Dude… Vanasche Gas Filler Neck, Pivot Pegz, Wings Silent Kit
The Garberville Spa Enduro
My new riding buddy, Mike (Catfish) asked if I wanted to do a 2 day dual sport ride, and I said sure! He said it’s an annual event with a few route changes from year to year but starts in Ukiah, goes up past Lake Pillsbury, then over to Garberville for the night, heading up…
Radiator Crash Bars
You’ve got to protect your radiator on a ktm 690 Enduro R and I found a great way to do it!
Catching up on 690 Mods
Here’s a bundle of mods I’ve done to the 690 that didn’t make it into a post. Windshield, Tires, Suspension Link, Mirrors, Ipad Nav, Tank Bolts, Shock, Signals, Heaters, Wings, Tank Bag, and a Seat!
MOAB 2020: Day 10 – Cerro Gordo Loop
TL;DR: We ride up to Cerro Gordo, then up a big zig zag road, and Mike takes spin up to Whitney Portal. We started out the morning with the idea that I wanted to give Tomm a tour up to Cerro Gordo. I was originally going to go the same way I had with my…
MOAB 2020: Day 9 – Page to Alabama Hills
Technically speaking we woke up in Page, Az. and not Lake Powell. If you read the last post, we arrived at the RV park after dark and decided to scurry out of there before sun up. This was yet another driving day with our destination being Alabama Hills. Tomm wanted to make a stop in…
MOAB 2020: Day 8 – Moab to Lake Powell
Yet another day just for driving
MOAB 2020: Day 7 – White Rim Trail
We ride the fabled White Rim Trail. 100+ miles of offroad that always has a surprise or two.
MOAB 2020: Day 6 – Gemini Bridges, Hell’s Revenge, Slickrock (almost)
It was a long day, with a ride out to Gemini Bridges, an attempt at Hell’s Revenge, and the Slick Rock Practice Loop
Read on Dude… MOAB 2020: Day 6 – Gemini Bridges, Hell’s Revenge, Slickrock (almost)
MOAB 2020: Day 5 – Finns and Things
We start the Moab portion with a lap of Finns and Things inside the Sand Flats Recrational Area.
MOAB 2020: Day 4 – Drive to Moab
Drove Ely to Moab. Not much to write about. Plenty of long straight roads. Hwy 50 to Hwy 70 and then dropping down into Moab from the north (we usually take the southern route). We did stop for a late lunch on a gorgeous view spot just as the topography was changing. Meanwhile, Ernie was…
MOAB 2020: Day 3 – Drive to Ely
Day 3 was just a simple driving day east to Ely. I had a small piece of business to do before that required a little WiFi. I had a client site that had puked the credentials need for a SSL Certificate. I needed WiFi for my ipad or laptop (I had both) to see if…
There’s a ton more posts HERE
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.
- The Michelin Ultra Heavy Duty 4mm Inner Tube - March 9, 2026
- HOW TO: Bracket Your Clickers - January 14, 2026
- CLICK Suspension - January 12, 2026