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
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
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.
- HOW TO: Bracket Your Clickers - January 14, 2026
- CLICK Suspension - January 12, 2026
- How to put the Lost Coast BDRx on Your Garmin - December 17, 2025