Born and raised in western Ohio. First dirt bike at age 11 ('77 XR75) and didn't take long to outgrow it - a year later upgraded to an '87 CR125R (Thanks Dad!). After getting to know the 2-stroke’s power, Dad “thought” I was handling the bike well and let me try my hand with motocross at our local track (Kenworthy's MX – Troy, Ohio) in a "C" class amateur moto (80cc/125cc) but 3 laps deep and I was getting passed by kids on 80's jumping over me! Crazy f*ckin’ kids! So, we decided to hang it up after that since I just didn't have the "win or die trying" mentality it takes.
Ended up totaling the CR soon after that when I wheelied up the driveway (showing off for the neighbor girl) and smashed it into the back of Dad's Chevy (testosterone makes young boys stupid). I went the rest of my youth without a motorcycle after that bit of trouble.
At age 19, I bought my first street bike ('82 KZ550) and found a whole new world of fun on a motorcycle! Spent a year with it - fitted a Kerker 4-1 Meg, geared the hell out of it and had a blast all summer. That relationship ended badly as I low sided running late for work – so once I healed up, I fixed the bike and sold it. Once I moved away from home, I got the itch to ride again and figured this time I'd stick with dirt since it seems to hurt less - Bought and sold some CR250's and a couple older RM250's here and there, until I found an '81 YZ465 - holy sh*t! That thing was nothing but mean to me, so I didn't keep it long assuming it would surely be the death of me.
Went quite a while without a bike until I met my wife to be who also loves riding, so as soon as I mentioned getting a bike, she was ALL about it - Awesome! Soon after that conversation, I had my first sportbike and new prized possession – a gently used '97 YZF1000R (Bike of the year) and had an instant, newfound respect for street bikes - that thing did it all and then some. Had it for almost 5 years before planning to turn it into a track weapon, but after some transmission issues,a well-hiddden electrical problem, and a hack shop doing crap work on it - I had to cut my losses and sell it off before I had too much invested. Planned to save money for a couple years for my next bike, but that plan changed just a month later when I saw the silver '08 ZX14 for sale locally. Saw it, bought it, and never plan to sell it. The 14 is like my YZF in the respects that it’s fast, comfy, beautiful, AND it handles well – only the 14 is a lot faster and way meaner on tires!
2006 KTM 625SMC
Dad had that I never really took notice till he was Gone! plus also some of the rides i've had too !