As is likely fairly obvious from the content of this web site, I enjoy motorcycling...

I often say that no one bothers me in my helmet, although that's not exactly accurate as I have bluetooth communication via my phone and a Nolan N-Com setup in my helmet.  It's just that when I'm in my helmet, I guess it's just a bit more my choice.

Although the power and speed of motorcycling are a kind of thrill that doesn't exist in any other form of transportation, I think it's the enjoyment of things like the wind, temperature changes, smells and perhaps most of all, the camaraderie to which bikes provide unique access that is my favorite.  To that end, I really do put a fairly respectable number of miles on my bikes.  I've not kept track until the last couple of years, but my goal is to ride around 15,000 miles each year.

2007 - 14625 miles (actually in only the 8 months I owned the Concours) including Black Hills, SD (June) and Arkansas (October)

2008 - 11215 miles on the Concours (prior to my 8/26 accident, including 4K miles to Colorado and points north in July and including my first SS1000) and 1646 miles on the Voyager (after two months bikeless before she arrived at the end of October)

2009 - Who knows?! Coming up this fall: SS5000, BBG1500 and 50cc. If you don;t know what those are, I'll be happy to tell you, or you can visit www.ironbutt.com!

I have owned several bikes over the years, beginning with a 1981 Yamaha Maxim 650 (purchased on the spur of the moment from a friend in college) and progressing to my current bike, a 1993 Kawasaki Voyager. The machines below were a part of (and my Voyager continues to create) lots of memories...

1981 Yamaha Maxim XJ650 -- purchased from Kevin Rickard over lunch at Trinity College. I still remember that first huge smile riding behind him on MY bike (no license when I bought her!)

1982 Yamaha XJ750 Seca -- My only new bike ever, my first and second accidents, ridden with Glenn Dzioba nearly 4000 miles in 8 days (Chicago --> Yellowstone --> Calgary --> Chicago) and first memorable dates with my wife...

1982 Honda CB900C -- She had 10 gears (count 'em! 1-5 with a high/low for each gear) ridden though northern MN and WI with Jesse Holschbach, my first helicoils and still owned by Tim Erickson

1983 Yamaha Venture Standard -- My first BIG eBay purchase made while family was in CO, My first real touring bike, ridden around northern MN with Don Keysser and Jesse Holschbach and down the Mississippi with Joe Van Ornum and Roman Scibora

BMW K1200LT - Reverse! Heated everything! Cruise! Power-adjustable windshield! Simply amazing bike! Ridden to Black Hills SD with Jesse Holschbach and still my latest year-model bike to date

1993 Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager -- has her own page!