Three Letters … KTM

My first entry into the DINER Blogosphere is submitted not as a reflection of a recent memorable event, but rather as a spirit of anticipation for new experiences to come.  And, for the next six or more months (and hopefully many years after that) the anticipation is spelled with those three letters … KTM.  My cousin John and my buddy Steve introduced me to two wheeled machines with knobby tires nearly four decades ago.  Some of my best memories include riding the fire roads and two tracks of the Nicolet National Forest on dirt bikes back in the 70’s with best friend Steve.  Although too young to travel the roads, there was vast access to forest routes that opened up the Nicolet to our exploration.  Although still a motorcycle guy later in life, my travels have been limited to the pavement.  It has been a wonderful experience.  The sights, the road trips, time with friends and family, or just the solitude of reflection alone on the bike have been a very cool part of my life.  Then something happened about 8-9 years ago.  It started with a guy named Chad and a buddy of his.   Later, amongst many, many others, it was Johnny, Randy, T Jay, and Stuart.  They rode motorcycles that were referred to as Adventure or Dual Sport machines.  And my first reaction to these bikes was not unlike my first experience walking into a shiny stainless steel diner somewhere in Pennsylvania at the age of 12.  I was immediately and irrevocably  infected!  Offering on/off-road capabilities to varying degrees, they opened the door to having your proverbial cake and eating it too!  The names on the bikes ranged from BMW, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Husqvarna, Buell, Yamaha, Triumph to that for which this entry is titled … KTM.  Those three letters define my entry into a new land of adventure.  After eight years of anticipation, I had to choose one!!  I look forward to having my new (to me) KTM 990 Adventure carry me to all sorts of great destinations here in the farthest part of N.W. Wisconsin, both paved and not.  I also look forward to sharing some of those experiences with you here in this blog.  Thanks to Chad for establishing a route that has put many passionate and fun loving adventure riders at our door  here in Delta.  I have enjoyed viewing the options, and learning from the discussions.   Now it is time to put it all to good use!!   Until Later …