This month, we're riding along with Clint Kieffer, a seasoned motorcyclist with an impressive collection of ten bikes and nearly 25 years of riding experience that spans across North America.
Clint's garage houses a diverse array of motorcycles, including a 2002 Suzuki DR650, a 2006 KTM 950 ADV S, and a 1990 Kawasaki KLR650 Tengai. His collection also features a 2002 Suzuki GSF1200S Bandit that he purchased new and has logged an impressive 110,000 miles on over the years, a 2002 Honda VFR 800, two 1976 Honda CB360Ts (one previously owned by professional motorcycle racer Mert Lawwill), a 1996 Kawasaki ZX6R track bike, and a 1967 Honda Trail 90 sporting a Horseless Carriage plate.
Clint is also no stranger to wrenching, handling pretty much all his own maintenance. His approach to motorcycling includes finding used bikes that need attention, restoring them, and adding them to his riding rotation. For his dual-sport machines, Clint builds them specifically for extended backcountry travel, equipping them with heavier springs, skid plates, improved seats, windscreens, and better air filtration systems -- all essential modifications for the multi-week Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) trips he favors.
Clint's riding resume is as impressive as his bike collection. He has clocked 250,000 miles over the past quarter-century, reaching 36 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and down into Baja. Many of these miles were accumulated during his previous career as a motorsports mechanic, which provided opportunities to explore much of North America on two wheels.
Clint is an experienced BDR rider, having completed six routes including Washington, Southern California, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. Perhaps his most memorable adventure was a month-long expedition to Prudhoe Bay in 2011, exploring the remote landscapes of Alaska and the Yukon on his KLR Tengai.
After taking some time off due to illness, Clint is eager to get back in the saddle. His immediate plans include tackling the Nevada BDR next month, with additional western BDR routes on his agenda for the year. Looking further ahead, Clint dreams of riding the entire Pan-American Highway -- an ambitious journey he acknowledges will likely need to wait until retirement when he can dedicate a full year to the adventure.
For Clint, motorcycles represent both passion and lifestyle -- a sentiment evident in every mile he's traveled and every bike he's restored. His collection and experiences stand as testament to the freedom and adventure that two wheels can bring.
Thank you, Clint, for sharing your impressive collection and adventures with us!
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