Continued from "KTM Dealer Day Part 1"
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Sporty Spice?
Now, I always thought I was too competitive, but I soon realized why Mike Brown is a champion; he will do anything to win! Excited that Jon-Erik and his runners legs were first to the boots, Mike pushed him over when he got there, making it back to his bike first. Well the race was pretty much over then, on top of cheating by being better than everyone else, he then performed the fastest pit stops in the history of team races! After his turn he stood in “pit lane” and when one guy would come in he would rip the boxers off his team mate and then let the next guy step into them while he pulled them up. I half expected him to pick the guy up and put him on the bike. I stood in awe at his determination to win, and was happy I never had to line up next to this guy. My own team didn’t do so bad, 5th out of 13 teams. Considering the amount of talent that was on the other teams I would almost be happy with it, except KTM’s factory quad rider Adam McGill, who I had been picking on for the last two days, who doesn’t even know how to ride without training wheels, beat us finishing second! My fingers are now burning, after having to type that awful confession.
Possibly even more embarrassing to admit is Maria and I made our way down to the quad track and actually spun a few laps on them. I have never ridden a race quad before and other than a small triumph of doing a 20 foot long double, I felt compelled to thank my father. I thanked him for buying me a dirt bike all those years ago and not a quad. If it had been the other way around I am pretty sure I would have quit a week later and would now be a teacher somewhere with a lot fewer scars on my body.
Feeling I had to redeem myself I next went to the street bike course where I got to ride a Super Duke. Although I have had my license since I was 17, I don’t get to ride street much – not because I don’t love it though. At the risk of sounding cheesy, I think it has to be one of the most freeing feelings there is (besides skydiving). When I retire I imagine I will do a lot more of it, and can even picture myself at 60, my husband and I all decked out in leather, him on the back, my long braids blowing in his face…
Okay back to reality. By the end of the day I had ridden just about every bike KTM offers. At the top of the list were the Super Duke and the 450. There’s just something nice about not having to shift or even use the clutch. The only thing left was the 50cc race. Unfortunately I got stuck with a bike right after a 300 pound guy who can’t even set his own alarm rode it. These bikes are rockets with little kids on them, but my career was short lived when the clutch overheated, due to the prior trauma of a heavy load. Again quad guy tried taking the credit for his victory over me, but since I was in second when my bike quit and he was in second to last I let him think what he wanted.
The day ended with Mat and Ronnie putting on a freestyle show during dinner and then a live band. Before I knew it Ronnie and Jon-Erik were up there singing with the band.
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The KTM crew kicks back after a long, hard day.
I have ridden for a couple other companies and I have never even attended a dealer show before nor have I known the president of any other company to be so much fun or have such a great voice. We were told we weren’t allowed to take pictures or video, but he never told me I couldn’t blog about it, so I think I’m safe. Surprisingly, Ronnie, on top of just being entertaining, can sing as well. The only downfall was when I somehow got pulled up on stage during a Beastie Boys song. I might be multi-talented but singing is not one of those talents.
Being that we were at RedBud, the night ended with an elaborate fireworks show. I felt sorry for the neighbors but it was worth it for the good time that everyone was having. I have to admit I didn’t expect to have so much fun, but like I said, I am new to KTM. So if you own a dealership, or want to own a dealership I would suggest selling KTMs. If the great bikes, and the amazing people at KTM aren’t enough reason, then being able to attend this dealer show every year should be. So hurry up, and I will see you there next year, ready to take revenge on the 50cc race.
