SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - September, 2012

Name:   Kevin Davis

Nickname:   Nevix

Marital Status:  Happily - and Anne even agrees with that status :)

Location:  Leesburg, VA

Hometown:  New Castle, PA

Children:  Only rent-a-kids (nieces and nephews) and the wife says our cats, Lavern and Shirley, count.

Age:  Old enough to know better but still to young to care!

Occupation:  Sr Systems Administrator (Computer guy)/Team Lead/Whatever the owner of the company needs me to be to get the contract.

Current motorcycle(s):  Victory Vision and Victory Vegas

How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
Internet search looking for rides. Summer 2012.

How long have you been riding?
On the Road for over 9 years. Rode dirt bikes, quads, snowmobiles and sno-rabbits (look them up, they are cool) as a kid.

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Yes, the MSF basic rider’s course. And I plan on taking the advanced rider's course.

What was your first bike?
Honda Rebel 250, rode it for an entire DAY before I decided it was to small for me!!!!!!

How many bikes have you owned?
3 and I have rented MANY!

Why do you ride?
The reasons are many, riding brings a sense of peace and tranquility at the same time as a sense of adventure and throw in some spirituality and you start to get a feel for it. Then throw in riding with a group and you can be a part of something yet be completely in your own world.

Have you ridden with an organized group before?
Yes, I ride with members of and I am a member of the VMC (The Victory Motorcycle Club) and I have done various organized rides.

What modifications have you done to your bike?
On the Vision I have upgraded the speakers and added a luggage rack plus removable bag/trunk bags but not a lot else. The Vegas is another story. I have changed wheels, pulley, brake rotors, seats - I have three, pipes, headlight, handle bars, grips, mirrors, speedo, added engine guards, changed to braided cables and oil lines, added a bunch of chrome, changed turn signals, side mounted the license plate and now it is in the shop from my accident and will be custom painted and some other work will be done.

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
Does a portable CB clipped to my belt count? Other than that I cannot think of anything I am not in the process of doing at this time.

What is your dream bike?
Do I have to pick just one?
The shortlist:

• Ducati Streetfighter 848 for short trips and track
• Victory Cross Country - this will replace the Vision someday
• A couple of dual sports bikes to keep at my godparents in PA and the wife's family farm in KY - you know for exploring

What kind of riding do you like to do — straight-aways or twisties?
I prefer the twisties but do not turn down straight-aways either.

If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell the truth!
I created it for online gaming in the early 90s. It is my first name with the consonants reversed and the k replaced with an x. I thought it was a cool online name.

What is your favorite riding route?
It just might be the Skyline drive.

Do you ride your bike to work?
Yes, as often as possible.

What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
It is at this point I ask all law enforcement types to please understand that riding behind a dump truck carrying sand that is not covered should be a legal reason to speed. I have topped 100 passing said trucks that tried to play games to keep my behind them.

What is your favorite time of year to ride?
All year as long as it is above 40 and no snow, ice or slush is on the road.

Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?
Yes, a few times. Most have been things like while pulling into/out of a parking spot foot slips on sand or I did not get the kick stand extended all the way. I have had one big accident this summer (2012). I was on 601 (Mnt Weather road) outside the government agency there. I hit gravel in a right hand turn and whipped out. I broke 4 ribs, my shoulder blade, punctured a lung scrapped up my chin, knee and a part of my leg. Good thing I had on good safety gear or I could have been really hurt!

Have you ever done an "Iron Butt" ride?
Not yet.

If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
In a day, around 600/700 miles.

What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
I would say within a few miles of a tornado. Heavy rain, wind and branches being blown across the road. Visibility was poor and the road had nowhere safe to pull off.

Do you know how to work on your bike?
Minor stuff. I could do an oil change. I can change out some parts. That kind of thing. But I prefer letting an expert handle it, I just feel safer that way.

What is your favorite road song?
"Born to be wild" ranks right up there. But most classic rock or almost anything by Metallica works. At times Eddie From Ohio just hits the spot.

What was your most adventurous ride?
Depends on how you define adventurous but I would say the weeklong trip to New England this summer. A few thousand miles in a week, riding all but one day (and that was because I went to a wedding). Rode in over 7 states. Did this trip with my wife on the back and had a friend ride along with us. She checked off a HUGE list of motorcycling firsts on the ride.

What rallies or events do you like to attend?
Daytona Bike Week. Myrtle Bike week, Carlisle bike week, Laconia Bike week, Biketoberfest, The V2V, Rattle the Runway.

Is there someone who rides "two-up" with you?
Yes, my wife Anne. She has also allowed a few guest stars to ride from time to time but she must approve all said guest stars.

Off the cuff from...Nevix
I dream of someday owning some sort of motorcycle adventure/touring company. Talk about a dream retirement/lifestyle. And a reminder to all the riders out there - Keep the shiny side up, ride it like you stole it and enjoy the ride!!!!