BearKiller is a member of the Cruiser Customizing International Motorcycle Community.

It all started over 40 years ago. I snuck out of my house and walked to the corner of my street to watch the cars go by. I remember standing next to a fire hydrant, which was taller than I was! Then I heard it. A low rumble in the distance. I looked down the street and saw something smaller than a car approaching. As it got closer the sound got louder. Every fiber of my body began to tingle, yet I wasn't afraid. I was transfixed. The sound began to resonate through me. As this strange "thing" came past me I could see a man dressed in boots, jeans, T-shirt, jean vest, red bandana and sunglasses sitting on what I would later find out was a "chopper". I was hooked!

Hello. My name is Kenny. Motorcycles are my passion.

I've lived in the San Francisco Bay Area all my life.

Which means I enjoy the luxury of riding year round on some of the most diverse and stunning roads on the planet!

I started riding mini-bikes and go-carts in the late '60's. Took the Yamaha Learn to Ride Safety Course in '73. After that I begged, borrowed and stole every bike I could get my hands on, includin' my brothers '81 XS650, until I bought an '86 GSXR-750 & a '84 RM125 in '90. Next came a '92 DR650, '89 Sportster which I crashed in a tunnel in '96, '69 Sportster that I never got runnin' right and traded for a 4X4, '95 VFR750 that I traded for a '97 Marauder, '98 GS500, '00 LC1500 that I killed a bear with on Sept. 28th '02 and then an idiot in a mini-van tried to kill me on July 1st, '03, '94 BMW R1100RS, '01 Marauder, '85 Kawi 900 Eliminator. Current bikes are '01 Valkyrie, '85 SP600F, DS250 ATV. I ride everyday, rain or shine. I can't imagine a life without motorcycles.

Gold Country Ride 04/19/09
Posted on: 22 Apr 2009

It was a beautiful day for a ride. I had just installed a car tire on the back of my Valkyrie the day before and was eager to ring it out on some nice back roads. I met up with Aaron at our shop around 9am and waited for the rest of the group to show up. Aaron was riding our recently refreshed 1980 CB750F. Jim was the first to show on his ‘busa then Greg on his CBR929. Greg nearly biffed it on a batch of gravel when he made the turn towards the shop. Just goes to show you don’t need to be dragging a knee at speed to toss it down the road. Finally Joel showed up on his ZX10R so we were off!

We left Oakdale headed towards Knights Ferry via Orange Blossom Rd. From there we crossed 108/120 to Wilems/Crabtree Rd to Roberts Ferry. Man those sport bikes are fast! I wasn’t pushing as hard as I could due to the new rear tire but the way those guys could accelerate was a little humbling after years of riding with cruisers style bikers. So there I was usually about a half mile or so back with poor Aaron way behind since the old CB just didn’t have the legs to keep up. We stopped at Turlock Lake for a breather so Aaron could richen the carbs on the CB since it was running a little lean.

From there we shot over to La Grange for a soda via Lake Rd. This is a fun strip of asphalt. We then headed down Hayward Rd/Merced Falls Rd to Merced Falls proper. It was here a guy in a late model sporty car suddenly turned into Michael Shumaker when he saw me in his mirrors! What is it with cagers? If I caught you that should tell you I’m way faster than you and you need to yield the right of way not gun it because you think you’re suddenly in an imaginary race with me! This guy was all over the road! He finally took a turn so fast he got sideways and nearly went off the road! He slowed down enough for me to slip by after that. Apparently everyone else in the group had issues with this guy. Next was the old couple on the Goldwing trike. The road was so bumpy the back wheels on that thing were bouncing off the ground! Not to mention the old gal on the back was launched in the air several times! I finally got around them just in time to hit a rough spot in the road that launched all 950+lbs of Valkyrie and me in the air and towards the shoulder of the road! Luckily my superior riding skills kept me on the road. Well maybe it was just luck ;-)

Then it was off to Hornitos, Bear Valley then up Hwy 49 to Coulterville where they were having some kind off charity event. We hung out for a while then headed up to Greeley Hill for gas. We then went up Smith Station Rd to have lunch at the Iron Door in Groveland. After lunch we said our goodbyes and each headed home. It was a great day and we all made it home in one piece. Doesn’t get much better than that!

Views: 91
Why I'm called "Bearkiller" Posted on: 21 Mar 2009

IKON-X said on Friday, July 3, 2009:

Hello Kenny--I see you've been in the CCC for some years now. Any mention of San Fran and I get nostalgic all over again. I'm a native Californian but now I'm here in WI where riding season is short, and even shorter for me becuase I can't stand the humidity along with the heat in the summer. Nice profile photo and what a collection of bikes you've had! Ride hard & be safe. IKON-X

als1953 said on Monday, April 20, 2009:

Hi Kenny. I have a Valk Standard and a Yamaha Royal Star 1300 Tour Deluxe. Like what you've done to the Valk. Take care and ride safe. Regards, Albert

BearKiller said on Thursday, April 2, 2009:

I didn't realize my "About Me" was a little out dated. I sold the Eliminator. It was a screamer for sure!

copperguy said on Wednesday, April 1, 2009:

We need a picture of this Kaw/ Eliminator. Fell in love with them, when I had a 440LTD in the shop. They just came out and they let me test drive one. Never bought one, but always pined for one. Ya just don't come across many for sale either.

Enjoy the ride

VixRock said on Monday, March 23, 2009: