It gives me great pleasure to write this story. I had a problem with the title, because Dave accomplished so many things, but first he’s a rider who has logged over two million miles on a Harley-Davidson. That’s right, and over 900,000 on his current 1991 FXRP.
But hang on for just a couple more of his accolades. He was a Wisconsin Senator for 18 years, beginning in 1988, until just recently. He’s been inducted into every Motorcycle Hall of Fame in this country. Dave is a Purple Heart Vietnam veteran, a motorcycle freedom fighter until he dies and a genius. He’s one of the most passionate men I’ve ever met, and his fervor is directly centered on the following: Motorcycling, America, Veterans, God, family and Guns.
He’s a historian and an Iron Butt competitor who holds a record for 11 days and 11,000 miles at around 20 mph over the speed limit. He’s ridden 31,111 miles in 31 days, a record, and in 2003, logged 113,800 miles. I met Dave about 18 years ago when he started to run for office in Wisconsin. He’s stocky and wide. He looks to be of German descent and is built with three extra, high-voltage batteries. He was too energetic for me, bouncing off walls and he didn’t fit in suits (he wore engineer boots constantly). At the time, I couldn’t imagine a successful political career in his future, but his constituency recognized what was housed beneath the rugged exterior.
Dave is a man of pure integrity and a representative of what we all grasp for when it comes to describing the American spirit. Dave encompasses that which we all aspire to and pray for in our elected representatives. After 18 years in office, he doesn’t have a dime to his name and lives in a log cabin. He didn’t walk away with a myriad of high-dollar business connections, although he is a Republican. He didn’t slip out of office owning 40 apartment houses, 10 exotic cars and a yacht. He has a gun collection, his motorcycles, and his engine has faced the rebuild bench four times.
Here’s a guy who stretches and works out daily. He never stops for gas until he’s on reserve and gives himself a 10- minute window to refuel, check fasteners, note his mileage, and engage in sporadic or spontaneous thoughts. He takes a leak in a bottle and hits the road again. While riding he salutes veterans, EMTs and fireman. He’s hit four deer and was once pronounced dead by a Catholic priest. He makes eye contact while passing motorists, waves and gives kids the thumbs-up.
As a politician, against stern recommendations, he rode everywhere, to the Capitol, to the state senate, to meetings and fundraisers. Against the will of his party, he flew and still flies flags behind his motorcycle for Veterans, plus always an American flag. He eats while riding, loves our heritage, nostalgia, mystique and studies state of mind while carving through miles.
He doesn’t use synthetic oils but makes sure to change his lubricants every 2000-4000 miles. He’s not mechanical, but keeps a close watch over his tire pressure, exhaust pipe readings for fuel mixture, and axle nuts and bolts.
“I can’t be without a motorcycle for a day,” Dave said. He keeps a backup ’91 for repair and rebuild times. If you call Dave for lunch, he’ll ride, even if you are located two states away and it’s raining.
“I rode 1170 miles yesterday from Houston to Tucson,” he told me.
He wanders briskly around his bike at every gas stop, checking for loose fasteners or problems with the luggage straps.
He generally runs 40 mpg, sometimes as low as 35-38 into headwinds, and he’s usually cranking along at 100 mph. He loves the road, loves to clock those miles while in a therapeutic and meditative state of mind.
He runs his stock gas tank and has a spare 6-gallon unit on the back for 300-400 mile jams between gas stops. “I drink a lot of water and try to keep my body temp low,” Dave said. “I experienced heat strokes 12 times.”
While rolling he does crunches, puts his feet on the saddlebags to stretch, rides cross-handed and lets his armpits breathe. At gas stops he’ll do push-ups, squats and stretches.
Says Dave,“I jump on the bike totally refreshed.”
He’s a stout zealot and non-stop individual who doesn’t take a breath that’s not blessed with a myriad of passions for life. The last time I saw Dave, he was attending a National Coalition of Motorcyclist legislative conference. Two days earlier, he was strapped with a heart monitor at 57 years of age. He ripped it off, rode from Wisconsin to North Carolina, gave several speeches, pumped iron in the mornings and then rode to another event.
That’s an American Rider.
