Hello all!
It feels great to stop lurking and dreaming, and start posting. After years of riding and being very uneducated about unique motorcycle makers I became friends with a KTM guy and slowly started learning more about these great motorbikes. I rode his 690 Enduro and enjoyed it, but it was not till I rode a 990 SMR when I was completely blown away.
A little bit about myself, I grew up having Rheumatoid Arthritis and over the years a few of my joints have fused as well as having a set of knee replacements. It was one of my goals of getting my knees replaced, I wanted to learn to ride. In the end my OEM knees were only able to go from about 20 degrees to 90 and every step I took back then did not involve my knees bending. As a teen I wanted a Magna more then anything, in rehab after both knees were replaced I had a picture of a current Magna (15 years ago)hanging on the wall to encourage myself to recover the best I could and hit the open Arizona roads.
The new knees worked great and being able to do steps for the first time in 10 years as well as having zero to 130 degrees mobility was a miracle. What was not a miracle was finding out that my dream Magna was not a good ride for me. I moved quickly onto a 97 Speed Triple which I enjoyed for the same reasons most folks enjoy them, however after a road trip to Houston from Tucson, I never could ride it again because of the position of the foot pegs. Back then I was too green to adapt my motorcycle in away way to make it fit me, I went to a Bonnie T100 and had that till two weeks ago. I rode it for 15k miles, but longed for a well engineered motorbike and no more chrome.
One of my plans this summer is to ride across the country to raise awareness of RA and what younger people living with it can do, there is more to that but I will save that for another day. The SMR had its issues that I would have to deal with to make it ready for a long trip, the biggest of which was $$. I met a guy here in Tucson with a 2007 SD and once I sat on it and rode it the choice was very clear. Used my T100 as a partial trade for a 2007 black with 5k miles, full Remus, Tuneboy, and it looks as good as a 5k motorbike can.
I took my first ride over the weekend, about 100 miles and I am very happy with my KTM. It is wonderful to have the feel back of something amazing engineered, pretty unbelievably quick, as well as being OK for my body. Right now I am making a license plate bracket, having the seat gel raised a bit and have ordered a peg lowering kit. I also plan to do the Peris riding school down in Wilox over the next few months in order to educate myself on how to control this new beast.
I look forward to being part of this forum! I am very happy to have this as a resource.

Welcome to the KTM family dude. Sounds like you've had to endure a fair amount to get where you are. I had a class m8 with the same disease when I was a kid. She was inspirational in how she coped with what looked a very painful condition. Never once did I hear her complain and she always had a smile on her face. I'm sure that bike puts a massive smile on yours. A motobox on that baby will give you an even bigger one

Welcome! Like Klinck says... you'll enjoy every second riding the beast.

Thanks for the welcome guys. I did edit the post down a bit and got rid of some of the grammar disaster.

Hi!

welcome in...

Thanks guys!
C_K, I am talking to Moto Hooligan now about the box and other candy to make my new ride perfect for me. They are fantastic! After a few days of reading posts, this forum is unbelievably helpful. Hooray for everyone who makes it what it is!

Hello: I think you know your in a great place....Welcome

Hello from Az I live in Bullhead City.I too had some medical issues had a back surgery in 08.Never thought I could ride anything except a Harley. Got a Aprilia 750 DD loved it best riding position I ever had. I wanted a duke. Once I knew I could ride the ape.I knew I could ride the duke I love it and like you plan on making it race ready.Got the motobox and pipes (fmf) Can't wait to get it on the track again.been 20 years.Welcome I am new too.It's great to overcome something that doctors said you could never do. Have fun bro ride safe. Maybe some day we can find ourselfs on one of the many great roads in AZ. Vic

Welcome in, soar! You sound like a quality dude. Enjoy the ride, bro.

Hey mate, welcome on board