AMSOIL Dealer Tim Werder, "Roadkill" to his friends, has racked up a first on the
first new U.S. manufactured full-size motorcycle in 60 years.
Werder, 42, Shawangunk, N.Y., has more than 100,000 "butt" miles on his Polaris-made
1999 Victory V92C motorcycle.
While it's the world's highest mileage for the cruisers since the first Victory
V92C production model rolled off the assembly line on July 4, 1998, Werder is an
old hand on a bike. He's been riding since he was 16, even traveling more than 10,000
miles by motorcycle on his honeymoon with his wife Christine.
He uses AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (AMV) in the summertime and in the
winter switches to AMSOIL SAE 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil (AMF).
The love of motorcycles has always been a theme in Werder's life. He's put more
than 100,000 miles on other bikes through the years and faced more than his share
of dangers along the way. Five accidents, one that caused him life-threatening injuries,
have not deterred him, nor has a 190-mile-a-day round trip commute to his state
government job in New York City.
His bike, known as "Traveler," is powered by a 1507 cc air/oil cooled V-twin engine
and has a five-speed transmission. The Victory bikes are manufactured in Osceola,
Wis., with final assembly in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Werder rides "Traveler" year round, even in the cold of the Northeast winter.
He owns another Victory, number 219 from the first year of production, and has on
order a 2003 Victory Vegas with a new 1507 cc Freedom engine. He expects an early
spring delivery date.
He uses AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (AMV) in the summertime and in the
winter switches to AMSOIL SAE 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil (AMF). He also has installed
an AMSOIL SMF-103 Oil Filter.
"I recommend this combination to my Victory customers as well," Werder said. "I'm
extremely pleased with the results I achieve from the AMSOIL products, and I've
specifically had oil analyses performed to maintain awareness of fluid performance."
His earned the nickname "Roadkill" because "I've hit five deer, all while motorcycling,
never in a car," Werder said. In one of those acddents, Werder nearly lost his leg.
His wife and two sons share his love of motorcycles and work with him in his AMSOIL
business.
He is former national vice president for the Victory Motorcycle Club and former
corporate ride coordinator for the Victory Riders Association. He organized group
rides for association members during the group's first year. Werder joined the Marine
Corps in 1986 and went to basic training on Parris Island. There he may have logged
another first — as oldest recruit.
Drill instructors repeatedly made him yell out his age. "Sir, I'm 26, Sir!" Werder
recalled of his time there. He became a logistics/embarkation specialist staff sergeant
with Aerial Refueling Squadron VMGR- 452, Newburgh, NY. That unit was reactivated
on Feb. 8, 2003 and sent to the Middle East. They haven't seen active duty since
the Persian Gulf War.
The veteran rider has logged nearly 500,000 miles on motorcycles. "My 26 years of
riding has brought me to a butt-total of over 479,000 miles, including three 100,000
plus-mile motorcycles with a variety of trailer and sidecar-towing duties, and even
though I live in the Northeast, I normally ride through the seasons, expecting my
bikes to accept what I dish out. AMSOIL gives me the confidence to do so," Werder
said. "I anticipate the 500,000-mile mark this summer, and always recommend AMSOIL
to fellow riders, regardless of the make of bike they ride."
He caters to motorcycle riders in his AMSOIL business, especially Victory riders,
he said, but he may expand that business when he retires from his full-time job.
"I consider myself a voice for many motorcyclists, and am a long-time member of
the American Motorcyclist Association, Motorcycle Rider's Foundation and ABATE,"
he said. He also maintains an online publication "The Victory Digest."
As Roadkill says, "Ride on."
