RANDY COMMANS: @MY1090R
By Paul Strubell of Dirt Orca’s – 4/2/18
For the seventieth installment in our ongoing interview series here at Dirt Orca’s, we are very pleased to share the story of Randy Commans, or as you may know him, @my1090r.
Randy is a regular presence in the adventure motorcycle scene around Instagram. This is where I first came across his account @MY1090R. I highly suggest checking out his feed and giving him a follow.
He shoots a lot of fun adventure riding photography within the UPSHIFT ONLINE, KTM, and KLIM sphere. Most of the photography within this piece is actually photos of Randy shredding his KTM that were taken by photographer Simon Cudby @cudby.
While Randy doesn’t actually live off his bike full time (as many of the people we interview here do), his is an avid adventure rider with a lot of experience. One who takes several industry related multi-day rides a month. Because of this, I thought it was valuable to get his thoughts on riding and traveling by adventure bike.
Check out our interview below.
Special thanks to both Simon Cudby and Upshift Online for granting us the usage for many of the photo’s in this weeks interview. Check out their page www.upshiftonline.com to view more excellent adventure riding content and photography.
What do you consider to be your place of work?
I work for Maxima Racing Oils located in Santee, CA (San Diego area), however my office is a couple hours North in Oak Park, CA.
Tell me about your bike.
I have a 2017 KTM 1090, a 2016 KTM 500 EXC and just picked up a new 2018 KTM 500 EXC which I am just starting to build.
When and how did you get it?
I get my bikes from Thousand Oaks Powersports (Thousand Oaks, CA). I picked my 1090 up when they first came out in mid May 2017.
What other vehicles did you consider and what made you ultimately pull the trigger on the one you bought?
I looked at the Honda Africa Twin and the Triumph, although I was set on the KTM from the beginning.
Have you made any upgrades or changes to it?
Akropovic Exhaust, Outback MotorTek skid plate and upper crash bars, KTM Power Parts foot pegs & shifter tip, Nite Rider Aux. Lights, Garmin Montana GPS, Quadlock Case phone mount, Cortech mini tank bag, Givi 15 Liter side bags with mounting plates, Uni air filter kit, Duble Take mirrors. I have a few more item to go, actually have the Seat Concepts tall seat on order.
What is your favorite part about it living/working off of your bike?
Best part about working in the Motorcycle/Bicycle industry is really enjoying what I do day in and day out. Having unique opportunities to ride with top professional/indutry people or go on industry type rides.
What is your least favorite part about it?
Not a lot to complain about.
What is the best place you have taken it?
Baja is always fun because of the lifestyle and culture change, Moab has some incredible riding along with Northern Nevada and Arizona. Best trail or section of trail I have ridden to date is Kingman AZ to Wikieup AZ (ridden it twice now, once in each direction).
In one word, what describes your approach to life?
Get the most out of it without being irresponsible. We all have to work and plan for the future but make sure to enjoy the ride. I very much realize it doesn’t last forever.
If you could give a person one piece of advice when thinking about living off of a bike, what would you tell them?
Try to remember why you ride, don’t get caught up in what others may think.
It takes a special kind of person to recognize that the journey, not the destination, is the point of life. Travelers know this. Was there a point in your life where you became conscious that you were one of those people?
For me it’s not about geography. The journey is filling my life with moments that I can look back on and smile. It’s more than just the bike or the location, it’s about the adventure and what it takes to push through some of them and to find enjoyment even when it does go as planned
You have found a strong place in the community of adventure riders. What values do you think your home or family instilled in you, that you take on the road?
It’s definitely starts with my home and family first. Riding for me is an extension of family and close friends. You really get to know people when you hit the dirt and spend multiple days pushing through all kinds of situations. Some relaxing and some very tough, making the most of each.
I admire your outside the box approach to career and home. Do you see yourself as someone who took a leap of faith to live in an unconventional way or do you think it kind of just happened?
I really don’t, I feel I have played it pretty safe. I don’t take huge risks with my home life and appreciate the opportunities to go play on my dirt bikes. That being said, I have seen my fair share of the inside of a hospital. I realize riding dirt bikes comes with risk.
Where do you want to go next?
Well, I can say we are headed to Death Valley this weekend and planning a trip from St. George to the Grand Canyon and back for late April. Colorado, Idaho and more of Utah and always on the short list for planning our next trip.
Beautiful article! So proud of you, Randy!
Randy, your family in Texas is so happy for you that you are experiencing this wonderful adventure in this priceless life♥️♥️
This is such an AWESOME article!
Randy, your family in Texas is so happy for you that you are experiencing this wonderful adventure in this priceless life♥️♥️
This is such an AWESOME article!