» JOE BARKER'S RIDING TIPS

Change of Life - by Joe Barker


Hitting the trail at Nevada 200 in 2004.

As we age, changes in personal tastes and lifestyle are inevitable. For proof we need look no further than our own photo albums for shocking examples of such changes in clothing, hairstyles and physique. “Wow, look at the mullet on that idiot! Oh my gawd...that couldn’t be ME!” Those of us in the “baby boomer” category are a prime target for intense study by consumer product marketers - including motorcycle and accessories marketers - and if ever there was a poster boy for this growing demographic it quite possibly would be Salt Lake’s Joe Barker. To put it mildly, Joe is one of those individuals with a big check mark next to his name in the “hardcore enthusiast” column. If it were possible to analyze his moto-DNA we’d learn that he has much in common with scores of other middle aged enthusiasts who are rekindling their latent passion for motorcycle riding. In Joe’s case a significant spark in his “re-transformation” was a motorcycle, the new 950 Adventure.

UG: Joe, how did you become involved with motorcycles?
I started out on mini-bikes at 6 eventually advancing to motocross racing in Southern Ohio when I was a little older. I also enjoyed endurance racing like Hare Scrambles and 6-day qualifiers.

UG: How did you perform as a competitor?
I did OK, winning several AMA district 125cc motocross, hare scrambles titles and national hare scrambles championships. I made the transition to ISDT qualifiers and earned a Gold in ‘73 at Dalton, MA, first American 125. I’ve been told that I’m still the youngest to win a Gold at 16 but I have never verified it. In my second season I qualified 4th overall in the ISDT qualifiers on a 125 Penton - 1st through 3rd rode 250 or larger. I was on the U.S. Trophy team in the 49th ISDT in Italy and rode the new 175 Penton/KTM. Unfortunately, I seized a piston within 50-miles but managed to ride all 6 days to a Silver. Our Trophy team finished 4th in the world, best ISDT finish until that date.

UG: How did life change after your return from Italy?
Honoring the wishes of my father and John Penton, I continued at Ohio State graduating with an engineering degree in 1978. Working as an engineer by day and studying at night I earned my MBA in 1983.

UG: Where did motorcycling fit into your life back then?
I rode through college and my career building years. Mostly street, touring and camping around the states. Occasional off-road but due to time constraints racing was out of the question. In 1983, I started a specialty high-tech pipeline welding company, Western Weldtek, Inc. As President and owner, I grew it to $15 million in annual sales. All the while I stayed in touch with motorcycling by collecting bikes and riding them. My work was demanding and I really looked forward to my rides. I usually had 3 to 5 separate projects happening around the country at any one time. Typically I’d have at least one project out west and one in the east, so it required constant travel. To help keep up with the load I bought a plane and became a pilot.

UG: Talk about your transition from businessman to motorcycle adventurer?
After years of the same routine, I decided to retire and pursue things of a more personal nature. I sold the business and moved my family to Mexico for five consecutive winters where we could break free of our traditional culture and lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a proud and grateful US citizen but I yearned to live abroad. Mexico allowed us to live in a different culture, speak a different language and gain a new perspective. It’s clear that since riding in Italy, I had the desire to learn and understand the world outside the United States.

UG: What other diversions have you enjoyed over the years?
Snow and helicopter skiing at home in Salt Lake and wind surfing “The Gorge” in Oregon and in Baja. In fact it was while wind surfing Baja that I became interested in dirt biking down there. All the while I have continued to enjoy motorcycle vacations throughout the world. My wife and I toured solo and with groups in Europe, Isle of Man, Mexico and South America.

More/Back