Who are you, what do you ride, and how long have you been on two wheels?
What originally drew you to riding, and do you remember the exact moment you realized you were hooked?
Hey guys, my name is Jeff Ninneman and I am currently riding a 2025 CF Moto ibex 450. I started on two wheels as soon as I learned how to ride a bicycle. That set me on my way and I did freestyle for quite a few years, had a quarter pipe in my backyard and $1000 in a Haro Freestyle that I built piece by piece making $1.25 an hour. And then when I turned 16 and could drive I bought a 70 Chevelle and went for quite a few years without being on two wheels. I had always wanted a motorcycle, but we didn’t have any money growing up and it just was not a priority, having to work since I was 14 and getting married after high school. In 1997 I sold a Mustang GT and made some money on it and I bought my first motorcycle, which was a 700 Suzuki intruder. I am 56 years old now and the reason that I got onto two wheels was freedom. The ability to explore and roam, was the best feeling ever at the time. That first bike I put 7000 miles on in one year and I would ride even if it was 20° out. I am now on my 27th motorcycle almost all street bikes, a lot of Japanese cruisers and Harleys, and a few sport bikes, and now my fourth adventure bike and I think I found my unicorn with this one. I didn’t have a motorcycle after my daughter was born in 2010. I made a deal with my wife that I wouldn’t ride just because of the danger and finally got back into motorcycles when she was around 13.
Tell us about your current setup—what’s special about it, and what’s one modification or piece of gear you’ll never trade away?
My current bike, my CF Moto, Ibex 450, is set up with all of the off-road gear, like a BDR set up. This bike has the most butter smooth engine of any ADV bike I owned or ridden. I absolutely love the power delivery, the weight of the bike and the sound of it and cannot wait to get it out on my first off-road trip. With my height and inseam this seems to be the perfect bike for me or at least that I’ve ridden so far. Don’t know of any modification that I would never trade, I don’t get real attached to things as you know if you know me very well.
Riding means something different to everyone—mind clearance, adrenaline, community, escape. What does putting on your helmet do for you mentally?
I love riding, like I said before, for the feel of freedom. I love to explore, backpack, visit the different national parks and hike, and when my friend Mark Royalty and I got into adventure bikes, almost 3 years ago this was another chapter in adventure and exploration, especially with God, and letting Him speak to me in some of the most amazing places on earth. I absolutely love it and want to try to knock out as many of the BDR’s as I can. It’s great being able to hit the road and clear my mind and be alone with my thoughts and experience everything around me, especially when in the mountains and you smell everything and see everything and it’s so much better than being in a vehicle.
Do you have a pre-ride routine, favorite coffee stop, or mid-ride snack tradition that’s non-negotiable?
No pre-ride routine for me, just making sure I get off occasionally and stretch and bathroom breaks of course.
What’s your absolute favorite stretch of road or trail, and what makes that specific route so sacred to you?
My favorite stretch of road as of right now is the white rim trail. Mark and I did it last fall and it was absolutely amazing! I had been to canyonlands national Park in Utah three times already, but this was the first time on the white rim, and I think I said wow about 150 times, and I said this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Him and I went through some hard things that day it was about a 12 hour day from camp to camp And we had an amazing guy that came along with us that was a recovering alcoholic from Salt Lake and we got to just pour into him and talk to him about God and encourage him and are still in contact with him today.
Describe the single best day or trip you’ve ever had on a bike. What made it unforgettable?
I would have to say the Colorado BDR sections we did two years ago were the most memorable. Conquering Hagerman pass on a triumph, 900 rally pro which was way too big for me, was an amazing achievement for me, not having hardly any off-road experience. After we got over that pass, we were like holy crap we just did that and we felt like Total bad asses. I think the reason that that is a special trip is because that was our first BDR and you can’t replicate that.
Every rider has a story where things didn't go according to plan (weather, mechanicals, wrong turns). What’s a memorable mishap that turned into a great memory?
Mishaps, on that Colorado trip when we got to Taylor Park the water was over our knees and Mark went headfirst into the water on one of them and I helped him push his bike out at 10,000 feet. Then it was my turn and I hit a rock and stalled the bike and went down. I thought no problem it wasn’t running, and there was no way I was picking that bike up after pushing him out, so we got the bike up and tried starting it and it was Hydro locked. Water came in the tailpipe. So we tore an essentially brand new motorcycle down on the side of the trail and had everything but a spark plug socket which a couple in a side-by-side loaned us, and then they pulled Mark around with the side-by-side with water shooting out of the cylinders into his face and then I put it back together started it up. It sprayed water for a minute or two and then I realized there was water in the oil so he had to ride back to camp an hour and a half get the SUV and trailer come back loaded it up got into town right before close and bought $300 worth of fluids and such, changed oil on the trailer at camp in the dark three times and then rode 300 miles the next day, that was freaking amazing. We will never forget that!
What’s something unique or special about the local riding community that you wish more people outside of it understood?
I love our local riding community! I’ve met some great men, and I love the relationships and connections more than the bikes or riding. There’s something about bonding over doing hard things. I am retiring at the end of January 2027 and I want more of these connections and the doing of hard things in my life. It will be more important than ever to do life with other good quality men.
If you could hand one piece of advice or insight to someone who is on the fence about picking up riding, what would it be?
If you are thinking about riding or adv riding, do it! Don’t over analyze it just get in and enjoy it. It will change your life!
What is one thing you would like to see changed in the riding culture?
Don’t know if there’s anything I would change about the community, but next year I plan on getting in on more of the meetups and rides.
