By Peggy Owens
Past President, Arizona Victory Riders
Tucson, Arizona

Recently, the Victory World lost an avid rider, Dave Filter. We were on our way to the Rocky Mountain Victory Freedom Rally on June 21st when a pick-up truck crossed the center line and hit our group head-on. I was the lead bike and suffered some injuries that required my being air-lifted to Phoenix. Dave was in the second position and was pronounced at the scene. Ken and Marianne Buckner suffered some broken ribs and ankle. Mark Owens suffered bruising and a broken toe.

Dave and I have ridden together frequently over the past three years. Our most recent accomplishment was completing the "Ironheart 1000" through Arizona, Nevada and California in 19 1/2 hours (along with Ken Buckner). Ken and I laughed at Dave because he brought a foam pad to sit on, so we called him "Square Dave, Spongy Pants"!

Dave loved his '07 Hammer and also had '03 Vegas at home. He added the Kingpin trunk to his Hammer, which actually looked pretty cool. He loved cigars and everyone at the Arizona Victory Rally will remember his huge lighter.

He was always full of fun and will be missed greatly.

– Peggy


Webmaster’s Note: Peggy was hospitalized for a few days following the accident but is now recovering at home. This Spring, she dropped us a line in response to our question of “how many miles on your Kingpin?” Her response reflects how easily she, Ken and Dave could cover great distances on their Victorys:

“I'm really close to 55,000 on my odometer. The Iron Butt I did in May helped put more on there. Three of us, Ken Buckner, Dave Filter, and I rode in the Iron Heart 1000 and completed it in 19.5 hours, easily. It's pretty amazing that my Kingpin stock seat is still so comfortable. I wasn't even sore or too tired after the ride. Ken has an '03 TC with a Mustang seat, and Dave has an '06 Hammer, with I think, the stock seat. He added the Kingpin Touring trunk onto where the back seat of the Hammer would be, and it gave him some good cargo capacity and a nice backrest.”


Godspeed, Dave.