It’s said that life begins at 40 and this month we have hit that milestone.
It’s now 40 years since Orwell Motorcycles was born, when former owner Ray Walters, older brother of current director Rob and father of office supremo Laura Hardiman, took over the Dave Bickers motorbike dealership at Barrack Corner, in Norwich Road, Ipswich.
The business changed its name to Orwell Motor Cycle Specialists and, in the same year, became a Suzuki dealer.
We moved to our Ranelagh Road site in 2001 and took on Kawasaki and Yamaha franchises.
To mark the special anniversary we’re having some special sales and offers this month.
General manager Richard Paine said: “We’re having a special clothing sale month. It starts on 1 September, takes in the Copdock Motorcycle Show, and finishes with the SAM (Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclists) demo bikes riding event at the dealership on the 30th.”
Orwell Motorcycles, now owned by Dave Willis and Rob, has gone from strength to strength over its 40-year history. While it no longer sells new Yamahas, it now has the KTM franchise for street and off-road motorbikes.
“Orwell Motorcycles is a substantial business and part of the fabric of the community now,” said Richard.
“To celebrate that we’re doing a huge clothing sale, as well as some extra special 40th anniversary offers and discounts on specific motorbikes. Look out for the special labels.”