Neil Balaam, our new workshop manager, is no stranger to Orwell Motorcycles because we put him on the road to two-wheel freedom.
Neil took up motorcycling later in life and bought his first motorbike, a Yamaha MT125, from us in 2016.
His father was a biker and Neil called into the dealership after his father died and bought that first motorbike from Liam McCartney.
Since then he has made up for lost time and has now owned about 15 motorbikes.
He currently rides a Honda CRF300 dirt bike and does some green-laning.
His other bikes have included a couple of Ducatis, including a Monster, Honda Transalp, Africa Twin and rare Integra 750 maxi scooter, Yamaha Tenere and a Triumph 765.
Neil, who is married and lives in Stowmarket, has been in the motor trade for 33 years since leaving school, working with cars and then, since 2017, motorbikes.
He started his career valeting and also had a spell in car and motorbike sales before switching to the servicing side as an adviser.
He went on to become service manager for cars and motorbikes at a motor group.
“I’ve also been a customer at Orwell Motorcycles, so I know some of the staff. With a vacancy for a workshop manager, my name came up,” he said.
Neil has settled in well and is currently reviewing the way service reception and the workshop performs and looking to make it even more efficient and customer-friendly.
“They’re a really good team.
“What I like about Orwell Motorcycles is that directors Dave Willis and Andrew Jay want happy customers and good staff morale. It’s not just about business,” he explained.
Book your motorbike in for servicing, maintenance and MOT tests by calling 01473 257401 or book online at orwell.co.uk/workshop
