Technician Ben a fine example of homegrown talent

We’re proud of our team at Orwell Motorcycles and the way we develop their skills and customer service.

A good example of our homegrown talent is Ben Towner, the newest and youngest technician in our workshop.

Local lad Ben, 19, first came to us on a two-week work experience placement while studying level two motor mechanics at Ipswich’s Suffolk One sixth-form college when he was 17.

He spent the first week working with valeter Stewart Wakeling and the second week with our technicians.

He then had a part-time job with us on his days off college and Saturdays, gaining experience in the workshop.

We were delighted Ben chose to join us full-time in March 2019 when he decided not to go to university to study engine design and production.

“I decided to stay here and do something I enjoy and am confident doing,” said Ben.

Director Dave Willis said: “We spotted his talent and he worked hard and showed initiative.”

Now a fully qualified technician, he is also accredited by KTM and we’re planning for him to have more Kawasaki training.

Motorbike mechanicals were nothing new to Ben when he first arrived at Orwell Motorcycles. He has been doing motocross and building bikes with his dad since he was 13, as well as helping him work on cars.

He’s always been interested in finding out how engines and other mechanical things work and finds it very satisfying.

Ben still does motocross, riding a 2006 Yamaha YZF250, and would like to progress to doing some racing.

His road riding came to a halt when he was knocked off his Peugeot XPS 50 Supermoto when he was 16. He had bought the bike a year earlier and completely rebuilt it.

Now working at Orwell Motorcycles, he plans to get back on the road and take his motorcycle test.

While he can turn his hand to all mechanical tasks in the workshop, Ben is keen on diagnostics and the electrical side of his role.

“I’m always pushing myself to find out more and do more,” he said, adding that his colleagues had given him the nickname ‘Mr KTM’ because of his affinity with that brand.

“I love working on bikes and they’re very welcoming and helpful in the workshop. I’ve become a lot more confident doing fork and suspension work. I used to ask lots of questions and they always helped me out… and never got annoyed,” he added.

Well, Ben’s colleagues have certainly helped put him on the right road.