It didn’t start as Ryder Motorcycles at all. The business began as Ryder Automotive, with an original plan to sell cars and vans.
On this day ten years ago, James and I were sat in the BCA auction at Paddock Wood, cup of tea in hand and a bacon sandwich on the go, and bought a late-model VW Golf GTD alongside a three-year-old Mercedes C250 AMG Coupé.
That first purchase totalled £28,730, and just like that, Ryder Automotive was born. I sent Kelly a photo of the receipt with the message:
“I guess we sell cars now!”
The first bikes followed soon after. On 5th January 2016, we bought our first motorcycles at a Copart auction, and it didn’t take long to realise this was what we really wanted to focus on.
Initially, everything was run from home, in my garage, but very quickly we ran out of space. Early in 2016 we moved into a very rough old shed at Newington Industrial Estate. It wasn’t pretty, but it gave us a roof and a chance. By the end of that year we’d taken on a second unit opposite — one became the workshop, the other the showroom. Rough around the edges, but it worked, and it worked hard.
We spent the first four years there, grafting, learning, fixing mistakes, and slowly building something that felt bigger than just a business. By that point, we’d started the club rides too — with regular ride-outs and trips over to Europe — and the sense of community was already taking shape.
In December 2019, we took one of the biggest steps we’ve ever taken and bought our current unit. Moving into our own building felt like a real line in the sand, and as part of that move we rebranded from Ryder Automotive to Ryder Motorcycles, reflecting what the business had naturally become by that point.
It was a huge risk for us, but we genuinely felt that if we could just get through to March, when the bike season really starts, we’d be fine.
And then, in March, the world fell apart.
COVID hit, and like so many businesses, we genuinely questioned whether we’d survive. We’d only just moved in, having committed every penny we had — and more — to buying the building. In the long term it’s proven to be the right decision, but the timing couldn’t have been worse.
Last year was another tough one for the entire motorcycle industry, with around 60 dealerships closing between September and the end of the year. That forced us to make some difficult decisions at the start of this year, all aimed at putting us in the best possible position to make the most of this summer.
It’s meant working harder than ever — but it also feels like it’s lifted us onto another level. Without doubt, we now have more stock, and better stock, than we’ve ever had at this point in the year, giving us a strong platform heading into 2026.
In the last 10 years, we’ve:
Served 5,020 customers
Sold 2,671 vehicles (mainly bikes)
Built not just a business, but a real community
That sense of community really comes to life through RMRC. What started as a few customers riding together has grown into something far bigger than we ever expected. Today, RMRC has around 600 members in total, with around 70 regular riders who turn up, ride, support each other, and make the whole thing what it is.
It’s not about badges, ego, or riding the “right” bike — it’s about getting out, riding properly, helping each other, and enjoying it. RMRC has become a huge part of Ryder Motorcycles, and I’m incredibly proud of what that group has grown into.
But if there’s one thing that has truly made Ryder Motorcycles what it is, it’s the people behind the scenes.
We’re a small team, and in the summer months we’re often right at full stretch. But everyone gives 110%, digs deep, and somehow we always get through to the end of another busy season. I honestly couldn’t ask for more from them.
On a personal level, I’ve been incredibly fortunate that bikes have shaped not just the business, but my life. Riding has taken me all over the UK and much of Europe, and further afield to Morocco and America, and every one of those trips has fed back into how we do things here.
From rally racing, to roadbook events with Rallymoto, track days across the UK and Europe, and the challenge of the Hard Alpi Tour over the last four years, those experiences have never been about ticking boxes — they’ve been about learning, improving, and better understanding what riders actually need.
As we head towards 2026, we’re in the strongest place we’ve ever been:
More bike sales than ever
More stock than ever
The best range of helmets, clothing and accessories we’ve ever had
And exciting new chapters ahead, including Kove coming onboard
It’s incredible how fast these 10 years have gone, and how much we’ve enjoyed the journey.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us — customers, friends, family, RMRC members, and especially the team. We genuinely couldn’t do this without you.
And the best bit?
We’re only just getting going. 👊🏍️
— Joe