Steve was born with petrol in his veins. He grew up on a farm in Trayning, a small country town in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia. He worked on the family farm until at the age of 19 when he managed to scrape together enough to buy his first motorcycle - a Honda 4...and he headed out with some mates for 12 months of riding and adventure around Australia, picking up enough work on the way to keep body and soul together. He has been on two wheels ever since.
Steve's love affair with the race track began on the motocross tracks in country Western Australia. He was president of the Bencubbin Motocross Club, and a member of Northam and Kellerberrin MX Clubs.
Steve at the Bencubbin Motocross Club - riding a 1975 Suzuki RM125B sponsored by McCulloch Suzuki. He received a discount from McCulloch's on all his parts and service items, and if he won.... he was provided with a toasted ham and cheese sandwich. Notice he was very skinny!
His real passion though is road racing.
In 1980 Steve bought a brand spanking new Suzuki GSX1100 - he was going racing. Joined the Motorcycle Racing Club of Western Australia (MCRCWA) and entered in the production class. The next ten years saw him on a string of bikes, all production bikes bar two superbikes.
Steve cranked over on the Mack 1 sponsored GPZ900
1985 State Championship Round. Steve leading the big guns out of turn one on the first lap. Taken before he got gobbled up by the faster competitors - State Champion, Peter Senior (#77), New Zealand Champion, Kerry Chapman (#9) and Australian Champion Peter Radford (#33) among others.
Steve retired from MCRCWA at the end of the 80's
He came out of retirement to join the Historic Motorcycle Club of Western Australia (HCMCWA) and race a Honda 750 in Period 4. He raced this old girl, and in the later years a Honda 350 as well, until he retired from racing altogether in 2003.
In his early 40's Steve raced better than he ever had before, winning numerous club and state titles on both bikes. 2001 saw him win on the 750 - undefeated for the year. However, his dream of winning an Australian title was never fulfilled. He came horribly close in 1995, leading the race when his engine blew up metres from the checkered flag.
Steve moved to Perth in 1987 working for In City Motorcycles and then Ken George Yamaha. He also spent time working for Mack 1 Kawasaki and 2 Wheel Wholesale before he opened his own Motorcycle Shop in 1990 - "Highway Yamaha" in Midland. His business boomed and in 1997 Steve had to move to larger premises. He sold the business in 2003 after 13 very successful years - 6 times No.1 Western Australian Yamaha Dealership of the year. Highway Yamaha was also in the top 10 Australian Yamaha Dealerships 9 times.
His retirement from the industry lasted 2 years before he opened "Steve's Motorcycles" in December 2005. His original vision was a tyre shop, but he couldn't contain himself - and Steve added Chinese bikes and accessories to the inventory. His tyre shop evolved into the all-round motorcycle shop we know today, with an impressive range of used and consigned bikes. He sells not only tyres, but sprockets, chains, oil, bars, levers, helmets, tools, and all manner of other motorcycle bits and pieces. With a fully equipped workshop and three fully qualified mechanics, Steve's is known to be the one stop shop for all your motorcycle servicing needs.
In 2014 Steve's Motorcycles was proud to become a CF Moto Dealership. CF Moto is the fastest growing motorcycle brand in Australia and currently commands a 14% share of the ATV and UTV market. This is not surprising as these units are reliable and well put together.
Steve hasn't, and never will forfeit the atmosphere of the traditional motorcycle shop where his customers can call in for a coffee, and helpful advice from the friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Steve has also been involved in the development of Midland over the past 20 years, being on numerous redevelopment committees, chamber of commerce.
Steve has always been involved in promoting the sport of motorcycling, with his commitment to the sport going far beyond that of competitor. Commencing in the late 80's his involvement has included
Steve commentating MCRCWA meeting at Barbagallo Raceway Wanneroo
Steve was bestowed with Life Membership of the Chidlow JMCC. Steve's Motorcycles sponsors the first Points Day each year, and all Chidlow Club members receive a discount at Steve's.
Steve's Motorcycles proudly supports Supermoto WA, Speedway, Chidlow JMCC, Noble Falls Motocross Club, HCMCWA and MCRCWA.
