The name KBK originated when founder/owner Mike King started racing Ducati's and saw the name FBF Ducati being used by a prominent US Ducati Tuner. FBF stood for Fast By Ferracci so Mike borrowed the idea to come up with the name KBK Ducati, Kwick By King for his own race bike name.
Upon returning to his home town New Plymouth in 1996, Mike decided to start his own business - KBK Motorcycles - which was to consist of motorcycle repairs and servicing, including buying a DynoJet Dynomometer with the primary focus being on performance tuning. To compliment, he also had a retail side to the business selling parts and accessories.
After experiencing a bad accident while participating in the 1999 Isle of Man TT Race, Mike officially died, but was fortunate to receive emergency treatment that saved his life. After a period in hospital and time convalescing on the IOM, he returned to New Zealand and underwent a lengthy period of rehabilitation.
As a result of his injuries, he was forced to close KBK Motorcycles and all stock went into storage. When Mike was well enough mid way through 2000, he decided to open a small retail shop in New Plymouth's main street to sell the goods that had been in storage. This was a retail outlet only, servicing had to wait while he was still in recovery.
At the beginning of 2004 Mike moved to larger premises that enabled him to re-open the workshop side of the business, as well as continuing with retail and with the addition of becoming a licensed motor vehicle dealer, moved into sales of motorbikes and cars. After the leased premises were sold, the business again relocated temporarily then moved to its next home in 2006. The location is not suitable for sales or servicing, therefore the primary focus is motorcycle parts, accessories and clothing from the retail shop and through online trading.
At the end of March 2022, the KBK Motorcycles retail shop was closed after over 17 years operating from the same location.
Due in part to the Covid-19 impact and the desire to downscale the ’live’ retail side of the business, the decision was made to move trading primarily to an online platform, with a private retail showroom for after-market Harley parts available for internet sales and retail customers on a by-appointment only basis.
It is within this new permanent base Mike’s personal homage to motorcycles, racing and memorabilia has evolved.
The new shop area has given Mike space to display a variety of Classic and other relevant bikes.
Along with motorcycles there are pictures and some memorabilia, this is a work in progress.
