Our Capital's Faithful

WE HAD A NATTER WITH OUR LOYAL OWNERS IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL

Having or being part of an Owners Club is a feeling like no other. Like-minded individuals with a united passion for their bikes, creating memories together out on the open road week in week out. We caught up with two members of our very own London Mutt Owners Club, whose passion runs deep throughout their lives and who are constantly looking to create and personalise. Introducing, Kevo Thunder & Rob Hurley.

Kevo has been a Mutt rider since back in the early days of our brand and his current machine is something he holds close to his heart. “I have a custom desert racer specced by me and built by Benny back in 2014, it has custom paint which matches my dad’s Triumph he had back in the ‘60s, with Lucas lights, Triumph shocks, Bates headlight... Dunlop D803 knobblies front and back,” he tells us. A truly one-off machine that sets Kevo apart from the rest, with a nod to his dad’s classic from back in the day.

Rob is very much from the same school of thinking and prides himself on subtle customisation and personalisation to create a one-off machine. “I currently own a ‘17 Mongrel 125. The bike has been modified over the years, and is now a machine which is unique to me. I love it because it was the first motorbike I bought, and opened up a completely new lifestyle to me,” Rob explains. The experience of first being in front of a Mutt bike is one to truly remember, Rob sealed the deal on his first Mutt and the rumbling exhaust note captured his imagination. “While browsing the market for 125cc motorbikes, a friend of mine told me about the Mutt brand and after seeing one of the Mongrels, I had to see one in person. A trip to TTT Motorcycles in Bethnal Green just to view one was worth it. Hearing the bike for the first time sealed the deal for me!”

Kevo recalls seeing our chief designer Benny back in 2014. “I saw Benny at the NEC, early 2014, with the Mutt collection, I already knew of boneshaker choppers through the shows like ‘The Trip Out’, and knew I had to have one!” And he went on to do just that with his tricked out desert racer.

It didn’t take long before we were onto the Owners Club and the founders and rides that our dedicated fans go out on each week. Kevo explains: “Andy James is the founder of the London Mutt Owners, he too has a custom 125 in orange and a 250 as well! All our rides are learner friendly, so we stick to A and B roads and the speed of the slowest rider. Generally meeting at the bike shed in Shoreditch, Epping Forest Tea Hut or the Tea Hut on Blackheath.” It’s excellent that so many new riders can join the experienced group and head out round epic London rides or more scenic ventures around Epping or Blackheath.

Rob recalled the first ever ride out that sealed the deal for the club and had riders coming back for more. “Each of us owned a different model 125 and every one of them was unique in their own way. We met at Bolt London on a cold April morning, just to go for a ride as a group around London. The rest is history!”

A friend of mine told me about the Mutt brand and after seeing one of the Mongrels, I had to see one in person. Hearing the bike for the first time sealed the deal for me!

Mutt is a bike you want to work on to make it yours. You have to be as committed to learning as you are to riding.

Kevo’s most memorable ride out is a truly mega adventure. “Myself and Andy along with two other friends from Brad’s Cancer Foundation, rode from the bike shed in Shoreditch to Santander in northern Spain via St Malo and the west coast of France in 7 days on 125 Mutts!” What an incredible trip and an amazing achievement. We love seeing Mutts further afield and tackling new places and rides.

Rob has also shown that 125 machines aren’t confined to short journeys around town with his most memorable ride out. “In September, four of us (Kevo, Andrew James, Simon Pittman, and myself) embarked on riding from London to Paris for the 2019 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. This was a four-day trip filled with eventful riding experiences; and proof that our 125cc machines were more than capable of the journey and able to give us an unforgettable riding experience through the French countryside.”

With our new showroom just opened in Bethnal Green in the first quarter of 2020, the London Mutt Owners Club is definitely going to make strides in the city. Kevo buzzes: “The club is constantly expanding and with the opening of the new Mutt showroom in Bethnal Green, I can see us getting bigger very quickly!” It’s worth bearing in mind his top tip for riding in London: “Just remember everyone else on the road wants to be in the same space you are in...” Very true and it’s imperative to take care when blasting the city streets.

Rob is also double keen for the club to expand and continue to grow in 2020. “We’re always welcoming of new members in our riding group. Learner riders are more than welcome too. This is a riding club and we encourage all members to ride with us. We like to plan a variety of longer and short rides so that everyone can join a ride they feel comfortable with. Not everyone wants to spend the entire day riding to the other side of the country in the pouring rain... and there are some that do. We like to give everyone a choice.”

You’ve got to take care out on the busy roads of our capital city and Rob had some wise words for riders looking to nip round the city streets in the near future. “Stay safe. Don’t do anything you don’t feel comfortable doing just because you see other riders doing it. If you’re not comfortable with filtering through traffic yet, it doesn’t make you any less of a rider. Just because you have never had an accident, it doesn’t mean one

isn’t waiting for you around the corner. Consider taking advanced riding courses, and train in hazard awareness. It could save your life.” Very wise words and key to remember when you’re out on two wheels.

Starting your own club is definitely possible and it’s a ‘more the merrier’ situation when new clubs join the scene and get involved. Kevo’s advice for new club founders? “Just do it. Find a base, plan a couple of rides people will join in… The internet is your friend. We are a bit lucky to have the Bike Shed as our ‘base’. It’s quite nice!” It certainly is, Kevo, and it’s superb to see the Mutt community embracing London. Rob’s on much of the same wavelength as Kevo, adding; “Find people who want to go riding. It’s that simple. Those who want to get to know their bike more. A similarity we see with our members is that we all want to get our hands dirty. A Mutt is a bike you want to work on to make it yours. You have to be as committed to learning as you are to riding.”

2020 is set to be a landmark year for the club, with new adventures in the diary and new friends to be made. Kevo gave us the low-down on the events that are on the map already. “Our lad PK is arranging a Mutt NC500 which is 500 miles around the north coast of Scotland. Of course we will do Tobacco Dock, meeting at the Ace Cafe. Summer rides include Burnham-On-Crouch, Bexhill, Rykas Cafe!” There’s certainly some goodens on the horizon so keep ‘em peeled for details.

Those great biker-friendly locations are key for Rob as he threw some events into the mix for riders to get involved with during 2020. “We have a full calendar planned for the year ahead, with some big events. We hope to get more riders together for some fantastic events such as The Malle Mile, The Bike Shed Festival, The North Coast 500 and many more smaller events too.” “Find us on Facebook - London Mutt Owners Club,” Rob signs off. You know the score - now get yourself involved!

We’re always welcoming of new members in our riding group. Learner riders are more than welcome too.