SAFETY IS KEY AT NEW STREET MOTORCYCLES
Published on 1st March 2025
New Street Motorcycles was founded in Horsham town centre in 2011. Since then, owner Rob Ticehurst and his wife Lesley Langley have moved the business to an industrial estate in Partridge Green. Today, NSM continues to offer servicing and restorations, alongside a selection of used bikes for sale. To coincide with the arrival of several stunning Yamahas in classic racing liveries, AAH visited to find out more…
CAREER KICK-START
New Street Motorcycles was born after Rob was offered a workshop behind the well-established New Street Garage in Horsham. Rob had a collection of motorcycles and wanted a small unit where he could repair and restore bikes to sell. However, it wasn’t long before other riders were enquiring about servicing for their bikes too.
Rob said: ‘We opened a few years after the closure of Turn One Motorcycles in Roffey, so there hadn’t been a bike repair garage in the town for a while. Naturally, word spread that another mechanic had established a workshop and business snowballed. We also had an MOT base, so could offer MOTs as well as servicing. Whereas some businesses specialise in just one kind of motorcycle, such as customised bikes, we have always welcomed all bikes, from classic tourers and choppers to modern sports bikes and off-roaders. Eventually, we outgrew New Street and moved to a larger premises in Broadbridge Heath.’
MUCKY MOTOS
Before establishing the business, Rob had built solid connections in the industry through his involvement in Muddy Trax Racing Ltd. Muddy Trax specialised in All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) such as quad bikes and 4x4 buggies. The Faygate-based company hosted driving experiences for groups, parties and corporate team-building.
Rob recalls: ‘In those days, businesses were more inclined to bring their employees together socially, and we offered everything from firearms training to off-road driving tuition to jet-ski experiences. If you think of all the things a man in a mid-life crisis loves, then that’s what we offered! We also worked with Red Letter Days, providing off-the-shelf experiences. Eventually, the dynamics of corporate business shifted away from team-building days and this – coupled with rising insurance premiums and health and safety regulations – signalled the end for Muddy Trax.’
Rob also enjoyed competing in motocross and other forms of off-road racing, taking part in events such as the Weston Beach Race and helping local groups such as Southern Motocross Club and Horsham Motocross Club find locations and organise events too.
‘I was never overly competitive,’ says Rob. ‘I just did my best and it was good enough to win the occasional race. What I love about off-road racing is that you can come off several times and as long as you’re okay, you can get back on the bike and go again. With road racing, all it takes is one mistake and you’re in the kitty litter facing a big repair bill. I had great times racing and met many wonderful people. Muddy Trax Racing Ltd also gave me valuable experience of repairing all kinds of bikes, as well as a long list of industry contacts.’
HOLLOW VICTORIES
In Broadbridge Heath, NSM expanded and in addition to servicing and MOTs, stocked up to 30 second-hand bikes. The shop sold used motorcycle clothing, with hundreds of leathers and helmets adorning its rails and shelves. Rob said: ‘Young riders could come in for a good second-hand jacket, which might have cost four times as much brand new. The clothing also allowed us to meet riders and establish relationships, with many of them returning to buy or sell motorbikes or bringing them to us for servicing.
‘However, selling second-hand clothes could be a hollow victory, as some items came to us as a result of bereavement. After losing a loved one, people usually wanted to know that a rider’s favourite jacket would be passed on and loved again. The clothing attracted all kinds of riders. Some would buy leathers for track days, and we even had costume designers buying jackets and helmets for a motorcycling scene in a film or TV show. From a business perspective, it was profitable and it’s something we hope to re-establish in future.’
ERA OF DISCOVERY
Last year coincided with the end of the lease at Broadbridge Heath and Rob had to decide whether to renew for another five years. However, his wife Lesley was battling cancer, changing their perspective on life and on work. They down-sized, taking on a workshop on the Huffwood Trading Estate in Partridge Green, previously occupied by Sussex Classic Car Parts, an MG specialist that closed in April 2024. Rob said: ‘Lesley and I have lived and worked together for 23 years and it was important for me to support her through her treatment. Our children are a little older, so we moved with the intention of enjoying a better balance between life and work.
‘We’ve invested nearly £200,000 in motorbikes so that I can continue to do what I’m doing with the support of Lesley. So, this is our lot and we are very happy and plan to be here for at least another five years.’
While most of the business comes from regular servicing, Rob and his team enjoy restoration projects too. He said: ‘When someone brings in a modern Ducati Desmo, you know you are facing 13 hours of highly technical work. What is great about working on classics is that you enter the mindset of the engineers who built them 60 years ago. It’s great for us to go back in time, when every day was one of discovery for engineers.’
SAFE RIDING
Recently, Rob and his small team of experienced mechanics have worked on several beautiful motorcycles. These include a Yamaha RDS 250 from the mid-70s, a Yamaha XVS 100 Dragstar and a classic Triumph 650 Tiger. Others include a Royal Enfield 1954 scrambler, one of only a handful made for the factory racing team, and Yamahas in the classic yellow and black livery made famous by Grand Prix legends such as Kenny Roberts. Whatever the machine, Rob believes the key to success is good service.
‘We don’t so much look at the bike than the customers themselves,’ he said. ‘We engage with them to find out what it is they’re looking for. Many of our customers are over 60 and may have a particular fondness for classic British marques such as Triumph, BSA and Royal Enfield. What they want more than anything is peace of mind and to know the job is going to be done properly.
‘So, we are always communicative and transparent, keeping customers informed of what needs to be done, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. We film videos so they can keep track of projects and we are also generous with our knowledge. Some people keep tricks of the trade to themselves, but if you put this knowledge in the hands of the user, the better chance the industry has of surviving in future. If we make mistakes, lives are at risk. So, we do the job properly and share knowledge so that our customers can continue with their passion for motorcycling and – most importantly – get home safely.’
WORDS: BEN MORRIS
PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT FOR AAH
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Unit 28, Huffwood Trading Estate, Partridge Green, RH13 8AU
info@newstreetmotorcycles.co.uk
Tel: 01403 241103
