1966-2022
For more than 30 years David Hugh Milliken was a pivotal player in Northern Ireland’s motorcycle scene. A warm, larger than life character, both physically and by nature, dealer David died on 20 December aged 56. His funeral was held on Christmas Eve.
“The world has lost the most caring, kind and beautiful soul,” said his daughter Katie. “He was a massive figure in Northern Ireland’s motorcycle industry, with a pure passion to help his customers.”
‘Davy’ was admitted to Ulster Hospital’s intensive care unit in December following a sudden unknown illness. His death has resulted in an outpouring of condolence from customers and clubs including MAG and Movin’ Targets Scooters.
He started as a car mechanic aged 16 for Gowans Volkswagen, Newtownards, winning an Apprentice of the Year award.
He opened DnD Motorcycles in the early 1990s with business partner David Hanna, later buying him out. The business included a Kawasaki franchise until 2010 when he closed DnD to join George Lloyd at Lloyd Lifestyle as a traveling sales rep for all Ireland. This provided a great networking opportunity building up special relationships including Bikeworld, Dublin; Danfay Yamaha and Megabikes.
In 2011 he opened Davy’s Bikes in Bangor, Co Down, retailing AJS, Sinnis, Motorini and CFMoto. He regularly attended the Belfast and Dublin motorcycle shows, where he exhibited. He was also a regular visitor to Motorcycle Live and Motorcycle Trade Expo.
Martin McCullough joined Davy’s Bikes in 2013 becoming co-director in 2017. A 2018 business deal with importer MotoGB saw the dealership take on Benelli, Keeway, Sym, Royal Alloy and Lambretta. The following year Zontes, imported by Clements Moto, was added.
Current franchises are CFMoto, Moto Morini, Benelli, Keeway, Royal Alloy, Lambretta, Sym and Italjet.
“Thanks to Davy we are probably one of the most successful dealers in Ireland selling more than 800 bikes last year,” says Marty, who has taken over the Balloo Park, Bangor, business with a staff of five – two in the showroom and three in the workshop.
Davy leaves wife Anne-Marie, son and daughters Daniel, Clare-Rose and Katie, and grandsons Jack and Joe.