Bedfordshire dealer Flitwick Motorcycles, is one of the landmark firms in the bike trade. It’s been around since 1975 as a Yamaha dealer, with Carole and Steve Linsdell taking charge in 1984 – exactly forty years ago this summer. The firm has had dealings with other brands down the years, but it’s as a Yamaha dealer – and race team – that it has become best known. And Yamaha Motor UK has marked Flitwick’s 40th anniversary (under Carole and Steve’s ownership) with a special award as the Linsdells take a well-earned retirement.
Carole Linsdell said, “Steve and I were so honoured and humbled to receive the unexpected, and much appreciated engraved gift from Yamaha UK to acknowledge our 40 years of partnership selling Yamaha motorcycles and products and our retirement from our family business, which continues under the management of our son, David.
“When we opened the doors in 1984, we had only our love of motorcycles and a belief that we could make a success of selling and marketing what we loved. Today, we look back with pride at what we have achieved during those 40 years.
“We will always be grateful that Yamaha [then Mitsui] gave us the opportunity 40 years ago to sell their products and represent them as Yamaha retailers.
“The journey together has been a wonderful one, shaping our and our family’s future, and we are confident that following our retirement, our son David will take that partnership forward well into the future. We would not be where we are today without the faith in us Yamaha offered in 1984, but equally without such a fantastic team that has worked alongside us at ‘Team Flitwick’, many of whom joined us very early on in our journey as motorcycle retailers.
“Steve and I would like to dedicate this special gift and Yamaha acknowledgement to our recently deceased workshop manager Wayne Kempson, a Yamaha man through and through, and without whom we would not be where we are now. He would have been so proud to be here to see it. Rest in peace Wayne.
“Thank you all at Yamaha; it’s been quite a journey.”
Adam Kelley, general manager of land sales at Yamaha UK, said, “All the team at Yamaha are proud to celebrate the 40-year relationship with everyone at Flitwick Motorcycles.
Carole, Steve, David, and the team have always had a partnership mindset, attending our dealer council meetings and voicing opinions using a ‘working together’ approach. It is not only committed to Yamaha motorcycle and scooter sales, but the team has also always strongly supported the full Yamaha aftersales product line-up, more recently rewarded with the 2023 Parts and Accessory Sales Achievement award at our February conference.
“We wish Carole and Steve a well-earned and enjoyable retirement, leaving the business in good hands. Dedicating the 40-year celebration award to Wayne truly demonstrates the family environment within the business.”
Dave Brown, Yamaha’s dealer development manager, said, “It is a genuine privilege to be able to deliver the sentiments of YMUK to Carole and Steve, recognising their 40 years of trading. It’s a relationship I know we value very highly and one that we can look forward to continuing with David. Legend has it that Flitwick Motorcycles first took on Yamaha in 1975, so we’ll make sure we delve into the archives, ready to celebrate the 50th anniversary.”