Kevin Ash

Kevin Ash
Born	Template:Birth date Ilford, London, England
Died	January 22, 2013(2013-01-22) (aged 53)
Occupation(s)	Motorcycle journalist, author
Known for	Motorcycle journalism for The Daily Telegraph and Motor Cycle News

Kevin Ash (10 December 1959 – 22 January 2013) was a distinguished British author and journalist specializing in motorcycles, contributing notably to The Daily Telegraph and Motor Cycle News. Renowned for his expertise in both technical analysis and current industry topics, Ash earned recognition as "a pivotal figure within the UK motorcycling community," "a foremost motorcycle journalist globally," and "the doyen among motorcycle reporters."

Personal life

Ash was born in Ilford, located in northeast London, and received his education at Ipswich School before pursuing engineering studies at Imperial College. In 1990, he wed Caroline Quanjer from the Netherlands, and together they had three daughters named Laurien, Kirsten, and Ingrid.

Career

Prior to entering journalism, Ash gained experience as a motorcycle courier and participated competitively in sidecar racing. He played a foundational role in establishing Fast Bikes magazine in 1991.

In 1993, Ash began working with Motor Cycle News (MCN) as a road test rider, eventually rising to assistant editor. He departed in 1997 to pursue freelance writing after a serious incident involving an MCN road editor brought attention to the hazards inherent in motorcycle testing.

As an independent journalist, Ash served as the motorcycling correspondent for The Daily Telegraph over a span of 15 years. His bibliography includes several motorcycle-focused publications such as BMW Motorcycles: The Evolution of Excellence and Ducati People: Looking into the Lives of the Men and Women Behind This Legendary Marque. Additionally, he authored Going Dutch, a guide addressing the process of parallel-importing right-hand drive vehicles from the EU to the UK during the late 1990s.

Death

Ash tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident near George, Western Cape, South Africa, while participating in a press ride for the launch of the 2013 BMW R1200GS. The crash occurred on a gravel track within the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve, during an event that involved approximately 60 to 70 journalists organized by BMW.

Following the incident, UK journalist Alun Davies—who was riding behind Ash—either collided with or narrowly avoided him and his fallen bike; Davies sustained injuries but subsequently recovered. BMW dispatched engineers from Germany to examine the motorcycles involved. As of April 2013, no official link between mechanical failure and the accident had been established, with investigation details remaining confidential.