KK Motorcycle Supply Founder Passes Away

KK Motorcycle Supply is saddened to announce the passing of company founder JR Kelley. He died on Dec. 8 at the age of 86.

Kelley grew up in the motorcycle industry, wrenching the motorcycles his father sold. He temporarily left the industry to serve as a U.S. Marine in World War II, defending his country at Iwo Jima.

When he served as president of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA), he helped the organization improve its service, increase its membership and become an important legislative body. He also worked with various dealer associations and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC).

Kelley was the first recipient of the MIC’s "Man of the Year" award in 1986, which recognized his dedication to advancing the motorcycle industry. He was also inducted into the Ohio Hall of Fame and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Coinciding with his belief in giving back to the community, he helped establish the Old Time Newsies (OTN) Charity Motorcycle Race, the OTN Charity Auction on WKEF-TV and the Ride for Muscle Dystrophy. These efforts have raised more than 35 million dollars for charity.

"JR, you will be truly missed, but you will never be forgotten by the motorcycle industry and the thousands of people whose lives you have touched," stated KK Motorcycle Supply in a recent release.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation
13515 Yarmouth Drive
Pickerington, OH 43147

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.