Hi guys! Sure! I'm Wessel, also known as "Kickackwes", founder of "The Kickback Company". I'm 33 years old, my height is just big enough for my motorcycles and I'm from the Netherlands. The most important motorcycles in my garage are my XT500 from 1978 - converted to a TT500, my XT600Z 1VJ - converted to a rally enduro, my HONDA XR600R for the toughest terrain. My XT600Z 55W is my treasure - it is the fifth 55W ever produced.
But I also appreciate my "Perigo Ténéré-Replika", which my two-year-old son rides with training wheels.
It all started when I bought a 1978 Yamaha SR500 without knowing exactly what kind of bike it was. I kick-started it for a year - without realizing that there was a decompression lever. I learned how to work on motorcycles and was desperately looking for an XT500.
I started buying, building and selling motorcycles and soon had a large collection of vintage enduros in my garage. Looking for a way to build an expandable community and business around this passion, I decided to start "The Kickback Company" - Bringthekickback. A platform for like-minded vintage off-road enthusiasts, including a clothing brand and offering off-road events to meet other petrolheads.
We want to bring back the kick. The kick doesn't just stand for the kickstarter. In the Netherlands, we also use the word 'kick' for the rush you can get from certain great activities. I get the feeling of owning a classic motorcycle, having to solve technical problems myself, being stranded at the gas station because it won't start. That creates this thrill. You can't just buy this bike. You have to commit to it and then ride it on several adventures. That adds to the exhilaration, which for me goes far beyond riding a modern motorcycle.
Our mission is to promote this 'kick' with our content and connect it through our events and matching clothing.
I'm inspired by vintage T-shirt prints, surfy styles, but also by the style of the motorcycles we ride. They look different from motorcycles that look "tough" - those with black, skulls or flames. They are cool, but very different from vintage enduros. These are more elegant, colorful, delicate. We try to make designs that fit this vibe - not too flashy or too obvious - but that would look good as a sticker on your bike. Our logo, for example, the peacock - at first glance you might ask yourself: why a peacock? What does it have to do with motorcycles?
If you take a closer look, you will see an animal that represents freedom, pride and elegance. And you may discover the shape of nuts and a pinion in the background and feathers.
So cool that you're here this year. This is our third Ride-Out. An event where like-minded riders with motorcycles only up to 1999 can take part - with a limited number of participants. We camp for two days in the Netherlands and ride a 230 km off-road tour in twelve smaller groups on six different routes so that it doesn't get too crowded on the routes. In the evenings there are prizes, BBQ, campfires and lots of discussions about exhaust systems. People come from all over Europe - that's really cool.
The off-road camp is a new concept. We offer a camp for "new" off-road riders who want to learn and practice before joining the Ride-Out. They spend the night in a 1979 double-decker hostel bus and receive clinics from Jan from Desert Wood. On Saturday, they ride the Ride-Out route as a final challenge.
We have more event concepts for the future, which we will be happy to present to you as soon as they are ready.
Haha thanks! Yeah, beating the previous bikes is a big challenge haha - but fun! The next one is probably a legendary bike, one that KEDO is very familiar with - but I shouldn't make it too obvious.
I think the first Ride-Out 2023 was the first time I was able to actually meet the community in person after building an online platform and business and feel the shared passion that drives us.
Oh yes. I think everyone has a brand that has a special place in their heart or in their garage. For me it's Yamaha. I think, along with Honda, they have the biggest following - mainly because they were the first, they look good, they're reliable and relatively easy to maintain. The XT500 and the Ténéré embody this history that I admire so much. My father always rode XT250s - maybe he influenced me a little in my childhood. I always ask myself whether I should save money for when my children turn 18, or whether I'd rather put an XT500 in pieces in the attic for them.
Oh yes, definitely. I always recommend people to buy a Yamaha - just because of the existence of KEDO. It makes working on the bikes so much easier when you have a good parts supplier. One of those parts that makes it easier is the aftermarket wiring harnesses. On a 40 year old bike, the cables have almost always been tinkered with - so it's a joy to be able to just buy a new one.
When I'm on the road, I always have an extra brake/clutch lever and a clutch cable with me. I've learned that the hard way. Also a few extra screws/nuts, tape, cables, cable ties - these are lifesavers.
Emergency roadside repairs are really fun when they work in the end.
