This page emerged from some dialogue on the forum, after the death of Matty from Plymouth. We've lost too many good friends in the last few years and it seemed fitting to have some sort of memorial to them all.

John Tapley
Dave Furness (34) known to everybody as Hovis Died 3rd October 2009
It is with much sadness that we have to add yet another young rider to our fallen friends’ page.

Dave Furness (34) known to everybody as Hovis was tragically killed on Saturday 3rd October 2009, while riding his yellow fireblade.

Hovis joined the forum 31st August 2006, with his first post moaning that the only section he could post in to say hello was ‘South & West Surfers’ as there was no Welsh Section. If you were to go back to his first post, it really set the tone of what he was about. Having past his test in September (06) he quickly got a fully faired SV curvy in the only colour he knew.... yellow.

 Before he had even clocked up a month of membership he had been called over keen and had a couple of threads locked. Despite this shaky start, Hovis began to post in earnest and loved the forum. Although often controversial, his posts were humorous, risky and often spoken in a cheeky manner. He became a character of the org and one that many people called a friend.

Once people had met Hovis, they seemed to understand his humour more; he could come across as a pain to moderators and a wind up merchant for other members of the forum. He would state the obvious or make you feel stupid for even asking the questions that you did. Yet in person he was caring, kind hearted and would do anything for his friends. I would describe him as marmite!

Hovis’ passion was his bike, which he showed by going to any and every meet that he could.

No matter how far the distance, it never fazed him and he would travel far and wide to meet friends old and new. In Christmas 2008 he demonstrated this by travelling a great distance to be at three Christmas meals for three separate sections of the Org; the Taffia, Border Patrol and the Pennine Massive.

On any weekend away, Hovis would always be the person to provide most of the entertainment once he had a couple of drinks, mainly beer. This was well and truly proven at the AR in 2008 to name just one; his antics on the children play park toy, and falling asleep in the pub being well remembered and also documented on YouTube, for all to see the fun guy that he was.

As already said his passion was HIS bike, not bikes in general. On most ride outs unless he was on his bike riding he was moaning that we weren’t all riding! The only point in stopping when on your bike was to get more fuel and to eat, and the quicker you could do this the better. To quote him “what’s the point in having a bike if you’re not going to ride it”

Outside of the forum Hovis was a keen runner who was planning on running the Cardiff Half Marathon on 18th October 2009, unfortunately he never got his chance however £2,128 was still raised in his name for Velindre Cancer Centre.

It is very hard to sum up a man such as Hovis!!! So here are some words that different people will probably think of when remembering him;

Funny, crazy, childish, lovable, kind, caring, mischievous, silly, passionate, helpful, considerate, annoying, suave, cheeky, generous, playful……

 

There are many many more words that can be used to remember him by, but Hovis was simply himself; never two faced, never knowingly unkind, just a genuine, honest and outspoken man.

He will always be remembered fondly by those who knew him, as everyone will always have their own memory and stories to tell. For anyone who didn’t know Hovis but is reading this, then simply ask any of those who have been here a while to simply recount a single tale. I can guarantee you that it will be a very long thread!!!!

Hovis…..you were and always will be one of the biggest characters to have graced the .org and all our lives. You will be sorely missed by us all. To coin one of your own phrases……..

We will all be “Feckin Unluckeeeeeeeeee”, as you are no longer here to enrich our lives. Rest In Peace - David “Hovis” Furness – 13th August 1975 to 3rd October 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emfNCmtfTIc

Lily 17th November 2009

 
Mark Anthony D'Ardenne Died 5th April 2008
Earlier this year one of the Thames Valley section died in a motorcycle accident near Oxford. The text below has been written in consultation with his close friends in the TV section and everyone is happy for it to be published on Fallen Friends.

Jon West.

It is with great sadness that yet another member of the SV650.org site has to be added to this page. Mark Anthony D'Ardenne, 22, died riding his motorbike near Oxford on 5th April 2008.

For those that didn’t know him - Mark was a cheeky, kind hearted soul with two personas. Whilst online, as ASM_Forever, Mark came across as a self confident individual who liked nothing more than to play devil’s advocate and call everyone's bluff...nothing seemed to faze him. Most commonly known for his extensive use of the terms "Bah" and "Meh", to shrug off aggressive responses from other members, he ensured that every post was uniquely funny and he contributed greatly to the SV650.org site.

In person, with the shield of anonymity removed Mark turned into a friendly but shy person who loved his motorbikes. Those that got to know him well found that Mark was a selfless, deep individual who could make you laugh with a single glance. Mark had time for everyone and as a founding member of the Thames Valley Sausage Factory (TVSF) section he ensured that everyone in the group was both welcomed and entertained.

It also turned out that Mark's favourite past-time was to keep the TVSF members guessing about his personal life. Having never revealed the true location of his home he would provide small snippets of false information about his life to keep us all guessing. Highlights include:
- His family were French
- His family owning numerous villas around France with one in Monaco
- His brother having written off an expensive sports car and then replacing it with his Dad's credit card all most immediately afterwards

Mark, ASM - we fell for it hook line and sinker and you really did have the last laugh! You were considered to be a great friend to us all on the SV650.org site and especially by your friends in the TVSF section.
 

Jon West

And from Nick

I first arranged to meet Mark a week after I passed my test back in April 07. He was on his way to the meet point when a van decided to run over him in Marlow high street! It was a few months later (once the wonky knee was better) that I actually met him on a rideout with a few others that eventually led to us forming the Thames Valley group (TVSF). We shared many laughs since then at the meets and rideouts. Brighton was a favourite destination and we always managed to lose someone en route, usually Mark himself. He was a central figure to the group and kept us all laughing , a very witty bloke with a strange but endearing take on the world. I already miss his presence at the rides and meets, it's left a huge hole in our group but he will not be forgotten. I've started planning the route we will take on Mark's next memorial ride which will be an annual event in the TVSF calendar. He was a top bloke and one of my first biking buddies, such a tragic loss. Rest in peace mate.

nick_1871 aka StreetHawk aka Nick 

 
Daniel Christopher Patrick Haxell Died 15th July 2006
I would just like to pass this onto you for the fallen friends section if you wouldn't mind it is part of the reading that was read out at his funeral which I think would be appropriate for this.

Anna Forbes

"Not long after Dan bought his bike he joined the SV site. It was through this that all of us who rode with Dan met and most weekends we would go for a ride somewhere in the west of England or Wales. During these rides and the social times spent when not on the bike we all got to know each other a little more each time, but of course a love of riding was the glue that stuck us together and I think we all knew more about the rider than the person. But we all knew we shared something we loved doing very much.

I think it's fair to say that you can never judge from someone's personality how they are going to ride and never more so in the case of Dan. While he was a seemingly quiet bloke who rarely said that which didn't need saying when out on a ride he was certainly a man with a huge sense of adventure and a highly skilled and talented rider. Riding with Dan was always so enjoyable. It was his trademark to see him tackling the roads so smoothly and coolly with his white lid ahead leaving our group behind feeling frustrated that once again he made it look so effortless and easy.

This is a sad loss to our SV community we loved him very much, he may be gone but never forgotten from our memories.

RIP Daniel Christopher Patrick Haxell 4th March 1979 - 15th July 2006 "

 

  
Matthew Prete Died July 5th 2004
As reported by the Plymouth Herald. Another sad loss to our ranks. John Tapley

"The grief-stricken brother and girlfriend of a motorcyclist killed on Monday today told of the 'huge gap' the 22-year-old's death will leave in their lives. Matthew Prete, from Woolwell, was riding his beloved Suzuki SV650 with a group of friends when he collided with a BMW at a notorious junction on the A390 at Gulworthy Cross, at about 8.15pm on Monday evening. 

The former Estover Community College pupil was today remembered by his brother, Daniel, 26, and his girlfriend, Laura Wooldridge, 22, as a happy-go-lucky young man who lived for his work and his bike.

Matthew joined the RAF at 17 and spent three years at RAF Lyneham as a ground technician maintaining generators. 
During his stint in the service Matthew spent six months in Kuwait, but he decided to leave because he missed his friends and family in Plymouth. Two years ago he came back to live with his mother, Joan, and started work as a car salesman at Haxby's, in Crownhill.

Matthew had been keen on motorbikes from a young age and when he was given a company car, he decided to treat himself to a high powered bike. He bought the Suzuki SV605 last October and enjoyed riding with friends and his girlfriend, Laura, around Devon and Cornwall.The couple had been going out for nine months and were planning to move in together in February after Laura completed her nursing training in Taunton.

Although Laura did not go out with Matthew the day he died, he was with six friends who will ride their bikes as part of Matthew's funeral procession next Friday at Efford Crematorium at 2.30pm. 

Matthew's love of sports extended to jet skiing and he bought a jet ski with his brother which the pair would launch from Mount Batten. Matthew also enjoyed fishing and surfing the Internet.

Daniel remembered his brother as a talented salesman who would often be late home for tea because he had stopped to help someone fix their car. "He was a happy-go-lucky person who would speak to anyone and would do anything to help people."He would always put himself out to help others," he said. "He was just a happy, smiling face who was always there for you. You could rely on him and if you wanted something, Matthew was the person to see. "He could sell sand to an Arabian. He loved his job and every day he loved the thought that he was going to work. "He would start at 8am and not get home until 10pm sometimes. He was happy as a sandboy when he was at work."

All are welcome to attend Matthew's funeral but are asked to come in casual clothes. Family flowers only with donations in lieu to the RNLI and Devon Air Ambulance. Bikers are asked to ride their machines to the funeral"
Wayne Campbell Died Oct 21st 2003  
It is with deep regret that i must inform you of the death of my cousin Wayne, known to you guys as Vtwin.  Details are not known as yet, all i know is that it happened in Whitechapel, London.  As you know he loved his SV and the commute to work, the freedom and independence only a bike can give.

He leaves behind 4 great kids with the youngest only a few months old and not forget a great wife in Sam, god knows what she's going through.

Life is so cruel and fragile at times 

Steve MacDonald

It's Ironic that Wayne wrote to me only a few days earlier asking how the inquest into Kevin's death had gone. I did in fact have a newspaper clipping but was in two minds whether to post it. Wayne's email and interest persuaded me to post it. Just goes to show that you never know what life is going to throw at you. I feel so sorry for his wife and children.

Wayne's organised a Lands End to John O'Groats sponsored ride to raise money for Hope House soon after Kevin Jones' death. You can read it in the articles sections or click here  John Tapley
Kevin Jones  Died 15th April 2003
The founder of this web site, Kevin Jones, was tragically killed on the 15th April 2003. He was riding home at lunchtime on the B4396 and came off his Honda VFR near Llangedwyn, Powys. The cause of the accident remains a mystery. Conditions were good and the two witnesses that saw him moments earlier reported that he was riding well and not traveling fast. For some reason the bike left the road on a bend and collided with wooden post.

Kevin leaves behind his wife, Karen, and two children, Hannah and Holly.   
I first met Kevin about 12 years ago when I moved up to Shropshire from London. We both worked in a large computer centre for BT based just outside of Oswestry. He wasn't into bikes then, so we only socialised occasionally. I left Oswestry in 1994 and we lost touch for a while. Kev came into biking in 1997. It started as a need to have a second form of transport, so that his wife, Karen, could have use of the family car. A bike would be cheaper to run than a car so seemed ideal.  I think Kev's first bike was a Honda 125 trails bike. He then moved up to a CB500 once he passed the various tests.

When I saw the first press launch photos of the SV650, I thought 'that's my next bike'. Unbeknown to me Kev was thinking the same thing! In May or April of 1999 I spotted my first SV in the flesh, parked up in Shrewsbury. I mentioned it to a colleague and he replied 'Oh yes, I think Kevin Jones has got one of those'. I rang Kev straight away. 'Oh yes he said had mine since Feb!' We arranged a trip out a few weeks later, and he kindly let me have a go, I loved it. He hated my bike! This site was already underway by that time and I too became a regular visitor.

Since then we've been riding buddies. Going to the various bike related places that you do with friends. He was always first in the queue to pay for a cuppa or offer a treat. We had our moments. On one occasion we went for spin up to Caernarfon Castle. It was beautiful warm and dry when we left but pissing down by the time we got to the castle. We parked up and went to the toilets. We were frozen and wet and we stood in front of the hand dryers for about ten minutes trying to get warm. We turned around and went straight back over the mountains where it was still dry and sunny. Another regular trip was to the NEC for the annual bike show. A good excuse for a day off work. Kev would drive to my house and we'd jump into my car. Not the hardened biker thing to do but we usually ended up buying new kit and there's only so much you can carry on a bike.

I get free tickets to the annual CSMA show at Donnington Park. On the 1999 trip we walking back to our bikes after an enjoyable day and Kev discovered that he couldn't find his key, time to panic. Once we returned to the bikes the key was still missing, not left in the lock as he'd hoped. A nearby attendant said the key was found sticking out of the seat lock and he told the finder to take it to the control tower. We spent the next hour or so trooping around the track from one office to another trying to track down the location of this damn key. Did I mention that it was a blisteringly hot day and that we were wearing leathers! The key could not be found. The police thought that the finder may not have handed it in, so we went back to the bikes and waited. Once we got back, there was the key in the seat lock. The finder had brought it back, probably on his/her way home. How we laughed! (Kev spent the next few weeks apologising, he felt so bad about it)

We only managed one spin out this year, a few weeks ago. We couldn't decide whether to go out on the Saturday or Sunday, we chose Saturday because the forecast for Sunday was awful. We had a good spin round north to mid Wales and ended back at my place. Both bikes were absolutely filthy, so much for my previous months of cleaning. Of course Sunday was absolutely glorious and sunny, you can't win. 

We were planning a long weekend away for this summer, somewhere in the North of England was Kev's fancy. Kev'd done Scotland the year before and had enjoyed it but didn't fancy the slog getting up there. That's about as far as the planning had got to. 

Kev's favourite charity was Hope House which is based quite close to where he lives. It's a hospice specially run for children. To find out more click on the icon.

The tribute Ride Out in May and other donations raised £325 for Kevins charity. All funds have now been passed on.  Charlotte Mansell of Hope House has written to me asking me to pass on her thanks to all those that donated. Her letter is available here 

 

 

Karen has asked me to say a few words to you all. She and the children have taken great pride and solace from all your kind words.  Grieving isn't easy, but she feels extremely proud knowing what a positive impact Kevin had on the people he come in contact with and she thanks you all.

John Tapley 19th June 2003

 

See also Waynes Campbells Land'd End to John O'Groats trip which raised another £450 for Hope House

 

19th Oct. Kev's inquest was finally held at the end of September. A verdict of accidental death was given. This newspaper clipping gives a fuller account.

 
I thought I'd raid the photo archives and paste a few photos here, as a reminder of the good times. If you've got any more, send them in.
Stratford - Rideout 2000 NEC 2001. Kev had already sold his SV for the VFR NEC 2001

I still want an SV! Yep, It't raining again. Scotland trip 2002 Kev at Renegade

I'm not a journalist, so I've no real training in this writing business. I tend to steal ideas from magazines and newspapers. It seems popular to post peoples tributes and condolences in these circumstances. I've enjoyed reading about your memories and appreciation of Kev's hard work on this site, so it seems only fair to share them with you all. Thanks for all your emails. John

Hi John, Just heard the news, and don't know what to say. I only met Kevin a couple of times on the ride out, but felt like I knew him better than that after the amount of emails that we wrote to each other both before and after I bought my SV. Even after he swapped sides to the VFR I managed to forgive him! I know that everything must be a bit up in the air for all of his family and friends right now, but maybe all the friends of Kevin who use this site could make some kind of tribute on the rideout this year? He did so much to bring all of us SV owners together through the site, and lots of people have made many new friends through the net thanks to him. Just a thought. Pass my condolences onto his family. Martyn Daniel

So sorry to hear about Kevin John, Just from the thousands of people who like me owe him so much for the site, not to mention all his family and friend i know he will be missed so much. I know you have probably had so many of these e-mails but just feel i have to say some thing, I am 24 and in the RAF, currently on 31 Sqn out in the gulf and have owned my sv for just ower a year since i bought it tax free when i was posted to Germany, i have been a fan and regular visitor to the site since just after its launch, and it has been both an inspiration and an asset! i would love to take part in a tribute ride for Kevin so look forward to it. Please keep up your work now his spirit is always in the site. That's all i have to say, today is a sad day, my thought are with his family and friends may god help you in these time. John Baxter.

John I was very sorry to hear about Kevin. Strangely, he was in my thoughts at breakfast time today. Please accept my condolences - I know what it's like to lose a motorcycling friend - please also pass on my condolences to his family. Peter Valente

John It's very sad to read about Kevin who I met at the Motorcycle museum (rideout 2000). It would be nice if the "site" were to arrange some flowers. I for one would be happy to make a contribution. Steve Warburton

John, I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling such a marked degree of shock at hearing the sad news of the untimely death of Kevin Jones. I was an avid reader and observer of the SV650 site from its early days and it was the information and help offered that led me to buying one for myself. It is easy to see the effort he put in to create and maintain such a web service. It was the advent of the ride-out that led me to meet Kevin and it became quickly evident that the persona seen through the site was reflected in the real world. He was genuine, warm and kind. As a father of three myself I can only imagine the loss now to be endured by his family and also by those who knew him well. I feel saddened to think of his passing and I am sure many would wish, as I do, to pass on our feelings of sympathy to his family and friends at this difficult time. Kevin Sharpe.

I know this will be one of a VERY large amount emails you receive but I would just like to pass my thoughts on to the family and friends of Kevin. I only met him the once at the 2002 ride out at the Ponderosa cafe in Wales, though I had email contact with him previous to that. It's just a shame that it always seems to happen to the best of people rather than the mindless nutters that spoil it for everyone else. Best Regards. Stuart Carrington

And a big thumbs up for the founder of SV650.org

 

John, I understand that you must be feeling upset at the loss of a very good friend. I never had the chance to meet Kevin, but from what has been said he must have been a really nice guy, and I think that it is my loss that the opportunity never came my way. Most of us who use the site owe so much to the man that started the project. If there is anything we can do during the ride out, such as a collection for the family etc please let us know and we'll try and organise it. I know Richard has already mentioned the possibility of dedicating this years ride out to Kevin; maybe a minutes silence before we set off will be in order. Regards, Steve Jelly 

I concur. Mark Horridge

Hi Jon, bad time to all of us, I still can not believe that Kevin left us. Tomo is very upset, but I can not imagine how Kevin's wife and girls are feeling. Tell us a bit more about the funeral arrangements, A great salute is the best we can give him as a departure for the unknown. Best Regards Jorge (Renegade)

John, sorry to hear of the sad loss of your friend, workmate, riding buddy and partner in the website, what a shock it must have been for you, my thoughts are with you and of course his family at this time, if there is anything i can do please do not hesitate to contact me. It was good to meet you at last, feel free to drop in anytime. once again my thoughts are with you all at this time, his legacy will go on in the website, his family should be very proud of him, as I'm sure they are, see you soon, Daryl Bromley

John, I got the news about Kevin. Dear Lord that is awful to hear about. I am stunned as well. Thanks for letting me know, and please give my regards to his wife. If I remember correctly he is survived by his wife and children. All my sympathies go to them as well. I barely knew him other than via email, but I am deeply saddened by such an untimely demise. It would almost seem appropriate to wear a black arm band while riding. Steven Nance (SV650.org server owner)

Hello Well first of all I would like to pass my thoughts on to the family of Kevin who I am sure are deeply distressed by this tragic news, nobody can put into words what the family must be going through at this time. I am a newcomer to biking and just browsing saw the news of Kevin's passing this news saddened me and I am sure he was a good father and husband and lived life to the full and myself being a father of two beautiful children can fully understand your and their loss, please accept deepest condolences and I wish you and your family all my sympathy. Mick Hulme

I am in total shock reading this news. May God bless him and his family. Ross

Dear John, I am shocked. today i visited your site and i found these tragically news. i bought my sv in may 1999, and quick after that date i found the sv650.org page. at that time i was very impressed by the possibilities Kevin brought to us. it was wonderful to exchange with sv-650 freaks. so i want to honour KEVIN JONES and send him a BIG THANK YOU for his sv650.org project. i feel like i lost a good friend even though we have never met and had email-contact sparsely. i want to express my condolence to his family and all his friends and the SV650.ORG community. kind regards from Vienna, Austria Peter Obidniak

Hi John, I have been a close friend of Kevin for the last 15 years since I married his wife's Karen best friend. We got together about twice a year as we live in West Sussex. We always talked about bikes, I had a RD250LC when we first met but moved to cars shortly afterwards but returned to biking last year. I have a Suzuki GSXR600 in Allstare colours, picture attached. I will try to pick up on your ride to Box Hill in late May for the tribute. I attended the funeral with Fay, my wife on Tuesday, the saddest day of my life as this has been a real shock. He was my eldest daughter's Grace's Godparent who is 10 a year older then Hanna. Holly is six the same age as my other daughter Eleece. We will all miss him. We attended each others weddings and Christenings. We are planning some trips out for the girls in the summer and will ensure Karen gets a holiday with them, and will continue to support Karen in the difficult future to come. Kevin Williams
I have been an office colleague of Kevin's for the past few years, although not actually working together in the same team, but his desk now stands sadly empty as I look over my shoulder now a few feet away. This office is still in a state of shock following this tragedy and he will be hugely missed. First and foremost he was a smashing bloke. Whatever his biking expertise he was also a font of knowledge for all those who came into contact with him at work, whether it be about PCs, web design, networking, whatever. He was always being pestered by us all for his advice on all these areas when we got ourselves into trouble. I never once heard him complain or refuse to help, although I'm sure there were times when he could well have done without the hassle. None of us can quite believe that we won't be seeing him in his place again, quietly getting on with things, as was his way. He had a habit of whistling no tune in particular and we used to give him some stick about that. He would suddenly stop and say "SORRY!" Of course our thoughts are with his family and can only guess at what they are going through. This is no cliché just because someone is no longer with us - he really was a special person, but I guess his family always knew that. Paul Astell
John,   absolutely gutted, just found out about Kevin's death. Can't believe it. Only met the guy three times, at sv ride-outs (Birmingham, Reading and Wales. I met you too, I was the guy on the naked black one from Torquay). Kev was such a lovely bloke, he did such a brilliant job setting up the sv650 site and did loads to get us all to enjoy our sv's to the full, and bring us together once in a while. Top bloke, sadly missed!!   Brian Mudge (I remember you well Brian)
Hello John, Just recently re-visited SV650.org and was shocked to read about Kevin's death. I didn't know him other than thro' the site, but as a 43 Yr old biker with wife & 3 kids who fully expect me to arrive home each day on the bike I can only begin to imagine the heartache his wife, children & family must be suffering. As a small gesture, I have donated £25 to Hope House. I used their secure site to donate online using credit card. It might be worth mentioning this facility on sv650.org as I found it very convenient especially as I live in Euro Land, & might facilitate more people to make a donation. Take Care, George
It has been about 2 years since I have visited the site. I was very shocked to hear of Mr. Jones passing. I am truly sadden. I did not know Mr. Jones, but I did visit sv650.org. I attribute my beginnings to his site. It is the reason I currently ride and bought a SV. It is for whatever reason "the push I needed." So, a few years ago I went to the site often, reading the e-mails sent in by other SV riders and his comments. ( I always found him funny ) I wanted a yellow SV, but that color wasn't available here in the States...The only way I could get one was to buy it in Canada. So, off I went to sv650.org. I got the info on how to go about attaining one in Canada. About a month later......It was mine! I still own the motorcycle and have vowed to myself to never sell it...I never will. It was my first motorcycle, but not my last. Mr. Jones created a wonderful site ( and it still is ). His site allowed people to share and exchange their ideas from around the world. Given people a place to show off their "pride and joy" and "talk shop" for a little while. It has brought together many different people, but with one common interest...the little SV650...if life where only that simple. I bid his family and all his friends my deepest condolences. Sincerely, Michael Espinosa