About us

The TSS Motorcycles story began in late 2003. Taka and Stewart went to Japan and bought back two containers of motorcycles to sell to the local motorbike shops. They had roped in a mechanic named Sam and TSS Motorcycles was born.

“I intended to be a wholesaler and sell them on to local bike shops but that just didn’t work. So within two months I became a dealer and hired two mechanics.” – Stewart Rodwell

Sam left since it was not what he had signed up for and Taka was unable to get citizenship so returned to Japan. Stewart remained and barely able to get $200 a week from the business to support himself moved into a room in the building he leased to store motorcycles. His teen daughter also stayed there on the weeks he had custody. From there he began to build the team with the dream of a motorcycle shop by riders for riders.

Stewart had been riding since he was 6 years old and wouldn’t stop. He bought other passionate motorcyclists into the team with the promise that TSS would be the biggest and best motorcycle shop around. As business increased, he was able to get bigger and better motorcycle franchises, to sell iconic new motorcycles while continuing to sell quality second hand motorcycles. Now, TSS Motorcycles is the biggest and best motorcycle shop in the region.

“I was told I had rocks in my head and now the person who told me that has been working for me well over 10 years and is the Dealer Principal.”

In 2012 we moved to the current two-level building 411-413 Cuba Street. From 2009 – 2018 we were the first non Japanese Red Baron store in the world. We became TSS Red Baron, to maintain a quality second hand motorcycle supply until Red Baron left Australasia. In 2019, Mrs Rodwell stopped volunteering and wound up her small businesses to work alongside the TSS Motorcycles team, which had grown dramatically. In 2023, Jimmy took over as Dealer Principal and now runs the shop with the assistance, expertise, and experience of the TSS motorcycles crew. He also supports his son in Keiran Mair racing and many other riders through TSS supporting the local riding community.

Upstairs, level one, Andrew Lawrence and now Jay have been instrumental in the development of the massive parts and apparel selection we have now. Ground level genuine parts and accessories was established 2021 to showcase our brands KTM, Triumph, Indian and Suzuki, supporting these riders and the TSS sales and workshop teams. The workshop, now run by Jeremy, has trained numerous mechanics and is a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Stewart’s lifelong passions have been motorbikes, martial arts and tanks. Long time visitors to the shop may remember his WW2 tank collection. You can now see these in Cars Inc, the car museum in Upper Hutt. He is not in the shop very often but drops by most days and is more often seen at the track with his grandson than riding himself, although he may still be seen attending rallies and events from time to time.