Dave Minton remembered, part two

In the second part of this celebration of his life, RealClassic regulars recall their encounters with DLM while readers reflect how he influenced their riding lives…

I remember meeting Dave at one of the meets at the transport café at Prees Heath. He and I were wandering around looking at the bikes in the car park and happened to both gravitate towards a freshly (over) restored Triumph Terrier. The proud owner appeared, as if from nowhere, and launched into a gushing appraisal of his machine. Dave commented on what a good job the PO had done, and, yes, you don’t see many of those, and, yes, it is a shame, and so on.
After a while the PO drifted away and Dave commented that he’d pushed those wretched machines for more miles than he cared to remember. We then carried on looking at the assembled machines where he shared some of his wealth of knowledge. Whenever else we met he was unfailingly charming and very good company.
Ian Woolley

I met Dave when we judged at a show. Subsequently we corresponded about his little trials Bantam, for which I happened to have some original literature, ads etc. I sent him the originals and, being Dave, he returned them. An impressive man. I wish I’d known him better.
Roger Henderson

Among the very best to ride and report on motorcycles. His writing was engaging, accurate and entertaining. On a personal level, he was generous and helpful. I’ve benefited from his expertise and direction. Very sorry to hear of his passing.
Nolan Woodbury

Tremendous writer with unfailing enthusiasm for motorcycling, and real, deep experience. An inspiration, up there among the very best of motorcycling writers.
Keith Kintrea

I had the slightly terrifying pleasure of driving Dave around a couple of times over the last few years. Having read his wonderful writing from the old Motorcycle Sport days onwards, I was ludicrously nervous about what he’d think of my driving…
Needn’t have worried of course – he was charm itself and a delight to be with. So often our heroes turn out to have feet of clay when met in person; but not Dave.
Sympathies to his family; Dave won’t be forgotten.
Roy Plowman

That combination of exquisite wordsmith, deep knowledge and very accomplished rider, many motorcycle journos have one or two of these, few boast all three.
Kevin Trevarthen

Another legend gone. Loved his work.
Paul Cannell

For me Dave Minton’s writing was so very special. I came across his writing in the 1970s and it opened up a whole new world. A world in which motorcycling could be much more holistic than a basic road test. Here was a writer who was able to convey how motorcycles and motorcycling felt in a sensual way, a writer who knew how to transport the reader into a position where they felt were riding along with Dave.
All things must pass, the older I get the more starkly I become aware of this basic fact of life; but it gives me joy to remember Dave’s writing, and the vicarious rides we took together.
Edward (Ted) Foreman

A great writer, a true gentleman and the reason I’ve owned my Laverda 3CE for the last forty-six and a half years.
Hamish Renfrew

I briefly met Dave Minton at the Three Sisters track during an International Laverda Owners Club meeting. We chatted over a glass of wine, or two. A charming man.
Paul Marx

Such a sad loss, Dave was one of the most genuine road testers who always wrote it as he found it. His reports were always a delight to read.
Chas Stickley

I was fortunate to meet Dave on a number of occasions and he even wrote a splendid article on my Manx Norton. Such a gentleman who will be missed on many levels.
Paul Watkins

A legend amongst motorcycling journalists, I have enjoyed his writing for many years.
Dave Piggott

A very thoughtful and erudite journalist, met him at several Moto Guzzi events as he was a fan of the marque. Will be missed.
Gerry Duffett

A thoughtful and insightful writer who never seemed to succumb to hyperbole. I’ve ridden many of the bikes he recommended and he was almost always on the mark with his impressions. A sad loss to his loved ones and the motorcycling community.
Stewart Ellinson

His writing style was compelling; added to that, the amazing amount of miles he rode brought a viewpoint born of bitter experience in all weathers and any number of machines. One knew he knew his onions. I miss his writing.
Harry Harrington

Always an entertaining and informative read.
Michael Lant

I only met Dave briefly and was surprised how much like his writing he was. That writing was always beautifully crafted and structured. I usually read his pieces more than once to savour his style, even when the content was of mere passing interest at that time.
I was saddened when he stopped writing, but treasure that I had at least shared some of his experiences.
Bill Nelson

Always read his words in all publications and as a younger man hung on many a word he wrote. It’s such a shame we have lost a great capable motorcycle rider and journalist. So many thanks for all of your motorcycle wisdom over the years…
Steve Rackham

A real gent and top rider who’ll be sadly missed.
Tony Lort

A brilliant writer. His Bendswingin’ episode about riding in the back of a Bond three-wheeler brought me to tears (of laughter that is…)
Graham Foster

I met Dave at a book signing in Oxford many years ago. We had a good conversation especially when we realised that we both served in the RAF. A gentleman and a good all-round chap.
Chris Hinksman

Very sad to see this news. By coincidence I’ve recently been reading through many of the early issues of RC and his good character and understanding nature, through the style and high quality of his writing, came through in spades.
Mark Bennett

Dave was a pure motorcyclist who really knew how to tell a great story, for all of us that loved a good read about motorcycling in all of its forms. He’s gone too soon.
Al Houghton

Such sad news, loved his articles, a man who fed my then already growing admiration for Laverdas with his writing.
Tyrone Hughes

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You’ll find plenty of articles from Dave Minton’s pen on this very site: this list will take you to most of them…