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Koch Kollection

It couldn’t have been a colder day, I’m talking complete with 12” of blowing snow and wind gusts to 40MPH, you know, your typical snow day in South Dakota. I decided there was no better day to go check out a “Kool Kustom Kollection” of motorcycles owned by Doug and Steve Koch in Madison, SD.

Stepping inside, I was instantly whisked back to the 70’s with an array of mint condition street bikes, trail bikes and flat track racers of the era. I didn’t know where to turn first. I spotted a 1973 XS650, in that corner I saw a 1968 Honda CL125, and over there I spied a 1969 HD 350 ERS flat tracker. Oh man, it was an overload for me visually, never mind the bikes, the walls were chock full of images of local riders with sweet old bikes and much racing history, everywhere I looked this place was full of tons of cool motorcycle memorabilia, pictures, posters, motorbikes and old toys.

I was greeted by both Steve and Doug Koch, who have been just a couple of brothers fortunate enough to make a living in an industry they hold much passion for. “These bikes have just been some we rode, raced, or ones we bought over the years; it’s been over 40 years of this, and we finally took the time to display the machines and memorabilia we have collected over the years”, Doug explained to me as we walked around inside the museum he meticulously created.

It may have been the coldest day of this month yet, but listening to Doug and watching the smile on his face as he told me stories that went with each and every bike no doubt kept all of us warm. I can’t remember the last time I was able to talk with someone that truly lit up like Doug did when talking about these old bikes. These guys are the real deal, the true enthusiasts.

Doug had a story for just about every bike, and I really enjoyed hearing about the ‘74 Kawasaki KX450. It was featured in a photo hanging on the wall of Doug and some of his friends trail riding in the Black Hills in 1975. “We rode out to the hills all the time, just the way you see us in the photos. It’s just what we did, we loved it.” Doug recalled as we looked at this bike, “No trailers, no fancy gear, just what you see there.”

I spotted a faded Jean Jacket filled with cool patches from the 70’s, “Ha, that’s my old jean jacket, talk about a pack rat. I never got rid of it, even when it started to fall apart, I wore the heck out of that thing,” said Doug. I could sense the miles and memories as I looked at that jacket and Doug told me how he sewed each and every patch on with the utmost care.

We looked at his Harley M50 and talked about the tank, it was one that followed the frame vs. the more common tanks that sit straight back, making this little bike more rare. I enjoyed the few Kawasaki triples he had on display. One being an original ‘72 H1 500. Doug talked about how he admired most motorcycles that were all original. “You can see the miles these bikes put on when they are original, you know they have stories to tell, you know they have been ridden and used in the way they were meant to be used. Restorations are nice, but looking at a bike and imagining the fun times that were had is much more enjoyable to me.” I couldn’t agree with him more.

The Koch Kollection is nested inside a building adjacent to Interlakes Sports Center in Madison, SD. Brothers, Doug and Steve, worked at this motorcycle dealership in 1972, in 1973 Steve purchased the shop and the two have been dealing with motorcycles, snowmobiles and water crafts since. Interlakes is a dealer for Kawasaki, Honda, Ski-Doo, Yamaha and Arctic Cat. The dealership offers new and used parts and accessories as well as service. They sponsor many local racers and are very active in the racing scene as generations in this family all enjoy the sport. With over 40 years in the motorcycle business their knowledge is exceptional and the environment is family friendly. An active family in snowmobiling, ice racing, motocross and trail racing.

For me I think the part I like best of this collection was the inclusion of local riders. Many of the bikes inside belong to customers, friends of the Koch brothers. The walls are full of images of locals with some of their first bikes, and not necessarily bikes that were bought at the family dealerships. There was no hidden agenda of self-promotion here, just a genuine love of the sport of motorcycling. Pictures include a shovelhead drag bike studded up for ice racing owned and piloted by local builder, Leo Hess. Many pictures of Shawn Martin with some of his fine Kawasaki’s and tons of other great treasures in the area. “We like to showcase friends and family around the area that put in many many hours, days and years working on vintage motorcycles and snowmobiles. We truly love to hear the stories of where they found the bike, or sometimes it is an original bike they had from when they were younger. It’s what brings us “Kollectors” together,” said Doug.

Doug informed me that as of now there is many more that need to be displayed, but like any other collector, he ran out of room. He mentioned there may be plans to add on, especially since they need more room to display the snowmobiles. “They take up so much room, we are going to have to do something to accommodate them all.” You can stop by the dealership anytime and ask to take a look at the museum. Doug reminded me they are always happy to share the collection with anyone. When the riding season starts back up again they hope to have the museum open more and at least always on Saturdays. Only about an hour north west of Sioux Falls, it’s the perfect place to spend a few hours, especially on those cold non-riding days, or “South Dakota snow days”, like I picked to spend some time milling around the vintage bikes of the Koch Kollection. Better yet, it’s great destination to ride to when the riding season starts again!

March 2016

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