Paul Koczak

    A self confessed motorbike nut, Paul has over 40 years of riding experience. He’s ridden to more places in both Australia and overseas than most people have had hot meals. So when he has something to say about motorbikes, you listen in closely.

    Facebook-f Instagram

    A bit about Paul...

    There aren't too many people in the dirt bike community who haven't heard of Paul Koczak. Paul grew up in the Otway Ranges, he has lived Gellibrand, a small town located on the doorstep of the Otway Ranges since 2001. It is his knowledge of this area that sees so many people seek his advice.

    There is nothing Paul likes better than jumping on his bike and exploring the bush. This is a pleasure he has enjoyed with his son Max since a young age. It’s great when you know plenty of people with private property who are happy for you to use.

    In more recent years his son Max has proven himself to be a very good rider, now 18 he has the opportunity to ride where he wants. But the lack of opportunities for young kids to ride was one of the driving forces behind Paul being an inaugural founding member and current President of the Otway Enduro Club. The club aims to build a family environment and allows kids to ride in a safe environment surrounded by parents all with their best interests in mind. 

    Like many of us Paul likes tinkering on his quite substantial collection of bikes. In fact tinkering undersells his knowledge of motorbikes and their engines. When you’ve owned over 50 different motorbikes through your riding career you do tend to learn a thing or two. Ironically he hasn’t past much of this knowledge onto young Max, he would prefer that Max not touch the bikes. Do we detect a little OCD in Paul?

    Paul’s own amateur riding career saw him ride in the Victorian Enduro Series in the 1980s & ’90s. He rode the Australia Safari in 1991 on his Honda XR 600. He was the President of the Warrnambool Motorcycle Club for two years in the late 1990s and got the grass track racing going during his time there.

    His adventure riding has seen him ride the Vic High Country countless times, the Simpson Desert, Canning Stock Route, Gulf Country, Cape York, Tasmania, New Zealand, Cambodia and about 30,000kms exploring Europe and Morocco.

    Paul is a qualified builder, you can still find him working outside on building extensions, decks, fences, well anything you’d like really. His wife Maria and he, are also the owners and managers of the Gellibrand River General Store which also incorporates the Post Office.

    You could say Paul likes to keep busy and you’d be right. There are too many trails to ride and fun to be had for him to be relaxing in front of a fire with a blanket over his legs. 

    Paul Koczak – Adventure Bike Shop Founder

    We think it's important that you know you're buying from a real true blue motorbike nut in Paul Koczak. Need proof, then we've collated a timeline outlining Paul's association with motorbikes. It's intriguing to say the least.

    April 1971
    Where it all started
    Paul first got hooked on motorbikes when age 11, he watched a Yamaha DT 360 ride up a steep hill to his family house at Carlisle River (Otway Ranges) in 1971. From this point on he was obsessed with them.
    April 1971
    1972
    First motorbike
    Paul's first bike was a Suzuki TC 90 Dual Range, this bike to him represented freedom. The freedom to explore, the freedom to ride fast and the freedom to challenge himself to get better at all aspects of riding with this green beast and the Otways was the perfect place to do it.
    1972
    Late 1970's to early 1990s
    The Japanese Bike Era
    During the late 1970's, 1980s on into the early 1990s, Paul owned a selection fo Suzuki's, Honda's and Yamaha's including TS 185, TS 250, TS 400, PEs, IT 490, XR 600s, RMXs and finally a Yamaha WR 200.
    Late 1970's to early 1990s
    March 1982
    1982 Yamaha IT 490
    In this photo Paul almost cracked a smile, which is not surprising because this was the first brand new bike he ever purchased. This was ridden in his first race in the VIC Enduro series in Erica.
    March 1982
    1984
    Camping and Biking
    From an early age Paul liked to get away from it all, go camping and go riding. This photo taken in 1983 shows his panel-van being put to good use taking the bikes to the outback for some R&R.
    1984
    June 1987
    Travelling with his dog, Moose
    This photo was taken in Queensland on his way to Townsville in the late 1980s. That's his best mate Moose on the bike with him.
    June 1987
    June 1991
    XR 600 Outback Racing
    One of the first in on the day, must've been up the leader board in this Australian Safari race, this is a photo from a man proud of his efforts.
    June 1991
    June 1985
    Sidecar Racing
    Paul with his mate Goose Shepherd racing sidecars. Paul is the passenger hanging out the side. They raced these sidecars for about 5 years, Paul loved it.
    June 1985
    1993
    Draught Horse and Wagon
    At one stage in Paul's life he owned a one horse powered vehicle.
    1993
    November 1995
    The KTM that began a love affair.
    In 1995 purchased his first KTM a 1995 620 Purple Dakar. Paul rode this bike everywhere, if competed in MX, Pony Express, Grass Track, Trail Riding and even a 10 month tour around Australia. This KTM was the first of many, including a 620 SC, 400 SC, 640 Adventures x 4 (he still owns two and will never sell them), KTM 450 EXC, 2019 KTM 300 EXC, 2014 KTM 690 EnduroR, KTM 1050 which is based in Europe.
    November 1995
    June 1997
    Crossing the Simpson Desert
    You wouldn't believe how wet the Simpson Desert can get, this photo of Eyre Creek is proof. It took them 24 hours to get this Landcruiser to budge, it was an adventure but all ten men and one dog made it to the Birdsville Hotel. Their journey was even featured in newspaper, although the exposure and a photo of Ray (brother of Paul) with his blue heeler, earned a fine from the ranges. It would seem no dogs were allowed.
    June 1997
    June 1998
    KTM 620 Pony Express Race
    Who knew one motorbike could be so versatile, this is a photo of Paul competing in a Warrnambool Motocross Club Pony Express on his KTM 620.
    June 1998
    1996
    Top End Australia Trip
    The beauty of riding motorbikes is you can get to remote locations. In this photo Paul was riding along a Queensland beach above Weipa when he came across a hollowed out canoe which had drifted from most likely Papua New Guinea.
    1996
    March 1997
    KTM Adventure Trip, finding your own way.
    Paul likes exploring which sometimes leads to finding or in this case making your own way through the outback.
    March 1997
    August 2005
    Adventure Trip Published
    An adventure trip Paul organised in 2005 ended up being featured in the publication Australasian Dirt Bike. The trip started in Gellibrand and went all the way to the Canning Track. Beginning with four riders only two successfully completed the entire journey. Paul did the trip on a 1999 KTM 640
    August 2005
    November 2019
    KTM 1050 Europe Adventures
    Paul has completed many trips around Europe on both a KTM 690 and KTM 1050. This photo was from a 2019 trip, he's estimated he has travelled about 30,000kms exploring Europe and Morocco.
    November 2019