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R.I.P.: Racer, Dealer, Sponsor Devin Battley (Updated)

By John Ulrich
By John Ulrich

R.I.P.: Racer, Dealer, Sponsor Devin Battley (Updated)

© 2025, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. By John Ulrich.

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Devin Battley (85) on one of his favorite bikes, a Yamaha FZR1000. Photo by Bob Hartman/etechphoto.com.

Motorcycle racer, dealer, and sponsor Devin Battley died December 3rd after an illness. He was 75 years old.

Over the years, Battley raced in AMA Pro, WERA and CCS events. Besides racing, Battley owned and operated Battley Cycles in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The shop sold Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Yamaha, Buell, and BMW motorcycles for 30 years before Battley sold it in 2018.

One of Battley’s claims to fame was taking Erik Buell with him on a 1987 Harley-Davidson dealer-incentive cruise. On the cruise ship, Battley convinced Harley-Davidson executives to commit to ordering enough motorcycles to make it possible for Erik Buell to launch the Buell Motorcycle Company. 

A social media post made by Devin Battley in 2017.

Among others, Battley sponsored young Ukrainian racer Nick Kalinin in Red Bull Rookies Cup; Supersport300, a support class running with the Superbike World Championship; and other events. Battley was a frequent visitor to Ukraine, owned property there, and sponsored several Ukrainians who legally immigrated to the United States. He even adopted a family of three–parents and a young daughter who were admitted into the U.S. and moved into Battley’s large house in Maryland.

Devin Battley (left) sponsored young Ukranian racer Nick Kalinin, including when Kalinin was starting his career in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. (Date unknown.)

Battley also sold (and arranged shipment) of several high-end motorcycles to the King of Jordan and other royals.

Godspeed, Devin Battley.

(Additional information will be posted when and if it becomes available.)

Devin Battley poses with one of his racebikes.

 

This Just In From Devin Battley’s Family:

(Shared by Nick Mccabe on behalf of Tacey Battley and Tom Buzas) 
 
Devin Battley
August 31, 1950 – December 3, 2025
Devin Battley passed away at his home in Montgomery County, Maryland, from complications of pneumonia on December 3, 2025.
 
Born in Arlington, Virginia, in 1950, Devin took an early interest in anything with a motor. He began racing motorcycles at a young age and never looked back. He truly lived his entire life on two wheels. By the early 1980s, Devin was racing at the professional level in the Battle of the Twins series, which often ran in conjunction with the AMA Superbike series. Over the years, he competed on many different brands, including Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Yamaha, BMW, and Triumph motorcycles.
 
He was a formidable competitor, winning several championships and racing throughout the United States and internationally. Toward the end of his career, he teamed up with Dutchman Racing to prepare and transport all of his race bikes.
 
In 1985, Battley purchased Rockville Harley-Davidson in Montgomery County, Maryland, and launched his career in the motorcycle industry—an endeavor that, of course, remained deeply intertwined with his passion for road racing. He quickly found success and would eventually add Yamaha, Ducati, BMW, Bimota, and Triumph franchises, creating a destination dealership that served both Harley riders and enthusiasts of some of the most exclusive brands in motorcycling. Despite the diverse clientele, it all worked at Battley Cycles / Rockville Harley-Davidson because of the passion Devin and his staff shared for everything on two wheels.
 
His career as a dealer was remarkable. He continued to race AHRMA events well into the 1990s while also supporting aspiring road racers from the Mid-Atlantic region. He was instrumental in encouraging Harley-Davidson Motor Company to support Erik Buell, who would later found his own motorcycle company using Harley engines. Battley became dealer #0001 for the Buell brand. Over the years, he sold motorcycles to a long list of celebrities and public figures, including Mike Tyson and the King of Jordan. He personally delivered bikes to Jordan and made several trips back to ride with the King.
 
Building on the success of his dealership, Battley was able to acquire and develop an impressive portfolio of real estate in Montgomery County. He eventually sold the dealership in 2018 but retained a small ownership stake as well as the building.
 
He was also a strong supporter of several young racers from Ukraine and the Mid-Atlantic area. He supported Nick Kalinin in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship for several years and was an early backer of flat track racer Jared Mees, who went on to win a record-setting 10 AMA Grand National Championships.
 
Throughout his life, Battley was known for being fiercely loyal to his employees, many of whom were like family and worked at the dealership for more than 25 years. He loved a good challenge—especially if it involved questioning a law or rule he disagreed with. He also served as president of the Maryland Motorcycle Dealers Association.
 
Battley is survived by his sister, Tacey Battley, and by his large collection of unique and rare motorcycles, which were as dear to him as family

 

 

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