Nathan Sutcliffe remembered after motorbike crash death

Tasmania’s motorbike community is mourning the loss of a “kind and caring” man who has left behind an incredible legacy after his shock death.

Nathan Sutcliffe.

Tasmania’s motorbike community is mourning the loss of a “kind and caring” man who has left behind an incredible legacy after his shock death.

Nathan ‘Mumbles’ Sutcliffe died on Thursday when he crashed his off-road Husqvarna motorcycle into a tree on a forestry trail near Browns Creek Rd, Bakers Beach.

The 48-year-old was deceased by the time emergency services arrived at the scene.

Close mate Joshua Statton met Mumbles in 1999 and said he had a deep passion for cars and motorbikes, along with snap-on tools, which he used in his job as a diesel mechanic.

Mumbles was a member of Hard Enduro Tasmania.

“His passion for dirt bikes grew and grew and he was the main culprit in building tracks and trails for the hard enduro guys and girls and several trails were named after some of his mishaps,” Mr Statton said.

Nathan ‘Mumbles’Sutcliffe (centre) with Joshua Statton and Chris Bayles.

“Motorbikes became his greatest joy. He would ride generally every weekend with friends, or assist with trail maintenance and race track building.

“Our hard enduro club started out because of him. I organised a 40th birthday ride in 2014 which grew as an annual thing. In 2016 we dubbed it the InsaneRide and by 2017 the mainlanders started arriving.

“Last year’s InsaneRide bought 165 racers of which 130 were from the mainland.”

Mr Statton said Mumbles earned his nickname “because you could never hear what he was saying”.

“Except when you asked him again and again he would raise his voice accordingly,” he said.

Mr Statton said the Riverside resident made friends easily but was “happy to call a spade a spade”.

“He was always keen for a can and a yarn, and Jim Beam was his friend.

“He was the first guy to offer help with anything needed and the last to ask for it. He was driven to provide and give back to the motorbike community.

Nathan ‘Mumbles’ Sutcliffe.

“He was given uncle status to our four girls who he cherished and adored, and they looked up to him.”

Mr Statton said Mumbles also helped teach children to ride motorbikes would be dearly missed by the wider Tasmanian motorbike community.

“He is known by so many off-road riders. His quick wit and kind demeanour earnt him some great friendships.

“He was kind, caring and supportive of everything. Whether it was the club, business or a kids tea party.

“He was a genuine soul and quietly spoken, and that sometimes had to be repeated. Mumbles.”

Mumbles is survived by his parents Barry and Lynn and sister Soraya.

Tasmania Police investigations are ongoing into the crash.

Originally published as Nathan Sutcliffe remembered after motorbike crash death