About Crescent Motorcycles
Crescent Motorcycle Co. proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, marking an extraordinary three generation journey from a small corner store in 1950 to Crescent’s multi-outlet, industry standard showrooms and World Championship winning racing team of today.
Founded by Ted “Pop” Denning, Crescent began as a local cycle and motorcycle shop in Charminster Road, Bournemouth – the business simply named after its location on the corner of St Albans Crescent. From humble beginnings - selling bicycles, repairing motorcycles, and offering hardware store services including cut-price heating paraffin to local pensioners! - Crescent has grown into one of the UK’s most consistent and well-regarded motorcycle dealership groups, with a deep-rooted passion for customer service and performance.
Still largely a family business, both in its ownership structure and operational ethos, Crescent’s latter day success was fuelled by Ted’s son John Denning’s development of the business and establishment of the Crescent Suzuki franchise in 1963 – creating Suzuki’s longest standing UK dealership. Current Managing Director, Paul Denning, was able to use Crescent’s stable platform and good business reputation created by John to further expand, and also to establish Crescent’s British Superbike racing team in 1995.
Over the last 15 years Crescent’s relationship with Yamaha has grown to the extent that “Crescent Yamaha” has become one of Yamaha Europe’s premier dealership groups. Crescent Yamaha’s flagship Verwood store, which also houses the GYTR Pro Shop and sits adjacent to the Yamaha WorldSBK team’s operational HQ, is supported by Crescent’s newest Yamaha outlet in Southampton and the much-expanded Bournemouth location, which also still enthusiastically offers Suzuki sales and expert service. Crescent has also become a renowned used bike specialist, further enhanced by its recent acquisition of Dynomite Motorcycles - also currently located in Bournemouth.
With decades of industry accolades, including multiple "Dealer of the Year" awards from manufacturers, trade press and Motorcycle News, Crescent has remained at the forefront of the UK motorcycle scene, adapting and evolving to meet the needs of riders at every level and in every discipline.
Paul Denning – Managing Director and Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team Principal:
“75 years is a long time for any business to survive and develop, especially in an industry as sometimes challenging as the motorcycle market can be. The foundations laid down by my Grandfather but more importantly by my Dad John, who is so dearly missed by all of us, allowed me and the team to take some risks and to significantly develop the business over the last 40 years. John’s clear principles have been what has shaped Crescent over the years – be honest, do what you say you’re going to do, pay your bills on time and treat your customers as friends and the biggest assets of the business. I don’t believe we get it right 100% of the time, but I do believe that we always try – whether in the showroom or at the racetrack. We have some great people at Crescent - including some who have been with the business longer than I have which is a scary thought! – and some talented younger people who look set to take Crescent forward on its journey. Motorcycles provide a lot of freedom and a lot of fun, and we are lucky to work within an industry that brings smiles to so many faces.”
Our experienced teams at each showroom are passionate about motorcycling and have an unrivalled depth of knowledge to ensure you find and look after the right motorcycle to meet your exact requirements. From tourers to adventurers, from street to custom, from scooters to lightweight 125’s and from race replicas to off road – we have a large selection of models available and a range of demonstrators for you to ‘try before you buy’.
Racing heritage
Top level motorcycle performance and competitive spirit have been part of our Crescent DNA since even before the company was started when the founder, Edward “Ted” Denning, regularly raced his Triumph in Guernsey’s popular sand races before World War 2. For the last 25 years. Crescent Racing has professionally competed and won at the top national and global level in British Superbikes, World Superbikes, MotoGP, enduro and moto cross. Since 2016 Crescent has operated on behalf of Yamaha the official factory World Superbikes team from a “state-of-the-art” purpose built race centre at Verwood, Dorset.
Importantly technical knowledge gained from a passion for success and winning results on the track helps to apply the invaluable experience gained to deliver best quality advice, support and service for the benefit of product improvement and enhancement for customers to experience ultimate performance and durability. This is especially relevant within the Crescent Yamaha GYTR Pro Shop with the aim of winning success for all customers.
Going the extra mile
Crescent has everything you need to start your motorcycling journey and to take your two wheel experience further. Whether it’s for fun or mobility all our showrooms can offer approved rider training and advice for the first time motorcyclist with a wide variety of affordable purchase options available.
For the experienced motorcyclist and enthusiast our qualified and factory trained technicians will “go the extra mile” and provide the quality of service and support demanded to ensure the ownership and riding experience is second to none.
The very best in clothing and protective wear is available at all our showrooms thanks to years of experience and appreciation of the demands and excitement that motorcycling has to offer. With helmet designs from top manufacturers including Shoei, Arai, Shark and AGV our personalised fitting and advice is provided to all our customers. And when it comes to stylish protective clothing we offer a range of products to suit every budget thanks to some superb choice from top quality brands.
Crescent Bournemouth
324-326 Charminster Road
Charminster
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH8 9RT
01202 512 923
Mon - Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat - 9am – 5.30pm
Crescent Southampton
Lowford Hill
Portsmouth Rd
Bursledon
Southampton
SO31 8ER
02380 403 203
Mon - Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat - 9am – 5.30pm
Crescent Verwood
23 Black Moor Road
Ebblake Industrial Estate
Verwood
Dorset
BH31 6AX
01202 820 170
Mon - Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat - 9am – 5.30pm
Crescent Motorcycle Company Ltd is registered in England and Wales Company No. 03475588 , authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 670180. We act as a credit broker not a lender, working with several carefully selected finance providers who may be able to offer you finance for your purchase. Whichever finance provider we introduce you to, we will receive a commission from them, either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow. The finance providers we work with could pay commission at different rates, this will not affect the amount you pay the lender for your credit agreement. You will be provided full information before completing your finance agreement and you can request further information at any time. We do not charge a fee for our services. All finance is subject to status and income, terms and conditions apply, applicants must be 18 years or over.
