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Powersports Business • October 2024 • 7

The Motorcycle Industry Council has shared that Ken Boyko , co-founder of Cobra Engineering and industry legend , recently passed . The MIC press release states :

The powersports industry recently lost a legend : Ken Boyko , famed for co-founding Cobra Engineering and widely known throughout the motorcycling community , in Southern California , across the country , and beyond . He was a giant of the aftermarket segment , an innovator , and a pioneer in creating a new category of “ metric customs ” based on Japanese cruiser models .

He was also a genuine enthusiast with a wide collection of bikes , and he greatly cared about motorcycling , providing keen insights and wise counsel to help boost the industry and make it stronger .

“ Ken invested his talents and time to the serious work of the MIC , and he did it in his own quiet style ,” says Tim Buche , former MIC president and CEO . “ He did not seek headlines or recognition , but Ken answered the MIC ’ s call when it launched the MIC Aftermarket Committee . He helped refine our approach and worked with his peers to increase participation . A phone call or lunch with Ken was a true master class in membership recruitment and satisfaction , with a focus on key and critical priorities . He always added a strong dose of encouragement , and a commitment to engage his many connections and channels in support of our efforts .”

“ When the MIC launched the Rockefeller Motorcycle Show in New York City in 2002 , Ken sent a handful of great examples from his personal collection for weeks of public display in the heart of Manhattan , which generated incredible mainstream media coverage ,” Buche says . “ Ken wanted to see future generations of riders enjoying the fulfillment and fun of motorcycling .”

“ Ken was an industry icon , although he would deny such a statement ,” says Larry Little , former MIC Chairman and Cycle World Publisher . “ He was his best possible self , take it or leave it – always looking to innovate and improve the status quo , whether it was a new product or a vision for growing the industry . If you knew Ken – and it seemed there weren ’ t many people he didn ’ t know – you were among the lucky and blessed .” From the Boyko Family : Kenneth Boyko of Newport Beach , California , passed away surrounded by the love of his family on July 23 of 2024 . He was born to Walter and Mary Jane Boyko in Youngstown , Ohio , on June 27 , 1951 . In 1954 , his parents packed up their three sons and moved to Fontana , California , where they would have one more son . In 1967 , they moved to Anaheim , California , where Ken graduated from Valencia High School in 1969 .

Ken was born with a heart murmur , which led to his first open heart surgery at City of Hope at eight years old . Afterward , the doctors said there was a good chance he would not make it past his teens , but they did not know Ken , or his will to live . Over the years he stymied many a doctor ’ s prediction by courageously battling to overcome multiple valve replacement surgeries and ultimately becoming a heart transplant recipient in 2014 . Ken was a warrior who fought and battled his whole life . With his determination , will to live , and sheer force of living and loving life , Ken was an inspiration to all who knew him .

Speaking of determination , from their first meeting , Ken pursued Laurie Heisser for years before they were finally married on October

10 , 1988 . Their first child , Dustin , was born on June 21 , 1989 , and three years later on November 18 , 1992 , their daughter , Haley , entered their lives . Ken and Laurie had a beautiful life together , supporting each other throughout their long love and marriage .

He was a successful marketing and entrepreneurial businessman whose ideas for new products and ways to market them to consumers helped shape the powersports industry . In 1977 , he co-founded Cobra Engineering and was responsible for creating an entirely new segment in the aftermarket motorcycle industry . But to Ken , his biggest success was being a loving husband , father , and grandfather . To Ken , family was everything .

Ken is survived by his wife , Laurie Boyko , his son , Dustin Boyko , his daughter , Haley Boyko , and granddaughter , Collins Boyko , as well as Dustin ’ s wife , Loren Boyko , and Haley ’ s husband , Nicholas Sylvester . Ken is survived by his brothers , Walter Boyko , Richard Boyko , and Teddy Boyko .

In place of flowers , the family asks that donations be made in Ken ’ s name to the Adult Ahmanson Congenital Heart Disease Center at UCLA . It was at UCLA where he received the gift of life from a donor and was treated with love by the many talented doctors and nurses over decades .

Co-founder of Cobra Engineering Ken Boyko was an innovator and pioneer in the motorcycle industry . Photo courtesy of Bob Haro

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