View from the Kiwi Rider pulpit ...

I know none of us who were involved in 1984 with getting Kiwi Dirt Rider and then Kiwi Motorcycle Rider into publication had any idea where it would lead . Back then it was getting the magazine out and then going racing , trail riding or adventure riding for the weekend . Nothing has really changed all that much , we still struggle to get the magazine done and then head away riding as much as possible , be it on test bikes or our own machines . I would like to thank all the people who have worked and contributed to Kiwi Rider over the past 40 years , without their efforts there would be no Kiwi Rider magazine in any form . I would like to thank the people below personally for their efforts as they have been the backbone of the magazine . Andy McGechan for his amazing efforts over the past 40 years chronicling NZ Motorcycle sport ; he should be in the MNZ Hall Of Fame for his services to motorcycling . His archives are all in order and his knowledge of past events is immense and , on top of that , he is a good bugger . Geoff Osborne has been capturing our test bikes and more since 1985 and he is still a big part of the team to this day , his talents are on show in every issue . Sally Petersen has been involved with our layouts and design since the mid-nineties and is still getting us out on time every two weeks - Sally has never been shy or hesitant to give any of us a serve when we are behind schedule .

Ben Wilkins has been the Editor for 11 years now , but he is so much more than the Editor . His background in IT and communications means he is my go-to guy , as i have no idea how any of this digital stuff works . But one of the benefits of the Internet is accessibilty and the ability to edit and do the layout from anywhere ; this latest issue has been designed between Colombo , Sri Lanka and Reefton New Zealand . We could see that printed publications were heading for trouble about 10 years ago and with the help of Marcel Nortje ( RIP ) we made the move to digital publishing and it has been growing ever since . I am forever grateful for his friendship and passion for pushing Kiwi Rider into the digital age . We now have over 8000 active subscribers and we are about to launch our online shop offering motorcycle accessories from most of our customers , alongside this we will be starting the Kiwi Rider Club which will see members enjoy a 10 % discount on every purchase from the KR Shop . More details to come soon , hopefully in the next issue . I have gone over the word count Ben wanted , but I figure we ’ ll only have one 40th birthday and I need to thank our advertisers who have kept the faith with us over the years and , most importantly , you , the readers , without whom I would have had to get a real job rather than playing with motorcycles . Please enjoy the first ever issue of Kiwi Motorcycle Rider we ’ ve reproduced in this issue ..

PETE ‘ VEGE ’ MCPHEE ( Kiwi Rider Publisher )

Contributions : Like to write something for KR ? e-mail a précis to editor @ kiwirider . co . nz . Electronic transmission of words ( Microsoft Word . doc ) and pictures ( hi-res jpgs ) preferred . Advertising : We offer a complete in-house advertising design and production service . pete @ kiwirider . co . nz . Published by : McStannic Publishing Ltd . Postal Address : P . O . Box 299 , Kumeu Courier Address : Kiwi Rider c / o Fullerton Motorcycles , Unit 1 , 156A Main Road , Kumeu . Phone : 09 411 7815 Fax : 09 411 7815

10 KIWI RIDER

Publisher : Pete McPhee pete @ kiwirider . co . nz 027 4 74 8675 Editor : Ben Wilkins editor @ kiwirider . co . nz 021 970 836 Marketing : Pete McPhee 027 4 74 8675 pete @ kiwirider . co . nz Design / layout : Sally Petersen Photographer : Geoff Osborne , ospics1 @ xtra . co . nz Contributors : Mathieu Day-Gillett , Nick Edards , Peter Elliott , Jacqui Madelin , Andy McGechan , Jock McLauchlan , Boris Mihailovic , Todd Sutherland , Ryan Sutherland , Jonathan Bentman . Opinions : Opinions expressed in Kiwi Rider are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher . While every effort is made to ensure accuracy , the publishers accept no liability for any error or omissions contained herein . Copyright : This digital magazine is copyright in its entirety . Material may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers . Want to re-use something ...? Just ask . ISSN 2537-9445 Cover image : Kiwi Rider