An actor , a photographer , a makeup artist and two designers walk into a gas station - sounds like the set up for a comedy story . But while laughs were had aplenty on this recent three day northern tour , it wasn ’ t a comedy gig . We all gassed up at the station in Drury , ready for our tour . The riders were husband and wife duos , plus a fifth wheel , me . Both of our couples are motorcycle mad , one pair has their current rides displayed in their entrance hall and living room . All are experienced bikers . The plan was simple , go on a tour of the North Island for three days and be home by lunchtime Saturday . Along the way I ’ d ask them questions about what it ’ s like to ride with a partner who has their own bike , from both perspectives . And maybe get a little insight into couples who ride together . Especially for women who may be thinking about having a go themselves . Over time the prevalence of couples with their own bikes seems to have increased ; certainly back in the day women tended more to pillion than pilot . Now I see growing numbers of women