Ride On newsletter -— September 2017

Spring is here, something we've all been looking forward to. And with it comes a huge number of motorcycle-related events, promotions, shows and forums. For a start, if you haven’t already heard, September has been made Motorcycle Awareness Month. It coincides with the Ride Forever NZ Motorcycle Show, featured below, and there are some free offers going in our ‘Get Ride-Ready’ promotion. Plus a couple of other stories that might tickle your fancy. Enjoy, and be sure to take advantage of those Ride-Ready offers!

Motorcycle Awareness Month

Timed to coincide with a big upswing in riding, ACC has declared September to be Motorcycle Awareness Month (MAM). With support from all the major road safety players, MAM aims to help riders get safely back in the groove if they’ve ridden less over winter, and get other road users to think about—and look twice for—motorcycles. If you’ve noticed some bright yellow helmets popping up in unexpected places, and you haven’t seen the stories on social media, it’s all part of the programme, so now you know! It’s joined on Monday the 18th by a ‘Look Twice’ campaign aimed at all road users. The objective is to remind them that motorcycles are not always easy to spot, so they need to give a second look at junctions or before any manoeuvre.  
Motorcycle Awareness Month website

Burt Munro supporting Motorcycle Awareness Month with a yellow helmet.

The Ride Forever NZ Motorcycle Show

September is also the month for the NZ Motorcycle Show and, once again, Ride Forever is the main sponsor. Taking place at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds, it’s an event that has doubled in size every year since its inception. With free ‘bike parking, food trucks, riding displays and, of course, a huge list of prizes to award, it’s a magnet for riders across the North Island—and beyond. September 16th and 17th: tickets are available on the door. See you there!
Ride Forever NZ Motorcycle Show website

Catch us on the Ride Forever stand.

Many marques will be attending the Ride Forever NZ Motorcycle Show.

Free parking at the show, and all manner of bikes to ogle.

Get Ride-Ready

With so many of us dragging the 'bike out of storage after a winter lay-off, September often sees a sudden uptick in motorcycle accidents, injuries and deaths. That's why Ride Forever is running a ‘Get Ride-Ready’ promotion from now until 18 December 2017. You can get a free 10-point safety check at loads of participating dealers nationwide and a free Ride Forever coaching course. Take advantage of either or both: it’s up to you.
Go to the 'Get Ride-Ready' page showing participating dealers
Go to on-road coaching page and book your course using the code SPRING17

Save $150 on TomTom RIDER 400!

Talking of saving money, here’s the inside track for Ride On subscribers about a great offer from TomTom. Right now you can save $150 dollars at your local dealer on the TomTom RIDER 400 (normally $649 RRP). The 400 is a great upgrade on any existing GPS with customised navigation designed specifically for motorcyclists. Choose the fun route, the fastest route, customise your own trip and share it with your fellow riders. It offers Lifetime TomTom Services at no extra cost including full map updates, real-time TomTom traffic updates and speed camera alerts. Tell ‘em Ride Forever sent you.
Find out more about the TomTom Rider 400 on the TomTom website
Watch the TomTom promo video
Watch how you can customise your trip
Watch how you can plan your ride and share with your fellow riders

TomTom 400

The 2017 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR)

Established in Sydney in 2012, DGR is now a worldwide phenomenon dedicated to raising funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and men's mental health. This year’s event takes place on Sunday 24 September. There are rides organised all around NZ, from Auckland to Timaru, and it’s still not too late to register and get yourself sponsored, or to donate.
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride website

Some distinguished gentlemen riding

Bonneville to Bonneville

Recent Speed Weeks at the Bonneville salt flats have been mixed, with racing cancelled in 2014 and 2015 due to the conditions and the salt not in good shape for 2016. But 2017’s event in August was deemed a success, which will be music to the ears of one NZ rider preparing for his return to Utah in 2018. Fergus Mayne is well known in the Kiwi motorcycling world, having worked at TSS Red Baron in Wellington, won the Hyosung championship a few times and now working at Cyclespot Group on Auckland’s north shore. His aim is to take the world land speed record for 650cc pushrod production motorcycles with a 1970 Triumph Bonneville. The bike has to appear completely standard but engine mods are allowed. With the record standing at 106.4mph, we reckon Ferg’s in with a shout. We'l update our news and articles section on Fergus's progress.

Fergus Mayne and what he hopes will be a world record breaker in 2018.

Ferg’s totally original T120R Bonneville, fresh from California.

Even after considerable work it will look just like this on the outside.

Ride & Decide from MSAC

The Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) has a big focus on its Ride & Decide programme in September. The initiative aims to share different agencies’ motorcycle safety plans with riders and get feedback. It kicks off properly with a Motorcycle Safety Summit in October, but MSAC will be sharing details in the run up on its website.
Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council website

That’s all till next time

We hope you enjoy some great riding this spring, and don't forget to take advantage of those Get Ride-Ready offers. If you'e going to the NZ Motorcycle Show, be sure to step on our stand and say 'Hi'. You can't miss us: it’s a big stand not far inside the main doors. We may even have a few choice giveaways for you if you let us know you're a subscriber! Until next time, stay shiny side up and make sure you Rock the Gear every time you ride.
Rock the Gear website