Kiwi Rider

10/09/2025

Long time friend to Kiwi Rider, sidecar/outfit lover, BMW K-Series and Airhead guru, mechanic to the stars and all-round good bu**er, Michael Dobson, has passed away. We'll be raising a dram of whisky in his honour tonight. Ride Well MD.

"I have sometimes wondered what is the collective noun for a group of sidecars. I think the answer is a Circus of Sidecars.
The Circus rolls in to town, people flock around, they laugh and smile and then the circus moves on. Plus every Circus has clowns."

01/09/2025

Less than a week to go until the legendary Cold Kiwi Rally. We'll be heading along with a good crew (some gooder than others...) for the weekend.

Online entries are now closed, but you can still pay on the gate. For your $90 you'll get two nights of camping, two nights of live music, food stalls, a huge marquee/bar, free firewood and braziers, free coffee/tea/hot water, proper flush toilets, and... heaps of entertainment. Head along to coldkiwi.co.nz for more info.

Come along and say hi, we might even buy you a beer. Unlikely, but you never know. See you there!

This article was from last year, have a read to see what's in store.

Testing Suzuki's completely updated DR-Z4S, upgrading CFMOTO's 450MT IBEX for serious adventure riding in New Zealand's South Island, treat yourself for Fathers' Day and get your Cold Kiwi on, Suzuki's 250SX V-Strom as a small-bore adv, KTM updates the 690 Enduro R and also makes a clean/green 300EX...

23/07/2025

Hey team, the updated Rules & Regulations for the 2025 Suzuki International Series are now up on our website. We’ve made a few adjustments, so make sure you take a look. Based on the rider feedback we received, we are keeping the format similar to last year for Taupo & Manfeild, so that’s practice/qualifying and 1 sprint race on Saturday - Sunday 2 longer races. We will not be running the morning scrub session, rather a 2 lap warm up for the first round of racing on Sunday.

What’s New:
We’re introducing a Formula 1 – 2019 & earlier sub-class. These bikes will race with the main F1 field but score separate points and compete for their own championship trophy. We know there’s a lot of bikes out there itching to get back on track, so let’s see them.

This year as per MNZ requirements, machine examination is required at all 3 rounds, so please plan accordingly.

We’ll also be monitoring lap times more closely in Formula Sport, so if you normally race in that class, please read the updated criteria so everyone knows where they stand.

Series Classes:
Formula 1 / Superbikes
Formula 2 / Supersport
Formula 3
Formula Sport (Junior & Senior)
SuperMoto NZ Championships
Pre ‘89/95 Post Classics (Junior & Senior)
Formula 1 & Formula 2 Modern Sidecars
Supersport 300
Adventure Bikes (21” front wheel required)

Cemetery Circuit only:
Pre ‘82 Sidecars
Classic Solos Pre ‘72

Again we’ll be running the NZ TT Titles at Cemetery Circuit for: F1, F2, F3 & Formula Sport Jnr/Snr

Our goal is to accommodate as many riders as possible, but we need your support, so classes with low entry numbers may not run, so get your plans in place. Entries will be open early August.

We can’t wait to see you all on the grid this December!

18/06/2025

Racers, take note! The entire Suzuki International Series, including Cemetery Circuit, runs an open tyre policy – you're free to race on any brand you choose. 🏍️💨

👉 Make sure you're sorted: order your tyres now so they arrive in time for the series.

We’ll be releasing our updated rules and regulations by the end of June. They’re getting a solid overhaul to align with the direction of the series and to reflect what works best for our riders.

2025 Series Classes (provisional):
Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Supersport 300, F1 & F2 Modern Sidecars, Super Moto, Pre 89 & Pre 95 Senior/Junior, Formula Sport Senior/Junior, Adventure Bikes.

Cemetery Circuit only:
Pre 82 Sidecars, Classic Solos Pre 72.

We can't wait to see everyone at the track again in 2025, we're working hard behind the scenes to make this one of the biggest series in a long time!

03/06/2025

Ticket sales are now open for the Cold Kiwi Rally. Come spend Fathers’ Day weekend doing something fun with us. We’ll be there, come say hi and have a beer around a fire with us (you buy the beer…).

https://www.coldkiwi.co.nz/

02/04/2025

This is not good to hear , but full marks for telling it like it is ...

27/03/2025

There were the rumours... but it's finally happened! BMW has just announced the R 12 G/S, harking back to the days of G/S models ruling the 80s Paris-Dakar - with 21-inch front wheel, fully adjustable telescopic forks, 17-inch rear wheel, 109hp engine and 229kg fuelled and ready to go. There's also Enduro Package Pro which adds an 18-inch back wheel, enduro 'pegs and more. There's a lot to like. Full story in the next issue of KR on Tuesday.

25/03/2025

Get into this, should be a great day at Hampton Downs...

🏁 LAST CHANCE: Final Entries for the 2025 Triumph Track Day at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park! 🏁

Register before time runs out at: https://bit.ly/4bl3Gpu

⏰ Don't miss out – ! This is your chance to ride your Triumph on one of New Zealand's most iconic motorsport circuits. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-timer, this is the perfect opportunity to push your limits and experience the thrill of track riding.

22/03/2025

How good does the R1 look in the ‘old’ R7 colours?

21/03/2025

Fancy getting your road bike on the track at Hampton Downs? Triumph Motorcycles New Zealand has hired the Hampton Downs National Circuit for a trackday, on Wednesday April 2 - and all brands are welcome!

It should be a cracking day out on track. With several experience groups, it's suitable for everyone from those who've never been on track before to the more seasoned track rider. It's just $175 for Triumph owners and still only $195 for other brands for a full day on track. Make it a happy humpday Wednesday!

Head to https://bit.ly/3XPfbQe to sign up.

21/03/2025

Triumph's just started to tease its new TF 250-E and TF 450-E enduro models. We've heard they've got a road-legal kit in the works, which makes them super exciting as trail or lightweight adventure machines.

21/03/2025

Think you've got a fast bike? Want ultimate bragging rights when you prove it? Get yourself and your mates entered in the Landspeed trials to show who's the fastest!

From commuters to Hayabusas, it's open to all bikes (and cars) - go as fast as you dare with no risk to your licence on the 7km long Goudies Road track. March 29, between Taupo and Rotorua.

Even if you don't fancy riding, it's a fun day out watching the fastest bikes and cars in New Zealand pushing to break the records.

Enter at the Landspeed website in the link below.

Landspeed Race Entry Please complete the entry form below for our Landspeed event on 29 March ’25Driver DetailsPlease enter all the fields to enter the raceName *Date of Birth *Month *Day *Year *Mobile *Email Address *Street AddressCityDo you hold a valid, full NZ drivers license? *YesNoYou will n...