Style Rider aims to document the world’s most stylish motorcycle riders, be they riders of classic, custom or cafe racer steeds. Focused on the intersection of motorcycle culture with individual style, here we speak to Jock Houston about stylish riding in Queensland.
Name: Jock Houston
Residence: Brisbane, Australia
Occupation: Musician / Marketing Manager
Instagram: @__jock_
Today’s ride: 1995 Yamaha TRX850
Describe your style: My style comprises moto-oriented grunge with more refined elements; Chelsea boots, quality denim, cheap casual tees and statement jackets.
Current project: Too many bikes, not enough money! At the moment I’m working on Ducati S2R Monster 1000, Triumph Street Triple 675 and Speed Triple 900. I’ve also got a 1997 VFR750 waiting down in Toowoomba for a project with my old man. We’ve never worked on a bike together, so it’s pretty exciting to finally get there.
Style icon/inspiration: Billy Huxley’s a tattoo-heavy guy with buckets of style. He’s able to put something out of place into almost every outfit he wears, rocking everything from gold boots to fur to a suit.
Best local ride: Everyone in Brisbane does it for a reason as the Mt Neebo, Mt Glorious, Mt Mee and Samford Valley run offers the best riding around.
Best distance ride: Depends on what bike and what distance. Riding out west to Mungindi on an adventure tourer loaded with full gear and lots of off-road exploring is my idea of a good time. However, if you’re rocking a vintage bike, I’d recommend pulling it back to a Maleny coastal run with mates.
Tip for stylish motorcycle riding: I’m a sucker for texture more than colour: linens, fat chords, rough canvas, aged leather, distressed denim, suede, whatever works! It feels good to look outside and realise you have the perfect riding gear for the weather. Whether it’s heavy winter gloves and an oilskin Barbour jacket for the dark and stormy, or single-layer Kevlar jeans and a breathable armoured jacket for a scorcher, challenging weather never feels that bad when you’re kitted-out right.
Next motorcycle trip: Brisbane to Tasmania on my Africa Twin when the borders open up. There are so many fire-stricken towns along the way who’ll still be needing our support.
Why do you like riding? I never really got into yoga or meditation, but I remember chatting to an ex about the motivation, and she explained the same sort of feeling that I get from riding. There’s a degree of clarity that you get in your general life after you’ve been riding. It’s peaceful, and after coming from the dog-eat-dog live music industry into the motorcycle community, I can honestly say it’s a hell of a lot more wholesome, inclusive and supportive.
Photo credit: all photos were taken by Jock Houston.
