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 Steve Wong about building vintage dirt bikes and riding in the mountains.
Name: Steve Wong
Residence: Sydney, Australia
Instagram: @fossick_moto
Today’s ride: 1974 Honda MT 250 Elsinore restomod.
Describe your style: Riding to work and working with bikes means I need utilitarian clothing. For me, the classic look of jeans, t-shirts and boots is best. Today I’m wearing Saint riding jeans, Fossick Moto T-shirt, The Jerklys cap, Redwing boots, Kytone socks and a vintage Omega watch.
Favourite items: My Redwing boots. They have been re-soled countless times and still look great. My favourite motorcycle brand is El Solitario for their irreverent attitude to the whole custom bike scene.
Next purchase: A 1970’s two-stroke dirt bike.
Style icon/inspiration: For custom bike building and an all-around cool dude I think Walt Seigl is a cut above.
Best local ride: A ride along Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs beaches is always a treat.
Best distance ride: Two favourites. First, the Snowy Mountains Highway and Alpine Way with its combination of open plains, fast sweeping turns, multiple switch-backs and great road surfaces. Second, the Bylong Valley Way, a New South Wales country road linking the Golden Highway to the Castlereagh Highway near Ilford. It is an amazingly picturesque green valley surrounded by a rugged escarpment. The corners are open and quick.
Tip for stylish motorcycle riding: No hi-vis. Keep it simple.
Next motorcycle trip: Tasmania.
Why do you like riding? Nothing is as pure and visceral. I try to experience as many facets of motorcycles as I can, whether it be touring, circuit track days, flat-track dirt racing or building bikes.
