Style Rider focuses on the intersection of motorcycle culture and individual style. Here we speak to Melly about her Ducati Scrambler named ‘Mario’, her choice of stylish and safe riding gear, and the freedom that comes with motorcycling.
Name: Melly
Instagram: @melly_d_biker
Today’s ride: Mario is a 2015 Ducati Scrambler Icon. We’ve made a few changes to him such as a Leo Vince exhaust, wrapped pipes, lowered bars, bar end mirrors, sequential indicators, tail tidy, Ducati official cut out seat (I’m a shorty!), Bridgestone A41 tyres and heated grips. Everything else is pretty much standard with the exception of the Legacy Courier Bags from Hepco and Becker.
Describe your style: I love wearing protective riding gear that doesn’t look like protective riding gear. I like showing people that you don’t always have to be wearing full leathers to be protected. Today I’m wearing a Revit Afterburn H2O jacket, PMJ Spring pants, Dainese boots, Blackbird gloves and a Shoei Glamster helmet.
Favourite items: PMJ Spring pants for the warm, summer weather. They’re lightweight and made with Cordura so I know they’ll offer protection if I’m in an accident.
Next purchase: Definitely a Belstaff jacket for the more off-road Scrambler look but still with a classy designer feel.
Style inspiration: For day to day, I go for the urban designer look. Well-made pieces with style that don’t look bulky.
Best rides: Locally, the loop down through Kangaroo Valley to Berry, and then back up Macquarie Pass via Jamberoo is pretty special. Further afield, we like to ride Sydney to Melbourne via Omeo Highway and Alpine Way.
Tip for stylish motorcycling: Be comfortable and protected in well fitting gear. There are so many moto brands out there which now offer dedicated womenswear, so hop online and see what is available. I’m constantly surprising myself (and also spending wayyyy too much money 😅).
Tip for best looking safe riding gear: Rev’it are definitely leading the way in this category and breaking stereotypes; pink for women, blue for men. They have an extensive range of top quality and well designed bike apparel for both off-road and on-road riders.
Next motorcycle trip: We haven’t planned it yet but I would love to venture out to Uluru, although not on Mario; I also have a Triumph Tiger for the longer rides.
Why do you like riding? As a business owner and mum of three, I love the freedom and headspace riding gives me; it’s also my alter-ego which makes it a whole lot of fun!
