Style Rider focuses on the intersection of motorcycle culture and individual style. Here we speak to Yamaha XSR700 rider Sacha Styles about workwear and riding with his Dad.
Name: Sacha Styles
Residence: Melbourne, Australia
Occupation: Photo Lab Technician
Instagram: @sachastyles____
Today’s ride: 2021 Yamaha XSR700. Just the usual few modifications to freshen up the bike; SC Project Conic 70s exhaust, tail tidy and bar ends. LED Brogue motorcycles headlight (really good bit of kit) and a home chopped front fender to seal the deal. My next modification will be to add Protaper bars to lower the riding position just a tad.
Describe your style: To keep it short and sweet I’d say classic workwear pieces mixed in with ‘grandfather chic’. Workwear fits like nothing else, and why not paired with some loafers? Today I’m wearing Dr Martens loafers, Stan Ray jeans, Dickies Eisenhower jacket, vintage trucker hat, TAG Heuer Aquaracer chronograph watch, Biltwell Gringo Helmet and Wells Lamont gardening gloves.
Favourite items: On the bike, the SC Project exhaust would be my fave. It has the perfect sound without drawing too much unnecessary attention. Clothes wise, these Dr Martens loafers. Functional and pleasing to the eye.
Style inspiration: I’d love to say someone like Steve McQueen, but ultimately my style has mainly evolved through anyone I look up to and surround myself with.
Best local ride: It’s not the most local but the backroads and dirt paths in-and-around Christmas Hills and the Yarra Valley have been some of my faves so far since moving to Melbourne.
Best distance ride: I haven’t done many distance rides since relocating, so the Royal National Park down to Thirroul (South of Sydney) would still be my fave.
Tip for stylish motorcycling: Always be covered up, adding some technical gear underneath your regular clothes keeps the balance between safety and style.
Next motorcycle trip: I’d love to see more of Victoria’s high country or take the ferry over to Tasmania.
Why do you like riding? I’ve always grown up around bikes, Dad owning everything from sport bikes to Harley’s to Vespa’s. It’s always something I’ve wanted to do, but being able to ride and talk bikes with my Dad has been the best part about my whole experience of riding. Apart from that, as cheesy as it sounds, there isn’t much that compares to the thrills and excitement I get from being on the bike.
