From Vincents and Moto Guzzis to the legendary Britten and the BSA Goldstar 350, Kiwi Bikers captures the love affair New Zealanders have with motorcycles. From north to south, and from veteran bikes to the latest high performers, this book showcases 85 incredible motorbikes and their passionate owners. Shot by motorbike enthusiast and respected magazine photographer Ken Downie across New Zealand in a major two-year project, the 85 astounding portraits include some of the most famous names in New Zealand motorcycle sport and photo essays of the last-ever Brass Monkey rally, races at Pukekohe, and the Burt Munro Challenge.
Ken Downie's photography career began in the photography department of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, where he worked as a photographic technician before gaining admission to the highly regarded photography course at the Wellington School of Design in 1985. A job as a photographer at the National Museum of New Zealand now Te Papa followed. In 1990, Ken left for Hong Kong, and became interested in a more documentary approach to photography; combining interviews and writing with image taking. Today Kens interests range from portraiture to architectural and industrial photography. He has documented large construction projects, and worked as a photojournalist for Metro, North & South and the New Zealand Listener. His photographic projects are held in the permanent collections of the National Library of New Zealand, Te Papa and the Hocken Library. As a writer Ken is fascinated by stories about people, architecture, art, culture and also, of course, motorcycles.