Mike was involved in what could easily have been a fatal crash in Kaikoura earlier this year, which highlighted the importance of good gear.

“The Police officer who attended the crash said it was nice coming to a car versus motorbike accident and seeing the rider had been wearing good quality motorcycle gear and was up and about,” says Mike.

“He didn’t expect to see me sitting upright and in one piece and told me that good motorcycle gear definitely helps when this type of accident happens.”

Mike was passing a line of traffic – which was doing about 85kms/hr – when a car turned into a driveway across in front of him.

“I was beside another car and had nowhere to go so hit the back right of the car which sent me flying over it and I landed on my head and shoulders,” he says.