Motomail

Built by Riders, for Riders

Words: Carolyn Enting

Photography: Blink Ltd

"Get your motor runnin'. Head out on the highway. Lookin' for adventure in whatever comes our way."

The iconic lyrics of Steppenwolf's song "Born to the Wild" imbue the spirit of Motomail's magnificent space in Boston Road.

Stepping into the store is an adventure. It's fun. It's expansive. It takes you on a journey. No doubt "Born to be Wild" is a song that resonated with business owners and old school pals Chris Hyland and Tony Chase, who spent their lunch hours at Selwyn College, Kohimarama, in the mid '70s cruising up and down the strip by the bike shed comparing motorbikes.

The recently refitted hangar-like space - a former boxing gym - has also attracted attention from visiting global reps who say there's nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

Between them, Chris and Tony estimate they've visited hundreds of motorcycle stores around the world so they're confident that what they have created is unique and special.

"We wanted to give people a better place to shop, that's a bit more fun and interesting and I think we've got there," says Chris. "It's a nice place for our people to be and a great environment to work in."

"This is our nod to bikers," adds Tony. "We're giving them a recreational experience and want to make it really fun. And make them welcome, where they can sit down, watch TV, have a coffee, that sort of stuff. Retail today has to provide that recreational experience along with the more functional elements of it and that's what we're trying to do here. Infuse the whole atmosphere."

Motomail probably has the biggest and best selection of motorcycle gear and accessories in Australasia. They don't sell motorcycles, though there are a few parked out front available for sale on behalf of Motomail customers "if they've got something special" because "it just adds to the experience."

Since moving to Uptown from Ponsonby, Motomail has become a weekend meet-up point in the city for motorcyclists heading out for a ride. It's a friendly, easy place where people can come and go, use the loo, have a coffee, update their gear, and find out about upcoming events.

You can pick up parts for DIY maintenance or book a bike service next door while you wait in the lounge space - where comfy couches circle a one- of-a-kind coffee table, its glass top balanced on a '69 Triumph Trident 750 engine from one of Chris's long-awaited restoration projects.

There's a widescreen that plays moto videos on a loop, while a bookshelf holds books, magazines, memorabilia and trophies. Beside it hangs a contemporary trophy mount, reimagined as a motorcycle helmet crowned with antlers.

Adjacent to this is the DIY "garage". a space designed to feel like a home workshop, complete with a faux window overlooking ferns. A vintage 1926 Harley-Davidson takes centre stage, surrounded by shelves stocked with oils, filters and do-it-yourself repair essentials.



Nearby, a chandelier suspended from the ceiling marks the womenswear zone. Throughout the store, gear is thoughtfully zoned - from shoes, jeans and apparel to luggage, gloves and headwear. Helmets are displayed along a meandering, street-like pathway, turning browsing into a journey.

The changing-room numbers are a subtle nod to motorcycling legends - 46 for Valentino Rossi and 26 for Casey Stoner - while a double-storey rear wall is transformed by a floor-to-ceiling adventure mural of a lone rider on the open road towards Mt Cook.

"New Zealand is a great country for adventure riding," says Chris. "Compared to overseas, we're lucky here, especially in the South Island. There are so many trails, tracks and roads that are accessible and beautiful to ride on."

The sense of adventure that bikes provide is also what Tony - who rides a Harley-Davidson Road Glide - loves about motorcycles. "You don't get in a car and just aimlessly explore, whereas you hop on your bike and sometimes don't know where you're headed."

Chris loves his vintage bikes and races a 1962 Triumph 350. His personal collection is mostly made up of Triumphs and a 1972 Honda XL250 which he and Tony both aspired to own when they were 15. They also each have a Vespa for inner city errands. Their shared love of bikes led to an opportunity to buy Motomail from founders Phil and Gail Scott in 2002, with Phil continuing to work in the business. Over time, Tony has moved in and out of the business, at one stage focusing on importing the clothing brand REV'IT from the Netherlands. The 2020 Covid pandemic saw him return to New Zealand in his semi- retirement. With Chris in need of an extra hand, the old pals and former business partners joined forces once again.

The business moved from College Hill, Ponsonby, to Boston Road, Uptown, in July 2024, when the landlord indicated that he wanted to demolish the space to build apartments. After a year of hunting they found the Boston Road premises and committed to creating an epic fitout.

"The location is great for our customers and you can get places pretty quick," says Chris.

A new offering to the business in 2025 is bike servicing next door "because getting a warrant of fitness for your bike is not easy in the city".

Their investment in the space is also about adapting to the changing face of retail and move to online shopping, even though online sales are already a big part of Motomail's business model.

"The landscape has changed a lot and we've had to adapt and stay relevant. It's been hard work and it's certainly not an industry you can just cruise through," says Chris. "New Zealand's a small country and nothing's super easy. You've got to work at it."

However, when it comes to bike gear, nothing beats trying in on for size, especially when the correct fit can make the difference between injury and walking away from a spill.

Motomail specialises in road and adventure gear - they don't do motocross and off-road-and are best known for their mid-range and top-quality product, and they are the only New Zealand supplier of Italian brand Dainese. They also keep on top of material and design innovation in the moto space.

Here you can find armoured undershirts that can be worn under streetwear - which is a whole new category opening up - and air vests with airbags that inflate within 0.2 of a second. Some manufacturers are also now designing jackets with expansion built in to accommodate air vest activation.

“Jeans have also come a long way and so protective now," says Chris. "They're stretchy, comfortable, not so heavy or hot, and so easy to wear."

Motomail 

41 Boston Road

Phone: 0800 668 662

Website: motomail.co.nz 

Instagram: @motomail_nz