Welcome

Introduction to LHR Motorcycle Magazine

Welcome to LHR Motorcycle Magazine, where the throttle is always open, the stories are always real, and the heartbeat of South Africa’s motorcycle culture pulses through every page.

Founded with nothing more than raw passion, a deep respect for the lifestyle, and a vision to give riders a platform of their own, LHR—which stands for Loyalty, Honesty, and Respect—has grown into one of South Africa’s most authentic and fiercely independent motorcycle publications. We don’t report from the sidelines. We live this life, ride the same roads, face the same battles, and celebrate the same victories as our readers.

At the heart of this publication is Editor-in-Chief Ian van der Merwe, a lifelong rider and storyteller who also lives with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is a progressive, often unpredictable illness—but Ian hasn’t let that stop him from doing what he loves: giving a voice to the motorcycling community. In fact, it’s this very challenge that fuels the soul of the magazine.

Every edition of LHR is a testament to resilience—not just Ian’s, but that of every rider who knows what it’s like to fight through pain, roadblocks, and life’s unexpected detours. Ian’s journey with MS hasn't been easy. There are days when his body won't cooperate, when fatigue sets in like fog over a cold morning ride, or when just getting through a day feels like a full Dakar stage. But LHR pushes forward because the passion is stronger than the pain.

What began as a grassroots magazine, put together in a humble home office with limited resources and an unshakable will, has evolved into a publication that riders across the country now trust for real stories, real bikes, and real brotherhood. We are proudly independent, unfiltered, and unapologetically focused on the realities—good, bad, and beautiful—that define South African biking culture.

In every issue, you’ll find:

• In-depth test rides on bikes that matter—not just the ones with big marketing budgets.

• Hard-hitting investigative features that shine a light on the politics, challenges, and truths within motorcycle clubs and communities.

• Spotlights on events, large and small, that bring riders together across provinces and generations.

• Tributes to fallen riders, because we never forget those who rode before us.

• Stories of grit, garage builds, and grassroots riders—the ones who keep the spirit of biking alive, without fame or fanfare.

We also proudly amplify the voices of female riders, challenge outdated stereotypes, and explore the changing dynamics of brotherhood and sisterhood in the motorcycling world. LHR isn't just a magazine—it’s a movement.

Each issue takes weeks of tireless work: writing, editing, photography, layout, proofing, and digital production—all done in-house, all fueled by determination and love for the culture. We’re not funded by corporate sponsors or padded by advertising funding. We survive on community support, reader loyalty, and the sheer drive to keep the spirit alive.

LHR Motorcycle Magazine exists because riders like Ian refuse to let anything—disease, discouragement, or lack of funding—silence the roar of the open road.

So if you ride, wrench, race, cruise, or dream on two wheels, this magazine is for you. It’s built on sweat, spanners, steel, and stories. And most of all, it's built for the rider who still believes in freedom, loyalty, and living loud—no matter what.

Ride Loud. Stay Honest. Keep it Real.
That’s the LHR way.