Throughout 2024 Rider Magazine has celebrated its 50−year history by including retrospective content written by former editors , staffers and contributors .

“ Since its first issue in the summer of 1974 until this last issue of 2024 , hundreds of people have put in countless hours to fill Rider ’ s pages with interesting , entertaining and informative content about motorcycles , the people who ride them and the places they take us ,” writes its current Editor-in-Chief Greg Drevenstedt .

Rider ’ s readers are some of the most passionate , dedicated enthusiasts who have continued to support the magazine with their hard-earned money . And that is very rare in this current age where print publications are in decline along with the advertising dollars . But Rider has somehow managed to hang on for a half century , and we offer kudos to the team , past and present , for “ keeping it real ” and listening to its audience .

The crew who had the vision and tenacity to launch Rider – Denis Rouse , Bob Mendel , Bill Estes , Ron Rubenstein , Alice Robison and others – got it right , as letters printed in its second issue attest .

“ Rider Volume 1 , Number 1 is a fabulously fascinating edition for motorcyclists of this country and the rest of the world . You ’ ve set an extraordinary standard , and all who care will be most grateful .” – Malcolm S . Forbes , Forbes Magazine

The readers have also supported Rider ’ s advertisers , the companies who make the motorcycles , accessories , apparel and other products riders need . Advertising revenue is essential to any publication . It pays staff salaries , fees for freelancers and photographers , rent , overhead and other expenses , and for most of Rider ’ s history , it subsidized the cost of printing and mailing magazines to readers .

Suzuki , MV Agusta , Yamaha , Barnett and BMW Motorcycle Owners of America have supported Rider ’ s mission since the first issue and continue to do so . Others , like Vetter , Bates and Electro Helmets came and went as the industry and aftermarket evolved . Many companies have supported Rider because they want to reach diehard motorcyclists . And that is part of the glue that makes the magazine continue to push ahead while others have folded .

Greg writes about his tenure in his latest column . “ Even though I was desperate , divorced and lacked industry experience , Mark Tuttle [ former editor ] took a chance on hiring me . And he gave me the benefit of the doubt when I made mistakes ( mostly crashes ) during my first few months . I worked hard to earn Mark ’ s trust and that of readers , advertisers and industry reps . Working at Rider gave me renewed purpose and turned my life around . Thank you , Mark , for showing me the ropes , for leading with integrity and fairness , and for being a good friend . Thanks also to Denis Rouse , Bob Mendel , Bill Estes and Tash Matsuoka for paving the way . And thank you to the Rider team : Kevin Duke , Allison Parker , Chad Cochran , Eric Trow , Kevin Wing , Quinn Redeker , Scott “ Bones ” Williams , Tim Kessel , and our other contributors for helping us maintain high our standards . I also want to thank everyone else at our company for providing the support we need to keep on keepin ’ on .”

Here are some of the highlights from Rider ’ s first 50 years :

1974 : Founded by Denis Rouse and with Bob Mendel as editor , Rider publishes two issues as motorcycle sales and the touring aftermarket start booming . It focuses on touring , caters to recreational or commuting riders and avoids racing and overly technical material . Motorcycle tests emphasize everyday functionality rather than outright performance . In the same year , Honda unveils the GL1000 Gold Wing , the Motorcycle Safety Foundation ( MSF ) is established , Vanson Leathers opens for business , Robert M . Pirsig ’ s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is published and a national 55−mph speed limit goes into effect .

1976 : Rider publishes six issues . The April issue includes a special section on motorcycle camping , an interview with Craig Vetter , and Rider ’ s first Honda Gold Wing ad . Inside the cover of the June issue is a Salem cigarettes ad featuring a then-unknown model named Tom Selleck , who went on to become a Ferrari-driving superstud in TV ’ s Magnum , P . I . December ’ s cover features a space-age illustration for a special section called “ The Motorcycle of the Future .” Lockhart Industries starts running ads for its $ 12.95 Apple Warmer neck wrap .

1991 : Two sad events – Soichiro Honda ’ s death and the final issue of Cycle magazine – are contrasted by Honda building its 500,000th bike at its Marysville , Ohio , plant , and BMW its one millionth . To boost newsstand sales , our covers get splashier . The Kickstarts section is launched in April . A May story heralds the coming of catalytic converters for motorcycles . The AMA launches the Un-Rider campaign to encourage riders to dress for the crash , not the ride . Rouse writes his final columnm and the Honda CB750 Nighthawk wins MOTY

1993 : In January , Tuttle reports on his trip to Malaysia with buddy Rich Cox . April includes a mostly positive test of the Yamaha GTS1000 with its alternative front end ( it wins MOTY ). May features an interview with Jay Leno . It ’ s a big year for Harley : its 90th reunion party in Milwaukee draws 68,000 ; we hear rumors of the VR1000 superbike ; H-D becomes a minority investor in Buell ; and we become part of the Rider Group with the launch of our V-Twin-focused sibling publication , American Rider .

2012 : After being part of the Trailer Life / Good Sam RV empire since 1974 , Rider gets acquired by EPG Media .

Our managing editor and art director positions move to Minnesota , breaking up our cozy family . We report on tours in the Balkans , Ecuador , and Newfoundland , plus more here in the U . S . Tuttle tests a Ural and BMW ’ s maxi-scooters . Trow hits a nerve with “ Tales from the Dark Side ,” his report on the dangers of putting car tires on a motorcycle . Drevenstedt gets engaged to his wife , Carrie , atop Stelvio Pass during an Edelweiss Alps tour .

2021 : Drevenstedt returns and has big shoes to fill as new EIC . Art director Chad Cochran gives Rider a cleaner look , Clem says farewell , and Peter Jones writes The Moto Life column . Kevin Wing ’ s photography continues to take center stage . Kevin Duke becomes EIC of sibling publication Thunder Press , joins Rider editorial team . Trow writes about his father-and-son ride in “ Parker Discovers America .” Testing Harley ’ s Pan America 1250 , BMW ’ s R 18 Transcontinental , and Yamaha ’ s Tracer 9 GT + ( our MOTY ).

So , happy 50th birthday to Powersports Business ’ sister-publication . And here ’ s to the next 50 years . “ What a long , strange trip it ’ s been …”

Suzuki Motor USA celebrates the 50th anniversary of the legendary RM motocross line that started in 1975 . Suzuki ’ s journey in motocross began in 1965 when it became the first Japanese manufacturer to compete in the Motocross World Championship . This bold move set the stage for decades of success , marked by technological advancements and relentless competition .

As the years progressed , Suzuki continued to innovate , with the RM series making its debut in 1975 with the RM125 . This period saw Suzuki ’ s rise as a dominant force in motocross , producing machines like the RM125 , known for its advanced suspension and lightweight design . The RM series quickly became a symbol of championship-winning performance . That legacy continues today with the RM-Z line .

To commemorate 50 years of RM motocross bike , Suzuki has enhanced the popular

RM Army Edition kit offering that comes free with any 2025 RM-Z250 and 450 purchased through December 31 , 2025 .

As a tribute to five decades of motocross excellence , Suzuki is introducing five unique graphics kits , each paying homage to a distinct era of Suzuki ’ s motocross history . From the early days of the ’ 70s livery to the modern design of championship-winning RM-Zs , these graphics kits connect the past with

the present . Riders can show their pride by choosing their favorite era , enhancing their RM-Z with the same spirit that propelled Suzuki to the top of motocross championships throughout history .

Every purchase of a new 2025 RM-Z250 or RM-Z450 includes an RM Army Edition kit , which includes the Pro Circuit RM Army Edition T−6 full system exhaust and the choice of an era-specific Throttle Syndicate

As a tribute to five decades of motocross excellence , Suzuki is introducing five unique graphics kits , from the early days of the 70s livery to the modern design . Photos courtesy of Suzuki

graphics kit , allowing riders to personalize their bikes with iconic Suzuki designs . Each kit was meticulously crafted to bring back the spirit of those winning machines , reflecting the aesthetics of some of Suzuki ’ s golden years in motocross .