Mike Pero will celebrate six years in real estate by opening what he believes to be New Zealand’s first permanent public display of classic Japanese motorcycles this Friday.
Mike Pero’s Motorcycle Gallery will display more than 60 motorcycles from the 70s, 80s and 90s –loaned from owners and collectors nationwide.
The venture is the brainchild of Mike Pero Real Estate chief executive Mike Pero, who has always had an “absolute passion for motorcycles”.
“The idea of a gallery specialising in Japanese machines is something I have wanted to develop for a number of years,” Pero says.
“I felt that many former and current riders have an appreciation for the heritage of their motorcycles. Most machines on the road today are Japanese – it seems that so many of us still have fond memories of these older machines.”
Pero bought his first motorcycle at 15 and soon after started motorcycle road racing; at the same time he began his motorcycle mechanic apprenticeship.
Pero went on to win six national championship titles and still rides competitively today in the classic events.
The gallery will open this Friday (February 24) in his real estate company’s former office at 1 Hawthornden Rd. The Mike Pero Real Estate head office moved to larger premises late last year.
“I’m excited to bring another tourist attraction to Christchurch,” Pero says.
“Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki all produced beautiful machines – some were better than others. Each brand seemed to perform at different levels in different categories.
“I’m hoping that the gallery gives the general public an opportunity to appreciate some classic machines they haven’t seen before or have wanted to see again.
“The gallery is a permanent fixture and we will keep adding new interest, so if members of the public want to contribute to the display, we encourage them to share their hidden gems by calling us in the first instance.”
Pero is the Patron for Motorcycling New Zealand.