Introducing The Merlin Biker Collective

Back in August 2021 we launched the search for the Merlin Biker Collective – a group of everyday motorcyclists with a passion for two wheels and the drive to create quality, informative content.

We wanted to buck the trend when it comes to gear reviews. While the white background studio set-up works, we wanted to try something different. The rider is at the centre of everything we do. We know what it means to be a biker, but we make product for the consumer and not for ourselves, so it’s important that we let them tell the story of Merlin too.

That’s where the Biker Collective steps in. Our vision: We take three everyday motorcyclists who love getting on two wheels, kit them out in the latest and greatest from Merlin, and support them in creating content in their journey of informing the wider community about our gear.

Not only will they be reviewing our current offerings, they’ll also receive exclusive access to upcoming product to provide their feedback and give suggestions for improvement before the product hits the market. They’ll put real-world miles onto our kit and give us feedback during the development and production process and be encouraged to give honest feedback during their rides, which will be published across a range of online and print outlets.

The Collective will be kitted out throughout the year to coincide with new releases across a mix of our collections – Heritage, Leisure Moto and the newest collection, Explorer. As well as creating their own content, they’ll be helping us out too, so expect to see them on our website, our retail network’s websites, in email and print campaigns and on our social media modelling our gear.

Now, onto the search. We teamed up with Bennetts Bike Social to reach thousands of bikers across the UK who wanted to jump aboard the good ship Merlin to give their honest reviews about the gear we make. Our message landed far and wide, from the most Northern tips of the UK to the USA and Australia. And while we are initially launching in the UK, we hope to roll out the Collective worldwide soon.

After sifting through all the brilliant applications and wishing we could take absolutely everyone on to be a part of the Biker Collective, we finally settled on the final three. You’ll be able to get to know them more over the next few days with a series of biographies, but in the meantime, allow us to briefly introduce the first leg of the Merlin Biker Collective.

Zak Johnson

35-year-old Zak is the founder of sustainable fashion brand NAECO and the proud owner of a custom Harley Davidson Forty-Eight bobber. While relatively new to motorcycling having had his licence for under a year, Zak is quickly racking up the miles and knows what he likes in his riding gear – citing sustainability and textile quality as high priorities. Already owning six Merlin items, Zak’s familiar with the Merlin offering and quality already. Follow Zak on Instagram @thebobbergram and head over to his bio to read about his biking life.

Annette Norman

Annette was the first Biker Collective member to be selected. At 41-years-old, Annette has held her licence for just over three years and says she’s making up for lost two-wheeled time. Currently riding a Triumph Speed Twin 1200 and a CCM Spitfire Blackout, Netty has truly thrown herself into biking culture in her short time riding. Having already completed a two-wheeled adventure around Southern Spain with partner Dave, Annette has more planned for 2022. Follow Annette on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @nets_sleds and look out for her biography, which will be published on Monday.

Nate Kwarteng

Freelance front-end web developer by day, avid motorcycle blogger by night, 44-year-old Nate has been riding for six years with a Triumph Thruxton 1200 R as his current ride. Nate runs the website Renchlist, an uber-cool platform sharing the latest news and reviews from the world of retro and heritage motorcycling. Living on the outskirts of Liverpool means Nate has the stunning scenery of Snowdonia near enough on his doorstep, something he intends to explore more of in 2022. Follow Nate on Instagram @motophotonate and look out for his biography, which will be published on Saturday.

Published on 1 February, 2022 by Emily Macbeth

Behind the brand: About the team carving a new line in the motorcycle gear industry

From a small barn conversion in the heart of Birmingham to a global operation in less than 10 years, the foundations of Merlin were built from over 30 years of experience across the motorcycle industry.

Merlin products are now available in over 20 countries as we continue to expand our dealer and distributor networks. You can read all about the history of the brand on the dedicated ‘Our Story’ and ‘The Future’ pages.

So, welcome to the launch of our shiny new blog, where we’ll aim to bring you tons of inspiration, advice and so much more. But seeing as we’re meeting for the first time, it’d be rude of us not to introduce ourselves. Let’s start by sharing five “fast facts” about Merlin so you can really get to know who you’re buying your gear from…

1: Bikers at heart

While not everyone who works here at Merlin rides, everybody here gets it. Whether it’s because they ride themselves or because they know someone who does, we all know what it means to be a motorcyclist.

One of our founders was once a member of the famous British Army White Helmets motorcycle display team! Don’t believe us? Here’s the evidence…

The years of riding experience racked up by the team goes directly into the product, to create a feature-packed range full of details that may not have been thought of by someone who doesn’t ride.

2: We’re all in this together…

Unlike a lot of companies out there, Merlin is a partnership – this is why you might sometimes see us referred to as ‘The Merlin Partnership’. After two years of working at Merlin, employees are given the option to hold shares in the company free of charge. Everyone who works here is committed to seeing Merlin succeed, and they get a little taste of the success too.

3: ‘The Founding Five’

The Founding Five are the whole reason for Merlin. With over 30 years of experience in various areas of motorcycling and beyond, the five Merlin partners pieced that together to start creating protective motorcycle clothing they wanted but could not find.

While only three of the original five founders are still actively involved in the company, the other two are still very much invested, but have stepped aside to pave the way for a new generation.

4: It’s a family affair

It’s all in the blood and Merlin is now very much a family affair. With Chief Executive Steven Franklin leading the way, his two sons Patrick and James have stepped up to the plate to lead alongside him to head up the Sales and Product/Marketing teams respectively. But family doesn’t end there. Merlin is very much a community and everyone who works with us, regardless of their last name, is part of the family.

Reaching outside the four walls of the offices Merlin also works to support the local community, employing local people from the base in a small town just outside of Cannock, Staffordshire.

5: A wealth of further experience

It’s not just the founders who bring industry experience. Newer additions to the team have joined us from some of the biggest names and not just in motorcycling. From huge names in clothing and motorcycle manufacturing to global sportswear mega brands and every name in between, everybody who joins Merlin has a lot to give, regardless of where they’ve come from.

Published on 28 January, 2022 by Emily Macbeth

“More blog posts coming soon”