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Iron Run Rally returns in 2016

2015 Iron Run rally
2015 Iron Run

The second Iron Run rally in New Zealand is expected to attract more than 2000 Harley-Davidson fans and other riders from around the world.

The event will be held at Paihia in the North Island on March 11 and 12.

Although the rally is run by the country’s six Harley dealers specifically for HOG Members, it is also open to riders of all bikes.

The success of the inaugural open-style rally in Queenstown last year set the blueprint for Harley-Davidson Australia to change its annual HOG Rally to an open event.

It will be called Harley Days and will be open to non-HOG members from October 28-30, 2016, in Wollongong, 85km south of Sydney.

Harley-Davidson Australia and New Zealand boss Nigel Keough says that HOG members will still be made to feel special.

Nigel Keough with organisers of last year's Iron Run rally in Queenstown
Nigel Keough with organisers of last year’s Iron Run rally in Queenstown

The Iron Run included a HOG-only welcome party and reserved the front section of the traditional Sunday Thunder Run for HOG members.

“We will still protect the sanctity of what it means to be HOG,” he said at last year’s Iron Run.

Meanwhile, the 2016 Iron Run looks like repeating the success of the Queenstown rally with organisers expecting more than 2000 riders to attend from across New Zealand, Australia and around the world.

This time it is set in beautiful Pahia which is the main tourist town in the picturesque Bay of Islands.

Paihia will host the 2016 iron Run rally
Paihia will host the 2016 Iron Run

Organisers also expect a lot more young riders to attend given the sales success of its learner-approved Street 500.

The event includes guided rides on the Friday and the Thunder Run on Saturday morning followed by a bike show in the main square from noon.

Motorbike Writer will be attending the second Iron Run, so stay tuned for updates.