First open Harley Days rally opens

Registrations have opened for Harley Days in October in Wollongong, the first open Harley-Davidson rally for all Australian riders.

Harley-Davidson Australia and New Zealand customer experience manager Garry Luxmoore says they had 366 registrations in the first two days of online registration.

“That’s better than normal,” he says. “There seems to be a lot of vested interest over time in this event and people are very excited about the thought. People are going ‘Wow, I want to get in and register’.”

He expects expect between 5500 and 6000 to attend Harley Days from October 28-30 2016, with almost 50% being non-HOG members.

Previous annual HOG rallies have been closed affairs with some open events, but this will be an open event with special HOG-only sections including a Friday night welcome party with entertainment by the Screamin’ Eagles band with special guest Ross Wilson of Mondo Rock and Daddy Cool.

Registration for HOG members and their guests costs $49 and $10.50 for children.

That includes the VIP party, an inaugural Harley Days patch not available for general sale, a private HOG marquee, entry into the show and shine event and an entry into a competition to win a trip to Route 66.

However, Gaz says HOG members will also be at the front of the Sunday morning Thunder Run parade in their chapter groups with their flags.

“We have to, at all times, remember how crucial HOG members are,” Gaz says. “They are our core customers and we don’t want them to feel anything else but very special.

“However, we expect a lot of other people to attend including Harley riders who aren’t HOG members plus riders of all types of motorcycles. They are all welcome to mix with other motorcycle enthusiasts and feel the lifestyle.”

Entry to the other Harley Days festival events will be free for non-HOG members.

The open event follows the successful Harley-Davidson Iron Run over the past two years in New Zealand.

Gaz says the custom bike show on the Saturday will be a huge drawcard for young people and those who attended the recent successful Throttle Roll in Sydney’s inner west.

He expects a good roll-up of owners and bike builders to show off their cafe racers, bobbers, and customs at the show.

Other highlights include Harley-Davidson motorcycles, road and static demo rides, dyno, merchandise, food and beverage stalls, and guided rides of the Illawarra coastal region south of Sydney.