Royal Enfield riders gather in Whanganui
| Published date | 24 April 2024 |
| Author | Steve Carle |
| Publication title | Whanganui Midweek |
The event started outside the original showroom of New Zealand’s largest motorcycle importer back in the day, Percy Coleman & Sons — now the Red Eye Café, the original address where Percy Coleman established his Harley Davidson dealership in November 1925.
In 1930, Percy was the first New Zealander selected by the ACU to race at the Isle of Man TT and came back to Whanganui as the NZ Royal Enfield distributor. Percy raced Royal Enfields in New Zealand during the 1930s.
Over the decades, that business went on to outgrow three other buildings in Whanganui, before his sons Rod and Bob built the current Suzuki NZ complex on Taupō Quay.
Royal Enfield produced some early V-Twins but is best known for its 350 and 500 Bullet singles over the decades.
Today, Royal Enfield exports machines to over 50 countries, and the 650cc Interceptor and Continental GT have been the top-selling retro classic motorcycles in the world. They are now joined by the Super Meteor 650 Cruiser and the forthcoming Shotgun 650 machine.
They have broken sales records in the middleweight segment in England, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Other machines sold in New Zealand include the 350 Classic range, Bullet 350, Meteor and Hunter 350cc machines each sharing the J series motor, and the 411 Himalayan adventure bike and Scram 411 both sharing the same engine and chassis package.
A new adventure bike, the Himalayan 450, is due in New Zealand in May. In 2023, Royal Enfield sold 420 new motorcycles in New Zealand. There are 12 Royal Enfield dealers around New Zealand, and local Whanganui riders are serviced by the Royal Enfield dealer in Palmerston North, Allroad Adventure Ltd at 14 Malden St.
Motorcycle enthusiast Robert Cochrane says he saw an opportunity to give back to the local heritage and motorcycle community by hosting the event and he thinks it will continue to grow in size.
“I can combine both the classic and modern aspects of this iconic motorcycle brand. I set the event up to give me something to do initially, to extend my interests in social and motorcycle history and to enjoy my Royal Enfield motorcycle with like-minded individuals.”
He says over three years ago he had a major medical event, and he also got a new left...
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