With only 12 permanent residents in Whangamomona , Enfielders took over the town with 54 Royal Enfields at the rally , and 68 enthusiasts sitting down for the dinner / prizegiving in the hotel ’ s dining room on the Saturday evening . In attendance there were four founders of the NZ Royal Enfield Register ( 1997 ) plus four 650cc riders had come up from Christchurch , plus groups from Whangarei , Auckland , Waikato , Bay of Plenty and through the rest of the North Island . It was misty rain on Saturday at 9am as riders headed off behind event organiser Mark Bellringer , through narrow backroads and
stunning native bush towards New Plymouth for lunch , and a visit to founder Lew Martin to see his RE classic collection . The prize-giving that night was very humorous trying to find a slim RE rider for the leather vest donated by Chris and his team from Royale Motorcycles of Hamilton . Overall it was a very well-run event , with the next Royal Enfield rally in Wanaka over the weekend of March 15-17 . Membership to the NZ RE Register is only $ 20 and there are great member discounts on RE insurance , a monthly Bulletin newsletter plus active regional riders groups around NZ . Head to www . royalenfield . co . nz for more information .
Clockwise from top : Oldest model , the blue 1947 500cc single . Trails Replica 500 , one of only 14 sold new in NZ . Í went that way ’ – so much dirty talk on this corner .
30 KIWI RIDER