Coming to cinemas in a few weeks is, undoubtedly the motorcycling movie of the year - The Bikeriders - with Harley-Davidson taking a natural starring role alongside leads Austin Bulter, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardey.
The Bikeriders arrives in New Zealand cinemas on the 4th of July and is written and directed by Jeff Nichols. With motorcycling hitting the limelight once again, we're hopeful the film helps to inspire people of all ages to get into riding motorcycles.
The movie features various Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and celebrates moto culture which is the lynchpin for the motorcycle club - ‘The Vandals’ and allows them ‘Freedom for the Fearless’ - the tagline of the film. Whilst the depiction of a motorcycle gang is dramatised and fictional, it demonstrates the freedom that riding can bring and the close-knit positive community it can build.
Interestingly, the Harley-Davidson 2024 Icons Collection - Hydra-Glide Revival - was directly inspired by the vintage motorcycles featured in the film, which you can read about here. The successful launch and popularity of this model in Australia and New Zealand can be attributed to the affinity H-D customers have for moto culture history and heritage.
In celebration of the premiere coming to Sydney, Harley-Davidson ANZ partnered with Focus Features and Universal to create a premiere experience like no other. Ten Harley-Davidson motorcycles escorted the movie lead, Austin Butler in a motorcade as he arrived at State Theatre on Market Street in Sydney’s bustling CBD stopping traffic and creating an atmosphere like no other. To top it off the riders were wearing denim Vandals vests featured in the movie for a big visual impact.
The Red Carpet also got the Harley-Davidson treatment with a Heritage Classic 114 displayed outside the State Theatre. The Heritage Classic 114 is a quintessential American cruiser, offering showstopping vintage details and pure rock ‘n’ roll style, reminiscent of the period in which the film is set.
The partnership with Universal doesn't end there, with Universal using Harley-Davidson’s 2024 Icon - Hydra-glide Revival and the Heritage Classic - for the Media Call with Austin Butler set behind the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge on Thursday morning before the premiere.
“Harley-Davidson is an iconic 120-year-old brand that is synonymous with pop culture, featuring in many blockbuster films from Easy Rider, Footloose, Terminator, The Avengers Franchise, to Mad Max and The BikeRiders movies of 2024, explains Managing Director at Harley-Davidson ANZ, Nigel Keough.
"The brand promotes freedom and the pursuit of adventure which is why it has longevity, appealing to all ages. It's great to work with Universal and support the telling of this epic moto culture story to inspire riders of all ages across the globe.”
OnThrottle.co.nz has acquired three double passes to The Bikeriders to give away - so look out for the official competition going live in the coming days.