BSA Motorcycles To Roll Into The Hutt

Motorcycle riders from around the world have registered for the 63rd BSA International rally being held in the Hutt Valley from 13 -20 February 2026.

BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) was once the world’s biggest name in motorcycles before production ceased in 1973 before restarting again in 2021.

New Zealand BSA International Rally spokesperson and NZBSAOC President, Graeme Reilly, says around 130 people and 100 bikes are expected to attend the event.

“We already have bookings from BSA riders in the Netherlands, Australia, United Kingdom, United States, Belgium, Canada and Germany. The are revving their engines and can’t wait to get here.”

The bikes, with gloriously named models such as Empire Star, A65, Rocket 3, Bantam and the immortal Gold Star, will be on display at Lower Hutt’s Dowse Square on Saturday 14 February between 2:00 and 3:30pm.

“This is only the third time the BSA International Rally has been held in New Zealand and presents a rare opportunity for classic bike lovers, and those who enjoy fine machinery, to see what all the fuss is about.”

Reilly says the 2026 Rally will be based at Upper Hutt’s Silverstream Retreat with its four star motels, apartments and bunkrooms. It is a venue with a colourful past.

“The complex began as a United States Navy Hospital which treated 20,000 sick and wounded patients from WWII between 1942 and 1944. Among the best-known patients was Don Adams, who later starred as Maxwell Smart in television’s Get Smart.”

Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of then US President Franklin D Roosevelt, visited in 1943.

About BSA

BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) was formed in 1861 when a group of gunsmiths began using machinery to produce firearms.

The company played a significant role producing armaments as well as motorcycles in both World Wars. Motorcycle production began at BSA in 1910. In spite of many many major successes the company collapsed in 1973, the result of labour, economic and engineering issues and the rise of Japanese motorcycles.

In 2021 Classic Legends, a subsidiary of the mighty Mahindra empire and owners of the BSA name, began making BSA Gold Stars which capture the ethos of the earlier British made models.

Since the New Zealand launch in May 2024 over 80 Gold Star 650s have been purchased with new owners offered a year’s free membership of the New Zealand BSA Motorcycle Owners Club.

The first International BSA Rally was in Germany in 1964 and there have been two in New Zealand: the first in Upper Hutt in 1996 and the second in Christchurch in 2010.

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