With the launch of three new bikes in October, Harley-Davidson, the luxury cruiser motorcycle manufacturer, has brought its country-wide offering in line with its other overseas markets. British motorcycle brand, Triumph, is the only price competitor.
Breakout, a performance cruiser from the Softail family of motorcycles, priced at Rs 16.28 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) is the cheapest of the three. This will be assembled at the company's Haryana plant.
The Street Glide Special, a fully loaded version of the touring model, is priced at Rs 29.7 lakh.
In addition to extreme power from the twin-cylinder engine, the bike also comes with creature comforts such as a 6.5-inch infotainment system, surround speakers, dual halogen headlamp and anti-lock braking system.
Though Harley never reveals the power figures, with two cylinders, the Street Glide Special could be more powerful than most hatchbacks.
A limited edition, custom-built, hand-crafted bike, CVO, completes the Harley line-up. The CVO is the most expensive, priced at Rs 49.23 lakh and will be available from 2015.
Every year, the company's engineers are given a free hand in customising, resulting in the Custom Vehicle Operation (CVO). Only a few CVOs are built every year and sell "in single thousands", according to the company. Both the Street Glide Special and CVO will be imported from the US.
Anoop Prakash, MD, Harley-Davidson India says, "India now has the same line-up of our bikes that you will see anywhere else in the world. Our range now starts at Rs 4.3 lakh and goes up to Rs 49 lakh.
In the 500cc and above category we have a market share of 60 per cent."
In the Auto Expo in February this year, Harley introduced two new bikes, including the Street 750, at Rs 4.1 lakh, that brought down its entry price.
With the latest spate of launches, its portfolio comprises 13 products. Having entered in 2009, Harley has enjoyed a favourable run, with leisure riding growing among the upper-middle class.
Buyers did not have a product to choose from in the cruiser category beyond the Royal Enfield range and the Eicher-owned company does not have an engine higher than than 500-cc. "It is good that buyers are choosing (Bajaj) Avengers and Royal Enfields because one day they will graduate to Harleys", says Prakash.
Though the Street 750 is less profitable than its other bikes, it targets the affluent Enfield buyer who was craving choice.
British motorcycle brand, Triumph, is the only price competitor. Indian, a brand owned by US-based off-road vehicle specialist Polaris, also has bikes in the cruiser category but at a very premium range. Both Triumph and Indian entered India in the last one year.
Through 15 dealerships, Harley has sold 6,000 units so far.
Photographs: harley-davidson.com
