The Indian Perspective on Harley-Davidson, Direct from India
Bike sales may be down for Harley in America, but for the past few years, their India division has been growing incredibly well. Let's take a look at how Harley-Davidson is doing in the sub-continent.
1. India Loves Motorcycles
India is a huge country, nearly five times bigger than Texas with almost 1.5 billion people living there, but they don't have the kind of modern infrastructure we do. Though the country has nearly 3.5 million miles of road, compared to 4.2 million in the entire USA, most of those are narrow and not paved. They only have 823 miles of highway in the whole country, compared to the 48,000 miles in the US. With so few paved roads in the rural areas and the legendary congestion in the cities, it is no wonder that 80% of all new vehicles sold in India are motorcycles, scooters, trikes, and other smaller more easily maneuvered models.
2. Harley-Davidson India - Since 2009
As early as 2007, Harley-Davidson management had plans to grab a slice of the India motorcycle pie, and there was a negotiation to exchange mango exports to America with motorcycle imports to India. However, just because Harley had permission, buyers still were saddled with an almost 100% increase in the retail price in order to pay tariffs and taxes. To overcome the import penalties, Harley began assembling Sportsters in Bawal, Haryana in 2011, then expanded to Dynas, Softails, and the rest over the next several years.
3. Royal Enfield India
You may ask, why should Harley think the Indian market would embrace their traditionally styled, air-cooled cruisers? Well, if you aren't aware, one of the most popular, aspirational bikes in India, is the home built Royal Enfield, based on British tooling shipped their back in the 1950s. Until recently the Enfield was not a traditionally styled bike, it was basically a 1950s British, air-cooled single, with a few upgrades and evolutionary changes. If the Enfield Bullet was considered a Corvette in India, the 883 Sportster would be seen as a Ferrari there.
4. Street Series
Most Harley fans already know the Street 500 and 750 were designed from the start to appeal to overseas markets, and are assembled in an Indian factory for Asia and Europe. But Harley-Davidson India doesn't sell the Street 500 in its home country because it would not be competitively priced with the 500cc Enfield. It costs just as much for the motor company to build a Street 750, and they have a higher retail price.
5. Street 750
Indian buyers have embraced the 750 version though, and often you see them tricked out with touring bags, and leg shields, for cross country usage. The bike above may be goofy looking to our eyes, but it has been modified with a larger touring tank, and much more comfortable seat for real touring across India. The Street 750 makes up about 40% of Harley's sales there, and the 750 Street Rod just introduced is expected to increase that even more. Sure, Harley has only been selling about 5,000 bikes a year in India now, but with the fastest growing economy in the world, they see big things in the future for this market.
7. Eaglerider India Tours
How can you benefit from Harley's Indian expansion? Well, EagleRider rentals have set up shop in India now too, and you can rent Harleys (or Enfields) and explore this exotic country. As a former British colony, there are plenty of English speaking folks around, and a motorcycle repair shop in every village. With the strength of the American dollar in India, you may be surprised by how far your tourist dollars can go.
For help with service of your bike, check out the how to section of HDForums.com
6. Street Rod 750
The Street Rod 750 only just launched in India, but they seem to be in love with it already. The Times of India recently did a road test of it, and came away impressed. It is not surprising that they said "It is the best Harley in the terms of city riding and speedy cornering or this can be titled as the sportiest H-D available in the market." They went on to say "those Harley fans who like to ride fast and agile sportbikes as well and lean their machine on each and every corner will surely love the Street Rod."
