A recent report in the automotive industry claims that Harley-Davidson will launch their 250cc-500cc product for the Asian market in 2020. The deadline is equally valid for India as the country proves to be a considerable market for the American manufacturer’s limited displacement products. The popularity of the Street series has confirmed that if they will work on something more compact and affordable, the success story is defined to be written in their favour.
The brand is currently having a 500cc motor with a twin-cylinder engine layout as their smallest options and moreover, the same is manufactured in India. This also clears that the upcoming product will use even a more compact engine size, falling around the 400cc segment to take on the potential Royal Enfield motorcycles with a 346cc engine. Saying that Harley-Davidson will get straight in the competition will not be true but as the current steps by Royal Enfield are in the favour of more premium products, both the options will have their own price points to justify.
The complete Harley-Davidson strategy till the year 2027 recently leaked online, showing the interest of the brand in 100 motorcycles that will be counted as new under the lineup. Many or if getting practical, almost the entire lineup after 2025 would be all-electric while those launching before the same will use combustion engines as standard.
The India-specific entry-level Harley-Davidson will stay twin-cylinder as the brand may not leave its legacy of using V-Twin engines before mainstream electric motorcycle production comes into action. The cost-effective production in India will help the brand choose our country as its global base.
The brand plans to have at least 2 million new riders in the US alone by 2027. The 250cc-500cc segment is growing at the fastest pace among all sportbike segments as this segment promotes least ownership cost than the bigger bikes belonging to the 650cc and above segment.
