[TusharK]

Harley-Davidson has emerged as the leader in the high-end motorcycle segment in India, which includes bikes with engine capacity of 1,000cc and above.



According to the data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Harley-Davidson sold 601 motorcycles in FY2022, of which 531 units were in the 1,000cc and above segment. These included models like the Pan America 1250 and Sportster S.

The American bikemaker also registered decent growth compared to the previous fiscal. In FY2021, the company had sold just 206 units.

Triumph sold 336 units to secure second place, followed by Kawasaki with 283 units. Suzuki and Honda sold 233 units and 71 units in the 1,000cc+ category in FY2022 respectively.

Source: ET Auto

Link to Team-BHP News

[anjan_c2007]

Harley's very name makes superbike fans revel in excitement, upping their adrenaline levels. These bikes top the sales charts obviously for the same reason. No other superbike brand comes near the brand equity Harley Davidson commands in our country.

It's unfortunate that their management decided to exit India after entering our country, creating so much hype and government to government pressures to gain entry. One of the clauses included allowing importing Indian Alphonso mangoes that were denied entry then, temporarily into the US citing frivolous reasons, for awaiting the Indian govts nod to Harley to sell bikes in India.

And the then US President (2017-2021) in a few speeches had cited the huge import duties India imposed on Harleys.

[arpanjha]

HD India is now operated by Hero I thought? Or the transition is yet to be completed and is still run by HD themselves?

[tanayr]

I don't quite get this arbitrary "1000 cc plus" segment.
Kawasaki sells a ton of Ninja 300/650s, a lot of Z900s etc.
Same for Suzuki which only has the Hayabusa over the 1000 cc mark in the list of motorcycles for sale in India currently (and that too in very short supply).
Honda's volumes are also probably in the 650 segment but are also probably priced pretty close to "1000 cc +" Harleys...

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by arpanjha

HD India is now operated by Hero I thought? Or the transition is yet to be completed and is still run by HD themselves?

The distributorship for Harley bikes is exclusively being done by Hero MotoCorp since nearly two years. They have 13 dealers (ASC) and 10 service centres across the country as of now. Hero MotoCorp is also encouraging the Harley Owners Group (HOG) by reviving it, since that was becoming obscure after Harley had exited India. As compared to the currently buoyant sales, Harley sold only 206 bikes during the previous financial year 2021, due to the pandemic plus the clouds of uncertainty created by the bike maker's exit.

[Jeroen]

It must be a brave man/woman who buys a HD in India knowing they have exited the market and are dealing with their customers through a third party only?

I always felt that HD was the Alfa Romeo of the bike scene. Products that appeal on emotional, more than rational grounds. A very loyal customer base, despite questionable quality and piss poor after sales service.

HD in the USA was probably marginally better on the after sales service then HD Europe. But not by much.

Does anybody have any hands on experience of recent HD bikes in terms of reliability, quality and after sales? How does the Hero HD services compare to other bike manufacturers/dealers?

I visited their plant just north of Kansas City in 2010. Afterward I had a very long conversation with their general manager and who to deal with unions in the USA.

When you walked into their plant, you walked under this arch with this massive sign saying “employees and management working together”. The GM told me that made him puke everyday he came to work.
Jeroen

[Cresterk]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

It must be a brave man/woman who buys a HD in India knowing they have exited the market and are dealing with their customers through a third party only?

I always felt that HD was the Alfa Romeo of the bike scene. Products that appeal on emotional, more than rational grounds. A very loyal customer base, despite questionable quality and piss poor after sales service.

HD in the USA was probably marginally better on the after sales service then HD Europe. But not by much.

Does anybody have any hands on experience of recent HD bikes in terms of reliability, quality and after sales? How does the Hero HD services compare to other bike manufacturers/dealers?

Considering the massive fan following enjoyed by Royal Enfield in India, I would say the bike segment here is more about following your heart than your head. Harley is probably the only brand as recognisable here and it has always had an even more premium image attached to it.

Also considering the abysmally low power figures produced by these bikes even with such big engines mean that it is easier and safer for an amateur and be relatively drivable on our roads as compared to other 1 litre class sports bikes where you can barely get out of first gear. Prospective liter class sport bike owners find it more reasonable to buy a sub-liter class bike instead which is more than powerful enough for their needs. All of which leaves Harley as a desirable lifestyle product.

[VellVector]

Originally Posted by tanayr

I don't quite get this arbitrary "1000 cc plus" segment.
Kawasaki sells a ton of Ninja 300/650s, a lot of Z900s etc.
Same for Suzuki which only has the Hayabusa over the 1000 cc mark in the list of motorcycles for sale in India currently (and that too in very short supply).
Honda's volumes are also probably in the 650 segment but are also probably priced pretty close to "1000 cc +" Harleys...

Agreed, 1000+ CC does knock off quite a bit of the competition from the comparison.

Also since brands like Ducati and BMW not reporting their sales. The later moving large numbers of the 1250 GS in India, HD may not have as large a lead as the article seems to portray.

Originally Posted by Jeroen

It must be a brave man/woman who buys a HD in India knowing they have exited the market and are dealing with their customers through a third party only?

Does anybody have any hands on experience of recent HD bikes in terms of reliability, quality and after sales? How does the Hero HD services compare to other bike manufacturers/dealers?

HD service in India was never anything to write home about even when HD had an entire plant running in the country. Parts routinely took 3 to 6 months to arrive and dealers had absolutely no way to track or predict an ETA.

When HD announced they were leaving India, they completely stopped importing parts. During this time they announced Hero would take over the supply chain but the handover was just beginning.

Because of this it felt like the already bad part availability became worse under Hero, even though Hero had not yet established a supply chain.

Situation is still not good, but is improving. A few more months should tell if Hero gets a handle on things.