Fat Harley Boy born in Haryana

Riding on the success of the first National HOG Rally and 110th anniversary celebrations in Goa, Harley-Davidson India recently announced further expansion of its Completely Knocked Down (CKD) operations in India with an addition of three models from the iconic Softail family. This is a very important step in the company’s plan for India. It makes its bike affordable despite the challenges—like the recent excise duty hike. Ammar Alvi gets more.

Motorcycle enthusiasts across the country will have another reason to experience the thrill of leisure motorcycling with the Fat Boy, Heritage Softail Classic and Fat Boy Special now available as Made-in-India bikes. Previously offered as Completely Built-Up (CBU) imports, these models will now be assembled at the Harley-Davidson facility in Bawal, Haryana.

According to Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India, “After the incredible participation and enthusiasm at our National HOG Rally and India Bike Week events, we are excited to accelerate our plans to expand the CKD line-up. The Fat Boy, Heritage Softail Classic and Fat Boy Special have been embraced by customers due to their outstanding riding performance and the classic cruiser styling.

Prakash added, “At Harley-Davidson India, we continue to adopt and invest in strategies that make our products and ownership experience accessible customers across the country.”

The company is confident that the hike in excise duty on bikes will not affect the pricing. Prakash added, “While the duties appear to have increased on CBU imports, the impact on pricing will be minimal—thanks to our steady focus on developing the CKD operations in India since early 2011. Our CKD operation allows us to contribute to local investment while reducing the tariff burden for Indian customers.”

Nine of the 12 models in the India line up are now being assembled in the India CKD facility.The iconic Harley-Davidson Fat Boy will now be offered at Rs 14.9 lakh (ex- showroom Delhi) as against the previous CBU price of Rs 19.45 lakh. Equipped with a smooth 1690 CC twin cam 103 engine. The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Special will be offered at Rs 15.6 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) as against the previous CBU pricing of Rs 19.70 lakh. The Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic is a retro masterpiece with all the touring essentials one could wish for. It will be offered at Rs 16.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) as against the previous CBU pricing of Rs 20.45 lakh.

The addition of the Fat Boy, Heritage Softail Classic and Fat Boy Special expands Harley-Davidson India’s portfolio of CKD models to nine out of the 12 models offered in India. The other CKD models are from the Sportster model family (SuperLow, Iron 883, Forty-Eight) and Dyna model family (Street Bob, Super Glide Custom, and Fat Bob).