It’s no news that Hero MotoCorp has been developing a single-cylinder Harley Davidson to compete with the Classic 350 from Royal Enfield. The Honda Hness 350, Jawa, Yezdi, TVS Ronin, BMW G310 R, and even the future entry-level Triumph manufactured by Bajaj Auto are competitors in this market.
Here is evidence that the final sign-off has occurred. Sources have received pictures of the India-specific Harley-Davidson being tested at Hero MotoCorp’s CIT R&D facility outside of Jaipur. This is what we know.
Hero MotoCorp Designed The Harley-Davidson’s Aesthetic
The design DNA of this forthcoming motorcycle is unmistakably Harley Davidson. Although unsure, we believe Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee headquarters is where they did the styling. To ensure it is economical and well-suited to the Indian market and its demands, Hero MotoCorp completed the remaining engineering, testing, development, and validation work in India.
According to our sources, this motorcycle has no retro-styled design, and several styling cues support that. A classic circular headlight with attention to detail, including Harley-Davidson lettering on the DRL, is present. It is an all-LED unit. This is a cue that TVS Motors on the Ronin has already incorporated. The LED turn signals also feature the bar and shield logo.
The Street Rod 750 can be seen on the bike’s back, and the imposing fuel tank appears to have been influenced by the impending Nightster. Nevertheless, sources say the upcoming bike is a million times more attractive than the Street 750. This is a vehicle that was also developed and manufactured in India.
A color TFT screen controls the instrumentation and has some intriguing features. 8000 RPM is seen at the redline. It might also be slightly higher, or you can’t say from the photo angle. Users can pair their smartphones with the instrument cluster, get updates, and even manage their media with connectivity features.
The New Harley-Davidson Wheels and Tyres
Alloy wheels with 10 or 11 spokes are covered with CEAT tyres (likely the Xoom Cruz), which we frequently see on Royal Enfield motorcycles. Regarding the tyres and wheel sizes, the front has a 100/90 section tyre mounted on an 18-inch or 19-inch rim. The rear has a 140/70-section tyre mounted on a 17-inch rim.
This Harley Davidson appears fast based on the high revving tacho and the reasonably sharp-looking rake angle up front. The bike should handle India’s challenging terrain more easily because of the 18-inch front tyre, and regular impacts from the road should lead to less maintenance. These tyres will have tubeless construction because they are alloy.
However, the bike’s rear end does not have the customary Harley-Davidson look because of the tire size. This Harley does not have other Harleys’ large, fat rear tyres for a distinctive appearance. In addition, we must add that as well. You don’t need 30-horsepower tyres.
Ergonomics Of Harley-Davidson Bikes In India
According to our sources, even shorter riders can flatfoot the bike. But more importantly, the bike feels heavy and powerful. Six-footers may observe the bike in these photos, but they are not looming over it.
Riders of most sizes should be able to sit comfortably on the bike because the motorcycle seat height should be between 790mm and 810mm. With upright, rather wide bars, and mid-mounted foot controls, the ergonomics meld sporty and relaxing. This should guarantee a comfortable bike for city commuting and leisurely interstate cruising.
A New Engine Created By Hero Moto Corp Will Debut At Harley-Davidson
We can say that the engine is a single-cylinder, air-cooled device with an oil cooler. This engine doesn’t have a liquid cooling system, which the firm probably did to save money and provide a distinctive Harley exhaust tone. Engineers worked extra hard to make the exhaust sound like a Harley. You might not need a Screamin Eagle exhaust, one editor suggested.
The engine’s exhaust displacement, which ranges from 420 to 450cc, is unknown. It might have a 442cc engine, one-half of the Iron 883, the smallest engine currently offered by Harley-Davidson. This will be unknown because The Motor Company has always been very specific with their suffixes for engine displacement.
Hero MotoCorp tackles the Royal Enfield Classic 350 with 100 extra cee-cees. This supports the adage “There’s no replacement for displacement” in America. A considerably enhanced mid-range punch is undoubtedly present, according to insiders who have ridden the bike, and we anticipate the power to be 30 horsepower.
They assert that the upcoming Harley will destroy all its competitors in a drag race and record a faster top speed. Top ratings have also been given for refinement. All this being said, we must hold off on commenting until after using the bike.
The gearbox is expected to have six speeds, and the slip-and-assist clutch will not be present. Electronic motorcycle riding modes may have a Rain mode and a Sport mode to keep complexity to a minimum and the price stable.
The newly developed Hero engine, which the company will later use in the more powerful Hero XPulse, is being tested for the first time in this application. Suppose Hero previously tested this engine in the 421cc rally-spec XPulse. Hero MotoCorp may even use liquid cooling for applications requiring athletic performance.
Bike Chassis Made By Harley-Davidson India
It is difficult to describe what it is, but a tubular frame is what it is. USD forks are used up front, while a gas-charged twin shock system is used at the back. Hero MotoCorp chose a twin-shock system rather than a mono-shock to reduce expenses.
Prices And Availability Of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles In India
Harley-Davidson single-cylinder is nearly ready. According to sources, the venture will unwrap the bike between July and August this year and put it on sale before Diwali. And what about the cost? It will be positioned between the BMW G310 R and the Royal Enfield Classic 350, leaning more towards the Classic. The Indian partner, Harley-Davidson’s official distributor in India, is dedicated to increasing volumes. This is demonstrated by Pawan Kant Munjal, the chairman and CEO of Hero MotoCorp, who was also present during the dealer preview of this brand-new motorcycle.
This machine will significantly disrupt the market if priced at Rs 2.5 lakh. Following Royal Enfield’s example, we anticipate this platform will be the foundation for many vehicles. Be prepared to see a casual cruiser, flat-track bike, scrambler, and maybe even a cafe racer. Even a smaller Pan America that could share a lot with the larger Hero Xpulse 421 was visible. In addition, we anticipate Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp to export this motorcycle to foreign markets, following Royal Enfield’s path. This is yet another bike and platform that will help India become a major motorbike market.
Stay tuned with Bikechuno for more updates, and follow us on Pinterest for the latest bike news and reviews.
