Actor Sanjay Dutt was one of the first people to own it in India almost a decade ago. Cricketer MS Dhoni imported his after winning the T20 World Cup in 2007. But those who had to content themselves by just checking out a Harley Davidson bike in magazines can now take heart. The iconic Harley is coming to India and within a few months, you will be able to ride out from a showroom on one, if only you can shell out anything between Rs 8-15 lakh.
The bike’s worshippers just can’t wait to touch it. Says connoisseur Shiv Karan Singh, also a member of a Harley Davidson club in the Capital,“It’s going to be great, simply.” The club’s members, the who’s who of Delhi, own some of the best models in the country and plan to go on a drive through the city on Sunday to celebrate the announcement. The net-o-sphere, too, is abuzz — Orkut alone has over 10,000 Harley fans — with posts pouring in, since the news broke.
Nishit on the ‘Harley Davidson One Day’ community, having over 3,200 members, writes: “I don’t know about the price, but I’ll buy the cheapest Harley rather than buying a high end car.” Though the pricing hasn’t been declared formally, sources say that it’s likely “to be double of what it is in the US” — which means at least Rs 8 lakh upwards.
But in this time of economic slump, will a bike costing close to Rs 10 lakh have takers? “Well, it’s a cult bike, and only for a select few,” says entrepreneur Navin Ansal, who’s eyeing the Rockster C model. “But let’s not expect that it’ll have too many takers, not at least in the initial years,” he adds. “We also have access to the CBRs and Hayabusas these days, which are more sporty and appealing to us [the youth],” says final year student Ishant Dabas, who says he and his friends feel the “Harley is more classic than youthful”.
But in this time of economic slump, will a bike costing close to Rs 10 lakh have takers? “Well, it’s a cult bike, and only for a select few,” says entrepreneur Navin Ansal, who’s eyeing the Rockster C model. “But let’s not expect that it’ll have too many takers, not at least in the initial years,” he adds. “We also have access to the CBRs and Hayabusas these days, which are more sporty and appealing to us [the youth],” says final year student Ishant Dabas, who says he and his friends feel the “Harley is more classic than youthful”.