Each one of us who has a passion for bikes and love the feel of speed on two wheels have wondered why dont we get REAL bikes out here in India? That too when car buyers are being spoilt silly with a plethora of options in all segments. The reason for this injustice is that the common Indian bike buyer is a commuter and not a enthusiast and that's exactly what Indian bike manufacturers cater to (the sub 150 cc segment having the highest volumes). Imports were also restricted by the Indian Government in the way that bikes with 800cc + engine capacity were not allowed to be imported into the country.
Coming as music to the ears of many this very rule has been amended and now bikes with 800cc plus engines will be allowed to be imported and sold legally in India. Harley Davidson had been lobbying with our Goevrnment for quite some time, eying the burgeoning pockets of India's growing rich. Now they will be one of the first manufacturers to ride in with their Fatboy's and give India a taste of what real cruisers are all about. They would be challenged by existing players in the Indian market including Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki. Sources reveal that Suzuki is planning to import their GSX-R1000 and GSX-R750 for sale in the Indian market. Yamaha Motors is likely to launch the YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 by the end of the current year. Honda too is planning to launch their high end bikes in India.
The government has left only one strict condition for importing 800cc + bikes. They would have to meet Euro-III emission norms. A leading daily had an article on how India has negotiated a deal wherein in lieu of sale of Harleys in India, Indian mangoes will be allowed to be exported to USA. Harleys for Mangoes, sounds like a sweet deal!
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