India has a very different culture. I have seen a six member family riding on ONE scooter. Their fuel is way more expensive than ours. The temps over there can soar way over a hundred. Big bikes burn up in their cities and even in rural areas you can't get up any major speed to warrant the lower fuel mileage. I lived in New Delhi for two years and went riding outside the city on almost every weekend. We had to depart early in the morning so that we could get some riding in before it got hot. We had to get back before noon in order to keep from over heating our Enfields. Most bikes in India are oriental and small, or little scooters (Vespas) that they could carry the family on. My riding buddy shipped his Sportster over and had to put an oil cooler on it. He still ended up garaging it and rode his Bullet with us. It is just not the type of riding we have here. The roads are terrible, no one obeys traffic rules (there are none) and there are animals all over the place; camels, cattle, sheep, dogs, monkeys, and even an elephant or two. I doubt India will be moving to large bikes for a very long time. But, they do love to use their imagination on what they do have, when it comes to customizing. If you get a chance, take a look at my photos taken over there, of my 1968 Bullet, modified.
You will see more oriental bikes in India than locally produced Enfields. But that said, Enfields are still the bike of choice for those that drive in the mountains. You can drive right up a steep mountain in fourth gear, with no effort.
I understand that Harley is building a market in India, but I would be surprised if they can sustain a viable business locally there. Enfield is even taking a back seat to the small and quick oriental bikes.
Topic: Fury (Read 8927 times)