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**ken cool** · 07-09-2010, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

When Harley Davidson India talks about the 'power of rising middle class' (see Anoop's interview), they should know that middle class is defined by McKinsey are households with an annual income range of 2.5 lakhs to 12.5 lakhs! Fat chance even the higher end of middle class is ever going to buy the entry level HD - unless they're completely loony.

The 'middle class' is a much abused term used by premium multinational brands entering India, more for powerpoint presentations than anything else. There is no shame is admitting that their products are made for the Indian rich, instead of talking about the 'great Indian middle class'.

Totally agree with this! Though I might get brickbats for doing so. But what you are saying is something that I have been saying ever since the New Economic Policy was started in the 90-91!

**felix.ragav** · 07-09-2010, 03:27 PM

Originally posted by Tarc View Post

Harley still remains a dream for me..

The classic 500 remains a dream for me

lol

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

I know this subject has been bandied about many times but...

For us Indians, all superbike pricing is atrocious. Because of the duties and the purchasing power parity:

If you take a PPP of 8.5 of rupee to the dollar,

An Indian paying 10 lakhs for a motorcycle is like an American paying $184,000 for a motorcycle and so on. Even if the prices come down 50% afte duties are removed, the PPP will still apply - even imagine an American paying $90 k+ for a motorcycle! No way.

When Harley Davidson India talks about the 'power of rising middle class' (see Anoop's interview), they should know that middle class is defined by McKinsey are households with an annual income range of 2.5 lakhs to 12.5 lakhs! Fat chance even the higher end of middle class is ever going to buy the entry level HD - unless they're completely loony.

The 'middle class' is a much abused term used by premium multinational brands entering India, more for powerpoint presentations than anything else. There is no shame is admitting that their products are made for the Indian rich, instead of talking about the 'great Indian middle class'.

^+1 to that blue volt, 10 Lakhs is quite a huge amount for the Middle class. But then again, HD would have done extensive market research before coming into the market so a yearly sale of 100 bikes can be expected. I heard these are not the same as US specs due to some Limitations? We can expect another RD if thats the case. The Prestige factor of owning a HD is can never be related to the "Aam-aadmi"

**niks_devil666** · 07-09-2010, 03:33 PM

my heart is set on XL883R/XL1200N and Duc 796 these days , because of price,power,usability and brand.Hopefully I will buy one or both some day

**bluevolt** · 07-09-2010, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by felix.ragav View Post

But then again, HD would have done extensive market research before coming into the market so a yearly sale of 100 bikes can be expected.

A HD dealer in the US averages around 160 Harleys in a year. Just one dealer! HD sold 160,000 units of HD's in the US in approximately 800 dealerships.

At 0.05% of global sales (if they sell 100 units), India won't be contributing to their topline for sure, though their iniatives to make inroads in India are worth lauding.

**aargee** · 07-09-2010, 06:18 PM

Yes & their presence in India will make a big difference, if not now, but in the forth coming years
1. Early presence
2. Understand & tune to market needs

I heard these are not the same as US specs due to some Limitations?

Initially I thought the exhaust's were tuned to produce less sound, but, comparing the US & Indian specs, the motors in India are powered slightly less compared to US.

There is no shame is admitting that their products are made for the Indian rich, instead of talking about the 'great Indian middle class'

I would definitely agree to this. By the time a typical (read it typical) I.T middle class software professional starts making decent enough to afford for one, he will have a family. If he doesn't have a family, then he will have an HD. Naturally, with great responsibility comes great headaches. So the priority goes home, car & children.

When Harley Davidson India talks about the 'power of rising middle class' (see Anoop's interview), they should know that middle class is defined by McKinsey are households with an annual income range of 2.5 lakhs to 12.5 lakhs! Fat chance even the higher end of middle class is ever going to buy the entry level HD

Well, considering the fact that couple working in I.T, they're bound to make 15-20L+ annually. However, the point still remains 8 Lakhs for a motorcycle!!! Crazy???

PS - My Wifey personally told her opinion that spending 8L for oneself when in a family is considered atrocious, especially when you've children growing up!!!

**felix.ragav** · 07-09-2010, 06:55 PM

For a Single Non IT professional like me, the HD will have to be dowry from the girl's side, but putting the harley vs busa, Id ask them for a BUSA

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