Harley Davidson 1200 Custom

It had been smooth sailing for Harley-Davidson in India since its launch until fellow American competitor Indian Motorcycles came along. Indian’s 1200cc Scout had been eating into the H-D Sportster market, where the latter’s only 1200cc offering was the Forty-Eight. This model, unlike the Scout, is built for short rides only with its puny 8-litre tank and minimal seat. That is one reason the company decided to bring a proper touring-friendly 1200cc motorcycle in the form of the Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom to India. The Custom has a staid look, with an immediate resemblance to its smaller sibling Superlow 883, also from the Sportster family. The 1200 in that sense carries forth the classic shape of the Sportster family. 

It features a 17-litre tank, which more than doubles the distance between fuel stops compared to the Forty-Eight, enabling the rider to actually enjoy the 1200cc Evolution engine’s performance on the open highway rather than looking for the next fuel station. The comfort of a proper seat is another addition that works in its favour. Add this to the increased ground clearance over the Forty-Eight, and we are looking at a true-blue cruiser, capable of taking on Indian conditions to a better extent. In the face of external competition, and with the Superlow 883 competing for sales with its younger and more popular sibling the H-D Street 750, the former was taken off the market in early 2016. The 883’s assembly line in Bawal, Haryana, hence made way for the 1200 Custom, which was launched in the country on January 28.

With Indian’s smaller 1000cc and also least priced offering Scout Sixty due for India later this year and no other competition in sight, the H-D 1200 Custom might well be the king of the cruiser market in the below Rs. 10 lac price bracket at the moment. It is currently priced at Rs. 8.90 lac (ex-showroom, Delhi). 

The bike is available in three colours - Vivid Black, Charcoal Pearl and Superior Blue along with three dual-tone colours. The company has also given various options of pinstriping to its customers that are different for single as well as dual tone colour options. Harley-Davidson has integrated the bike with numerous interesting features such as pull back handlebar, two-up custom seat, smart security system with hands-free, proximity based, security fob and keyless ignition. The company has also given wide customization options to its buyers to choose from that are available for seat, handlebar, wheels, foot controls, paint and graphics and engine finish.