Weird Flex: The Lexmoto Detroit Is A Harley-Davidson Iron 883 On A Shoestring Budget

The Lexmoto cruiser apes the American motorcycle in almost every aspect, except performance

Lexmoto, a UK-based Chinese motorcycle manufacturer has introduced its newest motorcycle, called the Detroit, in its domestic market. This brand caters to the learner’s class (50cc and 125cc) and the new cruiser’s appeal lies in its design.

A glance at the Lexmoto Detroit, and you can easily draw similarities with the Harley-Davidson Iron 883. From its compact headlight and the petite fuel tank to the centrally mounted monopod instrument console and even the 9-spoke alloy wheels, everything draws inspiration from the American cruiser giant’s sportster motorcycle.

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While the Iron 883 flaunts a big V-twin powerhouse, Lexmoto’s new cruiser uses a puny 125cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces a modest 9.5PS and 9Nm. This engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.

The hardware on the Lexmoto Detroit is pretty basic too. It features a telescopic fork and dual shock setup while braking duties are entrusted to disc brakes at both ends. This cruiser runs on a 18/15-inch wheel setup, which is a rare sight.

Given that this bike is intended for new riders, it is relatively light, tipping the scales at 141kg (kerb) with an accessible seat height of 720mm.

The Lexmoto Detroit retails for GBP 2900 which translates to Rs 2.82 lakh. While it may seem steep by Indian standards, it is quite affordable in the UK. For reference, it costs half as much as the Yamaha XSR125 in the same market.

Lastly, the Lexmoto Detroit is certainly not headed to India, so your choices for small-displacement cruisers are limited to the Bajaj Avenger 160 Street and the Suzuki Intruder 155.