India has come of motorcycling age with more and more large-capacity bikes hitting the market and now the Harley Street 750 being named their Bike of the Year.
The Harley Street 750 and 500 are produced in India as well as Kansas in the USA. Australia will be getting the Street 500 next year from India.
While its local origins may have been a big factor in the 750 winning the Indian BOTY award, the bike also impressed judges with its price, mileage, looks, comfort, safety, performance, practicality, value for money, technical innovation and suitability for Indian riding conditions.
In Australia, the Street 500 will arrive at just $9995 rideaway with impressive fuel economy of 27km per litre.
The Street 750 won the Indian award ahead of the KTM RC 390.
KTM RC 390It is the largest capacity bike to win the award in the eight-year history of the awards.
More large capacity bikes are expected to dominate in future years with luxury and big-capacity bikes trebling in sales this past year.
From April-November period of 2014, Harley Davidson alone sold 3123 motorcycles compared with 1258 in 2013 and 754 in 2012.
Brands such as BMW, Ducati, Triumph and the four Japanese marques have launched major sales assaults in 2014 on the fastest-growing motorcycle market in the world.
Other Indian BOTY winners are:
Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi (2008)
Yamaha R15 (2009)
Royal Enfield Continental GT cafe racerKawasaki Ninja 250R (2010)
Honda CB Twister (2011)
Honda CBR 250R (2012)
KTM Duke 200 (2013)
Royal Enfield Continental (2014)