Smaller, niche players like Moto Guzzi and UM have shown interest in the Indian bike market. Now, another boutique brand, Cleveland CycleWerks, based in Cleveland, Ohio has plans to launch its entire line-up in India. The company, set up in 2009 by three Americans – Scott Colosimo, Jarrod Streng and Curtis Ray, debuted with a hardtail bobber called 'tha Heist' in February 2010. They went on to add another four bikes to its line-up since then.
Most parts for the bike are sourced from China and the motorcycles are currently sold in around 25 countries. Engine capacities range from 125cc to 450cc and all its bikes feature single-cylinder engines that are based on older Honda Motors. Colosimo, the company’s founder, wanted to build cool motorcycles that were affordable, accessible and simple when he set up the company.
The company has formed a joint-venture with Laish-Madison MotorWerks (LMMW), a company based in Hyderabad, Telangana, to enter the Indian market. LMMW plans to assemble CCW bikes in India, probably out of a plant in Telangana itself.
The five bikes are as follows:
Heist: a hardtail bobber; Ace, a retro-classic commuter
Misfit: a café-racer; FXr, a dirt bike
Hooligun: a dual-sport Enduro-style bike
Ace: A retro-classic commuter, powered by a 14.8hp, 230cc, single-cylinder engine
FXx and FXr: These are a cross between dirt- and mountain bikes; they come with 8.3hp, 124cc, single-cylinder engines
The first bike to be launched will be the Ace and it is currently being tested at ARAI and will finish final testing by July 2017.
CCW will officially launch its first bike, as well as its India operations in July 2017.