In a promising move for the new US administration under President Donald Trump, India has reduced the import duty on high-capacity motorcycles in the Union Budget 2025-26, providing a significant advantage for the American brand Harley-Davidson.
Motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 1,600 cc, imported as completely built-up (CBU) units, will now incur a 40% import duty, down from the previous 50%, as outlined in the Budget documentation.
The import duty on semi-knocked down (SKD) kits has been lowered to 20%, from 25% previously.
For completely knocked down (CKD) units, the tax rate will be set at 10%, reduced from 15% earlier.
The government’s objective is to encourage domestic manufacturing.
Reports also indicate that India is considering a reduction in customs duty on approximately seven to eight high-end products, including specialized steel, luxury motorcycles, and electronic goods.
Currently, the Harley-Davidson 440X – the smallest model in the brand’s lineup – is co-manufactured and sold in India by Hero MotoCorp.
Additionally, the Budget specified that high-end cars priced over $40,000 will now face a tariff of 70%, down from 125%, reflecting the increasing demand for luxury vehicles in the country.
Hero MotoCorp, which produces the Harley-Davidson X440 and the X440-based Hero Mavrick 440, reported sales of 12,188 units for these two models during the April-December 2024 timeframe.
This marks a year-on-year growth of 77%, giving Hero MotoCorp a 13% share of this market segment.
The Made-in-India Harley-Davidson is manufactured at Hero’s Garden Factory in Neemrana, Rajasthan.
It is available in three variants – Denim (₹2.40 lakh), Vivid (₹2.60 lakh), and S (₹2.80 lakh) – with 8,974 units sold between April and December 2024, representing a 31% increase according to industry data.
(This content was sourced from a syndicated feed and only edited for style by the Gujarat Samachar Digital team)
American motorcycle brands, including Harley-Davidson, could see a price drop in India following the Budget 2025 announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025. The budget has reduced import duties on high-capacity motorcycles.
The import duty for motorcycles with engine capacities up to 1,600 cc, which are imported as completely built-up (CBU) units, has been decreased from 50 percent to 40 percent.
Harley Davidson is renowned for its high-capacity motorcycles.
Moreover, the import duty on semi-knocked down (SKD) kits has been lowered from 25 percent to 20 percent, while completely knocked down (CKD) units now incur a tax of 10 percent, reduced from the previous 15 percent.
This tariff reduction is a response to threats from US President Donald Trump regarding reciprocal taxes on nations imposing high tariffs on American goods.
In December, Trump remarked that India’s taxes are excessive, asserting, “If they tax us, we tax them the same amount.”
According to the Ministry of Commerce, India emerged as the largest trading partner of the US last financial year.
Additionally, the tariff on Harley-Davidson bikes has been a contentious issue between India and the US for years, with Trump advocating for its reduction.
The import duty on motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 1,600 cc, imported as completely built-up (CBU) units, has been reduced to 40% from the previous rate of 50%.
Currently, the Harley-Davidson 440X— the smallest bike in the company’s lineup— is co-manufactured and marketed in India by Hero MotoCorp (File)
In the Union Budget 2025 announced on Saturday, India revealed a reduction in import duty for high-capacity motorcycles, benefiting the American brand, Harley-Davidson.
The import duty on motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 1,600 cc, imported as completely built-up (CBU) units, has been decreased to 40% from 50%. For motorcycles exceeding 1,600 cc, the duty reductions are even more significant.
Moreover, the import duty on semi-knocked down (SKD) kits has been reduced to 20%, down from 25%. Completely knocked down (CKD) units will now incur a tax of 10%, reduced from the previous 15%.
This move is regarded as a positive signal to the new US administration led by President Donald Trump. The tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles have been a contentious issue in US-India relations. The Trump administration has persistently advocated for lower trade barriers, particularly on US-manufactured goods.
Previously, President Trump claimed that India imposes the highest tariffs on foreign products among major countries. He also warned of reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods.
“Perhaps the most important element of my plan to make America extraordinarily wealthy again is reciprocity. It’s a word that’s very important in my plan because we generally don’t charge tariffs. I started that process, it was so great, with the vans and the small trucks, etc. We really don’t charge. China will charge us a 200 percent tariff. Brazil is a big charger. The biggest charger of all is India,” Trump stated in a significant economic policy address, as reported by PTI.
“We’re not the foolish country that does so badly. You look at India, a very good friend of mine, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, you take a look at what they’ve done, 100 percent tax on a motorcycle. We charge them nothing,” Trump remarked in an interview with CBS News.
“So, when Harley sends over there, they have 100 percent tax. When they (India) send in they make a tremendous number of motorcycles when they send them in, no tax. I called him. I said it’s unacceptable,” he added.
In the meantime, the Indian government has stated that the objective is to foster domestic manufacturing.
India is reportedly also considering cuts to customs duties on approximately seven to eight high-end products, which include specialized steel, high-end motorcycles, and electronic devices.
Currently, the Harley-Davidson 440X — the smallest motorcycle in the company’s lineup — is co-manufactured and sold in India by Hero MotoCorp. The firm, which produces the Harley-Davidson X440 and the X440-based Hero Mavrick 440, sold a total of 12,188 units of these two models during the April-December 2024 period, according to news agency IANS.
(With inputs from agencies)
Newsbusiness Harley Davidson Bikes May Get Cheaper In India, Here’s Why
A multitude of motorcycles have zoomed across the silver screen, but here are our top picks.
The Harley in Girl on a Motorcycle
Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O
Marianne Faithfull and her Harley Electra Glide in Girl on a Motorcycle
In the British-French movie from 1968, Girl on a Motorcycle, Marianne Faithfull takes on the role of a woman living boldly, riding her Harley Davidson Electra Glide to rendezvous with her lover, Daniel (Alain Delon).
For various high-speed scenes, filmmakers secured Faithfull on the motorcycle, which was connected to a platform and towed by a vehicle on a closed route. The film’s blend of psychedelia and fatalism, alongside its motorcycle-centric narrative, solidifies the Electra Glide’s status as a legendary film bike.
The Batpod in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises
Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O
The Batpod from The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises is an intricately crafted motorcycle custom-made for Batman, portrayed by Christian Bale, with assistance from his ally Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman).
This motorcycle features a distinctive, cutting-edge design that necessitates Batman to ride in an almost horizontal position. Its capability for tight turns on 31-inch tires and quick directional changes makes it perfect for urban pursuits.
The Harley in Easy Rider
Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O
You had to see this one coming! In the 1969 film Easy Rider, Peter Fonda’s character, Wyatt (also referred to as Captain America), rides a custom-built Harley-Davidson chopper. This iconic motorcycle became emblematic of the 1960s counterculture and is deeply woven into the film’s narrative of liberation and defiance.
The bike was crafted by Cliff Vaughs and Ben Hardy, transforming a Harley-Davidson FLH Hydra-Glide into a unique masterpiece. Key features include a long and lowered profile, a signature “peanut” fuel tank, extended front forks, high handlebars, and a custom exhaust system.
Its iconic American flag paint job was influenced by the designs made popular by motorcycle customizer Arlen Ness, embodying the spirit of unyielding individualism celebrated by the counterculture movement that Easy Rider immortalized.
The Kawasaki in Top Gun
Paramount Pictures – Credit: C/O
In the 1986 film Top Gun, Tom Cruise’s character, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, rides a Kawasaki GPZ900—a sportbike that was all the rage in the 1980s, featuring a robust four-cylinder engine, a lightweight frame, and a sleek profile.
In one memorable scene, the red-and-black variant is seen next to a runway as a jet takes flight, underscoring Maverick’s audacious and free-spirited nature. Additionally, Maverick uses it to take Charlie (Kelly McGillis) out for a spin around town.
Cruise also excels with smaller bikes in other films.
The Harley in Terminator 2: Judgment Day
TriStar Pictures – Credit: C/O
In the 1991 film Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 model Terminator steals a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, recognized for its robust and muscular appearance.
This bike is further enhanced in the movie with intriguing features like a shotgun holster and red pinstripes. One of the bikes used during filming fetched an impressive price of around $500,000.
In the 1987 movie Raising Arizona, the character Leonard Smalls, played by Randall “Tex” Cobb, is a fearsome bounty hunter who rides a striking, dystopian motorcycle that amplifies his menacing presence.
His motorcycle is a Honda VT500, also referred to as the Honda Shadow VT500, presenting a cruiser-style silhouette.
The Triumph in The Great Escape
One of the all-time classic movie motorcycles, specially designed for The Great Escape. United Artists – Credit: C/O
In the classic film The Great Escape from 1963, the motorcycle ridden by Steve McQueen’s Captain Virgil Hilts features a 1961 Triumph TR6 Trophy, artfully altered by Von Dutch to resemble a WWII German BMW R75.
The exhilarating motorcycle chase scenes in this film—filled with jumps, rugged maneuvers, and rapid riding—have contributed to some of the most legendary moments in the annals of cinema.
The Norton Commando in My Own Private Idaho
Keanu Reeves loves movie motorcycles, and riding bikes in real life. Fine Line Features – Credit: C/O
In the 1991 film My Own Private Idaho, Keanu Reeves’ character, Scott Favor, rides a 1974 Norton Commando, the same bike he rode for over 1,300 miles to persuade River Phoenix to join the cast.
The Commando is a classic British motorcycle with a parallel-twin engine, a sleek design, and a reputation for delivering smooth performance and handling. It enjoys a dedicated fanbase among motorcycle lovers, particularly due to its iconic standing in the 1970s.
The Harley in Mother
Netflix – Credit: C/O
In the new film Mother, Jennifer Lopez plays a character striving to rescue her abducted daughter. Lopez’s role as a U.S. military operative, known as “The Mother,” involves riding a Harley Davidson Forty-Eight Vivid Black variant.
Earlier on, her character also rides a less intimidating Yamaha RX through the narrow, winding streets of Havana, Cuba.
The Buell Firebolts in Blade: Trinity
Two American-made movie motorcycles in Blade Trinity. New Line Cinema – Credit: C/O
In 2004’s Blade: Trinity, we see both Blade (Wesley Snipes) and his partner Abigail Whistler (Jessica Biel), a fellow vampire slayer, riding Buell Firebolt XB12R motorcycles.
The XB12R is a sportbike produced by Buell Motorcycle Company, established in 1983 by ex-Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell.
Biel’s bike stands out with its bright blue color design.
Marlon Brando and Mary Murphy in The Wild One, courtesy of Columbia Pictures. – Credit: C/O
The film that ignited it all: In 1953’s The Wild One, Marlon Brando’s character, Johnny Strabler, rides a 650cc Triumph Thunderbird, arguably the most recognized motorcycle in film history.
The Triumph Thunderbird is a classic British bike celebrated for its performance and iconic silhouette. The Wild One is often credited with popularizing the image of the motorcycle rebel, with Johnny and his unique Triumph Thunderbird becoming timeless symbols of youthful defiance and rebellion.
Also
Tom Hardy as Johnny in The Bikeriders. Focus Features – Credit: C/O
If you’re a motorcycle aficionado, you might also enjoy The Bikeriders (above), a 2024 drama by Jeff Nichols starring Tom Hardy and Austin Butler as members of a biker gang entangled in a love triangle with Jodie Comer’s character Kathy in the lead.
Enjoyed Our List of Iconic Movie Motorcycles? Here’s More!
Dimension Films – Credit: C/O
If you relished our compilation of iconic movie motorcycles, you’re bound to appreciate this list of the 15 Most Beautiful Cars in Movies.
