American motorcycle brand Cleveland Cyclewerks has unveiled the four motorcycles that it will soon launch in India. The company was conceived to provide affordable (and fun) motorcycles for the American market and has now partnered with Hyderabad-based Laish-Madison Motor Werks for its Indian operations. The motorcycles launched will be CKD imports from China that will be assembled at a facility in Pune. Deliveries are expected to commence by June 2018.
Its model range includes the Misfit, Ace Scrambler 250, Ace Deluxe 250, the bobber-styled Heist 250, Ace Cafe 250 and the quirky, trials-bike styled FXR 125. All the motorcycles, barring the FXR, share the 229cc, OHV, single-cylinder, air-cooled motor which produces 15.4hp at 7,000rpm and 16Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. The five-speed gearbox is also common to these motorcycles, while the FXR 125 gets a four-speed gearbox.
Of the range, the Misfit and the Heist employ a tubular, steel-backbone-type dual-cradle chassis. The other 250s get a square-section single-downtube frame. A USD fork is standard on the Misfit and the three Ace models while the Heist gets a conventional telescopic fork. All of these motorcycles sport dual shock absorbers at the rear (except the FXR, which gets a monoshock) and the Misfit and Ace Scrambler also offer five-step preload adjustability in addition.
Aluminium wire-spoke rims are standard on all models except the Misfit and Heist, which get steel rims with wire spokes instead. A 298mm disc with a twin-piston caliper at the front, and a 210mm disc with a single-piston caliper at the rear, are standard on the Ace models. The Misfit gets a 320mm disc with a four-piston radial mount caliper at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear. The Heist gets a 210/240mm (front/rear) disc combination. ABS has not been offered on these motorcycles as yet and should get them when the mandatory norms come into effect.
While these are fairly conventional motorcycles, which are configured for practicality, their output figures don’t indicate a thrilling performance in the least. The Ace models have a kerb weight of 133kg, a 14-litre fuel tank and a ground clearance of between 150mm and 188mm (for the Scrambler). The Misfit, meanwhile, weighs 144kg (kerb), has a 15-litre fuel tank and offers 150mm of ground clearance.
With indicative prices of between Rs 2-2.5 lakh, Cleveland Cyclewerks may have an uphill task ahead given how competitive the price band is. Considering its motorcycles boast specifications (in terms of powertrain) that are more in tune with the 150cc motorcycles on sale in India right now, Cleveland’s probable highlight will be its choice of cycle parts and the exclusivity factor. Let us know what you think of these new motorcycles in the comments section below.
| Cleveland CycleWerks Prices | |
|---|---|
| Bike | Price |
| Misfit | Rs 2-2.5 lakh |
| Ace Cafe 250 | Rs 2-2.5 lakh |
| Ace Scrambler 250 | Rs 2-2.5 lakh |
| Ace Deluxe 250 | Rs 2-2.5 lakh |
Attractive interests rates by  | |
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
