Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe India launch date revealed: All you need to know

Iconic American motorcycle-maker Harley-Davidson is all set to expand its Softail family of bikes in India. Harley-Davidson will launch the Softail Deluxe in the country on February 28 (Wednesday) and it will join other Softail models - Street Bob, Fat Bob, Fat Boy, and Heritage Classic.

In line with the other Softail models, Deluxe is powered by the new Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin engine. The powertrain is the 1,746cc unit which delivers 148Nm of torque through a six-speed gearbox. It also gets dual counter-balancers for sublime smoothness. In typical Harley-Davidson style, the power figures are yet to be revealed.

Deluxe, as the name suggests, celebrates old-school cruiser motorcycle ethos in design. The large round headlamp flanked by auxiliary lights, wide seats, and pullback handlebar are inspired by cruiser bikes of the past. In addition, wire-spoked wheels that are shod with white-walled tires add to the classic appeal of the motorcycle. The traditionally-styled Deluxe is definitely a nostalgic machine on the outside with a modern powertrain and chassis beneath the surface makes it ideal for a new world. It's the blend of both the worlds.

In the new Softail Deluxe, Harley-Davidson has also redesigned the mild-steel tubular frame to make it 65 percent stiffer. The frame also has fewer component parts and lesser welds. The company claims increased lean angle and more precise steering are the benefits of the new chassis.

The Softail Deluxe comes fitted with Showa Dual Bending Valve (SDBV) forks up front while the rear gets a single under-seat coil-over shock. The suspension set up will offer increased wheel travel, more controlled damping and a larger range of spring preload adjustment. Keyless ignition and ABS will be offered as standard.

The Softail Deluxe will be slotted between Fat Bob and Fat Boy in the Softail family and is expected to be priced around Rs 16 lakh, ex-showroom.