The HOG comes to India

Harley Davidson (ticker symbol HOG) announced that they will be selling their entire line of bikes - everything that roars, screeches, and screams - in India, the second largest motorcycle market in the world. I have traveled extensively throughout that country and at one time held an apartment in Kolkata (previously Calcutta), so I am no stranger to the vehicular situation. And it's important to note that most of the motorcycles in India seem to be pre-war 250cc Hondas and mopeds (WWII, that is).

Something tells me that the traffic is about to get much crazier than the current state of "Brownian motion with vehicles." How is something like this...



going to maneuver around traffic like this?



or this?



At least on a Sportster that sounds like the second coming of Vishnu you can outrun those black-smoke belching heavyweight trucks with I-beam front bumpers, emblazoned with the farewell "Tata" across the grill - an adieu to the afterlife if you've seen what happens when one of those lorries strikes a pedestrian. Actually, I predict that Harley Davidson will enjoy much success in India, provided that an aftermarket for custom accessories is in place shortly after the product line launch. Given the volume and variety of Indian symbolism, the Hogs sold on the sub-continent should be worthy of a show at the Guggenheim

Personally, I might return and buy a Sportster with a chrome statue of Ganesh residing above the headlight...