Exclusive: Cleveland CycleWerks India to launch Ace and Misfit sub-250cc motorcycles at Auto Expo 2018

Cleveland CycleWerks India, an Amercian motorcycle brand, will make its India foray at the upcoming Auto Expo 2018, with the launch of the two sub-250cc motorcycles. Officials from Cleveland CycleWerks have told OVERDRIVE that they will launch the Cleveland Ace and Cleveland Misfit motorcycles in India. Both motorcycles follow the retro-inspired design. The Cleveland Ace is a retro-classic commuter with a scrambler variant, while the Cleveland Misfit is designed as a cafe racer. Both motorcycles come powered by single cylinder engines displacing in the region of 230cc, with modest power figures. While not very high on power, the company intends for the retro-styled motorcycles to be available at affordable prices with local production. With a new Bajaj Avenger on the way, as well as the Honda Rebel 300 and other models expected to launch this year, the Cleveland CycleWerks India motorcycles could bring some retro flavour to the segment.

Cleveland CycleWerks (CCW) from Cleveland, Ohio (USA) has set up its India offices in Mumbai and Hyderabad in partnership with India-based Laish-Madison Motorwerks Private Limited and will manufacture the two motorcycles at a facility in Pune. "CCW plans to officially launch its motorcycles at the upcoming Auto Expo 2018. To begin with, CCW will be initially launching two of its five models in India. The models, Ace and Misfit, fall under the café racer category. Various design options for both the models would be available for the Indian consumer and it will be showcased at the upcoming Auto Expo 2018," the company stated in a reply to OVERDRIVE. Here are some details about the two upcoming launches from the company:

Cleveland Ace

The Cleveland Ace is a standard motorcycle. It comes powered by an air-cooled 229.5cc single cylinder engine, producing 14.5PS and 16.5Nm. These are figures from the CCW international website for the carburetted engine, and CCW has not shared the specifications for the India-specific model. The power figures may not scream performance, but CCW isn't going for that. The Ace is being targeted at the young crowd as a retro-styled urban runabout.

"The Ace is a great commuter and perfect for around town with daily highway jaunts," CCW claims. The company claims a fuel efficiency of over 30kmpl with a cruising speed of around 110kmph. Then there is the Ace Deluxe which the company says has a scrambler look. The Ace Deluxe features aluminium wheels, inverted front forks, a slightly raised fender, wide handlebars, dual-surface tyres, and a flat seat.

Cleveland Misfit

The Cleveland Misfit, meanwhile, is being touted as a sporty commuter, and has a more retro-modern aesthetic. It seems to be styled based on the nostalgia wave that has taken the fancy of bike builders across Europe and the US in recent years. The Misfit is currently in its second generation. CCW says, "The Misfit has oodles of character built to fill the gap for customers who want an affordable American motorcycle that they can enjoy riding and maintaining themselves. At the same time, it is a performance bike in the 250cc category, rolling on chromed steel wheels, an 18-inch front and a 16 rear".

The Cleveland Misfit draws power from a air-cooled 223cc single cylinder engine with an overhead cam (OHC) and counter-balancer. The Misfit has better power figures than the Ace at 16.3PS / 18Nm. However, it also weighs more at 144kg (kerb) against the 126kg of the Ace. The Misfit, with a 315mm disc brake up front and 220mm disc at the rear, as well as twin pod instrumentation, gold-finish upside down forks, and other kit may come at a premium over the Ace.

CCW says it aims to sell 5,000 motorcycles overall, including its supply to 23 other countries, in 2018-19. And while these motorcycles may work in a niche segment if priced well, their quality and performance will only be known when we get our hands on them.