Harley-Davidson conducts first Flat Track Trials at India Bike Week; announces Rider Training Academy

-  Over 500 registrations were received for the Time Trials which had only 150 slots

- Sanjay Kumar won the Flat Track Trials followed by Abrar Bin Ayub and Dev Venkatesh

- Also launched its riding academy for the first time in India

The sixth edition of the India Bike Week has come to an end on a high note with a large turn-up of bike enthusiasts. Harley-Davidson has been present at this national biking festival right from its inception back in 2013. The company has achieved several milestones that were announced or introduced using IBW as a platform to reach the biking community. From launching the India HOG Rally in 2013 to unveiling the Street 750 in 2014, Harley-Davidson has always had something new to offer. On the note, for the sixth edition of the nation’s largest biking festival, Harley-Davidson introduced India’s very first Flat Track Timed Trials.

For those not in the know, Flat Tracking is a form of motorcycling that dates back to the early 1900s in America. The company has achieved immense success in Flat Tracking, with all credits owing to the legendary XR750 that rule the arena for close to three decades, according to the company. Flat tracking involves the rider having to race on his motorcycle on an oval dirt track. With no front brakes to cut speed, the rider has to rely on sliding the rear tire and getting around the corners as fast as possible.

For the inaugural Flack Track Trials, Harley-Davidson receives over 500 registrations even when only 150 slots were available. The competition bikes were Street Rods that were prepared by Rajputana Custom Motorcycles who carried out the necessary mods to make the bikes Flat Track ready. The competition was based on each rider getting four laps, on the specially curated dirt track. The best lap out of the four was counted and contestants with the top 10 lap timings were shortlisted to battle it out again for the podium at IBW. Among the Top 10 riders, Sanjay Kumar emerged the winner of the competition followed by Abrar Bin Ayub and Dev Venkatesh.

In addition to the Flat Track Timed Trails, the company also used this event as an opportunity to launch its global Harley-Davidson Riding Academy for the first time in India. The course has been specially curated considering the local market conditions. The curriculum will be offering a skilled rider course through its 32 dealer locations by 2020. Participants will receive training from expert instructors who have had special training on how to handle and ride a Harley-Davidson. The course will be a combination of both theory and practical classes. Harley-Davidson will be providing detailed information on the course schedule through the brand’s social media handles. As for now, the first session of the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy will be held in Mumbai on 14 December 2019.