Mangoes for motorcycles: Harley Davidson to rev in India. Finally

After years of wrangling with the government over mangoes, high import duties and emission norms, American bike maker Harley Davidson put a countdown clock on its official India website, which hit zero on Friday August 28, 2009.

The site's rally cry to fans read, “The adventure begins...Tomorrow is a new dawn. A new chapter in the 107-year history of the company and the birth of the genuine Harley Davidson experience in India. A billion dreams find voice in this glorious land as India fulfills its destiny as a 21st century powerhouse. At the heart of Harley Davidson is the promise to inspire and fulfill dreams, to free the spirit. Our paths were destined to cross.”

Hardcore bikers in the Indian blogosphere revved in unison along with over 10,000 Orkut fans, even though sales will only begin in 2010 and the price tag is expected to be double of what it is in the United States, at Rs 8 lakh and up.

Enfield loyalists, what say you?

Oh, and the mangoes? Reportedly, Washington's reversal on an 18-year ban to allow the import of Indian mangoes helped pave the way for this iconic piece of American roadware. A fair trade?