Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland CycleWerks began business not very long ago. Still new to the industry, the company builds small displacement retro style café racers and bobbers known for their distinctive retro-chic styling, ride quality and above all value for money. There have been issues with their fit and finish, but are ever improving.

This American manufacturer is going to set up shop in India this year to taste how it is to run in the biggest market for two-wheelers. It will go in the Indian bike market to challenge Royal Enfield's small bike supremacy in its own backyard. They will bring three models out of their six to the Indian market, all ranging from 110cc to 230cc catering to the commuter segment (the biggest motorcycle segment of the country).

CCW established themselves in 2009 and hasd grown from a modest investment into an international brand that sells its products worldwide. Located in Cleveland Ohio, this American company manufacturers parts in the USA, Taiwan, Korea, China and South Africa and finally assembles its motorcycles in China. All their bikes are now sold to more than 25 countries, and they have no plans of stopping anytime soon.

Started with just one motorcycle, the company now produces six motorcycle models that offer displacements ranging from 125cc to 450cc. All of them are powered by a single cylinder unit which is based out of older Honda motors. Relying on offshore manufacturing in China by CPI Motor Company of Taiwan for most components, including frames.

And to begin with, the company will get three of its models in the first year of operation, and the remaining half will come the following year. The first one heading to India is The Ace. The Cleveland CycleWerks Ace Standard is a pretty basic motorcycle that puts functionality and efficiency on top of its priorities list. Thanks to its flexible personality, low seat height, and lightweight, the Ace Standard is ideal for city riding.

The motorcycle is built around a 229.65 cc, 4 stroke, air cooled engine which generates a maximum power of 14 hp at 7000 rpm and 11 lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpm. All this power is transferred to the rear wheel employing five-speed, two-stage, constant mesh transmission with wet multi-plate clutch. The unit can propel the motorcycle to a maximum speed of up to 70 mph.

The Ace will be made available in two variants – Standard and Deluxe. The Standard is a pretty basic motorcycle, while the Deluxe gets a few upgrades such as aluminum wheels, inverted forks, a slightly raised front fender, wide bars, dual surface tires and a flat comfy seat.

The other two models will be Misfit, a café-racer-style premium commuter and the FXR, a dirt bike. The Misfit is the sportiest of them all with having a 223cc engine that churns out 16.5 hp power and 13 lb-ft torque and comes with inverted front forks, a 315mm, four-piston disc brake up front and a 220mm, two-piston disc brake at the back.

The FXR, on the other hand, is a street-legal version of a dirt bike having instrument panel, headlights, and indicators. Power comes from a 110cc 4-stroke single engine which is paired with a kick starter. The engine is mounted on a steel frame that seems to incorporate the fuel tank. To be able to deal with any terrain without baking down, the motorcycle is equipped with a pair of light 21 inch wheels which are wrapped in knobby tires. You also get a narrow seat, disc brakes, and a 22 mm carburetor.

It seems like the company is made to sell its bikes in India, a country filled with people wanting cheap, small-displacement bikes. CCW might even find more business selling in India rather than here in the U.S of A. Reportedly, their bikes will fall under the ₹2-2.5 lakh (roughly $3,126 to $3,900) bracket, which is just where the Enfields place themselves. The first store is planned for Pune, but CCW plans to eventually expand its reach to 30 cities nationwide.

To tussle the mighty homegrown Royal Enfield is a huge gamble I must say. A bike that has so much character and raw power, and to go head to head with that, CCW might have just misplaced their nuts in the brains elsewhere. They are too underpowered when compared to the Enfields but may fare on par with fir and finish.