Motorcycles, the premium ones, are all about the ‘x’ factor, which greatly influences your purchase decision. There may be multiple options, cheaper, better equipped, easier to handle, but if you’ve set your heart on this ‘x’ factor on a particular motorcycle, nothing but affordability is changing your decision. If you do not feel the presence of the ‘x’, something that the commuter segment caters to, and electrics are not there yet, you’ll never be a motorcyclist. And Harley-Davidson motorcycles possess the ‘x’ in spades, and some. With affordability the only barrier, say hello to the X440, which you can acquire for less than INR 3.5 lakh in top-trim across the country.
This is the reason Harley-Davidson X440 marks a significant milestone in the Indian motorcycle market, signifying Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson’s entry into the competitive 440cc segment. Developed collaboratively at Hero’s Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) and manufactured at the Garden Factory in Neemrana, Rajasthan, the X440 blends authentic Harley character with Hero’s robust manufacturing capabilities. This of course allows you to get a Harley for considerably less money.
Modern Yet Timeless
The Harley-Davidson X440 balances modern functionality with Harley-Davidson cues. The muscular metal tank, seamless construction, and distinctive turtle shape underline its robust, challenging appearance. The lighting system, comprising a full LED headlamp with integrated DRLs, retro-styled tail lamps, and turn signals with collimator technology, blends classic aesthetics with cutting-edge visibility and safety. The performance of the lighting is also the best in the segment, most manufacturers should take learnings from the lads at Harley.
But the rear view mirrors are just rubbish. They vibrate, cover a tiny area behind you, and nearly shake loose from the mountings. It can be looked at again for fine-tuning further. Subtle yet definitive design choices, such as the bronzed engine finish and diamond-cut wheels, elevate the motorcycle’s visual appeal. The rear quarter will need some styling changes though. It just does not look good enough. How can the might of such an enormous design department mess up the rear?
Refined Powertrain For Practicality
At its heart, the Harley-Davidson X440 features a newly designed 440cc single-cylinder oil-cooled engine compliant with BSVI (OBD II) and E20 norms. It serves a meaty 27 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 38 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. It showcases a notably flat torque curve, offering nearly 90% of its peak torque as low as 2,000 rpm. It feels modern and has some shove through every six of its gears.
The inclusion of an assist and slipper clutch to smooth gear shifts also reduces rider fatigue whilst inspiring confidence when you gun it. The transmission complements the powertrain, facilitating relaxed highway touring and smooth urban manoeuvring. The most impressive bit is surely the exhaust note. It is uncanny how the engineers managed to produce the rich baritone of a much bigger pushrod twin than a meek single. Kudos to the technicians, this is one of the best sounding singles of all time.
Rides Great, Handles Alright
In the true spirit of a Harley-Davidson, the ride quality is simply wonderful. Highway rides on the X440 are very well balanced and smooth, absorbing undulations and keeping you comfy in the saddle. The saddle itself, the seat and foot-peg positioning though could use some changes. The seat itself will have to be reworked as padding is not very comfortable for longer rides. And the foot-peg position is too far in the front. It is a practical and agile urban cruiser, not a long-haul V-twin Harley, so position the foot-pegs intelligently.
The chassis geometry is thoughtfully optimised for stability and confidence. It will eat corners faster if the squishy suspension didn’t add to the floppiness. Basically, it is a very capable chassis which could use slightly better-tuned suspension to make it an epic barnstormer. The wide, flat handlebar provides a commanding riding posture, adding to its superior control. Also, adding to the negative aspect of the saddle is that it is also not at all comfortable for the pillion; too small and grab handles are difficult to hold. The lightweight alloys look absolutely brilliant.
Featuring an 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel, the design looks and feels way more expensive for this segment. The MRF Zapper Hyke tyres, although okay-ish for normal use, should be swapped with better aftermarket rubber for purists. The X440 is equipped with a 320 mm disc at the front and a 240 mm disc at the rear. These components deliver excellent braking power, modulation, and feedback, but get pulled back by the limits of grip from these tyres. Just get aftermarkets after you chew through your first set, which will take a while. Also, we did take it on some rough patches, it does not like that at all.
Infotainment & Customisation
Yes, the cornerstone nowadays is the infotainment, so yes the X440 integrates a 3.5-inch TFT displaying ride information, navigation, and smartphone connectivity. Riders benefit from intuitive navigation features, music controls, call management, and a host of rider alerts, significantly enhancing the riding experience. Additionally, the USB 2A Quick Charge 3.0 standard ensures devices remain charged during rides, offering practical convenience for everyday usage. The cluster is difficult to view in harsh sunlight though. This is where analogue gauges work great, but apparently those are out the window for premium motorcycles these days for the Instagram generation.
Acknowledging the importance of personalisation, the Harley-Davidson X440 offers extensive accessory options, including touring seats, backrests, fog lamps, windscreen, saddle bags, and bar-end mirrors. These elements allow riders to customise the motorcycle to individual tastes and specific riding needs, further enriching the ownership experience.
The Harley-Davidson X440 stands out as a strategically positioned model in India's mid-capacity motorcycle market. It effectively bridges Harley-Davidson’s iconic appeal and Hero MotoCorp's manufacturing scale, offering substantial value in terms of performance, safety, and rider comfort in this highly competitive segment. With competitive pricing and robust build quality, you can now own the Harley-Davidson badge for real. And although sceptics will sneer, as one of our colleagues said ‘Hardly-Davidson’, the X440 is able to capture some essence of the heritage part. Take a test ride, just the exhaust note alone is enough to entice you for the down payment.
Photography: Mohd Nasir
