The day is finally here, as Harley-Davidson has launched the X440 in India, priced at Rs 2.29 lakh onwards, directly aiming at the segment leader, Royal Enfield. The X440 is available in three variants, Denim, Vivid, and S.
The two companies, Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp took under 3 years to develop the entry-level motorcycle from Harley and this is the first product f their collaboration. The X440 will be built by Hero MotoCorp at its Rajasthan plant and Hero will also take care of sales and service.
The Harley-Davidson X440 gets USD forks, dual rear shocks, 18-inch-front and 17-inch rear wheels, spoke or ally wheels depending on the variant, a TFT instrument console with navigation and smartphone connectivity, and more. The X440 gets dual-channel ABS as standard.
Powering the X440 is a newly-developed 440cc single-cylinder oil-cooled engine that makes 27bhp and 38Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Harley says that this is the perfect power combination to tackle Indian conditions.
Competition-wise, the new Harley-Davidson X440 will compete with the 350cc Royal Enfield range, Honda CB 350 and CB 350 RS, and the soon-to-launch Triumph Speed 400.
New Harley-Davidson X440 India launch live updates
So the wait is finally over and the X440 is competitively priced. With a long-stroke engine, the Harley-Davidson X440 directly targets the RE 350 range which includes the Hunter, Classic, and the Meteor. Here's the complete launch report of the Harley-Davidson X440.
The X440 will be available in three variants as mentioned before, Denim, Vivid, and S. Prices are Rs 2.29 lakh for the Denim, 2.49 lakh for Vivid, and Rs 2.69 lakh for the S variant, all ex-showroom.
The new Harley-Davidson X440 is priced at Rs 2.29 lakh onwards, ex-showroom. Competitively priced.
Here is the new Harley-Davidson X440 in the flesh.
The new Harley-Davidson X440's engine is developed to offer strong torque in the low and mid-range.
The 440X will be available in three variants. The base gets spoke wheel, while the mid-variant gets alloy wheel and dual-tone paint. The top-spec version gets diamond cut alloy wheels, connectivity features, gear indicator, vehicle health, navigation, phone connectivity, and more.
Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp say that this is ideal for Indian conditions to take on all types o scenarios and conditions.
The team targeted to get 27bhp and 38Nm of torque for the two-valve oil-cooled single-cylinder unit, and they did achieve it.
The X440 gets a 320mm front rotor and a dual-channel ABS, The suspension has been developed to offer optimum stability and damping, designed for Indian roads.
While being developed, the team involved had to ensure that the new X440 has to look like a Harley, feel like a Harley, and sound like a Harley.
Like for most automotive brands, India is a big market for Harley-Davidson and with the help of Hero MotoCorp, the two companies were able to develop the X440 in under 3 years.
The new X440 has had extensive development in collaboration with CIT. Hero says that the X440 will retain the iconic Harley exhaust note.
Hero initially collaborated with Honda, and in 2011, rebranded itself as Hero MotoCorp. Now, Hero's collaborated with Harley-Davidson.
Dr Pawan Munjal takes the stage for an inaugural speech.
The much awaited launch is a few minutes away. Stay tuned for all the details.
The new Harley-Davidson X440 sits in a highly competitive segment that includes the Royal Enfield range, the upcoming Triumph twins, Honda CB 350 and the CB 350 RS, and others. The X440 has a lot to offer as all these motorcycles have established a strong fan base.
Under the collaboration, Hero MotoCorp will build and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley-Davidson name. Hero will also also take care of after sales and spare parts for these motorcycles.
The Harley-Davidson X440's engine specifications have been kept under wraps. Wat we know is that it will be a single-cylinder unit and air/oil-cooled. The engine specifications have been kept a tight secret till date.
The images reveal USD front forks, dual shocks at the rear, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS, alloy wheels, and a single round instrument cluster. The X440 also gets LED lighting all around.
Read more: New images of made-in-India Harley-Davidson X440 revealed
From the images revealed by Harley-Davidson, the new X440 gets a sleek tank, a round LED headlight, flat, wide handle bar, mid-set foot pegs, alloy wheels, and subtle, but contrasting graphics. The new Harley-Davidson carries a classic, yet modern design language.
So far, Harley-Davidson has only revealed images, which show most of the X440's crucial components such as suspension, wheels, and its overall design. The X440 gets neutral-set footpegs, offering a relaxed riding position. The wide bars compliment the ergonomics.
The new Harley X440 is the bike maker's entry-level offering and the first product made in collaboration with Hero MotoCorp. It is a crucial product for Harley-Davidson as this is the first sub 500 cc motorcycle built by Harley in a long time.
Today's the big day for Harley-Davidson as the motorcycle maker will be launching the X440 in India shortly. Stay tuned for all the live updates.