KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Harley-Davidson X440 is priced between Rs 2,39,500 and Rs 2,79,500 (ex-showroom, India).
- It is the only Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a single-cylinder engine a 440cc air/oil-cooled mill that claims 27 bhp and 38 Nm.
- It is the most affordable Harley-Davidson motorcycle in India, and it is the only locally manufactured one.
- It feels very different to ride and handle than the burly cruisers from Harley-Davidson.
Remember the Harley-Davidson Street 750, the motorcycle with which the American icon had tied hopes for success in the Indian market? While the Street 750 is a thing of the past, Harley-Davidson decided to chart its new path of success with the X440, its first-ever single-cylinder motorcycle in India. Developed and manufactured by Hero MotoCorp in India, the Harley-Davidson X440 is a crucial motorcycle for the brand's fortunes and volumes in India.
Is it good enough to be the survivor for Harley-Davidson, or is it an attempt that needs more to be done? We find out, but before that, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community to keep up with the latest happenings in the automobile world!
2024 Harley-Davidson X440 Pros
Engine feels punchy
The single-cylinder, air/oil-cooled, 440cc engine of the Harley-Davidson X440, developed by Hero MotoCorp, might not have the quintessential potato-potato feel of other Harley-Davidson behemoths. However, for its size, this 440cc engine is massively impressive, with loads of torque for making urban and highway rides fun.
Competition check: The Harley-Davidson X440 claims 27 bhp and 38 Nm, which are lesser than its direct rivals, the Triumph Speed 400 (40 bhp and 37.5 Nm) and Royal Enfield Guerilla 450 (40 bhp and 40 Nm).
Agile handling
Given their massive size, no one expects Harley-Davidson motorcycles to be agile in their manoeuvrability. However, the X440 has changed that perception with its slim profile and light kerb weight.
Competition check: With a kerb weight of 194.5 kg, the 2024 Harley-Davidson X440 is heavier than the Triumph Speed 400 (176 kg) and Royal Enfield Guerilla 450 (185 kg).
Impressive NVH levels
While the X440 lacks the typical bassy exhaust notes of Harley-Davidson's much larger cruisers, it scores high on refinement levels. For a single-cylinder engine, the Harley-Davidson X440 sounds decent and has minimal vibrations at higher speeds.
Competition check: Regarding engine refinement, the Harley-Davidson X440 is on par with the Triumph Speed 400 while faring marginally better than the Royal Enfield Guerilla 450.
Comfortable ride quality
Harley-Davidson motorcycles are known for being great mile munchers with effortless cruising abilities, and the X440 is no different. Despite being significantly smaller than all the other Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the X440 delivers a well-cushioned ride quality at lower and higher speeds.
Competition check: Besides offering a comfortable ride quality, the X440 has a more relaxed riding posture than the Triumph Speed 400 and Royal Enfield Guerilla 450.
2024 Harley-Davidson X440 Cons
Higher variants are expensive
The prices of X440 start at Rs 2,39,500 for the base variant, which comes with a simpler instrument console, spoke wheels, and tubeless tyres. However, the higher variants, which have a more modern console, alloy wheels, and tubeless tyres like the competition, stretch to Rs 2,79,500, making it an expensive proposition.
Competition check: The fully loaded variant of HD X440 is more expensive than the Triumph Speed 400 (Rs 2.33 lakh) and Royal Enfield Guerilla 450 (Rs 2.39 lakh-Rs 2.54 lakh).
No riding modes
Despite being a premium sub-450cc roadster, the Harley-Davidson X440 lacks riding aids like traction control and riding modes, making its steep pricing hard to justify.
Competition check: While the X440 and Triumph Speed 400 do not have riding modes, the Royal Enfiled Guerilla 450 has two riding modes Eco and Performance.
Lacks the premium feel of traditional Harley-Davidson motorcycles
The X440 is the only Harley-Davidson motorcycle that is manufactured in India. The overall fit and finish levels of the X440 are average when going by the standards of the brand, which makes it feel less premium compared to them.
Competition check: While the X440 lacks the premium feel of other Harley-Davidson motorcycles, it is on par with the Guerilla 450 in fit and finish levels. The Triumph Speed 400 leads the pack, though.
Verdict
The X440 is the first attempt by Harley-Davidson to take on the game of volumes, which has come across as a well-executed move, leaving besides the minor chinks in its armour. The motorcycle impresses with its riding dynamics and performance, which are very different from other, much more expensive Harley-Davidson models.
