Review and first ride of the Harley Davidson X440

 

There was a time when Indo-Japanese motorcycles dominated the Indian motorcycle market. However, in order to capture a portion of the enormous Indian motorcycle market, European and American brands are currently relying on Indian manufacturers to produce motorcycles that are both built for and in India. Harley Davidson is the most recent player in this market. Together with Hero MotoCorp, the American company has recently developed the Harley Davidson X440 to compete with motorcycles like the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Jawa 42, and Honda H'ness CB350, among others. How is riding, then?

Details of the Harley Davidson X440's design

To start, the Harley Davidson X440 is a stylish motorbike that appears to have drawn design cues from the Harley Davidson Sportster line, particularly the Harley Davidson XR 1200 X. The sporty 18-inch MRF Zapper Hyke tires that were created especially for the Harley-Davidson X440 are mounted on diamond-cut alloy wheels. Both the short fender and the 43mm USD forks have a stylish appearance. The headlamp is an all-LED design that includes the recognizable LED DRL. Additionally, the headlamp has an "auto on" feature that turns it on when riding in the dark. That is a pretty clever and practical feature.

The instrument panel consists of a single digital pod. Within the housing is a tiny 3.5-inch TFT display that displays data on the vehicle's speed, fuel level, engine speed, and telltales. Along with other things, it includes a trip computer and a fuel economy calculator. The display is a rectangular unit while the pod is spherical, therefore visibility is not a problem. The only thing that seems a little strange is that. A USB charger that Harley Davidson cleverly positioned right next to the instrument pod makes it much easier to charge smartphones while on the go. A raised and broad handlebar and decent switchgear quality are further elements of the Harley Davidson X440. 

The motorcycle has a sizable 13.5-liter petrol tank with the Harley logo on the sides. The tank blends seamlessly into the side panels and has a classy appearance. The seat is also a long, wide piece that was comfy to sit in while traveling. The seat height is also a more manageable 805mm. The LED tail light and hold grips for the passenger are housed in the back fender. The gap between the 17-inch rear tire and the fender, though, seems a little strange. The engine and exhaust pipe are blacked out, which adds to the overall look.

Engine, transmission, chassis, and brakes for the Harley Davidson X440

An all-new motorcycle with a tubular steel perimeter frame is the Harley Davidson X440. The motor is also brand-new and a long-stroke motor, which is a feature common to Royal Enfield motorcycles. The Harley engine, on the other hand, has an oil-cooled 440cc displacement. At 27 horsepower and 38 Nm, the power and torque numbers are respectable. But the real deal here is that all of the torque arrives at 4,000 rpm. A 6-speed transmission on the engine drives the rear wheels.

The Harley Davidson X440 has twin gas-charged shocks at the back and 43mm USD forks up front. The bike has 320mm disc brakes up front and 240mm brakes at the back. ABS with dual channels is standard.

How does the Harley Davidson X440 ride?

I was immediately struck by how simple it was to mount this 190.5-kg motorcycle. With the foot pegs in the middle as opposed to being rear- or forward-set, the seating position is perfect. We are confident that the Harley Davidson X440 will be a cozy long-distance tourer when combined with the broad handlebar. When you push the starting, the exhaust makes a rorty sound. 

The gearbox is smooth, and the engine feels rev-happy. Additionally, the clutch motion is mild, which should be quite helpful in traffic. The torque enters at extremely low rpms, which is another feature that works wonders. With top gear, this enables cruising at speeds as low as 47kmph. From that point on, all the bike needs is a turn of the throttle to take off. Most riders adore this, and the Harley Davidson excels at providing it. The Harley Davidson X440, however, is no slow bus! The motor redlines at about 6,500 rpm in practically every gear and loves to be revved. 

The bike's quick acceleration adds to the enjoyment of riding it. This is where we were truly astonished when we returned. The Harley Davidson X440 enjoys dancing and is a blast to ride around turns. Around Hero MotoCorp's handling course at CIT, Jaipur, we quickly chewed through the peg sliders since the pegs scraped easily. The wide handlebar makes things more simpler, and the bike feels light when turning.

We did not experience any hard terrain near the facility, so we will hold judgment until we take the bike out for a spin on regular roads. But just on how it seems, we can already tell that the Harley Davidson X440 will dazzle.

Verdict on the Harley Davidson X440

There is little question that the Harley Davidson X440 is designed to compete in India's fiercely competitive middle-weight motorcycle market, where price plays a significant role. So, while being very inexpensive, the bike looks and feels sturdy. 

The fact that there are a few areas where things could have been done better is true, but it in no way invalidates the project. The Harley Davidson X440 offers excellent value for money at a starting price of Rs 2.29 lakh and going as high as Rs 2.69 lakh. Not to mention, the Harley Davidson X440 will let you enter the Harley Davidson world.

Specifications for the Harley Davidson X440

440cc oil-cooled engine

27 horsepower at 6,000 rpm

38 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm

6-speed transmission

805mm is the seat height

170 mm of ground clearance

variations: Vivid, S, Denim

Denim costs Rs. 2.29 lakh, Vivid Rs. 2.49 lakh, and S Rs. 2.69 lakh (ex-showroom).