Harley-Davidson X440 Road Test Review

Harley-Davidson motorcycles are known to be low-slung, heavy cruisers hogging up miles on the highway. The X440 on the other hand is a different story altogether. It is a bike that has been developed keeping Indian road conditions in mind. Here are our impressions of the motorcycle after spending a good amount of time astride it. 

Harley-Davidson X440 Design

At first glance, the design of the X440 looks like it has been inspired by the older XR models and that is especially because of the shape of the 13.5litre tank. The bike makes use of an LED multi-projector headlight at the front with a DRL running through the middle. It gets a single-piece seat that slopes up towards the rear for the pillion. The exhaust design is not the most attractive, but Harley-Davidson says that it was the only way they were able to replicate the sound of a Harley, which must have been quite a challenge considering that this is a single-cylinder motor. Overall, this design language is more of a roadster than a cruiser and we feel that the front end does look really good, but more attention could have been paid to the styling of the rear. The build quality is also good but not as premium as the bigger Harleys on sale. 

There are three variants of the bike on offer. The entry-level Denim model gets spoked wheels, the mid-tier Vivid model gets alloy wheels, and the top-spec S variant gets diamond-cut alloy wheels. This S variant also gets a 3D-embossed Harley-Davidson logo on the tank, bronze highlights on the engine, and connectivity features. The entry-level model is offered in a Mustard Denim colour scheme, the Vivid variant is available with the option of two colour schemes; Metallic Thick Red and Metallic Dark Silver. And finally, the top-spec S variant only gets a Matte Black colour scheme on offer.

Harley-Davidson X440 Engine, Performance, and Mileage

Housed within the steel tubular frame is a 440-cc air-and-oil-cooled engine that produces 27PS at 6000rpm and a peak torque of 38Nm at 4000rpm. Notably, 80 percent of the peak torque is available from as low as 2,500 rpm. As you get going on the X440, you'll notice a strong low-end pull, followed by impressive mid-range performance. The engine can easily maintain speeds over 100km/h without strain. The clutch action is light, and the six-speed gearbox shifts smoothly, enhancing city rideability. The bike accelerates effortlessly from 54 km/h in sixth gear and we were able to reach a top speed of around 135 km/h in fifth gear. The sixth gear serves as an overdrive gear, enabling relaxed highway cruising. It has a claimed fuel efficiency of 35kmpl, which should allow it to do around 470kms on a full tank.

Harley-Davidson X440 Handling, Ride Quality, and Braking 

We had enjoyed riding the X440 on track during the first ride and it was an absolute delight, primarily due to its handling abilities. It is a stable and confidence-inspiring motorcycle through a set of corners. Unlike the typical experience with a Harley, where maneuvering the motorcycle demands significant effort, this bike feels agile, effortlessly leans into corners, and swiftly changes direction without causing fatigue to the rider. 

Because of the stability, riders will end up scraping the footpegs as they get carried away with the confidence that it inspires. This is the only limitation that does come in the way of the bike's superb handling capabilities. The suspension setup manages to soak in bumps and undulations, giving the bike a fairly plush ride quality. Moreover, the MRF Zapper Hyke tyres tires offer really good grip.

In the braking department, the feel at the front brake lever is not as sharp so riders will have to get on the front brake a little earlier than usual. The ABS kicks in gradually and does a good job of preventing the wheels from locking up. 

Harley-Davidson X440 Comfort

As soon as you swing a leg over the X440, the riding position is commanding and it does not really feel as heavy as it is on paper. The wide and flat handlebar provides good leverage and the footpegs are set in a way where my knees were bent at a 90-degree angle. The seat height stands at 805 mm which is not too tall and the bike has a kerb weight of 190.5 kg. The comfort offered by the seat is really good so it is a motorcycle that can be used for touring as well. 

Harley-Davidson X440 Features

In terms of features, the bike gets dual-channel ABS and a 3.5-inch TFT screen that is easy to read and displays ample information. All of the variants of the X440 also get a USB charging port near the dash. This S variant is equipped with more connectivity features via the Bluetooth-enabled system.

Harley-Davidson X440 Verdict

There are a ton of Harley-Davidson fans but the high price tags of their motorcycles have kept them out of reach. Priced between Rs 2.29 lakh and Rs 2.69 lakh (ex-showroom prices), the X440 will appeal to many Harley-Davidson enthusiasts. It is an enjoyable motorcycle to ride because of its torquey nature and stunning handling characteristics. Hero and Harley have managed to achieve building a motorcycle that can tackle Indian conditions with ease and at the same time, appeal to a varied range of riders.