5 Reasons Why We Want The Harley

The Harley-Davidson X 440 is the company's third sub-500cc motorcycle in 2023

It all started in COVID-19-stricken 2020. As Harley-Davidson struggled to stay afloat, it announced its exit from the world’s largest two-wheeler market, India. Little did the American giant know, a game-changing float tube was coming to save the sunken ship. That too, from one of the world’s largest two-wheeler companies, Hero MotoCorp. The two companies announced a tie-up soon after. This gave Hero the reigns of Harley’s Indian operation (sales, service network, accessories, and spare parts), but also allowed the two giants to co-develop motorcycles for India.

Now, three years later, the collaboration has finally birthed its first offering, called the Harley-Davidson X 440. The motorcycle is H-D’s third sub-500cc motorcycle in 2023 (the other two came from QJ Motor) and promises to be the perfect entry point into the HOG family. It also intends to take on Royal Enfield (a dominant force in the 400-500cc segment) which is a first for The Motor Company. So, should the X 440 interest you? Well, here are five reasons you should want it, and five why you shouldn’t.

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Falling in love with the design is a crucial element for motorcyclists. And Harley-Davidson has done a good job in this respect. The X 440 comes across as a handsome lad, with loads of well-defined elements. One of these is the edgy fuel tank, shaped like the iconic XR1200. This is complemented by diamond-cut alloy wheels, identical to the now-discontinued Iron 883.

In the meantime, you also get a blacked-out treatment from head to toe. The engine, wheels, suspension, and exhaust are all black, with the only chrome element being the nacelle of the three-element all-LED headlight. Plus, there are four liveries to choose between, namely Mustard Denim, Dark Silver, Thick Red, and Matte Black.

Did you notice how we mostly talked about the first half of the motorcycle above? Well, because we’re not a fan of the X 440’s second half. The thick single-piece seat and the surrounding panels are the culprits here, as they appear disproportionate to the front half. Similarly, the long exhaust also juts out diagonally and the catalytic converter doesn’t match the black finish.

Once aboard the motorcycle, the X 440 treats you with likable features. A 3.5-inch TFT instrument cluster sits bang in the middle of the cockpit, partnered by chunky switch cubes and a USB port. The display shows all the necessary details (speed, RPM, trip meters, fuel efficiency, range) in a well-laid fashion while also packing smartphone connectivity.

When connected, you can view smartphone notifications on the dash, control music, accept/reject calls, and even use turn-by-turn navigation. Another noteworthy bit is the segment-first AHO feature. This auto-detects the ambient lighting to turn on the headlamp automatically. Basics like all-LED lights and dual-channel ABS round off the package.

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High fit and finish levels are Harley’s forte, and its big cruisers don’t give you a reason to complain. But that’s not the case with the X 440, as leading Indian journalists suggest the X 440 lacks the craftsmanship and attention to detail found in bigger Harleys. You can notice this yourself too; just zoom in on the exhaust or paint details. The above-mentioned catalytic converted belongs in the same club too. And since we are on the topic, we also think adjustable levers are a miss here.

The Harley-Davidson X 440 is powered by a 440cc, single-cylinder mill. It produces 27 horsepower and 38 Nm (28 pound-feet), all sent to the wheel via a six-speed transmission. Though the horsepower might not seem impressive, the X 440 is all about torque, just like true Harleys. Its torque output not only ensures more kick than its outright rivals (Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Honda CB300R) but even the KTM 390 Duke and Yamaha MT-03 are no match for the X.

What makes matters sweeter is the tractable power delivery, where both the peak power and torque come in at just 6,000 and 4,000 RPM, respectively. This shows in the efficiency too, with Harley claiming a near-90 MPG figure for the X 440. Is it too soon to call it the most efficient H-D bike on sale worldwide?

As good as this may be, we can’t help but ignore the missing elements. A V-twin engine, belt drive, and an earth-shattering exhaust note are all crucial Harley-Davidson bits not offered on the X 440. Now, we know the bikemaker insists it has put in a lot of effort on the exhaust note, but judging from the first videos, it’s not exactly in line with the rumble of the V-twins.

Similarly, the X won’t give you a jolt of acceleration at triple-digit speeds, unlike the typical Harley cruisers you’re used to. For reference, it maxes out at about 85 mph (speedo indicated). That’s the cruising speed for many full-sized Harleys.

Coming to underpinnings, the X 440 is built around a steel trellis chassis—a stark difference from double-cradle H-Ds. The frame suspends on KYB 43 mm upside-down forks and gas-charged dual shock absorbers, where only the rear offers adjustability (preload only). This is paired with 18/17-inch wheels that house single rotors fore and aft. Bring in the bike’s low 418-pound curb weight, and you’re looking at sharp riding dynamics. And by sharp, we mean you’ll scrape pegs with ease. You also have 6.7 inches of ground clearance–a pretty big number by Harley-Davidson standards.

Being a roadster, the X 440 seats you in a not-so-Harley-like. The handlebar is flat (instead of being tall), the seat 805 mm high (unlike low-slung saddles), and the pegs mid-set (in place of forward-set units common on Harleys). So the ergonomics won’t make you feel like you’re aboard a Harley-Davidson which some of you might not like. That said, an upright riding posture doesn’t mean uncomfortable. We’ll have to test ride the X 440 for further comments on its comfort levels, though.

In its home market, the X 440 has gone on sale for a tempting price of just INR 229,000 (it equates to $2,800). This helps it undercut bikes like the BMW G 310 R and Honda CB300R, plus offer better value for the money than the chart-topping RE Classic 350. To make matters sweeter, you have three variants to pick between (Denim, Vivid, S), i.e. more options depending on your spending capacity. And it’s not like you’re missing out on much even if you buy the base variant. Most of the basics (engine, features, suspension) remain as it is, with the key difference being spoke wheels instead of alloys.

Half the reason Harley-Davidson is so popular is its sense of patriotism. All the motorcycles are built on American land and buying one feels like you’re contributing to the country’s own good. On the flip side, the X 440 is built in India by an Indian bikemaker. So it won’t promise the same patriotic feel to Americans. Plus, given the distance between America and India, the roadster will become quite expensive till the time it reaches Harley-Davidson USA dealerships. That is if it comes to the States in the first place since Harley-Davidson has no international plans for the motorcycle. Yet.

Punya is an avid motorcyclist who's always up for a ride to the canyons or the racetrack. He insists his riding skills are better than his writing skills, even though he's worked with some world-renowned automotive websites.