For several months now, Harley-Davidson India has been introducing its first model in collaboration with Indian motorcycle manufacturer Hero MotoCorp. Called the X440, this beginner's bike is intended to appeal to new riders as well as those on a limited budget, presenting itself as an affordable retro-style machine.
Now, Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp have officially unveiled the X440, revealing all the specifications and details we've been waiting for. Right off the bat, there will be three variants for the new X440 - Classic, Vivid and Pinnacle, all of which are built on the same principles, but with different styles and finishes.
As for the features that differentiate the three variants, well, the Classic variant is the simplest of the bunch, with spoked wheels and monotone colors. It also has a blacked-out engine, which hides the cooling fans, giving the bike a sleek look. Meanwhile, the Vivid version is equipped with alloy wheels and is finished in two colors. Meanwhile, the top-end Pinnacle version is equipped with two-tone alloy wheels, extravagant color schemes complete with 3D logos, and machined cooling fans that give it a totally premium aesthetic.
As far as performance is concerned, the X440 has a 440 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine. This delivers 27.3 hp of power at 6,000 rpm and 35.2 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, which puts it on the same performance level as other 400 cc retro-style machines, such as the Royal Enfield. Power is sent to the rear wheel through a six-speed manual transmission. Harley has carefully added a power-assisted slipper clutch for a smoother, more comfortable ride.
Harley's latest small-capacity roadster is equipped with sturdy, modern underpinnings designed to cope with India's less than perfect road conditions. As such, it is equipped with a 43-millimeter inverted front fork and dual gas shock absorbers with adjustable preload at the rear. The bike brakes with front and rear disc brakes with dual-channel ABS from ByBre, a subsidiary of Brembo. Last but not least, the Harley X440 has 18-inch front and 17-inch rear rims with MRF Zapper Hyke tires.
Harley-Davidson has kept the X440's technology package fairly simple. Other than dual-channel ABS, the bike has no other rider aids - no traction control, no riding modes. It does, however, have a minimalist TFT screen and a full set of LED lights.
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