Summary

• The TNT Motorcycles Raptor blends Harley-Davidson heritage with cafe racer aesthetics.
• From ergonomics to suspension, there are a complete lot of upgrades right here.
• Unfortunately, the Raptor is a present bike not on the market, nevertheless it evokes fans to customise their very own X 440.

Think of Harley-Davidsons and café racers; two pictures will kind in your noggin. One is all about chest-thumping metal and booming V-twins, whereas the opposite is about agility and lightness. Basically, two fully distinct cultures. But what occurs while you mix the 2? Simple, you get to witness one thing extraordinary. Case in context is the Raptor from TNT Motorcycles. A glossy café racer based mostly on the favored Harley-Davidson X 440.

The adjustments are so huge, the Raptor may not even stand out as the X 440 at first look. And that is the best praise for a {custom} store. It’s modern, the eye to element is terrific, and there is a scintillating colorway to high all of it off. Developed as a collaboration between TNT Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson, we vividly bear in mind craning our necks to get a glimpse of it after we visited the India Bike Week final yr.

Beauty Is In The Eye Of Anyone Who Sees This

TNT Motorcycles is not any stranger to constructing modern {custom} bikes that make you surprise, “How did they pull THAT off?” The Raptor is one in every of them. You’ll see that, whereas the bike retains the X 440 silhouette, it’s something however that. Right from the entrance wheel to the rear finish, every little thing seems to be new or not less than personalized.

Many issues are new right here. Start from the entrance and the very first thing that catches your eye is the attractive balloon tire wrapped across the new ten-spoke aluminum wheel. The USD fork is inventory, however now holds a glossy CNC-machined brace that’s bolted to a naked carbon fiber fender. Further up are aggressively positioned clip-ons and a small, efficient headlight cowl ending the look. Move additional again and the tank will get a brand new orange ‘X’, whereas the panel below the tank lets you recognize who’s behind the design.

Things get extra attention-grabbing as you progress again. The CNC-machined subframe is totally new, sitting below a carbon fiber cowl and a tan leather-based seat. This is supported by a Showa monoshock. , But the eye to element doesn’t finish there. Take off the seat, and it reveals a stunning design with orange accents and a Harley-Davidson bar-and-shield logo.

Finishing off the design are the rear set footpegs, a balloon tire on the again, and a chrome steel exhaust system. TNT Motorcycles claims that these adjustments to the subframe and the ergonomics give this bike a extra agile dealing with attribute. As a results of this, the bike might really feel like a totally totally different beast while you swing a leg over it. All in all, the Raptor is an train in design, mixing the long-lasting Harley heritage with the spirit of road bare underpinnings and café racer aesthetics.

Design Highlights

• Timsun balloon tires give the bike an old-school really feel
• Carbon fiber touches on the fender and rear cowl look beautiful
• CNC-machined parts add a contact of modernity to the design
• Vintage tobacco leather-based seat superbly contrasts the racing inexperienced shade of the bike
• Subframe design below the rear cowl is iconic, to say the least
• Beefy forks and the monoshock give the bike a sporty, aggressive stance

An X 440 With Road Manners Of A Sporty Naked

HD X 440 (Stock) Power Output: 27 Horsepower @ 6,000 RPM

As for the powerplant, there is a performance air filter (likely a BMC or K&N unit) and a hand-crafted stainless steel exhaust. These add-ons make the bike extra highly effective, though we wouldn’t count on greater than a few ponies. None of this may harm its distinctive usability, nevertheless, as the X 440 is a sweet, torquey sub-500cc bike not a rampant, edgy naked. So the efficiency upgrades would solely add to that attraction on the street.

Other underpinnings on the bike, together with the sprockets, braking system, entrance suspension, and most important chassis stay the identical. It’s most likely for the higher as a result of the bike is already easy to experience. The gearbox is easy, the brakes are first rate, and the inventory chassis is confidence-inspiring. It’s a playful, light little bike by itself.

Harley-Davidson X 440 Specifications

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson)

Unfortunately, The Raptor Isn’t On Sale

Harley-Davidson X 440 Starting MSRP: INR 2,39,500 ($2,868 when transformed)

TNT Motorcycle has finished an impeccable job at customizing the Harley-Davidson X 440, and we’d like to get our fingers on the bike even for a brief spin across the block. You could also be fortunate with that in the event you come throughout it within the wild, however don’t count on to buy the bike simply but. It’s a one-off custom-made in collaboration with the producer, largely for show functions.

Don’t let that dissuade you, although. Custom motorcycles just like the Raptor usually are not merchandise that encourage one to write down a examine. Instead, such bikes encourage one to take issues in personal fingers. Custom Harleys have a charm, and so long as you could have one thing within the imaginary world, you’ll be able to carry it to the tangible world. Yes, you’ll should pour money and time into drawings and CAD designs even earlier than you begin. But some would possibly argue that is the fantastic thing about doing issues your method. A small value to pay for a one-off {custom} bike.

In the identical breath, it additionally exhibits how versatile the X 440 is as a clean canvas. We’ve already seen variations of it, together with a flat tracker, café racer, bobber, and extra on the India Bike Week 2023. So you’ll be able to rework it into something you’ll be able to think about. The solely unhappy half is that this is not on sale anyplace out of India. And the probabilities of its American arrival are tremendous bleak. Your solely choice to get ahold of an X 440 is both relocating to India or getting one imported right here. Both issues will price way more than the bike’s upfront price.