The strategic partnership between Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp introduced in regards to the Harley-Davidson X440, a small-displacement highway bike designed for the Indian market. While no different markets (as of now) have acquired the X440, the mannequin has made headlines all over the world because it marks the MoCo’s first foray into the entry-level phase, and the one modern-day single-cylinder mannequin to bear the Bar and Shield.
Hero MotoCorp, one of many largest bike producers in India, was liable for the event and manufacture of the X440. Specializing in workhorse and commuter fashions geared up with single-cylinder engines, Hero just about knew what to do when it got here to designing the X440, and it’s not all too shocking that the bike was such successful, rapidly raking in orders as reserving for the brand new mannequin opened.
The Hero Mavrick 440 adopts a sportier, extra trendy aesthetic.
When it involves partnerships like these, the mannequin that was launched first is normally adopted by a mechanically comparable one bearing the branding of the opposite occasion. We’ve seen it with BMW and yet one more Indian producer, TVS, with the G 310 vary of single-cylinder bikes mirrored by TVS’ Apache 310 lineup. The identical is true with KTM and CFMoto, with the latter releasing the Ibex 800 and 800 NK, mirroring the efficiency and capabilities of the KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Duke respectively. That mentioned, the identical is true with Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson.
On January 23, 2024, Hero MotoCorp pulled the covers off the Mavrick 440, its model of the Harley-Davidson X440. While it was understood that the bike could be primarily based on the identical technical foundations because the roadster, Hero’s styling division took issues in a special course.
Styling All Its Own
The new mannequin is available in each spoke and alloy wheel variants.
While the Harley X440 was all about retro styling and embracing the traditional look of bikes just like the Sportster, the Mavrick 440 throws in some sporty aptitude, embodying a neo-retro look with each scrambler and cafe-racer inspirations. It will get a classic-inspired spherical LED headlight, however as you check out the perimeters of the bike, you’ll discover that the gas tank has chiseled edges, and even slightly fairing on the aspect. Meanwhile, sporty aspect covers give the bike an athletic stance. Nevertheless, it flaunts its air-cooled engine for the world to see, making it clear that, regardless of its sporty seems to be, it’s extra at residence cruising the open highway and taking it simple round city.
A Motor That’s Built To Last
The Mavrick 440 shares the identical single-cylinder engine because the Harley X440.
Speaking of efficiency, similar to the Harley X440, the Mavrick 440 isn’t all about efficiency and horsepower figures. After all, it’s powered by a 440cc, air- and oil-cooled, single-cylinder engine dubbed the TorqX. With 27 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 26.5 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, it’s punchy sufficient to overcome India’s densely populated roads at a brisk tempo. On prime of that, the truth that it’s a low-revving single signifies that it makes all the fitting vibrations you’d anticipate out of a meaty thumper.
This undersquare engine configuration signifies that the Mavrick 440, just like the Harley X440, has numerous grunt on the backside of the rev vary – good for cease and go site visitors. As we’ve come to know with the X440, it makes fairly a lovely sound, too, because it has extra of a growl (like a Royal Enfield 350) than a braap like that of a KTM single. When it involves vary, singles like this have a tendency to sip gas very frugally, so we will anticipate to cowl various distance earlier than needing to refill its 13.5-liter (3.5 gallon) tank.
Rudimentary Yet Dependable Underpinnings
The Mavrick 440 retains issues easy but efficient.
India’s roads are among the many most inhospitable on this planet, as as a rule, there aren’t any roads, however reasonably, the remnants of cement and asphalt weathered by harsh local weather, heavy vehicles, and the shortage of upkeep. As such, easier is normally higher on the subject of the underpinnings of bikes, and the Mavrick 440 isn’t any exception.
Up entrance, suspension duties are dealt with by a non-adjustable telescopic fork that’s oriented the old style method – that’s to say right-side-up. Meanwhile, out again, suspension consists of dual shock absorbers that needs to be ok for driving with a pillion or strapping a bunch of bags onto the again seat. The bike’s engine is housed in a metal trellis body, contributing to its approachable claimed weight determine of 412.2 kilos. Last however not least, you get to decide on whether or not your Mavrick will roll on alloy wheels or wire-spoked wheels, however be aware that choosing the spoked wheel setup will bump the bike’s weight up by 9 kilos (421 kilos complete).
Approachable By Design
It provides a impartial rider triangle, giving the rider ample leverage for each commuting and long-distance driving.
Us Asian people are usually smaller than our western counterparts, and bike design within the area clearly displays that. The Hero Mavrick 440 is, for all intents and functions, thought of an enormous bike in India, and shall be thought of as such if it ever makes its technique to different components of Asia. Nevertheless, the Mavrick retains approachable dimensions even to shorter riders, because it sports activities a compact 54.64-inch wheelbase, and a modest seat top of 31.6 inches. That means most riders can confidently swing a leg over this bike and sit flat-footed (or no less than on the balls of their toes) when at a cease.
When in comparison with its Harley-badged sibling, the Mavrick 440 is markedly extra compact, sporting a shorter wheelbase and decrease seat top. Interestingly, it has the next floor clearance of 175 millimeters (6.89 inches), whereas the Harley has 170 millimeters (6.69 inches). Check out the way it stacks up towards the X440 within the desk Janaki got here up with under:
| Dimensions | Hero Mavrick 440 | Harley-Davidson X440 |
| Wheelbase | 1,388mm (54.64 inches) | 1,418mm (55.82 inches) |
| Length | 2,100mm (82.67 inches) | 2,168mm (85.35 inches) |
| Ground Clearance | 175mm (6.89 inches) | 170mm (6.69 inches) |
| Seat Height | 803mm (31.6 inches) | 805mm (31.69 inches) |
| Curb Weight | 187 to 191 kg, relying on wheels (412 to 421-ish kilos) |
190.5 kg (about 420 kilos) |
A Price Tag That Won’t Break The Bank
Hero’s Mavrick 440
Harley’s X440
Back when Hero launched the Mavrick 440, it conveniently left its price ticket out of the equation. Now, nonetheless, Hero has introduced the pricing of the brand new mannequin, whereas on the identical time opening bookings for it on its official web site.
The Mavrick 440 shall be supplied in three trim ranges, with the bottom mannequin sporting spoked wheels and an Arctic White colorway. It carries an SRP of Rs 199,000, or about $2,397 USD. The Mid possibility, in the meantime, will get alloy wheels and is available in two sporty colorways consisting of Fearless Red and Celestial Blue. Price is a bit greater right here at Rs 214,000 ($2,578 USD). Last however not least, the Top variant will get putting two-tone alloy wheels and glossy Phantom Black and Enigma Black motifs. It carries a price ticket of Rs 224,000, or about $2,699 USD.
It’s additionally price noting that the Mavrick 440 is considerably extra reasonably priced than the Harley-Davidson X440, which begins at Rs 239,500, or about $2,885 USD. While a pair hundred bucks might not appear to be lots, it’s essential to do not forget that India is a particularly price-sensitive market, and a worth distinction of just some {dollars} may very properly be all it takes to sway patrons in Hero’s method.
