Harley Davidson launches X440 at Rs 2.29 lakh to Rs 2.69 lakh to challenge Royal Enfield

Harley Davidson - the US premium bike maker has launched the much-awaited X440 mid-size motorcycle developed in alliance with Hero MotoCorp, at an aggressive price of Rs 2.29 lakh to Rs 2.69 lakh (ex-showroom). 

The Harley-Davidson X440 marks Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson’s foray into the 440cc segment for the first time in India. Co-developed by Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson at the Hero CIT, the Harley-Davidson X440 will be manufactured at the company’s Garden Factory at Neemrana, Rajasthan. 

The new single cylinder bike will aim to challenge the dominance of Royal Enfield in the 8.5 lakh unit growing mid-size motorcycle market in the country. 

The model will be pitted against the Royal Enfield Classic, Hunter, Himalayan, upcoming Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 and Honda Highness. 

Developed in a record time, Harley Davidson's CEO and Chairman of the board  Jochen Zeitz  said that the company's 440 cc bike will expand the addressable market - and open up the brand to hundreds and thousands  of new customers who could not afford to own a brand.

A variant based on the same platform for Hero MotoCorp will be launched in Q4 of FY24, informed Pawan Munjal, Chairman of Hero MotoCorp. 

To be produced out of Hero MotoCorp's factory in India, the immediate focus is to cater to the domestic market, before planning to venture out of the global market. 

"This product will be sold by the current Harley network, plus out of the selected Hero dealership. Both Hero and Harley products will be different in character, features, sound, performance and body type - catering to different consumer bases," Munjal added. 

Both Hero and Harley declined to give any guidance on volumes, but vendors supplying to the company say the first fiscal year plan is to produce about 40,000 to 45,000 units of the Harley variant. With the launch of the Hero MotoCorp motorcycle - the cumulative production plan for FY24 is close to 70,000 units. 

Available in three variants – Denim, Vivid and S at the Harley-Davidson dealer network across the country – the motorcycles are available at a price point of Rs 2,29,000 (Denim), Rs 2,49,000 (Vivid) and Rs 2,69,000 (S) respectively.

The Harley-Davidson X440 is powered by an all-new 440cc oil-cooled, long-stroke BSVI (OBD II) and E20 compliant engine, a first for Hero MotoCorp. 

The engine delivers a best-in-class power output of 27 bhp as well as the best-in-class maximum torque of 38 NM, claimed the company. The motorcycle offers a flat torque curve, generating around 90% of its peak torque from as low as 2000rpm, added the statement from the company.

The motorcycle is equipped with 320 mm front disc and 240 mm rear disc brakes and the Dual Channel ABS ensures braking stability and precise deceleration in varied surfaces, says Hero Harley.

A combination of 18” inch front and 17” rear wheels is the lightest in segment, says the company.  It is equipped with wide tyres 100/90 front and 140/70 at the rear.

The motorcycles will be sold through select Hero dealers across the length and breadth of India and 24 existing Harley outlets.