A Hero is currently the second largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world in terms of volume and the first in India: in recent years, it has partnered with Harley-Davidson to produce a medium/small displacement motorcycle under the H-D brand in India, the Harley-Davidson X440, which was a success in India. In fact, there is no talk – for now – of exporting either the X440 or the Hero Mavrick 440 to Europe, a motorcycle that is based on the same platform as the X440.
Certainly, part of the agreement between the American and Indian manufacturers was to produce an almost homologous motorcycle: the Mavrick 440 actually uses the same frame and engine as the X440. The former is a classic tubular steel frame and the latter is the same single-cylinder four-stroke engine, air-cooled and oil-cooled, with two valves per cylinder, which happens to be the largest capacity engine in the Hero range. The performance is 27 hp at 6,000 rpm and 36 Nm of maximum torque at 4,000 rpm, with 90% of the maximum value available from as low as 2,000 rpm. As is usual when we talk about India, the exhaust noise is taken into account and on the Hero website it is possible to hear the sound of the Indian single-cylinder engine, which has a six-speed gearbox and assisted clutch.
The design has a classic look, but certainly not “American,” distinguished by the Full LED lighting system with DRL and the frame where the fork is traditional with a 43 mm diameter and the rear steel swingarm is guided by a pair of adjustable shock absorbers in 7 positions.
Small adjustments in seat height from the ground, here with 803 mm instead of 805 mm, in the wheelbase which in the Mavrick is 1388 mm instead of 1438 mm, while the weight is similar, 191 against 187 kg in running order, with the Indian only being lighter than the Bar&Shield.
The equipment is good, with a single digital instrument equipped with “turn-by-turn” navigation and connectivity, which, combined with the other technical specifications, makes one think that a possible import to Europe may have its reasons…
The Maverick 440 can now be reserved in India. Deliveries are scheduled for April 2024.
