The strategic partnership between Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp gave rise to the Harley-Davidson X440, a small-displacement road motorcycle designed for the Indian market. Although no other market (to date) has received the X440, the model has been very successful worldwide, as it marks MoCo’s first foray into the entry-level segment.
Hero MotoCorp, one of India’s largest motorcycle manufacturers, was responsible for the development and manufacturing of the X440. Specializing in work and commuting models equipped with single-cylinder engines, Hero knew exactly what to do when it came to designing the X440, and it’s no wonder that the motorcycle was a success, quickly receiving orders when reservations for the new model opened.
When it comes to partnerships like these, the model that is launched first is usually followed by a mechanically similar model with the other party’s brand. We saw this with BMW and another Indian manufacturer, TVS, with the G 310 range of single-cylinder models reflected in TVS’s Apache 310 lineup. The same goes for KTM and CFMOTO, with the latter launching the Ibex 800 and 800 NK, which reflect the performance and capabilities of the KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Duke, respectively. That being said, the same is true for Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson.
On January 23, 2024, Hero MotoCorp unveiled the Mavrick 440, their version of the Harley-Davidson X440. While it was known that the motorcycle would be based on the same technical foundations as the roadster, Hero’s styling department took a different direction.
While the Harley X440 had a retro style and embraced the classic look of motorcycles like the Sportster, the Mavrick 440 has a sporty touch, incorporating a neo-retro appearance with scrambler and cafe racer inspirations. It has a round LED headlight with a classic inspiration, but when looking at the sides of the motorcycle, you will notice that the fuel tank has sculpted edges and even a small fairing on the side. Meanwhile, the sporty side covers give the motorcycle an athletic stance. However, it proudly displays its air-cooled engine for everyone to see, making it clear that despite its sporty appearance, it is more comfortable on open roads and calm in the city.
Speaking of performance, just like the Harley X440, the Mavrick 440 is not just about performance numbers and power. After all, it is equipped with a 440 cc single-cylinder engine, air-cooled and oil-cooled, called TorqX. With 27 hp of power at 6,000 rpm and 35.9 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, it is powerful enough to conquer the densely populated roads of India at a fast pace. Furthermore, being a low-revving single-cylinder means it produces all the right vibrations expected from a robust engine.
This sub-square engine configuration means that the Mavrick 440, just like the Harley X440, has a lot of noise at the bottom of the rev range – perfect for stop-and-go traffic. Just like we already know from the X440, its sound is also quite pleasant, as it has more of a roar (like that of a Royal Enfield 350) than a “braap” sound like that of a KTM. As for fuel efficiency, these motorcycles tend to consume fuel very economically, so we can expect to cover a great distance before needing to fill up the 13.5-liter tank.
For more information, you can visit the official website of Hero MotoCorp.
