A DESI-BRED HARLEY THAT NAILS THE URBAN-CRUISER FORMULA

The homegrown rebel that balances legacy with everyday practicality

- Words By: Sohil Nikam

There's a sense of freedom and liberation associated with Harley Davidson motorcycles. Riders often sing praises about their superior engine thrum and more so about the bliss that's felt when riding these machines on open roads. The American giant had been operating in India since 2009, but 2020 saw a disappointing exit from the desi market. That same year, though, the Mikwakee-headquartered outfit struck a deal with Hero Motorcorp to jointly develop Harley-Davidson motorcycles in India. The X440 is the first offspring of this matrimony.

STRAYING FROM TRADITION

The legacy of Harley-Davidson rests in the company's traditional V-twin approach that gives the motorcycles their trademark tenor, apart from sheer power, of course.

But the X440 has opted for a single-cylinder engine that makes it the only such Harley-Davidson motorbike in the global market right now. Developed with India in mind and manufactured locally, the X440 is not just a badge exercise. It's a serious attempt to blend Harley's brand ethos with practical riding and ownership experience for Indian roads.

MUSCLE MEETS MINIMALISM