American motorcycle manufacturer, Harley Davidson, known for its robust and iconic motorcycles have launched their cheapest motorcycle in India priced at ₹2.29 lakh (ex-showroom). The Harley Davidson X440 has been designed specifically for Indian market and Indian audience in a collaboration with the Indian company Hero MotoCorp, which itself is a giant in the two-wheeler industry in India. Hero MotoCorp will be responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of the X440 in the country.

The X440 has been inspired by older models in the company especially the Harley Davidson XR1200. The company has maintained a retro design by keeping a round headlight and the iconic teardrop shaped fuel tank, along with LED lights and LCD console to add a bit of a modern look in the machine.

The bike will be available in three variants, the base model will have wire-spoke wheels and a single paint tone, the middle variant will get alloy wheels and a dual-tone finish, and the premium variant will come loaded with features like diamond-cut alloys, Bluetooth connectivity, and 3D logos. The motorcycle will be powered by a 440cc, single-cylinder, air and oil-cooled engine with a two valve setup which will create a maximum output of 27bhp at 6,000rpm and peak torque of 38Nm at 4,000rpm. The base model is priced at ₹2.29 lakh, while the mid and top variants will be priced at ₹2.49 lakh and ₹2.69 lakh respectively.

The Harley Davidson X440 will definitely have a hard time making its mark in the Indian market as its direct competitors will be the all-time classic Royal Enfield Classic 350 and the Meteor 350. Royal Enfield has been the dominant brand in this sector for years, and it will be a battle to watch out for. The X440 will also be going against the Honda CB350, and Benelli Imperiale 400.