Hero MotoCorp landing in global headlines isn’t exactly new these days. But the reason why still feels wild if you think back a few years. Who’d have guessed the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer by volume would be the one to make the Harley-Davidson name reachable for way more riders?
That’s exactly what happened with the X440, the bike co-developed with Harley that dropped in India back in 2023. It packed a 440cc air-oil-cooled single making about 27 horsepower and 28 pound-feet of torque, wrapped in a package aimed at real-world riding and real-world wallets.
It did its job. The X440 opened Harley’s doors to riders who’d never have been able to afford anything from the brand before—especially in a market dominated by the likes of Royal Enfield and Jawa Yezdi. Hero even took the platform and made its own version, the Mavrick 440. Same basic engine, different badge and styling. It was a solid idea on paper, but the Mavrick never really took off, and Hero quietly stopped making it fairly recently, as we talked about in a previous story.
Nobody’s given an official reason, but word is that demand just wasn’t there.
Now, the 440 platform’s about to get another shot in the arm. During Hero’s first quarterly investor call earlier this month, management told analysts that there was a new Harley-Davidson model coming before the end of September. No press release yet, no teaser shots, just a clear “it’s coming” from the folks at the top. Naturally, the rumor mill’s been in overdrive ever since.
Here’s where we switch gears into speculation mode. One guess? A sportier street version.
The X440’s got a friendly, torque-rich engine, but a little more top-end, a sharper throttle, or even just a different final drive gear ratio could give it some extra snap. Another possibility is a retro roadster with a small flyscreen and tweaked ergonomics, or maybe a light cruiser that’s ready for soft bags and long days in the saddle. A premium trim wouldn’t be crazy either, think better suspension, grippier tires, and an upgraded front brake.
Whatever it turns out to be, the big question is whether this bike stays an India play or goes global. On paper, a 440cc Harley with modern tech and an accessible price could do well in Southeast Asia, parts of Europe, Latin America, and maybe even the US. But price will ultimately decide everything—if it can match or beat the likes of Royal Enfield’s 450s while delivering that Harley swagger, it’s got a fighting chance.
So, Harley fans, I’ve got a question for you: would you call a made-in-India 440 a “real” Harley? Would you ride it, enjoy the simplicity, and brag about how little you spent? Or would you steer clear entirely? Either way, it’s happening. And at the end of the day, more bikes means more riders—which is always a win for the two-wheel world.
Sources: Hero MotoCorp, HT Auto
