The past week has been thrilling for Indian motorcycling enthusiasts with the introduction of two new brand new roadsters with the Harley-Davidson X440 and Triumph Speed 400. In this article, we will discuss these exciting releases and their impact on the Indian market in detail and compare their specifications. So that you can pick the one which suits your needs.
Harley Davidson X440
Let us start with the Harley. Harley Davidson quit India officially 3- Years ago due to poor sales. People at Harley knew, in order to make an impact in the Indian market they had go back to the drawing board and release models which cater to the Indian needs. An Indian bound bike needs to be cost efficient while retaining it’s signature character. Moreover It needs to be heavily localized to stay clear from hefty Import taxes. Thus a partnership between Hero Moto Corp and Harley Davidson took place. Where Hero Moto corp will be taking care of the production part and Harley will be focusing on the design and mechanicals.
Enter in the X440, new entry-level Roadster series from Harley-Davidson. Let us start with its brand new engine, specifically developed for Indian needs. It’s a 440cc Air/Oil Cooled 2-valve single cylinder unit.
- Displacement- Single Cylinder 440cc
- Power- 27HP at 8500RPM
- Torque- 38Nm at 4000RPM
The X440 stands out with its excellent low-end torque and impressive mid-range performance. This thumper is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The shifts are quick and come easy.
You would need to take the Harley out for a service every 10,000 kms, which is substantially less than Triumph’s 16,000km service interval.
HD X440 Ride and Features
The riding experience on the HD X440 is undeniably impressive. Its upright positioning strikes a perfect balance between sportiness and comfort, allowing for a confident and enjoyable ride. The bike’s exceptional handling shines through when tackling corners, as it maintains stability and composure throughout. This can be attributed to its well-designed chassis, which features KYB USD cartridge forks and gas-filled twin rear shocks with seven steps of pre-load adjustment. The braking system is equally remarkable, with a 320mm disc and Bybre caliper at the front, accompanied by a 240mm disc at the rear. In comparison to the Royal Enfield Classic 350, the X440 exhibits a significantly higher level of sophistication and overall refinement.
The X440 comes in three variants. The Denim variant features wire-spoke rims and minimal badging and looks absolutely classic, while the Vivid variant offers alloy wheels and dual-tone paint options. The top-spec S variant stands out with diamond-cut alloy wheels, machined engine cooling fins, 3D badging, and a color TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity, enabling navigation and notification alerts. Whereas the Denim variant is available in Mustard Yellow, while the Vivid variant comes in Metallic Thick Red or Metallic Dark Silver, and the top-spec S variant is offered in a stealthy Matte Black color. All variants come equipped with a standard USB charging port.
Harley-Davidson is known as a lifestyle brand above all else. The Harley sound and iconic looks create a “vibe” that people truly admire and love. While many Harley buyers are attracted to the brand for its lifestyle, they would also be impressed to discover that the X440 offers exceptional performance.
Pricing and Exterior
Taking inspiration from the classic Harley XR1200, the X440 showcases broad shoulders, wide handlebars, and bold lines. The bike features a large fuel tank and clean side panels, which contribute to its appealing aesthetics. However, some may find the tail section a bit awkward, and the overall visual appeal of the X440 can vary depending on the viewing angle.
The HD X440 is priced from ₹2,29,000. to ₹2,69,000. It is available in three trims Denim, Vivid and S and three color options base denim variants gets a yellow color, vivid gets an option of either a Metallic Thick Red and Metallic Silver and S variant is only available in Black. Looking at the price, it is slightly on the pricier side especially the top trim level.
Triumph Speed 400
Announced in India yesterday the Speed 400 follows the similar formula to the HD X440. Built by Bajaj, designed and developed by Triumph. Triumph follows the Ideology of its bigger brother the Speed 900.
Furthermore the Speed 400 and the Scrambler 400x bikes feature a brand new high tech 398cc Single-Cylinder liquid cooled developed by Triumph with Bosch fuel injection system and stainless steel exhaust. Additionally it comes with a 6-Speed Manual with Clutch-assist. What’s more, the service interval for the Speed 400 is 16,000km or 1 year, which is extremely impressive and puts it in a class of it’s own.
Engine Specs-
- Displacement- Single Cylinder 398cc
- Power- 40PS at 8500RPM
- Torque- 37.5 Nm at 6500RPM
- Redline- 9500RPM
Without a doubt, the Triumph engine in the Speed 400 offers more top-end power and is tuned for performance rather than torque, unlike the HD X440 which is focused on mid-range and low-end power delivery. Triumph aims to achieve best-in-class performance with the Speed 400. On paper, it surpasses the competition by a significant margin, boasting an engine that produces 32.5% more peak power than the Harley. However, we have yet to experience the Speed 400 firsthand. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting model.
Triumph Speed 400 Ride and Features
Based on its design and specifications, the Speed 400 appears to offer a sportier riding experience. Its notable features include a prominent circular headlamp that incorporates LED daytime running lights (DRLs) for enhanced visibility. Additionally, the Speed 400 is equipped with 43mm Upside Down forks for the front suspension, a monoshock rear suspension, and 17-inch wheels on both the front and rear. It promises a comfortable and controlled ride over various road conditions with a claimed travel of 140mm in the front and 130mm in the rear. However, we haven’t had the opportunity to ride the Speed 400 yet.
Pricing and Exterior
Exterior of the Triumph is inspired the much bigger Speed 900. It gets circular headlamps, bronze USD forks, black paint on the engine with silver exhaust pipe and on few silver accents on the side. Additionally it is available in three color options for the fuel tank, red, blue and a black. It is priced really aggressively at ₹2,33,000 ex showroom. Could this be the end of Royal Enfield’s monopoly as we know it?
Check out the full review of the Harley Davidson X440.