Harley-Davidson’s entry-level bikes made in India are selling well every month
Working in collaboration with Hero MotoCorp, Harley-Davidson introduces the X440 and X440T in the 350cc-450cc segment in India. To strengthen its presence in the region, Harley will launch a new cruiser bike called the Sprint 440. It will be based on the existing 440cc engine platform. Let’s see the details.
Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 – What to Expect?
Harley’s new cruiser bike Sprint 440 is part of the brand’s ‘Back to Bricks’ campaign. The strategy aims to benefit all stakeholders including dealers and shareholders. Harley will focus on its core strengths and take steps to improve business efficiency. While the current X440 bikes are registering good sales, they are not exactly what Harley fans were expecting.
Harley’s success can largely be attributed to its popular cruiser bikes such as the Softail, Touring, Sportster and Fat Boy. These cruiser bikes, along with the associated lifestyle and community culture, have played a significant role in building Harley’s image over the years. That’s why the new Sprint 440 cruiser bike fits perfectly into the brand’s new business strategy.
For now, Harley has released only a teaser sketch of the upcoming Sprint 440 cruiser bike. The overall profile matches the signature design of Harley’s large-capacity cruiser bikes. Key features include a compact circular headlamp, a wide handlebar, classic teardrop shaped fuel tank, step up seat and a flat exhaust pipe. The alloy wheels look similar to the ones used with the X440.
The Sprint 440 cruiser bike has a larger front wheel than the rear unit. Not officially, the combo could be 19-inch front and 16-inch rear. With a smaller rear wheel and a scooped rider seat, the seat height of the bike is expected to be more manageable than the X440. This will make the bike suitable for a wider range of users. The seat height of the X440 is 805 mm.
Specification, Performance
In the sketch, the main chassis of the Sprint 440 looks largely the same as that seen with the X440. However, the rear subframe is likely to be different for the Sprint 440. Another difference worth noting is the Sprint 440’s wider front fork angle. This unlocks a more comfortable cruiser stance and riding posture. Many hardware parts will be shared with the X440 to reduce production costs.
Powering the new Sprint 440 cruiser bike will be a 440cc, single cylinder air-oil cooled engine that generates 27 bhp and 38 Nm of torque. It is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The tech kit for the Sprint 440 may be the same as that available with the X440. The bike has a 3.5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity. Ride aids may include features like dual-channel ABS, ride modes, traction control, and cruise control.
The Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 will make its global debut later this year, before launching in India. Manufactured by Hero MotoCorp, the Sprint 440 will also explore export opportunities in multiple markets. The Sprint 440 will likely be priced competitively between Rs 2.50 lakh and Rs 2.80 lakh.