The Harley-Davidson X440 is over two years old now, and due for an update. That’s what the X440 T is… Or is it? We were invited to Goa, not just to enjoy the sun, sand and beaches, but to ride the new Harley-Davidson X440 T. We were eager to see what this new Harley is about.
At first glance, the Harley-Davidson X440 T looks sharper. If you happen to see it beside the X440, you will notice the differences between the new X440 T and the X440. The biggest visual difference on the X440 T is the tail section. Harley has decided to hide the sub-frame under the new tail section panels, while tucking the taillight inside. The grab rails are slightly shorter, while the rear mudflap is also redesigned. All this makes the tail section look much sleeker. The exhaust now has a bigger heat shield on the bend pipe, two more pieces of heat shield on the exhaust, and the exhaust tip gets a cap. A small plastic panel now sits on the gap between the tank and the triple tree clamp which helps reduce the gap. Harley says that there are 72 changes overall, which has elevated the fit and finish levels. The biggest change by far is the addition of an electronic throttle body. More on that later.
Most of the cycle parts remain unchanged. It gets the same LED headlight, LED indicators and LED tail light. The tank is the same but the X440 T ditches the 3D Harley-Davidson emblem for decals that take inspiration from the Harley-Davidson XR1200. In fact, looking at the X440 T beside the XR1200 will give you an idea of how much it resembles the larger bike. The wide handlebar remains the same but now it gets bar end mirrors as standard. Overall, the X440 T carries a cleaner, more cohesive look.
The circular instrument cluster holds a 3.5-inch TFT display which is quite legible even under bright lighting conditions. You get all the important information like gear position, dual trip meters and range, apart from the speedometer and tachometer. While there are no changes to the engine, Harley has given the X440 T an electronic throttle body which allows it to have ride-by-wire. It gets two riding modes, ‘Road’ and ‘Rain’, along with traction control and switchable ABS. You can quickly toggle through the menu and switch modes which are easily accessible via the buttons on the left switch gear. In Road mode, you get access to the full spectrum of power and torque. Rain mode softens throttle response for increased safety. Traction control and rear ABS can be switched off only in Road mode.
Riding the Harley-Davidson X440 T in the winding lanes of Goa was a great experience, but we wish we had more saddle time. As soon as you swing your leg over, you are comfortably seated and the neutral position is something you immediately get used to. It uses the same 440cc air- and oil-cooled single-cylinder engine that puts out 27PS and 38Nm, and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The cogs slot right into place and thanks to the slip and assist clutch, pulling in the lever is effortless. We spent a majority of our seat time riding in narrow lanes with just a short highway stint. While the initial gears let you build speed quickly, fifth and sixth are best enjoyed on the highways. The engine feels absolutely at home cruising at 95kmph just touching the 4,000rpm mark in sixth. With the ample torque available from the bottom, the X440 T just darts through traffic. The addition of ride-by-wire makes the throttle response crisp and instantaneous. Last but not the least, the exhaust note can be addictive, and it seems like the engineers at Harley have burnt the midnight oil to ensure the single sounds its best.
The 43mm KYB USD forks, and the twin rear shocks which are preload adjustable, offer a very engaging ride. The suspension makes the bike feel planted on the highways while soaking up the bumps and potholes on city roads, ensuring comfort while also being ready to handle some spirited riding. Handling the X440 T is actually easy as it is quick to change directions. Even in traffic, it is easy to manoeuvre. The tyres which sit on diamond-cut alloys offer good grip and inspire confidence. The 195kg kerb weight might seem heavy on paper, but it is manageable for most riders especially with the low 805mm seat height allowing you to place your feet on the ground with ease. With the seat being not too firm and neither too soft, long distance travel should be easy on the rider while the 13.5-litre fuel tank should deliver a decent range before you have to stop for a refuel. We will verify this when we get the X440 T for a full review, though!
Braking duties are handled by a 320mm front and 240mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS. The rear ABS can be switched off in Road mode. Braking feels adequate but the front brake lever feels spongy. The overall bite and progression of the brakes is something we’d like to be better.
The new Harley-Davidson X440 T now sits on top of the single-cylinder Harley lineup, priced at ₹2.79 lakh ex-showroom. It brings in some welcome changes, especially with the ride-by-wire throttle, ride modes, traction control and switchable rear ABS. Harley has also slashed the prices of the X440 Vivid and the X440 S by ₹25,000 which are now priced at ₹2.34 lakh and ₹2.55 lakh ex-showroom making the X440 T the most expensive single-cylinder Harley in India.
