Harley Davidson X440 T: First Ride Review

Table of Contents

 

image credits: bikewale.com

Overview

Elias Vance is a prominent automotive journalist and industry analyst with over 15 years of experience in the Australian automotive sector. 

Known for his sharp insights and engaging storytelling, he specializes in market trends, emerging vehicle technologies, and performance reviews...

 His work reflects a deep understanding of both the industry’s technical innovation and its cultural impact on Australian drivers.

The Hero Harley collaboration s first product  the Harley Davidson X440  made its India premiere in July 2025.

Despite being a promising motorcycle  it failed to dominate the sales charts.

 While the key fundamentals were addressed  factors such as polarising design and middling quality standards meant it did not appeal to many potential purchasers.

However  with the X440 T  Harley has attempted to address those shortcomings while also introducing additional subtle improvements to increase the desirability quotient.

Do these upgrades make a difference and make it more appealing? We spent a number of hours with the bike trying to figure out the answer.

 

The appearance

The X440 s XR1200 inspired design provided a welcome breath of new air in 2023.

However  other aspects of the bodywork were unusual  such as the large gap between the back fender and the wheel.

The redesigned  longer  and sleeker tail section  as well as a perfectly integrated tail lamp and more purposeful grab rail  have improved the rear end s appearance.

It enhances the bike s overall appearance.



Harley has also bridged the space between the fuel tank and the cone set by installing a little plastic cowl ahead of the tank.

The use of bar end mirrors rather than traditional ones distinguishes the T from the normal X440. Topping off the visual modifications are new colour options and updated graphics.

In my perspective  the X440 T s design is simpler to digest because it appears more complete  and it should draw attention on the road.

 

The Packaging

Harley Davidson has not only redesigned the T  but also improved its quality.

 In fact  the business emphasises the fact that there are 72 alterations from the ordinary X440.

And this is clear when you look closely at items such as heel plates  foot pegs  the rear brake lever  and chassis welds  all of which appear to be more substantial and quality.

Even the switchgear for the T has been updated  and it now uses higher quality plastic while providing a more tactile sensation.



The X440T also boasts more advanced technology.

The cable operated throttle has given way to ride by wire  which has two ride modes (Road and Rain) and switchable traction control.

You also have the option of turning off the rear ABS  and the panic brake alarm adds extra safety.

All of the information is displayed on the same round  Bluetooth enabled TFT screen  which presents all of the important information in a very legible way.

Among the less noticeable improvements are small tweaks to the internals of the USD fork to prevent it from bottoming out as quickly as before.

The trellis frame  which houses the 440cc air/oil cooled engine capable of producing 27.3bhp and 38Nm  stays untouched.

Furthermore  the X440 T rides on 18 17 inch alloy wheels with MRF Zapper Hyke tyres  USD forks  dual springs  and a single disc brake at both ends.

Even the specs  such as the 170mm ground clearance and 805mm seat height  are intact.

However  the kerb weight has increased by 1.5kg due to new design elements  and the T now weighs 192kg.

 

The Journey

In terms of riding experience  the X440 T is substantially similar to the standard model  easy and pleasurable.

My 5 11  size makes it easy to hop on the bike and maintain a flat footing.

It provides an upright and comfortable riding position that  as we ve seen in the past  is appropriate for both short bursts of riding and travel.



When you press the starter button  the X440 T starts with a characteristic single cylinder  long stroke bassy thump.

 Once you get underway  you ll be rewarded with plenty of torque starting at 2 500rpm  making it a zippy yet tractable engine.

 The X440 T virtually never suffers  whether you re cruising at 50kmph in sixth gear  firing it at 120kmph on the open road  or spiritedly surfing the torque wave in the city.

You ll generally find yourself between 3 000 and 6 000 rpm  where the acceleration feels quick and useful.

 In fact  the new version s throttle response is crisper and more direct  making the ride more pleasurable than before.

Even the NHV levels are effectively contained  with barely any vibrations until 120kmph.

This is supplemented by a very light clutch and a slick shifting gearbox  making the X440 T easier to ride.



The motorcycle also has excellent handling dynamics. It changes direction with minimum touch and feels stable around curves.

You can confidently maintain good lean angles through bends while the bike feels sure footed and stable.

 The chassis and suspension are supported by grippy and feedback rich tyres  which contribute to the car s confident demeanour.

 And when it s time to come to a standstill  the front and rear brakes provide dependable stopping power.

The front disc  in particular  has a firm bite that progresses well.

Only when you brake hard do you want a greater sensation from the front brake lever  it takes a lot of effort to bring it to a stop in an emergency.

The suspension system is not only designed to provide dynamic handling  but it also improves comfort significantly.

On the winding roads of Goa  we found a lot of speed bumps at regular intervals  both large and little  and the X440 T handled them without feeling too bouncy or soft.

It is neither airy nor stiff  thus it seems composed over both minor and major undulations.

 I even attempted jumping a few speed bumps  and the front bottomed out only when landing hard  whilst the rear springs efficiently absorbed the stress.

Is It Worth Purchasing?

The Harley Davidson X440 was already a fun and capable motorbike to ride.

 And the T model  with all of its changes  becomes an even more enticing bundle.

 The design appears more complete  as does the list of features. Harley has also done an excellent job of increasing quality  and the effort is evident in every detail of the bike.

A torquey and characterful engine  pleasant seating ergonomics and ride quality  and nimble and steady handling are among the features that have been retained.

The pricing could have been more reasonable. At Rs. 2.79 lakh  the X440 T is much more expensive than its closest competitors  the Triumph Speed 400 and the Royal Enfield Classic 350.

 The new GST standards have also contributed to the price increase. A Rs. 15 000 20 000 price reduction would have made the X440 T more appealing.

That being said  the bike comes with a larger engine  more features  and the bragging rights of owning a premium American brand such as Harley Davidson.

a These characteristics make paying the modest premium worthwhile.

When he’s not road-testing the latest models or dissecting industry reports, Elias enjoys exploring Australia’s most scenic drives and connecting with the automotive community.

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