Harley-Davidson X440 T: First Ride Review

The Looks

The XR1200-inspired styling of the X440 brought a breath of fresh air back in 2023. However, certain parts of the bodywork looked odd, such as the prominent gap between the rear fender and wheel. That odd-looking rear end has been fixed by the new, longer, and sleeker tail section, along with a neatly integrated tail lamp and more purposeful grab rail. It adds more cohesion to the bike’s appearance.

Harley has also filled the gap between the fuel tank and cone set by adding a small plastic cowl ahead of the fuel tank. Setting the T further apart from the standard X440 is the inclusion of bar-end mirrors instead of conventional ones. Topping off the visual changes are new colour options with refreshed graphics. In my opinion, the X440 T’s design is easier to digest by looking more complete, and it should attract attention on the road.

The Package

Harley-Davidson has not just given the T a design makeover but has also upped the quality levels. In fact, the company puts a lot of emphasis on the fact that there are a total of 72 changes over the standard X440. And that’s evident when you closely inspect elements like heel plates, foot pegs, rear brake lever, and chassis welds, all of which seem to exude a more solid and premium feel. Even the switchgear has been changed for the T, and it incorporates better quality plastic while offering a more tactile feel.

The X440T is also more advanced in the technology department. The cable-operated throttle has made way for ride-by-wire, which has brought along two ride modes (Road and Rain) and switchable traction control. You also get the facility to turn off the rear ABS, while the panic braking alert brings additional safety. All the information is displayed on the same round, Bluetooth-enabled TFT screen, which shows all the crucial information in a very legible format.

Among the changes that don’t catch the eye are the subtle revisions to the internals of the USD fork to prevent it from bottoming out as easily as before. What remains unchanged is the trellis frame, which holds the 440cc, air/oil-cooled engine producing 27.3bhp and 38Nm. It comes paired with a six-speed gearbox along with a slipper clutch. Further, the X440 T continues to ride on 18-17-inch alloy wheels shod with MRF Zapper Hyke tyres, USD forks, dual springs, and a single disc brake at both ends. Even the dimensions, including the 170mm ground clearance and 805mm seat height, remain unchanged. The kerb weight though, has witnessed a marginal 1.5kg increment, courtesy of new design elements, and the T tips the scales at 192kg.

The Ride

The X440 T feels largely the same as the standard model in terms of riding experience – easy and enjoyable. Hopping on the bike and flat footing is effortless for my 5’11’’ frame. It offers an upright and comfortable riding position, which, as we have experienced in the past, is suitable for short bursts of rides as well as for touring.

Thumb the starter and the X440 T fires up with a familiar single-cylinder, long stroke bassy thump. Once you get going, you’re greeted with loads of torque right from 2,500rpm onwards, making it a sprightly yet tractable engine. Be it lazily cruising at 50kmph in sixth gear, gunning your way at 120kmph on an open road, or riding the torque wave spiritedly in the city, the X440 T almost never struggles. You’ll mostly find yourself between 3,000-6,000rpm, where the acceleration feels brisk and usable. In fact, the throttle response of the new version feels crisper and more direct, making the bike feel more enjoyable than before. Even the NHV levels are well contained and there are barely any vibrations until 120kmph. This is complemented by a fairly light clutch and slick-shifting gearbox, adding to the ease of riding the X440 T.

The motorcycle is also well-sorted when it comes to handling dynamics. It changes directions with minimal inputs and feels solid around corners. You can confidently carry good lean angles around bends, with the bike feeling sure-footed and stable. Supporting the chassis and suspension are grippy and feedback-rich tyres, which further add to its confidence-inspiring mannerism. And when it’s time to come to a halt, the front and rear brakes deliver an assuring stopping power. The front disc, especially, exhibits a strong bite with decent progression. It’s only when you brake hard that you desire for better feel from the front brake lever – you need to put a lot of effort to bring it to a halt in an emergency.

The suspension setup is not just tuned to deliver sporty handling, but it also aids comfort quite well. On the winding roads of Goa, we encountered a number of speed breakers at regular intervals, both big and small, and X440 T went over them without feeling overly bouncy or soft. It neither feels floaty nor too stiff, thereby feeling composed over minor as well as major undulations. I even tried jumping a few speed breakers and the front bottomed out only on landing hard, while the rear springs effectively absorbed the abuse.

Should You Buy It?

The Harley-Davidson X440 was already an enjoyable and capable motorcycle to ride. And the T variant, with all the changes it gets, is an even more desirable package. The design looks more complete and so does the list of features. Harley has also done a good job of improving the quality levels and the effort shows in every little element on the bike. Good aspects that have been carried forward include a torquey and characterful engine, comfortable seating ergonomics and ride quality, and agile and stable handling.

What could have been better is the price tag. At Rs. 2.79 Lakh, the X440 T is significantly more expensive than its close rivals like the Triumph Speed 400 and Royal Enfield Classic 350. The new GST norms have also played a part in steepening the price. A Rs. 15,000-20,000 lower price tag would’ve made the X440 T more enticing. That said, what you get with the bike is a bigger engine, more features, and the bragging rights of owning a premium American brand like Harley-Davidson. These traits make paying the slight premium worth it.