Maverick move
Hero MotoCorp’s collaboration with H-D brings us its first large capacity motorcycle
THE HERO MAVRICK 440 IS HERO MotoCorp’s foray into the larger capacity motorcycle segment, marking their first product under their collaboration with Harley-Davidson. This bike is based on the platform of the Harley-Davidson X440 but differs in design and styling, leaning more towards a contemporary roadster look rather than the cruiser style of the X440.
At the heart of the Mavrick 440 is the 440cc single-cylinder engine, shared with the Harley. This engine is a 2V SOHC unit that is air and oil-cooled, and it produces 27bhp at 6000rpm and 36Nm of torque at 4000rpm. The sixspeed gearbox on offer is equipped with a slip-and-assist clutch. But the engine has had a bit of retuning which results in a 2Nm reduction in torque compared to the Harley, but Hero claims that the engine is designed to provide 90 per cent of its peak torque from as low as 2000rpm.
In terms of its chassis, the Mavrick 440 again borrows from the Harley-Davidson X440, featuring a trellis frame. However, it deviates in its suspension setup, using regular telescopic forks at the front instead of USD forks and non-gas-charged twin shocks at the rear instead. Further differences include a 17-inch front wheel instead of the 18-inch one that we see on the Harley, and this should aid in more nimble handling. The wheelbase is 1388mm, the ground clearance is at 175mm, and the seat height is set at 803mm. Fuel capacity is 13.5 litres and it also varies in weight depending on the wheel type: 187kg for alloys and 191kg for spoked wheels. For braking, it is equipped with a 320mm front disc and a 240mm rear disc.
Feature-wise, the Mavrick 440 is equipped with full LED lighting and on the top-end variant, offers over 35 connectivity features. These features are accessible through a fully digital cluster, which includes functionalities like a gear position indicator and turn-byturn navigation.
Prices will be announced in February, with bookings opening concurrently. But we do expect the bike to be positioned slightly below the Harley, considering the components on offer and the value proposition of the Hero brand. ⌧