Harley-Davidson's Entry-Level Motorcycle Is A Smash Overseas. Will The US-Bound Model Do the Same?

The MoCo's partnership with Indian motorcycle giant Hero MotoCorp has already seen success, and more models are reportedly on the way very soon.

By: Janaki Jitchotvisut

Jun 22, at 8:19am ET

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Just under a year ago, we reported the news that Harley-Davidson planned to introduce a new entry-level motorcycle sometime in 2026. As I write this, it's already June, so we're halfway through the year. That leaves us about six more months left to make that reporting come true, assuming no delays push it into 2027. And now, it appears there's been some public-facing movement on that front.

Remember Harley's ongoing partnership with Indian motorcycle giant Hero MotoCorp, which has produced the extremely popular X440 lineup in India? Part of the deal included Hero's ability to make a motorcycle under its own branding that used the same engine, but the magic evidently didn't hold, as Hero canceled the Mavrick 440 not too long ago.

Not to worry, though; lest you think that the Harley/Hero partnership was in any danger of fading out, that's apparently not the case. In fact, local news sources like The Economic Times are reporting that Harley and Hero are now looking to expand their partnership to develop even more "entry-level performance motorcycles and cruisers in India for sale globally." Citing unnamed industry insiders, ET reported that sales of these entry-level models are planned for "emerging markets," with no further information as to exact geography given.

But one clear piece of information was included in this reporting, and it's that the hotly anticipated Harley-Davidson Sprint will likely be top of the release list, expected sometime later this year.

And while neither firm was keen to give specific details to ET about their shared plans, Hero MotoCorp CEO Harshavardhan Chitale did tell them that, "The Hero-Harley collaboration doesn't restrict sales to India only-if Harley finds suitability for the product in its global markets, it can take it from Hero to sell elsewhere; that decision rests with Harley."

It's not yet clear whether the Sprint will utilize the same platform as the X440, or be developed on a completely different, as-yet unseen platform that is codeveloped under the auspices of this partnership. We don't know what displacement it will have, nor what engine configuration it will use, though we do look forward to finding out soon.

What do you think?

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Between the Harley-Davidson X440 and the Mavrick 440, Hero reported sales of 14,375 units in the past year, which is hardly anything to sneeze at. It's not at all difficult to see why both companies would be keen to capitalize on what appears to be a mutually beneficial partnership with additional models, and preferably sooner rather than later. Something something strike while the iron is hot, I guess?

In any case, as and when we have more information about the Sprint, or indeed about any other future fruits of the Harley-Hero partnership, you'll find it all right here at RideApart.