Hero Mavrick 440 review, first ride

Hero MotoCorp has been the number-one player in the world for a while now. But that has been solely on the premise of sales basis, which are dependent on entry-level commuter motorcycles. However, the company also aspires to become a strong player in the premium segment. As a result, we have seen the emergence of bikes like the Xpulse, Karizma XMR, and even the Harley-Davidson X440.

But now comes the time to take on the king of the middleweight motorcycles with the Mavrick 440.The Mavrick 440 shares the same platform as the Harley-Davidson X440 which was co-developed by Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp. However, the Harley was conceptualised as a cruiser compared to the Hero which is more of a roadster.

As far as the design is concerned, the Mavrick 440 looks better proportioned. The bike rides on 17in alloy wheels and features chunky 43mm telescopic forks up front. The headlamp is an all-LED affair and also comes with a sensor that activates the headlights when it goes dark.

The instrument panel is an all-digital affair and comes with numerous functionalities, including Bluetooth connectivity. However, the unit is a bit small, and especially the tacho is hard to read on the go. Coupled with a wide handlebar, a comfortable 803mm seat height, and neutrally placed footpegs, the Mavrick 440 promises long hours of comfortable riding.

The fuel tank is quite a large unit and can take in 13.5 litres of fuel. This promises a long range for the Mavrick 440. The fuel tank also houses a small USB charging port. With a phone mounted on the handlebar, this comes in handy for keeping devices charged on the go. At the back, the design is minimalist and is finished off with a small but bright H-pattern LED taillight. The rear mudguard though is quite a large one and a tail tidy would make this bike quite a looker.

When it comes to the chassis, the Mavrick 440 uses the same Trellis frame as seen on the Harley X440. However, the rear section has been reworked to suit the roadster design. The engine too remains identical.

The air-oil cooled 2 valve single displaces 440cc and offers 27bhp and 36Nm of torque. Hero has also worked on the exhaust note of the bike and not only does the exhaust look better designed, but also gets its unique soundtrack. The rear suspension is a twin-shock setup that is adjustable. The bike weighs in at 187kg which is a comfortable number for most to handle.