It was like an open secret that Harley-Davidson would try to recycle the platform of the current range X440 to give life to the reissue of its long-awaited acronyms Sprint. After the announcement of the “Back to the Bricks” strategic plan, it was confirmed that the brand will have an access model for a price of around $6,000.
An idea with judgment and sense, although it is not very clear how the most adept Yankee fans of Milwaukee motorcycles will accept it…
Harley-Davidson Sprint: What we know
That Harley-Davidson is planning to launch a new Sprint in Western markets is something we have been trying to do for a few seasons now. Perhaps it had to be seen at the financial and corporate crossroads in which it found itself to decide, once and for all, to create an access range presided over precisely by a new model named under these iconic acronyms.
What was also foreseeable is the fact that the American firm will use, as a platform for its development, the well-known Indian-made X440. There is no point in experimenting with new models created from scratch. This position is partly understandable, although it remains to be seen how those users who are most loyal to the brand will accept the idea.
In any case, based on the only sketch published by the American company, one thing is clear: the Sprint will have a customized design in relation to the brand’s current X440 models. Starting with a set of 19” wheels at the front and 16” at the rear. Also due to the adoption of a front fork that lengthens the suspension travel at the front.
This in turn would help lower the seat height, offering a driving position more like the chopper style of the brand’s classic models. A classically designed circular headlight, wide handlebars and a teardrop-shaped fuel tank could also be part of the “props” of the expected Sprint.
At a technical level, not many changes are expected with respect to the base used in both the X440 and the Hero MotoCorp model assembled on this same platform. Both the tubular steel chassis, as well as a suspension system composed of an inverted front fork and a pair of lateral shock absorbers at the rear, would be included. Also braking made up of a disc on each axle, 320 mm at the front and 230 mm at the rear.
As for the mechanics, the well-known single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 2-valve, 440 cc SOHC, air and oil cooled and associated with a six-speed gearbox will most likely remain unchanged. Currently it yields a final power of 27 HP at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 38 Nm at 4,000 revolutions. All this with an average consumption of below 4 liters per 100 kilometers travelled.
From Rush Lane they point out that “Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 to make global debut later this year, ahead of launch in India. Manufactured by Hero MotoCorp, the Sprint 440 will also explore export opportunities in various markets. It will be priced competitively, possibly between Rs 2.50 and Rs 2.80 lakhs”, about 2,500 euros at the current exchange rate, referring of course to its internal market.
