After the successful launch of the X440 at a price of Rs 2.29 lakh (ex-showroom), American bikemaker Harley Davidson (HD) is now preparing to launch Nightster 440 in the Indian market. The upcoming bike is inspired by HD’s 975cc Nightster model that the bikemaker sells in many international countries and is garnering positive responses from customers around the globe.
In terms of design, Nightster 440 will feature sporty credentials with a low-slung stance, exposed rear suspension, round mirrors, and a short tail among others. The suspension will favour sporty handling and overall dynamics are likely to be sharp and aggressive. Nightster 440 will share the platform with X440 which means that the suspension and mechanicals will be the same as featured on the latter. The engine will be 440cc and come equipped with an air/oil cooling mechanism with an output of 27hp and 38Nm. The gear will feature a 6-speed ratio which should help in effortless cruising on highways and open stretches of roads.
In terms of positioning, Nightster 440 will sit below the X440 in the price range, thereby making it the most affordable HD bike in the country on its launch. In terms of competition, Royal Enfield is also preparing for the launch of its 350cc Bobber which will intensify the competition in the category as Triumph is also eager to expand its presence in the segment with new offerings. HD has now made its intentions clear of offering affordable bikes as it can help the company to achieve more volumes in the price-conscious category of Indian buyers.
It will be interesting to witness how prospective buyers will react to affordable offerings that HD has started to roll out for Indian buyers. Specifically, the impact of these value-conscious products on the premium image of HD will be a crucial parameter of analysis as it could possibly change the growth trajectory of the company in India.
