The Hero Mavrick 440 is the latest addition to the long-term test garage, marking the brand’s foray into the bigger motorcycle segment thanks to its partnership with Harley-Davidson. This top-spec variant, priced at Rs 2.24 lakh, comes in a stealthy matte black shade and is equipped with premium features such as diamond-cut alloy wheels, 3D badging, smartphone connectivity, and tubeless tires. However, the color options are limited, with the lower variants only offering white, blue, or red, but missing out on most of the fancy kit.
The design of the Mavrick 440 is subjective and may not appeal to everyone. It tries to blend roadster and naked bike elements, resulting in a unique but slightly confused appearance. The round headlight brings a retro charm, while the muscular fuel tank and sharp ‘ear’ extensions give it a naked look. The tail is minimal, with a small brake light and round indicators that surprisingly gel with the setup.
Under the hood, the Mavrick 440 runs a 440cc air-/oil-cooled engine, producing 27 bhp and 36 Nm, paired with a smooth-shifting 6-speed gearbox. The bike is built around a trellis frame, with telescopic forks up front and 7-step adjustable twin shocks at the rear. It rides on 17-inch wheels and features disc brakes with dual-channel ABS. The top-spec variant weighs 187kg, with a fuel tank capacity of 13.5 liters.
The cluster on the Mavrick 440 is not the best, but it gets the job done, displaying trip meters, range, gear position, and phone connectivity features. The lighting is fully LED, including the headlight, tail lamp, and indicators. However, the cockpit feels empty, and the cluster looks out of place, which is something Hero could improve on.
After a few weeks of riding, the Mavrick 440 has proven to be comfortable, with good ergonomics and handling. The 440cc engine is smooth, making it easy to like and live with. However, it has failed to create an identity of its own, often going unnoticed on the road. The question remains whether it will continue to impress in the long haul. With a target mileage of 5000 km, the team will continue to put the Mavrick 440 through its paces, providing updates on its performance, fuel efficiency, and overall durability. Currently, the odometer reading stands at 558 km, and the team is excited to see how it performs over the next few months.