Harley-Davidson India has announced that it will absorb the 9% GST increase on its X440 motorcycle, which falls under the new tax reform where two-wheelers over 350 cc are taxed at 40%. As a result, the prices of the Harley-Davidson X440 will remain unchanged, ranging between ₹2.40 lakh and ₹2.80 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The motorcycle is available in three variants: Denim, Vivid, and S.
Harley-Davidson is not the only manufacturer to absorb the GST hike. Other brands such as Bajaj, Triumph, KTM, and Aprilia have also announced that they will absorb the price increase on their premium bikes in the 350-500 cc space. However, Royal Enfield has taken a different approach and has increased prices on its 350+ cc motorcycles, including the Scram 440, Himalayan, Guerrilla 450, and the 650 range.
The Harley-Davidson X440 is a significant model for the company, as it is the most accessible motorcycle globally and has been developed in collaboration with Hero MotoCorp. The motorcycle is powered by a 398 cc single-cylinder air and oil-cooled motor that produces 27 bhp and 38 Nm of peak torque. It features a 6-speed gearbox, inverted front forks, and twin shock absorbers at the rear, as well as disc brakes with dual-channel ABS as standard.
It remains to be seen how long manufacturers will be able to absorb the GST hike, but for now, prices for Harley-Davidson, KTM, Bajaj, Triumph, and Aprilia’s bikes between 350-500 cc remain unchanged. Royal Enfield, on the other hand, has increased prices on its 350+ range. Harley-Davidson is expected to introduce a new iteration of the X440 later this year, which will be a significant addition to the Hero-Harley partnership.