Harley-Davidson officially presents the new £4,995 Sprint 440

Harley-Davidson’s highly-anticipated Sprint 440 has officially been presented by the American motorcycle maker, with pricing already confirmed, too. 

Described as “an invitation to experience the freedom and fun of motorcycling” by Harley, the new Sprint 440 combines a narrow profile and low seat height with plenty of modern tech. 

However, there’s no better place to start than the heart of the new motorcycle, with the Sprint 440 powered by a single-cylinder air/oil-cooled engine that produces 27 hp (around 26.6bhp) at 6,000rpm and 28 Ib-ft of torque at 4,000rpm.

According to Harley-Davidson, the engine has been designed to minimize the bike’s overall weight, while the fuel tank features a capacity of 9 litres. 

Sticking with the engine, it features a single overhead camshaft and two valves (one exhaust and one intake), and its own electronic fuel injection (EFI) system which self-adjusts to maintain performance for changing conditions.

The engine also comprises a long piston stroke that “delivers the sensation of satisfying, torquey performance at lower RPM for authentic Harley-Davidson character”, according to the manufacturer. 

Additionally, the bike’s six-speed transmission features overdrive ratios in both fifth and sixth gear in order to provide better fuel economy, while also reducing the engine’s rpm for when cruising at highway speeds. The clutch features assist-and-slip functionality to help reduce the required lever pressure.

Braking is handled by a single front and rear disc system. The front brake makes use of a 320mm diameter disc and two-piston caliper, while a 240mm diameter disc and single-piston caliper are found at the rear. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is provided as standard equipment.

The front suspension includes 43mm dual-cartridge inverted forks with 130mm of travel, while piggyback coil-over shocks are found at the rear with seven-step mechanical preload adjustment for load and rider preference. 

The Sprint 440 also gains lightweight cast aluminum wheels featuring a new 10-spoke design. Tech includes a coloured TFT display that’s presented in a 3.5-inch screen. The dashboard displays a digital speedometer, tachometer, odometer and trip meter, plus indicators and warning symbols. A full dose of LED lighting is also found aboard the Sprint 440.

Speaking about the new motorcycle, Harley-Davidson President and Chief Executive Officer, Artie Starrs said: 

“The new Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 model is our invitation to ride. It’s an ideal motorcycle for a variety of riders -- the new rider who wants to build skills and confidence, but also a great option for returning riders who want to get back on the road or as an uncomplicated and fun ride for experienced riders. 

“The sensation of riding a motorcycle is like flying without leaving the ground, and the Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 model welcomes everyone to share in this experience.”

Pricing for the Sprint 440 starts at £4,995 in the UK, but that only applies to the Dark Billiard Gray option, which is the base colour.

If customers are interested in either the Vivid Black and Teal Thunder variants, then the price rises to £5,195. 

Still, the Sprint 440 offers a very affordable way to get started with the American brand for riders in the UK, rather than many of its large-capacity models which tend to be priced at the higher end of the market. 

The Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 motorcycle is making its public debut at the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, Italy, which takes place on November 5-8.

According to the marque, it will be available through participating Harley-Davidson dealerships globally, although launch times and availability vary by market.

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